Part 41: A New Beginning

Jaron was running as fast as he could. His pointy colored hat swayed in the passing wind, but it managed to stay on his head as he ran full-speed out of the wilderness. Yet no one else was near him; he didn't seem to be in danger. He was not actually running from anyone, but rather to someone. Jaron tightly clutched a sealed envelope in his hand, and he knew he had to get it to Falador, fast. That was when he saw the shadow. It was a movement through the trees out of the corner of his eye. (I'm almost out of the wilderness,) he thought. (Just a bit further to Edgeville and I'll be safe...) Jaron ran with all his might, and finally reached the back of a building in Edgeville. He turned around with a grin to face his attacker, who had failed to catch up in time. But there was no one there. Jaron took a few steps away from the building, eyes narrowed, scanning the horizon for someone. Anyone. Yet there was no one behind him. (Maybe I was imagining things. The wilderness is a strange place.) Jaron turned back towards Edgeville, ready to continue his journey to Falador, when he saw the silhouette of a person standing on the roof of the building next to him. A glint of red clothes, and a dark-red dagger. The look of shock on Jaron's face was one that showed he had forgotten something. Something very, very important.

The look of shock on Omega's face was one that showed he had forgotten something. Something very, very important. "It can't be--" he uttered. Standing atop the Crafting Guild was the very same shadow Jaron had seen. Omegaman had been killing Cows to gather their hides for use in Crafting. That's when he had noticed the shadow. "The Monk. We never killed him," he said in self-realization. Omega ran full speed away from the Crafting Guild--he knew he had no chance. Looking back, he fired an arrow at the Monk, but he jumped high into the air, and the arrow missed. The sun glared in Omega's eyes, and he couldn't see his enemy. But suddenly, the Monk landed right in front of Omega, startling him. "You know," the Monk said with an evil smile, "you're all really hard to track down." He threw the dagger at Omega, who was unable to avoid the attack at such a short distance. Then came Omega's realization that the dagger was poisoned. Short of breath, and his vision fading, Omegaman fainted there just outside of the Crafting Guild.

Short of breath, and his vision fading, Ultima Cow fainted there just outside of the Heroes' Guild. A couple of hours later, he woke up again, in one of the Druid's soft beds of Taverly. "Ah, good to see you're well, Ultima Cow," a nearby Druid said. "We found you a short ways north of here, poisoned from something. But you're fine now." Ultima Cow sat up in the bed and looked around. A Druid was by the bed, though it was no one he recognized. "Um...yes, thank you, kind sir," Ultima Cow managed to say. Nothing really seemed that familiar to him. He got up and started to leave. "Wait!" Ultima Cow faced the Druid. "You forgot your staff." The Druid pointed over to a strange-looking stick in the corner. It was white, with a golden squiggly thingy on top. "That's...mine?" asked Ultima Cow. "Of course, you've had it for a while now. A real Staff of Guthix...who would even imagine?" Ultima Cow cautiously approached the staff, never having seen it before in his life. Deciding the Druid wasn't playing a joke on him, Ultima Cow took hold of the staff. Thanking the Druid again, he ventured out the door, and headed east, to Falador.

Jaron strolled into Falador from the north entrance, just having come from Edgeville. Why he had fainted, he hadn't the slightest idea. It was of no importance, though. (Hmm...what to do now?) he thought. He casually greeted everyone he passed, being in good spirits. Ultima Cow was walking east inside the city, coming from the West Bank. Pondering the staff he held, he walked without looking around the city. Omegaman happened to be walking through at the same time, having come from the south entrance. He had been ranging earlier today, as always! All three passed each other in the main square and exchanged greetings. Something along the lines of "Hi, how are you?" "Fine, and you?" "Good." And that was it. They acted as if they had never seen each other in their lives. And for all they knew--they hadn't.

Part 42: Friends Unknown

Jaron walked into the Falador Bank a little bit later and withdrew some Prayer Potions. "Selling Prayer Potions!" he said aloud. Omegaman was already in the Bank, and walked over. Ultima Cow was just entering and heard the sale, and walked over as well. "I'll buy a couple," Omega said. "Same here," Ultima Cow offered. "I just bought a bunch of Ranarr and Irits in Draynor the other day, and I made some potions out of them for the fun of it. It can get to be good money," Jaron said, simply making conversation. "I could use some. I've been hiding out south of here, attacking Highwaymen and other bad guys," Omega grinned. "I'm hoping to make some money by doing a job for the White Knights. The Black Knights are up to something and it's my job to find out what. Anyway, here's your money," Ultima Cow offered.

The Bank Teller looked at the three kind of oddly. "You're making them pay for the potions, Jaron?" It's not usually like a Bank Teller to interfere in an adventurer's affairs, much less know them by name, so all three were somewhat startled. "Um...excuse me?" asked Jaron. The Bank Teller nodded. "You guys are the best of friends. You come in here all the time, exchanging items." The three looked at each other, quizzical expressions on their faces. "Um...you must have us confused with some other people," Omega said. The Bank Teller looked them over. "Nope, don't think so. You're Jaron, Omegaman, and Ultima Cow, right?" This was getting weird.

At the sound of their names, some low-leveled adventurers turned around and noticed them. "OMG! It's Jaron, Omega, and Ultima Cow! Hey Jaron, will you play me in a game of Runelink?" Jaron looked taken aback. "Of...what?" Another of the players stepped forward. "Will you challenge me to a game of Draughts, Ultima Cow?" And another. "Show me your collection of Decorative Armor, Omega!" This was now beyond weird, it was insane. "I...think everyone's got us confused with other people," Jaron said, genuinely confused as to what was going on. "Nuh-uh!" the low-leveled person responded. "You're Jaron, one of the best Runelink players; you're Ultima Cow, one of the best Draughts players; and you're Omegaman, who keeps getting over 40 kills in each game of Castle Wars with your great ranging attacks!" he said, pointed to each of them in turn. "I've never heard of any of the things you're talking about," Jaron said. "Neither have I," Omega replied. "Nor I," Ultima Cow agreed. The low-leveled person seemed kind of angry. "I know I'm not as good of a player as you are in the Burthorpe Games Room, but you don't have to pretend I'm an idiot!" He stormed out of the Bank with his friends, leaving the three standing there, very confused.

"...Burthorpe Games Room?" asked Jaron. Omega and Ultima Cow simply shrugged, unknowing. "I know where Burthorpe is, but not of any game room," Ultima Cow said. "Hey, let's all go there and see what it's like," offered Omegaman. They all agreed, and went to withdraw their items from the Bank.

"My blue pointy hat, Rune armor, and Dragon weapon, please," said Jaron. "Which weapon?" asked the Bank Teller. "......Pardon me?" "Would you like your Dragon Battle-Axe or Dragon Long Sword?" Jaron's eyes widened in surprise. "I have a Dragon Long Sword? Since when? Um, I'll take my axe, please."

"I'd like to withdraw all of my steel arrows," said Omega. The Bank Teller handed him a hefty amount of arrows. Omega looked them over. "Aren't there more than this?" "Nope, sorry, that's all of the steel arrows in your account," the Bank Teller replied.

The three reconvened, and this time spoke softly. Something was wrong. "According to the Teller, I have a Dragon Long Sword," Jaron said, "but I've never bought one before." "Half of my arrows are missing, as if I've used them," Omega said, "yet I haven't done that much training in quite a while." Ultima Cow decided to put his information forward, and showed his staff to the others. "See this staff? Apparently it's called a Staff of Guthix, and it's mine, although I've never seen it before today." There was an uneasy silence. "...Let's head for Burthorpe," Jaron said. The others agreed, and they set off.

Part 43: The Basement of Burthorpe

The group of three--Jaron, Omega, and Ultima Cow--walked north of Taverly into the principality of Burthorpe. Everywhere around them, soldiers were training. "I hear they've got a campaign going on against the trolls to the north," Ultima Cow remarked. They strode into the nearby Pub. Jaron walked up to the Bartender, looking around the room. "Have you heard of a...games room?" The Bartender looked at Jaron; then his eyes drifted over to Ultima Cow. "Is this a joke?" asked the Bartender. (Dang, he recognizes us for some reason...gotta think of something...) Jaron leaned over the bar counter towards the Bartender, and whispered so that only he could hear. "Omega lost his memory, and we're just going along with it. He thinks he's never been here before." Jaron cocked his head over at Omega. The Bartender raised his head a little in understanding, and then spoke up in his normal voice. "Ah, of course, sir! The Burthorpe Games Room is located in the basement of the castle, just up the road there," he said, pointing to the castle out the window. "Thank you," Jaron replied, walking out with the others. "What did you say to him?" asked Omega, once out of the Pub. "I told him you lost your memory," Jaron grinned. Omega rolled his eyes. "I guess you didn't lie, at least," he muttered.

They entered the castle and headed down the stairs as instructed. There they found a large room full of tables where people were sitting and playing games. Some tables had a strange 8x8 grid with colored runes strewn about. The others had another grid, yet standing vertically and 7 pieces in width, whilst the players dropped runes through the top. "Interesting," Jaron remarked. A green pointed hat drifted to the ground in front of them. Omega looked up to see a female ranger running towards them. "Heh, sorry, dropped my hat and it floated over here. Oh, it's you guys! Hiya!" she said, greeting them. The three simply stared. "Do I know you?" asked Jaron. "Argh! Haven't you ever heard of the story of 'The Boy who cried Goblin'? One of these days you're really not going to know who I am, and then I won't believe you," the Ranger said, smiling. Jaron studied the Ranger, but nothing seemed to ring a bell. "Um...no...I'm serious," Jaron said, frowning. The Ranger's smile faded, but remained skeptical. "Helloooo? I'm Twisas?" Jaron slowly shook his head. Twisas could tell by the look in Jaron's eyes that he was telling the truth. "You don't remember me...at all?" Jaron looked away. How many other friends had he forgotten? Twisas looked around. "Let's go play a game of Runelink. That'll jog your memory."

The objective of Runelink was to get four runes in a row. As it turned out, Jaron was quite skilled at it. (Who knew?) "That's why you're one of the best players here," Twisas had commented. Jaron steadily rose through the ranks, challenging higher and higher players. Winning some, losing some, but mostly winning. The others cheered him on during the game, but offered no insights--that was against the rules. After one game against a very rich player with decorated armor, Jaron turned to his friends. "Did you see that? What was up with his armor? It was all blue around the edges," Jaron stated. "It's a status symbol," Twisas replied. "It shows that they're rich, which usually results in the envy of others." Omega chimed in. "Yeah, that special armor is somewhat of a rarity." Jaron's eyes widened as he stared at the wall ahead of him, noticing nothing.

South of Falador. A Highwayman with a Dragon Battle Axe. An arrow in his back. A ranger steps out from behind a tree in full Black Dragonhide and a Yew Longbow. "Mind if I come with you?" "Sure, I suppose so! There's strength in numbers!" "Alright! Lemme grab this guy's mask. It's somewhat of a rarity."

Jaron snapped out of it, realizing his friends were staring at him. The vision was gone just as soon as it had come. "Are you okay?" asked Twisas. "Yeah...I think so..."

Part 44: Better Than You'd Think

"You were staring at a wall," Twisas said, obviously concerned. She looked at the wall Jaron had been staring at a moment before, but it was all simply stone. "Are you seeing something I'm not?" she asked. Jaron smiled. "Nah, forget it. So, what's up next?" "I'd like to try my hand at Draughts," said Ultima Cow, "and see if I'm as good as those people said I was." The group of four headed down the hall into the Draughts Room. Most everyone in there was wearing some sort of colored pointy hat. One of them immediately saw Ultima Cow and challenged him to a game of Draughts. Together, they walked out of the room and sat at one of the tables outside. "Wow, that was fast," said Jaron. The other three went to cheer him on.

It was a landslide. Once Ultima Cow learned how to play the game, it seemed he had tons of strategies worked out. He used his runes to jump piece after piece of his opponent's, finally reducing his opponent's pieces to zero. "Way to go, Ultima Cow!" His friends congratulated him. Ultima Cow turned to Jaron. "Wanna play me in a round of Draughts?" "Only if afterwards you play me in a game of Runelink," Jaron replied with a grin.

Ultima Cow beat Jaron at Draughts, although Jaron put up a good defense. In the end, Jaron had no moves left, and had to sacrifice some of his runes. On the flip side, Ultima Cow played a good Runelink game, but Jaron set up a trap and forced a win. "If I go here, I lose; but if I don't, I lose anyway. Shoot." Ultima Cow shook his head and laughed. "You've got me." Omega pondered the situation. "If you two are as good at Runelink and Draughts as that one guy said, then what's...Castle Wars?" Twisas looked at Omega. "Are you serious? You don't remember a thing? Oh, you're gonna love it." Jaron turned to the group. "Well, then, are we ready to go?" Just then, a person in full Bronze armor, a Bronze Medium Helmet, and an Iron Mace walked up to Ultima Cow and challenged him to a game of Draughts. Ultima Cow looked at Jaron. "Fine, one more game," Jaron smiled, shaking his head.

"So, what's that staff you've got?" asked the person. "It's called a Staff of Guthix," Ultima Cow said, double-jumping the person's runes and taking the two off the board. "Cool." "So, do you have any Magic Staffs?" asked Ultima Cow, looking at the person's full Bronze. "Oh, yeah, I'm really quite experienced. I was just out in the wilderness and decided to teleport here," he responded. Ultima Cow jumped the last of the person's runes in one big move, amazing him. "...Wow. I didn't see that coming at all." Ultima Cow smiled. "Good game! I've gotta go. ...Whew, this Bronze helmet gets pretty hot..." The person took off his Bronze Medium Helmet and got up from the table. Ultima Cow just sat there, dead still.

(Two Guards are coming! Forget the door, time to leave.) "Hey!" (Too late...can't run.) "Need help getting in?" "But you're...you're..." "We're not guards," smirked the Ranger, taking off his helmet.

Ultima Cow blinked and realized there was no one sitting at the table in front of him. ...What happened? His friends must be waiting. He shook his head, and went to meet them.

Part 45: Go Saradomin!

Ultima Cow walked up to the others. "Ah, there you are," Omega said, clearly wanting to go see how good he was at Castle Wars. "Uh...sorry about that. I'm ready now," Ultima Cow replied, still wondering just what had happened. Jaron turned to Twisas. "So, Twisas, where's this Castle Wars located?" "Ah, close to Yanille," Twisas said. "What?! Yanille?? That's like a bajillion miles away!" Omega exclaimed. Twisas smiled and rolled her eyes. "Relax. Look on your hand." Omega looked down. On his hand was an Emerald Ring. "Huh. Never noticed that before. What about it?" "You really have forgotten everything, haven't you? It's a teleportation ring," Twisas replied. Omega rubbed the ring, and with a bright flash they were all in a strange building, with glowing colored circles. "I'm guessing this is Castle Wars," Ultima Cow said. "You guessed right," Twisas grinned.

The group went to a nearby chest and withdrew their best weapons and armor, then walked over to the blue portal. Jaron stepped in first and stood there. Nothing happened. "Good job, you broke it," Ultima Cow said, laughing. Twisas spoke up, obviously amused. "Um...sorry to tell you this, but you can't take your hat with you." "I can't take my pointy colored hat? Why, oh why? The horror! *sniff* Goodbye, old friend," Jaron said, walking over to the chest and dropping it in. "Do you think that's enough sarcasm for one day?" asked Omega. "Maybe," Jaron grinned, walking into the portal again and vanishing.

Upon entering the portal, they were in a large cavern, and everyone instantly had a new type of headgear. It was a blue hood, it was a blue cape. In other words, a blue hooded cape. "Interesting design. I've never seen these before," Ultima Cow said. "*sniff* I miss my hat," Jaron said. Twisas turned to speak to them. "Let me explain the rules real quick, before the game starts. We're playing for the Saradomin team, so we start in the Saradomin Castle. The object of the game is to go over to the Zamorak Castle, get the flag at the top, and bring it back to the top of the Saradomin Castle to score. It's a huge battleground. Feel free to 'kill' anyone you want; they'll just reappear back at their own castle. Don't kill people on your own team, of course." "What if the person with the Zamorak flag drops it?" Omega asked, intrigued. "Two options. Either another Saradomin player can pick it up and keep going for a point, or a Zamorak player can grab it and run around. In that case, you'll need to 'kill' the Zamorak player to get the flag back. If not, you'll never be able to score. Ah--we're starting." The group was teleported into a small room in a white-walled castle. Everywhere around them, other team members ran out of the room and either down the steps or up the steps. It had begun.

Part 46: It's a Small World

The four looked at each other. "So," asked Jaron, "I take it the other team is trying to do the same? That is, steal our flag?" "That's correct," informed Twisas. Omegaman armed himself with his bow and some Adamantite arrows. "I'll make sure that doesn't happen," he grinned, running out the door and up the stairs. "It's completely up to you with what you want to do in the time you've got. See you in 20 minutes," Twisas said, running out the door. That left Jaron and Ultima Cow. "I take it each game lasts twenty minutes," Ultima Cow stated, raising an eyebrow. Jaron nodded. "It seems so. Let's get acquainted with the area before heading out." They walked out the door and down the stairs.

...And right into the biggest room of the castle. Everywhere, there were tables, with stuff on them. "Cool! Bandages, ropes, tinderboxes, pickaxes, potions..." said Jaron. A teammate ran past them and accidentally bumped an orange potion off the table. It exploded with a loud BANG! when it hit the floor, throwing glass everywhere. "Explosive potions, that is," Ultima Cow said. "Explosive potions...that seems familiar. Ah well. Let's grab some stuff and head over to the Zamorak Castle." Just then, a person with a red hooded cape ran in and started trying to attack Ultima Cow with his mace. "Entangle!" shouted Ultima Cow. The Zamorakian player froze in his tracks. Ultima Cow turned to Jaron. "You go ahead and get their flag. I'll stay here and guard the supply room." "Sure thing," Jaron replied, running out.

Jaron was halfway to the other team's castle when he caught up with another teammate. She had white robes on, and there was an Air Staff in her hand. "Hiya," Jaron said, running up to her. "Hi there," she replied. She noticed some of the items Jaron was carrying. Apparently it was her first Castle Wars game as well. "Hey, what's this?" she asked, pointing to something Jaron was holding. Jaron turned to answer her question and stopped dead in his tracks.

Hot. Very hot. Looking everywhere...can't find it. "Hey Shadow, what's this?" A mage in white robes. A warrior that looks like me, and a Symbol of Zamorak. "I'm Bebitwinnie, and this is Shadow_Xeron..."

"Helloooo?" Jaron snapped out of it and noticed she was staring at him. "...Bebitwinnie?" he asked. "Wha--how did you know my name?" Jaron looked around. "I'm...not sure. Do I know you from somewhere? Or do you know a Shadow_Xeron?" There was an uneasy silence, with the sound of a catapult firing in the background. "Not that I'm aware of. On both counts. ...Are you heading for the Zamorak Castle? Let's go together."

Omegaman was single-handedly stopping all enemies from taking their flag. Just then, another warrior ran up the steps and turned to Omega. "I don't seem to be the best at carrying a flag...can I join you in stopping the enemy from taking ours?" More Zamorakian players ran upstairs. But Omega didn't notice.

Still so hot...but gotta be ready. Three on three. What are those two warriors doing over there? They're gonna get in the way if they don't move. "Hold up--what's going on?" "We're fighting a team battle just for fun." "Can we join you?" "Sure." The female fighter turned to her friend and grinned. "We'll finish this later. Pick a side, Brandon."

"Brandon..." "Yeah, that's my name." Omega looked around and saw Brandon waiting for his answer. "Oh, uh, right. Yeah. Be my guest." They fought alongside each other, holding back the enemy. (How did he know my name?) Brandon silently wondered.

Ultima Cow was guarding the Supply Room when he noticed someone sneaking around the back, silently taking stuff. Hey--he has a red hood on! "Hey!!" The thief stood straight up. Ultima Cow cast a Fire Blast on him. "Ow ow ow hot hot hot!" Ultima Cow grinned. "That's what you get for stealing. Now get back to your own castle before I finish you off," he said. "You have my word." The thief turned to leave.

Jaron, Ultima Cow, and a thief. "I suppose you could join our clan, but you have to promise not to steal from any one of us." "You have my word. And that means more than you think. Deathstorm, master thief, at your service."

"Deathstorm..." Ultima Cow whispered, as if in a trance. The thief, about to go out the door, turned. "What? I thought you wanted me to leave."

Part 47: Mission Objective: Get That Flag!

Deathstorm stood at the door to the Saradomin Supply Room. "You called my name. I thought you wanted me to leave." "Oh?---oh, yeah! Get out! I'll cast Entangle on you if you try to steal our stuff again!" Deathstorm walked out the door of the supply room. (But...how'd he know my name?)

Jaron ran to the wall of the Zamorak Castle, Bebitwinnie right behind him. He ran his hands through his hair, trying to figure out how to infiltrate the Zamorak Castle. Doing so, however, only made him realize he wasn't wearing his trademark pointy hat. (Sigh...) "How are we gonna get in?" asked Bebitwinnie. "Shh!" whispered Jaron, pointing up. There were several Rangers next to the catapult, looking for their next victim. Jaron and Bebitwinnie stayed close to the wall, under a sort of overhang. Hopefully, unless the Rangers leaned over the side and looked down, they wouldn't be seen. Jaron motioned with his hand to the right, and Bebitwinnie nodded. They quietly inched over in the general direction. Just then, another Saradomin player was running towards the castle, as well. The Rangers took him out in no time at all. Jaron and Bebitwinnie looked at each other with a look of half-surprise, half-shock, and moved on. They arrived at a door. Silently, Jaron picked the lock of the door and they moved inside. There didn't seem to be too much action on the inside on the bottom--all of the fighters were somewhere high up, looking over things. Their backs to the Rangers, Jaron and Bebitwinnie crept up a staircase. Then another. "I think there's one more. Ready?" asked Jaron, looking up. "I'll cover you," replied Bebitwinnie. Together, they ran up the steps to find the Zamorak flag safe in its holder. Jaron lunged for it just as three or four warriors ran at him. Bebitwinnie kept a couple at bay with an Air Bolt. In a hurry to get away, Jaron turned too quickly and tripped and fell--and one of the warrior's axes swung right over where he had been. Partly running, partly jumping down the steps, they made a run for it. "Hey! They're getting away with our flag!" announced a Zamorak player. The several Rangers near the catapult turned around and noticed them. "We won't be getting out that way! In here," said Bebitwinnie, ducking into the castle's supply room. Jaron ran in after her, just as she said "Get down that ladder--I'll be there in a second!" Jaron climbed down into the caverns below the castle and ran for an exit--but a rockslide blocked his way. "Out of the way!" Jaron turned around and jumped out of the way as Bebitwinnie took a huge chunk out of the rockslide with a pickaxe. Zamorak warriors were coming down the tunnel! "We're not gonna make this one," Jaron said. "Oh yes we are," replied Bebitwinnie. She threw her pickaxe down and held her staff out. With a powerful Air Blast, the rest of the rocks dislodged and flew away, bouncing along the floor. They ran through. "How's that going to stop them?" inquired Jaron. Bebitwinnie grinned and threw an orange potion at the wall. With a loud explosion, a rockslide once again blocked the path, separating Jaron and Bebitwinnie from the Zamorak players. "Very nice! Let's go," smiled Jaron, as they ran down the tunnel to their own castle.

Omega and Brandon were taking out anyone who came close to getting near the flag. The nearby warriors admired their skills. Every time a Zamorak player came up the stairs, Omega and Brandon 'killed' them before anyone even had a chance to react! During a lull in the combat, they struck up a conversation. "Nice defending! What's your name?" asked one of the warriors. "Omegaman, and thanks! What's yours?" "Call me Andrey. This is Tai, and 911225," Andrey said, pointing to his friends. Andrey had Saradomin armor and a Dragon Long Sword, Tai had a Dragon Halberd and Rune Armor, and 911225 had Rune Armor with a Rune Battle-Axe. "911225. Interesting name," Brandon stated matter-of-factly. "Eh, just call me 911 for short. Everyone else does." "Sure thing," Brandon replied.

Part 48: It's All Fun and Games Until Someone Gets Hurt

The new group of Omegaman, Brandon, Andrey, Tai, and 911 were certainly doing a great job of protecting their flag. "All these Zamorak players seem so easy to beat when the five of us fight together. If this keeps up, we could hold their score at zero!" exclaimed Andrey. Just then, two new Zamorakian players ran up the stairs at once. Both of them had great armor and Dragon Long Swords. "You had to open your mouth," Tai said, rolling his eyes. Omega looked at the two of them. "Hey--I know you from somewhere...Euph, right?" he asked. Brandon then recognized the other. "--And Applequest!" Euph and Apple grinned. It was good when people knew who you were--and it meant they knew the fight wouldn't be easy. "Don't you guys usually play for the Saradomin team?" asked Brandon. "We walked in just as the game was about to start, and there was no room left on the Saradomin team," Euph answered. "But that doesn't mean we're going to let you win," Applequest added. "Doesn't mean we won't try," Omega replied, loading an arrow into his bow.

Jaron and Bebitwinnie climbed up a ladder in the middle of the battlefield and ran as hard as they could to their own castle. There was a Zamorak player following them at one point, but luckily the Saradomin catapult had taken care of him. Deathstorm was wandering around the castle, but he seemed preoccupied, and in any case didn't try to stop them. They ran up the final set of stairs in time to witness the battle between Euph, Applequest, and the other five. Euph kept using his Dragon Long Sword to knock Omega's arrows out of the air while Tai attacked him, and Applequest was doing his best to keep Andrey and 911 at bay. Brandon stayed just out of reach, getting attacks in with his Dragon Halberd. "Do you think we're just a tad outnumbered this time?" asked Applequest sarcastically, occasionally taking the blunt of a Rune weapon. "Nah," Euph replied, smiling. Brandon hit Euph's leg with his Halberd, knocking him to the ground and changing his decision. "Well, maybe. Let's go heal and come back." Euph got up and turned for the stairs as Applequest did the same, only to find Jaron and Bebitwinnie standing there. Jaron lobbed the Zamorak flag to Omega, who placed it in their holder. It promptly faded away, the sign for scoring a point. Jaron then pulled out his Dragon Battle-Axe, as Bebitwinnie readied her staff for an Air Blast. "I think we're getting a one-way trip back to our castle," Apple said, jokingly.

Ultima Cow walked up to the top of the castle a little later to find Jaron, Omega, Bebitwinnie, Brandon, Andrey, Tai, and 911 there. Omega introduced them all to Jaron and Ultima Cow. "Hmm...but where's Twisas?" inquired Ultima Cow. "Right here," she replied, breathing hard as she ran up the stairs with the Zamorak flag in her hand. "Way to go! Another point!" said Andrey. Just then, the castle faded away, and they were all once again standing in the Castle Wars main lobby. "Hey, where'd these come from?" asked Omega, looking at the two tickets he suddenly was holding. "Those are Castle Wars tickets. We obviously won, since you get two for winning. You can trade them in for Decorative armor and weapons over there," Twisas explained, pointed to a little ticket stall in the corner. Jaron ran back to the Bank Chest to grab his pointed hat, and then they walked over to the ticket stall. "You call this decorative? I could do better than this!" exclaimed someone arguing with the merchant. "Sir, we're expecting new items in the future, but for now, this is all we have." "Fine, I'll take it, I guess...it'll give me ideas for my 'perfect sword'," the person replied. "Perfect sword?" asked 911. The notion intrigued him. "Yeah, but all I have at this point is ideas, and now I don't know what to do next," said the person, turning to 911. "I had hoped the Decorative Swords I had heard of would help me with my design, but it seems they're not really that powerful anyway." 911 was a true quest fanatic, and he couldn't pass up this opportunity. "Maybe I could help you?" he asked, turning to Jaron. Jaron shrugged. "I don't see why not. Want to join us?" "Sure! I'm Bulldog, by the way." They walked out of the building, into the sunlight.

The Monk of Zamorak stood atop the roof of Castle Wars lobby, looking down on the group below. "She's beginning to be a nuisance," he said aloud. He took out a vial of a strange colored liquid and submersed his magic Dragon Dagger in the vial. Then, with his trademark high jump, he leaped down to the ground, landing just behind Twisas, quick yet quietly unnoticed.

"So where are we off to?" asked Bulldog. "I really don't know," Jaron said, realizing he was out of ideas. "Do you have any idea where we should go next?" asked Jaron, turning to Twisas. Suddenly, he noticed a shadow of a figure standing behind Twisas--with a dagger! She had no clue he was there! He quickly stabbed the dagger into her arm, and whatever type of poison was on it, it was powerfully effective. Without even a chance to say a word, Twisas fainted and started to fall backwards. And before anyone in the group could act, the Monk had jumped onto the Castle Wars roof and then again out of sight, holding in his arms Twisas' unconscious body.