Freiyon Fables A Tail To Remember
Chapter Twenty-One: The Last Stand of The Squirrel

After a while, things started to calm down as everyone started to get sleepy and sit around the fire next to Micklang.

“Well, now that you’ve all stopped being so fussy, maybe I can finally tell you how I survived.” Micklang announced.

They all looked at him eagerly; even the little kids listened carefully to what Micklang said.

“When the boat sunk into the water along with us in it, Eucalita had accidentally shoved his roots into the boat to keep himself steady, causing him to sink faster than before. Getting out of his grasp as quickly as possible, I swum to the surface and made my way here. We won’t ever see Eucalita again.” Micklang explained.

“Well now, isn’t it good to see your faces again, my friends.” A familiar voice said.

From out of the bush came all of the ex-prisoners that had inhabited the once deserted island, with the badger that had last talked to Micklang and his friends before they left the island leading them.

Micklang got up and hugged the badger friendly.

“Good to see you again, fellow friends.” Micklang replied.

“Seems that you’ve got yourself into another mess, eh? Need another ship built, huh? Well, you’re in luck, because as it happens we’ve been working on three boats for going out and fishing in, we just have to add the last few touches and it’ll be all yours.” The badger said.

Abrigail and Brushtail couldn’t be more happier, being the type that never liked staying on an island for too long, they immediately knew that the ex-prisoners had helped them out heaps.

“How long do you think it’ll take to get those last parts in?” Abrigail asked.

“Approximately three hours tops, bearing we have your help with it.”

“Three hours! Then we’d better get started and be on our way.” Brushtail said.

The badger smiled and led them through the forest to the boats.

“Micklang, this might interest you, seeing as you’re discovering and naming places you come across. We’ve decided to call this island Rosetip Island. It’s actually quite fascinating when you take the time to walk around and explore.” The badger explained.

“I know this maybe is a bit late to point it out, but we never got your name, nor any of your friends’ names, Mr. Badger.” Harriet exclaimed.

The badger laughed slightly and looked at Harriet.

“Call me Billy the badger, everyone else does. But my real name is Billthorne the striped. I’d love to tell you the names of the others here, but there’s way too many for even me to remember.”

“Ah, there they are. And guess what, we’ve added in a little surprise for you.” A Little Owl said, pointing to the three ships.

“My eyes are deceiving me, it can’t be possible!” Abrigail exclaimed.

“Bless my ’eart, our ships have been reconstructed into ONE ship!” Brushtail announced.

Indeed they had, for even though the inhabitants of the island had lots of old wood from dead trees to use, they thought it a good idea to join the ships of the captains that had helped them escape from the Sea-Kingdom.

“That’s amazing, Billy. I noticed that you’ve put a little of both ships names onto it. The MerMask, a fantastic name I must say.” Micklang said, pointing to the slightly broken sign that had the name on it.

“That was the idea of our good ol’ Mother, Gretel Curlytail.” Billy replied, beckoning a lady possum to him.

Captain Brushtail, who had never actually come across any beautiful possums before, immediately fell in love with Gretel.

Abrigail walked up to Gretel and shook her paw.

“Thank you, Mother Curlytail; your idea is very much appreciated by all of us.” He said.

Brushtail, for some odd reason, found he couldn’t talk properly in front of Gretel and he started stammering and feeling dizzy.

“Right then, there’s just one more thing to add to all three ships and then they’re done! Would you mind helping us with it?” Billy asked.

Abrigail and Micklang both agreed at the same time.

“No problem.”

“A little more to the left, that’s it! Slowly down now! How is it going over there, Frebil?”

“No, a bit more to the right, perfect! Going great, Billy! How ’bout you, Micklang?”

“Whoa! Swing it back into the right position, lads. Brilliant! We’re done here, Frebil!”

Each ship was being loaded with the cannons from the last ship carefully with Micklang, Frebil and Billthorne giving instructions where they were needed.

Frebil’s group got the last cannon on the ship when a rope snapped and a cannon came falling to the ground at Billthorne’s ship, thankfully not harming any creatures.

“It’s alright, I’ll handle this, you just continue with the others, Billy. I might need three helpers, though.” Emily said, being careful not to trip on any animals.

“Right, you heard Miss Emily. Could I get Mother Curlytail, Captain Brushtail and … wait, where are those two?” Billy exclaimed.

All work stopped when Billy said this, as Micklang and Frebil looked around in surprise.

Then Micklang smiled when he saw the possums sitting together on the beach, ignoring all work that was going on.

“Why the little scamp! It’s alright, I see them, they’re a bit busy right now. Perhaps you could get someone else?” Micklang suggested.

Billy nodded and continued work, as did Frebil and his group.

But Micklang wanted to give Brushtail a little surprise and excused himself from the ship’s construction.

“Think you can handle being the organizer for a few minutes, Harvey? I’ll be back soon.”

Brushtail sighed as he watched the sun slowly move across the sky, judging it to be around mid-day.

“Why are you so interested in me all of a sudden, Captain Brushtail?” Gretel asked.

“Beg your pardon, Gretel?” Brushtail replied.

“Don’t play silly with me, Captain. You have a crush on me, I can see it.”

“Oh, N-N-No! I J-J-Just never g-g-ot the ch-ch-hance to sp-speak to you before, that’s all.”

Gretel raised her eyes at him.

“Don’t be nervous. I bet you’ve met tons of pretty girl possums before, why would you be so nervous?”

Brushtail looked away for a few minutes, clearing his throat.

“To tell you the truth, Gretel, YOU’RE the first one I’ve ever met in my life!”

“Are you serious?” Gretel asked. “You’re not just saying that to try and win me, are you?”

Brushtail looked back at her with a serious face.

“I’ve never been so serious about something in my life, Gretel. I love you.” Brushtail replied, smiling at her.

Gretel blushed as Brushtail held her hand and prepared to kiss her.

“Sorry, did I interrupt something?” Micklang asked, coming out of the bushes suddenly.

Brushtail almost screamed in surprise, but then sighed.

Dang, so close. He thought.

“Oh, Micklang. We were just talking.” Gretel said, slightly scared from the sudden interruption as well.

“Looked like you were doing more than that to me, but don’t worry your head about it. I have a wife that I love, I know how you feel. So tell you what, I won’t tell anyone until you do, okay?”

“We’ll tell them, by golly. I don’t see why it should be a secret.”

Brushtail found he was slightly scared of telling anyone, but then he realized that it was clear he loved Gretel already, Micklang didn’t have to spread rumours to prove it.

Straightening up, Brushtail replied sternly like a true sea-captain.

“Of course we will tell them. In fact, I think it’s about time I stepped aside, throw in the towel so to speak.”

“You’re retiring? But … who’s going to be the captain of your crew?” Gretel asked.

“Ain’t my crew no more, I was thinking maybe Micklang could …”

“Afraid I couldn’t, Captain Brushtail, only one of your own crew could do it. I was thinking maybe Harvey.” Micklang interrupted.

“Harvey? But he has a crush on your Melody, and he likes going with you on your adventures.”

“Well, Melody has grown up heaps since I first saw her; I think Harriet and I can handle her choosing her own path.”

“Well, I suppose he’s a good captain. He sort of reminds me of myself when I was younger, I always wanted to join my father secretly on his adventures, but there he was doing the same thing with me! Of course, he isn’t my son, but he was like a son to me while I knew him.”

“That’s settled then. You retire and make Harvey the captain, and then you can stay here and be with your beloved forever.”

“You always know what’s best, don’t you Micklang?”

“Not always.” Micklang replied, turning to continue helping with the construction.

“Easy now! A little bit to the left, whoa! Swing it slowly back in position, that’s it! Now bring it down carefully, back a bit … bit further. Now bring it forward and cut the ropes when you think it’s safe. Excellent! We’ve done it!” Billy announced once the final cannon was in place.

“It’s a good thing we’ve got the boats near the beach, eh? Alright, all together now, let’s push the two boats out and let the wheels come off themselves.” Micklang ordered.

Every creature helped to push the boats into the water, but with Emily helping only one group with one ship, it soon became a race to see who could get the boats in first.

Surprisingly enough, it was actually Billy’s group that got the boat in first, but only by a meter.

“How can we ever repay you, Billy?” Micklang asked once the other boat was in the water.

“No need to do anything for us, Micklang. You gave us our freedom, that’s plenty for us.”

Micklang gave the badger a hug of thanks before he revealed the news to him.

“I’m glad to tell you that a new number will be added to your group. Brushtail.” Micklang beckoned Brushtail and Gretel.

Brushtail saluted Billthorne proudly, something which he hadn’t done before.

“Mister Billthorne, I am proud to announce that I will be staying here with you and your gang and I will no longer be known as a captain, but as my true name: Richard Brushtail.” Brushtail announced.

His old crew gasped in shock.

“But who’s going to be captain, Captai … I mean Richard?” A crew-mouse asked.

“Harvey.”

Harvey looked up in surprise.

“Me, captain? But, I don’t have much experience.” Harvey said.

“You disobeyed direct orders from both me and your parents and decided to become a stowaway on my ship, you sailed with us for the whole trip to the lightning-tailed island and then you revealed yourself to us by taking the hand of the daughter that belongs to Micklang. In short, you’re exactly the Captain that should lead my crew.”

“Now I can explain why I did all of Th … wait, what?”

“Crew, meet your new captain: Captain Harvey!”

The crew cheered with delight and picked up Harvey, who was quite shocked at the sudden change. Melody followed the crew as Micklang and Harriet watched.

“You are sure of this, Brushtail?” Billthorne asked.

“Positive, Billy. I’m sure young Harvey will be a great captain. And seriously, call me Richard.”

Micklang held Harriet’s hand comfortably.

“How do you feel, Harriet my love?” Micklang asked.

“My Melody has grown up. I might not see her again.” Harriet replied, tears coming from her eyes.

“I know, Harriet. But we still have the other children, and Melody is old enough to take care of herself.”

“I know you’re right Micklang, I guess I just didn’t expect it so soon.”

Micklang patted her on the back to calm her down.

“She’ll be alright.”

Micklang, Abrigail, Oliver and the remaining friends that were staying for the next part of the adventure climbed on-board the MerMask, saying good-bye for the second time, while Harvey, Melody and their crew were busily working out which way they would go.

“It’s certain that we shall go on different paths, so I bid you farewell and fair travel, Micklang, and thank you for everything you’ve done for us.” Harvey said to Micklang.

“You have done well, Harvey, and I trust you to take care of Melody, as I’m sure you will.”

“I would love to continue with your adventures, Micklang, but there comes a time when even a captain has to rest his feet. Good wind and great adventure follows you, and I hope you will thwart whatever evil plans you might continue to come across. Thank you for everything, Micklang.” Brushtail said, giving Micklang a manly hug.

“Thank you, my friends. Farewell for now, and if we ever meet again, I will surely like to stay for longer.”

Micklang hopped into his ship with Emily and the crew of Abrigail’s (along with the otters and the two platypuses) and waved to his friends.

Harriet held his hand tightly as she did the same, still trying not to cry.

“Farewell, Micklang Lightning-tail. Farewell, Micklang the Warrior!” The group called back.

Micklang sighed happily as he looked at his friends that remained.

Emily knew what he was thinking and smiled to herself, wondering where Micklang’s heart and mind would take them next.

“Next stop … Adventure.” Micklang said, chuckling.

Frebil turned the ship around, the anchor was weighed and Micklang gave his orders where they should go.

“South West, and this time we WON’T end up in the human world.”

“Sailing over the deep blue sea, there’s a wonderful life for me.

Helping others wherever we can, we’re the brave and friendly band.

We’ll follow our heart and never will part,

T’is the life that’s for me.

When the sky seems dark and scary,

When the evil gets big and hairy,

We’ll always work as a team, with Micklang the leader of the team.

Although it seems we might not come to an end,

There will always be tricks around the bend.

We’ll always work as a team, with Micklang the leader of the team.

Who can count on anything better?

It feels like we’ve received a letter.

Sailing over the deep blue sea, there’s a wonderful life for you and me.

We’ll never say good-bye …

Until we reach the sky.”

Harriet and Emily sung together as they watched the wavy scenery.

“A bit more west, Frebil my lad; something tells me we’re just going to keep on the ocean if we stay on the course we are now.” Micklang ordered.

“Right you are, Micklang.”

“How’s it going up there, Oliver?” Micklang asked Oliver, who had taken over watch-guard in the crows’ nest.

“Doin’ fine, Micklang. How’s it going with Abrigail?”

“Doing fine, Oliver. You don’t need to worry ’bout me, I’m just trying to figure out why I’ve never come across any of the islands that we’ve discovered before.” Abrigail announced.

“Well, it’s obvious, don’t you think? You haven’t come further than the first two islands we looked around before.” Micklang replied.

“Well, actually I have been this way before. Maybe it’s just that I didn’t zigzag like we are.”

“Yeah, that’s probably it.” Frebil replied, realizing the captain was right.

Oliver went back to looking around for an island while Micklang helped Abrigail write down their course on the map.

Sometime later that day, Oliver felt hungry and decided to have a break.

“Hey, Micklang! Could you take over for a few minutes, I just want to get something to eat, ok?” He called down.

“Alright, just a minute Oliver. Maybe write down that going North on the island would mean going into the human world, Abrigail.” Micklang said, turning from Oliver to Abrigail as he tried to help with the map.

Oliver turned around and stared straight ahead again, only to see something that was right in their path.

At first, it looked like an island, but then it got smaller and Oliver realized it was floating towards them.

Then he saw a figure appear, a figure that was holding onto some wood.

“Animal over-board!” He called desperately.

“Not one of ours, I hope.” Abrigail said to Micklang as they rushed out of the captains’ quarters.

“Which side, Oliver?” Micklang asked.

Oliver judged it carefully and then replied.

“They’ll come right on the port side of the ship if we continue going on this course.”

“Ok, crew. Grab one of the boats and lever it down, Micklang and I will have a look.” Abrigail announced.

“Aye, captain!” A few mice replied.

As the boat was levelled down with Micklang and Abrigail in it, the figure on the wood could be clearly seen now.

“Why, it’s a poor hyena! I wonder how he or she came to be lost out at sea.” Harriet said while she was watching from the ship.

Micklang picked up the body from the wood and put it in the boat.

“Still breathing, but look at that. This creature must have been in a big fight, it’s got serious wounds all over the place.” Micklang said.

Oliver looked back up to see where the hyena could have come from, and then saw more bodies and a flame in the distance.

“Oh, my gosh!” He exclaimed.

Everyone looked up at the scene.

“Oh, dear!” Harriet cried.

Not far in front of them was what remained of a ship and its crew, still smouldering and flaming.

“Something tells me that we shouldn’t go any further.” Micklang said, shocked at the scene in front of them.

The hyena coughed and choked back to consciousness.

“Oh, he’s coming around now, Abrigail. Give him some water. Right, there you go, matey. You’re with friends now.” Micklang said.

“Must … replace … Micklang … danger … surrounded … where did they come from? Is … that … Micklang’s … ship? Return … fire. No … chance … of … escape. We’ve … been … discovered.” The hyena managed to say.

“He knows you, Micklang.” Abrigail said.

“Yes, I wonder how? Sounds like they needed my help with something and came looking for me and were attacked here. But what attacked them?”

“My guess is as good as yours, Micklang matey.”

“Where am I? Who are you? Wait, I recognize both of you. Micklang, Abrigail! Oh, great to see you again!” The hyena exclaimed.

“How do you know us, where have you met us before?” Micklang asked.

“Don’t you remember? It’s me, your old pal, Dillon.”

“Well, so it is. Why, good ol’ Dillon, looks like you’ve got some explaining to do.”

Emily was surprised. Then she chuckled to herself at the thought. What wasn’t surprising about Micklang? Ok, she knew that he had escaped from the zoo and come across this place; she knew that he had been through quite a lot of adventure before replaceing her on the island, but she didn’t know that he would be friends with something that would usually eat squirrels in the other world. Dillon was a hyena, a meat-eater, not something that would be your friend at the drop of a hat. But here he was, talking and laughing with Micklang and Abrigail like they were old school chums.

“So here’s the story guys. About two weeks after you guys left for your adventures on the sea, a human arrived in our land, which is now called Frieyon (you could write that on your map, Micky). It was like Emily over there, but a bit older. Anyway, this lady started acting really weird, almost suspicious. Well, now bad things are happening, someone’s taking over Frieyon and Lord Libertas and King Karel sent me and a few others to try and replace you lot. Of course, I wanted to stay and help, but they said they could handle for a little longer without me. Anyway, we didn’t have a CLUE where you lot went, so we headed roughly in the same direction you headed in at Frieyon. We’d been sailing for five weeks when the watcher spotted a ship approaching us, at first thinking it was yours. Unfortunately, it wasn’t. We were attacked, and I abandoned the ship. I was one of the last that did. As I floated past the ship, I noticed that a strange cloaked figure was captaining the ship. The figure ordered those on the ship to kill me, because it somehow knew I was alive. None of them were smart enough, as it seems, to actually come down and kill me, and I ended up the way you found me.” Dillon explained.

Micklang sighed as he looked at how far they progressed on his map.

“So, Lord Libertas and King Karel need my help, huh? Why can’t they handle it themselves? They’re strong enough.” Micklang said.

“That’s funny.”

“What is?”

“Libertas told me you’d say something like that. He said ‘if that’s the case, then tell him that we’re not warriors like he is. We might be kings or lords, but not warriors.’ He also told me that this cloaked figure has things that are over-powering everything. Remember Tursorl? Apparently there’s a new, evil tree chief that’s taken over who gets orders directly from the cloaked figure. I don’t know his name, but he’s meant to be the son of a tree Tursorl defeated when you first arrived here. Also, a strange wall has appeared out of no-where which this cloaked figure uses to get into Frieyon.”

Micklang and Abrigail gasped.

“WHAT!!?! That’s not possible!” They both exclaimed.

“Look, Micklang. The sooner we get back to Frieyon, the sooner we can help defeat the evil! You’ve got to go back to Frieyon as quickly as possible.”

Micklang turned to Frebil with eager eyes.

“You heard him, mates. We’ve got friends to help. Immediate change of course, Frebil, we’re going back to Frieyon!” Micklang ordered.

“Aye, Micklang.”

“I’d better write that name on my map and draw our course. I have a feeling this might be our last venture.” Micklang said to himself.

“Harriet, Emily, see to Dillon. The rest of you, keep an eye out, we don’t want to run into this other ship yet!” Abrigail ordered.

Oliver was the first to spot the familiar docks on the shore of Frieyon. He cried down eagerly and immediately jumped down from the crows’ nest to join his friends.

“Frieyon ahoy! This is it, lads! Otters, weapons ready and all fight training remembered. We’re going to war!”

“Prepare to land! Geoffrey, grab those ropes and jump on the docks when I say so. Drop the anchor, lads. We could be here for a while.” Abrigail ordered.

“Emily, Harriet, make sure everyone has their weapons ready. Dillon, you know where to go, you’ll lead us there once we get off the ship.” Micklang commanded.

“You nervous, Harriet?” Emily asked the squirrel mother.

“Of course, but it’s something I’m used to. With Micklang, being nervous is just one part of the adventure.”

“Do you think your little ones will be helpful?”

“Should be, they’ve had plenty of practice. Are YOU nervous, Emily?”

“A little. I never guessed my life would take a turn like this. Who would have guessed I’d come across the first place Micklang started from?”

“It’s definitely a surprise for all of us. But I think Micklang would never have come back if we didn’t rescue Dillon. Perhaps it’s for the best.”

Geoffrey was eagerly waiting for his chance to do something by himself and jumped wildly about, not worrying about the ropes he was carrying.

“Look at him; he doesn’t seem to realize that as soon as we land we’re going to be in a fight.” Harriet said, pointing at her son.

“Ok, Dillon, you know the drill. Lead us to King Karel and Lord Libertas. Everyone else, keep your eyes opened and your mouths shut. We don’t want to bring down the bad guys on us yet.” Abrigail explained.

“We head North-east!” Dillon said.

“For freedom! For Micklang! For Frieyon!” Everyone shouted together.

“Next stop, Lord Libertas’s home!” Micklang announced, swinging his sword around before sheathing it in his prized belt.

Meanwhile, several miles away in a part of Frieyon Micklang hadn’t discovered yet, a group of trees sat by a fire talking to each other, trying to figure out their next move.

“That useless human doesn’t know anything about the stones. I don’t know why you caught him in the first place, Eucalita. He’s only told us what we already knew, and that ain’t good for no-tree or no-human, especially for us.” One of the trees said, looking at the evil, miraculously still alive tree while pointing at a man they had chained up.

“Because I’m setting a trap for that darn girl I saw. She probably is worried sick about her precious great-grandfather. And, he is a good person to have when we meet our boss. The boss wanted to have him caught, said that this guy was looking for the stones as well. I presume that the boss sent those mechanical soldiers to capture the grandfather and imprison him here.” Eucalita replied.

None of them realized that the cloaked figure was watching them silently in the shadows.

“A captive, three evil trees, but no sign of the stones. Why am I not surprised?” the leader said, coming out of the shadows.

“I have been for those stones for a long time; I even searched out at sea for them. There are three kids in this world that could ruin everything, why aren’t they captured?”

“Sir, one of our fellow trees caught one of the kids and started asking her questions.” Eucalita said.

“Then why hasn’t he contacted us and shown us the child?”

“It’s been two hours since that happened sir, and I’m afraid something has happened to him. I don’t think he has the child anymore. He would have forced the truth out of him or her and made his way here and be talking to us right now.” Eucalita said.

The leader roared and thrust a sword into the ground.

“I don’t CARE if he’s disappeared off the edge of the earth, I want those kids, and I want them now! I know that they have found the stones, I just know it! Those kids will curse the day they ever found out about those stones. The Grabbers are not to be messed with.”

“We hear and obey, master.”

“It’s been a total waste of time me looking for them out at sea, hasn’t it? The stones are still here somewhere, I can feel it.”

“What’s going to be our next move, Master?”

“We shall attack ‘Lord’ Libertas and his friends, let them know exactly how powerful we are. Gather the trees and our animal followers, we attack very soon.”

“Dillon, how long till we get there? I don’t like taking too long with things, you know.” Micklang asked.

“We’re here, Micklang. Look, there’s King Karel’s crown. He must be waiting for us.” Dillon replied, stopping in front of a small cave.

“Did you hear that, we’ve arrived!” Harriet whispered to Abrigail.

Dillon led them into the cave quietly.

“Here we go,” Dillon said, knocking on the floor of the cave with his feet.

The back of the cave dropped down suddenly and everyone except Dillon gasped.

Inside were a whole lot of animals that Micklang had never seen before, and some that he recognized.

“King Karel, I have found and brought the warrior Micklang to you.”

“Well done, Dillon. But tell me, where are the rest of the crew we sent with you?” King Karel asked.

“I’m afraid we were attacked at sea, I was the only survivor and Micklang saved me.”

“Attacked by whom?”

“It was the cloaked figure and its crew. It must have known we were looking for help.”

“This is certainly disturbing news, Dillon. This means that the cloaked figure and its gang will attack very soon, sooner than I presumed. Looks like Lord Libertas was right. At any rate, it is good to see some friends able to help us out.”

“Always there for friends, King Karel. But where is Lord Libertas?” Micklang asked, looking around for the bear lord.

“He has gone to look for a new hide-out, in case it comes to that. He will be back, I should imagine, but we need to worry about other things. Micklang, are your friends ready for battle?”

“Ready as ever, King Karel.” Abrigail replied, giving a sign to his crew to cheer.

“You can count on us.” Oliver agreed, allowing his otters to cheer loudly as well.

“We’ll help you out wherever we can, King Karel.” Micklang said, nodding happily at his friends.

“You know this is going to be dangerous, though?” King Karel asked.

“Yeah, we know that.” They answered.

“So are you sure you want to go through with this?”

“Just try and stop us.” Micklang replied, blocking his ears to the cheers that replied.

“Master, we have found the secret hide-out of Lord Libertas and King Karel. Would you like to attack?” Eucalita asked, reporting to the strange, cloaked figure.

“Excellent. We’ll dispatch of King Karel and Lord Libertas and then we’ll have no one in our way but those pesky kids, and I’ve already taken care of them. Yes, we shall attack now while we have the chance. But keep some of your trees out of the battle in case those kids actually get somewhere. This is my battle now, and I don’t want those kids in the way.”

Eucalita nodded as he turned away from the figure and ordered the trees to prepare for battle.

“Ooohh, yes. This is power!” The figure murmured as it smiled and walked away.

Both sides were preparing to fight. Micklang and his friends watched as all King Karel’s warriors prepared for battle, while the cloaked figure and the Grabbers walked slowly towards King Karel’s hide-out.

Lord Libertas had still not returned at this point, but Micklang knew the bear would want them to continue without him.

Frebil had been sent out alone to scout for more help, but was never seen again by Micklang or Abrigail.

Oliver and his otters, Abrigail and his crew, Micklang and his children were all prepared for battle.

All that they were waiting for now was for King Karel’s army to be ready.

At that moment, Pistachio ran into the cave hurriedly.

“King Karel, they’re coming!” He announced.

“How far are they away from the cave?” King Karel asked.

“They’ll be here in the next ten minutes!”

“Right, march forward and out my friends. We go to battle.”

Micklang and his friends turned around and looked back to the entrance.

Micklang pointed his sword forward and shouted one word.

“Charge!”

The entire cave was full of screaming and yelling animals as they ran out to meet the Grabbers for the first time in combat.

Meanwhile, a few hours away from where Micklang was, Lord Libertas sighed as he realized the battle had begun, and he knew that not everyone he loved was going to survive. The bear lord had ordered a group of swans to collect and help six new comers to the world.

Well, to be precise, five new-comers and one loyal, brave, trust-worthy mouse.

The bear lord waited at the entrance to a new hide-out cave deep in the mountains that were northward bound.

He wished dearly that it didn’t have to come to this.

The Grabbers approached the forest that separated them from Micklang and his friends, knowing that these trees hadn’t decided to join the Grabbers yet.

Micklang marched out in the front of the army with King Karel, Oliver and Abrigail nearby. Unsheathing his sword, he only just realized that he now looked totally like his warrior self now; there was not anything else that needed completion.

“King Karel, you and your awful lot of animals are one of the many things that stand in my way for power. But you do this for nothing, I have the power to defeat you, and you don’t have the amount of help at your side to over-come me. Did you really think that a bunch of small, idiotic creatures could stop me?” The cloaked figure asked.

Micklang swung his sword down and pointed it at the figure angrily.

“You know what I really hate about evil things? They are always looking for power or revenge. If it’s the first, then they are driven mad by it and will get whatever and whoever they can out of the way to get it, if it’s the second, it’s the same thing but they tend to like getting the revenge on their own. But both can be over-powered, sooner or later, and the same will happen to you.” Micklang threatened, believing every word he said.

“You made a terrible mistake, squirrel. Now you and your king will pay. ATTACK!!”

“CHARGE!!” Micklang and King Karel yelled together.

And the first battle begun.

Micklang was face-to-face with the cloaked figure, trying desperately to fight with his sword and his jumping abilities, while Oliver and his otters were doing a pretty good job of keeping the grabber animals out of Micklang’s way.

Harriet and Emily were fighting back-to-back, giving clues and hints to each other wherever they could, while Harriet’s kids were having quite a bit of fun tripping and tickling any big animals as they dashed past.

Abrigail and his crew fought bravely, but his numbers were going down fast, and he knew it.

Micklang swung, jumped, and avoided the cloaked figure as best as he could, replaceing it almost impossible to escape the swings from the cloaked figure.

Micklang rolled away as the figures sword smashed into the ground, causing the figure to struggle getting it out again.

Micklang, however, found himself battling a snake that hadn’t quite got the hang of its fighting skills yet, and Micklang quickly dispatched of it.

Turning back to the cloaked figure, he swung his sword down to smash the cloaked figure’s sword, but it was that moment when the figure got it out.

Both swords collided and Micklang pushed down as hard as he could to stop the figure getting its sword back up.

As the two pushed on their swords, Micklang looked at the figure closely with anger.

In the eyes, he thought he saw something, a small detail that made Micklang realize that this figure wasn’t what he thought it was.

“You can’t be!” He exclaimed, his eyes wide open with surprise.

The figure saw the look and knew what Micklang had seen.

Using more strength, the figure brought its sword up quickly, punched Micklang and prepared to kill him.

“You will never reveal my secret, squirrel. I will kill you right now, and no-one will EVER know.” The figure snarled.

Micklang pushed the figures sword away with his own and tried to get up, but the figure placed a foot on Micklang’s chest, keeping him down.

Knocking the sword out of Micklang’s hands, the figure put the sword right at Micklang’s neck.

“Any last words, squirrel?” The figure asked, bringing its sword up for the kill.

Micklang looked at the figure angrily and then saw his wife and all his friends fighting in the background, knowing that they’d never be able to defeat this figure if he couldn’t.

“You may try to kill me, but you will NEVER, EVER kill my loved ones, or my spirit.” He said, closing his eyes tightly.

Oliver had just killed an evil tree with the help of Pistachio when he saw Micklang pinned down by the cloaked figure.

“NNNOOOOO!!! MICKLANG!!” He shouted in desperation.

Then everything went extremely slow for Micklang, as he remembered all of the things he had encountered, all the evils he fought and all the mysteries he solved. He took one more look at his friends, saw Oliver coming towards him, and smiled.

“Take care of Harriet for me.” He said.

The figure brought down the sword in a lightning fast movement.

And it was done, Micklang the warrior had been killed.

Oliver had heard Micklang’s last words and saw everything that had happened, and anger took over him.

Smashing through the evil animals, he made his way to the cloaked figure just as it picked up its sword and was starting to walk away. In the background, King Karel’s voice could be heard calling out desperately.

“RETREAT!! Go back to the cave! RETREAT!”

Oliver didn’t give up as he tried to get to the cloaked figure, but it seemed that every evil thing got in his way.

The figure turned around and saw King Karel and everyone else start to retreat, wondering where they would go now.

Oliver got through the last evil animal in his way before he confronted the figure.

“Show your real colours, you murdering coward! You killed my best friend and this world’s only hope.” Oliver said, spitting at the figure angrily.

“You know something, Otter? I really HATE animals.” The figure replied, punching Oliver and swinging its sword into his arm.

Thankfully, Oliver avoided it in time, getting away with a flesh wound on his arm.

“Now leave before I kill you as well, and you join your squirrel friend.” The figure said, giving Oliver only one chance of escape.

“This isn’t over. We’ll get you yet, you horrible thing.” Oliver threatened as he backed away and retrieved his sword.

“And tell Lord Libertas that he can kiss his perfect country good-bye! Mwahahahaaa!” The figure cackled evilly.

Everyone ran into the caves as quickly as possible, figuring out what they should do next.

“Is everyone accounted for?” King Karel asked.

“I think I’ve got all my children.” Harriet replied.

“I’m afraid we lost twenty brave animals from our lot, King Karel.” A rabbit said.

“And I’ve lost a few of my lot.” Abrigail reported.

“Has anyone seen Oliver?” Jarryd the otter asked.

“What about Micklang? Anyone seen him?” Harriet asked.

At that moment, Oliver struggled into the cave and collapsed in front of King Karel.

“Oliver, you’re hurt! What happened?!” Emily asked.

“Where’s Micklang?” Abrigail asked.

“Dead.” Oliver replied, trying to stop the blood coming from his arm.

“WHAT?!?” Everyone exclaimed.

“Saw him … cloaked figure … pinned down … slaughtered … tried to rescue him … wants me to take care of Harriet ... oh, my arm!” Oliver explained, still trying to get his breath back.

“Take him to the sick-bay and patch him up, David. The rest of you, come with me, I’d like to talk to you about Micklang,” King Karel said.

Oliver was taken by David; a young bear cub that knew a lot about healing items, while everyone else followed King Karel into a different part of the cave.

“I understand you are all sad and worried about Micklang’s death, especially you Harriet, and I hope you can forgive me for letting this happen to him.”

“He wasn’t just our friend, King Karel, he was our guide, our warrior, and we owed our lives to him. There have been countless times when he has risked his life for the lives of others, and I feel awful having to just leave him where he is.” Abrigail replied.

“I agree. Micklang was the best thing to come into this world, no offense King Karel. He cared for us, he led us through danger and got us out again, and most importantly, he protected us. We should place him somewhere where his spirit can be happy.” Pistachio agreed.

“All that time alone, I couldn’t handle it. Even when I had my children, I still felt something was missing. ‘Sniff’ I feel so empty now that he’s gone!” Harriet exclaimed, holding onto Abrigail and crying.

“I understand Harriet. You loved him, after all he was your husband.” King Karel replied.

“He was more than that ‘sniff, sob’, he was a caring warrior, and now … ‘Sob’ now we’ll never see him again.”

“King Karel, we just received news from a message pigeon that Lord Libertas has found a new hide-out. Would you like us to go there with all speed?” A badger reported upon entering the cave.

King Karel nodded and the badger exited the cave. Then the lion looked back at Micklang’s friends.

“We shall not give up hope. That’s what Micklang would have wanted. We are merely replaceing another hide-out to get more plans and replace another way of defeating this cloaked figure. Will you help us?” King Karel asked the group.

“Without Micklang, I can’t stay here. I’ll ruin everything for you, even though I have been helpful before. I’ll have to leave.” Emily replied.

“Even though I loved Micklang like a best friend, I can’t stay. I’m a traveller, always have been. Me and my crew will have to leave as well, if only I knew where that rascal Frebil disappeared to.” Abrigail explained.

“We’ll help for as long as we can, but my heart will always follow whatever Oliver orders us to do.” Jarryd said, speaking for the otters.

“And I am afraid that I can’t help too much now, King Karel. I never got the chance to tell you or Micklang, but I’m pregnant again, and it’ll be along any time soon.” Harriet admitted.

King Karel bowed his head in thanks to Micklang’s friends.

“Then I hope we will see you again and that the spirit of Micklang helps you and protects you wherever you go. Farewell, friends of Micklang.”

As the group left and went their own ways, King Karel ordered all of his followers to leave for the new hide-out with all speed.

A few days later, while the battle against the cloaked figure was still going, Harriet had her baby. It was a boy squirrel. One that looked exactly like his father.

One that Harriet decided to call:

Sparky Lightning-tail.′