"Just keep it clean," orders the healer and pats the list owner's knee.

"I will," promises Red Hope and she watches the healer stroll back over to her desk. She sighs and peers down at her wrapped leg. "Goddamn hairy monster jerks," she mutters. She hears a sigh from next to her. Peering up, she locks eyes with Michelle.

"How's it feel?" asks the artist softly.

"Better," replies the bard. She slowly starts to get up but stumbles from the pain in her leg.

Michelle quickly moves and helps her friend. "Okay now?" she asks.

"I'm okay, thanks." Red Hope straightens her back out as she feels her friend release her.

"Are we going over to the hut for the meeting?" whispers Michelle.

"Yeah, lets go get Karena." The bard nods at the Kiwi, who is standing beside a sleeping Janelle.

The artistic bard nods and walks along with her friend.

Red Hope nears the Queen with a limp in her walk. She touches the Queen's back but her eyes were locked on the sleeping Janelle. "She'll be okay," she utters.

Queen Karena sighs sadly, her eyes never leaving the Aussie. "I hope so," she replies in a small voice.

"She will be," repeats the bard. "The healer will watch after her." She lightly touches her friend's arm. "We need to head to the meeting."

Karena nods, bends forward, and kisses Janelle's forehead. "Get better, mate," she murmurs warmly and straightens up. "Come on." She heads to the door and goes out, she waits at the bottom of the steps.

Red Hope walks over to the door with Michelle behind her. She comes to the steps and peers across the torch lit village. After a sigh, she descends the steps one by one at a slow pace.

Michelle patiently waits then quickly comes down the steps.

The three Amazons make their way to the food hut for the meeting. Once inside, they see everybody else sitting around a bench… hardly talking and sad looks.

The three Amazons sit down beside each other.

"How are you, Southerner?" queries Red Hope as she points at the patched up arm.

Terri shrugs. "Its fine, Red."

"Good." The list owner nods.

"How's the leg?" questions MomBard with concern.

"Nice and wrapped up," replies the bard with a grin.

"So… what's the plan?" cuts in Tea with a solemn voice.

Red Hope huffs and stares down at the bench table.

Queen Karena glances at the Empress for ideas.

Cy faintly shrugs and swallows down a lump in her throat.

"Maybe… they can be peaceful," whispered MomBard in small hopes.

Terri shakes her head and looks at MomBard. "Yes, they certainly looked like duh peace lovin' type, Phyl." She shifts a grin into her expression.

MomBard huffs and glowers at the southerner for a moment. "Well, I'm not hearin' any other suggestions."

"We have to attack them," whispers Karena, her eyes lifting to the group. "Pay back for Janelle."

"Karena, we're not exactly the Athenaeum Army here," states the Empress.

Karena rolls her eyes. "I know that, there are only a few of them."

"Did you get hurt too?" says the Empress to Karena in a saucy tone. "They almost kicked our asses out there."

"Wish we could just pay them to leave us alone," grumbles the accountant as she sighs.

"Oh no, that's too easy," teases Tea.

The Queen shakes her head. "We have to fight them. That's the only way to stop them."

Red Hope peers up at the Kiwi. "Karena, you and Cy… and the Royal Guards are the only fighters around here. You five can't stop all of them," she states in a clear tone.

"So, we'll teach everybody else to fight," counters the Queen.

The bard's shoulders drop, and she holds out a hand to MomBard. "Does Phyl look like a fighter to you? No! she's too sweet and innocent for that stuff."

"Hey, I'll fight," cuts in Michelle.

Red Hope shoots the artist a glare. "No you're not. Swords sticking out of you isn't on my list of things to happen."

The artist grumbles before she mutters, "Can fight better than you, I bet." She smirks.

The bard narrows her eyes at her friend despite she is grinning. "Don't get me started," she warns before putting her focus back on Karena. "We're not fighting, nobody is fighting them."

"Then what we going to do?" asks Karena.

"I don't know," replies the bard a little hotly. She sighs and stares back at the table.

"Don't think a peace treaty will work?" asks Cindy quietly.

Red Hope shakes her head. "I doubt it," she murmurs. "They can't even talk."

"Only snarl and drool," mutters Michelle with a chuckle.

"We've got to do something," states MomBard.

The list owner laces her hands together, elbows up on the table, and she settles her chin onto her hands. She stares ahead in thought.

"Red, they hurt Janelle," whispers Karena.

"I know… I know." Red Hope sighs and lowers her hands.

"I think Karena is right," cuts in the Empress. "We should fight them. I mean, we do have to travel through the forest to get food from the local towns."

"Plus, they may kill the Papa Johns delivery boy," pipes in MomBard just knowing how that would spark a fire in Red Hope.

A small growl rumbles in the list owner's throat. "Definitely can't let that happen."

A few of the Amazons chuckle.

"We should fight," states the Empress.

"Okay," cuts off Red Hope, "what happened to those Amazons earlier that said we're peaceful ones… huh?"

All the Amazons lower their eyes and slouch at the harsh words.

"Just… hold tight." Red Hope gets up.

"Where you're going?" asks MomBard with a concerning look.

"Gonna go outside to get some fresh air," replies the list owner. Her eyes scanning over everybody. "Let me think of something… be back." She strolls out of the hut.

"Why won't she let us fight?" asks the Empress.

"'Cause she likes to stay away from as many fights as she can," states Michelle. "I should know," she mutters before a grin comes into play. "She says its good for one's health."

The Amazons all chuckle but had to agree.

"I'll be right back," announces Michelle as she gets up.

"Where you going?" inquires Karena.

"Go help Red." The artist nods at the door. "Be back." She leaves the hut and comes outside. As soon as she comes outside, she sees Red Hope pacing back and forth in front of the food hut. "Hey," she greets quietly.

The bard stops and smiles at the Aussie. "Hey, Missy." She raises an eyebrow. "What you doing?"

"Coming to see if I can help."

The list owner nods and starts pacing again. "Not sure what to do," she admits.

"Who said you had to figure out anything?" questions the artistic bard.

"Cuz I got us into this," responds the bard. Her head is hanging low as she kept pacing.

"You sure do like solving all the problems," teases the artist.

Red Hope chuckles and grins at her friend. "Old habits of saving the world die hard." She goes back to her pacing and thinking. "There's gotta be a way." She lifts her right hand and presses her lips into her clenched hand. "They've gotta have a weakness," she mutters.

"Ha, maybe we should give them some of the Amazon Beans," jokes Michelle.

"Nah, then they'd have more reason to over take us." The bard sighs while still ever so pacing. "Besides, Karena will kick my butt if I suggest that."

The artist sighs and leans against the hut. She crosses one ankle over the other. "Maybe the others are right… about fighting."

"Don't start that again," warns the list owner yet she gives a grin. "There's a better way."

Michelle sighs and keeps pondering with her friend.

"Those stupid beasts," grumbles Red Hope.

The word, 'beast,' springs a cord in Michelle, and she whispers, "Music sooths the savage beast."

Red Hope stops pacing and turns to her friend. "What'd you say, Missy?"

The artist peers up and straightens up off the hut. "Music sooths the savage beast."

Suddenly, the bard's face lights up. "Ha! That's it. You did it, Missy." She shakes her head and smiles. "Just perfect."

"Yeah sure, if I could figure out what that was." The Aussie rubs the back of her neck with a sheepish grin.

The small bard nears her friend. "Inspiration, that's what you did! That's what I need, inspiration." She places her hands on either side of Michelle's cheeks. "You're beautiful, jus' gorgeous."

In a quick response, Michelle's face flushes. "Red," she growls and chuckles shyly.

"You're cute when you blush." Red Hope leans down and presses her warm lips against her friend's forehead tenderly. She lifts her head up again and lowers her hands. "Come on, let's got tell the others." She takes a step back.

"Can I unblush myself first?" grumbles the artist as the redness goes stronger from the kiss.

"You'll be fine, blusher." The list owner takes her friend's hand and leads her back into the hut. "We've got an idea," she cuts into the conversations in the hut.

The list members look up and watch the two small women come in.

Red Hope stops in front of the table while releasing her friend's small hand. "Michelle gave me the best idea."

"Whatever that is," mumbles Michelle.

The bard grins at the artist. "Hey, I need inspirations, you're a beautiful inspirer, as I said."

"Red," warns the Aussie because she starts to blush again but in front of people.

Red Hope rubs the artist's back for a brief moment before focusing back on the other Amazons. "Alright."

"What's the plan?" asks Tea with excitement.

"Well…" The list owner locks her eyes on MomBard. "Ma, how's your voice?"

"W-w-what?" MomBard furrows her eyebrows in utter confusion.

"Feel like singin'?" Red Hope grins evilly.

"Red, you know Janelle and I can't sing for a few more days."

The list owner puts her hands on the table and leans towards the older Amazon. "Well mom, consider yourself officially unbanded from sing." She snickers with such evilness.

The Amazons exchange worried looks and wonder maybe if they should start feeling bad for the Hairy Monsters.

~*~*~*~

It was the following day, it was an hour before sunset. Red Hope, MomBard, Terri, Cindy, the Empress, Michelle, and Tea were all out in the woods. The entire day they had briskly dug holes in the ground and covered them in hopes to keep them hidden. However they edge of each hidden hole was marked with two stones.

"That's the special weapon?" whispers Janelle and she rolls onto her side that didn't have the wound.

"Yeah, mate," replies the Kiwi.

"You think it'll work?" asks the Aussie Bard.

"I hope so." Karena sighs and adds, "Red seems to think it will."

Janelle shrugs. "Trust Red, she knows what she's doing."

The Queen chuckles. "True." She folds her arms. "You feeling better?"

"Oh yeah." The Aussie peers over her arm and looks at her wound on the side. "Only hurts a wee bit, mate."

"Looks better already," mentions Karena as she studies the side wound.

"Yeah, it does." The Aussie sighs and glances out the window. "You better go," she states.

Karena takes a gander. "Ah, you're right, mate."

"Good luck," whispers Janelle.

The Queen winks and heads to the door. "Thanks, Janelle. Get some more rest. We'll be back in here celebrating."

"I know it." Janelle chuckles and teases, "Go get 'em, tiger."

Queen Karena laughs and growls, "Grrrr." She then heads out the door and briskly heads out to the forest. "Are we ready?" she asks in her queenly like tone.

Empress Cy turns around and nods. "Yes, just waiting for you."

"Okay good." The Queen folds her arms and glances at the other list members next to Cy. "Everybody knows what to do?"

"Yup," reply the Amazons.

"Protect Phyl and knock unconscious any monsters if they fall in the holes," states Tea.

"So, let's get this show on the road," declares the list owner.

The Queen looks at the Empress, who has the Royal Guards behind her. "Ready, Cy?"

"Let's roll." The Empress grins and pulls out her sais.

Queen Karena unsheathes her sword and waves the Royal Guards to follow. "Be ready, Amazons." She walks backwards and grins at her friends.

"We will," calls Terri. "Ya'll be careful."

Karena chuckles and turns around. She heads deeper into the forest with Cy and the Royal Guards.

Red Hope glances over at MomBard. "You ready, Ma?"

The older Amazon nods and says, "I think so."

The list owner glances over at the other Amazons. "Alright, lets go close up most of the gates. Just incase."

The Amazons nod and head over to the gates near by. They quickly close up the one gate and the second one, they close up for the most part.

"That's good," states Terri.

"Let's go get ready," orders Red Hope. She heads a little into the woods with her friends. She stops and turns around. "Okay, Michelle and me will take care of the monsters that fall into the traps. Yawl just watch over mom."

Terri, Tea, and Cindy nod quickly.

"Sounds like a plan," agrees Michelle.

"And you." Red Hope spins around to the artist. "Don't get in trouble."

Michelle gives a hurt look. "I would never." She smirks.

"Rrright." The list owner laughs softly and says, "Okay, everybody get ready."

The Amazons nod. Tea, Terri and Cindy quickly surround MomBard protectively while Michelle and the bard go a little further into the woods.

Red Hope stops once she notes all the hidden holes around the area. "You ready?"

Michelle nods. "Yup," she replies dryly.

The bard chuckles. "Go hide behind a tree on the other side."

"Gotcha." The artistic bard heads over to the other side of all the hidden traps. She easily hides behind a tree and waits.

Red Hope finds some brush, and squats down behind it. "Missy, be careful huh?" she calls.

"I'm always careful," answers back the Aussie.

"In this case, be extra careful," teases the bard across the forest.

Michelle chuckles and orders, "You better be careful."

"Careful is my middle name." Red Hope narrows her eyes at hearing the sound of running. "They're coming!"

The artist sighs and pressed more against the tree.

The list owner glances around the bush and spots Cy fighting a few monsters while Karena and the Guards were fleeing back towards the village. "That's it," she whispers.

"Come on, Cy," yells the Queen. "We can't beat them! We gotta retreat!"

The Empress pulls back from the ten monsters and runs with the Queen and Royal Guards.

The five Amazons sprint through the forest with the hairy monsters after them. They near the area of hidden holes and quickly weave through them safely.

Karena stops dead in her tracks and turns around. She smirks and watches the monsters still coming.

Cy spins her weapons and chuckles. "Hope this works," she whispers.

The monsters snarled and growled as they sprint ahead with waving swords. They come up to the hidden holes and don't seem them at all. One by one, they fall or stumble into them.

Cy, the Queen, the Royal Guards, plus Michelle and Red Hope all bound forward and start knocking as many as possible unconscious. The Amazons simple kick the monsters in the head with a hard blow.

Around five monsters, however, make it out of the holes and roar at the women.

"Oh shit," whispers Red Hope.

"Get back!" commands the Queen.

The bard races over to Michelle and grabs her by the wrist. "We're outty five thousand, girl. Come on."

The artist decides to sprint for her life with her friend. "What now?"

"The Emp and Queen are gonna draw them close enough so we can use the secret weapon," replies Red Hope. She comes to a stop once near MomBard and her protectors. "They're coming, get ready, Ma."

MomBard nods but feels nervous. She clears her throats and peers through her protectors.

Red Hope and Michelle turn around with wide eyes at hearing the sounds of battle.

The Kiwi Queen and Texan Empress keep losing ground as the five hairy monsters fight harder and harder.

Karena glances back and notes how near she is to the rest of the Amazons. "We need the secret weapon! Now, now!"

"Go, go, Mom," orders Red Hope.

"Here goes." MomBard takes a deep breath, clears her throat and sings:

Instantly, the air fills with cries of pain as the monster whale out in agony at the singing. They cover their ears and crying out.

"Keep going, mom!" yells Red Hope.

MomBard grins at the results and breaths deeply. She proudly sings:

The monster howl out in pain, shaking their heads, and closing their black eyes.

The Amazons, however, just cringe and grit their teeth against the singing.

"Gods, this is horrible," mumbles Tea, "but it works."

The hairy menly monsters shake their heads before they continue advancing on the Amazons.

"Sing it again and again, Phyl!" yells the Queen.

MomBard sees the evil monsters fighting her friends again. She glares and quickly puts her all into resinging the song. Her voice erupts in the air and screeches over and over.

"Oh gods… save me," moans Michelle.

Red Hope chuckles. "You are being saved."

"From the monster, yes… the singing, no." The artist groans and covers her ears.

The list owner snickers and decides its best to just face the music for once. "Keep going, ma!"

The monsters were hollowing out in pain but yet resist the singing somewhat and keep trying to fight.

Karena, the Empress and the Guards try to hold them back but lose ground still.

"This isn't working," calls out the Empress.

"Its got to," yells Red Hope.

"Its not," yells the Kiwi. She thrusts her sword at the monster that's attacking her.

The bard growls and looks at MomBard. "Come on, mom. Give it your everything. Screech it, girl."

MomBard stops singing briefly since it was hurting her throat. "I can't do much more," she admits quietly.

"Don't give up!" orders the list owner. "Or else we're all gonna be hairy as those damn monsters."

MomBard clears her throat again and sings her song once more.

The list owner looks back at the battle.

The monsters are still fighting back but not at full strength from the bad singing.

"Look!" yells Cindy. "They're waking up!"

The hairy monsters that had been knocked out were starting to wake up. They were climbing painfully out of the holes.

"Oh no," whispers Michelle. "We're gonna be hairy monster food."

Suddenly, a plethora of cuss words escape Red Hope. "There's gotta be a way to stop these stupid, ugly hairy things."

The Queen judges that there isn't much more space between her, the monsters, and the other Amazons. "Get into the village!"

"We can't give up yet!" yells the list owner.

"Its not working, Red," calls the Empress as she fends off two hairy monsters.

The Amazons that weren't fighting felt the fear surge up into them as the monsters were closing in.

"Ya'll we best head back intuh the village," agrees Terri.

MomBard stops singing, knowing it was useless. "If Jan-"

"Phyl!" screams Janelle from the gate as she comes sprinting out of the village.

"Janelle!" yell all the Amazons.

"Sing, Phyl! Sing!" calls Janelle. "I'm coming. Sing the Waltzing Matilda!"

MomBard grins evilly and looks back at the monsters. She sucks in a huge breath and sings out the lyrics to the Waltzing Matilda. Her efforts completely renewed at having her singing partner coming.

The monsters howl out in agony and stop fighting because of the new song.

Janelle comes up beside MomBard in the ring. She clears her throat and starts singing with MomBard.

The hairy manly monsters double over in immense pain at the horrific duet.

Queen Karena's eyes widen as she lowers her sword and steps back. She laughs and watches the monster bend forward, screaming.

"Yes!" cries out Tea happily. "You got them, girls! Sing it away!"

Janelle keeps singing and looks at MomBard.

MomBard laughs a little in her singing and smiles happily at the Aussie bard.

Janelle chuckles but follows along in her singing. She wraps her left arm around MomBard's shoulders.

MomBard slips her arm around her friend's shoulders and keeps singing happily.

The two screeching voices vibrate through the forest, sending the birds flying off and screeching in pain too.

The monsters are shaking their heads; they drop their swords and moan in suffering.

Red Hope nods and grins. Her head starts bobbing up and down. She takes a deep breath and joins in the singing.

Michelle gives her friend a concerned look.

The bard laughs and says, "Why not eh?" She goes back to singing.

The artist shrugs and decides to sing too.

Then within a few seconds, the Amazons all sing together the Waltzing Matilda happily.

The monsters fall to their knees and whale their pain. They started grabbing their hairy hair and tearing at it from this torment. All these women with bad voices singing! They just couldn't take it!

Queen Karena, the Empress, and the Royal Guards join their friends.

The Amazons come together in a big group singing the song completely out of unison and pitch. It was just the worst thing ever heard but they were smiling profoundly.

Slowly, the monsters pick up their swords, turn, and try to flee. They stumble into more of the holes as they retreat but quickly scramble out. They run away screaming and they disappear into the forest never to be heard or seen from again.

And well, the Amazons continue singing and smiling to each other, totally oblivious to their distraughtful singing. They finally come to the end of the song and their voices actually sing the last few lines in a beautiful harmony. At the end, they stop and laugh together.

Janelle and MomBard quickly grab each other and hug each other tightly.

Red Hope turns to Michelle. "We did it, Missy!" She grabs her friend in a hug, and spins her around.

The artist laughs in surprise and smile warmly when her feet hit the ground again.

Terri looks to the forest where the monsters went. "Don't ya'll come back! That's how we fight hairy goofs like ya'll!"

"Okay, okay!" The Queen laughs happily and orders, "Amazon hug!"

In a snap, the Amazons fall into a huge group hug and laughing together.

"Amazon's Rule!" yells Red Hope.

"And Hairy Monsters drool!" adds Michelle.

Once more, the Amazons' laughter ring through the sunset lit forest while they hug each other. And all is well and safe again at Red Hope's Place.