"I've some bad news." said a mouse to Darzee. "What?" said the tailorbird. "It seems the Queen has gotten tired of waiting for Rikki-tikki and his friend to come back. She and Karistan are going to kill the people tonight." said the mouse. "We'll have to tell her that it was Rikki-tikki who killed Nag and Nagaina." said Darzee. "Will Nagasta believe that you had nothing to do with their deaths?" said Rímíra. "I can go. She won't be able to hurt us if she doesn't." said Darzee. "I have an idea, though it's dangerous." said Chuchundra. "What?" said Biwi. "I often feared what would happen if I was mistaken for Rikki-tikki in the dark. Well I might be able to buy Rikki and his friend some time if the snakes went after me thinking I was him. In fact, he'd have an easier time getting to here if they were after me instead of him. I might be able to fool them." said Chuchundra. "Downright suicidal!" said Darzee in shock. "I overheard some snakes a while ago saying that Rikki-tikki and his friend were spotted a few days southwest of here. Though it seems the snakes have lost track of them again, they might nearly be here. We need to buy them more time. Oh, and I'll need Chua too. To impersonate this Avíá." said Chuchundra. "What's she like?" said Chua. "Not quite sure. All I can recall is that her war cry was 'Aví-tía-taday!'" said Darzee. "Aví-tía-taday!" yelled Chua. "I think that might work." said Biwi. Chua had in fact done a very good imitation of Avíá's war cry, though she didn't find that out for a while. "How did Rikki's go?" asked Chuchundra. "Rikk-tikk-tikki-tikki-tchk!'" said Rímíra. "Now that is a hard one. But I think I can manage." said the muskrat. After several tries, he got Rikki's war cry down. "Now, to wait till night and dupe a bunch of cobras." said Chua.
"We should keep going. If we slow down, Nagasta might kill your friends before we get there." panted Avíá. "We need to rest now Avíá. If we go there dead tired, we'll be killed really quickly, even with our herbs. If she is planning the attack tonight, we'll just have to have faith that something will delay her till we get there." said Rikki.
Unbeknownst to them, just such a thing came to delay Nagasta. "I'm going to get my revenge, and there will be no Rikki-tikki to stop me." she hissed. "Rikk-tikk-tikki-tikki-tchk!" "What in the world!" said Karistan. "Sounds like Rikki-tikki." said his son Syrenistan. "Can't be. We lost him in the Wet Lands. How could he be here?" said Nagasta. "Aví-tía-taday!" "Now she's here too!" said Syrenistan. "It looks like two mongooses." said Buraai. "Kill them! We can't continue with our plan until they are dead! Rikki-tikki tends to turn up uninvited and wreck our plans." said Nagasta. "Bring out the crows!"
Chuchundra and Chua knew enough to run for their lives, but to not let the cobras get a good look at them and to keep the cobras after them for as long as possible. "What if they bring in the crows?" Chua panted as she and her cousin ran. "They don't have nearly as good of eyes as us in the dark." gasped Chuchundra, running for dear life, sometimes coming within 16 feet of the cobras. "We can always hide in the water if the crows do spot us." said Chua. "They're gaining on us!" cried Chuchundra.
"They're going to be spotted for sure!" said Biwi. "I've got an idea!" said Darzee. "Hey, over here you bumbling birds!" cried Darzee to a bunch of crows. "Darzee!" they all cried. "Get him!" "Over here featherbrains!" yelled Darzee, moving in the darkness. "He's going to get himself killed." said Biwi. The crows, however, soon found another problem besides Darzee. A few crows, the sons of Tacróc and their friends that had opposed Nagasta, and had some of their eggs eaten by Dark Mongooses, had banded together and were colliding with Nagasta's crows, knocking them out of the air. "That's for messing with our eggs and taking away our freedom!" croaked one as she grabbed a branch and then released it, hitting two crows flying behind her and knocking them to the ground.
"They've spotted Darzee and some crows have helped him. Also, they're still chasing the two mongooses." said Nagasta's daughter Jalís to Nagasta. "Find and kill them all!" hissed Nagasta indignantly.
"If only we were real mongooses, then we'd actually be able to kill these snakes chasing us." said Chuchundra. "You just made me think of something." said Chua. "What?" said her cousin. "The snakes might realize we're fakes if we don't try and attack them. I mean, that's what the real Rikki probably would do: fight back." said Chua. "Those who kill snakes will be killed by snakes." said Chuchundra. "If they catch us, we'll be killed by snakes. If they realize we're muskrats, they'll probably kill us sooner or later and they'll realize Rikki's not here and go and kill the people. Do you have a better plan?" said Chua. "No. We could take care of a few. There are some loose stones at the top of the hill in front of us." said Chuchundra. "That's quite a long way." said Chua. "We've got nothing to slow them down." said Chuchundra.
"They're going to get themselves killed." said Biwi to Dindac. "What should we do?" said Dindac. "I have an idea. It might delay the snakes for a while. But it must be done carefully or we'll be a snake's meal." said Biwi. She and Dindac flew out in front of the approaching snakes. "Ouch! I flew into a tree trying to avoid those stupid crows! I think my wing is broken!" said Biwi. "Mine too!" moaned Dindac, playing along. "You have been a thorn in our side for quite some time. You have truly chosen a bad place to be lame in." said Syrenistan. "As if we chose to be lame!" said Dindac. "After chasing Rikki-tikki and his friend, we could use a late night snack." laughed Syrenistan. "Now!" yelled Chuchundra. He and Chua pushed the loose rocks down the hill and they flattened the snakes. Nagasta came by some time later and was furious. "I've lost another child!" she hissed. "Find and kill Rikki-tikki and his friend! Kill them all!" They spent the rest of the night looking in vain for Chuchundra and Chua. After several fruitless hours, Nagasta and Karistan went to rest, vowing to look for the mongooses early in the morning.
The next morning before dawn, the snakes spotted the fugitive muskrats and they quickly sped after them. Try as they might, they couldn't shake them and were finally caught. "Why, it's only Chuchundra and his cousin Chua!" laughed a snake. "Kill them!" hissed a viper. "It's Rikki-tikki!" a snake nearby cried out. "No, we've found that they were fakes! It's just Chuchundra and Chua." said a cobra. "No, I mean it's really Rikki-argh!" cried the snake. "Come again?" said the cobra. A female mongoose jumped into the clearing, pounced upon a dumbstruck cobra and killed him. "Get her!" hissed a python. "Aví-tía-taday!" she cried. She sprang upon the python, who tried to strangle her, but she slipped through and pounced upon a red-necked keelback. Her eyes gleamed red with anger. "Leave them alone jerks!" she cried. "Who are you?" said Chuchundra. "I'm Avíá-tía-tárá." she said. Just then, a male mongoose jumped into the clearing. He was a young adult, with brownish red fur. He looked very familiar. His eyes gleamed red with anger. "Leave Chuchundra and Chua alone!" he cried. "Rikki!" cried the muskrats. "It's the real Rikki-tikki! Get him!" cried the snakes. The two mongooses brought down snake after snake. Two snakes went for Avíá and Rikki unnoticed by the mongooses but were kicked by Chuchundra and Chua and dazed long enough for Rikki and Avíá to kill them. "We should have gone into the middle of the floor a long time ago!' said Chuchundra. Avíá and Rikki each banded together and killed the two pythons. At last, all the snakes were dead. "Thanks." said the two muskrats. "Rikki, we're so glad to see you!" said Chuchundra. "We were hoping you'd turn up soon." said Chua.
"So what have you been up to? And why are those snakes chasing after you? I told you to go to the island and stay there. If you're so worried about being attacked, then you shouldn't be out here." said Rikki to Chuchundra and Chua. "Nagasta was going to try and kill the people last night. We decided to impersonate you and your friend. We figured it would buy you some time." said Chuchundra. "Very brave." said Rikki. "But also pretty foolish." "Telling Nagasta the truth might have been risky. What if she came after us? Anyway, she long ago found our hiding spot. She'd probably come after your family too, not to mention you." said Chuchundra.
"So, this is Avíá." said Chuchundra. "Yes. Isn't she amazing!' said Rikki. "Glad to meet you two." said Avíá to the two muskrats. "So, why are you guys carrying those plants in your mouths?" asked Chua. "These are Magical Herbs of Kalindo." said Rikki. "Yes, they can cure one snakebite." said Avíá. "Wow, how did you guys get to it? Must be very hard to find. Nothing cures a snakebite that we know of." said Chua. "It's a long story." said Avíá.
"Well, let's get to the island. Avíá, you go on ahead, I'll stay and chat with them for a bit." said Rikki. Avíá swam to the island. The water felt cool after her fight with the snakes. She came on land and shook off her fur. She went inland a few feet and was met by Rímíra.
`"Hello." said Avíá to Rímíra. "Which side are you on?" asked Rímíra warily. "I'm not on Nagasta's side, if that's what you want to know. And if you're a Dark Mongoose, my best friend and I can handle you!" said Avíá threateningly. "Watch your mouth young lady!" chided Rímíra. "I have lost a lot to those wicked cobras and will not 'watch my mouth' for anyone who can be friends with them. If you're not a Dark Mongoose, then I suggest you let me through. I'm looking for the tailorbird Darzee." said Avíá. "Darzee doesn't have time to talk to rude girls." said Rímíra. "Well when my friend Rikki-tikki-tavi gets here, maybe he can convince you to let us through." said Avíá-tía-tárá. "Well you just tell your friend….." said Rímíra, suddenly crying out in joy "Rikki-tikki-tavi? He's alive?" said Rímíra. "What's it to you?" said Avíá. "I'm his mother! That's what's it to me!" said Rímíra contemptuously. "Well, this is awkward." said Avíá. "What is awkward?" asked Rímíra. "I had hoped to meet you on better terms." said Avíá. ""Well maybe if you had been a bit nicer then we would have." said Rímíra. "I'm…" said Avíá, being cut off by the arrival of Rikki, Chuchundra, and Chua. "Avíá, there you are." said Rikki. "Avíá?" said Rímíra in shock. "You're Avíá-tía-tárá?" "I'll leave you two to get acquainted." said Rikki, after being hugged and kissed repeatedly by his mother. "I'm so sorry about that." said Rímíra. "It doesn't matter." said Avíá. "I shouldn't have treated you like that. Being Rikki's girlfriend and all." said Rímíra. "If I had known, I would have realized. The Coppersmith told me all about the deaths of your family. No wonder you really hate Dark Mongooses or anyone who is friends with Nagasta! How are you taking it?" "I'd have given up on life if I hadn't met your son. And, honestly, I forgive you." said Avíá. "Is it true that you killed Ragiva?" asked Rímíra. "Actually, killed and eaten from the tail up. She was one of the ones that murdered my family. She was the ringleader in fact. She dared call my family 'stupid mongooses' right after they were murdered. " "How simply barbaric!" said Rímíra. "I vowed that if ever I came across her or Arknác and Sicréc, I'd make them pay. And so I did. However, I'm not out for blood. I'm not Nagasta. Arknác, Sicréc, and Ragiva were all killed to save others. Anyway, I expect Nagasta may bring more of the killers with her tonight." said Avíá. "Tonight?" said Rímíra. "Yes, I'm going with Rikki to stop Nagasta. I've got the Magical Herb of Kalindo." she said, indicating the plant leaves she was carrying in her mouth. "Wow. That looks beautiful." said Rímíra in awe. "It would look even better if it hadn't been carried in my mouth for over a month." said Avíá, causing the two to laugh. "I wonder why Rikki isn't here with us." said Rímíra. "I don't know." said Avíá.
"Hello. I'm back." said Rikki to Darzee and Biwi. The two were very excited. "We were fearing you'd never get back in time, if you were even still alive!" said Biwi. "Is that that magical plant?" Darzee asked. "Yes, the Magical Herb of Kalindo. It cures one snakebite." said Rikki. "So you're going to take on Nagasta all by yourself." said Darzee. "Actually no." said Rikki. "So you're not going to fight Nagasta then?" said Biwi. "I never said that." said Rikki. "But then…." said Darzee. "Avíá is going to help me." said Rikki. "Is she here with you?" said Darzee. "Yes." said Rikki. He led them to where Rímíra and Avíá were talking.
"I hear that you are Rikki-tikki's girlfriend." said Rimíra. "Yes, I am." said Avíá. "What do you think of Rikki exactly?" said Rímíra to Avíá. "I think he's the best replacement for a family I can think of." said Avíá. "So do you love Rikki?" said Rímíra. "Honestly, I love him more than anyone else I can think of." said Avíá.
"I'm glad we feel the same way about each other. Then my decision won't see so strange when I ask her after the fight is done." said Rikki. "Ask her what?" said Darzee. "It seems clear to me that the time has come to take our relationship to the final level." said Rikki. "What do you mean?" said Biwi. "Marriage, though without, hopefully, all the featherbrained decisions that Darzee makes." said Rikki. "Featherbrained…..!" muttered Darzee in annoyance before being silenced by his wife.
"Rikki-tikki, are you sure about this?" said Darzee's wife. "There are few things I am sure about in this world. I am certain that I need to forever have Avíá-tía-tárá by my side." said Rikki-tikki. "Well, I'm very happy for you!" said Darzee. "I want you two to sing at our wedding. Sing all you want about the great Avíá-tía-tárá, killer of the dreaded Ragiva and Shida." said Rikki. "She killed Ragiva and Shida?!" said Darzee in shock. "Well, Ragiva and Shida apparently were some of the ringleaders of the snakes who killed her family. Avíá said she ate the wicked snakes from the tail up." said Rikki. "I'm glad to hear it." said Biwi. " Rácá meanwhile came for me. I could have finished him but told him that I only killed Kinsta because I had to. I'm a little merciful on juveniles. Anyway, Chalícává killed Rácá when he tried to attack me from behind. " "Who?" said Darzee. "He's a tarantula." "A what?" said Biwi. "A giant spider larger than a rat." said Rikki-tikki. "Feathers and twigs! To think there's such creatures out there!" said Biwi in astonishment. "He's a good one. He's the new Tarantula Emperor. Avíá, Chalícává's son Cáöné, and I killed the old one, the wicked Krädós The Powerful." said Rikki. "Sounds like you've been fighting more than just snakes." said Darzee. "Yes, Avíá and I helped Bahaxur and Shujaa defeat the evil Lion King and Queen, Kikatili and Apakarmi." said Rikki. "What's a lion?" said Darzee. "A giant cat with large sharp teeth. Also, it can run fast. Faster than a mongoose I'm afraid." said Rikki. "Goodness. To think there are such things in this jungle. Now I'm so glad I've settled down here!" said Biwi.
"So, you had to fight against other mongooses." said Rímíra to Avíá. "Yes several. In fact, I had to kill my former best friend, Alísa. She was going to hurt Rikki. And she didn't mind trying to kill me too when I got in the way." said Avíá. "I'm sure she'll make a good wife for you Rikki." said Biwi. "Have you told her yet?" said Darzee. "Formally, no. I was saving that for a special moment." said Rikki-tikki-tavi. "Like when?" said Darzee. "I was going to kill Nagasta and Karistan and give her the dead King and Queen as a wedding present." beamed Rikki. "I wish Darzee had tried as hard to get me a wedding present when he popped the question to me." said Biwi. "I tried my best Biwi! I really did! I can't be as great as Rikki-tikki here." said Darzee. "I built an entire nest myself in less than a day for you to prove that I'd be a worthy husband!" "I think you have already done a few great things yourself. Leading those mice for freedom while I was gone. I'm sorry that I kept the secret about Nagasta from you, I did it partially because I didn't want to worry you and you might have sung a song about my defeat of Nag and Nagaina and that would have brought Nagasta. I had been about tell you when Karkróc came; I didn't tell you at that point because I didn't want to risk losing you as a friend since Nagasta ate your two children, Avác and Brilí, and I thought it was my fault." said Rikki. "After all the help you gave us, how could I dare…" said Darzee. "You've saved me from Nagaina. Also, you risked your lives to help me attack those snakes by filling those stones with rocks. Karistan nearly killed you guys." said Rikki. "But you saved us. You've been there a lot for us. We really realized that while you were gone. We fear we sort of took you for granted." said Darzee. "Well, I have always appreciated you two. In fact, I'd like you to be best man at my wedding, Darzee." said Rikki. Darzee flew over to Rikki and hugged him tightly. "Not a word to Avíá until I tell you. Otherwise I shall have to pretend you are a snake." said Rikki-tikki. "You wouldn't really eat us, would you?" said Biwi.
She and Darzee had been slightly frightened of Rikki-tikki since they had heard he ate birds. "Of course not. I only eat evil birds." said Rikki-tikki-tavi, reading their minds. "Why didn't you tell us you ate birds?" said Darzee. "The same reason I didn't tell you that my kind eat eggs: I didn't want to alarm you." said Rikki. "Eat eggs?!" said Darzee in shock. "Weren't you listening to Nag when we first met?" said Rikki. "No, I tried to not listen to him." said Darzee. "He's very frightening." "I only ate bird eggs once, and that was because Avíá and I were very hungry, and the parents were dead, killed by snakes, lions, or spiders I presume. The eggs were cold; they were already dead. I never have eaten any other egg, even a snake egg, though I would have liked to have actually eaten Nagasta's egg when I had the chance, wait, I forgot, I didn't have a chance." said Rikki. "I thought you could have…." said Darzee. Rikki told him about his adventures in the Dark Forest. When he was done, Darzee's wife said "Well, I'm glad Karkróc is dead. And I guess I have been misjudging the crows. I'd thought they were all bad. However, some helped us last night. Claimed they were sons of Tacróc." "Most are bad. They're after carrion flesh. And they like it that Nagasta has forbidden the snakes to eat them. Now, I take it that you too were in that mess last night." said Rikki. Darzee nodded. "Anyway, it seems the humans didn't kill even Nag." said Darzee. "Frightening to think he's still out there, er, somewhere, even though he's dead." shuddered Darzee. "And maybe it's time I told Her Hissyness how Krait, Nag, and Nagaina really died." "But she'll kill you!" said Biwi. "I really think she's planning to kill me already, especially after I ate Kinsta and made a fool of her and her army." They laughed.
"Rikki, there is something I'm wondering." said Biwi. "What?" said Rikki-tikki. "What if Avíá rejects your marriage proposal? What if she is meant for another?" said Biwi. He was taken aback. The thought had never occurred to him. It was painful to think about. Having come from wanting to be single all of his life to finidng Avíá, it was unbearable to think of being alone again. It would be a most miserable life without her. "I know she has feelings for me. I'm going to beg her if I have to." said Rikki.
Rimíra came to them. "Come on." said Rímíra. "We need to get going if we're going to stop Nagasta." "All right." said Rikki. "Who are your friends Rikki?" asked Avíá. "Darzee and his wife Biwi." said Rikki. "The two wonderful tailorbirds that have helped you so much." said Avíá. 'So, you're the famous Darzee, the one who helped the mice fight against Nagasta." said Avíá to Darzee. "Oh it's nothing." said Darzee.
"You've lost three children: two children to Nagasta and one to her father Nag. Yet you continue to oppose them." said Avíá. "Yes. Of course, we're loyal to Rikki. And we hate the cobras. Also, you seem to have lost your entire family, yet keep fighting." said Darzee. "I love Rikki. I love him very much! I want to help him in whatever way I can." she said. "I'm a snake killer too, in case you haven't noticed." said Avíá, causing them all to laugh. "Can we hear about your adventures?" asked Dindác.
Avíá told them all for several hours, it being only early morning, and they didn't want to come to the garden with many snakes on the alert, especially not if Karistan and Nagasta were there. They spotted Nagasta and Karistan leaving with the rest of their children. "I've had it with Rikki-tikki! He's been in my way for far too long! Young fool! Thinks he can make himself very popular with the mongooses if he kills me." she hissed. "Not quite my motive for this." Rikki whispered. He thought of running out, with his Magical Herb, and killing her and Karistan right then and there. But then he thought that he'd likely die, even with the Magical Herb, in the attempt and what his death might do to his parents, and, he felt foolish for even thinking of sacrificing himself like that, what would it do to poor Avíá, who had lost so much already. No. I can't do it now. he thought.
"Think we'll meet a lot of snakes?" said Avíá. "I trust that most are out looking for Rikki-tikki-tavi the muskrat." said Rikki, causing them all to laugh. "I forgot to thank you and your cousin for helping us." said Avíá, kissing Chuchundra, who turned bright red. "Anytime." he said, still in shock. They came to the bungalow and found it nearly devoid of snakes. Rikki and Avíá ate two of Nagasta's guards. Ravánti attacked a snake and managed to wound it. "I knew I could do this!" he said. As he struck the deathblow to the snake, Rikki attacked a snake that had been about to attack Ravánti from behind and Rikíla killed another. "Be careful, Ravánti, won't you?" said Rikki. They managed to defeat the rest of the snakes, the entire family, including Rikíla and Ravánti, contributing. "Look!" said Teddy, coming outside to see what was making all the commotion. "The mongooses are back, including our mongoose!" "Wait, there's another one." said Alice. "Looks like our mongoose has found himself a girlfriend." said the big man. "Look, another one is coming." said Teddy. "Hello, I've come upon the request of Darzee." said Sadára. "Rikki-tikki, you're back!" said Azil. "And just in time." "So, she is indeed going to attack tonight?" asked Avíá. "Yes. And who are you?" said Azil. "I'm his girlfriend, Avíá-tía-tárá." she said. "Are you really? We've heard so much about you! I'm Azil." he said. "So how's the attack going down?" asked Rikki-tikki-tavi. "They're going to have cobras stationed all over the bungalow. They plan to attack the big man by going into the bath…." said Azil. "So, Nagasta thinks she can have better luck than Nag! Well, I'll show her!" said Rikki-tikki. "She won't go herself of course. I'm afraid she's much too clever for that." said Azil's wife. "Well, it's time to beat these cobras at their own game." said Rikki. "She'd have started by now if there weren't rumors of you being in the area." said Azil. "Thanks be to Chuchundra and Chua, who finally have come out into the middle of the floor, for that." said Avíá. "So what is Avíá like?" asked Rikíla.
"She is not like I thought girls would be. I actually feel at home with her. She is incredibly brave. She's very loyal and has saved me countless times." said Rikki. "So do you, who said that you didn't need girls, actually love her then?" laughed Ravánti. "Yes, I love her very much. I don't have enough time right now to properly tell you how I feel about her." said Rikki.
Teddy came and picked up Rikki-tikki. "See, he's friendly still." said the boy to his parents. Avíá came near to investigate the boy. Teddy spotted her. He called to Avíá, "Here girl. Come on." "I think he wants to hold you." said Rikki to Avíá. Avíá let Teddy hold and pet her as Rikki had instructed her. She sniffed his hand and then licked it. "She's a friendly mongoose." said Teddy. "Can we keep her?" "I guess so. We could use many mongooses to drive out all of these snakes." said the big man. "Is it true Father, what they're saying: that there's lions and giant spiders around here?" asked Teddy. "I'm afraid it is." said the big man. "Rikki, you'll never believe it, but there are some weird creatures around here. Giant catlike creatures with manes and giant spiders the size of rats. Not to mention large, fangless snakes that crush their prey." said Azil. "So, there are lions, tarantulas, and pythons here." said Avíá. "You two have seen them before?!" gasped Azil. "Yes." said Rikki.
"Spiders have bitten a few people, though only a few have died, and that from multiple bites. These lion things have torn up people. And the python things crushed a few people, kids mostly. Nagasta has destroyed a lot of bang sticks. Her side is only suffering some losses. It looks bad. Even a group of humans with bang sticks was defeated by Nagasta and her ever growing rabble." said Azil's wife. "Well, we managed to defeat her groups before, one by one. We fought snakes, lions, and spiders in the Land of The Giant Spiders. I killed the Tarantula Emperor himself." said Avíá. "Did you?" said Azil. "Yes." said Avíá. "Anyway," said Rikki-tikki, "we need all of you guys to help this time. Nagasta is going to prove hard to beat. Avíá and I will still fail if we're the only ones in this." "I'll get the crows that hate Nagasta to keep watch for us while we set up our counterattack." said Azil. "I think I'll stay here and explore this house. It appears there is much to find out about it." said Avíá.
She explored the house, upsetting a wastebasket after falling into it, trying to figure out what was in it, and then trying to escape, finding that the bath-room soap was not good to eat, nearly drowning herself in the bath-tubs, getting ink all over herself while trying to figure out how writing was done, sitting on Teddy's lap and trying to read Teddy's book. "You are funny girl!" said Teddy, petting her. She sniffed his collar. "Stop it silly girl!" said Teddy, trying to fend her off. She ran around the house, exploring every room. She had to find what made every noise. She was thoroughly enjoying being a house mongoose. At lunch, Avíá ate mangoes and raw meat. "They really do give you free food." said Avíá contentedly. Outside, four snakes tried to enter the garden. Rímira and Rédari were waiting for them and killed them. They ate part of them and buried the rest to eat later.
Rikki sat beside Avíá. After they were done eating, they ran around the house, chasing each other. "They're in love all right." said Alice. The garden creatures all stared at Rikki-tikki. To see him with a girlfriend, when he had been known for always working alone, was a new sight to them. After lunch, they rested, for they needed rest for the coming fight. At night, they ate dinner. Finally, they watched the kerosene lamps get lit at night.
"Nagasta wants to kill these people?" said Avíá incredulously. "They're so nice!" "Nagasta is evil first of all. Second of all, it's me who killed her family but she thinks they did. I will tell her tonight. I plan to fight her to the death." said Rikki. "I really hope it's her death and not yours." said Avíá.
"Hid the dead cobras?" Rikki asked his mother. "Oh yes." grinned Rímíra. "You're brother and sister were so hungry apparently that they couldn't even bother to dispose of the bodies in the creek." "Well, go and hide. I don't want you out during this." said Rikki-tikki. "But we're with you!" said Rédarí. "Help if you need to, but keep hidden until I say." said Rikki-tikki. "What do I do?" said Avíá. "Keep the boy safe. Kill any snakes that try to hurt him. I heard Nagasta was going to try and set up attack points to get them all in the morning. I'm going to hide in Teddy's bath-room." he said. They waited for hours after Teddy and the others went to bed. "Go dig up that snake hole that the moles buried. I want the body of Nagaina brought out." said Rikki-tikki. They waited for another two hours. At last, they heard noise. Nagasta had come for her revenge.