Chapter 10

Forest Park, New York City

The five companions all stood in a haphazard circle. A heartbroken Tristan embraced each of his friends, as well as his newest one, Jess, in turn. Sitting on the ground nearby was a small wire birdcage, which held a certain black rat, her tail draped between the bars and slowly twitching back and forth in ire. Before they had left for New York City, Eldon had told the four rescuers to bring the prince back to the exact location where the time-gateway had originally dropped the ferrets off, and Eldon's friends – two other magi who had been rallied by Eldon and Pyewicket after the pair escaped the dungeon when Dante busted everyone out – would do the rest.

"But I don't want to leave you guys here…" Tristan sobbed as Jess tenderly licked his check, her stubby tail wagging furiously.

Dante gently shushed him. "I know, I know… But we'll be all right. Really we will."

"You must return to Wicklow and take your rightful place as prince, moi fils." Adagio added, his voice breaking slightly as he affectionately ruffled Tristan's hair.

"Adagio and Dante are right. Remember this – we'll always be together in our hearts." Palmer said as he got in an extra hug. "Now, be sure to say hito everyone back in Wicklow for us."

"Don't forget to practice your digging!" Sheila reminded the young prince.

"And if they ever want you to take a bath – hide. Anywhere. Baths are totally uncool." Palmer said, shuddering as he recalled his own impromptu one at the hands – or rather, talons of Rappleye.

"Be sure to eat all your food at dinnertime, especially your conies." Dante added in a fatherly manner.

"Most importantly, make sure that you always look your finest. After all, first impressions are always the most important ones. I find that approximately a hundred brushstrokes a day always keeps moi's fur looking well-groomed and shiny." Adagio finished, rubbing one hand across his bangs to emphasis his words. Both Dante and Sheila couldn't help but roll their eyes a little at that.

A sound reminiscent of the approaching rumbles and grumbles of a thunderstorm made the six look around. Seeing nothing, they continued looking around for the source of the noise, mystified. Then, out of the blue, what could best be described as a beam of bright green light started snaking its' way through the grass like a serpent, close by where the friends were standing. Another green light shaft appeared, and together, both lines traced the outline of a circle. Beads of intense green light sprayed up into the air like water from a fountain, eventually forming into the shape of a large cage. The cage suddenly dissipated until only the glowing circle remained. Two people now stood before them. One was a redheaded man who looked to be somewhere in his twenties or possibly early thirties. The other was an older, severe-looking woman whose brown hair was streaked with gray. Both were dressed discreetly in browns and greens, but didn't exactly look like peasantry either.

The woman spoke first. "Prince Tristan? I am Juliana Payne, and this is Aubrey DuBec." The male mage performed an elaborate bow. "We are loyal to your father the king."

"And you four must be the lad's oh-so-bold ferrets." Aubrey said as he looked them over. "Tell me, is it true that you ran around the castle searching for Eldon?"

"Oui, monsieur. It was my idea – " Adagio started to say, but grinned sheepishly at Sheila when she grabbed his tail and shook her head. "Er, I mean, it was Dante's idea."

"What he said." Dante chuckled. "But ultimately, it was teamwork that won the day."

"What's gonna happen to Morrigan?" Palmer asked.

Juliana pursed her lips as her hazel eyes came to settle on the cage containing rat-Morrigan. "Morrigan will be dealt with accordingly by both we the wizard's council and the royal court." She then turned back to the ferrets. "I suspect that The Council may have some further dealings with the four of you in the future." She said, and allowed herself a brief smile while the ferrets exchanged puzzled glances. "Anyways, everyone back in Wicklow wishes you luck, including Sir Eldon."

"You know, as much as I'd like to stay here for awhile – I am curious to see what type of transportation they employ in the future – we cannot maintain this spell any longer. Plus, we might start attracting unwanted attention." Aubrey said with a quick apologetic look in Tristan's direction.

"Hmm. Your comments are noted, Aubrey," Juliana nodded in agreement. "Tristan, have you already said your farewells?"

"Yes, ma'am." He nodded. As the prince stepped into the circle with the two magi, birdcage in hand, the green-colored arcane cage materialized around the small group. In another shower of green light, they vanished into thin air.

"Friends of yours'?"

The heroes turned to see Tao approaching them.

"Yeah." Dante smiled. Barking wildly, Jess raced over to her master and jumped up on him, her paws resting on his shoulders. She frantically licked at his face, whimpering an excited greeting all the while. Tao laughed as he rubbed the dog's head. "Yes, I missed you too, Jess."

Sheila glanced around the park. "Well, now what?"

Dante went to stand next to Sheila, placing a hand on her shoulder as she stared out into the night. "We start over, paisan. Think about it. We could use being here to our advantage – "

"Advantage? What advantage? So instead of being stepped on by livestock we now have those… shiny wheeled things to run us down instead?" sneered Adagio. The harshness in his voice surprised even Palmer and Sheila, causing them to look in his direction. Adagio didn't meet their eyes, but had his back turned to everyone instead.

"You can start over. With my help." Everyone looked at Tao, even the embittered Adagio.

"What?"

"Look, you four need a guide to help you learn your way around, right? After all, New York City isn't exactly a small town kind of place – not like where you're from. Then you need lodging, food, and someone to continue teaching you in the martial arts and making sure that you use your powers and abilities for good and not ill gain," Here his eyes lingered on Adagio, whose fur bristled.

"And just what exactly are you implying, monsieur?"

Tao held up one worn hand to placate the defensive hob. "I didn't mean you in particular, Adagio; I meant the four of you in general. So, what do you all say?"

Sheila nodded seriously. "He's got a point, boys."

"Especially about the food…" Dante murmured thoughtfully.

"Oh, alright." Adagio huffed.

Smiling, Palmer walked over to his mentor and placed an arm around the other ferret's shoulders. "Tabula rasa, 'Dagie."

"Taba-what?"

"It means clean slate." Tao cleared it up for him.

"Speaking of clean slate, check out our uniforms!" Sheila exclaimed. The humanimals stared at their outfits. Every rip, tear, and even dirt smudge had vanished, and the uniforms looked like they had never been worn before. Even the gashes on Dante's tabard and tunic where the gryphon had clawed him had repaired themselves.

"Sir Eldon's enchantment must extend to our regalia as well. That's why they're self-restoring." Palmer reasoned, slipping back into his wordier style of speech that now came and went randomly.

"Most amazing…" Tao commented as he took in the ferrets' attire for himself. He then beamed brightly at his four newest students. "Well, shall we take our leave of this place and go home?"

Dante smiled back. "Lead the way, capo."

The End

A dictionary for the French and Italian words and terms used (mainly) by Adagio and Dante respectively:

French words:

Adieu: French for "goodbye".

Au revoir: Also French for either "goodbye" or "farewell".

Cherie: Can translate into several French terms of affection, but when Adagio uses it he typically means either "sweetheart" or "dear".

Copain: Basically, French for "buddy".

Instituteur: French for "teacher".

Mademoiselle: French for "Miss".

Mes amie(s)/Mon amie(s): French for "my friend(s)/buddies/etc.".

Moi: French for "me".

Moi fils: French "my boy".

Mon dieu: French for "My God!" or "My goodness!"

Monsieur: French for "mister" or "sir".

Oiseau: French for "bird".

Oui: French for "yes".

Sacre bleu: The French equivalent of "Oh my gosh!" or something similar. It's a very old-fashioned oath.

Toutou: French for "doggie".

Vermine: French for "vermin".

Vil: French for "foul".

Vive le France: "Long live France!"

Italian words:

Bambino: Italian for "boy" or "kid".

Capo: Italian for "boss".

Ciao: Italian for either "hello" or "goodbye".

Grazie: Italian for "thank you".

Paisano/Paisan: Italian for "friend".

Signora: Italian for "lady/Madame/Miss".

Signore: Italian for "sir".

Sorella: Italian for "sister".

Strega: Italian for "witch".

The Ferreteer concept belongs to Little Paw Publishing, but Tao's Ferreteers and Dante, Sheila, Adagio, Palmer, Tao, Jess, Lady Morrigan, Camlann, and the rest of the cast in here are © to moi.

The Kingpin is the creation of Marvel comics.

Road Rovers is owned by Warner Bros., of course.

Coming next: "Four's A Crowd": The follow-up to "Into The Spotlight"! When the senior Ferreteers decide that Palmer is too young to be out in the field with them, an outraged Palmer quits the team, and meets some new friends in the process. But with a dangerous new enemy with a surprising connection to an old foe is on the loose, will Palmer help his old comrades, or his new ones?