Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld #2 is an issue of the series Amethyst, Princess of Gemworld (Volume 1) with a cover date of June, 1983.
Synopsis for "Cat and Mouse"
Amy Winston portals from Earth into the throne room of Castle Amethyst, transforming into Princess Amethyst. As she steps into the throne room, she is attacked by Dark Opal's son, Carnelian. He steals her gemstone necklace and uses the now powerless Amy as a hostage to bargain with Citrina, forcing her to cast a Spell of Containment binding all within the castle walls save himself. Bound by the containment spell, Amethyst's would-be defenders are helpless to stop Carnelian and he flees the castle with the princess, escaping into the woods with her on a giant cat machine.
In Fortress Opal, Lord Sardonyx worries that Carnelian will succeed in capturing Princess Amethyst where he failed, knowing his lord never forgives failure. He tries to appease Lord Opal anyway, and when he is asked for news of the Emissaries of Varn he reports that they are journeying from their own realm and will signal when they arrive. Opal tells Sardonyx to send Carnelian and Princess Amethyst to him if they return and leaves for his chambers. Later, the Emissaries of Varn arrive in the Chamber Between, a place of "neutral ground" where inhabitants of many realms come to negotiate. Lord Opal considers them to be powerful, but unpredictable. The contracts appear to be in order, and Opal orders Sardonyx to seal the bargain with his blood. Sardonyx protests, not wanting the Emissaries to come after him if something goes wrong, but Opal considers Sardonyx to be expendable and tells him to do it anyway. Sardonyx slices his hand open and signs the contract.
Back on Earth, several hours have passed. The next morning, the Winstons discover Amy and Taffy, Amy's golden retriever, are both missing. Herb and Marion frantically search for Amy and call the police while wondering whether she has been abducted or left of her own free will. Herb believes she probably left on her own since the dog is also missing, and wonders if the "woman in yellow" has come to take his daugher back.
Taffy, meanwhile, follows Amy through the portal to Gemworld but gets stuck in the limbo between worlds until Citrina hears her howl and rescues her. As Taffy is not under the containment spell, Citrina sends her off to save her owner after spelling her with a good luck charm. Taffy quickly begins gaining ground on Amy and Carnelian, but is attacked by a pack of wild dogs called slasherbeasts. Determined to save her owner, Taffy fights back and kills the pack leader.
Carnelian continues to travel through the forest with the captured princess. Amy begins plotting to steal her gemstone, which Carnelian is keeping in a pouch on his belt, back while he explains who he is: the powerless adopted son of Dark Opal. Of all the inhabitants of Gemworld, he is the only one without magic. Instead, he relies on his cunning wits and clever technological devices like his giant cat machine. Carnelian then attempts to seduce her, but is interrupted when the pair are attacked by a giant snake called a Forest Ravager. He uses his cat machine's claws to kill it.
For hours they continue to flee through the forest until they reach the foothills of a mountain range, beyond which lies Fortress Opal. Carnelian's soldiers are waiting for them there, and he signals them using a special button on his saddle. He attempts to seduce the Princess again, but Amy is not impressed. She convinces him to untie her, and before Carnelian can do anything else Taffy catches up to them and attacks him. While Carnelian is distracted, Amy is able to get her gemstone back. During the fight, Taffy bites Carnelian and Amy uses the distraction to explode the cat machine with a flame enchantment. Incensed, Carnelian attempts to shoot her, but is interupted when House Amethyst's guards and Citrina arrive, having finally broken the containment spell and rallied together to rescue their heir. Realizing he is outnumbered, Carnelian flees and returns to Fortress Opal to face his father's anger. Lord Opal, angry that two attempts to capture Princess Amethyst have now failed, vows to deal with her himself.
Appearing in "Cat and Mouse"
Featured Characters:
Supporting Characters:
Antagonists:
Other Characters
Locations:
Items
- Princess Amethyst's Amethyst Necklace
Vehicles
- Carnelian's Cat Machine