Gummadoon Halls

"See?" Flynn pointed, grinning, "These lead to the lower levels but they're all twisty and curvy that no one really likes to use them. That's why they kinda shut them away behind the walls." Flynn grinned as he gazed down the curving stairwell, disappearing into the dark abyss that was Gummadoon's underbelly. "Man, I can't believe I finally getta explore these things!" He beamed, eyeing his group of travel companions. "I mean…they always told us to stay outta these areas and now we getta go down them?"

Morri nodded, "We hafta find all the exits and see where all these tunnels go. You say there's an exit down there?"

Flynn nodded "Yep. See, the builders made sure there were lots of exits, cause Gummadoon was a simple fort when it first started. So, lotsa gummies would stop here and that was when we had all kindsa enemies. So, these exits used to be the original exits. But as the city grew up around it, they added more walls and stuff and instead of gettin' rid of all these halls and stuff, they decided to just hide 'em in case they needed them." Flynn grinned widely. He was quite proud of his knowledge of maps and gummi cities in general. His father and mother were both deeply involved in gummi politics, in the communication between warrens and cities. Part of that was understanding the layout and purpose of each city they visited and his mother made sure that he knew Gummadoon the best, after all, he lived here.

To her delight, he'd found it fascinating and was always wanting to know where other warrens were, how the other cities looked and all the little details. He would draw up his own gummi cities in his spare time but he was well versed in where their other cities and dens were. He knew where South Gumpton was, where Gummi Glen was, where Ursalia was, and even where Barbic Woods now was, though he had a more general idea on that one whereas he had exact figures on the others. Still, it was one thing to know things and another thing entirely to actually get to explore them.

As Flynn took his first step down the twisting stairwell, he turned, hearing footsteps behind them.

Martinni heard it too and without thinking, pushed Morri and Cori behind him so that he stood in front of their group of three. Morri did give him a slightly exasperated glance but opted not to argue it right now. Much as he disliked the fact, he was not yet trained and Martinni was. If there was something dangerous approaching, Martinni was more equipped to handle it than he was. All the same, he kept a hand on Cori and made sure Flynn was behind him as well, even though they were the same age. In fact, Flynn might have been a month or two older. No matter, he'd show he was just as worthy to protect as they were!

Gradually, the sound approaching grew louder and louder and the shadowy figure gradually faded into view.

Flynn beamed, "Cubbi!"

Sure enough, it was the pink furred squire, looking determined but exhausted. In fact, it looked like he was just wearing night clothes…no, strike that, he was wearing KNIGHT clothes, one of Plucki's off-day tunics it looked like. He was barefoot and the tunic draped down to his knees. He didn't look hurt or anything but he looked like he was going to fall asleep any second and yet at the same time, he looked more alert than any of them! He was clutching something tight to his chest but he looked utterly relieved to see someone he knew.

"Flynn, Martinni!" he called in response and approached, blinking and then inquiring, "Morri and Cori?" He'd only met Corvi's brothers recently but they had to be Corvi's brothers. One, he did recognize them though he didn't know if he got their names right and two, well, they totally looked like Corvi! The little one almost to the letter and the older one just had different colored hair. Plus, if they were with Martinni and Flynn, then they had to be Corvi's brothers. They sure weren't any of the pages. A nod from the eldest of the two golden colored cubs confirmed his suspicions.

Martinni let out a deep sigh of relief. "Cubbi, what are you doing here? Looks like you're supposed to be resting. Plucki'll be mad if you got up." He had been kept fairly out of the loop and Toni hadn't really updated him with any info. It was a little irritating that Toni was being kept in the know more than he was, especially since Martinni was older but there had to be a reason. Cubbi and Corvi, he could understand. They'd been roped into it. But Toni had entered into it when the rest of them had…

No point in being jealous. He needed to focus on what they were doing now, what they could do now.

Cubbi stepped forward, closing the distance between them. "Can't sleep. Something's gonna happen soon and I…needed to get something." Turning attention away from him, he asked, "What are you guys doing? Don't usually find people just wandering around the passages."

Morri spoke out, "Corvi asked us to look through the passages and see what paths led where." He eyed Cubbi; he didn't know him very well but seemed like a lot of stuff seemed to revolve around him. So, the fact that he was involved was a good thing! "Said we might need to know them if we need to evacuate the city."

Martinni bit his lower lip, "I doubt the knights will let it come to that but we needa be safe, just in case. So, we've been exploring where the tunnels and passages go, marking down the ones that we don't know by heart." The olive colored cub frowned, "Which is a lot more than we thought there were."

Flynn puffed out his chest. "That's where _I_ come in."

Martinni clarified, "Flynn knows all about the passages in here. He even has some of them written down. So, we figure if anyone could lead us to all the exits, it would be him."

Flynn added, "If we can get in them though. I mean, there's exits into the courtyard, into the marketplace, even into the dungeon…"

Morri blinked, "Come again? Why would there be passages into the dungeon?"

"Well, not the cells but into the main area where the guards are. But my point is that you don't just leave those doors open," He shrugged. He hoped they would be able to find some exits that weren't sealed but the fact of the matter was, if they had been designed from long ago and then sealed away into the inner walls, the leaders of the city were not dumb enough to leave entrances open, even entrances that hardly anyone knew about. "…even if you think you're hiding things good-"

"Well," Martinni corrected. Everyone ignored him.

Cubbi paused, just a moment then asked, "Will this help?" He uncovered his hands, revealing a large golden key with the Gummadoon insigna on its handle. It had been right where he had left it. It had taken some time to find the thing, simply because there were so many twisty passages but he'd found it. Now, hopefully, he'd get some use out of the thing!

Flynn's eyes went huge. "No….way….a master key? You have a master key?" Gum, he'd seen pictures of one but never up close! Blastus had never even shown them one! He knew that there were only a few but to see one up close! "Did Plucki give it to you?" If Plucki had given it to Cubbi, man, he musta really trusted him!

Shaking his head, Cubbi replied, "Uh uh, found it in one of the passages a while ago." Pausing, again, he asked, "Will it help?"

Flynn practically yanked his arm out of its socket in his rush for the stairwell, "You betcha! This thing'll open any door in the city! Let's go, let's go!"

Gummadoon Entryway

Tavi eyed her brother. He gave her a worried glance, "Tavi, if you needa rest, I can handle this. I think I have a handle on this witch." He ignored the snarling and hissing voice within him, declaring her superiority and how his entire race would never have a 'handle' on her. "You're exhausted." His sister was free, at least, but the soaking wet and exhausted girl that had emerged from that tapestry was so drained. So weak. And yet, typical of her, she had insisted that she strive on ahead, that she meet with the others, that she start working on what they needed to do.

Hence, here they were, saddled up on one of the mares, with a small group of adults eyeing them warily.

Tavi shook his head, turned to her aunt who was standing next to them on the ground as they steadied the unicorn. "Uh uh, we don't have time for it. I already cost us enough time…" She was exhausted, deeply, beyond anything she had ever felt before. It had taken all she had to stay conscious when her aunt and the others had rushed in. Her aunt had been adamantly against her going but she had insisted. Oh, she had to be caught up on so much, most notably that Lady Bane was inside her brother. Despite all their attempts to be sure, Lady Bane had managed to stay undetected and was currently running her poor brother ragged.

No more. The blasted sorceress had even said she wanted out! Well, Tavi would gladly THROW her out and going with her brother was going to make sure that witch didn't try anything!

Now, while she knew she NEEDED to go, HAD to go, especially when Lady Bane's treachery had been explained to her, she was so worn. While gummies refused normally to use magic or any other method to deny what the body needed, especially sleep, in this case, Tavi saw a reason to make an exception. Using magic to keep herself upright, at least for now, was a necessary evil. Sleep was unfortunately a luxury right now, not a right. She almost laughed at the irony of it; didn't this whole mess start when Cubbi was using magic lotion to hide the fact that he wasn't sleeping? Now, it was reversed and she was the one forcing wakefulness. Fate had a weird sense of humor.

She shifted slightly, took some support from her brother behind her.

Her brother…

She was not going to leave her brother and she certainly wasn't going to let him go without some magic to help him! And that stupid witch had already tried to trick them once! Leave her brother alone with her…er, technically speaking…no way! The desire to protect and save her sibling was stronger than ever and she used it to pull some more of that strength from her spirit, from her soul. After her grandfather had explained it to her, it seemed to make so much more sense and now, she was completely willing to use it. If her soul could give her enough strength to press onward, she would!

"Tavi," It was Sir Plucki that spoke up this time, stepping forward to lay a hand on her arm, "Lass, you have cost us nothing. We are thrilled to simply have you back among us. That prison is draining, emotionally and when your emotions are drained, your body follows. You have been through a lot. If you need to rest, you may. I can send one of the knights with Lucki." He eyed the boy, saying, "I may do that, regardless." It was a risky thing, sending him for Lady Bane's body alone but-

Lucki shook his head sharply "Uh uh, Sir Plucki. You're gonna need all the forces here. You know that and I know that." He eyed the knight, said, "Besides, we're just gonna find her body, have her leave me and then high tail it. And if we run into trouble, Gumlittle's trained me well." He eyed his mentor with his same confident grin, "And I promise, I won't do anything too reckless."

Gumlittle sighed, deeply. "I dunno." He addressed Plucki more than Lucki. "He's still…at risk."

Lucki bit his lip, "Maybe not, 'Little," he challenged and his sister eyed him deeply. "I mean, I'm starting to feel different. It doesn't feel like I'm one of two spirits in a sea anymore. It's more…well, almost like I'm slipping into clothes that are a little big." He eyed his sister, "I can't explain it but something's different but I think it's a good different."

Plucki eyed the young squire with a critical eye. "Still, Troggels, while hardly as difficult to deal with as ogres or trolls, are not mere opponents. Perhaps Sir Fai may be willing."

"Uh uh!" Lucki insisted again, "Sir Plucki, a group of knights will attract attention! We don't have time for that and we don't want Emi's attention being drawn to us. She's a lot less likely to pay attention to two kids than to a group of trained fighters."

The Captain frowned, crossing his arms, "You have a point, Lucki but there is still the threat of danger for the two of you." He allowed a small smile, adding "I do not doubt your skills, my boy. However, you are still just learning and if I recall, Gumlittle had not yet begun you on real weapons training."

The green furred cub eyed his mentor, "Not my fault." He teased lightly. "I know the basics from the practice weapons. I can handle myself." He eyed his sister "And Tavi is no push-over!"

Tavi spoke out, "I can protect him, Gumlittle. I'm not letting anything happen to him!" She meant it. She was weakened, tired but she had just gotten her brother back. He wasn't out of danger yet but now she was free and she could help! How, she really didn't know but Lucki had given her some hope. He wasn't the type to lie to her just to make her feel better. If he said that something felt different in a good way, then it did! "We can handle anything that's thrown our way and we don't have time to argue about this!"

Lucki closed his eyes a moment and then Lady Bane, though it was clear Lucki was allowing her access to his mouth, spoke out, "Your brats are right. We are wasting time. My mother is clever. The moment she sees knights traveling, it's going to attract her attention like flies to honey. If you want to keep your twerps safe, then send them alone."

Lucki took control back, quickly, "Besides, I can handle her. I know how to command her now." He stiffened a moment but Lady Bane, despite her screeching about his lies was unable to take control back without his permission. He waited a moment then spoke to the group of adults, "See? Much as she hates it, this is MY body, not hers. If she wants to try something, she's going to have to push past my spirit to do it." He frowned, seriously, "And I'm not about to let that happen."

Tavi spoke out, "Look, Lady Bane is dangerous but Lucki knows about possession and he knows how to control her now." She took a breath, "And I've learned a lot about possession and magic in that prison. We can handle ourselves. We'll do what we hafta do and then be back, promise!"

Plucki eyed Wooddale who gave a silent but knowing nod. "Unfortunately, our options are limited." The sorceress stated simply. "Go quickly Lucki. If there is any hint of betrayal…"

"If there is," he assured her, "It won't come until after she leaves me." He was certain of that. "She wants her body back. She knows if she tries to pull anything before she gets her body back, she's stuck with me." He turned his eyes dark, serious. "And she's bound to what my body falls subject to."

"Yes." Lady Bane spoke out of his voice, snarling, "We've established that."

"So, let me make it crystal clear for you." Lucki replied back, ignoring the worried glances he was getting. "You try anything against my sister…against my family…against my race. You're bound to my body, Lady Bane. Remember that." He turned the unicorn, gave it a quick nudge to the sides which caused it to take off at a run. He wanted to get away from the group before any of them connected the dots to what he was threatening, promising. He meant every word of it but he didn't want to see those faces…

As soon as the group of adults and Gummadoon vanished behind them, Lucki felt his sister slump, backward, laying against him, her eyes shut within an instant. Gum, she must have been hanging on by a thread during that meeting! He watched her a moment, closed his arms a bit closer together as he held the reigns. She was exhausted. She should have been resting but instead this mess and Emi and everything were making her force her body onward when it was not ready for it. His big brother instincts flared and he sat up a little taller, urged the horse a little faster.

And as for Lady Bane…

He finished addressing the sorceress inside his mind. That was getting harder and harder to do but he didn't want anyone, least of all his little sister, hearing his promise to this sorceress. You attack them, you try ANYTHING like you did before and I'll take you out myself.

Oh, she laughed Silly child, you think—

Don't think I won't. He snarled in reply with such a cold seriousness to his tone that she felt a chill. If you try to hurt any of them, try ANYTHING, I'll…extinguish this body and drag you down to death with it. He paused, feeling her fear, rock solid fear for a moment. Check my memories if you don't think I'll do it. To protect them, I will. I've felt death. I know what it..

You'll destroy your own soul if you try it, child. She challenged. Her tone was strong but deep in her spirit, she felt a slight tremor that he would not be threatening such a thing if he was not prepared to fulfill it.

Lucki laughed this time. I don't think so. Maybe I'm wrong but I don't think so. You've felt it, I know it. The way my body is reacting better to my soul. The way my soul is taking control back. The way I'm not bruising like I was. That's a symbol of something. He could be wrong but something, something deep in him told him that he wasn't, that what he felt was truthful.

You're telling me that you're suggesting that YOU are the first to be successfully resurrected? Lady Bane snorted, scoffed. By what measure do you think that YOU…of all the creatures in this world…would be deemed worthy of it?!

Lucki shrugged, No worthiness necessary. I don't know a lot about magic, that's my sister's department. I really don't understand how this resurrection stuff works. I only know what I feel and it feels like my soul and body are rejoining, becoming one again but without all the supposed nasty side effects. Maybe it's how you did it?

Oh, she was livid. You think that I…willingly…would resurrect one you accursed bears? I resurrected you for my purposes, nothing more!

Oh, I know that. I didn't say you did it on purpose. He retorted as Gummadoon vanished behind them. I betcha never even thought it was a possibility.

You're saying, she stated again, slowly, evenly That your soul and body are rejoining without any prior planning having been put into a spell to make them do so? That it was just pure dumb luck?!

Well, he teased lightly, I seem to have a knack for that.

Gummadoon Sick Bay

The room was empty and quiet when the sorceress' spirit returned in full. As always, Emi's spirit was sobbing, begging. After so long, it was easy to block her out. With the spells in place, her invasion was begun. It would only be a matter of minutes before her first wave of 'helpers' arrived from the graveyard. In the meantime, she need only summon them and the stone statues would spring to life and do her bidding. Her thoughts were on a personal attack however. She knew the knights were near, most likely preparing. She wanted to make her point and be crystal clear about it.

"Sarrika.." she called out in a worn, shaky version of Timothi's voice. The healer was quick to respond, emerging from her nearby private study.

Kneeling next to the bed, she asked, "Tim, how are you doing? How is your leg feeling?"

"Like it's broken." Came the slightly sarcastic reply and Sarrika allowed a smile.

"I suppose that is a fair answer. Do you need something for pain?" she inquired.

Shaking his head, Timothi sat up, at least half way. "My Captain, I need to speak to my Captain." He tried to swing his good leg over. "Just get me a crutch or something."

"Absolutely not!" Sarrika practically roared. "You are in no condition to go down the halls, especially not right now."

"Sarrika!" he protested. "I can't stay here, not when Sarrani's out there! I need to tell Plucki what I saw, what I know! It's vital!" He leaned on the wall and gently pushed Sarrika off with his left arm, "Sarrika, I need to talk to him and I need to talk to him now! You can't keep me in here until my leg heals anyway. That would take weeks. You don't keep your patients confined to sick bay for a broken limb."

"No," she admitted, crossing her arms, "But I _do_ keep them confined until the leg at least has some time to rest and at bare minimum begin the healing process."

Timothi groaned, grabbed his hair in frustration. "Sarrika, let me debrief with my Captain, that's all I'm asking. Then I'll gladly lay here until you say otherwise." He grasped one of counters and pushed himself to a stand. "But if you don't let me, I'm just going to keep trying to leave." He eyed her "And I know you can't keep me knocked out indefinitely."

"Gum if I could…" she began, eyes shifted skyward but she replied, "Tim, Plucki is meeting with the others right now. On the first floor. In one of those jammed meeting rooms. Surely I don't need to tell you how difficult and risky it is for you to take the stairs right now."

The knight sighed but inwardly, the sorceress beamed. A first floor meeting room was all she needed to know. That fact that it was small told her that they might not have warded the doors, counting on secrecy instead for their defense. She let the body lapse, sink onto the bed in defeat. "Can you…at least…tell him to come up here and talk to me as soon as he's able."

Grateful to hear reason, the healer smiled warmly, "THAT I can do. I'll go right now provided you agree not to try and jump about."

"Deal."

The healer had scarcely vanished from the room when the entity within Emi, currently wearing a copy of Timothi's skin, waved her hand and muttered a few forgotten words that resealed the broken fragments of bone together and she rose without a word, shedding the cast as if it were dead skin. It was so costly to heal bones that quickly and it created pain but she had no need to keep up her façade anymore. This foolish gummi woman was going to lead her right to her prey! With skills acquired over millennia of life, she pursued the healer.

Now was the time.

Gummadoon Meeting Hall

"You hadda 'nother reason for sending those two away." Gruffi spat out once they gathered in their makeshift room. "Aside from what the kids said. You wouldn't risk not sending a knight with them if you didn't have another reason." He eyed Plucki, "Even with as much sense as the two of them were makin'." It was more than what was said, it was the way Plucki said, the way he walked, the swiftness to his motions. Gruffi had been a leader long enough to see ulterior motives.

"You're right," Plucki admitted simply. "I did. We needed to get Tavi away. As much as I wish we could simply hide her away like I did for Cubbi while she recovered, she is ripe with magic. Emi…or the woman inside of her…is drawn to it like maggots to a wound. No matter what we did to try and mask it, she would have found Tavi."

Sunni frowned, "That's what she's always been after? Magic? Then why…did she kill all those gummies? I mean, she killed gummies in warrens that had no magic or at least not as much…unless I'm wrong about my history." She had recognized some of the warrens they'd mentioned in those translations. Some of them had been warrens like South Gumpton, focused on other things besides the magical arts. She supposed she could have been wrong as she know most gummi clans had SOME form of magic but she didn't think she had misheard or misinterpreted.

"No, mon ami," Blastus assured her "You're correct. She had no reservations on what warrens she attacked."

"But…" Sunni deepened her frown, admitting that her heart began to beat a wee bit faster. "Then why aren't you warning all the other clans? The newly formed cities? Ursalia? The Barbics?" she found her voice heighted a bit at the end there. "Least the other cities know about magic, the Barbics don't use it at all."

Gruffi scoffed, "Against their barbaric ways, I'm guessin'?"

Sunni narrowed her eyes at him and snapped, "They prefer to keep things simple. Things they understand. They have learned about nature, about surviving. That's where their strength is. They view magic as cheating. But you wouldn't want them falling victim to Emi, Gruffi, I know you." Her tone was sharp, sharper than he was used to but that fire was very familiar to the Glen patriarch. He just wasn't used to it being directed at him.

Gruffi sighed, responded, "No, sweetie. I wouldn't wish that on anybody." He eyed the knights, especially Plucki, "Sunni's got a point. Why haven't you warned the other warrens yet?"

"That," Wooddale answered "Was our next order of business. Sir Plucki told me that it seems Emi's plans will be different this time around."

Gumlittle nodded, "And I agree, Councilor." He turned to the room, "Fellow gummies, Emi was out for magic before and while she still, no doubt, desires it, her thoughts will be on revenge. Gummadoon is a prime target. After all, it houses the knights that captured her."

Plucki cut in "And young Cubbi confided to me that most of the deaths in her first reign of attacks were simply to break the real Emi's spirit."

Grammi paled. "Land sakes…you mean, all those gummies, all those warrens…were just to make the poor girl give up?"

Plucki nodded solemnly "So it seems. The magical artifacts gathered were a goal as well but not her primary one. So, that is something we need to keep in mind. While magical warrens will without question be her next target, we are her first." He eyed the room, "That leads to our next task…"

Zummi spoke out, "If I may, my fummi griends..er, gummi friends…now that Lady Bane is not necessary to be included, should we not move our talks to a warded room?" He didn't want to admit that he felt ill at ease otherwise. While magical wards were not perfect, they could certainly provide some warning or protection. Before, with Lucki's presence necessary, they had not been able to use a room with them but now, it seemed only right to move their group into a more secure room. Secrecy was one thing but…

Toni, who had been quiet for a time, blinked. "Hey, this book is acting funny!"

Oh, that got everyone's attention. Sure enough, the book was humming, a bright blue color. Toni blinked, staring as the words rushed across the pages in rapid sequence and in sharp font. "She's…here." Before he could even react to what he had read, the book hummed again before vanishing from his arms, literally disappearing in the air. Less than a moment later, the door to the room, creaked, just slightly and all nearly passed out from relief when it was just Sarrika who entered.

"Apologies, Captain. Sir Timothi insisted…"

Before she could continue, a harsh light behind her sent her sprawling to the left, collapsed, with a harsh burn on her back but alive. From directly behind her, Sir Timothi entered the chamber. But, oh, it was not the Timothi they knew. No, for as soon as he entered, the hair darkened, grew, the color of the fur shifted, the broad shoulders thinned. And Sir Timothi was gone.

In his place, stood Emi Gummi.

"Such a pleasure, as always, gummies." She snarled before her magic erupted into such a shower of lights and attacks that chaos could only be used to describe the results. Tables were overturned, to be used as make shift shields. Sir Horli, closest to the door, was the first to strike at her, as best he could but before he even got near to her, she directed a surge of power into him that sent him into the nearby wall, still smoking and twitching when he fell. It was clear, he would not rise again.

Gusto, to the left, held little Toni close to his chest, but as always, the artist was thinking outside the box. As Emi prepared another attack, he told the cub, "See Horli?" The little cub was shaking and no doubt looking at a smoking dead knight was the last thing he wanted to do but he nodded. Gusto hissed, "He knocked a hole through the wall. You can see some of the hall. You're a squirt. Run, squeeze through it and run."

"Wh..where do I go?" he sobbed. Emi was here! The knights were in danger and Sir Horli…Sir Horli was DEAD!

"Anywhere but here." Gusto said simply. "Now go!"

Toni, to his credit, knew when to listen and his skills for being obedient during a crisis had been well honed. He darted around the table and ran. He could feel Emi's eyes on him, felt that horrible coldness but he never felt an attack. He could hear the other knights roaring, attacking, spells being chanted. And whatever was happening, it was enough for him to push through the broken stone and wood and into the hall unharmed. It cut up his left arm horribly but he got out. And he ran. He ran as hard as he could, his heart pounding in his chest, pounding so horribly hard that he could hear it in his ears.

He didn't know if the crying was him or the others.

"You must go, now!"

Corvi stared at his mentor, his eyes wide as they barely dodged another blow from Emi, Blastus knocking his squire to the floor and using his own body as a barrier. "But Blastus…"

"That's an order, Corvus!" The knight hissed sharply. "Go! There is a passage entry to the right, you know that. Use it and go!"

Fear seeping from every ounce of his being, he managed, "W..what about you?" The poor cub looked petrified, fear literally running off him in waves and his eyes were wet with tears. Emi was approaching and she was taking her sweet time doing it. This was FUN for her! More than that, he saw…well, it was hard to say what was coming into the room but he heard screaming in the halls and there were shadowed figures walking past Emi and towards them. They moved slow, but there were a lot of them. Gummi-like, he could at least tell that but they didn't seem to react to magic at all! The Council was firing back, magically, but Emi seemed to have an answer for everything they tried at her and her little…helpers or whatever they were, just plain weren't effected! But, leaving Blastus? How could he do that?!

"We'll survive, little lamb," Blastus assured his squire. "Somehow or another. But you have to get away!" He pushed Corvi towards the hidden passage entrance, giving him a sharp swat to ensure he kept moving. "Go!"

With little else to do but obey, the teenager lunged for the entrance only to yelp in pain as something snagged him and snagged him hard by the hair. Turning, slightly, he yelled aloud. It was not Emi but…GUM!

A corpse…a literal…walking corpse. With bones and dripping flesh and fur and …ugh! THESE were Emi's helpers? Literal walking dead?! He felt sick to his stomach and the bony fingers dug into his hair sharp and hard, tugging, trying to pull him back into the fray, towards Emi…

Pulling out the knife that Blastus had gifted him (and he had not returned) the teen swiped, hard, severing his long golden hair at a horrible angle. With its grip destroyed, the corpse tumbled back and Corvi darted into the secret passage, loose hairs falling over his face. As he practically leaped into the passage, he spied one of the others, within arm reach of the entryway, crouched behind one of the half broken tables, slowly trying to crawl towards an exit. Without bothering to even see who they were, he snagged them by the arm and pulled them into the passageway, slamming the door shut hard behind them. He did not stop, he kept moving, yanking his companion along the way.

Glancing behind him finally, he saw it was that yellow furred girl. She looked as scared and spooked as he felt but her face, while contorted in horror, sorrow and agony, had a fire and determination to it that just might keep her alive. He kept a good grip on her hand and ran. He ran hard and fast. He did not ask questions, did not listen to her screeching questions, just ran.

"The others…hafta…find the others…"

They were beaten.

The Council lay unconscious. Sir Horli was dead, Sir Quimbi knocked out. Yet, it seemed that Emi was not trying to kill them. Gumlittle supposed it should not have surprised him. She liked to make people suffer and just killing them, just killing the people who had trapped her for 500 years would not have been sufficient. With all their preparation, all their defenses, they had all failed. How had…how could…they had let her walk in! She had used the skin of one of their own against them! What of the REAL Sir Timothi?

Grammi and Gruffi were huddled together, held immobile by a handful of the Emi's conjured helpers. Her…walking dead…literally. Gummi corpses, some fresh, some old, moving under some magical power. Oh, the looks of disgust and revulsion circled the room and Gruffi in particular looked as if he was going to be come violently ill the longer he looked upon them. How dark and low could Emi seep? To use those who had already departed this world and…

Gumlittle and his two brothers were yanked forward, magically and brought face to face with her. With Emi. Oh, that look. That devious…devious…look. What was she planning…what was…

"Quite rude of you, Knights of Gummadoon." She sneered. "Not introducing me to your little ones and chasing them out so swiftly." She dropped the knights and they found themselves locked to the ground. A binding spell? Or maybe an amended locking spell? She was doing this purposely. She turned on her heels, paraded towards the door, towards the opening that Toni had slipped out of. She stuck her head out of it briefly before pulling back in and stepping for the doorway proper. She paused, hand on the doorframe then turned and gave Gumlittle in particular a small smile, saying, "Now, I'll have to introduce myself…personally."