Dead Man Down

by MidnightAngels1234

Don't Touch Me 2 Six months have passed since their world went to hell. And just when things are starting to patch themselves up...it all falls apart again. A new threat has come to invade Irk and it is bigger than ever. Operation: PAK Virus Theory, no one is meant to survive and every last Irken shall fall. Will anyone survive this, will they want to survive by the end of it all?

35. End of the Line I fcking Cried

A/N: My god this is the longest chapter I've written in my writing career. But it's jam packed full of feels and awesomeness. So I can't tell you guys how much I cried writing this chapter, but I think I cried the hardest for the most unexpected part that I'll explain next chapter. So yes, I even hate myself right now. It's ok to hate too XD. Vacation was great but I was ready to be home. And I hope you guys enjoy.

The major song I listened to for this song is Phoenix and Thnks Fr th mmrs by Fall out boy and Never too late plus Last to know by Three days grace. Look them up! They fit this chapter perfectlllyyy! Also my phone has no service...wonderful, so I won't get your texts or reviews until i figure my dumb ass machinery out! D8

I don't own IZ but I sure do own the feels all of you will experience in a moment.

review responses: Fritter Critter: Cari does need to get that letter to Zim, but sadly doesn't but you'll see. So yes we all think liao's gonna be there hero but YOU'LL JUST CRY INSTEAD. Oh btw Reth and Valenth are in this chapter with a pretty big part but I didn't know where to add them at the very end, so they're apart of the remaining five, just so you know. :) Cry with me lover XD

IR: Thank you! I had a blast but I was definitely ready to come home. I hope you enjoy this chapter but it is WAYYYYY long so I wish you luck on staying sane enough to read it all :D. Hope you're doing well since I haven't been able to review respond to you lately XD.

Last three at the bottom.

So I gotta say out of all my chapters I'm actually labeling this one as my all time favorite chapter. What about you guys? Have a favorite chapter yet? TELL ME!

I also set up a pole in my profile! I have to edit it now after this chapter but please vote so I know who I should destroy! :D.

~Cry with me

---

Early that morning Moon smoothly walked away from his office. He hadn't slept at all, yes he still looked refreshed and clean. It was surprising seeing the circumstances he and his crew were in. With the Irken empire willing to fight back and Jax being obsessed with a woman nothing seemed to be working for him at the moment, yet he looked calm and professional; for it being so early in the morning that is.

Moments later he breathed a sigh of relief. The sweet sound of silence made his antenna ring pleasantly, giving him comfort that maybe this morning might not be as hellacious as any other morning he's dealt with in the last half of year. His goal destination was the group meeting room, where he and a few other high ranking leaders in the process would meet up to discuss the stats of the empire crumbling and what would need to be improved with the oncoming attack that the Tallest were willing to issue out. Six months after the whole ordeal started of course.

Nearly half way to his destination he was abruptly interrupted by none other than Jax, yelling in anger and excitement as he sprung out of his room and into the hallway. Moon's brown was now furrowed as his sweet silence was shattered into tiny pieces and Jax yelling would most likely arouse the rest of the crew in this corridor causing more frustrating noise to further ruin his morning, "WHAT exactly are you doing you pompous imbecile?!"

"First of all," Jax said in a rather loud voice, causing Moon's antenna to curl up in sensitivity, "SOMEONE threw a lit match into my bed this morning, causing me to wake up not at all pleasantly," Moon snickered at that. Jax was stupid when it came to people trying to kill him. Teri was probably still on the ship, probably still even in Jax's room, now just making it a goal to either kill him or mess with his mind constantly, "What're you laughing about?"

"Nothing, Jax please continue."

"Well other than that it is Irksmas, and I for one would LIKE to finally receive my present!"

"Isn't that rather childish? Or should I just be concerned as usual?"

"Nope, but Tabitha should," Jax grinned sadistically, twitching his antenna in uncontrollable excitement as his paced around in place.

"Well before you wake the rest of the damn crew up, I suggest you scrounge up some kind of decency and put on some clothes!" He looked down at him and frowned, noting that he WAS still in his singed underwear.

"Funny, I thought I fell asleep with all my clothes on last night..."

"Should I be concerned now?" Moon sighed, rolling his eyes at his clones absolute stupidity.

"Probably," Jax nodded.

"Just get out of my sight, and don't address me again until you are fully decent and a little more quiet!" He seethed, snapping slightly as he continued in scorning his 'second in command,' "And lest we forget, merry Irksmas and a happy destroyed empire. Bah humbug."

Jax grinned upon hearing this as his antenna slicked back in mischief, "And what a merry Irksmas it is." He scampered back into his room not seconds later and slammed the door excruciatingly hard making Moon's antenna curl up again. He hated loud noise and he especially hated that his creation could be so stupid and act mostly off instinct. It sickened him. He was a genius, an evil genius no less and this is his best work? This is what he's spent his life wanting to destroy yet feeling the need to protect, this was the proud result of all his research? It made him seem pathetic, or worse, defective. And there was no room for error in his plans, which made Jax an even bigger nuisance that he was forced to constantly deal with.

Not long later Moon found himself within the comfort of the control room, watching multiple screens carefully to see if there was something he was doing wrong. If colonies of live Irkens were somehow surviving, he had to find a way to get it through to his 'less than aware' creations so they had a target, and didn't just wander around hissing and starving themselves to death.

Just when the gears in his head started turning and he could feel a brilliant idea coming on, he was once again disrupted by none other than of course: Jax. Moon growled and slammed his fist down on the control panel before slicking his antenna back on his head again, trying not to seem annoyed but rather calm to his idiotic brother, "Well it's nice to see you found your clothes," he remarked in a snarky manner. Jax just grinned childishly in return, waiting for Moon to continue, "If you're here for the stats then you'll have to wait, all other leaders canceled the meeting except for Burg, so we'll just be sharing with him today and if you hadn't noticed he's not exactly awake yet."

"When WILL he be awake?" Jax grumbled, looking crestfallen now that he wasn't getting what he wanted.

"How the hell should I know, I'm not his keeper!" He spat, causing Jax to roll his eyes at his brothers very short temper.

"What a lovely sense of humor you have Moon..."

"Shouldn't you be out shooting puppies or something? Why is it that you have the need to continuously bother me while I am working!" Moon snapped back, glaring at Jax with bared teeth and a nasty snarl.

"Well I was going to ask about stats but now another topic has sparked my curiosity," Moon sighed, face palming as Jax paused to tell him the reason he was really here, "Has she contacted you yet? I'm getting seriously impatient and I want to know when my present will be here!"

"What do you want a candy cane and a teddy bear to go along with your childish behavior? You're 'present' will get here when it gets here. As for the contact, then yes she has set everything up with me and we will be initiating the plan as soon as possible." Jax smiled brightly as his antenna bounced in excitement again, "So stop wetting your pants about it."

"Like I could," Jax scoffed, pretty much ignoring Moon's snarky comments as he hopped the railing and nearly shoved Moon out of the way upon seeing Burg sauntering into the room. In tow was Phoenix chained by the wrists.

He wasn't looking very good, the only clothes he had on was a long T-shirt that didn't fit correctly, his eyes were dull and pitiful, bruises and bite marks covered every inch of exposed skin and he was walking with a limp just trying to keep his head held high with pride. Surprisingly, his antenna were left untouched and his face was not bruised at all.

"Finally!" Jax exclaimed, Burg just glared at him before yanking on Phoenix's chain, causing the Irken to fall to his knees, groaning in pain.

"Must you bring it in here?" Moon sighed, motioning to Phoenix whom was staying unnaturally silent, "If he gets away with this information-"

"He won't," Burg insisted, "I unlike some people don't give my slaves the chance for rebellion," The statement was aimed towards Jax but held very little mockery and threat in it.

Jax just shrugged and made a snarky comment back, "At least mine look better." He stared at the male Irken without mercy or compassion, just judging him thoroughly like he was a piece of prey waiting to be attacked.

"At least mine preform better, and don't tend to rebel...or escape."

"Ladies please," Moon snapped, interrupting the boys little scuffle, "If you're done comparing dicks, I'ld like to get on with this meeting."

Burg merely growled and silently glared at Moon whereas Jax immaturely stuck his tongue out at the males and crossed his arms impatiently, "Stats?" Burg finally said, interrupting the short lived silence.

Moon nodded and turned back to the brightly flashing monitors, tapping a few buttons on the touch screen and pulling up a bar graph with various pictures and videos to go along with it. He put both hands on the screen and pushed all the pictures, videos and graphs away from him, so that they were hanging weightlessly in the air surrounding the other men.

He pointed to the first screen with the bar graph on it, "It seems to me that 80% of Irk has been suppressed and less than a fourth of the worlds population remains alive."

"What about the Tallest?" Jax asked, scanning the screens and tapping his chin like he himself was a computer, analyzing data with a flick of his eyes.

"They're trying to form a rebellion but lets be logical here men, the Tallest are spineless fools who wouldn't get off their asses unless donuts were involved," Both Jax and Burg grinned and nodded in slight humor.

"Any new captives," It was Burg whom has spoken up this time, noting that Phoenix had curled up behind a monitor, not wanting to hear anymore about the destruction of his race and planet.

"Oh there will be," Jax smiled, antenna twitching giddily. Burg gave him a look of suspicion before turning back to Moon for actual answers.

"What my idiot of a brother means to say is that we're drawing out a new group today and they will be taken in as slaves, if you need a new one-."

"No," Burg interrupted also immediately, "But I'd like another to add to my collection."

"Of course," said Moon, scanning the Vortarian accusingly, "By tonight you can pick another."

"When will the attack be?" Burg questioned, letting his eyes wander to the screens over viewing the city.

"Oh I'm listening for this part," Jax purred sadistically, his eyes nearly quivering in excitement.

"We're thinking within the hour," Moon answered, ignoring Jax completely at this point, "Though we should move out now to 'set up' if we may."

"You'll need bait."

"No, that's all been settled," Moon responded, cracking his knuckles and stretching out his back, "I have all the bait I need."

"What about onlookers?" Moon's antenna perked upon hearing this, "We could use the slaves, maybe scare them out of trying to get away?"

"You're a genius!" Moon declared, causing Jax to roll his eyes thinking, "Suck up," by a long shot, "Hey dumbass," Moon called out harshly, addressing Jax whom cringed at the name and glowered at his brother, "Alert the guards of this idea and gather the slaves in the main selection office."

Jax said nothing as he stalked off, antenna snapped back in jealousy and anger, "This isn't an Irkens job," He thought angrily, "Stupid Vortarians."

Once gone, Moon turned back to Burg and smiled, "How's the slave?"

"Fine, though he doesn't talk anymore, I think I beat it out of him," Burg shrugged looking over at Phoenix whom was still silently curled up behind a monitor.

"Well what happened to your screamer?" Moon pondered, wondering how he started out with two males and now only drug around one.

"I shot him," Said Burg like it was no big deal, "this one does just fine when it comes to screaming," He then kicked Phoenix in the ribs, making an inhumane yelp come out of the poor male. Phoenix did not move once kicked he in fact just laid there breathing harshly and not making eye contact in fear of being struck down again, "He's usually louder when there isn't another Irken in the room," Burg mentioned, making Phoenix's antenna snap back angrily, though he still said nothing.

"Ah," Moon said, examining the larger male in interest, "Too proud. Well at least he's obedient, now come, we have to see if my stupid clone actually followed an order for once in his life."

Phoenix was yanked to his feet after that and slowly followed Burg out of the room, blushing at the fact that he was the topic of interest between the two dominating males. He'd thought about suicide to escape this hell but alas there was never a moment when he was left alone, nor was their anything he could use to carry out the deed.

He was in fact hopeless.

Just like the rest of Irk was about to be.

Tabitha's POV.

Zim and I sat at the table in silence; I was drinking coffee and he was attempting to force down the fourth batch of Irksmas tree pancakes I was forcing him to eat, "Are they at least good?" I asked, watching him choke for the third time that bite.

"Uhh...All I'll say is at least they're not waffles...Or filled with soap," he managed to reply, shuddering at the thought. I smiled a bit before snatching his fork to try my own creation. He sighed in relief and sat back, massaging his temples to relieve either a head ache or extreme stress.

"Where is Gir by the way?" I asked, quickly throwing the fork back at him in disgust, I really shouldn't cook, Jax was the cook of the relationship and he was a damn good one too.

Zim sighed and looked away, "I don't know, I haven't seen or heard from him since we were attacked back on Earth."

"That long?" I asked, shocked. He nodded making my expression soften toward him. The robot may have been annoying but he was Zim's side kick and it was clear he missed Gir.

"No worries though...he was JUST a robot."

"A good friend is what he IS," I smiled, grabbing Zim's hands from across the table, "But really Zim, are you doing ok with...all that's happened?"

"Of course not," He half choked half laughed, holding my hands like they were glass and that if he moved, they'd shatter in his grip, "But there's not much I can do about it."

"You can still be my annoying little brother," I offered, knowing the word 'little' would make him mad.

"OK," He growled, "I am only like a week younger than you!"

"Try a month love," I winked making his eye twitch in frustration.

"Whatever! At least I'm taller than you now!"

"Zim, I'm still an inch taller than you..."

"LIES," He snapped, standing up on his chair and glaring at me, "Prove to Zim that your lies are not lies...IF YOU DARE."

"Fine," I stood slowly and stepped so I was back to back with him. I already knew I was shorter but Zim was a tad bit oblivious sometimes. And I like seeing some Zim like life back in him.

"HA, Zim is right, he IS taller than you, LIAR!" I socked him in the arm for that, making him whimper and rub the sore spot, "I'm still superior!"

"Say that again, I dare you," I hissed, grabbing a frying pan and glaring at him.

"I'm still sup-" He was cut off when Cari's door opened up. She came out slowly, causing Zim to shut up and clear his throat in an almost shy manner.

"Cari, everything ok?" I asked, though her eyes were dead locked on Zim, whom was struggling to NOT make eye contact with her, "Cari?"

"I got a message," She said, like she was frantic about it, "It's Vex, he needs help and he's stuck in town..."

For a moment my heart stopped and I was silent as I stared at her, my chest was squeezing in agony and terror with the thought of losing Vex, "How long ago?" My voice came out a lot quieter then I had planned, causing me to sound violent.

"Just now," She answered, looking at me for the first time, though she looked away not a second later.

I said nothing but got up and hurried to make the others get up, "UP UP UP, my uncle is in trouble and we have to help him! GET UP!" I snapped, frantically rushing into their rooms and banging on their doors. I ran to get a coat not seconds later, struggling to not cry out in terror.

Lexy came out with a shot gun in hand, her eyes were still swollen over losing Liao and the grief that came after. I don't blame her, I've had to distract myself just so I would stop crying about it too.

I gave her a small reassuring smile that she didn't give back, she just quietly waited for Difetto and Areo to come out, "Areo?" I questioned, watching him lean on Difetto for support.

"Vex and I may not agree on everything, but I never question a bond," He glanced weakly at his brother, "Because I have a feeling that I know what kind of fear that's probably driving you crazy right now." I nodded at him respectfully before turning to see Zim trying to comfort Cari ,but she was rejecting him. He was attempting to wrap his arms around her and say comforting things to her but she just turned away from him, making his antenna fall in rejection.

"Where did you say Vex was?" I asked, stalking up to her threateningly, I was the oldest of the bunch therefore I still held the up most respect within our little group, only by a few months of course.

"Near the middle of town, by where the ball was held." She didn't make eye contact with me...

"Look at me Cari," I said, putting my hands on my hips. She snapped her gaze into mine with a glare as if daring me to challenge her more, "Vex near the ball, where we were first attacked, the danger zone with a baby? It seems pretty unlikely, care to explain?"

Still looking at me she responded, "How the hell should I know, I'm just the message deliverer," I scanned her expression but saw nothing but a cold woman whom USED to be my sister and my best friend.

Zim looked over at me desperately, "Show some respect," Areo hissed at her eventually, "She's giving you safety so I suggest you pull the stick out of your ass and step up to the plate."

"Hey," Zim snapped, but I put my hand up to stop him, wanting to see Cari's initial reaction.

"I don't see you helping in any way, now if I may," She glared at me, "I'm going to help my fathers best friend, with or without you."

I gritted my teeth for a second before hissing, "Then lets go."

She led the way, but I stayed back with a crestfallen Zim, making sure he knew at least one of us was there for him.

Vex's POV.

"What do we do now?" Sol said frantically. He'd been pacing for the past hour and a half and I was about ready to punch him.

"Well the first thing is not to panic," Jeb muttered, quietly re-wrapping his bloody stump of what is left of his arm. It was healing nice, and we luckily avoided infection but he was still having a hard time adapting to only having a stump there and having to use his other hand for everything. Especially dressing himself, he's spoken up about it before and I'm sure he'll complain about it again. I can't blame him though, he lost his daughter, I lost my wife we both have no one to bitch to anymore.

Mia was holding Angel, twitching her antenna nervously as she rocked my baby back and forth gently.

"Then what exactly should we do!?" Sol snapped, he hadn't exactly been right in the head since we discovered Areo was gone and Difetto was still missing.

"Devise a plan, what else?" Reth pitched in, ears twitching to alert him of any near by danger. He was peculiar, not talking much and not leaving that little Irkens side. Though when we needed him he sure was a good help and Mia has reported to me that Angel loves him, she rides him like a horse apparently. That's my daughter for you.

"Well thank you captain obvious!" Sol shouted, throwing his hands up in the air and bringing them back down to yank hard on his antenna.

"You're welcome lieutenant sarcasm," Valenth, the small Irken with Reth muttered causing Sol to glare harshly at her.

"Vex," The word caught my attention and brought me back to reality, but I didn't show and obvious signs that I had responded to it. Though in the end it wouldn't matter, the voice clearly came from Mia and she was in fact still blind, "please...your input could really help right now." She was still rocking Angel around and I could hear her yawning and giggling every once and a while for no reason but I still didn't respond to it. My body was not willing to do much of anything at this moment in time.

Everyone looked at me, pairs of piercing eyes, digging into my back straight into my conscience, trying to awaken me somehow. Yet, I managed to still stay silent, I hadn't even thought about moving until Oniumare-whom was currently sitting right next to me-reached out and tried to wrap her arm around mine.

It didn't take long before I jerked away from her and got up, walking over to Mia and gently taking Angel from her, "Vex," Sol said angrily, they were all still waiting for some kind of response, but I wasn't about to give them one, "We understand how you're feeling. But now is not the time to be grieving, we need your help and right now, you're nothing but dead weight. Please...we at least need to find shelter for Angel and Mia and Jeb."

My pupils narrowed as I ignored him and continued to walk away from the still burning wreckage that once represented our home, our salvation. I nearly had nothing now. Tabitha, Cari and Zim were gone, my...my wife, the love of my life...was gone, my life was gone and sooner or later we'll die anyways so why worry about it any more. The only reason I'm even moving right now is to find Angel some kind of safety. She's my child and I'll do anything to protect her.

"Um," Reth said, clearing his throat and glancing over at Valenth, "If we don't find safety soon...then Val and I will be going our separate ways."

"Leave?" Sol laughed, turning towards the large fuzzy creature, "To where? And how? We're lucky that we aren't stuck in the rubble of that mess!" He motioned to the burning building behind him, "Hell we're lucky that the walkers are too busy inside there to be out here attacking and eating our flesh!"

I halted at that, what exactly was he implying? That because I shot my wife and the walkers are most likely eating her, that she's distracted them so we can get away? He has the gall to say that? 'Stop it Vex, Sol is just as scared as you are. He just isn't thinking right' my inner me snapped, making it so I wouldn't strangle him now, but if he continued...

"Well," Reth interrupted again, "We'll be going back to our-well my-home planet, and I'll be taking Valenth with me."

"And how exactly do you expect to do that?" Sol hissed, "Is some ship just going to randomly appear above us and beam you back to you're oh so wonderful world?"

"Hey, Katterax is anything but wonderful. We have a feral side, only half of the planet is peaceful and we aren't exactly the biggest planet out there. Our species is already endangered because of your Irken world domination schemes, it has put fear and stress on my people and now female Drakaths aren't producing as many eggs so my species is slowly dying because of you people!"

"You're species isn't even know to Irken kind!" Sol spat, his antenna quivering in rage, "Your people have nothing to fear from my people, we only conquer the worthy planets!"

"What exactly are you implying!" Reth snarled, standing up and whipping his bladed tail around before slamming it down into the ground and snapping his ears back in anger, "My planet has the best technology known to alien kind! We aren't greedy, we're not selfish we don't pick and choose we don't conquer because we have. what. we. need. Obviously you Irkens don't, you're still animalistic, the only way you even function is because of a metal circle on your back! You're species is SO weak that without that damn piece of scrap metal, you'd still be crawling around submitting to every large animal you see!"

"Ok that's it!" Sol snapped, rolling his sleeves up and walking over to Reth whom stood up on two legs to become even taller, using his tail for balance and pushing out his hook like claws while baring his dagger sharp teeth at Sol.

"You have the nerve to take on a species that can kill you in three seconds?" Reth growled menacingly, blue eyes growing dark in rage, "You're a pathetic species."

"You still lay eggs, we clone."

"Because that's healthy," Reth scoffed.

"ENOUGH!" Mia screamed angrily, "You are both being such idiots right now! You scream and make noise and that happens to attract walkers, then you want to fight so you hurt each other giving you hardly any chance against OUR enemy, THE WALKERS, THE VORTARIANS, JAX and MOON!"

"This is not our fight!" Valenth cut in, protecting Reth's case, "You people just can't seem to figure it out!"

"You people!?" Mia snapped, "You're Irken too!"

"WELL I WISH I WASN'T!" Valenth snarled, causing Mia to get even angrier.

"Oh what we aren't good enough for you! You want to be a giant kitty cat with a tail blade! Is that what you want!"

"It'd be better than watching my whole race go down in flames!"

"Watch, that's a key word honey!" Mia snarled, "You haven't done one damn useful thing since you saved Zim's life!"

"I find that to be useful!" Valenth snapped, enraged now, "Why don't you take you're little boyfriend over there and get out of here! If you think you can handle it on your own. But oh wait, you rely on the group because you're blind!"

"Don't you dare insult her because of an injury!" Sol snarled, stepping in front of Mia and puffing out his chest like Irken males usually do when protecting their female.

"Don't yell at my best friend!" Reth roared, jumping in front of Valenth and digging his claws into the ground, "You may be a doctor but you are useless, you're Defective."

Silence followed that word, it was the worst word to be used against an Irken, whom built themselves off of pride. I sighed and glanced over my shoulder to see Sol grinding his teeth together and quivering in the worst rage known to Irken kind. He was absolutely seething, "Mia, I think it's time we leave." He finally said, so quite it was barley heard.

"What about Vex?" She asked, reaching for Sol's hand like she knew exactly where he was.

"He's just dead weight now, it's time we break away from the group and find our own salvation."

"I won't leave Angel, or Vex."

"But you'd leave me?"

"No."

"Aw having lover trouble?" Reth growled, he too was still thoroughly pissed off.

"Back off fur ball!" Sol hissed. Reth had had enough, he lunged out and slammed Sol into the ground. Sol in turn punched Reth in the face and kneed him in the gut. Reth rolled off and jumped back to his feet before swinging his tail around and slamming Sol into a near by building with the amount of force carried out in the tails muscle.

Sol slumped to the ground before wiping blood away from his lip and shaking his head a little bit. Reth growled at him before lunging again, this time Sol was ready and jumped up, kicking off the wall and landing hard on Reth's back. Instantly Reth started rearing and bucking and spinning so Sol grabbed his sensitive ears and yanked as hard as he could, causing Reth to shriek in anger.

Finally Reth rolled over, crushing Sol's leg in the process and kicking out at him as he sprung away. Sol cried out in agony before finding Reth's tail had cut a gash from his shoulder blade to his hip and it stung like a bitch. Reth shook out all the pulled out clumps of fur and pulled his ear down to lick since Sol's sharp claws pierced the flesh, causing it to start bleeding. "That all you got pussy cat?" Sol hissed, cracking his knuckles and reaching into his back pocket to pull out a knife, "Because you just pissed me off."

"Sol, please stop it!" Mia shouted. She'd been shouting the whole time but I was only focusing on their fight. It was just a scuffle and Reth could've killed Sol by now just as much as Sol could've killed Reth. They were nearly equally matched. That and Sol was a fluent fighter, either that or he caught on quick. He fought like a boxer but new all the dirty tricks like a back alley boy, clearly he had quite the history.

Before I knew it, the two had started attacking each other again. Reth knocked the blade out of Sol's hand and Sol in turn boxed Reth's ears making him rear back with a scream of pain. Sol lunged in that moment, taking the giant horse like creature to the ground with him and going in to strangle him but was knocked away by Valenth tackling him. "Get away from him!" She snarled, kicking Sol in the gut as he shoved her off and threw himself back at Reth, whom was recovering from the ringing in his ears.

Reth in pure self defense, lashed out with his tail again, knocking Sol into the pavement. Sol grunted as he slammed down but quickly recovered and jumped for his nearby blade. Valenth was faster though, she kicked it away from him and tripped him as Reth bound of and jumped onto Sol from behind, bringing them to the ground again.

Sol flailed and managed to round house kick Reth away from him but not without his own damage. Because he instantly hissed in pain and snapped his hand down to his thigh were there was most likely a pulled muscle. He kept going though, jumping forward and going in to punch Reth but psyching him out the last second and ducking to elbow him in the gut.

Reth snarled and bat Sol hard in the side with his front paw, keeping enough self control to keep his sharp claws sheathed, knowing very well that he'd kill the Irken if he fought with them.

Valenth went in to attack Sol while he was dizzy but now Oniumare jumped in and shoved the youngster away. Reth jumped at her but she just turned and slammed her fist into Reth's jaw, causing a sharp tooth to fly out with a small spurt of blood. She snapped her fingers seconds later and Reth was stuck frozen in the air along with Valenth, "You are acting ridiculous!" She snapped, "Valenth, you must be a respectful fighter and know that this was not your fight, nor is it right to attack a man when he is down! Sol you're a complete fucking idiot for even trying to attack a species that is built off of self defense and control! He could have killed you and RETH," She continued, black eyes blazing with anger, "You are acting like a horrible role model for Valenth right now! Teaching her to beat your opponent to a pulp and play with him like he's a rag doll! It's sick! Two against one is sick! This fight is sick! Reth is barley injured, Sol has a bloody gash and Valenth! Mere scraps! I think this fight IS OVER."

Reth glared at her and licked his fur to push it down from it's bristly state after Oniumare set them down. We we're pretty much in the center of town by now seeing as the fight had moved when people started getting thrown into buildings. But surprisingly, there were no walkers. It confused me, this much noise should've attracted something, if not a walker than a Vortarian in the least.

Oni had turned to help Sol up as Mia rushed over to help, grabbing Sol's face and cussing loudly at him for being such an idiot. With that distraction Oniumare had in turn stood up and was now standing in front of me, "What the hell was that?" She hissed. I just looked at her, confused, "You are a guard Vex, what I saw there was not guard like. You sat there an did nothing while they beat the shit out of each other. You are acting like a hurt puppy just because Axel's gone! She warned you Vex, SHE warned YOU.But you merely ignored her and acted selfishly." My eyes narrowed at her as she continued, "She's dead, get over it. We've all lost something or someone important in this mess and the only person I see over reacting about it is you."

She was crying now, which I've not seen much from her, not while she's conscience that is. She wanted to get a response out of me, but I merely sat there and stared at her from the brink of my hat, casting a dark shadow over my angry face. She doesn't have a goddamed clue as to what any of us are going through. She can use magic and poof herself away, we are all ordinary, just trying to survive. And yet she has the gall to be insulting me, for grieving? "Answer me!" She sobbed, falling to her knees in front of me, "Say something! I just INSULTED you! So DO something about it!"

Her crying made Angel start crying, which of course made me mad as I stood up again and growled at her. I turned to come face to face with Jeb whom just looked at me, "I'm sorry." That was all he said.

I stared at him for a minute as my teeth clenched, my eyes had started watering and I hadn't wanted them too but before I knew it, I was shaking and frantically wiping tears away before they could fall. "She was my friend too, remember I introduced you guys." I nodded, though my teeth had started chattering from all the grief I was managing to hold back. He looked down at Angel whom was still crying and sighed, "May I help?"

My eyes narrowed a little bit, I still remembered that this WAS the man whom betrayed me and ruined my life...but it's not like any of that mattered now. I was free and left fighting to survive and he was still willing to help me, after all I did to him. So I slowly handed Angel over and he instantly started cradling her with one arm while gently humming to calm her down.

My throat felt dry, I didn't know what to say, I didn't think I could say anything at this point. But I wanted something to come out, not an apology since I had no regrets but just...something. He glanced up to see that I was in fact still shaking and trying hard to breathe normally, "It's ok to cry Vex," Jeb muttered quietly, "I cried too, when my baby died and when Axel died." I shook my head and covered my face in my hands as more tears started pouring out, I didn't want to be seen like this. Not in front of everyone.

I felt a nudge in my side and wiped enough water away from my face to pull my hands away and look over to see Reth slightly limping but sitting next to me with Valenth in between his front paws. Sol and Mia had managed to work their way over as well, both of them had shame all over their faces but in the end Mia just put her hand on my shoulder while grabbing Sol's hand with her free one, leaving him to lace their fingers together quietly.

Minerva and Oni had come over next, Oni was quiet as she stood by Jeb and Minerva was just calmly standing on Jeb's other side, looking down at the ground. "I think grief has become our groups strongest bond," Jeb said calmly, seeing as Angel had calmed down again, "And you don't have to hide the fact that you're hurting."

"What do you care?" I whispered hoarsely, blinking slowly and desperately, "You and I hate each other."

"I don't hate you," Jeb said blinking his dark purple eyes the same way, "We both made mistakes. But you saved me when I could've bled out and died at the ball," He motioned to his arm while readjusting Angel to do so, "And right now, I think you need me just as much as I needed you then."

My eyes shook with emotion as he nodded sadly at me, "You're still that kid I used to play video games and study with."

"And yer still that kid that never wanted ta go out and hit on the ladies," I choked, making him smile, "But ya still found one fer me."

"Well I sure as hell wasn't interested, I met her in astrophysics, you were mentioned and from that exact moment I knew she was interested in you. So I got you two together, she made you sane and you made her crazy." I nodded with a small laugh. Only silence filled the space where I felt like words should be coming out until Mia let go of me and wrapped her free arm around Sol. He cringed in a tad bit of pain before wrapping his free arm back around her, both burying each other's faces in each other's necks.

"I love you," I heard Sol murmur to Mia whom only hugged him tighter.

"I love you too," She whispered back.

"I make you sane."

"And I?" Mia smiled a little bit, leaning her forehead against his to let him finish.

"And you make me crazy," Sol purred, smiling lovingly at her. I recognized that look and I knew exactly where it led. So I tried not to pay attention to that statement as Sol nuzzled her face and leaned in, pressing his lips against hers gently. I was going to interrupt said actions until I heard Jeb's voice again, though it was very tense.

"Vex," He said, I looked up to see him looking over my shoulder and when I turned around my heart flew into my throat.

"Tabitha?" I whispered.

(LOVE ME PSYCHOCHICKEN! XD I DID IT FOR YOU! LOOOOLLLL)

Liao's POV.

Bright lights slammed into my vision startling me awake from the small doze I was in. But now I was throwing myself off the stone bed thing and sprinting down the hall that I could now see. It was time to leave and I was ready. I had to get back to Lexy and I had to make sure Tabitha was ok. Lexy probably thinks I'm dead by now, but I can't let her fall into this alone, so one way or the other, I will get back to her, no matter what it takes. She's my sister and my only family: I love her and I'm not stopping until I get to her.

"Legacy!" I shouted, looking around relentlessly as I plowed out of the stone building.

"I'm coming!" He shouted, leaning shirtless out a stone window and wincing at the bright light, "Just hold on please." I nodded and looked away when I saw a pair of arms wrap around his stomach and tug him away from the window.

Soon I started pacing around in front of my 'house' thing. I was ready to go and I was ready now. It was taking too long for legacy to get out here! But he was coming, he said he was...and now I was just panicking...I really needed to slow down for a minute. So sighing, I sat down and clapsed my hands in my lap trying to think of something else to distract me.

I thought of that man I saved, wondering if he was ok. I thought of Tabitha, wondering if she was grieving for me, or searching for me, though I hoped she was just staying at the house taking care of herself and protecting Lexy. Oh Irk, I started thinking about Lexy again.

A small whine escaped my throat as I yanked on my antenna to get my mind off of her, 'calm down, you'll be with her again soon,' I thought, biting my tongue as I scorned myself. My crazy side was screaming that she was alone and defenseless with out me but my sane side told me that she knows where the guns are and she knows how to use them. She'd be ok.

"Liao," It was Legacy.

I jumped up and turned to see him rubbing his eyes and carrying my duffel toward me, "Shadow and I packed a few more items in there for you that we hope will come in handy in your journey. She also wanted to say goodbye but she won't be out in time to do so." I nodded as I reached for the duffel, sighing in relief once it was once again in my care.

"Tell her thank ya fer me please." He nodded and yawned, shaking his face tiredly, "Did she keep ya up?"

"Mmhmm," He smiled slightly, "In a good way though." I smiled back slightly and nodded, "We should move out soon, I don't want any noise going on down here when I let you out." I nodded again as I followed him slowly through the first maze of lit up tunnels, then there was another and ANOTHER before he halted by a dead end.

"Will ya be ok?"

"I was going to ask you the same thing," He chuckled, turning to me slowly, "We'll be fine down here. Get back to your family and be safe," He stuck his hand out and I stuck mine out so we shook hands like gentlemen before he opened a hatch, letting the grey light of dawn filter in, "May god light your path."

"Same ta you," I said, stepping out and peering around for any immediate danger. I glanced back at Legacy before taking a few more steps out into the open.

"You'll be safe for about a block, we've worked a few months on blocking this alley way from any biters," Legacy called out gently.

"Thanks," I sighed, letting my guard down slightly, "Hey jus' one more question." Legacy's antenna perked to show he was listening, "What do you want? Boy or girl?"

He smiled with a gentle chuckle and thought for a second, "I know most people want a male as their first child, to protect the younger siblings if any but I've always wanted a girl. Shadow has decided that is MUST be a boy from the amount of kicking it's doing but I personally just think it's a very sassy girl." I laughed at this, looking at my hands.

"How exactly do ya...know, what ya want an' all?"

"There should be a feeling deep inside that says this is what I want. Or you may just prefer one sex from the other. Usually you have an idea of what you want before the actual deed is carried out." I nodded slowly, thinking for a while. There was so many questions I wanted to ask, but I didn't exactly know how, "Liao," I looked back up at him, "You'll know. And everything will be ok. Just be relaxed."

I gave him a questioning look for a minute before glancing at my duffel bag, "You looked through my stuff?"

"No, Shadow and I noticed your stuff while packing you food and extra ammo if you'll need it. We only had shot gun shells, but you look like the type who has a shot gun lying around somewhere. So who's the lucky lady?"

"Well I don't know yet, I'm just concerned and curious."

"Well what do you want?" I stared at him for a moment just thinking before lowering my antenna.

"It's not my choice," Legacy quirked an eye brow at me, "It was just someone I used to know. I worry about her."

"Used to know?" He questioned, "Irken pregnancies only last six months at most, was this a spur of the moment thing?"

"No, it's not even mine! I don't even know if it exists!" I defended, "I'm just concerned because of the signs, I am just assuming, it's not fact." his face fell into an 'oh' expression as he gave me a thoughtful look.

"My advice is to just fill the role of the missing counter part."

"Oh he's not missing," I growled, flattening my antenna, "Thanks anyways Legacy. If we ever meet again I'll be excited to see if you got what you wanted or not." He nodded and silently waved at me as I turned around and continued to walk away, lost in my own thought.

"Do you know the way ta tow-," I turned to ask but what I saw shocked me. There was just nothing, the wall was completely metal and stone, it was just a wall, "Legacy?" I breathed, dropping my stuff and running back, "Legacy!" I ran my hands along the wall, but it was just a wall, there were separate stones and some crumbling debris that tricked down onto the front of my shirt, "What?" I exclaimed, 'was that in my mind? How could it be in my mind if I'm still alive!, "Legacy!" I shouted again, pounding my fists on the walls. I just had to know if he was real, he HAD to be real.

However I didn't exactly have the time to really digest the thought when a large stone fell, causing me to shout and jump back in surprise. More stones fell after it and before I knew it there was a miniature landslide in front of the wall I just came out of. "That was real, it had to be real!" I growled at myself, lunging over to my bag and opening it. The only things in there is what I had stuck in and a box of my own ammo that I brought, it only had to shot gun shells left. The food that was in there was from that store I got stuck in during this fiasco but they could've just raided the same place right? Maybe I dropped all my ammo when Legacy saved me and he just gave me what they had left. They surely don't own guns down there, they've no need to.

I tugged on my antenna for a second, questioning my own mentality before catching movement with my peripheral vision. My head snapped to the side to get the whole over view of what I was seeing.

More Vortarian soldiers walking through the streets, guns in hands and chains attached to their upper arms, not tight but more just there as a support system. I watched as a couple large Vortarians shoved people along before realizing that they were shoving along Irken survivors. My eyes nearly popped out of my skull as I saw children being treated horribly and shoved to the ground when they couldn't keep up with their parents.

One young kid in particular had a leg injury that was still bleeding, she was limping and trying to not put any weight on the leg but with the jack asses shoving her every few seconds she had to, making her collapse to the ground, "Get up," One Vortarian hissed, kicking the child as she growled at them, "I said, GET UP," He growled again, grabbing her by her antenna and jostling her to her feet again.

I growled angrily before taking a couple steps toward them. I wanted to interrupt but I didn't want to get caught and I didn't know if I could run fast enough to get away from the Vortarians, or their guns, so I had to watch as they shoved this child around making her catch up to the other Irken captives faster then a healthy Irken could.

I couldn't watch any longer as I jogged away from the scene, if I didn't have a family to get home to I would've tried to help but I can't risk my own safety right now, not when there's so much on the line. Then I thought about the possibility that my house had already been found and my family had already been taken. The thought startled me so much that I started sprinting towards home, I had to see, I had to make sure Lexy was ok.

I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I heaved great breaths but I was so scared of the 'what ifs' that I couldn't let myself stop. I'd been gone far too long and if my family was gone then there was nothing left for me. I'd have to find them there wouldn't be another way. And with the little supplies I have left it'd be a suicide mission.

The alley's through town were like a maze, they all looked the same and they all stretched for what felt like miles but one factor disturbed me more than anything. There were no walkers anywhere in sight, and I can't say I was exactly being stealthy as I pounded my way through the city.

As I ran I noticed more Vortarian patrols around with some Irken traitors mingling with them, all holding guns, all moving slaves, all heading in one direction. Something big was bound to happen if not today then some day soon. It was a frightening thought but this must be the final blow of the whole operation, to sever the Irken race entirely.

I kept working through the city before I just near the city boarder lines into the woods, there I saw a small group of Irkens pressed together in a tight circle. It was my group. I saw my Lexy and Tabitha and even the man I saved! It was a feeling of relief like no other as I blindly sprinted out into the open towards my family, "Tabitha!" I shouted, surprised my lungs had enough air to even get words out.

I saw her face snap in my direction and a look of relief and glee washed over it, I had to say mine was probably looking the same. Tabitha started sprinting towards me as well, but as I continued to press towards her I saw another Ruby eye'd Irken step out, shouting something and pointing towards a large building.

By the time I realized what he said it was too late. He'd dove to grab Tabitha as something snapped around my leg and slammed me into the ground, dragging me backwards as I dropped the duffel and screamed in surprise. The words finally clicked in my head as whatever was on my leg squeezed into a tight coil.

He'd said, "It's a trap."

Narrator's POV.

Tabitha shouted in pain as Zim slammed her into the ground and in that moment another coil snare flared out from a stake in the ground and snapped around Zim's arm. He shrieked in fear as I snapped back, dragging him along the ground with it. His claws were digging into the metal as he tried to slow himself down but it was no use, it was just leaving scratch marks in the metal ground as the coil squeezed tightly around Zim's trapped arm.

Vex had also been caught in a trap. He was going for Tabitha as well when a third coil snapped around his neck, dragging him backwards and tightening leaving him to claw at the contraption as he gasped for air. His face was already starting to turn dark green from the hot metal squeezing down into his windpipe, leaving only a very limited space for air to come through.

"Scatter!" He managed to choke out as he thrashed on the ground, causing the coil to tighten again.

"Mia run!" Sol snapped, reaching into his belt and grabbing his activated sword. He ran to Vex and slammed the blade down into the coil, severing it enough to have it uncoil and let Vex free. He reached down to help Vex up before feeling a sharp pain slice through his thigh.

Blood splattered onto the ground as a shout of pure agony poured out of his throat and he fell onto his back, clutching the bullet hole that cut clean through his femur but shattered on the way out, leaving shrapnel pieces embedded in his skin. "Sol! SOL!" Mia cried out, hearing him in anguish but not being able to locate him with all the movement going on in the clearing.

"Tabitha get out of here!" Zim snapped, looking over at her from where he was trying to get his arm free, "GET OUT NOW!"

"No Zim!" Tab shouted, grabbing Lexy whom was trying to shove her away to get to Liao, "I can't leave you."

"PUT ME DOWN!" Lexy roared, nearly foaming at the mouth as Liao tried to free himself from the coil only causing it to tighten even more. "LET ME GO! LIAO! LIAO I'M HERE!"

"Run!" Liao shouted while pulling a PAK leg from his PAK and trying to burn through the coil, but it did nothing but make the metal hot and burn his skin. He cussed loudly and arched his back as his leg started losing circulation.

"Lexy get out of here!" Areo snapped, turning to Difetto whom had pulled Sol's stolen sword. Areo pulled the bow off his chest and grabbed an arrow from Difetto's bag before pulling the string back and aiming for a sniping Vortarian in the window. He let go of the string and watched in satisfaction as the arrow plunged through the Vortarians eye and out the other side of his head, causing his now dead body to fall five stories from the window and smack into the ground with a sickening thud.

He turned to Difetto whom was scanning the lot to find that there were more dangers than just the Vortarians and the traps. Walkers were now surrounding the area, just standing there hissing. His eyes were locked onto Mia whom was stuck in next to Jeb whom was holding Vex's baby.

"Go! I'll cover you!" Areo snapped, grabbing the bag off his brothers back whom nodded and sprinted out into the open. Areo grabbed three arrows and shot all three of them at once hitting three more Vortarians but only killing too. He struggled to make it out into the open even with the pain of the bullet in his side and kept firing at everything aiming or going near his little brother, "Difetto on your left!" Difetto's wrist then flicked out to the side and slashed an Irken traitor across the neck without even looking at him.

Since Difetto was tiny he was able to move fast through the gathering crowd of danger so he made it to Jeb and Mia quickly, grabbing the baby from their arms and motioning for Jeb to lead Mia after him. He ran back out into the open and pulled the baby tightly into his chest as a few bullets flew by him. Two of which he had to roll and duck from so he nor the baby would get hit.

Areo was still precisely hitting each of his acquired targets but he was already running out of arrows and covering for four people while being exposed out into the open to defend yourself was proving to be a challenge. "Jeb where's sol! Where is he!" Mia snarled, tightening her grip on Jeb whom was frantically trying to get to the larger group of Irkens along with Difetto.

"I don't know Mia, you can't think about him right now!" He snapped, turning to grab her with his good arm when she tried to pull away to find Sol herself.

"SOL!" She screamed, trying to get away from Jeb as he drug her after him.

"He's shot Mia!" Jeb snarled, "He's by Vex, Vex will protect him just get yourself out of danger!"

Meanwhile Vex was struggling to drag Sol out of the line of fire. He was still gasping for air, feeling his windpipe still being injured as his wide eyes were narrowed. He struggled to rip his over shirt off and rip it, wrapping it around Sol's leg and making a tourniquet with his belt. Sol was grabbing at his black tank top and letting out anguished gasps of air. There was blood everywhere and all Vex could think about was the memory of Tallest Blue's death, how much blood was pulsing out his chest as he told him to watch over his girls. How he begged for an ambulance to come as he put pressure on the wounds, ordering his Tallest to stay awake.

He shook the memory from his head as his heart started pounding in his chest. He was frightened, in fact he was terrified. He hasn't had that flash back since he turned rogue, "Get Mia, get Mia!" Sol was frantically begging, shaking him by his tank top.

"Mia's fine dammit!" Vex snarled, "I'm not leaving you!"

"You have to! She needs protection! Help her!" Sol gasped and screamed again when Vex tightened the tourniquet along the shrapnel pieces in his thigh, "I'm a doctor! I can take care of myself! GET MIA!"

"Shut the fuck up!" Vex barked in his face, "I don't fuckin' care if yer a doctor! I've lost enough and I'm not gonna let Mia go through the same damn pain as I have because ya think ya can take care of yer self! So fuckin' zip it!"

"LET ME GO!" Lexy shrieked at Tabitha again as she saw walkers pressing towards Liao whom was clawing at the ground, trying to pull himself away from the hoard. Her voice was laced with agony and terror as she clawed at Tabitha in a desperate attempt to get to her brother.

"Lexy. I. CAN'T. DO. THAT!" Tabitha hissed back, trying to avoid her flailing grip, "And I'll knock you unconscious if you don't stop struggling!"

"I SAID LET ME GO DAMMIT!" She snarled in Tab's face before elbowing Tabitha hard in the gut. Tabitha let out a gasp of agony as her grip loosened enough on Lexy to let her get away. Tab's arms snapped protectively over her stomach as Areo moved over by her, watching her back as he continued to cover Jeb, Difetto and Mia.

Lexy sprinted out as Liao's trap snapped him back and coiled tighter around his leg again, causing a sickening cracking sound to be heard as his screams grew more desperate and pain filled. It was a sound she'd never heard her brother make before and she never ever wanted to hear him make it. "Liao here!" Lexy shouted, throwing the shot gun she was holding and having it slide over just out of Liao's grip. She then turned and grabbed Angel from Difetto, sprinting back to Tabitha and handing her the child before going out again.

Liao shouted in frustration as he attempted to pull him self away from the trap and the walkers again, his hand slapped out to get the gun but the trap sprung back again, dragging him into the awaiting hands of the walkers.

Lexy sprinted out again as the sound of gun fire clouded her antenna, willing her to go faster. Her thoughts were only on her brother as she made it half way to him. But...she never made it the full way.

An arm snapped around her waist, jerking her back in her travels and causing her to shout in defiance as the person lifted Lexy into the air and shot three bullets into the air. Everything was silent as soon as those three bullets rang out. And even the walkers stayed still.

Standing in the middle of the chaos was Jax, pointing his gun now at Lexy's head as she flailed in his one armed grip. Jax's finger was on the trigger as his sharp eyes scanned the clearing, antenna held high in pride. "Well, this was unexpected." he started off, turning in a full circle as everyone's jaw's tightened, seeing just how bad of a situation they were in.

Liao was the only one making noise any more. He was gasping in agony and shouting in frustration, glaring at Jax as his eyes narrowed dangerously, "Let her go!"

"Oh and what're you gonna do about it? Cuss me out?" Jax taunted, pressing the gun harder into Lexy's temple. Liao and Lexy's eyes met, Liao's desperate and Lexy's pleading and frightened.

"Fuck you!"

"Point proven," Jax smirked, "Honestly this is really quite the surprise. I expected Tabitha and her little group to fall into the trap, but Vex," He turned to Vex whom was glaring darkly at him, "You? now THAT was unexpected, but I must say it is pleasant to see you again after you shot me in the shoulder."

"If only I'd missed and shot you in the heart," Vex hissed sarcastically.

Jax just glared at him with a small chuckle, snapping his gaze over when he heard a loud crying noise. His eyes landed on Tabitha and a HUGE grin played across his face. He looked back towards Vex, whom was now encased in horror as he saw Tabitha trying to back away with Angel in her arms.

Vex went to move but Jax moved his gun and pointed it at Vex, causing him to halt. Areo aimed his bow at Jax in the moment of distraction but Jax saw this and merely pointed his gun back into Lexy's temple. "I highly suggest you don't let that arrow go," Areo growled lowly before slowly letting the arrow slide away from the bow string.

"So, now the steaks just raised again," Jax laughed, motioning with his gun over to Tabitha and Angel, "Now we have a Child involved, god and I thought this day just couldn't get any better. Oh and Vex," He turned and smirked at Vex, "How's Axel doing? She feelin' well? Maybe a little hungry?"

Vex angrily bit the inside of his cheek as Jax continued, "But hold on, she's missing. Ohhh ho ho, did you have to shoot her? HA no way! Irk you people are just eating out of the palm of my hand here. You think you were surviving this whole time? That you were some badass Irkens that could survive the end of the world. Well sorry to break it to you but you are sorely MISTAKEN! We knew exactly where you were just from PAK signatures, but we thought we'd toy with you a little, make you learn the hard way how to survive. You can't hide from us in our personal play ground, it's impossible."

"Then why have you waited to attack you little fucker!" Liao snarled, antenna pressed back angrily against his head, "If you knew exactly where we were then why go crazy waiting to get what you want, Jesus yer just a little immature bitch aren't you. No wait, bastard please let me be grammatically correct. if you hadn't noticed, yer surrounded by Vortarians and you think they all follow yer orders!? Sorry to break it to you dumb ass but I'm guessing your big brover is saving yer ass every damn day of yer life! You aren't exactly threat worthy here!"

"Oooh we have a smart ass here do we?" Jax purred, his eyes glinting in sheer amusement, "Is this not threat enough for you?" At this moment in time, Jax turned to Difetto whom was still out in the open, lifted his gun and fired twice, hitting Difetto in the chest through the PAK and then through the head.

"NO, DIFETTO!" Areo screamed in the most pained, agonized voice an Irken could muster up. He sprung to Difetto's side as his little brother collapsed to the ground, not moving. Jax let him do this as he gave Liao a 'try me' look and pointed his gun back to Lexy whom was now crying out in agony.

All the air left from Liao's lungs as his eyes scanned the horror in front of him. "Difetto! Difetto wake up! Please, please you can't...Difetto! Difetto I love you! After all we've been through I haven't said that enough! I love you! I love you! I love you! I'm the older brother! You're not supposed to die! Difetto! DIFETTO! No, no, NO get up! Dammit I am ordering you to get up!" Areo cried out while gathering his little bother in his arms and rocking him back and forth, curling over him and crying in agony.

Sol joined in the agony as he crawled away from Vex to reach his brothers, "I can help him, I can help him," He kept repeating as his eyes starting filling to the brim with tears, "He'll be ok, I can save his life, I can." He grabbed Difetto's limp wrist and held if for a second while putting pressure on the head wound with his other hand. It was only then that he completely broke down and started wailing in grief, "I can help him! I can! I'm his doctor, I can do this, I can help him!"

"No, you can't help him," Jax sighed, rolling his eyes, "He's dead stupid get over it." He walked over and kicked Areo away from his brother, also kicking Difetto's body to show that he was very much dead. "It's not like you're fumbling will bring him back. If that was my baby brother I would've protected him more and actually covered him since he was out in the open."

"How dare you!" Areo screeched, pulling a gun out of his back pocket and firing it at Jax. It missed Jax but it wasn't taken lightly as Moon came out into the open and kicked the gun from Areo's hand, slamming him into the ground and putting his foot on his windpipe while aiming his own gun into Areo's face.

"I suggest you don't do that again," Moon hissed demonically as Jax smirked in triumph.

"See, MY brother has me covered." Moon just glared at him before kicking Areo in the side and walking back over by Jax.

"Now, where is Zim," Jax continued, scanning the clearing before his eyes landed on Zim, whom was so shocked that he was just laying there, staring. "We thought you might find it entertaining to learn how exactly this plan was carried out."

"I thought you knew where all of us were at all times," Zim spat sarcastically.

"Oh we did, but we couldn't draw you out without a little...help," Moon smiled, looking over towards the woods and beckoning said helper out. Zim's eyes followed Moon's gaze until they fell upon Cari whom was shamefully walking towards Moon with her head down. "Don't look so down love, this should be a good show for you," Moon smiled grabbing Cari's face as she shoved his arm away in disgust. He then settled for wrapping his arm around her shoulders and dragging her into his chest, "Would you like to explain or shall I?"

She just glared hatefully at him as Zim stared, everything he believed in shattering in front of his face. "Cari," He said quietly. She looked away from his gaze as Moon laughed and looked at Zim.

"You had me fooled for a while there Zim. I killed you and I knew I did, but Oniumare over there brought you back, which was unexpected but also a probability within the plan. So when I found out you and she had reunited and were oh so in love again I got a brilliant idea. Jax here had to have his little obsession over there," He pointed to Tabitha whom Jax winked at her with a sadistic grin, "And I had to have Cari, so I 'brought her in' and we had a little conversation about morals, didn't we love?" He turned to Cari again whom crossed her arms and looked away, "By the way how you feeling? A little weak? Maybe tired? A little sick?"

"You promised," Cari growled under her breath.

"Oh yes, I promised Zim," Moon laughed, "You see you were attacked by a walker not long ago, maybe a few months, but my precious walker was killed while trying to inject you with the virus, so it was a perfect bait plan. Cari got to choose if you lived or died by choosing between you and Tabitha, it was heart wrenching to watch, it really was but it was funny how she bargained the idea. She demanded that you be left alone if she helped me, and that just didn't sit right with me so I raised the steaks a little. I brought down a question, simple as it may be. You see I could've activated the virus in your PAK whenever I pleased after the needle got lodged into you, so I told her if she agreed to stay with me and become my personal little bed mate then I wouldn't kill you right away and I'd let you have a run for your money. She surprisingly agreed to this! It was either that or I just kill you anyways for her lack of cooperation. So as much as I see you wanting to hate her right now, I must tell you it was really a hard decision. Either way she loses both of you, but she lives with me knowing at least one of you is still out there, alive. Clever right?"

"Hardly," Zim growled. He wanted to kill Moon so badly right now, but he could tell just from glancing around that there was a line for killing Moon.

"Well anyways when this is all said and done I'm just going to leave you in that trap to die."

"WHAT!" Cari snapped, grabbing Moon's collar and glaring at him, "YOU FUCKING PROMISED!"

"Yes and I have yet to break it. I'm letting him live but not killing him right now nor with the virus and he has the chance to possibly get away from the trap which is highly unlikely but still. I haven't gone back on anything I promised you dear." She ground her teeth together while making the motions to strangle Moon but refraining, knowing that'd mean certain death to all of them.

"Now that that's said and done," Jax intervened, "Would Tabitha please like to step out?"

"Don't Tabitha! Run!" Vex snarled while lunging forward and grabbing Jax by the wrist, delivering a sharp uppercut to Jax's jaw. Lexy also delivered a blow to Jax's crotch during this time and managed to break free, zipping away from them and diving into Liao's awaiting arms, crying into his shoulder as he clutched her in a pale death grip and cried with her.

Jeb had pulled a gun from Areo's pack during this time and fired at Jax but missed and hit Cari in the side. She shrieked in agony causing Zim to go insane and getting desperate enough to bite at the coil in attempts to get away from it. He still loved Cari, no matter what and he had to get to her more than ever now.

Moon jumped into action as soon as this all started and slammed his fist into Vex's jaw before lunging to the side and grabbing Tabitha by the arm as she tried to run for it. He scanned her for a second before sucker punching her in the stomach and ripping Angel from her arms, pointing his gun at the crying infant. "I will shoot her if you don't let go of him right now," Moon shouted looking back to see Vex pinning Jax to the ground, strangling him as Jax strangled him. Only difference was that Vex had his knee lodged into Jax's stomach and ribs, giving Jax less room for air but the need for more air.

Jax's face was dark green from the pain of his crotch being kicked and from the lack of oxygen, "Now Vex," Moon snapped as Vex just glared hatefully at Jax.

"I knew you'd be a pain in my ass since the day we first met," Vex spat into Jax's face before releasing the smaller male and spitting on him, turning to Moon in pure rage, "You give me my child, not even you're that cold."

"Oh, I am," Moon smirked cocking the gun and placing his hand on the trigger, "But I won't shoot if you do something for me."

"And what would that be?" Vex hissed angrily.

"Well as you must know I tend to like taking out the strongest in groups before snatching up the weak. And I'd say that's either you or Oniumare. So now you have a choice, I won't shoot your baby if you either kill Oniumare or kill yourself." Vex froze as he and Oniumare looked at each other in horror. Her face for the first time held terror in it and it scrunched up in agony.

She quickly wiped her eyes with her hands before looking at Vex solemnly, "Angel can't live without her dad."

Vex shook his head, his pupils hardly visible with how tiny they were, "I can't shoot you Oniumare."

"You have to," She answered, taking a deep breath, "For the good of your daughter and for the good of the group."

"No," Vex choked, his face scrunching up in agony as his throat tightened, "I won't shoot you."

"Just make it quick Vex, I promise there won't be any pain and I'll be ok. Just ensure the safety of you and Angel."

"Shut up!" Vex shouted, clenching his fists, "Just shut up!"

"I'm getting impatient," Sol growled, "And if you don't hurry up I'll let Jax choose who lives and who dies."

"Vex shoot me," Oniumare said calmly, taking in another deep breath, "I'll be ok."

"I can't! I won't shoot you!" Vex wailed, grabbing the gun and pointing it under his chin, pulling the hammer back and grasping the trigger.

"VEX NO!" Oniumare screamed, lashing out with black magic and smacking the gun away from him, sending the bullet flying into the air.

"You have ten seconds," Moon shouted as Oniumare ran forward and wrapped her arms around him.

"I'll be ok, it's ok, I promise, it's ok!"

"Five seconds."

"Vex," Oni said, looking into his eyes before glancing over at Zim, "I love you. So just do it."

"Three seconds."

Vex shakily lifted the gun back up but this time pointed it under Oniumare's chin, his eyes never leaving hers, "I'll be ok."

His finger wrapped around the trigger as he started sobbing. Her hands were on his face as she wiped tears away from his cheeks. His free arm clutched her as his jaw tightened in fear, "I can't do this."

"You have to."

"Two seconds!" Moon snapped, pressing his gun harder into Angel's temple.

"I'm sorry," Vex sobbed as she let go of his face and wrapped her arms around him. He kissed her forehead before looking away and firing the gun, feeling his best friend slump into his arms lifelessly. Seconds later he dropped the gun and dropped to the ground, not having the courage to look at Oniumare as a agonizing wail tore out of his throat. He clutched Oniumare so hard he felt like if he'd let go she'd disappear as his stomach curved, letting another wail erupt from his throat. "I'm sorry!" He screamed, sobbing harder than he ever had in his life. He felt her warm blood soaking into his clothes and staining his skin as his wails got more pained and desperate. Tears were just pouring out of his eyes as he clenched them shut and rocked her back and forth. He was gasping for air as he opened his eyes enough to glance at this blood soaked hands.

This was real and he was now a murderer of his own best friend, the blood staining his hands just proved that over and over to him.

Liao was covering Lexy's eyes as he clenched his own shut and cried. He didn't know Oniumare and he didn't know Vex very well but all he could think of was that he and Lexy were next in that situation. And he'd kill himself before he killed his little sister. "Are we done here?" Jax asked icily as he rubbed his throat and glared at Vex.

"I'd say so, guards!" Moon shouted as Vortarians spilled into the clearing and started grabbing the survivors.

They purposefully went for Lexy first as they tried to rip her out of Liao's grip, "No!" He screamed, holding onto Lexy as tightly as he could, "No don't take her! Don't take my baby sister!"

"Liao! Liao!" Lexy shouted in panic as her grip on him started slipping. The Vortarian tried again before getting mad and grabbing his gun, slamming the butt of it into Liao's temple and knocking him unconscious and making his grip loosen on Lexy, "Liao!" Lexy screamed, becoming more desperate as the guard ripped her away from him, "Liao don't let them take me! Liao! LIAO!"

Next was Vex, whom Jax had the pleasure of kicking away from Oniumare. Guards filed in and grabbed Vex by each arm, dragging him away as he screamed and wailed over the loss of his best friend. His hat slipped off in his travels and landed next to Oni's face where her vacant eyes were staring out into nothingness. "Give me Angel! Give me my child!" Vex wailed as the Vortarians drug him by Moon.

"Actually, I think I'll keep her for a while, she has just settled down after all," Moon smiled, rocking Angel back and forth as the baby had cried herself to sleep in his disgusting grip.

"You ass hole! I killed my best friend for my child in return! Give her to me you sleazy fucking douche bag!"

"I think not."

Now it was Mia's turn. She'd run to Sol and Areo when the guards tried to grab her, and now Sol was fighting for his life to keep Mia with him. "Not her! She's blind let her go! Give her a chance in the world!" Sol shouted as they held each other. Mia was shaking terribly as she clutched Sol like a life line.

"No NO NO!" Sol shrieked as the guards started pulling them apart anyways, "Mia! Mia I love you! I love you!" Sol shouted as her hand started slipping away from his grip.

"I love you too!" Mia cried out, trying hard to keep her grip on his hand, "Don't let go!"

"I won't!" Sol gasped as her claws started slipping away from his, "I won't let go!" The guard was getting impatient so he smacked Sol in the bullet wound but when all that did was make Sol cry out and hold Mia's hand tighter he decided the only other way was to knock him out completely. So he did get that by pinching a nerve on Sol's neck, making the light just leave Sol's eyes. After, he just fell limp in the guards grasp with Mia screaming for him.

"And you," Jax snapped, walking over to Tabitha whom was attempting to free Zim, "Are coming with me."

"No!" She snapped, lashing out at Jax as he gripped her forearm and ripped her away from Zim, "I fucking hate you Jax! I hate you!"

"Yeah I really don't care," Jax snapped back, apprehending her other arm and shaking her so she'd stop struggling, "God you're just as annoying as you were five months ago."

"Screw you!"

"Oh trust me you will be here soon," He smirked as she shouted in frustration and attempted to knee him in the groin, "that's been hit enough today thank you. I have to keep it intact for later to night love."

"Get away from me you sleaze bag!"

"Hmmm no," He responded, simply lifting her into the air and giving her a shocked look, "Damn you're heavier than you used to be."

Liao was watching this whole fiasco with blurry vision from being pistol whipped as he was cut from the trap and grabbed by the guards, "Hey, hey no! Jax no! Don't do that!" He slurred angrily.

Jax sighed and rolled his eyes, turning to Liao with a smart ass look on his face, "Haven't you annoyed me enough today?"

"Don't hurt her! You can't hurt her!"

"Why not?" Jax asked, gripping Tabitha tighter as she flailed.

"LIAO SHUT UP!" She snapped, knowing what he was going to say.

"Hey now, let the man speak," Jax growled, holding his hand over her mouth tightly, "Or does it just bug you that she's MINE and not yours?" He aimed this towards Liao who managed to glare at him, "Trust me buddy I got here a long while before you did." He then sickly licked the side of Tabitha's face and groped her in unmentionable places.

"No it's not that!" Liao snarled as Tabitha screamed through Jax's hand.

"Oh shut up, it's not like we haven't done this before Tabitha," Jax hissed at her before turning back to Liao, "So then please explain."

"She..."

"NO LIAO!" Tabitha managed to squeal by biting Jax's hand. He glared at her and grabbed her jaw, forcing it close so she could do nothing but flail now.

"She..."

"Well if you don't talk now then just forget it," Jax spat, motioning for Liao to be taken away as he hauled Tabitha off with him.

"BECAUSE SHE'S PREGNANT!" Jax halted at this, whipping around with narrowed eyes.

"What did you just say?"

"She's pregnant! She's carrying a child you have to let her alone!"

"How many months," Jax snapped, looking at Tabitha angrily before snapping his gaze back to Liao.

"I don't know, I thought five now but I don't know!"

"Five months...?" Jax pondered before turning to the guards holding Liao, "Put him in a separate cell, I'd like to speak with him again. Oh but make sure he has a monitor of his little sisters where abouts at all times. I'll give you that much for letting me in on this little secret." Jax growled, glaring at Tabitha again, "Sounds like you've been bad love."

"I'm sorry Tabitha, he had to know or he probably would've killed the baby on accident!" Liao shouted as they pulled him away again. Tabitha just glared at him before Jax pulled her away again.

"Pregnant," He said, rolling his eyes, he then looked at her baggy shirt and pulled it up. Sure enough there was a baby bump there. Irkens don't expand much like humans do when they have a baby. The bigger they are just shows how many young they'll have. And they can have up to a litter of three at most. So it was clear Tabitha was probably only having one baby with how expanded she was. "Naughty girl," Jax clicked his tongue giving her an even look.

Later that night all of the captured Irkens were in a line up, being picked off by Vortarians and high powered Irkens. Phoenix was forced to wait next to Burg as he scanned the group of Irkens left. He had heard more were coming out in just a second so Burg wanted to wait to see the new arrivals.

And sure enough Jax walked in with Tabitha by his side, nodding to Burg before continuing to drag Tabitha off towards his room. All the new captives now poured in. Liao was cast aside, showing he wasn't up for picking but he sure was struggling when he saw Lexy get shoved into the line up next to Mia whom was luckily by Sol. They were huddled together and on their knees as all the slaves were. Sol was especially in agony since he had to kneel with his shot leg.

"It'll be ok, I'm right here," He murmured to Mia as she shook and stuck close to him, "Hey," this caught her attention and she turned her face toward him, not being able to see him but showing recognition, "I love you."

"I love you too," Mia whispered leaning into him as he leaned forwards and pecked her lips a couple of times. He too leaned into her as the room went silent except for the heavy breathing of the nervous slaves.

Screens popped up in front of the slave owners as they scrolled through them and looked at their options. Burg however didn't, he already saw the one he wanted and she happened to be sitting next to a certain someone with a shot leg. "Burg you requested last pic?" Moon asked, walking by.

"Yes, I'll just kill anyone who tries to take the one I want," Burg shrugged, leaning against the railing and staring at this specimen.

"Ok then the first to go may pick," Moon said. Phoenix watched frantically as a Vortarian leader stepped up and scanned the crowd. He pointed to Riley first whom growled angrily but was escorted out seconds later. Then the next came up, he chose Minerva whom started crying as she was drug off.

The crowd started dwindiling until there was only a few leaders left. If any slaves weren't picked then they were forced into manual labor instead of a personal slave and with only five leaders left, that'd leave a good portion of people as manual laborers. Vex and Jeb were seated next to each other, both staring at the ground until Jeb heard his name called. Vex stiffened up and looked at his old friend who just nodded to him and stood up, walking away with pride towards his new leader. Then Lexy heard her name being called, Liao froze in horror before taking a bit of relief in seeing her master would be a female. But Lexy however took no relief in that factor.

"Liao," She said as she was shoved to her feet, "Liao I'm scared!"

"Shhh, it'll be ok," He tried to soothe as she was shoved towards a door.

"No, NO I'm scared! Liao!" She shouted, breaking away from her guards and running over to her brother, whom wrapped his arms around her tightly and clenched his eyes shut.

"Can I at least walk her out?" Liao choked, looking up at Moon whom scanned him calmly.

"Sure, you may for now." Moon shrugged, waiting for the next pick. Liao nodded as Lexy started gasping and crying into his shoulder. He just bent and lifted her up in a bridal position before following the guards out of the room.

The next two people chose other captives leaving only Sol, Mia, Areo and a couple others left, about five to be exact. It was now burgs turn. Phoenix watched his master carefully as Burg looked at the choices, but stuck with his first, "I want the pink eyed one."

Mia froze in terror as Sol's eyes snapped open, "Well come on, don't just sit there," Burg growled, motioning for the guards to grab her. They pulled her to her feet as her breathing got more shallow.

"Mia," Sol said in worry, "Mia!" Now he was struggling to get to his feet, though all the guards aimed their guns at him, "Stop! please sir I'm begging you take me instead! Please!"

"I already have a male slave," Burg said, watching Sol curiously, "Why sacrifice yourself."

"I love her and she's just a kid! She has more energy to work! You need someone who will be easier to control."

"I like energy," Burg growled. The guards continued taking Mia.

"No stop it! I'm injured, I'll be obedient, I'll do what you want! Please just don't take her! You take me instead!"

"Master," Phoenix accidentally said, biting his tongue and Burg snapped his gaze over to him, "Look at his eyes, and antenna," Phoenix said weakly while backing down in worry about being struck. Burg turned at this and saw that Sol did have a peculiar eye color, plus one of his antenna was longer than the other, which also intrigued him, "You always said you liked differences and learning strange anatomy."

"Quiet slave," Burg growled, making Phoenix flinch and bite the inside of his cheek.

"Please," Sol begged, his chest heaving in worry as he looked from Mia to Burg.

"Hmm, alright just this once. I'll take him instead," Phoenix smiled a little bit in relief as they drug Sol to his feet and by Mia.

"Sol," She said in fear.

"I'll be ok! Areo will watch over you, trust me I'll be ok! Stay safe!" He said, looking over his shoulder frantically as he was shoved away. Liao came back in during this mess, it was clear he'd been crying again just from the way he was blinking and wiping his eyes to try to keep a straight face. He and Sol's eyes met for a second and they both nodded at each other, mentally telling each other they'd watch over the other's counter part.

"Take all the picked and non picked slaves to the cells for the night, they'll be distributed to their owners tomorrow once branded," Moon said calmly as the portion of people left all got up and followed the guards out towards the cells.

That night Liao got to sleep near Lexy one more time and Sol got to be with Mia again. They were huddled in the corner with a pathetic blanket, wrapped up together and silent, not knowing what to say to the other. Mia's head was on Sol's shoulder as he leaned his face against hers and stared off into space. He could still feel Mia shaking, so he wrapped his arm around her for support and kissed her temple, trying to comfort her.

"I'll be ok." He whispered, and she nodded.

She really wanted to believe that he'd be ok, but she knew he was lying to her, so she said nothing and prayed to god that Burg would be gentle with Sol or at least let his other slave and Sol become friends so he had someone to lean on and talk to.

All of them were praying at that point, wanting nothing more than freedom.

---

A/N: Anyone wanna raise their hand to cry with me? I know I do. So finally the attack happened, Tabitha's fucking pregnant! And now the question is who's the father! Difetto and yes Oniumare are now dead! Boom out of the story! I cried so hard for Oni's death you don't even know, because it was best friend killing best friend not villain killing brother. Even though I cried like a baby for Difetto's death too. I'm just a mess right now. So now everyone is separated and yes Zim is STILL out there stuck in the coil trap!

Cari's shot in the side and sol through the leg. Plus Reth and Valenth, fighting with Sol and then what? We'll find out! And also Sol X Mia action FINALLy god I've waited too long for that moment! Sure they're kind of sappy when they scream for each other and stuff but what the hell would you do in that situation? I'm sure if I just told someone I loved them then was forced away from them I'd be screaming out to them too, letting them know in case I die that I do love them. So there. Eat it.

Oni finally tells Vex she loves him before he kills her! How romantic ...And Angel! What's gonna happen to her now that Vex is in hard labor and Moon still has Angel!

I know all of you hate Jax even more right now but just wait, things just keep getting better and better before I BEND YOUR MINDS AND MAKE THEM EXPLODE! So yes, please enjoy. Sorry for any mistakes its like four in the morning right now...so yeah.

I CRIED.

Review responses: ZAGR Loves: Thanks for the review and don't worry I'm not dead, just highly busy with my life and christmas and birthdays and secret santa and school work and vacation and hell. It's just awesome right now XD. You'll have to tell me if you cried as I did!

Avalonmagic: How'd you break you're computer! I've only done that once when I got REALLY mad and threw it out the window into the pond out side. I didn't like that computer anyway XD. But yeah after a replacment and a good scolding, I never did that again LOL. Hope you enjoyed the chapter and Happy chr-wtf I just said HAPPY christmas, I MEAN merry christmas!

HO HO HUMBLE.

VOTE IN MY POLL SLAVES. LOVE YOU ALL CRY WITH ME, SORRY FOR THE WAIT. REVIEW!

~Goodnight to my sanity.