Chapter 41- chaotic situations
Cilan, Betelgeuse and Rigel arrived at a beautiful small forest of trees. These trees weren't just ordinary trees. They were Tree Dryads and they were friends with Cilan and his family. This little forest was home to a small clan of Flower Mandrakes as indicated by a scatter of coloured stalks with flowers at their tips but those Mandrakes were busily absorbing nutrients from the soil for they were Plant creatures much like the Dryads. Since Cù-Sìth had an important connection to the Earth Sprites, they were frequent friends of the Dryads and Flower Mandrakes. Cilan let loose a gentle howl to summon his friends from the trees. Betelgeuse and Rigel looked on as a wind blew and the branches of the trees, many of them bearing delicate pink and white petals, blossoms, wavered. Then from these wavering branches, clouds of leaves and petals detached and flew, riding the breezes. Then moments later, the plant materials took the form of Humanoids. Many of the Dryads were Women but there were two male Dryads present for two of the trees were small oak trees. Then after greeting the Dryads as they hovered before him and the two Wolves, Cilan began to speak with them.
"We desperately need your help," said the Grass Dog, "That is why I have called you."
"Is there something wrong, Cilan?" asked one of the Dryads whose body was formed from a cloud of pink petals.
"More marauding minions of Jadis?" asked a leafy Dryad.
"No, but something FAR more serious," said Cilan, "It is about Alcina the Fox."
"She is NOT who you think she is," put in Betelgeuse.
"And this is VERY serious," put in Rigel. The hovering Dryads exchanged surprised looks and then gazed back at the three Canids.
"You suspect Alcina could be a dangerous Kitsune?" asked one of them.
"But HOW!?" demanded another in disbelief.
"Alcina is a nice, friendly Fox," said another, "She helped to improve the soil from which our trees grow and also for the Flower Mandrakes that live here."
"She is a hard worker," said a third, "Why would she have something off about her?"
Murmurs rolled through the other Dryads as the three Canids' (true) claims about Alcina being a minion of Jadis put their friendship with her into question. Some of them were angry, clearly NOT liking the idea of Alcina, who they saw as a good friend, being an evil Fox but they had to know nonetheless. It was a bitter pill to swallow or rather, a stormy wind to deal with from the Dryads' point of view. Cilan began to explain.
"We have sneaked into Alcina's den and have found a hidden underground secret room under it," the Cù-Sìth said.
"And there, we found a set of crystalline containers holding a variety of suspicious looking substances, one of which is a sample of deadly Toxo-Cream, a creature that resembles what Humans call yoghurt and tastes sweet but is HIGHLY addictive and destructive. Alcina has called that stuff 'Tasty Cream'," continued Betelgeuse making some of the Dryads flinch in disbelief.
"Toxo-Cream!?" yelled one of them.
"Isn't that the stuff Jadis' minions sometimes used as a form of control over the oppressed Narnians?" asked another a white blossom one. Cilan nodded to confirm it. Betelgeuse then continued.
"And not only that, we have discovered that Alcina has written some sort of assassination and control plans of our Monarchs and their officials including Hagrid and Alestomeria using that stuff alongside whatever other 'treats' and potions she has either developed or collected and cultivated in her underground secret room. She has already incapacitated High King Peter with that cake and now she is after his younger siblings whom Aslan as anointed as seconds-in-command under High King Peter..." then rage flared within Betelgeuse at her, Rigel and Cilan's foolishness, "If ONLY we had kept that evidence and came to you guys first, we would have showed you to back up what we are saying. But the people we had on mind first were King Edmund and Queen Susan and unfortunately, Alcina had been there at the right time and has taken those things from us."
"Furthermore, Alcina has been participating in the cruel experiments on a variety of creatures such as some Flying Rods, possibly including Rosa, during the Age of Winter," said Rigel, "Betelgeuse here had been watching a few of them."
Betelgeuse shuddered as she remembered seeing the horrific scenes.
"And they had been UTTERLY horrible and heartbreaking," the dark red Wolf said in a strangled voice, the threat of tears welling within her.
"To add," said Rigel, "Alcina is clearly connected to where the kidnapped victims are being shipped. She calls that destination the Pleasure Dome and is in touch with someone called Madame Dolores the Pink Spider Creature who appears to be in charge of that place."
"Pleasure Dome!?" some of the Dryads retorted in disbelief. Many then exchanged looks while a few looked on. Many of the Dryads were still disbelieving that Alcina was this evil but several looked concerned.
"So we have come to ask for your help," said Cilan, "Would you be able to help us protect Alcina's highest targets for her wicked 'treats' that are King Edmund, Queen Susan, Hagrid and Alestomeria until we can convince them that Alcina is the minion of Jadis and the someone among us as Martian suspects?"
There was a moment of silence among the hovering Earth Sprites until finally, one of the male Oak Dryads spoke. Not in a tone of voice or an answer Betelgeuse, Rigel and Cilan were hoping.
"We don't believe your tales about Alcina the Fox, you three," said he, "She is a good friend of us and has helped us and those Flower Mandrakes EVER so much such as improving the soil around here for our trees to grow. We find your claims and allegations about her EXTREMELY distasteful."
Many of the other Dryads nodded and murmured their agreement equally sourly and before Cilan could protest, the floating Humanoid clusters of leaves and blossoms floated back to their trees and returned into them. Rigel gazed at the Cù-Sìth.
"That went well," she grumbled flatly and with that, the three, miffed at the Dryads' unwillingness to help, turned to leave. However, a white blossom Dryad floated towards them with two more blossom Dryads, both being pink.
"Rigel, Betelgeuse, Cilan," said the first white blossom Dryad, pulling the three's attention to her, "If it's true that Alcina might be dangerous and is planning some sort of threat against our Monarchs then we're more than happy to help and grant your request."
"Especially if the others are unwilling," said one of the pink blossom Dryads.
"Excellent Summer," said Cilan with joy to the white blossom Dryad named Summer as he and the two Wolves walked away from the little Dryad forest and Flower Mandrake garden. Then the third Dryad floated in.
"But first, what would you like us to do?" asked she. Cilan then began to discuss his plans to the three Dryads as the group walked back to Cair Paravel.
Later
Alcina walked towards Cair Paravel with a large satchel hanging via a strap from her shoulders. As she walked towards the main entrance, she met King Edmund once again and a Dog Fox with ivory and metallic yellow fur and nine shining tails emanating from his rump.
"Hi, your Majesty and Hagrid," said the red, magenta, gold and pink Fox with three tails, "I've just been doing a bit of shopping and I'm wondering if you two would like a little snack to give you a break from all the stressful tasks and responsibilities you have to do."
"Oh, we would love such, Alcina, thanks," said King Edmund with a smile of relief.
"I would love to have a snack myself but I have to see Martian for updates on the quest-goers' return from their destinations with the Nine-Realms Potion ingredients," said Hagrid, "But if you can spare me a snack, I'll be more than happy to have it later."
"Excellent," said Alcina with a smile. Then the three entered the castle. However, as the trio passed through the main entrance, a gust of wind suddenly whipped up around them, especially Alcina. Alcina winced and grunted as the wind, on it a cloud of white blossom petals, wrapped around her and ruffled her fur.
"What's going on!?" she demanded. Hagrid immediately identified the blossoms.
"Oh, you'll have to excuse Summer, one of the Dryads, Alcina," the Nine-Tailed Kitsune said, "and also Cilan, Betelgeuse and Rigel over there," he nodded to three Canids as they walked in. Then Summer, the white blossom Dryad, seized the satchel from Alcina's shoulders and carried it to them. Hagrid finished his sentence, "They have become a bit food-wary and conscious of anything edible entering Cair Paravel lately."
Betelgeuse, Rigel and Cilan then looked through the satchel, checking every single pocket and sub-pouch. Alcina smiled again as King Edmund looked on with a slight frown.
"Well, it's no surprise really," said the three-tailed Fox with understanding, confusion at being frisked cleared up, "Especially after what had happened to High King Peter with that cake. You just can't be too careful of what kind of consumable comes into Cair Paravel, can you? Especially since your royal taster team is still being established."
Cilan then pulled out a translucent box of white stuff from the satchel's largest pocket and examined it and its contents. It appeared to merely be a tub of Narnian ice cream and it was freezing to the touch. Alcina then came in and took her satchel from the three.
"After all, the last thing we want is King Edmund and his sister following their older brother in becoming too unwell to sit on the throne and run the monarchy," the Fox continued and with that, she left for the kitchen with an agreeing King Edmund and Hagrid in tow. Betelgeuse then opened the tub of ice cream and checked it directly. However, she did NOT run a paw finger to scoop a sample of it and put it to her mouth to taste it despite being tempted to do so in case it was something else.
"I think it's just ice cream," whispered Cilan.
"Yes, it's VERY cold as though it's been taken straight out of an ice box," said Summer.
"You never know," said Rigel. Betelgeuse then glared at Alcina as she and the King and Kitsune continued to the kitchen. Summer the white blossom Dryad gazed at the ice cream once again sceptically.
"So you three suspect that Alcina is trying to get King Edmund and Hagrid to eat whatever of those 'treats' you discovered in her underground lab of sorts she had under her den?" she asked the Canids, before a frown formed on her blossomy 'face', "Have your royal taster team been established yet?"
"No it's still in progress with Alestomeria helping to carefully selected certain individuals, particularly those with an excellent sense of smell like a Bloodhound or a Snowstalker," Cilan replied, before his face turned serious, "but if Hagrid's maw EVER meets even a BIT of that Toxo-Cream, at ALL..."
In the kitchen, King Edmund, Hagrid and Alcina took out some plates from the cupboard and set them on the worktop.
"Right, now how about some delicious cupcakes?" asked she to the pair.
"Oh, that would be great, Alcina, thanks," said King Edmund with a smile.
"I haven't had any cupcakes in a while," said Hagrid equally delightfully. From through the door, Betelgeuse and Rigel listened in.
"Brilliant," Alcina's voice sounded with pleasure, "They're made by my own paws. I bet you didn't know I'm such an amazing cook and baker..."
At that, alarm erupted within the two Wolf sisters and when they saw Alcina put some cupcakes, their tops decorated with a layer of colourful or rainbow fondant or icing, making them look like they were wearing colourful caps, onto the plates for King Edmund and Hagrid, they immediately rushed forward, seized the cupcakes in their front paws and darted out of the kitchen. OUTRAGE tore through King Edmund, Hagrid and Alcina.
"OOOI!" shouted the former as the pair rushed out of the door. The three gave chase. Betelgeuse and Rigel continued their rush with the cupcakes to outside the castle until they saw a bonfire set up by some Dwarves, Brownies and Curupira. This group was cremating the bodies of Jadis' minions that had been killed when they wouldn't surrender and among them was Pettigrew the Elf. Immediately, the two Wolves rushed over to the bonfire and tossed the cupcakes into the flames. The Dwarves, Brownies and Curupira group flinched at the sudden appearance of the desserts made by Alcina and glared at the buns as they began to melt in the flames and the heat, the fire consuming them.
"What do you two Wolves think you're DOING!?" demanded one of the Dwarves.
"That's a crematory bonfire," added a Curupira, a male based on his hair being red, "NOT a food disposal fire."
"If you wanna dispose of ANY food that you don't want or you think is too dangerous for consumption, you need to build your OWN fire," added an irate Brownie. The others sounded their agreement in the form of angry murmurs.
"We're SORRY," Rigel replied but then a young King and a Nine-Tailed Fox appeared and seized the pair of Wolves to drag them away from the group and the fire.
"This is SERIOUSLY getting ridiculous, Betelgeuse and Rigel!" grumbled King Edmund as he held Betelgeuse and Hagrid held Rigel and him apologising to the cremation group as they did. Alcina looked on, enraged at having her gifts for the King and the Kitsune literally snatched and burned. Then moments later, the two Wolves were thrown into a room, a detention room. It was where offenders who had committed a minor offense that was not serious enough for dungeon time were kept.
"A few hours in here and then a penalty job will teach you a lesson about respect, you two," said Hagrid angrily, "I'm UTTERLY disappointed in you and your behaviour, especially around King Edmund. I REALLY am."
"But Hagrid, Alcina is..." began Betelgeuse but Hagrid cut her off.
"Serve your detention in here and prepare for your penalty job, Betelgeuse," said the Nine-Tailed Fox, "No questions."
Rigel tried to protest but Hagrid reinforced his command in a harsher voice, "NO QUESTIONS!"
And with that, he slammed the door and locked it, leaving the Wolves to slap a front paw each on the ground in UTMOST anger. Their attempts to deliver an IMPORTANT warning had been foiled again. It was clear that the fight to protect King Edmund, Hagrid and the others but most especially the King, Queen, the Nine-Tailed Dog Fox and his wife as well as warn them of who Alcina REALLY was, was going to be FAR more difficult than they thought. However, Betelgeuse and Rigel soon remembered Cilan and the three Dryads, one of them being Summer who were still out there. However, they were now on their own until the sisters' detention time in here and their penalty job was up and they will be on their own until then.
Meanwhile, back at the place out in the Ocean
Kosmochlor, the green and black cousin of Sisu, and Hypersthene the Unicorn and Talking Zebra hybrid gazed into space while the others around them slept for they were all having a nap except a few. In the tank, the Aquatic creatures either rested at the bottom amongst the water plants and other decorative aquatic objects like rocks and shells or swam around half-asleep if they were air breathers such as Dolphins for these creatures could not completely fall asleep as they would drown. Dolphins and some other aquatic air breathers were conscious breathers that MUST surface for air for they were completely aquatic and not amphibious capable of respiring in both air and water like Ichthyo-Centaurs, Merfolk and Sea-Fish People. Around the rim of the tank, air-breathing Aquatic Creatures capable of at least some movement on land such as Gannetwhales, Penguins and Seals, napped. Kosmochlor, Hypersthene and some of the other youngsters including Emori the Dog and a descendant of Molayne, had had worry for Rei, Akari and the others with them including Malachite, Elsa, Seishan, Yardang, Rainbow Quartz, Lymphocyte and Sisu boil within them for the past few days and it had interrupted their sleep. Only recently, the group had heard anger explode from through the door and the guard who was supposed to have kept watch on the youngsters in this room, the one who had been knocked out by Kovu, one of the Slugcats, had been dragged away and severely dealt with but the sight and sounds of this had sent shivers down the spines of many of the youngsters, especially Kosmochlor and he still had that memory fresh in his mind right now. It was clear that Rei and Akari and their group were in DEEP trouble now and Kosmochlor and Hypersthene daren't imagine the dire consequences the group, especially the two Red Pandas, would be facing if they were EVER caught. Suddenly, sounds came from through the wall and the door, alerting the still-awake Kirin, the Unicorn/Zebra hybrid and many other youngsters including Emori as she came by to sit with the Kirin and the hybrid Equine. The Dog was also troubled and could not fall asleep and wanted to talk with the pair. However, she stopped and listened at the sounds, unease gripping her.
"Do you guys hear Madame Dolores?" she said in a low, unnerved voice, "She sounds UTTERLY furious."
Then the female voice which clearly belonged to the pink Spider-like creature came through the door as she spoke to someone. The three cocked their ears to listen.
"I have just had a call from Alcina on the mainland in the country of Narnia and believe me, she had NOT been impressed when I had told her about that group of escaped youngsters, Teddies," Dolores said, her voice clearly saturated to the brim with UTMOST rage and stress. Kosmochlor mouthed the name mentioned as he heard this.
"And she severely told me that if we do NOT get those escaped prisoners captured pronto and before they escape the Pleasure Dome completely, the Pleasure Dome will become under SERIOUS threat from potential rescue groups from either the Sea or the Sky who may come after our prisoners which would be detrimental to the Pleasure Dome's activities as we NEED those prisoners to keep them running..."
Horror tore through the trio and they flinched. However, they hadn't been the only Talking Beasts to hear these words.
"Did I just hear that right!?" blurted a voice from the tank. Kosmochlor, Emori and Hypersthene turned and saw a Talking Orca, its head protruding through the surface of the water in the tank with its mouth agape and in disbelief. Then a Pliosaur swam in with a Sea-Fish Person, a girl, in her Aquatic form indicated by her scaly Humanoid Fish-like appearance and long tail and large head-scales in place of hair. Sea-Fish People always took Human form when on dry land like Merfolk except that their transformation was not EXTREMELY painful. They were sometimes called Sea Monsters but that was not their species name.
"Prisoners?" said the Sea-Fish Girl.
"Pleasure Dome?" put in the Pliosaur, a male. It was clear that these two had heard what had come out of Dolores' mouth through the door. Kosmochlor, Emori and Hypersthene exchanged worried looks.
"Alcina?" said the first one, "I've met that red, purple and gold three-tailed Fox before I was kidnapped and brought here..." then the black and green Kirin was seized with suspicion and a look of dread came on his face, "I feel something is amiss here. This ISN'T right at all."
"You know, I'm beginning to feel the same thing," said Hypersthene, all comfort here completely vaporised now.
"That could explain Rei and Akari and their group's unwavering determination to escape even though they would NOT talk about it here," said Emori, "They must know about this place more than we do and have been trying to escape and send help from the outside all along..."
Suddenly, the door's lock clicked and the handle dropped down.
"Return to sleep!" Hypersthene told the other three alarmed and trey did with Emori returning to her bed. The Orca, Sea-Fish Girl and the Pliosaur also darted from the glass face of the tank as a pink Spider-like creature walked in with some colourful long-limbed Teddy Bears. Kosmochlor turned his face away to prevent rousing their suspicion but kept his ears cocked to them as they continued to speak.
"So it is important that we find that group ASAP," continued Dolores in a calmer voice, her azure eyes laced with calmer anger and seriousness. She was a short distance away from Kosmochlor and Hypersthene with the three Teddies, one of them being Lucius, a yellow one. The four was unaware that Kosmochlor had his ears cocked. Then what came out of Dolores' mouth plunged the Kirin's blood and nerves into ice as freezing as the White Witch's sadistic stare.
"That pair of Talking Red Pandas and their group have REALLY crossed the line now," the pink Spider-like creature said in a severe voice, "Once you catch 'em, take them straight to the kitchen to have 'em turned alive into meals for our guests..."
Kosmochlor felt his nerves jolt such that he felt his body jerk and his breathing suddenly and briefly enter hyperventilation mode but he managed to regain control quickly. He then slowly turned his gaze to Dolores but he immediately abandoned the idea when the Spider creature looked in his direction.
"And Lucius, as soon as it's time for the youngsters to wake up from their nap, can you get the next group prepared for the game station please?"
"Yes, Ma'am," Lucius replied politely and after that, the group was gone, the door closing behind them. The air became still and cold but then Kosmochlor moved, the chill of the ominous air attacking his skin and he began to shudder, both from fear and the cold. It was though he had been thrown into an ice box. What Kosmochlor had heard about the set demise of Rei and Akari and their team had plunged the Kirin's blood into ice and Kosmochlor looked timidly around at the innocent-looking refuge shelter room in which he and the other young Talking Beasts and other Creatures were held. This place didn't feel like a refuge shelter anymore. It felt more like a prison and Kosmochlor began to wish he had left with Rei and Akari's group with his cousin Sisu rather than stay behind and he hoped that Rei and Akari had sent for help by now. Then an equally disbelieving and horrified Hypersthene walked in, the chill of the air also making her feel cold.
"I really don't feel safe here anymore, Kosmochlor," she whispered, "And what's worse, we have been deceived into thinking that we have been rescued from our kidnappers and brought here to be sheltered from harm until we are ready to be returned to our families and clans either in the Sea, the Sky, or on the mainland..." her gaze turned to the Aquatic Creatures in the tank and saw the Orca and the Sea-Fish Girl look on with despair and dread through the glass screen. There was clearly an unadulterated fear in the eyes of the black and white Dolphin and the colourful Aquatic Humanoid and the latter looked like she was about to cry, her head bobbing and her eyes and brow's shape showing the typical sign that someone was about to weep. That was because the Sea-Fish Girl WAS about to cry and eventually, she broke down and leaped into the Orca's pectoral fins, the Orca returning the hug as she began to sob. Then Hypersthene heard Kosmochlor speak.
"Let's rouse the other kids from their nap and tell them the bad news..." the black and green Kirin began but then he noticed a floating sphere with a menacing red eye float in.
"Return to sleep," cried Hypersthene again and with that, the pair did as the sphere, a Camera Eye, floated closer to them to check on them. It then went to the tank screen and the Orca and the sobbing Sea-Fish Girl were forced to return to their places of nap as well. Then the Camera Eye floated higher to keep an eye on the young Creatures like a jail guard. Kosmochlor felt a flash of hot rage at being stymied from warning the other kids, burn through him. If he tried to do this now, he would be in serious trouble. His only hope and that of the other young Creatures now were Rei and Akari and company and their attempts to get outside help.
Meanwhile, in the upper levels of the place (now revealed to be the Pleasure Dome)
Rei, Arezu, Laminin and Scoville, Malachite, Elsa, Seishan, Yardang, Lymphocyte and Sisu continued following the three Spider-Trains as they carried a still-unconscious Chloroplast in her sack down the corridor. As they sneaked along, being extremely wary of any Camera Eyes and passing creatures that were around and hugging the shadows and hiding behind any object or piles of objects they could find to prevent detection, Rei took in the features of the corridor.
"We're approaching one of the kitchen areas," the male Red Panda whispered to the others. That sent chills coursing through the skins and nerves of the rest of the group, especially Arezu as she had already deduced one thing the Spider-Trains and their comrades had for Chloroplast. Putting aside her distress for her mentor and friend, Arezu resumed her concentration on the rescue. The group went further into the kitchen department until finally, they entered a room, apparently a preparation area. Rei and company followed into that room and hid among the piles of equipment. Then they peered out and watched the three Spider-Trains as they set down the unconscious Chloroplast on a large table and removed her sack. As they did this, more creatures entered the room. They were several colourful Monster Birds and several strange colourful creatures and they went over to the three Spider Trains. When Malachite gazed at the colourful creatures, she initially thought they were more Candy Woodland Creatures but Laminin corrected her.
"Those creatures are Colour Beasts," the Skvader explained, "The red variety resembles little Humanoid creatures with spherical heads and big eyes; the orange Monsters are Croc-like with slim limbs, tails and bodies; the yellow sort are Avian with long beaks and wing-arms, their legs are bird-like but they bend like a Persons' leg, not like a true Bird's. The green variety is like Slender-Men or the Lanky Teddies: lanky-limbed with long arms and legs like them, and slim bodies. The cyan or aqua blue sort resembles Theropod Dinosaurs but with wide mouths filled with razor-sharp teeth and no forelimbs; the blue variety look like voodoo dolls, the purple sort are spheres with arms and legs and the pink variety look like Cats but with no tail and two pigtail-like appendages ending in spears."
"Quite an unsettling variety," whispered Malachite to which Arezu nodded. Then Yardang began to examine the new creatures, the Colour Beasts. Two were of the Red sort while another was of the Cyan variety. There were several Yellow, Green and Orange individuals present as well but what caught the young Cheetah's eyes the most were the Monster Birds. Some were pink with purple wings and yellow beaks and feet while some were light blue with red wings and red-orange beaks and feet. These birds resembled stocky tropical birds with large pointy beaks, thick and short necks and fairly tubby bodies. Their crest and tail feathers were short and few and were purple in the female and red in the male. The two varieties of the Monster Bird resembled different species which Yardang thought, but they were actually one and the same. The Monster Bird was sexually dimorphic with the males and females sporting completely different plumage colours like the Eclectus Parrot. The Monster Bird sexes also had their own separate names like some animals having their own names for the male and the female such as Fencocks and Fenghens for the Fenghuang. Males were called Tarta while the females were called Opila. The chicks of the bird also showed the extreme gender differences but newly-hatched Monster Birds looked the same. The Monster Bird looked like a cute and friendly bird but it was in fact vicious. Their screeches were piercing and they often used this as a method of torture or scare. Jadis had some Monster Birds in her army with some of them taking on a torturer and interrogator assistant role but some had also been allocated to this place as well but I digress.
As soon as the new group met the Spider-Trains, they began to discuss among themselves. Rei and the others with him continued to watch until some of the monsters left via the door to fetch someone. Rei watched them leave.
"They're gonna bring in one or two of the workers from the nearby kitchen to collect that Longma and take her to the food processing area and turn her into food for the 'visitors'," whispered the male Red Panda in a low voice, "We'd better rescue her now."
"Um, Rei," whispered Elsa, "Some of the creatures have stayed behind with Miss Chloroplast. I believe they are standing guard over her."
"It's probably in case she wakes up," whispered Arezu. Rei glared at the guards which were one of the Spider-Trains and a few of the Monster Birds and Colour Beasts as they stood watch over the unconscious Chloroplast. One of the female Monster Birds, an Opila, appeared to have some sort of bottle with a nozzle in her wings. This bottle was made of a material that was exclusive to the Narnian world. It was coloured black or dark red and was shaped like a cone. At its apex was a nozzle and a button, and the Opila had the nozzle of this ominous-looking bottle aimed at the unconscious Chloroplast as though ready to spray her with it. Rei took in this detail and deduced that this group was indeed keeping watch over Chloroplast in case she woke up. Then the male Red Panda began to devise a plan of the rescue itself. Pulling his comrades behind the pile of sacks, he began to discuss it with them.
"Okay, here's what we're gonna do..." he began.
The group of guard continued standing over Chloroplast with the Opila keeping the bottle within her wings aimed at the unconscious Longma. Already the Longma was beginning to stir and her colourful wings twitched slightly but she will be in for a NASTY shock when she fully comes to. The Opila examined the Longma's movements and got ready with the bottle. This bottle was a spray bottle and contained a potent gaseous potion capable of sending anyone that inhaled it into a deep sleep. It was coloured blood red and was extracted from some type of Narnian flower whose chemicals had soporific, or sleep-inducing, properties. However, it had extremely unpleasant side-effects; anyone who inhaled the potion gas would NOT enter a peaceful sleep at all but Dolores and her comrades used this to knock out any potential rebels and stop any threats taking root. They also used this gas potion to keep their kidnapped subjects asleep until they were imported into the 'shelter' (or really, the PRISON) of the Pleasure Dome. And if Chloroplast were to wake up now, she will be on the receiving end of a stream of red gas that would not only knock her back out, but also send her on a psychological terror ride that would probably traumatise her for life if she woke up from it.
While Chloroplast's guards continued keeping watch over their prisoner, the Opila prepared with the sleep potion gas bottle, its nozzle aimed directly and at point-blank range of Chloroplast's face, Laminin and Scoville made the first move and began to sneak by the guards to more sacks further into the room. The Skvader and her pet dumb Spitfire Bird kept a keen eye on the guards as they continued to keep watch over Chloroplast and wait for the arrival of the chefs from one of the kitchens to come and collect her. Laminin gazed worriedly at Chloroplast and her twitching and the Opila with the sleep potion gas spray bottle aimed directly at her head. She knew that bottle and what its contents did. Some of the Candy Woodland Creatures had deployed this gas on some misbehaving Talking Shoebill Birds and a Hoatzin in one of the detention rooms when they wouldn't stop 'being stupid' and they had been sent on a HORRIFIC sleep-based ride which made them scream and writhe wildly. Those poor Birds had been UTTERLY traumatised after waking up. Worse, this gas potion can be dissolved into water and any underwater-breathing Creatures like Merfolk and Sea-Fish People suffered the same effects. This gas potion also worked on conscious breathers like Dolphins and Ichthyosaurs. However, these Talking Beasts didn't just suffer the horrific effects of the gas; the gas was extremely deadly to them for Dolphins and Ichthyosaurs couldn't breathe if completely asleep but Laminin remembered this gas being used on two Dolphins before regardless and they, sadly, didn't survive. Putting aside that thought, the Skvader and her pet remained focussed on the task, the latter cocked and loaded with his species', both Talking and dumb, weapon. The pair was both ready, especially at the inevitable.
As Laminin and Scoville continued to one of the other piles of bags, a SCREECH exploded from a birdlike creature, yanking the pair's direction to the source, the Opila, her yellow beak wide open and a purple wing aimed at her, the other one clutching the sleep potion gas bottle. The other guards shot alerted gazes Laminin's way, to the UTMOST alarm of Rei and the others still hiding behind the first bag pile. However, the quick-thinking Skvader sent her pet Spitfire Bird into action. A bright red, orange and yellow blur shot at the guards and before any of them can take action, screams of AGONY erupted into the air as Scoville ejected a burning hot liquid from his nose at them in a jet-spray, aiming for their eyes and faces. The Spider-Train screamed an agonised screech from its hideous mouth as some of this hot acid hit its eyes and it fell onto its side, its front legs clasping its burning eyes. Being hit in the face by a Spitfire Bird's acid spray, especially in the eyes, HURT and BURNED like NOBODY'S BUSINESS. It was like being hit in the face by scalding hot water but it was WORST if the Spitfire Bird's spray hit the eyes and it wasn't uncommon that blindness occurred. More of the guards fell to the floor and clasped their faces with either hands, feet (in the case of the Cyan Colour Beasts for they had no arms) or wings and wailed in AGONY as Scoville continued his chemical assault on them. The Opila ducked and dodged the Spitfire Bird's attack, the spray of steaming liquid flying from the Flutterbird's bill and hitting some bags and rolled out of the way as Scoville tried to hit her face with his acid spray while Laminin went about attacking the downed guards with a weapon she had seized, a wooden cuboid stick.
Once the guards were completely away from Chloroplast, Rei released a screech at another subgroup, Yardang, Malachite, Elsa, Seishan and Arezu, to rush in and seize the Longma and immediately, the five sprung into action while Rei, Lymphocyte and Sisu joined Laminin and Scoville in attacking on the guards, Lymphocyte starting things off by shooting an arrow from his crossbow at an Orange Colour Beast blinded by Scoville's acid spray and screaming in agony, hitting it in the chest. Chaos soon erupted within the room and during it, Yardang, Malachite, Elsa, Seishan and Arezu made a hasty beeline for Chloroplast. Once they had gathered around the Lonmga, they saw the Draconic Pegasus utter murmurs and make small movements.
"She's coming round," cried Arezu, "Laminin and Scoville's getting spotted by the guards had been perfectly timed as well. Miss Chloroplast would have received a jet of that insidious red gas from the Opila the moment she showed these signs."
Like Laminin, the Kangaroo Doe had seen the effects of the red gas potion on its victims and had been terrified by what it did to them. The five hoisted Chloroplast onto their backs and shoulders and began to move the adult Longma to safety. Because Chloroplast was bigger and heavier than these younger Talking Beasts, it required a team effort to move her. However, as the five moved Chloroplast away, a high-pitched Bird SCREEECH exploded behind them. Malachite, who carried Chloroplast's back legs, froze when suddenly, a voice screeched, "Malachite, look OOOUUUUT!" Malachite had a split second to react to this when suddenly, a Cheetah paw rushed in and pounded into her chest. Yardang had leaped at him and had knocked her out of the way, moments before the screecher, the Opila, rushed in, the dark red bottle in its wings aimed at the neon green and darker green striped Nekomata. Malachite stumbled onto her rear when she heard a Cheetah cry explode. She looked up and to her HORROR and that of the others especially Laminin and Arezu, she saw a young Cheetah get smothered in a sinister red cloud stream sprayed from the nozzle of the bottle held by the Opila, being hit directly in the face by the spray and screeching.
"YARDAAANG!" cried Malachite. Then suddenly, Lymphocyte appeared out of nowhere, leaped upon the female Monster Bird and clawed her down her back and side with his deadly foot claws to knock her away from Yardang, stopping the stream of red smog. Malachite went to help but Laminin rushed in and stopped her DEAD. The Nekomata's head nearly entered the red cloud smothering Yardang and Laminin did not want her to inhale this gas either. Yardang continued waving away the red gas but his movements began to slow and his speech became slurred. Finally, the gas overcame him and he collapsed onto his side. At the same time, Lymphocyte delivered the killing blow to the Opila with an Axe-Beak to the neck, before taking the spray bottle and throwing it among the piles of bags to prevent any of the other guards from seizing it. Malachite looked in distress at the collapsed Yardang as Rei appeared and barked at Seishan, Elsa, Arezu and also Lymphocyte as he came into help, to get Chloroplast to safety NOW! The four obeyed without hesitation and dragged the awakening green Longma to safety. Rei then seized a nearby long pole propped against one of the piles of bags and began to use it to pull the fainted and now-asleep Yardang from under the red fog. As he did this, Laminin called back Scoville and regrouped with Sisu as the Kiriness gored a Yellow Bird-like Monster Beast through the chest with her small horn and mortally wounded it and followed Malachite's group out of the room. Rei then hoisted the deeply sleeping Yardang onto his shoulders and followed as the red mist began to disperse more. If Rei and the others didn't leave, they too would be smothered by the sinister red gas and be put to sleep like Yardang. Once they were out, they hurried into another storage room moments before the other group of Chloroplast's kidnappers and two giant cooks appeared and hurried into the room to see what all the commotion was all about, and Rei, after putting the sleeping Yardang to one side, shut the door and locked it. Moments after this, Chloroplast, her consciousness returning, finally came to but as she did, she saw that she was in an unfamiliar room. Alarmed and incredibly frightened, the adult Longma began to question Rei's group.
"W-W-W-WHERE AM I!?" she cried out, "WHAT IS THIS PLACE!?"
Immediately Arezu came in and hushed her friend and mentor to calm her and also to avoid attracting attention.
"It's only us," whispered the young Kangaroo Doe. Chloroplast shot an UTTERLY incredulous glare at the young Doe and also at three Nekomata, one striped various shades of green including neon and the other two white and silver and each wearing a coloured bow; a Terror Bird with a silvery bean-shaped patch on his stomach, a Red Panda, a Skvader and a Spitfire Bird, a blue Kiriness and a Cheetah who was asleep from inhaling the red gas (and his travel through a terror tunnel of nightmares imminent). At first, Chloroplast thought she was dreaming, especially upon seeing Arezu and some of the others who were familiar to her, such as Malachite, Seishan and Elsa, but when she realised that she wasn't, she began to ask the next question.
"What is going on here!?