After using my spare time to update the character index, I've started updating older missions, hoping to get them cleaned up, fix any errors I left in, and such. As you can tell, I'm finally back to updating missions!

This is the sixteenth mission in AiL's life, overall! As we write this, we're currently in the midst of wrapping up the nineteenth overall mission, with plans pretty much set for the big 20th mission. In fact, we'd originally planned to use the 20th mission idea here, but it had to be pushed back.

The idea was for Cameron, handler of both Bearsmashers, to write it. Since he was too busy, I decided I'd keep the adventurers in Honorburg. We used a 'new' villain by the name of Philler, although that has a twist at the end of this one, which I won't ruin. As far as roleplaying, there's no debuts ahead, but we've got some great stories from several established and new AiL'ers.

With several player characters appearing and individual storylines being pressed forward, this one reads a little more like a big co write than most Rollovers- but it still pushes a story forward.

 
Part I by Dash and Fumblies. Part II by Dash and Cattaras

 
The last princess has been rescued. The galaxy is at peace.

Well, not really. But the last three princesses were rescued along with Aleena. Aleena was quite proactive in being saved, hacking into the Fifth Column base where they had been held captive to fight a powerful mage and his summoned allies. With the task done, Catrina, Sebastian, Aleena, Becky and the others could make their way back to the Kingdom of Loathing proper via the same pirate ship that had taken them to Honorburg in the first place. Catrina sent Fumbies to fetch Kadlin, figuring a pirate ship ride might be a bit more comfortable than riding a barely controlled dragon.

At the start of our story, our heroes could be found strung along the pier next to the docked pirate ship and other ships. Becky Joy and Zanther Wolf skipped up and down the pier, while Cattaras, Dash, Aleena, Arieala (the Princess of the Ninth sea) and a few pirates were having a conversation just outside the Port Authority and snack bar. (Remember that? "Register your ships and get some chips.")

The other two princesses, S'vette, the princess and mayor elect of Vikiceland (located in scenic Furthest Reaches) and, Princess Kimmy (of where ever) gathered at the deck of the boat along with Vixen, Fahari, Knob Goblin brothers Red and Green, and the bard Todd Blackpaws. Cattaras and Catrina Whiteclaw joined them, with Grillhamo along to stop any potential trouble.. or start trouble, depending on what the sibling big-cat types desired.

Catrina was intent on convincing the princesses they could stay at her new Kingdom's headquarters, the old Knob Goblin kingdom. She insisted it would be much more accommodating than the princesses' caravan, or for that matter anything the Kingdom of KOL could offer. Although they were rather suspicious, Catrina was starting to have some luck convincing them.. until Fahari and Todd butted into the conversation.

It was only moments later when Fumbles arrived... in a bit of a hurry. Notable in his return was the fact that he was unmistakeably alone. Well, alone other than for the Knob Goblins he had taken with him to get Kadlin. A look of near panic covered his face as he tried to get Catrina's attention so he could tell her about what he had discovered. He needed to make this report in private as it seemed to be an internal Feline Empire matter and not a public issue. Discreetly, he motioned for Catrina to join him. As she was still wrapped up in her offers to the princess, Catrina signalled for Cattaras to tend to whatever issue Fumblie obviously had.

Fumblies merely sighed, forcing himself to keep a straight face. He really didn't want to talk to Cattaras about what he had just found out but it seemed he would have no choice. With a deep breath, he walked off to the side a away from the group so as not to be over heard by anyone he wasn't talking to.

"If you're wondering about your rewards, we were speaking of them earlier when.." Cattaras started impatiently.

"No furball, Kadlin is missing with no trace of where she went." Fumblies snapped in frustration as he let the news sink into the big cat's brain.

"I.." Cattaras paused, amused. "You lost the mage, meat?" Fumblies took a deep breath and spoke in slow short words to get his reply across. "Kadlin was NOT there when I went to get her."

"So she's exploring the city." Cattaras shrugged. "Her loss, I suppose. I doubt that girl would have enjoyed the company of pirates much, anyway. She'd have probably wanted to experiment on the lot of them before we'd left dock! Although I have to admit.." Whatever dark thoughts Cattaras had were pushed to the side when Fumblies looked at Cattaras with a frown on his lips before he continued with his report. "There were signs of a battle but no hard evidence on who did the fighting."

Cattaras paused, now growing a little concerned. "Hm.. that could be a bad sign. But honestly, I don't know of any groups in this city that would pose a problem to our Viking mage. Anything else?"

Now it was Fumblies turn to pale as he takes a deep breath. "Remember that undead dragon we fought months ago? Well Kadlin was controlling it and well it is now gone as well."

"If it's under he control.." Cattaras started.

"Barely," Fumblies answered. "She'd given it about two days worth of time before she had to release it to return home. Otherwise, it might escape on its own.. and under its own influence. That was at least half a day ago."

Cattaras gritted his teeth. "Naturally. Is there any possible leads on this? Anything at all?"

"Hardly worth mentioning," Fumblies continued. "One of my Goblin soldiers overheard reports of her being helped by a large Viking during the battle.. or being attacked by her afterwards."

That piqued Cattaras's interest. "A large Viking? Konall, then?"

"Possibly," Fumblies sighed, not wanting to waste time dwelling on a child's incoherent ramblings. "I didn't put much faith in the second hand report of a child, but the description might fit him as well as any other Viking, I suppose."

"I see," Cattaras said. "And you believe he attacked Kadlin after luring her into a false sense of security by assisting her?"

"Maybe," Fumblies answered, trying not to grit his teeth impatiently. "I don't know. If you believe what I was told, it's possible. We need to get a proper mage on this to track her down, as soon as possible. I'd suggest the rabbit."

"Thank you for your.." Cattaras paused, distractedly trying to choose the right words. "Invaluable assistance. I'll consult with the Queen on this matter immediately."

"Then we should..." Fumblies started to say.

"That will be all for now, thank you," the big cat said, turning away and moving to report the news to Catrina. Fumblies looked after Cattaras with a smoldering bit of rage at how easily he was cast aside. He grew to be fed up with being treated like a glorified errand boy and soon enough he would end up doing something about it.

"Fine, brother dear." Catrina purred, still intent on the princesses. "Talk."

Cattaras hissed, and Catrina paused, her smile fading a bit. "In private. We've got..."

Catrina interrupted him before he could spill any beans. "Oh all right. Your highnessesses- if you'll excuse us?" She barely waited before padding off with her brother a short distance.

We already know what the message is- so let's just skip ahead to...

"WHAT?" Catrina roared- and before Cattaras could stop her- in fact before he even knew she was doing it- Catrina was heading straight for Dash, murder in her eyes. "Sebastian Dash I want a word with you right now! This is entirely too much!"

Dash blushed a little and looked up from Aleena. "Yeah, I agree totally. But like I was telling Aleena here, if the prices are too expensive, we can just grab something at the health food store."

Aleena sneered. "Doesn't look like you're in much need of a snack, anyway, Queen."

Catrina growled. "Shut up bitch or I'll take a 'snack' out of your fat ass!" She then turned that growl on Dash.

Dash held his hands up in mock defense of himself. "Don't glare at me. I don't think you're fat.. well, not that fat."

"Cut the crap, Dash- Where is she?"

"As if it's any of your business, Princess Arieala has a distinct interest in the sailor's stories. She went back to the ship to hear more about mermaids and bureaucracy. The whole 'princess of the Ninth Sea' thing."

That only got her angrier. "I said to can it, Dash- you know perfectly well who I'm talking about!"

"If you're going to accuse us," Aleena said, defensive of Dash. "At least have the courtesy to tell us what you're accusing us of!"

Dash sighed, wishing to avoid a fight between the two. "Why don't we go discuss this over here and let Aleena get back to enjoying herself, Catrina?"

Catrina feigned shock. "You mean she does it in public? The tramp!"

"You know what I'd really enjoy?" Aleena asked rhetorically. See, the spiked brass knuckles that formed on her hands answered that question for us.

Catrina growled, her claws expressing in response to a challenge. "The rest you're going to get after I gut you like a fish, bitch?"

"Oh, I have so been waiting for an excuse to shut you up!" Aleena strode forward, but Dash stepped in between the two.

"Ladies, not now!" said Dash as the others started to stare at the two.

"Shut up, Dash!" Catrina growled at him.

"Don't tell him to shut up!" Aleena protested, taking a warning swipe at Catrina.

"Thank you, Aleena. Now just calm down, you tw-"

"Dash, shut up!" Aleena said, upset and just wanting to settle this.

Cattaras stepped up and put his paws on his sister's shoulders- nearly getting swiped in the process. "Dash is correct. Going after Aleena- much as I'd love to see that happen- will not give us the information about where they are keeping Kadlin..."

"What are you talking about?!" Dash asked, puzzled. "Kadlin hasn't come to us, as far as I know. Worried she's finally seen the light on you, old friend?"

It was Cattaras's turn to bare fang. "Be quiet, friend, or I will miss one catfight due to another. Your walking meatslab has taken her. He is your pet, correct?"

"If you mean Raw Hide, he's on your side, remember?" Dash said, resting a hand on his new sword. That's all it took; with Dash's skills, the sword was as good as drawn, should a fight break out. "If you mean Konall, he's his own man. Something you could learn a thing or two from."

Cattaras snorted. "Why would I be anyone's 'man?' I'm better than that!"

"Good for you," Dash answered. "We left Konall back in the kingdom. He's probably still out ice fishing back in the Kingdom."

Meanwhile, at that exact same moment back in in the Kingdom's frozen tundras, Spaz returned, carrying a wagon with an impossibly large amount of sticks. "Okay, Konall, I gathered exactly one million two hundred and six dry twigs, just like you wanted. Now why.."

Spaz looked around, confused. "Huh.. guess he snuck off on me a few days or hours ago. It's easier to sneak off with socks than shoes. I wonder who invented shoes? I bet it was the same guy who.."

While back in Honorburg, Dash continued. "Why would he want to kidnap his own sister? And for that matter, why are you accusing one of our men for your inability to keep track of your mages?"

For an answer, Cattaras flashed to Fahari's side. "I need your assistance, for a moment." He then grabbed her and moved- flashing again to the scent of the 'crime.'

Fahari was, obviously, shocked and enraged. "How dare you..."

"I dare because you are the only one of my kind that that thick headed human will believe!" Cattaras growled.

"And what am I supposed to convince Sebastian Dash of?"

"Take the scent- look at the clues. Do you see the fight- do you catch the scents."

She did as he asked- well demanded but she figured he must have reason. "I... I see... " She looks at Cattaras. "We left him behind."

"Well somehow he followed! Or was hidden from you by..."

Fahari growled. "NO! I believe Dash when he says that we have had nothing to do with this! It is.. it is possible that Konall did this on his own.."

Cattaras laughed. "That brute? Without that imp of his I doubt he could tie his own shoe!"

Fahari smirked- but only for a second. "Hard as it is to believe it is the only explanation that fits the facts."

Cattaras growled, moving to her again. "You will tell him this?"

Faline nodded. "I will, for it is the truth."

Cattaras nodded, and grabbed her again. In a flash they were back on the dock. Fahari smoothed some ruffled fur- well traveling that fast is sometimes frightening!- and nodded to Dash. "It is so, and it was Konall. There is no doubt his scent is all over the place."

"Is it possible he fought along with her and was captured?" Dash asked, not willing to believe so easily Konall would stoop to such a thing.. even though a part of Dash clearly realized it was possible. He knew first hand how upset Konall was about his sister's defection.. and her retrieval of the supposedly cursed sword.

Cattaras looked at Fahari- who shook her head. "There is nothing as fresh in the area- only their two scents. Plus the tracks of the struggle show them facing one another."

Dash started to speak. "Why don't you take us to the-" Cattaras grabbed Dash's arm. In an oombop, they were at the scene of the scene. "re.. Thanks."

In another flash, Catrina and Aleena arrived, thanks to Catrina's own burst of chi inspired superspeed. Aleena spun around, sensors alerting her to the situation. "Are you two insane?!"

Cattaras smirked. "No, just well trained in using our bodies. In oh so many ways. Perhaps I can give you a demonstration, sometime?"

Catrina growled. "Let's get the others."

"No, I mean it's a-" Aleena started. Before she could finish, the two rushed off to grab the others. Their lightning speed was cut short as powerful hurricane wind forces blew them back, slamming them into Dash and Aleena, sending all four tumbling. "Tra- aaah!" Aleena yelled, unable to finish the thought.

As the four got to their respective feet, they found themselves surrounded by a colorful set of enemies, ranging from sorceresses and summoners to high tech brutes and soldiers.

"Told you," Aleena said, glaring at the enemies.

Kadlin is missing and our heroes are in this strange 'futuristic' city.

Up ahead during roleplaying - the AiL original faces death and recovery, Cyber Sunset takes his first full AiL mission, Jester King and several Honorburg villains and contacts get screentime, and of course, we've got a ton of exciting fights ahead! Enjoy your stay in Honorburg.