Author's Note: This needed to be rewritten.

Chapter One: Chum Chum's End

Fanboy's life began at age six—that's as far back as his memory went—and ended at age twelve. In those six years, Fanboy tried to make up for those unconscious ones by living life to the fullest. He was zealously energetic, easygoing, and cheerful. Fanboy was determined to bury his hazy mystery years under a mountain of adventures and fun.

In the sleepy little town of Galaxy Hills, Fanboy ran and played like the wild child he was. He trampled the school grounds with Chum Chum, his imaginary sidekick, in tow until he gasped for air, the sun beating down on him as his dirty converse pounded on the asphalt. His schoolmates gave him a wide berth. He didn't mind. He was mostly oblivious.

He had a lively imagination. He made believe all the time. That was when the adults grew concerned. It was normal for a young child to have an imaginary friend, but when Fanboy held onto this notion for years with such intensity, people began to realize that something was off.

It got worse at the start of 2nd grade. Fanboy had insisted on saving an empty desk for Chum Chum, denying another child that seat. After he was scolded, Fanboy sulked and had his imaginary friend to sit on his lap for the rest of the year, carefully slipping in and out of his desk before sprinting to the playground whenever the bell rang. From then on at the start of every school year, he'd insist on saving a seat for his best friend. Choosing battles was easier than putting a foot down, so the teachers allowed him to sink further into his daydreams.

Said teachers were initially worried about Fanboy's oddness. They eventually chalked it up to his immaturity and refusal to apply himself. His classmates, save Yo, avoided him like the plague, but he didn't mind. He had Chum Chum.

Every day brought a new adventure that only he could see. It may have seemed harmless at first, but it soon became dangerous and impulsive as he grew older.

Up in the water tower that stood proudly in the heart of the town, Fanboy lived alone without parental supervision. The closest thing he had to a father figure was Oz, the comic store owner who lived below, and Oz's mother was the closest thing he had to a mother. Nobody really knew how Fanboy felt about his absent family. When asked, he would shrug and change the subject. If pressed, he would grow agitated. If pushed any further, he would either shut down completely or let out a growl of frustration before running off.

Today, the sun peaked over the mountains to brighten the cloudless sky. Fanboy lay practically smothered in blankets, snoring softly. Beside his bed was another, reserved for one Chum Chum. It was silent, save for the ticking of his alarm clock. He slept soundly, but when the alarm clock blared, his green eyes popped open. With a grin on his face, Fanboy shot out of bed like a cannonball and sang his daily "Together" hymn with Chum Chum by his side.

The boys sang loudly as they slid down the pale green slide that led to the living room to finish their song with excessive dramatic flourish.

"Hoo-boy!" Fanboy panted cheerily, stretching a bit. "Think I snagged a vocal cord on that last part."

"Ouch!" Chum Chum winced, tugging on his cape. "C'mon, let's get some breakfast. Man-Arctic Crunch is calling my name!"

After chowing down at least five bowls of his favorite cereal, Fanboy leaned back and fanned his masked face.

"Sheeshly, it's like a billion degrees in here!" He glanced at the thermostat on the wall, gasping when the red filled up and burst. Determined, Fanboy stood. "That's it; we gotta cool off. Wanna go to the Frosty Mart and surprise Lenny?" He asked mischievously. Chum Chum shoved the last bit of Man-Arctic Crunch in his mouth and hopped down from his seat.

"Sure! Why not?"

Fanboy shrugged. "Or we could play a board game. Mr. Unicorn's Teddy Bear Dress Up Fashion Show, anyone?"

Chum Chum retched in disgust. "Nobody! Duly noted," Fanboy conceded. They both shuddered. The poor game had only been used once before it but it was shoved behind ALL of their board games.

"Let's run! I don't wanna melt before we get there."

"Wanna race?" Chum Chum suggested, smiling excitedly. Fanboy grinned and fist bumped the other boy.

"Don't mind if I do."

...

Side by. side, the two boys sprinted across the street to where their favorite place in the world was waiting for them. Inside, comics crowded the racks, video games ran cheap (if you could get past Boog), and to top it off: Frosty Freezy Freezes, the heavenly slushy.

"I'm gonna win!"

"No, I will!"

"No, me!"

"No, ME!"

Both boys laughed at the top of their lungs as they tried to trip each other up. The dreadfully hot sun beat down like a vice, but they pressed on. The shorter boy could hardly keep up with his friend, and as the sun continued its assault, he began to gasp.

Fanboy grinned and sped off faster and faster down the street, ignoring his aching legs and pounding heart.

It was only when the pounding of two pairs of feet became one that the older boy paused to check on his friend.

"Ha! Forfeiting at last," he panted, bending down to support himself on his knees. "Good race, Bud. I'll carry you."

Chum Chum waved off his friend. "No," he coughed. "It's fine-! I don't need help."

Fanboy smiled kindly. "Hey, don't deny my muscles a chance to flex!" He joked, briefly taking into account that they were in the middle of the road.

Chum Chum nodded. "O-Okay. But put me down before we get inside."

"Right, right!" Fanboy giggled. Approaching his friend, he outstretched his arms.

Just as he was about to embrace the other boy, the screeching of tires assaulted his ears. He jumped as reflective metal slammed Chum Chum out of view, causing him to throw himself backwards and scream. The car came to an abrupt stop. Then, silence.

Fanboy stared at his reflection on the shiny door, shocked into stillness. His mouth opened and closed a few times before he finally got it to work and it took even longer to get his shaking limbs to move.

"Hu…Huh…Huh?" He croaked, unaware of the sharp burning on his face until then. With trembling fingers, he reached up and touched his cheek, pulling them away to find them drenched with blood. A gash about the size of his palm scarred his cheek right below his eye. The car door had a new scratch streaked with blood.

"Ch…Chum?" He rasped. His cheek bone was in agony, but he was far more concerned for the well-being of his best friend.

Dazed, Fanboy stood wobbling to stare at the perpetrator driving the orange colored vehicle. It was Boog, a Frosty Mart employee who always picked on him and Chum Chum. His normally confident, chiseled face was chalk-white with shock.

"W-W-Whaddaya hanging in th' road fo, you DWEEB?" He yelled, slamming his shaking large fists on the wheel.

Waves of waves of adrenaline began to shoot up Fanboy's spine. His brain hadn't quite put the pieces together, even as he dropped to his hands and knees to begin searching for his little companion.

Boog leaned out the car window and glared. "STAY PUT!" He ordered, pulling out his Chimp-Chomp themed cellphone. "And don't you FAKE anything, got it? I got a dashcam fo' a reason!"

"Ch-Chum?" Fanboy cried out as he circled the car. He checked behind each wheel, hoping to find his buddy's round, scared little face, but he found nothing.

Fanboy screeched as soon as it clicked. "WHERE IS HE?!"

Boog flinched. "Dude, you're fine!" He tried to assure. "It-It's just a scratch. Chill out."

Fanboy paid no attention. "WHERE. IS. HE?" He heaved.

"H-Huh?" Boog stuttered as the boy's crazed pinpoints bore into his. For once, he was at a loss for words. Fanboy gripped the windowsill with his gloved hands and leaned in close to the man, who jolted and leaned back out of reach.

When the older teen failed to give an immediate answer, Fanboy kicked the car with all his might and made a large dent. "DON'T YOU HOLD OUT ON ME, BOOG!" Worried for his car's condition and suspicion that dent may arouse, Boog pointed.

"Th-There. Right there," he supplied.

Fanboy's vision went fuzzy until he saw Chum Chum's body, curled up on the street.

With a terrified gasp, he sprinted towards his friend. Boog watched from the car, unsure. His first impulse was to drive away, but the kid was still in the middle of the road having a panic attack. He swallowed hard. He needed to call for help.

Fanboy quickly kneeled down next to Chum Chum's body and gaped. A deep gash ran along the side of his skull. His eyes were closed. He wasn't moving. Fanboy choked back a cry as he stared at the bleeding wound.

"Chum Chum!" Fanboy squeaked, shaking the sidekick's shoulder. "Chum Chum?! ANSWER ME!" When the younger boy didn't respond, Fanboy pressed his gloved hand over the wound, desperate to stop the bleeding.

"Buddy, come on!"

No response. He whimpered. His stomach churned.

"Please, no…" Fanboy whispered. He began to panic when the blood streamed down Chum Chum's face and onto the rough street pavement. He had to try something else, but couldn't move his friend in fear of injuring him more.

"BOOG!" Fanboy removed his hand from the wound, jumped up, and recklessly darted his way back to the orange-colored vehicle. Boog gulped as the male advanced. "You have to help me! He's bleeding! He won't wake up!" The boy yelled, his fingers clenching the windowsill.

Nodding nervously, Boog dialed 9-1-1. Fanboy swallowed hard and sprinted back to his friend while Boog ordered an ambulance.

"Please, just send somebody over!" Boog hissed into the phone. "It's the same kid as last time. But now, he's going bananas in the middle of the road!"

Fanboy's application of pressure did nothing to staunch the blood flow. It was everywhere, staining his skin and attire. He began to feel lightheaded. With an audible gurgle he clumsily stumbled away from his dying friend, tripping over his own feet and collapsing on the ground beside the curb.

Before long, the long wails of sirens filled the air. Fanboy continued to heave helplessly, skinny body twitching against the asphalt road. A single ambulance and police car swerved and stopped next to his friend. The doors of the ambulance quickly opened and out stepped a small medical team. A policeman approached a now lamenting Boog and began to take notes.

Fanboy's hope instantly deflated when the paramedics passed by Chum Chum as if he were invisible. Instead, they walked toward him. A few of his classmates also appeared, curious as to what all the commotion was about. They whispered, pointed, but seemed unaffected by Chum Chum's curled up body.

Dumbfounded, Fanboy slowly wrapped his arms around his knees to keep them from shaking and started to rock back and forth. The paramedics sat beside and started tending to him.

"WHAT?!" he cried. "Not me! Go to Chum Chum! He's right there!" He pointed, but the paramedics didn't listen. " Help HIM! PLEASE!"

"Honey, shhh," the paramedic soothed. She placed a hand over his. "You're alright."

"I KNOW!" He yelled, yanking his hand away. "HE'S NOT!"

"We're gonna need you to calm down, Son," another paramedic said sternly. "Take a deep breath."

He tried to get to Chum Chum, but they gripped his arms to keep him grounded. As he struggled, Fanboy caught sight of Yo, who was fighting her way through the crowd. Even she, the girl with a major infatuation with his best friend, seemed unperturbed by the body. What on Earth was going on? Fanboy shuddered in dread.

"Why aren't they looking at him?" He thought frantically. "Why isn't anybody helping him?" The super fan stared intently at the paramedics performing their work, checking his blood pressure, taking his temperature. Bursting into another round of tears, he gagged.

"Hello?" Fanboy croaked at one of the paramedics. Nobody answered. "IS HE GOING TO BE OKAY?!"

"Calm down," the female paramedic soothed again, handing him a small plastic cup of water. "It isn't real, Sweetie. You're safe. It's alright. You're safe."

"I'm fine!" Fanboy exploded, stamping his feet. "Chum Chum is NOT!" He coughed and wiped his runny nose, trying to at least get a glimpse of his best friend, but the area on the road was empty. It was as if Chum Chum had disappeared into thin air. Fanboy trembled so badly that he actually began to dribble.

"Where is he?!" He whispered, struggling to get away from the paramedics.

"It isn't real," the woman repeated. "It isn't real."

Fanboy tilted his head back and stared at the cloudless sky. The panicked cries of his best friend filled his ears, all coming together in a boisterous roar. "W-Where are you, Buddy?" He cried, looking all around for that orange costume. "Chum Chum, where are you?"

He went limp, feeling faint.

"Fanboy!"

Fanboy's head jerked up. Yo was yards away with the most horrible look on her face. She took no notice of the hands of some passersby's that tried to hold her back as she advanced towards Fanboy, who had slowly and fearfully begun to scoot away.

With an earsplitting scream, Yo shouldered the paramedics aside and socked Fanboy's temple as hard as she could.

"Why do you keep doing this?!" She screamed, but Fanboy was too dazed to respond. "SAY something!" The appalled paramedics tore Yo away from the boy and shoved her down to sit against the curb while the policeman reprimanded her. Fanboy sat numbly as the paramedics bandaged him up. Yo kept shouting at him, growing more enraged when he didn't respond.

Kyle, a transfer student from Britain, stepped in. "Enough of this," he growled. "Leave him be."

"Shut up," Yo seethed. "You wanna sugarcoat it like everyone else, Kyle?"

Kyle blinked. "Pardon?"

"If Fanboy keeps having these episodes, he'll be pushing up daisies before Thanksgiving!" Taking a deep breath, Yo went on. "Chum Chum's dead now," she growled. "Don't you see? Fanboy's freaking out because he saw Chum Chum get hit by a car and DIE. He hasn't taken ANY of his prescriptions yet," she seethed. "I oughtta know; I'm trying to HELP HIM!"

Kyle stared at her. "Fair. But what of his parents?"

"He's an orphan," Yo growled. "Remember?"

"…Right."

"I'm the one who makes sure he takes his medication," she barked, poking her own chest. "I'm the one who tries to play with him. I'M the one who was trying to take Chum Chum away from him while everyone else just encouraged it! Oz doesn't do anything to help!"

Kyle wasn't sure what to say. A quiet bookworm fascinated in the dark arts, he tolerated Fanboy's hyper antics at best and ignored him at least. He didn't have much comfort to offer the other boy. Not like Yo, who'd known Fanboy her whole life. "Well, then… If you want to help him, don't strike him. It'll all go to pot if you do that."

Yo didn't answer. Kyle awkwardly stepped back. Yo was a very happy girl. It wasn't often she would lose her temper like this. Then again… He watched Fanboy sitting like a lump on a log and shuddered to himself. Maybe this was the last straw. Fanboy had a sunny disposition and long fuse, but when he got mad, like REALLY mad, there was always trouble. Now that his rock was gone, he was unpredictable.

Surrounded by paramedics, Fanboy squeezed his eyes shut and covered his ears. His mind was a dumpster fire of scary noises and thoughts that he didn't know how to express. Tears streamed down his bandaged face. One of the paramedics wrapped a comforting arm around his shoulders.

"I'm very sorry this is happening to you," she apologized gently. "We're going to get you help." Fanboy gaped at her. He'd heard that phrase before. From where, he didn't know. He giggled hysterically.

"No, no, no!" He buried his face in his arms as a way to muffle his sobs until he felt a different hand on his shoulder.

"It's okay," A lisped voice soothed. Oz. "It's going to be okay, lil' dude." With a heart-wrenching cry, Fanboy fell into the man's open arms and sobbed.

"O-Oz, make them help Chum Chum!" He bleated. Oz froze, and Fanboy pulled back with bloodshot eyes. "Please!" He begged, sniffling.

Oz patted his back, at a bit of a loss for words. He wasn't really a father; more of a friend. He was very irresponsible with Fanboy, allowing him to go out without permission, not setting a curfew, nor helping with schoolwork. Now, Fanboy was breaking down. Without proper treatment, Oz realized, things were going to go from bad to worse.

"Things are gonna be different from now on," he assured the broken, crying child, a hint of relief in his voice. "Seriously. This is it."

Fanboy gaped, mind going foggy. He was more than lost. He was desolate. He felt betrayed, abandoned. He hiccuped as Oz pulled him back into the hug. He continued to sob, a strange yet familiar feeling overtaking him. It was a warm fuzziness in his runny eyes and a clicking sensation in his brain, like a gear. A white noise filled his ears, blocking all natural sound.

Then he saw him. Chum Chum, perfectly intact and smiling happily at him. Beside the sidekick, a blurry smudge manifested and promptly swallowed up his best friend before he could say a word.

"CHUM CHUM!" He screamed, long and hoarse, and Oz tightened his grip.

"It's not real, lil' dude. It's not real," the man desperately insisted as Fanboy struggled to pull away. "It isn't real. Seriously!"

"B-But—!" Fanboy yelped and pointed, begging Oz with his eyes to understand, but the man just shook his head.

"It isn't real."

Fanboy gurgled, hysteria settling in. His skin went chalk-white as he continued to balk. The smudge shimmered its way to Fanboy, who stared in disbelief. "What are you!?" Fanboy moaned aloud. Nobody seemed to notice.

The smudge tilted to the left and manifested a toothy smile. Fanboy jolted, and then it spoke. "Onnud?"

Fanboy stiffened. The voice had literally appeared in his mind, but the apparition's "mouth" hadn't moved. He whimpered. "O-Oz?"

The smudge spoke again. "Nur dna pmuj. Ffo eht rialnaf. Og won."

It was airy, brittle, and horrifying. Fanboy screamed and tore himself away from Oz to curl up on himself and cover his ears. Helplessly, the man cradled him in his arms and walked over to one of the paramedics. He leaned in and began whispering. Fanboy caught a few of his words: …reality… …problems… …ward… …state… institutionalized… …charge… …Tuesday… A few nods and a handshake later, the paramedics packed up their things and began to clear out.

"O-Oz…" Fanboy dribbled. "Chum…H-Help…"

Oz held him tight. "C'mon, Dude. You're staying with me and Mom tonight."

...

Fanboy sprinted into Oz's Comix spare room and slammed the door so loudly that it shook the building. He breathed heavily for a few moments before aimlessly pacing around the small area; one thought swirling about in his mind:

"Chum Chum is dead."

With tears in his eyes, Fanboy let out a gut-wrenching scream and kicked a cardboard box of figures with all his might.

Oz timidly entered the shop, his heart sinking as he witnessed the child break down.

"Dude, we need to have a family meeting."