((yesh yesh you should T^T))

((So that this doesn't f(buysomeapples)king die, I'm going to go ahead and push things along, unless people take issue?))

Ink Stain stood atop the roof of the greenhouse, his domain, and looked to the East, waiting, and thinking, "It ends today... one way or another... there will be no more pain... for anyone." A gentler voice whispered from the back of his mind, "But isn't pain a part of living?" A loud 'thud-thump' echoed across the rooftop as Stain clutched his chest, hissing in pain before saying, "Who would want to live, then, if there's so much pain?" "Because it isn't just pain, there's so much more... like love. Don't you remember?" Ink Stain let out a savage snarl, saying, "No, I don't remember! I refuse to remember the pain! Let my memories be swallowed by darkness and you with them!" With a moment of concentration, Ink Stain felt darkness flow across his thoughts, drowning the voice as it said with a hint of sad amusement in its voice, "You still think that I'm someone else, don't you?" Breathing heavily, Ink Stain looked back to the East just as the sun began to rise. He smiled as he turned from the light, saying, "Let the end begin," as his horde below let out savage cries to the sky like the savage hounds of hell.

Isis had fallen asleep to Lost's beautiful music. She couldn't remember doing so, but she had been sleeping so peacefully. For a moment, between sleep and reality where one is somewhat aware of things going on around them only they're still too asleep to know just what it is, Isis thought that things were fine. It didn't seem like the end of their world was coming.

A terrible cry filling the air finally woke her up. Isis sat up on the couch, her eyes wide as she searched for Lost. For a moment, she couldn't see him and she feared that she was too late. Panicked, Isis called out to him. "Lost? Lost?!" Catching sight of him, Isis felt her eyes burn as she tried not to cry. She didn't have time for that kind of thing. Please don't let me lose him. I love him too much. Isis stood. It was time and and her husband went to take their place before Mother and guard her with their lives.

--

Calla smiled when Mother finally left. SHe couldn't believe the woman looked so much younger, like her true self. It had been so long since she had seen that very woman in place of the older one. She was glad Seth was so happy, and that he had something happy to remember in case things went sour.

Calla was sleeping on Seth's bed, having taken up a place next to him on it. It was the sound of a terrible, shrieking scream from outside that suddenly woke her. Her eyes flue open, blue-green orbs drowned in worry as she sat up. She lightly shook Seth's shoulder. "S-Seth...I think it's time! We have to get ourselves ready. Now!" Even with mother back to her rightful age, Calla wasn't sure how things would work out in the end. She only hoped she and Seth as well as all of the dolls lived through this. She was finally back, and with Seth. They were slowly starting to get back to where they had been, and no it wasn't quite perfect yet, it was a start. And she didn't want to lose it right away.

((*bursts into laughter* Thank you, Grax! :hug:))

That sound. It felt as though the world was being torn - like there was a hole in reality. This was horror. It was a feeling that dug deep into one's heart and mind, and wouldn't let go. It made Lost swallow quietly as he stared at the door. The mostly controlled expression on his dark features broke when he heard the desperate cry from behind him.

Lost's black eyes moved to Isis with enough intensity to sear anything that threatened her. When he was on his knees, crouched and ready to tackle anything threatening her, he saw that it was fear that had taken hold of her. It was no physical foe that held his wife.

"Isis," he reached out to grab her arm. Lost clutched her tightly, and then pulled away. He set the violin aside, leaving it discarded on the couch without putting it in its proper case. They didn't have time. It wasn't a priority. Still, it showed the change in the air. Lost never would have done as much if there wasn't the feeling of horror that filtered through the very air.

Lost murmured something about being strong to Isis as he carefully led her through the house. They were at Mother's door moments later, along with many other dolls. They had gathered around their newly replenished Mother, and they were scared. It was a tangible mist in the air as Lost fought his way to Mother's side. "We will keep her safe," the dark-skinned doll whispered, pulling Isis' arm until he could kiss her cheek. Though the action was brief, it held more feeling than ever before.

I will not lose you here.
-

Seth was always a heavy sleeper. Still, when that bone-chilling cry moved through the entire house, he felt it. It didn't wake him, but he felt it in his dreams. The touch on his shoulder made the teen suck in a slow breath. Calla's panicked words made the male roll onto his back, looking up at her blurrily as he fought to escape sleep.

"It's started," he mumbled, and then his blue eyes widened. Meeting Calla's gaze, he shot out of bed. Luckily he'd fallen asleep in his clothes. . . . "We have to get to Mother. That's who Ink Stain is after, isn't it?" Or, mostly. Seth raked a hand through his dark hair before turning and checking Snow's box-made bed. The doll was still missing. That worried him.

"Anything you need?" He spoke over his shoulder as he slid on his shoes, rushing as quickly as he could.
-

Kira's eyes were wide as he reached for Briella's arm. "Bri!" His tone was a whispered hiss, and the doctor nervously glanced at the shadows gathered in the corners of the room. They needed to get to where the battle would start - it was his job to patch people up. He didn't want Briella getting hurt.

"Wake up," he whispered, shaking her arm a second time. The doctor took in the serene look on the girl's face as she slept, but . . . that hideous screech had ruined everything.
-

Life's white eyes flickered outside as the sound invaded the morning. Now, every breath they took was counted. Who knew what would happen during this battle? Who knew which of them would live or die?

He shook the thoughts from his head as Zarrah's blue eyes met his. They needed to get to Mother. They both scrambled off of their doll-sized beds, lunging for their weapons and the door. The moment they passed the first hallway, Life hesitated. "I'll meet you there. I promise!"

The white-haired doll waited until his wife nodded, and then he turned back. Life knocked urgently on Selma's door, hoping she was just as safe as the rest of them. "Selma? Wake up!"

((kionaredhawk:, should we wait for you? Or should I move Snow on? :lol:))

Briella groaned, oblivious to what was going on around her except for the fact that she got a worried look on her face before she gave a yawn, blinking her blue eyes open, thus rubbing the sleep out of them as she stretched to completely wake up. "What is wrong?" she asked him as she saw the look on his face, which told her that something horrible had happen, causing her to worry even more before the noises of people getting ready to fight for what they believed and the howling from the enemy got though her slightly muggy head, she yawned once more before she quickly finished cutting the sheets she fell a sleep working on, gathering them in her arms before she stood, a slight hitch in her breathe as her leg pained her, but that didn't faze her one bit as she smiled at the doctor, nodding. "I take it that it is time......and and that we have to go to?" she said to him.

Isis felt his hand on her arm and calmed down right away. She turned and wrapped her arms around him, wishing she didn’t have to let him go. Her eyes burned but she wouldn’t let herself cry. She couldn’t afford to let herself feel sad. She promised herself that she wouldn’t let him go. No now. Not ever.

Isis glanced back, looking at the discarded violin. She couldn’t believe he had left it there out in the open and not put back on the stand, but they didn’t have time, that she knew. Isis followed him down the halls, her eyes darting all over in search for the hideous creatures Ink Stain had created. She heard him whispering to her gently and knew that she had to be strong. That was easier said than done, but she would do her best to protect mother, even if that meant giving her life for the woman.

Isis grimaced at that thought. She didn’t want to go down like this. Though she supposed if something did happen it would be from doing something heroic. Isis nodded, telling herself that she would protect him as well. For a moment, her thoughts wandered back to when she had thought she had lost him forever. A few tears slid down her cheeks, but she quickly wiped them away. She had to think positively that they would make it out alive with very little damage.

--

Calla continued to shake him until the boy finally woke up. She was worried, and she normally bit her lip when she was in that kind of state. That screech had made her blood curdle. She shivered again as she remembered the sound of it.

Calla nodded and glanced around the room. She had been up long before Seth had, worried that John still hadn’t come back to the room. She could only hope that nothing terrible had happened to him. “I…I think he’s really only after her, but who really knows what’s going on inside his twisted, twisted little mind?”

When he stopped to ask her if there was anything she needed, Calla nodded. She gracefully flung herself at him and hugged him tightly, closing her eyes after a few moments. She would do all she could to protect him today, him and the other dolls too. As well as mother. Pulling back a little, Calla looked at him for a moment, staring intently at the guy before her. Without thinking, she took his face in her hands and leaned forward, pressing a light kiss on his lips. “Please be careful.”

Calla’s pale cheeks were pink from embarrassment, but she took his hand and turned to drag him out the door. The sooner they got to mother, the sooner things would be over and they could all get back to their lives.

"We need to deliver the supplies to Mother's room. That is where I will start administering treatment." It would be swift. There would soon be need for all the kits and bandages they had labored to fix up. Kira carefully set as many kits and bandages as possible on three rolling carts. He pushed one toward Briella, and then took two for himself. "Do you know the way from here, Bri?"

He headed for the door, and then toward Mother's room. They needed to be swift.
-

Lost tried to soothe Isis, but eventually fell silent. He could do nothing but stay with her now. This battle would be trying for all of them.

"Thank you all for being so attentive." Mother, still as young as she should have been, sat on her bed and addressed the dolls that had gathered. Most of them bore weapons, and it wasn't long before the doctor entered with a very familiar girl at his side. "I ask only that you fight for your survival. Fight for me. Fight for your lives. Fight for the light."

Namine was at Mother's side, and she nodded before stepping on onto the woman's knee. "This is our home. These are our friends and family." Her soft voice wavered as she thought of Hero. "We will not let the darkness take us. It will not stop us, and it will not consume us." The blonde looked directly at Lost and Isis for a moment before glancing back to everyone else. "We will treasure our bonds as kin. We will fight to the death."

There was no happy note, then. The blue-eyed girl merely smiled a bit and turned back to Mother. "We fight for you, Mother."

It was then that the first of the dolls drew their blade. The resounding ring filled the air as many others followed suite. The battle was about to begin. Broken into segments, the dolls moved out to cover the entrances of the hallway and doors, blocking various entries. The war had started.
-

Seth was a bit disoriented as he finished putting on his shoes. Once he was on his feet, the male found a strange look in Calla's eyes. Seth's arms enveloped her easily as the girl gracefully moved toward him. He drew in her softness, her scent, her looks - everything that made the girl his best friend . . . and more.

There wasn't anything he wouldn't do for this girl. His blue eyes caught with her green ones for many moments. In those seconds, time froze. Everything stopped, and he read her fear, her hope, and her intensity. He studied her, just as she studied him. Her hands moved to take his face, and his fingers slowly lifted to do the same. If only he could express everything to her now.

"Calla-" The redhead interrupted him with a kiss. What surprised him was the softness of her lips as they pressed to his. Seth's intake of breath followed, and his cheeks lit up just as Calla's did. His, though, weren't quite as bright. Somehow that had felt . . . right.

Being pulled clumsily after Calla, Seth finally got his feet under him as they headed for Mother's room. "I love you." The words were soft, and just as sweet as the kiss he'd received. It was strange how he could say that already. They'd just decided that they could be friends. Still, the feelings were there . . . and in a time of stress, Seth had blurted out what had been in his mind for the last day. He'd always loved her. He was just too stubborn to admit it.

They arrived in time to hear Mother and Namine speak. Seth didn't have a sword, but a bat would do just fine. He met Mother's gaze as they entered the room, careful to avoid stepping on any small warriors. Seth carefully kept his hand clasped around Calla's. Damn straight. He wasn't about to lose her again.
-

Snow stared out the window. He'd heard the sound, and strangely . . . he felt no fear. Instead, he felt . . . heavy. The pale doll traced the nasty line over his chest, feeling the ridges of the scar there. The crystal had changed him - he was better, faster, and stronger. But . . . he was no longer sure he was on the right side.

I shouldn't be fighting Sakura. He shouldn't killing her, either. But . . . when Ink Stain demanded it, Snow would do the deed. Or . . . so he told himself. I don't know her. I can do it.

Fingering the twin blades that Sakura had given him just that night, John narrowed his eyes resolutely. He would do it . . . and he would use those weapons against her. Mother's army would lose a powerful ally when the woman fell.

The red head's steps faltered when she heard him say tht he loved her. Is that what she had been feeling ever since she had been brough back? This revelation had her wondering, but it wasn't a hard thing to figure out. She loved Seth too. She glanced back at him blue-green eyes glittering as she smiled at him.

Calla listened to Mother, then Namine speak. Before going into Mother's room, Calla watched as the dolls went off in groups, armed with different things to help keep them safe. She had to turn away from the sight of it all because she didn't want to cry at the moment. Instead, she followed Seth into the room, sticking to his side like glue his hand holding hers. "I love you too." she whispered to him, blushing lightly as she glanced toward Mother.

--

Isis listened to Namine. Sh watched as the dolls she had lived with for many years walk off in groups to defend their home and their creator with thir own lives. This shouldn't be happening, not at all.

Shaking her head, Isis took hold of Lost's hand and went into mother's room as well. "What should we do first, Lost?" she asked softly. She knew they were to protect Mother, but should they wait in the hall, stand guard by the door or stay inside the room in case it was breeched?

(I hope that is okay if not i shall change it @.@ but it makes sense to me)

"I can help you with treating everyone right?" Briella asked him as she set the bandages on the cart that he had pushed towards her, she even set the scissors on them, not knowing if they would need them or not. She thought about his next question as she limped quickly after him, looking around she finally knew the answer to his question. "Yes, I know the way. Mother, had Father set up quicker routes for me to get to where i need cause of my leg." She said to him as she smiled, showing him what she was talking about, it was basically small doors that were hidden, so she could go from room to room undetected and fast enough not to strain her leg to much.

((-kicks thread back to life- You Must Live!!!))

((*cough*Thanks for the kick back to life. :XD Es has gotten so terrible at replying in a timely manner. . . . T___T))

Lost blinked slowly. He fingered the blade of a sword that he'd been given with a frown. "We . . . stay with Mother." The others were already putting themselves at the door and near the hall. "We stay," he repeated, sounding a bit uncertain. Everything was changing so quickly. These dolls weren't built for war. They weren't ready to fight to the death. Half of them were hardly able to wake up on time on the weekend. . . .

The dark-haired doll slowly seemed to gather himself, his features hardening. "Nothing gets to Mother." He lifted the sword, testing its weight in his palm. Every doll had been trained to use the weapon, but they weren't as experienced as they could have been. Only a select few dolls had years of training.

Lost smiled slightly, reaching up to pull Isis' head toward him. He kissed her forehead before pressing his head against hers. Everything will be fine.
-

Seth tightened his grasp on the bat in one hand, and Calla's hand in the other. The youth tossed hair from his eyes as he moved to stand near the door. Both he and Calla could hold that position. Everyone prayed for the best, but . . . there would be losses.

His blue eyes moved over the dolls as they left. It was an unnatural formation of creatures. Even more unnatural was how Mother stood over some of them, directing them to hold halls and doorways. The woman looked calm, even in the face of war. Seth hoped that he could exude the same aura, but knew that was an impossibility. His emotions always showed on his face. . . .

Seth looked to Calla again. Her red hair shone in the stray bit of dawn light that filtered through the blinds. He couldn't be mad at her now. Mother was whole again; her age wasn't altered by bringing anyone to life. How could Seth be mad at Mother for making Calla human if it had no affect on her?

His hand tightened on Calla's again, and when she met his eyes he smiled. Mother was better. He wasn't angry. Heck, it was good that Calla became human. It meant Seth was no longer a child with a silly little crush on a doll. It meant that his best friend was finally on the same level he was - and that things could progress.

Thank you, Mother.
-

Kira moved with Briella as swiftly as their load of supplies allowed. The doctor was relieved that the girl had secret routes throughout the house. It meant the going was swift. "I would appreciate the help," he said with a smile. They arrived just as the groups of dolls headed toward the ends of the hallway. Just the thought of war made Shoen's expression sober.

When they got to the "healing corner" of Mother's room, Shoen leaned against the wall and let out a long breath. "I believe a lot of it will be stopping wounds from bleeding." Or, so he hoped.
-

Snow heard the sounds of the beasts converging on the house. They would be inside soon. Very soon.

Lifting his twin blades, he strapped the sheathes to his back. The pale-haired doll felt a twinge of worry as he left his room. Where is Sakura? Surely she was fine. Still, he would check. By the time he arrived at her door, his colorless eyes were narrowed. He could distinctly hear sounds of the beginning stages of battle.

He was right: there was the first wave of darkness clashing against the dolls at the ends of the halls and near the doors that led to the other parts of the house. The war was starting - battle had been joined.

"Sakura," Snow knocked briefly on the woman's door. He wasn't sure if he hoped she had already left, or if she was still inside. After what Ink Stain had said about killing her, John almost regretted seeking her out at all.

He knocked again, this time more fervently. "We need to go."

((Graxdon:, I know that most people hate pings . . . but I was thinking I'd let you know the attack has been met with resistance. :twisted:))

Leading the attack wave, and causing far more damage than any of the Inklings (good name for Ink Stain's creatures in general, I think) , was Villain astride the monstrous Chimera beast, the former Hero using his dark blade to block any attacks that might do harm to the creature, while the Chimera simply attacked, tearing dolls apart with fang and claws, his scorpion-like tail that ended in an old quill tip striking swiftly at dolls from time to time, black ink consuming their bodies before they were just as monstrous as the other Inklings, turning against their former comrades as Ink Stain's poison consumed them.

As the battle waged, a shadow crept beyond the front lines, headed directly for his prize. Watching as the next group of dolls left Mother's room to head to the front lines, he stepped out, Ink Stain, standing before them with all the appearance of a demon now. (for those who forgot, he changed his form to this for the battle) He looked at those assembled before him, his eyes coming to rest on Namine, saying to her, "Ah, the princess..." taking a step to the side, making room for her to pass he said, "Your knight in shining armor is dying to see you, I'm sure." Looking to Seth he nodded to him, saying, "Ah, Brother. Stand aside if you know what's good for you... I'm here for the one you call Mother." Finally, looking at Mother he said, "Because in the end, she's the whole reason for this. Everything else is just so much cannon fodder."

(also, DINKLEPING!))

Calla looked at Seth and found herself returning the smile he gave her, blushing a little at the same time. Her head whipped toward the door as the pain filled cries of the first group were met with the dark creatures making up the opposition's army. She had to stop herself from going to them and gathering them up in her arms. She would get in the way and end up being hurt as well. She and Seth, along with Isis and Lost were like the last line of defense between Ink Stain and Mother.

Calla touched Seth's shoulder, gasping softly in horror at the demonic creature heading the other army of dark beings. There had to be a way to defeat this monster, if only she could figure it out. "Don't Seth...don't move" she whispered softly. She knew it was unlikely he would actually stand down, but she was warning him not to lash out, not yet anyway.

((BLAH!! So short, but I'm feeling tired today. I'll post for Isis later.))

((-kicks thread some more- :angel:))

(I am very sorry my internet got cut off and i will not have it until about next week T^T i work at a suckie job making 200 dollars a week and all my money goes to gas and bills i am very sorry again........so just asume that the situation leaves Briella silent as she helps the doc as his nurse >w< T^T but yea no net for me T^T)

((Awww .. . thanks for letting us know, Kilia! :hug: Hope you get some good work and internet soon!

PS: Es will be gone for about a week starting soon. :/ SOrry for not posting! I will try to do so soon. . . . But I'm just so braindead. :drool:))

Briella nodded to him as she limped about quickly, giving people a shy smile as she helped Kira set everything up, she looked around once more as she clutched at a pendent hanging from her neck. She was sacred, mainly for everyone else but herself, she couldn't see mother anywhere but then again she did not know that she was young once more. She never got to say anything to him but only had to nod her head in understanding, the nest thing that she knew the battle had started, and wounded dolls were coming in left and right, it was hard for her to keep up with it all but she managed to do so.

Her leg was hurting her as she rushed as quickly as she could, treating wounds like Kira had showed her, checking on those that they had already taken care of before watching sadly as those that were well enough stood up and went once more to join the fight. As the battle wore on, as she helped Kira and those that needed it her, it was very clear that it was taking a toll on her considering she was basically dragging her leg because it was hurting that badly, it was also clear that she was more worried about others then her self.

(i got's net back!!!!)

((DON'T YOU DIE ON ME!!! CLEAR!!! *zaps*))

((-body jumps- I-I'm not dead!!!!
Lol, Es said a week, but she's been gone a lot longer than that and I refuse to let this die. NOT when this war is just starting.))

(( Es is just so darned busy. T_____T))

((LOLZ, might want to add text to that last post, Grax. ;) The mods might call it spam.

Es is working on getting caught up with posts . . . I'm so sorry. :/ I know that everyone starts to lose motivation to post in here once the delay gets too long. . . .*cry*))

((Essy should know by now that Marie is always here when she gets back. lol, we've been gone from here a lot longer than this before.))

((^_______^ I know, I just don't like it. Hmmm. *tries to post*))

"You can't have her," Namine stepped forward, keeping herself between Ink Stain and Mother. The look in her blue eyes was one of determination - there was no hatred in her expression. "You will fail. You can't win." Her grip on the hilt in her hand tightened. "Stop this, Stain. Just . . . stop."

She didn't want to go see Villain. It hurt too much to recall that he was her friend a mere day prior. Wasn't it Hero who had told her to keep strong and be the light she was supposed to be? She'd helped defeat Ink Stain before. She could do it again. Mother was strong again, right? There was no way that Stain would win if the odds were . . . in their favor.

Seth took one look at Ink Stain and immediately grabbed Mother's arm. He pulled her back behind him, lifting the makeshift bat he held. The wood was splintery and rough, but he wore gloves to keep himself from suffering. "No." He wasn't going to just let Stain have his mother. With a look of pure hatred and anger, Seth moved first.

While Namine was talking, he stepped past her and swung with all his strength.
-

It isn't going to stop. Kira wiped a splatter of blood off of his cheek, ignoring the red that intruded on his vision. His glasses were a mess. Everything was a mess, but that didn't matter. What mattered was saving the lives of these dolls. He was their savior. They were dying. There honestly weren't as many wounded as Shoen would have liked. Many of them had been turned into inklings for Stain's army.

"Briella," Shoen wiped his cheek on his shoulder as he touched her shoulder. She was dutifully tending to one doll's gashed shoulder. It would need stitches and heavy bandaging. "Take a break. Get some water." The girl looked flushed, and ready to collapse. This was so much strain on her emotions, it was surprising she'd gotten this far.
-

((kionaredhawk:, dear. Snow has summoned Sakura, and the battle has started! I would like to get John and his girlfriend back into this little game here. ))

((YAY!!!))

Stain simply grinned, his demonic face full of fangs, as he took the hit in full, slamming into the wall, sending a spiderweb of cracks in the plaster. He chuckled, saying, "Oh, dear brother... why don't you pick on someone your own size?"

((Short post, but there is a reason))