Arlene threw aside her apron, and began running out of the building. as the duke's coughing grew louder and louder the opening get bigger, and a row of steps formed which climbed up the opening to his mouth
_
Dixie had been slow to realize that the duke's fit was providing an opening. as she made her way towards the exit, her ring began to glow. 'Hello? Scooby? stripetail? she spoke into it
_
Stripetail's communicator began to glow tan and Dixies voice broke though ' Dixie! Where in the cosmos have you been? you've missed several events!' Stripetail said reprovingly. " We;re in the Duke!' Dixie said desperately " He- he gobbled us up while we were out on a walk. please- oh drat dont go out.. she said as the connected faded and Stripetail had a few seconds to digest the information. Her voice was audible again after a few seconds " Its Me, and Kitty. Arlene... we need to get out. tell him to let us go, or use your magic to pull us out. Its been a nightmare!" So you weren't able to use your ring..' Stripetail said. ' that's odd. the ring's magic is much more powerful than the Dukes ..' he paused for a few seconds oh now I understand. since you have no natural magic, its much less powerful than it would be normally, or if you had natural powers. Thats why the Duke was able to block it. Don;t worry Dixie. I';ll get all 3 of you girls out. and i will have a very stern discussion with the Duke to not touch any other contestants, unless they are committing serious wrongdoing. This is like Wildcat almost cooking Arlene.."
Stipetail tapped his wrist, and connected Scooby to Dixie ' Scooby?' Dixie said ' I'm sorry i haven't been able to keep in touch ' Dixie said and Scooby responded ' Don't worry, honey. Where are you? ' in the Duke" Dixie said as the connection began to fade.' The Duke? The cheeky Bird! I'll knock his lights out!" Scooby growled. Hang on there, I'll get you out. "" Kitty';s with me too..' Dixie said, her voice growing faint. ' I'll Let Tiger know ' Scooby said' I love you Scooby" Dixie said ' i Know, love' Scooby said ' I've been keeping an eye on Oliver" Keep him safe.. for Arlene's sake ' Dixie said, before the connection was broken.
_
As Arlene began to climb the steps the Dukes stomach began to rumble, as the stomachache reached its peak. Arlene ran up the stairs as fast as she could as she reached the midway point a wave of water rushed on top of her, very nearly knocking her off of the stairs, Arlene clung to the step by her claws, her legs dangling high up in the air. after about 20 seconds, she was able to get back on, and continue her journey. A second rush of water hit her as she reached the back of the Dukes throat, and climbed out onto his tongue. As the beak opened wide, Arlene could see a large cup, of either water or tea, the duke was settling his stomach through drinking liquid. a third coughing fit shook the Duke, and Arlene, slid out of the Duke's mouth and out onto the ground.
Arlene blinked as she felt the hard ground beneath her. She looked up and saw the sun shining down on her, and she blinked. a cool breeze struck her face and she began to cry tears of relief. a nearby stream, showed the mess she was in - Her fur was all ruffled, she had gut secretions all over her and she smelled, well terrible. But right Now, Arlene didnt care about much of anything, save that she was out of the Duke, that she hadnt been eaten, and that she could now go visit Oliver and be reunited with him. 'Whether the other girls had gotten out, well that was not something she would dwell on right now, there were more pressing matters, like explaining her absence to Stripetail and Oliver, getting a good bath, and fresh clothes. Her uniform had been eroded away, so she would need a new one. Arlene jumped into the stream, and splashed some water into her face , to get off as much of the stuff as possible. ahead of her stretched the walled city, that unbeknownst to her, held the rest of the teams. she snuck a backwards glance at the Duke, who was perched on a tea branch, and drinking tea from a cup to settle his stomach.
- Dixie and kitty had made their way to the stairs leading up to the Dukes mouth But the gutache was fading, and as a result the stairs were starting to crack and fall apart. " climb ! Climb! Kitty cried, As she began running up the stairs. but no sooner that the girls had climbed 10 steps, the middle of the stairs collapsed completely, forcing the pair to retreat back to the ground.. the rest of the stairs collapsed shortly thereafter. ' Kitty sprawled onto the gut-ground and was briought to her feet by Dixie " Kitty"I managed to get word out to Stripetail. He knows where we are now, and We should be out shortly. he just needs to find the Duke and order him to release us. ' Dixie said hopefully. " for now lets go back to the ' Restaurant" and wait for the Duke to let us go. i hopes he lets us go through the mouth and not.. the other end. '
-
Arlene reached the restaurant, ignoring the looks and wrinkled faces of the patrons who caught a whiff of her. She soon spotted Stripetail, sitting with Scooby and Oliver at a booth near the back ' OLIVER!" She cried out and ran forward, dodging between tables , chairs and waiters, to reach the table, She picked up Oliver, kissed him on the forehead and held him to her neck, and began to cry openly." He;s been a good boy" Scooby said with a smile. Arlene Set Oliver back down and wiped tears from her eyes, Scooby handed her a napkin, as did Winnie, who was at the table right next to her ' Geez, Girl, You look like you wrestled with a tar monster, and candidly, you smell like it too.' she'll get a bath once the reunion is over, Winnie. Which will be shortly." Stripetail said. " Has Oliver behaved himself?' Arlene asked Scooby. " Yes he has, he;s a big eater too.' Scooby said. " Better watch it, or he'll end up like Garfield or Tiger who are- ahem stout, around the middle."Scooby got up and headed up the stairs, with Arlene following with Oliver on her Shoulder Scooby reached the room, he was staying in and opened the door with the key. This was a room with two large beds and nice view of the countryside from the window. Arlene set Oliver down on the bed near the window. then Scooby sat down on the First bed with Arlene,
" Thanks for watching him for me while I was gone." Arlene threw her arms around Scooby's neck, and kissed him on the lips, Scooby's brown lips locking with Arlene's very dark red lips. Scooby's lips were larger, and a bit rougher than Dixie;s lips, his tongue was longer and rougher as well. the kiss lasted a couple minutes before Scooby broke away , his tongue sliding out of her mouth. " that was some kiss Arlene." 'Scooby blushed. "Well, Scooby, I can tell why Dixie loves you, " Arlene said, as Scooby nodded. Scooby got up and went over to the room closet. Inside was a number of Scooby Dooby uniforms. He tossed one to Arlene "Doesn't have your name on it, yet, but it will have to do. For Now. I'm sure you;re exhausted. Go Snuggle up to your boy, and get some sleep" He motioned, as Oliver was lying on a second bed , close to the window and had nodded off. Arlene Climbed on to the bed, pulled Oliver close and quickly went to sleep.
