@Walls saved us.

But he couldn't completely save Blackie.

After all the sludge fell, I rushed out as soon as I could to Blackie's side. The metal on his rim was melting slightly. It hurt to hear him whimper and sob so much. I took him in my arms... and cried. I looked up at everyone.

Attie, Walls, Nobody, Slug Master, Eralonia, Claude-- they all kind of had their heads down, looking at me. I squinted, and tears fell down my face. I heard Blackie howl a bit. Some of the melting metal fell onto my hand. It wasn't hot. In fact, it was cold. So cold.

~We can save him.~ Eralonia said. ~Don't worry, Scilph. He isn't in that much pain.~

I wanted to scream at her, but I didn't have the energy to fight back. I just nodded a bit. Blackie could stand, but his legs were shaky. I opened to door... and saw thousands of EBIBs on fire, slowly burning out.

Then... I heard someone. A voice from behind me.

{Scilph.}

I didn't need to look to know who it was. I ran straight to him, trying my best to embrace Morris. He turned solid to return the hug. Happy tears were streaming down my cheeks. Blackie limped over, his energy returning.

"WE WON! WE WON!" I heard Attie yell. She jumped on top of Paci, who didn't fall over as I expected. Paci started off with a small giggle... and then laughed. She pulled the others into the hug, but Mattie stopped her when she tried to pull me in.

"No no," She said. "Let them have their moment."

I could hear Attie whispering under her breath, "Kiss him already," when Paci elbowed her with a steel arm. "ow!" I just grinned widely...

And in a room fill with smoke and with seven other people, two cats, and a sentient black box watching us, I kissed Morris.