The Forum Fan-Fic

[Dotti Dillworthy]

@Gonff the Mousethief Any news?

Gonff has stated somewhere that he will update the fanfic hopefully by the end of October.

[Gonff the Mousethief]

So, school has taken a dreadful turn and caused me to write a ton of stuff not relating to this. I have been slowly working on it for some time, but, since today is Redwall's 30th Anniversary, I thought as my gift to all of you for making me love this series even more, I'd go ahead and put out the part 1 of Chapter 5! This chapter will be very long, so I went ahead and finished up at a good stopping point to get this out today. Hope you all enjoy, and stay tuned for part 2 in the coming weeks!



Chapter 5 (Part 1)



   The thumps of the former Abbeybeasts died out upon arrival of their former home. Wild, wicked, ungodly screams tore their way throughout what was left of Redwall. Billows upon billows of a jet black smoke emitted from each building of the Abbey, and tossed itself around like a squirrel finding a new forest on the once great Front Lawns. The orchard trees, who only yesterday provided marvelous fruits and shady areas of rest and companionship and been uprooted with brute forced and tossed into piles alight with a dreadful, flickering fire, with who knows what else. What a terrible, terrible sight it all was.

Sniffles and the occasional squeak came from the group who arrived at the fallen wall. James went ahead and peaked over the topmost bricks (covering himself in the ancient soot in the process), and confirmed Rus' accusations. The mighty ballista was being burned with their orchard. He had to retreat back down as to avoid pain and the shed of tears.
"Okay," the Owl started, "We should be clear to enter over and into the back kitchens. There, we spread out for weapons, distractions, and rescues. Ready?"
The timid tremor of the sentry's voice summed up how they all felt. Scared, yet hopeful. Deserted, yet together. Lost, but soon to be rescued.

   One by one the dashed into the small kitchen door, hopping quickly over the wall. Once in, Jukka and Rachel threw open the drawers, cabinets, cupboards, all of it, and started to grab any sharp object possible. They dispensed them on the table for the ready hands to grab. Groddil quickly chose a ladle and small butcher knife, followed shortly by Amber and Russa who picked each two forks and two knives. Their squirrel leader, Wylder, called for the trio once their weapons were selected.
"Alright, you three follow my lead up to Great Hall. There, Groddil and I will take on whoever lies there, while you two cut down the hostages, got it?" The fox, otter, and squirrel all nodded accordingly.

   Tammo and James pulled aside BatLord, Mask, who had found a select amount of mallets and fishhooks under the pile of utensils. The hare began to unravel his plan.
"Us four are going down to Cavern Hole. If you two see one o' those hostages, run and get them out, me 'n James will take one those mysterious blinkin' things." They agreed to the plan, but had to wait a moment longer before departing, for James had to dust off his feathers!

   Once those two teams set off, Faiy called out to Jukka, Cornflower, Galli, and Rachel. They too, like the others, had found a couple of good stabbing weapons to be safe enough on their excursion.
"Right gals," Faiy began, "We are headed up to the Dorms, where a majority of the warriors will be. And with them, comes those creatures. Be alert, and don't get to far off. We work as a team, got it?"
"Aye, let's go!" Cornflower shouted in low kept voice. This was enough to rally their small team with energy to face grave danger.

   So, only a few remained. Matthias and Peri had decided to stay back at the kitchens to help escort their friends out and/or aid when someone fell injured. The former Holt leader, Roc, also had plans. He turned to Gonff who was still digging for a good thruster, and gave him a hardy slap on the back.
"Well mate, I'm going down to that Pond. Stay safe wherever you end up, here me?"
"Got it Roc. But I should be telling you that you old waterdog!" The blue fox replied with a muffled chuckle. When he turned to wish off his old pal, the otter had already gone out the door into the dark, ash covered night.

   His attention now turned to Delthion. The hedgehog was already staring at him with a blazing smile completely uncustomary to the situation. In his prickly hands lay a fine hammer mallet, his obvious choice. Up and down he tossed it, leaving a plump thud which echoed in the barren room. Even if this was only a small annex of the usually blustering prized Redwall Kitchens, it was never meant to have felt so desolate, or cruel. But with Del around, nothing truly could feel like that for long.
"So Gonff, where will be headed? With red feathered James, the ladies, y'pal Tammo?"
Gonff simply spread a quick grin on his face before responding.
"Not too sure. Banya told me to check the attic, so I'm guessing there, but we will have to head up the dorms which Faiy and them have already taken."
Del put on a face which appeared to be thinking. He rattled a quill here and there before arriving to a conclusion written, mailed, delivered, and received with a smile.
"We can take the other stairwell then! Might take us a bit longer, but we may just find some folk on the way up."
Gonff was pleasantly surprised. Having lived out in the gatehouse a majority of the time at Redwall, the blue fox never really found himself very familiar with the Dorms. But Del slept down in the Cellars, so his knowledge wouldn't have been that great either, right? Oh, there was no time to question the former Cellarhog.
"Sounds good then. Do you know a safe way there?"
"I'm not all to sure Mr. Mousethief, since neither of us have even seen one of our dastardly foes! But I'm sure I can manage. Come on, grab y'a weapon and let us head out!" the hedgehog piped up. He saw the little trickle of announce run itself amongst his fox companion. This was to be a fun time.
Gonff just grabbed a small crate axe which has fallen underneath the table. It seemed well enough for the moment, being balanced and all. But what was he to know about axes or weapons, the only sharp object he ever used was his quill!

   Now, the other three groups had taken the main way out which led into Cavern Hole, but the pair decided to take another route which led them through the pantry and into a small extra med-bay. It was Delthion's idea though, so if they were caught he was the prime suspect. Both crouched low when entering the pantry. Almost all of the ingredients and food had been torn out. Shelfs were scattered and splintered, boxes full of freshly picked orchard fruits and vegetables squished into an unrecognizable goo. Two large tables where many of the most glorious and memorable meals were made now ended up slaughtered, wrecked upon the bitter cold ground. This didn't cause as much horror though as the smell did. The stoves must have been lit, and something forgotten put onto them. A sudden whiff could have fallen the mightiest of warriors; for whatever was burnt must have been as wicked as those who had placed it. Del and Gonff each ripped a solid strip of an apron nearby, trying it at tightly as possible around their faces. This blocked out a majority of the smell, but couldn't tackle all of the horrendous odor. They both had to crouch low to avoid most things, mainly an enemy seeing them or the obvious burnt stench. Gonff had particular trouble avoiding the nails and splinters thrown about everywhere. Just as he lifted his paw to avoid a prime shiny poker, Delthion forced him down onto it and covered his mouth. Now the fox was mad. His left arm had barely caught the nail and now was just about impaled by it. He yanked the hedgehog's arm off and was about to rock his world. Yet, he was held back by Del's face of horror, who, at this point, was flat on the ground amongst the juices, crumbs, and whatnot. He was pointing out from behind a table at something across the room by some broken shelves. The fox's blue eyes followed his companion's point and hunkered down as well. Just a few yards away from where they both lay, one of the black creatures stood! Gonff scrambled closer to Del (minding his quills). He very carefully whispered,
"Wh-what are we going to do?"
The cellarhog was gripped by fear as well, and really, hadn't thought of much besides how much be wished to run away. Sadly, that was not an option.
"Um, well Gonff, err," replied the hedgehog. "Guess we could, attack it."
That whispered response was heartbreaking to the fox. He hated these things with a burning passion, and wanted them all dead. But so many things ran around his mind, nagging and pulling itself deeper and deeper into a pit of dreadful fear. What if they failed and he alerted the others? Or what if it killed him and Del? Oh, it was a troubling time. The pain he had already however, was changing his mind. Large glops of blood started to spray from his arm, and each nerve that fired chilled the fox with a greater fear than before. Well, a fear of what he would do with Del if they escaped. That is when his idea popped into his mind.
"Sounds good, let's go!"
Del had never been more horrified in his life. Gonff yanked him up by his apron bandanna and pointed to a small clearing behind the beast.
"Go over there and get ready to hit it," the blue fox told him in a muffled tone. He quickly nodded and slowly crept along with that dreadful smell stopping him once in a while.
Gonff however, he was in a completely different state. A war of fear and pain raged in his mind, forcing him to do such things as getting up and actually fighting the black creature. Once Del was close to his position, the fox made his move. He ducked behind one of the fallen tables next to the still oblivious foe. With his bleeding arm to his side and paws shaking, the former Abbey Recorder jumped out from behind the wreckage. A light glimmer from his axe was all that was seen as it sunk itself deep into the beast. Blood black as the night sky, hot as the enemy's bonfire scared itself upon the blue fur of the fox. Even more shot for though as Del knocked the enemy in the head with his mallet, slaying it then and there.

[Wylder Treejumper]

Wow, very dark and gripping stuff, Gonff. I'm glad you could post it today; it is fitting! Kinda wrenching to see the old Abbey put to the torch though.

My only question- which I'm sure you'll answer in part 2- is: if there are enough mystery enemies to totally destroy the Abbey, down to the material inside the cupboards, where are they now? It seems kind of sparse.

(I call killing them if I find 'em- nobody wrecks Redwall on my watch and gets away with it!)

[Cornflower MM]

Very nice, Gonffy! Really dark and gripping, as Pockets said. Any idea when the next half will be up? (Also, no frying pans? )

[Jukka the Sling]

Nice.  Can't wait to see how we rescue everyone.

[Lady Amber]

Cool!

[rrrrr]

@Gonff the Mousethief  Wow. this is cool.  Are you going to write more?? 

[Eulaliaaa!]

Great job, Gonff. I'm really curious to see what these creatures are.

(I call killing them if I find 'em- nobody wrecks Redwall on my watch and gets away with it!)

Hey, they're mine. I'll fight every last one of them the second I get free!

[Wylder Treejumper]

(I call killing them if I find 'em- nobody wrecks Redwall on my watch and gets away with it!)

Hey, they're mine. I'll fight every last one of them the second I get free!

Tell you what- We'll compete for it. Court of King Bucko style: Fighting, Wits (not necessarily insulting, though), and Food. Best two out of three. You on?

[Gonff the Mousethief]

(I call killing them if I find 'em- nobody wrecks Redwall on my watch and gets away with it!)

Hey, they're mine. I'll fight every last one of them the second I get free!

Tell you what- We'll compete for it. Court of King Bucko style: Fighting, Wits (not necessarily insulting, though), and Food. Best two out of three. You on?

Well at the moment Wylder, you have the upper hand. She's still locked up 

Oh, and the enemies are all over the Front Lawns at multiple bonfires with a couple keeping guard. Probably forgot to mention that. Whoops.



ANYway, I haven't forgotten about this, oh no. I've been quite busy since October, but will try to get the second part out as soon as possible. From there, I guess expect a chaper or two every month until completion. I really did enjoy writing this thing, so hopefully with that and my book I can keep myself occupied.

[Eulaliaaa!]

You don't know. Maybe I'm not locked up. Maybe that's why there are so little of the invaders - I killed them all with my bare talons!

(I call killing them if I find 'em- nobody wrecks Redwall on my watch and gets away with it!)

Hey, they're mine. I'll fight every last one of them the second I get free!

Tell you what- We'll compete for it. Court of King Bucko style: Fighting, Wits (not necessarily insulting, though), and Food. Best two out of three. You on?

You're going down, buddy.

[Rosie Willowwater]

I wish I had joined the forum earlier, it would had been so cool to be in this.

[Gonff the Mousethief]

I wish I had joined the forum earlier, it would had been so cool to be in this.

Don't worry: I got plans for a lot of you.

[rrrrr]

it would had been so cool to be in this.

Yeah.

[Rosie Willowwater]

I wish I had joined the forum earlier, it would had been so cool to be in this.

Don't worry: I got plans for a lot of you.

Yaaay!