Butterfly Apocalypse: Papilio's Dream

It was dark. Very dark.
Anna couldn't tell if her eyes were open or closed. All she could see was black. Normally the dark didn't scare her but this was different. It almost felt like she was in a giant room. Trapped with some potential predator wandering around. Something lurking, waiting, and she couldn't see it. She took a step forward in the darkness. A loud tap echoed into it. She stopped instantly, a little scared. It almost felt like she had given away her position. But she didn't hear anything. Finally she took a deep breath and yelled out.

"Mesay?"

A loud clunk echoed behind her. Anna turned around to find Mesay lying on the ground. Some random light source from above lit up a large circle around her. Anna ran over and knelt beside her. She seemed okay but Anna would of preferred a more scenic background. She focused, trying to change the environment. Anything less creepy would do. A grassy field, a cottage home, even Red's forest would be a welcome change. But this dream was different. As hard as she tried the only thing that seemed to alter was the circle of light. It had grown a few feet further but nothing else. Anna couldn't understand. She never had a problem doing this before. It felt much more difficult this time. Something was different. Something was wrong.

"Anna?", Mesay asked. She sat up and grabbed her head. The look on her face was more of confusion than pain. "What's going on?"

"I'm not quite sure. I figured you'd..."

"Oh God...I'm dreaming aren't I?", Mesay interrupted.

"Yeah", Anna replied.

"Wait. Does that mean I'm dreaming you, or are you doing your manipulation thingie?", Mesay asked.

"The second one.", Anna answered.

"Oh, okay.", Mesay still looked confused. Then she studied Anna with skeptical eyes. "By accident?", Mesay probed.

".....sorta", Anna hesitated.

Anna had no poker face. She was caught. Sunni had confronted her right after the incident with Dox. She insisted that Anna go into Mesay's dreams and find out what was going on. When Chewie and the others had returned from questioning Avi they found Sunni and Anna arguing about it. They all convinced Anna it was at least worth a try. But they had no idea what Mesay had been dreaming. What made her get so upset. Or potentially, what she had done to Dox because of it.
Banana on the other hand had been against it for just that reason. If not only for the safety of Anna but the privacy and respect they had for a fellow butterfly. What really made Banana unsettled was that no matter how hard she had tried, she couldn't see anything about this in the future. Lately she had been interrupted in daily thought with images of Dox getting trapped. Mesay going insane, and others being killed. But she couldn't see what was causing it. Or what exactly was happening. Banana didn't realize it, but she had learned to rely on her ability to foresee events more than she knew. And that left a bad taste in her mouth.
Meanwhile Anna agreed to at least try to enter Mesay's dreams and get some insight. She was successful at least in the entering part. Now if only she could get a grasp of her abilities again. Especially while in this potentially dangerous dream.

"I knew it.", Mesay, now standing, threw up her hands in frustration. "Why? Why would you come here willingly? Did the others not tell you what happened last time?"

"Yes, but...they just wanted to make sure you were okay. And to know what was going on.", Anna defended.

"There is a reason I haven't shared the details with any of you. This place is dangerous.", Mesay insisted.

"We're in a dream Mesay. It's not that bad. If it gets really weird I can help you wake up.", Anna comforted.

"It's not just my dream.", Mesay's eyes turned intense. "I filter back and forth. And I can't control it. Or remember anything. Anna, you need to get out of here now."

"Mesay, just let tell me what is bothering you so bad. We need answers. Dox is having problems. There is something wrong with him. He fell from his staircase and now he can't understand a word we're saying.", Anna explained.

"Dox? Dox is.....", Mesay was interrupted by a low hum now emanating from the dark. She looked around very scared. "It's starting again."
Mesay grabbed Anna's shoulders and looked her dead in the eye. "Anna. Get out. Get out now! I'm not going to remember anything. Not you, not me, not Home. So I won't be able to help you. Get out Anna! We're not in a dream anymor..." Mesay stopped.
Anna watched as the recognizable light in her eyes faded to nothing but a blank stare. The hum got a little louder and after a few long minutes, Mesay loosened her grip on Anna's shoulders. Her hands let go, and fell to her side. Immediately afterward she plopped on the ground, sitting.
Anna felt something in the air change. It felt like a shift. A sudden movement that she was not aware of until it happened. It was like she had been in one place and now was moved to a dramatically different one without her knowledge. A slight chill filled the air. And a very real shiver created very real goosebumps on her skin. Anna instinctively moved her hands up and down her arms to warm them. It was then that it occurred to her. Mesay was right.
They weren't dreaming anymore.
She looked into the ether surrounding them. Desperate to find anything that would help her get some clarity on this place. She turned and saw Mesay disappearing into the darkness. Anna leaped forward to catch her before she left the circle of light completely. But as she did the spotlight seemed to follow. Anna stood still and observed the movement. She took another step forward and the light followed again.

"Well, at least there's that.", Anna said. "Mesay?", Anna ran in front of her and held her still. Looking into her eyes she could tell Mesay was not home. Something else was guiding her. Anna reluctantly let go and stepped aside. Mesay continued walking. Anna followed Mesay. And the light followed Anna. What Mesay was following, was anyone's guess.

***

They walked for what seemed like hours. Occasionally Anna would try to talk to Mesay. But would get no response. Their footsteps echoing through the space. Anna had almost given up on figuring out where they were. The echo made it seem like they were in a huge room. But they hadn't ran into any walls or stairs. The cool breeze reminded her of being outside but it didn't explain the echo. All that remained constant was the errie feeling she got from just being there.

Mesay stopped abruptly, making Anna almost run into her. Mesay turned her head slightly. Then Anna caught it. The faintest whispering coming from the distance. Someone else was in here, somewhere, whispering. Mesay turned toward the sound and continued to walk. 

"Should we really be following that?", Anna asked. 

It didn't matter. They were going that way anyway. It wasn't a few moments later that a faint beat started to sound. It was constant, steady, and as they continued felt like it was coming from all around them. Anna grabbed her chest. She could feel her heart begin to beat in time with it. It made her catch her breath. The whispering got louder and every now and again Anna could of sworn she heard whimpering. In the next instant little balls of blue and green light began to float around them. Passing around the beam of light that highlighted the only visible visitors to this place. The whispering was now very loud and seemed like whoever/whatever was making it, was right in front of them. Mesay stopped and starred strait ahead, not blinking.

"PapiLIO!", the whisper hissed. Then left the two in silence save the rhythmic beating. Anna stood there, terrified into shock. Unable to run.

Mesay shook her head. She stood strait up and looked around. She caught Anna in her peripheral vision and whipped her body around. Mesay had snapped out of it but she looked alarmed and it was obvious that she was studying and analyzing Anna in her head.

"Mesay, It's okay. It's me, Anna."

"Who?"

"Apolo.", the voice called.

Now they both gave their full attention to the darkness. Each of them terrified. 

"What on earth is that?", Mesay asked.

"Do not be afraid. You have found us.", The voice began again.

A realization came over Anna's face. It took a second for her to finally ask, "Roivas? Is that you?"

"Yes", Roivas answered.

"You know that thing?", Mesay asked.

"We both do.", Anna replied.

"I know of lots of creepy things but I have never met this one.", Mesay quipped.

"You weren't kidding Mesay. You forgot everything.", Anna answered.

"I'm sorry Papilio. I'm sorry Apollo. But I'm glad you are here.", Roivas seemed to take a deep labored breath before finishing with, "Lonely".

"What is going on please?", Mesay asked.

"It's a long story." Anna started. "Roivas, what are we doing here?", Anna asked.

"Papillio has been visiting me. She promised to come since I rescued her.", Roivas responded.

"I didn't promise anything. I don't even know who you are?", Mesay defended.

"Eventually she will remember.", Roivas responded.

"What did you rescue her from?", Anna asked.

"The Beast.", Roivas answered. "Came to kidnap Papilio. Came to kill the rest of you."

"Do you mean Help3r?"

"Yes. Before Home."

Anna was taken aback by this. Mesay was rescued by Roivas from Help3r. But she had promised to visit Roivas.....

In The Dark Place.

"Oh No.", Anna announced worried. That's why Mesay wanted her to leave. Somehow in her dreams she went to The Dark Place. As a condition of her promise to Roivas. Now Anna was there. No wonder her ability didn't work.

"Roivas, we need to leave. These visits are making Mesay sick. They made Paradox sick.", Anna explained.

"Luxora is sick?", Roivas asked. "This is not good. I can't see Loxura"

"What are you talking about?", Anna pressed.

"I cannot see his light.", Roivas answered. "Papilio, you must remember and help the others."


"I have no idea what you're talking about!", Mesay yelled frustrated.

"If we loose one, Home will weaken."


"Weaken? Like how weak?", Anna asked.

"Home will die.", Roivas responded.

"Look I don't know who you are. I don't know what you want. But all I can think of is how to get out of here. I'm sorry but I can't help you.", and with that Mesay turned around and started to walk off.

The heart beat that had been echoing though the darkness stopped. And so did Mesay. She dropped to the ground and gasped for air.

"You must remember or we will die."


Anna rushed over to Mesay's side.
"Stop it Roivas! Your hurting her!", Anna yelled.
Mesay's eyes began to burn a bright blue. She turned and quickly looked at Anna. Anna was pushed back by some unseen force. Mesay began to breathe again and all the little blue and green lights collected around her. She got up and starred at Anna. Anna just laid there unable to really move much. Mesay, eyes blaring walked next to her and knelt down.

"I'm sorry Apollo. But you need to stay here now. Don't worry. You'll be safe. We need to save the family.", Mesay's voice had changed. It was layered and distorted. She stood up, never breaking eye contact with Anna.
"Don't worry. I promise to visit.", she turned and walked out of the light and into the darkness. The little green and blue lights followed becoming the only beacon of light beyond the one she had resided in.

Anna watched the lights fade one by one. The errie feeling leaving. But a new sickness resided inside of her. It was the unease of seeing what Roivas was really capable of. And the idea that whatever happened to Dox. Was now happening to her.
"Mesay!"
"Roivas!", Anna called out.

".....ANYONE!"

Butterfly Apocalypse: Right place, right time.

Zander woke up coughing. His throat felt dry and coarse. Like he had tried to swallow a bucket of sand. He rolled over and propped himself up to his hands and knees. After a minuet he was able to catch his breath and take a look around. He seemed to be at the mouth of an open cavern. On each side of him were tall jagged walls of rock that letter boxed the bright blue sky above. The entire hall was only four feet wide and seamed to weave back and forth with the stone. When he turned around he gawked at the desert landscape spotted with small patches of brush and lined with the distant mountains. It looked vast and desolate.

"Where the hell am I?", Zander said out loud.

The last thing he remembered was making his butterfly application video. Zander had become quite concerned for his friends. They had all seemed to start following this guy and his problems. Good natured as they we're, one by one they had all started disappearing, leaving Zander alone. At first he tried contacting Caught and Natalie, but had gotten no response. He even considered messaging Help3r but opted first to see what Roivas knew. Since they had all become these "Butterflies" strange things had been happening. And if anyone knew where they were it was probably him, or them rather. But Roivas doesn't talk to non butterflies. So Zander made the video and waited. Waking up in the desert was not what he was expecting.

A hawks cry drew his attention back to the sky. As it passed over the ridge he heard the echo of footsteps from inside the rocky crevasse. Someone was around. Maybe they knew how he got here. Or maybe he was brought here by them. Either way his choices seemed to be limited to follow the noise or bake in the sun. So reluctantly he opted to follow the noise. He stood up and brushed himself off before entering the cavern.
The inside was cool and breezy. He did his best to both avoid the jutting rocks and keep quiet. He had no idea what was going on but there was no need in getting into a potentially bad situation. Like yelling with your arms flailing. That was for later when things got crazy.
Please don't let things get crazy, he pleaded in his head.
Following the long trail, a slight hum started coming from just beyond the next rock. He rounded a corner to a widened part of the hall. Above a few giant fallen boulders had pressed themselves together to create a sort of ceiling. It also made a much smaller hole about, five feet tall, to another part of the cavern. Zander stopped and backed off suddenly when he saw the figure of a small girl. She was looking out and seemed ready to pounce at any given moment. The hum had now turned into a large rumbling filled with the accents of metal on metal. The girl rushed through the hole and disappeared. Zander was about to follow when the hawk swooped down and nearly knocked him over. It tucked its wings in and quickly shot through the hole. Zander gave himself a few more seconds before peaking through the hole. The noise became almost deafening as he saw a huge enclosed cave. Artificial lighting bounced around the ceilings and walls, giving shape and form to this place. A very thin walkway lowered to the cave floor where hundreds of dolls were being constructed. And tons of giant metallic looking bricks we being welded and powered up. Every one that was completed joined a marching formation. The dolls and drones just standing at an opposing exit to the outside, waiting to be sent out. He looked up and saw directly across the cave from him was a suspended room. Attached to the rock wall with a metal staircase going all the way to the floor. Inside was a figure with a black hoodie and gasmask. Help3r was working in his lab as his army assembled below.
On the floor, some movement caught Zander's eye. The little girl was trying to sneak around and moving toward Help3r. She wasn't being terribly discrete and if Zander could see it, he doubted Help3r would miss her. As Zander tried to figure out what was going on he was nearly scared to death by the sound of a little black cat meowing next to him.


"How did you get here?", He thought. "Are you Help3r's evil cat or something?"


"Hardly", the cat responded.

Zander threw himself back a bit at the sound of voice in his head.

"So, you must be a butterfly now Zander." , the cat thought.

Zander stared wide eyed at the cat. Not only was he in this desert filled with some sort of narmy Help3r army, but now he was having a telepathic conversation with a cat.

"It's called Hivemind.", the cat started again. "But we can't talk right now Zander. Zero is getting in some serious trouble."


"Who are you? Am I even doing this right?", Zander asked.

The cat walked past Zander toward the walkway. "It's Xilaya. And yes you are. Now come on." Xilaya, the black cat ran down the walkway to the assembly lines. Zander while in shock followed anyway.

The walkway led them to a series of large containers perfect for hiding. Xilaya sat on the floor looking up at Zander. She turned her head toward the mini factory. Zander stole a look around the container. Large lines of doll parts were being put together by other dolls. Arms attaching, legs moving and heads turning, it was creepy to say the least.

"Those are Help3r's dolls. Along with the brick drones they attack and hunt us on a regular basis.", Xilaya explained. "I followed Zero here. Blue thinks she may be looking for revenge."


"Revenge for what?", Zander asked.

"For the death of her family." Another voice had invaded Zander's mind. A figure walked out of a darkened corner of the cave. It was Applestar, she was dressed in all black and had her hair tied up in a ponytail. She approached Zander and cat Xilaya. "She's heading directly for him. I don't know what she has planned. Or knowing Zero, not planned."


"Where the hell did you come from?", Zander insisted.

"I've been following you since you entered the cave", Applestar explained.

Applestar had even taken Xilaya by surprise. She had been quite the absent butterfly and the only reason Xilaya knew she had arrived at Home was because Hoop had told her. But that wasn't necessarily Applestar trying to be evasive. Her power, like the others was not always under her control. And as such she often walked around Home without being seen or heard. She had attained a stealth beyond most people's senses. So when she overheard Blue telling Xilaya about Zero running off. She decided to go after her. Xilaya had no idea that she was being followed. Which would explain how Applestar knew the little cat was Xilaya.
Zander was now confused beyond all thought.

"Wait, so I'm talking to a cat that used to be Xilaya, and a ninja? Who are tracking Zero who is trying to avenge the death of her family?", Zander proposed. "What the hell happened to everyone?"


"It's a long story Zander. Which we will be happy to explain as soon as we get Zero and get out of here.", Xilaya pushed.

"How do you suggest we do that?", Applestar asked.

Just then a loud scream came from cave. The three looked and saw a giant doll holding up Zero by her hair. She struggled and squirmed as the doll presented her to it's master. Help3r, casually walking down the staircase, eventually arrived at the hostile butterfly.
The doll dropped Zero. Zero immediately got up and removed a knife from her pocket lunging after Help3r. The large doll grabbed her by her arms and stopped her just short of him. Zero was furious. Hot tears streaming down her face from her failed attempt.

"Why did you kill them?!", Zero yelled.

Help3r just stood there looking at Zero. He raised his hand and pointed to the far left. Just beyond the parts for the drones was a hot furnace. Various dolls were tossing faulty parts into it. The giant doll turned and slowly moved toward it. Zero was screaming and squirming the whole way.

"We have to do something!", Xilaya exclaimed.

"Xilaya, can you turn into an animal that's big? I mean really big.", probed Applestar.

"Maybe, I've never tried....this whole thing is kinda new to me still.", Xilaya said unassured.

"We need a distraction. Right now Xilaya.", Applestar pushed. She quickly ran back into the shadows and disappeared.

Xilaya concentrated. She focused her mind on the largest animal that came to mind. The little black cat began to grow. Her fur falling off and revealing tough skin underneath. She kept growing with the little ears getting bigger and bigger. Her nose elongated until she reached her full size. Zander had to run to not get instantly crushed.
Suddenly Xilaya the elephant came bursting around the crate. She moved through the first assembly line of doll parts crushing it, leaving pieces in its wake. Help3r brought his attention to the new development and took out a remote control from his pocket. He pressed a few buttons and three brick drones ascended and moved toward Xilaya. She noticed this and proceeded to run around the cave making a huge mess of things.

Meanwhile Applestar made her way toward Zero and the giant doll. It was pretty easy to sneak around even with Help3r there, thanks to Xilaya. She saw a few loose pipes on the ground and grabbed one up as she ran by. Using it like a bat, she went at the back of the doll's knees. It didn't even flinch. Applestar knew she wasn't going to be able to take this thing down alone. So she went for the next best option. She followed the electrical cords from the furnaces opening hatch to a control panel. The panel was in Help3r's lab. Without hesitating she ran back to the stairway. Help3r was right here, watching the chaos ensue as the drones had finally reached Xilaya.
She was turning and whipping her trunk. Raising up and stomping another set of dolls. The one drone came at her hard and hit her side. She trumpeted in pain and fell to one knee. The other two drones would of hit her if she hadn't had the sense of mind to quickly turn and run. She ran full speed at the finished dolls by the exit and proceeded to stomp and crush them to bits. The drones turned and doubled back to catch up to the giant menace. The first one, being closest made the best time on Xilaya and rushed her. But this time she was ready. Just before it approached her she fell on her side and it just bounced on her body, scraping some skin and hopping over crashing into a good chunk of the army and the neighboring wall.
Applestar was extra careful around Help3r. She moved as quickly and quietly around him as she could. Zero screeched, getting dangerously close to the furnace. Applestar couldn't wait any longer she had to make a run for it. She turned and rushed up the stairs only to be caught by her ankle and pulled back down to the main platform. Applestar hit the floor and winced in pain as she dropped the lead pipe. Help3r dragged her to the rock floor and placed a foot on her chest. He pressed a button on his controller. Four half finished doll torsos with arms crawled over to her. They grabbed her with their half assmebled bodies and held her still. With another few commands Help3r called two of the drones back. And Applestar could of sworn she heard a muffled laugh in his mask.
Xilaya looked up and noticed the other drones going toward a trapped Applestar. Zero now screaming at the top of her lungs was almost at the furnace. Xilaya tried to think but was so hurt from the last blow that she panicked and didn't know what to do. Applestar tried so hard to free herself as she watched Help3r back off. She knew what was coming. Squashed Apple.

The drones neared.

Zero screamed as she felt the heat from the furnace.

Xilaya could hardly move.

And there was Zander.

Walking among the chaotic scene. He had seen the entire thing from the safety of the containers. He was confused and worried and furious that he couldn't do anything to help. He just wished everything would stop.  And it did.
The drones were frozen in mid air. The doll had hesitated to drop Zero. Even Zero stopped screaming. Applestar had a look of sheer terror in her eyes. Xilaya the elephant was in mid transformation into some other animal. Zander didn't understand any of this. But he knew that they were in trouble. And he seemed to be in a position to help.
He walked up to Help3r's lab. He wasn't sure how long this would last so he tried to work quickly. Inside the lab was a large board. On it was a working chart with the butterfly names. It looked like Help3r was trying to find a connection between certain butterflies and Roivas. Something more subtle. Nearby were three corked vials in a holder. Each had a different butterfly name on it. Chewie, Paradox, and Mesay. All three had separate colors. The Chewie one was a dark brown. Paradox's was a deep red. The Mesay one was a bright blue. He grabbed the vials and continued to look. After another minute he found the control for the furnace door. He hit the button and watched the door close.  He turned to leave and found another lever for the exit. Zander when ahead and pulled it. As it opened the light from the afternoon sun streamed inside. That was perfect. They had a way out now and Zero would be safe. Zander left the lab and quickly descended the stairs.
At the bottom he reached Applestar. Feet over her were the drones. A second later and she would of been killed. Zander didn't hesitate. He started to peel her from the doll fingers when she suddenly jerked. Zander backed off as she struggled.

"You were stopped.", Zander started.

"I was what?", She continued.

"Nevermind. Let me help you get out of this.", Zander could figure this out later.

"Zander? What is going on?", Applestar asked.

"I'm trying to help you super whatevers.", Zander replied. "You got a ninja pack or something?"

"I have a satchel on my side here, why?", Applestar asked.

He finished releasing her from the dolls. Then he took the vials and gave them to her. "Put these in there."

Applestar decided not to question it and she placed the three vials into her back. The two then ran off to Zero's aid. Once they got there they noticed that the doll was holding up Zero by her arms. But in the struggle she must of gotten her right arm free. Because the doll was only clenching her shirt on that end. They tried their best to move the giant doll's fingers but it wasn't budging. Zander slipped and touched Zero's arm in the process, releasing Zero from the time stop.

"Get your damn hands off me!", Zero screamed and flailed.

"Zero relax!", Applestar yelled back.

Zander backed off for a second and took a look around. Everything was had been so still. But when he touched a person or thing it moved again. He was slowly wrapping his mind around it. But he was a full fledged butterfly. Complete with the powers to not only stop time but animate specific things aside from it.
"Cool", Zander thought.

"Zander, a little help please?", Applestar asked.

He threw himself back into the moment and tried to think of something. Suddenly things began to feel different. Zander looked around and noticed the doll starting to move. He looked behind them at the dolls Applestar had just been released from as they twitched. Time was returning to normal.

"Zero! Let me have your knife!", Zander said. She stopped moving and opened up her hand so he could take it. He grasped it and went back to her left side where the doll held tight.
"Now old still Zero. I don't want to cut you."
Zander proceeded to cut the fingers off of the giant doll. He hurried as fast as he could while time quickly caught up with them. One by one the fingers fell to the ground slowly releasing Zero. Finally Zander finished the last finger. The one side of her body dropped. The other side the doll was grasping held for another second before ripping her shirt from the weight and eventually plopped Zero on the ground with an, "Owwww!"
Time was moments from starting up again. Zander and Applestar picked up Zero and made a run for Xilaya. They rushed past Help3r and hurdled the reanimating half dolls. When everything returned to normal a loud crash hit the ground. It was the two drones now sitting where Applestar would of been. Help3r looked up and saw the three running for the door. He looked around in confusion for a second before heading up to his lab.
The three rushed past all the chaos and dolls. The machines and fighting. They finally reached where Xilaya had been but was gone from sight. They slowed down to look for her until they heard a hawks cry. It flew down and morphed back into Xilaya's human form just in time to catch them running together. Now Zero, Applestar, Xilaya and Zander were running into a storm of dolls. The only thing between them and the exit. Help3r got into his lab and pulled the door lever. Zander watched the dolls rise up and the door begin to close. That was it. They were trapped.

"Everyone keep running! Don't stop!", Zero yelled. She put her hands up and created a force field a few feet around them all. As they ran the dolls bounced off the invisible shield. It was awkward and tough but they got through. With plenty of time to get under the exit before it closed. As they ran into the desert they saw a giant dust trail approaching them. Zander looked and saw a car with Blue behind the wheel. She stopped a few feet in front of them.

"Get in!", Blue yelled.

Everyone pilled in the car. Blue didn't wait for all the doors to be shut before tearing though the sand and dirt  and away. Zander looked behind them and couldn't see anyone or thing following them. He couldn't even see the exit anymore. Between the dust and the sun he wasn't able to.

"Everyone okay?", Blue asked. Wincing a bit as she tried to drive with a bandaged up hand.

"Yeah. Some awfully good timing on your part Blue.", Zander prodded.

Zero looked at Zander, "It's called Hivemind. Duh!"

"It's called not running off and perusing some personal vendetta Zero.", Blue scolded.

"What the hell does vendetta mean? Besides he killed my family Blue. What the hell was I suppose to do?", Zero retorted.

"How about you not run off.", Blue started.

"Or endanger yourself.", Applestar continued.

"Stop it guys! Your making me feel all shitty.", Zero complained.

"We just don't want to see you hurt Zero", Xilaya offered. "We're a bit mad, yes. But you need to look at where we just were. We almost died in there."

"I didn't want you to follow me Xil!", Zero defended.

"What are we suppose to do? Just let you go and kill yourself?", Applestar said.

"I could of killed Help3r! I could of ended all of this shit!", Zero yelled.

Zero.....please calm down.....I don't want you to die.
Zero heard the voice that seemed to come from nowhere. It was like the Hivemind but felt different. She knew exactly who this was though. As the others yelled around her she thought to herself. "But he killed my family. I couldn't just let him get away with it."


"Zero, come to the room. We will help you understand this better there. Please don't be mad at your family. They love you."


Zero quieted. The others noticed her sudden silence.

"Do you understand what we're trying to tell you Zero?", Xilaya asked.

"Yes.", Zero answered. She kept looking forward. She stayed silent for the rest of the ride to Home.

Zander tried to analyze everything. Strangely enough though, he didn't have as hard of a time understanding the superpowers and Help3r or even the army of dolls and drones. What he wondered most was what was in those three vials that Applestar kept safe in her satchel.

"Applestar, could you give me those tubes I gave you?", Zander asked.

She opened up her satchel and gently retrieved them.

"What is that?", Xilaya asked.

"I don't know. But I think the people listed here should know that Help3r has some kind of experiments he's running on them.", Zander said.

The group stayed quiet for the rest of the ride. Everyone was lost in their own thoughts. As they approached Home, Blue motioned for Zander to look. He gazed at the large structure that seemed to oddly jut out of the landscape. At that moment he knew that he was right.

Things were going to get crazy.

Butterfly Apocalypse: Home of Leaves

Dox started his morning the way he started all his mornings. With a headache. Normally this wouldn't be a very uncommon thing for him. But since coming to Home, he had been devoid of headaches, or any pain really. In the past month or so he had noticed they came back. Today it was particularally unpleasant.
He reached over the bed to his side table and turned on the lamp. Beneath it was a small aspirin bottle and a glass of water. Dox unscrewed the cap and tossed two of the capsules into his hand. Throwing them into his mouth and taking a sip of the water, he awaited the relief of the medicine.
Sitting up in bed, Dox started thinking about Home. Things had been going pretty well here. But recently he had noticed a number of odd things. Mesay's waking dreams, Chewie's encounter with Help3r, Zero's disappearances from the group and most recently the event with Avi. These were all problems they were going to have to deal with. But they seemed to be escalating without any real solution. And in a strange way, everything felt connected. Dox continued to be lost in thought for the better part of an hour before he finally decided to get up and fix some coffee.

In his room Dox had a mini kitchen. P                      erfect for late night snacks or morning
wake ups. The entire space was the s                       ize of a large pantry. On one wall was
a countertop about the size of a kitch                        en sink. Beneath was a built in mini frid
ge. It housed any number of cold drin                       ks and treats that he could enjoy whene
ver he liked. Above was an equally s                        mall cabinet. Being able to manifest any
thing one could desire had its benefits                       . Dox, still a bit sleepy, reached a hand i
nside the cabinet expecting to grab a                        bag of coffee. He became puzzled when
his hand came up empty. He found         Nothing      Surprised he figured this was just the par
adoxal humor of his chosen living sp                         ace so he decided to check the fridge. H
e was surprised to still find not a sing                        le thing inside. In fact the fridge didn't eve
n feel cold. Dox decided to shrug this                       off and take it as a message that he neede
d to get out of his room for breakfast.                       It had been some time since he had enjoy
ed the company of his fellow butterflie                      s. And frankly with all the thoughts in his h
ead, he wouldn't mind the company.                         He put on his long leather coat, tied on so
me shoes and walked out into the spir                      al staircase.

Dox exited his room and started to                                            descend the staircase. He had hoped that the staircase was in a mood to get                                          him to the Mess Hall fairly quickly. As he walked he noticed the stairway itself                                          looked a little darker. It was welcome though. The aspirin seemed to have                                        done nothing to ease the headache. Dox was pretty sure it was getting worse. He                                        put a hand to his head and started to gently rub his temple. Trying to ease the                                          pain a bit. The staircase was taking its time getting him to his destination but he                                          didn't mind. Suddenly he found himself tripping over his feet. At first he figu                                        red it was his tiredness or the pressing pain on  his brain. But when he looked d                                        own he realized that it had nothing to do with him. The stairs themselves see                                         med to be changing in height. Randomly, almost as if he was being deliberately                                          meant to slip. The next step he took he actually fell a few feet. Catching him                                        self on the stair he started to get disoriented. Something was wrong. The staircase                                          never acted like this before. And it seemed to be getting darker again.                                           Dox knelt down and felt for the next step. He couldn't find one. A sharp pain                                          jabbed at his head and he turned to lean up against the adjoining wall. When it                                           receded he used his other hand to find the stairs back up. Going back to his ro                                         om seemed like a good idea. But that too was hard to find. Dox couldn't unde                                         rstand what was going on. There was a difference between the odd way he                                          got around Home and this. Why wasn't his headache going away? The pain now                                         peaked and Dox grabbed his head in agony. Eventually he fell to one side and off the stair. 


Falling








                                       It got darker and darker.
















                                                                      He couldn't see or
                                                                      even think.




Suddenly everything went        .               












"Dox!", Sage yelled.
Sage had been hiding in his room for quite some time. He hardly ventured out for fear of getting lost again in Home but his boredom allowed him some courage to wander. He hadn't realized that he walked right into the entry for Dox's staircase. Probably because it didn't look as dark as it actually was. Not to him. Sage didn't realize it yet but his eye site was better than most everyone else's. He could see through or into anything on the physical plane. So the pitch black room seemed clear as day. And as he looked up he saw Dox plummeting to the floor.113


113 This part was really hard to try and pull off. You see the beginning there, where Dox is trying to find his coffee? Yeah, that took about 20 minutes of my life away. I didn't even know it was failing until I had finished it the first time. It took two more times to get it right. I was going for it to look like a box which might resemble a cabinet. Until the bloger format fucked it up and I had to explain it here. Really though this is just a rant to let off some steam about the formatting. Honestly, I'm just trying to impress my friends here and make them have a fun time reading it.
I find myself trying to end this thing. I only intended it to last as a three part story but it just keeps getting bigger. This is an attempt to finish it. But it may just keep going. It seems to have a mind of its own at this point. Though I'm finding this whole task of including everyone to be pretty arduous. Not like I have to. Really this is just for fun. It's pretty much consumed my life. Seriously I wake up thinking of plot. I find myself at work, sort of risking getting in trouble so I can write. Then when I get home I spend most of my time writing. My legs have been going numb from letting the cats sleep on them.
Anyway this is some important plot stuff going on here so you may want to pay attention. Or not. Really it's up to you. The fact that you're read this far is pretty impressive. Back to the story.


Dox heard his name and in a split second realized that he was falling. He quickly spread his wings and tried to suspend himself if only for a second to gain his bearings. The wings only seemed to slow his fall slightly before he smacked into the floor. Sage stood there in shock. Trying to figure out what to do. Then he called out in his head, HELP!
It wasn't long before Chewie and Banana showed up. They saw Dox lying on the floor. His wings splayed over his body. He was breathing but not moving. 
"Blue! We need you at the stairway right away!", Chewie called.
"I...can't.", Blue answered.
Dox started to move. He tried to pull himself up but slipped and fell again. Banana and Chewie tried to maneuver his wings so they could get under his arms and help him up. Eventually they situated themselves under him and lifted. He was almost twice as heavy with the wings extended. Banana called out to the butterflies.
"Guys we need help. Anyone available needs to come to the Mess Hall. Now!"

***

After a while a good chunk of the butterflies responded. Dox was taking up a couch on the far wall. Conscious but still very disoriented. Mesay was with Blue, bandaging up her burnt hand while Paul looked on worried. Sunni ran in with just about every pet in Home, save Tex the horse. She made sure she got all of them to come. Then again, Sunni made any excuse to talk to the animals. Since she was the only one who could.

"Oh my god! Is Dox okay? Did he die?", Sunni started. Her eyes found Dox and she rushed over to him. Chewie stopped her mid tackle. 

"Hold on there Sunni. Give him some space okay?", Chewie warned. He lowered his arm and she continued her run stopping just short of him. Dox had his eyes closed for most of the time. He heard a lot of commotion around him but couldn't figure out what was going on. When he opened his eyes he was startled at the site of Sunni not quite a foot away from his face.

"Dox? Dox are you XXXX?", Sunni asked.

Dox looked at her oddly. The headache was gone but clearly he was still suffering side effects. "What did you say Sunni?", he asked.

"XXXXXXXXXXX okay?", she responded.

"Dox?", Chewie started. "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX"

The look on Dox's face was starting to worry Chewie. He looked like a mix of being scared and complete confusion. This brought Mesay's attention who was now done taking care of Blue. She walked over to them and looked at Chewie for an answer. Chewie just shrugged. Mesay looked at Dox.

"XXX. What is going XX?", She asked him. "XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX?"

Dox was now fixated on the various sets of eyes watching him with concern.

Okay Dox. Let's figure out what is going on here. He said to himself.

"Mesay? Could you say that again?", He asked.

"XXXXXXXX understand XXXXXX", she repeated.

Suddenly a flash of inspiration came across Dox's face. He rose up quickly, stumbling a bit from dizziness as he did, and rushed to the kitchen. There he grabbed a clipboard with a list of the meals for the next week. He turned it over and used the attached pen. Scribbling a few things down he then turned back to the group and yelled. "Yes! Now I can!" 

"What the hell is wrong with him?", Sunni asked.

Dox scribbled a few more things down then finally stumbled back to the group. "Okay guys, this is going to sound really weird but hear me out. You're talking in Roivas code." Dox held up the clipboard with his new cheat sheet. 

Now everyone was confused.

"You're going to have to speak very slowly so I can understand you.", he slowly spoke.

"You don't have to talk like that to us. We can hear you fine.", Banana remarked.

Dox looked like he was doing complicated math in his head writing things down  until he got it and responded, "Oh...."

"We're talking in code? When did that start?", Blue asked.

"Blue, your eyes are really....well blue. Supernatural blue. It's kinda creepy. All of your eyes are kinda creeping me out a bit.", Dox continued. "Are you all mad or something?"

"Wait, wait wait.", Mesay started. "So Sage finds Dox falling from his room, and now he can't understand any of us? Something happened to him."

They all stood thinking for a few minutes. Dox finally finished figuring out what Mesay had said when he thought about the event with Avi.

"Hey!", Dox yelled. "We need to talk with Avi." He explained what had happened a few days ago.

"What!", Sunni bursted. "I swear if Avi did anything to hurt Dox I'll...."

"Relax Sunni!", Chewie calmed. "Let's at least give her a chance to speak." They decided that a small group of people should go and talk to Avi. "Are you coming Mesay?", Chewie asked.

"If it's all the same to you guys I'd rather stay here with Dox. I don't think he should be left alone.", Mesay offered.

"I can stay with Dox too!", Sunni exclaimed.

"We both can.", Mesay turned to Blue. "If your up to it Blue, you should stay here too and make sure Dox is alright."

"Okay.", Blue agreed.

Chewie, Banana, and Paul went to find Avi and talk to her.

***

Avi was in her room staring at a book. Not really reading so much as trying to forget what had happened with Help3r. Her worry was not for her Mom. She knew that Help3r was good to his word when it came to promising something. Bad or good. But the fact that she had been used so well was troubling. And what did Help3r want with Dox's blood? Clearly he had to get a butterfly to collect it, since he couldn't seem to penetrate Home's defenses. Why go after Dox specifically? What was he looking for? Just then there was a knock on her door. When she answered it there were the three butterflies.

"Avi? Can we talk to you for a second.", Chewie started.

"Uh..sure...come in.", Avi moved to the side and let the others through. She sat down on her bed while the others occupied a table with three chairs nearby.

"Avi, you need to tell us what you did to Dox.", Chewie pressed.

Avi was caught off guard. Dox must of told them. Deep down she knew it was only a matter of time. But she figured she would of had more time to make it right. Right now though none of that seemed to matter. She heard everything through the hivemind that had happened. Dox was in trouble and she may have been the cause.

"Help3r made me promise not to tell anyone. Or he was going to hurt my Mom.", Avi confessed. "He had her captive guys. I....I had to do it."

Avi told them everything that happened. The three listened intently. All trying to figure out exactly what was going on. 

"So Help3r must of done something to Dox?", Avi finished.

"He said he needed a sample.", Paul theorized. "What if he's trying to study us?"

"That makes sense but why him specifically?", Banana offered. "It's not like he hasn't had the chance to collect samples from all of us. Almost everyone has been outside of Home for one reason or another."

"Unless Dox has something that nobody else does.", Chewie continued.

"Like his wings?", Avi said.

"Maybe, or his experiences.", Chewie countered.

"What are you talking about?", Paul said.

"Has Mesay told anyone about that dream she had?", Chewie asked.

"She hasn't told me.", Banana answered.

"I doubt she's told anyone. She hasn't really been pushed to. And Mesay isn't the sort of person to talk about problems unless asked. I think it's time she told us.", Chewie concluded.

All four of them were in agreement. They would have to talk to Mesay. Push for her to talk about what happened. See if they could put the pieces together. To find out what was happening to Dox. To find out what Help3r was planning.

Butterfly Apocalypse: Red learns a valuable lesson.

Red was running bare foot through the tall grass. The forest was thick with trees and miscellaneous plants but that didn't bother her. Ducking under an oversize mushroom head didn't slow her down either. Her white summer dress was beginning to get a tad dirty but she didn't care. The only thing she could do is run. Run away as far and fast as she could.
A large shadow quickly caught up to her. Red noticed it and quickly looked up. Panicking she dodged into a  large flower with glasses. Avoiding the giant boot that was now resting where she had been running. Recovering from her tumble she got up and hurried over to the heel of the foot. She quickly reached inside the front pocket of her dress and pulled out a knife. Pulling back she quickly struck at the hard leather. But hit something softer instead. Red was now standing next to a man. She withdrew her knife and a few drops of blood spilled on her white dress. The man grabbed his side and stumbled away from Red. He moved a few feet in a futile attempt to escape and eventually dropped to the ground.
Red approached him, wiping the blood from the knife onto the apron of her dress. The man didn't move. She stood over the man for a second. Her eyes blazing a wild neon blue. A long smile crawled across her face. Putting the knife back in her front pocket, she grabbed the side of the man to turn him over. With a little effort she pulled him around to see a man with glasses and neatly trimmed facial hair. Red's eyes faded to her normal blue. The horrifying realization of what she had done was there. Ion lay dead in front of her.

Throwing herself up from the bed, Red was in a cold sweat. Trying to catch her breath as if she had been running for miles.

"It's okay Red.", Anna reassured.

"What the fuck was that Anna?", Red yelled.

Red had begun to have nightmares about killing Caught. The last couple of days it had escalated into killing random butterflies. They had grown so intense that Mesay had suggested she talk to Anna about controlling them. Or at least figuring out their meaning. She reluctantly agreed. Red was actively trying to avoid most of the butterflies since the dreams started. She was terrified that they were some sort of premonition. That some day she may actually cause harm to her friends, her family. And the only way she could think to prevent it, was to avoid everyone.
Anna had only been in home for a month or so but made her presence well known in the first few days. It was no trade secret what her power was. Dream Manipulation. At first she dream hopped from butterfly to butterfly without any real rhyme or reason. But she had made an effort to make sure she was able to control her ability. It was fun but not easy. And in some ways, dangerous. The things you could find out about a person in their dreams were not necessarily things you would want to know. In the rather short amount of time in Home she had become quite adapt at it. With the nightly practice, it felt like a second nature. Now she was trying to get some real use out of it. Trying to help her butterfly family.

"You said to make it more realistic this time.", Anna defended.

"Well you didn't have to add fucking Ion. The guy is like a brother to me.", Red continued.

"Ion?", Anna pondered. "I didn't add him. That must of been you."

"I would never want to dream of killing Ion. Or anyone!", Red retorted.

"This isn't yell at Anna time Red. We need to help you get a hold of your dreams. Getting angry every time we do this isn't conductive.", Anna insisted.

Red pounded her fists on the mattress and chucked her pillows at a neighboring wall before getting up and storming out of her room.

"That's not going to help either!", Anna called after her.

***

Red roamed the hallways for a bit. Occasionally hitting a wall or two out of anger. She couldn't figure out what was going on. The dreams were starting to get to her and nothing seemed to be helping much. Suddenly a giant yellow and orange cat approached her. Opie meowed loudly. Red smiled and leaned down to pet him. Opie started purring, pleased by her choice. 

"I have no idea what to do anymore. What do you think Opie?", Red asked.

Opie looked up at her and purred some more. He broke the petting and moved away, showing his backside to Red. He turned his head and looked up at her, meowing again.

"What Opie?"

Opie walked off to where the hallway turned a sharp right. Then he skittered off in a hurry. Red called after him and followed. She had a hard time keeping up. Opie was the largest cat she had ever seen but the fluffball knew how to run when he wanted to. A large hole appeared in the opposite wall, just big enough for a cat to go through. Opie disappeared inside.

"Don't think you'll lose me that easy.", Red announced.

Red concentrated and started shrinking. By the time she got to the hole she was the size of a large rat and she ran though the hole unobstructed. Inside it was dark. She could hardly make out the walls save for a few bounces of light that came from an undetermined source. A meow came from down the tunnel. She ran toward it. Eventually coming to an opening to what looked like a larger cave. As she walked further she saw that it wasn't a cave but the underside of a bed. Opie was at the edge, crouched down. His tail was swishing back and forth in a curious manner. Red slowly walked up beside him.

Across the room was Ion. He was at his desk working hard on something. A knock rapped at his door.

"Come on in Blue.", He said.

Blue entered and walked up to Ion.

"Hey, are you almost done?", Blue asked.

"Yeah, just one or two more tweaks.", Ion responded.

Red wanted to see what Ion was working on. She started to walk forward to announce herself but a giant paw pulled her back. Opie held her in place while keeping his focus on Blue and Ion. 

Ion finally pushed his chair back and revealed a small laptop computer.

"There. Finally done.", said Ion.

"I can't believe you got it done.", Blue said.

"Well even without internet I can still mess with the programming and make it do some cool stuff."

"Is it going to work?", Blue asked.

"Not really sure until we try it. Assuming Red will let us.", Ion responded.

"I'm sure she will. If it helps.", Blue assured.

Opie moved Red to his mouth and grabbed her by the back of her shirt.

"Hey!", Red yelled.

Blue and Ion looked toward his bed. They had heard a tiny noise coming from underneath. Opie quickly picked up Red and turned, running into the hole. It disappeared as soon as he entered it. 

Ion dropped down and looked under his bed. Confused, he finally just dismissed the odd noise they had heard. He got back up and turned to Blue

"Let's see if Red and Anna are through.", Ion offered.

Ion closed the laptop and grabbed the computer. Then left with Blue following.

***

Red tucked her feet behind her as much as possible so they didn't drag on the floor. As odd at this seemed, it was kind of fun being carried along. Opie hurried through the tunnel until they finally got to the hallway again. Opie stopped and dropped her. He pushed her out of the hole and meowed loudly.

"What was that all about?", Red asked.

Opie almost seemed to smile as he backed down the hole until he couldn't be seen. Then before Red's eyes, the hole evaporated back into a solid wall.

"How weird.", Red said to herself.

"Red? Are you nearby?", Ion asked. Red could hear Ion through the Hivemind. 

"Yeah. Uh....meet you in my room?"

"Sure.", Ion agreed.

Red started running through the hallways as she made herself grow back to her normal size. She banked into the doorway that she knew led to her room. As she entered she crashed into Anna who was trying to leave. They both landed on the floor. Anna propped herself up while Red rubbed the back of her head. 

"Owwwww!", Red complained. "What are you doing Anna?"

"I was trying to leave so you and Ion could meet here.", Anna explained.

Just then Ion and Blue came through the door.

"What happened here?", Ion chuckled.

"Nothing. Just nothing.", Red responded. "So what do you have for me?"

Ion and Blue looked at each other. 

"How did you know we.... never mind. I'll figure out this hivemind thing later.", Ion said. "Look Red, Blue and I came up with this idea for your nightmare problem. I know you didn't ask for it but we would like to help you."

Anna, now standing, offered Red a hand. Red looked at her for a second then accepted it. Suddenly a thought crossed Red's mind. 

You will find great warmth and power in learning to lean on the family.

Roivas' comment seemed to echo in her mind. She shook it off. 

"Sure, what is it?", Red asked.

"Well it's a program that should help you become a better lucid dreamer. What it does is monitor your dream state and when you get all antsy it issues tone to remind you your dreaming. That way you can use that as a trigger.We figure it might be a good way for you to get a hold of your dreams. You know, turn them around."

"Wow....that's...."

Red had stopped mid sentence. Roivas' words had finally hit her. Now it seemed so simple and she even felt a little silly for not getting it right away. A loud meow interrupted the silence. Opie was at the door purring intensely. Blue reached down and scratched behind his ears.

"Opie, what are you doing here you big fur ball.", Blue chided.

She picked him up straining a bit as she did. The eighteen pound cat was more than happy to be held up while being pet. All the easier for everyone to get involved. Anna and Ion crowded around Blue to have their turn. Opie had created the best distraction for Red to have her moment. The moment where she learned exactly what Roivas had meant all along.

Butterfly Apocalypse: The Phonecall

Avi found a strange sort of entertainment walking the hallways of Home. One of her favorite games would be to keep strolling in a strait line. Never backing up. Never turning around. And seeing how many rooms she could hit in a certain period of time. Sometimes, if she didn't want to be found she would just think of being lost in the hallways and that's where she would stay. Of course if anyone really needed to talk to her they could use the Hivemind. But the past few days had been uneventful. And while the lack of chaos was always a good thing. She would often find herself bored. Avi had not yet discovered her new ability like the others. And as such she would get frustrated when she couldn't keep busy. The first butterfly didn't have a power yet.

How lame.

Avi opened the entrance and walked out onto the empty courtyard. The wind was picking up and whipping around her. She looked up and saw nothing but blue skies. For a moment she thought of life. What things used to be like. Everyone seemed to be happy just being here. They wern't worrying about their families and friends back home. Truth was, Avi was missing the old days. She hadn't thought that would have been possible. This whole experience was a welcome adventure despite the dangers involved. The people here loved and cared for her. But it wasn't home.

Her real home.

Suddenly a giant flying shadow fell over her. It banked hard and doubled back. Moving closer to the ground the creature put his feet down and landed running. The giant bird like wings helping him keep balance. Normally this would of spooked Avi but she already knew who this creature was.

“Hey Avi!” Dox called as he approached. His wings shrinked behind him and seemed to disappear. He had to have one of the coolest powers of all. Flight. Compete with wings.

“Dox! What's up?”

“Your going to want to go back inside.”, Dox started. “A huge sand storm is headed this way and fast.”

“Wow a real sandstorm?”, Avi said surprised. The wind started to pick up again. This time it seemed more violent.

“Yeah. I'm going to cover up the turrets then get the hell inside.”

“Have you told the others?”

Dox smiled and tapped his temple. “Just did.”

“Alright I'll head in.”, Avi smiled back.

“Okay. See you inside.” Dox turned and ran off. Just as quickly as they had disappeared, his giant wings came back and soon he was off the ground. Avi could see the sand and dust start to swirl. She couldn't even see the sky that well anymore. The sand was beginning to hit her face. She turned to head in when she suddenly heard an odd sound. It was almost like a ringing but the wind was drowning out most of it. She cupped her hands over her eyes to see better and looked around, finally finding what was making the noise. A cellphone. It glowed as it rang. Avi knelt down and picked it up. It rang again and the screen blinked No Number. The wind was now pelting her with sand and dust.
Tarvok opened the entrance and yelled out. “Avi! Come on! Get inside!”
Avi clutched the phone and ran for the door. When she finally got inside Tarvok had to use all his stregnth to shut the door. He locked it then turned to Avi.

“What were you doing out there? Didn't you hear Dox?”, he asked.

“Yeah he told me but I found this phone...” Avi stopped as she held up her hands. Nothing but sand was there, filtering through her fingers.

“Hey! What happened to the phone?”

Tarvok looked at her oddly. “Uh....Avi....that's the strangest phone I've ever seen.”

“I know I had it.”, Avi insisted. “Maybe I dropped it.”

Tarvok shrugged, “Maybe. Are you sure you saw a phone?”

“Yes Tarvok.", Avi explained angrily. It was in my hand ringing. It even lit up and said no number on it.”

“Ooookay....”, Tarvok droned. “Well maybe you did drop it. But no sense in looking for it now.”

“Tarvok! If that was a working phone then we need to go get it. It might be the only way to communicate with the outside world here!.” Avi was pretty insistant. Everyone knew that Home has many comforts. The use of phones or the internet was not one of them. “We could tell our families we're okay!”, Avi proclaimed.

“I'm not so sure Avi. It seems kinda odd that there is a phone all of a sudden. Especially when we haven't seen anything like that since we got here.”, Tarvok offered.

“Everything here is odd. Besides....I...” Avi stopped. She didn't want them to think she didn't like it in Home. She was grateful for the protection. And to be surrounded by this family. She just wished she could make sure things were alright back.....home.

“Come on Avi. Let's go play a videogame. I'll let you beat me again.”, Tarvok smiled. Avi recultantly went along. All she would be able to think about that night was the phone.

                                                                        ***

The next day the storm has passed. It was another bright sunny day. Avi has spent the whole morning scouring the perimiter of Home for the phone. It's not like there was any real place it could hide. But she came up empty handed. The thing was gone. Frustrated, she decided to blow off some steam at the range.
The fireing range is actually a long thin table suspending a number of empty soda cans from the Mess Hall. Avi had set it up on the opposite side of Home. Furthest away from the entrance while still being in the courtard. She may not have had a power but she did have two 9mm pistols that she practiced with for a few hours each day. She was getting very good very quickly. And was possibly the most adept of the butterflies at her chosen weapon. As she was setting up the next round of cans a sound filtered through the air.
A ringing sound.
Avi quickly looked around and desperately searched for the location of the phone. She ran a few feet and found it in the middle of nothing. Just laying on the ground. The screen lighting up with the No Number text glowing across it. Avi picked up the phone and answered it. She waited a minuet and listened before saying....

“Hello?”

A light static could be heard.

“Hello?”

Nothing.

“Who is this?”

The deep labored breathing from a gas mask fell into Avi's ear.

“Help3r? What do you want?”

The call hung up. Avi scrolled though the phones memory and tried to search for any numbers or information. But it was clean. Like a brand new phone. Then she dialed a number. She was calling her house. It rang and rang. Then someone picked up and answered.

“Hello! Hello! It's me...", Avi was interrupted by the same labored breathing. It stopped long enough for her to hear someone calling out in the background.

"Who's there? What do you want with me? What have you done with my daughter?" Avi recognized the voice. It was her Mother.

"Help3r!", Avi screamed. "You stay the hell away from my family do you hear me?!" The call dropped and all she could hear was a busy signal. Avi dialed again and again but the same busy signal answered. Yelling and throwing her arm up in anger. She was about to chuck the phone at the ground when she heard an alert tone come from the phone. She lowered her hand and saw that a new text message had been received.


"If you want to keep your family safe you'll do exactly what I say."

Clearly it was from Help3r. Avi felt trapped. She didn't feel like she had a choice in the matter. Whatever Help3r wanted, she would have to comply.


"What the hell do you want Help3r?", She texted back.

"Paradox, the winged one. I want a sample of his blood.", The message said.

What on earth could he want with Dox's blood? God knew any idea of collecting it didn't appeal to Avi. Let alone giving such a thing to Help3r.

"How do you propose I get this sample for you?", Avi asked.

"On the inside of the battery cover is a small strip with a sharp end. BE CAREFUL NOT TO CUT YOURSELF. Get the sample from Paradox on the strip and place it back in the cover. Then toss the phone over the wall. If you tell him what your doing I will know. You cannot speak of this to anyone.",  Help3r instructed.

Avi thought long and hard. She couldn't understand why this was so important. She knew that Help3r always made good on his threats.

"And if I do this you'll let my Mother go?", Avi asked.


"Yes.", Help3r responded.

Avi couldn't stand this. But what could she do. Her anger grew and grew until she finally yelled in the hivemind; Dox! Please come quickly!


Avi quickly took the battery cover off the phone and found the strip. One side had a sharp end almost like a small blade but with tiny teeth in it. She removed it, careful not to cut herself. In the next second Dox plummeted down in front of her. The look of concern and rush over his face.

"What's wrong Avi?", Dox asked.

Avi's eyes welled up. She was about to cry. This whole thing was so horrible. She was torn from her home. Brought to this strange place in the middle of nowhere. And didn't even have an ability to show for it. Now her Mother was in danger and she had to betray a friend, her family, to help her. Help3r was many things but a bluffer was not one of them.
Quickly she grabbed his hand, and dragged the sharp end of the strip against his skin drawing blood. Dox quickly pulled his arm back and covered up the scratch with his hand. Avi slammed the strip back into the phone, clicked the cover back in place and ran to the wall. Dox called out to her, but she was already at the wall. She threw back her hand and chucked the phone as hard as she could over the wall.

"Take that you asshole! You better keep your promise!", Avi yelled. She collapsed and started to cry. Dox ran up to her and knelt next to her.

"Avi, what was that all about?", Dox asked. "What the hell is going on?"

"I'm so sorry Dox. I'm so sorry.", Avi turned away from Dox in shame. Dox scooted closer as one of his wings reached over and covered her in a sort of hug. Avi went ahead and leaned into it. She just sat there and cried as Dox tried to understand what happened.

She wouldn't tell Dox why she did what she did. She wouldn't have to.

Dox would find out why soon enough.

Butterfly Apocalypse: The OT%

The Library at Home is quite a sight to be seen. The entire place is painted in a light blue with white undertones. The floor has a matching blue carpeting that is so comfortable, most Butterflies care to walk around barefoot on it. The ceilings are three stories tall and the walls lined with books that go all the way to the top. Seeing as how communication and therefore the internet is mute in Home, the books serve as an old fashioned tool for information gathering. As such the entire area is spread into three levels with a series of categories. When Beat first discovered the Library she found the seemingly old room to have no real identification system placed for the books. As she spent her time there she found that no matter what the subject, she could find it in the Library. Something that she originally figured was oriented around the convenient nature of Home. But when the others tried to do the same, it was near impossible. It was clear this was a part of her ability. Beat had connected with an eidetic memory associated to Home. If she didn't know something, she knew how to find information on it. Between that and the Hivemind they all shared, Beat had become the Butterflies' walking internet. As such she spend most of her time in the Library looking up anything she could find. Especially information on Help3r or Roivas.
On this particular day Mesay was helping Beat analyze the logs they had gathered from the past year. The two had poured over them all day. Pages and pages spread out over a large table between two of the bookcases on the first floor. They were interrupted by Izzie, running into the Library and up to where they were working.

"Beat! Mesay!", Izzie hollered. She had stopped just short of them and tried to catch her breath. Mesay rose from her seat.

"Izzie, catch your breath. What's going on?", Mesay insisted.

Just then an odd sound came from around the corner of the nearest bookcase. It almost sounded like the combination of a breeze and roaring flame.

"That.", Izzie finally offered.

The three quickly rushed over to the origin of the sound and found a taller man in his early thirties. He was in a simple t-shit and jeans and was surrounded in an odd oval of burnt carpet. Curled in the fetal position he coughed and shook.

"Paul!", Beat and Mesay yelled.

"Yeah, Paul. He's a butterfly now.", Izzie explained.

Beat and Mesay helped him sit up. Paul looked around wide eyed and shocked. His eyes glowed a bright blue before dimming down to his natural color.

"Beat? Mesay? Izzie? Where the hell am I?"

"Home.", Beat responded with a smile.

"Paul, what possessed you to become a butterfly?"

"Mesay!", Izzie scolded. "Come on, its Paul. You can't tell me you aren't super excited to see him."

"Well yeah but....This is still a dangerous gig Banana. I was hoping not to have to worry about anyone else.", Mesay confessed.

"Hey...", Paul started to get up. "Don't think you were the only one who was worrying." Paul wobbled and almost fell again. Beat and Izzie caught him and helped him over to the table with the spread out logs. Mesay lingered for a second and knelled examining the scorch marks. She had seen a number of butterflies transported via Roivas power. But never like this before. Mesay stood up and walked to the others. Paul was sitting in one of the chairs and grabbed his head.

"So that's the catch huh? Dizzy as hell and I'm not even tipsy.", Paul quipped. "Where am I again?"

The three caught up Paul to the situation and to his new home.

"Wow. Well....that explains a lot.", Paul said.

A blond, long haired woman with a hat and glasses ran into the Library. Followed by A dark, short haired woman with various tattoos and thick gloves on her hands.

"We came a soon as we heard.", Joie said as she adjusted her glasses from the run.

"So, Paul. Now your just as screwed as the rest of us huh?", Xuch jabbed.

"That's what I was saying.", Mesay agreed.

"What do you mean you heard?", Paul asked. "Oh...hivemind. For real huh?"

"Yup!", Joie smiled.

"Well isn't this just peachy. We got the old gang back together. One more trip into hell right guys?", Xuch asked.

"I sure as shit hope not. I got better things to do.", Mesay answered. "Paul, can you walk? You should have something to eat. Your going to get really hungry soon. Trust me on that."

"Yeah, the dizziness if fading a bit."

"Let me help you.", Xuch offered.

The six of them left the Library and escorted Paul into the Mess Hall. In the kitchen they all decided to fix a little something for themselves. Paul was amazed at the availability of nearly anything he wanted. But everyone was fixing sandwiches and he still too confused to bother being picky. Izzie handed him one as the others started to talk about their current situation. As Paul bit into the sandwich he didn't feel satisfied. In fact it wasn't anything like he really wanted. Something warm like comfort food would of set him right. As he took another bite he nearly spit out his food. The cold cuts were now hot, and the bread soggy from warm melted cheese that dripped on his fingers. Paul put down the sandwich and got up to grab a towel. Wiping the mess off his hands he wondered what happened to his food. Suddenly the towel smoked and singed where he was touching it. Izzie first noticed the odd behavior. It wasn't a moment later that everyone else did too as Paul panicked at the now burning towel in his hands. He dropped it quickly as Beat ran over to help. She stomped on the fire until it was out then reached out to Paul's hands to inspect them for burns. She grabbed his hands then in the same instant quickly pulled away. She looked down and saw her now burnt fingers.

"Get to the sink! Put your hands under cold water!", Izzie was already at the sink as she yelled and had the water running. Beat got there first and started to cool her hands. Paul followed but as his hands hit the water there was a loud hiss. Izzie and Beat both backed off to avoid the hot steam now pluming from the sink.
They all stood in amazement for a moment.

"Paul! Take you hands out of the water!", Mesay yelled. Grabbing a pair of hot mitts from the oven she walked over to Paul. She put the mitts on and when the steam had mostly dissipated, started inspecting Paul's hands. No burns, no singeing, no black, no damage at all. She removed her hands when the mitts started to smoke.

"Guys...what the hell is going on?", Paul demanded.

"Calm down Paul.", Mesay insisted.

"How can I calm down when everything I touch gets burned!" From Paul's hands grew two small fires. They licked and encircled his hands. He didn't even notice it.

Mesay motioned for Izzie and Beat to back off as she did the same. "Paul, just listen a second. There is something we didn't tell you about yet."

"What?", Paul desperately requested. The flames dissipated and fizzled out. Paul looked at his hands again and saw the smoldering heat rise up from them.

"There is another odd circumstance to being a butterfly. Apparently we all have received some kind of ability or another. When you enter Home the way you did. They tend to be a little more intense.", Mesay explained.

"Are you saying I got here differently than you?", Paul asked.

"Not me.", Mesay answered. "Some of us got here by plane or train or car. Others were transported here. By Roivas. Do you remember anything that happened before you got to Home?"

The imagery flashed though Paul's mind. He didn't remember much.

There was black.
                                              Then little points of light.
                                                                                                        Some odd form watching.

The next thing he knew he woke up in this strange place with all his friends surrounding him.

"I don't....not much. I don't remember much.", Paul tried to use words for the memory but it was too far out of reach.

"It's alright Paul. None of us do really.", Mesay comforted. "I know this is a lot to take in but I promise, you have everyone here to help you with whatever you need. And Home provides the rest. In a way, it's kinda fun."

"Yeah I mean come on guys. We basically have superpowers. We're fucking superheroes!", Xuch proclaimed.

That made everyone pause a second. Real superheroes. Real abilities. It really wasn't until now that they had grasped the full extend of their situation. Everything came so easy at Home that they found themselves not questioning much. And that scared them more than anything. One of the biggest fears they all had was becoming some kind of mindless puppets of Roivas. What better way than to give them all a treat. Something for their trouble. What exactly was the endgame here? And when would they need to do something more than just sit around and wait?

Mesay broke the silence. "Beat why don't you go find Blue and get that burn fixed up."

"Alright." Beat walked off in search for Blue.

Mesay took one hand out of a mitt. "I'm sorry Paul." She took her hand and tested it against Paul's. When she found it cool she took the other mitt off, grabbed his hands, and squeezed giving a soft smile.

"Sorry?", Paul asked. "For awesome superpowers and a trip through space and time? I should of signed up sooner. It figures you guys would be having all the fun while I sit at home and go to work."

Paul's quip took any heaviness off the group and made it disappear.

"OT% for life right?", Paul offered.

Mesay smiled, "Damn strait."

They all laughed and hugged at that. Even Beat could be heard laughing and joking along with them.

"This actual Hivemind thing is going to take a while for me to get used to though.", Paul admitted.

Butterfly Apocalypse: Brother

Chewie opened the entrance to Home and let it shut behind him. He was off again, and at daybreak when most of the others were asleep. Dox was awake of course. Watching Chewie leave the comforts of Home yet again. Chewie was one of the few of them that could actually leave and come back on a regular basis. Even if the potential risks kept most everyone inside, no one would of asked him to stay. They might be a family but they were also individuals and allowed their freedom.
He never shared where exactly he went in the middle of nowhere. Or even why he went out. Everyone assumed it was to find more butterflies and bring them home. Besides he always brought a large pack and his sword just in case. As Dox watched the gate close behind him he became conserned. It would be nice to be in on what Chewie was really doing. Dox worried just like the rest of them.

Even though it was early spring the desert was hot. The temperate climate he grew up in was a world away from this. But he was prepared. He dressed light, but made sure to keep his legs and torso covered. He also donned a pair of large leather work boots, and carried only what he needed for the time he was going to be gone. About an hour into his trek Chewie decided to take a break. The scenery was a desert but being so close to the mountains it afforded the area some water more often than the rest of the place. As a result a number of dried bushes and cacti grew in a spotty pattern. He threw his pack on the ground and used a large obliging rock as his seat. He took out the canteen of water and slugged a few gulps down. The heat was awfully oppressive. Chewie had given more than one thought to cutting his long hair and beard because of these excursions. But they served as protection from the sun. And besides, he liked his beard.
Chewie reached down into a side pocket of his bag and pulled out a black hair tie. He had been borrowing quite a few from Mesay since he got there. It was a quick way to cool off. As he reached up and began to tie his hair back a sudden noise made him freeze. The sharp rattle had taken him by surprise. Apparently the rock was also home to a now very upset rattle snake. Coiled back and ready to strike, Chewie assessed his situation. Any movement would set the snake off and with his hands by his head he wouldn't have time to do much. He took a slow deep breath. Then twisted off the rock pushing his boots toward the snake. The snake struck but hit only the deep sole of the boot. He lept off the ground and to his feet, taking out his sword in the same motion. The snake, determined to payback Chewie for his intrusion, struck at him again. But this time Chewie was ready. He quickly moved to the side and used flat end of the sword like a bat to knock the brains out of the snake. It flew a number of yards before finally falling dead. The force was enough to kill it instantly. Chewie walked over to where it landed.
"Sorry buddy.", he said. Returning to the rock he cautiously picked up his bag and canteen and continued on.

***

The neighboring mountains were still another hour away but the time seemed to go by soon enough. At the foot of them was a little brush and a rather large rock collection that formed into a perfectly sized cave. Chewie took off his pack and layed it down on ground. He spent the better part of the hour unpacking, setting up the tent, and getting everything ready for that night. Afterwords he walked over to some nearby bushes and searched for his prize.
The butterflies had been in any number of scrapes and scuffles with the Help3r drones and dolls over the time they had been there. Whatever wasn't claimed by nature would just be sitting around like fossils. Chewie had grown curious about these things and decided that learning more about them would be a good idea. But taking enemy technology into Home seemed like a pretty stupid. Especially with knowing so little about it. On one of his scouting trips he found a downed drone far away from Home. When he touched it, it seemed to spark and move. Eventually he learned that it would only do that at his touch. So he took the initiative and slowly learned how to control the machine by touching it. He had moved it into the area and used the large bush to hide it. He figured it had to do with some latent ability for him to control magnetic fields or electricity. Logic aside, everyone here had some kind of odd ability. That seemed to be his.
Chewie finished parting the brush to reveal his own personal drone. He opened a hidden side panel and took a look inside. The drone itself was mostly empty. Despite its size it has almost no mechanical components in it save a few wires and circuits. If he wanted, Chewie could probably even fit inside. The innards were cool to the touch. As if the thing had air conditioning. He wrapped his hand around the mess of wires inside and put the opposite hand on the base of the drone. The whole thing began to sputter and start. As if he was turning the keys in an antique car. The inside began to light up with little bits of the walls starting to glow and pulse. On the opposite wall, a small rectangular screen lit up. Chewie's eyes opened up wide.
That was new.
The screen seemed to be booting up and showed all kinds of numbers and Dos code. Eventually an empty prompt blinked in waiting. Chewie recognized it but wasn't sure where to go from here. He wasn't a programmer but he might be able to navigate this machine if it was set up like a computer. While Chewie was thinking he started tapping a finger on the base. The prompt started to move. Curious, he pressed other fingers on the base. Random letters appeared on the screen. He took his opposite hand off the wires and placed it on the base as well. Then be began to mock type.
The letters appeared on the screen.
Thrilled he continued to do this for quite some time. He finally found a series of lists. One was listed current infected. When accessed the private information of all the registered butterflies flew past the screen. Everything from address', to name, next of kin and phone numbers. Chewie stopped it as it reached Tadgh's info. It had everything, even some events of them as children. It carried a lot of truth. More than Help3r should know. Then he saw it. The Dos prompt offered the option to call Tadgh directly.
Chewie poked his head outside. The coast seemed clear enough. He crawled inside, making sure to keep his hands on the base at all times. He settled in a Indian style sitting position, took a deep breath and then typed, Call Queen Alexandra Birdwing. 
Some sort of speaker system turned on and the ring of a phone could be heard in the drone. A few rings went by before someone picked up and said, "Hello?"

"Tadgh? Is that you?", Chewie quickly asked.

"Sean? Where have you been?", Tadgh answered.

Just then Chewie was pulled violently from the inside of the drone. His hands flung from the base and everything inside went black instantly. As if someone has pulled the plug. Chewie landed a few feet outside on the dirt. His arms were a little cut from scraping the inside of the panel. He looked up and saw the hooded Help3r standing over him. Help3r showed Chewie his sword and tossed it behind him a number of feet. Caught was right. Help3r has super human strength.

"What the hell do you want?", Chewie demanded.

Help3r just breathed heavily. Chewie couldn't see but it sounded like a gas mask.

"Talk to me you twat!", He yelled.

Help3r just stood there looking down at Chewie. Then he picked up Chewie by his collar and threw him into the cave. Chewie hit his head on a rock and passed out immediately.
When Chewie woke up it was night time. His head ached and pounded. When he reached back there was even a little blood. He couldn't see very well but the full moon gave him some light to work with while he got a fire set up. He sat next to the fire and rested. As he was bandaging the wounds on his arm he noticed the drone was gone from its hiding spot. Help3r had taken his precious tool back. Chewie figured that when he was playing with it he must of activated some sort of tracking beacon. That led Help3r right to him. It was any wonder Help3r didn't kill him right then and there. But Help3r surely had more important things to attend to.
Chewie couldn't sleep. He took out a few dried meats and fruits he had packed away and ate those. Then spend the rest of the night making sure he could leave at first light. He would be coming back a few days earlier than usual. And this time empty handed. He learned all he could from the drone. And it would be a long time before he tried anything like that again.
At least everyone would be happy to see him at Home again.
At least Tadgh knew his brother was alive.
At least, he had family.