24 continued following 25, staring at her long hair flowing in the breeze and the hood following with it. He was near hypnotized state, just making his feet plod along by force. She paused slightly and pointed, "You see that camp? That is not a Beast's home. That is a home of something organic…something living."

24 shook his head slightly, removing himself from his near-drooling state. He stared in a direct line from her finger to the site, gasping. There were make-shift camps, a dying fire and a few scraps of remaining food. Tiny rats were trying to pick up as much as they could from the little food that was left over. "There's got to be something intelligent out here to make something like that."

"Wow…" 24 told, amazed.

Back at the library, the other teens were forming together one last time before the morning hours approached. 15 stared to Walker, giving him a tiny wave as he passed them carrying an arm full of armor. He limped on his other hand, looking a bit pathetic as he moved along. Owl spotted him and rushed to his side, helping support him.

Pi stared to 15, the two standing side by side. "15…did 25 ever tell you why we're doing this?"

"She told me it's because we deserve to get our land back from the Beasts." 15 told, holding a rose petal close to her chest. "After seeing Walker crippled, even in an acclaimed time of peace, she started to get this idea that every Beast had to be completely eradicated so nobody would ever get hurt again…"

Pi huffed, "She sure is rash. But I'm glad she's doing this. We could use a break from those things."

The two watched Theta training with 7, the two clashing staffs with one another. "so why is he coming with us? Why is Walker coming with us?"

"They've not had experiences like the others. They were very secluded and so she's giving them a chance to fight for their family."

"She's insane I'll give her that." Pi told, rolling her optics slightly. 15 sighed gently as she walked away. She knew her cousin was a bit, eccentric but she wasn't insane at all. 5 saw his daughter standing alone and hummed, "Sweetie are you okay?"

"Yeah dad…hey did you ever find out what was wrong with 25?" She asked slightly, holding her petal tighter. 5 shook his head slightly, "Not really..."

They were silent, the birds twittering about in the plants above. A few fluttered down and picked seeds off the ground. 15 watched them, hoping to give her father a silent signal. 5 understood and backed off, walking toward his wife.

115 and H1N1 took turns passing a small portable weapon to one another, "so are you ready for this at all?" He asked her, staring at her ears slightly.

"Not really." She admitted, careful not to scratch the metal of the flail with her giant claws. Her tails twitched, sniffing slightly. "I just hope we're not going to get into a lot of trouble."

"With our leader? We may just get away safely…" He told, giving a chuckle. "Come on, we need rest."

"All right." She told, passing up 6 and 13. The two were silently pondering where their son might be. "he's been gone for a while…" They spotted 22 and 13 gripped her arm tightly, "22, please could you go find them?"

"I'm sorry but…we need to give them time to be alone. This is their last night of real rest and solitude. Nothing terrible will happen under the sanction of 0's gardens." She gripped 13's hand and gave a giant smile, "Don't worry. They will be fine."

"I…I trust you."

Kayia and Tobias were still debating, over the issue of their mother now. "I'm telling you, she's alive and well brother."

"You've always lived in a fantasy world sister!" He yelled back, shaking his fists and moving his arms violently. She paused and growled, her face scowling and her stance powerful. The two locked eyes, neither one moving an inch. 999 spotted this from far away and tugged on 1000's arm. "Lookie at that 1000. Those two are going at it again. Always fighting. I swear, they are siblings. They need to learn to get along."

1000 chuckled, inhaling on his lit cigarette. "You obviously have never had a sibling before have you?"

999 just looked to him with a spark of anger in her eyes still, silently hoping for the best from them.

As the two went back to their daily routine, Walker sighed sitting down on a felled plant stalk. After Theta had completed his morning training, he spotted the crippled doll and sat next to him. "Hey there Walker." There was a tiny smile on his face. Ever since the two had met, they were instant friends with a brotherly relationship. Walker just gave another long almost depressed sigh. "What's wrong?" Theta asked.

"Look at me. I'm crippled. I was considering going with the kids but…" He kicked his cane that was flat on the ground before him and watched his limp leg flop about.

Theta watched with sad eyes as the tallest stitch punk reached down and gripped his support. He pat him on the back and attempted to encourage him. "Walker, you have to come. 25 knows you have potential in you. Why 0 told me that every soul has that! And look at you, yours was ripped our twice. Mine, I hardly had one. Look at us now. We're almost free! You can't back down now."

"No…" Walker told, holding his head up and blinking his black optics toward the skies. "No I can't. I've got to do this. For the children!" He looked at his clasped fingers and gave a brief breath, "And for my wife."

Theta smiled, "She's getting the flyers ready. She estimates that they'll all have a mount by the time they reach the first target."

Walker pointed to him as he began to rise up, fully standing with his hand on the cane. "Excellent. Can you come with me? I have to show you something 5 and I have been making."

They passed up Jack who was still at it, trying to get 15 and 26 to come near him. "Come on girls. Just for once can you listen to me?" His voice echoed toward 37, who was in the midst of attempting to court Pi. He huffed when hearing this, for it threw off his act. He stomped over to Jack and stuck a finger in his one glass optic. "Now listen here you tramp! I've had enough of this!"

"What?" Jack asked back, trying to mimic the boy's accent. The two growled at one another until 37 crossed his arms. "I am trying to make conversation to a woman I care about and all I can focus on is your petty ranting and moaning over two charming ladies." 15 and 26 looked to each other, giggling slightly with hands in front of their mouths. Jack looked stunned. He shook a fist toward the other male. "Now listen! I don't have a girl like you. I was just trying. We've all had a good laugh. Now just let me…" He was about to say something when he tripped over a tiny rock and fell straight on his face. The sound of breaking glass filled the air and instantly 15 was by his side. "are you okay?"

When Jack rose up, his large glass optic was swinging off its hinges and fell into tiny pieces. She sighed, "I'm going to have to use dad's shop again. Come on 26, let's go help him out."

37 huffed as Jack gave him a tiny smirk. The two eyed one another down until the injured doll was out of sight. Pi came into the area and asked, "What's going on."

"Nothing my dear. Just a bunch of ninnies and rubbish. Good riddance."

SN stepped near 0 and held out a few flowers. "These are a gift for you, going into the new battle plans like that."

"Flowers?" 0 asked holding them out. "Why my dear, I thought that was you." She dropped the buds just to see the striped girl trying to sneak off. She gulped and twiddled her fingers together. "R-really?"

"Yes didn't 25 assign you?" "I'm not sure why she did. I'd not be of any assistance to any of them."

"You would and you will." 0 rose her chin up and kissed her forehead, "Be calm, stay focused. Think of what good this will do. She picked you out for a reason. I know you'll do great."

Miu hummed, thinking of her brother's disappearance. She checked the shadow clock in the garden and sighed, "they've been gone for half an hour. I'm going to go check on them." She saluted to 700. "Permission to check on the captain?"

"Granted soldier. And give him an extra kick for me."

"Actually I have a better idea…"

In the meantime, 24 and 25 were starting to come back towards the Library. 24 couldn't believe it. His face was struck with awe and almost a hint of terror. He watched 25 skip from rock to rock with her child-like luster. She looked back at him, her head cocked and eyes flashing a bit. "What's wrong? You've been like this for days now 24. With that blank stare set in your eyes."

He gulped, hitting his own head with a hand. She giggled, "And clumsy." The two stared deep into one another's eyes. Soon they found each other in a kiss. 24 clenched his fingers tightly together and closed his eyes. He reached into his makeshift pocket and gulped down a huge amount of air.

Little known by the two standing in a secluded circle of plants, the other members of the team were gathered around. 24 opened his eyes and parted the two. "Oh 25…you're just so amazing. No wonder 0 entrusted you with this mission as our leader. She made a right choice." He brushed a finger through her hair, easing himself slightly. The two looked at each other for a bit. "And my mind is made up. 25 if you're leader, you're going to need someone to back you up. And I want to be that someone! I want to be with you, forever."

"That's sweet…" She whispered, caressing his neck as she held him. He fought back temptation and pushed her away gently. She looked a bit offended until he started to lower down on one knee. He reached into his pocket with shaky hands and told in a nervous voice. "S-so before this all happens I just want to ask you something."

"Yeah?" She asked, her eyes unconsciously flashing over the events at hand. "W-will you m-m-marry me?" He opened the tiny box unveiling a crudely shaped ring with a beautiful faux diamond in the center. 25 smiled widely at this, picking him up and squeezing him. "Yes you fool! Of course!"

"Yeah!" Miu told as the others stormed in. 115 punched 24 slightly and smirked, "Nice going." 700 scoffed, "What took you so long?" Walker beamed, holding Owl. "I love weddings. Looks like we'll have a nephew-in-law!"

25 whistled a bit, "Okay guys settle down. Don't forget we still have to pack."

The rest gave a groan. "Aw come on. It's a happy day. Why can't we just celebrate tonight?" Jack told in his half-sarcastic tone. 25 scowled for a minute, making them tense but she sighed. "Okay. But just for tonight. We leave absolutely no excuses tomorrow morning."