Chess had to revert the rook piece to its original form since it didn't fit into the crawlspace of a hole that they came from. Rook lead the way as she pushed the chess piece as she crawled. Chess is behind again, having a mental conversation with Piece.

"Piece? Why is the shield-like that exactly?"

"SELECTED CHESSBOARD BURROW VOLUNTEERS ARE OFTEN IMPLANTED WITH SEMI-SYNTHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEMS THAT ARE INTERTWINED WITH THEIR ORGANIC BODY. THIS ALLOWS THE CHESS PIECES TO FULLY SYNCHRONIZE BETWEEN THE THOUGHTS AND ACTIONS OF THEIR OPERATORS."

"So...that means the shield is probably taken ideas from Tower and shaped itself to his will. That's probably why it looks so peculiar."

"IT IS ALSO LIKELY THAT THE OPERATOR TOOK INSPIRATION FROM OTHER MEDIA. HUMAN MEDIA DATABASE CONCLUDES THAT THE SHIELD DESIGN IS BASED ON THE KNIGHT SIR GALAHAD FROM FATE GRAND ORDER."

"What's that?"

"FATE GRAND ORDER IS A FRANCHISE EXTENSION OF THE TYPE-MOON SERIES, ORIGINATING FROM THE COUNTRY JAPAN. THE FRANCHISE HAS ADAPTED MUCH OF ITS WORKS INTO ANIMATED FORMAT, ALSO KNOWN AS ANIME."

...

Now that he thought about it, he remembers that Voxx and Bleu love anime. That's probably what they were watching on their ritual of cartoon night. If he remembers correctly, the two like My Hero Academia and Black Clover.

Pushing that thought aside, Chess finds himself back in the storage room as Rook pushes the fridge back in place. No one has seemed to have noticed their absence, so the two casually walk back to the top layer of their under-world. Chess notices that Kipo and the gang have already come back from scouting, and Wolf has that look on her face. The..."I have an idea" kind of face. Chess and Rook meet up with them and he does his signing to Wolf.

[IX-YOU HAVE IDEA FS-WOLF(Q)]

"....He asked if I had an idea, right?" Wolf turns to Benson.

"Yeah, I got that." He says. "How did you get it though?"

Wolf shrugs. "Just a hunch. But, yes, I do have a plan. We planning to trick the Raccoons to try and deal with Beak Beak. It's a multi-man team, so we need them."

"That's why we have to trick them," Kipo continues the plan. "Otherwise, we alone might not have enough people to pull it off."

"Tricking them is...a bit of a strong word." Rook puts her input. "But I can help you...nudge them the right way. Yeah, that's a better word for it."

"Oh! So you're gonna tag along?" Dave says. "What's your name?"

"Rook. And...I finally made up my mind. I want to help, any way I can."

"Good, that makes eight," says Wolf. "But there's one last thing we need."

"And that is?" Kipo's brow rises.

"A failsafe," she says. "We can't guarantee that the Raccoons will go exactly how we'll expect them to. That and we can't expect the giant pigeon to just...fall over for us. Mutes are erratic and unpredictable, so we need something to protect us while the plan is executed."

"Ah!"

Everyone look at Chess when he made that noise. Looking at Rook, she nods as she extends out the chess piece that she has in her hands. With a mental command, the chess piece turns into the same shield from earlier, and everyone gasps.

"You found another chess piece, Chess?" Kipo's guffawed.

"Alright, what does it do?" Wolf doesn't flinch at the sight of it. But she smirks as all the pieces are coming together.

"SHIELD FUNCTION OMEGA," says Piece. "UNLIKE THE PAWN PIECE'S SHIELD FUNCTION ALPHA, THE OMEGA FUNCTION IS FAR MORE CAPABLE AND VERSATILE."

Wolf nods slowly and smiles. "Good looks like everything's in place. Now, we just need to get everything together. And...let's hope things work out."

*  *  *

With everything explained, the group went off to make the pieces happen. Of course, the language used will be more akin to a workout than actually just telling them the plan. This was, of course, partially thanks to Rook and her further explanation of Fitness Raccoon culture. Dave, with his singular strong arm, is busy convincing the buffer Mutes such as Label to make a strong rope through an "exercise routine". Benson, with his silver tongue, will work with Tongue Depressor to fashion a band out of said rope to work as a sling. Wolf and Dave are working with the other raccoons to uphold mirrors to attract the big bird's attention. And since Beak Beak reacts far more violently with the mirrors, they have to go in last as they'll be the ones baiting a house-sized corvid behind their tails.

This is where Chess and Rook come in. They're the failsafe to ensure that the bird doesn't just outright eat anyone it sees. Chess and Rook have to train in a separate room in order to ensure that no one gets any ideas of their plan.

"IN ORDER TO BECOME THE PERFECT SHIELD, YOUR STANCE MUST BE SET. LEGS FAR APART, AND SHIELD FORWARD. A SHIELD CAN NOT PROTECT IF IT DOES NOT FACE THE ATTACKER."

Piece is the one instructing Rook to use the shield, and thus given as much time with Wolf and Kipo. Rook adjusts her stance and peeks over her shield wall, looking at Chess who gives her a thumbs up.

"INITIATING ATTACK SESSION. PLEASE ATTEMPT TO MOVE THE SHIELD TO BLOCK ATTACKS."

Chess unsheathes his axes. Both of them are covered in a wrapping cloth to dull their impact. He charges forth, jumping in the air. He strikes with all his might. Rook moves the shield, blocking his attack. Using his paw, he bounds off the surface of the shield and repositions to the right, and attacks again. Once again, Rook moves the shield and blocks the attack. She buckles for a moment, but Chess continues his attack. Another rebound, another attack. This time, Rook falls, falling to a knee.

"YOU DID WELL," says Piece."ENSURE THAT YOU PUT YOUR WEIGHT FORWARD SO THAT SUCH ATTACKS WILL NOT TOPPLE YOU."

"Got it," Rook huffs, regaining her stance. "Is there anything else?"

"ONE OTHER. YOU MUST LEARN HOW TO PARRY," says Piece. "PARRYING WILL ALLOW YOU TO LEAVE YOUR OPPONENT OPEN AND HELP GIVE MORE TIME."

"Wait, I'm attacking?" Rook tilts her head.

"NO, THE MAIN FUNCTION OF THE SHIELD IS TO PROTECT YOU AND THE PEOPLE AROUND YOU. ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TO PARRY SO THAT THE GROUP HAS ENOUGH TIME TO GET ENOUGH DISTANCE."

"Okay, Rook nods. "So how do I parry?"

"USING THE MOMENTUM OF THE ATTACK DISTRIBUTED TO YOU, YOU WILL USE THAT MOMENTUM TO REDIRECT YOUR OPPONENT AWAY FROM YOU AND THE ONES YOU WISH TO PROTECT."

Exhaling, Rook steels herself. "Alright, let's do this."

"COMMENCING ATTACK."

Chess charges forth once again but acts a little differently. As his clothed axes meet the metal of the shield, he puts all of his weight into the attack this time. Dull metallic klangs echo throughout the room from their clash, and Chess does not let up to create a constant feeling of force. Swing after swing does he throw at Rook, who holds the shield before her with staunch determination. From the constant swings, he feels the momentum being redirected. Rook puts her own weight into her move, and suddenly he feels the momentum force him open. Chess stumbles back but regains his footing. He sees Rook smiling, having accomplished what she needs to do for her part of the plan.

"How'd I do?"

"YOU HAVE DONE WELL," says Piece. "WE DO NOT HAVE MUCH TIME TO TRAIN, SO WE WILL GIVE YOU SOMETHING TO HELP YOU BETTER WITH YOUR CHANCES."

"You don't have faith that I'll do this."

Piece almost ignored the comment before Chess stops her. At least, not physically. She was manipulating the extraspatial inventory to try and manifest the knight piece.

"Piece."

"YES?"

"We...We should let her do this on her own."

"BUT WE CAN NOT GUARANTEE THAT SHE'S CAPABLE. AFTER ALL, SHE'S JUST LEARNED HOW TO USE A SHIELD."

"Yes, I know...but this is her fight. She's the one that needs to do this, it's important to her."

"...I UNDERSTAND."

Admittedly, Chess is indeed worried for Rook. She's just gotten the basics down and now she's gonna jump right into the fire. But...if there's one thing that can help her...

"Can she use the omega shield function?"

"IT IS POSSIBLE."

"How?"

"A SET PASSWORD IS REQUIRED FOR OUTSIDE USERS. THIS UNIT ALREADY HAS THE PASSWORD IN MIND."

"Good, get it ready...just in case."

"UNDERSTOOD."

Suddenly, distant words can be heard.

"Have you tried running with...mirrors?"

"It's like a sparkle weight! You burn way more calories!"

"IT APPEARS THAT IS OUR CUE."

"Alright!" Rook pumps herself up and picks up the shield. "Let's go!"

*  *  *

Chess is admittedly surprised that Rook can run at such speed despite the shield itself being quite heavy. Regardless, Rook stays close behind the group as Kipo and Wolf take the very back as Carton takes the lead in running up front holding mirrors above their heads. Chess unbuttons his plaid shirt before he unsheathes his axes as now they're the only thing that will keep him protected during the operation.

The mirror runners head out of the tunnel, the sun shining down upon the reflective surfaces as Chess's eyes are occasionally flashed from the sun being reflected into his vision. He lowers his head and keeps running with the group.

Down the road and through an alley, the two humans ensure that they take the lead to guide where the runners have to go. And eventually, they would encounter the giant pigeon, Beak Beak, as they run. Thankfully, holding up the mirrors prevented them from seeing the giant bird as they ran past the mass of feathers without knowing what was there. It was then, and only then, did the reflections of the light hit the bird's eyes.

"CAWWWW!!!"

Now's the time to act. Chess and Rook get close behind once more, acting as the reactive shield wall that will protect the group. Beak Beak steps off its wire and trips for a moment, but soon regains its footing and gives chase.

"That's it!" Wolf exclaims. "Run hard and stay together!"

Wolf and Kipo run to the front and Carton immediately starts asking questions.

"Is there something behind us?!"

"No!" shouts Kipo.

"Yup! Shouts Wolf. "It's Beak Beak!"

Beak Beak caws on cue.

"But I told you I can't do this!" cries Carton.

"Yes you can!" encourages Kipo. "And, well, it's too late to back out now."

"Now run like your life depends on it, because it does!"

The group makes a sharp turn as one of the raccoons slips up and falls. Chess brings up his axes to intercept, but Rook dashes forth and brings up the shield. Placing herself between her Raccoon companion and the beaks of the giant bird, the dual attack comes in contact with the shield, Rook gritting her teeth as she audibly holds her ground. The raccoon who fell looks up in stupor, but Rook shouts at the other raccoon.

"Go!"

The Fitness Raccoon scurries back up and heads back to the group. Rook uses momentum and shoves Beak Beak's face to the side. As a compliment, Chess throws an axe at Beak Beak, who reels back even further from the pain. Jumping onto his face, he takes the axe and right off. But Beak Beak recovers quicker than anticipated, stretching its neck to try and nip Chess out of the air.

"INITIATING TRANSFIGURATION."

In a span of probably less than a second, Chess watches as the knight piece in his inventory dematerializes as the lower half of his body is being covered in glowing light. His body feels heavier, gravity pulling him farther down as the beaks of Beak Beak miss him by a hair's width. As he lands back down, he realizes that his lower half is covered in some kind of armor, just like how Piece covers his left arm. 

"STEED FUNCTION, INITIATE."

While it's Chess the one that's running, Chess realizes that the Steed function is working on a smaller scale. Electricity arcs throughout the lower half of his body as suddenly he finds himself speeding back towards the group, far faster than he was used to. Chess was almost overwhelmed by the whiplash of the sudden burst of power but readjusts and keeps in pace with Rook.

"What the-" Rook is shocked. "You can do that too?!"

"Ahhh!" he couldn't really answer, as even he's shocked.

"Wh-Whatever, we gotta keep going!"

Out of all the parts, this one is the hardest. It's a pure contest of endurance, to give enough time for Benson and Dave to set up the sling. Rook and Chess continue fending off the giant bird on the occasion that someone falls too far behind; Rook would parry with the shield and Chess attacks with his axes. Every once in a while, he checks to see how things are progressing.

Benson and Tongue Depressor are on top of a pair of wire posts, posing.

"This...isn't a real tree." notes the raccoon.

"No, but it has the energy of a tree," says Benson. "Don't you feel it? I know I do."

Beak Beak crows as Chess and Rook fend off another attack. The yoga raccoon starts looking away but Benson immediately tries to grab his attention again.

"Look! We're two mighty Evergreens connected by a heartstring."

Benson flaps the sling rope they made and causes Tongue Depressor to stumble just long enough. When he actually looks, no one is to be seen. Rather than seeing what happened, Chess hears what's being said.

"Your truth is very beautiful Benson. Thank you for sharing it with me."

Passing another road intersect, Chess sees Dave setting up the nail for the sling. Benson and Tongue Depressor are typing the rope to the wire posts. Dave, in the meanwhile, hammers a nail down for the rope.

"Ready to get super ripped?!" Dave hypes up. "I don't know! Let's see if you can pull those bands around this stake."

"Oh! Targeting my belts? Nice!"

Label uses the support of the nearby friend Raccoon to leap high and grab the band, landing with the rope in tow. She struggles as she tries to get the band toward the stake.

In the heat of everything, Dave fully transforms before Label, who looks at him in awe.

"Whoaaa! You're so balanced!" she gawks.

"Allow me-"

Dave immediately keels over and molts, now a full-on old bug.

"O-Ohhh, that is so weird!" Label exclaims.

"How much longer?!"

Rook's question snaps back Chess's attention to their situation, everyone's beginning to tire out. And the raccoon doesn't look too hot either, carrying the shield as sweat drowns her fur.

"JUST A LITTLE MORE TIME." says Piece.

Another attack from Beak Beak is thrown at them. Rook finds the strength to block the attack as Chess bounds high onto the bird and swipes at its head with his axes. Beak Beak reels back from the cuts as Chess bounds off again. Beak Beak attempts to eat him midair, but this time, the boots of the armor come to life with a burst of thermal and kinetic energy, pushing him just out of harm's way as he runs with Rook once again.

However, things change as Chess's ears catch the sound of a whistle.

"That's our signal! Take it home!" hollers Wolf.

The Fitness Raccoons, in their constant panic, run far past Kipo and Wolf. Rook and Chess do the same, but Chess catches the sound of...laughter.

Laughter...from Wolf and Kipo.

Chess...should ask later, when all of this is said and done.

Everyone ditches the mirrors as they shatter on the floor to hide. That includes Kipo and her friends as everyone's heart races, hoping they aren't seen. The bird searches and searches to no avail, giving up as it perches itself on the wire it calls home.

Which is also where the sling was perfectly set up, a rope tied to it to trigger from afar.

And as Chess looks...there's something red on its body.

Kipo gasps. "The lunchbox!"

Chess smells something, a familiar smell that he remembers that came from Kipo. The smell of chemical changes in the body, of Kipo's body changing. It's happening now? She's changing again?

Before he could think further on the matter, Purple spotted fur bursts from the exposed skin of her legs as she dashes forth, far faster than any human should be. It wasn't long before Beak Beak takes notice and attempts to peck her.

"Kipo! No!" Benson rushes to her aid.

"Ah!" Chess alerts Rook.

"Right!" Rook picks up the shield and readies herself.

 As the three try to rush to Kipo's, they watch as she swiftly veers from left to right with succession to avoid the incoming attacks. In an instant, she dives forth and rips the lunchbox from the feathered body of the beast just as it slams its head down, covering its vision with dust from the impact. Benson, Rook, and Chess head around the big corvid to meet with Kipo, who suddenly freaked out at the sight of the fur on her legs.

All to quickly, Beak Beak recovers from the attack and turns to meet them. Benson pushes her out of the way...and Chess stands to try and intercept the incoming slam from the bird...

But...it was Rook who stood before him, and he hears her chant some words. Time seems to slow as the chant continues, her head pressed forth against the back of the shield, as if in prayer.

"With my True Name revealed, I stand amid disaster."

The screams of horror play around her in slow motion. Everyone seems to be in despair at the thought of someone being lost once more. Rook stands amidst that incoming tragedy, intending to prevent it with all her being, with all that she is.

"That which heals all wounds and grudges, our glorious homeland."

The shield glows, brighter and brighter. It flickers with power, welling up like a tidal wave. Chess, then and there, felt something deep within. That chant, is the code, the key, to the power of the shield she holds in her hands. The shield that will prevent tragedy.

And with one final verse, she calls forth its power.

"Manifest yourself, LOOOOOOOOORRRD CAMELOOOOOOOOTTTTTT!"

As she brings up the shield, she slams it down as a massive shield wall made of light manifests itself. A scenery of castle walls and unknown knights flickers around Rook. They're people that Chess doesn't know, humans clad in armor, and a king that looks suspiciously like a woman. These knights, whoever they are, live in the flickering castle that encompasses the light in the shield. The tuxedo cat has no idea who these people are or what this castle represents...

But...he has a feeling that Tower would know. And if he were here...he would've told him everything.

Beak Beak pushes towards Rook with all its might, but the shield holds firm. But it's clear that it's not one-sided. The Raccoon is taking on the might of the beast all on her own, keeping it at bay with the power she has invoked, and the will of her being.

"Benson! It's happening again!" Kipo tries to cover he legs by unfolding the ends of her jeans. "Not on my arm this time, but my legs too!"

"I know," says Benson, helping her up. "I saw." soon he turns to Rook and says, "Push Beak Beak back onto the wire!"

Rook doesn't exchange any words, but she struggles intensely. Chess watches as she steps forward, and steps again. The strength of the bird, of Beak Beak, was great indeed, feasting upon the Raccoons with no resistance. But now...it is being pushed back with one born from the ones that it ate, slowly being pushed back onto the wire. Rook's steps mirror the bird's, her own feet stepping forward, the other stepping back. Slowly she achieves her victory, planting the beast right onto the sweet spot.

"Alright! Let's go!" shouts Benson. 

The Timber Cat grabs the Fitness Raccoon and make their escape. The shield slowly dissolves from the top till the bottom disappears, leaving the bird dazed and confused.

"Now!" shouts Wolf, holding Dave as he molts back into a baby.

Label pulls the rope on the stake, but the rope snaps before it could fully unhinge the nail from the ground. "No!"

Label hesitates, now realizing there were two options. Either she could run, abandon the plan, and hide away...like they always did. Or...she could seize the moment, and risk her life to get rid of the creature that's been feeding on them, once and for all.

...

She clenches the rope in her hand, gritting her teeth. On all fours, she rushes towards the stake and puts her hands onto it, pulling it with all her strength. Beak Beak turns, its dual gaze meets her own. But there wasn't any fear in the eyes of the bulky Raccoon. 

It is one of pure courage.

"This one's for DJ Crowbar!"

With a heave, the stake is set loose, and the potential energy in the sling turns kinetic, slapping the massive bird so hard, that it is launched into the air. Beak Beak makes a pained cawing noise before gravity pulls it back to earth, causing an earth-shaking explosion from its impact.

Stunned silence falls across everyone. The Raccoons especially, for the one great enemy they faced with no resistance have finally been vanquished by no hands other than their own.

"Beak Beak...he's gone!" Carton says aloud.

That realization turned into cheer. Everyone jumps and hollers for joy in their realized freedom. It wasn't long before they hold up the heroes of the operation, which includes Chess and Rook. Albeit, more had to carry them due to the weight of the shield and Chess's armored lower half, Chess couldn't help but laugh from the praise and the glory of it all. Though Chess does eventually dematerialize the knight piece off his body, now back in his inventory

"Alright," says Rook. "Please put us down."

After doing so, Rook gestures for Chess to come with her. And as they head off to a quiet corner of the abandoned city, Rook clears her throat. 

"I uh..." she breaths in, and exhales slowly. "Thank you...for helping me, I mean. I couldn't have done this without you making the shield possible."

Chess shakes his head, and signs.

[THANK IX-YOU. IX-YOU BRAVE AND STRONG. POSS:YOUR FATHER PAST PROUD IX-YOU]

Rook giggles. "I didn't get anything from that."

"HE THANKS YOU, BECAUSE YOU ARE BRAVE AND STRONG. YOUR FATHER WOULD BE PROUD OF YOU." explains Piece.

Rook makes a pained smile as she laughs it off. But it's clear that she hasn't fully gotten over the grief. "Yeah...he would..."

"BEGIN ARCHIVE RECORDING."

Before Chess could realize what Piece was doing, the shield changes shape, back into its chess piece form. It emits light particles, which slowly coalesce into a form...into a person that Rook immediately steps back and gasps.

"D...Dad?"

"Hello, Rook."

Chess steps back as he sees Tower...or...at least, something that looks like him. If anything, Tower looks like any other Fitness Raccoon, if only just a little taller. If there's anything that makes him different, it's his hair, held up by a sweatband...and a rook-shaped hairpiece that looks like Rook's.

"You..."

Rook tries to reach and touch him, but her hand passes through his body. His body is made of light after all, and he continues as if he didn't react to that touch at all.

"How's my baby girl doing?"

Tower's voice is a bit gruff, a little tired. His eyes also show exhaustion as well. But even then, he still smiles.

"Dad, I..." Rook shudders. "I wish you were here. We...we finally got rid of Beak Beak."

"I know," says Tower. "I wish I could be there with you too. But...I can't, and there's a reason. That's why I made this recording. Because...I know that I won't come back from this."

Rook says no words this time. The recording continues as she hangs her head.

"I know that my absence will...affect you greatly. Your mother tried everything to stop me, but I refused. I think that she'll eventually tell you why I left. And...you'll already know what I might say. That I left this chess piece behind for someone else...someone...worthy, of wielding it. I...couldn't risk it being destroyed, of falling out of reach. It's..."

Tower composes himself again, but it's clear that this last message is emotional, even for him.

"It's...for a future that I hope he'll achieve. And when he finds this chess piece, he'll see this recording. Whether he sees it with you or not, I...I don't know. But, do you want to know why I named you Rook?"

Rook looks up, meeting face to face with the recording of Tower, tears in her eyes.

"Rooks, in chess, has many names. The most common is Tower, which I named myself after meeting the Raccoons, and eventually...your mother. But the rook piece is associated with one other thing. It's associated with castle walls, structures that have defended kingdoms from other kings and tyrants in the dark ages of human history. Every king needs a castle, and this rook piece will be their castle and its walls."

Chess felt a few tears form in his eyes, his own heart racing from the emotion. He wipes them away, just in time for Tower to continue.

"And I named you Rook, in the name of a castle. These raccoons might end up afraid, wanting to stay in their little home, never wanting to see the world outside because of dangers that loom from their safe-havens. But I want you to grow up big and strong, so you can be their castle, and protect them from harm as they will eventually have to face the world."

Rook doesn't hold back her tears. They flow freely from her eyes as she sees Tower leaning forward, extending his arms for a hug. Rook stumbles and tries to hug him, but forgets he is but a simple recording as she starts to fall. Chess notices and intercepts, catching her before she touches the ground. Rook looks at him, so close to his face. But...Chess doesn't reciprocate the gaze and simply brings her back to her feet.

But he knows what could've happened. And...it's unfortunate that such a kind of love isn't exactly his...thing. And he's been given such attention from both sides. But...in the end, it sparked nothing.

And he's okay with that.

The recording has already ended, leaving the two alone once again.

"Sorry," Rook blushes in embarrassment. "I...I should get going. We're probably going to have a big cheat day for a victory like this."

"Hehe," Chess giggles, but nods understandingly.

"And, the rook piece is yours. It was meant for you, after all." Rook picks up the piece and gives it to the tuxedo cat, the chess piece manifests in his inventory. 

"I'll see you again someday, when you come back, I'll make a shield just like my father's." It was a final farewell, and a promise to one day see each other again for a reunion.

And with that, Chess heads back to the group, to see where the adventure will take them next.

*  *  *

As Chess got back into the group, Kipo has shown that she's managed to get the lunchbox (though she kept on how she got it a secret). And from the faces, it seems the group had quite a good time from the cheers of the Raccoons.

"What are you waiting for, open it!" says Wolf.

As Kipo opens the lunchbox, she finds...a pair of glasses? No...wait, theater glasses. Chess remembers seeing it one time in an abandoned theater. Though...the glasses only have a blue lens and lack a red one.

"Huh? What's this for?" Kipo takes it out of the lunchbox and puts it on.

"Maybe we're not looking in the right place?" Benson suggests as he cradles the infant Dave.

Kipo thinks in a bit of silence before looking back to where they came from.

"Right, back up that nose." Kipo says.

Finding the way back was easier said than done. After all, climbing up the trash heap wasn't easy when it constantly threatened to avalanche on them. Though fortunately, that did not happen as Kipo makes her way onto the giant nose sign and puts on the glasses again, looking around. Though...something catches her attention.

"Aww, look!" she cooes. "Those are dogs! Such little cuties, I always wanted to pet one!"

"Little?" Wolf sounds concerned. "They're fifty feet tall!"

Kipo gasps and repeatedly takes the glasses on and off to confirm seeing something. Chess wondered what exactly did she find.

"The second clover!" she announces. "Guys! That's it, we found it!"

Kipo slides down the pole and meets up with the group again. And...Chess stands alongside them as Kipo's goal is now within reach.

"Your dad expects to go through there? Then he's as crazy as you are."

Everyone stands at the edge of the pit, looking beyond where the valley of dogs lies. Apparently, that's where the Burrow is going to be, Kipo's Burrow.

That's when Chess realized...that he really doesn't need to be with them anymore. It's...where their paths split. Once in the Burrow, she'll be safe and sound and at home, meaning Chess will eventually have to go to his own Burrow to find the answers he's been searching for.

...

Though...

It wouldn't hurt...to at least stay for a little while...right?

"Wolf?" Kipo turns to her, a look of sad realization on her face. "Once we get to that place...is that going to be it for us?"

Wolf turns, realizing that the end is so close now. She takes a few steps, needing some space to think. No one else comes forth, but Wolf eventually responds.

"No."

"What?" said Kipo.

"Burrows are stupid," she turns to Kipo, looking away at first. "But if I'm going to be there with you...I guess it could be fun."

"Wolf the Kristie the Fourth," tears well up in Kipo's eyes in realization, but is happy nonetheless. "That's the happiest thing you ever said."

"Wolf's going to the Burrow!"

As Benson says that sentence, everyone practically celebrates. Jumping for cheer as the one person who would prefer surviving now decides that she could be in a home.

"No promises," Wolf reminds. "If I hate it, I'm leaving."

But Kipo didn't really seem to care. She only really cared that her friend is coming back with her to her home, even after promising they'd part ways. She hugs Wolf, who was surprised at the act. But slowly she comes around...and hugs her back.

...

...

Though...

Chess notices something peculiar. It's...the same patch of fur that sprouts when she...transforms. 

...And...Wolf notices too. She takes off the punk sleeve that Kipo had worn for some time now and gasps in terror at the sight of the fur. Kipo angles herself to hide it partially, looking nervous at the realization that Wolf has finally caught on.

"Um, I've been trying to tell you about this. I mean, a-at first I didn't even know what was happening. It was like "fur-poof!" and-"

Kipo immediately notices Wolf backing away, looking scared and horrified. She immediately cuts to the chase. "I'm...after we went through Mulholland, I'm pretty sure I'm...part Mute."

"Part Mute?" that specific phrase stuck to Wolf like a spear through the flesh of a beast. Her eyes were wide, the shock coursing through her senses.

"I'm still me." Kipo tries to reason, but Wolf gasps and juts herself back defensively.

"What is it?" Wolf didn't answer, but Kipo keeps her voice calm to reach out to her. "Wolf, talk to me."

Wolf is too paranoid to listen, bumping into Benson and immediately trekking back so as to not get cornered. She trips over a rock but quickly gets up as if her life depended on it. 

"I...I...NO!" 

Wolf immediately bolts away, and Kipo...Kipo had never looked so hurt. Chess's ears flatten, unsure what to do. They...they were so close to that happy ending, and it all comes crashing down. Kipo clenches her shirt, and Chess could hear her heart racing, her fist all clenched up like her hand was actually choking her own heart.

"Benson?" tears form, painful tears.

"It'll be okay, she just needs some time to process," Benson reassures her with a hand on her shoulder. "I'll get her back. Here."

Benson gives the infant Dave as he proceeds to give chase after Wolf, leaving the three of them alone.

"Um..." Chess wanted to comfort Kipo...but it felt like she might need some time alone for this one. It's hard, having a friend turn away like that. So he proceeds to turn around, looking for someplace to rest and-

"Aahhh-"

"Hehehehe, Burrow Girl..."

The voice immediately puts him on alert, turning around. Kipo's missing, completely absent. But a dragonfly ride mount ascends into the air...carrying a Mod Frog and...

KIPO!!!

"RRRRRRRRRRAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"