"I hate this plan so much", Yuta voiced his opinion without hesitation. He had crossed his arms over his chest while a light scowl was visible on his face. Even if he hadn't said, that he didn't like the plan you would have known just by looking at the warlock with the purple hair.

"We can't let the Dreamies take part in this plan. There is no guarantee we can keep them safe while going through with it", Yuta continued while glaring a bit at his leader, who sat on the opposite side of him. Taeyong only sighed looking at the magical map in the middle of the big round table before him, not meeting Yuta's eyes.

Taeyong had called in a meeting with some of the older NCT just one day after the battle at the Moon pack, so he could explain his plan to them. He had worked on the plan over the night along with Johnny. Meaning he wanted to hear the input of his group members but it did annoy him a bit that Yuta was immediately against the whole operation. He knew Yuta was a bit more protective over the younger members than the rest of NCT but the guardian hadn't expected the warlock to be against his idea this much. Especially because of Ten and Jaehyun.

Taeyong exhaled deeply and finally met Yuta's dark grey eyes, which stared straight at him. If the guardian wanted his plan to be an option he would need to convince Yuta but also the other members of NCT, which were gathered in the room.

"Listen, Yuta. I don't like the thought of dragging the Dreamies into this either but even if we receive all the help from our allied groups we still need them there. We need them and their abilities for the plan to work", the red-haired guardian explained. The warlock with the purple hair still looked displeased but he leaned back a little, seemingly willing to listen.

Sicheng, the blond male warlock with the purple eyes to Yuta's right, who was also known as WinWin, eyed his fellow warlock worriedly before looking back to Taeyong like he was reassuring himself that the two wouldn't start verbally fighting. Taeyong wasn't planning on fighting with Yuta but he would not back down either. They needed to at least try his plan.

"None of us like getting the Dreamies involved in this, because we all know they are too young to fight in a war, but they are trained to protect our world. You taught Renjun, YangYang and Jisung yourself, you saw them develop their skills and you know how good they became in the course of a year", Johnny spoke up beside Taeyong, immediately gaining everyone's attention, including Yuta's. The harpy seemed composed, sitting on his chair with a straight back and his hands folded on the table.

"They swore to protect our world just like we did when we became one of the four groups who protected the barrier. We just can't leave them out of this. They wouldn't want that either", the harpy concluded. Taeyong mentally thank Johnny for the help but also wondered how the harpy was able to seem so composed and attentive despite not having slept last night.

Taeyong's attention flickered back to Yuta when the warlock straightened his back, leaning forward a little bit. His dark grey eyes shimmered with a bit of irritation, which made Taeyong brace himself for a yelling Yuta.

"They still aren't experienced enough for operations like the one Taeyong-hyung is suggesting. Jisung is only 15 years old for the gods' sake and the rest of the Dreamies aren't much older. It needs only one little mistake and we would all die or end up as the hunters' prisoners just like most of the members of the Sky Clan along with the many vampires, who mysteriously disappeared after the attack on the royal vampire palace. We also shouldn't forget that they got Ten and Jaehyun, who were targeted by Zendala herself", the purple-haired warlock argued, being clearly sarcastic while saying "mysteriously disappeared" because everyone now knew those vampires were held captive and a certain part of them had been used for the war declaration of the hunters just yesterday.

Taeyong lightly bit his lips, trying to come up with something to say. Yuta was right, that if the plan failed they would lose more than they would dare to imagine, but the guardian still believed they needed to try a rescue mission. If they succeeded they could safe not only Ten and Jaehyun, but every other prisoner and maybe even take out Zendala. Yuta was just seeing the bad outcome, not the good one.

"You are just seeing the worst case scenarios. If we succeed in this mission we can free everyone the hunters kept prisoner and get the upper hand by defeating Zendala", Taeyong reminded the warlock with the purple hair. Yuta slammed his hands onto the table, standing up from his seat, letting the chair almost fall. The irritated shimmer in Yuta's dark grey eyes just became worse.

"It won't end the war. The rest of mankind will see us more as the monsters they think we already are because with your plan we will be the ones attacking not them. As much as it hurts to admit it, we can't get the upper hand no matter what we do, so instead of trying something that will endanger our youngest ones along with everyone who takes part in it we should lay low, keep our vital bases safe and get everyone we can to safe havens like Atlantis, Aztlan or Lyonesse", the warlock almost shouted. Maybe Taeyong should have raised his voice at this point but he didn't feel like he had the energy to argue with Yuta properly. Still, he could feel anger bubble up in the pit of his stomach but he was pretty sure it wasn't his own.

"We can't sit around and wait for the hunters and Zendala to do their next move. We need to free everyone who has been held captive by the hunters! You know what they did to the vampires! And now we have the opportunity to find them by tracking down Jaehyun and Ten", Johnny spoke up, being clearly irritated but at least he didn't slam his hands onto the table and started yelling like Yuta.

"Stop. All three of you", Taeil finally spoke up in a stern tone. It caught the attention of Yuta, Johnny and Taeyong instantly. Taeil, who was usually calm, collected and quiet, now showed signs of light irritation.

"You are behaving like little kids", the oldest in the room said, looking from Yuta to Johnny and then to Taeyong. "Of course because we have nothing better to do", Yuta scoffed sarcastically. Taeil sent Yuta a cold glare, which made the warlock sit down in an instant. Taeil was scary when he was angry. The oldest of NCT then let a sigh escape him, which seemed to let all his irritation disappear.

"This situations sucks. It really does. We are all hurt, we are all stressed because Jaehyun and Ten were taken captive. It's something we never thought could happen because they are stronger than most of us", the guardian with the black hair began, using a surprisingly clam voice.

"We were hit in the face with the fact, that Zendala is one hell of a strong magical creature. For that reason alone should we try to take her out as soon as possible. The hunters are a lot weaker without her. They couldn't teleport anymore, they couldn't hide as well as now, they would be a lot easier to fight in the long run", Taeil continued, letting his gaze wander to each person seated at the table.

"If we need the Dreamies for Taeyong's plan to work then don't argue about them being too inexperienced and get them in here so they can talk for themselves. They aren't little children anymore. They can think for themselves and they also know their powers a lot better than anyone of us", the black-haired guardian ended, looking at the table before him for a short moment before he looked up again.

The room had fallen completely silent while Taeil had talked. Yuta seemed to have calmed down completely and stared at the table in front of him like he was seriously considering something. When things got heated in situations like this one Taeyong was always thankful to have Taeil because the older guardian always kept a cool head and rational mind. He was always the voice of reason and if Taeyong was honest with himself sometimes Taeil seemed more like a leader than he did.

"Taeil-hyung is right", Doyoung spoke up for the first time ever since had entered the room. He sat to Johnny's left and hadn't voiced his opinion yet, which was a bit unlike him but considering yesterday's events it was understandable.

"Even though Yuta made some valid points we can't just let everyone, who was taken by the hunters, rot just because we are too scared to take a risk. If we can find them and somehow free them we have to try", the banshee with the violet hair said. He looked around the room for a moment.

"I am siding with Doyoung on this", Kun, who has stayed silent until now, spoke up. Taeyong had tp refer from looking away from the brunette because of the white patch on the werewolf's cheek. Kun had received some minor injuries from the fight at the moon pack because he was one of the offensive fighters in NCT, therefore, he was met with hunters directly.

Taeyong ripped himself out of his thought when Kun looked at the last person in the room, who had said nothing until now. Sicheng.

The blond warlock was the youngest in the room with only 19 years but he was probably one of the best healers Taeyong ever saw and he grew up besides Taeil, whose guardian ability was to heal.

A sigh escaped Sicheng when the room's attention was on him. "Taeil-hyung is right. We are obligated to try a rescue mission. We already failed to protect the barrier, we can't fail protecting the creatures in need", Sicheng agreed with NCT's oldest, glancing at Taeil briefly before he looked at Yuta. He seemed to hope that his partner and boyfriend had changed his mind.

Yuta looked a little defeated, tired even, which made Taeyong feel his own exhaustion creeping up his limbs. The warlock with the purple hair was probably the most short-tempered out of NCT but he was also a furious fighter if it came down to it. Seeing him drained from seemingly all energy was something entirely new to almost everyone here.

"I still disapprove of this but I'm in. We should talk it over with everyone though, so we can get as many input as possible, so it doesn't flop and we all end up dead", Yuta sighed, rubbing his hands over his face. Taeyong nodded in understanding, silently appreciating that the experienced warlock with the purple hair more or less agreed to go through with the plan. He also mouthed a silent "Thank you" to Taeil. The discussion would have gotten south if it wasn't for him. The older received it with a barely noticeable nod.

"Let's take a break before catching up the rest of our group. Meanwhile I will inform our allies about the plan and ask them to come here as fast as possible", Taeyong concluded, dismissing everyone from the meeting. Yuta was the first one to leave the room, closely followed by Sicheng, who was seemingly very worried about his boyfriend. Doyoung left not long after them, probably walking straight to Jungwoo's and Lucas' current location to catch them up a bit. Kun stayed back along with Taeil. Johnny also remained seated.

"You two take a nap now", Taeil commanded shortly after Doyoung was out of the door, obviously talking to Taeyong and Johnny. The two slightly younger males looked a bit taken back by the commanding tone of NCT's oldest.

"Hyung I can't-", Taeyong tried to argue but he was immediately cut off. "You two developed this rather rough plan over night and it shows", the older guardian said, gesturing towards the magical, blue map on the table, which illustrated the main idea of the plan. Taeyong wanted to protest since it sounded like Taeil wasn't okay with the plan after all but the older guardian raised his hand, signaling that he wasn't done talking yet.

"I'm not saying the plan is bad because it is not but you two are easily irritated today. It clouds your rational thinking, so go to your room, take a nap and let me and Kun take care of the rest", the older went on, leaving no room for arguments. Taeyong looked over to Kun, who nodded in agreement. A sigh escaped Taeyong while he once again had to realize how tired he was and unlike Johnny he couldn't hide it very well from his group members.

"You are right. You are right as always, hyung", the red-haired guardian admitted, standing up from his spot on the table. Taeil seemed pleased with that statement and leaned back into his chair a little. Johnny followed his partner's lead, without saying anything since he probably knew that he wouldn't come around the nap, Taeil wanted him to take.

"Have a nice cuddle session", Taeil said with a little smile on his face when Taeyong and Johnny were almost out of the door. Taeyong didn't have the energy to argue with Taeil on that since he was right. He was pretty sure he wouldn't be able to sleep without Johnny beside him but he did feel his cheeks heat up when the harpy beside him shamelessly responded to Taeil with: "We will".

——————

Jeongin became kinda nervous when everyone was ready to talk to NCT's leader. They were officially a group now, united under one magical symbol with Chan as their leader. It was honestly a little exciting being connected with your friends like that but the current situation gave this an bitter undertone. The kitsune was aware of the fact, that he clearly didn't know much about the difficult situation with the humans but he did pick up on the face that they in someway declared war to every supernatural being out there. He didn't have any details yet but his gut told him he didn't want to know while his head screamed for that kind of knowledge.

Without really noticing Jeongin rubbed his thumb over his new group symbol, which was on the back of his right hand. The group's youngest chose this spot because he wanted to be able to see the symbol without needing a mirror. It meant a lot to him after all. Jeongin as well as Hyunjin never really had very close friends because they were something everyone consider to be special. Especially the young kitsune had only been talked to when someone wanted to get closer to his cousin. It had frustrated Jeongin because he wasn't stupid and knew the goal of the people, who randomly started to talk to him but Miroh High was different. Of course there were some problems at the start but in the end Jeongin and Hyunjin became friends with people, who didn't care what they were and what they could do. They were just accepted.

"Are you okay, Innie?", the younger heard Felix ask. The kitsune raised his gaze to meet the ginger's worried eyes. This alone made him feel warm and he noticed his heartbeat picking up a bit. Nowadays it was a common feeling for Jeongin when he looked at the ginger and he knew it was because he had a crush on Felix but now wasn't the time for feelings, so he pushed it down like always.

"I am fine, hyung. Don't worry. I just thought about some things. Nothing important", the kitsune answered while smiling to reassure the ginger, that everything was really fine. Felix frowned a bit, seeming not completely believing the younger but they were interrupted by Chan speaking up.

"Is everyone ready now?", he asked looking around. He was still seated on his bed because he was the one, who was injured but Jeongin knew the wolf hybrid wouldn't stay still for much longer.

"As soon as Changbin has his shirt back on", Jisung joked a little, earning himself an eye-roll from the vampire, who now had his symbol on his left chest, right above his heart. Jeongin almost forgot Seungmin had still been busy with putting the symbol on Byungho and Changbin when he zoned out. His brain somehow decided to tell him he was the last one while actually he was the second one who got his symbol since he decided rather quickly where he wanted it. The one before him was Chan, who decided to have his symbol on his right shoulder. It was rather basic spot but it suited the wolf hybrid very well in Jeongin's opinion.

Seungmin cracked his knuckles and then wiggled his fingers a bit. Taking care of everyone's symbol must have been exhausting but the redhead was literally the only one, who was able to do it. Jeongin really admired the slightly older male for his wide range of knowledge and quick learning but he would never admit that.

The redhead had his symbol on the left side of his neck. He said, he had no reason for that decision but Jeongin kind of doubted that a bit. The kitsune believed that everyone had a reason for the spot they chose for the symbol, just like him. For example Felix and Minho had their symbol on their thighs (Felix right, Minho left) because it had a meaning for cat hybrids. According to the two of them if a cat hybrid had their clan - or in this case group - symbol on their thigh it would give them strength in difficult times.

When Changbin had his shirt on again everyone got up to go to Taeyong. Chan would announce the newly formed group to him and Changbin would then ask to be given the information they wanted, which was basically everything. It was a very simple plan but one that would most likely work but at first they would walk to the room where Mrs. Bang and Yedam currently were to tell them the news.

This reminded Jeongin of his aunt. Ms. Hwang was well aware of the whereabouts of Hyunjin and him and even approved of them staying at the NCT headquarter over night due the war declaration of the humans. She was the reason Jeongin knew they were even at war but this also made him very worried about his aunt. Even though the kitsune called her "auntie" she was more of a mother to him since he never got to know his parents. He probably wouldn't even know what they looked like if it hadn't been for old photo albums his aunt had kept over the years.

The kitsune jumped a bit when he felt how someone took his hand. This someone was Felix, whose worried eyes met Jeongin's once more but this time the ginger said nothing. He only dragged the younger along, so he wouldn't be left behind.

Jeongin shook his head a little. He needed to focus on the current situations and not let his mind wander to the gods know where. The kitsune forced his mind to focus on Felix, who was dragging him to the room where Mrs. Bang and Yedam currently stayed. Hopefully they wouldn't be too mad about Chan walking around already.

Chan was the one, who knocked on the door. "Mum? Yedam?", he called for the two while knocking. "Come in, dear", you could hear Mrs. Bang from the inside of the room. The group entered the room one by one. It was a rather large room, seemingly a closed off version of the common rooms, which were already familiar to the newly formed group.

"Did something happen?", Mrs. Bang asked worriedly when the friends entered but her eyes lit up as soon as she spotted the barely hidden symbol on Chan's shoulder. "You really did what we suspected", she squealed in excitement and got up from her spot on the armchair, which was pushed back to the east side of the room.

"You have no idea how proud I am", she said, while cupping her oldest son's cheeks. "Now I will be completely left out from his life", Yedam sighed dramatically in the background, making everyone at least chuckle. "Don't be silly", Mrs. Bang laughed a little, letting go of Chan, so she could walk up to her younger son and ruffle his black hair.

Mrs. Bang was a really kind and lovable woman in Jeongin's opinion. Just like Chan she took care of everyone around her and made them feel welcomed and accepted. She supported her two sons without questioning anything and trusted them one hundred percent. Jeongin had to admit though that he was a bit surprised that Mrs. Bang didn't get even a little bit mad at Chan walking around after waking up from his unconsciousness not long ago.

"So who became the leader of your group?", Mrs. Bang then asked, sounding very interested. Chan shyly raised his hand, making the smile on Mrs. Bang's face even wider. At this point you could call her the walking definition of proud.

"Oh my gods. Hyung, you will do amazing as leader", Yedam cheered, basically voicing what everyone in the room thought. "Did you already talk to Taeyong-ssi about it? I am sure he would approve of new groups in such difficult times", Mrs. Bang questioned, still with excitement in her voice. "We are on the way to him", Byungho responded instead of Chan, who had slowly turned red from being praised so much. "Then get going", Mrs. Bang ushered them all out of the room while some couldn't contain their laughter due to the woman's poorly hidden excitement.

Jeongin laughed a little too but to him the cute chuckling beside him seemed much more important right now. The kitsune was already aware of how cute Felix's chuckle sounded but in that moment everything just blurred into the background and he only heard the ginger.

"Come on now", Changbin urged, ripping Jeongin out of the fog, which made him only see and hear Felix. The vampire was the only one who hadn't laughed and seemingly really wanted to talk to Taeyong now. Hyunjin was attached to the vampire's left arm looking really worried about the older male but he said nothing. Normally Jeongin would have teased them about this but he was a bit worried about the vampire himself, so he was glad his cousin made it his mission to keep an eye on Changbin even if that included clinging onto him.

"Alright, let's get going then", Chan said, catching up to Changbin and Hyunjin, so he could walk beside them. The group walked to the main meeting room of the NCT headquarter because they thought Taeyong was there. Jeongin was still holding hands with Felix, not planning on letting go and time soon.

Subconsciously the kitsune's gaze fixed itself onto the person before him, who was Jisung. The warlock's symbol was on full display right now since he had it on his neck just like Seungmin. It was rather obvious why Jisung chose to have his symbol on his neck since everyone knew about the two tiny scars there.

Jeongin could feel a little bit of guilt when he thought back to the moment, where Jisung had desperately tried to hide the bite he had received from a vampire. Back then the kitsune had used his powers to trick the older male into accidentally revealing it to him. He wasn't proud of that but in the retrospect it maybe had been necessary.

The door of the meeting room came in sight, making Jeongin a little bit nervous again but the warmth, which seemed to radiate from Felix's small hand he was holding eased it away a little bit. Chan was the one who knocked on the door but Changbin was the one, who just opened it without waiting very long. The vampire sure was impatient right now.

The meeting room was almost empty since only Taeil was there, who was turned with the back towards them while being on the phone.

"No, no. Coups listen to me. There is- ...To the gods, Choi Seungcheol shut up and listen to me", Taeil said into the phone sighing before continuing without noticing the group of young males behind him.

"There is nothing you can do to change your current situation. I know how important it is to take care of the people in the hidden cities like Atlantis, Aztlan and Lyonesse. Don't stress yourself because of the rescue mission. We will handle it even without the help of Seventeen. I mean GOT7 will back us up even though they are still busy setting up the barriers in Yonaguni. So take care of the people, who currently need it and don't worry about us", the guardian went on. Everyone of Stray Kids kind of had the feeling they weren't supposed to hear this but nobody made an attempt to leave the room. Taeil had paused again seemingly listening to Choi Seungcheol, the person on the other end of the line.

"Of course I will keep you updated. Take care, alright?", Taeil ended the call after a short, soft chuckle and then turned around sighing like nothing was going according to plan. He was a bit startled after noticing the nine young males looking at him.

"How long have you been here?", the guardian asked rather perplex. "Long enough to know that you won't be getting help from Seventeen for your rescue mission", Changbin immediately answered without hesitating for one bit. It was pretty rude in Jeongin's opinion but Taeil only sighed again, laying his head back so he was looking at the ceiling.

"I guess you are here for a reason, so ask away", the guardian said, looking back to the group of young males. Jeongin could tell that the older had seen the group symbols on some of them since for a short second something lit up in the guardian's eyes. Something you could describe as positive or at least Jeongin hoped so.

"We want every last bit of information NCT has about the current situation. What you know about the hunters, Zendala and their goals", Changbin answered in a demanding tone, which made Chan elbow him a little bit.

"We just want to know what is currently going on and tell Taeyong-ssi that we formed a group", the wolf hybrid added in a much nicer tone. Jeongin took note of the way Taeil seemed to analyze them. He didn't know much about the man standing more or less in front of him, only that he was a guardian and had strong healing powers.

"That is understandable. Sadly Taeyong is currently unavailable but I think you won't leave this room until you have the information you want. You are too determined for that", Taeil said, walking a bit closer to the group. Somehow Jeongin became unsure if this has been a good idea.

"I will give you all the information you want but know that I will receive some as well", the guardian warned, looking at everyone. Jeongin didn't really know what this meant but he really had nothing Taeil could possibly want to know. Glancing at Felix reassured him that the cat hybrid thought like him or at least felt similar.

"Which kind of information will you get from us?", Seungmin wanted to know. Jeongin glanced at the redhead, noting how the other's shoulder seemed a bit tense. Was he hiding something that could be interesting to NCT or was Jeongin was interpreting too much into it?

"Everything you know which is related to this situation. May it be something you witnessed or just heard", the guardian answered. Seungmin nodded at that and his shoulders relaxed again.

"Does someone don't want to do this?", Chan spoke up but everyone shook their head. They founded a group to receive information, so why would they back out now. Jeongin just hoped they wouldn't regret it.

"Alright then. The one who created your group symbols should come to me", Taeil said. Seungmin walked up to the guardian without hesitation but behind a well build facade Jeongin could see that the redhead was a little bit afraid but the kitsune couldn't understand why.

Taeil laid his hand on top of Seungmin's head. "I will use an information transmission spell. Seungmin you should already be familiar with it since Taeyong used it on you before. It will work on everyone though since I will use Seungmin's group symbol to transmit it to everyone one", the guardian explained, letting his eyes flicker to each member of Stray Kids.

"Ready yourself. It maybe be over in a flash but it's a lot of information", he added, looking at everyone again seemingly waiting for further confirmation to go on. Everyone nodded as answer.

"Alright then. Let's give you the informations you want to know", Taeil ended and started to cast the spell.