A/N: New story! Hope you guys enjoy!

Disclaimer: I don't own Splatalot.

The month of March had finally arrived in the Kingdom of Splatalot. It was the time that lots of rain would fall, and spring was finally on its way. It was also closer to the time of regular attacks on the castle. It wasn't long until the teenage Attackers would start showing up on the moat once again.

The Attackers weren't expected to arrive until at least a few more weeks, though, so the Defenders still had some freetime to themselves. However, most of their time was spent getting ready for the Attackers' arrival. Thorne was working on some slime formulas, Tinkor was busy repairing and improving the weapons, and everyone was perfecting their aim.

This morning, seven of the nine Defenders were seated at the dining table, eating breakfast and discussing their plans for the day. While six of the seven chatted, Thorne kept a silent, heavy glare on the Australian bird. Kookaburra had been teasing Thorne about getting a girlfriend all week, and the alchemist was fed up with it.

The English warrior's threatening glare worked perfectly; it kept Kook from bringing the subject up. But if Kook did decide to talk about it again, Thorne had prepared an ice-cold spot in the moat just for him. If he decided to talk about at breakfast in front of everybody else, Thorne would make sure to add some electric eels and a few piranhas to the water.

Suddenly, the dining hall's doors swung open, grabbing everyone's attention. The kilted huntress strutted inside, with Crocness sauntering close behind. Each Defender took notice of the bag over Ballista's shoulder.

"Hey, guys," the huntress greeted, snatching a pancake from the table.

Gildar looked at the huntress with slight disgust as she forced the whole thing into her mouth. "Ballista, please! Get a plate! And if you keep eating like that, you'll get indigestion!"

Ballista shot a careless glance at the viking. "Sorry, but Croc and I are in a hurry. We've gotta run."

Gildar narrowed an eye. "Where are you going?"

"To Scotland."

"Why?"

Ballista swallowed the last of her pancake and adjusted the bag over her shoulder. "My family's having a reunion, and they've decided to hold it at my sister's place in Scotland, this year. Croc's coming with me so she can visit her cousin."

The huntress stuffed a sausage into her mouth as the water monster nodded.

"It's been awhile since I've seen Nessie," Crocness stated.

Ballista swallowed the last of her sausage, then looked Thorne up and down. "Hey, you're still coming, aren't you? Why aren't you ready?"

Thorne had agreed to go with the two so they'd get a good deal on the plane tickets; they'd only have to pay half the price of the total cost. Ballista had promised to get him a new pair of boots and chainmail shirt if he went with them.

The alchemist gulped down the last of his tea, then turned to the huntress. "I'm ready."

"But you're not even packed!"

Thorne groaned, annoyed. "I am packed. I just left my suitcase in my room."

Ballista took a deep breath. "Okay, good. But we've gotta get to the airport as soon as possible or we'll miss our flight," she stated, absent-mindedly touching Kook's glass of orange juice.

"Hey, get your own!" Kook cried, grabbing his cup defensively.

Ballista rolled her eyes, then looked over at Knightriss. "We'll be back in a few days."

"Alright, my dear," the leader replied, nodding.

The kilted huntress gestured for Thorne to get up. "Alright, come on, let's go!"

Thorne stood up, and with that, he, Ballista, and Crocness walked out of the dining hall. The remaining warriors at the table loudly bid them farewell.

"Have fun!" Skabb shouted, waving. "And if you don't, we won't care!"

A/N: Does this sound good, so far, I hope? It'll get better, I think...

Alright, feel free to review! Have a good night!