Conflux Of Time

This is a fan fiction story by Ox Rookbane. It is not considered canon, nor is it a policy or guideline.

Sequel to "Light in the Dark". Dedicated to those friends of the past, and those friends I will meet and make in the future, and to those present with me now. Dedicated to my good LegendTeller again, for inspiring me to write Redwall Fanfictions. Thank you for the support, all of you!

Perforated Heart (Prologue)

Seasons after Ox Rookbane, Slayer of Ravens, Lord of Salamandastron, had told his story... Problems with his family brew. Being the Badger Lord of Salamandastron had fed the fire of the relationship that was meager and barely floating on the sea.

Lady Victoria of Salamandastron, wife of Ox, had started to distrust him. He would promise something to her, and it would never be executed; something always got in the way as his duty of being Badger Lord. It frustrated her, and she could not take it.

She confronted her husband and had a heart-breaking conversation between him. She stated she would leave, and take one of their two twin sons, Lekota. She would head to Redwall Abbey and stay there for the rest of her days. She had planned it in advanced, and Log a Log would support her as a travel aide to Redwall- all in that day.

After the conversation, she had left Salamandastron. Ox would accompany her and his son, Lekota (who was only still a babe) to Log a Log. A trek that would stab a hole in Ox's heart every step of the way.

On arrival, he gave his goodbyes, and held his son one more time. His first words were spoken that day, "Daddy". It would be the first words Ox had heard from his son, Lekota, and it would be the last he will ever hear-- until later.

"She just... Look, when I promised one thing, it would deteriorate. Whenever I had my exotic free-time, it would be with her or with my sons. I feel she used me, but... I'm too stubborn to realize. A cockamamie love I've had for many seasons. I guess it wasn't enough for her, and now I'll miss my son I have loved, Lekota. Lekota... Lekota..."

- Ox Rookbane

Book 1: Wrong Place At Wrong Time

Chapter 1

Many seasons after the departure of Victoria, Ox had lived and cared for his only son now, Kenai. Kenai was sixteen in seasons, while his father was old. His fur had started to become grey as he grew old.

The Badger Lord nowadays would wear a simple brown tunic with a brown cloak. He had started growing a beard, but insisted on not having one. It would be trimmed whenever it started growing back. He didn't mind being scruffy, but he would not have a beard like his father, Blitz.

Kenai was a young and a fighter. If there was a chance, he'd fight his father to go against his words. To live with him at Salamandastron for this long was quite a feat in Ox's eyes. His only salvation was from the morning walks his son would take. He would walk as far out, all the way until he reached Mossflower Woods.

It was the same thing this morning, Kenai would take a walk and enjoy a fresh spring morning. Ox watched him depart from a window in his bedchamber, and sighed. A friend of Ox's, one of the hares of the mountain, Dandy, came to his side. She rested her chin in her paws, and set her elbows on the window ledge, and looked out. This did not go unnoticed by the Badger Lord. "Thinkin' of something, young lady?"

She sighed, and continued to stare out the window. "No, nothing in particular, Ox."

Dandy scooted over and allowed his massive arms to rest on the window ledge. He laid his chin on his arms, staring out over the sea. Letting off a sigh, he spoke a thought of his. "It's been sixteen seasons since I've seen my son other son, Lekota. She never visited like she said she would..."

Dandy thought about it, and sighed once more. None of them spoke a word, but continued to stare out over the sea. A beautiful spring indeed. Ox had planned many times to go to Redwall to see Victoria and his son, but he never came around to it. It was either he was busy, or his body becoming heavier with seasons would not comply. Kenai might be one of his sons, but he missed Lekota, and Kenai wanted to see his brother at least once.

Peace and quiet lasted for a short few minutes. The Colonel of the Long Patrol, Whiscut, barged in on the two. Neither two turned to look at him. "Beautiful spring day, chaps! Go out, sniff a pretty rose or somethin'! Stop mopin' about, wot!"

Neither of the two bothered, and continued to gaze out. The Colonel showed disapproval, but none of them could see it. Ox took a great sniff on the air, and breathed out heavily. Turning around, Dandy followed him out of his bedchamber. The two went down to the kitchens to grab tea, and went out to their spot they always sat at. A ledge on Salamandastron that had once been cultivated by a previous Badger Lord of long ago, Sunflash the Mace. Grass grew there now, along with some wild flowers.

Ox took a great sniff of the air again, and sneezed this time. Taking out a kerchief, he blew his nose, and muttered to himself. "Not my allergies again..."

Dandy kept silent, and the Badger Lord fell silent, joining her. The two sat and took in the spring, and spoke nothing. For some reason, Ox had a feeling something might not be right about the day, but he did not say a thing about it, for he knew not of what would happen, or if anything would happen.

Chapter 2

Redwall Abbey, a beautiful place indeed. Victoria had became a Badger Mother at Redwall, something that has not happened for a long time now. She was scarcely a season younger than Ox, her husband, but felt old. Her son Lekota had attended Abbey School, and learned as much from there.

Abbot Manes had passes many seasons back, and Abbess Poppy succeeded him. A shrew as an Abbess was different, but they accepted her. She was wise, kind, and knew leadership well. She enjoyed Lekota when he was a babe, but now he had grown to be sixteen seasons of age. He could no longer be held when he was a babe, and would soon take on the world on his own.

He had heard the story of his father from his mother, but he barely knew about his father. He didn't know of his twin brother Kenai until she told him. Separated when his mother disagreed; separated because his father struggled so hard to keep it all together, but failure occurred and he could not succeed.

He wanted to find his father, and meet his brother for the first time. He would leave Redwall. His unorthodox plan was secretive, nobeast knew about it. Lekota was afraid; he doesn't know how to survive on his own out in Mossflower, and he doesn't have anything to defend himself.

He consulted to the Skipper, Skipper Brandil for help. Giving him a dagger, and getting him a satchel of vittles to supply him on his "runaway", he packed it away in a room he had in the Abbey. He was not ready yet to leave; he wanted to know a bit more before he ran off, so he wouldn't get lost.

He consulted to the library in the Abbey, set by Old Quelt from many seasons ago. Searching through the shelves for a book that might house a map, he would sneeze when he pulled a book out and dust would be released into the atmosphere.

Pulling a book off a shelf, he flipped through the pages and found a map. Locating Redwall, he looked for Salamandastron. He found both locations, and pinpointed them in his mind. Grabbing paper and a charcoal stick to write with, he designed a hasty sketch that was flawless. It was almost an exact replica of the map.

Finishing his sketch, he closed the book and more dust aroused and tickled his nose, causing him to sneeze. Shoving the sketch in a satchel at his side, he stood up and put the book back up on its rightful place on the shelf. Scanning for anything else that might interest him and catch his eye, he couldn't find anything.

Curious, Lekota thought about checking the "O's". Scanning through all of the "O's", he saw nothing that caught his attention or interested him. Lekota was hoping on finding something for "Ox", for his father, but his hopes were crushed. Why would he find such a thing here? He was just imagining a wish he could have.

After his time in the library, the young badger snuck out and crept to his room. Grabbing the supplies and the dagger, he slipped the dagger into his satchel and put on a backpack of the supplies. Writing a quick letter to whomever would be concerned at him missing, he left it on his bed.

The only way to sneak out would be through the window. His room happened to be on the second floor, so jumping was out of the question. Looking out, he found sturdy places to hold on to and settle his paws on to climb down. Kicking his legs over the ledge, he took a deep breath in, and started descending. Ledge to ledge, he came down to the ground eventually.

The gates of Redwall weren't far now; he could make it away undetected. Keeping to himself and making sure to stay in cover, he easily made it to the gates, accomplishing his goal. Opening the gates, he slipped out, and it locked on its own. Lekota was free.

Afternoon tea was around the corner. Lekota would've always taken the tea with Abbess Poppy, his mother Victoria, and Skipper Brandil. But this afternoon tea would be short a member. Skipper Brandil knew of Lekota's disappearance, but did not inform anybeast. Victoria took notice, and pondered the thought of what might it be about, and it was obvious Poppy was, also.

"Where is that young rip now? He never misses afternoon tea..."

The Abbess scratched her chin. "I was thinking that, too. He's always healthy, so I wouldn't expect him to be sick. Should we check the infirmary?"

Brandil had to play along to avoid detection or suspicion. "That's a good idea, Mother Abbess! Let's take a peek, shall we?"

The trio dispersed to head to the infirmary. On arrival, they were greeted by Brother Buckleberry. He nodded and smiled. "Good afternoon, Mother Abbess! Somebeast sick, or are you lookin' for one?"

"You haven't happened to see Lekota in here, have you?"

Brother Buckleberry, a kind and heartwarming mouse, chuckled. "He's never been in here since... Oh, how many seasons ago was it now? I must be getting old!"

It was apparent that Lekota was not there. Thanking the infirmary-keeper for his information, they set off to check Lekota's room. Opening the door, they did not see the massive badger there sleeping or anywhere in the room, but a letter.

"Mother, I have set off to find my father, Ox, and my 'brother', Kenai. I've always wished and dreamed of being able to see them, and you would say that we'd go back and visit someday, but it's never happened. So I went off myself to do so. If you want to find me, you'll have to come to Salamandastron."

-Lekota

Chapter 3

Kenai had made it into Mossflower Woods rather early. Having never really travelling out into it, he felt curious and a growing passion to explore it. Ignoring his father's warnings he's been lectured on many times, he started his exploration.

Only afternoon and he made it to the woods, this surprised him. Smiling, he enjoyed looking around and taking in the scenery. Mossflower Woods appeared amazing to him. Better than a mountain, better than sand dunes, better than all of it. The trees he's never seen before, the sweet berries he would pluck from a bush or two, the lush grass beneath his paws...

This was something his father would have never allowed him to do. He felt pride in being rebellious. His nose in the air and sniffing his surroundings, Kenai enjoyed the scent of the flowers and trees- he enjoyed it all.

His father would've never let him do such a thing, would he? Ox... Over-protective. He needed to lighten up his iron hold on his only son Kenai. No, he wasn't an only child, but how did he know that this "Lekota" existed? Only his father and mother knew sure enough. Why should he believe those old windbags?

Mossflower Woods was peaceful and quiet, the wind rustling the foliage of the trees. Nothing disturbed him or bothered the silence. He was wandering out farther than he's ever been, and it didn't make feel uncomfortable at all. It was out of his mind, but he should've felt it.

Lekota used his map effectively and his skills in navigation to work his way to Salamandastron. He had already calculated an estimated time of arrival, and tried to fit into it. The afternoon was peaceful and quiet. A bit unusual, he dubbed it.

Wandering for even more, he took a planned break and helped himself to some packed scones and a flask of strawberry fizz. Sighing, he looked over the map, and looked into the sky. Pondering some things, he knew he was going the right direction. Lekota knew very well that it wouldn't be too long if he kept it up at his pace, and he'd arrive.

Kenai started to feel unsure about his decision. Turning around, he tried to go back home. Wandering in the same direction he thought was home, he had actually gotten himself even more lost. Kenai began panicking. He should've listened to Father.

Chapter 4

It was late in the afternoon, and evening wouldn't be too far. Ox Rookbane looked out his window from his bedchamber, awaiting the return of Kenai. Ox had matters to address, but he did not focus his attention on it. Kenai was late- he never came home late. It was always on the dot of the afternoon. Did he get lost or caught up in something? Or worse... Did he not listen to his father about his warnings?

Colonel Whiscut came in to check on the Badger Lord to see that his duty was being executed. Ox needed this to keep him on track as he got older and dealt with his son. Noticing him staring out the window, the hare cleared his throat. "'Scuse me, sah, but what are you doin'?"

"He's not back yet. He's always been back on the dot, but not today... I find something wrong 'bout it. It's... Distracting."

Whiscut scratched his chin and shrugged. "If it gets late and he doesn't show his pretty face 'round here, I'll send some Long Patrol chaps out to go huntin' for him."

The Badger Lord sighed, and went back to do what he doing. His work was nothing interesting, but part of the responsibilities of being a Badger Lord. Ox struggled in keeping his head on what he was doing, but his mind ventured out to think about his son. What if he lost Kenai? He'd never see any of his sons again... He did not want to loose all he had now.

Victoria and Abbess Poppy had been discussing on what to do. Unfortunately, the Friar piped up and exposed Brandil. When the two confronted the Skipper, he had no idea what it was about. Smiling, he acknowledged them, and spoke. "Found the young un' yet?"

Mother Abbess glared at Skipper. Staring coldly, he started to feel worried. "What? Somethin' wrong?"

The badger mother spoke for the Abbess. "We know you helped Lekota sneak out."

Brandil played a perfect face of plain stupid. He was not going to accept the accusation lightly. "Whaaaaa-? Pfft, no! I wouldn't do that! If I did, I would've gone with 'im! Ox is an ol' friend of mine!"

Victoria dragged Skipper by the ear, and he yelped and complained every bit of the way to wherever she was taking him. They were bound for Cavern Hole, where they would discuss. On arrival, the badger let go of the otter's ear, and he scrambled away from her. He did not want another tormenting session of getting his ear pulled. "Nearly ripped me ear off!"

The Abbess arrived soon after, and she whispered to the badger mother. Skipper Brandil pondered about what they were discussing, frightened at the thought he pictured. Would they exile him? Chop his tail off? Starve him? Imprison him? Whatever he was thinking, was not correct.

"Hmm... Very well. Skipper, did you help Lekota out?"

He sighed, and shrugged. "He just asked me to get 'im supplies and a dagger for 'is journey, and that's it. It's all I know of it! Swear on me rudder!"

"We believe you. Now, have you seen Felix?"

"Felix? Haven't seen that rip since breakfast! He scoffs and he's off, no idea where he might be."

Lekota continued to walk his way, examining the map and his surroundings, and making sure he was still on the right track. Checking around him, it was clear; nobeast was around, and nothing to disturb him. Lekota put his muzzle into the air and sniffed, then sneezed. Sniffling, the young badger rubbed his nose and continued to look a the map.

As he buried his muzzle into the replicated map, he did not notice a figure sneaking up behind him. Walking forward, he addressed himself and help intervention on his going. "Hmm, I am going the right way, correct? Lets see... According to my estimation from before, and the time that has passed, it shouldn't be too long now, should it?"

The figure froze, and didn't make a move when Lekota spoke. When it felt confident, it continued to stalk the young badger. Closing the distance with a hasty but silent jog, he prepared himself and leapt on his back.

"Sup, furball!"

Lekota freaked out and yelped aloud. He tumbled to the ground and rolled, Felix still on his back. Laughing, he flicked Lekota, and teased him. "You'd be scared if a bug landed on you! Hah!"

Realizing the tormenter was Felix, Lekota calmed down and disapproved of the otter. "Not funny. Now what are you doing out here?"

The otter stood up and dusted himself off. Fixing the red and black plaid kerchief around his neck, and adjusting his necklace to rest in the center of his upper chest, Felix finished tidying himself up and answered. "Just followin' you to wherever."

Lekota attempted to shoo him away. "Go back to the Abbey- I'm going alone. This is for me only."

Felix would not let up. "I don't wanna go back to Redwall! 'Tis boring there! I want to come with you, and be free from that place!"

The badger sighed. "My friend, this is my journey I had set for myself to meet somebeast that is close to me."

The otter smiled slyly. "Talkin' about your... 'Lover'?"

"N-no! He is NOT my lover!"

Felix's eyes widened, and he exploded with laughter, and fell to the ground. Lekota face-pawed himself, and shook his head. "He's my father- I might as well say to save myself."

Wiping a tear trickling down his face, Felix recovered from laughing, and leaned against his friend. "Oh, your father, eh? Well sink me rudder, never knew you had one!"

"It's just that I've never met him before. My mother took me from my home and abandoned my father and we went to Redwall. Also, I apparently have a brother, also."

An audible growl could be heard and it originated from Felix's stomach. "Ooh, am I hungry! And perfect, you got supper!"

Lekota turned and walked away. He ignored Felix's feeble attempts to reach the haversack of vittles and get himself a snack. After several failed attempts, he started to complain to his badger friend. Lekota shook his head and denied. "I have a schedule I have planned for myself to arrive at my destination. No, not until I make my resting point."

Felix sighed, and started to fidget with his kerchief draped around his neck. He was the son of Skipper Brandil, and the kerchief was passed down to him. After messing with the kerchief for some time, he went to examine his necklace. Running his paw over it, he enjoyed the little charm at the end of it: a little sword.

Chapter 5

Kenai panicked. Scrambling around, he tried different directions to get home. He was lost. There was no doubt about it, but he was lost. Evening was fading in slowly, and he wouldn't be home. He knew his father would send the Long Patrol out to find him. Kenai didn't want to be found by the Long Patrol; he'd be punished severely for going against his father's rules. But another part of him wanted him to be found because he'd be safe at home.

Getting desperate, he looked around for anybeast that might be following him, or that might be stalking him. Safe. He sighed and felt his eye twitching. Looking around once more, he decided to yell out. Cupping his paws around his mouth, he roared out, "Help!"

In the distance, a voice could be heard. Lekota could make out a "help" from it. Packing his gear up, he stood up and judged the direction of the yell. Felix was munching on a scone and stood up to be at Lekota's side. "So I wasn't the only one who heard that now, was I?"

"No, I heard it also. I believe it's coming from this way. Come on, we better go see to them!"

Kenai slumped against a tree, and panted. Hyperventilating himself, he crouched in a ball and breathed heavily. These were the consequences of not listening to his father- a scholarly Badger Lord. He would pay the price for his ignorance.

Suddenly, a figure dropped out from a tree. It was a squirrel. Retrieving himself from his ball, he tried crawling away rapidly, frightened at the sudden appearance of the squirrel. This squirrel laughed, and soon the trees has squirrels coming out of them. The one who had frightened Kenai spoke. "Did we frighten you?"

Trying to regain his breath and slow his heartbeat down, Kenai nodded. "Nearly gave me a heart attack!"

The squirrel laughed. "I'm Fey Bushtail, but you can call me Fey. I'm the leader of the squirrel tribe here in Mossflower."

Fey held out her paw, and Kenai took it gently and shook. Slowly rising, he looked around at all of the squirrels. Judging that he was lost, she decided to give an offer to Kenai. "You seem lost. Where you headin' to? I think we could help!"

Kenai shook his head. "You wouldn't happen to know where Salamandastron is, would you? That's my home..."

Fey sighed. "Can't say I do. Sorry... But I do know where Redwall is!"

Kenai denied. "My father wouldn't be pleased, nor my mother. It must be Salamandastron."

A scarred squirrel stepped forward. Scars ran across almost every limb of his body. "I believe I, Fargo, would know the way."

The young badger lit up with hope. "Oh, thank you! Please, show me the way!"

Fey gave permission to let Fargo lead the squirrel tribe and Kenai home to Salamandastron. Fey questioned if he was the Badger Lord, and he shook his said solemnly. He explained about how his father was, and his duties. He also went on to ramble about the morning walks Kenai himself would take. Nodding in acknowledgement, she appeared somewhat fascinated at it.

Fargo seemed to not be listening, but caught Kenai off-guard with his comment. "Scholarly, eh? Not like a bookworm, but discovering all this 'fascinating' stuff?"

"Y-yes... He's found many accounts and inscriptions from past Badger Lords. He likes using his free time on doing that, or he calls his duties that."

"Interesting," was all Fargo replied back.

Chapter 6

"Where is he?! COLONEL!" A furious Ox Rookbane looked around and shouted.

Colonel Whiscut could not be found. Ox looked everywhere for him. He wasn't in the dining hall, he wasn't in the Forge (to prove Ox's desperateness), and he wasn't buried in vittles at the kitchen. Where could that hare be?

Running his paw through his fur, he sighed. He was still heated and furious at the "disappearance" of his Long Patrol Colonel. He even asked his daughter, Dandy, and she came up to no avail. "Sorry Ox, I haven't seen him since when he barged in this morning..."

"Well, I last saw him during the afternoon. It's almost nightfall, and I can't find him, and my son hasn't returned."

Getting the idea that Colonel Whiscut might be off running an unorthodox mission to find Kenai, he would be grateful to know that they were hunting for him, but also furious for not notifying him. He would also be even more furious at his son for not listening to him.

Checking the barracks and even more places, he found the Long Patrol still here. His frustration was obviously clear to the hares, and they stood to attention, saluting. The Badger Lord rolled his eyes, and rapped out in frustration. "Where is Colonel Whiscut?"

The hares looked around at each another and shrugged when one would whisper to another to ask. Finding it useless, Ox Rookbane strode out hastily and muttered curses about the Colonel to himself.

Checking the armory, all weapons were hanging up on the walls or cradled on a rack. Looking at where the Colonel usually kept his weapons, there was one thing missing: a sabre. Colonel Whiscut has gone off on an unorthodox mission ALONE, and notified nobeast of his departure. Ox shook with anger, and stormed off to the Forge. Hares form the barracks stumbled upon him and tried to check on Ox, but he passed them and ignored them on his way to the Forge.

Colonel Whiscut wandered in Mossflower Woods with his sabre in holster, a ration of vittles to keep him going, and a torch in paw. He was searching for the squirrel tribe to ask around, but his main focus was Kenai. He had no idea if Ox found his note he left for him.

Kenai and the squirrels camped in a comfortable and supportive location for the tribe. Fires were going and squirrel foragers returned with what they got. They came back rich in edible food and desirable food to live off of from Mossflower Woods.

Kenai sat alone and worried about the possible consequences his father would have in store for him when he came home. He wouldn't know what would happen if he came home now. Surely Ox would be furious at him, but would he have a soft spot for Kenai? Being all he had, of course he wouldn't want to loose Kenai from running away now, would he? Surely not.

Lekota and Felix camped out at their own camp site. Felix got a fire started, and Lekota marked a tree for which direction he should be going towards the shout he heard earlier. Luckily for him, it was the same direction to Salamandastron, so he would be able to kill two birds with one stone.

Tomorrow morning, nobeast expected things to go down.

Chapter 7

The Squirrel camp was up and about. Preparing themselves for the last few distance between them and Salamandastron, they would return Kenai home. Shuffling around, a quick breakfast was eaten and packing up was happening. It wouldn't be too long now.

When the trek picked up again, the going was somewhat slow. Kenai pondered what his father would be like when he returned to Salamandastron. Thinking up rational ideas, he shuddered, and tried to shake it out of his head. It would not be pretty.

"I am going to KILL him when he gets back! He is in BIG TROUBLE." The Badger Lord roared to himself, but Dandy overheard him (of course).

"Sah, I would let him off if I were you; he's never gotten a chance to explore ol' Mossflower!" Dandy attempted to defend Kenai.

"Then he would SAY SO! Wouldn't harm me or him to ASK?" Ox sneered back at Dandy.

Panting with anger and frustration, the Badger Lord sighed. Wiping his brow with the back of his paw, he shook his massive head, and sighed once more. "I'm sorry if I sneered at you, but do you know how I feel? Kenai is all I have! Victoria took Lekota and 'promised to visit'! Never happened once! Isn't that messed up?"

Dandy rubbed her chin and thought of an answer. "Mayhap she forgot? Maybe she couldn't?"

Ox denied this, and scrapped the question. It would not help him at all, and would not make him feel any better about the current situation. Colonel Whiscut was no where to be found, and there was no idea where he might be.

Colonel Whiscut wandered after a good night's rest, searching for the squirrel tribe. Hearing a chorus of voices belting out a ditty, he approached to the sound. The Squirrel Tribe! And what's this they had in tow? Kenai! He had found Kenai!

"G'morning to you, chaps! Now sir Kenai, y'mind comin' home?"

Kenai turned and was hysterical towards the Colonel. "Whiscut! Oh, you came lookin' for me!"

Colonel Whiscut winked. "Only because your father would've thrown me out a window if I haven't had, wot!"

Colonel Whiscut met some of his old friends from the Squirrel Tribe and met new members of it. As he laughed and chatted with them, a whizzing arrow darted by and struck a squirrel straight through the head. Turning around, a bandit group of vermin came charging. Colonel Whiscut was being followed and stalked this entire time.

"It's an ambush, run! To Salamandastron, come on!" Kenai roared out.

The squirrels, badger, and hare dashed for their lives. Some squirrel archers and slingers sent missiles back at the oncoming vermin, but could not stop. Running out of Mossflower woods, across some terrain, and eventually breaking out onto the shore of Salamandastron, the runners were exhausted.

Ox and Dandy had viewed them stampeding towards Salamandastron. He could see the sight of one creature that he had been longing for: Kenai. Quick for his old age, he speedily grabbed his Ravenshaft (A double-headed war axe engraved and made of fine metal, with a lance point at the bottom of the shaft, and streamers tied around by the head) and slipped on his chest piece and gauntlets. He was out of Salamandastron and coming to bring the fight.

As arrows and slingstones were being sent from the vermin, the mad group ran in a zig-zag formation to avoid the incoming missiles. A squirrel maid who bore a babe was struck in the back of the shoulder and she fell, dropping the babe. Fey was in there rapidly, trying to help the maid. Fargo took the maid while Fey took the child. Neither of them saw the incoming arrows.

"Look out- Aaaaaauuurragh!"

Kenai had taken to arrows, one to his shoulder and one to his lower chest. Panting, the Bloodwrath had started to brew a red mist in his eyes. He had inherited it from his father, and had no control over it- unlike his father. Kenai succumbed and now was under the influence of the madness.

Ox strode out into the fight. This would be a warm-up after many seasons of inactivity. Thinking he would be able to get into the fight, he instead had to sheath his Ravenshaft to help Fey and Fargo out. Getting them safely into the mountain with the babe and maid, Ox attended to more and more, never getting his paws dirty in the skirmish.

In little to no time, the skirmish was over. No survivors from the vermin's side except one: a weasel. He had scrambled off with something dangling from his paw. Colonel Whiscut reported this to Ox and saluted. Instead of getting a "thank you" or a nod, he got a bop in the back of the head. "Next time, tell me about your missions instead of running off."

The Colonel didn't bother telling him of the letter in Ox's mood. Making his way around, a cluster of creatures were gathering in one location. The Badger Lord made his way to the crowd and found his son Kenai, laying there dead. Ox cursed, and was enraged by this. Forgetting to control his Bloodwrath, he let himself slip into this anger.

Taking off as fast as he could ever go in his old age, Ox was off to pursue the last survivor and take revenge for his son's murder.

Lekota and Felix had made there way to where they heard the scream from earlier. Arriving on the scene, they were horrified at what they saw: carcasses of some vermin and squirrels laid astray. Felix stared in horror. The badger checked one of the bodies and with his paw he felt a warmth, then it faded away. This was recent.

Following the tracks left by a stampede, they made their way out hastily and eventually arrived at Salamandastron themselves. Entering through the main entrance, Lekota somehow navigated in to the dining hall. Squirrels were grouped up and hares were also. One approached him and spoke to him. "Ox? I thought you ran off..."

"I'm not Ox, that's my father..."

"But- Kenai just died! You can't be him!"

Lekota's eyes enlarged in size. "H-he died? M-my brother? H-how?!"

The hare's eyes grew twice as large as Lekota's eyes. "L-Lekota?! Oh goodness, its been seasons! K-Kenai? Yes... It's unfortunate... Come, come with me, I'll let you see him."

Leading him into the vaults where very few of the slain goodbeasts were laid out, Kenai's body laid out on one of the slabs with flowers plucked from the mountain's slopes; some of Ox's favorites. Lekota stared deeply at him, and placed a paw on his dead brother's paw. Beaten and scarred the body was, but he looked different in features compared to Lekota. Lekota was a bit shorter and had a thicker white stripe than his brother.

Felix eventually found Lekota and heard what happened to Lekota's brother, and cried along with him and Dandy. It would be a sad day of loss...

Chapter 8

Ox was not himself. With such an anger at the death of his only son, this sparked an unbelievable Bloodwrath that has never been seen in him before, or in many Badger Lords at all. Hunting down the last survivor and brutally slaughtering them was Bloodwrath's job- it was Ox's job to be the host to fulfill the duty.

He did not need to track at all- he was guided in his state of immense Bloodwrath. Charging about with his weapon in paw, he was not slowing down, despite his old age and the weight of armor and Ravenshaft.

There was no way the weasel would get away. Ox would have him- he would. Failure would not be an option for him. The warm blood of the weasel would please him immensely- avenging the death of his son. This weasel might not have particularly have slayed Kenai, but Ox didn't care. As obstinate as he was, it would be even worse with his Bloodwrath.

Eventually, he found the weasel after bulldozing over terrain to find them. The weasel panted and panted after his running from his pursuer. Turning around to face the mad badger, he smiled and laughed. "Do you know what I am capable of, Ox?"

These words pierced Ox and he quickly regained his senses. "Running from an inevitable death, am I correct?"

The weasel shook with laughter, seemingly as an act of mocking Ox Rookbane. "No! I, Zarix, hold everything in hostage! Do y'understand?!"

Ox slightly rested his weapon. He was not going to strike. "I don't follow you. You can't- you ambitious vermin scum!"

"Oh, but I can!" Pulling out a pocket watch, he laughed. Ox stared at it.

"Do you know what this is? The very item of the manipulation of time! Your past can change to be how I WANT IT TO BE! NOW DO YOU FOLLOW ME?!" The weasel laughed maniacally. Ox found a rock in his paw, and tossed it behind his back and caught it back in his paw.

"What do you mean?" The Badger Lord questioned the weasel.

"Don't you see? With this, I can go back and change YOUR past! I can go back and change anything I please! Ungatt Trunn's death? FIXED! Gorath surviving Vizka? NOPE! Urthwyte, friends with Wildlough? HOW ABOUT, DEAD?! Mwaha, haha! Hahaha!"

Ox stared in disbelief. "M-manipulation of time?! A-are you insane?! Do you know what happens if you create a-"

"Nobeast cares but you, toodles!"

Zarix held the pocket watch up and moved his claw over a dial and turned it a few times, then relocated his claw to rest on top of a button. Giving a devious smile, he pressed it just when Ox threw the rock. It was a direct impact.

"Nooooo!"

Flash! A white flash occurred and blinded Ox, causing him to stumble and fall over. What had just happened, he thought?

Chapter 9

Fey, Felix, and Colonel Whiscut back at Salamandastron experienced the blinding flash also. After its effects, by coincidence, they all bumped into somebeast and fell to the ground. All of them rubbed their heads and groaned.

Colonel Whiscut looked and saw a hare in front of him. Looking at him suspiciously, he questioned them. "Who are you? Never seen you 'round here before, chap!"

The hare replied back. "I can say the same about you too, mate."

"Well who are you then? Speak!"

"Major Mullein. Now that I told you mine, I expect the same with you."

"I'm Colonel Whiscut, Colonel of the Long Patrol!"

"W-what? No your not! I don't even know you!"

"Huh?"

Felix moaned from the collision. "Watch where you walk!"

"I can say the same about you too, mate."

Looking at each other, they smiled slyly. Felix's smile went from ear to ear. "And who may you be?"

"Me name's Ruff mate, you?"

"Felix. W-wait, how did you get here at Salad-manastron? N-no... Got it wrong again! S-Salamandastron, there!"

"I-I'm at Sala-what-astron?!"

Fey bumped into a squirrel almost her age. Smiling, she struck up conversation with them. "Never seen you before in my squirrel tribe! What may your name be?"

"W-where am I?"

"Salamandastron, that's where! Now, what may your name be?" Fey smiled and spoke in a friendly voice.

"I-I'm Samkim... I come from Redwall..."

Fey raised an eyebrow. "Redwall? I don't know anybeast that has came here from Redwall, let alone a squirrel! How did you get here so quickly?"

"I don't recall ever heading here..."

Ox rubbed his head and shook his head. Groaning, it pieced together to make a chorus of groans. There were other creatures with him without him realizing. "Ughhh... What just happened? I feel like I'm going to get sick!"

A voice replied back. "I don't know, but now I have this ache in my head that is killing me..."

Another voice could be heard replying with the one from before. "Now that you mentioned it, I do feel a headache... Ughhh..."

One more voice gave their complaint. "I feel like I'm going to be sick also- oh goodness!"

The sound of somebeast vomiting could be heard, and Ox had to clutch his stomach and try to keep himself from vomiting himself. Gulping he laid down and tried to relieve himself of the queasy feeling in his stomach. After some time, he sat up, along with three others who sat up right with him.

They all crawled back hastily to put distance between each other. Grabbing their weapons, they stood up. There were now three more badgers in company with Ox. One marked by a flame on his forehead, one pure white, and one younger than Ox but showed no special traits. The three newcomers held their weapons threateningly towards each other. Ox looked and saw a pocket watch on the ground, and picked it up into his paws.

"Who are you?" , "You first." , "...Who are you? Can't we just say?"

Being broken from the trance of the pocket watch, Ox Rookbane could now look at the others freely. He knew every one of them. Brocktree, Urthwyte, and Gorath. Past Badger Lords of Salamandastron- before Ox was even born. While the three bickered, Ox chuckled, and they looked at him. "Well well! Nice to meet you, Brocktree, Urthwyte, and Gorath! You probably won't know each other, but I know you all."

They all focused on Ox, pointing their weapons at him. Brocktree slowly approached Ox and eventually had his great-sword pointed at his throat. Backing up, Ox looked at Brocktree confusingly. "D-don't point that at me! What did I do?"

He snarled back. "How do you know me?"

Brocktree's statement was backed up by the other two. Ox looked around frantically and pulled out the pocket watch once more. Examining the mechanics of it, he knew it was somewhat busted. "Did that throw knock something out of place? This doesn't make sense! You are all... Dead. Currently, you are living in the future! H-how? Cut my tail off and paste a rudder on and call me Brandil, but how?!"

Urthwyte peered at Ox. "We're all dead but living in the future... And you are telling us you are alive and in your present time?"

Ox nodded. "T-that weasel! H-he gets away with killing my son AND ESCAPED when I had him cornered! His stupid time piece must've been busted along with this one! Must've cloned it... Again, cut my tail off and paste a rudder on and call me Brandil! We must get to Salamandastron, hurry! I think better in my bedchamber!"

Brocktree seemed to despise Ox. "YOUR bedchamber?!"

Ox rolled his eyes. "The name is Ox Rookbane, but call me Ox. Now introduce yourselves to one another and follow me! Come on! We need to work hastily or else that weasel Zarix might accidently create a paradox and destroy time ITSELF!"

Introductions were made, and Gorath posed a question. "How do you know this stuff?"

Ox shook his head. "I theorized it. I thought of a question and eventually made answers and explanations backed up by some logical explanations and proof. Now hurry along! If he creates a paradox, this is it for us! Time itself will cease to exist and we won't even be here, nor in the past or future! Gone forever!"

The pace was brought up into a sprint to Salamandastron. Ox didn't know that these past Badger Lords would not be the only guests in this timeline.

Chapter 10

"W-who are all these creatures?!" Ox looked on in shock at all of the new creatures roaming Salamandastron.

Urthwyte tapped Ox's shoulder and jumped back when Ox swiveled around almost instantaneously. "What do you mean by that?"

Ox didn't reply. Thinking of reasons, he turned around and walked off, and the others followed. He was intervening with himself and blabbering on about topics nobeast understood. "Ooh this is bad... This knocked THREE timelines into one! And- oh no..."

Turning to the others, Rookbane questioned them. "What were you all doing before this happened?"

Brocktree replied first. "About to reclaim Salamandastron from Ungatt Trunn."

Urthwyte went next. "I was travelling with Mara to help my brother Urthstripe out."

Then Gorath. "I was after that fox!" Vizka Longtooth.

Ox nearly collapsed after hearing all of them. "And the best part about this all is: your enemies are somewhere out here, and my weasel I want to slay is out there also. This, is not a good thing..."

Gorath raised an eyebrow and questioned. "So Vizka is here, and I'm not just abandoned here?"

Urthwyte cut Ox off before he could answer, and posed a new question. "So that means... Urthstripe could be here?!"

"I-I DON'T KNOW! Please, I cannot comprehend all of this madness! You're going to make me insane!" Ox whined and complained at Urthwyte. All he whispered back to the cracking badger was "sorry", and Ox face-pawed himself.

Ox was about to head to the bedchamber when he remembered Kenai. He wanted to give his respects like a father would do. Detouring to the vaults, Ox hurried off. Though the other Badger Lords might be in tow, Ox didn't care. He didn't care if he openly expressed his emotions to his son in front of them.

Heading down there, he saw another badger, Dandy, and an otter. Pushing through them to be next to his son's lifeless body he took his paw and held it, and wept. The badger who had been there put a paw on Ox's shoulder. "M-my brother is dead... And I never got to know him..."

"He had no- Lekota? This is you?!" Ox turned around and looked at the badger. He nodded. It was Lekota. The two embraced a massive hug together. Lekota's Father peeked over his shoulder. Turning his head around, he saw the other Lords, but he didn't care. He continued to hug his father and they wept together.

"Oh, Lekota, it's been seasons! Now you've grown up so much! And what's even worse, I didn't even get to see you grow up! The only real memory I have with you were your first words: 'Daddy'! I thought that would be the only words I heard from you! Oh boo hoo hoo!" Ox lost it and was overwhelmed. Tears dripped off his face and plopped on the ground.

After the long hug, they let go. Lekota turned around to see the other Badger Lords, and addressed his father. "Father, who are they? N-no, wait... Gorath the Flame and Urthwyte... Haven't I- Eureka! I have read Redwall records of you two! C-can't say I know you though..." Lekota nodded to Brocktree.

"I'm Brocktree. I overheard, but to make sure, you're Lekota?"

"Yes sir, that would be me. If you will excuse me, but... I need time to gather my thoughts and emotions."

Lekota abandoned the vault with Felix in tow. Together the friends went off and eventually found the ledge that unwittingly Ox and Dandy sat at all the time. The two stared off out into the distance. Lekota's mind was everywhere. He had met his father, and had seen his brother; dead and scarred after helping and protecting friends he had just made...

"I cannot help but to think about why we must do this... Why must we fight one another constantly? Kenai was just an innocent young badger who was just growing up and being able to have more freedom until it was... Stolen from him..."

-A journal entry from Lekota

Ox finally got some freedom from Brocktree, Urthwyte, and Gorath. Finding his son with his friend on his favorite ledge, he sat down next to Lekota. His son leaned against him and sniffled. Batting an eye at the otter, Ox saw a similarity between them and somebeast else. "You look awfully a lot like an ol' friend of mine, Brandil."

"Brandil is my father, Sir. Name's Felix." Felix added.

Ox nodded, and saw the journal entry Lekota had recently written. Holding him close, Ox gently and soothingly sang out a little song.

"Don't you worry your pretty little mind;

Creatures throw rocks at things that shine...

And life, Makes love look hard...

The stakes are high, and the water's rough,

But this love is ours..."

Chapter 11=

Lekota was assigned the guest room of Salamandastron. Being rarely used, dust and cobwebs smothered any furniture in the room. A desk had accumulated about an inch of dust, a chair choked with cobwebs, and a bedframe coated in the particles of dirt that has built up over the years.

Taking a kerchief and dampening it with water, the young resident of the room got to work on laboring in dusting the room. The kerchief needed to constantly be wringed out and washed to prepare it for another strike against the dust. The task was annoying- constantly wringing out the kerchief.

After finishing the long labor of dusting the room, the young badger settled down and unpacked his gear. Putting some of his belongings on the desk and writings on a shelf, he hanged up his haversack and came out of the room.

Looking around, Salamandastron was more crowded than before. Lekota wandered about looking for his father. He wanted to speak with him and learn more about him since he never got the chance to do so. Thinking he might be in his bedchamber, Lekota waddled off to find him there. Coming across Felix, he saw him with Ruff, and left him to hang with his new friend.

Making his way to the bedchamber, he heard bickering and fussing coming from inside. Creeping the door open, he peeked through the crevice and spied in. Viewing his father stressed out and running his paw through his fur, the words he returned to the questions and bickering from the other Badger Lords came out hot.

"I can no longer think now! How many times have I told you? Why must you be this stubborn?! And stop calling this your bedchamber! I am sick and tired of you now!"

Lekota didn't dare to breathe. Closing the door gingerly, it creaked loudly. The spy eyes' squinted and stared at the door. Not moving the door at all, he could hear a voice call out to him. "Who's there? Come in here, don't run off now."

Sighing, Lekota opened the door and stared at them all. Then, he flatly stated, "You all get a long well... Now who's this one complaining about a bedchamber? That sounds silly to me- the young Dibbuns at Redwall never complained about simple things like that! And they are youngsters!"

The one who was complaining was Brocktree. He strongly disliked Ox and couldn't trust him. He felt as if Ox was lying about the whole situation, and was trying to smother out Brocktree from his "rightful" place as a Badger Lord of Salamandastron.

Lekota's father took a kerchief and blew his nose in an attempt to hide his laughter. Ox couldn't resist and burst out laughing, right in front of Brocktree. His son just stared at his and rolled his eyes. Gorath feigned a unsure chuckle. Urthwyte smiled at the reference Lekota made. Brocktree was furious at the laughter and elbowed Ox in the stomach, knocking the wind from him.

"Oof! D-did you really need to do that? My old body is wearing out and you're not helping me!" Ox wheezed.

Lekota came to his father's side and bopped him in the back of the head. He was rewarded with a harder bop to his head from his father. Wincing, Lekota rubbed his head and looked around the room, examining all of the collections of records, articles, documents, stories, biographies, and even more to think about. Most of it had been written by Ox himself on this shelf. Another shelf housed scrolls from other Badger Lords, including Mandoral Highpeak and the account of Brocktree's story from Russano the Wise.

"Woah... These over here look far more ancient than Redwall's records! Geez, have Badger Lord ever heard of 'innovation'? See, it's this amazing thing where one improves an invention or system..."

The other Badger Lords (not including Ox) glanced at each other and stared at Lekota. His smile of discovery and amazement left him, and he laughed nervously. Trying to change the subject, he posed a question. "So, Father... If they are here, then what are we going to do about them? They got all of their buddies here also?"

Ox lit up. "That's right! And if their 'buddies' are here, then that means- oh... Oh, this ain't well..."

Urthwyte looked nervous or annoyed. "What isn't so well about it?"

Ox gulped. "We got probably got four groups of enemies here to deal with. Maybe even five if Zarix gathers vermin to join him..."

This, isn't so good...