The Brat Pack slunk along in the depths of the night.There were five of them.From a distance,they seemed like weakling children playing a game in the dark.But when one looked closer,they became afraid.These were not ordinary children.All were rugged and dirty in looks,carrying a fierce smell of hate and malignity.They were worthy opponents for any unsuspecting travelers.No one knew what lay in each of their pasts that made them so vicious,and nobody cared.All that was contemplated during an encounter with these beasts was if they would come out alive or uninjured.

Their leader was Zoey,the oldest at twelve.A wolf with fur of charcoal,she wore a sweet little beret.But when one lowered their gaze,they would notice the huge dagger in her ragged paw,a nice little antonym.She was the "serious killer",holding onto a stone face as she plunged her dagger into a victim.Next was Jay Walker,eleven,second-in-command,a cat with fur so dirty,it had stained to an olive color.He was the only other B.P. member who killed,but he did so as though it was part of a game,as though it wasn't real and he wasn't doing true harm.

The next oldest was Peaches,a seven-year-old bat who could not fly,due to crippled wings.One could not help but wonder what this cream-colored creature was doing,hanging around a group of such malicious children.She was giggly,not too bright,and usually used to distract a victim before a robbery was made.Following her in rank was Avalanche,age six,a tawny lion cub with a fierce temper.Like an attack hound,he was used to assault or catch fleeing prey,biting their legs with his sharp yellow teeth.He behaved rather like a two-year-old,speaking in small phrases and yelling like a banshee when he wanted anything.

Lastly,there was Gabby.He was a sugar glider,and the youngest of the B.P., five years old.Unlike his name,he didn't talk much,and prefered to be a follower,never voicing opinion.Because of his power of flight,or rather gliding,he was used to get away with the stolen goods during the attack or scout the area for victims,a job he was on at the moment.The Brat Pack waited for him to return.He glided down as soon as he saw them.

"I saw four.They're a couple of hours away from here."

"Perfect,"said Zoey.Perhaps they would find something good.

None of these children should have been like this,not even Zoey.It wasn't meant for such young creatures to lose such innocence.But that was what had been made of them.Scavengers.What had made them like this?Who had made them like this?Who had robbed them?Nobody knew.Worse,nobody cared.And,so,the evil lived on in them,undisturbed.

They closed in on their prey...

*** *** *** ***

Nick Whiskers was having the best laugh of his life.The skinny weasel was convulsing and gasping for breath as he looked at his best friend.The mighty Tet Solfire was covered with flower leis from top to bottom.In one paw he held a bouquet of crumpled daisies.A bow was tied in his shaggy hair-fur.Skylre sat back,admiring her handiwork.

"There!You look so pretty!Keely will love you!We girls love flowers!"Nick howled.

"Ha-HAAAA!!!FLOWERS!Oh, Tet,you're so PRETTY!!Ha-HOOOO!Keely's gonna drop dead!Oh!Oh!I can't breathe!I can't...O.K....O.K...I'm calm...I'm calm...NO I'M NOT!HAHAHAHAHAAAA!"

"Shut up!Just shut up!"whined Tet.He turned to Skylre."Look,kid.You said you'd help me,but isn't this overdoing it just a wee bit?"

"Girls like flowers!"said the little vixen stubbornly.

"And they love flowery men!HOOO!Tet,why didn't you tell me you were a flower child?!Were your parents yippies?"cawed Nick.

"That's it!That is it!I am taking this stuff off!ACH-OO!Ack!Now I'm getting allergies!"

"Oh,don't take them off!"cried Skylre.

"Yeah!They're really doing so much for your complexion!"

"What did I ever do to you?"whined Tet,sounding nothing like his usually mature,intelligent self.

"What I want to know is,why?"

"KEELY!"Tet yelped,trying to rip the flowers from his body.The petite wolf held her arms crossed against her chest,frowning at the flowery vulptod.Tet succeeded in ripping off the leis,and walked up to Keely,handing her the crumpled daisy bouquet.

"Um,these are...ah-he-he...for you...I'm sorry,"he stammered.Keely looked at him in disgust.

"I have no idea what you're trying to do,and I don't think I want to!"She walked off,leaving poor Tet holding the smashed daisies.He let them fall to the ground.

"What did I do this time?"Why did Keely have to have such a complicated personality?Nick strolled over and put an arm around his pal.

"I guess she doesn't like flowers.It's not a total loss,though.Now we know that you look good in drag!That little bow makes you so adorable!"Tet ripped the bow from his hair-fur and threw it at Nick.He rested his chin on his paws and sighed.Skylre took his arm and pulled.

"Come on,let's go to 'Plan B'!"she said.Tet faced her.

"Oh,no!Ohhhh no!I am not doing anything like this again!Forget it!"

"How about it if I help?"suggested Nick.

"Great.I'm in good paws now,"growled Tet."This is lame.Let's just forget it."

"No way!Come on,Tetty,my boy!We're gonna make you a ladies' man!"Tet was dragged off against his own will by a chirpy little fox and Nick Whiskers,relationship expert extraordinare.

*** *** *** ***

Gertrude Braggarte,also known as the amazing Gimp,leaped stealthily through the tree tops,taking in the night air.She stopped for a bit of breath and looked down.Noticing something on the forest floor,she hopped down through the branches of the pine tree and peered downward.It was the group of four travelers,she might have known,and they had ignorantly all fallen asleep.She would have to teach them a lesson.The purple tabby began to creep silently to the ground.She stopped all of a sudden,noticing a bit of movement in the corner of her eye,waiting in the shadows.She crouched,knowing what was to happen,waiting.Luckily,she didn't have to take the chance of trying to wake them up.Trixi stirred,and opened her eyes.

"Huh?Mirage!Wake up!We forgot again!We forgot to take shifts!"she whispered.

"Leave me be!I'm getting my beauty sleep!"The tigress turned over and went back to sleep.Trixi frowned,and shook Caddie.

"Wake up,Caddie.We have to keep watch!"

"Hmmmm?No,Mama.I don't like the frilly pants..."

"Caddie!"

"Huh?What?Oh,Trixi.Shifts?Alright,you take the first one,"Caddie yawned."And I'll take the next one.Goodnight."

"Caddie,c'mon!"Trixi tried to shake him awake,but the little white rabbit was dead to the world.Suddenly,Trixi heard snickering,and gasped as sarcastic voices came from the shadows.

"Yes,Caddie.C'mon!"

"Wake up!I'm scared!"

"Hee-hee!They'd better be!"

"Me bite!Bite bunny!"The Brat Pack descended out of the shadows like vultures.

"Who are you?"asked Trixi nervously.

"Who are we,she asks!"

"Dumb bunny!Dumb bunny!"

"We'll just have to get acquainted,won't we now?"sneered Zoey,running a finger across her blade.Lynx had been roused from slumber by now,and he stared at the Brat Pack with wide,frightened eyes.

"Bwat-ak!Bwat-ak!Tissy help Winx!Tissy no let Winx gowin twee!"Trixi stared hard at the Brat Pack.That was them?They were only kids!

"What do you kids want?"she said angrily.She didn't care for their games,not after what Lynx had been through.Zoey laughed.

"Kids?!She thinks we're just kids!Well,we're the Brat Pack,and we don't play kid games!"She held up her dagger."Get the point?"

"Leave us alone!"cried Mirage.She and Caddie were now wide awake.

"Leave us alone!"mimicked Jay.The little hooligans laughed,particularly Peaches.

"Hee-hee!Ha-ha-ha-ha!That was a good one!Whoo!"she whooped.Zoey didn't laugh,but narrowed her eyes.

"Get them,"she sneered.The Brat Pack closed in.Lynx buried his nose in Trixi's fur.

"Tissy!Cabbie!Woj Tiggy!Hewp!Bwat-ak hewe!"Zoey and Jay raised their daggers.

"MEEEEOOOOWWWRRRR!"Like a purple bomb,Gimp plunged from a tree and slammed into Zoey and Jay.Their blades were thrown in the air,and disappeared behind a bush.

"It's the Gimp!"cried Gabby.He and Peaches retreated.Zoey stood up and faced Gimp,blood dripping from her nose.

"Big mistake,Gimp!"

"For you,Brat!"Gimp kicked her good leg and hit the wolf in the jaw.Trixi gasped at the cat's cruelty,but then reminded herself.These were not real children.

"Avalanche,get her!"But the little lion would not budge.Gimp was the only creature he and the rest of the B.P. feared.Jay began to retreat,and Avalanche followed.

"No!No!Wimps!She's nothing to fear!"But Zoey might have been talking to a tree.She turned towards Gimp and the travelers and bared her teeth.

"You're lucky.You'll live for at least one more night.But I warn you.We will come back when you least expect it.And this time we will fight to the death.Your death!"She disappeared.Gimp turned to them.

"You were lucky,"she said,her tone taking on an odd ring,a serious,sensible ring."If you hadn't of been awake,you'd have no doubt died.Let it be a lesson."

"We'd have died anyway if it hadn't been for you.Thank you,Gimp,"said Trixi.

"Yeth,tank oo Gip!"added Lynx.The amazing Gimp looked embarrassed.

"Just don't let it happen again..."Her voice returned to it's normal,careening tone."Listen,I'm going to look after you,just in case.But I can't be seen with you.That way I can ambush someone if needed.I'll be around."She hopped back into a tree and was gone.

"How is she going to look after us without being around?"wondered Mirage.Trixi pointed upward,into the trees.

"She has her ways..."The group settled down again to rest.This time,they made sure that at least one of them was awake while the others slept.

*** *** *** ***

Blue Golde,the bobcat,sat in his council chair,his chin against a paw.Beside him sat the other rookie member,his friend,a raccoon named Smokie Ringpaw.They were early,as rookies tended to be on the job,and both were extremely tired.Blue gave a huge sigh.

"What is it?"asked Smokie,blinking his eyes to rid them of sleep.

"I was thinking about that Cat Prideflower..."

"Her?You're better off not thinking about her.She's one nasty kitty!"

"That's what I like about her.Did you see how she stood her ground?She's tough,and she has good ideas,"said Blue.Smokie shook his head.

"Humans living along with creatures like us?Creatures who are different,too?Get real!Humans are vicious,and those who are different,well,they're not meant to live like us."

"What,pray tell,"asked Blue."Is your definition of creatures who are,I quote,'different'?"Smokie thought for a minute,then answered.

"Well,they're not like us.They're the ones that live like hermits.Outcasts,like Cat Prideflower.She lives with her group in a cottage in the woods."

"Where?"

"Well,nobody wants to bother with them,so I don't know anyone who knows the exact location,but it's buried deep inside.How they survive I don't know,"said Smokie.

"Maybe one day I shall try to find out for myself,"thought Blue aloud.

"I don't believe you,Blue.Why muddle in such crazy affairs?We were picked to be on this council to help decide what is right for the creatures of Vixenberry.Following the ideas of a crazy caracal who keeps a human for a foster child is like deciding that Vixenberry would be safe near an active volcano."Blue sighed.

"You're right,Smokie.Absolutely right.But I can't help but wonder about her,still.Why does she have such strange principles?What makes her boycott town life just to make someone listen to her opinions?"

*** *** *** ***

The morning found Cat gazing towards the direction Vixenberry was in,Larke snuggled against her.Tet had been right.To grasp the inquiry of one creature could lead to more.She thought of Blue Golde,the handsome young bobcat.She knew she had him.If he could only get others to agree...But he had said that he was only a rookie council-member,and that was not enough for a voice to be sufficiently heard.She asked herself,why,then,did he stand up for her,if he couldn't do anything at all?The question was too much to ponder so early in the morning,and she took Larke inside the cottage for breakfast.

*** *** *** ***

"Winx see food!Tissy,wook!"Trixi walked over to where the kitten was standing,right by a huge bush of wild,edible berries.

"Thank goodness!I was hungry!"said Mirage,pouncing on the food."I swear,I must be wasting away into a thin little waif!"

"Tissy!Cabbie Bummy take Winx food!"complained Lynx.

"I did not,tattletale!"sniffed Caddie.

"Better stop it,Cad,or you'll end up with the Brat Pack!"teased Trixi.

"Bwat-ak?Wereday?Nohere!No Bwat-ak!"

"Don't worry,Lynxey.They're not here.They can't hurt us.Gimp is watching,"said Trixi.At least she hoped Gimp was.

"Gip?Pupple tat?Hewp Winx an Roj Tiggy an Cabbie an Tissy?"

"Yeah,that's the one,"said Caddie."Gimp rocks!"

"A bit on the deranged side,though,"added Mirage,her mouth full with berries.Trixi didn't say anything,for fear Gimp was watching.Instead,she placed a paw around Buddy's watch,recalling the night.Trixi was grateful to Gimp,but felt that if the watch hadn't been around her neck,if Buddy hadn't been protecting her,they most certainly would have died under the blades of the Brat Pack.How she missed him!

"Trixi,look!I found a little stream.Bring the canteen over here!"Trixi walked over to Mirage and filled the bottle with fresh water.She sighed,wondering if it would be enough to hold them.Caddie trotted up to them.

"You dropped the canteen,"he said."Should I fill it up?"

"Caddie,I have the canteen right here..."Mirage looked at them.

"Well,we didn't have two before,did we?"she asked.

"Of course not.I'll bet Gimp left us another one!"Trixi examined the new gift."Look,it has initials on it,R.H..."

"R.H.?Are those Gimp's real initials?"

"No,"said Trixi."Her name is Gertrude something.I'll bet she steals them!"

"How wicked!Now someone is going to go thirsty because of us!"said Caddie.

"I don't think Gimp would be that cruel.She might have taken it from someone who had plenty to spare,"said Trixi,hoping that was the case.

"Oh,well.I guess their misfortune is our gain,"said Mirage.Trixi thought it sounded rather cruel that way,but she left it at that.

"Let's go!Let's go!You females waste time talking!"shouted Caddie,already far ahead of them.The gray lop and the white tiger hurried to catch up with Caddie and Lynx.

"Huwy,Tissy!Huwy,Roj Tiggy!"Mirage groaned.

"I wish he'd get my name right!Between him and that purple cat!How hard is 'Mirage' to say?"

"I think it's cute!I might just start calling you Roj!"said Trixi.

"If you call me that,I'll call you Mutt-rabbit!I mean it!Old habits die hard!"The two friends giggled as they caught up with the boys.

*** *** *** ***

"What is he doing now?"groaned Keely as Tet rushed out of the cottage with Skylre and Nick.

"Who?"asked Cat.

"Tet.He's deliberately trying to annoy me!Yesterday,he was dressed up in flowers!"

"Flowers?Tet?You know,Keely.I think all he's doing is trying to be friendly with you.Get to know you.Tet doesn't do anything that...extreme...if he doesn't have a good reason."

"His reason is to annoy me!"growled Keely.

"Honey,Nick is the annoying one,not Tet,"said Cat.Keely faced her.Despite the pact she had made with herself,she found she was growing very close to Cat.The caracal always listened to her and never got angry or tried to joke around with her.She was considerate and caring.In fact,she reminded Keely of her own mother before the family had disowned her.But somehow,she knew that Cat would never turn cold,like her mother had,no matter what Keely did.

"What do you think I should do?"she asked Cat.

"I think you should have a nice,serious talk with Tet.Get to know him.I know it's hard to trust anyone after what happened to you,but I've known Tet for seven months,and he doesn't have a cruel bone in his body.He'd always help me with Larke."

"But,I'm just afraid..."

"I know,Keely.But Tet knows what it's like to be rejected.We all do.I'm not telling you to marry the guy.All I'm saying is,get to know him as a friend,and a friend only.You don't have to go farther than that.Tet will respect you."

"I think that's where I made my mistake with that jerk,"said Keely softly,angrily.Cat patted her on the arm.

"Friends are good to have,Keely.Just remember that.It's better to have someone to talk to than bottle everything up inside."She left Keely by herself,thinking.Cat was right.Maybe she could let her wall crumble a bit.It would be nice to tell someone all her fears,to have someone to hold her while she cried.She would become friends with Tet in time,she decided.But for now,she would only trust Cat,just to be safe.

*** *** *** ***

"This will do it for sure,Tetty!"grinned Nick as he helped the vulptod set up the surprise for Keely.

"But you have to do it at sunset!Girls love sunsets,"advised Skylre.Tet looked around him.

"It's almost sunset now!"he cried.

"Alright,Tet!You go get Keely,and Skylre and I will finish settin' up the setting!"Tet nodded at Nick and hurried to the cottage.He hoped the plan worked.Taking Keely to a romantic dinner by Ivy Lake at sunset would surely win her over.He sighed,not quite believing what he was doing,trying to gain the affection of a female.A female who had been hurt before and was paying for it.Tet stopped in his tracks and wondered if he ought to be doing this.He wanted to show her that not all males were like her boyfriend.He knew he would never do anything so horrible.But what if she was secretly frightened of him?Maybe that was why she avoided him?If that was the case,then he'd just have to take it slow with her.In the end,she'd realize she had been wrong about him and they'd live a happy life together.Tet,Keely,and her child.Tet was fully aware of the package deal,and he was ready and willing to help her in any way he could.They'd be the perfect family.Tet smiled to himself and rushed to the cottage.

"Cat,"he called as he approached."Where's Keely?"

"More flowers,Tet?"joked the caracal.

"Who told you about that?!"asked a very embarrassed vulptod.

"It doesn't matter.What are you planning to do?"asked Cat,a bit of concern for Keely etched on her face.

"Oh,Kitty!I have it all planned out!Nick and Skylre helped me set up a dinner by the lake,and it has to be at sunset exactly for it to be perfect.I need to find her now!"Cat touched Tet's shoulder.

"Keely wasn't feeling well and went to lie down.I think your dinner will have to be postponed.Besides,it's after sunset already..."Tet looked,and saw that the sun had faded beneath the far west mountains.He sighed and trudged back to the lake,disappointed.Cat walked inside the cottage.Keely peered at her.

"Is he gone?"

"Yes.I told him you didn't feel well."

"I'm sorry,Cat.I just need to..."

"I understand,Keely.Don't apologize,"said Cat gently."You had a good reason.I'm not forcing you to trust Tet,or me,or any of us.But we're there for you when you're ready."She left to check on Larke.Keely leaned her back against a wall.If she had a good reason,then why did she feel so bad?

*** *** *** ***

Evening snuck in.Trixi,Caddie,Mirage,and Lynx had stopped for the night.They ate their fill of berries and talked for a bit,wondering about Ivy Wood and the Outcasts they were going to meet.

"I wonder why they're all outcast,"said Trixi."I hope they're not felons or criminals."

"I hope they aren't too.Maybe they're just a bunch of creatures who are different,"said Mirage.Trixi looked at her.

"Why are some creatures considered different than others?I mean,I know there are a lot of different species,but why are some just thought of as freaks?Like lops.Like me."

"I used to think nothing of stuff like that.I was told that beautiful creatures were the only valuable ones.My mother said that tigers were valuable,so I felt I had nothing to worry about.But when I think about it now,I feel so cruel and dirty.Now I think that the ugly,worthless creatures are those who don't respect others for their being."Trixi and Caddie were both moved by the speech."You were never the ugly one,Trixi.I was,"concluded Mirage.

"I used to envy you for being beautiful and,well,normal,"admitted Trixi.Mirage gave a sharp,sour laugh.

"What's normal?What's perfect?They're myths,Trixi.Thrown into our heads by mindless worshipers."Trixi thought Mirage sounded so different from her usual self.She wasn't criticizing others with a snobbish air,but with a thoughtful one.Lynx yawned.

"Winx sleepy.Wanna sleep.Cawoze eyes.Nighty-night."

"I think Lynx has the right idea.I'll take the first watch,guys.You go to sleep."

"Are you sure,Trixi?"asked Caddie.She assured them she didn't mind,and they went to sleep.Trixi sat a long while,thinking about Buddy.She held the watch in her paw to feel it's comforting tick.As she gazed at it,a shadow moved in the corner of her eye.She turned slowly,trying not to show fear,as she grabbed a nearby tree branch and gripped it.

"Who's there?I hope you don't want to fight because you won't win,"she called,trying to scare them off.Suddenly,a purple body dropped from the trees and slumped to the ground.Gimp!Trixi screamed,waking the other three.They joined her cries of horror.

"It looks like your kitty friend won't be able to save you this time!"sneered Zoey as the Brat Pack emerged from the shadows.

*** *** *** ***