Hey everyone. So since this is the start of the new story, I'm going to just put the first 2 chapters out now. I'm planning on releasing chapters twice a week. Hope you all enjoy this.

Chapter 2: Beavers

In all the adventures Kitty Softpaws had experienced over the years, this one was certainly taking the cake. A maelstrom that transitioned into a cave? Kitty had traveled through her share of portals, but never any as normal as that one. No carvings in the cave. No hidden treasure. No old man or woman leaning down to see what it was they had caught in their latest catch.

Instead, the cave seemed to be just a regular cave. Just as this forest appeared to be a regular forest. Snow as far as the eye could see. Trees stretching for miles. The sun's thin rays providing the only light they could see. If it weren't for the fact that there wasn't a sound to be heard, Kitty would have almost thought the place peaceful.

It wasn't long before they cleared the forest. Kitty stood alongside Puss and Perrito, staring down into a small valley. A frozen river seemed to curve and wind, moving down from the mountains on the other side of the valley and climbing back up to disappear into the trees near the group. The valley seemed to be devoid of trees, though several stumps appeared to be laying around. Kitty soon saw where all those sticks had gone. Standing in the middle of the valley, directly atop the river, was a rather strange structure. It was hut-like, forming a round dome. Patches of mud covered the parts where the sticks met up with each other, providing a complete wall all around. Only a few small openings appeared, one of which contained the light Kitty and the others had seen. Surprisingly, Kitty saw smoke coming out of the opening at the top, as if someone had lit a fire inside for cooking or warmth.

"Should we go down there?" Perrito asked.

Puss tilted his head to the side. "I'm not sure. We don't know what's down there."

Kitty turned to Puss. Ever since his brush with Death, Puss had become different. Not as boastful or self-absorbed as before. If anything, he seemed more considerate of his and his friends' safety. Sometimes though, that concern could get annoying. "My vote would be 'yes.' What else are we gonna do? Stay outside and start to freeze?"

"That doesn't sound good," Perrito added.

Puss hesitated a second. "Very well. But be careful."

The path down the hill was steeper than Kitty thought. After a few steps, she moved her feet in front of her, and used the snow to carry her down like she would slide down a gentle rock incline. Perrito and Puss soon slid past her, riding fully down on their bellies, whooping joyfully. Kitty shook her head at their antics. Sometimes, Kitty felt like she was the only responsible one of the group.

Once they were all assembled, the animals went to the dome. There seemed to be only one opening in the side large enough for them. A wall of sticks stood at the entrance of a small tunnel, with several bent into a small round knob on the side. It seems to resemble a door, Kitty thought.

"Let me do the talking," Puss said, raising his paw to knock. Upon seeing the others' expressions, he added, "Or all three of us can talk and explain ourselves." The others expressed their agreement by lifting their paws to knock alongside Puss.

"Oi. Who's there? If this is an inspection, we already had one. We've paid our taxes and everything," said a voice inside.

Kitty looked at the others. This wasn't the reaction they were expecting. Taking a deep breath, Puss tried to start introductions. "We aren't here to inspect you. I'm Puss in Boots and these are my friends, Kitty Softpaws and Perrito. We're lost and don't know our way around here. Could you perhaps give us some directions?"

The door opened a tiny crack. Kitty couldn't quite make out the figure inside. "I'm sorry, ma'am, but I'm afraid you've come to the wrong house. We don't want any trouble here. Why don't you all leave, please?"

"But we really are lost," Perrito said. "If you could just point the way to Far Far Away-"

"Well, I don't care if you're from Archenland, I can't help you," the figure said, starting to close the door. "I've never heard of that place, and have no interest in finding out what it is. Try asking over at Beruna."

"Where are those places?" Perrito asked.

The figure stopped and opened the door a teensy bit. "It's over to the east." The figure paused. "You really don't know?"

"We aren't from around here." Puss replied.

The figure stuck his head out. Kitty could now see that it was a beaver. He looked to be in his early fifties, with brown fur and a round, thin tail. So, the dome was a dam. The beaver stared at them curiously. "Well, if you really aren't from around here, then you won't know about the lands to the left of you."

Kitty turned to see the forest stretching away before her. Beyond that was two small hills, jutting out ominously. The sun cast shadows on the hills, giving Kitty the impression of darkness hiding from the light.

"No clue what's over there," Kitty replied.

The beaver squinted, taking a closer look at the group. "Well, those hills lead to the Witch's house, as you all well know. Cair Paravel is right next to it."

Puss nodded. "And we would find rest at this Cair Paravel?"

"You would indeed, as you should know," the beaver affirmed. "After all, it's the home of the children of Adam and Eve."

Based on the way the beaver had said that statement, Kitty could tell there was some meaning behind it. Was it a code phrase? If so, what did it mean? Adam and Eve were the predecessors of all humans. Was Cair Paravel connected to that?

A question to ponder another time. Kitty could tell the beaver wasn't interested in idle conversation. "Thank you very much, sir. You've been a real help."

As Kitty and the others turned to leave, the beaver hesitated. "Wait."

The beaver started whispering quickly to Kitty and the others. "Look, it's getting late and cold. It'll be night soon. Take it from me, you don't want to be out at night. Why don't you come on in and stay here for the night?"

Kitty looked at the others. Puss shrugged his shoulders. Kitty could tell he was a little unsure about staying at a stranger's place. The feeling was mutual. Still, what choice did they have? The wind had started to pick up, creating a chill in the air. If worse came to worst, they could always head back to the cave.

Puss turned to the beaver. "Thank you very much, amigo. We will take up your offer of hospitality."

A few steps in and the door shut behind them. Kitty saw that the inside was cozier than the outside. The sticks and mud provided good, solid protection from the elements outside. Several small wooden tables stood around, with chairs and utensils indicating which were for cooking and which were for eating. A small stairway led up to an enclosed part of the dam that Kitty assumed was where the beaver slept. She had to hand it to the beaver. He had all the comforts and necessities of home in such a small space.

The beaver took another look outside, then came in. "Apologies about the mess. Mrs. Beaver is out with a guest gathering supper, and I haven't had a chance to clean up yet. Also, sorry about the cold reception. These days, you can't be too careful."

"So you do believe us," Kitty said.

"Yes. I wasn't sure before, but now I'm convinced."

"What changed your mind?" Puss asked.

"Four things. Your blank stares as I asked questions. The fact that you took the statements I made at face value. Also, one of my statements would be considered treasonous. If you were loyal to the Witch (or if you were from around here), you wouldn't be able to hide the shock behind that statement."

"The Adam and Eve comment?" Kitty asked.

"Correct. It's a very dangerous conversation topic around here."

"But that was three things. What's the fourth, Mr. uhhh?" Perrito asked.

"Call me Mr. Beaver," the beaver answered. "And to answer the question, you're not the first new arrivals we've had here. It's part of the reason why I was so hesitant to talk with you. These are dangerous times, especially when you have guests that the government isn't friendly with. Better to be safe than sorry around here."

Not the first arrivals? But then who else…? Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, interrupting Kitty's thoughts. Mr. Beaver put a paw to his lips, going up to the door. "Who's there?"

"It's just me, Beaver. I'm back with the fish," said a voice outside.

"How was the weather?" Mr. Beaver asked, ear to the door.

"A little nippy, but mostly nice outside," the voice replied.

Mr. Beaver undid the bolt and opened the door. In stepped a female beaver, followed by a figure holding a large pile of fish. The fish seemed to cover the vast majority of the figure, obscuring his view of the group. Still, there was something familiar about the arms and legs.

"Who are your friends?" Mrs. Beaver asked.

"Other guests, dear. They just arrived," Mr. Beaver replied. Kitty didn't miss the reassuring nod Mr. Beaver passed to Mrs. Beaver, indicating that the strangers were to be trusted. The gesture and all the secrecy made Kitty wonder what kind of animals she and her friends had gotten mixed up in.

"Well, perhaps these guests can help with dinner? We can talk as we eat," Mrs. Beaver said.

The other figure started to stagger under the weight. Puss and Perrito ran over. "Here, let us help you with that," Puss said.

"Thank you very much. I really appreciate it," the fellow said.

Puss took the fish from the figure, dividing it with Perrito to help with the load. Kitty gasped. Now she knew why the fellow was so familiar. Puss took a look at Kitty, then back at the figure. Instantly, he dropped the fish he was carrying. The new fellow was a rather round individual. His skin was white as snow. A hat sat lonely on his head. Two eyes stared in shock at Puss and the others. It would be fair to say that the intelligence in the eyes indicated this fellow was an egghead, if it weren't for the fact that he was an actual egg.

"Is it really you, brother?" Puss asked.

"Wait, Puss, you know this egg?" Perrito asked.

Puss didn't respond, his mouth open in shock. Kitty cleared her throat, realizing that she should make introductions. "Perrito, this is Puss' adopted brother and an… acquaintance of mine, Humpty Alexander Dumpty.

Well, this was a twist. Originally, I had intended this crossover to take place between the first and second Puss in Boots film. But after seeing the Last Wish (very good move, by the way), I realized that I had to change the timeline for my crossover. It'll be interesting to see where things go from here. As always, please rate and review.