The ILEX Team

((I'm sorry, but, I just don't know what to have Cerberus do at this moment. He is simply just, sitting there, looking around. So skip.))

Mint followed the Arbok regretfully, continuously glancing over her shoulder down the tunnel at Plauge. While she trusted his judgement, leaving him with that Ampharos and Cerberus to fare alone left a foul twist in her gut. Her ears were down, head hanging in defeat as she followed the others. The snake's den did seem to have enough room for the all of them... but it was still a little crowded. Mint watched with peircing eyes as she was the last to enter the deepest hole. As she moved in with the others, the feline slowly edged her way closer to the entrence of the tunnel.. Not only did she not trust the snake,but she wanted to be the first one out if Plauge was in trouble.

"...I didn't introduce myself. I'm Anaksa..." the Arbok introduced herself in a soft hissing whisper. Mint snaped her head around, narrowing her eyes slightly. She could not remember if she had introduced herself to the sname or not, but better to be safe than sorry. "You may as well know; who knows if you'll be able to use it later," Anaksa pointed out in her hushed tone, sparing a glance upwards as small tufts of dirt fell down. Mint frowned. She didn't trust the Arbok, no matter how helpful she seemed. Mint's gaze went to little Rue. A motherly instinct to protect the youngster ran through the Espeon and she smiled at the squirrel, hoping to keep her calm.

But something came to her from down the tunnel, a sound soft yet laced with urgency, that was heard below the undead howling above. Mint's head snapped up, her eyes suddenly wide. Plauge! "Stay here!" she hissed at everyone before spinning on her heels and racing back down the hall. She cme upon a shocking scene. Plauge was hissing at... an umbreon that looked nearly identicle to him. Cerberus was doning out to the side as well as Kyoya at Plauge's side. Mint's pelt suddenly spiked up, her ears flattening as she bared her teeth in a ferocious disply. She stepped forward, out of the tunnel, but kept a stance in front of it. No way was this monster getting through. "Get outta here!" She hissed, all of her anger and fear put into the barely whispered threat.

((Skip... not really feeling up for posting... Anaksa followed Mint and is watching the exchange. :<))

The Arbok gave a small chuckle at Rue, whom felt her heart flutter about as she gave a small smile. At least she was noticed, but she shouldn't do that again, she felt like the Ampharos hated her even more. The little mouse shook her head, dismissing that as the Electric-type made the statement he'll be with the Umbreon for a short while. "...I didn't introduce myself. I'm Anaksa..." The Arbok whispered, the Emolga blinked, but listened intently, "You may as well know; who knows if you'll be able to use it later." Rue didn't know whether she should trust a snake, especially since they were common enemies of rodents -- then again, Rue was a flying one at that -- and that she could poison the poor Emolga anytime!... But she wouldn't do that would she? Anxiety prickled throughout her fur, she glanced over at Mint to check up on the Espeon... Was that a smile?... Rue shrugged it off as her imagination, but it was comforting at least.

However, she was forced to get over to reality, as a soft sound of a howl came from above; an Undead. "Stay here!" Mint hissed, her eyes were filled with urgency behind that mask that Rue once held. Anaksa didn't seem to follow the Espeon's orders, the Emolga, however, did not want to stay in the tunnel without the Psychic-type. As their footsteps echoed behind them as they went towards the entrance that Plague and Kyoya wanted to stay in, they were greeted by an unfamiliar scent, yet an odd doppelganger of Plague. "Get outta here!" Mint hissed at the intruder, "Get out! You're not welcome here!" Plague followed up.

Rue frowned, why are they telling this to the doppelganger? Sure he seemed intimidating with the bone collar... Wait are those fangs from others? The Flying Squirrel dismissed that feature, but continued frowning, they have yet to hear his intentions of being here, yet they show hostility... Why? They had not done that to Rue when she first met them, so why do it to him? Was he like an Undead? If so how? He didn't see to claw at Plague upon sight like the others, so why be hostile to the doppelganger? She said nothing as she watched the group, but was dumbfounded upon the hostility.

[Ooc: Rue doesn't really have a good nose... =w= ]

(OoC- Buh...skip? Can't really do anything until Darastrix comes back...)

They were still walking/crawling down the tunnel when suddenly, Mint snapped. She orders to the others to saty where they were, and then bolted in the opposite direction, from the room they just quit for this tunnel. Unfotunately for her, it seems curiosity got the better of Anaksa first, who followed Mint right after her, and then the Emolga. Xander was still there for a while, unsure of what to do. Then again, he remembered Plague's words to keep an eye out for the Arbok, so he sighs and began to float back at the entrance of the den.

When he arrived, he was astronished. In front of Plague was standing another Umbreon, clearly infected, which feature the same purple-ish rings as Plague himself. What could it means? Does Plague is.....

Xander didn't let his mind finish that thought that he shake his head to not thinking about it. He's gonna ask for answers... but not for now. He knew those answers will have to wait when he identified as a bone collar on the intruder's neck. If they really are bones from others pokémons, he's inevitabely a threat to them, and Xander ready one of his hand to fire a Shadow Ball at the intruder if things were to explode...

((Sorry, but I have been to busy lately, I will give Cerberus a post next round. Sorry guys, for my holding up the team >.< ))

Neither the intruder Umbreon nor did Plauge respond to the scarred Espeon's hissing warning. Her tail fliked to and fro behind her, her peircing, one eyed gaze right on the monster beforre her. The Eeveelution had bones and claws sticking out of a collar around his neck, making Mint avert her gaze. Honestly, it made her feel a little queesey. Was it from his past victeims? Maybe those that had been close when he turned?... Either way, Mint would not allow him to stay. "Are you deaf, undead?! i said leave!" She spat, her voice a harsh whisper. Her claws slid out from small, compact toes to dig into the moist ground beneath her. "Don't make me get rid of you-"

The Espeon broe off in her threat, her gaze suddenly widening. Now that she paid attention, from where she stood she could compare both Plauge and this newcomer... They both had their own accesory of choice- her friend's mask and the undead's collar- but otherwise... they looked nearly completely identical. Horror began to rise within her as realization dawned on the Espeon. She shot her counterpart a desperate glance, her entire stance now unsure and submissive. Mint did not even care that she was blocking the way anymore, nor did she care when the huge Haunter came close, preparing an attack if something went wrong. "P... Plauge?" She could barely get the words out, her tone soft but broken. her pain filled eyes were unwaveringly upon the one she had come to know and trust.

((:< Hate to skip again, but she's still just staring at what's going on.))

Mint continued to bare her fangs against the newcomer, Rue slowly taking steps towards him with hesitation, glancing at the Espeon occasionally. The Emolga felt the edge of lips turn into a frown as she was now a foot away from the newcomer, "Is there something you want from us?" She asked politely, her unwavering gaze was fixed onto the look-alike Plague. The Flying Squirrel Pokemon still found it somewhat ridiculous how everyone seems so hostile towards him, though he does look intimidating with that bone collar, what could he possibly do against a group of Pokemon that are always on their guard? "Don't mind them honestly, everyone's hostile during the Epidemic." 'Plus your bone collar is intimidating, She added silently.

Rue gave an apologetic glance to Mint, of course, she probably sounded rude to her friends, but maybe being polite would cough out some information from the doppelganger? "I'm Rue, what about you?"

The other Umbreon went hostile, going into a defensive position and telling him to leave, that he wasn't welcomed, and yet he felt welcome here, it wasn't everyday he met a fellow eeveelution that was undead and able to cling to its soul.
"Why do you want me to leave? We are the same. Infected with a soul." He said, as he took another step toward the other Umbreon. "We even both wear bone trophies. Yours the skull, and mine the fangs." He stated, pointing to his colour with one of his paws, its jagged ridges filled with the fangs of those he killed, before, and after the epidemic struck.

For a strange reason, he could feel some of his insanity leaving him, the part that was cause by the infection, the same with the infections lust for blood, and for once, he couldn't feel his soul being driven from his body.
Scourge let out a small laugh. This was the first time in months since he felt alive, and strong. The infection was holding him back, cause if he released to much then it would take hold, and he would lose it. But now, he could finally relax, but he still kept his guard up.
He knew the Umbreon wasn't alone, that others where in the cave. He even got the scent of another eeveelution, and Espeon, his psychic counterpart.
But right now, he was more focused on the other Umbreon. "My name is Scourge. Mind enlightening me with yours?"

((Scourge doesn't have much viral craziness cause his soul is still clinging to his lifeless body, though his bloodlust could be temporarily gone. And he was crazy even before infection.))

"Are you deaf, undead?! I said leave! Don't make me get rid of you-" The Espeon hissed angrily, her fur bristling. But something in her gaze changed, rendering her speechless. Her entire demeanor changed from hostile to cowering in an instant...and Plague knew exactly why.
Her eyes went from the intruder to himself, then back again.

No...Plagues' ears fell and his tail curled itself beneath him as he frantically looked at her and the others, their eyes all betraying what they were thinking.
They...they all know!...
He tried to breathe, but his lungs constricted and his throat tightened.

"P... Plague?"
The Umbreon looked at the Espeon with agony-filled eyes through the hollows of his mask. He tried to speak, but nothing came out. The tone in her voice cut him deep, as if he betrayed her somehow.
Of course I betrayed them...I lied to them...I'm...I'm a monster...
Plagues' head fell low, his entire frame seemingly broken and shamed.

The little Emolga stepped forward and addressed the intruder, civilly asking for his name. Plague said nothing as he took a few steps back, the light from his bands fading to nothing as he stood there, his secret laid bare by something as simple as another Umbreon that barged into his life unannounced.

"Why do you want me to leave? We are the same. Infected with a soul." The other Umbreon asked as he took a step towards Plague. "We even both wear bone trophies. Yours the skull, and mine the fangs."
The masked Umbreons' body stiffened at his words.
The same?!
Memories of the Honchkrow attack flashed before him, making his whole body shudder.
Blood covered his paws as he felt the terrible beak rip into his chest, arms and face over and over again. He heard terrified screams tear from his throat as he tried desperately to push the enormous bird away. A flash of dark energy, a last, wild attempt. The birds' head was severed clean from its' shoulders, landing with a bloody splat not far from them as the body collapsed on the mortally wounded little Eevee.
NO! NO!
Now an Umbreon, his rings discolored, his face covered in blood-patched gauze. He cleaned that terrible birds' skull in the stream until it was devoid of flesh with his bandaged paws. He ripped off the bottom jaw in rage and pain; so it could never taste flesh again. He took the skull and put it over his mutilated face- to hide the wounds he should never have gotten, behind the guise of the monster that would have killed him.

"My name is Scourge. Mind enlightening me with yours?"
Scourge...Punishment.
His eyes grew wide with rage as he realized the full significance of this Umbreons' appearance. His rings and eyes began to glow as a deep growl vibrated in his throat and his razor-sharp claws protracted.
"The same?! We're NOT the same! GET OUT!!" He snarled, his muscles coiling as he prepared for a quick attack.

---

Kyoya watched quietly from behind Plague, allowing things to unfold before he took any action.
So they finally figured it out...it took them long enough.
I almost killed him because of his coloration when we first met...
They should know purple discoloration is pretty widespread among the undead. It's a wonder any of them even survived up to this point.

The Ampharos watched the new Umbreon carefully as the others talked, taking everything about him he could, into his mind. The electric types' eyes narrowed as he began to speak to Plague, ignoring the painfully friendly little mouse. The collared feline seemed to laugh in relief, as if a heavy burden had suddenly lifted off of him. But his suspicions weren't confirmed until he spoke once again, his voice much calmer.

Huh. Quite interesting indeed. So Plague is responsible for this Mightyena being placid. And this Umbreon is just now feeling the effects. It makes perfect sense.

Suddenly, Plagues' rings lit up the narrow den, casting everyone in a brilliant purple luminescence. His posture was that of an enraged creature, ready to attack.
Dammit, Plague...
Just as Plague lowered himself to the ground for the attack, the Ampharos leaped forward and barreled into the masked Umbreon, tossing him against the earthen wall. Kyoya righted himself as he held up his fins defensively against Plague, who scrambled to his feet, confusion and rage in his eyes.

"What the hell do you think you're doing, Kyoya!?" He growled in accusation, his eyes glowing in indignant intensity.

"I'm sorry, but I don't think attacking him would be wise. There are still undead outside, and I doubt those ones would be affected by your special ability, Plague." Kyoya said calmly, knowingly nodding at the enraged Umbreon.

(OoC-long post is loooong. But now we have a whole lot to work with.~)

Eventually, the words the Haunter didn't wanted to hear came into his brain and didn't seems to go away.

"We are the same. Infected with a soul"

...

"Infected"

How could he be so blind to the details? The odd color, the pity for the infected Migthyenna, the sudden rage against the Pichu back in the Slowpoke's Den.. but the most important of all, how could he completely cast aside Plague's dream, the one he ate when he first discovered him and snatch him away? How couldn't he see the signs? However.... Xander can't blame Plague for what he did. Sure, he hide the fact that he was infected, or somehow related, and it hurt him, and as he can see, it hurted Mint a lot too. Shaking his hand to make the Shadow Ball dissapear, he looked at Plague. He was destroyed, crushed by the guilt. He was about to confort her when he heard Rue engaging the conversation with the infected newcomer, who seems to fortunately ignoting her. Gently grabbing her neck and pulling her to him and Mint, he whispered: " I wouldn't do that if I were you, he could take a trophee from you for his "collection" "

All of a sudden, Plague get up and started growling loudly at the other Umbreon, ordering him to get out and preparing to attacking him. Kyoya then jumped between then and pushed Plague on the wall, claiming that attacking isn't an option we can have since there's still infecteds outside. With a tone of regret, the Ghost Pokémon added: ".... *sigh* I hate to admit it, but he's right. I would have joined you, but.... *he look at Mint* I believe we deserve some explainations....." He then turns to Mint, trying to confort her the best he could....

(OoC: Ajd! Got permission for pulling Rue)

Cerberus made his way to where the others stood in time to see Kyoya stop Plague from attacking another Umbreon, one that looked just like Plague.
The Mightyena had very little to say as every began to have shocked looks on there faces as they looked an the intruder and then to there friend.

From what he could gather, the other Umbreon seemed to be getting under Plagues fur, causing him to snap when he did, and with the other Umbreon, the one who called himself, Scourge, looking like Plague, it raised a lot of questions.
Cerberus had no idea what to say, or what he could do to do. All he really could do was stand back and wait for an explanation.

Anaksa felt rather silly simply sitting there, as the horde of infected were stomping about above her underground home. The others were enthralled with this new pokemon, a similarly purple-ringed umbreon with a trophy necklace of fangs decorating its form. While it seemed savage enough upon entry, oddly enough, it spoke, introducing itself as "Scourge". The serpent resisted asking if he'd given that name to himself, but she supposed it didn't matter now. Especially when he revealed himself to a likening of the little group's leader, Plague.

Her eyes shifted to both umbreon, comparing them. Well. The fact that she hadn't noticed earlier left her feeling a bit sheepish, but the revelation only left a small grin to her lips. If he were so deranged and viral, then why was he so... alive? So interesting. The espeon took the news rather harshly, it seemed, as the ghost moved to try and comfort her. Not wanting to get in the way, she moved from her spot in the inner chamber tunnel back to where she was, watching the newcomer with alert eyes. While she knew she wasn't likely to become infected, they still hurt.

It was sudden when the ampharos barreled into Plague, casting him into the wall of her den. When he demanded an explanation, the ampharos explained that, with the horde outside, it was unwise to begin a fight now. She heartily agreed, seeing as how the den was probably unable to withstand their kind of fighting. She could wrap around him and crush him with her coils, but even then, it was risky. "We can't just let him stay in here," she hissed, keeping her gaze on Scourge.

[Ooc: First skip in so long #___#;; I plan on switching Rue out with another character, I'll make leaving post next round ^^;; ]

I seemed the other Umbreon wasn't to pleased with Scourges presence. His friends look as though they had a lot of questions to ask, and Scourge couldn't help but grin his devilish smile.
His eyes nothing more then slits as he narrowed his eyes along the group, his teeth glinting in what little light there was in the den.
"The same?! We're NOT the same! GET OUT!!" The other Umbreon finally said, getting ready for an attack. Though it never had the chance before being jumped by one of its friends.
Scourge payed little attention to what the umbreons friend said to it.

The others seemed to chatter around him, but his focus was on, Plague. That was what they called him right?
"You want to fight me, Plague?" He said the other Umbreons name with such eeriness it could have been equivalent to nails on a chalkboard. "Plague, such a nice name. Perfect for one like us."
Scourge knew he was getting the the other Umbreon, his words seemed to be digging deep into Plague like claws to flesh. That was probably why he snapped. He couldn't take what Scourge was saying. This gave him pleasure.
"Why not join me Plague? Join my new clan. Do so, and I'll help you get what you want." A question with a simple answer. "We are the same after all, no matter how much you try to deny it, we are like brothers."

"I believe we deserve some explanations....." Xander said, moving to Mints' side defensively, all of their gazes either accusing or horrified.
Plague was flabbergasted.
"Dont look at me like that! I've done nothing to hurt any of you!" he growled indignantly, his voice thick with pain. "And what the hell do you mean, special ability?!" He growled, turning to the Ampharos.
Kyoya glanced at the Arbok as she hissed at him, and nodded at her knowingly.
"Plague, your ability is synchronize." He muttered rolling his eyes. "You should at least know your own species' techniques. And because of your...unique...experience with the virus, your health status is given to your opponents." Kyoya quickly explained, not pausing to see if the others understood what he was saying. "Which means this Mightyena and Umbreon here are-"
"You want to fight me, Plague?" The other Umbreon interrupted, his voice suddenly gaining a deeply sinister tone. "Plague, such a nice name. Perfect for one like us." Kyoya fell silent and narrowed his eyes, a dangerous anger boiling behind his reserved posture.
This thing is clever. He's barely met Plague, yet he knows exactly how to break down his defenses. Not that the foolish Umbreon is doing a very good job of covering his weaknesses, but still...a feat in itself to get under Plagues' skin so quickly.
Plagues' eyes widened, tears brimming as he listened to his doppleganger in horror.
"Stop it! Shut up!" He hissed, his voice turning ragged with emotion, but he didn't stop.
"Why not join me Plague? Join my new clan. Do so, and I'll help you get what you want. We are the same after all, no matter how much you try to deny it, we are like brothers."
Plague said nothing as he stared emptily into the space at the Umbreons' feet, looking as if he just got shot through the chest.
That's it...there's nothing left...
They know...
And now...they'll never trust me...
They'll hate me...run me out...
Because of this...
The masked Umbreons' legs crumpled underneath him as he fell to the ground, the intruders' words cutting deeper with each syllable.
Maybe it's best if I...
They don't want me here...
Maybe he's-...
Dammit...he can't even hold his own. I almost prefer it if he attacked him rather than flopping over like a dead Magikarp...

"I believe it's time for you to leave....now." The Ampharos said coldly and assertively, stepping between the two, staring down the collared Umbreon and coming to Plagues' defense. Sparks began to crackle from the brilliant red gem atop his head as well as his tail, which he swung around slowly to meet the undead fox in a show of dominance.

(The trampling of undead above is done, I'm assuming. Enough time has passed. I give permission for an attack on either of them if that's what you wanna do, Darastrix. If not, that's fine too)

"Nothing to hurt any of you? I don't believe so..." Xander said for himself, still pelting Mint's fur. But again, how could they all blame him for not telling? If he was infected, well, in a same state of infection as Plague, would he have told them right away? Probably not.


He was then intrigued by what Kyoya was saying. So, it was Plague's doing all that time? He then remembered how Ceb- The Infected Mighthyena looked after the "incident". Could it be?

The Infecteds' words take him out of his thoughts. Well, more how they appeared to hurt Plague even more than he is. The umbreon hissed back at it, ordering it to stop, to shut up. Then he slowly get on the ground, apparently weakened by the words. It looked likes Plague was about to giving up. Xander thought of something to say then to Plague, because he didn't want him to go away, despite the fact that he hide his status to them.

"Plague.... There's no need to deny it. You really are brothers. Even if you tried your best... You'd be still like him." He paused. "BUT! Even brothers are differents inside. You're maybe looking like him, but you're not obligated to think and act like him. That's what really defines you, and I believe the Plague I see and I saw in the past few days... isn't anything like the mostruosity we have in front of us right now. The Plague I know is a leader, a kind being that think of others before himself. Someone who'll fight not for himself, but for his friends. I'm still hurt because you hide us your status... but.... but... I don't want to lose you Plague...."

HE then floats in between the two Umbreons, beside Kyoya, and face the intruder, readying a Shadow Ball in one of his hand and pointing Scourge with the other. " I, too, believe it's time that you get out of here, before we skins you alive, punk."

(OoC: Sorry for the delay. ALSOOOOO, I got permission from End to use mah New pic. Sorry if your eyes exploded, I'm not responsible if they can't handle that amount of SWAG!)

Things happened all too fast. The realizations of the group were suddenly thrust into the air and right in the open for all to judge and assume. Little Rue and the Arbok had not been around long and were not close to Plauge, but Xander and herself were. The sudden eye opener that came in the form of the demon before them was mre than enough to rock them all to their cores. Despite the ghost type's attemps as comforting the Eeveelution, the scarred feline still felt trapped and unsure. How could the Espeon have been so ovously shaken only by the few words of a stranger?

Mint suddenly felt her pelt spike up. No. She would not let herself be driven to suspicions like that. Plauge was her friend and she damn well was not about to give that up. At the threats from the Ampharos, she stepped forward. The psychic feline's tail whipped up behind her, ears flattened in a feirce show of strength. She moved in the direction of the Umbreon she knew and cherished. He was on the ground, nearly rolling in agony. Pain ripped at Mint's heart- how could she have been so blind to his ovious pain?

Ignoring the remaining throbbing pain in her hind paw, the Espeon took a stance close to Plauge. Half standing over him, she growled out. The message was clear but the Eeveelution spoke anyway: "Unless you want to get your ugly hide handed to you," Mint growled, adding her own threat to Xander's.

[ooc: Permission to attack Mint as well, Dragon, if you want~]

Watching everything was something of a play, the actors taking their roles and heralding their lines. She felt on the outside, merely a spectator, marveling at the goings on not feet from her in her own den. While Anaksa had always chosen the side of watching, rather than participating, it was odd when she was actually placed there by circumstance. Her coils flexed in anticipation as not only the ghost, but the espeon and more surprisingly, the ampharos took their stance in front of Plague. They were all banding together against this foe to save the fate of their rather unfortunate friend.

How sweet.

While she did not know these pokemon as well as they all seemed to know each other, she still felt it was appropriate to join into the festivities. The arbok slithered further, meeting the decorated intruder's eyes with a fierce gaze. She coiled, curled and poised herself for a strike, her tail shaking in warning. "Your disease does nothing to me, Scum," she hissed, showing her fangs in the dim light. "Know my coils will shatter every pathetic, rotting bone you have. Leave!"

Everyone was fighting... Rue stared at all of them disappointingly, sometimes she wondered why she even bothered. She honestly wanted to be with a team that can work together no matter what; a family. But all they did was bicker, and bicker... Though the Haunter prevented her from getting hurt (and she was quite thankful for that), what's her reason to be here except watch her past go on again? Even though this was a complete stranger, taunting Plague, it was as if every stranger they come across, they would do something about them...

She felt arms grab her waist, she looked down only to see a different Haunter grab her. The Emolga's eyes widened, this Haunter was insane, it was insane from the Epidemic. The Electric/Flying Duel-type... she was getting dragged into the shadows! She flailed, only whimpering as screaming would obviously not help her. Rue was going to disappear, she didn't want to disappear yet-!

Rue disappeared without a trace as she got dragged further below.

[And sorry for crappy leaving posts, I can't do them for shit ;;A;;]

All these other pokemon where interfering with Scourge's conversation with Plague, and he couldn't help but scowl at them as they started to band together and started telling him to leave.
"Shut your traps. I'm not talking to you." He growled at the Ampharos as well as the others.
His tail glowed in a metallic light before he swung it at the Amapharos, hitting its side as he spun around, sending it flying into the Espeon. "Stay out of business that isn't yours." He snarled at them, his hackles raised as though he was ready to attack them once again.

Scourge eyed each of them before turning back to Plague. "Your so called friends may stand by you now, but what about later?" He said as he padded slowly toward the other Umbreon. "How do you know they won't find you to dangerous later on and put you down? Kill you, like all the other undead and infected out there. They may start to think that you could turn at any moment, and kill you before you could kill them first."
His voice was sturn, but someone gentle as he spoke to his fellow dark type.

((Free to attack Scourge if you want. But don't knock him out or anything. Also I had permission to attack Mint and Kyoya.))

A painting I did of this scene, lol:

Plague listened with a half-deaf ear as he watched each of them, their mouths moving and words that were going to hurt him later pouring out. But right now, the Umbreon was empty. He watched hollowly, his dark eyes glazed over as the others tried speaking to him and then standing to guard him from the intruder.

The damage is already done.
You all know.
It's too late.

A large knot grew in his throat as his mind fell deeper into darkness.
I was such a fool. Why did I think that they wouldn't find out. Why did I think I could even have others trust me. I've let them down, just by being who...and what...I am...
But his thoughts were ripped from his mind as the collared intruder growled and whipped his tail around, hitting Kyoya and Mint hard with an Iron Tail, sending them flying into the wall. Plague tried to scramble to his feet, but they refused to work underneath him.

"Your so called friends may stand by you now, but what about later?" He said as he padded slowly toward Plague. "How do you know they won't find you too dangerous later on and put you down? Kill you, like all the other undead and infected out there. They may start to think that you could turn at any moment, and kill you before you could kill them first." Plagues' ears wilted as he visibly cringed at his words, unable to tear his eyes from the looming Umbreon before him.
All the other undead.
Too dangerous.

Too dangerous.
His heart clenched, his breathing grew shallow and his eyes crunched shut as he tried to shut out his voice, but he could not unhear what was said. His paws pulled into his chest, covering his heart as if trying to get it to stop hurting.
No! They wouldn't!...They!...His heart lurched in his chest as he recalled the words they had said earlier.
He'll become just like the rest of them...
Get rid of the dead weight before it tries to get rid of you...
Don't kill him, just put him somewhere far...

The Umbreon threw his paws over his ears and head, trying to drown out the voice, repeating those words over and over. Tears streamed down his face freely, disappearing into his dark fur.
"No!" He growled through his teeth and tears as he felt himself losing to his internal madness. His claws dug into the tender flesh around his ears as a pained hissing escaped his maw. His feline form curled up tightly as he rolled to his side, his body shuddering with pain.
"No! No!" Sharp claws tore open his own flesh as he snarled and spat, his rings flashing erratically as his emotions overcame him. Blood dripped down his forepaws and head as the pained whimpering suddenly ceased, and a new voice emanated from the tormented Umbreons' throat.

"...You think-haha!- you think you can just...take what you want!?" He half-growled, half-chuckled in a louder and grating voice, his paws gripping his bird mask and slipping it off as he slowly got to his feet, his entire frame shaking with an unstable hysteria. His eyes glowed a blood red as he stared at Scourge with the darkest of intent. Raw bone shone through the old scar tissue that had formed around his eyes, his jaw and cheek bones glaring through the dark and crimson flesh of what remained of his face. Blood caked the matted fur around his maw, previously hidden by the bird skull. "You...are pathetic. A scheming...worthless...meat sack. Waiting for the slaughter." He sneered hungrily, his fur bristling in anticipation. Plague drew closer to the other Umbreon, close enough to tear at his throat, but instead lowered his ragged voice to a whisper. "You disappoint me. You have no real power. You just....scheme." He spat as he recoiled and roared, his bared maw a semblance of twisted and maniacal animosity.

His muscular haunches pushed him forward with lightning speed as he plowed into the other Umbreon, his claws catching flesh, then hard dirt beneath them as blood spattered across the open ground outside of the den. He leaped off of the Umbreon and spun around in the dry earth, kicking up dust around him.
Plagues' lips curled back, revealing a large set of fangs. A sadistic grin showed itself as he used another quick attack, speeding towards the intruder with claws extended and ready for a kill.

_________________________

Kyoya watched grimly after picking himself up, his fur sparking with static electricity. His brow furrowed and his mouth set in a scowl as he gazed at Plague, tearing himself up in a crazed fashion.
If I move to get him to stop, he will only lash out.
He glanced at the others before muttering quietly.
"I've seen this before. He's pushed him too far...the only thing we can do now is let this play out."
He stood, holding his fins out to protect the smaller ones, his gaze collected and wary.
This is just what he wanted...he thought sadly as he looked upon the now maskless Plague, seemingly a completely different creature.

And I fear that this will take a heavy toll on Plague when he comes back around and realizes what he's done...

(OoC- Kyoyas' Static ability has 30% chance of paralysis, Dara. You can choose to have it effect Scourge or not. You can also attack Plague, just be careful with how you have it effect him. I kinda want this to be an evenly matched fight. Open-ended attacks usually work awesome in these situations~)

(OoC: Sorry folks, but I'm too squeezed between work, the moving and the Radio show to post earlier, and right now I'm just braindead. Skip my turn. Just pretend that Kyoya flew into Xander and his Static ability paralysed him.)