@Aurelia Timothy and his Ecru Dustraven arrived at the garden only to discover that it had been closed due to a monster on the loose. They immediately rushed in to help, only to find utter chaos. After convening with the other hunters, they decided that if they were going to catch this menace, they would have to work together. Of course, there was nothing wrong with a little friendly competition along the way.
As the hunters finished their preparations, the plan became clear. Timothy's Ecru would be pivotal. His job was to harass the Mutterbird from above, keeping the creature low to the ground and preventing it from escaping the garden. With everyone informed and in position, the five hunters lined up side by side. Far ahead, the Mutterbird hovered low to the ground, eyeing them warily. High above, Timothy's Dustraven circled lazily through the sky.
The hunters crouched, ready to run. Their eyes fixed on a single pebble clutched in the Dustraven's claw. Timothy’s Dustraven released it. Every hunter's gaze followed the pebble as it slowly descended. Closer. Closer. The pebble struck the ground.
The five Zerda hunters exploded from the starting line. Dust burst beneath their paws as they tore down the Spinach Straightaway. Pal flattened his ears against his head and immediately seized the lead, with Siena and Timothy close behind. The Mutterbird saw them coming and accelerated ahead!
The hunters raced onward, slowing slightly as they entered Broccoli Bend. Timothy hugged the inside of the turn, following hot on Siena's paws. Then something appeared on his left. A mysterious Zerda dressed in elaborate Masquerade attire, Libra! With a slight bump, Libra sent Timothy spinning. Aunt Mary and the watching crowd gasped as Timothy tumbled head over paws through the broccoli. But Timothy wasn't staying down. He scrambled to his feet, shook the florets from his fur, and shot back onto the track, now chasing Bricoler.
The racers thundered onward until they reached the Zucchini Zig-Zag. Pal, still leading the pack, weaved effortlessly between the massive vegetables, darting left and right. He cleared the final zucchini and missed the puddle. His paws shot out from beneath him and he skidded sideways, slamming straight into the nearby cabbage bumper. Siena and the others saw the danger and hopped cleanly over the puddle. Pal pulled himself free from his leafy wreckage and scrambled back onto the track. But he was now in last place.
Aunt Mary brought a paw to her muzzle as the racers approached the dreaded Pumpkin Patch. The Mutterbird took to the air, fluttering above the mountainous pumpkins. The Zerdas couldn't afford to slow down and so they ran up the pumpkins and leapt from one to another! Siena, still in the lead, bounded effortlessly across the tops. Without hesitation she continued onward till suddenly, a purple shroud appeared in front of her. Siena skidded to a stop. But Libra didn’t. The mysterious Zerda sailed straight through the dark purple veil and disappeared beyond it. Siena's eyes narrowed at the devious Darkspine trickery. She took a deep breath. She had no idea what waited on the other side. But there was no time to waste, and so she leapt straight through the shroud.
Bricoler soon followed, reaching the same obstacle. His mechanical suit whirred. A glider suddenly sprouted from his back. He leapt fearlessly, the glider catching the air and carrying him over the pumpkins. But Bricoler didn't realize Timothy was directly behind him. Timothy leapt after him and landed squarely on Bricoler's back! After briefly apologizing, Timothy pushed off sending Bricoler tumbling downward while Timothy sailed over the gap. By the time Bricoler righted himself, he was dead last.
Ahead, the Mutterbird was beginning to panic. The hunters were closing in. It suddenly redirected and attempted to escape the garden. But high above, Timothy's Dustraven swooped down. The bird circled the Mutterbird, driving it back toward the ground. Every time the creature tried to climb, the Dustraven was there. Unable to escape, the Mutterbird had only one option. Fly and fly fast.
The hunters surged forward. They were almost back around to the Spinach Straightaway where they could catch up with the Mutterbird. But only one final turn stood between them and victory.
The Carrot Corner.
A nearly 180-degree bend that only the most skilled could navigate without losing speed. Libra reached it first. The masked Zerda didn't slow down and neither did Siena. Libra suddenly raised a paw for a spell. Siena saw it coming. With a not-so-gentle bump, she slammed into Libra’s side, causing the spell to fizzle. Libra stumbled, tried to correct, and realized too late that she was moving far too fast. The Zerda skidded to a halt while Siena shot around the corner. Timothy followed, drafting close behind her.
Finally, they reached the Spinach Straightaway. The long stretch that gave the hunters the best chance to catch the Mutterbird. Siena could see the creature just ahead. She gave everything she had left, her paws hammering against the dirt as she accelerated faster and faster. The exhausted Mutterbird desperately flapped its wings, trying to gain speed, but it was too late. The Zerdas were coming in hot. Above them, Timothy's Dustraven glided down once more, blocking the Mutterbird's escape route and forcing it to remain on the ground.
Siena closed the gap. She was inches away and with one final push.
She leapt.
But the Mutterbird stopped. Not slowed. Stopped!
Siena's eyes widened. Her momentum carried her straight past the creature. Timothy was too close behind to change course. He shot past as well. For one terrible moment, the Mutterbird was free and their plan and the whole race were for nothing.
Then Timothy felt something grab the fur on his back. His Dustraven. Its wings spread wide, catching Timothy and pulling him to a dizzying spin. Timothy's body spun not once or twice, but three times before being released back at the Mutterbird. Timothy flew forward at wicked speed. The creature barely had time to turn. Its eyes widened, it barely had time to beat its wings, before Timothy struck true! They collided with a pop, and the two tumbled down to the ground. The Mutterbird recovered first and attempted to fly back into the air, but it only managed to get a few feet off the ground before dropping back down. Timothy slowly clambered up onto his feet and, with a satisfied smile, spat out the Mutterbird's flight feathers. The Consumed Mutterbird’s eyes narrowed onto Timothy. It cawed with fury and suddenly charged forward to attack!
CRITICAL HIT!!!
You have successfully targeted it's weakness! All synergies are doubled for this attack! (weaknesses can only be targeted once!) Heroic Hunter has been claimed for this bounty!
Hit! 9/? Assailant
Hit! 7/? Protector
Hit! 7/? Support
Hit! 9/? Rogue
2/? Tactician
0 Dueler
42 Remaining!
Miss! 0 Primal
Bloodguile
