Todd looked around, non plussed. "This is it? No wonder it stays hidden."

Todd Blackpaws had found himself along with Wildfall, Fahari and Sir Fumblies at the edge of.. well not very much, judging by the looks of it.

Wildfall shrugged. "Maybe they got a soup'n bread somewhere. I could go for a bite."

Todd noticed someone walking down the street, a woman. He smiled and walked up to her. "Hey hon, what do you guys do around here for fun?"

The woman stepped up to him and whispered in his ear. His ears picked up and his tail frizzed as she talked for a long time then went on her way- Todd seemingly frozen there.

Wildfall looked amused. "She didn't say 'throwing ninja stars,' did she?"

Todd was slow to react but then smirked. "Only as a euphemism."

Wildfall blinked the confusion back and started to talk but Fumblies chuckled.

"Well we may be in the middle of nowhere but I am sure we aren't seeing everything." As Fumblies commented he pondered utilizing the spirit of the ninja boy that was living in his armor. "Not only that I have been through here before."

"Oh that's an understatement." Todd muttered, then paid attention to what Fumblies was really saying. "You've been here before?"

"Yeah back when we were hunting down the Princesses." Fumblies shrugged as he turned to look over at Fahari for a moment. He looked back to Todd and nodded again. "Though it seemed to be a bit more hostile that trip. Might have been because we had both Dash and Konall with us."

Todd wagged his tail. "Dash's cool. What did Konall get into?"

Fahari chuckled. "What did he not get into?"

"So now that we're here," Wildfall asked with a shrug. "What's our first objective? Sorry Summer couldn't make it, by the way."

"I would guess we could start asking around for information."

"I guess." Wildfall looked around. "Notice there's a lotta black masks here?"

"Now that you mention it," Fumblies said. "Yeah I do."

"They can't all be that ugly, can they?" Todd wondered. Then he jumped as an old man tapped his shoulder from behind. After his heart started again and he got the static out of his tail he gave what he hoped was a winning grin to the old man. "Hey man... You guys are quieter than some monks I know."

"What part of Ninja village didn't you get understand Todd?" Fumblies asked in a good natured jab as he looked at the old man.

"You shouldn't be here," the old man said ominously.

Before the others could reply, he added in a jovial voice. "You're standing in mud! You should be over there on the main walkway!"

"I see and might you be able to direct us to the..." Fumblies started to ask as he was interrupted by the old man.

"Whazzat, youngster?! Do I look like a director?! Haahaa.. I've waited sixteen months to use that line! But no.. no.. I really can't. You see, I'm old. And mysterious."

"And he doesn't know what he's talking about." Todd gave the old man a knowing smirk- and a baiting one.

"What?" the old man made a face. "I most certainly do!"

"Do not!" Wildfall said.

Todd gave an almost triumphant swish of the tail. "Only one way to prove it, man. Fumblies?"

"Fine!" the old man answered in a huff. "You walk down the street, turn left at the Hut of Isolation, and walk seventeen baby ninja steps. Then you turn, and take the main road, and you're there."

Todd looked surprised- but still smirked. "Wow.. you really do know your stuff, old man! C'mon guys, let's go."

Wildfall followed him. "Wait, where're we going again?"

"Ask Todd since I don't rightly remember what we are looking for down here." Fumblie replied with a frown, but the answer surprisingly came from behind him as Fahari growled.

"We are entering the serpent's nest, love. And I will not be leaving until the last snake is destroyed."

"They ran all the snakes outta Ireaca," Wildfall said with a shrug. "At least north Ireaca. But I thought we were going after the slavers, not snakes?"

"Slavers, snakes is there really a difference?" Fumblies asked quietly as he looked over at Fahari while placing a hand on the hilt of his sword.

Todd took the chance to answer Wildfall's confusion. "There are more snakes walkin' around on two legs than any real hero should be willing to accept, mate."

"A hero," Wildfall said wistfully. "We could use a few of those right now."

Todd chuckled. "Yeah, but they gotta be strong and they gotta be fast and they gotta be fresh from the fight."

Fahari purred at that, finally smiling. "Well, at least we are sure some of us are larger than life." She put an arm around Fumblies and took a long moment to... well you can guess what she did with her paw to make him jump.

Wildfall laughed and turned his eyes to the town ahead. "Frisky kitty, isn't she?"

Todd laughed as well. "She's got plenty saved up mate. When she first got here- before she met Mr. Lucky there- she was tighter'n.. wait, no 'tight' isn't a good word to use here. Hmm... Wel, let's just say she had her emotions well under control- still does for the most part."

"So well disciplined?" Wildfall reasoned.

Todd nodded. "Yeah. Now, if you want frisky then when all this is over you 'n me gotta go take a trip to my old digs. Kitties there'd jump you in the street if it was the right time of the year."

"I should take Summer," Wildfall said playfully. "She could learn to lighten up and pounce strangers."

"Dunno, man. They say 'once you do Cat, you never go back!" Todd said with a smirk..

Wildfall's expression slowly transformed into a wide smile. "I don't know. I've seen Summer in a swimsuit."

"Lucky boy. Hope she doesn't get a thing for barbs." Todd chuckled.

Then Fahari cleared her throat- almost in a growl. "Might I remind you that there are others in earshot- children specifically? Now is not the time to discuss barbs- or knots for that matter. We have a job to do, such things can wait."

"Barbs and knots?" Wildfall sounded confused over that part.

Fahari eyerolled. "Later!"

Todd chuckled. "Sorry man we're being cut off. Or not actually 'cut off' 'cause that would be painful- and …" He caught a look from Fahari and reversed course." Tell you what. After we're done here we'll find Cattaras and have a drunken night of show and tell, Plan?"

"Sure." Wildfall glanced around again. "Feel like we're being watched."

Fahari took the scents, and growled. "They are nearby...and they have been using that infernal machine." She shook her head, as if trying to clear something. "I... I sense something. I do not know what it is... The machine may be interfering with something. I need to meditate on this." And she did, right there at the side of the road without thought as to mud. sitting down crossed legged and closing her eyes.

Wildfall turned to whisper to Todd. "Does she do this much?"

Todd shook her head. "She's a monk. They do weird stuff at odd times."

Wildfall raised an eyebrow. "Thought she said we had to watch our topics."

Todd chuckled, then nodded. "She looks like she's contacted whatever she was looking for." Indeed the look on Fahari's face was calm, contemplative. In just a few more minutes she opened her eyes and stood, looking at the way they were going with desire- before nodding and turning to Fumblies, giving him a nuzzle and a hug that should have bent his armor in places. "I must leave you, love. There are threats elsewhere that require my attention."

Fumblies sighed softly nodding slightly. "Hurry back but take a few of the troops to help you out. Tell Bones I told him and Twitch to go with you." With that Fumblies paused for a moment then blinked. "Did you get a direction on where the machine is?"

Fahari smiled. "Yes, but not to the machine you now seek. But do not be concerned. I believe Mr. Blackpaws has its location well in hand- or nose."

Todd smirked darkly. "Deeper into the stench of zombies. Yay."

Wildfall chimed in. "Thought those were the ninjas I smelled."

"Then it looks like we should move on and take care of this. The sooner we handle this machine the soon we can handle the Slavers." Fumblies reasoned with a slight grin as he thought about how he would like to get back setting up his portion of the faction.

Fahari may have broke his concentration a bit with the kiss she gave him before starting off down her own path.

"Think she'll be okay on her own?" Wildfall asked.

Todd chuckled. "I pity anyone who tries to mess with her. Especially if she's 'under orders' like I think she is."

Wildfall just had to ask. "From who?"

Todd shrugged. "Eh, from that crazy Goddess the Felines believe in, no doubt. You know, the reason she's a monk?"

"Ohh," Wildfall said. "A vision."

Todd snorted. "Whatever you call it." He then took another whiff of air and growled, reaching for his axe. "Trouble's coming."

"I wouldn't belittle the Goddess," Fumblies commented. "Because even if you don't believe, she is there. As are the Others."

"Amen to that," Wildfall replied.

"I don't belittle her. I've just never seen any God or Goddess at work in my life- at least not one that seems to be such a Slut with her believers."

"Well just because you haven't directly noticed a Deity in your life, but I can assure that they exist." Fumblies sighed as he looked around to see just what sort of trouble was coming towards them.

Todd growled. "If there's a god in heaven then why has my life sucked in general?" He sighed. "Philosophy talk later- we got trouble coming."

Fumblies just shook his head as he drew his sword and took a defensive stance while the squad of Knobs and the pair of Brutes started to move into town. They got maybe a dozen steps when they heard a bellowing command from behind.

"Hold up, ya furry freak!"

Turning around, they saw easily half a dozen thugs. There was no other way to put it. Dirty. Greasy bearded, bald. Clearly from the Ireacan / Catalina region, judging by both their appearance and accent. The lead seemed like the least idiotic of the bunch, not to mention the most muscular.

"What in the name of the Dark Ones above are you doing in our territory?" He asked, he did. "Surrender and we might let you live."

"Funny you should say that because I was just about to make you the same offer." Fumblies retorted with a slight grin as the two Brutes, Tus and Splat, move to flank the thugs. "So how about you surrender to the Blood Clan and you might just make it out of this alive."

"We ain't afraid of you," the first one said, walking up and stabbing Brutus repeatedly with a sharp stick. Tus grabbed the stick and used it to fling the thug into a tree before snapping the stick in half.

"I am Sir Fumblies and I once again extend an offer to accept your surrender."

The others started to run. One called out, "Let the freak division handle 'em!"

There were other slavers eager to cover their escape. Strange looking things with vacant eyes, that moved in jerky motions. The first two aimed these odd guns at the brutes and blasted them with deafening sonar blasts, designed to take down the toughest of opponents. Outside of the cone aimed at the brutes, Fumblies, Todd and Wildfall, it sounded like a dull, distant roar. Inside the cone of attack, waves of deafening sound crashed into our heroes.

"Okay what the hell is that?" Fumblies questioned upon seeing the weapons fire. He could tell that whatever the weapon was it packed a punch.

"Wasn't me." Todd admitted- although he'd been throwing as much Death Metal at these guys that he could spare. Suddenly the attack stopped however, as the last of the slaver's undead vanished around a building. Wildfall and Todd gave chase- but saw nothing.

"Blasted cowards," Wildfall complained. "We better watch our backs nice and good from here on out. I'd bet you anything we'll be lookin' at an ambush real soon."

"No bets, it's how these guys work." Todd growled, ears flicking and eyes scanning the area.
"Well looks like we need to scout the town out and see what we can find out. Also might serve to see if we can get some more help for the locals." Fumblies made the commentary as his eyes scanned the village with a thoughtful expression.

Anyway, this sends Fahari to the other mission, where she'll continue to make her mark, while the three guys will have more in the Ninja Village to take care of. We're going to jump to a co write featuring Dash and Catt (and others), and then we'll find out where Fahari goes next before coming back for more of Wildfall, Todd and Fumblies.