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If the gymnasium was more cheerful, Libra was not.

Her mouth was drawn in a thin, tight line as she watched the others mill around in the gym, and her heels were clicking on the floor, an angry measured tapping rhythm. Click, click, click.

Elke had said that while she had left, someone possessed Serenade and began a question and answer session. Well, that was just Libra's luck these days. She cleaned up after Virgo, ripped her nightgown to shreds in the name of teamwork, got hit on by decapitated heads, and found out she was obliged to serve princesses, but heaven forbid she was around when people were taking questions about this ridiculous situation, or doing anything useful that didn't require massive amounts of her assistance at all. At least people were getting organized now though, and it wasn't much of an army but it would have to do. Her eyes scanned the zodiac side of the gym and saw no one she knew, but they looked capable enough. And at least they weren't Andeon or Tara or anyone ridiculous like that.

One blonde eyebrow raised as the boy named Sue approached Hero and addressed her as a different name. Hero was Aries?

Well, she had always known that outdoing Hero at anything besides history would be a short-lived achievement. Anyway, as far as Libra was concerned, Hero had not really beaten her at being a senshi until she had saved Virgo from being eaten then subsequently bandaged her with strips of her clothing.

Speaking of strips of her clothing, she was definitely not going to henshin down until forced to. Her nightgown still covered everything, but it wasn't pretty, either.

Not knowing anyone was a given when you were new to a school, especially if that school was in a different country. Pierrette had hardly any time to make friends at Meadowview, much less Barren Pines. Well, there was Audrey.

Audrey... Pierrette hadn't seen her at all, dead or alive. She wasn't in the group in the gym, not even the new ones coming in. Then again, there were lots of people she hadn't seen. That came with holing yourself up in the library which, in the end, seemed like a pretty good move. The redhead closed her eyes and gave a silent prayer for Audrey. Oh, if only she knew that the bluenette had been the one to set fire to the dorm and kill so many people!

Her eyes snapped back open and went wide when she heard Elke whisper something about shooting. It wasn't meant to be heard, and Pierrette probably wouldn't have heard it if she hadn't been standing close-by (Elke looked nice, Pierrette gravitated towards nice people). So that imposing woman not only had a gun, but could shoot people?! This was terrifying! The cranky (but beautiful) cat woman looked like she wanted to throw an atomic litter box at the group, the blonde tap-tap-tapping woman looked like she could set someone's hair on fire with a glance, and the gun-wielder....

... Was Aries.

Even though Sue had said it before Elke's comment, it took a few moments for it to hit her, and a wave of relief flowed through her and calmed down the flipping fish that seemed to enjoy swimming in her stomach.

"Aries... now her scariness makes sense..."

When the gym burst out in excitement, Topher was quite the happy camper. So many people. So many people who weren't trying to eat each other. Perfect!

Though it was all pretty much ruined when someone began barking orders. Someone he hadn't seen much of before. Just as he was inquire something about who she was, who she thought she was and why she knew so much, he saw the gun. Blue eyes widened, staring at the cold metal as if it were pointed directly at him. Who brought a gun to school? Where the hell did it come from? He was certain that thing didn't just come from the janitors closet. Now this was the last thing he needed. For all he knew, that crazy chick with the gun was going to kill them all. Of course, he honestly doubted that considering that all the others were with her. That was even a stretch for his own reasoning.

His fingers hesitantly slipped from Yvette's, leaving her do whatever Hero had asked. "Just go to the bleachers. I'm sure everything is alright! She seems to know what she's talking about," voice shaking a bit with uncertainty even though he plastered a big reassuring smile on his face for Yvette. He definitely sounded like he was trying to convince both himself and his female companion. The last thing he wanted was for either of them to get shot. That was worst case scenario at the moment. How did everything go from okay to scary as hell in what seemed like light speed? The boy shuffled as quickly as he could to the discarded pool stick which had luckily been kicked to the left side of the bleachers. The cue felt awkwardly heavy in his hand almost like, in that short time since he'd dropped it, he'd forgotten how to use it.

It was probably better to just go with what Aries said than dawdle on without a purpose. Wait? Aries? She was Aries? Well, that kind of made sense. She obviously had a hold on the situation and she was accompanied by...a cat person. This person was definitely a zodiac. As he sat down, he couldn't help but wonder what was going to happen to them and what all this meant. Topher looked down intently at the pen that had caused all this for him. This entire change was because of it. He wanted to know what it was capable of.

There were benefits to being dragged across school grounds. One, he didn’t have to think, which was really good when he was still grappling over the fact he was now human. For a very mature-sound girl to come over, touch him, and then reverse death was all but, and he rarely used this word, a miracle. It was one thing to accept being a zombie, as that had a degree of sense. You died, and due to the tragedy of his death and general weird happenings, he was made into a member of the undead. He’d seen it in movies all the time. What he didn’t see was zombies being made back into people. You expected to be rotting, but his hands were fine, throat working as if it had not ever been slit, which lead to another benefit of being dragged. He didn’t have to watch where he was going. Being lead around gave him time to look at his hands and just take it all in. He was human. How this happened was just as confusing as everything else, but going to this gym was said to give them all answers. After being in the dark for so long, both metaphorically and literally, he was ready for someone to put some light on the current happening of Barren Pines.

Talking was hardly anything he could manage now. Gray didn’t know anything, and as the boy was practically sprinting to the gym, he guessed he had something on his mind. He didn’t ask, but guessed he’d find out.

Entering the gym wasn’t very inspiring. There were survivors, but not as many as he would have expected. Having seen the gym filled when they hosted basketball games and various events, it seemed sad at how empty it was. Gray left him, and while he barely knew the guy, he felt a bit lost without anyone leading him about. Alone, he rubbed his shoulder and then looked for anyone he might know. It was rather sad that he didn’t recognize anyone as far as being classmates or seeing them in the hall, leaving him lingering by the door before being told to go to the side with the rest of the survivors. Well, the “Others”. Apparently being a Zodiac was a big deal, but seeing Grayson, he didn’t know why. The boy didn’t look any different than he did.


Not about to think too hard on it (he had enough to boggle his mind with), he walked to the side and took a seat, curling in to touch his stomach. Being a zombie made the contents of his stomach acceptable, but thinking about it now, having a meal of dead meat made him feel sick and guilty. How could he have done that? Saved, but feeling sick, he watched the happenings and wondered if he’d spot a pink-haired friend. He hoped that guy managed to survive.

Though he'd missed the announcement to separate themselves according to their status, Gray didn't miss when the woman who revived him started giving out directions. He palmed his pen, giving Ignacio an apologetic glance - no time to talk, it seemed to say - and then gave his full attention to her. Who she was, he wasn't certain, but he wanted to listen to her without distraction. Part of him demanded it, actually, which was something he wasn't used to, but it didn't make sense to argue with himself.

His expression wasn't serious, as very few things could inspire Gray to complete solemnity, but the smile on his face was much more subdued than it had been. So they were really going to destroy the barrier? .... with pens?

He looked down at his hand, a bit of doubt crawling into his face, and instantly felt terrible for it. It was difficult to explain, but there was part of him that knew he shouldn't be doubting what the lady said, even for an instant. So, he curled his fingers around the pen once more, nodding to himself as he looked back up.

Yep. They'd destroy that barrier, all right. They would do their worst, even if it was with pens, and it would work. Because he had faith, if nothing else.

Striding over to where the other Zodiacs were gathered (he assumed they were the other Zodiacs?) he paused next to Elke, offering her a brief, pleasant smile. Though everyone was moving, heading outside, he supposed it would be best to stick with the ranks. He was Leo, right? So he belonged next to the rest of them.

Still, he found his eyes drifting down to his pen again, wondering. Wondering just what it meant to be Leo.

Froust was about as confused with the milling students as she could get. But it didn't show. It didn't show at all. She still couldn't quite understand how she had convinced Barrett to get her a** back to the irritable-laserbeam-shooting catgirl, but... well, Abeline must have said something right. Which, Abeline reminded herself, was only natural because Abe was... well, talented and all that. But there was something about Hero that made Froust not begrudge taking orders. Sure, Abeline took orders every day, but usually only the ones she wanted to.

Abeline had been about to answer Astraea--- she had a good one about kittens and litters all prepared (and it would have probably ended with a laserbeam-blast if Astraea took it with her cheerfulness to date)-- but then Zue had come back with Chronos intact (thank god! And no, Abeline definitely wasn't concerned...at all.) So Abeline had just tossed her messy hair over her shoulder.

Cancer was quiet as the surviving senshi filtered into the room, everyone seemed pretty happy and relieved to be rescued from this nightmare. But it was far from over, Froust realized. Did they believe that Zue or ghost-possessed-Chronos was going to save them? Froust crossed her arms under her chest. Ancient Lady had said as much herself, the Zodiacs were saving themselves and... who they could. And Froust wondered where Fallon was... if anyone was to be saved, she wanted her personal chef... but Abe hadn't seen her at all since her own ressurection; perhaps the other girl was... well....

At the mention that they were heading for the barrier, Froust stepped forward, a sweep of her hands across her skirts, smoothing the rumpled, stained fabric. They couldn't save everyone. No, and Ancient Lady seemed drained, perhaps as much as Sue was. Abeline bit back the lump of despair that settled into her stomach. Those that they couldn't save, she silently promised she would do what she could to ease their pain. Merciful angel that Abeline was.

"Let's bring this nightmare to a close." Abeline spoke, to no one in particular. First they had to seize control of their own fates; then they could help those still trapped in this gruesome dance. If there was help to be had.

She knew that they would succeed. In the same way that she knew that they didn't have a choice. It was succeed or.... or else. Not like Astraea had said what happened last time with the Zodiac senshi.

No, everything would be different this time; because Abeline Froust Said So.

.... Oh God. All of Andeon's shenanigans from now on were going to be in ******** stereo, weren't they?

"Real ******** cute, you two," Sue grimaced, dropping his cheek onto his hand. "Really. You oughta get on Youtube or something. Get serious for two seconds, will you?"

Rising slowly, wincing like he could feel every muscle and joint cracking on the way up, Sue stretched out. He was still tired as ********, but what could he do? He was still needed. The Queen had asked him to keep at it. So as long as he still had any strength left at all, he had to try.

Of course, the second he was standing, Stripers and Mackie were there; winding around his feet, purring happy encouragement. Just another reminder of why he had to try so hard.

To Gemini, he shook his head and instructed; "Come on, jokers. The Queen said we're moving to the edge of the barrier." Which meant, possibly, that they were ready now to make their final move. Aries and Taurus were off to fetch Sagittarius, if Sue didn't miss his guess, and would meet them there. So somewhere along the way, Sue would need to get the pens ready for the Zodiac who had awakened before his arrival, and then be ready to handle that last one when the others caught up.

He could do it. Sue had enough. He wouldn't give up now, at least.

It was Mackie that her hand found. The tomcat's purring paused at the unexpected attention, looking up at Pierrette with an odd question in his eyes - then promptly seemed to decide that this was all right, and began shifting his bulk to bump up against Pierrette's legs instead.

And, in a rare show of good faith, Sue didn't snap at the girl, foist off a million suspicions on her to prove his general dislike of humankind. If he couldn't trust the motivations of one of his Zodiacs, after all, he really had nobody he could lean on in the world. So, tiredly, he pointed out each cat in turn and introduced them; "That's Mackie, and this one's Stripers. And I'm Sue." Or Zue, depending on who was asking, but it was still easier to him to fit into his human name for now. "I'm still piecing things together myself, you oughta know, but c'mon. Let's walk to the barrier, and we can talk as we go...."

Assuming the cats didn't trip them up as they went, anyway. They sure seemed determined to make walking as difficult as possible.