The search party gasped in unison as they stared at the spot where Pops had been standing just seconds earlier. "Wow, amazing. The secret route is death," Chloe remarked, the only one who wasn't showing any signs of absolute shock, unlike everyone else. Gidget was still staring while the rest of the search party looked at the gray tabby cat as she continued, "Well, since we no longer have a guide, I suggest we all go home now."

"For once, I agree with you," Ozone replied, getting to his feet.

"Poor old fella," Buddy murmured quietly, Mel and Sweetpea by his side. Tiberius scooped up Norman and let him climb up on his back. The cats Chloe and Ozone were already walking away. Gidget's paws were frozen in place however. Finally finding her tongue, she murmured, "It just happened... like that."

"Guess that's how the circle of life works," Tiberius replied.

"Guys, let's go. He's dead," Chloe urged the others.

"Hey! You youngsters coming or not?!" Pops' voice suddenly called from down below, causing everyone to freeze in their tracks and slowly turn back around...