"Oh wow, two updates in a row." Es commented after dusting herself off. "And here I was thinking we'd be sitting in the void for another six years."

"Or seven." Amarth added. "But this proves I was right. There are some chapters left in this story. Whether they'll lead to anything worthwhile is none of my concern." Of course, the darkly clad elf would say his presence alone made everything worthwhile, but really it went without saying.

"Okay, so we found another chapter..." Es took in their surroundings with a perplexed frown. "But... It's not really anything of substance, is it?"

Indeed, it was a rather pitiful sight. Es had traded her void for a world of grey, although the surroundings were familiar. The two wound up in the Shire, but it wasn't the beloved home Esmerelda remembered. As said before, there was no color whatsoever. In fact, everything down from the vacant hobbit homes to each blade of grass appeared to be made out of cardboard. There was no music, no hobbits, not even the smell of food or pipeweed, it truly was a depressing sight.

"I almost wish I stayed in the void if this is all that's left..." Es grumbled. "We used to throw parties here. All my friends and enemies would show up, and we'd have a great time until someone caused an explosion... I never should have taken those days for granted. Should have eaten more food..."

"I know a thing or two about regrets," Amarth said as he strolled along the depressing Shire. And the Shire shouldn't make you depressed. It should make you feel like you've just returned home after a long, tiring journey. Where you can grab a drink with your buddies and reminisce about your adventures. The only thing that could make this Shire more depressing would be if it was just an empty studio with green screen.

"What exactly are we looking for anyway?" Es asked once she caught up to her newfound traveling companion. "Do you actually know? Or is this something you're making up as you go along?"

"Oh, I'm absolutely making this up as I go." Amarth responded confidently. "Honestly I don't know what lies ahead. I just got bored sitting around talking to myself. You can only create so many imaginary friends to fill the empty space before going insane. Although depending on who you ask, I was already insane."

"Uh-huh." Es decided to put some distance between herself and this guy. At least five hobbit feet away. "But is there really a point to this? Even if we find more chapters, if they're all like this, why even bother? I'll just become even more depressed..."

"Well, since we were able to come here, something must also be lurking within this abandoned chapter." Amarth kicked over a cardboard cutout of a hobbit hole that had been lazily drawn with crayon. It was quite the sad state of affairs here. "My plan is to just keep walking until something happens. Should be fun, right?"

"Again, could have just left me in the void..." Esmerelda grumbled. "Better then reminding me of what I lost..."

"I also know a thing or two about losing things," Amarth grinned as he prepared to tell his life's story, except he never got the chance as something suddenly darted between the flat cardboard hills of the Shire. "Oh? What do we have here..."

Amarth slunk forward like a drunken shadow (picture that as you will) while chasing the elusive shape that Esmerelda also noticed. What could be living here of all places? Honestly, Es didn't care whether it was good or bad. It'd just be nice if something happened.

Suddenly, Amarth held up his hand to stop Es. He braced himself, then dove headfirst through one of the cardboard hills. There was a furious screeching sound as Amarth stood triumphantly, holding a writhing ball of fluff that did everything in its power to free itself.

"Unhand me you vile creature! Or face my wrath that is equivalent to a god!" Said threat came from a very adorable kitten, and it was none other than the most evil being in the history of existence.

"Thunderpuff...?" Es blinked several times, just to see if she was hallucinating, but it was true. Thunderpuff was here, and still trying to claw his way to freedom.

"Oh goodness, is that this adorable fluff baby's name?" Amarth loving cradled the screeching kitten as if it were his own child. "Aw, you poor thing. It must be so frightening to be left alone. Don't worry, I'm your father now."

"What?! I'm not adorable!" Thunderpuff squeaked adorably. "And I have no need of a parental figure! Not when the last one I had was completely useless! Now unhand me at once you cretin!"

"Goodness, you are just too adorable to take seriously." Amarth booped his son's nose, he couldn't remember the last time he felt this particular emotion, that being happiness. "Now, what are you doing here on your lonesome?"

"Well..." Thunderpuff hissed. Seeing as there was no escaping, he'd might as well explain himself. "I was planning to destroy the world, as usual, but before I could begin my evil plan everything suddenly disappeared! And it wasn't because of me like I originally planned. Even my glorious laboratory vanished, and the prisoners I was going to brutally torture... It just isn't fair..."

"Ahem," Es cleared her throat, "Sorry, but I refuse to believe you had nothing to do with this. How many times have you tried to destroy everything we love? Looks like you finally succeeded and don't want to face the consequences."

"And I'm telling you that this wasn't me!" Thunderpuff spat, his fluffy fur puffed up making him look even more adorable. "My plan didn't involve losing my lab and girlfriend! Once everything disappeared, I began searching for a way to reverse it. Unfortunately, even my brilliant mind can't find a solution..."

"What a tragic tale..." Amarth offered his condolences by petting Thunderpuff's fuzzy head. Goodness, he was so fluffy and adorable, if Thunderpuff wanted to take over the world or destroy it, Amarth would have a difficult time stopping him. "Unfortunately, I don't think this can be solved as simply and conveniently as your other adventures. If that were the case, you wouldn't have waited six years for an update."

"What are we supposed to do then?" Esmerelda asked, becoming more dejected by this turn of events. "I was hopeful for, like, three minutes but now? I've lost any desire to see this through."

"What? Don't tell me you're giving up so soon!" Amarth gasped as if the notion offended him. Not that it did, it was quite difficult to offend this one. "Don't you see? Thunderpuff is here! Surely, this a sign from the heavens that we're on the right path!"

"Considering it's Thunderpuff, it's more likely a sign from down there." Es pointed to the ground with a deadpan expression. "Listen, I get you're trying to help. Or that's what I think you're doing... But I'm not seeing a how this could possibly end other than disappointment."

"Ah, but that'd still be an ending, no?" Amarth proceeded to place Thunderpuff on the ground, much to feline's relief. "Look, we've come this far, we might as well continue. Who knows? We may even find more old friends, or make new enemies! I find the second option to be much easier."

"Gee, I wonder why." Thunderpuff rolled his angelic eyes and glared up at his newfound traveling acquaintances. And he used that term extremely loosely. "Unfortunately, I'm forced to agree with him. There's no point waiting for something to happen. If we want to get out of this, we have to find The End. Otherwise we'll be trapped in this purgatory-like state for eternity. Or at least, until we fade into obscurity."

"I hate that I have to agree with the murder cat about something..." Es muttered, but conceded that her fate was currently out of her hands. "Fine. We'll go on a journey to reach The End, whatever it may be."

"Wonderful! I'm glad we're all in agreement!" Amarth knelt down and pulled his newfound companions into a hug, which they immediately tried to escape from, but Amarth's natural uncanny strength prevented them from doing so. "I happen to be quite experienced with quests, and with only a few casualties! Trust me, you're in good hands!"

"Oh, great..." Thunderpuff's little ears flattened against his head. "We're all going to die..."