Hello everyone! Sorry for the long wait. As you will see, this chapter is fairly long. The flow wasn't the best being cut up.
Here we get to see Ice's journey beyond her father's control. She also gets to meet two friendly loners who might be able to help her quest to warn the Clans.
Read and Enjoy!
Ice continued to race through Bloodclan's territory. She didn't care if anyone saw her. She didn't care about her bleeding wounds. Scourge had allied with his enemy. He was planning to take his anger and hate out on innocent cats. The young silver tabby couldn't be a part of that plan. She wouldn't willingly kill innocent cats. Tears fell, flying away as the wind carried them back the way she had come. Powerful hind legs propelled her up a Twoleg fence. Front paws hit grass on the other side. This was one of the Twoleg fields. Here many cats hunkered down and tried to hide. Here many had been found aiding others. Here many of the innocents she had slain used to live. Guilt welled up in her heart. She didn't want to! She wanted to stand up for them, defend them, cry out for a peaceful way. Yet she couldn't fight her father. She wouldn't last a minute against his high warriors. So, she had followed the only available course: obedience. Her eyes closed. Guess she was a murderer after all.
The grass turned into a pale gray stone. That stone dropped down onto a hard, black surface. A large Thunderpath. Beyond this Thunderpath lay Twoleg nests filled with kittypets. Beyond that lay the forest where Tigerstar was from. Ice bounded quickly. Her heart was pounding as she forced herself onward. Blood left a clean trail in her wake. She couldn't stop to rest. Brick had probably woken up and alerted Scourge. Bloodclan would be pouring after her. If they caught her then everything would be over. Scourge would never forgive this trespass. Her father would punish her for turning traitor. That punishment would take her life. She huffed weakly as she reached another long, smooth, pale gray stone. This stone separated the Thunderpath in two.
Bright lights struck her as all four paws landed on the Thunderpath's hard surface. Ice blue eyes stretched wide in terror. So focused on running, she never sensed the incoming monster. She froze on the spot. Instinctively she went low, ears flat and tail tucked in. Both eyes closed as she prepared to be attacked. A loud rumbling sound echoed around her. The monster screeched loudly as it barreled towards her. Then it stopped – a mere whisker length from pouncing on her scared body. Ice opened her eyes and stared in shock. She was expecting to die. She was expecting the monster to attack without mercy. The monster's bright eyes glowed, focusing straight ahead. It was as if it couldn't see her. Then the monster's sides opened and three Twolegs stepped out. All of them started talking. Three pairs of eyes landed on Ice's bleeding, battered body. A cry of shock escaped one of the Twolegs. Slowly it crouched down and approached. It was being cautious. Ice could sense it was trying to be friendly, trying to not scare her. Stepping into the monster's bright gaze, the Twoleg reached out a hand. Ice sniffed cautiously. The scent…was familiar. Short, pale yellow hair shifted in the breeze. Weird-blue eyes stared at her with concern.
It was the female Twoleg Ice had met early that day!
The Thunderpath began to shake. Another monster was incoming. Ice tensed in fright. Not seeing the incoming attack, she bolted towards the Twoleg nests. Instantly the other two Twolegs stepped out with her and started calling loudly. More bright lights hit Ice. The new monster screeched to a halt. A male Twoleg stuck his head out of the monster's side and called out angrily. Ice, meanwhile, had made it safely to the other side. Desperately she scrambled at the high, brick wall. Her body was weak. Blood loss was making her vision swim. Claws could find no purchase. Finally she collapsed, slumped against the wall. Warm paws circled around her. Ice blue eyes looked up into the female Twoleg's gaze. Concern and love shined as the Twoleg picked her up. Ice didn't struggle. She didn't have the energy to fight. Calmly and softly the female Twoleg spoke to her. The others hopped into the monster's belly.
Ice felt a moment of panic as the monster rumbled and growled. Gentle hands scratched her as the Twoleg sat down in the monster's belly, holding Ice in her lap. One of the other Twolegs, a male based on his voice and scent, spoke. Ice's Twoleg replied quietly. The male nodded before handing something back. Cautiously the female held it up to Ice's dark gray nose. The she-cat sniffed weakly. It smelled strongly of the male Twoleg. Yet it was warm and soft, meant to keep out the cold. One of the high warriors called it a "jacket". The she-cat let out a soft meow of pain as the jacket was wrapped around her. Instantly all three Twolegs spoke reassuringly. The monster started moving faster and faster. An older female Twoleg seemed to be controlling it somehow. Not that it really mattered. Ice understood she was safe. These Twolegs were taking her somewhere safe. Maybe, just maybe, she was free of her father. With that thought, Ice allowed the darkness to take over her vision.
"Hey…Hey you…silver tabby…wake up!"
The wounded she-cat groaned weakly. Slowly her ice blue eyes opened. Crouching before her was a black tom with white paws and amber eyes and a calico she-cat with green eyes. Both seemed worried. However, seeing her eyes open, they both relaxed. They gave her warm smiles. The calico leaned over and licked Ice between the ears. Ice, who tensed upon seeing the new cats, relax a little. Neither seemed threatening. Neither acted like they wanted to hurt her. Around their necks were collars – a light blue around the tom and a black one around the she-cat. Ice slowly tore her gaze away from them. They were in a small den, which was inside a Twoleg nest. Confused, Ice looked back at the cats.
"Relax, little one. You're safe here," the calico purred warmly. Her fluffy tail flicked to the Twoleg nest, "Our owner was out with his friends two nights ago when they found you on the Thunderpath. They took you to a vet and got you patched up."
"You were in pretty bad shape there," the tom chimed in. He chuckled, "But our owner fixed you up just as the vet instructed." His front left paw waved, "You'll be fine in a few days now."
Ice groaned as she sat up, "Why did your Twoleg…owner…help me?"
"Because that's what he does, silly!" the tom laughed.
"Our owner tries to help any wild cat or dog he finds," the calico meowed gently. Carefully she began grooming Ice's fur. Between licks, she continued, "My name is Bell and this is Chime. Our owner named us that because he found us abandoned in a clock."
The silver tabby glanced at Bell, "What's a clock?"
"That big tall block of wood, with swinging ball, and the round face," Chime spoke up, indicating the object across the nest from Ice's makeshift den.
"What's your name?" Bell asked. "I hear you wild cats have some really weird names. Like Longtail and Graystripe and Bramblepaw and other weird things."
Ice blinked. Those were certainly weird names. Then her mind went back to her father's stories. Tigerstar used to be called Tigerpaw. The other cats in the story were Thistleclaw and Bluefur. Obviously these housecats knew about the forest cats. Maybe…maybe they would share what they knew. Ice didn't want to be a part of Bloodclan's plans anymore. Tigerstar wanted Scourge's help to defeat the other "three" Clans. She knew that Bloodclan didn't belong in the forest – they weren't trained or prepared for it. Deep down she knew that her idea betrayed everything her father taught her. Yet she couldn't stand by knowing about a battle that would destroy lives. Especially since the other group didn't know said battle was coming. They believed that their fight was with Tigerstar. They believed their fight was going to be fair and equal. Bloodclan didn't believe in a fair fight. They fought to kill and drive out, to take what they wanted. The forest Clans had to be prepared. Yet no one had warned them of Bloodclan before. Tigerstar made it clear only he and his Clan knew of Bloodclan's existence. No one else was brave enough to defy Scourge. No one else would be willing to prepare the other Clans.
Looking up at Chime and Bell, Ice chuckled, "My name is Ice. However, I need to speak with the forest cats. They need to be warned about Bloodclan's plans to take over the forest."
Both pairs of eyes went wide in horror. Being kittypets near the Twolegplace, they knew about Bloodclan. They knew of the viciousness and deadly nature. Many cats their Twoleg had rescued and patched up were runaways or driven-out trespassers from the Clan's territory. This she-cat was obviously one of these cats. Yet they could see a drive deep inside her. She wasn't just running away. She intended to aid others against Bloodclan. She intended to right any wrongs she committed while under Scourge's control. Seeing this, both smiled at her. They didn't know much. They only heard tales that passed through the other housecats. But they did know of one cat who often braved the wild. Crouching down, they told Ice about Snowball – a pampered white tom with blue eyes and a dark gray face. He could lead her in that direction once she was healed. Until then, she had to rest and regain her lost strength. The journey, after all, would be a long one.
For the Clan territories were on the other side of Bloodclan territory.
Snowball, his fluffy white tail held high, raced through the tall grass and countless bushes. Ice dashed in his wake. She was thankful for his massive build and bright white fur. If she was all alone, she would have surely gotten lost way before this point. There were so many new scents. There were so many new things to see. Prey was bountiful out here. The wind was crisp and clean, shaking the trees and bushes gently. Yet Snowball never seemed to hesitate. He never seemed to question the path he had to take. It had been six long days' worth of traveling to reach this point. He told her that they were getting closer. Of all the Clans, the one on moorlands was friendlier. They would be less likely to ally with a murderous cat like Tigerstar. Snowball himself had already made friends with a few of these cats. If anyone would be willing to listen first, it would be them.
"Almost there!" the white tom called over his shoulder.
Panting, Ice winced as a bush branch set Snowball's bell ringing. She blinked as they exited the bushes. Twoleg nests stretched out before her. To the right a Thunderpath wound over the land towards a high hill. The trees slowly thinned out, meaning Windclan's moor was just over that hill. To the left rose a high mountain. The Twoleg nests stretched in that direction before thinning out to be a few nests with lots of land.
"Those are farms," Snowball explained as he followed her curious gaze. "I know a couple of loners who live in one. You would be wise to meet them and make friends. They have many connections among the Clan cats. Their support would help you go far."
The she-cat looked up at him and meowed, "What are their names?"
"Barley, a black and white tom with blue eyes, used to be a rogue from Twolegplace." Snowball's eyes narrowed. "Part of me questions if you should trust him. He probably has Bloodclan blood coursing in his veins." Then he flicked his tail and continued. "The other is Ravenpaw, a pure black tom with a white spot on his chest and white tail-tip and green eyes. He is a former Thunderclan tom and quite proud of it. He didn't belong in the Clan life, so he left and joined Barley at his barn."
Ice nodded silently. Her heart started beating faster. Snowball thought this Barley was a former Bloodclan cat. Did that mean he would hate her? She was Scourge's daughter after all. Or was he a runaway like her? If he was a runaway, then maybe he would be willing to shelter her, be willing to join her quest to stop Tigerstar's plans. The she-cat shook her head. She wasn't here to go chasing after two loners. She was here to help the Clans. She was here to ensure that Bloodclan never left Twolegplace. Of course the cats deserved a better home! But that didn't mean others had to be driven out, their home taken from them. She now knew how that felt. Her heart didn't want any other to feel that way.
Snowball raised his tail and set out for the cluster of Twoleg dens. He was meowing about how they would make quicker time cutting through. Ice felt her pelt ruffled by the blowing wind. Her ice blue eyes look towards the sky. Clouds were starting to gather on the horizon. They were dark and ominous. Her claws unsheathed as her ears went flat. Storms held no fear for her. Scourge had taught her long ago that storms could be survived. One just had to be prepared to face the fierce winds and pouring rain. Ice bounded after the shrinking form of Snowball. Her pelt prickled with unease. There was something on the air; something telling her to be prepared for an oncoming storm. It was not the scent of rain. It was not the blowing wind. It was not the darkening clouds and sky. Snowball continued onward like nothing was wrong. He had been out in many storms throughout his time. He didn't seem to get the same prickling sensation in his long fur. His paws didn't seem to be shaking with the anticipation of a fight. Ice glanced behind her, tail flicking uncertainly. She didn't know what to make of the new feeling.
Fur brushed against her coat. Her head whipped in that direction. Nothing. No one. No scent to be found. A breeze blew past. Ice's ears twitched. She had to be imagining things. Yet as another breeze passed, she thought she could hear whispering. It was like someone was calling out to her. Someone wanted to tell her something important. But there was only Snowball and that pampered tom was focused on getting rid of his burden. Eyes desperately searched the land. She couldn't smell anything. As the storm grew closer, the scent of rain was overpowering everything else. Her whiskers twitched. Snowball led her through a tall, white fence. The pampered tom was quite heavy in the stomach, causing him to get stuck momentarily. Ice easily leaped over it. Upon reaching the top, she paused to study her surroundings. This Twolegplace was a bunch of Twoleg nests. The scents of dogs and cats came to her nose. About three nests to her left were three kittypets lounging in the grass. To the right, six nests away, came the sound of a barking dog. Ice shook her head and leaped down. Snowball, finally free of the fence, continued onward.
Ice froze as they reached a small Thunderpath. She stared off to her left. Fur began to rise as she waited. Nothing. Slowly she continued onward. The wind blew past; this time harder and stronger. Ice's ears flicked uncertainly. Her eyes narrowed in confusion. It wasn't her imagination. She could hear someone talking to her. The words were jumbled, unclear. Yet her instincts understood. There was danger nearby. The she-cat jumped as a shadow dashed from one yard to another across the Thunderpath. Her claws unsheathed. Fur fluffed outward. It could be a kittypet jumping fences to see a friend. Or it could be a threat keeping pace with her. Breathing deep, Ice mentally ran her through her father's teachings. Keep moving, eyes constantly scanning. When the ambush comes, either leap or roll, throwing your opponent off. That'll give one the advantage. Once the opponent is caught off-guard, attack without mercy. Ice flinched at that last thought. Her jaw clenched with determination. She would attack but once her opponent was defeated, she would let them go. No more cold-blooded killer. Ice wasn't going to be her father or Tigerstar. She would…
The bushes to her right shook. Thunder rumbled overhead as a tom screeched. Ice yowled in agony as claws seized her shoulder and flank. Snowball spun in an instant. His fur was fluffed out in shock, eyes wide with horror. Ice's attacker slammed her into the black Thunderpath. Ice blue eyes went wide with terror. Viper, green collar studded with dog teeth, had her pinned. Razor sharp teeth her bared. His own claws were digging into her skin. The reinforced claws were ready for use. Green eyes were filled with bloodlust and condescension. He was one of Scourge's high-ranking cats. In fact, he was stationed to be Scourge's successor before Ice was found and brought in. Ever since he had hated the young silver tabby. Scourge had told Ice one of her final assignments would be to kill Viper, eliminate any cat who could claim her position. Now Viper had no reason to fear her. Ice knew from the bloodlust that Scourge had disowned her. The tom was planning on killing her. Most likely he would haul her body back as proof of his tracking and fighting skills.
"What's going on?" Snowball's quaking voice spoke up.
"Beat it, kittypet, unless you want me to kill you first," Viper spat. He raised his right paw, revealing the reinforced claws.
Ice looked over at the white kittypet and meowed, "Snowball! Help me!"
Snowball stared at her then at Viper. He swallowed nervously. Viper smiled coldly and hissed. Instantly the white kittypet bolted. However, he had proved to be enough of a distraction. Viper grunted as Ice's right hind paw slammed into his left cheek. The silver tabby lunged. Her teeth and claws dug into his dark brown fur. The tom roared with anger. Easily he shook her off. Ice rolled then leaped onto the Twoleg walking path. Viper lunged after her, saving him from the incoming monster. Ice ducked underneath him. Her striped back arched, slamming into his white belly and knocking him off balance. Viper's skill, however, matched his name. He was up and charging a heartbeat after hitting the ground. Blood flew as he struck Ice's left cheek. The other paw slashed across her white chest. Teeth almost snapped on her throat. Expecting to die, Ice opened one eye in shock. Viper was rolling in the grass a few tail-lengths away.
A black and white patched tom stepped between Ice and Viper. His deep voice snarled angrily, "Attacking young kits, Viper? And here I thought you couldn't fall any lower."
"Well, well. If it isn't weak Barley," Viper growled. He smiled cruelly, a taunting tone entering his voice, "The older brother who couldn't save his sister."
"That's enough out you!" yowled a younger voice.
Ice's eyes stretched wide. A young black tom with a white spot on his chest and white tail tip slammed into Viper. Blood flew as he slashed with both front paws. Green eyes blazed with fury. The black and white tom, known as Barley, dashed in as Viper found his footing. The dark brown tom hissed as Barley's claws sliced his muzzle. Then Barley's shoulder slammed into his chest. Viper rolled away. Even Ice winced as he rolled into a white Twoleg fence.
Barley hissed to his black ally, "Ravenpaw, get the kit out of here. Viper is a Bloodclan tom." He crouched down and lashed his tail, "I'm the only one trained to fight him."
"Yeah right!" Ravenpaw meowed. He stepped to his friend's side and spat, "By Starclan, you are a fool sometimes! I'm not leaving you to fight him alone."
Ice felt a smile touch her face. Ravenpaw and Barley. These were the loners that Snowball was describing. It was true that Barley was a former Bloodclan cat. Yet he was obviously a changed cat. He was willingly fighting an old Clanmate to defend her and Ravenpaw. The young, former Thunderclan cat arched his back as Viper stumbled to his paws. Green and blue eyes glared at Viper. The tom spat out a mouthful of blood, having bit his tongue during his roll. Ice's heart hardened. She lunged forward as Viper charged. Both friendly toms recoiled as she tackled her attacker. Viper screeched as she tore into him.
Leaping away, Ice spat, "Let's see you take on three cats, murderer."
"You should stay out of this," Ravenpaw, dashing in and striking Viper's right eye. He turned to her, "You're too young to be fighting."
Barley slammed into Viper, sending him stumbling towards the Thunderpath. Saddened blue eyes turned to Ravenpaw, "Unfortunately Bloodclan doesn't see it that way, Ravenpaw. I'm betting this she-cat is almost as good as most fully trained warriors by now."
(Laughter) "Ice? A fully trained warrior!?" Viper laughed. His green eyes glared at the silver tabby as he spat, "Not even Scourge could turn her into anything more than a weakened runt. Bloodclan will be better off once she's dead."
Ice froze as the powerful, medium-sized tom lunged. She was small. She had no defense against such an attack. Paws, claws sheathed, took her in the left side. Ravenpaw let out a pain-filled yowl as Viper's reinforced claws dug into his pelt. The Bloodclan tom pinned him down. Teeth grabbed that black throat. Then Barley was on him. Blood flew as the older tom attacked with a renewed ferocity. Ice dashed forward. Her silver, almost-white front paws pressed into Ravenpaw's bleeding side. The tom groaned. Green eyes opened and stared at the fighting toms. Barley was bleeding was several gashes. Viper, however, was far worse. He had underestimated the former Bloodclan cat. He remembered Barley the night of Violet's attempted killing. He remembered seeing Barley as weak and pathetic. Now, however, Barley was showing his true strength. He was well-fed and well-muscled. Ravenpaw and other Clan cats had been sharing their skills with him. Now he watched as Viper tried to kill a young she-cat and his best friend. Barley wasn't going to have it any longer.
A monster screeched as the two toms rolled onto the Thunderpath. Ravenpaw sat up, his wail of pain shattering any remaining silence. Ice followed him as he dashed for the black path. The monster had moved onward, leaving a trail of crimson in its wake. Both Barley and Viper laid motionless on the ground. Ice felt her heart almost stop. This wasn't what she wanted. She came here to defend cats. She came here to save lives. Her paws stopped as Ravenpaw crouched over his friend. Desperately he nuzzled that black and white fur. Tears were spilling from his green eyes. Ice felt tears of pain and shame filling her gaze.
Then Barley let out a low groan, "Ravenpaw…Knock it off. I'm fine. Just a bit battered from Viper's attacks." Grunting, the older tom pulled himself into a sitting position. His blue eyes sparkled with mischief as Ravenpaw pressed against him. He smiled at Ice, "Now, why don't we go home and patch you up, young one."
Yay! Ravenpaw and Barley, my two favorite loners kicking some tail together!
Next chapter is some filler where the two loners get to know Ice and her tragic tail (sorry, bad pun). The chapter after that involves ice meeting fire.