"I'm coming with you guys,"stated Keely the next morning.

"Are you kidding?You have to take it easy.And what about Robyn?Who will take care of her?Absolutely not,Keely!"Cat said.She had calmed down during the night,and was putting her need for violence on hiatus.But she was still intent on warning the council,not for the sake of saving lives as much as saving one in particular.Yes,she was still thinking about Blue Golde after four months of trying to forget him.Right now,though,her thoughts were focused on the stubborn Keely.

"I'm sure whoever stays here with Larke and Lynx can take care of Robyn as well!I've had enough 'taking it easy' and I want to go!"

"Keely!"

"Do you know how long it's been since I've been able to walk around without a lump of lard weighing me down?"

"You make it sound like you're advertising for some weight loss program,babe!"cawed Nick.Keely narrowed her eyes and raised a warning fist.

"Keely!You're not coming and that's final!You're to stay here with the babies and Nick,"ordered Cat.

"WHAT?!"screeched Nick and Keely together.Robyn began to cry from Keely's room,and Digoby ran to get her.

"I am not staying here!"

"And I am not staying with him!"

"Too bad!Come on,everyone else,let's go.Digoby?We're leaving."The mole rushed in with baby Robyn in his arms.He quickly handed the wailing infant to Keely,who proceeded to hush her daughter.Cat ushered the other Outcasts out the door.

"Come on,come on!We have to get there before it's too late!They might come today!"The door closed.

"So,"sighed Nick.Keely frowned.

"If they think I'm going to stay here,then they're mistaken!Morons!"

"And just how do you plan on leavin',my dear howler?You can't leave your kid or the other two alone!"

"I won't!"said Keely with an evil smirk.She stormed over to the weasel and plopped Robyn into his arms."I'm sure you'll get along just fine!"

"Bu-but!You can't do that!I can't handle two babies and a toddler!What do you think I am,a female?"Keely growled and whirled around.

"You can count your lucky stars that you're holding my daughter right now,or I would turn you into a female!"Nick gulped audibly.When she heard no further objections from Nick,Keely headed over to the door and opened it.She gasped as a purple form stumbled into the cottage.Gimp!

"Gimp!What happened to you?"

"I was listening in on the Mongrels from a tree when I lost my footing and fell into them.I was trying to get away and warn you.They're coming today!"

"Today?Oh no!"cried Keely.

"How did you escape?"asked Nick.

"Not by myself,I can assure you.If it hadn't been for these three,I wouldn't have lived to tell you this!"Keely and Nick suddenly were aware of three figures in the door."These are Rockford,Marie,and Lily.They helped Trixi and her friends to find you Outcasts.Hey,where is everyone anyway?"

"Gimp,they went to town to try to warn the council!We have to catch up to them!"

"The council!Oh!They're in deep trouble!There's a bomb set to go off at noon in the council-hall!"

"A bomb!!"

"Yes,we have to get to them!"cried Gimp.She was the most level-headed at that moment than she had ever been.

"But what about the babies?And Lynx?He'll wake up and find us gone!"

"Don't y'all worry about it!We'll stay and take care of 'em!"said Marie.

"Yeah!"cried Rockford."Lynx just adores me!"Lily nodded.

"Well,alright then!Nick,Keely,let's go!"cried Gimp.

"Right behind ya!"yelled Nick.

"Thank you!"called Keely to the squirrel,hare,and goat as she raced out the door.

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

Cat and the rest of the Outcasts on the quest were walking at a strenuous pace.They had to get there before the Mongrels!Cat hoped it wasn't too late.Suddenly,she heard voices behind them,and she called for the group to halt.She gasped when Keely,Nick,and Gimp appeared,running towards them.

"Keely!Nick!I thought I told you two to stay home!Who's with the babies?Are you creatures deaf?Are you dumb?"

"No time!"panted Keely,feeling as though she might faint.

"A bomb!In the council-hall!Set to go off at noon!"shouted Nick.

"What?!A bomb!Great teeth and claws!We have to get there before noon!Everyone,pick up the pace!Blue,I'm coming!!"

The Outcasts raced down Ivy Wood as fast as their feet and pounding hearts would allow.Many times they had to stop and gasp for breath,but Cat urged them on.The speed and power of the caracal were with her now as she and her companions raced against Time.

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

The council was meeting.Blue Golde's thoughts were not on his business as a member,however,but on a certain caracal that obsessed his mind.He had to see Cat Prideflower.Today.He would feign illness,leave at noon,perhaps,or right before lunch at one.Yes,he would go home,then as soon as he felt the coast was clear,he would sneak out and head into Ivy Wood.Noon would be best,for they might suspect he was trying to have a longer lunch period (that was how idiotically suspicious they could be) if he left right before one.Blue looked at the huge wall clock."Oh,hurry up!I wish it were noon right now!"he thought.If only he had known...

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

The Mongrels were watching from their camp on the hill just over Vixenberry.Four hours...three hours...The clock was ticking.

"Oh,don't you just love the suspense,Dewclaw?"sneered Whiskuhs.Her high-pitched whine was brimming with morbid delight.

"That I do,Whiskuhs,my fancy feline.That I do,"the canine answered,every bit as anxious.

"Speaking of doing,what are we planning to do once we've taken over Vixenberry?"

"What else,my dear?Expand!Take other towns and cities as well.The power is what we're after,remember?"said Dewclaw.

"Ohhhhh,I get it!Soon we'll have control over this entire country!"

"We will just by taking Vixenberry.The others will be just for sport."

"And then what?"Whiskuhs wanted to know.

"And then,my dear,the world!"cried Dewclaw triumphantly.

"The world!The world!"echoed Whiskuhs in delight.Her wretched face gleamed selfishly."What about all these louses?"she growled."What will we do with them?We can't share our power with them!"Dewclaw grinned.

"Let's not be jealous,Whiskuhs.You've nothing to fear from them.We use them for our dirty work,while we sit back and wallow in our riches.When the time comes,we'll destroy them!Is that good enough for you,my kitten?"Whiskuhs purred with pleasure.

"Whatever's good for you is vile enough for me as well!"The crooked Mongrels laughed.In a matter of hours,they would be in control...

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

Trixi felt her head throbbing as they raced down to Vixenberry.Her paw went to grasp Buddy's watch.There was nothing around her neck.In all the excitement,Trixi had forgotten that she had lost it.A tear blurred her vision.She felt vulnerable and worried.Without Buddy's watch,something horrible might happen!Oh,that wasn't true.Trixi tried to snap out of it.It was just a watch,she tried convincing herself.But it wasn't.It was Buddy,all she had had left of him.And now it was gone.Suddenly,she lost her footing and fell.A sharp pain pierced her ankle.

"Trixi!"cried Tet,and fell back to help her.The group stopped.Tet knelt by her.

"Did you hurt yourself?"he asked."Yes,"Trixi wanted to answer,but she just shook her head.She had to keep moving.Shakily,she got to her feet.

"C'mon!"cried Cat,and Trixi began to follow the others.Her ankle begged for mercy as she ran,but Trixi ignored the hurt and tried to keep up.

"We're almost there!"cried Cat.

"You said that awhile back already!"whined Mirage.But Cat was not lying this time.They had reached the very outskirts of Vixenberry.Now to get to the council-hall.Tet checked the sun's position.Almost noon!He forced himself to go faster.

The council-hall loomed in front as the Outcasts rushed to meet it.

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

"My apologies for interrupting the Council,Honor,but I am feeling very ill at the moment,"said Blue Golde,pushing his glasses up his nose."Requesting permission to have a sick leave for the rest of the day,Honor."Bull Temple stared down his wrinkled face at Blue.The bobcat did his best to look sick.

"Hmmm.I don't know,Golde.You can't wait until lunch to leave?"said the panda.

"Honorable,when has Golde here pleaded sick before?"Blue smiled at Smokie's defense.

"Well,I suppose..."Bull said in defeat.

"Thank you,Honor.I shall be back tomorrow as good as new,hopefully."

"Very well,bobcat.Dismissed."Blue hobbled feebly out of the council's sight.As soon as he walked outside,he straightened up and cut around the back.He didn't want to go home and leave later for Ivy Wood.He wanted to go now.Quietly,he snuck around the council-hall.

"Blue!BLUE!!"The bobcat screeched and jumped in fright.Had they seen him?But instead of an angry Bull,he saw a group of figures heading towards him.He recognized the one in front.Cat!

"Cat!What are you doing here?"he asked as they reached him.

"No time!There's a bomb in the council-hall that's to go off at noon!"she cried.

"A bomb!We have to warn them!Smokie's in there!"The group rushed into the Hall.Blue checked his watch.

"Great whiskers!We have five minutes!Your Honor!Your Ho-noorrr!"

"What is all this ruckus,Golde?"Bull suddenly noticed the Outcasts."You!I told you beasts never to come here again!"

"You don't understand!A bomb!A bomb is in the council-hall!We have five minutes to get out!Now!"cried Blue.

"A bomb?Rubbish!Who would place a bomb here?"

"The Mongrels!They're coming!We tried to warn you!"cried Trixi.

"A prank!Council,seize them!"The council began to move,but instead of rushing the Outcasts,they pushed past in terror,pushing towards the outside in a frantic heap.Bull yelled in anger."Wait!Fools!It's a mere prank!Wha...what?Hey,you blasted feline!Put me down!"

"Sorry,my dear boy!You're being carried over the threshold!"Gimp held tight to the thrashing panda and raced outside with the Outcasts.As Tet followed,he noticed something on the ground.He stopped and bent to pick it up,but it lay stuck between a large crack,jammed by the pounding stampede.He tried desperately to yank it out...

Cat ran with Blue until they reached a safe distance from the council-hall.Blue checked his watch.

"Just in time!"he cried.Cat nodded absently and called to her Outcasts while Bull took roll call with the council.

"Is everyone here?"the caracal asked.

"I think so,"said Nick.

"Wait!Where's Tet!"screamed Trixi."Tet!"Her heart pounded as she turned to run back into the council-hall.Cat grabbed her arm and yanked her back.

"No,Trixi!"Suddenly,a tremendous blast forced everyone to fall on the ground.The council-hall became a raging inferno.Trixi screamed.

"By jove!"cried Bull Temple."You Outcasts saved us!"But the gang of misfits weren't listening to him.They had fallen on the ground in despair.Pretty soon,the only audible sounds were the wails of the Outcasts mourning their friend.Trixi and Keely held each other as their bodies were racked with sobs.

"Tet!TEEEEEETTTTTT!"

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

The Mongrels saw the blaze and charged into Vixenberry,wielding their weapons.Gimp shouted as they came into view.

"Don't look now,but I think we have company!"Bull and the council sprang into action.

"You creatures!Run to the weapon-safe and grab some arms!Golde,I want you to ring the war-bell!We'll fight to the death!"Blue hurried out of sight and in a few minutes the deafening tone of the war-bell was heard.The creatures of Vixenberry began to assemble to fight off the unwanted intruders.Smokie Ringpaw and a mass of others began returning with weapons.The Mongrels stopped in their tracks.

"The council!They're alive!"

"They are far better warriors!Let's go back!"

"No!"shouted Dewclaw.He and Whiskuhs turned to leer at the council and the Outcasts,poised for battle.

"You can't win!You and your little townscreatures aren't fit for war!"

"Want a bet?"cried Blue as the Vixenberry creatures poured in from all sides,weapons and armor at paw.

"Charge!"howled Whiskuhs and Dewclaw.The battle was on.

"Trixi!Keely!Mirage!Skylre!This is no place for ladies!Run for it!"cried Digoby.Mirage and Skylre obeyed,but Trixi and Keely ignored the mole and joined the fight.

"We're sticking with you!"said Trixi.

"After all,look at Cat!"The caracal grinned at them as she stabbed a Mongrel.

"I'm no lady!And neither is she!"From high in a treetop,the amazing Gimp came crashing down on some Mongrels with a fierce war cry.

"AAAWWWRRROOOWWW!BWA-HA-HA!"she shrieked,and scrambled up another tree for an encore performance.Blue rushed in as Cat was surrounded.

"You've no idea how much I've thought about you,Cat!"he said as he clubbed an enemy.Cat scratched another feline on the muzzle.

"Really,now?But isn't this the sort of thing you say during a fancy dinner for two?Take that,beast!"

"Well,this isn't exactly Le Chateau or anything but..."The two species of lynx dashed into a crowd of Mongrels.

"He-he,my dear.Come here!"sneered one at Keely.She wriggled to get loose as he grabbed her tail.

"BACK OFF!"A black blur came out of nowhere and pounced on the Mongrel.He fell to the ground in a heap.Nick Whiskers blew on a paw and rubbed it across his chest.

"I smoked 'em!Ya can't mess with the weasel!"

Caddie,who was trying to escape,felt a painful tug on his ears as a Mongrel grabbed him.She licked her lips and grinned at him.

"Nice bunny!Wha-YEEEAAAUUGGGHHH!"The Mongrel danced around,trying to grab her tail.Lynx let his grip loosen and grinned.

"Winx come to whup badums!"

"Hey!If you're here..."Keely began.Suddenly Rockford and Marie came into view.

"Don't you worry,sugar!Lily's with the babies!"The battle raged on.The Mongrels fought hard,but the Vixenberry townscreatures were overpowering.They crusaded with a sense of patriotism.One by one,the Mongrels fell,until there were hardly any left.Whiskuhs and Dewclaw sensed that they were defeated and called to the remainder of their horde.

"Retreeeaaattt!"The Mongrels turned tail and ran,with the proud Vixenberry warriors close behind.Their kind would not be seen in the cheering town for a long time to come.

"Hurrah!Victory!"shouted the council.Blue grinned at Cat and hugged her shyly.She smiled back and soon had him embraced in a passionate kiss.

"Eeeewwww!"shouted Caddie.Mirage went to greet Rockford and Marie.

"You guys came back!I thought you were going to find Serenity."Marie gave her a sheepish yet knowing grin.

"Oh,we looked.But we didn't realize that it's still a long way before any of us reach it..."

Suddenly,all the creatures were silent,staring at the still burning council-hall.Cat pulled away from Blue,tears burning in her eyes.

"Oh,Tet!"The Outcasts soon began to cry and sob once again for their late companion.Digoby took off the war helmet that was on top of his head and placed it against his heart.

"May God rest his soul..."The council,the townscreatures,and the sobbing Outcasts bowed their heads in mourning.He had been the only one to die on the side of Vixenberry.Trixi looked up at the burning building.Suddenly,she gasped.

"Look!"All heads rose to see a hobbling figure emerging from the flames.His body was scarred and burned,and blood dripped from open wounds on his left side.But the golden eyes were as strong and proud as ever.

"Tet!TET!"screamed Trixi,tears of joy falling down her face.She rushed to him,followed by Keely,Cat and the rest.Tet took a few more wobbly steps,and collapsed in Trixi's arms.He was grasping something in his paw.Trixi pried his fingers open and picked the object up.It was her watch...

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

"Furthermore,I suggest we give those creatures known to us as 'different' or 'freaks',as they are unrightfully referred to,a chance at a normal life.They are creatures,as anyone else,and deserve to be treated so.As for humans,I suggest we accept abandoned children of the species,as I have,or those that are willing to change their ways,into society.I feel we can prove that not all humans are bad,just as we have seen that not all other creatures are good.Lastly,I proclaim that we outcast only those who are criminal,not those who are hybrids or otherwise.That is all I have to say.Thank you,Council."Cat sat down,a proud air about her in the restored council-hall.Beside her,Blue Golde,her fiancˇ,smiled.Digoby leaned over.

"Nice job,my dear.Not a single outburst!"Cat grinned.

"Would I yell in front of my son?"She patted Larke,who sat happily on her lap.

"Mama!"he exclaimed.Beside them,Keely sat with Nick,who would not let go of Robyn.He loved the little one-month old wolf dearly,babbling at her in his rendition of baby talk.

"Is oo a cute woof-woof?Is oo?Is oo?"Keely rolled her eyes.

"Whatever."

Caddie,Skylre and Lynx sat together,doing their own impressions of many of the council-members.Bull Temple was a prime target.Rockford,Marie and Lily were explaining the concept of "Serenity" to Gimp.

"I'd sure love to live there!"the purple cat said.Mirage groaned."Oh,what's your problem,Morgue?"snapped Gimp.Sniper buried his head in his wing.Trixi smiled at their antics and felt the watch around her neck.Yes,Buddy was with her at this moment,all right.She could feel it.A paw squeezed hers.Trixi turned to smile at Tet.The vulptod smiled back and kissed her cheek,wincing as his left side throbbed with pain.

"I guess that's why they call it a burn,"he sighed."I hope they hurry up and give us their answer.I ache all over."

"Wait,I think they're about to..."Bull Temple stood up and cleared his throat.

"Ahem!Ah,members of the council,townscreatures present in the audience,members of the Outcasts.I address you all..."He recieved a fair amount of applause.

"That blabbermouth!I hope he gets to the point!"whispered Mirage.Bull Temple mopped his brow and began again.

"All that are present,we stand here this day to hear the final request of Cat Savannah Prideflower,caracal,and her companions,the Outcasts,in an attempt to raise laws concerning the treatment of less fortunate creatures and humans.Cat has been able to raise a human baby from a newborn found in the woods,to the good-natured child you see before you.She says that if she can teach a creature with evil qualities embedded inside of them to be kind and law-abiding,then perhaps it can be done again.She also states that hybrids,freak creatures,and others of the sort should be given equal rights and not treated as outcasts or minorities.My friends,I must remind you that these 'freaks' and 'hybrids' are the very noble creatures that saved our wonderful town from the likes of terrorists."Here there was a mighty applause."Can we not accept them into out town as kin?The Council has talked this over and we agree that Cat Prideflower's ideas should and will be regarded.From now on,Cat,you and your kind shall no longer be outcasts.You are hereby equal and respected citizens of Vixenberry town,country capitol.Congratulations!"The entire council-hall was filled with cheers and yells.The former Outcasts hugged and kissed each other.Tet let go of Trixi and looked at Cat.The leader was holding Larke close to her and crying.Finally,her dream had come true...

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

Even though they were citizens of Vixenberry,Cat and her companions couldn't bear to leave the cottage in Ivy Wood.To accommodate the newer occupants,like Blue,Rockford,Marie and Lily,a second cottage was built alongside the first.As for Gimp,well,she had gone off again on her own,but promised to return when she was hungry enough.To make the trip to town faster and easier,a path was put in,and the town gave the former Outcasts a motor-carriage for quicker travel.Cat marveled about the changes one day to Tet.

"I can't believe this is happening.I wanted it to with all my heart,but I never really thought it would be,"she said.

"I know what you mean,"said Tet,his gaze on Trixi,who was romping with Caddie and Skylre a short distance away.Cat smiled.

"You care for her,don't you?"she asked.

"With all my heart.I don't care if she's a rabbit and I'm a vulptod..."

"What about Keely?Isn't she jealous?"joked Cat.Tet laughed softly.

"She and I will always be close,but in a different way.Besides,I think she's finally found someone else she can trust."They looked over at the petite wolf,holding her baby,with Nick Whiskers close by her side.

"Who would have thought it?"grinned Cat.

"Who would have thought any of this?"Tet smiled.Blue called from the cottage,Larke in his arms.

"Cat?Dear?Should you be out in this heat?"Cat rolled her eyes.

"That husband of mine worries too much.I'm expecting,not sick!Coming,love!See you,Tet."The vulptod nodded as his friend left.He gazed for a little longer at the peaceful beauty of Ivy Wood before he got up,stretched his healing side,and walked towards where Trixi stood.She smiled at him as she held her brother's watch in her clasped paws.Tet gave her a gentle smile,with his golden eyes shining,and held out his paw.Trixi let the watch drop to her neck,where Buddy could always be with her.She took Tet's paw and together they walked into the cottage.

The End