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The darkness was broken by a flickering of light, tiny narrow strips flaring into life the very second Lena emerged, still leading the the team behind her. Geri is leading that group, her night vision being well up to the challenge. While all the team has been growing more confidant and able to work together, Geri has shown the greatest improvement from how she seemed at the start. Like Cara had overcome her fears of being on tv, Geri had..well..started to overcome her feelings about the gunge. She still thought about it though, it still filled her mind and now she was more...conflicted. She didn't like it, but she didn't hate it either.

Geri was dragged out of those thoughts as the group moved from the corridor into a wider room, quickly gathering around Lena as the lights rose to full brightness. 'Right. Here we are in the final sector. The last chance to score those all important points for the nexus. You have done very well so far, well enough to earn yourself a good two minutes inside. But we aren't going to be satisfied with that now are we?'

'Well, they might have to be.' Cobalt cut across the group. 'Perhaps I have been too easy on you up till now. But the games you face here will be a lot more challenging.'

'And more messy.' Amy muttered. This wasn't just the last time to get points, it was the last time to gunge them. Not including what they would encounter in the Nexus of course. And Cobalt wasn't going to pass that chance up, that is for sure.

If Cobalt had heard Amy she didn't show it, her voice continuing in the same smooth, steady tone. 'So, I'm going to be taking charge from here. I have already chosen the game you will play. And for this game I'm going to need a willing, or not so willing, victim. And I chose..you.' Colbalt grinned gleefully, pointing at Amy.

'Cobalt...I'm not sure you can do that.' Lena retorted.

'Oh? You think? My castle, my rules remember. Unless you want to push me.'

'She can't do that...can she?' Cara squeaked.

'I..think she can.' Lena replied. 'Sorry Amy. But what she wants, she gets.'

'Its okay. I'll do it.' Amy said confidantly. 'Lets do this.'

Amy took a seat under the large tank, casting one last quick glance at it before she flicked her eyes over to Jenny. The rabbit had taken up position by the smaller bucket, already having grabbed one of the balls inside, her paw closed losely around it.

Now it was just a waiting game. A game started by the shrill buzzer that resounded around them. Jenny semes to be taking it in her stride, taking her time and throwing each shot carefully. But that was really all that Amy could see.

Hearing gave her other clues, although limited. She could hear the clang as the balls hit the metals plates, followed by a few more clangs as some fell. Beyond that, she had no idea how the game was going. That not knowing was staring to get to her a little. With every clang, she expected the hear the buzzer go off, that familar sound that would seal her fate. One way or the other.

If the bucket was just moving, she would have some idea how it was going. She almost wished it did. That didn't stop her head tipping up, looking around as best she could. As much to see the kind of gunge inside as to try to get some idea how things were going.

But the heavy barrel remained inscrutable. Jenny's face didn't offer any clues either. She was perfectly focused, not missing a beat. Her eyes flicking around her, tracking the next target she had to hit. Amy knows that she wouldn't be the focused. Calm and composed not always her strong point.

She definately evies the way she draws her arm back and throws, a perfect arc and clang. Another solid hit. If it did anything, that is the question. This has to be coming down to the wire. If Jenny had scored enough points this game would be over by now. So it was just a question of if the next sound she heard was a clang or a klaxon. That question filled her head as Jenny threw her next ball.

The sound she heard next wasn't the one she expected. Not the hard, solid sound of a target falling down. Not even the ring as the ball bounced off the target. No, what she heard was better than either of those.

The shrill klaxon rang out around her, bouncing off the close walls. But Amy wasn't focused on that. Her entire attention was drawn back to the barrel over head. She waited with baited breath to see what would happen.

Jenny couldn't have won...could she? She still had no idea but she was hoping against all hope that she hadn't. It was all so unknown. Her eyes hadn't left the bucket, willing it to start to move. Her breath caught in her throat. Did she see movement?

Even Amy was caught off guard as the barrel tipped, the mechanism throwing it forward with a heavy clack tha was cut off by the second klaxon. Amy heard none of that though, her head suddenly swamped by thick black gunge. Not just a splash but a veil that blocked her from sight.

She couldnt be seen but she could feel it. The thick gunge crept under her clothes even as it poured over her, seeping down her neck and into her shorts. The feeling of it running over her tail made her shiver. Not a bit of her white fur was visible from her waist down, the heavy black gunge clinging to her like treacle. The tigress looked like she had gone swimming in crude oil, black gloop dripping from her chin as the stream tapered off. She blinked softly before clearing her eyes and ears, flicking the excess gunge from her fingers.

It couldn't be seen as she stood, but she was grinning under the thick layer of gloop. She padded with a sticky splat with each footstep towards Jenny, both of them moving to join the team.

'I really thought you were going to win that one Jenny.' Lena patted her on the shoulder. 'But that was still a good try. Worthy of good 90 points.'

'I'm not sure Amy would agree.' Colbalt grinned. 'Or maybe she would. Still, you aren't going to move on if you just stay here all day. Let's get on with the next one.'

The others didn't agree and with Amy bringing up the rear, they followed behind Cobalt again. Geri was in the middle of the pack, thinking about who might be next. Something was telling her it was going to be a choice between her and Cara.

It seemed she was right.

'This one is for you.' Cobalt let her eyes fall on the gerbil. 'Specially for you, you might say.'

'Me?' Cara squeaked, looking nervous about the prospect of playing another game. Well, one by herself.

'Oh yes. This one is perfect for you I think.'

Cara just nodded and stepped inside, the other three crowding around the screens outside. While they couldn't see exactly what was in the room, the could just see the tank right in the middle.

Cara couldn't avoid it however, e door open and the chair in the centre looming ominously. Just like the nozzles that hung over head. She couldn't avoid it any longer and walked slowly forward, taking one slow and hesitant step.

It wasn't the gunge making her nervous, but not knowing what she had to do. It didn't help when Cobalt's voice boomed out around her, rebounding around the enclosed area. 'I am expecting only perfection in this game. For only a good enough score will keep you safe from my little forfeit. I will be asking you ten questions. You may answer each as slowly or quickly as you like. But I will only be able to take your first answer. Are we clear?'

Cara hunched lower, but nodded slowly.

'Good. Let us start.' The pause until the first question was almost unbearable for Cara, the chamber feeling very very close around her. 'What is the chemical symbol for Iron?'

Cara relaxed a little, she knew this one. 'Fe.' she squeaked quickly.

'Very good. But I expected you to get that one. We continue.' Cobalt said almost disdainfully. 'What do you call an angle on a triangle more than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees?'

'Obtuse.' Cara squeaked, still nervous.

'What does the number Giga stand for?'

For the first time Cara hesitated, her mind racing, dancing between two answers and both of them seemed right. 'One Million?'

'One Billion.' Cobalt corrected gleefully. No matter. We continue.'

'Who was the world leader to put forward the rule of absolute belief in the state.' Cobalt had the same cold tone that echoed around them.

'Carl...Carl..Constantine.' Cara said hurriedly.

'Which group had hit singles with 'Run Baby' and 'Flying High?' Colbalt continued.

'The...UltraVixens.' Cara stammered.

'What is the smallest city in the world?' Coablt held back a grin. She couldn't help liking the way Cara growing more nervous.

'Ummmm....Nantia?' Cara said, her uncertainly really showing in her voice.

'I'm sorry. Very close. It's Nantia City.' Cobalt had a smug tone in her voice. And she seemed ready to press on that.

'Which long running political program was hosted by Martin K Long for twenty years.' Cobalt said, her voice a little more intense now.

'Politics and Power.' Cara said, a little more confidently now she was back on solid ground.

'Who was the greatest of the Sun Gods from The August Pantheon.' Cobalt didn't sound phased that she had gotten one right.

'Titan?' Cara really wasn't sure.

'Roma.' Cobalt grinned. 'What was the discovery made in the early 20th Century by Felix Fox?'

'The...boiling point of mercury?' Cara said nervously.

'I'm sorry. It was the discovery of how to make mercuric alloys. Still, we have more to play for yet.'

That didn't help Cara, she knew she was running out of time, had tried to keep track of how well she had done. But she had no idea. Cara was getting more than a little flustered here, not relaxed. She was starting to run out of time, could see the clock ticking down, hearing the digital click.

'Who wrote the 'Tales of Vestria' series of children's books.'

'S Sylvia.' she could feel her paws slick with sweat.

'Which actor started in the action series 'Riders of the Night?' Cobalt said.

'Oh...oh...I know this...oh...' Cara started as she buzzer cut across her.

'I'm sorry. Too slow I'm afraid. Just out of time.' Cobalt said, her voice full of laughter now.

Cara squeaked again, she knew what was coming. She knew she could do nothing to stop it. The wait was so long. Her paws clenched and unclenched, her head kept rasing and dipping, not daring to look up for long. The whirring was growing louder, the nozels moving closer and closer.

It wasn't until the klaxon sounded that she shrieked again, that was the trigger. The gunge didn't splash or splatter but gloop, far thicker and stickier than any. It rolled down her head, splitting to both sides leaving her face framed. Cara didn't dip her head until it brushed her neck, then it rolled over her face. Painting her, painting all of her.

Nothing could stop the sticky tide covering her, clinging to her body, turning her whole body black. Already not one trace of her fur remained on her head and her body would get the same treatment, her torso already was. It had crept over her shoulders already. And it didn't stop there, it was running more down her back than her front, the angle meant that she was leaving er front spared. But not for long, the stream growing to cover all of her, finally vanishing from sight, only reappearing when the klaxon stopped. Her head was revealed in stages, the deluge dropping off to heavy drops, the gunge sweeping clear to cling to her face and nose, until she wiped the sticky glue clear.

Cara looked dejected as she stepped out to the others, but Cara cheered up a bit as Lena gave her a warm smile. 'Don't feel bad. That was a very good try. We have one more game to play here. Geri, who's gonna play this one?'

'I will.' Geri said quickly, surprising them all. Including her. But she wasn't going to just sit back. Besides, she was..kinda getting to like it. That might have explained the growing feeling of excitement as she was led to the first game. Nerves too of course..but mixed with excitement.

So distracted was Geri that she walked into the game without really looking around her. She walked with trepidation into the room, thinking about the gunging she had just seen. She couldn't help being worried about what might happen. And yet wondering about it to. The room is darkly lit, thin streams of white light dotted around, illuminating the thin cords that is took her a while to work out.

Around her she could see three points of light, that resolved into something that looked very much like eggs. Certainly in shape. It didn't take much of guess to work out she had to go and get them. Which must be what the ropes that are strung across the room have to be for. Trying to ignore how much they looked like spider's webs, Geri made to climb up on it. The rope sagged a bit as she grabbed it but seemed firm enough. So she hauled herself up, standing and balancing using the ropes overhead, with her legs spread wide to support her.

It was a little difficult to move, each step having to be taken carefully. But she still made good time to the centre of the web. Taking her bearing, Geri looked up towards the first egg. Had she maybe been a little less focused on it, she might have seen what her team had seen outside. Then again, they had an advantage she didn't.

It had been Amy that had been checking out the small screens, while the other's follwed the Seval's progress on the main screen. And it was because of that that she saw the ropes leading up from the web.

Geri did see them when she reached up to the next level. But that wasn't warning enough. She had no time to protect her from the bucket she tipped down. It didn't take much, the slight pressure on the rope would have done it. But the effect was still spectacular. Not as spectacular as other gungings she had had maybe. But the effect of the thick gunge couldn't be ignored. The wave of bright purple gunge washed rapidly around her head, dripping down her hair and shoulders.

Geri considered she got off lucky with that, the gunge not making her lose grip on the ropes. With barely a shake of her head, the serval continued to climb higher, making her way fully to the second level of the web.

She was getting closer to the first orb, but at the same time the ropes were getting more spread out. Which might have been a problem. But she was good with heights. Her natural agility carried her across to the other side, taking each step carefully as she looked for more traps.

Either she got lucky or picked her route carefully. Either way, she made it safely to the other side, taking the one last step towards the first orb. Well, more of a stumble. Geri had to work hard to stay upright. And she did mostly, but one paw brushed against the orb. Which turned out to be a good thing. It lit up with a soft glow, pulsing in front of her.

Which made Geri look up quickly. She couldn't help thinking about what she might have activated. But luck seemed to be on her side again.

Still, Geri was more aware that she was pushing her luck as she made the slow climb up to the next level. It was kinda easy, since she was getting used to this now. It was a jump, a scramble and she was up.

But maybe things were getting too easy. Very aware of this added threat, Geri started to make the slow climb again, taking the same path and climbing up to the second level, the slick ropes making it more difficult but she managed it, slime smeared over her shirt. That didn't stop her. Using the same method as before, Geri scrambled and slipped to the middle of the web, seeing more of the upward threads that might be connected to gunge.

She moves slowly and very carefully. The ropes twang and twitch, gunging dropping around her in a few places but not hitting her until she makes it to the centre.

The not knowing makes her take very very slow steps, inching forward, expecting to feel the splatter of gunge over her in any second. She makes it halfway across before she sprung the next trap. One of the ropes sagged and she was left lying on the web, the gunge glooping right over her back, rebounding onto her neck but missing her head.

That didn't stop her scrambling up to the next layer of the web, right into the middle of another trap. A hissing sound came from all around her. It grew louder and louder then...foam sprayed all around her, missing her for now. But if she moved, she was gonna get it, one last trap to make sure she didn't get away without getting messy.

Geri had resigned herself to that. A quick scramble and she managed to grab the second orb, sliding and sliding down to the bottom again, using the long ropes and jumping down, with it tucked under her arm.

Placing it with the first, Geri turned her attention to the getting the last. She could see it right at the top of the web. So she quickly started to scramble up the thin strands, climbing as fast as she could. She was getting used to it by now, and despite the ache in her legs she made it to the top in no time.

As she settled on it, three spotlights flared to life, falling on three spiders around the edge of the web. Each one looking towards her, but not moving yet. Not liking the look of their open mouths, Geri took one step forward. Nothing happened so she took another step, then another. Nothing happened till she reached the centre of the web, the spiders suddenly starting to move, thier legs raising and lowering in a mockery of walking as they started to cross the web, moving right towards her.

Not seeing a choice, Geri scurried forwards as quickly as she could, hoping to reach the last orb before they reached her. The web was close enough that she could move quickly, keeping pace with the spiders, her hands just inches away from grabbing it. She had to stretch and stretch, her paw running over it and..yes...she got a grip, pulled and tugged.

Se couldn't avoid the first spray, her cry of triumph cut off as she gets sprayed, gunge splattering over her body and coating all of her. She ducked away form the first spider and had a mad scramble down to the bottom, hearing a triumphantly loud buzzer as she locked it in place. Wiping her eyes she heard the doors open and she stepped out to greet her team. And be greeted by Colbalt.

So close. So close.' Cobalt said smugly. 'But not good enough. And good enough will not be enough for what comes next. It's going to be all or nothing as we enter the Arena.'

She places that in the hole and now the last threat reveals itself. With a hiss, down come the spiders.

She only sees them on the web when she climbs into it, one on her level. She scrambles away, seeing it move as she does. Two more await as she climbs to the next level, closing in on her before she climbs up and spraying her from either side with red gunge, on the third level is a giant spider, she has to move and not attract its attention. She manages to get close but it starts to track her, the gunge is sticky. She just goes for it, rushing and actually avoiding most if the gunge, she got sprayed as she grabbed the orb but scrambled away, using the same method to get down, landing badly and toppling into one of the pits.

She didn't fall far and emerged just as quickly, dripping in slime and gunge, nearly slipping as she climbed from pit. But climbed out she did, with the orb still clutched in her paw. Until she placed it in the slot with the first two. Her reward was the door sliding open. So she passed through it.

'A decent attempt. A full 100 points. Very good.' Cobalt said smugly. 'But merely good will not be good enough for what comes next. It's going to be all or nothing as we enter the Arena.'