Hello great to see you again! Welcome to part 4 whats in the cave you wounder? Lets find out!! If have havent read part 1 2 or 3 Here are the links! Enjoy

Part 1 http://www.furaffinity.net/view/17039016/
Part 2 http://www.furaffinity.net/view/17052930/
Part 3 http://www.furaffinity.net/view/17059314/

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As Kitty and Corin watched the pool they could see the blue pulse light up the whole room, almost blinding them before fading again. The ice around them held the blue glow, keeping it alight while the pool went dark, keeping its secrets hidden.

With a quick glance around the room, checking every corner and crevice, Kitty slowly made her way to the pool. Seeing no immediate threats in sight she knelt next to the pool of water. All thought was gone as she gazed at the liquid. Thought was replaced by want, a need to feel the cool water on her paw. As her fingers touched the glacier cold water a hand touched her shoulder. The snow leopard, startled, yelped and came up swinging. At the last moment she realized it was Corin and pulled her arm back, blowing out a breath. “Holy shit, Corin. You startled me something awful!”

“Yeah, no shit. I thought my part time job at the modeling agency was going down the drain if you clocked me! What the hell do you think you're doing?! You can't put your hand in that! We haven't even tested it yet to be sure it’s safe. You forget training 101?”

“I’d have to clobber you to break that money maker of yours, but you're right. I should have tested and checked before I stuck my hand in. It’s just... something is calling to me. Whatever it is... I feel... I feel it wants to go home. It’s lonely.”

Kitty looked back down at the water and watched while Corin knelt down beside her. It appeared to be water, just plain old water, cold and clear. They couldn't see what was causing the blue light though. Corin bent over and took a sample from the pool using a vial from his pack. He added a few extra drops from a dropper before he swished it around. “Pure water. Not even any iron or contaminates. Just water.” He said as he placed the vial back in his kit. Kitty glanced up at him then watched him shrug. “No ideas. Your call. If you wanna stick your arm in the creepy pool of water, it's on you.” He told her as he got to his feet, pulling his P90 from the holster and positioning it against his shoulder to cover he as he eyed the pool. When he was ready her gave Kitty a quick nod.

Kitty took a deep breath before sliding her paw along the lip of the pool. The ice was perfectly smooth, almost as if it was made to hold the water. No edges, no ridges, a perfect bowl. Her hands skimmed the sides then flowed down to the bottom. She felt her paw run into a strange object, but it rolled away. The shape of the bowl caused the object to roll back down to the bottom and into her open paw. Kitty froze for a moment, watching the energy pulse get lighter and flicker then pulse once more before continuing in its rhythmic beat of blue. Taking a breath Kitty pushed the item in the pool and again it rolled up the side then slid back down to her waiting paw. The light in the room intensified, flickered, and flashed before falling back down to its pulse.

Bracing herself for whatever was about to come, Kitty grabbed the item and pulled her paw from the water as she closed her eyes and waited. She held her breath without moving, but nothing happened. No traps or bombs or bad guys popping out from some hidden corner. All she felt was safe. Happy. When she opened her eyes and looked down at her paw to inspect the object she saw that it was nothing more than a crystal marble. A perfectly round crystal marble. The blue pulse stopped and in its place darkness grew. The light that was stored in the walls faded from the ice cave leaving them in utter blackness. Though she knew she should feel nervous and worried, she didn’t. As the marble sat in her palm she realized it was warm and that the feeling of being safe and happy seemed to come from the marble itself.

“What is it?” Corin asked as he put on his night vision goggles and took a step closer, looking to see what was in her paw. Kitty closed fingers over the marble, not wanting to share her find. Almost instantly she felt idiotic and opened her paw to show him.

“It’s the rookie’s marble. The one from SG8 that was in the report. I don't know how or why but it seems to be what was causing the pulse. I think it wanted to go home.” Kitty closed her fist again and brought it close to her chest, holding it to her heart and feeling the warmth of the marble take hold.

“Haha, yeah sure it was, Kitty. An earth-made century old marble got lost on another planet and wanted to go home. That's a good one.” Corin laughed. He was looking around at the lack of light and missing pulse when the thought crossed his mind that maybe she was on to something. “Either way, there isn't anything here now. Let's head back. I’m getting frostfur.” He turned toward the opening of the cave and clipped his P90 back in place. “It’s gonna take some work getting out of this place. You know, I’m starting to think it wasn't a giant boulder trap, but maybe a small marble slide that created this tunnel.”

“Yeah, sure, just like it was the marble that created the blue pulse of light?” Kitty said sarcastically, but they both looked at each other as they considered the possibility. Stranger things had happened. “For now let’s just climb out of here!” Kitty said as she carefully placed the marble in her vest pocket. It was a larger marble than most, measuring ¾ diameter, but still small, and strangely it felt heavy in her pocket. Kitty fitted her night vision goggles to her face before walking to the entrance beside Corin. The snow leopard considered the slope and angles and how slick the ice was. “Remember when we went rock climbing? I think we’re gonna do that again here. Use the rope to help us climb up this natural slide. A pair of cleats would be nice though.”

“Sounds like a plan to me. After you, madam.” Corin said as he gave an impish smile and bowed low.

“Ha! No way. You lead this time. The last thing I want is for you to slip and fall all the way down again. You go first, I’ll follow a few feet behind.” Corin gave a sarcastic salute then made his way up the steep tunnel with Kitty behind him. The trek up the hill was a bit harder than going down. They decided to take a breather when they reached the high arch. “I really didn't think we went that far down!” Kitty said as she shook out her hands and stretched her back. She glanced back down the hole they had come from. Now it was dark and eerie. There was no evidence that there had ever been anything or anyone down there.

“I think the fun idea of a snow slide better just stay that...an idea. I don't want to have to climb back out each time. I’ll watch the winter olympic bobsled teams and call it good! Ready to go again?” Corin replied as he reached down for the rope once more and got ready to climb his way out. He glanced over his shoulder at Kitty, who was lost in thought. “Whats up?”

“I dont feel it anymore.” Kitty said as her brows knitted together. “I mean, I feel the planet’s hum, its energy, but the vibrations and pulse we first felt isn't there anymore.” Kitty closed her eyes and tried to feel the vibrations again but she felt nothing. Not a single whisper moved, not a sound hit her ears.

Corin stood for a moment, centering himself “You're right. It is gone. I’m starting to think more and more that you're right about that marble. I just don’t know how to explain it! It’s a bit out there, if you know what i mean.” The husky looked over his shoulder at her to check her over and be sure she was ok.

“Who knows. Let’s just get out of here and figure it out later. I’m ready for some fish over a campfire followed by some s'mores.” The cat grabbed the rope behind Corin, and wasn't altogether sure she imagined the wiggle in her vest pocket. Getting up the final slope was hard. Both Corin and Kitty struggled up the last few feet then promptly fell down in the snow that covered the floor of the small cavern. “Gosh we were down there! I think we should have brought cleats for our feet! I kept losing traction!” Kitty said, breathing heavily. Laying there in the snow, her eyes closed and tail twitched as she took shaking breaths. Corin, beside her, could do nothing more than grunt and nod his head.

“Come on. We gotta get moving. I have no idea how long we were gone, but I’m sure the boys up top are getting antsy.” Kitty said as she rolled onto all fours. “Christ, I want a night in a hot tub and a week of sleep!” She playfully punched Corin in the arm before she started crawling forward. “Let's get moving, pup. It’s not far to the entry point.” She crawled a few more feet before righting herself. Her arms and legs wobbled for a moment but she was up. Corin was on his feet quicker but didn't try to pass her or get to the exit first. She was sure he just didn't want anymore snow stuck in his fluff.

As they moved across the cave floor they could hear a beeper going off and arguing above them. Apparently they had reached their allotted time limit and Zhai was fighting with Cass about what to do now. Should they go to the gate for reinforcements or go down the rabbit hole after Kitty and Corin?

Kitty and Corin dropped the messy pile of rope at the bottom of the column, pulling the slack along with them. “Take care of the rope, Corin. I’m gonna go tell them we’re all good.” Kitty said, motioning to the rope before walking to the cave entrance. “Hey, you lazy good for nothings! Why don't you two shut up and get ready to pull us up!”

“Kitty! Are you alright? You were gone nearly two and a half hours! You were really pushing the limit here.” Zhai called down. She could make out his wings, half raised in agitation. Beside him Cass was fully visible, the light from her goggles making his skin glow.

“We’re good. Just had to climb our way out. It’s all slick ice and we weren't prepared!” Corin came up beside her, the rope neatly coiled and hanging across his chest over his shoulder. “You go up first, Corin.” Kitty helped him get the rope noose adjusted and under his arms. He gave two tugs on the rope to signal he was ready and together Cass and Zhai pulled him up through the tunnel. Corin tried to use his legs and arms to help carry him up but he was too tired so he just relaxed and enjoyed the ride. As he reached the top Zhai grabbed his hands and pulled him up onto his feet, then gave him a quick slap on the back to welcome him. Cass gave him a warrior's greeting, placing his paw by Corin’s elbow and giving it a good shake.

“Hey guys, forget something??? Let’s celebrate when we are all top side!?” Kitty yelled, a little impatiently. The guys laughed and helped Corin set down his pack and rope before tossing down the noose again. Kitty placed her foot in the noose and gave the rope two tugs, riding out of the hole like the cat she was. When she neared the top she crouched low and jumped the final few feet out into Zhai’s arms. “Hey honey. You miss me?” Kitty said as she rubbed her chin on Zhai’s chest.

“Of course, but I think you took a few lives with you! Kept us waiting too long!” Zhai snapped his beak at her ear in payment for the worry and stress that had been eating at him, but missed as she pulled away and got onto her feet.

“I think it’s time we head back. Whatever was causing the electrical spikes is gone now. I don't feel anything anymore. All that’s here is a slight hum to the planet.” She grabbed her stuff and started heading back towards the gate, the men falling in behind her. Above them the two moons moved across the sky. They seemed to almost touch before sliding past each other in opposite directions. The stars glittered in new constellations and you could almost make out the faint outline of other galaxies. Just the thought that out there amongst those stars were more worlds that had not yet been explored was exciting to Kitty, and best of all she could visit them with her team.

Thinking of traveling to those planets brought back the memory of her team’s very first trip through the Stargate to a world with a primitive, happy civilization. The breaking of bread and seeing their culture was one of her fondest memories besides her wedding and her cubs. She smiled to herself at the thought and felt her vest get warm and vibrate for just a moment before it grew cool again.

Shrugging her shoulders she turned her attention back to the men. “What did you find with the Stargate? Any evidence of tampering?” Kitty asked as they neared the cave that held the gate, dropping to the snow covered ground and getting out a granola bar and bottle of water. The cat grabbed out a few more and tossed them to the guys. Zhai sat down beside her while Castiel took up the guard position beside them. They all took a moment to relax and regroup. After the cave and trek back a breather was just what they needed.

"The Stargate checks out. The DHD appears to be shifting and a few of the crystals that power the circuits were knocked loose. We also found a hard ice spike that had embedded itself in one of the loose crystals. I think the pulse we felt, coupled with the planet's energy, was basically pushing redial and calling back the last address entered in memory." Zhai said before finishing off his water and grabbing a second.

"We managed to clear the ice and fit the crystals back in place. None have been tampered with. The ice spike was harder to break, but once we did there seemed to be no residual energy in the DHD. We were about to test it before you decided to find a mouse hole.” Cass said as he tossed the water bottle into his bag. “I need a soak in some salt water. We should hit the beach when, or if, we get time off.” A string of hell yeah’s rose in response from the rest of the team.

“Alright, lazy bones, let's get to work.” Kitty said, standing up. “Cass, dial home. Let’s send them a quick message that all is good and test the gate. If it goes well and there isn't a sign of a redial after it closes then we will dial again and get the hell out of dodge!”

Cass dialed up the gate and sent their code through. The gate connected with a loud swoosh as the wormhole eye bridged the spaces between the worlds. “Team SG1, testing gate function.”

“Gate is holding on our end.” The general's voice came over the radio. “Have you found the source of the malfunction?”

“We believe the radiation and energy from the planet was connected to the DHD by a spike of ice that got embedded with the crystals. We reconnected the crystals and removed the ice. So far there doesn't seem to be any reactivation. We are going to shut down the gate and see if any residual energy tries to dial, but we believe it to be in the clear. Once we’ve done that, we will be dialing and coming home, sir” Kitty reported.

“Read you, loud and clear. See you soon. General out.” With that the radio went quiet and the wormhole closed.

“How long should we wait?” Cass asked as he turned to Kitty.

The snow leopard turned to him as the last of their gear was loaded and packs were being strapped to their backs. “Give it ten minutes, recheck the DHD and Stargate, then let’s head home!”