Finally time to wrap it all up.

 
   if you're read the last part, you know who won the meat car mission. If not, it's pretty much flat out spoiled in the first few paragraphs, anyway.

Note: Catrina helped with her part.
As you can see from the subtitle, this one lets me work with Sebastian, Catrina, Shamus, Inu, Becky Joy and Zanther Wolf! It's an enjoyable set to write for.. although of course a big part of the story emphasis is on the contest itself, which concludes here in a most.. shocking.. of fashions.

Though the mission was dark days for AIL when it was live, I'm quite happy with the result. Please do enjoy!

Amras paced back and forth, casting his attention far and wide across Seaside Town. Magically feeling.. he didn't like this. There was no sign the spell had taken hold on Catrina.. he was starting to seriously doubt this plan.

What am I doing to poor Feena? he asked, trying to purge his mind of the guilt. He continued to wait, tensely, but no answers were forthcoming.

He steadied himself to see the next phase of the attack through... He couldn't turn back now. It'd be too risky to himself. No.. maybe he could get Feena to see the advantages in his alliance.

Elsewhere, Shamus XTreme darted around like a madman, bragging to anyone who was interested, and anyone who wasn't interested (which was most of them), about his earlier stunning "victory" in the Meat Car Contest. He left out the part where the sole remaining judge, the head of the Chef-Magi, had originally given the enigmatic rival clan member who called himself Greencimator, or Guacamole or something (Shamus forgot which) the win, before, after a suspicious exchange with a council member, mysteriously reversing his decision. After seeming anti-fur comments, that left only Shamus as 'eligible' for the victory, in the judge's eyes.

It didn't stop him from celebrating and dancing like he was drunk. Which only attacked the attention of one of the ratlike Dan Muri, the vicious Stewart, meaning Shamus and Inu suddenly found themselves cornered in an abandoned ally, in serious trouble...

 
Turning our attention again elsewhere, we find Sebastian Dash has arrived in town. It didn't take long for him to meet up with Catrina. An awkward moment, since Dash hadn't known where she'd gone. She explained she'd figured Dash could handle it, went for some fresh air, and ended up in Seaside Town.

 
"Thankfully, she's okay," Dash finally said after a long, uncomfortable silence. "Did you bring any mementos of our quest?"

Catrina almost facepalmed. "Didn't even occur to me. You?"

Dash made a face, showing his disgust. "Got its.... head.. in this bag." He held up a blood stained bag, obviously not enjoying holding it very much.

Catrina smiled a fangy smile. "Nice." She suddenly sniffed the air. "Tell ya what. I'm still fuzzy on the details of what happened, but I don't do well with judges. Especially of the anti fur bigot variety."

"What?" Dash asked confused. "Did I miss something."

Catrina laughed. "Yeah, something. But don't worry about it. I'll fill you in later. You go win that contest. I have something.. personal.. to take care of."

"Yeah?" Dash asked, concerned. Figuring something was probably up. "Sure you don't need backup for this 'something?'"

"Eh, get up there and deal with the dignitaries. I'll be fine," Catrina insisted, shoo'ing Dash towards the stage, where ceremonies were about to begin. She didn't bother to mention the 'something' was the scent of her brother, now a dedicated servant of Daisuke, and Dash trusted her too much to push the issue. A judgment he would soon come to regret more than he could ever know.

"Alright, keep safe," Dash said. Catrina gave him a final gentle push, then vanished into town to deal with her fallen brother Cattaras.

 
It's not long before we're underway with the second part of the contest!

 
Cheesy theme music played as the eleven known Council members gathered up on the stage. The Council friends chattered among themselves, while Dewey, Cheetham and Howe were off, probably scheming, to one side. The final three members, the leaders of the three guilds, were arguing in heated, raised voices in the middle of the stage.

The audience wasn't much better. When you mix Knob Goblins and Knolls together with a few representative "legitimate businesspenguins," and then throw in Higgy and the supporting class of both the Kingdom of Loathing and the Winking Judge, things aren't going to go easily.

All came to a sudden calm peace a a shaft of bright light shone upon the stage! The world suddenly felt at peace. She descended like an angel, cloaked in a white satin dress that despite a modicum of transparency emanated class and innocence.

All could feel the awesomeness and sheer win of a person who seemed like with enough belief in her, could bring goodwill and peace toward all on the Kingdom and beyond. Unfortunately, not many present seemed to believe, so instead of bringing in a new age of enlightenment and prosperity, she was here to host the carnival.

Hey, not a bad second choice!

"Greetings, my beloved fellow adventurers." Awwwww, warmth and puppy dog hugs seemed to be emitting from her voice, like worms covered in syrup, but y'kno, not nearly so gross. "Today we establish judgment upon you all, with the warmth and love of your true leaders, for we are.. the Council of Loathing."

And all cheered wildly. Or mildly, depending on the person. Except for Elite 7 member the Black Paladin, watching from a nearby roof. He showed no reaction at all.

"Moments ago, we spoke with each of the contestants in tonight's event to ascertain their attempts to impress us, the Council of Loathing, at this most dramatic and amazing night," the lady said, before introducing yourselves. "I am the guiding light of the Council of Loathing, serving under King Ralph himself, who was supposed to be at this very meeting, but has gone missing."

Worried murmurs went through the council and the crowd.

"I appear to have misspoke. I apologize. His Royalness is simply.. delayed, presumably by matters of state." She bowed apologetically for the worry. "Although we've received no word on the reasons, I'm sure His Royalness would not tarry without good reason. Moving along, we spoke briefly with each of our contestants earlier. We ask now that they take the stage."

Price Blahking was already on the stage, performing feats of amazing magic with fireballs fluttering and flying in circles in every direction. Some short distance away from him, closer to the edge of the stage, Shelly Girl was sittin' there smilin' away with Zanther Wolf, why he was right there next to her! The two had their display set up with berry juice and berry pies!

Catrina was still absent, leaving Dash to walk up with the head in the bag.

"Before we announce our judgments, let us briefly introduce each adventurer, and speak of their noble accomplishments. Though truly, all are worthy, only one can win."

There was mild, polite applause which seemed to inherit the feeling of a storm about to strike. A calm that wasn't deceptive, only because it was such a convincing peace as to promise its own imminent demise.

"You can see Blahking's impressive display of magic even now!" cited nice incredibly nice, generous Sorceress. Indeed, the Prince of KOKOL magically looped flames of ember white fire, and crisp balls of flames. Unfortunately, a mischievous pair of cute twin Knob Goblin scientists, gender and identity unknown, started casting spells off to the side of the stage, escaping Blahking's notice. He did notice it at the last second- just in time for the spell to cause his amazing circle of fire to explode, leaving himself, the judges, and a few other contestants fried around the edges.

Blahking rushed over to apologize, but got shuffled off the stage before he could, so he angrily turned his attention towards finding whoever had been messing with him. Sebastian watched the whole thing in confusion, his eyes darting over the crowd for signs of trouble.

"Ahh, yes, quite the.. interesting display there. I might have to change my name to the Roasted Sorceress." That got a round of chuckles out of the crowd, calming them down over the earlier magical mishap.

"Our next contestants work as a team. Give it up for the Kingdom of koKOL's Becky Joy and Zanther Wolf!" The Nice Sorceress lead the crowd in a round of polite applause for ol' Becky, who just bounced on up and danced to the middle of the stage, smiling ear to ear ‘cause she had everyone's attention! Zanther Wolf, taking in her enthusiasm, followed her, his wings to his side, fluttering ever so slightly!

"His, everyones!" She said in an infectious, youth like voice, although she was clearly a young adult. "This's Zanthie, I mean Zanther Wolf, and we made some pies and juice for everyone!'

Wolf let out a loud yip, and sat besides her, wagging his tail.

"Oh yeah, that's right, Zanthie! It's berry pie, everyone! Strawberries, and lemonberries, and berry berries, and lemme think! Blueberries, and maybe redberries.. Do redberries exist?!"

Zanther shook his head as if to say no.

"Nope, we didn't use thems then!" Becky said. A few audience members laughed. A few others looked on in confusion. But it didn't matter, cause Becky broke out, grabbing pies and juice. She started passing them out to the judges. The Knob Goblins mages started to cast a spell, only to have Dash appear in the middle of them, brandishing a sword and shaking his head.

"I think it might be a good time to stop making trouble," Dash suggested. They apparently agreed, or maybe they were terrified of being discovered. They dashed off in fear. Dash turned, hearing himself introduced, and leapt up dramatically on stage, still wielding his broadsword Bad Beats. He slipped it into the strap over his back, flashing his best "Dashing Rogue" smile.

Someone handed him the bag, which he held above his head for the crowd to see! "Dear fellow adventurers, though the story is long and worth later note, I've slain the great yeti haunting South Degrassi and brought his head to you all as proof of my victory. The validity has been confirmed by the judges' talented assistants earlier, and may now be examined by the judges themselves at their leisure. Catrina, though not present now, sends her regards. She was vital to helping me with this problem."

"Ohh, a pity she's ineligible for the contest," The Nice Sorceress stated. "I’m terribly sorry, but rules are rules."

Dash frowned. "She'll be sorry to hear, but understanding."

Dash hoped.

"I do believe," Gunther said, "that this is proof of a most heroic and powerful victory! Yes, to the victor, go the spoils. And to the bearer of the spoils, go this contest win."

The other two came over, looking at it. "Hm... I do agree. This being obviously has the smell and colors of magic and evil, yet overcome it, you did. I award Dash this victory!"

"Hmm, yeah, he's a goodie two shoes, but this thing's got golden earrings. Which I just stole while you were watching me talk. Good job, Dash! But wow, these pies are good. I'd say we let those two goofballs split second place." Shifty pointed at Becky, who watched them, leapt with joy and said, "Yay, Dash, yay us! YAY PIES!" Wolf just wagged his tail, and put his paw up so Becky would give him a slice, hehe!

"So I suppose this means, coming in first place," The Nice Sorceress explained, "Sebastian Dash. Coming in second and third.. Becky Joy and Zanther the Wolf! That'd leave Prince Blahking to forth place, with Catrina Whiteclaw coming in fifth due to her inability to attend?"

The judges were too busy eating pie and asking Dash about the battle with the Yeti to do more than really nod. The Prince walked up to her, and asked, loud enough to be heard by most of those in attendance, "So this means the Council will support us in our war with the Knob Goblins?"

"You have our full support!" The Nice Sorceress said, giving him a winner's hug and a light slap on the shoulder. "Why, we'll meet in the morning to determine how to give you our full support. For tonight, we celebrate and party.. AHHHH!"

A ninja star struck her neck, and she collapsed. A pair of guards charged the intruder, only to be swatted aside by large feline hands. Four figures stood behind those two. A volley of ninja stars flew into the crowd, who started panicking and fleeing. Dash leapt in the way, deflecting a few, and then he let his vision settle on the intruders.

"The Elite Seven!" Prince Blahking cried out, returning to the stage. "Now I know who was behind the shenanigans earlier."

Amras stood at the front, flanked by fellow members Daisuke, the Black Paladin, and Grillhamo. Behind the Goblin King himself, indifferently stood Nihpa, who'd reluctantly teleported them into the heart of Seaside Town. "Ahh, tonight you die! You've made the last mistake of your lives by declaring war on the Knob Goblins! If it's war you want, let us strike the first blow!"

With that, he turned and made a sign to Nipha, who transformed into a giant dragon, as the other Elite Seven rushed forward! Daisuke roared as Grillhamo leapt forward, with his black panther rushing mid air for Grillhamo to land on without breaking his momentum. The Black Paladin advanced, going straight for the kill on the Council members themselves as Seaside Town fell into the black grasp of war.....

To be continued in in the next mission- "War in Seaside Town!"