(Forest) A whirlwind of trouble

[Chloe Hargreaves]

"The rogues will be taken down this day," Chloe had been informed that in the morning and she had scoffed finding it completely unbelievable. For months they'd tried in vain to bring the rogues to justice, and only a few had been caught, now she took it as bravado that they'd have them "bang to rights" as her boss had said.

She never thought she'd be standing here now...

She never thought she'd be standing here now within the forest and upon the dried leaves...

She never thought she'd be standing here now within the forest and upon the dried leaves stepping over fallen bodies, brutally mutilated bodies...

She never thought she'd be standing here now within the forest and upon the dried leaves stepping over fallen bodies, brutally mutilated bodies, in the midst of a battle with the stench of blood all around...

She never thought she'd be standing here now within the forest and upon the dried leaves stepping over fallen bodies, brutally mutilated bodies, in the midst of a battle with the stench of blood all around, with the very elite brushing past her...

She never thought she'd be standing here now within the forest and upon the dried leaves stepping over fallen bodies, brutally mutilated bodies, in the midst of a battle with the stench of blood all around, with the very elite brushing past her dragging the rogues out from the blasted hollow.

She never thought she'd see the day, she'd hoped for it, but now it was here it wasn't how she'd expected nor dreamt of it. The scene was one of death and devastation, fallen bodies were all around, the cries of crows mingling with groans and screams for help; it sickened her.

Wiping away the sick Chloe pulled herself together and stalked up to the hollow. She looked down seeing the few defeated rogues, wondering how on earth that desperate looking bunch had killed so many. The elite had them; a team of three men and three women, the very finest; the Minister for Magic's bodyguards. But she had five members of the Magical Law Enforcement Squad to back her up, and she needed answers. "White Roses." She curtseyed reluctantly her clear voice cutting the air to draw their attention. A dozen eyes fixed her with cold stares, she gulped and they returned to binding up the rogues. "Where are you taking them?" She took her heart into her throat and demanded, not receiving an answer she added, "Magical Law Enforcement was assigned the capture of these fugitives..."
"and you have failed." Cut in a crisply dressed, thin man with the coldest voice and stare she had ever witnessed.
"We.."
"No excuses." He finished crisply his manner so silkily smooth it unsettled her. "Find the others, then your failure may not be so complete." Chloe gulped she wasn't frightened easily but these men were as cold as ice. She had the strange sensation that she wanted to please them, as if some mind games were going on, she would have suspected leglimency, but it couldn't possibly be that.
"Yes sir," she replied in a daze smartly saluting in a way she had neve done in her life.
"Good girl," complimented the man and Chloe simpered before him, blushing and stepping back into a curtsey. With those the finality of those words the White Roses bound the rogues up with invisble bounds that were incredibly tough. They flicked their wands and the four rogues flew precisely into the air hovering in a straight line upon their backs. With a soft whoosh six sleek broomsticks appeared along with the new era Ministry Security transportation. It was a slender silver vessel guided by a touch from those upon the broomsticks, ten bodies could fit easily within it, it seemed more of a herse than a transport for the living to Chloe, she hated them. In flew the four bound rogues and the White Roses glided off with their prizes in tow. But to where nobody knew.

Blinking Chloe shook herself and nearly collapsed upon the ground, "did anyone else feel wierd then?" She asked her companions who murmured their agreement, one growled that "that just isn't natural" but Chloe didn't want to start an argument so suggested, "we need to get after the rest, let's get moving." With a gesture the Magical Law Enforcement Squad fanned out and set off in pursuit, following the faint trails of two humans; not espying the centaur's hoof marks. The White Roses had dealt with the situation with ruthless efficiency, it chilled Chloe.

She never thought she'd feel like that.

[Neku]

<sup>Neku rushed over fallen twigs and limp, lifeless bodies of those who had fallen. It saddened her somewhat, knowing that so many people have lost their lives because of the Ministry's incompitance.

When the young Centaur stopped running, Neku felt Jake slide of her back, kneeling next to him in a horse-like manner, she rubbed in some leaves too his wounds, they were leaves she had gotten from her elder, he told her they could help healing time, though, "These may sting a little, but it does help" she spoke. Neku smiled, though it was a little strained, how could she say fighting is what she lived for? It was, it was what she had been brought up to do. Though she had been brought up to fight for her people, to protect those who needed it. She kept telling herself that the same implied here, she was fighting to protect those she could. "It is no longer safe in this forest, not even for the creatures, much like you, they are hunting us down, everything that lives in here from Centaur to Werewolf. One can only assume why" She spoke, though through her words you could hear the anger in them, mixed with loathing. "I do not yet know, all i do know is, there were but four who knew the whereabouts of that cave, the last safe haven in this place. It is you, Leigh, I, and that girl..." She spoke, she did not want to point the blame in any which direction, but the thought was going through her mind, though she was not yet willing to speak of it. Neku stood up at his order and looked down at him with crossed arms, her bow hanging limply now behind her shoulders and her knives holsted tightly with it. "I do not take orders from humans, and that is in no way offensive. It is true i may travel faster than you, but you are not fit enough to face them alone, and you know that. I did not make a detour to save your life only to have you throw it away again." her words were like stone, she thought she had earnt more than orders of this human, but she supposed all humans were typically alike, afterall, she hadnt known many humans, but they were proving to be pretty much the same. "Though your words do make sense, i shall do as you wish, this once" she spoke again hard, meaning she wouldnt be taking any more orders, she was not one of his Rogues and would not be treated in such way. "I shall find Addis and De Conti and the rest of your bunch and get them fixed up, then we shall come back for you. We are not clear of this yet. I bid you farewell for now"

Neku turned on her hooves and ran into the distance, leaving Jake behind and starting her search. Neku could cover much ground extreamly fast and she was in no doubt she would find them soon, she just hoped that she found them before anyone else did. Running over tree trunks, dried leaves and twigs, running as fast as she could, listening all around her for any signs of life, finally she saw someone who was too in the fray of the fight, a young female. She seemed to be hurt. Neku walked over to her, offering a hand to help her up, on her way here she had heard many footfalls that she knew belonged to the ministry, she hoped Jake was alright but Neku's main concern now was finding the others and making sure they were safe, "We must go, they are close behind" She knelt down so the woman could clamber onto her back, "Do hold tightly" she advised before setting off again.

Neku came to a halt behind a cluster of trees, listening as someone was being scorned for their failure, she set the other woman down and looked at her, "Will you be alright to find the others? Get them to a safe place, meet back at the rock in an hour" she told her as the woman ran off. Neku listened from behind the tree what was being said. Her face hardened when she realised they were going after the others and too ran off. She must find Addis, and she must find him quickly, before they did.

Addis, where are you?</sup>

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

He turned to walk down the path that lead back to the school, his thoughts were of recovering his strength, but soon he found himself leaning against a tree and feeling fatigue wash over him. His shoulder was hurting worse now, worse than before. He cringed as he moved his arm and ripped his cloak apart to form a sling, using his one good hand to tie down the flow of blood.

He knew he could be tracked easily, bloody stains littering the forest floor. But why wasn't he? He couldn't of gotten that far away from them. It didn't matter, he forced himself to stand and staggered off, his movements juttered with whispered groans of pain.

He was easily beatable now, no matter if it was a student or not but he forced himself to continue walking. He was dazy from the effort and light headed but he continued on, a grim smile appearing on his face. He wandered on through the forest and fell to his knees before he heard the rapid feet of a horse, maybe even a centaur. He smiled as his vision dimmed and a centaur appeared before him. Female with a rider; Gabriella.

'Neku...' He said before he finally fell forward into the dust of the path, unconsicous.

[Neku]

<sup>Neku, running swiftly even with the female on her back, the one she had seen fighting alongside Addis, she had picked her up shortly after leaving the voices behind the trees. Neku could only hope that Addis was alright, and that they had not yet gotten to him. She felt the woman start to slide off her back and tilted in the opposite direction until her body mass was in the centre of Neku's back. Running over tree roots, trying to see any sign of the other human she called her ally.

Never would Neku have guessed she would find allies in humans.

She stopped, stooping down a little, but only so much so the woman wouldnt fall off her back. Using a finger she dipped it into red liquid and brought it to her mouth, licking it trying to define whether human, or animal. Her taste buds were stronger than that of humans and so much could be told by blood.

It was humans... But was it the human she was looking for?

And where, she wondered, was the other female she had dropped off?

Following the trail of blood. Still running though, for she had to find who it belonged to, she could tell they were badly injured so it didnt matter much if it was a ministry official, she would just dispense of them if it was. Finally, the blood trail seemed to be thickening, showing her she was nearing whoever she was looking for.

As she got closer she slowed down, her eyes gazing at the man across from her, he uttered one single word, "Neku" before falling to the ground. "No, Leigh" she mumbled as she rushed forward. "This is worse than i had anticipated..." She picked up Leigh and placed him on her back, knowing she would not be able to run as fast as usual, with the weight of two humans on her back..

For ten minutes she ran, ducking out of trees paths and over the soil of the forest floor, when she finally came to a clearing, with other witches and wizards here too, most of whom she recognised from the battle, most weary from it. She placed Leigh and the female down as someone rushed over, "What happened to them?" the person asked as Neku turned to walk away, "I do not know, i found them both like this"

Where was Jake?</sup>

[Jake Gobien]

(ooc brilliant thread people, just had to say it. Just to clarify on what's happening; Jake, Gloria, Fiona and Danielle have all been arrested and taken away to Hogsmeade, so I'd love to do a thread of saving them. Meanwhile I may as well control the other Rogues, named ones include Ricky and George who have appeared in other threads of mine, I'll take this opportunity to make a few more too, obviously you can create you own to bulk it out, and I may even attach mini bios on Gobien's bio so people can know who they are. Keep up the awesome rping!)

Gobien was down, Fiona, Gloria and Danielle were captured too, but no other Rogues knew of this...yet. The main Ministry force had focused upon that small group, in so doing they had succeeded in capturing them. Now the remainder of the ministry forces were starting to converge upon until recently unknown Rogue hideouts. Rogues were embattled everywhere, many were fleeing to fight another day, and the word had been spread about to hide, they were happy to oblige.

Because of this few Rogues remained in the main cave when the centaur arrived with the injured upon her stout back. Ricky had reluctantly taken over the mantel of leader whilst both De Conti and Gobien had been away. He'd managed to keep a clutch of Rogues present to aid in their escape. Now the burly veteran moved forward with his usual catlike grace, but big George blurted out the obvious question; "what happened to them?" But they received an answer that only puzzled them more.

"Gobien...fell?" Asked Ricky not wanting to believe a very real probability. "But we must move further on, Gobien had a plan for such an eventuality, I guess he never expected to have to use it; we're to head deeper into the mountains."

George growled his disbelief as he strode forward in a torrent, "to the mountains? What bloody help is that? They'll just keep coming, must be coaming the enter forest for us all. It's insane." There was a murmured agreement at George's all to real words.
"Gobien knew what he was doing," countered Ricky with complete faith in his old compatriot.
"He isn't here now though is he? Damned idiot got hiself caught didn't he? What goods that?" Rogues clustered about George clearly showing their support to him. Ricky had no answer so simply looked flatly at George in his casual way.
"We've got survive and hiding is the way, for now." Ricky looked at the centaur for guidance, perhaps she knew what to do?

[Neku]

<sup>((I never expected it to turn out like this, but its well better than what i had invisioned. Rescue thread sounds good too))

Neku stood in the middle of the cave, looking down at everyone, most injured and would take a lot to move them and she knew this, but she couldnt just stand around not knowing what was happening to Jake and the others he was with. Her mind was awash at what to do.

Neku looked down at the one who said Gobien had fallen and Neku's head hung slightly. "Do not let this dishearten you, This is a war now, and we must see it through" Neku placed a hand under his chin and gave him a smile, "Do you think he would have you standing around like a bunch of scared little puppy dogs?" she asked before letting go of his chin.

"There are too many to move, they are too injured it could cause them greater damage" Neku looked down for a moment trying to think, when all chaos broke out and she could no longer think through all the shouting. She turned, there was enough of them to get the injured further in the mountains, "Will you lot stop bickering?" she snapped, "That is NOT going to help anybody" she turned around to look down at the one she believed to be named Ricky, who seemed to be looking at her for guidance. "Ricky, was it? Get all the injured to a safe place in the mountains, and return here in an hour with all the non injured people. I will go and find out what has happened to Jake, and if you need me, send up red sparks and i shall come. Best thing for now is to get the injured out of harms way, and since i am the fastest here, i shall go and find Jake and the others." She looked down at Ricky and smiled, pulling out one of her knives, handing it to him, "Sometimes a knife is your best friend, throwing it right gives it greatest accuracy"</sup>

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

((ooc: Always good to be part of a good thread )

Leigh barely heard the voices above the uproar of the rushing hooves. He was on the verge of consciousness the whole time and fought to bring it forth the whole time. He groaned slightly and felt Neku stop, his head thundering with a headache.

Using his one good arm he pushed himself off her back and fell backwards, staggering slightly as he fought to regain his balance. He stood upright, with swimming vision but he had enough control to utter a few words.

'Stop you're bickering like she said, take the wounded to the mountains and hide yourselves there if you're afraid of a little rescue.' He said, though his shoulder was obviously killing him. One of the nearer rogues approached him but he pulled away and glared at him. 'We'll attack them in a way that they won't realise... Head on.' A smile enveloped his face as he knelt down, holding his shoulder, but his eyes were now wide with courage.

[Jake Gobien]

The Rogues were milling about in confusion, always they needed leadership, and Ricky wasn't the one to give them it, he could relay orders easy enough, it was just the thinking them up in the first place that wasn't his strong point.

The Rogues gawked at the centaur sure they'd seen her before a few times, but tilting back big old Ricky's chin and talking so softly to him, it sent shivers running down George's spine. "We're not scared dogs," he spat glaring at the centaur his wand at his side, but fingers fondling it as if prepared for action. Luckily Ricky stopped George from plain embarrassment and stepped in by saying, "it's true we're not out there fighting like madmen are we?" George blustered but other Rogues hung their heads a little in disheartenment and real embarrassment, some hadn't even seen action yet and others had run.

All the Rogues looked startled at the centaur's sudden shout, it silenced them utterly, even the cries of pain. As her fierce eyes alighted upon Ricky he looked flatly back his gaze not wavering, like his courage never would. George on the other hand just scowled.
"Yes sir..I mean Miss." Ricky saluted smartly, glad someone had assumed control, and glad they were a wise centaur too. As she handed him a knife he bowed in gratitude, "I've knives of my own, but known so finely balanced and crafted as this, I'll hit a sparrow from a hundred paces with one so fine." He smiled broadly in thanks, and chuckled as George muttered, somewhat jokingly, "how come I don't get no knife?"

Beginning to bark out the orders Ricky set about organising the retreat. Stretchers were conjured for the wounded and they were hoisted quickly upon them. He assigned guards to front and rear, he believed getting the injured out was a priority, they'd have to leave the cave undefended for now, then return with every able-bodied man and woman later.

But first Ricky had a little suggestion as the Rogues began to file out in a haphazard manner; being rogues after all. "Shouldn't we regroup first sir?" He asked Addis, George was quick to agree, "yeh a rash assault now isn't a good idea." Ricky hadn't quite thought that but George had a blunt way of putting it.

[Neku]

<sup>((of course it is))

She looked over at Leigh who seemed to be having a slight problem where balancing was concerned. "Leigh, do not be a fool, you are to go to the mountains too, accompany these and make sure they get there safe, patch yourself up and then, only after you have achieved that are you to come back here, I will not be able to fight and worry about the injured fighting too, and i will not take no for an answer, do i make myself clear?" She said to him sternly, looking at him. "Now i take my leave, i shall be back in an hour, make sure you uninjured are too."

She looked back to the rogue who said they werent scared dogs, as Neku walked closer to him, seeing his hand on his wand, "You'd be dead before you could draw that worthless piece of stick boy, it is not advisory to tangle with a centaur" She knew there was a reason she disliked humans. "It neither matters whether you are out there or not, the main thing isnt to fight and get many injuries," she said looking down at her own scars on her chest, "You have to look after those around you first, you wouldnt get very far without them!"

"Make sure you use it well" She spoke again to Ricky, she turned to the other one, feeling slightly annoyed with him. And Centaurs, once angered, were not very friendly creatures, even to those they called allies, and her patience with this one was running thin. She for now, ignored him, "That was crafted by us centaurs ourselves, though not from this forest, i hope it aids you as it once did me" She walked back over to the other one and loomed over him, "Prove your worth, it would seem to me as though you do not even want to be here, now look after those you call your friends, and, unfortunatly, i will see you later, i may need your assistance"

Neku watched as they were preparing themselves, she looked back to Ricky, "An hour" she said before rushing off to find Jake and the others.</sup>

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

'I didn't say do it right now,' Leigh said with grin. 'We'll do it when we're ready, healed up and are focused. It may take more than an hour to do so.' He forced himself to stand watched as Neku left. He shook his head and stood full straight.

'Is there any brandy here? I could use a drink to rid myself of the pain.' He asked, seeing the supplies a little low. He didn't want to know how little food there was. Hopefully in the mountains they would have some better luck.

Leigh approached the one named Ricky and used his good hand to pat the rogue on the shoulder. 'You do know that the Ghost walks with you now?' He said, then with a tired grin he shook his head. 'This Ghost would like to be a Ghost right now.'

[Neku]

<sup>((Just so everyones clear, the Elites arent the Ministry's strongest fighters, but they arent exactly weak either. The White Roses, which Gobien mentioned are the best fighters in the ministry and can prove very difficult. Meaning they wont be taken down easily, but the Elites are people who the White Roses are training))

She had given them an hour, and if they were quick, which Neku knew they would need to be as the ministry were very close by, they would be able to match the deadline, she only hoped, through all his pigheadedness that Leigh would do as advised. At least he was awake, so if the rogues needed someone to look to now Neku had left, they could look to him. She halted as she came face to face with three Ministry officials.

"You are the one named Neku, the one aiding those rogues?" He questioned, taking out his wand, shortly followed by the other two. Neku narrowed her eyes, "Foolish you are if you think you three can best me" She spoke. They laughed, arrogance was a humans worst trait. "We are more than a match or you Centaur, or should i say Halfbreed? We are the ministry's elite" Halfbreed, the worst insult you could ever hope to give a centaur. She felt the anger warm her blood as the female spoke, "You shouldnt have tangled with us Centaur, we meant you no harm.. For now" She laughed as she pointed her wand directly at her chest, "You will need more than a stick to best me female" Neku spat and ran before them, jumping over them, whilst in the air taking out her knife, landing, turning, slashing the one who called her a half breed in the back of his neck. He crumbled, "You didnt even react, and you call yourselves elite?" she mocked before taking another run at the other man, driving her knife into his chest, the other holster empty as she had given it to Ricky, hoping he hadnt had to use it yet. She looked to the female, "You think you can still best me?" She asked as the female fell a few steps back, "Tell us where you are hiding the rogues, and you wont get hurt" Neku laughed and took out her bow, the woman fired a spell at her, but missed, "Idle threats" she spoke, before fireing one at her, causing her to join her "Elites" on the floor.

Turning, not giving those three any other thoughts she ran back to the clearing where the battle took place. Looking around, no sign of Jake here, nor any of the bodies either. Someone had cleaned up. She replaced her knife back into its holster and looked around for some form of clue. What had happened here?

She turned once more to be faced, again with more of the Ministrys Elites. Not my day she thought to herself. "Neku, it is not wise to fight these" came a cold voice from behind them, the group split and out walked a man, "These are.." But Neku. having already heard, cut him off, "Your elites right? Though i must say, Elite is not a word to associate with these"

She spun on her heal once more, neglecting the fight and running in the opposite direction, if Jake was here, then the only known thing that could have happened, was Jake to be caught. Running she found herself nearing the edge of the forest, she saw him, with at least one hundred ministry officials around them, So they have been caught she thought to herself. I will not be able to take them myself... She knew this and turned on her heel.

She took the safe route back to the clearing, though on;y to be surrounded by people. Fireing spells at her left right and centre, though rather clumsily. Feeling her anger well up again, she jumped as high as she could and onto the top of a rock, firering at rapid speed a bunch of arrows, colliding like rainfall with those below before spurting off again. She knew she had been gone for over an hour, and just hoped that when she did get back, that they would be there already..</sup>

[Gabriella De Conti]

Gabriella was running at full speed now every so often shooting spells behind her as well as shield charms. She was scared, she couldn't be captured, not now. She pushed herself further, ignoring the pain in her legs.

Just then she noticed a centaur running towards her, Neku, she believed. She sighed as the centaur gracefully lifted her up on to her back and stole her off towards her comrades. She had never been more thankful in her life.

She slid off her back and joined the rest of the Rogues who were now debating what was to be their next move. She had to say she agreed with Neku and Addis, they needed to get the injured out of here fast, or else more were going to die.

"First of all Addis, you're in no condition to be giving orders or even moving." She said walking towards him and pulling out her wand. She had noted the look on his face as another Rogue had attempted to help him, but Gabriella had never been one to be intimidated."Don't be a fool and let me help you. Now healing had never been my specialty but I should be able to top the bleeding and numb the pain." She said slowly, praying she was right. She had performed the spells on herself on occasion but sometimes different bodies reacted differently and with the amount of magic flowing through Addis, it could just be one of those times. She muttered a few words under her breath and watched as the bleeding lessened and stopped. She said another spell and smiled hopefully up at him, "How does that feel? Any better?" She said smirking slightly.

"If we're going to do anything we have to move fast or else we will have another battle on our hands and as much as I enjoy the excitement and adrenaline rush I'd rather not die today so let's get a move on shall we!

"Now, we need a few of us to conjure up some stretchers and get the wounded and dying out and the rest need to cover the retreat and make sure no ambushes are being planned."

[Prof Octavious Everritt]

Leigh didn't fight as De Conti pulled him away slightly and applied the slight healing spell on his injured shoulder. He curled his lip in pain as the shoulder stopped bleeding, the numbing pain lessening to some degree. He however kept his arm in the make shift sling as not to move about, he needed to see a real healer in case there was more sufficient damage. A shrapnel wound could damage the bone, a thing he didn't want to take lightly.

'Yes, better.' He mumbled wearily as he stepped away and did as he was told. Gabriella was at least a little more refreshed than himself and he allowed her to take the reigns. A chain of command needed to be established soon enough, could he do it? He suppose he could.

Leigh placed his good hand on his shoulder and massaged it, feeling his fingers dig in and massage the muscle, the pain a little but the numbness filled it. He lowered his hand and looked at the other rogues and smiled wearily.

'I'll walk, I should manage. No point in wasting a stretcher on me as there are more important people requiring another hand to help out, though I can't do much.' He said.

Ricky pulled out his wand and without another word conjured as many stretchers as were needed. Seventeen bodies lay upon the stretchers and there were not enough hands to carry them all. Leigh stepped forward and offered advice to Ricky, who nodded in agreement and cast several hover spells, carefully rising to several inches off the ground. Leigh had asked Ricky to be adamant in his spells, making sure that the stretchers would follow the one in front over the terrain.

The process took little over ten minutes and George was eager to leave, wand in hand with a face filled with glee. Leigh looked at him and offered a smile, but received nothing in return except for a cold stare. He shrugged it off and walked back to Gabriella.

'You give the order to move out. It should only take us roughly twenty minutes to reach the mountain path, but the Ministry is on full alert... We may need a large diversion.' Leigh suggested, turning away and closing his eyes and filling his mind with plea's for his dragon to come to their aid. He knew she was near and asked her before all else if she would lay her life on the line to help him, the answer was obvious to him, a yes. A smile appeared on his face as he felt Shiela take off and fly towards their current position and felt the ferocity in her mind for the Ministry, she now shared the painful experience with them.

'Our diversion is on the way.' Leigh said, turning back to Gabriella. 'We should move out now.'