The creature emits a short laugh, obviously completely at ease. Then it turns into the Hollow Man once more. However, this time, his skin becomes a solid white, slightly see through material, giving an eeirie view of the muscles working beneath the skin. He had turned his skin to diamond, without the need to eat it. "Did I not tell you? You can't hold me. If I did not wish to be here, I wouldn't. Because I can do anything you can, but better." The creature then slowly turns to Heath, smiling, as it turned into him, putting a new record on faces per minute. "How interesting. You don't like your daddy. Of course, your daddy was a frail, miserable thing, hitting his children because mommy left him. Such a sad little past." The creature chuckles, before holding out it's arm to the side.
"Who I am? I don't have a name yet. I suppose you can call me Enemy, as that is what I am to you. What I am? Another question not easily answered. I suppose you could say I am a parasite, or at least I started that way. I'm not the same as Daddy, or any of my brothers." The creature grins, before appearing next to Alexel, the gun now in the hand it had already stretched out. "Where I came from? I already told you. The digestive tracts of a fat man. And when I was big enough, I ate him from the inside."

The creature... it read Heath's mind. It read his mind and morphed into an exact replica of him. Then it snidely remarked about his past, before seemingly teleporting next to Alexei, stealing the gun from his hand. Anger began to brim inside Heath.

It said it could be called Enemy... That it was a parasite, one that ate its host from the inside. It was literally the definition of a monster. And it didn't answer all of Alexei's questions.
"You still didn't tell Alexei what your purpose is. TELL HIM!" yelled Heath, fury slowly taking over his mind, tightening the grip on his sword, his knuckles turning white.

"Indeed, we should talk creature," Enki stabbed down with his spear and pinned the creature's foot to the floor. "You should tell us everything you know before dying" .

Alexei's eyes opened in total surprise as the serpent vanished from his sight... Appearing next to him, and as if mocking him further, stealing his gun as well. Alexei grabbed his trench knife as he backed off from the serpent and pointed his knife at him. Suddenly, out of the blue, Enki surged forward, pinning the fake Telefag's foot to the ground. "Great job, Enki. What the guy said is right... Tell us what you know so that your death serves us purpose." Alexei smirked as he took a stance; as if ready to pounce.

"We killed one of your brothers, and while you said you fiends aren't the same, we'll still find a way to kill you. Everybody dies; we just need to find the right method. The same principle goes to you, Slug." Alexei smiled as he looked at Hollow, Crack Druid and Melinda. "He can copy our abilities... and even improve them. He is a different one, but all snakes live for one purpose.. to be skinned and used for us humans." Alexei scorned the snake.

Alexei, although acting as if he got things under control, is certainly scared and worried. The serpent not only can copy and improve abilities, he can delve into the minds of those he copied to extract information. This opponent was out of their league... those shitheads at the Team Awesome should be the one handling this problem, not them. However, Alexei also knew that if they were to be respected by others; they had to prove that they could stand on their own.

"If you have the bone to talk... I suggest you spout things that make sense. I wouldn't mess with Enki, not him... I might not believe his story, but perhaps if you continue talking bullshit, I can find out if it's true."

The creature chuckles, before screeching as Enki stabs it in the foot. It growls a low, hissing growl at Enki. For a moment it seems to concentrate. However, unlike with the others, it doesn't transform, as it's eyes narrow. "We'll meet again, Sumer God. For now....." The creature stands up straight, and smiles. "I will leave you with the knowledge that Daddy will use each of you for his experiments. Like I said, I was a worm, in a fat man's innards. And my brothers, even now, are hiding in yours." The creature lets out a cackle, before disappearing, using Teleporto's power as if it were his own.

As the creature teleported away, Heath ran forward, swinging his sword at where it was moments before, screaming in absolute rage. "COME BACK, YOU COWARD! FACE US! FACE US!"
Realising that it won't come back, he dropped to his knees, smacking the ground with his fists. The creature- Enemy- it got into his head. It used Heath's memories of the past, the past he would rather forget, used them to twist Heath into an anger so deep that he was willing to rush in, sword swinging, with no strategy what so ever. Something that could have ended with him dead.

His head clearing, Heath got up. He heard the creature say something about his brothers being inside Team Mildly Competent... That was not good news at all. He turned to Alexei.
"It said we have its brothers inside us... What now, leader?"

Melinda was just creeped out and very disgusted with this new creature. All she could do was stand and cocentrate on the creature just incase it runs away again. She heard what the others said about his ability to copy each one's powers. "Whaaat...? Is that possible?" She asked herself but then suddenly the creature teleported away, he must've used Teleporto's power. "Shit..." she walked towards the others. "Whaaat now? I seriously dont want to get mypower copied! I mean, he can do alot with my powers.." Melinda was worring if the creature ever used her powers it would be bad mainly because of her forcefields and then the fact that the creature said that herself and her team have his brothers inside of them?! This was just too much for Melinda! She ran a hand through her hair as she went to have a sit at the bar laying her head on the table. Shewas so tired a few man whisteling at her but she comepletely ignored it.

Alexei didn't react as the serpent escaped using Teleporto's powers... He had expected that. What surprised him was the fact that the serpent didn't mimic Enki, or rather, noticing the creature's expression, couldn't mimic Enki. "Am I glad to have you here, Enki or rather, Sun God." Alexei made a little bow. "I think I was wrong about you." Alexei smiled as he faced Teleporto.

"Calm down, friend. We'll catch him, soon. I won't let him insult any of you, and get away with it." Alexei smiled, gently tapping Teleporto's shoulder. "For clearer understanding, we'll call that serpent as Mimic. That way, we can all address him accordingly." Alexei spoke as he took off his white camouflage, hanging it on his usual chair. Alexei had been wearing a kevlar vest beneath that camouflage apparently.

"First off, we must find the source of Mimic's 'brothers'. I suggest we change clothes not later than today." Alexei said as he took off his kevlar vest; revealing a dirty white tank-top. He hung the vest on his chair as he turned to his allies. "Apparently, we have an edge... Only Enki, as of now, is invulnerable to any of Mimic's brothers or powers... That's good to know." Alexei grinned at Enki.

"Second, the best way to ingest worms is from food. Solid or liquid, worms can be inside them. Where do we often eat? Here. I think some clue to where these worms come from may originate, from Nerdlord himself." Alexei turned to Mild as he spoke. "I'll talk to you later, Nerdlord."

Alexei coughed as he rubbed his eyes; they were getting sore. "Third, we need to make sure if there are indeed worms inside us. You guys are in luck... I've got the eyes for it." Alexei chuckled as he turned to Teleporto. Alexei's eyes turned red, and not only red, but his pupils dilated to a larget size. "Get your butt over here, Teleporto. I'll take a look." Alexei instructed as he eyed Teleporto's stomach cavity. After a while, he could see beneath his clothes; after that, beneath his skin, and then beneath his muscles... Until he could see the lad's intestines.

"One worm..." Alexei said in a morbid tone. "Near the appendix." Alexei shook his head as he looked up to Teleporto's face; rather this time, skull. "You've got quite a large brain... Why do you never use it? Hahaha! Just messin' with ya." Alexei smiled as he saw Melinda. Alexei went over to Melinda as he raised her head.

"Come on, it's not so bad. We've (i) got you, and you got us (me). We can get through this, right?" Alexei smiled as he parted Melinda's hair away from her face. "Get up a little bit, I'll do a little check-up."

"Powerful, but a fool," Enki stepped back and raised his spear-point, sniffing the pale sheen of blood on the blade. The winged lion shape was gone from him, though his eyes remained yellow and his movement still had the snapping impatience of a hunting cat. "It bragged and postured rather than keep an advantage. It's master may be cleverer, but it entrusts it's work to imbeciles. Can one of you track the scent of blood?"

Melinda sighed turning her head and seeing Alexei. "Alexei.....Im just a little confused of what is happening today..." she sighed reaching for his hand as she touched it but then stopped raising an eyebrow. "What did I tell you about using your powers to view me...?" She asked rolling her eyes but it was the only way for her to see if she did have one of those little creatures inside of her. If she did she would be really sick cause that is pretty disgusting. "Fine...." she stood up so Alexei can scan her body as she blushed a little.

Alexei backed a little as Melinda stood up; his eyes had turned blue again. Her confused look; although problematic, Alexei found it... what was the word? Cute. Alexei covered his mouth as he couldn't believe that he could spell the word Cute in his mind. Alexei coughed as he looked at Melinda again; her innocent gaze sent shivers down his spine for some reason. "I know how you feel... For some time now, we've thought that our team would be the runt of the litter... but as it seems, we've got our first nemesis." Alexei sighed as he rubbed his aching eyes. "And by the way, whatever happens, I would just like to ask you, and rather, all of you... To not lose hope. Because, this opponent might be out of our league, but if there's something he can't kill... it's our hope to always defeat him." the lad chuckled as he opened his eyes; now with a red color.

His eyes went south; examining Melinda's skull, throat... clear. He went down a bit further; examining her chest, which Alexei had a hard time not zooming out, and her ribs... clear. Alexei ventured down, now reaching the stomach where he took some time. Appendix, small intestines, large intestines, pancreas, liver, kidney... one. Alexei looked a little bit down; where his eyes flashed and his head ached intensely... his eyes had taken their toll. Alexei shook his head as he looked again; seeing something he shouldn't be seeing...

The assassin began to get flustered, and as it seems, a pinkish hue to his cheeks. Alexei coughed as he adjusted his eyes; now zooming in. Legs, pelvis, toes, feet... clear.

Alexei stood up; he was trembling a little... Fear. She was infected. Alexei frowned; his now blue eyes boring into hers.

Alexei remembered Hollow's words: To not push back people anymore... to be himself. Well, Alexei can perfectly live with that notion. The assassin, surprisingly, hugged Melinda as he rested his head on her left shoulder. Alexei faced her cheek as he smiled.

"You know, you were so unfair; thinking you could kiss my cheek, and get away with it. You, Melinda, are terribly wrong. Sadly though... you are." Alexei shook his head as he kissed her left cheek as well. "We'll get through this." Alexei backed off as he winked at Melinda.

Enki had started to speak where Alexei realized that the guy had a point.

"Sadly, I don't believe any of us has any powers of tracking." Alexei mumbled as he rubbed his chin; deep in thought. "Unless we find a bloodhound, it'll be hard to track Mimic. Wait... who is in tune with Nature... Perhaps, Crack Druid could help?"

In Alexei's mind, he was thinking of another thing.

No one was uninfected... But where did it come from? Jake.

Melinda couldn't help but to blush, because Alexei was scanning her whole body. She was nervous because she did not want to have that ugly ass disgusting creature in her body! She hoped that she didn't. But she noticed Alexei acting alittle weird as he scanned her whole body. It was a little awkward and very very embarrassing for him to be doing that. "Sooo...do I have anything?" she asked him a little concerned and worried. As she was going to talk again he suddenly hugged her unexpectedly, she couldn't help but blush as she hugged him back and felt his head on her left shoulder and then a kiss on the cheek. Melinda stood there and bit her bottom lips as she noticed Alexei backing off and winking at her. "U-...Um....so...am I infected or no?" she asked walking to him and holding his left hand squeezing it tightly as she did.

Alexei tried to search for Crack Druid as he felt something odd with his left hand; Melinda was still clinging to him. Alexei pulled her closer as he eyed her carefully. "I don't know... Would you like me to check again?" Alexei chuckled. "Just messin' with ya, Melinda. Sadly... I think everyone is... They're all within us." Alexei shrugged as he turned to Enki.

"Hey, Enki, you know of anyway to remove these worms? We've got to act quickly before the worms grow." Alexei inquired as he approached Enki. "You might like to check if the Jake we have now, is the real Jake... Just to make sure. Mimic might have one of his brothers impersonate Jake, and add those worms to our consumption." Alexei suggested as he turned to Hollow.

"Hollow, let me check you for any worms... We must detect these problems earlier before the worm grows too powerful."

((Phoenix left, so I'll take out the Druid. Also, Melissa IS infected, just waiting for Death to edit his post.))
Jake blinks, as Alexel mentions him as a suspect. He staggers backwards, holding up both hands. "Wait, me? You think I poisoned you? Shit man, no! I'd never do something like that!" Jack's quite obviously going into a panic, waving his hands in front of his face. "The De- I mean Mister Winters, he didn't even drink here, man. Remember? He just came here to complain and challenge you guys to fights!" Jack trips over a barrel of beer, and goes sprawling with the loud crack of his skull hitting the wooden floor. He curls up into a ball, holding his head and cursing under his breath.
Apart from Jack stumbling, there's another worrying detail. The Druid, who'd followed the team into the bar, had disappeared before the battle with Mimic. Although nobody had then noticed his absence, he had somehow disappeared.

Alexei didn't like this; didn't like Jake's reaction. All in his years of killing people; there were interrogations... The liars were always panicky; they were never at ease. Alexei nodded to Enki to begin the 'search' as he looked at Jake; approaching the fumbling fool.

"Calm down, Mild. Liars are more easily discerned by the pitch of their cries." Alexei said in a cold tone as he knew he had to look like a serious and threatening person to get answers; now using Jake's name instead of calling him by a nickname. "Winters is another case... The infection may have began with him, but it may have spread through his visits. There are a wide variety of options, Mild. He could have left those worms here, he could have spat in a cup; limitless possibilities." Alexei cracked his knuckles; now in front of Mild. Alexei was hoping that Mild was following where he was going through with the idea.

"And you know what disturbed me the most? Not once did I mention, you, poisoning us. Never did I say that it was your fault. Honestly speaking, I was just about to ask whether you've spotted Winters near your beer kegs, or the milk cans. But you, Mild, the first thing that came to your mind was poisoning." Alexei growled; his eyes intense with anger. "You get what I'm saying, friend?" Alexei growled; putting emphasis on the friend word.

"Got anything to say in your defense? Friend? At least, before Enki checks if you're really who you are."

Melinda didn't know what to do now as she squeezed Alexei's hand a little harder and sighed laying her head on his shoulder. She didn't know what kind of thing she and Alexei was but she is going to stay close to him as possible, yes she was scared. A creature living inside of her like if it had a damn house or something. Plus that thing could grow and eat her from inside or something. Melinda wanted to cry but she was stronger then that, she was not going to cry! She was going to fight. "We need to do something about this, because I cant. I repeat. I CANT. Have this disgusting little stupid dumbass icky lizard whatever living inside of my body! I cannot!" she said angry but due to her being angry her powers activated by itself as a force field surrounded a chair and smashed into the wall. Melinda stumbled back a bit but she ignored it.

Alexei glared at Mild; obviously doubting, but his eyes showed sincere trust, and belief in Mild... assuming that the bastard was still worthy of it. Suddenly, Melinda rested her head on his shoulder, making Alexei feel secured and relieved for some reason. His right arm wrapped around Melinda as he pulled her closer; almost as if needing her by his side. This day was too confusing, and too stressful for their 'Mildly Competent' team... this shit should be happening to those geeks at Team Awesome; not to them... not to Melinda. The lad turned to Enki; his eyes showing signs of distress.

"Enki... I still don't believe that you're a god, or something... But, if you are... please... I need everyone here to be safe; I need them.." Alexei pointed to his comrades. "I need them to be safe." Alexei spoke; almost in a pleading voice. Alexei looked at Melinda as he noticed her distressed expression, and as if an answer, Melinda snapped; sending an object smashing through the bar. Alexei held the girl tighter in his arms as he cupped her chin; trying to make her look at him.

"I know that this day is too much for us; too much for you." Alexei mumbled; his voice trembling. "But I promise this team that I will find a way to cure us; I won't let this team fall... I won't let you fall." the lad tried to smile as he parted Melinda's hair. "And for that to happen, I need you guys... I need you."

Alexei smiled as he looked at the girl in front of him. He didn't know what he was to Melinda, but he knew what Melinda was to him... Someone special.

Jake seems to balk at this, as he sits up. "Of course it would be poisoning, how else would a worm get inside your intestines! Look, man, check me." He walks over to Enki, arms wide. "Check me. I'm fully human, I'm a good guy. I'm the real me, the dude that's let you use his bars all hours for the last two months." his face is a genuine one, although he's still panicking, his palms sweaty. "I don't want to be questioned! Please don't torture me!" He looks like he's about to either burst into tears, run away, or do both. Not the face of a serial murderer capable of controlling evil parasite shapeshifters.

Hollow shuddered at the thought of some parasite being inside him and growing large enough to eat its way out. It made him feel sick to his stomach. He trusted Jake with his life, but he wasn't about to stop Alexei from questioning him. As far as they all knew that might not even be Jake, he might be one of those shape shifting parasites that killed the real Jake and took his place at the bar. Hollow didn't like having to watch Jake being coerced and terrified but they needed to know that he was really Jake and not one of those disgusting things.

After Alexei calmed Heath down, Heath silently watched, his anger slowly churning, never once decreasing.

The nerve those creatures had. Using Team Mildly Competent as hosts for their young. And the one they faced... Enemy... using Heath's memory against him. Bringing back his past to haunt him. That disgusting reptile had a special place in Heath's mind. He was going to kill it. He was going to help the team find it, but it was his, and his alone, to kill.

Enemy dared to remind Heath of the past he'd worked so hard to forget. And now, there was hell to pay.