Heh- tiny spoiler, but this's one of our very rare humor Finales; it just fit the whole mood of the thing. There's more serious missions not far off, don't worry.

But this mission- and to a lesser degree the next one- is more haha than high action and drama.

It's fitting to the mission concept, and a welcome break from some of the more pure desperate action missions to come.

Lieber Park, Honorburg. Winds whistled through the nearby park, with a dark overcast day, and the threat of a downpour ever present overhead. Ominous lighting struck in the background. The torches lining the wall seemed to burn bright.. Dash glanced at one and found it painful to even look at, as he walked down the pathed road outside of the walls separating the main park area from the outter limits of the walled of section of the city. The walkway seems to extend itself as Dash failed to notice everything at the edges of his vision blurring in and out.. out and in.. Dash continued to make his way along the walk, ignoring the Octorocks which didn't belong here anyway, looking for her... Dash nodded greeting to some of the local residents. Like the goblin who ran the newsstand or the Roxzan who ran a fried calamari stand. Wait, what? Up ahead a white figure sat on the edge of a fountain, her tail swishing in agitation behind her. Her ears were flat to her head. Occasionally her back rose and fell with heavy sighs. She was obviously not a happy kitty, even for a kitty dressed in a leather miniskirt and short jacket. "Hey, Catrina, I was hoping I'd find you here," Dash said, his voice sounding distant and muffled to himself. "What do you say we go talk to Positive and see if he has any tasks for us?" Catrina just sighed deeply, shrugging and ... was that a whimper? Dash frowned upon hearing it. "Or we could do something you want to do. Is there anything you want to do, kitten? With me, I mean. I'm good for anything, you know that." Catrina got up from where she was sitting and began to walk away slowly, head down, ears down, tail limp. Dash couldn't figure what was wrong with her. Ignoring the dark whips of flames dancing on the floor, he reached a hand at you. "Kitten, something's, wrong I - can..." Where he touched her felt like fire, as a blackness began to spread from that spot, corrupting Catrina's white fur as he watched, unable to draw away He watched, dumbfounded, unable to even scream with the pain as she turned- but it was not her. He knew what this was- knew in the deepest part of his heart after hearing her describe her nightmares after their rout in Hey Daze. It was a Dark one! Dash's free hand searched for at least a small flaskpaper to ignite and hurl at her as a distraction. Instead, he found his fingers gasping a hot coal- which he was then unable to release! The Dark demoness chuckled, her tail wrapping around him and squeezing like a snake. "You think you are so clever, human. But know this! This one is ours! And there is nothing you can do to stop us!" With that she opened her mouth wide, showing razor sharp fangs as she pulled him to his doom!

----

 
"Sebastian? Sebastian? Are you all right?"

Dash tried to sit up with a bolt at the oddly familiar voice, but his body refused to cooperate. He felt as if he'd just taken on a horde of yeti singlehandedly- and predictably lost. "Wha.. urgh.."

Riko shh'ed him quietly pushing im back down. "Relax, Sebastian Dash. You were having a nightmare, it seems."

Dash blinked twice, having to catch his wits before realizing it wasn't Catrina, but the ex water princess of Adrule who spoke to him.. "Riko.. oh.. I woke you up, didn't I?" Dash frowned, his mind trying to cling to the memory of the dream, even as it subsided into nothingness.

She smirked at him. "I think you woke people up that the Typical Tavern, Sebastian. Problems?"

Dash tried to focus the image in his mind.. "Just.. a dream.. a strange omen.."

Riko sat next to him, taking his hand gently as she looked at him, concerned. "Omens are best looked into immediately. What did you see?"

"I'm sure it's nothing.." Dash answered, unsure if he was ready to share what had just shaken him to the bone. He looked around, seeing Vixen, one eye open, starring at him, curious but not yet awake to rouse herself up.

"It may be nothing- or it may be the end of the world. Or it may be between the two. It is best to study such omens to prevent disaster," the princess insisted- as only a Princess can do.

Dash tilted his head at her, unsure still. "It was .. similar to what had happened in Seaside Town.. with Catrina and me."

Riki raised an eyebrow. "And what happened there?"

Dash looked back, still confused from the sudden awakening. "What actually happened, or what did I dream happen?"

"Ah," she wondered. "So you've had this vision before?"

Dash shook his head. "No. I mean, the dream reminded me of something which actually happened. Right before the whole mess with the skies started."

"Just before that," Dash answered, blushing slightly as he tried to think of the best way to put it. "Catrina sort of... pushed me into the water fountain, figuring if we were going into the depths of Hey Daze, we should.. well.."

Riko raised an eyebrow.. "She is certainly the affectionate one! And you acquiesced to her desires?"

Dash started to answer, then shifted gears. not sure how to even consider that one. "Anyway, in the dream this time, I was reaching for her.. she was just sitting there.."

"That...does not sound so nightmarish, Sebastian."

"That's when the nightmare started," Dash said. "She.. I mean.. it burned to touch her.. even though it was but a dream, it felt quite real... and then she.." Dash winced his eyes shut, still pained by just the dream of what he'd seen.

Riko caressed him, looking at him worriedly. "I know it hurts, Sebastian. But it is best to know."

"She.. started changing.. into, what she might call 'the Dark ones," Dash answered, his voice low to the point Riko could hardly hear him. In the near distance, Vixen strained her fox-like ears to pick up what he was saying. "There was also a terrible voice."

"A voice? What did it day? Do you remember?"

Riko closed her eyes and sighed. "It is all right, Sebastian. We can delve deeper into it when you feel ready. Besides, we have other concerns this morn, I fear."

"Yeah, like how am I gonna sleep in now?" Vixen whined!

Riko looked over at the vixen. "I believe the time for rest is over for us all." She then nodded in the direction of the spot where Raw's stuff should be.

"Alright, who gets to wake.. up.. Son of a.." Vixen started, suddenly realizing what was going on.

Riko smirked "Yes, indeed. And he seems to have been gone for some time!"

"How can you tell?" Vixen wondered, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

"Let's hold on that discussion for now," Dash said, pushing himself to his feet and all worries about the dream out of his mind for now. "We need to get to tracking that idiot down!"

The others simply nodded in agreement as the three prepared to track down Raw Hide.

 
------------------------

 
Raw Hide shoved his way through the forest, dark and heavy with still unbroken night, with the same blind rage that drove him through most of his life. Eyes watched him, as eyes had been watching him since the beginning. Eyes sent by his Master to track him- but eyes that carried their own hatred as well.

Shoving through branches and small trees with only the dull light of the moon, and a lantern, Raw Hide cursed as another branch hit him in the face. If only he coulda been sure they'd sleep to noon, so he coulda gotten his head start in daylight.

But he couldn't risk letting them steal his precious little mosquito larva, though. Whatever the council was offering, it should go to Raw Hide, the only damned deserving one in the clan!

Hell, the whole kingdom!

The eyes smiled and a purr came from beneath them as they watched the big human stumbling along, needing a lantern in places where the eyes could easily see even now. Raw Hide slammed his fist into the side of the offending tree- an ill advised move, although he showed no reaction as his fist split and cracked the tree's bark in front of him.

Daylight was very close, but he refused to slow down. He had a pretty good idea he'd be out of the woods any minute now, if he kept his pace up.

Cattaras growled as the big human hit the tree, shaking him from his watchful branch. He leapt to another branch and from there to the ground, landing safely of course but making a bit more noise than he would have liked. He tensed in anticipation as his eyes remained on the human.

"Get outta here, stupid rabbit!" Raw yelled in his general direction, fearless.

Rabbit? Even Cattaras at his most boastful knew he had made more noise than a rabbit and found himself laughing out loud before he caught it. Raw growled as he recognized that laugh.

"What the Hey Daze are YOU doing here?!" He unstrapped his previously seen wooden battle axe, ready to kick some behind. Cattaras cursed to himself- though not much. Having the confrontation thrust upon him like this meant it was not his fault that he could no longer 'just observe' as his orders had said. He smiled as he sprung from the ebbing darkness, throwing his body at the human with a roar!

 
-- Elsewhere --

 
Riko tried to keep a cooler head. "Perhaps Mr. Hide is on some sort of... patrol?" It ended weakly. The others didn't answer immediately.

Vixen's eyes seemed to light up reflecting what little moonlight there was to be had in the deep forests. Critter noises filled the forest even at this late time of night. The three had realized what danger his irresponsible actions had left them in! He'd left them unguarded to sneak off for his own selfish reasons; Vixen's ears burned with anger at the betrayal of responsibility.

Fortunately, nothing had attacked or eaten them before they'd stirred and awakened, thanks to Dash's nightmare. After talking it out, they'd decided against letting Raw simply take the mosquito larve back to claim whatever prize and fame they'd offer him. Such betrayal couldn't go unchallenged and rewarded!

"I don't really think we can trust Raw Hide to be looking in our best interests," Dash answered dryly, stuck bringing up the rear. Riko had a slight advantage in seeing at night, since her people's eyes had to be able to deal with the dark murky depths of living underwater. Dash had no natural advantage at night, other than the fact he'd done it so often in his adventuring life in the Kingdom, South of the border, Adrule and Honourburg. "But if it turns out we're wrong, I'll gladly offer our apologies and most sincere thank you for his services - right before snatching that larve. Sound good?"

Riko smiled. "Sounds quite agreeable." She tried to see further ahead, but the dark and pressing foliage that gave the Spooky Forest it's reputation kept her from seeing far. "I'm afraid we will not be able to see him until we are right up on him. Miss Vixen? Perhaps your ears can aid us where eyes cannot?"

"I doubt it, but keep it quiet, and I'll listen." Vixen strained her ears as the three continued making their way deeper into the forest. She half jumped at a familiar roar! "Someone's in trouble out there!"

"Should we help?" was Dash's immediate answer, letting the implication the only correct answer was "Yes," go unsaid.

"We better," Vixen said, after a moment's pause. "I think I recognize that roar, too!"

Riko nodded. "Please let your ears guide us to where we need to be, Miss Vixen."

Vixen nodded, figured out the direction it was coming from, and proceeded to guide them there.

 
-- Meanwhile, back at the location of the fight --

 
Cattaras rolled, looking back at the big human with shaved whiskers."You are good when striking blind with a weapon, I'll give you that." He took up a grappler's stance. "Care to see how well you do without help?"

Raw for a moment thought to charge the stupid feline, swinging to take it's head off- literally. He then smirked. "Okay, puss. We'll play it your way." With that he dropped the axe and charged in, colliding heavily with the tiger as they locked up, each trying to push the other back to gain some sort of advantage. The sunlight's earliest shaft just started peaking through the forest as they struggled for long, hard fought minutes.

Cattaras growled. The human was strong, almost as strong as he was. Time for a change in plan.

He slipped his foot behind Raw's, then suddenly shoved, sending him back and onto the ground with Cattaras falling on top of him. Raw fell with a yell, and immediately tried to dislodge the fury adversary, loudly yelling, "Get off me, ya mangy MUTT!"

Cattaras roared. "MUTT?" and began to repay Raw's insult by straddling him and mauling his face and body. "You will learn how to address those better than you, human!"

"Eat rock," Raw said, grabbing a nearby rock in his massive hand, and bringing it up towards Cattaras's jaw.

Cattaras blocked the rock with his arm. "Like I'm falling for that TWICE, human!" He bared his fangs at Raw, letting him see where this fight was going. As he did, Raw brought up the rotting, disembodied head of a warwelf, smacking Cattaras across the jaw with it and sending him rolling to the side in agony.

"You must be proud," Raw gloated with a sneer. "Stupid catbrain."

Cattaras rolled on the ground, trying to get his wits about him after such a hit. "Didn't... didn't think you'd bring a friend."

"Kinda looks like your MOM!" Raw hurled the head at Cattaras, who dodged it easily as Raw fought to keep track of him in the dark.

Cattaras rolled back- into the brush at the edge of the clearing, thinking to use his natural camouflage and silent movements to attack the brute from a different direction- and, he decided, to kill him.

Raw tossed the axe from one hand to the next, unimpressed. Knowing how dangerous the next part would be, but not willing to show it. "Are you gonna come out and let me pound you, or keep hiding like that mangy sister of yours?"

Cattaras stifled a growl, knowing what the dumb human was up to...but promising himself to gut him later for it.

"I wish she was that quiet when I 'pounded her' last night," Raw Hide said, with a convincing laugh. "You got a passionate sister, puss. By the way.." He lowered his voice to a husky growl. "She said I was better than you. Any idea what that might mean, puss?"

Cattaras pounced, landing square in the small of Raw's back with all his weight and knocking him down. "It means you're a dirty liar who deserves a less honorable death than he's about to receive!"

"You're right," Raw answered, not intimidated at all. "She wasn't in any condition to talk when I got done with her. Pathetic."

Cattaras growled, he whispered in Raw's ear and then licked the back of his neck. "You forget I've seen how she acts around you- and around that other human. If anything, I'd bet he's hearing her screams more than you."

Raw Hide smiled to himself as he jammed his elbow into the side of Cattaras's throat. Cattaras screeched and rolled off, coughing.

Raw pulled himself up, aiming a kick to Cattaras's ribs, then grabbing his axe. "Now to finish YOU off and get my larve.. Wait, where's my lave?!"

Raw Hide glanced around, catching a glimpse of Vixen, giggling in the dawnlight, as she ran off with it.

"Hey, chump!" As Raw turned back toward Cattaras he was met by a cloud of thrown dirt- and a flying tiger. Riko started to move to help Raw, only to have Sebastian place a hand on her shoulder, restraining her.

"We can see you have things well in control, so we'll leave you two be," Dash proclaimed, turning to chase after Vixen. "I've got a mosquito larve to catch!"

Dash pressed on, aided by the growing sunlight every second. He didn't want to hurt Vixen, of course, but he'd told her it was every man.. er.. every member for themselves, and he meant to live up to that promise. Dash might have given up if they were in an open field. Matching Vixen's speed in a straight up race wouldn't be easy. Fortunately, Dash had a couple points working in his favor.

He knew the forest much better than she should, giving him a better sense of which direction to take.

Hopefully.

And she was clearly struggling to clear the thick foliage, dead trees, and thick roots which covered the Spooky Forest like a second skin. Aided by his trademark broadsword "Bad Beats," Dash had a far easier time with it.

Dash smiled briefly, suddenly remembering another advantage as he caught a glimpse of Vixen darting ahead of him. He let out a sharp whistle. then another shorter whistle.

Vixen laughed, assuming the whistle was aimed at her. "Sorry, Dash, flattery won't get you anywhere. I got this mosquito, and once I get moving, there's no way you'll - OUCH!"

Vixen bounced off the broadside of Dash's horse, Espanolola, who'd stepped directly in her path, unseen by Vixen who was looking back at Dash. Vixen landed on her butt, taking a moment to figure everything out. As she did, Dash took the bag with the mosquito larve out of her hand, and leapt from a dead stand onto the back of his steed.

"Come back here, ya crazy horse!" Vixen protested as Dash directed Espanolola to turn and ride off. "And after I spent all day grooming you back at the stables, too!"

"Actually, you two might want to forgo this competition," Riko started.

"Not when I'm winning!" Dash said with a laugh, bringing his horse clear of the last chunk of trees.

"You've not won yet!" Vixen called out, jumping and swinging off a nearby spooky tree vine to get some momentum and speed behind her.

"I think you should know that.." Riko started, then she realized they weren't listening. So she shrugged and set about exploring the woods on her own.

 
=------

 
Dash smiled to himself as he found himself clearing the remains of the thickest part of the forest, and heading towards daylight. But riding into the sunlight meant he'd be partially blinded by the morning sun. The wind was blowing against him. Still, he figured to have an easy path back to Seaside Town.

Then he cleared the last tree, or rather, he tried to. Unfortunately as he cleared the final trees, he saw the vague shadow of a green blur streak past him. It took him several seconds to realize who it might have been, and a couple seconds further before he realized the larve had been snatched from his hand.

Dash brought his horse to a stop, turning around to see Vixen darting over the open fields, with the bag with the larve inside it in hand.

"How did you- ?!" Dash started to ask, too surprised to even finish the question.

"Hey," Vixen called back loudly without stopping, "I'm a fox. We're notorious tricksters! And the 'how' is a secret, sorry!"

Dash grumbled, muttering lowly about feline stealth and vulpine trickery and what each had put him through lately. He then hurried to catch the sprinting Vixen, ignoring Riko as she again called out after him.

 
--**--

 
Vixen dashed across the Nearby Plains, occasionally looking back to see if Dash was following, but knowing that in an open field it would take that stupid horse of his for him to keep up. Still, he'd have a hard time actually getting the object from her. After all, it isn't like he'd kill her over a stupid mosquito larve!

Well, she hoped not, anyway!

Vixen smiled to herself. I'm making pretty good time! she thought to herself. Maybe he just gave up.. aww, but that'd be no fun!

That's about when she caught sight of Dash's horse coming into view behind her! Poor thing must have been confused a few moments earlier when it'd noticed the decorative fountain under the horse's hoofs. When it stepped on the fountain, cracking it open, the resulting fumes made it naturally sleepy and woozy.

Obviously, that hadn't lasted long! Her hope was Dash would foolishly give up on the horse and try to chase her on foot, but from the looks of things, he hadn't fallen for that trick.

Damn.

She still had the advantage of the headstart, although any thoughts of Espanolola being slowed down by the after effects of the fumes were quickly dispelled. The steed was picking up speed with every gallop!

If that wasn't bad enough, her sharp senses were picking up trouble in the path ahead of her, too. Nearby Plains had gotten so dangerous lately. Vixen charged toward, finding her path suddenly cut off by a Gnollish Crossdressing rogue bandit. It demanded she "Gimme the sack, or else." Or else what? He didn't have time to finish the sentence before Vixen dropped him with a sharp kick to the side of the head. He stumbled up, ready for more, but Vixen didn't have time for a prolonged fight, and took off into the distance.

Vixen kept up the pace, glancing over her shoulder to see the bandit recover just in time to roll out of the path of Dash's horse. Wow, he wasn't playing around.

Vixen smiled as she realized the town was already coming into view, but her lungs burned with the stress of keeping up the speed she had to maintain. She scolded herself for spending too much time at her former bar job and not enough getting some exercise.

And maybe her addiction to Jick's brownies had something to do with it. Er.. not addiction, her 'frequent enjoyment' of them. That.

"Give it up, Dash!" she said, knowing he'd gotten in hearing range, although he was, relatively speaking, hardly close to her at all, when the small speed advantage he had was taken into account. "I know you're not gonna attack me when I get in town and I'm almost there!"

"Watch out!" Dash called ahead. As she looked at him, sticking her tongue out, he pulled his sword free, and hurled it clear over her head! She turned her attention ahead of her, curious, only to find herself tripping over the hilt before she'd even realized he'd buried it in a soft spot in front of her!

Tricky. And a painful fall.

Dash hopped off the horse, snatched the bag with the larve from her hand, and gave her a condescending, "Nice try." Before taking off into the town.

She nearly gave up, but realized, "Dash might not have tried to steal it from me in town.. but I bet I could pull off stealing it from him! And I'm sure I can move faster than him in that big town!"

Now all she had to do was reach him before he could get to the Council and outsmart him exactly once!

 
---=----

 
The old lady hunched over, wearing a mix of a bugbear beanie that partially obscured her face, and a cloak that covered the rest of her. She rested on a walking stick, as if she couldn't move without it- although once the object of her intentions walked into view through the thick crowd of the entrance to Seaside Town, she moved with the speed of a fox. Only'd have one chance, the old lady told herself.

She brushed aside a much bigger looking bugbear gentleman (oversized tuxedo and all) and through a couple of Knob Goblin teens who complained, but were scared off by the flash of a couple small fangs.

An elderly vampire woman come to feed on Dash?! No... wrong type of fangs. Sorry!

Nope, this elderly non vampire made her way through the crowd, being sure to cut him off at the past.

A few different scenarios passed through her mind before she decided on a corse of action., even as she stepped directly into his path.

"Pardon me there, young whippersnapper!" she said, putting her hand on his shoulder. Sebastian Dash, always the courteous hero, paused to hear her out. After all, he'd prided himself as a hero, and what kind of a hero, Dashing Rogue or otherwise, would pass on the opportunity and obligation to help some poor, innocent and clearly old stranger, judging from the use of her archaic speech and her outfit. "Could you aid an old soul in righting a terrible wrong gone, er, more wrong?"

"er... sure," Dash answered. "After I finish a quick drop off, I'm all yours. Just stay here and I'll . . ."

"No!" she called out, worried. "I must, er, tell you now. Before I forget! Because it's so horrible and I'm clearly so old."

"Well, I guess I can hear you out," Dash reluctantly answered. "What seems to be the issue?"

"Ohh, I'm sure you've dealt with this a thousand times before," the elderly lady said in an elderly, cracked, her voice full of need. "But it seems my kitten has fallen down the well at the center of Seaside Town!"

"Your.. kitten?" Dash asked, confused.

"Yes," she answered convincingly. "My cute fluffy little kitten! And all her babies, too."

"That so, now?" Dash asked, not really buying it.

She grabbed him by both his arms, giving him a shake. "You must help!"

He looked her over, obviously suspicious, but not quite able to figure out her angle. Maybe she really did need his help. "Alright, there isn't a well in the center of Seaside Town, but I'll see what I can do, as soon as I get back."

"Wait, there isn't?"

"Nope. There's a fountain there, actually."

"Oh, that that is what they are falling in!" she corrected, changing accents on the fly to go with the grammar. "Heh... you know us old people. Our memory, it is the bad."

"Of course," Dash answered dryly. She hooked her arms around him but he politely pushed them away. He felt a sharp prickle at his arm as she grabbed his. "Hey! Wait.. do you got claws?"

"No, I.." She grabbed her prize and turned to go. "Gotta split! Betchya can't catch me now, Dash!"

Dash grabbed her cloak, realizing something was up, and looked on in amazement as she slipped out of it, revealing herself to be..

"Vixen! How in the-"

"Can't chat, gotta cash in MY victory!" She dashed off, with Sebastian hot on her trail, and the confused onlookers watching on... confused.

"Gimme!" Dash said, trying to snatch it out of her hand. As he did, she accelerated, ducking between the legs of an annoyed bugbear, whom Dash then slammed head into. While Dash had to deal with an annoyed bugbear, Vixen dashed her way inside of the council, with a shout of triumph!

"SHHHH!" the nearby conveniently located librarian chastised her.

"Sorry!" Vixen answered, a bit loud, then correcting in a whisper, "sorry."

"By the way," she called out, back to being loud, "the gentleman coming through the door in a few seconds said he's interested in learning more about your super secret plans.. I don't know, but he sounds suspicious to me."

"Ohh, I'll have a word with him!" the librarian said sternly, calling for several nearby Bugbear guards.

Dash found himself surrounded by guards and a librarian who were all rather curious about Vixen's story about him....

Flash forward a few minutes to..

"What do you mean?" Vixen asked, stunned by Councilman Howe's response.

"It's a very lovely piece of vulger vinegar veliger, but those evolve.. er.. match into a Hardmollusca. We wanted a specific larva, a wranglin' wrigger, our scientists call it."

"Oh."

"Soo, if there's no questions.." he started to dismiss her.

"Just one."

"What?"

"Why in the blazes didn't you mention that f'in sooner?!" Vixen growls. "Besides, it wasn't even me who found it. I just stole it from the guy who stole it from.. why're you looking at me like that?!"

"You stole it from a thief?" he asked critically.

"What I mean is... er.." Vixen stammered, trying to find a quick cover up for her slip up.

"I think I'm in love!" he suddenly declaired, smitten.

"Wait, what? EWWW!" Vixen said, backing up. Of course, that's when Dash walked in, handing the Councilman a small bag. "Here you go."

He quickly opened it, and his face lit up with sleazy, political delight. "A wranglin' wrigger!"

"Dash, how did you.." Vixen started. "You tricked me into taking the wrong Larva?!"

"No, not quite," he said, grinning. "Actually, I didn't realize Raw Hide got the wrong one, either."

"Actually, I gave it to him," Riko said, entering the Council room.

"What?"! Vixen asked, surprised.

Riko smiled. "I tried to warn you both before you took off that you were carrying the wrong type. Fortunately, I found a small pool of muddy water with the appropriate creatures in it, so I secured one and made my way here."

"And you gave it to Dash?" Vixen asked, confused.

"I did promise him I'd give him it, if I found one."

Dash smiled in triumph as Vixen just starred at him in disbelief.

The next mission has us back doing the Council's bidding, and that's the mission that leads directly into a Season ending war with the Knob Goblins! (Unfortunately, AIL also ran into some nearly lethal problems, but I'll talk about those in the next mission at length.

Congratulations to our sub quest winners, whom I'm using in the Rollover for the next mission!