Title: The Green Monster

Summary: Oncie was able to have a great rise and fall thanks to the Green Monster that lives inside him that no one else could see until the end...

Just a warning, this is not a very happy ending. Sorry if you were hoping for it to be after the last chapter. I hoped that I would end this multi-chaptered fanfic while I was still part of the Once-ler fandom, but after everything that happened I just could not do that. It was no one on fanfiction's fault, but mostly the tumblr community that I felt disturbed and hurt by. Everything bad that you thought could happen to a fandom, did happen, and I am terribly disappointed by that. Hopefully the new fans can do something about it.

Chapter 8

He stepped onto the dirt, hearing the once moist, luscious earth crackle under his boot. This should not have happened. The trees were renewable, hardy things, and grew like an unstoppable force with just a few drops of water. This forest that bloomed life now only had the howls of mournful, empty winds and yucky, brown, grackle grass that served better as a dull blade than a source of food or comfort. Oncie closed his eyes; both in shame from his ignorance and the intense wind kicking up the powdery ground that used to have grass anchoring it in place. Astonished by the destruction, the business man slowly took off his large, top hat, shivering in shock. The once demure, young man walked father out into the unfamiliar world, but was immediately brought back to reality by the revving on the old, family vehicle, hearing that even the engine suffered and sputtered in the hard air. The large, heaving, steel behemoth slowed to a crawl and fully halted in from of the well-dressed, ebony-haired man. The window of the driver's seat rolled down, revealing her disappointment in her genius son that she thought would do better.

The narrow-eyed blonde sighed; they both finally understood. Mother was always right. She huffed when she saw the despair and realization in her eldest son's eyes, not able to muster much pity after his disobedience to her orders and the harsh, undeserved slap in the face. Yes, the Green Monster was a charmer, but Oncie's mother warned the entrepreneur of the snake oil salesman that was the Once-ler. Her patience had run too thin. Those shoulders that puffed up and stood with pride, now hunched in defeat only gave her empty satisfaction. Things would only get worse for the strained family from here.

"Oncie, you really let me down!" His mother whined at her son that should have known better. "Bret!" The middle-aged woman yelled, snapping the young, sad looking twins from their glazed states. Bet, the one closest to the other door, glanced at the retro-styled, country woman, unsure of what to say to her. "You are now my new, favorite child." She announced in a simultaneously sweet and cold tone, but the twins knew the blonde was hiding her true feelings for their elder brother. She was just a mother that was pushed too much and did not know what else she could do.

The RV sped off into the distance, racing down the road. Ms. Funcle-ler and the other gaggle of distant relatives hopped onto the road as well, whizzing by the dazed, dark-haired man as they left. The smokey clouds parted to allow a beacon of light to shine onto the land. Was the Lorax finally going to use his miraculous powers to restore the land? Would there be a second chance that would allow for the redemption to take place? Oncie twirled around, the coat dragging obnoxiously in the gritty dirt as he turned to the orange, guardian of the forest for answers. The mythical creature seemed to know what the abandoned human was thinking, and shook his head at the naïve, young man. Many a times, the forest's voice had spoken of caution and the consequences to the man blinded by youth and money, and sometimes there was just no return to the former glory and splendor. Oncie bit his lip to hold back the tears pooling at the corner of his wide, ocean-blue eyes, and observed in horror as the orange creature lifted his butt off the ground, and flew away into the ray of light that compelled the forest guardian into the Heavens.

A sinister, all-knowing cackle filled his ears and made his blood run cold. Oncie spun around like a mad man, not sure where the evil laughter was coming from until his eyes settled on the platform that the Lorax had left behind. Unless… was the guardian of the trees talking about containing the Once-ler? Oncie begged his counterpart inside him to stop, but his pleas were being ignored and tuned out by the merry, pretty laugh. Oncie dashed up the spiral stairs; he needed to go to the one place that the demonic doppelganger could not hide from him. The misguided, businessman burst through the doors of his luxurious bedroom and practically flew towards the full-body mirror. His boots had barely stationed themselves as he stared into the glass device. Instead of a standard reflection that was a perfect copy of reality, Oncie was greeted by the Once-ler holding his sides, doubled over in hearty, uncontained joy. The beautiful face that he kissed a thousand times was contorted and scrunched from the intense merriment, but it only made the sweeter copy want to punch the Once-ler. What was there to be so happy about? Did he not see what was going on? Did the Once-ler plan for all this misery around them? Everything they had worked so hard for was for nothing; no one was left, and this was their entire fault due to their carelessness and short-sightedness. Please stop laughing… please! But it continued like a broken record, filling the room with a heavy, disgusting air that was worse than the outside. Oncie tried to stay calm but it was so maddening. The dark, hate-filled air was filling his lungs.

"Why are you laughing? Can't you see what is going on? God damn it, stop laughing and talk to me!" The confused one cried out. Oncie pounded his fists futilely against the infuriating, unbreakable glass; it gained the attention of the Once-ler. The ghostly entity wiped away his own tears of joy that had been building in the corner of his eyes, and smoothed down any imperfect hairs that moved during his fun. The Once-ler softly smiled at the young man he adored, the twinkle in his dazzling, bright, emerald-colored eyes made the innocent twin's breath hitch. When the all-knowing phantom directed his gaze onto the other in such a way, it usually meant things were going to get better. There was a sigh of temporary relief, as Oncie pressed his head against the cool glass. He needed reassurance. Things were going to turn back, and everything would be just as it was before. Please, say those pretty, needed words to me dear. "Once-ler, what is going on? The trees are all gone; the Lorax is gone… everyone is gone. I am so alone…" Oncie said to himself than to the apparition look-alike. Soothe me gently like you did before, when I started this journey and no one believed in me. Please Once-ler, I need you to be there for me. The devious counterpart tsk-ed and waved his finger at the entrepreneur. Even after years of being the CEO of his own company, the young man did not seem to understand the opportunities that lie ahead of the two with this situation. The Once-ler in the mirror pulled out a single seed that the Lorax had thrown at him long ago from his trickster, opera-length gloves, slipped it into his matching, green-striped jacket with exaggerated coattails, and winked at the demure, solid man. A lump formed in Oncie's pocket. It made the young man gasp. The youthful brunette gently took the spiral seed out, his mouth curling into a hopeful smile as he stared at the last chance. "This… we can plant it and eventually bring the Lorax back! Oh my goodness..." He was on the verge of sobbing and shaking with joy.

"Ha, I have no intentions of bringing that fur ball back here! He would ruin everything." The devious counterpart huffed.

"Then, why do you have this seed?"

"We were put on this earth to create an empire Oncie. We were meant for even greater things than a forest of trees, a bunch of conniving, whorish relatives, and a dumb, tree guardian. We're going to build a greenhouse with the money we have now, plant that seed, and sell more thneeds and clean air to people. We're going to branch out and provide the two necessities that are something everyone needs or else they'll suffer. Think about it, selling people the very air they breathe…" The Once-ler drawled in a sleazy, sexy tone. Oncie gulped and stood nervously in front of the devilish doppelganger. It was so tempting to go and continue bigger, to a level that thneeds could not possibly attain on their own, and perhaps that was the problem. He was too tired to this fierce, brooding entity, succumbing into the darkness of his desire for more, the green monster of greed who thrived on money and broken backs of thousands. "You understand now, don't you Oncie darling?" Yes, he understood everything and placed the treasured seed of hope in his coat; the brunette walked away from the mirror. "Oncie, wait, where are you going? We have to discuss these things in more detail dearest." The darker copy called out in that sappy, saccharine that used to pull the naïve, businessman in with ease.

"This seed is not mine or yours to plant and use; nothing we do will ever atone for the destruction of this wondrous place. The soil here is too dead, and the water is so polluted that it would taint this precious pod." Oncie said looking down at the last, possible tree. "I love you too much to change, to reject your ways even if I were to trick you with your plan to bring the Lorax back. It is pathetic; you manipulated me so all this could happen and I still love you so much." The eyes that were reminiscent of the beautiful, clear sky locked with uncertain ones that were the color of money and the false sweetness of sin.

"Oncie, I love you too. Don't let them get in the way. They're gone now. Please don't say such hurtful things again, we were meant to be-" The young entrepreneur sighed and softly smiled.

"No, my mother loved me. The Lorax loved me. You never loved me. You loved my possibilities, what you could get from me, and you knew exactly how to 'love' me." Oncie was not surprised to see that the Once-ler did not flinch from those words. They were the truth, but perhaps there was still an oblivious, young man who desperately wanted to be surprised. "The last thing I want to do with my money is finish the wall around Thneedville. I'll keep them away from me until they are ready for the seed, so you might as well just leave now. There is no fun to be had anymore. Find someone else to play with now. I will miss you." A force made the disheartened businessman feel the beating of two hearts thumping against his chest, and how good it felt when the two moved in complete synchronization. The warmth, the feeling of being whole, it was so amazing even in this time of utter despair and carnage against good.

"I want to stay." The Once-ler's words vibrated in his head. "You are mine, and you always will be." It was laughable how even the ghostly man won even with this choice of action.

"You are so cruel. You won't even give me the possibility to change; you cling to my conscience like a filthy parasite. And yet after saying all that…" Oncie had to pause because he could no longer hold back the tears. "Please don't leave me! Dear god please…" He shuddered as every muscle in his body was used to make him uncontrollably sob. I won't leave… Thank you.

After the large, steel wall was constructed, the factory was torn down, and the isolated businessman cut all ties with the citizens who he used to employ, there was nothing to do but wait. He stayed in his house, locked up in the lanky building and whenever he felt lonely, he stood or sat by the window and closed his eyes. When the wind did not blow the foul stench of lingering, factory fumes and rough, clay earth, in those moments, the once naïve, ebony-haired man could picture the bright, color forest, animals frolicking peacefully, and a slightly annoying, mustache-bearing guardian. It felt good to recall the former beauty of the barren place. Of course, even with the most active and large imaginations like his would be pulled back into reality, and Oncie would check the clock to see what time it was. Not that it mattered to him, but it was something Thneedville's future depended on.

At night, like a clockwork whore, he returned to the bed and breathed deeply. The Once-ler's presence was always the heaviest when they were under the covers. Probably because the devious, counterpart was merciful to not demand from the former businessman during the times he tried to drown in the ether of memories, but most likely the only thing worth taking, manipulating, and wringing out of him was his body. It did not matter anymore. No, correction, other things did, but he did not.

The first sign of hope came ten years later in the form of a young, college graduate. He was stout and stumpy in appearance, a complete opposite to Oncie and his towering, lean form. His hair was just as dark as the once successful entrepreneur, but it was long and just touched the portly, young man's shoulders and had an unnatural sheen that looked greasy to the touch. It was obvious the college student was not from money too, for he had the callused, thick hands of a street cleaner, and his suit was outdated in style and the limbs were folded to fit the strange man's proportions. His name was Aloysius O'Hare, and while the smile he beamed at the lanky man was not dapper, it had an awkward, quirky child's charm than that of a grown man and it was a pleasant sight to see. He was a man of Thneedville, full of hope, wonder, and gullibility. He watched from his tinted windows as Aloysius knocked curtly and politely at the door, his tiny feet fidgeting nervously on the still presentable, wooden boards of the estate's porch, and his hands twiddled with the briefcase that he brought to show the Once-ler.

They talked for a long time; O'Hare was apparently a huge fan of Oncie and how much he accomplished in the short amount of time, but wanted to reverse some of the elder's damage. It uplifted the elder man to hear such enthusiasm. Eventually, the conversation took a turn to what lay in the stout boy's briefcase, which were the designs and plans of a large, complex, air filtration system that would purify even the toxic air around them. Apparently the recent, university graduate while he had the credentials to prove his knowledge and expertise in the field, due to his appearances and class background (poorer than most), no one wished to fund his endeavors. The real reason he was here was to ask the still, richest man in town, to give him a chance to make his revolutionary resolutions come true, and make Thneedville and the surrounding area a nicer place to live. Oncie knew this should have been everything he wanted; someone who cared and did not have ties to the green monster like he did, and yet the older, more-experienced businessman felt uneasy. Why was that?

He asked Aloysius more questions, asking him about the relationship with his family and more about the brilliant boy. As they discussed more personal things, Oncie realized they were very similar. Oldest boys who had something to prove to families that generally made them feel underappreciated, inventors, had a high amount of intelligence and ambition. They laughed about old, university stories of having to avoid the drunks at the party when he saw it. It was that devious twinkle that made him feel the swell of two hearts bumping against his chest that finally made him realize why Aloysius O'Hare was so dangerous. He could almost see the Once-ler's reflections in those orbs and shivered. No, the seed could not go to him. Suddenly, Oncie stopped laughing and strolled into the kitchen to calm himself. He was never a good actor though. After that epiphany of grasping what was going on, the meeting was more somber and heavy. O'Hare was left confused by the change in atmosphere, but easily waved it off as his idol and hero living like a hermit for over ten years. It would be overwhelming out-of-nowhere having a guest, asking for help. The elder, slender man gave the younger, rounder one a chance, over ten million dollars' worth of capital to do his charitable deed. Too bad he already knew Aloysius' morals would soon go sour.

The next time Oncie gets a visit from the stumpy boy with a positive prospective, was another five years. O'Hare did his best to keep in touch with the older, more experienced man, sending letters that were delivered by the menacing-looking vultures that were the only ones that could stand that place, but they could not meet face-to-face. Aloysius O'Hare was too busy with his invention and Oncie certainly knew what that was like. The college graduate that was struggling for cash was no more; O'Hare's looks were sharper, and his body better fitted in proper clothes for a business elite, and large, muscular bodyguards stood by his side with every step he took. Aloysius frowned at the lack of upkeep of the tall, spindle house, but said none of those criticisms to the elder when he was inside. It was amazing how the young, stout man had easily fallen off his original path and went down the road Oncie did. They greeted each other polityly, following the routine of business like seasoned actors. O'Hare and his burly men took a seat on the sturdy couch (made when things still had quality to them), while Oncie took his seat on his lounging rocker by the window he placed for his stroll down memory lane. Everyone took a sip of the offered coffee that sat on the table, playing the dumb, waiting game. Despite no longer being a part of that world, it was trained in the skinny brunette to act that way.

"You've done a lot to yourself Aloysius," The oldest man commented. He will never be like you, no matter how hard he tries. Oncie dismissed the Once-ler's biting remarks. After all, that was his goal, he wanted to find someone that was not like him. But judging by appearances and a sharp eye, Oncie knew that Aloysius was on his way to being him.

"No sir, I am not." O'Hare smirked; the expression looked as slimy and gross as an oil slick. "I assume you know why I am here today."

"You want Thneedville. No need to worry Aloysius, I will sign the deed over to you. The only thing I ask after our history together is for a simple favor." The younger entrepreneur flinched at his former investor's words. "Do not worry; I am not asking for something anything that is extreme or unobtainable. I merely want you to promise that you won't come back here physically, or allow anyone in the city to visit me. I want my solitude. I am a tired, old man, and I simply cannot handle visitors anymore. Do you understand the condition that I am asking of you, Mr. O'Hare?" He asked the now rich, young man. After those words, he saw a glimpse of the old, fan boy that adored him years ago. His expression softened when he saw his idol's defeated and out-casted nature shine through, but Oncie knew that O'Hare misinterpreted his sadness. He probably thought that people were harassing or threatening to harm the former businessman. "After everything, there will still be some annoying bunch that will bother me about trees. You can see how troublesome that can be." To have hope and perhaps that this day, they would be the one that I would have the seed to, only to fall into the abyss of reality that I am no longer able to handle. You'll understand some day O'Hare, when you are as old and as regretful as me. "You man continue to send your letters and I will send them back in return, but after this deal, I don't want any physical contact with anyone else again." O'Hare nodded.

"I understand sir, and I will do my best to restrict the access to the roads that lead to your house. Please just sign these documents, and everything will be complete." They signed and shook hands. O'Hare and his hulking lackeys drove back to the city and closed the gate to the barren, hilly terrain that he resided in. Oncie sighed, resigned that the people of Thneedville were not ready for trees, and the lonely, old man decided to sit down and write a letter. It was pages and pages long, telling his story (leaving out the details of the other Once-ler), and sealed it in an envelope. He placed it on his coffee table and yawned; it was time to return to bed with the Once-ler. Come dearest Oncie, it is bedtime… yes my love.

Ten years of the same thing made the brilliant man deteriorate and age quickly. He was sitting in the rocker by the window. It was almost time to go to bed and linger and roll in the sheets with the Once-ler as he sank into his imagination. Pipsqueak was being especially expressive and happy today, probably because Oncie gave him an extra marshmallow. But there was a low hum that soon distracted him from his fantasy. If Oncie did not know better, the retired entrepreneur would have thought it was the groan of an engine. Did Aloysius forget his promise? He would have to write this in a letter. Ten years had passed by after all, even geniuses needed a reminder now and then. Oncie looked out of the window and saw a young boy on a scooter. When the child stopped and took off his helmet, he saw it. The boy had Norma's eyes. Oncie, Sweetheart… it is getting late. Spend time with me… No, he needed to confront this boy. Perhaps this was the one who would retrieve the seed.

THE END

Thank you so much for reading this fanfic. I am kind of sad that I could not finish this fanfic on a happy note with Oncie meeting Ted and getting to know him, but I think this ending is better.