Outnumbered ~ I Am Number Four ~ Invite Only!

[SunnyJustice]

Alder was just listening to everything with a goofy grin. His face looked so stupid, like a lovestruck idiot, and then he reminded himself that he was a lovestruck idiot. It was going to be amazing if he found a gravity Legacy thingy, because he would be falling for Amber head over heels, literally and metaphorically. What if she was a mind reader like Erin? What if she could see the future? With her ridiculous intelligence, that was definitely a possibility!
Or, what if super-intelligence was actually her Legacy? It wouldn't be very surprising. "Cool ideas! And my family owned a lot of Chimera. We're Adamsons after all, we led the planet. I swear, there was a fly on the wall of the ship, and it always stared at me. I wonder about that fly sometimes." He then nodded when Amber suddenly cut off, and he started treading water as quietly as possible. It was difficult because he was so big, but he was managing, barely.
"He doesn't look like a Mog," he whispered back. "He looks hurt."
"Do you think we should help him?"

Rowan was just making up his own recipe on the fly. He loved to improvise when he cooked, and it often came out great... except that time, back on Lorien, Willow had been forced to help. Adamson girl cooking was not good. The food that resulted was supposed to be lasagna, but it looked like raw shrimp mixed with overcooked peanut butter, smelled like a vinegar-and-bleach reaction, and only one person had tasted it. Cedar, the scientist of the family. Needless to say, nobody else tasted it after poor Cedar's reaction. "Remember the time Willow got a restraining order from the kitchen?" he chuckled. "I wouldn't be surprised if she had a bad-cooking Legacy. We are Adamsons after all."
He was still wondering about his own Legacy. "I would like to heal people," he said. "I've always admired the Garde who could heal others with a single touch. As an Adamson, I grew up not knowing if I was going to turn Garde or Cepan. I dreamed I would have that Legacy, and unfortunately, I tried to use it in the garden when the plants started dying. It didn't work."
He went a bit red, remembering his poor gardening abilities, worse than Willow's cooking skills. Rowan had read somewhere in a book about pruning weak branches to make the whole hedge stronger. He ended up applying the knowledge to the whole garden, and he tended to kill the plants when they had the slightest issue. This got him in serious trouble by his parents, who were displeased to find their prized plants on the compost heap. The lecture had taken hours.
Rowan never went in the garden again.
He loved talking to Esme though, even when it was something embarrassing. No, especially when it was something embarrassing. He liked to be completely honest around her. The more they knew about each other, the more comfortable he was.
"What about you?"

Icaron nodded once, very slowly, as he remembered what he did. It was his job that no one had assigned him to. If he didn't do it, who would? There were children on that battlefield. In fact, the entire planet was the battlefield, and some inconsiderate soldiers were leaving innocent civilians bleeding out on the ground. Icaron swore he would punish those unceremonious miscreants when he got their hands on them. Who were they to torment the blameless? It was a disgrace.
He had killed countless people. Not just by his declaration of war; with his bare hands. Hundreds? Thousands? He couldn't remember how many, but he did remember their faces. Icaron was cursed with photographic memory, and it pained him to recall their agonized screams as his armies swept effortlessly through their streets, carelessly leaving them for dead. Icaron couldn't show his anger. He needed to be calm to make it easier for those under his care.
He was surprised at how much detail Rori remembered. What surprised him more was how much she understood. He closed his eyes and leaned his chin against the top of her head, taking deep breaths in an attempt to gather his composure. Rori knew all his secrets. No one else had seen him in a moment of weakness, but Rori had many times. He trusted and respected her more than anyone. She deserved to know about this, because Icaron cared about her the most.
"Thank you for understanding. It means everything to me." Icaron hoped she couldn't hear the slight break in his voice. "Yes, something is bothering me," he told her honestly. He loved how they could be truthful with each other, and it warmed him when Rori spoke from her heart like she did now. "There are many reasons I made that spear for Acacia, and one isn't-"
He was rudely interrupted by Brennius leaving a message, ordering Icaron and Rori to his ship. No, to California. Icaron was displeased with this attitude. He had the sheer nerve to command the two highest-up Mogadorians like common soldiers. What insolence. However, Icaron picked up the reciever, and his businesslike voice betrayed no trace of anger. "I trust your word. Expect us there shortly. Thank you," was all he said. One could hear the smile in his voice.
He then passed the reciever to Rori, in case she had something to say to her brother. "His ship's location is at a Californian beach," he explained. "We need to dress appropriately if we are to participate in the fight." He took his 'work clothes' from the closet. "Quickly, go change in your room. Meet me at the dock in ten minutes," he told Rori promptly.

"Hello? This is Janice Cole. You want my team where? Alright, thanks, ma'am. We will be there shortly. Looking forward to working with you."
The young General hung up and grinned at her platoon. They were all just chilling in the mothership, but now they were focused intently on Janice.
"Get the junior soldiers and the beasts," Janice ordered. "It's time to have a girls' night out. Lanette, find Acacia. Katharine and Blair, get our ship ready."
A twisted smile formed on the prodigy General's face.
"Time to have some real fun."

Acacia was having a difficult time. Splitting headaches and the blue-tinged visions continued to torment her. When Matty finally arrived, she sat up in bed and shook her head. "I don't remember. Something is very wrong, and I can feel it. I might be going insane."
It didn't help that someone was knocking at her door. Didn't she tell Matty not to knock? Oh, wait, he was already in the room with her. Was she completely losing her mind? Acacia sat up straight, trying to look like she wasn't a mental wreck. "Come in."
Lanette entered, holding two uniforms. "The Brigade wants us in California ASAP," she said with a small smile. "Get changed, get your weapon, and let's go."
Acacia nodded. "Sorry, Matty, but I have to go. When you get back to the surveillance room, keep an eye on where we are in California."

Five minutes later, the girls congregated at Katharine's ship. In another, larger ship were two Piken and a great number of Krauls. Blair's huge winged beast, the one she called Pteri, was also accompanying them. They were going to catch those Loric kids off guard, finish them once and for all. They literally stood no chance against this devastating attack.
Acacia arrived just in time to hear the end of Janice's pep talk.
"We are women now!" shouted the General with her flaming sword held high. "And we sure as disgrace are going to fight like women!"
"Disgrace right we are!" the girls chorused, all holding their weapons up. Four swords and one spear. And, for once, the spear belonged.
"Very timely of you," said a deep, respectful voice behind them.
"Beloved Leader," the girls said, except for Acacia, who just nodded at her father.
The Girl Guides looked fierce in their charcoal-and-red uniforms. In comparison, Icaron was impersonally professional, dressed in all black. As with the family tradition, he held a spear in one hand. Acacia also noticed a dagger at his belt. He was wearing gloves, which she wanted to tease her father about. This was an inappropriate time, though; she didn't say anything.
"Good evening, Girl Guides. California, right?" Icaron inquired with a polite smile. He didn't like to overly enforce his rank upon his soldiers. They knew their place, and they knew his place. Icaron did not use intimidation methods unless absolutely necessary.
"Yes, sir," Janice spoke for them.
"There is no time to waste," Icaron told the Girl Guides. They weren't Girl Scouts anymore, and he was proud of them. "Go on. Rori and I will join you shortly."
The soldiers didn't need to be told twice. A chorus of "thank you, sir!" reached his ears, and Icaron smiled as he heard two ships departing for California.
He climbed into his own and waited for Rori. It had been a long time since the accident, and she was fit for battle by his judgement. Icaron missed seeing her, dressed for combat, her scythe held firmly in her hands. The sight always intimidated him in the best possible way. Yes, someone could actually intimidate Icaron. And it was the very person he loved most.
He couldn't explain how beautiful she was when she stood amidst a bloodstained battlefield, with the blade of her scythe stained bright scarlet.
If all went well, he would see that sight again very soon.

"Running, running, over Planet Earth..."
Legato heard her companions singing that song. It didn't bother her, but her other comrade seemed to be quite irritated by the continued repetition.
"When days are hot, when days are cold, over Planet Earth..."
"Kian and Kipling..."
"Skipping, sprinting, and fancy footwork too..."
"If you don't stop that right now..."
Legato chuckled. Those three were hilarious. Legato had stolen a farmer's old-fashioned hay wagon, and had been pulling it across the country for a long, long time. She hadn't stopped to sleep. She wasn't the least bit tired. Legato had the three Balthazar siblings in tow, atop the wagon, and they were having a lot of fun for a Monday morning. Maybe because they were out of school. It was a long story why Legato was taking them, and why she actually had permission for this.
"Oh, don't you wish you never had anything else to do, but-"
"Enough! You have been singing for five hours! Shut up right now!"
"Kindle!" Kian laughed. "You can't beat us, sis, so join us!"
"Oh, I'll beat you alright! I'll stuff your body in a ditch-"
"Now, now," laughed Legato, "no need to get rowdy. You'll wake my Cepan, and she will lecture us all into Friday night." Mia, too, was in the hay. Legato was better than a workhorse. Unlike a mule or anything of the sort, she never got tired. She just kept going.
"She's probably already awake," argued Kindle. "After the drunk singing my brothers have been doing, I'm surprised the Monkeydorians aren't upon us yet."
"Mogadorians," corrected Legato, continuing to pull the cart. "And your brothers are not allowed to drink and drive. Don't worry, I will enforce the rules."
The Balthazars stopped talking then, and Legato only smiled at them as she kept going. The kids' father was Morgan Balthazar, the Vice President. Interestingly enough, their mother was also Jordana Casimir, the Secretary of Defense. Legato made friends with Kindle, a friendless girl, at school. That started a chain of very unexpected events. For one, the parents took special interest in Legato. They thought she was superhuman to make friends with Kindle Balthazar.
Well... they did find out she was superhuman. It was just a regular old sleepover, but Kindle heard Legato muttering in her sleep about Staccato, Lorien, and Mogadore. She had given herself away, and she ended up kicking off her long socks while she was having a nightmare too. Kindle saw the scars on her ankle as well. Legato, knowing of the Balthazars' trustworthiness, had to risk telling the truth to Kindle instead of forming a convincing lie. There was no way out.
Unfortunately, they lived in a major population center. And one of their classmates, a friendly girl named Jadie Cole, was actually a Mogadorian. The girls were changing after an outdoor gym class, and everyone's socks were wet. Jadie, to be 'nice,' was handing out new socks for everyone to change into. Legato refused, and Jadie seemed to think nothing of it.
Legato should have known better. Kindle warned her about the danger, on the very night the Mogadorians attacked the school. They fled to the Balthazars' house, where they had to explain everything to the family. They were Legato's only hope of escape. Jordana and Morgan were surprisingly understanding, and agreed to speak to the President about the Mogadorian threat. They let their children go with Legato, because it wasn't safe for them to stay in Washington.
So when Legato pulled up at the door of the mansion, at last, all she did was smile.
"Number Seven has arrived!" someone yelled inside.
"So is Nine! On the beach!" another voice cried.
There was some crashing inside. Legato turned to Kindle and smiled. Her friend just shrugged, but Legato could see a lack of anger in her eyes. That was a good sign.
Two figures came out to greet them. The shorter of the two was only five-foot-four; the taller was six-foot-two. By the spears they held protectively in their hands, Legato immediately knew they were Adamsons. "Good evening!" she called out.
"We have been expecting you," said the older one, approaching them. This was Gingko Adamson, the matriarch and General of her kind.
The shorter man was completely still before running down the stairs. He sprinted up to the wagon and stared at the Cepan who sat atop it. In grief, because he was the weakest-willed and couldn't deal with Mia's 'death', Olive had locked himself in his room for the entirety of the ship ride. Seven's Cepan had died in a gruesome accident, but Olive never found out who the replacement was. He wished he had now. "Mia! Oh my goodness, it's you! N-no, I'm not crying. These are tears of joy."
"I'm glad to see you all. You said something about Number Nine," said Legato. She smiled at the Cepan, Olive, who was losing his mind over Legato's Cepan. "May I see him?"
Gingko nodded. "Maple, show the guests indoors," she commanded before leading Number Seven to the beach. Legato gasped upon seeing Duke's staggered gait, and sprinted over to him. She still wasn't tired after all she had been through.
"Duke," she said fondly, approaching him. "I missed you." She frowned at his leg. It seemed to be at an incorrect angle. "We have lots of catching up to do."
"Hey! What are you doing in there?" Gingko shouted at two figures in the water. "Come on up! Seven and Nine are finally here; we're all here!"

Vincent nodded as he skipped after Erin. He was almost flying with how excited he was. Literally, he felt like he could grow wings and fly away. He looked at his arms, and nothing had changed. It was a weird feeling. Then a bad feeling hit him in his gut. "I don't feel good," he said, starting to walk normally instead of skipping. "I feel like something bad's gonna happen." He spontaneously had a case of the shivers, and he had goosebumps all over his arms as well.
"Do you feel that too?"

[hilde]

"Why are you saying he is NINE!" Richie yelld walking up. "I am! Kill this Mog imposter!"
"It IS Nine!" Said Clark running out. The Loric had an instinct to know when one of them had come even when they THOUGHT Richie was Nine.
He went up to Richie. "Now im confused."

[TheFae]

Amber
16
Location: Ocean
Tagged: Alder and everyone Else

"I think we don't need to." She murmured as another person darted to the house to help the poor boy. "Did they just say that was Seven and Nine? Did they just say everyone is here?" She squealed. The team was complete. Without hesitation, she grabbed Alder's hand and pulled him inside, dripping wet and all. She walked inside, and hugged Gingko, truly happy everyone was here, but then she froze. "Wait, what do you mean number 9? Are you saying Richie isn't number 9?" She asked, mind going a mile a minute. "If he isn't, what is he?" She asked, staring at her Cepan with wide, worried eyes.

Duke
15
Location: Beach
Tagged: Legato

Duke immediately smiled upon seeing Legato. His pain seemed to be replaced with joy upon seeing her beautiful face. She was the only reason he was able to survive everything he had. Duke didn't even hesitate into pulling her into a tight hug.
"I've missed you, song bird." He smiled, using his favorite pet name for her.
"And we do have a lot of catching up to do." He smiled. He then blushed. "Do you think you could help me inside? I've got a bum leg, as you can tell." He smiled sheepishly. He just couldn't keep the smile off of his face.

Rori
37
Location: Icaron's Room
Tagged: Icaron and Brennius

Icaron and her were having a moment, a very intimate moment, when her brother paged with a demanding tone. Icaron smiled though as he answered, but Rori could see the anger in his eyes at the audacity of her brother. When Icaron handed her the phone, she was not as nice as she was.
"Remember Brother, this is the Beloved Leader and his second in command you are talking to. You don't order me around, I order you around. Understood?" She growled.
"I know where the Garde and their Cepans are located." Her brother replied. Rori's eyes went wide, and she didn't even hesitate. "See you there." She murmured. She then hung up, smiled, squealed with a little dance, and ran out of her room to get changed. She was finally going to get some revenge. She quickly dressed in her favorite combat outfit. It was black and deep red embellishments. Her scythe, which had a staff darker than night and a blade as red as blood, was waiting to be used. She couldn't contain her excitement. She even forgot to put up her hair as she prepared herself for battle. It didn't matter, though. She could fight in any outfit with any hairstyle.
She quickly ran to Icaron's personal ship and climbed in.
"Who would have thought we would be fighting on the same battlefield once more?" She smiled with glee, quickly glancing over Icaron. He always looked so nice in his all black outfit.
"Nice dagger." She teased, buckling herself in. She couldn't wait. They would be there in no time.

Esme
36
Location: Kitchen
Tagged: Rowan

"I remember that. It was so funny." She giggled, remembering Willow's escapades.
"Aww. You're so cute." She laughed, loving to hear about Rowan's past, especially his childhood.
"I personally would have loved to be able to fly or command the air. To be free, like a bird." She smiled. "I've always loved birds, and it's been interesting to see them on Earth. I'm especially fond of the Magpie. They are absolutely beautiful." She smiled, rolling her gingerbread dough since she had mixed everything. She was following a standard recipe. She wasn't adventurous like Rowan when it came to cooking. She followed the rules.

[SunnyJustice]

[I literally forgot Richie was "Nine". I'll just play along with what Clark said about the instinct! XD]

Legato didn't even know who this kid was. His insolent words did not bother her, because he had no ability to harm Duke. "Excuse me," she cleared her throat, calmly staring down the irritating redhead. "You are mistaken. If anyone is an imposter, you are."
Alder waded ashore to see a tense scene. "Oh dear," he whispered, instinctively reaching over to take Amber's hand. He gave it a little squeeze. "This is... oh no."
"I felt it in my bones," snarled Gingko, "as soon as I saw Duke come back, I knew he was the real Nine." She took a threatening step towards Richie.
"You're about to find out what happens when you lie to me, kid."
"Have fun," Legato said darkly, before returning Duke's hug. She felt her cheeks grow warm when he asked for help. Now this was the kind of attitude she liked. It was why she thought of him all the time; he was so humble and kindhearted, and never tested her patience. "Of course I will help," she said with a wide smile, offering her arm for him to lean on.

Rowan was blushing, and he wore a shy little smile as he continued to work. "As are you," he countered. He was tossing the gingerbread dough in the air like it was a pizza, and he grinned as he listened to Esme recount her preferred Legacy.
"You are more beautiful than any magpie, darling," he complimented, but then he almost dropped the ingredients. He did some fancy footwork and juggling to keep everything in the air, and ended up catching it all safely. He breathed a sigh of relief and put it down on the counter. No more behaving like a delinquent. "When I'm around you, I feel like I could fly, Legacies or not."

Icaron needed to keep a professional attitude, but nobody else was in the ship, so he reached over and his fingers found Rori's. "Thank you," he replied calmly. "It's for... you know." He winked, and he was glad nobody was listening to this conversation.
He quickly set the ship's path towards California and took off. He was both speeding and steering with one hand, but he could handle it.
"You look absolutely deadly," he told Rori. It was one of the highest compliments in his opinion. Icaron was grateful to not be on the wrong side of that scythe.
I have the most dangerous woman in the galaxy on my side, he thought, almost arrogantly. Together, we can conquer anything.
For once, he felt completely confident. He hadn't finished the difficult conversation with Rori, but that was a topic for another day. Today was the day to fight.

"Girl Guides, ready to strike!" Janice quickly paged the Brigade and Icaron's ship, at the same time, before hanging up. It was just a short message, one that would let them know.
"I can't want to take out that snot-nose that escaped me," Blair said excitedly. "The redheaded idiot."
"You know, he's not actually Nine," Lanette explained. "He's a spy of ours. He was the one who got Nine and his Cepan kidnapped, and replaced Nine. We messed with the Cepan's mind until she was brainwashed into thinking Richie was her Garde. I thought you knew."
"What?" Blair demanded. "I hate him anyway. He irritates me."
"I want to get rid of the disgrace responsible for Camilla's death," snarled Janice.
"Leave him to me," Acacia interrupted.
Silence.
"What?" demanded Janice.
"I let him get away last time. Let me make amends," said Acacia. "I'm going to get rid of him. I need to step up into my responsibilities."
"Yeah! You go, Cay!" Blair cheered, and the others joined in.
"About time," grumbled Janice. "Fine. Take care of him. And make it slow."
"I will," said Acacia.
She already had different plans.
"Everyone's ready," Icaron's voice came from the intercom. "We do not want an air attack. One of the Garde has an electrical Legacy; she could kill us all by taking out the ships. Brigade, land in the southern jungle; Girl Guides, land in the northern jungle where the road is. It will make it easier to guide the beasts. Rori and I will land in the jungle to the east. We must all be at least two kilometers away from the mansion to preserve the element of surprise. West is the ocean. We will ambush them on foot, trap them between us, and no one will escape. Soldiers, report to your positions immediately."
"Yes, sir!" the girls chorused before steering far north, landing less than three kilometers from the open road and the mansion. They concealed both ships in the jungle, and the five soldiers climbed off theirs before letting the beasts out. Blair waved her hand to silence them.
"Let's go," whispered Katharine. "Time for revenge."

When Icaron landed in the east, he was overcome by emotion. There was always the chance someone would make a mistake, and all would be lost. But not yet. They still had each other tonight. He gently yet passionately leaned over and planted a soft kiss on Rori's lips, all business and gentlemanly grace, and he pulled away slowly but did not regret what he did.
"Rori," he said plainly, "I love you."
And he left the ship, heading in the direction of the mansion. Ready to fight.
Ready to kill.

Acacia had no time to waste. She had a plan to carry out.
"Janice," she murmured, "let me scout ahead. I will hide and try to convince Richie to start attacking immediately. It will cause panic, and the Loric will be easy pickings."
Janice nodded. "Finally thinking like a real woman. Go, Kraulface."
Acacia left. Sprinting silently through the jungle, leaping over fallen palm trees, dodging trunks to either side. She hadn't told a white lie. She had completely and utterly decieved her lifelong friends. She reached the mansion before anyone else; they had all landed at least two kilometers away, and they would be slow because they needed to sneak an entire army. Acacia was only one person. She could move much quicker and quieter. She thought of how to warn him.
The visions in blue. It was him. It was Sam who she dreamed of. Acacia had seen Lorien in all its former glory. She knew that each Garde wore a pendant of pure Loralite.
Acacia's own hands had created Sam's pendant. That was the azure flash she remembered; the glint of sunlight off the Loric stone as she handed it to him.
And there was only one reason.
Acacia had grown up on Lorien. Somehow. There was something Icaron wasn't telling her about her mother, and she would get to the bottom of this, one day.
But tonight, she had to warn Sam. If he alerted them all, so be it. Acacia couldn't control her protective instinct, it was something older than life itself.
Because she was meant to be his Cepan before their dreams all shattered.
She climbed, reaching the part of the roof that revealed the second-floor windows. One was foggy; someone was taking a shower.
With her finger, Acacia quickly wrote:
MOGS COMING.
PREPARE NOW.
She climbed down and dashed back to her friends. They were only a kilometer from the mansion now. Too close for comfort. If she had delayed...
"I couldn't find him," Acacia panted. "He was either on the beach or inside. I couldn't risk going into a public area. We will just have to attack as we are; we can't depend on Richie to destroy them from inside. No matters; he will follow orders when we arrive."

[hilde]

"No." Laughed Richie. "YOU will learn what happens when you mess with ME!" He ran forward and threw his sword at Amber because she had always ticked him off and he never saw her as a leader. He then laughed and ran down the beach to find Apricot to kill.
"NO!" Clark yelled. He ran inside the house. "RICHIE JUST TURNED TRAITOR! AND HES NOT THE REAL NUMBER 9! HELP!" He yelled at everyone.

[honeybee.]

"Oh oaky." Matty said concernedly when Acacia forgot what she'd called him for. Then she had to to rush off with the Girl Guides so he headed to the surveillance room and did what she'd told him to.

Mao had been lying in the hay, eyes closed but partly awake. How couldn't she be with the two boys singing some random song. She didn't mind to much though. Then they arrived and she instantly say up searching for Olive. He was there at the door and the he sprinted over. Mia hopped down and flung her arms around the fellow Cepan. 'Of course it's me, stupid. Who did you expect it to be?" She cried.

Erin shook her head, frowning. "No, I don't feel anything." Then she heard the commotion at the house and saw Richie running to the beach. The hadn't heard any clear words except for 'HELP!' and 'RICHIE'. "What's happening up there?" She asked worriedly.

Sam was showering when he saw something being written on the window. He jumped out the shower, pulled on some shorts and arced down the stairs. "There are Mogs coming!" He cried. He didn't know who it was who'd written it, and whether they were even telling the truth but it was better safe that sorry.

[TheFae]

Amber
16
Location: Clark's Mansion
Tagged: Everyone

Amber couldn't concentrate, everyone was screaming and the entire mansion was chaos. She looked at Richie, smiling when he was outed as a Mog. With all of the chaos, nothing could have prepared her for him to run towards her, and throw his sword. She only had sub-par reflexes when she was totally concentrated. She tried to move out of the way, but the sword still completely grazed her side. She didn't cry out, she didn't crumple from the pain, instead she stared right at him.
"I will kill you." She hissed, feeling the electricity rise within her, she stopped though when she heard same yell.
"There are Mogs coming!"
She didn't even hesitate. She ignored her wound.
"Clark, where is your plane?" She cried.
"Cepans, please grab your trunks and get to the flight bay. We are leaving in 5 minutes!" She cried.
"Garde, get to the flight bay and file into the plane!" She issued. She then blanched. Where was Apricot?
"Apricot!" She shouted, running after Richie despite the huge gash in her side. She kept telling herself to ignore it. She needed her General. Amber was not good at war, but Apricot was. She felt the electricity build up within her, and she sent an arc towards Richie, missing. She tried again, and she hit her mark.
"Gingko, get everyone to the ships!" She cried, running towards Richie. She was seeing double, almost triple, and she was severely lightheaded. Her limbs felt heavy, but she was going to keep fighting through the pain.
"Apricot!" She shouted, hoping to get her back.

Duke
15
Location: Beach
Tagged: Legato and Everyone Else

Duke smiled and took her outstretched arm. He then heard Amber instruct everyone to go to the flight bay. "I have no clue where we are going." He smiled, though he knew it was urgent. Everyone was in frenzy mode. "I wish I could get to Richie and pummel the little disgrace myself. He deserves it after impersonating me." He smiled. He wasn't even mad anymore. He was just thoroughly irritated.
"So, what's up with you?" He started, laughing a little.

Esme
36
Location: Kitchen
Tagged: Everyone

Esme heard the commotion. She stopped making Gingerbread and stared at the door, listening. She heard practically everything. "Looks like our date is on hold." She stated, grabbing Rowan's hand, and running outside.
"Gingko, what do you want us to do?" She asked, looking at everyone.
"And where is my Garde?" She asked, looking around more intently.

Rori
37
Location: The Ship
Tagged: Icaron

Rori squeezed Icaron's hand as he drove. Her adrenaline was already pumping. She couldn't wait.
When they landed, she whispered "I love you." She smiled when he uttered the same thing. They then left the ship, running towards the mansion.
"Race you!" She cried, easily running past him. She couldn't wait to kill some Gardes. Especially the one that caused her to crash her ship.

[SunnyJustice]

"Yes, but quietly," Icaron said with a smile. He was pleased with this night, and with how far everyone had come. He knew he couldn't beat Rori, but he ran anyway.
Only two kilometers to go.
He knew that the others were similarly close.
Yes. Close.
So close to winning this war, for once and for all.
They were ready at last.

--

Pandemonium. Chaos everywhere.
One common thought was passing through the heads of many.
The Mogadorians are upon us...
... and we're not ready.

As Richie threw his sword, Alder gasped with terror and Gingko shouted in rage, and both Adamsons attempted to leap in front. Their combined efforts sent them crashing into each other, and the sword sliced Amber's side anyway. Infuriated, Gingko rose to her feet, pulling the now-shocked Alder after her. "Amber, wait!" Gingko roared, in an even worse rage as she began ordering everyone to flee. Amber seemed to have forgotten that this was a war, and war was Apricot's domain, no longer Amber's.
"What the hell? Don't make decisions so lightly! It's a war, it's not your choice-"
Alder was already running after her, even when Gingko's voice cut off and the old Cepan began to shout various Loric profanities instead. Where was Apricot? They needed their General.
Just as Alder reached Amber, as if on cue, Apricot burst out of the jungle with a newly-sharpened spear... and a disgruntled-looking leopard that flicked its tail curiously at Alder. Suddenly he thought of the fly on the wall, back on the ship. A Chimera. He never knew.
"I heard you making orders," Apricot said unhappily. "A war, huh? We have an agreement. I'm the wartime leader. The General. It's my turn now. I'll forgive you this once, Amber, but don't try to usurp my place a second time." She also knew that Seven and Nine were here. Apricot could sort through all the commotion; she was used to it, since she needed those skills in the midst of a fight. A battle was where Apricot belonged, and this was a battle. It was her turn to lead now.
"Prepare for war!" she shouted at the top of her lungs. Apricot's voice was incredibly loud, louder than Amber's cries; as a soprano and a mistress of war, she needed to shout commands clearly as well. "Meet on the beach, armed and ready!"
"You paralyzed him," Apricot then said, pointing to Richie. "The little traitor. He won't be moving for hours. Leave him, we need to go over there." She pointed to where Duke and Legato were, higher up on the beach. They were the only ones who couldn't join Apricot, because Duke was the least mobile currently. She would just go to them, and everyone else would join them there.
"Follow me!" she ordered before sprinting up the sandy hill.
It was time for war.

"I thought you were dead," Olive sobbed, throwing his arms around Mia. He couldn't believe she was here. "I was literally going to propose to you that night, but the Mogs came, and everything was ruined. I thought you died, Mia, I really did-"
Amber's voice cut through the quiet, followed by another, even louder voice. And the second voice was the one that Olive heard. "Prepare for war! Meet on the beach, armed and ready!"
Olive wiped his tears away as he pulled back. His spear was still in his hand. "Get your weapon if you have one. Let's go," he said, already beginning to walk towards the beach as he glanced back at Mia. The three human kids jumped off the wagon. The two boys held unpleasant-looking pitchforks, while the girl bore a broad medieval sword. They followed him, holding their weapons tightly.
It was time for war.

Vincent shrugged. "I have no idea," he whispered, but he felt horrible. His intuition was right. Something was going wrong, and he didn't know what it was.
He could hear more screams everywhere. Sam, yelling about the Mogadorians. Amber, shouting at everyone to get to the plane. So much confusion. Vincent felt sick.
But when Apricot's voice, the voice of their General, cut through the noise... Vincent knew things were really getting bad. "Prepare for war! Meet on the beach, armed and ready!"
Vincent gulped. He didn't have a weapon, and he had no idea how to fight. He was going to ask about Erin, when Maple ran out of the house, holding her spear and Erin's bow and arrows. "Go. Now," Maple commanded the kids before leading them down to the beach.
Vincent looked at Erin fearfully before following.
It was time for war.

Legato shrugged as well. "She can't force you to leave in this state," she said disappointedly. Was Amber the leader here? Chasing down a kid while she was half bleeding to death? Number Six seemed very wound up. Legato knew Amber was probably a better governor in peacetime, but unfortunately she didn't seem like a general type. Legato respected her, she respected everyone, but she had to admit. Amber needed some help when it came to war matters.
Everyone had their weakness. Legato's was her passionless business attitude towards everything. Amber's was commanding an army during a war.
An army did not run from every fight. Finally, every Loric was together. And now this girl was trying to tell them to flee from their first real battle.
Legato was about to walk over there and protest, but another girl beat her to it. Apricot. This was a short, murderous-looking kid, savage and wild. Definitely not a good governor at all, unlike Amber. But as soon as Number One spoke, Legato knew by the bladelike tone of her voice that she was a general. No, she was the General. And this was her war.
She said something to Amber, which Legato couldn't hear. But then she turned and shouted, addressing every person within their property, and her voice was loud enough to carry to even the attic. "Prepare for war! Meet on the beach, armed and ready!"
Legato smiled calmly and rose to her feet. She found two pieces of driftwood, one she handed to Duke. She knew he preferred barehanded combat, but he was wounded, and better safe than sorry. "I won't let anything happen to you," she promised. They were already on the beach. Apricot sprinted over to them, and stood with her spear in her hand.
"Number Seven and Number Nine," said the General.
"General One," Legato bowed.
"Just the General will do."
Legato just shrugged, still wearing the same smile.
It was time for war.

"Prepare for war! Meet on the beach, armed and ready!" Rowan set everything down and ran after Esme when he heard Apricot's voice. "There's your Garde," he said.
"Looks like I've got my work cut out for me," said Gingko. "No, nobody's going to any ship. We are staying and we are fighting. Esme, I want you to be in charge of making sure no one is too stressed to fight. Make sure everyone is in prime condition. They need to be."
It was time for war.

Alder had tears in his eyes as he put his arms around Amber. "I just found you, not even half a year ago," he sobbed. "I can't lose you." She wasn't dying yet, but he was terrified she would. Alder always acted like such a carefree kid, but he didn't tell anyone about the nightmares, the ones in which one of them would die. The past night, he had dreamed that he had bled to death, leaving her alone. Now he was afraid of the reverse happening. "Please, Amber," he whispered.
Instinctively, guided by a force he couldn't explain, his right hand moved to touch her side. He didn't know what he was doing -- was he hurting her? He shouldn't be touching an open wound -- but something incredible was happening. He felt a cold tingling that moved down his arm, and passed from his hand to the cut on her side. He watched through his tears as the wound began to mend. Alder didn't take his hand away until it was completely healed, and then he just gaped at it.
"You were saying something about me finding a Legacy?" he breathed. Overwhelmed with joy and relief, he immediately kissed her on the tip of the nose. He wiped away his tears. Back to his ridiculous smile. "Now that my sister's taking over her General duties," he said, "let's go uphill. In case you're still recovering..." with a giggle, he picked Amber up in his arms. She was so light, probably because she was small. "I'll carry you! Now let's go, Miss President!"
It was time for war.

Yes, it was time for war, and Apricot was ready.
"Esme," she said, "take the ranged fighters to the top of the roof. Bring Nine."
"Allow me to carry him," offered Legato.
"No," a deeper female voice sounded behind her. "Let me."
Legato turned and smiled at the six-foot-tall human who stood before them, with her pitchfork-wielding brothers by her side. "Thank you, Kindle." She frowned thoughtfully at Duke, and Apricot didn't understand the emotion in her eyes, but she had to respect it.
"Take care," she whispered, then another word was on her lips, one that started with 'L'. Apricot didn't hear it and didn't have time to care.
Once the long-ranged fighters had departed, and Kindle had gone with Duke in her arms, Apricot turned to Clark. "You need to go find your plane. Circle above us. If things go bad, come down and pick us up ASAP." She sent him off, and then Kindle returned without Duke.
"Is he safe on the roof?" Legato asked calmly, but Apricot could hear her worry.
"Yes. Shut up and listen," Kindle grumbled.
Everyone was gathered on the beach now. Apricot continued.
"Now, I know the Mogs, and I know them well. They have personal business with me and Sam. Amber too. They hate us. Whatever group we're in, they will attack most viciously," she explained. "So the long-ranged fighters and Duke will be safer."
"The Mogs see better in dark than light, we don't. Vincent, you cannot fight. Set campfires on the beach. When the Mogs come, don't join the main fighting group. Try to sneak up on Mogs and set their clothes on fire." She waved her hand, and the small boy quickly ran off.
"Knowing the Mogs, they will converge on all sides. Don't panic. The water is polluted to the point of poison on Mogadore. They aren't used to fighting in water; they will drown, but we won't if we fall." She pointed to the dock they were close by. "When they approach, we slowly back up on the dock as we fight them. It reduces the chance they can surround us too, they don't want to be so close to the water and will be too careful. We kill them or shove them overboard."
"I'm a good swimmer, and I can hold my breath for a long time," said Legato. "I will hide in the water and take care of any overboard Mogs, as well as helping any of you who fall in." She abandoned her driftwood weapon. She could manage with her bare hands.
"Great," Apricot said. "Amber, you're in charge of any Mogs who get close to the ranged fighters. Strike 'em down. But don't come near the dock, or you might electrocute us all to death. I need you to watch over Esme, Erin, and Duke. Alder. You're a healer -- cool, but we need you now. Stay with Amber; she will be targeted almost as much as my group will be. If we need you to heal one of us, we will call." She gestured towards the mansion quickly.
"Mind if I keep carrying you?" giggled Alder. "Slap me if it's getting annoying. I like carrying you," he said, voice trailing off from Apricot's ears as he reached the side of the mansion with Amber in her arms. When they had gone, Apricot kept talking.
"We are ready," she said, a grin forming on her face. "It's time to fight at last. For Lorien!" she shouted, raising her spear high.
A chorus of enthusiastic "for Lorien!" echoed from the warriors.
It was time for war.
And this time, they would win.

Order and discipline was restored. An army was positioned at the beach, a smaller platoon was situated at the mansion, and a little boy had already set two fires on the once-placid shore. The Governor was safe, and the General was prepared for anything.
One common thought was passing through the heads of many.
The Mogadorians are upon us...
... but we are ready.

[hilde]

(Me: *Leaves for 3 hours*
You: *MAKES GIANT NOVEL*
)

Richie couldn't move. A few HOURS! He didn't HAVE that long! He hoped the others would get here soon and save him. They NEEDED him!

"Yes Ma'Am!" Clark said. He ran off to his plane. Olive taught Clark how to drive a plane and he was good at it. Clark climbed in and took off. He flew in circles above the area but he was very high up in the sky so the Mogs would have a really hard time seeing him.

[TheFae]

Amber
16
Location: Clark's Mansion
Tagged: Everyone

Amber was almost delirious. She had a fierce need to protect her own, and with that need, she overstepped the line. Amber skidded to a stop when she saw Apricot.
"I didn't know where you were! If you aren't here, I'm supposed to take charge just as I'm not there you are in charge." She stated, almost slurring her words. Her knees buckled, but strong arms caught her.
"It's your job. Protect our family, General." Amber commanded, sight slowly going dark. She heard Alder talk to her, and she wanted to tell him to not worry, but she didn't have the energy or the strength.
Out of nowhere though, she felt pressure on her side. At first it hurt, but then warmth radiated throughout her from her wound. Her strength returned, and she didn't feel so tired. Her eyes fluttered open, and stared right at Alder.
"Nice legacy. It comes in handy." She smiled. She was then lifted up, and she wrapped her arm around Alder's neck. She knew he wouldn't drop her, but it felt somewhat natural. Alder carried her to the beach where everyone was meeting. Alder still didn't put her down, though right now, she didn't mind. To be honest, she was terrified. Times like these reminded her of everything she had lost in Lorien. She didn't know how to cope, but she was going to cope with it.
Amber nodded at the orders Apricot was giving.
"Got it. Slay 'em Apricot." She stated, wishing her leader sister good luck.
"You heard her! Get moving!" She cried, after joining in with the cry. Alder started walking to the roof, and she was ready. They had grabbed her bows, and she felt stronger.
"You are going to need to put me down for this fight, you giant panda." She smiled. She was going to protect her family from the roof.

Esme
36
Location: The Beach
Tagged: EVeryone

Esme was so proud of her Garde. Once Apricot dished out the orders, and everyone prepared for battle, she went up to her Garde first.
"I love you, and I am proud of you. Kick some Mog butt for me, okay?" She stated, hugging her daughter.
Before she could cry, and then went to Rowan. "I love you, so come back to me, okay? I'll protect you from above." She promised, quickly kissing him, and then running up to the roof. She had to protect her own, like Amber.

Duke
15
Location: Roof
Tagged: Kindle

Duke was humbled by the fact that Kindle was legit carrying him. "I guess I loss some of my muscle mass. Sorry for the inconvenience." He murmured. Even though he felt bad, he knew he couldn't walk either. "My name is Duke. I know you're name is Kindle. How long have you known Legato for?" He asked, noticing Kindle was human. He wished he could have talked to Legato more, but he knew she was going to come out okay. Her black hair still sleek, her gorgeous smile still shining like a 1000 watt light bulb. He would patiently wait, especially since he wasn't a ranged fighter.
"So are you going to go back down there, or are you going to stay up here?" He asked.