(Forest) A whirlwind of trouble

[Neku]

Given the past few months events, Neku had been treading lightly, trying to avoid Ministry contact as much as possible. She had thought that they had known about her involvement with a certain Rogue wizard and an ex professor. She had even kept herself away from Jake and Leigh, though not intentionally she had been busy trying to find what this weapon was, and even now, she had not yet come across one single clue. Of all the Centaur knowledge she had within her and all her years of expert fighting, this one was proving to be a difficult challenge.

Neku feared that the forest was no longer theirs, and was no longer safe. Too many a time had she seen Ministry folk prowling around, too many a time had she been followed. Only narrowly escaping from them too, and of course, the Ministry had made sure to add to the number of scars she already possessed. Now, she had a huge scar lining her chest from where a well place curse was fired at her, that was where her troubles had undoubtibly started.

It was a couple of nights after being in the cave with Jake, Leigh and that girl, Kim. Neku had gone back to the cave only to find minstry people in there, they had found the location of the cave, which Neku had thought impossible. Somebody must have tipped off the ministry about the caves location, and Neku thought it had been the girl. Even though she had displayed clear signs of hating the ministry. Maybe the girl had her own agenda? Whatever the case, that cave was no longer safe, and since Neku hadnt seen Jake or Leigh, she couldnt have warned them.

Neku remembered standing at the entrance of the cave, a man from the ministry was looking firmly at her. She remembered the words spoken to her, "You are Neku, a Centaur not of this forest, but of another. We know about you, we have done research. We also know that you have been working with two people, but for what reasons, we do not know. Arent centaurs meant to stay away from humans, you will tell us everything you know, or face consequences". Neku had thought this very brave, one man going against a centaur. She obviously told him there was nothing to tell and even if there was, she wasnt likely to tell him. That was when a curse was fired at her back. Neku had spun around in time to get one clear in her chest, her skin splitting open and blood rushing from her. She was surrounded by at least twenty people. Now she knew humans were weak as they couldnt stand alone. Two more curses were fired at her and for a time, Neku couldnt see a way out of it. Finally, she managed to get away from them, blood soaked and exhausted. She felt weak, for the first time in her life.

The ministry folk were making chase, but even in her weakened state, Neku was much too fast for them. She had run over a mile before she realised she could run no longer. The blood rushing from her chest had turned her chest a dull red colour, and her head began to spin. She had been attacked by humans before, except that time, she had lost everything she loved, now she was alone and it seemed as though she was going to share the same fate her tribe had done. She felt her legs give way as she stumbled to the floor, tired, weak and exhausted, she passed out.

[Jake Gobien]

They found the centaur lying deathly still in a pool of blood. Suffice to say it hadn't been a pretty site and more than one rogue had thrown up disgusted at the barbarity of the wounds. Gobien's eyes hardened as he stooped next to it, Gloria, their fabled medic, rushing to work stemming the flow of blood by artfully weaving her wand as she set about the complicated healing process. Gobien ran a hand through the centaur's hair brushing it from her face, with all the gashes and ugly bruises upon her he hadn't recognised Neku, the rogues had simply stopped to help a creature in need. Now he arose quickly startling his companions, fiesty Fiona's eyes flashing in surprise as she rubbed Danielle's back as she continued to steadily heave up her meagre supper. The others had been left back at their camp, now very deep within the forest and constantly moving.
"We need to move now," he stated with cold serenity, "can she be moved safely?" Asked Gobien knowing she'd have to be moved regardless; better to die from injuries rather than be caught and tortured to insanity by the Ministry.
"She's strong, she should make it, no promises mind you." With Gloria's determined nod Gobien flicked his wand and the prone centaur lifted smoothly from the ground as Gloria walked alongside and continued her work. "Danielle, take point," he commanded sternly his now cold eyes showing no care for her being squeamish; she'd have to get used to it, and quickly. "Fiona guard the rear." As the two young ladies, little more than girls, glared at his back Gobien shrugged his shoulders, "it has to be done, I've no remorse for my tone." He stated moving off quickly.

For a time they moved along swiftly the centaur's blood now thankfully congealed and stemmed. Gobien insisted upon absolute silence as he stalked along his expression icy as he feared for Neku's life, it was lucky he had or else they would never have heard the approaching Ministry patrol. Danielle held up a hand for silence and as Fiona kept Neku afloat Gobien crept up to where Danielle stood serenely beside a tree. She'd never abandon her grace and actually hide Gobien had realised. Not a hundred yards ahead two men sat upon a large rock, their backs facing them luckily. They conversed openly as they looked about lazily and Gobien heard a snippet of their conversation, "they'll have dealt with that centaur by now, hopefully she'll know where it is." The blond haired man seemed exasperated and bored by his tone, but from his words Gobien knew the Ministry had attacked Neku, but that anyone could have guessed, more importantly they had no clue where the powerful item was.

Dragging Danielle back by the arm as she looked quizzicaly at his signal to fall back Gobien rolled his eyes then brought the rogues around in a huddle around the unconcious centaur. "Two guards up ahead, I'll go deal with them, if I don't return keep moving back to camp at all possible speed, and try to wake Neku, she's useful." Seeing their confused looks he pointed at the centaur with a grin, "this is Neku by the way, she usally looks less corpsified than this." As Gobien stole off to creep up on the unsuspecting guards Gloria muttered a spell to awaken Neku...

[Neku]

Neku knew she probably looked unsightly, though she couldnt move and could barely breathe because of the wounds surrounding her body. She couldnt open her eyes, but yet she could hear everything goin on around her, at yet she wished she couldnt. Neku lay there, lifeless and helpless. A feeling she had hoped beyond hope she would never feel again, but alas, she knew there would be a time that she would, and now she realised this time was now.

For what seemed like an age, Neku was left alone. Bleeding helplessly and she felt like she was dying, she knew she was dying. Another few hours and Neku would be dead, she knew that, and yet she accepted it. Though she was angry that she let humans deface her like this, she couldnt believe she had let it happen again. She was about to give up when she heard voices around her, she recognised one of them, Jake's. Though she didnt think there was anything he could do for her, she just silently wished he would do all in his power to bring the Ministry down, especially now. Though she felt disheartened, knowing now she wouldnt be able to help him.

For a while, she felt someone trying to stem the flow of blood that seemed to be flowing rapidly from her body, it seemed as though nothing would help her and she had now lost all hope. A few more minutes passed by and Neku was in the air, wondering to herself how wizards can carry someone as heavy as she, then she realised, it was magic. Jake seemed to dissapear and Neku knew that they were all in trouble. How she wished she could help. As time passed, the wound healed and a magic was performed to wake Neku up. Groggily she opened her eyes and finally felt the earth on her hoofs. Looking around at the many other Wizards trying to take in their appearance she gave a friendly smile, "I thank you" she spoke as she spun on her heals. Then, without a second thought, she ran off to find Jake. Seconds later she found him stood with another female and saw with her eyes the people that attacked her. Feeling angry she pawed the earth, her chest now healed, though had left a huge scar to go with the other numerous ones. She was small, but was that didnt worry her, she had her strength and speed, and that was all she needed now.

[Jake Gobien]

Jake didn't look capable of moving quietly, or in fact doing anything quietly, but he'd trained long and hard hours in stealth tactics and was now fully accustomed to moving silently like a shadow. He scanned the ground cautiously stepping lightly and keeping his boots well clear from dry sticks that would crack underfoot. Very slowly he moved forward, when he'd began his training his adrenaline would have kicked in and he'd have simply charged the men before him with a blood curdling cry.

But now he used patience as he crept inexorably forward. Eyes darting from the men's burly backs and the crisp leaves underfoot he kept as quiet as possible, helped considerably by their talking loudly still. Now yards away he slipped a knife from one of his many pockets bringing it slowly out of it's leather sheath. Now he was within spitting distance and his breathing would soon be down their backs.

crack

the inevitable happened...Danielle appeared thinking Gobien couldn't manage the task alone and jeaprodising the mission like usual. Insitncts taking over Jake hurled himself over the rocks into the two men stabbing the one in the shoulder, but sliding right over him. The blond haired man jumped to his feet reaching for the wand at his belt, but Gobien was just quicker having the element of surprise still firmly on his side, the man looked like he was seeing a ghost. Even Gobien's rugged appearance wasn't bad enough to give such an impression but Gobien had no time to think as he tackled the man to the ground, rolling away from the rocks. As blondie tore at Gobien's fingers which tried in vain to grab a hold of his wand, Gobien jumped back and brought his large boot into the perfect place to take him down.

The man fell like a ton of bricks cluthcing his privates as Gobien savagely kicked him in the stomach. But the other was up though crying aloud in pain, his protective spells were dampening the real impact of the blow. He charged Gobien using his fists to good effect in bashing about Gobien's face, his huge knuckles would leave an ugly black eye come the morning...if Gobien survived til then.

Defending himself with raised arms Gobien drove a fist into the man's guts then withdrew the knife from the man's shoulder. The scream that tore about the forest was enough to wake the dead so Gobien quickly stifled it with a quick rap upon the man's unprotected head, even hard skull wasn't defense enough.

Breathing now hard and adrenaline pumping Gobien looked stood over the blondie now taking a few precious seconds to decide what to do with him. Only then did the Ministry reinforcements arrive, five officials darting over firing spells wily nily from afar. His own aid arrived as Gobien hurtled back towards them, "fall back," he cried, "hide then take them out one by one." He really hoped the centaur would heed his advice and not go on a rampage, attacking the approaching men in a way that would put her own life at far greater peril.

But the officials were quick, Gobien too close to them and Danielle not quick enough to retreat. Swearing loudly Gobien dived behind a tree sizing up their options rapidly, wand in one hand and knife in the other he nodded to Neku and grinned, the fire of battle in both their eyes. Darting out from his tree he attacked slashing with his knife and defended himself with his wand. He only hoped the others would come to their assistance, though he guessed Neku could take of herself he knew one spell would take him down all too quickly. As a well placed shot cut his arm his wand fell from his grasp, yelping in shock Gobien narrowly ducked another spell then took out another of his many knives, taking the fight to them. The ministry were well trained at duelling with wands, but fighting hand to hand comabt with brutal punchs and blows wasn't part of their mandatory training. Time would see how they'd fare as the rogues and centaur attacked...

[Gabriella De Conti]

Gabriella had been roughly awaken by a scream that penetrated the forest. It wasn't often you heard screams in the quiet forest; Gabriella grinned as to her it meant excitement.

She snuck off quietly away from the Unicorn herd which she had been stalking for the last few days, it was generally safe around them. She smirked as she started running towards the sound of the noise. After years of athletic training and a couple years of living in fear she had perfected the art of running quietly for an extended period of time.

She almost laughed aloud as she felt the pump through her veins and her muscles retract and expand. It was a familiar feeling and it always calmed her. That combined with the excitement of an impending battle meant that for the first time in a long time Gabriella was actually happy. She actually did laugh aloud at that thought; she really did need to get out more.

She smiled as the sounds of battle became louder against her eardrums; she quickened her pace. She didn't want to miss this battle.

She immediately slowed as she came closer to the battle; she pulled out her wand and crept closer. She smirked; of course Gobien would be at the heart of the battle. She walked towards him and hid behind the tree next to his. "Who's winning?" she enquired with a slight smirk. She was ready to go.

[Jake Gobien]

Moving like a whirlwind Gobien ducked and weaved, barely managing to dodge the hastily fired spells. The Ministry were advancing in a stout line but as Gobien neared them they splintered off to dive behind cover as covering fire from behind flew into them. A large man with a squinty eye and huge hands lurged at Gobien heedless of Gobien's knife as his body armour was thick. Gobien's charge faltered as the burly man shoved his much larger bulk into him. Even with a full stomach and months of good nourishment Gobien wouldn't have kept his feet, but since he'd had neither he was literally tossed aside, a large hand swiping his stabbing knife away. The hulking man shoved Gobien down and as the rogue tried to rise he clamped his beefy hand upon his neck.

Suffice to say Gobien hadn't expected such a huge advesary, but as Fiona darted out to his assistance and savagely kicked the man several times in his unprotected groin, she cried happily, "the bigger they are the harder they..." the sentence was never finished as a bloody gash tore her face, screaming in immense pain, Fiona hands feverishly grabbed her face trying in some way to stop the spasms of agony. Still upon the ground with the big man toppling beside him Gobien did the necessary act wandless he had to cuff Fiona around the neck to knock her senseless, though barbaric it was effective as his backhand would have her out for longer than most spells and she fell without a cry. At least her pain was lessened now, though she'd have a nice red mark around her neck, perhaps she could get away with calling it a lovebite?

Using the bulk of the prone big man for cover, Gobien weighed up their options as he hunkered down. Spells richocheted all around as the rogues let loose their passionate fire, only then did Gobien notice the odds had evened up considerably; De Conti had arrived, perhaps the smell of blood had attracted her he thought with a grin, only then realising he was the only one bleeding, she couldn't be a vampire could she? She was ever eager for excitement and a fight was the perfect place to get it, nowhere else could the adrenaline pump so furiously, and the breath catch so sharply. As spells mercilessly impacted into the big man, whose tough hide of armour and flesh would protect him anyway Gobien literally dived for the cover of the nearest tree, his back arched against it to make him as smaller target as possible and his neck peering around.

As De Conti ran to his side keeping low and asked hwo things were going he grinned, typical battle banter always kept him amused, "us now you're here. You've not a spare wand have you? Mine's lying in the dirt someplace." From his vantage point Gobien could see little of the unfolding skirmish only Gloria's blazing passion as she kept low and ran to Fiona's aid. Neku he couldn't see but he hoped she was circling aroun behind the now entrenched Ministry. They had decent defensive positions whilst the rogues where strung out and Gobien didn't even have a wand. Yet the situation was still manageable, "Danielle hold center," he bellowed to the air, for he had no idea where she was. "They've got us pinned down, we have to break the stalemate." Spells blasted chunks out of the poor tree defending them, and the cries of battle were all around, he could hear the tell tale shrieking laughter of Danielle now as she haphazardly attacked one official crouched behind a large rock. One was darting from tree to tree his armour of stout defensive spells deflecting any blows sent against him, whist another was within a rocky outcrop and was perfectly placed to hold the center, Gobien guessed the other was concealed within the undergrowth someplace, so with area surveyed he half ordered, simply because he was used to it, and half asked De Conti, "If you wheel left into their heart I'll attack the right flank then we can move along their line, ok?"

[Gabriella De Conti]

She grinned at his response; glad to be fighting along side him. He was smart and was capable of guessing what way the battle was turning...not too mention he was quite the able fighter.

She laughed lightly as she quickly pulled a wand out of her back pocket, "A random Roses, I've kept it with me for quite a while. Good strong wand," she said with a smile as she tossed it at him. She quickly dodged a spell as it flew past her head. She stupefied the person who had fired it easily; ministry officials had always been hopeless at defensive magic. They were only trained offensively which was always a flaw in their plan. If by some weird twist of fate the Rogues won this war...they would definitely have to change that.

She grinned, “Sounds like a plan!” She dashed out in to fray, she was sure, much to the shock of many ministry folks. She was not supposed to be anywhere near the forest at the moment; she had her ways. She smirked, as she rolled over to the left flank and sent a tripping hex towards one of them at the same time; she was in her element. She quickly dodged a hex coming her way praising her battle-hardened quidditch reflexes. She laughed as she stupefied the same official as she had just tripped. Perhaps they would take a few in for questioning...perhaps not.

She laughed as she punched one of her adversaries in the face. It was so good to fight and not worry about actually having to think about her next move like she did when she battled Locksley. She spun around using her elbows to make a path, careful to not entrap within the ministry officials; something they were attempting to do. She was glad that they were, at the very least, realizing their superiority in numbers. She leaned in and kissed one of the males before kneeing him in the stomach. She laughed as she then proceeded to tie him up from ropes from her wand.

She was being far too risky and reckless and she knew it; she really needed to get out more. She was likely to get herself into trouble soon but that had never stopped her before and it would not stop her now.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

The shouts, cries and groans of pain echoed out amongst the trees. His ears heard them, several voices he recognised from the school. Ministry Officials! He roared in his mind as he turned towards the general direction in which the sounds of a battle were raging. He glared and felt his hand grip his wand ever tighter before a grin of malevolence filled his face. Some Ministry officials would die by his hand.

He changed his formed and ran with the fluidity and quiet of a tiger, leaping over fallens trees and rocks with effortless ease. He landed lightly and as quickly as he did he sprang forth, hearing the sounds of the battle growing ever louder. His breath now sprang forth with eager grunts and he finally reached a ledge where he appeared and peered out.

Many officials were attacking four rogues, his eyes unbelieving at the sight of Gobien controlling them. He scanned the area quickly and surmised that the rogues were indeed in great trouble, before he turned and heard running feet behind him. He shifted his form once more, pulled his wand from his pocket and leapt down the slightly ridge, sliding to a stop and stared at the back of a official. It seemed he was going after the female rogue that he recognised, his eyes burning with passion as he raised his wand. He wanted to kill the fool, but resisted the urge and simply stupefied the coward to hell and back.

He rushed over the fallen body and quickly took advantage of his surprise from behind the Ministry lines by taking down another two, quickly using the Stupefy spell. He had noticed that the female rogue and Gobien were fighting muggle style, though barbarish, Leigh smiled. He shifted his form and launched himself onto the back of a official that had creeped up behind the rogue. He roared and sank his teeth into the shoulder, clawing the mans back savagely before leaping off and onto the front of another, using his hind feet to kick the first official into the dirt. The second one was no more luckier than the first. He quickly changed his form and took down another official who had taken position behind the rogue, ready to strike her as she roped the man who she had attacked just before.

He stood and laughed. 'The Ghost walks again.' He said, flashing a toothy grin and not caring if she recognised him or not, his face was his face, his voice his own, the spell that changed him into his cousin was no more longer in effect. He had gone to see Professor Darrow and asked for it to be removed for a day or two, he had business to conduct as himself. His eyes darted off and smiled, the Ministry fools recognised him and slightly backed off.

'There's more coming from the north, continue to fight and have fun before death or flee and have fun to fight another day, or are your fighting skills as deadly as your beauty?' Leigh asked the rogue, before he surprised a Ministry official by hexing him in the face. This set them off and with one brief stroke of his wand, he called forth one of his companions. Two lions appeared from his wand, both roaring as they attacked and dazed the Ministry fools, a smile appearing on his face as he stared at them, knowing full well he now limited himself.



((ooc: Had to come and have some fun, lol. Sorry if you didn't want me here...))

[Neku]

(Okay i kinda forgot about this but hey i am backk!)

Neku heard the crack too. She looked around and found her eyes on someone else, narrowing them in her direction Neku shook her head. If something was going to happen, it would be now. This one woman alone could have caused the difference between life and death for the wizards here, and Neku herself. She looked back out onto the scene, just in time to see Jake stab someone, the Centaur turned back to the woman and said, "You stay here, before you do anything else stupid" and turned, fireing an arrow into a mans stomache before rushing off. She turned onto another man who had come up behind her, but using the power of her legs she thrust her hoofs right into his chest. Feeling very angry the way they had treated her in her home.

Neku wasnt noticing much of what was going on around her, she just hoped whoever that woman was who made this attack have to go ahead, was doing as Neku said, though she knew humans and she knew they werent people for doing as they were told.

She heard Jakes cries of fall back, and decided to let the humans go a little way ahead of her, fireing arrows at the ministry workers trying to give them a bit of time to get away. After a minute she realised there was far too many wand carriers and turned to follow Jake. Neku smiled back to Jake before running out onto the fight again, firering arrows, throwing her knives and kicking anyone who came close to her, Jake or anyone Jake was with. This fight was far from over.

Another woman came into view after a while, though Neku had never seen her, she figured Jake must know her. Though after a while, with the intensity of the battle, Neku lost sight of Jake and that woman. She had hoped in a way they had done the sensible thing and left, but she knew they most likely hadnt. Humans, their love for bloodshed shall never waver She thought as she struck another man in the chest with a knife. Humans and Centaurs fighting along side one another, in most cases this would be unforgiveable. Though drastic times called for drastic measures and Neku knew the time for them, was now.

A curse hit Neku in the chest once more as more blood came gushing out, ignoring it she shot an arrow into a dark haired mans shoulder before turning around, seeing quite a few more ministry people coming, "Jake! We have more of them" she yelled, shooting off six or seven arrows in their direction. She turned in time to see two lions ripping some men apart, in which she was highly confused about and this confusion lead her to get a sharp knife in her side. Screaming, she kicked out at the man and got him square in his head. She pulled the knife out and threw it to the floor. "Bloody Humans!"

[Jake Gobien]

They were everywhere.

To an inexperienced eye it would seem the Ministry was sending all forces crashing down upon the rogues, Gobien knew this was a small portion of their force. He knew that because he was still alive. Trap or not the ministry were nonetheless converging upon their position from all over, tustles were breaking out all over with the tide of battle flowing constantly one way then the other, but generally pushing back the rogues, inexorably pushing them backwards.

Sticking true to his own command Gobien had darted down the right flank, very narrowly ducking a few well placed shots, that blasted chunks of a poor tree all over him, "that's just not ice," he grumbled as he fell to the floor as more spells richoted all around him, as soon as he had broken cover he'd become pinned. With a withering hail of fire heading his way. Shielding himself from the few random shots that actually found their mark, lying prone made the rogue a very difficult target to hit, he waited patiently for his colleagues to break through, he had every confidence they would and they didn't disappoint. De Conti smashed through on the left flank wheeling into the center just as he'd hoped, raising his eyes skyward momentarily he espied sparks shooting inot the air, more reinforcements were being called for. As a huddle of officials came up over a rise Gobien knew the battle was lost, they could take down a great number of their foes but ultimately there would be far to many for them to emerge victorious, a glorious end would have to do.

Then the tide had turned once again as Neku dedoubled her ferocious efforts hacking and slashing left and right, humans cowering from her wrath and finding arrows piercing their sides. Darting out to her side Gobien's knife plunged into one of her assailants who had hoped to attack her rump. As a spell connected painfully with his left leg Gobien buckled and stunning spell flew harmlessly overhead. Looking up only then did he espy Addis in the fray battling to his hearts content, a bloodlust in his eyes to defeat his hated enemies, Gobien guessed he shared the same look, though not quite so passionate perhaps.

Hearing Neku's warning that more officials were arriving Gobien answered jovially, "the more the merrier," he was so used to a battlefield that his banter came naturally as did his punching a man's nose to a bloody pulp. But Gobien's mind still raced with tactics, he couldn't allow the bloodlust to take control. Hearing a far off noise his eyes widened, they wouldn't would they? But he already knew the answer to that.

"Find cover," cried Gobien his tone leaving no room for argument as a defeaning screech sounded overhead, grabbing Danielle by her slim waist and bringing her bodily to the ground beneath him, their was no decent cover in sight, he'd have to be it. an explosion sounded above and shards of heat-seeking shrapnel, magically enhanced of course to find their targets, flew with deadly accuracy towards their pray. Obviously it couldn't differentiate between friend and foe, so many of the cries came from ministry officials too, many of whom lay bleeding in the dirt. Even Gobien's cry as shrapnel tore into his thick coat and into soft skin beneath, sounded along with others screams. At least Danielle lay unhurt but furious beneath him, she struggled to push him off, and Gobien had to roll aside wincing as the shrapnel dug deeper; luckily his thick coat had protected him from serious injury. "What did you do that for?" She screamed at the top of her lungs.
"I was kind of saving your skin," remarked Gobien, "perhaps I won't..ah..bother next time." He smiled through the pain; now wasn't the time to show the slightest weakness. "Find Fiona and Gloria now, careful as you go, meet back here pronto." As Danielle sped off still grumbling, Gobien pushed himself to his feet, grunting and trying to ignore the pain.
"Anyone who's alive let's get the hell out of here." He commanded wondering how his companions had fared; would the bomb have caused a casualty? No they were made of stern stuff, but injuries were all too likely.

"Fall back to the rocky outcrop," he commanded in his best tone of leadership, he really hoped they'd surface soon, these people were not only incredibly useful, but were also his friends he realised as he stumbled back towards cover. Only then did another spell tear into his flesh, the impact into his right shoulder span him around, but his reflexes were lightening fast as he shot off a few spells towards where he guessed his assailant had come from. His wild shots must have hit as no answering fire was returned, not that it would have hit him as he lay upon his back in the dirt again. He was yards from the rocky cover, now all he had to do was crouch and run.

As he heard the crunch of boots behind Gobien crouched behind the rocks using them as defensive cover, and returned fire, praying his companions would reach him soon, then they could high tail it out of there.

(ooc in case that made sense only in my head; the Ministry set off a bomb that sent shrapnel into the very heart of the fighting, so anyone not in cover would have been hit; including Ministry, then Gobien has got himself into a defensive position and is providing covering fire for the others to reach him; if they haven't already, depends how you want to play it.
Oh and Leigh it's great to have you on board =), suits perfectly)

[Neku]

This was becoming more and more ridiculous. As the more officials they took down, more arrived. It seemed to Neku as though their fight was lost. I will not allow a bunch of humans to best me, again! she thought feircly as two tried to creep behind her. Spinning around, her right arm slashing as she spun, connecting with the two of them on the tops of their chests. The power of Nekus arm, and the speed of her spin, the knife connected with them both quite deeply as she watched the two crumble before her. Usually, attacking humans was not her way, though it seemed right now, and probably in times to come, it deemed necessary.

She wasnt paying much attention to what was going on around her, though she saw a rogue struggling with four officials on her back. Rushing over to her, fireing two arrows which pierced two men in the back, she rushed over, she took a jump and landing on one of them, the power of her hooves and the weight of her body causing whoever it was to crumble beneath her. She had figured now, that they were out to kill Jake and his lot, and now they were more than happy to kill Neku too. I guess its now kill or be killed She looked at the rogue who had finally managed to best the other official, "are you alright?" she asked, but didnt give her chance to answer as she ran back into the fray.

more arrows came flying from Neku's bow, catching their targets in the places she intended. Neku never missed a target and she would be damned if she was going to start now. She heard someone behind her, but knew it was too late for her to do anything about it. Neku was already bleeding from many more wounds these humans had caused to her, and just as she turned around, she saw Jake attack the person who tried to attack her, nodding thankfully to him she turned back to the fight.

"The more that come, the less chance of survival for us" she stated obviously. She tried to see through the fray, already knowing quite a lot of Jake's friends would more than likely be dead by now. Though this wasnt her concern, everyone could mourn their losses later, right now the important thing was to stay alive long enough to do just that.

Neku fell to the floor as soon as Jake suggested finding cover. She didnt know him very well but she knew him well enough to know when he said something like that, something was wrong. She felt her back being pierced a good few times, though thankfully they didnt cut too deep for her skin was thick. She stood up in time to see Jake get a lot of it in his back, trying to protect the woman who had alerted the ministry to their presence in the first place, and as usual, the woman was clearly unhappy about this. When Jake ordered the evactuation, Neku fired a good load of arrows to distract the officials, hoping it would keep them busy, before turning and running off in Jakes direction. She bent down and tossed him onto her back, before running off to where he told them too.

While she was running she said to him, "They will find us again. This place is no longer safe. Someone who knew the whereabouts of the cave had told the ministy of its location." she knew, in less than half an hour, the ministry would be on them once more.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh set the two lioness's off in the fray of battle, a path soon created after their dispersal. He smiled. It didn't take long for the Ministry fools to overcome their brief fear of the lions and attacked them, tearing them apart with their own spells. This provided enough time for Leigh to seize an oppurtunity. He turned and grapped Gabriella around the waist, using his wand to knock the Ministry fool out that she was dealing with.

'Time to go!' He shouted as he hefted her onto his shoulder and ran with her screaming and roaring. He didn't know her well enough but he had to make sure that she was saved. He had heard Gobien's call for cover and there was none, other than the Ministry fools themselves.

He rushed through them, their attention diverted by the dying lions he had used from his fathers spell and soon found himself through them, though not far enough. A loud explosion went off, causing Leigh to throw Gabriella onto the ground and stand in her way as shrapnel struck the Ministry fools. Several fragments flew past him, striking trees and the ground around him. All but one struck him, his shoulder suddenly exploding into pain as a metallic piece of shrapnel embedded itself into his shoulder, his inhuman cry echoing about the area.

His wand dropped his hand as he sank to his knees, hand clutching the wound as he pulled out the piece of shrapnell, blood splattering the ground before him. He winced as he put his hand on the wound and helplessly groped the ground for his wand, grunts of pain escaping his lips as he finally found his wand, recognising the power that flowed through his body. He smiled and raised his hand as far as he could before crying out the incantation he needed.

Soon a black mist escaped the tip of his wand and slowly encircled him, then quickly dispersed in a circle around the spot where he was. He smiled and fell to his knees and laughed, before shaking his head.

'That should give us a little time.' He said quietly, before turning to Gabriella. 'Sorry for that.' He managed to say. He looked over towards where a fleeing person was, a rocky outcrop where the Ministry's attention was. A centaur flew up and he recognised her, a smile appearing on his face. Neku and Gobien, as crazy as ever. He turned to Gabriella and smiled.

'The names Addis, may have heard of me. Now I'm just a man wanted by the Ministry with a changed face.' He said, shaking his head to rid himself of the hair that covered his face. He was himself, no Octavious for the time being. 'You've met me before, but with a transfiguration spell that changed my appearance. You know me as the Wandless magic professor.' He forced himself to stand, hand still clutching the wound and his spell soon beignning to fade.

'You coming?' He said, turning and beginning to walk away, safe for the time being though for not much longer.

[Gabriella De Conti]

She frowned as the ministry sent more men and women after them. They were coming quickly and fiercely. It was obvious that the ministry was now recruiting rash stupid people in large quantities instead of training a rational amount of personnel. She stupefied another witch as she began to back away from the fighting-there would be no victory here tonight.

She saw a ministry wizard smirk at her and immediately sent a severing curse towards his lips...he wouldn't be smiling for a long time.

Gabriella stopped mid thought as she heard a whizzing noise flying through the air. She glanced up at the sky and yelled, "WHAT ARE WE? MUGGLES?" before diving for cover; her arms and hands reaching to cover her head. She began to shake slightly as blood and dirt pelted against her body and then she came out of the reverie. She lifted her head only to find a darkness beginning to surround her she jumped up and fled towards the man who had just created the mist and recently joined the battle.

She nodded as he spoke to her, the name Addis familiar to her for some reason. "Glad to see you again Professor," she said with a smile.

She glanced behind her as the smoke started to fade, "Much as I love to do battle; I will most certainly be joining you." She said with a smirk as she took off at a light jog into the forest. Today was definitely shaping out to be a good day.

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

'Good to know.' Leigh said and continued his walk. The sounds of the crying wounded rained out about the forest and all he could do was muffle a laugh, those arrogant fools. He himself may not be that great of a fighter but at least he was able to hold off a few of them, even when he was only in the forest running an errand.

He wore a smile, a mask to the pain he was in. His shoulder throbbed as blood still bled from the wound in his shoulder, but if he was lucky he would make it to a safe point away from the known Ministry routes.

He turned and looked at Gabriella. 'Gobien knows me.' He said, trying to explain to her. 'We had an encounter quite a few months ago and since then we've had an arrangement. My position in the school as a professor allows me to garner information about the Ministry tactics and whereabouts quite easily. I knew of the Ministry positions for tonights ambush of Neku, though I found out only too late. I have been pocketing off information to Gobien that has helped him quite a bit, possibly helped you out in the recent months. The food possibly helps as well.' He clicked his fingers with his bloodied hand as an apple appeared, as juicy as the one that Gobien had first taken.

Leigh knew of the food he was sending Gobien, who risked his neck to retrieve it when he could from the boundries of the forest, but ever the dutiful professor, Leigh would patrol the forests edge to the school and clear the area of any Ministry patrols, either by force, sometimes excessive or by meagrely reporting to them a rogue was spotted several hundred feet away from their current position. He smiled at the last time it had happened, in the frantic running one tripped and broke his neck killing himself instantly. Another ran himself into a tree and gored himself on a low hanging branch. Stupid fools had forgotten the Lumos spell to light their way.

As known by him, death was not a pleasant experience, however, seeing it happen to others gave him a grim satisfaction that was borderline maniacal. He was sadistic towards the Ministry but would protect the school and those fighting against the Ministry with his life if need be.

He stopped and looked about the trees and paths that intersected the forest floor. He recognised the trail and smiled. 'This is where I need to be for my return to the school, where shall you go?'

[Jake Gobien]

He had to see that everyone escaped safely, but that was easier said than done, and sometimes couldn't be done at all.

Gobien was somewhat relieved when Neku appeared unscathed before him and promptly allowed him to ride to the cover of the rocks. Toppling off her back he crouched behind a rock looking up at the centaur with warm eyes, "damn good fighting there," he complimented whilst looking back at the devastation. "Nowhere's safe," he grumbled, then he heard he final words, he gaped up at her, "no.." he muttered in disbelief, "but who?" Tossing aside his wonderment he faced the brutal facts, "you're right, we'll find out who though." Hearing calls between the officials Gobien grimaced smiling up at the centaur with fierce pride, "get out of here now, tell the other rogues what has happened, you'll travel faster solo, and besides my men, or rather women are still out there." He could leave no room for argument, "I'm sure Addis and De Conti got clear, find them; tell everyone to go underground, we have to recuperate our strength, go." He commaned, he knew the centaur would hate his ordering her around, but it had to be done. Their objective was more important, past differences had to be tossed aside, there was no room for prejudices or alternative motives, nor questions.

"Go," he cried turning away and looking back at the battleground, sharp eyes looking for his companions he soon found them; a small group huddled beneath the eaves of a large overhanging tree. Now was the time for speed, ignoring the ain from his back; pushing it to the very recesses of his mind, Gobien hurdled over the rocks and broke into a ragged run towards them keeping himself low so a smaller target. At a dozen paces spells crunched into the ground at his feet; their aim was thankfully far off. He dived into the hollow where they had taken shelter beneath the towering tree. Rolling into a crouch he looked at his companions, and surpressed a gasp that threatened to sneak out. Fiona stared back at him through ugly bruises and gashed face, her smile of welcome more of a leer, as blood curdled all over her pretty little face. Danielle peered over the ledge of the hollow wand firing off random warning spells, her right arm hung limp and dead, seemingly useless. Then Gobien saw Gloria and tears of frustration sprang to his eyes; a large piece of shrapnel had tore into her midriff and she lay motionless in a pool of blood. "Gloria," he cried hoarsely rushing to crouch at her side, her eyes were closed and he roughly shook her to awaken her. He kneeled at her right side and brushed aside the straggling wisps of her greying blond hair. "Glorious Gloria," he whispered quite shaken, "you can't be dead," he grumbled, it was his way joking at a time like this.
About to demand what had happened he was silenced when he saw a brief flicker of her eyelids. "Gloria," he urged studying her wound then looking with avid concern up into her face. It was a deep wound and the shrapnel stuck awkwardly out of her, "at least there's no problem finding it," he muttered grimly. "Danielle can you hold this position?" He asked her, his voice now back to it's regular pitch and level of command.
"I..I..dunno." She whispered still keeping her eyes fixed ahead.
"Look at me," he commanded sternly, "Danielle," he spoke curtly and unkindly but she turned if only to glare at him. "Keep up a steady rate of fire, but all over, Fiona you join her, I know you can do this ladies." They couldn't help but smile as they nervously took up their positions, he never called them anything but girls or rather gals.

Satisfied when an official cried out in shock, Gobien knew they'd buy them time, strangely he found he trusted them, the man who trusted nobody trusted these few embattled warriors, for that was what they were. "Gloria," he whispered into her ear spitting upon his hand then laying it upon her feverish forehead to waken her. "Eugh..what's that?" She mumbled eyes flickering open, Gobien smiled grimly to try giving her hope.
"It's deep but I can get it out easy enough." He said in a roundabout way of asking her what to do.
"Painkillers..then take out." She muttered hoarsely between ragged breaths. "I'll give it a shot." Said Gobien his voice now calm but his look of concern and worry quite plain.
"You'll get me out is what you'll do," she spoke in a rush in her typical humourous way.

Using what little medical skill he knew Gobien murmured a spell to ease her pain, then took out his knife for her to clamp her stout teeth down upon. "Fiona come hold her down, Danielle keep upo the sterling work." He had know idea if they were hitting anything, but a Ministry wand not prodded into his neck was definitely a good sign. Fiona stumbled back her vision rather blurred and hazy from the congealed blood about her face, but she crouched over Gloria holding down her shoulders with firm little hands.

Slipping his small hip flask of precious firewhiskey from his pocket he allowed Gloria a glug then splashed the remainder upon her wound, to which she gave a hiss of pain. With a deep breath Gobien wrapped his hands about the shrapnel and pulled, it moved slightly then didn't budge as Gloria screamed in pain around the knife butt. Gobien realised it must have been lodged about something, "bugger," he cursed then delved in once again grimacing as he yanked hard upon the long, thin piece of piercing metal. Curling his hands about the end he yanked it hard to bring it free. Gloria last ear splitting scream reveberated about but Gobien was elated at having got it free. "You'll be fine now Gloria, you can easily patch yourself up now." He smiled down at her then his eyes travelled up towards Fiona's, seeing the look of pure shock he turned slowly to find several wands pointed at his face.
"You're going down Gobien, for a very long time." One Ministry official spoke out, he was stooped over the slumped Danielle who had clearly fallen earlier, but so enraptured and focused upon their work had they been that they hadn't heard the Ministry's approach. Now a cluster of the finest the Ministry could offer were stood over them, wands trained and eyes narrowed suspiciously, these were the elite.

There was no escape from this.