Jason flinched both by the edge in Ash's voice and the memory of that time in the mines. He subconsciously stroked his fingers over some of the cracks lining his cheeks,the first that had formed on his snout when that had happened.

"NO" Ironhorse shook his head. "LET ME CLARIFY. BOTH TIMES, THE GREMLINS WERE UNDER MACHINAS COMMAND. LORD MACHINA WAS THE ONLY ONE WHO COULD CONTROL THEM, THE ONLY ONE THEY EVER LISTENED TO. WHEN HE DIED, THEY REVERTED TO THEIR NORMAL, FERAL STATE. THEY ARE NO THREAT TO US, NOW."

"What about Virus?" Puck asked.

"VIRUS SEES THEM AS VERMIN. EVEN IF SHE COULD CONTROL THEM, SHE WOULD RATHER LET HER DRONES DO THE WORK THAN STOOP TO DEALING WITH ANIMALS."

"Well, this should be easy, then." Puck smirked. "We'll just stroll in the front door, waltz up to Virus, grab the scepter, have some tea and save the world before breakfast. Silly me, thinking it would be hard."

Jason sighed,smiling faintly at what Puck said. "He just said she'd rather work with her drones,and I think plenty of people are probably still awake at this point even this late. Gang bangers and people like that,but I have no prob beating up some humans,the possible Thornguards are what personally worry me."

"Dont worry about Virus." Ashs voice raised the hairs on Ironhorse's neck. "Ill take care of Virus."

Puck rolled his eyes. "Very nice, Prince Cheerful, but there is one problem. We have to get inside first. How do you propose we do that?"

"Youre the expert." Ash glanced at Puck, and his mouth twitched into a smirk of his own. "You tell me."

Grimalkin sighed and rose, his tail lashing his flanks. "The hope of the Nevernever," he said, eyeing each of them disdainfully. "Wait here. I will check the place out."

Jason raised one eyebrow as the cat spoke. "Hm...am I included because I've been known as the opposite of hope." He said,putting a hand to his hip,still holding Pucks hand in his other. He,inside,didn't want to let go.

"Yes. You, too, are included."

He hadn't been gone long when Puck stiffened and Ash jerked up, his hand going to his sword. "Someones coming," he warned, and they scrambled into the ditch. Two figures marched past their hiding spot, dressed in familiar black armor with spines growing from the shoulders and back. The faint smell of rot and putrefying flesh drifted into the tube at their passing.

"Rowans Thornguards," Ash murmured grimly as the pair moved on. Frowning, Puck peeked over his shoulder

Jason stayed in the back,curled up tightly to take up little space,and hiding in his wings in camo.But softly his voice came from seemingly no where as he spoke very very quietly. "I hope we don't have to deal with to many of those.They give me the shivers,literally straight down my spine."

"I'd guess there are a few squads at least," Ash replied. "I imagine Rowan wanted to send his best to take over the realm."

"You are right," Grimalkin said, suddenly materializing beside them. He perched on a cinder block so as not to touch the water, keeping his tail straight up. "There are many Thornguards inside, along with several Iron fey and a few dozen human drones. And gremlins, of course. The factory is crawling with them, but no one seems to pay them much attention."

Jason groaned softly,mainly because there where more of those spiky people,and curled into his wings tighter. The scales shivered faintly before camouflaging again with the new angle. "I don't think I like roses anymore,those thorns." He muttered softly.

"There are two Thornguards stationed at a back door who will not let anyone past." Grim said

Ash narrowed his eyes. "Can we fight our way through?"

"I would not advise it," Grimalkin replied. "It appears some of them are using iron weapons--steel swords and crossbows with iron bolts and such. It would only take one well-placed shot to kill you."

Puck frowned. "Fey using iron weapons? You think Virus has them all bugged?"

"Something far worse, Im afraid." Ash's face was like stone as he stared at the factory. "I was forced into service. Virus didnt give me a choice. The Thornguards are acting on their own. Like Rowan. They want to destroy the Nevernever and give it to the Iron fey."

Pucks eyebrows shot up. "The heck? Why?"