Post-Apocalyptic Universe

Crouch's eyes lost their anger for a moment, "No.. I don't know where they are..."

Crest patted her arm, "You did all you could."

Arthur started exploring the castle a little while under Sam's care, he started wandering off.

Phoenix nodded once stiffly. "I don't know if my well wishes mean anything to you, but I hope we find them. I know for a fact that Pixie and Artemis are dead, and I'm assuming that the rest of my family, Eugene, and the rest of my friends are too." She smiled wryly. "I might still hate you, but I wouldn't wish this on anyone."

Crona sniffed a bit, forgetting her jacket had burned off leaving her with just her gray tank and her mothers clockwork necklace
"I wish I could revert this whole disaster..."

I follow Arthur, wanting him to be safe.

Arthur started to play around by climbing on desk and such.

"We all do." Crest said solemnly as he helped her to a seat.

Crouch laughed, "Well now... even in armageddon people can joke... that's comforting."

I bite my lip, wondering if I should let him play on them or not.  I'm no parent.

Phoenix remained serious. Her mouth didn't even twitch to suppress a smile. "If there's one thing I'll do for you, it'll be to do my best to reunite you with Amy and Alexis. I'm afraid that if either of them are infected though, you'll have to leave with them. I'm sure you wouldn't appreciate the alternative."

"So....who else is here?" Crona asked, sitting down carefully

The desk started to fall over, as Arthur tried to jump off it in time.

"No you wouldn't... who are you kidding? The second I stop being of use to you, you'll exile me and Raven. Don't pretend we're allies. We're an alliance of convenience, nothing more."

"There's Sam, Arthur my nephew, Leon, Amaya, Crouch, Raven, Phoenix and the other Nuels."

She smiled wryly. "Can't get anything past you. You're right. Looking over my shoulder the entire time I'm trying to look after these people isn't helpful."

I run to catch him, gasping.

Crona looked around at everyone else, realizing how many people she could've saved
"I can reverse time...I could've prevented this!" She pleaded at Crest

"Well I have advice for you... I'd betray me first... for the same applies for you. Once you stop being of use to me, hostili.."

"Oh I just can't do it anymore... my hearts not in it." He stopped suddenly becoming downtrodden and taking out a flask from behind his back, drinking for it.

Arthur sighed in relief as Sam caught him, "Thanks m.. Aunt Sam..."

Crest just shook his head, "Don't focus on what could've been done."

Sam:  "You're welcome."  I smile.

Ray:  "Crouch?"

"Who said I was going to wait until then?" She raised a challenging eyebrow. "I have very little left to be worried about. If it was safer to be alone, I'd walk out now. You holding things over me won't work anymore."

She fell silent as she heard Raven, glancing over at her.

Cribs looked up, shredded but teary hope in her eyes
"Then what CAN I...we do?"

Crouch downed the contents in his flask, "Welllsy... Raven... you know something? I alwayssss acted like a fun guy... you know what? I'm not fun... I'm just a punching bag... a punching bag for life.." He laughed drunkenly as he stood up and put an arm around Phoenix, "I only caused these guys trouble... cause they hadddd it so DAMN easy..."

"Hey Aunty..."

"We need to get resources and figure out how to stop all of this..."

Ray:  My eyes widen; I don't think I've ever seen Crouch drunk before.  

Sam:  "Yes, Arthur?"

Crona looked down at her necklace
"I feel like this is suppose to do something..." She gripped it and the ground under her aged, crumbling. She jumped off, eyes wide

Phoenix stiffened, frozen for a moment, then stepped out from underneath Crouch's arm neatly. "Don't touch me," she spat, glaring at him. "And we didn't have it easy, you complete arse. You made everything far worse for us all."

"I know I did... didn't you think for a minute it was to make me feel good?" He fell on his back drunk, " but now what to I got to live for? My foes are dead... my revenge stolen... my wife and child vanished... I'm nothing now..." He drank some more.

"When do you think mum and dad will get here?" He asked innocently.

Crest jumped back, "Careful!" He shouted.

Ray: "... I'm still here..." 

Sam:  "I'm not sure... It could be a long time..."

Phoenix's jaw worked as she fought back the urge to do something violent. It would no doubt feel satisfying. "Good. Now you know how it feels to be beaten into the dirt. At least I'm not burying myself in drink. I'm being constructive. I could run into the bloody forest and never come back, but I'm not. The least you could do is find comfort in doing something helpful!"

OOC Leon's a father by this point :3

Crona looked shaken as she stepped back more
"So my necklace can age things? That's scary..."

"Yeah... productive huh? Will I'm going to progressively get more hammered... see ya.." He stumbled through the castle drinking more.

A knock was heard on the door and a distinct new york accent came through, "OPEN THE FRICKEN DOOR!"

"But not too long right?" He looked at her hopefully.

Crest stepped toward her, "We can't afford any more holes in our defenses, use that only with the enemy around."