Another monster-sized classic from the team of Catrina and Dash!

I don't want to say too much about the surprise twist in this, so I'll break tradition and put those comments after the roleplay, at the bottom. After their respective fights, Dash and Catrina meet up in Seaside Town.. and Cat's playing playful before the big trip to Hey Daze starts!
It does a great job of setting up a feeling of 'high stakes' for the game, as you'll see.. an ominous tone that fits the mission perfectly. But don't let me tell you about it.. check out the adventures of the "Dashing Rogue" and the cunning, courageous, cute as a button Catrina!

Note: Written with Sebastian Dash

Catrina headed for the fountain proper, knowing her Dash was waiting there. But as she neared the fountain she could tell something was amiss. He looked tired, for one thing. And were those bruises? A quick scenting of the air confirmed it, there had been a battle her, and she had not been her to protect her Dash! She sped towards him, nearly all traces of her limp from where the human Jazz had actually bit her.

She was by his side quickly, her tail wrapping around him as she made sure he was all right. "What happened...you're hurt..."

Sebastian Dash looked at himself in the reflection of his sword, catching her image as well. "I'm fine. Who'd you start a fight with this time?"

She growled. "No one- unless you call being born starting a fight!"

Dash looked her over, frowning. "Sorry. Told you the city had some jerks. You'll never believe who.. well.. what we ran into."

She smiled, nuzzling his neck, forgetting what the bitch had said- and knowing that that same 'bitch' was now an odd acquaintance. "I can't believe if you don't tell me, hon."

Dash almost smiled. "Remember I told you about the Zoombas I used to take on? Nasty little things they are."

"Those things...here?" Catrina shot a stern glance in the direction the newcomer...Riko had gone. “You're right, I don't believe it. Why are they so far from their own turf?"

Dash shrugged. "They weren't exactly talkative, but that's not surprising. They don't speak. Another mystery to toss on top of all the others, I suppose. So you weren't fighting an enemy faction, at least?"

Catrina smirked. "One musclebound human bitch. I taught her the meaning of the word 'catfight.' Also taught her to pick her prejudices more wisely."

Dash smiled approvingly. "Good girl. I mean.. as long as you didn't kill her."

"Feena stopped the fight. Just as it was getting good too! er...I mean, before it went too far...."

Dash rolled his eyes. "Eh.. I don't think I want to know. We've found nothing so far."

She growled. "We did...well- the sister of this bitch did. Feena just took off for where ever your friend wants to set up for this. "

Dash continued polishing his sword. "Perfect. Riko went ahead to scout the area. I waited here for you two. Well.. you."

Catrina grinned- first taking Dash's sword from him- then pushing him back into the waters of the fountain. He was not alone in the water long- as she jumped into the fountain with him, laughing as she hugged him wetly

Dash kissed her outright, then broke into laughter, sure they'd draw attention soon. "Haha, and I thought cats hated water."

Catrina's laughter continued as she begins to strip her leathers off. "Some do, some don't. Most intelligent cats don't."

Dash stopped her. "Hold up, kitten. As appealing as that sounds.. business, remember? Hey Daze.."

Catrina nodded, purring. "I know.- all the more reason to get all the pleasure we can right now."

Dash splashed her. "Nothing wrong with that, but at least keep the leathers on. I don't want anyone starring at.. well.." Dash blushed and looked away.

She grinned. "Anyone? Or is it you don't want to be staring at them? You can, you know- you can even touch them." She took his hand, holding it firmly to her supple breast, giving a little moan from even this forced contact.

Dash nearly jumped back. "Catrina, you're a good sometimes.. feels,.. ah.. really nice.. but you're making ME look like the pervert!"

"How? Anyone can see I'm holding your hand here. that I'm baring my breast so you can play with it directly. " She does just that, giggling and moaning, nipples fully erect under his hand." If anything, they'll think I'm a shameless hussy. “

Without thinking, Dash rubbed a nipple, kissing her again. "Come on.. Let's go."

"Yes...let's go right now. Before we set foot in Hey Deeze..." Her kiss was deep, passionate and left no doubt what she wanted- him.

“ahhhhhhhhh hmmmmmmm”

She broke the kiss, panting in his ear, murmuring low. "I don't care who sees or what they say. We're going into danger- and I want this before we do!" Her hand moved to Dash's crotch, caressing him eagerly.

Dash continued to kiss back for some long seconds, before finally breaking the kiss, noticing something out of the corner of his eyes.

She turns his head back to her gentlly, smiling. "I always have been yours, love. Ever since that day on the beach. All that is needed is for you to accept me as such."

Dash smiled at her warmly, tenderly caressing her face.. "I know.. but I've just spotted something mildly disconcerting.."

She pressed her fingers to his lips, cutting him off. "Shh...If it's not the Dark One himself come to devour my soul, it can wait."

She led him to the wall of the fountain, leaning back against it, letting go of his hand only long enough to slide her bottoms off, knowing the churning water would hide what went on- but not caring as she reached for her Dash with both arms. "Now."

She then cried out, as huge paws pushed her under the water. Dash found himself face to face with Him. "It's time you were shown whose bitch this is, meat!" He growled.

Dash instinctively scanned the situation. Catrina trapped under water.. HE was here and ranting with too much bravado and too little common sense, as always. "Do you *seriously* want to throw down in a pool? Why don't we. . . "

He chuckled, still holding Cagtrina's body under the waters of the fountain. Dash could see her fighting it, clawing at His muscular arms, but could see also that she was fading. "You think I'm stupid enough to let you get to your pig sticker, meat?"

"Naw," Dash replied, cooly, inwardly bracing for the attacks. "I was thinking I'd ring up Feena and let her do it again. Thrashing you and your boyfriend Cattaras really was a confidence bui-"

He released Catrina and grabbed Dash by the throat, lifting him high above his head with one paw. “THERE WILL BE NO INTERFERENCE IN THIS, MEAT!” He then slammed Dash's body to the hard ground outside the fountain, still keeping that death grip on his throat. Dash could feel the claws as they gripped him. He could see Cat rising from the water, a look of astonishment, and fear, on her face. “This is between US! You have something that belongs to ME and I plan on getting it BACK!” Dash's head hit the ground with each emphasized word.

Catrina sputtered and coughed, panting as she tried to catch her breath, her body trembling with fear. But not the usual fear of nearly being drowned. No, her fear was for her Dash- and there wasn't a thing she could do about it.

Even as the corners of his vision blurred and quickly blackened, Dash's mind thought ahead. Sneaky Pete being in a generous mood, this would ignite. . . His head again slammed into the ground, Dash pulled from somewhere, a medium sized corner of paper. He felt his inner moxie fight to ignite the paper.. Come on, work damn it. . . . Two more slams into the ground, Dash felt like his head would crack open like a melon. Catrina looked to be in slow motion.

He growled at Dash, his fangs showing, his lips curled into a smirk. "Pathetic! I don't know what that bitch sees in you!" Dash could hear a growl rising from Catrina, but she did not dare move. "Heh...I got more muscle in my little finger than you have in...."

There! Dash felt his fingers rewarded with a warm sensation. With Boris like effort, Jarlsbergian insight, and a disco bandit's natural aim, Dash let the flash paper ignite. It was too damp to be very effective, but it had it's desired effect, stunning Catrina's ex just long enough for Dash to start mounting his own offense. He jammed his fist under the beast like arm holding Dash, hoping to find a nerve point, even as Dash brought his other fist hard across the Bridge of His Nose.

He reeled a bit, growling, then released his death hold on Dash- getting up. “Get up meat! I was going to make this easy for you- but now... I'm going to show the bitch what happens when she strays!”

Dash forced himself to his feet, steeling himself for another go at it. He looked towards Catrina, wondering why she hadn't jumped in already. She shook her head, tears matting her fur around her eyes. “I..I cannot, love. He has made this a mating duel. To interfere is to be without honor. In fact...” She swallowed hard.” I must stop anyone who tried- even if I must kill.”

Petedammit, Dash cussed mentally, they didn't have time for THIS! Not with. . . .

His thoughts were interrupted by His right paw as it smacked him upside the head. Dash reeled from the blow, feeling claws rake his cheek, the heat of his blood flowing from him.

Dash braced himself as He rushed up, slamming his shoulder into Dash and sending Dash staggering to the side. Dash swung, but He easily absorbed Dash's blow.

He grinned, absorbing blow after blow...purring! “Give up now, meat. I've got things to do. First thing is to take my MATE and give her just what she's been beggin' for!” Dash could see Catrina blanch- actually, physically turn pale at this idea. She shook her head, unable to think about what awaited her if Dash lost.

"No matter how tough you are," Dash said, already starting to sweat. He switched tactics without warning, suddenly dropping back and nailing His massively powerful thighs and knees with kick after kick. "You won't be very dangerous if you can't walk!"

He roared with the pain as he was kicked in the knee- then lashed out, grabbing Dash's leg as it was about to deliver another kick. “Gotcha!”

Dash almost smiled, but the situation was too grave. With his foot caught, he relied on his previous fighting experience, twisting his body so his other leg flew through the air. His boot caught Him perfectly in his massive head, catching him off guard, although He kept a loose grip on Dash's other leg. Despite being upside down from delivering the kick, Dash was able to plant his free foot on His beast. Dash planted the boot, and shoved with all his might. It was just enough to free Dash from the grip of a dazed Him. Dash rolled through, coming up to his knees in a fighting position. "Says you."

He staggered from the blow, shaking his head to clear the cobwebs. As he came back to himself he grinned, puring again. “You're as good as that whiny little kitten said you were. When you're not throwing rocks, that is.” He began to stalk his prey- Dash.

Dash glanced over his shoulder as He approached. Dash spun around, backing off, circling his larger opponent. "For a homicidal maniac, you talk a lot. Are you trying to bore me to death?"

He growled, not being taken in by an old Pit trick like that. He knew he had all the time in the world, his opponent would make a mistake soon enough- and it would cost him his life.

He took a swipe at Dash, testing him, and even though he missed Dash could feel the power behind it.

Dash responded in kind, going for a quick but light blow, measuring his opponent's defenses. He couldn't afford to get careless, but time was not on his side....

He growled, swatting the blow aside easily. “Stall all you want, meat. You'll be feeling what it's like to be on the wrong side of lunch soon enough.”

"I hope your fighting skills are better than your dialogue," Dash said, taking another swipe, "Or this'll be a short fight."

He smirked. “Why talk when I can just beat the crap out of you, meat?”

“Keep telling yourself that," Dash said, launching forward and driving a knee into His meaty midsection. Dash followed up with a quickly quick jabs, before taking his hands together in an axe handle and slamming it across His muzzle.

He staggered back with the blows, letting Dash follow him back. He then roared, closing his arms about Dash's midsection like the jaws of a steel trap, squeezing as hard as he could, purring again as he felt bone grind against bone in ways that just weren't meant to be. He lifted Dash, getting his feet off the ground, making it harder for him to get any kind of adequate blow in.

Dash swung with what little space he had, trying to drive a knee or an elbow into the beast, but to little avail.

He smiled up at Dash now, knowing he had this pest right where he wanted him. Dash could feel the power of his arms as they squeezed the life out of him, could feel his ribs as they protested. He saw the world begin to turn dark. All that was left to him was his life- and the monster trying to end it.

Dash made a last ditch effort to move his hands enough, realizing if he could just get to.. something.. a piece of sparkpaper.. He had a bottle opener tucked under his belt that could...

He watched as the smile began to fade from the beast's lips, then felt an unexpected opening as His grip loosened on his ribs. Dash's feet came back to the ground as He just...stared upward.

Dash shook his head momentarily, trying to get his vision to clear up before he realized something else was wrong.

Catrina had moved up to them now, but her ears were flat back and her tail was frizzed as Dash had never seen before. Her eyes were cast upwards as well.

Dash winced as he looked up, seeing the ever darkening skies above him. "Figures."

It was like no darkness that any had seen before. Not the darkness of a cloudy day- or even a star filled night...even a cloud filled night paled in comparison. For this Darkness was utter and complete, spanning horizon to horizon in a dome of blackness that was unbroken.

Dash felt Catrina move to his side...at least he hoped it was Cat as it would have been awkward to have Him holding onto his arm like that. “What...what is happening?”

A Knoll teenager strolled up besides them. "Someone order an apocalypse or something?"

She seemed to tremble...fear in his Cat? "Dash...you said the Orb was a nothing...."

"Nothing in our hands," Dash corrected her. "It might not even be related to the Orb, but we really need to find out for ourselves."

Dash heard a growl from behind him, but the voice was softer than he expected from the big fighter. “You two sound like you know what's going on. Tell me.” Catrina apparently did so, shifting to her native Feline for speed...and perhaps security.

He growled again, speaking for Dash's benefit now. “So, this is what that runt is after as well?”

Dash sneered, ignoring the insult.. or at least storing it away for future retribution, Catrina couldn't tell which. "Why do you think we wanted to keep the Orb out of the wrong hands so badly?"

He growled, giving Dash a return sneer. “You've done such a good job of it too.”

"Wow, I didn't think you actually had the brains for sarcasm, great job evolving on the fly there," Dash answered, still ready for a fight, despite the horrid aches in his ribs. "If we wouldn't have been interrupted by a rejected stray, maybe. ..."

“Can we get a little FOCUS here, please?” Catrina interrupted, getting between the two men before they could get physical again. She turned to Dash. “Hon, I think he means the Gob King is after the Orb as well.”

He nodded, although he growled at her for stopping the violence."The runt King sent me and the kitten up here to scout things out. I saw the two of you and I decided to kill two birds with one stone." His eyes shone on the word 'kill'. Catrina growled at her brother being called 'kitten', but looked around quickly, wanting to make sure she spotted him before he could spring any mischief on them.

Dash just stared. "Maybe you should scoop my old sparring buddy Cattaras up, and let us go about our business. THEN, you and I can settle this, once and far all."

Catrina thought- then said something to Him in their native tongue. His reaction caused Dash to nearly drew Bad Beats (which he had recovered) but Catrina stopped him, her eyes intent on her ex mate. Soon He nodded- and then roared out an obvious call for Cattaras, as he showed up moments later. The scene repeated itself, a heated argument in Feline, followed by a purr of agreement.

Dash gritted his teeth and shot Catrina a look to let him know he didn't appreciate being left out of the conversation, but didn't stop her.

Catrina took Dash by the arm, guiding him away from the other two. She then looked him in the eyes, taking a deep breath before she spoke. “Hon...do you trust me?”

"Always," Dash answered without hesitation. "This one, not so much. Why?"

“Do you remember back when I was telling you about my first meeting with Cattaras? That when I told him I would give myself in trade for Feena he knew he did not need her as hostage anymore?” She hated to use this example, it was a minefield of emotions, but it was also the strongest example of what she needed to get across Dash knew of.

"That speaks to your honor, kitten," Dash answered, not breaking eye contact with the beast. "Not theirs."

“It speaks to more than that, hon. A Feline CANNOT lie to one of his or her own kind. It's impossible to do.”

"I hope for our sake, you're sure about that," Dash answered. "So, what'd you two come up with on me?"

Catrina braced herself for the response she'd gotten twice before. “I've talked to them both. They will come with us. We both want the same thing. They will help us get it and get back out. They give their words not to attack us while in Hey Deze and in fact to protect us when we are attacked. They are... unfortunately... two of the best fighters I've ever seen, and we could use the muscle on this trip.”

Dash bit his lip to keep himself from yelling at her. "Fine. We need to get to the meeting point, as soon as possible."

Catrina smiled, nuzzling him, knowing both Cattaras and Him could see it. She knew she was taking a risk, but knew also that what she said was true. They needed the help, could use it, and one other bit she had NOT told Dash about. A saying she had heard somewhere that applied to this situation.

“Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer.”

“Let's get going, hon.” She purred, taking his arm and walking close to him.

See? Told ya we had surprises for you! The fight pretty much spoke for itself- and what do you think about our new temporary allies?

The best, arguably, is still to come though! Even though we've already covered Raw Hide's piece, Riko's debut, and three fights between Catrina and Dash's pieces alone, we've still got two KOKOL'ers yet to show up, not to mention.. Hey Daze itself!

Now that we've set the stage for our 'unusual' allies.. it's time to bring our quartet (sixsome?) together in the next piece! So onwards ya go!