I APOLOGIZE FOR ANY OOC-NESS IN ANY OF THE CHARACTERS I'VE WRITTEN SO FAR. I JUST FEEL LIKE THAT COULD BE SOMETHING THEY'D DO, AND/OR IT COULD BE NEEDED FOR THE PLOT. SO, AGAIN, SORRY, BUT PLEASE JUST ROLL WITH IT. I SWEAR I AM TRYING TO KEEP EVERYONE IN CHARACTER AND ALL THAT. BUT NO ONE IS PERFECT. NOW, ONTO THE STORY! YAY!

GOD BLESS AND GOOD DAY!

~ONE SEPTIC MARKIPLITE

I could only stand there in utter shock as stray pieces of straw fell to the ground after the cart had shaken them loose.

...What was that thing?! I know it was a rat, but...I'd seen (and fought) plenty of rats at Marshank. None of them were THAT big! Poor Matthias was aghast.

"Did you see that?" Constance's face was a tight frown of hatred, but I could see the slight fear in her eyes.

"I saw it, but I don't believe it." I hummed as I bit my lip and shook my head in consternation.

"I've never seen a rat that big, and I've run into plenty." I whisper to the badger.

"What in heaven was it?" The little mouse squeaked. I bit my lip and placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"What in Hell, more like." Constance snorted before I could say a word. I nod, trying to ignore the crying infants behind me. It only added to the supremely erie atmosphere. I shook my head. This would not end like Marshank. I refuse to let it. If I have to challenge that rat to single combat, so be it. I'll do it. Anything to prevent tragedy befalling these inncoent woodlanders who knew nothing of evil and war, legends and tales aside.

"All those rats..." Matthias breathed. "Such big ones, too." I smiled, but felt a little sad at the fact that he thought 'all those rats' could be classed as big.

"Aye, and that one on the back!" Constance replied, voice heavy with both hatred and trepidation. "He looked like the Devil himself!" I chew my lip, thinking about Saki and the game we used to play once we'd met him; find the similarities between him and the Devil. Not much difference, if you ask me, striking out against mutants with a vengance. All because the woman he claimed to love left him for a man that was accidentally mutated shortly thereafter, along with their children, five in all, both adopted and biological. That woman was my mother, and she didn't survive the mutation. I shake myself as Constance wheels the cart around. Just because that rat looked like Saki for the briefest of seconds does not give me lisence to lose myself to horrid memories...of fire and clashing, banging, burning...then...

"Please! Don't fight!"

"Ane!"

"Shen!"

"No!"

"We'd best head back for the abbey. Father Abbot'll want to know about this straight away." I grimaced in determination, both to get those people back to the abbey and to banish that memory.

"Good idea, Constance. I was thinking the same thing." I reply as we, in sync, grab the handles of the abbey's cart as we wait for everyone to get back inside. Once that was done, the children's cries and the attempts to calm them where the only things disturbing the sudden silence on this wonderful sumer night. Constnace and I shared a glance, knowing that if that rat were to come to Redwall...we might not be able to repel his forces. The woodlanders were not fighters. They knew nothing of violence and slaughter. But, I knew they'd more than likely be getting a crash course before long. I chewed my lip in silence as our footsteps slowly became the only sounds anyone heard. What had I gotten myself into this time?

=#=#=#=#=

Matthias looked only the slightest bit tired as we entered the abbey, the otter and hedgehog who opened the gate wondering aloud what we were doing back a.) so soon after we'd left and b.) towing a cart with every single one of the occupants we'd left with.

"Business with the Abbot and the elders. In fact, I think everyone should hear this." Was Constance's grim, gruff reply as we settle the cart back where we'd found it. Everyone hurriedly ran off to report to their friends and anyone in earshot what we'd seen as Constance and I made our quick way over to the abbey building. Gathering the elders was simple; most of them were still seated and several woodlanders were still either napping or picking tiny bits of whatever food was left with sleepy, half-asleep eyes. Soon enough, everyone was alert as Constance requested an audience, giving an incredibly abridged version of our encounter with the wild hay cart and the huge rat. Mortimer's eyes went wide as he gave the word that everybeast present stay where they were, and that all those who were lounging elsewhere be brought down into Cavern Hole as soon as possible.

"Pay attention, everyone!" he called as discontented murmures rippled around the room, ringing a small bell to call the meeting to order. "Constance, Asami, and Matthias, would you please inform the counsel what you saw tonight on the road to St. Ninian's?" I looked to Constance, knowing she'd give the best recollection. Badgers were not creatures to forget details or mince words.

"Father, we were nearly at the cross-roads, and everyone was either asleep or nearly there when we were roused by subtle tremors in the earth." Mortimer's ears flattened in curiousity and slight fear.

"'Subtle tremors'?" He repeated. The three of us nodded.

"Asami felt them first, Father." Constance humbly admitted. "She alerted me and soon enough we could all feel it." I swallowed, even as all eyes flicked to me.

"Uh, yeah, they were caused by a-a ho-horse." I stammered, not used to being in front of such a crowd, some of whom were eying me with something less than friendly gazes, as if suspicious of who exactly the stranger adressing them was. Not that I blame them. In their shoes, I'd be suspicious, as well.

"A horse?" I nodded, feeling slightly more confident.

"Yes. Constance told me they're a rare occurance this far south, but I've seen horses before. This one was no different. It thundered along the path, towing a hay cart filled to the brim with the worst assortment of vermin and fighters I've ever seen, and I've dealt with small bands scattered across the land." I spoke with a cofidence I did not quite feel, and I could see the fear my words brought to the woodlanders' eyes. I regretted that, but they needed to know what they would probably be facing. I swallowed. The counsel, wisely seeking coraboration, turned to the two creatures they knew better.

"Rats, Matthias? What type of rat?" a female mouse in the habit of the Order asked curtly. Matthias shuffled his feet nervously.

"Big ones, though I'm afraid I couldn't say what kind they were or where they had came from." This caused further murmurs until the female mouse faced Constance.

"What about you, Constance?" The badger thought for a moment.

"Well, I remember my ole granddad once knew a sea rat." She said after a moment. I nodded. Probably some sea rats in that lot. "Going by his description, I'd say that's what they looked like to me." Mortimer took over.

"And how many would you say there were of these rats?"

"Judging by the size of the cart and comparing it to the rats inside...I'd say anywhere from 500-1000 or more." This elicited several shocked and horrified gasps from around the room. I shuffle slightly, never liking to be the bearer of bad news. The counsel corrabarated with my companions once more.

"Constance?"

"I'd estimate around that number, as well. Asami's right." I give her a small smile in thanks.

"Matthias?"

"Oh, yes, father. I'd agree with Constance and Asami. At least 400."

"Regardless, we need to be careful and take safety precautions." I advize, but no one pays attention to me, muttering and digesting the news for themselves. I rolled my eyes, growing quickly tired of being second-guessed and corraborated as if I couldn't possibly know better. Mortimer ceased all chatter as he adressed Constance.

"Did you notice anything else about them, Constance?" The badger gave a subtle snort, as if the answer should be obvious.

"Indeed I did, Father Abbot. My badger senses told me right off that these were very bad and evil rats, as Asami noted earlier." I snorted, as well. If anyone here actually gave a thought to what I said, they wouldn't be asking such silly questions. But no. I'm the newcomer who couldn't possibly known anything about events and cuilture down south. I grit my teeth as several creatures gave cries of 'Nonsense!', 'Pure speculation!', and 'That's right! Give a rat a bad name!', as well as a few dirisive remarks about 'that fox right there.' I gritnbmy teeth as things like 'she could be evil, too. Just look at the weapons she bears.' rang out. I rolled my eyes. Let stupid woodlander be stupid woodlanders. Then, shockingly, Matthias threw up a paw, anger and determination alight in his eyes.

"Constance and Asami are right! I could feel it myself!"

"Yeah, and they carried weapons." I add snarkily under my breath, rolling my eyes at these ridiculous woodlanders. Honestly...

"Aye, and there was a huge rat with a ferret's skull on a pole." That awkward moment when someone younger than you can give a better description of someone than you can, though you have the sharper eyes, cus you were too busy trying not to see Saki on that hay cart... "I got a good look at him-it was like seeing some horrible monster!" I shuddered, thinking of how terrified and hopeless my oldest younger brothers and I had felt after our first encounter with Saki. It seems long ago now...

I shook myself as Mortimer came over to Matthias, leaning down a little to be level with the younger mouse's eyes.

"Think carefully, my son. Was there anything else you noticed about this rat?" The little mouse chewed his lip for a moment.

"...He was much bigger than the others, father." He finally said. How did I know Matthias would pick the rat's size to talk about first? Mortimor nodded encouragingly. Is it just me, or does the Abbot seem to anticipate what Matthias will say, dreading that his premonitions were right? Just me? Okay...

"What else? Think, Matthias."

"I remember! He only had one eye!" Matthias squeaked eagerly, happy that he could remember so much.

"It was green and yellow, if it helps at all." I added, not wanting to be entirely left out just because I am new here. I hate being disregarded and ignored. The Abbot at least nodded and looked at me to let me know he acknowledged my comment. I'll take it.

"Right or left, either of you?" He asked. I hummed for a second, but Matthias spoke first.

"Left, I think. Yes, it was the left, Father! Right, Asami?" I smiled.

"Aye." Mortimer's shoulders sagged slightly. His expression was one of someone who is desperately wanting to belief that what he was hearing didn't mean what he thought it meant.

"Now, can you recall anything about his tail?" Matthias spoke up hastily.

"It must have been the longest tail of any rat alive!"

"I remember it had some kind of barbed attatchment on it." I added. Matthias nodded eagerly.

"And he held it in his claws, as if it were a whip."

"He used it as one, as well. He flicked it right above the poor horse's head." I put in. Mortimer rose and paced anxiously, and all were silent as they waited for whatever it was the good Abbot had to say. It was not long in coming, and the Abbot looked a few years older with worry and fear.

"Twice in my lifetime I have heard travelers speak of this rat." He said, voice wavering slightly, betraying his utter fear. "He bears a name that a fox would be afraid to whisper in the darkness of midnight: Cluny the Scourge." There was a collected gasp as the slight echoes died down, then there was silence accompanying the Abbot's word that was deafening and disbelieving. It appeared that everyone knew this Cliuny the Scourge...

Except me. I made a note to ask Constance who Cluny was later. Gradually, there was a change overcoming the woodlanders. There were smiles, chuckles, and general relief becoming evident. I was incredulous. There is a serious threat to the abbey...and these creatures were laughing?! What?! I looked around, shocked and slightly appalled at these creature's apparent careless responce to this clear and present threat. Mortimer looked about him, obviously not expecting any reaction close to this. The hairs on my neck bristled at the abashed look on the old mouse's face as elbows nudged ribs, as if to say 'can you believe these guys? Cluny, indeed!' Chuckles of relief rippled once before it upgraded to unbridled laughter. Humiliated, Constance, Matthias, and I's only course of action was to look peladingly at the leader of the abbey for support. It was not long in coming, for the Abbot was as riled as I felt. He grabbed the small bell he'd used to call the meeting to order and rang it soundly until silence was achieved once more.

"Mice of Redwall." He admonished sternly, like Splinter catching us trying to wander the city when we were supposed to be grounded. I couldn't help a small snicker at the looks of shame on the very faces that had not moments ago been laughing. "I see there are those among you who doubt the word of your Abbot." He hadn't raised his voice, his expression was not one of unjust anger, but the creatures gathered suddenly had red faces and were shuffling their feet as the weight of their Father Abbot's words hit them. One mouse stood meekly after several silent moments. He cleared his throat, looking as if he were fighting a smile.

"Er, Good Father Abbot, we all respect your word and look to you for guidance, but really...I mean..." He snickered softly as he sat back down. Another mouse, this one a female, stood in his place. She did not even attempt to hide her smile. There was laughter in her voice as she spread her arms.

"Perhaps Cluny is coming to get us for staying up late." She offered. My hackles rose and my cheeks reddened again as laughter, high and derisive, rang forth, roaring around the room. I'd had enough of being treated as though my opinion counted for nothing, and I would stand for Redwall creatures insulting and degrading each other even less. The laughter came from the creatures' thought of Cluny as little more than a Bogeyman, a spooky story told around a campfire. Now, three creatures (and the Abbot, no less!), are claiming to have seen this figment of nightmares and bedtime stories. Apparently, Constance had the same idea, as we both ended up barking and growling at the same time.

"Shut up!" I yelled over the startled screams and outbursts of fright. Then, Constance had her hands on her hips, eying the Elders and woodlanders severely down her nose.

"I've never seen such a pack of empty-headed ninnies!" She barked savagely. "You should all be ashamed of yourselves, giggling like silly little otter cubs that have caught a beetle! I never thought I'd live to see the Elders of Redwall acting in this way!" She spat as she hunched her shoulders, glaring with the same ferocity she had in the dormitory as she made her protectiveness of the abbey and its inhabitants clear to me. Once again, it nearly had me whimpering for mercy under a table like a frightened child. "Now you listen to me! Take heed of what your Father Abbot has to say! The next creature who utters one sqeak will answer to me! Understand?!" There was not one still head as Constance went back to being the gentle giant that escorted me to the feast as she turned and spoke in a dignified manner to Mortimer, bowing low respectfully and sweeping her paw. "The floor is yours, Father Abbot."