FAT49 is on the move!

Ohayo, everyone! Felix and the 49 is migrating to a new website! This new site will feature:
REMASTERED STORY
NEW AND IMPROVED PIXEL PICS
MORE USER FRIENDLY INTERFACE
and, of course:
THE CONTINUATION OF THIS LUDICROUS STORY
Thank for your support. Felix and the rest of us here on the Gnome Archipelago are very appreciative! Valiant would send his regards but we still can't find him, be sure to check out if we do! Peace!

FAT49 #13 - Fate of the Fish-Kin

"Jean, no!" Felix cried. She fell to one knee, coughed and collapsed.
"Hardly even worth the effort." Chang spat. "You hero types are all the same! Your idealism and dreams won't survive this world. Only money makes a difference."
Felix was the only one left standing. The rest of the party had been incapacitated by Chang cheesing one of his over-powered boss moves. Felix only remained because of his evasive prowess but dodging can only get you so far. The wall of ever-present sycophants formed an impenetrable defence. With the amount of money Chang had (sub-everything) the stream of sycophants would remain steady. Felix was low on options. He looked at the others gravely.
"I guess I'll have to..." But then there was movement behind him.

Grgl was standing up with a calm expression on his face.
"Grgl!" Felix said. "I'm glad you're alright. See to the others if you..."
Grgl raised a hand and a torrent of water or perhaps a concentrated version of the ocean itself shot out of it. The sycophants barely had enough time to apply sunblock before they found themselves crashing through the large windows of Strut A. Chang grimaced, his sunglasses askew.
"Boss! Help me!" said one of his underlings, clinging desperately to his foot. Chang looked down contemptuously.
"I hate minor characters!" he said and raised his foot in an about-to-murder-my-own-subordinates-to-cement-the-fact-that-I'm-a-bad-guy-and-therefore-you-should-not-feel-conflicted-in-murdering-me sort of way. But before he could deliver this crushingly overused trope he found himself floating in a bubble of water.
"You've done enough damage, Chang." The sound came from Grgl but it sounded more like a thousand voices than his own. Grgl looked to the ocean and blinked.
"It is coming for us once again." they said.
Chang who was not fond of his watery prison shot out one of his dosh daggers, aimed for Grgl's heart. There was a flash and Felix stood between them, the dosh dagger in his teeth.
"I didn't want to fight you Chang but now I see that you are a tyrant that needs to be stopped!" On pronouncing the last syllable the blade snapped between Felix's teeth.
"There will be no need for further violence, Felix. It is the end of Chang's reign and this city." the voices said. Grgl raised his hand to his temple.

As heard in the minds of those in the immediate vicinity:
"Greetings, people of Flockboast. We are the Fish-Kin, the last remnants of the people that lived on Brow Island. Our homeland was sunk by a mighty wave. That same wave is coming to finally claim us once and for all. It will take us and this city with it. It will be here with the moon rise. Leave this place behind and you will be spared. Do not delay or you will be swept away."

Several hours later in a bubble above Flockboast city...

The sea was a perfectly straight line on the horizon. A beam of moonlight shone over it. Then the horizon rippled.
"It comes." Beardface said.
Chang whimpered and stuck his hand out in a way that conjured up images of a green light.
"My moneyyyyy!" he moaned. Chang was not restrained but he was clearly wary of Grgl, if you could still call him that. He had a strange aura as if he was the epitome of an entire culture or something.
"There are still some people down there." Jean said concernedly.
"Those that remain do so because they try to take their material wealth with them. Otherwise, they remain because remaining is more important to them than living. In either case, it is better that we do not interfere." The voices said through Grgl. Jean was not convinced.
"It is a good thing that this evil place is being wiped clean." Beardface said.
"It is not a good thing it is simply a thing." Grgl said enigmatically.
"Spoken with the neutral mercilessness of a natural disaster." Felix said.
"I can see my house from here." said the underling they had saved.
And then the wave was upon them. It was huge, beyond huge. The wave was taller than the city walls. It reached its yawning maw over the city, blocking out the light of the newly risen moon. It roared with deafening power and in one crash landing enveloped the entire city of Flockboast.

They watched in awe as the water churned below them.
"This is where we leave you." Fish-Kin (Grgl) said. "We will return with the wave. We thank for your assistance."
"What will you do with him?" Felix asked.
"He played a large role in our history. He will join us in our future." There was a pop and Grgl transformed into a fish with a mighty fin. There was a second pop and Chang became a jellyfish.
"Brahrahrahra!" Beardface yodelled with laughter. "Brainless, heartless and spineless! A fitting fate!"
"Then it is time for our farewell. This bubble shall return you to the shore. If you are ever in need of help, holler a fish." and with that Grgl hopped out of the bubble with Chang in tow and glided through the air towards the ocean.

The bubble popped when it reached the beach. The gargantuan wave was still receding and the city was invisible beneath its foaming mass. The only sign that anything had once been there was a rather-quite-tall pole that remained. Ranaweyt bade them farewell giving them an I-must-return-too look followed by an I-enjoyed-working-with-you look. His tail swished as his dark greyness was swallowed by the crowd of recently de-homed individuals that crowded at the edge of what was surely to be named the Flockboast Memorial Dam.

They sat together on the beach in the moonlight watching a crab with an above average sized pincer click menacingly at them.
Beardface lobbed a stone into the now calming sea.
"I am ashamed to have been bested to easily." he mumbled.
"I know how you feel. So much for being masters." Jean agreed.
"Masters we may be but we still have much to learn." Felix said and then paused.
"Wait, let me try again." He furrowed his brow and cleared his throat.
"Though you may have mastered your weapons you have yet to master yourselves." He said sagely.
"No matter how far we've come we can always keep going." Jean said.
"Improvement is an endless task." Beardface agreed. Just then the crab with the above average sized pincer (horrified at these wannabe-deep-and-meaningful lines) threw something shiny at them.
"Hey, aren't those Chang's?" Jean said. Felix inspected it.
"Hmm. Spectacular."

Epilogue
Jean looked at the shining moon and felt a particular nostalgic melancholy. She remembered the land-whale, the wizards, the singing cat, the cyclops and all the peculiar things she would have never seen back home in E'ni (Southern Desert Territory). She thought back to all the masters and wondered where they might have gone. She thought she saw Dali on the beach but decided it couldn't be him. Just then Felix said: "You know, it is beautiful."
And then a thought occurred to Jean. "Hey, weren't we looking for someone?"

ARC 1 Ending Theme: 

Beyond the Sea (La Mer) - Django Reinhardt

FAT49 #12 - Fishy Flashback

In the stillness the seas converged.

Grgl was underwater. He was surrounded by what looked like shattered buildings covered in coral. He noticed some familiar symbols on the buildings. Fish-kin symbols. He swam to one and inspected it. It glowed softly at his touch.
"Could it be?" he thought.
He felt a tail brush past him. A fish. Not to be unexpected. The fish paused and looked at him.
"Is this..." he began "the sunken city of Brow Island?"
"This..." replied the fish. "...is our homeland." The fish's voice was Bloop's. The recent memories came flooding back.
Flock. Butler Suits. Felix... CHANG!
"Sister, I thought you..." Grgl began.
"Alas, brother, I did." Bloop said.
"But then how...?"
"This is the Fish-Kin afterlife."
"We... turn into fish?"
"Yes."
"But, we eat fish."
"Ironic, isn't it? You are what you eat they say."
"..."
"But, never mind that now brother. You are still alive."
"But, I thought this was the after..."
"Hey! There are enough inconsistencies without you asking questions all the time!" Bloop snapped.
"Anyway, you were brought here because you are the last surviving Fish-Kin." Bloop said.
"Okay?" Grgl said.
"Which means..." said another fish with a mighty fin. "...that you shall inherit our will."
"Oh." said Grgl who was trying to imagine what a dead culture robbed of their land and who were now inhabiting fish could will to him. He imagined a life time supply of tuna and then gagged a little.
"You will inherit all of our strengths, all of our memories." said a third fish who had beard-shaped coral growing on its face.
"Inherit your memories?" Grgl said feeling more and more like a fish out of water.
"Touch my fin and I will show you the true history of our people." said coral beard fish.

SPLOOSH

Grgl was there. He floated above the carnage of a sinking city in a bubble of water, with Plash, the bearded fish. Somehow, he knew that was the fish's name.
"Behold, Grgl. This was the mighty wave that claimed our homeland, Brow Island." Plash said. The seas were turbulent and powerful. They crashed mightily into the island, spilling out onto the land and overcoming the walls of its cities. Grgl could see the Fish-Kin, his people, fleeing in terror below him.
"Can't we save them? Can't we stop this?" Grgl said.
"This has already happened." Plash said.

SPLOOSH

They floated above a beach, a familiar beach, as a Fish-Kin girl crawled out of the ocean onto it. She was exhausted. She looked north. She looked south. There was nothing dangerous on the beach save a small crab with an above average sized pincer clicking at her menacingly. The girl turned back to the tides and started waving. She beckoned the other Fish-Kin still lost at sea.
"This child was the first to arrive on the new shore." Plash said.
"Her name is Krash, she is my grandmother." Grgl said.
"Ah, then your bond is strengthening."

SPLOOSH

The beach was now home to a small, thriving settlement. It was a curious one with buildings on land and sea that ebbed with the tide.
"This is the Stolen Shore?" Grgl said. "It's paradise."
"Our people made this place our home, but we would soon have to defend it."

SPLOOSH

There were screams, shouts and gurgles. The settlement was in ruins and great multi-armed creatures emerged from the tide. The Fish-Kin met them at the shore bearing their bone swords.
"The Squid War." Plash said. "Do you see that warrior at the front?" There was a mighty warrior with a mohawk much like Grgl's own standing at the front line fighting the squids.
"My father, Floop." Grgl said.

SPLOOSH

The settlements were being rebuilt but were nowhere near their former glory.
"Many Fish-Kin died in that war and rebuilding the settlement was a difficult task. It left us gutted and desperate." Plash said gravely.
"What did the Squid want with us?" Grgl asked.
"The squid are an ancient enemy of the Fish-Kin. Also, they taste great."
"True. So, why have you brought me here?"
"This was where we met... him. He that is responsible for so much of the Fish-Kin's suffering."
There he was, talking to the village elder. Chang. He looked younger but no less hateful. (NOTE: Before Chang usurped Doshforthewin he was known as Chinstrap Chang).
"That elder is me." Plash said. "Flock had been established during the Squid War. Maximillions Doshforthewin was the leader at the time and he had sent Chang to claim our land. It was the perfect location for their new port. I declined their offer to relocate us. We had just fought off the squids and I would not give up the shore so easily. But, they came with superior numbers..."
"I can feel it..." Grgl said.
"Feel what?"
"I can feel their pain! I can feel the blades and the fire! I can feel their life being drained away!" Countless names, countless faces and countless lives flashed through Grgl's mind. He knew them all.

The converged seas stirred.

FAT49 #11 - BOSS: F.O.T. Chang

"Chang, will you tell us where Valiant is?" Felix asked.
"By Perpetuum, it does talk. Flagnork, see if it can scream." Chang said to the hulking monster on his left.
"Yes, Boss." Flagnork said and flexed his muscles menacingly.
"My magix will not work on the cats but I'll have my fun with the others." Henry laughed.
"Now will you fight, Felix?" Bloop said impatiently.
"So be it." Felix said.

Battle Theme Song: Let Me Blow You A Kiss (Noriko Matsueda, Takahito Eguchi)

Enemy Turn

F.O.T. Chang uses Hateful Words - Party's END down

Flagnork uses Flex - Flagnork's DMG up

Henry uses Maniacal Laughter - Henry's MGX up

Party Turn

Jean uses Nunchaku Strike - Deals 10 DMG to Flagnork

Beardface uses Axe Swing - Deals 15 DMG to Flagnork

Bloop uses Flipper Kick - Deals 6 DMG to Flagnork

Grgl uses Read Up - Discovers Flagnork is weak to ICE

Ranaweyt uses Ysela - INTERCEPT - Henry uses Deflect Magix (the attack is deflected onto a nearby sleeping Sycophant who turns into an ice cream)

Felix uses Claw Flurry - Deals 10, 10, 10 DMG to Flagnork

"Oh, I hate fighting. There's no money in it." Chang said.
"There's more to life than your profits, Chang!" Bloop shouted.
"To live is to make profit, otherwise you are simply another loss." Chang said.

Enemy Turn

F.O.T. Chang uses Flash Some Cash - A herd of greedy Sycophants storm up to him dealing 20 DMG to ALL (except himself)

Flagnork uses Smash- Felix dodges

Henry uses Vurela - Deals 25 DMG to Beardface

Party Turn

Jean uses Encouraging Words - Party DMG & END up

Beardface uses Lumberjack Punisher - JAKUTEN - Deals 20(+25) DMG to Flagnork

Bloop uses Flipper Kick - Deals 8 DMG to Flagnork

Grgl uses Wimpy Punch - Deals 1 DMG to Flagnork and 5 DMG to Grgl

Ranaweyt uses Ysela - Deals 20 DMG to Flagnork - FROZEN

Felix uses Feline Gaze - Henry is challenged to a staring contest and loses - Henry is stunned

"Chang, we have no quarrel with you. All we want is to find Valiant." Felix said.
"Ah yes, Valiant. I hated him."

Enemy Turn

F.O.T. Chang uses Dosh Dagger - Deals 100 DMG to Beardface - Beardface incapacitated

Flagnork frozen

Henry stunned

Party Turn

Jean is distracted

Beardface is incapacitated

Bloop uses Flipper Kick - Deals 8 DMG to Flagnork

Grgl uses Ancient Fish-Kin Remedy - Beardface is revived

Ranaweyt uses Ysela - ICE-ICE COMBO (SHATTER) - Flagnork dead

Felix uses Swift Claw - JAKUTEN - Deals 20(+23) DMG to Henry - Henry Incapacitated

"Give it up, Chang. Tell us what we want to know and we'll be on our way." Felix said.
"I really hate you for making me have to step in." Chang hissed.

Enemy Turn

F.O.T. Chang uses Invest on himself - F.O.T. Chang's DMG, END, AGI, WIT, JKT, MGX up

The investment attracts the Sycophants - F.O.T. Chang is protected by a wall of Sycophants

Jean uses Nunchaku Strike - INTERCEPT - Deals 10 DMG to Wall of Sycophants

Beardface uses Axe Swing - INTERCEPT - Deals 15 DMG to Wall of Sycophants

Bloop uses Flipper Kick - COUNTER - F.O.T. Chang counters with Bankrupt - Bloop dead

Grgl's mind goes still. Still enough to reflect with powerfully calm clarity.

FAT49 #10 - Platforming

"So, the A-B connecting bridge located at the top of this strut will lead us to Strut A where Chang is being held?" Felix clarified.
"Yes, that's what I just finished saying." Grgl said with the unsurprise of one who was ignored often. He was younger than his sister. He couldn't have been older than the main character of a YA novel about zombies, rebellion, angst, post-apocalypse and/or magix. Such novels were commonplace in the Gnome Archipelago and were mostly attributed to one author: I. B. Good. This was of course A Pseudonym. Mr and Mrs Pseudonym had been at a loss with the birth of their 17th child and when asked by the official person what their child's name was they replied: "A..." The official, who was feeling rather impatient that day, recorded this utterance as her name. A was a bookish child because she found that books didn't tease her about her name. When she started writing she decided to attribute it a different name, I. B. Good. She would later become one of the most popular authors around with her first book: Teenage Heroine Rebels Egregiously Against Imperial Scum. Her name was forever etched into the annals of history. Many authors today pay homage to her by coming up with a fake name they call: "a pseudonym". Her most popular work was the Iago Zacklii Trilogy. The second book, Iago Zacklii and the Flagnork, was a smash hit and any self-respecting person owns a copy. Beardface who lives in the mountains and can't read, Jean who lives in the desert and spends most of her time looking after her siblings and training, Felix who has no interest in human books, Ranaweyt who spends most of his days poring over magix scrolls and Bloop who spends most of her time plotting revenge have, none of them, read the book. Grgl, who would consider himself fairly fashionable and up-to-date, has read the entire trilogy.

"There's no need to fight unnecessarily. We should simply ask if they can lead us to Chang." Felix reasoned. "Ah, look here's someone now. Excuse me."
"!" said someone now.
"We were wondering if you might show us to Chang?"
"Gah! A talking cat!" they screeched and ran away.
"There'll be no escort then." Beardface said.
"Then we'll just have to do this the old fashioned way." Felix said. "Platforming."

"Phew, we made it! The A-B connecting bridge." Felix said.

"It's a lot less impressive than the B-C connecting bridge." Bloop noted.

"What were those foul pumpkin monsters?" Beardface said.

"Did anyone see that crocodile?" Jean said.

"Check out all these sweet floating coins I got." Grgl said excitedly.

"Come on, everyone. I feel like the fun is only just beginning." Felix said.

F.O.T. Chang looked down disdainfully at the guard in front of him.
"A talking cat, you say?"
"Yes, Boss!"
"Why did you not bring it to me?"
"Uh...I was going to..."
"Why would you do that? I hate cats."
"Uh... I mean... that was... I..."
"I hate stuttering."
"Sorry, Boss."
"I hate apologies."
"..."
"And, I hate ellipses. Henry!"
There was a flash of light and the guard fell to the floor as a wad of money.
"Excellent work, Henry. I love money."
"I live to please you." said Henry. Henry had the familiar blue tinged skin of a wizard.
"I want smash face." said the monstrosity standing on Chang's left.
"Too slow, Flagnork." Henry taunted.
"Hmm. Cat coming. I smash soon. I hate cat."
There was a creak and a boom as the doors to Strut A burst open.
"Chang!" bellowed Bloop.
"I feel like the hate is only just beginning." Chang said.

FAT49 #9 - Fishy Butlers

"Does anyone else feel like their spit is on fire?" heaved Jean.

"Mmph!" Beardface said inaudibly. His head had gone out through the other side of the bridge.

"He says 'even me'." Felix interpreted.

Ranaweyt meowed their attention to two suspicious looking butlers who looked as if they'd just seen two people and two cats crash land onto a bridge in a blaze of light. 

"Gaah!" Beardface roared as he excalibured his head from the wall. "My tongue is on f..." But, he was interrupted by a splintering crack that resounded through the air. 

"Get off the bridge!" Felix yelled. The party leapt into action. The suspicious butlers had their eyes on the prize and were already surging ahead. The party bolted for the other side. All around the bridge was starting to crumble. Bricks were tumbling down on unknown victims below. It was a shame too, it was such a nice bridge... oh, it also sucked that countless people would be grievously injured. 

Ranaweyt was at the head of the pack followed by Jean, then by Beardface and with Felix taking up the rear. Any structural integrity the bridge might have had was a bygone memory now as it tore apart under its own weight. They could feel the bridge imploding below their feet. 

"Jump!" Felix cried.

Ranaweyt sprang. Jean dove. Beardface leapt. Felix hopped.

"...!" 

"REACH!" 

"RUAARGH" 

"WE CAN MAKE IT!" 

"DRAKE!"

... CRASH. CRASH. CRUMBLE crumble crumble crumble tumble tumble boof ouch!

The party sighed a breath of tasty relief in unison. Everything tastes better when you're alive, you see.

"Did everyone make it." Jean asked.

"Yeah." said one of the butlers out of turn. 

"Felix?" Beardface's head shot up. He had only just made the jump and Felix had been behind him. Had he made it? Beardface bounded to the edge and flung his head over. "FELIX!!!"

"Yes?" Felix said from atop his shoulder. 

"Hey did you guys see another guy jumping with us?"

"Nope."

"Who are you and what business do you have here on the Business Strut." said the first butler.

"The Business Strut?" Jean said perplexedly. 

"We're looking for Valiant. We heard this was the last place he was spotted." Felix said.

"V... Valiant? You'll find fair taxes before you find a hero in Flockboast. Valiant is a false saviour. Hrgl hrgl!" The first butler said. Her laugh sounded like a drowning goose.

"How so?" Felix asked. The butler seemed to have been waiting for this response and cleared her throat in a way that suggested an incoming backstory. 

"Valiant was meant to be the hero of the people but he did nothing for me or mine. He sold his soul to the foul leaders of Flockboast who stole this land from my people. The fish-kin."

"Fish skin?"

"No. Kin. Like "people" but the edgy 3-letter equivalent. Anyway, the fish-kin were robbed of our land. Our culture has all but died out. My brother and I grew tired of waiting for 'heroes'. So, we decided to take the future into our own flippers."

Jean checked immediately. Nope, just a metaphor.

"I sympathise." Jean said.

"Then help us!" She said.

"What exactly is your intention." Beardface asked with his arms crossed.

"We want the head of F.O.T. Chang, the head of Flockboast." she said with a dark glow in her eyes.

"Remind me never to get a butler." Jean said.

"We are looking for Valiant. We are not interested in your vengeful plots." Beardface said.

"Have it your way." she said in the voice of someone who'd just discovered their lifetime supply of toilet paper was 1-ply. "However, let us join forces for now. If anyone were to know of Valiant's whereabouts it would be Chang. We can lead you to him. If you help us get to him we'll ask him your questions before we end his wretched life."

"So be it." Felix said. Beardface shuffled uncomfortably and gave Felix the I-don't-think-we-can-trust-them look. Felix returned with the they-may-be-useful-to-us look. Jean gave them the if-things-go-south-we-can-just-ditch-them look. Ranaweyt gave them the a-vengeful-person-especially-one-who-has-had-their-culture-stolen-from-them-is-unpredictable-and-should-be-treated-with-caution look. After that it was up to interpretation. 

"I'm Bloop." said the first butler breaking the visual tension.

"And I'm Grgl." said the second. Felix gave them the lead-the-way look. 

FAT49 #8 - Rebellious Thunder

F.O.T. Chang prepared his stance as his associates (or, as he preferred, underlings) watched with baited breath. With an assertive swing he sent the ball flying off into the distance. Several of the underlings made faux gasps and clapped sycophantically. F.O.T. Chang hated them, he hated the game he was playing, he hated the beverage he had just been handed by a person the feeling he felt for whom was hate. He went and sat in a chair, the only emotion possible to feel for which was hate. It was a hateful day with a hatefully beautiful sunset set against a pretty sky he could not help but feel fond hate toward. F.O.T. Chang then pondered the only thing he had ever truly not-hated: money, and wondered how he might get some more. This brought a smile to his handsome face, hatred was what he felt for which. Just then a bright bolt of energy zigzagged violently thru the sky before exploding into the impressive B-C connecting bridge. F.O.T. Chang rubbed his beard.
"Fetch whatever that was and bring it to me." He said in a voice like oiled nudity. It looked like something exciting might happen for a change. Not that he didn't hate that sort of thing.

Seconds before...
"Oh good, you made it thru." said a suspicious butler.
"Do you doubt me?" said another suspicious butler.
"Wha... of course not, sister." said the initially suspicious butler.
"We'll need to find another disguise. They'll get suspicious if they see butlers in the Business Strut." said the sister of the initially suspicious butler.
"Don't worry about it. I know where there's a storage room where they keep Business Strut maintenance suits."
"Do you have the keys?"
"Do you doubt me?" he said holding up the sparkling danglers. Together the suspicious and evidently related butlers strode along the B-C connecting bridge at a pace that somehow mixed attempted nonchalance and conspiratorial skulking. "You know," said bro, "this is a really nice bridge. It looks way better than the C-Q connecting bridge." A sudden loud crack.

Seconds before that, at a similar altitude...
"On a scale of 1 to problematic, how safe do you think this is?" Jean shouted against the high winds atop the Master's Mast. Beardface was the last to climb up, his axe still embedded in the wood.
"Hoo!" he breathed. "Aha! I can see it. The city of greed."
"Sickening. Built on the broken backs of beggars they crushed themselves." Felix said.
"I can definitely see the city." Jean shouted. "But, I don't think I can jump that far."
"There'll be no need for that." Felix said smiling. Ranaweyt's eyes flashed and he spoke for the first time in a sonorous voice.

Lightning that denies high fight
Do not deny the platypus egg
Bite until the light cries night
Trouble bubbles from rubble
REBELLIOUS THUNDER

There was a loud cracking and sparking.

Earlier that day.
"A damn fine job, I reckon." said Builder A.
"You got that right. It took blood, sweat and tears but, here it is, on time too." said Builder B.
"Hey, look who it is!" said Builder A.
"Afternoon, gentlemen! Wonderful job! I can't believe we made the deadline." said Architect A.
"It was a damn pleasure building this bridge, it truly is your masterpiece." said Builder A.
"Oh! I'll make sure to tell the others." Architect A said in reference to Architects B and C, in absentia. "But, without you this would have just been a dream. It's our masterpiece."
"You know, we may have had our differences at first but you're not so bad, after all." said Builder B.
"What matters now is that the bridge is built. Come on friends, I'll treat you to Omnom's." said Architect A.
"I won't say no to Omnom!" said Builder A.
"Neither will I!" said Builder B.
"Haha! Then let's go!" said Builder C who had overheard the conversation and arrived just in time to make good use of the generous spirit.
"Let this bridge stand forever as a monument to the amicable relationship between builders and architects!"

Rebellious Thunder Theme Song: Self vs. Self (ft. In Flames) - Pendulum

FAT49 #7 - The Master's Mast

Ranaweyt was the definition of guile. He would instantly find a way to where he wanted to go bobbing thru the mass of busy people as if they were a low-grade obstacle course. He would pause and turn back from time to time to see that the others were still on track. Then he would carry on, hopping from street to wall to confused trader's head to fence and to whatever else would serve as the next medium to his destination, a destination Jean and Beardface knew nothing about and judging from their conversation didn't much care.

"I know he's the 50th master and all but what is he the master of exactly?" Jean asked.
"Why... He's... He's a master of... paw-to-paw combat." Beardface said.
"Or, maybe it's a symbolic title and he's the master of our destiny or something."
"Hmm." Beardface was unconvinced.
"Also, we can't call ourselves FAT49 anymore since we've lost all the other masters."
"I concur, BAT49 has a more inherent poetry." Beardface said missing the point entirely.
"What!? I think you'll find JAT49 is more hard-hitting. " Jean said. She walked into Beardface who had stopped in his tracks.
"Alack! What mighty totem is this!?"

Flockboast City, as we know, was originally a humble fishing town. The naming of the city had somewhat failed in the honouring-the-past department. So, it was decided (by Maximillions Doshforthewin) to erect a symbolic structure that would truly pay homage to its history.
A vast collection of ships' masts were amassed and forged into a magnificent memento, simultaneously immortalising their fishing vessels and scuppering them (it should be noted that they now outsource all of the their squid). The Master's Mast (as it was named) now stands at the impressive height of rather-quite-tall being just over rather-tall and just under sub-cloud. It's really quite astonishing that FAT49 hadn't seen the hulking construction before until you discover the author only thought it up now. Ranaweyt stopped at the base of the towering mast.
"I don't suppose Valiant is up there?"
Ranaweyt gazed in the direction of some distant buildings.

Flock, you see, was a gathering of greedy fat cats individuals. They ran everything from behind the scenes and raked in land-whale-loads of money. They are rumoured to own sub-everything just over rather-quite-enough and and just under everything. As Flock expanded these masters of money would stop at nothing to remain on top. So, they built their houses on top of everyone else's. Situated high above Flockboast connected by invite-only bridges is the sky-city Flock, home to the super-elite (or so they like to think). Those elites hardly ever visit the ground, having all they could possible desire brought to them .
How, then, does one get there without an invite?

"We climb!" Felix said just in time to appear in this chapter.

FAT49 #6 - Skitty Kitty

The boarded up windows and dilapidated masonry would have been spooky if there had not been an infectious beat emanating from within. Jean and Beardface followed Felix under a loose floorboard into the beat up and upbeat building. It was dark. Felix had no trouble finding his way (Cat Eyes: +4 to vision). Beardface blindly rammed his face into a wall.
"Keep your head low just there!" Felix called too late. Beardface bit back the frustration and massaged his bruised brain. Jean then proceeded to hit her head in the exact same spot.

The music grew louder. It was real toe-tapping stuff. Jean couldn't help but bob her head to the beat, although it's also possible that she was mildly concussed. Felix held out a paw to stop them. He was looking up at the source of the music. Up above them several cats were jumping and jiving along with the beat, each playing an instrument. One of them was singing in a husky, strong and hypnotic voice. Felix was dancing along to the music now too. Jean couldn't help but join in. Beardface was reluctant at first but Jean grabbed his hands and channeled the beat! The music was magical. Jean felt a scurrying by her feet as some mice crawled out of some unknown dark place and began to dance too. A solitary bat sitting on the roof was flapping its wings in tune with the music. Two geese even waddled in and began to goose step jovially. A place once unworthy of consideration became a musical haven for all! The music continued for quite some time although it felt as though no time passed at all for those present. The final note was spine tingling and seemed to echo thru the hearts and souls of everyone within the crumbling walls. There was a pause and a deep communal sigh. Then, with the spell broken, several of the cats bounded after the mice and geese. The angel-voiced cat walked calmly thru the chaos towards them.

"Good morning Trubbleclutsh, what's new? I don't suppose you've decided to take me up on my offer." the singing cat said.
"Trouble what?" Jean queried.
"One of my names." Felix elucidated.
The singer hopped in front of Felix.  Her fur was long, brownish-grey and warm looking. A gem on her forehead sparkled with the same pounamu glow as her eyes.
"Sorry, Skitty." Felix said. "I'm actually here with some friends of mine. We're looking for someone."
"Ah yes! It's not often we get humans down here but the music calls. Eventually, we all come."
"I can't deny your voice, Skitty." Felix introduced Jean and Beardface and then the singer cat introduced herself.
"I'm Skitty Kitty. You can call me Skitty for short but you needn't bother I never was all that tall to begin with." she said. Jean laughed, there was something comforting in Skitty's nature.

A fire crackled in the background. Skitty hopped onto a small coffee table that balanced quite well considering it was missing a leg.  She shooed two tortoiseshell cats off the well-scratched couch and beckoned the others to sit down. The throw was threadbare. A ginger tabby gave them a mildly interested look and then returned to his nap atop a dusty old cupboard. There was a scratching sound as a cat, curly-haired, climbed up the cupboard to join the aloof ginger tabby who wasn't happy about it. Jean flinched under the lapis lazuli-stare of a seal point cat who had until recently been tuning a piano. Beardface remained stoic when a nonchalant flat-faced cat strolled onto his lap and relaxed. A serious dark-grey cat hopped onto Jean's shoulder and eyed her curiously, blinking its emeralds.  Skitty licked Felix's head.
"So, you've come looking for Valiant?" she said.
"We heard that Flockboast is where he was last seen."
"And that rumour is mostly on the money. He was in Flockboast but more specifically Flock."
"Flock?" Jean queried.
"A desert dweller." Skitty said. "I can hear the sand rattling in your chest."
"Uh..." Jean didn't know what to say to this. She nervously checked that her scarf was still covering her ear.
"If Flockboast is the puddle, Flock is the rain cloud." Skitty said enigmatically. Felix nodded his head solemnly, Harold (bowtie) wobbled.
"I don't suppose you know a way we could get in?" Felix asked.
"All you'll have to do, my dear Trubbleclutsh, is land on your feet." Skitty said smiling slightly. "Ranaweyt, be a darling and show them the way." The cat on Jean's shoulder bowed his head.
"I owe you one, Skitty." Felix said but Skitty had already begun singing again. It was truly a shame to leave.

As they walked off to their next destination Jean turned to Beardface.
"I thought you couldn't say kitty." she said.
"Don't fret. It's cool when they say it." Beardface reassured her.

Skitty Kitty Theme: No Regrets - Billie Holiday

FAT49 #5 - Flockboast City

Tall Wall. Those are the two most common words found on postcards sent to loved ones from by people visiting Flockboast City. Formed from the red brick of Nose Island, the wall stands higher than even the most aerodynamically sound catapults could chuck. None enter Flockboast but by the gates (one of which is currently unguarded). The city was an inevitability. The two main roads of Head Island: The Great Western Road and The Eyebrow Road meet at its nucleus. Originally, the land was a small fishing town where squid was ever on the menu. After some entrepreneurial traders with a vision arrived the fate of that sleepy town would change forever, and a good thing too as they were getting rather tired of squid. The large trading market that sprouted there was known as The Flock. This was not due to the fact that droves of people flocked there from the forests, deserts, mountains and wherever else the author plans to foreshadow. Nay, it got its name from a flock of reticent ducks that frequented the place. As time passed the market grew to a port city and ultimately the trading capital of the Gnome Archipelago it was decided to change the name of the place. Maximillions Doshforthewin, the leader of The Flock at the time, decided to pay homage to the city's humble cephalopod harvesting origins by renaming the place Flockboats. A well-meaning but dyslecix scribe wrote it down as Flockboast. Fortunately, there were more than enough people prone to over-anaylsing who could extract meaning from a hollow name like an untrained nurse extracts blood, in larger amounts than is comfortable. Doshforthewin was venerated and is responsible for a long-weekend. Cheers to him!

Peddlers of everything imaginable littered the streets and posters advertising everything imaginable covered the walls. Tonics, potions and brews for any illness, ailment or desire. Food from all corners of the Gnome Arhipelago ranging from tastes too subtle for the human tongue to tastes so rich they owned their own super yacht. Clothes chic and clothes shocking. but nonetheless suiting to all fashions. Books, tomes and grimoires and other such papyrus products that chronicled the most mundane facts and fantastic fables. The one thing the many traders had in common was the desperate look in their eyes, the look of one in dire need of some currency.

FAT49 entered the busy street from the south entrance and were immediately accosted by zealous traders. They wordlessly decided to split up and search for clues pertaining to Valiant's location. Felix hopped on the shoulder of Beardface the Brash who was quickly tailed by Jean the Youthful.
"What foul cesspit is this place! Back you savages!" Beardface yelled as he palmed off an approaching trader. "You haven't been here before, Beardface? I first came her as a stowaway aboard the wagon of a troupe of travelling musicians." Felix said. "I know of some friends that could aid us in our quest." Jean said nothing. The sheer colour and vibrancy of everything was hypnotising her. Beardface slipped the scarf around her neck over her left ear. Jean blinked and snapped out of her trance immediately. She followed after Beardface and Felix.

Note: Desert Dwellers of Northern Head Island all (usually) wear their own personal headscarf. In the sand storm prone deserts of the North they are invaluable. When the desert dwellers feel safe and comfortable or are in the presence of trusted or loved ones they remove their scarves and let them lie on their necks. However, if they feel nervous or threatened they will only partly remove the scarf leaving one ear covered. This allows them to resist temptation and dispel illusion by reminding them of the bare truth of their homeland and the cruel mirages that claimed the lives of their pioneering ancestors. The magix of these scarves has never been successfully studied by PSAM.

The path of a cat is its own. By that I mean it is not easy for anything but a cat to go where cats go. Nevertheless, Beardface and Jean squeezed, squished and squirmed thru the tight trail Felix led.
"Is there no less treacherous path?" Beardface cried as a branch kissed him in the face.
"It's just around the next bend!" Felix said for the fourth time, twelve final bends after the original final bend. But, like all incessantly repeated lies they eventually become the truth. Felix stood in front of a dilapidated building and then walked toward it.

Elsewhere, Dali the Impressive exited the crashing waves of the nearby beach, a recently caught squid in hand, and wondered where everyone had gone.

FAT49 #4 - The Entrance Wizard

Felix and the 49 bade farewell to Llywelyn the land whale at the south entrance to Flockboast. The ride was surprisingly comfortable but Llywelyn had been rather talkative. Being verbally spent he stomped off and fell asleep under a nearby evergreen tree with large sinewy roots that looked like slumbering snakes. Felix could make out the sea not far from the western side of the road. He breathed in the salty air. Jean sat next to him and commented poetically on the beauty of it all. Dali the Impressive had already stripped and was bolting toward the crashing waves. Alas, they couldn't admire the splendid vista for long as angry yells at the entrance begged their attention.

"You shalln't pass!" bellowed a wizard in a red robe and hat in a way that was almost cliché.
"But, I have wares to sell!" retorted an angry trader.
"How will these wares benefit Flockboast?"
"Cauliflower is an important part of anyone's diet." the trader said holding up a cauliflower to prove his point.
"Not important to me!" said the wizard, "Now leave!"
"Come on, I have a wife and kids."
"We've all got problems. Now begone!" The cauliflower trader was adamant and tried to push past the wizard. He had gone too far. The wizard spoke his incantation and with a soft 'fwump' the trader collapsed to the floor as a cauliflower.
"Now, what do you have to offer that will benefit the city?" the wizard said with a cold nonchalance that exuded a lack of remorse or possibly boredom.

Wizards are a bit strange but at the same time fairly commonplace on the Gnome Archipelago. Anyone can become a wizard (if their marks are good enough). Being accepted at The Prestigious School of Assorted Magix (PSAM) on Hat Island is an honour, or so they say. Benefits include: meeting like-minded wizards; getting wizard discounts and if you're lucky enough the cream of the crop may get a half decent job. The Prestigious School of Assorted Magix has many faculties that will go unnamed until the author can think of some. Like all wizards, this one has blue skin, a result of extended exposure to Hat Island's cold environment. This particular wizard, Harold, has a degree in Applied Transformation Magix with a major in Ice Block Manipulation. Unfortunately, his thesis on changing water into ice, wasn't well received by his colleagues on Hat Island, a place perpetually covered in snow heavy enough to cling to the thickest thickets, was never published. Moreover, if you thought that sentence was clunky you should have read his thesis. Somehow, Harold had landed a job as an entrance wizard at Flockboast City's South Entrance. The pay wasn't great but he did get to practise his art. "Forget all this wizard nonsense and inherit the business!" His father the foul fowl trader had said. These words repeatedly reverberated thru his skull resulting in a perpetually poor mood and consistent contempt for all types of traders.

"Excuse me, wizard. May we enter?" Felix asked politely.

"What? Who said that?" Squawked Harold.

"Down here. I am Felix. I have come with..."

"Gah!" The wizard interrupted. "A talking cat!"

Harold recalled at that moment a line in his textbook. "Felines with the ability to speak are cursed"
(Hecate, WA 34).

In an instinctual flurry he unleashed a bolt of Magix at Felix. There was a flash and a soft 'fwump' as Harold fell to the floor. No longer a wizard but a bowtie.

Harold the bowtie disdained as he remembered the next line of that transcription. "...and you should never use your Magix against them."(Hecate, WA 34).

Felix picked up the bowtie (Harold). "That would look good on you." Jacques the Scarred said eyeing it thoughtfully. Felix nodded his agreement, attached the defeated bowtie and entered thru the unguarded doors to Flockboast and the end of the chapter.

A lone cauliflower sighed...

Bibliography
Hecate, (WA 34). Introduction to Magix. 17th ed. Hat Island: Prestigious School of Assorted Magix, p.394.

WA 34: Weapon Age Year 34

FAT49 #3 - On the Road to Flockboast City

The problem with travelling in large groups is organising transport. Seriously. After multiple failed attempts to hire carriage drivers, chariots, a dirigible and an above average sized elephant they decided to walk. They traipsed in a single file line, led by Felix of course, toward Flockboast city.

The journey to Flockboast was mostly uneventful. A group of fish-wielding bandits attempted to mug them but the not-to-be-reckoned-with masters soon put them in their plaice.  The path was busy. Flockboast was the trading capital of the Gnome Archipelago. The city was crowded with people, too many to fit within its huge walls. Large satellite settlements had developed outside the city and the people flocked into work everyday. Traffic was terrible at the best of times. Felix and the 49 found themselves moving at a snail's pace. Literally. One of the traders had a giant snail (although slow they are reliable goods transporters, salt products not included). It should be noted that although the masters are tough and ready for a fight they are polite. They won't simply use their power to sweep aside people that irritate them, unless they racketeer.

All was peaceful and calm when suddenly something went wrong. A thundering sound erupted from the trees of the forest that grew on the east side of the road. A hulking creature, probably large enough to fit roughly 49 people give or take a cat, walked right thru the well-trodden path squishing several bystanders in the process and making it even more well-trodden.
"A land-whale!" Bellowed an excited trader.
"I know!" said one of the recently squished traders.
"That beauty could carry my wares anywhere!" said another whose snail was deeply offended.
They were too slow. Felix's eyes had flashed at the sight of the land-whale and he leaped after it. There was a wake of crushed debris behind it which Felix jumped over effortlessly. He finally managed to catch up with it after hopping over a small decidious tree that somersaulted clumsily passed.
"My friend! Might I have a word with you?" Felix called. The land-whale turned his mighty head and slowed his pace.
"Ah yee. What is it mate?" said the land-whale.

Llywelyn the land-whale (centre).

"I was wondering if you might aid us in our quest. We are in search of Valiant the Aforementioned."
"Cool-as, mate. So, what you need me for, ey?"
"My friend, your body is truly mighty. My comrades and I are many and the path is long and slow. I would be grateful if you would give us a lift to Flockboast city."
"Ah, you wanna go to Flockboast, ey? Nasty place, nasty people there."
"We know but our quest is important to us. We will not be perturbed."
"So what's in it for me?" the land-whale asked. Damn! Felix and his fellows had only been on the quest for such a short time. They hadn't yet picked up any useful items to trade. Felix decided there was only one thing he could do: Break the fourth wall.
"We'll make this week's pixel pic of you." Felix said hopefully.
"Done! But, make it look like I'm on a beach paradise!" The land-whale said.

The author (and pixel pic creator) tuts disapprovingly at this flagrant use of his friendly temperament. He considers killing off one of his characters in a coming chapter. He looks at the clock and decides its about time to post on his blog. He considers finishing his essay due on Monday. He ponders the movie he just watched. With embarrassment he realises he is writing down his thoughts on his blog instead of his daily journal. He decides this joke has gone on long enough and decides to post before he loses either of his viewers.

Llywelyn the land-whale's Theme:
Someone's Rocking My Dreamboat - The Ink Spots (1942)

FAT49 #2 - Oh Valiant, where you at?

Valiant the Aforementioned was the greatest hero of an era. He slew the foulest monstrosity that would be seen in the land for decades to come. The people loved him, saluted him, cheered him, revered him but most of all aggrieved him. You see, they were impressed by his actions but their gratitude soon became expectation. The pressure and demands of the people grew too great. They relied too heavily upon him, like a friend who refuses to get a driver's license and continually bums lifts from you. So, Valiant abandoned his role as super turbo fantastic saviour of the world and vanished. No one had seen him in years. However, Felix and the 49 would not be perturbed by such obstacles as ignorance. Nay, they would tread ever forward until they found him. But, dedication aside, they had to consider their options before blindly going into the unknown. So, they held a meeting, taking out a trusty map of their land. The Gnome Archipelago.

"I say we head to the west coast." said Thomas the Glass-Eyed.
"I disagree. Valiant wouldn't head there if he wanted solitude. It has the most people." said Siphokazi the Sharp.
"He would surely seek out the forests." said Anisha the Sickle-Wielder.
"That's insane! He would go to the Beard Island past the mountains and seek out the solitary isles. I'll bet he went to find the legendary perfect island?" said Jack the Tipper.
"You have all neglected the deserts of the north. If Valiant truly wanted to be alone, that would be his destination." said Jacques the Scarred.
"Perhaps, he's laying low on Nose Island. He could be hiding away in one of the abandoned buildings there." said Matthew the Hand.
"Here's a question! Which island has the least people? Hat island, its obvious..." Phtephen the Thrifty was saying before he was interrupted by Dojima the Silver.
"He wouldn't go to Hat island unless he wanted an icy tomb."
"This is pointless! We've reasons for and against every option!" grumbled Beardface the Brash. "We must let Felix decide." The 49 looked to Felix. He sat at the head of the table with his furry back facing them.
"Felix! What would you have us do?" Felix did not respond. He continued to stare at the moon for about 13 more seconds before turning to them. "We must know where we are going, otherwise, we will wander for an eternity."
"If that's what it takes..." David the Snake said in a voice that rustled like stones falling down a mountain.
"I say that we seek information. We go to the last place he was seen." Felix said.
"It would be a logical choice." said Siphokazi the Sharp.
"The moon suggested it actually. We will go to the largest and foulest city in our land... a place ruled by villainous scum."
"You can't mean... but that's insane!" Jack the Tipper exclaimed.
"Yes. Our first destination," Felix's eyes glistened in the luminescent lunar light "...is Flockboast City."

Several hours later when they had all gone off to bed Jean the Youthful couldn't sleep. She turned to Dali the Impressive.
"Hey. If Felix can speak to the moon why doesn't he just ask it where Valiant is?"
"Huh? Oh, Jean. You're so young."

FAT49 #1 - The Second Unanimous Decision

The masters in search of Valiant the Aforementioned were many. They came from all lands, spoke in all tongues, dressed differently, ate a variety of dishes, and all had different understandings of the world and what was important. However, what they all had in common was that they were all human. So, they wondered, how could Felix (not a human) be their master?

"It's unthinkable. How could a cat lead? You'd sooner see a mountain bleed." Some said.

"Rosebush has never been wrong and she has spoken. To doubt her you would have to be a token." Some would respond. 

"But he's just a cat! What is your answer to that?" Some would respond to the response. It was Beardface the Brash who interrupted this poor rhyming. "Whether he be a cat, a moose or a forest spirit it matters not. He bested me. Me! I have never suffered defeat before now and Felix wiped the floor with me like a mop. He hung me out to dry like a damp towel. He scrubbed me like a dirty rag. He..." Beardface continued with these domestic metaphors for some time.

"Enough!" Felix said finally, "Beardface, though your metaphors are terrible I appreciate your intention. I must prove my worth to the other masters. Would everyone that doubts my legitimacy raise your hand?" One by one the doubters raised their predominantly right hands. Felix gazed over the crowd of people and took a deep breath. "Then I shall have to persuade you." He said eyes flashing.

They came with cutlasses and clubs, scimitars and swords, hammers and halberds, dagons and daggers. The greatest and mightiest of them did their damnedest to strike him but his alacrity was electric. He dodged, evaded, feinted, avoided, slid, slipped and not a single master touched him. He was ridiculously lucky. Felix, you see, had spent his whole life being sneaky and evasive. He would steal a sausage and dodge the cleaver's knife. To him these weapons were no different, it was just another trip to the butcher. Also he had triple plated plot armour. Fast paced seconds turned into palpitating minutes which turned into dreary hours which turned into tiring days until finally they were all collapsed from exhaustion. Felix had not delivered a single blow and yet he had bested every master. It was made clear that cardio was of great import.

Felix looked over the prostrate crowd, raised his paw and asked the question. "Will you accept me as the 50th master?" The decision was unanimous, at least from those that were still conscious.

Felix and the 49 #0 - Prologue

In a tumultuous land there reigned a shapeless scourge. A creature so foul its own mother wouldn’t record its music recitals. It lay waste to the living and overcrowded the dead. It was an unwelcome guest, like a friend who stayed for dinner after everyone else had left. The diabolical thing had to be stopped.

Unsurprisingly, a conveniently named hero, Valiant the Aforementioned, rose to combat the beast. Backed by the living and the dead Valiant confronted it. Valiant fought with great vigor and panache but the mighty weapon, the Emulsificator, could not land a blow on its ever-changing bodus. Fire had to be fought with fire. An ironically flaming bolt of lightning struck the Emulsificator changing its shape and forming a new weapon. As the beast changed so did the weapon. For many days and as many nights they fought until finally the beast was slain. Thus it earned its name, The Slain. We’re not sure what they called it before then.

With The Slain eradicated the world saw a momentary lapse of calm. 50 ish years later it would be the glorious Weapon Age. Weapons of every shape, size, texture and trademark were commonplace. In this age there was great uproar and debate for no one could agree on which weapon had delivered the final blow to The Slain. Was it a sexy sword? An angry axe? A handsome hammer? A less attractive hammer? Perhaps his bare hands or even bear hands? No one knew for certain except for Rosebush the Present, sort of. She had been there when Valiant had slain The Slain. At the time she was a practicing mystic and had disguised herself as a rosebush. Struck by a stray bolt of fire she was gifted with a conveniently long lifespan.

Now, she slept at all times, her advanced age keeping her in a comatose state. However, once a year she would awaken from her slumber and say: “Oh! I remember now, it was definitely [insert weapon here].” Thus a new school of weaponry would be born. No one dared question Rosebush the Present. It was said that a magical moss surrounded her and it allowed her to sense your doubt, also she smelled.

As the weapons increased in number so did the arguing increase. Tournaments were held, card games, casual sport matches, professional sport matches and even a few rap battles. Weapon masters of all varieties met at the Council of Blades and Hammers and Whips and Scythes and Spears… The name was soon shortened to the Council of Chops and Slices. In this year, 50 ish years after the slaying of The Slain, there was a unanimous decision for the first time, pretty much, ever. There was a legend that the 50th would guide the others to the truth. Upon the final announcement the masters would set out in search of Valiant the Aforementioned. 

The day was soon upon them and like moths to a flame they gathered around Rosebush, at a safe distance. 49 Masters held their collective breath as she awoke. Her rose red eyes opened as if she had been reborn and she uttered that frustratingly familiar phrase: “Oh! I remember now, it was definitely...” but before she could finish she burst into a cloud of metaphorically rich rose petals that floated on the breeze of storyline inconsistency. Anisha the Sickle-Wielder raised her hammer and cried: “Perhaps the petals will point out our path!” Like huge lumbering children they gave chase. With narratively unimpressive astonishment they found that it was not some strong he-man or unassuming child that was the chosen one. The petals floated dreamily and tauntingly in their air before finally landing on Felix the Furry, the town's black and white cat, whose fur coat resembled a three piece suit and whose ginger hind paws resembled leather shoes. Beardface the Brash picked him up and bellowed: “Genius, we shall throw animals at them!” At that Felix the Furry cried: “Though your face may resemble my people, thou art a fool!” Then Felix the Furry scratched Beardface the Brash with his gleaming claws. He landed impressively and dusted himself off. It was then obvious to them that this cat was truly powerful. Rosebush had spoken for the final time. She was gone. Felix was the final announcement. Felix was a master. Felix and the 49.