Butterfly Apocalypse: Running

The camp was fairly well established now. A few weeks had gone by since the destruction of Home. Everyone did their best to make sure the camp stayed functioning. Chewie had taken the lead with preparing everyone for however long they were going to be out in the woods. With the success of CJ drawing up vehicles for Apple and Red, getting around wasn't difficult. She worked with Hoop to draw and set up a slew of traps and barriers for the camp. Natti furthered the defenses with finally being able to have full control of her power. She found out what her ability was much later than the others. She called it Light Manipulation. She was able to take any light source and work it to her advantage. The best use of it in the woods was creating a holographic barrier closer to camp. She would absorb the light during the day while she slept. And used that to bend the light from inside and around camp to make it invisible. It was a lonely job but one she didn't mind doing it. Essentially she was the last line of protection for the group. And the only things that would even be this far out in the woods would be Help3r related. Lonely work but fairly easy.

 Snorlax, Hoop and Red made weekly drives into the nearby town. They took odd jobs to afford supplies that weren't available from the woods. The small town was getting used to the three. Some rumors had started that there was some sort of cult in the woods. But not many of them seemed to bother looking for them. Not like they would find much.
Sunni took care of the animals with Blue and occasionally got them to help as well. Those who weren't doing everyday chores were trying to find a way to get Mesay back. Dox, and Anna were crowded around a map of the area. Dox had circled the key areas for reference points. Home's remnants, Help3r's abandoned lab, and various other mini circles dotted around the area. They pointed out where more of Help3r's little hideouts were. Like the one Rene had lived in when she first got there. Her and Xil had found about ten of them spread out around the desert. Some at the base of the mountain ranges. Everyone had something to do.

"I don't know guys. Maybe there isn't a pattern." Dox sighed in frustration as he fidgeted with his immobile wings.

"I'm sure there is something else we can gather from these places. We just haven't found it yet." Anna encouraged.

Dox looked up from the map as Chewie approached. "Done with the firemaking classes?"

"I'm taking a break. It's hard to teach when you can't understand a word anyone else is saying." Chewie admitted. It seemed that the injection that Help3r shot at him back at Home was some sort of anti-butterfly serum. His powers had been nullified. And like the others, he couldn't understand a word any of the butterflies were saying.
"It's just nice to be able to understand both sides of the conversation. Have you guys gotten anywhere with the map?"

"Hardly." Dox reported. "We have a lot of locations that appear to be random. The most we are getting out of Rene and Xil's outings are more clues for Rene to analyze what was in that syringe Help3r shot at you."

"Well clearly it took my abilities away." Chewie said.

"Yeah but we thought it was just Mesay who could do that. Even then it was just with a look. Not by injecting something into us." Anna added.

"So that means that Help3r found a way to create some reversal of our abilities." Chewie continued.

"Like a cure?" Dox offered.

"Help3r made a cure." Anna reiterated.

"Do you think that's what the vials were for?" Chewie asked.

"Yeah. Help3r collects samples and then makes something from that." Anna continued.

"If he did, he couldn't have had enough for everyone." Chewie theorized. "I bet that's why he took Mesay. To make more."

"Even more of a reason for us to find her as quickly as possible." Dox said.

Rene was running toward them followed by a deer. The deer morphed into Xil and the two reached the  group at the same time. Rene took a second to catch her breath.

"You cheated Xil." Rene complained.

"You said I couldn't change into something I've already been." Xil smiled. "Besides we tied."

"Yeah well..." Rene was still breathing hard. "Next time you have to be a two legged creature."

"What's going on?" Dox asked.

"Rene found something in the lab." Xil stated.

Dox has become quite accustomed to translating the coded words from those who had not been Debuttered, as they called it. He thought it was a silly word. But it stuck with the group. They all had learned to translate to a degree but Dox was the best at it. Seeing as how he was the first to be debuttered he had the most experience. It made sense. In a weird sort of way.

"What did she find?" Dox asked.

"A jar with this bright blue liquid inside it." Rene responded. "It looks just like the stuff that Chewie was hit with but it's chemical component is different."

"How so?" Dox continued.

"Well the genome for the original serum that hit Chewie is a circular moasic virus. Where the RNA is coiled in a helix of repeating protein sub units. Whereas this jar has a single stranded genome. Which has a positive sense which is complimentary to the mRNA and thus must be converted to a positive sense RNA before translation of the cell." Rene spouted.

"Okay, I have no idea what she said." Dox admitted. 

"They are different." Xil translated. "Meaning that they are different chemically so they probably do different things."

"A translation of the translation. That's a new one on me." Dox sighed. He turned to the others and explained what Rene found.

"Do you know what the other thing does?" Anna asked.

"Nope." Rene plainly responded. "But it may have been some initial byproduct when he was trying to make the anti-butter serum."

"So there might be all kinds of different experimental things out there?" Chewie said frustrated.

"If there is, it's hidden." Rene replied. "This is the only different one I've found."

"Well we better keep it with us. At least then it won't hurt anyone else." Chewie said. Rene handed it to Chewie and he put it in his satchel. 

***

Sunni had spent the better part of the morning trying to herd cats, literally. Mesay's cats were being more ornery than normal. Every day their catmom was away it seemed to make them more restless. But Sunni had been able to keep them calm for the most part. She would have run into Envoy if she hadn't looked up at the right time.

"Woah Sunni!" Envoy hollered.

Sunni stopped and watched the cats run off. She sighed. "What do you want Envoy?"

"Well that's a hell of a greeting. How about, Hello Envoy! Wonderful day we're having!" Envoy chided.

"Seriously what do you want? Can't you see I'm busy?" Sunni insisted.

"You know why I'm here." Envoy said.

"No. I haven't seen Lucy." Sunny admitted.

"Did you call out to her this morning?" Envoy asked.

"Yes. And I haven't been able to hear her." Sunni continued. "You always had a better connection than I did. And besides, she was with you during the fight." 

"I know that. I just figured with you being Dr. Doolittle that you could find her or something." Envoy argued.

"I'm not some kind of sonar for animals Envoy! I just talk to them okay?" Sunni yelled back. And she stormed off past Envoy. When she passed she took a second to clear her head. That bird was everything to Envoy. Lucy was the reminder of what he left behind. Before Roivas and Help3r. Before Home. She had gone missing for a little over a month now. And Envoy had no idea where she was. That's probably why he started asking Sunni to call out to her. Because the only other person who could understand Lucy was the one person who could talk to animals.

Sunni took a deep sigh, stopped and turned around. "I'm sorry Envoy. If I hear or see anything I'll let you know."

"Yeah, sure." Envoy snarked. And he walked off.

***

That evening the trio had come back from their trip with a treat. Snorlax had found a temp job with the Five Guys in town. It was the only eatery nearby so it was pretty popular. Snor's help was welcome and as payment he got enough food for everyone to have dinner with. When they got there it required a bit of reheating but everyone was welcome for something other than canned food. 

The night brought darkness and with that, the groups fear of being attacked. Instead of using fire, Natti would make little light balls that would float around camp. Luckilly tonight the moon was full. So it was as if someone had put a giant floodlight on the forest. It made it easier to see everything including what may be out in the woods.

As everyone ate, Xil took a bag of food up to Natti. She had taken an almost permanent residence on top of a lookout tower CJ had drawn for her. It reached high up into the treetops. Just beyond the leaves. Enough room for her to lay down during the day, and keep watch at night. 

"How are you doing Natti?" Xil asked.

"I'm better now. A hamburger and fries!? What a treat." Natti exclaimed.

"You can thank Snor for that." Xil answered. "So, I heard you haven't seen anything since we got here."

Natti answered with a full mouth. "Not a thing." She swallowed. "It's like we're the only ones who know or care that we are out here."

"Not even a drone or doll?" Xil continued.

"I think Help3r has his hands full. At least that's what I hear." Natti took another big bite out of the burger.

"That's what everyone is saying. If it's true, I don't think I want to know what Mesay is going though." Xil admitted.

"Me either." Natti stopped chewing and peered into the dark forest. She could see some faint light coming from a ways away. "Do you see that?" She asked Xil.

The light seemed to be making some noise as well. Sounded like a bunch of people. "Yeah, I can hear them too. Their making plenty of noise." Xil said.

"If they're locals then we need to get them away from camp. If they're dolls...." Natti said.

Xil took that as her cue and quickly shapeshifted into a hawk and flew down to the camp. She cried out and that got the attention of everyone. Any of the games or talk that had gone on instantly stopped. They all took their various positions hiding while Chula, Xil, Joie and Chewie  went on to investigate. 

They passed the holographic dome that concealed the camp from normal eyes and moved quietly toward the growing noise. Whatever they were, they didn't mind being loud. The noise became more apparent as voices. People's voices. Clearly they weren't dolls but that didn't mean they were friends. Chewie signaled to the others to spread out and allow the people to come to them. 

As they waited, the footsteps got closer. The voices got louder. And each person was ready to attack. Chewie drew his sword and stood by behind a rock. He listened closely until they were right beside him. Then sprung out yelling. On the other side the man in the head of the group screamed and fell back. Bumping into the others and knocking two others to the side. The fourth just stood there as Chula, Joie and Xil as a wolf cornered the other exits.

"Good lord Chewie! You nearly scared the piss out of me you Celtic twit!" Tiq exclaimed.

"What?" Chewie asked.

"Tiq! you knocked us over!" Pink yelled.

"Oww...", frequency said rubbing her shoulder.

"Joie?" Andre said from the back. 

He looked on and saw what looked like his girlfriend. But she was all hunched over with wild eyes. She looked like their cat. Ready to pounce. When Joie realized who was in front of her, that's exactly what she did.

Joie leaped over and into Andre's arms. It almost knocked him back. She squealed and said unintelligible things while squishing her face into his shirt. Andre hugged her back. 

"Wow. I wasn't expecting this at all." He said.

"Wait. Are you all butterflies?" Chewie asked. 

"I'm not." Frequency raised her hand.

"Me either" Andre hollered while still holding Joie. 

"You're not?" Joie repeated. 

"Joie? What are you saying?" Andre asked.

"You two won't be able to understand them. You're not butterflies yet." Chewie explained. Chula,  and Xil walked closer to them. Xil transformed back into herself at the shock of the four newbies.

"What the hell?!" Tiq exclaimed again.

"She has the ability to transform into any animal. You guys have them too. You just don't know what they are yet." Chewie continued. "Come on, lets get you guys back to camp." He silently cursed himself as turned to walk back. Even debuttered he was still finding lost lambs. 

When they arrived back at camp, Xil gave the all clear. Everyone emerged to see four new faces. There were many hugs and some mild confusion over basic discussion. Dox walked over to Chewie during the greetings.

"So, new people huh?" Dox offered.

"Looks like it." Chewie answered.

"I guess this means it's not over yet." Dox continued.

"Not by a long shot. But we knew that." Chewie responded. "Apparently Roivas has more in store for us. Though I'm afraid to imagine what that could be."

Butterfly Apocalypse: The Cure

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Butterfly Apocalypse: Echos, Rescues, and an Escape.

In the back of Home all the remaining butterflies who weren't leading the offensive were finishing the preparations for the escape. Dox had the idea of commissioning CJ to draw up a distraction in case the fight got beyond the front door. She was busy sketching in her notebook. Xil and Rio went to get Anna's body from her room. Izzie and Zander were trying to keep the organization steady while Dox poured over a map of the area. During all of this Chouji and Kim were engaging Beat for a little information.

"Vector Change or Vector Manipulation is the ability to alter and change physical or metaphysical properties around one's self or others. It is an advanced form of telekinesis. Objects, stationary or mobile can be moved in a controlled direction regardless of the user's speed or physical strength. This can manifest in various events. Including: Enhanced Speed, Flight, Gravity Manipulation, Deflection, Sound-Wind-and Illusion Manipulation, ......"
Beat's eyes glowed the familiar bright blue as she dryly recited the definition to Chouji and Kim. Whenever anyone needed information, they went to Beat. Being the walking computer she was, she had full access to her idydic memory. The only odd side effect is that she seemed to space out for a moment while the ability took effect.

"So, what does that mean?", Chouji asked.

"It means that Kim is essentially one of the most powerful ones here.", Apple answered.

Chouji jumped at Apple's sudden appearance. "You have to stop doing that Apple." He insisted.

She shrugged. "Sorry Chouji. I can't help it sometimes."

"How am I the most powerful one here?" Kim asked.

"You aren't THE most powerful. Just one of them. You can manipulate gravity and speed. And if you have enough information about a particular space. You could essentially move particles around enough to go into another dimension. You could make doorways to other worlds Kim."
Kim stood there astonished. A grin slowly crawled over Chouji's face.

"Now you're scaring me Chouji." Apple confessed.

"This is perfect." Chouji started. "See Kim! We can get Anna back."

"Oh no." Apple sighed.

"If Kim can get her vector thingamabob in synch with the dark place, then we can go get Anna back." Chouji retorted. "Well at least that was my theory. Beat just confirmed it though."
Beat shook her head a bit, coming out of her memory and back to the space.

"Wait Chouji. You want to go into the Dark Place and get Anna back? But she is only half there. Wouldn't you have to get there by dreaming?" Beat asked.

"Not if Kim opens a door using her power.", Apple added.

"Right!" Chouji agreed."I mean, if Roivas can do it so can we right?"

Apple, Beat and Kim all looked at each other with skeptical faces. "I don't even know if I could do that Chouji." Kim said. "All I've ever done was make a mini shield for myself. Maybe move a few rocks with Mesay."

"Hold on." Beat went into her mind and activated her ability again. After a few seconds she opened her eyes. Again a bright blue.
"The limitations of such abilities are gauged upon the users concentration and experience with the technique. Most users will have an involuntary response to various situations depending the the threat level."
She came back to the moment looking a tad disenchanted.

"If you don't think you can do it then you can't.", Apple responded.

"Sounds like it." Beat confirmed.

Chouji turned to Kim. "Come on Kim, I know you can do this. It's the only way we'll get Anna back and safe."

Out of the backdoor of Home, a brown and white horse walked into the courtyard. Beside it was Rio, keeping a hand on the rider, Anna. Making sure she didn't fall off. They walked past Chouji and Kim. And Rio held onto Anna as the horse shrank and turned back into Xil. Rio gently laid Anna on the ground. Kim gave a hard look at the unconscious Anna. Her body was there but her mind was in the Dark Place. She didn't know how they were going to get Anna. But it seemed like they were the only ones that could.
"I can at least try." Kim finally said. "But I still have no idea how we're going to do this."

"I have an idea for that." Chouji responded. "I'm going to manipulate some dark shadows against the wall. You use that to magic us a way into the Dark Place."

Kim looked at Chouji a little perplexed. "I think you just explained nothing."

Chouji ignored her and summoned the dark shadows around them. It wasn't hard seeing as how the evening sun was starting to set. He used his hands to push and pull them. Collecting on a section of the outside wall of Home. They swirled and pooled almost looking like someone had pulled a drain on the darkness. Once it was steady he turned to Kim. Kim looked right back at him with a lack of uncertainty.

"You can do this Kim." Chouji smiled.

Kim finally walked up to the swirling shadows. Beat and Rio watching a short distance behind her. Kim moved her hands cupping one over the other. As if she was holding a fragile animal. She focused on the moving shadows in front of her. The first thought in her head was, I have no idea what I am doing.
But it was quickly followed by, think of where Anna is.
Think of the Dark Place.
What does it look like?
What is there?
Who is there?
Anna is there. Waiting for us to help her.
Think of Mesay.
What time she spent there.
Think of Roivas.
What they see every day.
Kim focused and concentrated. Her eyes were unblinking and wide. Between her hands a small, transparent, grey energy ball grew. Everyone could see what was happening but they weren't sure exactly what it was. All the held breaths and fixed attentions were on Kim. Rio handed the reigns of Tex to Beat and stood next to Kim. Her robotic eyes examining the shadows. Analyzing their properties.

***

Inside the Dark Place, Anna had taken to walking around. She was tired of just sitting around waiting. It's not like she could get more lost than she already was. Anna was desperate for anything at this point. So much so that she finally decided to call out again.

"Hello!"

And echo filled the darkness. This seemed different than last time though. I felt like it was bouncing off of walls and coming back to her. She hollered again. The echo seemed to again go away and then come back. Almost like it was a physical thing. As if she had thrown a bouncy ball against the wall and it flung past her from the force.

"HELLO!" She screamed.

The echo now pushed her backward. Forcing Anna to trip over her feet and fall to the floor. A faint, static seemed to permeate the air. The static collected loudly and then fixed itself behind Anna into words.

"......where am I?"

Anna quickly turned around. "Hello?"

"It's col.......go back."

"Mesay? I'm here!" She responded. Her voice seemed almost tangible at this point.

"I'm sorry. I tried to help."

"It's okay Mesay. I know you didn't do this on purpose." Anna quickly stood up and ran toward the voice.  "I'm just so glad you're here."

I don't know what you want from me."

"I don't want anything." Anna responded. She finally reached the voice. In front of her was a blurry image. Almost like a facade, a hologram. Mesay stood there regarding the darkness in front of her. Little lights of green and blue danced just beyond her reach.

"You told me to chose a role. But I can't do this. I tried to help. I'm only hurting them." Mesay pleaded.

"How many others have you moved? Chewie, Paul, who else? Why not have them try. I can't do this on my own."

Anna watched trying to figure out what she was seeing. As she did the image started to fade.

"Hey! Wait!" she called out. And the image got clearer again. "It's a playback. An....echo."

"We can't keep living like this. We need to go back."

A quiet rumbling filled the air. It actually appeared to almost move the darkness. The light from above Anna that had stayed constant, began to flicker. She brought her attention to the rippling image. Mesay had her head bowed down now. And the expression on her face. It had this sad understanding.

"If I do this. It's permanent. And it leaves them vulnerable. But...they'll be safe. They can go back."

The light flickered off for longer periods of time. The place now had perceived walls now. Moving like sound waves across the scene. It seemed to be effecting Mesay's voice as well.

"If they go back.....an they live a normal life. I'll.........stay............go back..........don't want to."

"No. Don't! Come back!" Anna called out. It was no use. The ripples had now interrupted the image too much. It was gone. And so was Anna's light.

***

Outside of Home the wind blew and tossed and swirled. Many of the others were now watching Kim's power in full effect. But it wasn't enough to disguise the sound of the battle starting. Crashing metal and mechanical movement was just a hundred yards away. Kim kept her concentration up. The small, grey energy ball was now the size of a watermelon. The black mass was not more solid than moving shadows. Chouji was now using his ability to hold them together. Rio kept her sensors on the event checking the levels and stability of everything. Inside her computer mind they peaked as both the shadow portal and the grey energy seemed to match.

"Initiate Dark Place portal. Now!", Rio yelled. Kim ran forward and with a yell pushed her energy into the dark shadows. Everything went instantly silent, then an explosion of force flung everyone back. As they all recovered Rio and Chouji seemed to be the only ones left standing. Rio kept her steely gaze on the dark portal. Her robotic eyes zoomed in and scanned. Chouji found himself in charge of holding the portal open. He summoned a few shadows to hold his legs steady. But the majority of his concentration was on the portal. Just inside was Kim, she sat up and saw the darkness. And in front of her was a hole showing where she was. 

"Kim!" Anna called. It was faint but it was there.

Kim turned around but couldn't see anything. "Anna! Anna, I can't see you!"

Rio's eyes moved past Kim and focused on the voice.

"Rio! Can you hear that?" Kim yelled.

"Affirmative" She responded. "No visual on my sensors."

Kim turned to the darkness again. "Anna!" Kim couldn't believe what she was about to say. "Come to the light! We have your body!"

Anna could see everything just fine. The portal had opened right in front of her. But it was incredibly difficult to get to it. It felt like walking though a wind tunnel. 

"I'm coming!" Anna yelled back.

Just then Home itself rattled and shook. The sound of metal on earth crunched nearby. Dox ran to the side of the building. He saw a mangled form of what was once a brick drone. In the distance he caught Hoop running back to the entrance. It was quickly followed by a snorlax roar and Kyle's machine guns. Dox ran back to Chouji.

"We need to get out of here now! Tell Kim to get Anna and get out of there!" He ordered Chouji.

"We won't have much of a choice in the matter soon." Chouji replied. His hands were shaking violently trying to hold the portal open. It was like trying to keep a steel trap from closing. "Kim! I can't hold this much longer! Hurry up!"

Kim's eyes grew wide with fear. "Anna! Hurry! The door is closing!"

Anna tried to move faster but as she got closer to the light her body seemed to fade. Almost transparent like. Her eyes became blurry and she started to feel herself fall. It felt like everything was fading suddenly. Any movement seemed ten times harder for her to do. It was all she had to keep standing. But she couldn't give up. Not now.

Rio's sensors went off, sounding alarms in her head at the sudden instability of the portal. Turning to Xil, she approached Anna's body and gently picked her up.

"What are you doing?" Xilaya asked. Rio just turned around and ran to the portal.

"No Rio!" Kim yelled. The portal started to close as Chouji struggled. Kim got up and ran in between the portal. One foot out and one foot in. She focused and put her hands above her. Almost literally holding the doorway open. Rio jumped though still cradling Anna's body. Rio stopped right before Anna. And laid the body on the ground before her. Anna smiled as she collapsed. She fell directly into her body. Rio crouched down and scanned her vitals. Everything seemed normal except for an increase in brain activity. If Rio could smile, then she was doing it then. 

Chouji finally fell to his knees. He couldn't hold his side of the portal any longer. Kim felt the pressure all riding on her. She let out a scream as she tried to hold it open. Rio heard this and saw Kim moments from getting torn in half by the portal. Rio picked up Anna and ran to her. Kim couldn't hold it anymore.

"Take her!" Rio yelled. As she flung Anna at Kim. Kim moved her hands in defense and caught Anna. The two got thrown out of the portal and it sealed shut. Kim and Anna were laying in mid air. Surrounded by Kim's automatic defensive vector changing of the air. It acted like a cushion when she fell. It gently let them both down and the others quickly came to their aid. 

***

A little while later the last of the butterflies were passing through a canyon behind Home. They all looked a little depressed. Having to leave their stronghold. But even now they could see it starting to crumble. The loss of Rio was also riding heavy on their hearts. Anna was still asleep and Kim and Chouji were in poor shape. As Dox took one last glance at Home he could see a few of the brick golems begin to surround the building. They began to smash and it apart. He hoped that the others were safe and would be joining them soon at the first checkpoint. As he turned back, CJ finished her painting. It was of the canyon. Closed off by a giant wall of rock. In the middle of this rock was a small door. Completely out of the ordinary for the scenery. A little surprise for anyone who tried to follow them. She put her painting down at the entrance to the canyon and watched as the wall built itself. CJ's artistic skills had quite improved since she arrived at Home. If only because she got to see her artworks come to life numerous times. It had forced her to practice and get things exactly right. This was her contribution to the cause. Hiding the others. From the potential onslaught of running from Help3r. 

Butterfly Apocalypse: Fight or Flight

The Dark Place.
The quiet paranormal shift that had trapped Roivas. No one, not even Roivas knew exactly what it was. This black space was as desolate as it was eerie. The cold breeze being the only sigh of the material world. If this place had more than one occupant, they hadn't made themselves known yet.
Anna had been sitting under the mysterious light source for quite some time now. She had no real idea as to how much time had passed. It could of been hours or maybe even a few days. There was no way for her to tell. She didn't feel tired. She had not been hungry. All that was there was the crippling loneliness. Even the fear seemed to dissipate.
If she did feel any fear, it was about letting the others down. Her head in her hands, thinking about the choices she made. Letting Mesay down. She shouldn't have probed into her dreams. Now she was trapped. Powerless to do anything. To fix anything.

"And we have to get her out of there.", Mesay insisted.

Back in the Mess Hall Mesay was back to her normal self. Save for the new eye color. The blue seemed to glow as she said that. Which made everyone flinch a little bit. The others didn't want to end up like Anna, Zero or Dox. Not to mention how strange it made Mesay look. Her eyes flared and ebbed which left the butterflies a little scared.

"Come on guys.", She said frustrated. "I'm not gonna zap you."

"Not on purpose.", Chouji chimed in.

"I told you. It's under control now.", She insisted. Muse teleported next to her.

"Yeah, see?", Muse started. He disappeared then reappeared on the other side of the room. "Nothing un-butterflied about me!" He was like a kid with a new toy. Muse loved this new ability he gained. Especially since it broke the long distance part of his relationship with Mesay. It seemed strangely appropriate for him. When the two started dating, they often had dreams of randomly appearing next to each other. He figured it was just their mind's way of closing the gap between Australia and the United States.
So when Muse woke up to the shrinking patch of land with Mesay running toward him, he thought it was just one of those dreams. When they teleported back to the kitchen, he realized it was more than that. He had really done it. His friends he had only talked to online were here right in front of him. Mesay was right here in front of him.
He appeared right behind Mesay and gave her a huge hug from behind. He held tight and nestled his head in on her hair. Nuzzling on her neck. Smiling broadly as he did so, and enjoying the scent of her shampoo. Mesay's eyes widened in surprise at the sudden affection. She lowered her eyes to almost closing. Slowly reaching up and holding onto Muse's arms with her hands. She grasped tight and squeezed.

“I didn't think I was going to see you again.”, she said. Almost breathing it as she took a deep breath in and sighed in happiness. “I'm so glad you're here.” She squeezed her eyes shut as thin streams ran down her cheeks.

“I can't understand any of you except Mesay!”, Zero yelled breaking the moment.

“Wait...what?", Chewie asked. "You can understand Mesay?"

“Stop talking weird Chewie! I have no idea what is going on!”, she insisted.

Izzie rolled her eyes and walked to a nearby table where Dox's clipboard laid. She picked it up and thrust it in Zero's face pointing at the decoded, backwards, alphanumeric scrawlings he had put on there. Zero took the clipboard and looked at it for a second before realizing what was going on.

“Awwww really?”, She asked. “But I suck at doing Roivas code.”

Izzie ignored the comment. “I'm just going to chalk that up to all the random weird shit I've seen today. Chewie, why don't you get Zero out of here while you can. Safely. We'll keep you informed as to whatever it is we're doing.”

“Alright.”, Chewie agreed as he escorted an irate Zero out of the room.

“Do we have kind of plan going on here?”, Izzie asked. “We may want to work on that.”

“Well I think first of all we need to assess Mesay's situation.”, Zander chimed in.

“What situation?”, Muse asked. Now having broken his ultra hug from Mesay. He studied her as she wiped the tears from her face.

“I had an incident. With Roivas.”, Mesay started. “They were controlling me while I slept.”

“Yeah and power zapping everyone in between.”, Chouji added.

“That wasn't our fault. They tried to keep us from doing that. Apparently it was a side effect of coming through me.”, Mesay explained. “But they're gone now. And I have a grasp of it.” She was trying to assure the group but Mesay didn't have a much better idea as to what was happening to her as the others did. All they could really do was theorize.

“So now you can make people's powers go away?”, Zander asked.

“Sort of. It doesn't feel like that though.”, Mesay scratched her head a bit in awkwardness. "Everything is different in that place."

"The Dark Place.", Zander continued.

"Yeah. They tried to warn me with the promise I had made.", Mesay continued. "But I can't remember it. I don't know what I promised or did. The whole thing is still very confusing."

Muse held on to her. "How did Mesay get there?", Muse asked.

"The same way I got here. Through my dreams.", Mesay paused. "I think."

Home suddenly started to shake. As if some kind of earthquake had started up. It made everyone assume a stance that would keep them steady.

"What was that?", Izzie started.

"Oh God.", Zander spurted out loud.

"What?", Izzie insisted. Then another tremble shook Home. This one was more violent than the last. So much so, that it made everyone grasp things around them for balance.

"How many of us have been de-butterflied?", Zander asked.

"Three.", Izzie answered.

"This is so crazy. I don't even know where I'm going with this.", Zander rambled.

"What?", Izzie pushed.

"What is Home? It's a place where we are kept safe from Help3r and all of his drones. What if Home is falling apart.", Zander stated. Everyone's eyes got really big at the thought.

"How could Home just fall apart?", Chouji asked.

"Home has everything. Food, materials, countless rooms and access to just about anything. All we have to do is think of something and it appears. What if we created Home? What if Home is us." Zander had hardly stopped talking when it had clicked for everyone. Home as a byproduct of the butterflies. As random as it felt it also made sense. That kind of deep knowing that you can't logically describe. The kind that gives you goosebumps. The kind that makes your stomach drop.

"Izzie. You had started it.", Zander offered.

Izzie was shocked. She felt like she was being accused. "Me? Home was here before we were.", Izzie defended.

"But it was you who was looking for refuge. You were looking for safety.", Zander continued.

"There's no way...", Izzie tried to talk.

"You were the one who found the door. You were the one who got hungry first. You were the one who brought Mesay here.", Zander stopped. He could see Izzie was getting upset.

"So what are you saying? That this was all my fault? That I did this to Mesay? How could I even do that?", Izzie questioned.

"I don't think you meant to do it. It just happened.", Zander answered.

"This is ridiculous. We all do things here. Make our own rooms and places. Make our own things. It's not just me Zander."

"Not now, but you began it. And now, everyone is a part of it. We are all responsible for Home's existence. So what happens when butterflies start leaving or disappearing?", Zander stopped.

"Home starts disappearing...", Mesay finished. That's what happened back in that strange room. It was created by Zero. So when Zero was....zapped by me. She wasn't a part of Home anymore. So the room went away.", Mesay hung her head. "Izzie may have created Home, but I'm destroying it.

"You didn't destroy anything.", Muse defended. "Home is still here."

"It's falling apart. The signs are all there. Dox's fall from his room. Home not letting him leave the Mess Hall." Home rumbled again. "These tremors. The ones who are gone are effecting Home."

"If we make Home what it is. Then it can't exist without us.", Chouji finished.

"Exactly", Zander agreed.

"I'm.....so sorry.....", Mesay apologized. "I didn't mean to do this."

"Neither did I.", Izzie said.

"Nobody is to blame here.", Zander tried to console everyone. "I think what we need to do is gather ourselves and get a plan together so we don't have to worry or panic."

"Oh you can go ahead and start panicking.", Hoop retorted in the Hivemind.

"Now what?", Izzie started.

"We got big problems guys. Dox and I are outside here and we're looking at a rather large storm coming our way. Help3r's army is coming.", Hoop continued.

"Army?", Muse questioned.

"How many Hoop?", Zander asked.

"If I had to guess....a lot. Like hundreds a lot. This doesn't look good guys.", Hoop reported.

"How far away are they?", Mesay asked.

"I'd say an hour, max. They aren't moving terribly fast.", Hoop paused. "This is worse than we thought. I can't see how we're going to get past all these things at once. There has to be at least thirty of those giant golem things. God knows how many dolls and drones."

"Like we didn't have enough problems.", Xuch chimed in from the doorway. Paul was right next to her.

"Yeah, is that what all this shaking is about?", Paul asked.

"Hardly, we got three major problems that absolutely need to be dealt with like now.", Chouji retorted.

"Hoop, stay out there with Dox. You guys need to keep an eye on that army. We're going to try to think of... something.", Mesay ordered.

"Aye Aye Captain. Whatever you guys cook up, make it fast alright? I doubt Help3r is going to wait for an invitation.", Hoop dropped the Hivemind.

"What are you thinking Mesay?", Zander asked.

"I'm thinking we need to get the hell out of here.", Mesay offered. "But we can't just scatter. A bunch of us will have to stay and defend what we do have while the others leave."

"That means we'll need volunteers.", Xuch stated. "I guess you'll expect me to come and help huh?" Her sigh mid sentence was only half grief filled.

"You can count me in too", Paul said.

"Me too.", Muse responded.

"Even with all of us here we'll still need more.", Mesay continued. "We need to get everyone here. We need to let everyone know what is going on."

***

It took a few minutes for every butterfly to get to the Hall. Home's instant thought travel service was starting to feel the effects of the three missing butterflies. The shaking of Home being only one of a few things that they all needed to worry about. Mesay got on top of one of the tables in the room. Muse helped her up.

"What are you going to say?", He asked.

"Hopefully not much.", She smiled back.

Mesay stood on the table and thought about what she had to say. What she had to ask. And how to say it in as coherent a way as possible.

"Hey, everyone!", She said. Trying to get all the butterflies attention. "So uh...yeah you probably want to know what is going on. And frankly, we don't have the time for me to really explain it so I'll just tell you the important parts.", Mesay took a deep breath. "Help3r's army is going to be here within the hour."
Everybody started to talk a little.
"We don't know exactly how many but we guess there are over a hundred various dolls, drones and golems that want to get rid of Home. And perhaps ourselves. You've also noticed the random tremors that have been shaking our place today.We're not exactly sure what that is from but we are sure that Home is not necessarily a safe place to hide anymore. So we have two choices.
To run or to fight.
Personally, I'd rather everyone get out safely before we do something stupid like try to fight a bunch of robots. But there is no guaranteeing our escape unless we have a distraction. And that is where you all come in. We basically need a bunch of volunteers to stay here and fight these things as long as we can while another group gets the others to safety.
I know that we don't always feel confident or useful. But everyone here has a role to play. And now you have a chance to choose that role. All of us have something to offer. And I'm not saying this isn't fucking dangerous. But I wouldn't be asking this of you if I didn't think we weren't all capable of helping.
I want all of you to know that you have a choice still. And no one will think less of you no matter what decision you make. Because while they may have an army, we have a family."

"Meeeeooooooooooooooooooow!", Called Opie from the other end of the room. Everyone looked back and watched Mesay's three cats, Opie, Sovy and Dulcet run through the crowd. They weaved between the small crowds legs and to the front. Mesay knelt down as the three jumped up on the table. Opie tackled Mesay, the force almost throwing her on her back. She grunted as the fifteen pound cat hugged her shoulder and rubbed against her cheek. The other two rubbed against her legs and meowed desperately.

"They were worried about you.", Sunni chimed in.

"No kidding?", Mesay laughed.

Suddenly a whinney came from the doorway. Tex the horse trotted in with Lucy riding on his back. All the other cats, rats and pets of Home came in and came to their respective owners.

"I want to help get the pets out safely.", Sunny volunteered.

"I want to stay and help. If that's okay.", Blue offered. "My hand is still a little messed up but I could help anyone who gets hurt. Maybe buy us some more time."

Others raised their hands and offered to help. Soon everyone had a job. A place where they were needed. They were all working together. Just like a real family. Soon two parties were formed. Those who would stay and fight and those who would help everyone else escape. Plans were made and soon everyone was working to get ready to leave Home.
Chouji had grabbed Kim and separated from the group. He had a plan of his own but needed Kim's help. Kim had a special talent much like the other butterflies. But hers was one of the most complicated. When Chouji told Kim of his plan she jumped at the chance to help.

"Now we’ve got our own way to help.", Chouji said.

"We're going to get Anna.", Kim added.

***

Outside the army was getting closer. Hoop tried his best not to panic before finally making that fated Hivemind call to the others.

"Uh...guys. You think of anything yet?", Hoop asked.

"Sure did.", Mesay answered behind him.

Hoop and Dox quickly looked and found Paul, Xuch, Chula, Muse and Mesay armed and ready to go, thanks to Envoy's stock of weaponry and armor. Chewie and Zero walked up to them.

"Ooooo." Chewie mocked curiously. "Can I play?"

"I figured you couldn't stay away." Mesay chided.

"So this is the plan then. Fight to the death." Dox discouragingly offered.

"Hardly." Mesay retorted.

"Mesay?" Dox inqured. "You....you can talk normal. Oh thank god for that! Do you know how hard it is to not be able to understand what Hoop is really saying?"

"Tell me about it.", Zero quipped. She handed the clipboard to Dox. "Here, you're better at this than me."

"You and Zero need to go to the back of Home. There you'll find a bunch of us getting ready to leave. Go with them.", Mesay told Dox.

"Ah, the old hold them off so the others can get away bit hmmm? Where does fight to the death not apply to this?", Dox asked.

Mesay put an arm around Muse. The two disappeared and reappeared on the other side of the courtyard. Then came back.

"Ah again.", Dox repeated. "So once everyone is safe you guys teleport out of here. I suppose we can only do a few at a time right?"

"Pretty much.", Muse said.

"I don't like leaving you all here.", Dox said.

"Me either! I'm staying!", Zero proclaimed.

Mesay walked up to Dox and Zero. She put her hands on their shoulders. "I'm sorry friends. But we need to get you out of here. We can fend for ourselves. We have a few others backing us up too, if it makes you feel any better.", Mesay offered. "They will need your help too. Somebody has to keep everyone calm Dox."

"I suppose so. Besides these wings are more dead weight than an asset in a fight now. I can't even lift them.", Dox responded.

"Thank you Dox.", Mesay said with a smile.

Dox began to walk off. "Come on Zero. We need to go help the others."

"What can I even do now?", Zero followed.

"What if we got you to ride Tex in front. Leading the group.", Dox said.

"Oooooo! That would be cool!", Zero responded.

***

About twenty minutes later the six butterflies stood outside the closed gate. Not a hundred feet in front of them was the massive army. Tons of dolls flanked by the massive golems. With an airstrike of drones above. The six put on their brave pokerfaces. Not willing to let Help3r get to them. Though inside they were just as scared as they were brave.
Beyond the gate stood the others. Hoop had his telescope still out watching them closely. He was to give orders to the others as soon as things got sketchy.
Paul, Xuch, Chewie, Chula, Muse and Mesay stood facing the immense army. All waiting. All gearing up for the first launch. None of them had any official training but they had a plan. A plan with armor, weapons and powers. This wasn't going to be pretty. It was going to be a mess. But it was also going to be worth it.

They had to make it worth it.

Butterfly Apocalypse: The Inglorious Butterflies

(Writer's Note: Inglorious Butterflies actually takes place between Papilio's Dream and Blue Code. For continuity sake.)

"Ten Hut!", Loris commanded.

Deep in the bowels of Home, Loris was preparing his troops for battle. He had eight, six foot tall, soldiers standing in front of him.  The Bunker they were in was quite large with a low ceiling. Multiple halogen bulbs giving off a harsh blue/white light lined the ceiling. The walls were a gunmetal grey and gave off the effect of some sort of infinity room. One wall was lined with various weapons. Everything from basic pistols to long range sniper rifles to a bazooka or two. Four large tubes with people sized openings were at the opposite end. It looked like some sort of silly sci-fyi set design but in reality they were fully functioning teleporters. Or at least they were in theory. Loris had never tried them out.
Loris had been working on these for months. He had found that he could create creatures out of just about anything and animate them. So he had spent most of his time in Home experimenting. These eight were his crowing achievement. He has spent months working on them. And when he heard about the Help3r army, the first thing he decided to do was to test them out. He had used any number of things from the room. Including the armory and weaponry that was available. This was however the most important part of the process. Imprinting the creations with their purpose. He found that when he did this with more emotion and fever that they came out stronger. So he had a whole speech lined up. This was going to be a war after all.

"I am Lutenent Loris, and I'm putting together a special team and I need me eight soldiers. Eight butterfly, Pro-Roivas soldiers. Now you all might have heard what Zander said about the attack on Home happening soon.
Weeeeeell, we'll be getting a head start on that fight. We're going to charge Help3r's fortress. And once we are in that cave, as a bushwacking man made army, we're going to be doing one thing and one thing only. Killin dolls.
Now I don't know about you all. But I sure as hell didn't come to Home all the way from California to fight my way through a cave and teach a mute, hypochondriac a lesson in humanity. Help3r ain't got no humanity. He's a butterfly hating guy who has built an army of robotic doll things. And that's why every doll we see, is gonna die.
Sound good!"

The eight soldiers raised their hands in salute.

"What in the hell are you doing in my room Loris?", Envoy demanded. He walked the length of the room with a scowl on his face.

"Envoy!", Loris said excited. "Aren't they great! This is what happens with months of work and practice. Aren't they are just the coolest?"

"Their dolls. You're playing with dolls again.", Envoy chided.

"These are not dolls! Their soldiers. Just look at them!", Loris insisted.

Envoy took a good look at the mashed together soldiers. The he noticed exactly what they were made of. "Loris, are you using my things for your dolls? Is....is that ones head a cooking pot?", Envoy pointed to the third one's "head".

Loris looked at the soldier then back to Envoy. "Well I ran out of buckets.", He shrugged.

"This is Home!", Envoy yelled. "All you have to do is think up another one and it's there!" Behind Envoy came a large clunk. When they both looked, a large metal bucket was laying in the ground sideways. "See!"

"Come on Envoy this is going to be great! Look at them. They are soldiers now. They can protect us all.", Loris insisted.

"How could you even know that?", Envoy questioned. He grabbed the bucket and walked right up to one. "I bet these hunks of junk wouldn't even be able to stand up to me. And I'm almost half their size!", He took the bucket and hit the soldier in the leg. The soldier kicked Enovy back with such sudden force that he flew across the room and landed in a tower of metal buckets. Loris ran to him. Envoy started crying out in pain.

"Oh god Envoy are you okay? I'm sorry! They still need a few tweaks and...where did all these buckets come from?"

"AHHHHHHH! MY LEGS!", Envoy hollared.

Loris moved the buckets to the side revealing Envoy in agonizing pain. One leg was turned a direction it shouldn't have. The other seemed okay. Until you saw the exposed bone sticking out of the knee socket.

"Holy crap!", Loris yelled.

"Damn it you mother fucker! Shit this hurts!", Envoy cursed and sputtered. Loris was looking on in disbelief and horror at the scene. Trying desperately not to call out in the hivemind. He'd be in trouble for sure.
As Loris and Envoy found themselves lost in the moment another figure walked into the room. Rio stood by and watched the two butterflies interact. Her robot eyes glowing with a purple hue. Focusing and adjusting. Her sensors and mechanical mind started processing the senario.

<COMMAND>  Identify Butterflies.

Her sensors moved and located the two in her database.

<Butterfly: Juverncia aka Loris.>
<Ability: Create lifeforms from inanimate objects.>

<Butterfly: Inachis aka Envoy>
<Ability: Unknown>

<COMMAND> Study Butterfly Inachis to determine Ability.

Rio walked closer to the scene. Envoy was still crying out. Loris apologizing intensely.

"God why is this taking so bloody long!", Envoy yelled!

Soon afterward his body froze as if he had become paralyzed all at once. The sound of muscles tearing and reforming made Loris cringe. And a very loud crack,  announced Evnoy's bones being forced back into their proper shape. His leg jerked as the bone seemed to move itself back into his body. And with that he let out one more scream. Then his whole body went limp as his endorphins flew through his veins ceasing any pain getting to the receptors in his brain. Loris watched as the hole in his knee quietly formed the muscles around the bone then the skin covering the wound and repairing itself within moments. The entire process took five minutes. When it was finally done Envoy took a huge breath and exhaled a loud frustrated moan. Loris had covered his hands to his mouth. He did not imagine seeing this today.

<INPUT> Inachis ability: Regeneration.
Rio's eyes glowed a bright purple at the discovery.

Loris tried to help Envoy up. Envoy flailed his arms at him in protest as he helped himself up awkwardly out of the giant bucket pile. Loris stood back, then quickly turned as he caught Rio out of the corner of his eye. He jumped and got closer to Envoy again.

"What is that doing here?", Loris questioned.

Envoy looked up and saw Rio. "What in the fuck! Now the fuck up robot is here. This is MY room people! Not your's Loris. Not robot the creep's. Mine!"

Rio just looked at the two and tilted her head. Both Envoy and Loris just stood their looking back not sure what to do with it. Envoy didn't trust Rio at all. And this had been the first time Loris had even seen her.

"Loris.", Envoy whispered. "Make yourself useful and get your dolls to capture that.....doll."

"Do you think it's dangerous?", Loris whispered back.

"It's a Help3r doll isn't it? Just do it for christ's sake.", Envoy insisted.

"Uh....", Loris hesitated.

"Get that thing!", Envoy shouted.

"Uh...yeah....capture the prisoner!", Loris ordered.

The soldiers all moved in unison quickly turning to Rio and surrounding the small framed doll.

***

Rio was now tied up to a chair. The eight soldiers standing guard around the captured Rio. Each facing outward, making sure no one tried to free her. Loris and Envoy had been arguing for the better part of an hour as to what to do with the bot. They got so invested in the argument that they had forgotten to keep their Hivemind to themselves. As such, all of Home was hearing the tedious yelling in their heads. Chewie and Ion were the first to arrive at the scene.

"What in the love of Thor is going on here?", Chewie yelled as him and Ion walked over to them.

Envoy and Loris quickly abandoned their argument and saw they had been found out. 

"Chewie! Come over here and tell Loris he's being a twat!", Envoy called.

Ion looked at the giant soldiers. "Well that's something I haven't seen yet.", he commented.

Chewie looked past and saw Rio. "Rio what are you doing?" Chewie began to walk past the soldiers but was stopped by two giant weapons now blocking his way.

"I have been captured. I am a prisoner.", Rio responded.

"What?", Chewie asked.

"Chewie it's a doll. A Help3r doll. We needed to capture it.", Loris defended.

"She's not a doll anymore Loris. She's a butterfly now.", Chewie explained.

"Hardly.", Envoy scoffed. "She's just been running around here like Anna's new pet. We can't trust that she won't go all crazy at any moment. For all we know Help3r is watching us now through her eyes."

Chewie gave a deep sigh. He has been putting this off for too long. 

"Hey Ion? You up for a little robot surgery?", Chewie asked.

"Uh yeah. I suppose. That is if these giant things don't try to slice and dice me first.", Ion responded.

"Loris, you made these things right?", Chewie asked.

"Yeah.", Loris already knew what he was going to ask him to do.

"Call them off so we can get to Rio. We can make sure she dosen't have a connection to Help3r and is an official butterfly.", Chewie promised.

Loris hesitated at first. Part of him fought against it. This was a Help3r doll. The things that were out to kill everyone at the first chance. But this one hadn't tried that. And honestly, it seemed more curious then blood thirsty. Besides, Chewie wouldn't ask him that if it wasn't for a good reason.

"Alright. But they should keep watch just in case.", Loris insisted.

"Of course.", Chewie smiled. 

"Soldiers! At Ease!", Loris commanded.

All eight soldiers relaxed their defensive postures and put their arms behind their backs in a simultaneous motion. Chewie and Ion walked past them and approached Rio. 

"Rio? Remember how we talked about removing your remote to Help3r?", Chewie asked.

"Yes, I remember." , Rio responded.

"We need to do that now. Otherwise the others may keep feeling nervous.", Chewie explained.

"Why?", Rio asked.

"Well Rio. Others like you have tried to hurt us before."

"Like my family?", Rio interrupted.

"Yes, like your family."

"Will I receive a new goal?", Rio asked.

"I suppose that will be up to you. After we make sure you aren't controlled by Help3r then you can make your own goals."

"My own goals." 

Rio had stopped her questioning. She just sat there for a while not able to show her thoughts. Chewie looked at Ion for a second. This was an odd conversation to have. Trying to explain free will to a being that was meant to have none. 

"I wan't to set my own goals. Initiate removal of remote." Rio moved her arms to her sides, easily tearing the ropes that had held her down. Clearly she had no trouble getting out of the situation. Chewie and Ion moved back, unsure as to what Rio was about to do. She moved one hand to her neck and opened a small hatch. She slowly reached inside with two of her long robotic fingers and seemed to clasp down on something. Her arm jerked a few times trying to pull something out. 

"I will set my own goal.", Rio reiterated. 

She then pulled out a small chip. Immediately she froze as everything seemed to shut off. As if someone had pulled her power cord. Her eyes were black. She was motionless and seemed dead. 

Chewie walked up to her and took the chip out of her hand. It glowed and seemed to work independent of the robot's mainframe. He put it in his hands and focused his ability. Short circuiting the chip and rendering it useless. Chewie dropped it on the ground. And for good measure, Ion crunched it into pieces with his shoe. Chewie looked at Rio close up. He wasn't really sure what had just happened. Just as he was about to try his ability on Rio when her eyes lit up again. The purple seemed more radiant and bright.

"Rio? Are you okay?", Chewie asked.

Rio began to move her joints again. Every extremity was moving in succession. As if she was going through an all systems check. A moment later the robot looked up at Chewie.

"Yes Chewie. I seem to be functioning at maximum capacity. I have achieved my first goal.", Rio reported.

Everyone stood around shocked. Even Envoy and Loris were now looking around Ion at the event.

"What goal was that?", Chewie asked.

"To attain free will. I no longer hear the words of my family.", Rio answered plainly. "I wish to set another goal."

"What now?", Envoy asked bluntly.

Rio glanced over at Envoy. "I wan't to help my new family."