"Is the war over now?" Pansy asked the next day at lunch.

Brocktree shook his great striped head. "No chance of that, I'm certain. He'll be back, this isn't finished yet. That murdering wildcat isn't about to just turn an' march away. It won't end until one or the other of us is dead."

"Why does it have to end that way?" the Pegasus persisted. "Maybe Ungatt Trunn could change and be a goodbeast if you only gave him the chance."

Luna snorted. "He's about seventy seasons old. He's had plenty of opportunity to be good, but he has always acted evil. His father was the same way."

"I've 'eard things about Ungatt Trunn that'd make yore feathers curl," said Brogalaw. "He and his wicked father, King Mortspear, once wanted to open up a casino on an island, but the otters who lived there wouldn't let 'em. So the two o' them came back with an army of feral cats an' took over the whole island. The few otters they didn't kill are slaves for the cats now."

"Well, that does sound pretty bad," Pansy admitted.

Then Bucko came running into the dining hall. "They're comin' back, whole bunch o' the blue scum!"

Brock stood up. "Did you see Trunn with them?"

"Nay, not with me own eyes, but he wouldnae ever stand at the front. He was probably hiding behind his soldiers."

"Say, what happened with you and that fox?" Commander Hurricane asked him, as one warrior to another.

The March hare smiled grimly. "Oh, he disappeared. Ye know how foxes can disappear easy!"

Hurricane glanced at the dried blood on his sword. "Yeah, I know all right."

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Lord Brocktree stepped out onto the beach to meet the approaching vermin, flanked by the alicorn sisters.

"I see the cat now, but just a glimpse," said Celestia. "He's not taking any chances. He's well shielded by three ranks of guards, shields up too."

The vermin halted within hailing distance. Trunn's shout rang out from between the ranks. "I've decided to take you up on your offer, stripedog! I will meet you, face to face, claw to paw, and tooth to fang in combat to the death! The one left standing takes all."

Brocktree's sharp growl answered. "Tomorrow then, when the noon is high. We will meet there, where you stand upon the shore at this moment."

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Ungatt Trunn was desperate. Before, he had not wanted to risk direct combat with the badger, but now it was the only way he could regain control of the mountain. But he wasn't going to leave anything to chance. That night he met with the rat Doomeye to discuss his plan for fixing the fight tomorrow.

"You're still loyal to me, right Doomeye? You won't desert like your brother?"

Doomeye shivered, his eyes wide. He didn't know what to expect, but he knew there was only one answer if he wanted to live. "Of course. You can count on me!"

"Good," said the cat. "I need an archer, the very finest bowbeast, one who never misses."

Hearing this, Doomeye regained some of his confidence. "Look ye no further, cap'n. I can pick off a butterfly on the wing, an' I'd take me oath on that. Yew ain't never seen a beast livin' that kin fire off a shaft like me."

Trunn's tail curled out and drew him close. Doomeye's paws quivered as he gazed into the wildcat's savage eyes.

"Fail me and I'll make sure you die bit by bit, searat! Now, here's what you must do. I know I can easily trump the stripedog tomorrow, but I want to make sure I cover all the angles. Climb the mountain tonight, letting nobeast see you. Find a spot where you can command a good view of the combat. If the fight is going against me, kill the badger. Go now. Make sure you find a good hiding place. Be certain none see you!"

Doomeye departed, wishing he had taken his brother up on his offer to run away together the day before.