Mouse Guard: The Siege of Redwall
A/N: Hello everyone. This is Sonicfighter here, giving you the seventh chapter of Siege of Redwall. In this chapter, a circus came to Redwall to entertain the defenders while Cluny disguise two of his soldiers as clowns. Meanwhile, Methuselah lies dying in his bed. Not wanting to break Matthias's heart, they decide to keep it under-wraps. I don't own Redwall or Mouse Guard. They belong to Brain Jacques (May he rest in peace) and David Petersen. I only own my OCs.
Chapter 7: Of Clowns and Knives
6 days have passed since Matthias and the Guards have allied with the sparrows that life on top of the abbey. They also found the scabbard for Martin the Warriors sword, but the sword now belong to the Great Adder, Asmodeus. Matthias and the Guards need to find out where Asmodeus is living so they can kill him and reclaim the sword for Redwall and hopefully defeat Cluny the Scourge and his men.
The sun started to rise over Redwall, greeting her defenders with a new day, but not everyone is happy, for in Methuselah room, Angela, along with Sela, Basil, Cornflower and Constance look at the old mouse. Earlier, Mortimer told them that Methuselah's heart is growing weaker, meaning he don't have much time in this world, despite Angela and Sela's best effort to heal him. Not even the Sun Lily have the power to restore an old heart.
"Abbot though it's best not to tell Mathias until the time is right." Constance said to the others.
"Yes. Matthias love him very much. Almost like a grandfather to him." Cornflower said in agreement.
"I agree Cornflower, though I may not like to keep secrets. I'll do it for Matthias's sake." Angela also said in agreement.
Meanwhile, a few miles from Redwall, two moles are busy cutting a fallen tree into pieces to allow travelers to walk by.
One mole put his axe in a bag while another mole with a hood finish cutting a twig using a saw.
"That fixin all nice, eh." The mole said to the other mole.
"And just in time by sound of it." The other mole said as he heard someone coming.
"Someone's coming." The other mole said as he point to the path.
What the two moles didn't know is that two of Cluny's men, Fangburn and Redtooth are watching them from the bushes.
Coming the moles way is a traveling circus with otters pulling carts with jugglers, fire-breathers, acrobats and even clowns.
Fangburn and Redtooth hide in the bushes, waiting to strike.
The mole turn to a squirrel on stilts with a bag of flyers and said,
"It's the circus. Where you going?"
"Redwall Abbey, my friend." The squirrel said as he handed him a flyer from his bag.
The mole catch the flyer and read,
"'Come one come all, by Redwall Abbey this nightfall.'"
A small owl hooted as the two moles duck and the owl grab the flyer and fly away to spread the words.
"An owl messenger." The mole with the hood said.
"Many from all over Mossflower Woods will be there. Come and see." The squirrel said as he continue to walk as the circus follows.
"We will." The mole said as he laugh. A circus in Redwall sounds like fun.
But as the circus move to Redwall, the two moles notice Redtooth and Fangburn on the back of one of the carts with a chest.
The two moles gasped and ran to a pile of logs they cut earlier and peck back at the two rats.
"Rats." The mole with the hood said to his companion.
"Aye. Cluny must be about." The mole said agreement as the two rats use their daggers to cut the ropes that keep the chest in place and the chest fell to the ground.
Fangburn and Redtooth laugh and carry the chest back to Cluny's camp, hoping that it's full of treasures inside.
Back in Redwall, on one of the towers on top of the gate house, Matthias, Basil, along with Saxon, Lieam, Kenzie and Twilight are working on straightening Redwalls defenses by adding catapults on the towers.
Basil pull a rope to tighten the weapon, while Twilight, Saxon and Kenzie work on the other parts of the weapon. Lieam and Matthias help as they pull a rope which pull the bucket down and lock it into place.
Lieam wiped the sweat from his forehead and Matthias sight, seeing that the weapon is going smoothly said,
"That's tight enough Basil."
Basil stop pulling and said to the others,
"Well done, lads."
Twilight then lower a basket with rocks for the catapult while Matthias, Basil and Lieam carry the rocks to the catapult.
"Nifty work all around. This'll give Cluny a shock."
"I'll say Basil, and with another one on the other tower, we'll just may push Cluny and his men back for a few days, maybe weeks." Kenzie said to Basil.
"Yep. Speaking of Cluny, he have been quiet for the last 6 days." Matthias said.
"Yeah, what is that rat up to this time?" Twilight said while putting his paw in his chin.
"Any sign of that bungler Cluny and his ratty hordes?" Basil said to Matthias as he, Matthias and 4 guards look out into Mossflower forest.
"No. Nothing." Matthias said as he cross his arms.
The wind blow a bit as his colors fly in the breeze. Matthias put is up there so it wouldn't get dirty while working on the catapult.
"The question is, why is he laying low all of a sudden?" Basil said, wondering why the one-eyed rat is keeping quiet.
"Because we'll be able to hit them before they got to close now." Matthias said to Basil while looking at the new catapult.
"True Matthias, but we started working on this since yesterday. I think Cluny is cooking up a new plain to attack us." Lieam said to Matthias.
Just then, Constance, Cornflower, Sadie and Sienna came with refreshments. Constance have two mugs of water, while Sadie, Sienna and Cornflower have two bowls of strawberry coulis.
"By jove, look at that, refreshments." Basil said in delight.
Cornflower look at the catapult and said,
"Where you get the idea, fellas?"
"From one of Methuselahs old books. There's a picture of it." Matthias said to Cornflower as Constance handed Basil a mug and Constance grab her own.
"That and we use them back home. He got the idea from us too." Saxon said as Sadie handed him and Kenzie the bowls of strawberry coulis. Sienna also handed Lieam and Twilight the bowls of strawberry coulis.
"He said he can come up and see it. Speaking of which, where is Methuselah anyway?" Matthias said.
This cause the others to look at each other in concern.
"He's resting. It's too hot for him." Constance said to Matthias.
"Hum? Oh, yes yes. It's hot for an old mouse like him." Basil said as laugh nervously and Constance glared at the hare, telling him not to blow it.
"Indeed. Maybe he'll check it out tomorrow." Kenzie said to Matthias as he play along as well.
Matthias laugh as he eat his bowl of strawberry coulis.
"Matthias, don't you dare lose my scarf." Cornflower said as she saw her head scarf blowing in the wind and laugh.
"You're suppose to keep it with you all the time. Like a knight." Cornflower said as she walk to Basil.
"You know, I hung it up there so it wouldn't get dirty while I'm working." Matthias explained to Cornflower.
"Crazy if I'm consider it. What a noble mouse." Cornflower said to Matthias as she handed Basil his bowl of strawberry coulis.
This made Matthias blush.
"Come along. Leave them to their work. They're other mouths to feed." Constance said to Cornflower, Sadie and Sienna as they left to feed the others.
Matthias yawn after he ate this entire bowl and started to lie down.
"Stiffing pair. Chock-full of fun." Basil said, talking about Matthias and Cornflower.
"I'll say. They do make a charming couple." Lieam said as he taste his bowl of strawberry coulis. "This is pretty good."
"You're telling me, Lieam." Saxon said as he too taste his bowl.
"Dear boy?" Basil said to Matthias as the others look and saw Matthias snoring.
"Guess he work a bit too hard." Kenzie said to himself as the other continue eating.
In Matthias's dream, he saw five knives flying toward him.
He could hear Cluny's evil laugh as four knives missed him.
The fifth knife is about to stab the mouse until Matthias grabbed it.
Matthias jolted up, awoken from that dream as he look at the sun, telling that it's noon.
He also look and see Basil, Twilight, Saxon, Kenzie and Lieam still eating their bowls of strawberry coulis.
"Hey, Matthias. Enjoy your nap?" Twilight said to Matthias.
"I just have this dream. About swords and about Cluny." Matthias said as he explained his dream.
"I guess this hot sun and strawberry coulis is messing with your head, Matthias." Kenzie said to Matthias.
They suddenly heard a noise. They look from the tower and saw a circus being set up outside of Redwall.
"What in the." Lieam said in surprise.
"Raggers, leaping, juggling and clowns and what not. Traveling circus, old chums." Basil said in excitement.
"That sounds like fun. We can check that out." Saxon said. None of the Guards have ever seen a circus before back home. Now it's their chance to see one.
"I agree." Kenzie said before he notice Cornflower's head scarf slipping from the wall.
"Matthias, the scarf!" Kenzie said to Matthias.
Matthias try to grab the scarf, but it was too late as it float to the ground.
"Cornflower will kill me." Matthias said in horror as the scarf continue to float down.
Suddenly, a knife appear out of nowhere and stick the scarf on the gates.
"Whoa." Kenzie said in surprise. He seen Sadie doing that before, but with a scarf floating in the air? That's near impossible for her.
"Great nifty knives." Basil said in surprise as he saw a female mouse wearing earrings on her ears, a red dress with a purple coat and a red belt with four knifes on it.
"What a throw." Matthias also said in surprise.
"I'll say." Lieam said to Matthias.
"Come on." Basil said to Matthias as he walk to the basket holding the rope. "Hop in."
Matthias hop in the basket as Basil pull the rope, making it go up. "Mind your manners. Don't forget to say thank you to the nifty knifer." Basil also said to Matthias.
"I will." Matthias said to Basil as the basket went down.
Kenzie, Lieam, Saxon and Twilight follow him as they walk down the rampart.
Matthias remove the knife and the scarf from the gate and examine the knife.
"It's like the one in the dream. Just like Martin the Warrior's sword." Matthias said in surprise.
The basket went down to the ground and Matthias climb out of the basket while the four Guards open the gates and walk out.
Matthias walk to the female mouse while holding the knife and said,
"Here this belong to you, um.."
"Wild Ivy." The mouse, now called Wild Ivy said as he grab the knife from Matthias and walk away.
"Well, that's rude." Twilight said as he glared at Wild Ivy, mad that she didn't say thank you to him.
"Anyway, I like to thank you for saving my colors." Matthias said to Wild Ivy.
But Wild Ivy wasn't listening as she look at the plains for the traveling circus held by a grey mouse on her cart.
"Well, this conversation is off to a good start." Saxon said sarcastically, knowing that Wild Ivy is not much of a social mouse.
"Your a fantastic shot, by the way." Matthias said to Wild Ivy, impressed by her skills.
"Well, that's what I do, isn't it?" Wild Ivy said as she show Matthias her five knives on her belt, making Matthias feel uneasy.
"Alright, we get the picture." Lieam said to Wild Ivy, seeing that the knives make Matthias uneasy.
Wild Ivy look at Redwall and said,
"Is that a real abbey? I mean, with an abbot and everything?"
Matthias, Lieam, Saxon, Kenzie and Twilight look back at Redwall and replied,
"Yes. Yes it is."
"You think I can have a look inside? I bet you and your companions could let me in, couldn't you?" Wild Ivy said to the mice as she stepped down from her cart.
"Well, that's depends." Lieam said to Wild Ivy.
"I mean, I did save you hanky." Wild Ivy said to Matthias as she turn to face him.
Matthais look at his colors and said to Wild Ivy, feeling insulted,
"It's not a handkerchief, it's my warrior's colors."
"Warrior, eh?" Wild Ivy said as she laugh and turn back at Redwall.
"Well if you say so."
Matthias, Kenzie and Saxon look at Wild Ivy, thinking that she have no manners.
Wild Ivy then turn about to the novice and said,
"Do you know the Abbot, personal like?"
"Father Mortimer? Yes. Me and my friends knew him well." Matthias said to the knife thrower.
"I never meet a real Abbot before. Will you introduce me to him?" Wild Ivy said as she help tie Matthias colors.
"Well," Matthias try to say before he, Saxon, Lieam, Kenzie and Twilight saw an otter with a muscular figure holding two barbells in his paws walked by.
"Who's he?" Twilight said to Wild Ivy, asking who's the otter is.
"That's the Mighty Clad. Oh, by the way, I didn't get your names."
"I'm Matthias, and these are a few of my friends, Lieam, Saxon, Kenzie and Twilight." Matthias said as he introduce himself and the Guards.
"Matthias." Wild Ivy said to herself. "Funny. I have a dream about somebody named Matthias."
This made Matthias, Lieam, Saxon, Kenzie and Twilight look at the circus performer in surprise. She have a dream of meeting someone named Matthias?
"Of course I came from a very psychic family." Wild Ivy said to the mice.
"Well, that explains it." Kenzie said in understanding.
"By the way, your great at throwing knives. I also have someone name Sadie who's also good." Matthias said to Wild Ivy.
"If you like, I can teach you, for taking me into the abbey. And I like to meet this Sadie. Although you have to practice a lot if you want to be good like me." Wild Ivy said to Matthias as she go to the back of her cart.
"Oh, I will." Matthias said to Wild Ivy as she follow her. "I'm learning on being a Warrior."
Saxon, Lieam, Kenzie and Twilight follow Matthias to the back of the cart and saw that Wild Ivy growled in frustration.
"What's the matter?" Matthias said to Wild Ivy.
"What's the matter? Someone stole me trunk." Wild Ivy said as she point on the back of her cart where her trunk use to be with the ropes which hold it are cut.
Kenzie examines the rope and see it's been cut by a dagger from rats, which only means,
"Cluny. I might've known." Kenzie said to the others.
"Who?" Wild Ivy said to the blue-cloaked mouse, not know who's this 'Cluny' is.
"Cluny the Scourge." Matthias said to Wild Ivy. "He's an evil rat with an army of rats and weasels. He stole a piece of our tapestry, Martin the Warrior."
"Yeah, and we've been holding his army back from taking Redwall for 9 days now." Twilight said to WIld Ivy.
"Well, I don't care how evil he is or what he stole. It'll take more than an army, messing about stealing my stuff." Wild Ivy said as she turn away.
"Ivy, please. You got to move the circus into the abbey." Matthias said to Wild Ivy, as he reason with her.
"Right, if Cluny is this close, we got to get them all inside." Lieam also said to Ivy.
Wild Ivy though about that the two mice said to her and replied,
"Your right. You two are absolutely right. We need to be inside the abbey. Safe like."
Kenzie give Wild Ivy a suspicious look. Wondering if they can trust Ivy. But something tells him that he got a bad feeling about her. Saxon though the same thing. Something is off about Wild Ivy, but what?
Back in Cluny's camp, Redtooth and Fangburn return with the trunk they stole from the traveling circus.
"I sent you two foraging for food like the rest." Cluny said to the two rats, not happy that they return with no food.
"Well, we were chief. Then we saw this." Fangburn explained to Cluny as he and Redtooth showed him the trunk.
"Must be 50 on them guarding it, chief." Redtooth also said to Cluny as the one-eyed rat sharpen his blade tail.
"Yeah, we got you treasure chief, treasure for you." Fangburn said to Cluny.
"And promotion for you." Cluny said to his two men as he got up and move his tail.
Thinking that Cluny will whip them, they hide behind the trunk for their bumbling, but instead, Cluny use is tail to break the lock on the trunk.
Cluny walk toward the trunk and open it. Instead of treasures like Fangburn said, there are only clown costumes.
"Promotion. Yes promotion." Cluny said to Redtooth and Fanburn sarcastically as he close the trunk and the two rats look at him.
"Promotion who cheats." Cluny said before shouting, "IDIOTS AND CLOWNS!"
On 'Clowns' Cluny kicked the trunk at Redtooth and Fangburn, causing them to fall on the garbage heap.
The same owl from earlier swooped down and Cluny shouted at the owl as a few rats try to shoot it down, but misses.
The owl let got of the flyer as it floats down to Cluny as he grab it and read it.
An idea formed in his head as his eye glows.
Back in Redwall, the two moles from earlier came to Redwall and explained what happen,
"Oh, rats done it." The mole with the hood said to the mice.
"Aye. Acted off with cutlasses they did." Another mole said to them.
"We come quick like, buy they were all over the place so we come in crafty." The mole with the hood said as he and the other mole crouched to prove their points.
"We need to find Abbot Mortimer and the others. They want to hear about this." Kenzie said in a stern voice.
"Right, if Cluny and his rats and allies are this close, we need to get ready." Matthias said to Kenzie.
"Wait. You said you would introduce me to the abbot." Wild Ivy said to Matthias as she join them.
"Very well, come on." Matthias said as they ran into Redwall to warn Mortimer.
Inside the Great Hall, Mortimer, Constance, Basil, Gwen and Richard are looking over the plains for the catapult.
"Cluny might have persuaded some woodlanders to work for him." Basil said to the others.
"I agree Basil, everyone coming into Redwall will have to be searched." Constance said to Mortimer.
"It would be a great inconvenience Constance, they're all our friends." Mortimer said to the badger.
"It's better safe than sorry, Father Abbot. Beside, one can open the gates and Cluny's inside." Richard said to the abbot.
Mortimer sight, knowing that Richard and Constance are right. "Very well, we'll do what you ask."
"Right, I'll pop along and man the catapult." Basil said to Mortimer. "In case Cluny try to jump us. He mean juggle as it were." Basil said as he laugh.
"Nice one, Basil." Gwen said as he chuckled at Basil's joke.
"Yeah, Also, we need to get that other catapult up and operational as soon as possible." Richard said as he look at the plains.
"But you'll miss my show." A voice said from behind as they turn around to see Matthias, Saxon, Twilight, Kenzie and Lieam with a stranger.
"Father Abbot, everyone, this is Wild Ivy." Matthias said to Mortimer and the others as he introduce Wild Ivy.
"I never meet an abbot before." Wild Ivy said as she walk toward Mortimer. "One that I'm sure your 'abbot-ship.'" Wild Ivy said as she does a curtsy to Mortimer.
Mortimer laugh and said to Ivy, "Well, I have never meet a circus performer. It is my honor."
"It's nice to meet you, Wild Ivy. I'm Gwen. This is my brother, Richard." Gwen said to Wild Ivy as she introduce herself and her brother.
"Right. Well, must be off. Work before play, what?" Basil said to Ivy.
"Right, we need to be prepared for Cluny if he's able to launch another attack on Redwall." Richard said to Wild Ivy. "Sorry that we'll miss your show."
"You won't have to." Wild Ivy said to Richard as she juggle all have of her knives as the others watch her.
She then grab them one by one and toss them in the air.
Matthias watch as the knives came down and Ivy grab them without making a scratch.
"Ta-da." Wild ivy said as Mortimer, Contance, Basil, Saxon, Kenzie, Lieam, Twilight, Gwen and Richard applauded.
"Magnificent." Kenzie said to Ivy.
"Amazing." Lieam also commented.
"Bravo." Basil said to Ivy as she but all five of her knives back on her belt.
"Now, what's your big plain to defend us against this rat, Cluny?" Wild Ivy said as she look at the plains.
"Well, we're planing on putting another catapult on the other tower to strengthen our defenses." Richard said to Ivy.
This made Mortimer, Constance, Kenzie, Basil, Gwen, Saxon and Matthias concern.
"Who is she?" Constance whispered to Basil.
"By jove, I see your point. Total stranger looking at our defense plains." Basil said to Constance.
"I agree, Basil. We need to keep an eye on her." Gwen said to Basil.
Meanwhile back at Cluny's camp, The rat himself showed Redtooth and Darkcraw a clown mask as he laugh evily.
"Very good, chief. Very fearsome." Redtooth said in fear as Darkclaw nodded.
"Not treasure though." Cluny said to his two minions.
"Not as such, chief." Darkclaw said to Cluny.
"But clowns are treasure, eh?" Cluny said to his two minions. "Clowns are the refine treasure. Clowns are in circuses."
Cluny then toss two clown outfits at Redtooth and Darkclaw.
"Your going to join, the circus." Cluny finish as he smiled. Darktooth and Darkclaw will disguise themselves as clowns and open the gates into Redwall.
This time, his plain will not fail.
Back in the Great Hall, the entire circus moved inside to protect themselves from Cluny's men while they entertain the defenders and refugees.
The Brisby family watches a fire-spitter and juggler as they applauded.
"This is better than watching it outside." Timmy said to his father.
"Yeah. I agree, Timmy." Johnathan said to his son.
Sienna and Alvin watches the show while Sadie look at Matthias and Wild Ivy as they look at the spot where Martin the Warrior was stolen.
"This is were Martin the Warrior use to be." Matthias said to Wild Ivy. "Long ago, he save the abbey's founders from a whole army of rats, even a wild cat."
"And that's what this rat Cluny stole from you?" Wild Ivy said to Matthias.
"Yes." Matthias said to Ivy. "Everyone is very unhappy. Martin is our hero."
"Me?" Martin said as he walk to the two mice?
"No. Not you. Martin the Warrior." Matthias said as he chuckled.
"Oh. I though you were talking about me being a hero." Martin said to Matthias.
Martin sometime get mixed up with Martin the Warrior cause they both have the same name.
"It's alright, Martin. It happens." Matthias said to Martin as he walk back to his family.
"Anyway, you'll try to be like him?" Wild Ivy said to Matthias about being Martin the Warrior.
"Yes." Matthias answered. "But there's something I need to do, that'll help me defeat Cluny."
"And what's that exactly?" Wild Ivy said to Matthias.
"Martin's sword. I have to find it. It sort of well, my fate." Matthias said to Wild Ivy.
"Well that, and we can train the farmers how to defend themselves." Sadie said as she walk to Matthias and Wild Ivy.
"You must be Wild Ivy. I'm Sadie." Sadie said as she hold out her paw and Wild Ivy shakes it.
"Nice to meet you, Sadie." Wild Ivy said to the mouse guard. Ivy then turn back to Matthias and said while looking at his paw.
"Fate is a very clear thing, Matthias."
Sadie just rolled her eyes, not believing in the whole 'fate and destiny' nonsense. But she don't want to say it to Wild Ivy's face.
Wild Ivy then trace a line on Matthias's paw and said,
"We need to get started on your knife lesson and fast."
"Why? What's the rush?" Matthias said to Wild Ivy.
"Because there's a big break in your line of destiny. Someone is gonna die and soon." Wild Ivy said to the notice as Matthias gasp in shock. Someone is gonna die? But whom?
"Does it say who is gonna die, Wild Ivy?" Sadie said in a challenging tone.
"No, but it'll happen." Wild Ivy said to Sadie.
Later, Wild Ivy, Matthias and Sadie stood in front a target outside as Wild Ivy throw one of her knives at the target, hitting the bulls-eye.
"Impressive." Sadie said to Wild Ivy.
"Very good." Matthias said to Wild Ivy, equally impressed.
"Don't aim, feel." Wild Ivy said as she pull out another knife and throw it at the bulls-eye again.
"Let me give it a go." Sadie said to Wild Ivy as she pulled out one of her daggers and throw it at the target, right smack on the bulls-eye.
"Where you learn to throw like that?" Wild Ivy said to Sadie.
"I spend a few years training to become a Guard. I have alot of practice." Sadie said as he remove her dagger from the target.
Wild Ivy give one of her knifes to Matthias as he throw it at the target, but the knife hit it at the wrong end.
Matthias grown in disappointment.
"It's practice, Matthias." Wild Ivy said as she give Matthias another knife.
"Yep. You keep practicing til you get it right." Sadie said in agreement.
"In the kitchen, Cornflower, Gwen and Sienna watch while peeling apples.
"You know, she's very good at throwing knives." Cornflower said to Constance and Basil.
"I agree. She's as good as Sadie." Sienna said to Cornflower.
"As we all ready seen." Basil said in agreement. "But the question is.."
"Who's she gonna throw them at next?" Constance said.
"Come on guys, are we jumping to conclusions that Wild Ivy is working for Cluny? We don't know that." Gwen said to the others.
"Still, we need to be careful." Constance said to the matriarch.
Back outside, Matthias throw again and again, but he miss five times.
"I don't get it." Matthias said as he scratches his head. "I can't make them stick the right way in."
"Like I said, practice makes perfect, Matthias." Sadie said to Matthias.
"Beside, you'll need these knives. That's why they were in your dreams." Wild Ivy said to the novice.
"What a minute, how do you know about my dreams?" Matthias said in surprise that she know about his dreams.
"Physic. Remember?" Wild Ivy said to Matthias with a smirk.
"Oh please." Sadie said to herself, not believing in the whole physic garbage.
"Bet you miss." Wild Ivy said to Matthias, holding another knife.
Matthias grab the knife, take aim and throw, and once again he miss.
"See? I'm never wrong." Wild Ivy said to Matthias.
"Never wrong?" Matthias said to the knife thrower. Now he is suspicious that Ivy might be working for Cluny.
A while later, all of Mossflower enter Redwall to see the circus while being searched by otters and moles as they remove their weapons.
I couple of them is a female mouse with green eyes, light brown hair and wearing a blue dress. Her name is Abigail. Accompanying her is her father.
Behind them is a hedgehog family of 9 kids with their mother. One of them is a male hedgehog wearing a brown vest and green pants. His name is Russell, Abigail's second friend.
Behind them is a young male mole with glasses and wearing a dark yellow shirt with a red hat. His name is Edger, the third friend of Abigail, accompanied by his mother.
And finally, behind them is a badger family with a little girl who have blue eyes and wearing a pink dress. Her name is Michelle, the fourth and final friend of Abigail, accompanied by her parents and her uncle, Cornelius. They're from a small part of Mossflower called Dapple Woods.
As they walk in, they laugh seeing two clowns running in. Unknown to them, the clowns are Redtooth and Fangburn in disguise.
Back in Methuselah room, the old mouse got up as Angela said,
"Easy, Methuselah. Save your strength."
"Matthias, I am that is. Beware." Methuselah said before he collapse back on his bed.
"What was that about?" Sela said to Angela.
"I have no idea. I think he talking about Martin the Warrior." Angela said to Sela.
Back in the hallway leading into the Great Hall, Mortimer greets the families.
"That's an honor that you all made it safely." Mortimer said with a smile.
"It's no problem, Father Abbot." Abigail's father said to the old mouse. "We have some trouble on the way here, but other than that, we're fine."
"Yeah." Abigail said in agreement.
"So, I heard the the circus is here. Can we go see it?" Michelle said to Mortimer.
The old mouse laugh and said to the young badger. "Of course you all can."
"Let's go." Russell said as his friends and siblings ran to the Great Hall, while their parents follows.
In the Great Hall, the defenders, the Guards and even the refugees all watch the circus.
They saw a fire-spitter shoots fire on a torch, lighting it up. They even saw owls flying around as the crowd duck.
"This is a great show." Richard said to Gwen as they, including Saxon, Kenzie, Sadie, Lieam, Sienna, Edward, Remy, Twilight and Alvin.
"Indeed, captain." Saxon said to Richard. "This is the first we even seen a circus."
What they didn't know is that Redtooth and Fangburn are watching, waiting for their chance to strike.
The crowd even saw a trapeze artist letting go of the bar and spin in mid-air. A juggler, who is a squirrel, drop the pins and cover his eyes, thinking that the artist might fall on him.
But another trapeze artist swing and grab him, carrying him to another pole. The juggler open his eyes and see that he is unharmed as the crowd applauded once more.
Constance and Basil are enjoying the show when they saw the new comers entering the Great Hall.
"Well, hello there." Basil said, greeting the people from the different part of Mossflower.
"Hi." Russel said to the hare. Neither him nor his friend or family have seen him before.
"And you are?" Edger said to Basil.
"Basil Stag Hare at your service." Basil said to them as he bowed before them.
Michelle look at Constance and gasped as she ran up to her. "Aunt Constance!" The badger girl said to Constance happily.
"Michelle." Constance said as he pick up her niece. "My, you've gotten big." Constance is Michelle's aunt from her mother's side of the family.
"It's been a while, sister." Michelle's mother said to Constance.
"Indeed it has, Rachel." Constance said to Michelle's mother, now called Rachel as she smiled.
"What brings you, your husband, your father and Michelle to Redwall?" Constance said to her sister.
"We heard the bell a few days back and decide to come here until the crisis is averted." Rachel said to Constance.
"But when we saw the circus heading to Redwall, we though to see it there too." Michelle's father also said to Constance as she let her back down.
Constance then nod in understanding.
"Also, Uncle Cornelius have rumertism." Michelle said to Constance as she try to pronounce the word.
"That's rheumatism, dear." Cornelius said to his niece his back cracks a bit as he groan in pain.
"I think you need to have you back looked at, father." Constance said to Cornelius.
"It's nothing, Constance. I'll be fine. Nothing a little medicine won't fix." Cornelius said to Constance.
"Really father. I insist. You should go see Angela once the circus is over." Constance said to her father, insisting him to have Angela look at his back.
"Very well, Constance." Cornelius said to his older daughter.
"Come on, guys." Abigail said to her friends as they race to find a seat.
"Now slow down you kids." Abigail's father to them as he and the other parents follow them to their seats.
At the front bench, Matthias, Cornflower, Saxon and Lieam watch as Matthias said to them,
"Where's Methuselah? He would enjoy this."
"Well, he's still resting." Saxon said to Matthias, not wanting to tell him the truth just yet.
"Yeah." Lieam said in agreement. Just then, Wild Ivy walk in front of the crowd and announce,
"Ladies and gentlemen, Redwallers and woodlanders, for our big finale, I'll be performing The Wall of Death."
This made most of the crowd surprise.
"I'll need a volunteer from the audience." Wild Ivy said as two otters pull out a wooden wall with a symbol that have two knives on them.
The crowd held their hands up and said they'll volunteer.
Wild Ivy close her eyes and move her finger at the crowd and pointed at someone.
Wild Ivy then open her eyes and see that she pointed at Matthias.
"You, Matthias." Wild Ivy as she pick him up from the audience and walk to the wall.
Cornflower, Saxon and Lieam look at Wild Ivy in suspicion, wondering if she can be trusted.
Ivy then place Matthias in front of the wall and walk a few steps from the wall as a squirrel blind folded her.
The crowd went silence as they saw Wild Ivy pull out all five of her knives.
Cornflower, Saxon, Kenzie, Richard Gwen, Sadie and the others are nervous about what will happens next.
Wild Ivy then throw her knives at Matthias as the crowd gasp.
Surprisingly, all five of them missed and landed next to his arms and feet while the fifth one is a few inches above his head.
The audience cheered at Wild Ivy's performance while Cornflower and Matthias sight in relief.
Wild Ivy take off her blind fold and bowed at the crowd.
Then, Redtooth make his move as he ran to the crowd and waves at them, making the audience and Matthias laugh.
He then cover his eyes and said,
"Where'd he go? Where'd he go?"
"This is a good show." Lieam said while laughing.
Redtooth remove his hand and look at Matthias.
"Ah, here you are." Redtooth said as he pull out his dagger from his back.
Matthias stop laughing and look at the clown. His soon gasped when he saw the clown's tail.
"It's a rat!" Matthias shouted to the others. "There's a rat here!"
"A rat!" Constance said in shock.
The crowd started to panic while the Guards ran toward Redtooth. Before they can get to him, Redtooth, realizing he've been found out, ran to Matthias and pointed the dagger next to his neck, stopping them in their tracks.
"Tell them to open the gates, or I'll slit his throat." Redtooth said in a threatening voice.
Fangburn hid in the shadows as Mortimer said to the Guards,
"Open the gates."
Saxon silently growled at Mortimer's decision as he grew more and more sick of Mortimer's actions.
Outside, Cluny saw as Fangburn opens the gates and wave a red cloth.
The rat army cheered as they ready themselves to attack.
"Attack!" Cluny shouted to his men as they begin to charge into the gates.
Back in the Great Hall, Constance and Gwen sneak behind Redtooth who still have Matthias hostage.
Basil walked to the wall and pulled out the torch and ran toward Redtooth.
"Tally Ho!" Basil said as he throw the torch as it remove the clown mask from Redtooth and pinned to the wall, making the rat surprised and the wooden wall fell over, removing the knives from Matthias.
Wild Ivy look at this and is surprised by what she saw. She didn't know that a rat infiltrated the abbey by disguising as clowns.
Redtooth try to get up, but Constance and Gwen rushed in and pinned him out.
"Not so fast, Redtooth." Gwen said to the rat. Saxon, Kenzie and Lieam came back with Fangburn as he put his paws up.
"Nice shot." Wild Ivy said to Basil, impressed.
"Well, by question is, why didn't you take the shot?" Basil said to Ivy.
Ivy is insulted by the hares words are she walk out of the Great Hall.
"Close the gates!" Basil ordered. "Jump to it!"
The rats continue charging at the gates before they saw Sadie and Twilight waving at them as they close the gates.
Most of the rats stopped as Cluny yelled in frustration and throw a spear at the gates as it fell off.
"Imbeciles!" Cluny said in annoyance. His men can't do anything right.
Back in Methuselah's room, the old mouse said,
"Matthias. Enemy. Close by."
"You think he's mentioning Cluny?" Sela said to Angela.
"I think." Angela said to the vixen.
Later after the circus, Mortimer ordered Redtooth and Fangburn to be locked up and under guards.
"Let me out of here!" Redtooth said from inside the cell as he banged on the door. The guard tapped on the door, telling him to be quiet.
Cornflower and Saturn walk into the dungeon with a tray of soup for Redtooth and Fangburn, while Kenzie and Lieam go with them as their escorts.
"It's nice of you and Kenzie to escort us, Lieam. But we can handle it." Cornflower said to Lieam.
"Gwen insist that me and Kenzie escort you and Saturn. We're not taking any chances." Lieam said to Cornflower.
"Right. Beside, we won't let any rat harm two pretty faces." Kenzie said to the two kitchen mice as Cornflower and Saturn blushed at Kenzie's words.
"We'll take that as a compliment." Cornflower said to Kenzie.
As they move to Redtooth's cell, they stop as they heard Redtooth pounding on the door.
"I'm scared, I am Ms. Cornflower." Saturn said to Cornflower, scared of Redtooth.
"Don't worry, Saturn we'll just leave it outside. He'll get it later. It's quite safe." Cornflower said to Saturn.
As they walk to Redtooth's cell, a crash is heard as they saw Redtooth free from his cell and the guard is knocked out.
Cornflower and Saturn screamed as Kenzie and Lieam ready their weapons. But they heard a laugh behind them and saw Fangburn, who also escape from his cell, towering above them, laughing.
"Laugh at this!" Kenzie said to Fangburn as he whacked the rat's foot with his staff.
Fangburn yelled in pain while grabbing his sore foot.
"Run! We'll hold them off." Lieam said to Cornflower and Saturn as they both run out of the dungeons.
"Don't let them get away!" Redtooth said to Fangburn as he quickly recovers and went after the two kitchen mice. "I'll handle these two." Redtooth said to himself as he face two of the guards finest mice.
He then charge at them while Kenzie and Lieam charge at him. Redtooth jumped over Kenzie and Lieam and use his feet to knock them both to the floor.
Redtooth laugh at them and ran to help Fangburn.
A little later that very night, Gwen, Matthias, Richard, Saxon and Wild Ivy are talking to each-other on the walls.
"Ivy, you must understand. This is our home, and it's in terrible danger." Matthias said to Ivy.
"And your friends think I'm helping this Cluny?" Wild Ivy said to Matthias.
"They're just scared, so they're not sure at the moment." Gwen said to the circus performer.
"Well that's helpful. I come in and do a free show and this is the thanks I get?" Wild Ivy said to Gwen, upset that everyone in Redwall think she's working for Cluny.
"Ivy, that's not true. They just don't know who to trust cause Cluny is persuading woodlanders to work for him. I think it's maybe he'll harm their loved ones." Richard said to Ivy.
"Or maybe they just want to save their own tails." Saxon also said to Ivy.
Meanwhile, Redtooth and Fangburn walked to the ramparts with Cornflower and Saturn tied up and with the rats pulling on their ropes. The two mice try to get free, but the ropes are too tight.
"Head for the ramparts. Once we showed them to the chief, we'll kick them off." Redtooth said to Fangburn.
Redtooth and Fangburn laugh evilly at their plain as they continue walking to the ramparts and saw Matthias, Gwen, Saxon and Richard talking to Wild Ivy about something.
"Matthias!" Cornflower said to Matthias as he look to see Cornflower in trouble.
"Don't you dare hurt her!" Matthias said to the rats while Saxon, Richard and Gwen drew their weapons.
"Which one?" Redtooth said to Matthias as he pick up both Cornflower and Saturn. "This one or this one?"
"Both of them, you scoundrel." Richard said to Redtooth as he grip harder on his sword.
"Tell them to open the gates, or they fly to the ground." Redtooth said as he walk to the edge of the ramparts and threaten to drop both Cornflower and Saturn off the wall.
Fangburn laugh evilly as he draw his sword.
"Ivy, run for it!" Matthias said to WIld Ivy as he turn around, but Wild Ivy wasn't there.
"Open the gates!" Saxon said to the two otter guards, who are confused my Saxon's orders.
"Open the gates!" Gwen repeated to the otters.
They give out the orders as they open the gates, letting the circus out of Redwall. Ivy and Matthias look at each other as the circus moves to the rat army in front of them.
"The circus is leaving the abbey, give them safe passage!" Gwen said to Cluny.
Cluny, who is not known for showing mercy, decide to let the circus live as he said to his men, "Let them pass. Let them spread the story of the triumph of Cluny the Scourge."
The army move out of the way to let the circus walk by as Cluny smiled, knowing that his plain to use the circus have worked. As soon as the circus is out of sight, Cluny said to his men,
"Redwall is now mine. Advance!"
With that, Cluny and his solders ran into the open gates of Redwall.
"Take Redwall!" Cluny said.
Back with Ivy, she whispered,
"Okay, now."
Soon, the circus performers and Wild Ivy climb out of their carts and ran back to Redwall while the carts continue to walk a few miles to a safe spot.
What Cluny didn't know that Ivy came up with a plain to help Redwall as she explain to Matthias and the others.
(Flashback 5 minutes ago)
"I have a plain." Ivy said to Matthias and the Guards on the ramparts.
"We're listening." Gwen said to the knife thrower.
"We'll walk out of Redwall, pretending to leave. Once we made a safe distance from Cluny's army, me and the others will sneak back to Redwall and help you with anyway you can." Wild Ivy said as she explained her plan.
"That sounds like a brilliant idea, Ivy." Matthias said to Wild Ivy.
"Yeah, Cluny won't know what hit him." Saxon said as he agree with Wild Ivy's plain.
(End flashback)
Back at the ramparts, Fangburn attack Richard as the captain of Lockhaven block his attack with his shield.
"What are you waiting for? Shove them off." Fangburn said to Redtooth.
"With pleasure." Redtooth said to Fangburn as he laugh evilly and shove both Cornflower and Saturn over the wall.
"No!" Matthias said in horror.
Saxon charge at Redtooth and let out a yell as Redtooth draw his dagger and block the Guard's attack as he laugh.
What Fangburn and Redtooth didn't know that Cornflower and Saturn and alright thanks to two squirrels on stilts holding a net.
"Wild Ivy?" Cornflower said in surprise.
"At your service." Wild Ivy said to Cornflower as she bowed to the kitchen mice.
"But, we saw you and the circus leave." Cornflower said, puzzled.
"That was a diversion to fool Cluny to think we're leaving. We came back to help you drive Cluny back." wild Ivy said to Cornflower with a smile.
"That's a great idea, that is." Saturn said to Ivy, liking the plain.
"And thanks for saving us. We were almost goners." Cornflower said to Ivy. Guess she was wrong to think that Wild ivy was working for Cluny.
"Your welcome, Cornflower." Wild Ivy said as she help the two mice down and turn to a couple of archers with flaming arrows.
"Let's give Cluny a show he'll never forget." Wild Ivy said to the archers as they loss their arrows.
Back that the ramparts, Redtooth saw the flaming arrows flying overhead as one of them landed next to Matthias as he grab it and charge at Redtooth and the two engage in a fight as the red rat backed away. Seeing the arrows, Fangburn ran down from the ramparts in fear.
"Come on, we got to drive Cluny and his goons out of Redwall!" Saxon said to the other as they ran down the ramparts to fight the rats.
A few soldier look up and saw a few circus performers jumping at them.
Matthias manage to push Redtooth to the catapult as he slipped into the bucket and drop his dagger.
"Have a nice flight." Matthias said to Redtooth as he drop the arrow and pick up Redtooth's dagger and cut the rope which fired the catapult.
Matthias watch as Redtooth scream while flying into one of the trees, unharmed, but trapped.
"Cornflower!" Matthias said, wondering if Cornflower is okay.
Meanwhile, Fangburn is at the bottom of the ramparts before he is trapped in a net by a few circus performers.
Before Cluny can move into the abbey, he and a few rats stopped as a few arrows fired from Edward and Remy and ran back to the gates and back to their camp.
A fire spitter spits flames at the rats as they yell in pain.
Seeing that his victory is taken away once again, Cluny shouted at the defenders as he ran back to his camp.
"You win again this time, Redwall! But next time, you won't be so lucky!"
Meanwhile, Fangburn cut himself free from the net with his sword as he kick Basil in the guts, who was charging at him.
Matthias ran down the ramparts and see Wild Ivy, Cornflower and Saturn on the back of the Mighty Clad.
"See? Just like your hero, Martin. Strategy." Ivy said to Matthias.
The four mice see Fangburn fighting Gwen as the Matriarch block his attack.
Seeing Gwen in trouble, Matthias grab one on Wild Ivy's knives and throw it at Fangburn.
Luckily, Fangburn is hit on the head by the pommel instead of the blade as the rat tumbles to the ground.
Before he can let back up, he is pinned down by Constance. Matthias then pick up the knife and prepare to cut his throat before he heard a familiar voice.
"Matthias. I am that is My sword shall weld for me."
Matthias look at the knife and said, "I hear you Martin."
"Let him go." Matthias said to Constance as the badger pick up Fangburn and tossed him to the ground.
"Take him out. Tell everyone in Mossflower that Redwall spared his life." Matthias said to the circus as Fangburn is being dragged out of Redwall by Clad.
Meanwhile, Kenzie and Lieam walk outside after they recover from Redtooth's attack.
"Do we miss anything?" Kenzie said, wondering what happen while he and Liema was out.
"You just miss Cluny and his men. They fled after we drive them back." Saxon said to Kenzie.
"And I was just about to give Redtooth some payback." Lieam said to himself.
"Though, we have some help." Gwen said as she pointed to the circus.
Wild Ivy picked up her knife and said to Matthias.
"Maybe it's how you throw that you couldn't throw the right way around. They were my fathers. He told me that if I ever use them to hurt anybody, they would hurt me."
"I'm glad that you remind me that, Matthias." Wild Ivy said as she put the knife back on her belt.
"Thank you, Ivy." Matthias said to Wild Ivy as she smiled.
"Wild Ivy, we're sorry for misjudging you. We though you were working for Cluny." Sadie said to Ivy, feeling guilty for misjudging her earlier.
"That's okay, Sadie. Beside, I'm happy to meet all of you, even if you think I was a bad one." Wild Ivy said as she remove her coat and handed it to Cornflower.
"Even you, Cornflower."
"Oh no, I couldn't. Especially when I got you all wrong." Cornflower said in denial. After thinking that Ivy was working with Cluny, she don't deserve it.
"Cornflower, I'd be hurt if you refuse me gift." Wild Ivy said to Cornflower, insisting that she take the coat. "It's our circus way of staying behind when we leave. It's a tradition."
The two mice hug each-other in good-bye as Cornflower grab the coat.
"You know, Cornflower, I envy you. Having a real warrior to carry your colors." Wild Ivy said, mentioning Matthias as she hugged the said mouse.
"We're proud to have meet you, Ivy. You know, I could offer you to help us defend Redwall, but seeing that you're not much a fighting mouse, I decide to let that slide." Gwen said to Wild Ivy.
"Thanks for the offer, but I'm more with the circus." Wild Ivy said to the matriarch as she turn down the offer.
"Bye." Wild Ivy said as she and the rest of the circus walk out of Redwall.
"Hey, Matthias." Wild Ivy said before she leaves. "Forget about the whole 'line of fate' thing. I was wrong. Fate is where you and your friends decide."
She then blow a kiss to Matthias. "Remember me." Wild Ivy said one last time before she walk to join the others.
"Safe travels, Wild Ivy." Kenzie said to Wild Ivy one last time as he and the others wave at her.
"Close the gates!" Basil said to the defenders as they close the gates and lowers the portcullis.
Just then, Mortimer came to Matthias with a sad look on his face as he walk to him and the Guards.
"Matthias, my son. I'm afraid I have some grave news." Mortimer begin to say to Matthias.
"It's time now, is it?" Saxon whispered to Gwen in a sad tone. Knowing full well that Methuselah's time in this world is ending.
"Yes, Saxon. Matthias have right to know." Gwen whispered to his 'boyfriend' as she nodded.
Soon, Matthias and Mortimer along with Basil, Constance, Gwen, Richard, Saxon, Kenzie, Lieam and Sienna are in Methuselah's room as Matthias hold to the old mouse paw.
"I'm proud of you, Matthias." Methuselah said to Matthias in a weak voice. "A true warrior does not strike his enemy when he have fallen."
Angela lower her head, knowing that Methuselah will soon pass, as Sela and the Guards does the same.
"You have far to go to find your destiny." Methuselah said to the novice as tears appear in Matthias eyes.
"Trust yourself and follow your dreams." With that, Methuselah look his final breath and died.
"I love you, Methuselah." Matthias said to Methuselah as he started to cry.
"Come on. Let leave Matthias alone." Sela said to the others, knowing that Matthias need to be alone.
The Guards, Mortimer, Basil, Constance and Angela doesn't need a second though as they walk out of Methuselah's room.
For what they know, this became a sad night for Redwall and her defenders cause one of their own have passed away.
A/N: R.I.P. Methuselah. May you find peace in another life. I'm finally done with this chapter after months of Writers Blocks and delays. In the next chapter, Redwalls morale have dropped since Methusalah have died and are starting to think that all hope is lost. But Matthias, Saxon, Gwen, Richard, Kenzie and Lieam refused to believe that and went to bring back Martin the Warrior from Cluny's paw.
I added the main characters from the 1990s movie, Once Upon A Forest and their families too.
Until the next chapter, don't forget to read and review. Also, no flaming or trolling.
