Well, here it is everyone chapter 5, now pick up right where we left off.
In this chapter, not only will allies be added into the fray but a little bit more of Chris's life will come into the light. Wondering what it is? Well, go ahead, read and find out for yourselves.
Chapter 5
Real Cats Wear Plaid
Well, now here's a little bit of a rundown of what has happened so far. After finally getting a location on where to go next, the group composing of Kipo, Chris, Wolf & Mandu were on their way. But ran into the local Mod Frogs who wanted to capture Kipo after figuring out she was from a burrow. So that pretty much lead up to a big chase, hiding out in an abandoned house only for more stuff to happen.
Like discovering a mute grub baby who was actually the friend, fellow con artist and one of the very few remaining humans on the surface Benson. He and the mute now known as Dave offered to help guide them through Skyscarper ridge.
And then more stuff happened, Benson and Dave stole their stuff, during the confrontation, Mod Frogs showed up again and captured the two while the group continued on. But they had a change of heart, and with a super crazy dangerous plan involving a Mega Bunny, they all managed to escape from the frogs.
With Kipo's home just close by, everything seemed finally over, until they discovered her home was completely destroyed. But, they also learned that they escaped meaning they were now somewhere else. The group had no idea, but somehow they would. All seemed good and they managed to catch a break right? Wrong. Why you wonder?
Because now a whole army of Mute Cats wearing plaid shirts wielding axes was glaring down right at them. They just can't catch a break huh?
" Ah crap... " Chris cursed upon seeing them.
" Uh...guys...more mutes. Are these ones friendly, or unfriendly? " Kipo asked nervously.
" There's an entire army of them, packing axes. What do you think? " Wolf said sarcastically.
" Unfriendly...got it. " Kipo said as the one leading them stopped tapping his axe on the concrete slab and raised it up.
" Chaaaarge! " He roared out pointing it forward and with that the cats all charged forward giving off different cat noises.
" Oh, man! Oh, man! " Dave said nervously flying. " Those are Timber Cats. Cat's eat bugs! "
" Wait, Dave, your flying! " Kipo said in realization. " Fly us out of here! " This made the bug mute gasp in realization before grabbing everyone and used all his strength to carry them into the air. As it seemed they were out of harms way the bug suddenly screamed in pain dropping the group shedding out of his muscle form and into Oldman mode, landing in Bensons arms, turning to dust and turned back into his larva form wrapped in a cocoon.
" Are you freaking kidding me!? Now of all times!? " Chris yelled out in disbelief.
" Yeah...sorry guys! " Benson apologized for his friend. " Dave's got a little...performance anxiety issues...! "
" Lesson 7 on the surface: Know when to run! " Wolf yelled out and that's what they did because the Timber Cat army was closing in on them. They then quickly got behind some large rubble to hide all while the mutes passed right by them. Once they stopped both Kipo and Chris peaked their heads through the rubble to see what they were doing.
Heck, it looked like they weren't even focused on then, but instead they appeared to be looking for something. " Wreow! The footprints lead right here. " Their leader said. " The monster's gotta be here somewhere, keep looking! "
" Resteal our quil and you hiding! " A much younger timber cat yelled out sounding to be a girl, her name was Shoelace Mccutty. The felines attention was drawn to some rubble moving. It was just another timber cat with white fur and blue eyes with it's hair braided into a pony tail. It twirled it's two axes and put them away.
" Were wasting our time! " It was defiantly female. " Whatever did this, it's long gone by now. "
The lead cat hissed at her. " You can't know that for sure, Molly Yarnchopper! "
" I know what I see Frank Fluffyfist. You think your tiny axes can stop the thing that did all this? " She asked raising up a single piece of bark making the younger cat gasp.
" That's from the Scratching Tree. " Shoelace raised his axe. " Raise your axes for the scratching tree. " All the cat's did just that and meowed sadly.
" The Mega Mute must have used our tree to make this crater. " Molly said. " Were no match for a beast who could do that. Not with our leader gone...not without..Yumyan Hammerpaw... "
" Hmm? Yumyan Hammerpaw? " Chris wondered outloud raising an eyebrow getting a weird feeling all the sudden as they quickly ducked behind their hiding cover.
" Guy's I think the Mega Mute there looking for is the same one who destroyed my city. " Kipo informed the others and grew concerned. " What if they didn't get away? What if, it took them? "
" Maybe...maybe not. " Chris spoke up putting his thoughts out brining out his book and looked through the pages. " I can't think of any Mega Mutt that could've done this, much less use a giant tree to wreck a whole city like this. " He puts it back inside. " Their the only ones that know who did this. "
" Which is why we should team up with these cats to find it. " Kipo spoke up.
" Wait what? " The silver teen wanted her to repeat what she just said.
" We have an enemy in common. "
" Oh Kipo... " Wolf groaned at her naïve personality. " Humans and Mutes don't mix, unless they're eating us. "
" But they have an army! " As Chris was about to protest Kipo ran out into the open with Chris trying his best to drag her back but it was to late. " Hi there. " She got the cat's attention. " Funny coincidence, the Mega Mute your looking for. Were looking for it too. We should totally team up. I know what your thinking. " They started getting surrounded. " And I know what your thinking, humans and mutes, crazy! But I say peace between the species right? " She asked nervously with a smile putting a thumbs up.
" Yeah...I don't think so. " Chris said bitterly already knowing what was going to happen.
They were captured and were carried in a wooden pet crate straight into the Timber Cat's home, the forest.
" For the record, I blame you for this. " The silver teen.
" Sorry... " Kipo said as Benson dug his hand into some sort of dirt.
" Something tells me this isn't the sort out sand you find at the beach. " He said.
" No shit. " Chris commented for Benson knowing exactly what they were in. Suddenly Dave's cocoon popped open, immediately the baby began to eat what they were sitting in.
" Hey! " Benson quickly picked him up and made the bug mute spit out the dirt. " Litter is not food! "
" If you had listened to me, we would've gotten away. " Wolf stated to Kipo very angry in the position they were in considering they'd already gotten captured once that same day.
" Clearly the cat's need some time to warm up with the idea for working with humans. " Kipo said differently sticking her hand out through one of the holes only for a rapid scratching paw to greet her causing the girl to flinch.
" How's that for warming up? " Chris asked flatly.
" Okay, it'll take a lot of time. But I will win them over. "
" I don't...work with mutes.. " Wolf said bitterly as toddler Dave suddenly bursted into his teenager form splattering his blood all over her and Benson.
" I tell you, his years go by so fast. " Benson said and looked forward making the two teen up front turn to look at what he was seeing. They had now entered what appeared to be the Timber Cat's village. The trees were carved for the felines and there were large balls of yarn hanging from up high noted as some of them swung with a few cats riding on it. And while others were carving, some were cutting down tree's like one splitting a tree in half with just a swing of it's axe showing how much strength they had
Kipo got nervous upon seeing that but calmed down cause Chris had put a hand on her shoulder. Right now he felt different, for some reason, even though they were being held prisoner there was just something about this place, that seemed familiar...He couldn't put his wrap his head around it, but soon enough he should. And he knew it.
Up ahead, there was a large short stump which looked like it was torn off. This was without a doubt the remains of the same tree the mega mute used to destroy Kipo's home. The cage was dropped and the door opened.
" Stand and attention. " Frank addressed their 'prisoners' holding Wolf's staff. " You're standing infront of the Scratching Tree! " They all raised they're weapons into the air as they exited out.
" It looks like...it's...How do I say it...Not much a tree anymore? "
" Hey! " Shoelace exclaimed pointing at Benson.. " It's sacred to our very way of life! "
" What's that on your sweater human? " Frank asked leaning forward to see Bensons sweater. " Is that supposed to be funny? "
" Oh! " Benson realized he was talking about the cat face. " This old rag? It's from a very long time ago when humans used to keep cat's as... "
" Companions. " Chris chimed in giving him back up. " People adored cat's in the old world. "
" Yeah, what he said. Hehehe...Thank you. " Benson whispered the last part before Dave suddenly burst out of the cage back in his adult form.
" Oho! I'm back in fighting shape! " He cried out and looked around realizing they were surrounded and slumped down. " Oh man...I just remembered we got caught... "
" What do we do with these humans? " Molly Yarnchopper asked stepping forward. " Should we eat'em? Eh, we'd have to clean them first they were in the litter... ". Frank Fluffyfist stepped forward as well. " I say we bat them between our paws for several hours until we get bored. "
" I wish Yumyan were here he'd know. " Shoelace said making the same feeling Chris had before come up again. " He always decides theses things for us. "
" Bat them! " " Eat them! " " Bat them! " " Eat them! " Molly and Frank were arguing on what to do with them.
" There's only one way to settle it... " Molly said.
" Wreow! Catter Brawl! " Frank tackled her and instantly all the timber cats nearby and the ones from the trees joined in fighting one another either with their fists, wrestling, or their axes.
" This just took a major big turn! " Chris yelled out as he ducked avoiding an incoming axe
" We need to get out of this mad house as soon as possible! " Wolf said the obvious as they ducked from another axe.
" Wait look at them! Those poor things are lost without their friend Yumyan. " Kipo motioned over to two Timber cats crying and pawing each other instead of fighting. " We should help them find him! And not for selfish reasons... "
" And winning them over isn't? " Chris questioned with a raised eyebrow.
" Good point. But it's just the right thing to do. "
" Yeaaah no. " Benson gave his answer. " I'm with tiny on this one. "
" Call me tiny again, and your a dead man. " Wolf threatened.
" Nnnnoooooo! " Shoelace yelled out stopping the fighting. " This isn't right, it's just not the same without Yumyan... " Molly came up to him and held a piece of string in her paw waving it around to calm her down.
" If you don't mind me asking... " Kipo spoke up getting their attention. " Who is this Yumyan? "
" This human keeps talking to us...Why does she keep doing that? "
" Maybe because were just curious? " Chris shrugged his shoulders. " It's just common sense. But yeah, who is Yumyan Hammerpaw? "
" Who is Yumyan Hammerpaw!? " The younger timber cat replied back in a tone in disbelief. " He's the lord of the Timber Cats! Or...at least, he was... " She said sadly looking up with everyone else up to the tree's making them catch on.
" Oh...Sorry. " Kipo apologized.
" So long, Yumyan. Hardly knew you... " Benson added before a loud ear piercing shriek was heard as a wooden barrel bounced across from them with a smaller tree landing right behind the group taking them by surprise.
" What is that!? " Kipo asked completely in shock by what happened.
" Sound's like Pierre. Yumyan's pet. " Molly answered and got ready. " You might wanna duck. " From the tree line was a massive flea mute with a single timber cat riding on it's back holding onto a leash attached to it's collar. But then, the cat got knocked off the flee got out of it's collar. Then all the sudden a loud crack was heard coming from one of the nearby carved trees.
" Tiiiimbeeeeer! " Molly yelled out as the tree was falling getting the cat out of way just in the nick of time. Molly, the cat she just saved and Shoelace popped up. " Okay, that tree was not stable! How come no one bothered to chop it down!? " She asked outloud. " Does Yumyan have to remind us to do everything!?
" Uh, someone still needs to get Pierre back on his leash! " Shoelace pointed out at the flee who was swatting the cat's aside without a problem before crashing into a tree structure. " Any volunteers? "
" Over here/ We Volunteer! " Both Chris and Kipo spoke up raising their hands getting a look from Wolf.
" Really? "
" You got any better ideas? If so, then do it. " The silver teen snipped back.
...
We now see the group on a wooden path way facing right at the mega flee with onlookers watching from the sides.
" I have the mind to put that thing around your necks. " Wolf said in annoyance eyeing the leash that was in Kipo's hands.
" Don't you ever have anything you don't want to do to help others? " The light purple skinned girl inquired.
" Nope. " Wolf replied breaking off a big branch to use as a weapon.
" Are you gonna hit him with that? "
" What do you want me to stop him with? " Wolf retorted back. " A dirty look? " They're attention was brought to the mega flee who roared and slowly began to walk over to them.
" Okay, on the count of three... "
" CHARGE! " Everyone minus Chris and Kipo roared out charging forward right at the large insect hopping on top and shook them off like bull.
" Well, attacking him is out of the question. " The silver teen noted. " Any ideas? "
" Uh... " Kipo was trying to think and noticed a faucet dripping and an empty bowl with the flea's name having dried blood inside. " Just one, get that axe. " Chris noticed one lodged into a barrel and quickly caught on where she was going with this. Meanwhile Wolf was thrown in the air and her cloak got caught in a branch.
As the wild girl was swatting it away with her branch the bug's attention was brought over to Chris who got the axe out of the barrel. He then made motioned his hand doing the 'come' sign with the axe at the ready. " No-no-no! Kipo, Chris! Get the rope! " Wolf yelled out as Pierre charged right at them only for Chris to swing the axe into a barrel making it shatter and spill out large amounts of maple syrup making the flea skid to a halt and began to suck it on the liquid.
As it was doing so, Chris motioned Kipo to the flea and so she strapped on it's leash making the timber cats gasp in shock. " Ooooh, you're just, a sweet hungry pet who hasn't had a bite in days. "
" That does make sense. Cause anything would've done the same thing. " Chris said as he petted the flea.
" Alright... " Molly spoke up. " Maybe we won't eat the humans...Any other ideas? " She looked to Frank.
" Oh! Well here's an idea, just spitballing. Let us go? " Benson suggested.
" Oh! I got it! We trade them to Scarlemange! " Frank suggested.
" Of course...Scarlemange! That's what Yumyan Hammerpaw would do. "
" Wait, you cats can't be serious! " Dave couldn't believe what he was hearing. " Not- "
They were now back into the litter filled cage being hauled off by the timber cats.
" Scarlemagne... " Kipo said repeating the frequent word she's been hearing a lot lately. " Uh...we really need to talk about this. His name keeps coming up, and it's a freaky name.. "
" Picture the most dangerous, frightening thing, imaginable, now imagine something. 10 times worse. " Wolf said.
" And out of anyone on the surface, I'd say it's because of him, that there's not so many people left on the surface. " Chris chimed in. " Which is more reason, why we have to get out of here. "
" I think I got one. " Benson said before crawling through the litter to talk to Molly. " Hey, uh listen. Before we do anything rash here, can we discuss this syrup you have? " He questioned. " Because you haven't lived till you've tried my world famous flapjacks. Right Dave? "
" Oh they like magic! " The bug back him up. " Magic flapjacks. " Molly hummed at the thought and paused and then both she and Frank dropped the cage.
" Flapjacks do sound good. " The cat admitted.
After managing to buy themselves a little more time instead of being taken to Sacarlemagne the group agreed to serve the whole village flapjacks.
Inside of the kitchen, they were cooking and they had a plan. While they were making the batter, Benson was tearing off hair from a sleeping cat who didn't even flinch at all.
" Next time you guys want to serve cat food leave me out of it. " Wolf said bitterly as she was stirring the batter while Chris and Kipo were making the pancakes.
" Oh ye have a little faith. " Benson said putting a small amount of hair into the batter which she mixed in. " Were cooking up more then sustenance. "
" Just you keep stirring that batter wolfy. " Dave chimed in.
" You two are plotting an escape. Aren't you? " Kipo whispered and paused for a sec. " Makes since. But wouldn't it make more since, not to escape? "
" Kipo! Reality check! " Wolf said. " There gonna trade us to Scarlemagne. "
Instead Kipo just scoffed at what she said. " How would you know? They haven't seen my special, Mr, Floppycakes yet. " She said piling flapjacks shaped like cat faces onto the plates.
" Okay, okay, everyone just chill for one minute. " Chris spoke up helping her out with the plates. " Look, I feel bad for them too, but Kipo, do you want either see your dad again or not? "
" Alright, alright...Fine. " She then grabbed two plates as did Chris including Mandu who managed to get a stack balanced on her head. Upon entering the main hall, the two of them were a bit taken back by the atmosphere, it was just so depressing because that's how everyone felt.
" I read, about this... " Chris said taking note of the wood work inside. " All those carving's belong to leaders of the Timber Cats who've passed on. It's sort of like a memorial. "
" That's pretty cool, actually. " Kipo commented. " How did you? " He motioned his head towards his backpack. " Oh, the notebook. " She said before they saw Molly and Frank cheering with wooden mugs with the female cat sighing looking at the center where it appeared to be an empty throne with an axe that also appeared to be a guitar.
" I keep thinking I'll blink and then magically Yumyan will be there, bleating our dinner like he always does. "
" I feel dead inside. " Frank added while nearby two cats from their spot began to wrestle rolling right by the group nearly hitting them. And with that done, they group served the flapjacks just as promised not aware of what was inside. Dave went up a row to give some to the cats, as he was passing by Shoelace grabbed one with her fork and ate it.
" These are so good! " She said with her eyes widening in amazement. " They fill my stomach. But not my heart. " She cried anime tears. Within minutes all the cats were being served and eating.
Frank's elbow slipped and his drink spilled just as Kipo gave him and Molly their flapjacks. " I miss Yumyan, we should add his portrait to our dome of great Axe Lords! " He cried out motioning to the wooden ceiling above.
" So he'll always be looking down at us while we eat! "
" No! " Shoelace slammed her paw down. " That's for Axe Lords who are already gone! I'm not ready yet to hang up his axe... " She said sadly while Molly slammed her paw down.
" Let's carve his face up there! " She yelled out and immediately everyone began to argue on when they should or not. As this happened, Kipo for some reason was drawn to Yumyan's axe guitar.
Unknown to the cats she had grabbed hold of it and strummed a few of the strings making the cats gasp in shock. She chuckled nervously.
" That's Yumyans guitar human... " Molly said in disproval clawing the table standing up. " Nobody plays it but him! " Nearby Wolf facepalmed himself.
" Well, since he's passed on, I figured, I could play it for him. " Kipo explained.
" Passed on? " Shoelace questioned. " Who ever said anything about that? He's just stuck up in a tree. "
" Wait, what? " Kipo chuckled having a hard time hearing what was heard. " All this time? Why don't you just climb up there and bring him back down? " The timber cats gasped with a few making cat noises and jumped away.
" Is it really that big of a deal? " Chris questioned.
" He went above the canopy! " Molly spoke up stepping forward and motioned her paw up. " No Timber Cat has ever gone above the canopy! "
" Wow, above the canopy? Why would he do that? " Kipo asked sounding a bit intrigued
" When the beast showed up to steal the scratching tree, Yumyan ran up to fight him. "
" Ooh, Yumyan sounds very brave. You must have a lot of stories about him. " Kipo said playing a few strings and immediately the cat got a different vibe.
" Oh, that's not even half the legend. " Molly brought out her own ace guitar and soon enough she began playing a song immediately raising the spirits of the other cats.
" He was born with an axe in his fur. The toughest cat that you ever saw. While he can chop down a tree with just one swing. We call him Yumyam Hammerpaw! " Immediately the other cats busted out their own instruments and began to sing along.
" Who-ohoh Whoa-oho! We call him Yumyan Hammerpaw! "
Frank joined in and punched a random timber cat. " He can punch out a thousand grizzly bears. " He jumps on a table kicking whatever was on it. " He's mighty tall at seven feet. His beards so tough it gets in fights. His favorite food is luncheon meat.
" Whoa-ohoh! Whoa-ohoh! His favorite food is luncheon meat! " As Wolf wiggled herself out of a few timber cats she bumped into a much larger one and was being tossed up it into the air. " Yumyan Hammer paw! Yumyan Hammerpaw! " As Benson and Dave were dancing a couple of the cats began to hack and they quickly noticed.
" How much fur did you put in the batter? " He asked his bug friend.
" A lot. " He answered when it was all of the cat's fur and soon they began to hack but for Kipo she didn't notice.
" I hear Yumyan writes manly poems. About chainsaws, cranks, and gears! He also shoots lazers from his eyes. And puts out fires with his tears... " She stops upon seeing the cats were coughing making her pause.
" What happened? Were the laser to much? " She got her reply as a timber cat came up to her and soon puked out a hairball mixed with the pancake batter grossing her out. Soon enough they all started to hack up hairballs left and right, but as going to plan they made a break for it and Chris went up to grab Kipo going out the door avoiding Frank in the process. In the current state he was in, Wolf retook her staff.
" Stalky, I missed you. " She whispered to her weapon and joined the others running out. As Shoelace reached out in desperation she grabbed a few of the flapjacks and ate them before puking them out. But then she ate some more.
" I did not expect that to work so well! " Chris commented as they were running.
" But, that time I was really making progress! " Kipo said sadly. " I was lead guitar in a cat band! " She and the others quickly skidded to a half upon seeing there was no more walkway with Kipo managing to catch Mandu before Wolf crashed into them sending the group down. They then landed on a big ball of yarn and swinging through the air.
" Jump! " Wolf cried out and that's what they did landing another yarn ball.
" This is a new way to travel! " Benson commented.
" Feline! Two'0 clock! " Wolf pointed out and it was the same timber cat who's hair was sued to mix in the flapjacks and boy was he mad. Swinging on the ball of yarn he threw his axe only for it to be cut by Mandu. As the hairless cat got closer the pig cut the line sending them down and bounced crashing into a tree afterwards.
" Go-go-go! " Chris yelled out and dashed towards a thick bush of leaves. " This way! " One by one they all went through except for Kipo who looked back and watched as three tree structures fall down. Despite her gut feeling, she proceeded to follow the others holding Mandu in her arms. After a few minutes of walking and through some thick mushrooms they found a decent spot to bunker down.
" We'll camp here. " Wolf said before jumping on a mushroom using it as bed closing her eyes. " In the morning, we'll pick up those Mega Mute tracks. See if they lead to your people. " Everyone followed the gesture.
" Good idea... " Kipo said feeling a bit doubtful. " We don't need those cats to help us and... " Mandu got right next to her. " need our help either... " The poor girl was conflicted by the choice they made choosing to leave the Timber Cats like that, but since Kipo was still awake she had a little time to think.
And time she have seemed to have passed on within minutes, and so she made her choice but stopped upon noting in his sleep Chris was stirring rolling over a few times.
Inside of Chris's dream.
In a brief moment, after a brief flash of light the teen for some odd reason he was back in the Timber Cat's village. All around they were either carving or flying on their balls of yarn.
He was now walking passing right by them and they were waving at him? It was almost like they were happy to him. Then all the sudden a big ball was hurling right towards him. Somehow he caught it and looked right in the direction from where it came from.
" Hey, come on and play with us! "
" Yeah throw it back! " Another cat called out and so Chris threw it back to them and then all the sudden a loud snap was heard.
" Look out! " A voice yelled and Chris saw a large shadow hovering over him. It was a massive tree, falling right towards him. As he stared on in fear and most defiantly on deaths door step. A battle cry was heard and something knocked Chris out of the way just as it fell making a loud thump.
The one who saved him was a Timber Cat, and a really large one. Covered in light gray fur with dark gray highlights. He had purple eyes, beard and was wearing a light blue flannel shirt with a very familar large purple axe straped to his back.
" Phew, that was a close one. " The big cat said and looked down giving him a smile. " You okay? " Chris quickly nodded his head. " Let's keep this one from your dad. Deal? " He lifted the young boy up and let him ride on his shoulder. " He'd kill me if he find out I wasn't watching you. "
" Deal. " Younger Chris replied.
Dream end.
As Kipo was about to wake him up, he already shot up. He instantly noticed Kipo was awake, while the others were asleep. Exhaling from his nose he got up and began to walk back the way they came from.
The girl was naturally glad to see him going the same way she was going, but was also confused by what'd just happened.
" What are you doing? "
" What's it look like? I'm helping you. " He replied still confusing her.
" Huh? I don't understand. " Chris paused and turned back to Kipo.
" Despite what the Timber Cats were trying to do, you still tried to make friends with them. And I get it, they're bummed out because there leader is gone. But, I think if we can find Yumyan, they'll help us. We won't know until we try. "
" Yeah totally...But wait...Why are you helping me? "
" Honestly, Kipo..." Chris began. " There's something that's been bothering me all day since we ran into them. "
" What's that? "
" Yumyan's name, I couldn't explain it at first, and the area here just seemed so familiar. And I know now. Yumyan is one of my dad's closest friends. "
" Really? Are you sure? "
" I'm positive. You know when you have those moments when you dream, and deep in your mind, a memory resurfaces? "
" I do. Wait...you're saying you saw him? "
" From my younger perspective yes. I remember it all now, I used to come here and play, and the Timber Cats were always so kind to me too. Believe me, it might sound crazy, but I know what I saw. "
" I don't think it's crazy. " Kipo spoke up taking him by surprise. " That's pretty cool actually. I mean, how often does this sort of thing happen? And now I know that if you're friends with them, then so can I. There's more of a reason to help them now. " She said just as they arrived back where they entered the bush.
Kipo grabbed a nearby axe that was on the ground looking up into the sky were the canopy was located. " You up there Yumyan? " Kipo asked outloud and gained a determined look. " If were doing this, you better be. " Chris takes the axe from her and walks up to the tree. " How are we both gonna get up there? There's only one axe. "
" Simple, hop on. " Chris answered quickly.
" What? "
" I'll carry you. Just hold on tight. " The silver teen told her. " Trust me. " That's what she did and wrapped her arms and legs across his body as firmly as she could. " Locked in? "
" I think so. "
" Alright, here we go... " And just like that Chris began the climb using the axe to keep him up, while doing his best not to blush since this was closest she's ever been to him. He wasn't the only one either, Kipo was having a similar reaction because sure he's been up close with other boy, but not this close to one. Within minutes alone they had gotten pretty high up. To break up the tension Chris broke the silence.
" You alright Kipo? "
" Yeah..yeah...totally fine. " She replied and he heard her gasp and he paused.
" Why'd you look down? "
" I don't know! " She replied before mimicking her dad to calm her down. " Kipo, is this tree Deciduous or Coniferous? Coniferous... "
" What? " Chris had no idea what she was talking about. " This tree were climbing on, is coniferous. Meaning the leaves are green year round. "
" Huh, cool. Not bad for a girl that was raised underground. " The silver teen commented as he continued climbing.
" You think? "
" Yeah. But what does Dicideous mean? "
" It's actually Deciduous. " She corrected. " And it means the tree sheds it's leaves. When they change color. "
" Oh...Okay...I get it. I think? ".
" You know...If we ever find my dad, and you decide to live in my burrow. You could go to school with me, heck, I'd even tutor you. "
" Really? "
" Yeah. "
" Hmmm...I don't really know... " The silver teen replied honestly as they were slowly getting to the top. " None of that stuff really makes sense to me. I think I'm better off taking notes on Mega Mutes instead. But say if I was, to go down there, how would living arrangements work? "
" Huh...Good question... " She said having not to think that far ahead.
Meanwhile back at the camp Mandu had slid off the mushroom waking her up instantly. After both of her eyes were straight aligned the pig noticed neither Kipo nor Chris was nowhere to be seen.
She quickly went up to Wolf and squealed loudly as she could but the young survivor wouldn't wake up. So she licked her awake much to the girls dismay.
" Why would you do that!? " Wolf questioned getting a snort back in response waking up Benson while she groaned in annoyance already knowing what happened.
Back with Chris and Kipo they'd finally arrived to where the canopy was located. After letting her off first. Once she was secured Chris climbed up and one thing was for sure, up on the canopy was way more different then it was on the forest floor. You could see the whole night sky illuminating with stars. Heck there was also a large butterfly that seemed to blend with the scenery itself.
" Whoa... " Kipo breathed.
" That's some butterfly... " Chris added and both were unaware that there was something right behind them.
" Yumyan owns you all! " All the sudden something jumped right over them and Chris instantly recognized who it was. It was the one they were searching for, Yumyan Hammerpaw himself who disappeared in the thick branches.
" Yumyan! " They both rush over to where he disappeared. " Are you still up here!? " Kipo asked. " We came here to find you! " In response the large timber cat rose up.
" You know how long I've been chasing that rotten insect? Three days! " He said before throwing them both aside keeping his eyes focused on the butterfly. " According to him, it's just all a dance. He flutters around saying 'look at me I'm so pretty! ' " He said making up a voice and glared at it. " Eventually, he has to tire out... " He assumes pouncing position making his way towards it. " Any moment now...Yumyan own you all! " He jumps but the butterfly flew away.
" Hey what's that you keep saying? " Kipo questioned.
" The one where you go, 'Yumyan own you all!'? " Chris added making the timber cat sigh, standing up and look back at them.
" It's a new battle cry, I'm testing out. To strike fear in the hearts of my enemies. Of which there are many. " He turns around and makes his claws stick out. " They will cower when they hear me! "
" Hey, speaking of enemies... " Kipo spoke up all while Yumyan was jumping in the air trying to get the butterfly but it was useless. " Out there is a Mega Mute who stole your tree. I think it also may have my father. That's why were here, to get you back down to your village. So that we can all find them together. "
" I don't work with humans, humans. " Yumyam replied.
" It's Kipo. " She introduced herself.
" And I'm Chris. "
" Huh, that name sounds familiar. But maybe I'm just imagining things." The cat commented but he was more focused on the butterfly. Making the teen frown at this realization, Yumyan had forgotten about him too.
" Hey, out of curiosity, why do you want that butterfly so bad? " Kipo asked as they stood right next to the cat.
" He lived on top of the Scratching Tree. The tree spirit lives in him now. I hear it speaking to me. I named it Charle's... " Yumyan then started acting funny. " What's that Charles? You want me to get you? You want me to get you? Hahaha...I'm gonna get you... "
" Uh...mind if I try? " Kipo asked getting his attention. " I'm good with bugs, I got Pierre on his leash earlier. "
" You...put a leash on Pierre? " He questioned almost sounding impressed and stood up before motioning her to go on. She then went forward as the butterfly turned around and sat down crossing her legs holding out her hand forward. Chris and Yumyan watched this and soon enough the butterly flew forward landing on her face.
" Oh...Heheh... " Kipo laughed watching it crawl over her and perched itself on top. " See? It just takes a gentle touch, that's all. "
" Yumyan owns you all! " The cat charged forward making another pounce going over Kipo scaring the butterfly away.
" Fly for your life! " Kipo yelled out and as it seemed the cat had caught it, he didn't.
" The tree sprit got away! Charles! "
" Okay! That's enough! " Kipo said finally being fed up with what he was doing. " We're not the only ones who need your help. "
" Yeah, your whole village is falling apart without you in it. " Chris added.
" Bu-But I can't leave! " Yumyan replied. " I lost our tree! The great axe lords of yore spent years sculpting it, getting it just right! And Charles has it's spirit. "
" So what? Your just gonna be a coward and abandon your own people just like that!? Your just making up excuses now! "
" What did you say to me!? " The cat growled in anger.
" You heard me! " Chris replied not backing down. " And you know what, your not the same Yumyan Hammerpaw I remember! "
" What? " He grew confused upon hearing this. " I don't know you. "
" But you know Khan Fang, right? " Immediately the cat's eyes widened in surprise.
" How do you know that name!? "
" Because, he's my father. " The timber cat suddenly calmed down and gasped in realization.
" C...Chris? " His voice was full of disbelief. " Is...Is that really you? "
" Yeah, it's me Yumyan... " The two embraced one another for a short moment. " I'm sorry for not recognizing you...Chris? Where is Khan? I haven't heard from him in years. I thought you were both gone. "
Chris sighed sadly already knowing this was gonna a hard pill to swallow. " He's gone Yamyan...He died...five years ago... "
" No... " The timber cat breathed. " ...Khans dead? I-I'm so sorry Chris... "
" You didn't know...And I'm sorry for not remembering you. " He placed a hand on the cat. " But believe me, a lot has happened. I had to survive by myself...
" Now I have more of a reason not to return... " The cat said sadly and sat down in shame. " I couldn't relieve it sooner that you were out there alone. Instead, I forgotten all about you, and I ran, I abandoned my people by running away from the tree thief in fear. "
" Yumyan, what happened? " Kipo asked putting a hand on his shoulder while Chris was doing the same showing him they would lend him their ears.
He began to tell them. " I was having evening scratch, the next thing I look up at the biggest monster I have ever seen! Six arms, eyes red as a loggers flannel...So, I ran up this tree. "
" Any sane person, mute or human would've done the same. " Kipo said.
" Yeah, sometimes we can't help it, and fear get's the better of us. "
" I'm a leader of Timber Cats. Look at them down there. " Yumyan said and they heard the sounds of them hacking up more hairballs.
" We are and you know what, they need you a lot more then they're tree. " Kipo said with Chris backing her up.
" Yeah, the tree might be gone, but what's important is that your people are safe. Somehow, you'll be able to find it. But right now, you have a duty, and they need their leader.
" They're right. " Charle's spoke up. " They need you man. "
" Uh... " Kipo didn't expect that to happen but neither did Chris. But he was more focused on Yumyan.
" Yumyan, the same Mega Mute who stole your tree used it to destroy Kipo's home... " The silver teen said as he stood up. " It also might have them. So please, help us and we'll you find your tree. You have my word. "
The timber cat sighed in defeat and smiled patting Chris on the shoulder. " Alright, kid. I hear you. "
" So...Are you ready to go back down? " Kipo asked.
" Ggh...Okay...But...jus-just give me a minute. " The cat said with Kipo dragging Chris off to whisper something into his ear.
" Fine, but if I die, I blame you. " He said before they charged forward.
" Kipo/Chris owns you all! " They both yelled before tackling him sending them all down flying down from the canopy.
Down at the village the cats were in a very sour mood. Frank was playing with Molly using a ball of yarn.
" First the Scratching Tree, then Yumyan and now the prisoners are gone too. " Frank tosses it over. " It's like were not even Timber Cats anymore. "
Molly threw the ball aside. " As long as we have axes...we'll always be Timber Cats...and as long as we have Yumyan he'll always be... "
" Right...there... " Shoelace said in disbelief pointing up. " He's right...there! " They looked up to see their leader falling down the tree before running down it crashing through the branches in his way using the new battle cry.
" Yumyan owns you all! " He loses his footing and hits the branches slowing him down bit by bit before ultimately delivering a big impact to the ground stirring up the dirt causing a few timber cats to fly. Once the dust cleared it revealed the lord of the timber cats standing on all fours cringing in pain slightly before he was fine.
Meanwhile Chris and Kipo slipped off him sighing in relief. " Never...do that again... " The silver teen begged but she didn't really seem to care. All the timber cat's cheered upon seeing their leader return. Soon enough, Molly and Frank came forward presenting him his weapon.
" I almost forgot how much I like to hold this..." Yumyan said glad to hold his axe again making Kipo giggle and Chris pat her on the back. Raising his axe into the air, the other timber cat's did the same and cried out in rejoice.
" Guys, you had one job...Keep Kipo from dying! " Wolf said in frustration still angered over what happened last night.
" Hmm...Let me see... " Benson said with Mandu on his head. " Who was supposed to stay up all night making sure Kipo didn't ditch the camp? " He questioned and got no response. " That's right! None of us! Cause she's her own person decisions, and Chris tagged along with her. "
" If the Timber Cats, haven't already killed them, I maaay to kill them myself. " Dave said with Mandu suddenly started to act up. Jumping off from Bensons hat the pig ran over to the entrance jumping around happily. Then the groups jaws dropped in disbelief.
Kipo was riding on Pierre with the entire Timber Cat clan beside her along with Chris who had his metal bat slung over his shoulders. Currently she was tying Yumyans beard with a piece of string. " Oh...It's gonna be so cute. " It turned out she tied his mustache curling both sides along with his beard.
" That's not exactly the look I was going for... " The cat said.
" It ain't that bad. " Chris spoke up " It makes you look more wise, but just as fierce. "
" Ah...I see now. " Yumyan liked the sound of that.
" Guys there you are! " Kipo noticed the others and waved over to them who's jaws were still hanging. " You know how I said, I wanted to hunt down that Mega Mute and you were all like yeah, you and what army? "
" Well guess what! " Chris spoke up.
" We have an army! " Kipo cried out with the Timber Cat's giving off battle cry's.
" And yes! This is happening! " Chris added with a smirk loving the look he was seeing on their faces.
To be continued
So? What'd you all think? Mostly the same, aside from two things, my version of it, and the fact that the Timber Cat leading them at the time didn't have a name, so I decided to call him Frank Fluffyfist, because I didn't just want to call him timber cat throughout the whole story.
Either way, I hope that you all enjoyed reading this chapter. And quite frankly you were lucky, I wrote this all in just one whole day. I was in a good mood, so that's why.
Now replying back to reviewers
Boggie445
Well, I'm glad that I remined you and yeah, I'm looking forward to it to.
ROCuevas
Thank you for the kind words as usual friend. :).
The Gatekeeper's Soul
Yeah, there will be moments as the story progresses. And I hope you liked this chapter, even with my 'little' added touch into the main plot line.
