Familiar: Eye of The Jabberwocky

Chapter 11: Falling Inside the Black

He finished tying his boots and stood up straight, looking into the mirror of his vanity. He wore a dark purple suit with a purple ribbon, clipped together by a small red pin. He felt comfortable, his clothing to move around in, as well as formal. A knock on the door interrupted his prideful gleam.

"Leo, it's time." Elliot said, peaking in sadly smiling at Leo. The teen turned with a brighter smile, nodding at Elliot. The two had talked little that morning before Leo left to get ready, still it wasn't enough for the scaled man.

"Alright…I'm ready." Leo said, walking over and grabbing Elliot's hand happily. Leo looked back at his room before shutting the door behind him.

"You know what to do, call Equus immediately, and stay out of sight." Elliot went over.

"Elliot I know what to do. Trust me alright." Leo said, pulling Elliot down the hall.

"Just talk with Sharon continuously." Leo looked up with a smile before bringing up Elliot's hand to kiss. He zealously kissed Elliot's hand before smiling up at him.

"I will Elliot. Instead of chastising me you have a the few moments we've got to walk down that stairs and to the dungeon." Leo said, wrapping his arm around Elliot's arm.

"Don't spend too long in that hell hole." Elliot said and escorted Leo down the hall.

"I won't Elliot, you think I'm some person who wants to stay down there?" Leo asked, shaking a bit from remembering his past experience.

"It's just, you were born there. It's your home." Elliot said, making Leo stop with a wide eye.

"My homes the circus and this mansion." Leo turned with a smile. "I don't care where I was born and where I was raised, these two places are my home. These places have my family, to me all of my friends here are my precious brothers and sisters. You are my precious boyfriend, and my father, aunt, and uncles are all my precious guardians. No matter where I was born I'll come back and run the circus, so just perform and go on with life while I'm gone." Leo smiled brightly. In seconds it dropped to a glare. "But you're not allowed to date any else…like ever. Even when I'm in the abyss." The face Leo made just cause Elliot to laugh and hug the raven head.

"You think I'd do that, I'm not that shallow." Elliot said, one arm around his waist, the other holding Leo by the head. Leo blushed a bit and hugged Elliot back. "I'll miss you. I love you Leo." Elliot said, pulling away and pecking Leo on the lips.

"I love you too Elliot." Leo smiled, this time he pecked Elliot on the lips. He turned after and pulled Elliot to the basement stairs. There waiting stood Sharon, her dress was a short white free falling dress, with a corset type top. It had frills on the top rim of the corset too and on the sleeves. She wore a matching mini hat, tied being her let down hair. Her shoes matched perfectly with the outfit.

"Hello Leo, Elliot." She smiled.

"Sharon, I've never seen this dress before?" Leo said, Sharon blushing and picked at the mini ribbons on the skirt section of the dress.

"It's centuries old, my mother gave it to me. Do you think it's too much." Leo smiled and placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Of course not. I think it looks fine."

"Me too." Elliot smiled, Sharon and Leo smiling too.

"Thank you both." Sharon's smile changed to a serious look. "Equus has already infiltrated your shadow, as soon as you are in the abyss he has been commanded to come out and lead you to the eye. Also waiting there is Raven, Duldum, and Leon to protect and await any orders needed. If you see Familiars and Skin-walkers don't hesitate to bring them out."

"These won't hurt your bodies right, they're so far away." Sharon chuckled an shook her head.

"Legal contractors and Familiars don't half to worry about distance and pain, they're bound together without a thought of betrayal or leaving the contract. A illegal contract can't be trusted apart because the Familiar could murder millions, as well as the contractors sanity could wither and they'd kill as well. This was the soul wish of the abyss when it produced Familiars."

"As long as it doesn't hurt you guys then I'm ready." Leo said. Sharon nodded and opened the door beside her. She went first, leading the boys down the lit stairway. Leo looked around, smiling at the back of Sharon's head.

A bright light ahead blinded Leo when he looked up, making him look down until the light registered into his eye. Upon entering the basement room Leo was able to see, the sight impressed him. Last time he had been down in the basement he hadn't noticed the architect and the beauty the room held, as well as how big it was. The golden colored baseboards and wall were almost blinding from the torches. The mirror seemed small in this room, something thought could never happen. It wasn't till two hand wrapped around Leo's wrist. With a silent gasp Leo turned to see Fang and Dug.

"So sorry for this young master." Fang said, Dug nodding. They forced Leo down on his knees and forced his arms behind his back. Leo silently chuckled before looking up.

"It's fine." Leo said back. Dug held Leo's arms back as Fang tightly wrapped the rope around Leo's arms.

"Leon will cut this off you as soon as you land on ground." Fang whispered finishing with a tight knot on the rope.

"Alright." Leo said, the two roughly pulling Leo to his feet, Sharon and Elliot with the rest of Leo's family and circus performers, as well as the dukedom leaders. Charlotte walked over in her normal red hooded cloak and kneeled down. "How's your arm Fang?" Leo asked as Charlotte patted Leo down for weapons.

"I'm fine young master, Lily and Charlotte as well. Thank you for your worry and treatment." Fang said as Charlotte patted Leo up his thigh.

"I'm sorry if this feels weird young master." Charlotte apologized.

"It's fine." Leo smiled down at her. "Can you tell everyone I'm happy they stayed to watch this, especially Elliot. He must be having a heart attack, his old man heart. Leo said, Charlotte smiling as he check his pockets.

"Yes young master." Charlotte said and stood. "Clean." She called and walked back to the group, Lily skipping over before Charlotte could grab her, a flower in her hands.

"I want big brother to keep this alive." She said, jumping up and down. Fang smiled and took it from her, sticking it behind Leo's ear.

"I will Lily, keep your head well." She nodded before running back to Charlotte, tears in her eyes. With that Fang and Dug led Leo in front of the mirror. Rufus stood, his normal low set eyes watching the three. As they got closer Leo couldn't hide his smile.

As they stopped in between Rufus and the mirror, Leo was shoved to his knees. Fang and Dug left him, backing up into the group of circus performers. "Do you wish for any last words?" Rufus asked. Leo thought for a moment, before shaking his head from side to side. "Alright then." Rufus said a removed his glove, people swallowing hard. "Leo Baskerville, with my Familiar of condemnation." Rufus said as he pressed his hand over Leo's face, his eye showing between Rufus' index and thumb. His smile was wide beneath his uncles palm, a smile of success "I hereby pronounce judgement on you. Your sin is your inability to control you Familiar, resulting in the deaths of dozens, and posing a threat to this world as well as the abyss." Rufus finished, his Familiar - a ginormous dodo bird- appeared behind him. Lifting its wings it opened the mirror, allowing chains to break free, wrapping around Leo's arms, neck, chest, and waist. Leo turned his head to his friends and family. He smiled one last time at them before the chains reeled back, practically carrying Leo to the mirror. No one dare to blink as Leo's body disappeared into the mirror.

A single second passed before the dukes began to walk away, but to Elliot and his friends it was the longest second in there lives. They slowly filed out and up the stares, the other dukes long gone. Sharon was mopping in front, clinching her dress as Break's hand patted her shoulder. When she abruptly stopped it started a line of bumping into one another.

"My lady, what's wrong?" Break asked, Sharon holding her hand up to her mouth and chuckling.

"My my, your a fast recover. I say everything went according to plan Leo." She said, everyone looking at her with interest.

"Yep, Equus and Leon did as told." Leo said to Sharon.

"Alright advance ahead, Equus will escort you, and for Familars call out Duldum and Raven and run. You have as long as you need, but please try your hardest to limit it under a hundred years." Sharon joked, Leo chuckled.

"No problem, I'll check in later."

"I will wait for your next update." Sharon smiled, the other side going silent. "Hm." Sharon let out and continued walking. "Our Familiars are listening perfectly to Leo, we may see him soon."

The splash of water was as quiet as possible as Leo ran behind Equus, trying to keep up with him while Leon followed behind. The horse looked back occasionally to make sure it hadn't lost the two. Sadly he began to when Leo got tired and a side stitch, stopping when he couldn't take it. Leon skidded to a stop, growling at Equus to stop, the horse a yard at least away. Even that far he managed to hear Leon and stopped in place. Leo huffed for air as Leon nudged Leo's hand.

Leo looked over and smiled. "Sorry, I'm out of shape, let me rest real quick." Leo smiled. Leon nodded and sat against a corner of a house. Leo did the same, sitting on a giant rabbit that laid in the water. He caught his breath as he looked around the dark depths of the abyss. It looked like a little girls room, broken to pieces and expanded in size. Leo remembered Lily's tent at the circus, she didn't have doll houses, but she made up for that with stuffed animals. Leo never was able to tell if Lily or Vincent had gotten to them, some beheaded, others cut apart. Leo chuckle, a small rabbit floating by. Leo smiled and reached out, grabbing the stuffed rabbit. "I think I'll bring her something back." Leo tucked the rabbit in his pocket. He stood up and stretched a little before turning to Leon, Equus still standing where he was before. "Ok I'm ready to run again." Leo said, a shadow casting over him. "Eh." Leo went to look up, it Leon growled and ran between Leo's legs, picking the boy up on his back. Leon took off with Leo on his back as the teen turned to see the rabbit he was sitting up, it eyes deranged. It wasn't just the rabbit, but the gigantic toys everywhere. Leo let out a gasp as he watched the, once, toys chase after them. Equus was ahead, looking for a hiding spot. Leo turned back around when he heard a slam.

His eyes widened when he saw Equus on the ground, smashed under a hand. The hand belonged to a doll Familiar - Leo himself dubbed - Card. It picked up Equus was picked up and slammed back on the ground, then picked up again and slammed before he could recover. Leo gasped and shook as he clenched Leon's fur.

"Raven! Rescue Equus and follow suit! Leo yelled as they passed Equus and the Card. As they passed a large feathered bird with glowing blue eyes and chains escaped Leo's shadow. It was equal the size of the Card if not more. With a squawk the chains wrapped around the Card's arms, tightening and tightening. Even when Equus was dropped the chains became tighter until there was a sickening crack and the Card's arms were ripped off. Raven picked Equus up with its talons and flew after Leo, the deranged dolls still chasing.

Leon found a space between two houses that had flipped over, by collision by the way it looked. He crawled in with Leo on his back and waited till Raven sat Equus down to drag him in. Raven disappeared back into Leo's shadow, all the while Leon watching through the crack. Leo was petting Equus, trying to wake him up.

"Sharon's going to be so mad, you did great Equus. Just hang on to consciousness a few more minutes." Leo whispered to the horse after it opened it eyes. Leon kicked his foot back, signaling that the dolls had passed. "Lets all just rest here, we're safe right now." Leo muttered to the Familiar's. Leon didn't need to hear it twice, he laid down and curled up immediately. "I feel sorry that you guys have gotten the worst, but thank you for helping me." Leon let out a little roar as Leo petted his head.

It seemed like hours had passed sitting there, Leon and Equus were awake, watching over Leo, whom slept on Leon's stomach. Equus kept him warm with its body next to him. Leo was currently asleep in a curled positon, holding the small stuff rabbit in his arms.

"Leo." A voice said. "Leo." It said again, Equus head butting Leo. The teen shot up and held his head.

"What was that for Equus." Leo growled, still half asleep.

"Finally you answered, we were getting worried." Sharon's voice came from the horse.

"Sharon, sorry I was asleep." Leo said fully awake.

"Asleep…in the abyss. My your brave." Sharon chuckled.

"Or an idiot." Leo heard another voice, a mans voice. Leo knew the voice and smiled at Equus.

"I hear Elliot." He said happily, standing up.

"Oh, yes he is quite the loud mouth. Why don't you say hi to Leo Elliot."

"Eh, he can hear me?" Elliot said, Leo chuckling.

"He can, so what happened so far Leo." Sharon asked.

"These freaky dolls chased us and a Card got hold of Equus. I'm sorry If I hurt your Familiars." Leo said, Leon roared.

"Hello Leon, as long as they're fine enough to come back in one piece I can handle it."

"I haven't used Duldum yet, I don't want to use them unless needed."

"That's thoughtful."

"Speaking of which I got this stuffed rabbit for Lily. I found it literally floating around here."

"Aw, Lily Leo is bringing you a toy rabbit."

"Yay, thanks Leo!" Lily's voice rang.

"My scythes with Duldum, ask her for it when you get stuck!" Oz's voice rang.

"I understand, I should go now. I don't hear any Familiars around so I think I'll ride on Leon's back to the eye." Leo said, something in the water catching his eye. He bent over and pulled up a small chest.

"I understand, I'll allow you to go, please communicate more."

"We just got done talking a few hours ago here Sharon."

"I figured. Maybe every ten minutes."

"I'll see what I can do."

"Have you found any cookies yet Leo!?" Oz yelled.

"No Oz."

"He said no Oz, go sit down please."

"Say, how's my dad and Elliot been? Have they been sleeping alright."

"Oswald has, but you know Elliot." Sharon snickered.

"Tell him to shut his god dang eyes and sleep because I think we're almost there."

"I will tell him that." Sharon chucked.

"Tell me what!?" Elliot yelled.

"He said you need to sleep more." Leon growled, Leo turning with a gasp.

"Leon, what's wrong?" He asked, the lion growling.

"Leo what's wrong? What is it?" Sharon asked.

"Leo." A woman's voice sang.

"Leo, come out and play with us." A boys voice said.

"Sharon I need to leave now." Leo whispered, before the wall caved in, Leo dodging to one side, Equus and Leon on the other side. On top of the remains stood two familiar figures snickering.

"Leo, I haven't seen you since you died, have you come to live with me." Shion's figure stood cackling, next to him was Miranda, her red hair stained by the blood from her stomach.

"How are you alive here, my dad killed you? Both of you were but stone."

"That's what happens when you become a Chain." Miranda said, both climbing down to Leo.

"A Chain?"

"A Chain is when a person has made a blood contract with a Familiar, or a human is born into a world as a Familiar."

"That can't happen!" Leo yelled.

"Oh but it can. You see if a Skin-walker and a human have sex and a baby is conceived, when that baby dies it's first body crumbles like a snake needing a change of skin. When they wake up they are home."

"Eh!"

"This is home Leo. We have so much to show you here."

"This isn't my home."

"Snake boy still there." Shion glared.

"I'd love a good snake skin." Miranda snickered.

"Duldum!" Leo yelled, holding out his hand. The next thing anyone knew was the scythe that had formed in Leo's hand.

"Aw, borrowing others powers. Such a bad boy you are. So tell us why you are here."

"To take the Jabberwocky's eye, so we can destroy it and kill the Jabberwocky, then I can live with my family in peace." Leo growled.

"Hm, you still don't know? This will never work." Shion teased.

"Every Familiar and Chain here knows that the Jabberwocky is-." Miranda was cut off by Leon pouncing on her, the rabbit toy hanging from his mouth.

"Equus burn him!" Sharon yelled as Equus charged from the debris.

"Stop Sharon!" Leo yelled before Equus could do anything. "Leon! Lets go!" Leo yelled, the scythe disappeared. Leon jumped off Miranda and stopped in front of Leo, whom climbed on him. Equus ran off toward the direction they needed to head, Leon chasing after as the two Chains behind them got to their feet.

"Should we chase after him?" Shion asked Miranda.

"No, he will come to his punishment when it's needed." Miranda smirked as she watched her son run off.

"Leo why did you stop Equus!?" Sharon yelled.

"Because our business isn't with them, I need to find the eye and get out of here before I get killed."

"I understand, but leaving them alive was a dangerous move."

"I know, but let Equus just lead, we've gotten pretty far in a day."

"Alright, we'll see you soon." Sharon said, Equus growing quiet and running faster.

"Equus! How much farther!?" Leo asked, staring at the horse like he expected an answer. Equus just ran neighing when he noticed the abyss getting darker.

"This must be the lower level, the eyes back there." Equus neighed again and galloped ahead farther, Leon rushing to keep up as well as keep the rabbit in his mouth without damaging it. Leo sat on his back, the box against his chest. Again Leon growled, but this time Leo was thrown from him back as a talon smashed down into the ground. Leo rolled back, recovering from his roll.

"What the hell was that!" Leo yelled looking up to see an eagle, but not a normal eagle. The eagle had the body of a lion, and a smiled at Leo. "Gryphon…Duldum, I need you to control it while we pass, can you do that." There was silence, until Gryphon screeched and cawed. Leo ran over and check on Leon, the lion standing up and shaking off the attack.

Gryphon tried it's best to keep in control, and in the time Leo was able to mount Leon and ride off away from the beast. They seemed to get far enough before Duldum disappeared from Gryphon. The Familiar squawked, scaring Leo. It wasn't a scary squawk, it was a tragic. For a moment Leo thought Duldum had hurt Gryphon. Leo didn't like hurting Familiars, it wasn't fair to him, forcing them to fight. Gryphon kept squawking, Equus ahead of them, standing at a door.

Leo raised his eyebrow in confusion at why Equus had stopped at this door when there were thousand like it around the place. Leon came to a stop in front of the door. Leo looked questionably at the two Familiars as he climbed off Leon. "Is this the door Equus?" Equus neighed, bouncing his head up. "Is that what Gryphon tried to stop us for? He did do a good job of guarding." Leo said as he reached out and twisted the knob. He slowly opened it, not knowing what to expect from the other side. What came out wasn't dangerous, it just hurt Leo's eye. A bright, blinding light took over the there's vision. It hurt to look so Leo blindly walked forward. The Familiars behind him didn't move with him. The door shut behind him and the light dimmed. Leo slowly opened his eyes and dropped his arm blocking his eye. It went wide though at why he saw.

It was a child's room, painted blue with dolls everywhere, the floor a chessboard beneath him. The room had chess pieces off to the side, the size of Leo himself. The room itself was different, none off the dolls floating, just sitting all over. Though the room was impressive there was one thing that stuck out in all the blue and black of the room. Sitting on a giant red play chair was a giant white rabbit human hybrid doll. Leo took a few steps closer, intrigued by the rabbit. It was staring Leo in the eye with it's non matching eyes. One eye was red, a perfectly normal eye for a white rabbit, but the other wasn't normal at all. The eye was yellow, it's pupil was a line, a circle separating the center. It was the Jabberwocky's eye. With a smile Leo reached up and dug his fingers into the eye socket. It wasn't gross at all since the animal was a stuffed rabbit. With a smile of victory Leo put the eyeball in the chest and locked it. He turned to walk when a white paw landed on his shoulder.

"D-don't l-l-leave m-m-me, not…like the b-black…rabbit…not like…O-Oz." The doll said, staring eye to eye into Leo's. Leo opened his mouth to say something, but couldn't form any words before the rabbit crumbled. Leo went wide eyes, staring at the spot the plush had stood. It wasn't soon after the room shook and pieces began to fall.

Leo remained though, still trying to form words. Finally he was able to get some out. "White…rabbit?" He said, a roar following as Leon busted through the door, scooping Leo up on his back. Leo just watched, holding onto the chest while Leon clinched the toy in his mouth. When they returned to the darkness Leo watched the door to the room turn to dust, snapping Leo out of his trance. Looking over he saw Equus running next to him. With a smiled Leo spoke. "Equus, Raven, Duldum. All of you can go back to your contractors, I'll have Leon carry me home."

Equus neighed, Raven, and Duldum appearing behind him. Leo nodded before the three disappeared. The water splashed up at Leo from Gryphon's wings fluttering as they passed. Leo looked down at Leon, then the water. "Leon, get us out of here now!" Leo yelled, Leon roaring and speeding up. A luminescent light appeared, the two nearing it. "Faster! Lily and Lottie are on the other side!" Leo antagonized Leon, whom sped up even faster. Leo held on as tight as he could, waiting for the Familiar to stop.

Although the Familiar didn't stop, even when they passed through the light and into the familiar gold plated dungeon. It became bumpy as escalated the stairs. Leon didn't stop for Leo to open door, he just busted through wooden door, the wood splintering beneath his paws as he made a sharp right turn to the dining room doors of the mansion. Leo gasped at the approaching doors, leaping off the Familiar and rolling to the wall, banging his back on it.

There were screams when Leon had busted through the door, the lion roaring and running over to his master. Charlotte jumped up, catching Leon in a hug. "Leon! Your back!" She yelled, Equus appearing behind Sharon. He neighed, catching everyone's attention.

"Duldum's here, I feel her presence." Noise said.

"Raven's home too." Gilbert smiled, a feather falling on his shoulder out of nowhere.

"Where's Leo?" Elliot asked, standing up and looked at the Familiars. Leon growled, dropping the stuffed rabbit and looked.

"Leo!?" Oswald yelled. It was silent for a moment, till the boy came walking in rubbing his head, the chest in hand.

"I hit the wall rolling off of you Leon, I smacked my head."

"Leo!" Everyone yelled, jumping from their seats. Elliot and Oz were the first the pull Leo into a hug.

"Ah!" Leo let out, the two squeezing the life out of him.

"Thank god your back Leo! Don't ever plan something like that ever again!" Elliot yelled, holding Leo around his chest and head.

"It was so lonely at the circus without you." Oz whined, hugging him from behind.

"How long was I gone?" Leo asked, hugging Elliot around the waist and leaning against him. Leo missed the man and his scent.

"Twenty years, it felt so long." Sharon said with a smile as she approached them. "I didn't hear from you for a while."

"I'm sorry, I had a run in with Gryphon. I think we hurt the poor thing. I mean all he was doing was his job and Duldum was doing hers, but it still sounded horrible." Leo said cuddling into Elliot's bare chest.

"You don't ever have to go back there, I promise Leo." Elliot said, smiling against Leo's head.

"Oh, but it's so intriguing down there. I learned so much about the abyss in a day."

"Eh?" Everyone looked at Leo.

"You didn't tell me about that room you had down there Oz, the one with the stuffed white rabbit doll?" Oz looked at Leo, puzzled.

"I don't have one."

"Not anymore, I broke it. That rabbit knew your name. I feel sorry that he disappeared."

"Disappeared? How so?" Oswald asked, approaching his son.

"Crumbled." Leo said, Elliot and Oz separating as Oswald walked up. Leo smiled up at the man, holding up the chest. "But I got it." Leo said. Oswald smiled and, without notice, pulled his son into a tight hug, the chest falling to the ground.

"Everyday I regretted that day, seeing the chains wrap around you."

"It was fun dad, it didn't hurt."

"We really did miss you Leo." Elliot said, roughing up Leo's hair.

"I know, but I set a goal and I'm going to finish it." Leo smiled.

"Leo! Leo! You got me a toy!?" Lily yelled, jumping on Oswald's back.

"I did, Leon come here." Leo said, the Familiar running over to Leo. He flopped down and released the stuffed rabbit into Leo's outstretched hand. The doll was wet from the abyss water, but Lily didn't mind as she hugged the doll.

"It's so adorable Leo, thank you." Lily said, hugging Leo.

"I think you would have loved this room I found, maybe if it was red."

"Leo, I want to see Jabberwocky's eye." Lily whined. Leo chuckle and carried the chest over to the dinner table. The family and circus folks followed. As Leo sat the chest down on the table Elliot snuck his arm around the boys waist. Leo smiled, unlocking the chest. He lifted the lid, met by an eye peering up at him.

"It's like I remembered it." Oswald remembered.

"Now you can kill the Jabberwocky dad, everything will be alright. You won't have to keep me safe from time to time because of that beast." Leo smiled, closing and shutting the lid and handing it to his father.

"I want you asleep while we do this, you look tired."

"I want to see him die though, he killed Dormouse." Oswald stared down at his soaking wet son, his hair ratted up all over the place. It didn't take long before Oswald smiled and nodded.

"Take a shower and rest up a bit, we'll wait." Leo smiled and nodded. He grabbed Elliot by the hand and pulled him out of the room, a smile on his face.

"Elliot, I missed you too. Out of everyone I missed your face, but with your loud mouth I heard you even in the abyss." Leo chuckled, Elliot growling behind him.

"Sh-shut up Leo!" He blushed, Leo turning with a smirk.

"I'm surprised you haven't kissed me yet, twenty years without me. Did you actually find another boyfriend or girlfriend?" Leo said with a pout.

"Hell no!" Elliot yelled and grabbed Leo by his shoulder. Leo gasped as Elliot shoved him against the wall. Leo collected himself and was about to yell at Elliot before said man pushed his lips against Leo's. All Leo did was smile and kiss back, happy to have the warm lips against his own. Leo brought his arms up and wrapped them around Elliot's shoulder, Elliot doing a similar thing with Leo's waist. Leo chuckled happily at how cute Elliot was acting.

"Don't you need to breath!" Oswald yelled from behind the door. Elliot growled, biting his tongue and pulling away from Leo. Both of them looked over huffing, Elliot glaring at the man.

"It's been twenty years, lay off man!" Elliot yelled, the moment ruined.

"Want to say that to my face." Oswald said as he walked over.

"Yeah I will!" Elliot yelled walking ahead. Both stopped centimeters away from one another. People started to collect to watch the two fight. Leo just sighed. "What the hells your problem!?" Elliot started.

"My problem is you! I never trusted your father and I won't trust you!" Oswald yelled back.

"I'm nothing like my father! He was a monster!"

"And I'm happy he's dead! I'm happy most of your family is! I don't have to worry about them trying to kill my son like that Crimson Shell unit! A fucking joke your family made!"

"I didn't join it! I joined your organization!"

"And you fucking made a mockery of it! You and your circus group! If it wasn't for Leo I wouldn't have anything to do with it!"

"Oswald!" Lacie yelled, wide eyed.

"Aunt Lacie." Leo called, holding his hand over his clock. The woman noticed his discomforted pose, and ran over to her nephew. The two fighting didn't seem to notice her as they continued fighting.

"Like we needed you! I'm here for Leo! I'd rather live with him in the circus than here, but he deserves to know his father! Your just an ass though!"

"Your attitude isn't the best either, damn rattle snake!"

"Shut the fuck up!" Elliot yelled.

"Your deformity is a laughing stock of this whole dukedom, everyone's noticed it!"

"Your sour puss attitude turns everyone away! Your family's the joke of the whole dukedom, how Jack Vessalius married in and gave his son to the circus! Leo's the only great one of the bunch! All you all are, are murders! Underhanded, selfish, mental cases!"

"Because of your circus my son got forced into a contract which was pretty useless!"

"Yura was hardly our companion! He was the man you assigned us! Look what it got you!" Elliot laughed.

"I should have said no to the circus! If it wasn't for that goddamn one-eyed weirdo roaming into Leo's room none of this would have happened! My son wouldn't have been thrown into the abyss! My house would never have been destroyed!" Oswald yelled at Elliot.

"Leo has one eye! Leo chose all of this! He wanted to go into the abyss to make you proud of him!"

"Don't you dare speak like you know my son!" Oswald snapped.

"I'm not the one who killed my wife and sent my child into the abyss with her body!"

"Shut up! It was a fluke Miranda was pregnant! Apparently she was and I've regretted what I did to my son! At least I could love mine! Your whole family wishes you were dead!" Elliot's eyes went wide, ever word soaking in and fueling his rage. However; Leo jumped between them, but he was shirtless. He pushed them apart the best he could as he huffed for breath.

"Stop it…please." Leo moaned, both men looking down at him.

"Oswald, his incuse disappeared." Lacie said, gripping Leo's shirt, blood on it. Looking up Leo had blood running from his nose and mouth.

"No!" Elliot yelled, catching Leo as he fell to the side.

"His contract ended." Break said, running over to Leo. Oswald turned and ran off up the stairs as fast as he could.

"I'm so tired Elliot." Leo muttered as curled up.

"Stay awake, we'll get you to the hospital. Well get you another contract I promise." Elliot said, combing his hand through Leo's hair as the boy twitched in pain. Lacie tried her best to sooth him with her singing, calm him down the best she could, but Leo just curled up and cried in pain. It grew intense as it went on, in seconds he was screaming out in pain. It was about two minutes when Oswald reappeared with a briefcase.

"Oswald, what's in that?" Jack asked his brother in law as he kneeled down next to his son.

"Jack, lay him out straight." Oswald said as he opened the briefcase. He removed an IV bag and laid it out straight while Jack hurried over. Jack kneeled down and with Lacie's help they laid Leo out straight. Oswald removed the cap from they IV and stuck it in Leo's hand. Right after he removed and bottle as needle, measuring the medicine he was taking out. When he got the correct measurement he put the needle in the IV and pushed the medicine in steadily. After emptying the needle everyone watched it take affect, Leo's body relaxing and stopped shaking furiously.

"Where'd you get that?" Lacie asked her brother.

"The nurse, all those years ago. I kept it because I didn't trust the contract."

"A-am I going to die?" Leo asked, half lidded eyes looking at his father.

"No, your going to form a contract with a Familiar. Your going to Leo. That was our plan remember." Elliot said to Leo who smiled up.

"Oh right."

"You aren't deciding whats happening to him, not till we have time to chat about it." Oswald glared at Elliot, whom returned it.

"What else can we do?"

"Kill Jaberwocky, he broke my contract when Dormouse was killed." Leo said, smiling up.

"We'll kill him Leo. I promise Leo." Elliot said.

"Stop promising things." Oswald growled.

"Both of you shut up. Your careless words have hurt everyone here. Right now Leo needs to go to bed, so take him upstairs and put him in bed. I'll bring the medicine." Lacie said, picking up the supplies.

"I-I wanted to…form a contract with Humpty." Leo mumbled.

"Why that thing?" Oswald growled, picking Leo up bridle style.

"B-because I want to…" Leo muttered, Jack carrying the IV bag, Lacie following her husband and brother up the stairs. Everyone but Elliot followed, the teens phone ringing. He picked it up with a worried look seeing it was the hospital.

"Hello?"

"Elliot, mother woke up!" Vanessa yelled. After a few years Pandora had claimed Bernice as a patient, before Crimson Shell took her in. All the while she remained in her coma, and Vanessa stayed with her. Elliot had gone down and fisted over the years, but nothing changed. Elliot swallowed and tried to sound as happy as he could.

"That's great Nessy, I'll be over in a few days." Elliot's voice had cracked towards the end, worrying his sister.

"Elliot, what's wrong?" She asked sincerely.

"It's Leo, he's back. His clock though…it disappeared and he's sick again. He's so sick Vanessa, I don't think he'll make it till tomorrow for the contract with Humpty." Elliot let out his tears he'd been holding back in front of Leo. "I don't know what to do. He's in so much pain, so sick, and I'm completely useless."

The other side of the line was silent as Vanessa thought over what her brother had said. She sighed and finally spoke. "Right now he needs you next to him, go sit with him and I'll visit tomorrow." Vanessa said.

"I don't want him to die Vanessa…I'm really scared for him. It's worse than last time and all I can do is watch him hurt."

"You have to stay with him the whole time."

"Elliot." Oz said, placing a hand on Elliot's shoulder. Said boy jumped and turned.

"What!?" Elliot snapped. Oz stared at his tear stained face and smiled Elliot.

"Leo's calling for you, but dry your eyes before going in, Leo will get upset." Elliot didn't say something, he just hung up on Vanessa and stared at Oz.

"He'll make it right? Till tomorrow?" Elliot asked, dropping his phone and placing his hands on Oz's shoulders.

"Leo's strong, he won't give up." Oz smiled at the crying man. Elliot collapsed, hugging Oz as support and hiding his face in Oz's shoulder. Oz wrapped his arms around the older man patting his back.

"It's not fair. Not for Leo. Why does it have to be him?" Elliot cried.

"Elliot!" A faint moan came from up the stairs. At this Elliot stood straight and wiped his face and eyes, walking toward the stairs. He hurried up the stairs followed by Oz. The moan came again, but less force. As Elliot approached the crowded doorway he held out a hand to push the people out if the way.

"Elliot." Leo moaned again, a cough following as Elliot pushed his family away from the door and walked in. He hurried over to the free spot next to Leo, grabbing and squeezing it softly. The boy smiled at Elliot. "There you are." He said, Elliot smiling down.

"Sorry, Vanessa called. My moms up."

"That's great!" Leo said happily.

"Vanessa said she would come visit tomorrow."

"I haven't seen her in a while, I hope she isn't mad at me." Leo said.

"I think she doesn't. She knows what happened and she knows it wasn't your fault."

"That reminds me. Since Jabberwocky will be gone I won't need your gun anymore Gilbert. It's on Elliot's nightstand." Gilbert nodded at the young boy. "Hey I need to talk to Elliot and my dad alone for a moment." Leo said, looking at his aunt.

"Alright. I'm going to call your uncles Rufus and Arthur. Tell them what's happening." Lacie said, escorting Jack and her daughters from the room. Break, however, skipped over to Leo and handed him a lollipop.

"Get well soon kid." He said before leaving. He shut the door behind him and the two men looked down at the boy.

"That fight was uncalled for, there were things you both shouldn't have said. I'm personally offended by those words. You both were unnecessarily throwing words around at one another and hurt everyone's feelings. Breaks not a one-eyed weirdo. Elliot's not deformed and it's not right to say he's the laughing stock of the organization. After all dad he did choose to work under you instead of his family organization. Leo turned his head from his father to Elliot. "My family's not murders and not the laughing stock of Pandora and Crimson Shell."

"I know, I'm sincerely sorry Leo." Elliot said, squeezing Leo's hand.

"I am not, I spoke the truth and I'd speak it again. I do not like him and I don't trust him."

"Elliot's my boyfriend, I trust him and I love him dad."

"You have no idea what love is." Oswald glared at Elliot. "This scaled boy has been with women his whole life, why would he suddenly love with a boy Leo? Your too good for him."

"No I'm not. You don't know how I feel, I really do love him. He would miss me if I died tonight." Leo said, about to finish when Elliot interrupted him.

"Don't say that…your strong enough. You'll form a contract with Humpty and you'll live with us forever. You'll be our ring leader and you'll be our brother." Elliot said, tears falling down his eyes.

"That wouldn't work, Leo had no prior communications with Humpty. It would end up with the same deal as Dormouse."

"He could make the contract through me. My bloods tainted with the contract. If he consumes mine it's the same thing except safer."

"I will not have my son consume the blood of a reptile."

"I never consumed Dormouse's blood." Leo said. "If I had, would he be in a legal contract?"

"There would have steps to take." Oswald answered.

"Can't you just let him do this, please. I don't want to see Leo die again. After the Shion thing I couldn't bare to see him die again." Elliot growled, squeezing Leo's hand tighter.

"He can make a contract with Raven, Equus, Duldum, or Leon. He's worked with them and understands how they act." Oswald said.

"What if I talked with Humpty? I mean I've seen him and talked to him. Maybe I can get to know him." Leo said, sitting up with Elliot's help.

"Your going to sleep before anything. You need strength to make the contract." Oswald said, lightly pushing Leo back down and glared at Elliot, whom held Leo up.

"Let him talk." Elliot growled.

"Stop, that hurts." Leo said with a flinch.

"Sorry Leo." Elliot said and laid the boy down. "He's right. You should get some rest, tomorrow's another big day." Elliot said and kissed Leo's stained lips.

"Fine, that's all I can do now." Leo said and Oswald covered him up, Elliot fluffing his pillows. Oswald bent down and kissed Leo's forehead. The two men walked toward the door, opening it and flipping off the light. The light from the hallway illuminated the room. "Love you both." Leo called, the men turning to see Leo smiling at them. "Kill that damned Jabberwocky okay." He smiled, both men returning it and nodded. "Good-night." Leo yawned, turning to face the other direction. Walking out of the room Elliot and Oswald looked at each other with glares.

"For Leo, we stop fighting for him." Elliot said, holding up a fist. Oswald continued to glare, but brought his hand up and bumped fists with Elliot.

"For my son." Oswald said and they walked down to the stairs.

A/N: One more chapter, hope you enjoy it