Note: I do not Own The nightmare before Christmas Or Redwall, They belong to Brian Jacques and Tim Burton, Respectively. The only thing's I own are River, Stoneclaw Wildstripe, Victoria Alderfur (not a Sue, I can assure you!), Belkin Deadclaw, The fox and rat version's of Oogie, Lock, shock and Barrel. I'll add Jack's appearance in Redwall later on.
Chapter one: Belkin's Arrival
A slim ferret was sitting beside a large fire with a scruffy looking Weasel and a thin Rat. In his paw was a plan, as if they were Army tactic's, but for what? This ferret looked Taller than most, and was a Black Sable-colored ferret. His guard hairs were a Dark brown with a noticable black glossy shine. His undercoat is a White to cream color, and he has ash blackish brown color for his nose. The Tunic underneath his Chainmail is a Dark maroon with a Black leather belt. The ferret was also wearing a bit of chain mail Over his tunic along with a Breastplate bearing his Insignia, A Black claw with Blood on the tip in the middle of a navy blue Circle. In the top left and Right corner's it read 'D' and 'B' in Silver letter's. Metal gauntlet's covered each Arm, going up to his shoulder, where it was virtually melted with the chainmail. This chainmail only covered his wrist's up to where the Shoulder met the base of the Neck, Leaving anything above it Like his hands ((Or..Paws)) uncovered by armour. It did'nt hide his Long, Black needle-fine pointed claws, Long and slightly Curved. These claws were why he was named Deadclaw, he killed many with them and His claws were his primary weapon and Trademark. He also sharpened his teeth into point's for who-knows-what. A longsword, about Half the Ferret's height, was at his left side sheathed in a brown leather Scabbard with gold inline's. This ferret was Fairly handsome, But with one Scar, and it was gruesome. A few Season's ago, Him and a Scouting troop of all Weasel's departed and Ransacked the home of Ferntail Elderfur and the Rest of the Squirrel family living inside, He had'nt Known that a Badger was there. The badger, along with Two other Squirrel's, Fought on and crushed his Scouting party. All that was left was Himself and the Badger, the one with the blue Stripe, Strengthened claws from Wolverine teeth ad Fang's and a massive Bow and long Arrows. It was that Badger who gave him this ugly scar after attempting to Slay him with his own Dagger, and the Ferret leader retreated. He knew fear for the First time after he Killed his Family and those countless Other's. He forbid anybeast to Speak the Badger's name, though it was known amoung Vermin as "The new Savage". Anybeast who spoke of him was instantly killed, no Mercy. He never wanted to hear that Name, that Warcry...What was is the Badger's name was? Stoneclaw Buestripe? It did'nt matter. He swore to Kill that Badger, and once He find's out where Bluestripe's hiding...but While talking, his teeth are shown (His mouth was slit in the same Manner as Kuchisake-Onna, or Slit mouthed woman from the movie "Carved", however his wound would show more teeth then her when Slit-mouthed woman opens her mouth.), How the Ferret survived is unknown, some Say he was just lucky and Other's say he was Immortal. Although that was never true, he really was Indeed lucky. but that Badger scared him. Badly.
A fox came up to their leader, Bearing a rolled up parchment with a black ribbon wrapped around the middle. "M-m-my L-lord, The M-m-ap." The fox stammered, The ferret snatching it away and Speaking "Thank you, Bloodtail." He said, his voice sounding like Somebeast scratching their claws against steel. It was no suprise for Their leader to say Thank you, He was usually like that. He never said anything nice besides a Thank You now and then, but anything else meant something different, mostly death. The fox avoided eye contact with the Ferret, knowing that Looking at his leader and showing fear would get himself, and Other's, killed. They were to act like their Leader was normal but it was Hard not to be afraid with Anybeast with a Wound as gruesome as his Leader's. There was Silence, and a sudden Snarl from the Ferret leader made the Fox jump up and yelp in surprise, With the Ferret growling "Well? What are you standing there for, Mudbrain! Get back to work!". Before the fox knew what hit him He was on the Ground, lying on his back and holding his nose where the Ferret leader punched him, and the Fox scrambled away. "Nice one, chief." The rat replied, chewing on a dirty claw for some reason. "You got Bloodtail good.". All he received was a Smack upside the Head from his Leader's tail. The ferret growled "I know that. But where is that God-Forsaken Abbey?! We should be there by Now!". This time it was the Weasel's turn to speak. "Well, chief, We only got 'ere a Day ago from the West o' Mossflower, Ye can't expect for us to be there in a Day or two." The ferret ignored him, Getting to his paws and yelling to his Horde "Double time! Up on your paws, Dimwit's! We're travelin' All day an' night to get to that abbey! No stoppin' or Restin'! If I see you doin' that then I'm Sure you'll know what'll happen. I expect to be there by Dusk tomorrow!". Vermin, mostly foxes, Rat's, stoats and a few Weasel's started Gathering their thing's for the March with an "Aye chief!". The slender ferret Leapt up on a Rock and waited for the Slim black, green tunic and red eyed Rat named Virgil to get to his side. This rat was his most trusted Friend and Right-paw, with a Scimitar as a weapon, along with a Bolas. Then he waited for another to come up, a Tall weasel stepped forwards and eyeing the Horde with a certain Intrest. He was originally a Hazelnut brown with a White underbelly and had a Black tipped tail. He also had a Dark brown eye color. But because he hated his birth color he dyed his Brown fur and Bellyfur Black. His tail was Crooked, broken since birth and classified as Abnormal, and thus it Earned him the name Crooktail. He dyed the tip of his tail a Turquoise color using a mixture of dyes, Mostly from berry juice and some other thing's. He was wearing a Dark Grey tunic that seemed to match his Fur and was carrying a sharp Sickle, also many poisoned Dagger's and other throwing implement's. The ferret looked Over at Crooktail, his strong Left-paw, and Virgil, his Strong Right. Both Rat and Weasel removed their weapon's and clanged them together as if on que, causing whatever stuff was going on to Stop and the Vermin paid attention to their Leader. The ferret now looking about him, Shouted out
"Wait till we get to Redwall, my Friend's! Treasure and Vittles are all that Wait's for us there, And a very fine headquarter's at that! Death to Anybeast who tries to stop me! Now then...Who is you Leader?!"
The response was quick "Belkin Deadclaw! Throat-slitter of the west!". Soon came a great shout, knowing that Their leader was Unpredictable when he was mad.
The ferret knew these Title's he had earned, and the throat-slitter one was the one He made up, there would be more to come. He then responded, Drawing his sword and holding it to the cloudless and starry Sky, the moonlight glinting off of it's fine Point as if a Blessing. His voice commanding total attention and Sounding stronger, more Resolute and confident in completing their Quest with victorious Result's.
"What will we Conquer?!"
"Redwall! Redwall!"
"And who will we teach to Fear the name of 'Deadclaw'?!"
"Redwall! Redwall! Death to Redwaller's!"
Belkin had gotten his horde into a frenzy of Death and Blood lust, He now felt that Ever remaining Feeling that had Turned his very Soul into Ice, The feeling of when he Killed his first Snake, everything was coming back to Him. The same feeling that had gotten Colder and Colder over the season's and made his blood feel like it was as Cold as Winter. This feeling numbed him from grief, Worry, all the thing's that would usually Make him weak and get in the Way during his Quest for Power. Together with his two Friend's since their Young season's, Virgil and Crooktail, Claimed their place as head of this Horde a Season ago while they were still living west in Mossflower. A stoat was once Owner, But Belkin killed him with ease and they fought their way to the Top. Ever since he traveled around, Killing anybeast in his way, execpt one. This creature Terrified the living Hell out of him, and he Forbid anybeast to speak of the Incident with his Scar or who caused it. He hasn't been beaten in around...8 season's since then, And he aimed to keep his record that way.
"TO REDWALL!" Belkin shouted
"TO REDWALL!" Said his horde. And they began marching, with Virgil, Belkin and Crooktail in the lead. The time for war had come.
note: I'll probably do Oogie's intro next...Reviews and...stuff are welcome, and yes I know my grammar and punctuation is probably horrible...
