SHORT CHAPTER (because I wanted to get this up today. )
~~~Same night, Starclan
Lionblaze sat up. His wounds were gone, and his pain was no more. Everything was quiet. Around him the forest was blurry, as if a film were spread over his eyes.
The world was red, he thought.
He blinked a few times, and his sight became clearer. Red coated the forest floor like dew in the morning, and blood dripped off of the yellowed leaves like water. Blood oozed out of the bark of the trees like sap, turning black. The world seemed to be dying.
He gasped in shock and attempted to wipe his paws off. Iron filled his nostrils and he gagged.
"Lionblaze."
Lionblaze turned and saw Firestar standing behind him.
"Firestar! Whats happening?"
Firestar's pelt was disheveled and full of blood, and his green eyes were dull and dark. He seemed tired and weary.
"Lionblaze," He meowed, panting slightly, "You must escape."
"I know!" Lionblaze said, "But how? Aren't I dead?"
Firestar collapsed onto the bloody ground and struggled to breathe.
"I shall give you another life. When you revive, you will be alone. Find Onestar and escape."
Lionblaze nodded. Suddenly, the ground started quivering and undulating, turning into a mushy liquid. He cried out and started sinking into the mixture of blood and dirt. He threw a frantic look at Firestar, who was also facing the same dilemma.
"Firestar! Help!"
Firestar growled in frustration and glared at Lionblaze shouting, "You must go, now!"
The world began spinning, and he was swallowed up by the blood. He felt himself sinking, and sinking…
~~~Same night, Twolegplace
He felt himself descend faster, until he hit the cement with a thump. At first, he felt immobile, but soon he felt feeling crawl back into his paws. A sting of pain swept through his entire body as he tried to stand up, causing him to collapse again.
Lionblaze lay there for a few moments, panting quietly and took this time to observe where he was.
He scented blood only, mostly his. He can also make out the scent of The Alliance, faint but there. Lionblaze was besides the alley from which he was murdered, flung out carelessly after his breath had disappeared. They hadn't thought he had another life to lose. He staggered up once more, this time withstanding the pain, and crept to the edge of the alley.
He had to find Onestar… where was he? They had to both find emancipation together.
Suddenly he heard a cry of pain—Onestar!-- then silence, and cackling.
"How many lives left?" Lionblaze heard one cat ask giddily.
"I don't know, Zael, and I really don't care," said a low, drowsy voice.
"You're no fun, Wood. I'm going to go find Bronze, so he can torture him with me."
Zael dashed off further into the alleyway. Lionblaze heard Wood mutter, "Stupid cat…"
Then a snore.
Lionblaze peeked around the corner, and saw a tortoiseshell tom leaning against the wall, apparently asleep. Onestar was tied to the wall by a length of rope, bloody and in pain.
"Onestar!" Lionblaze whispered.
Onestar lay still.
Lionblaze crept towards him and gnawed at the rope. He looked around. There seemed to be no one else but Wood. Finally, the rope snapped, and Onestar collapsed onto the floor with a soft thump.
Lionblaze prodded Onestar and meowed quietly, "We have to escape."
"Nngg…" Onestar groaned.
"Shh!" Lionblaze whispered, "We have to go, or do you want to get tortured more?"
Onestar drew himself up and blinked through bloodshot eyes, "Lionblaze? Thank Starclan, you're alive!"
"Yes. We have to go now!"
Together, they padded quietly out, into the night.
~~~Midnight, Twolegplace
"YOU FOOL!" Winter can be loud when she wants to.
Winter screeched and slashed Wood's ear into ribbons. He cowered. Winter can be detrimental to your health when she wants to.
Winter circled Wood and hissed, "You let our prisoner get away!"
"I'm sorry! I thought he was unconscious!"
"Sorry catches no prey!" Winter growled, slamming an unsheathed paw against Wood's face.
"For this," she hissed, "You must be punished! You will not be recognized as part of The Alliance for two seasons!"
Wood's eyes turned huge and meowed, "But I-I can fight!"
"I know you can," Winter meowed coldly, "And you will. But you will serve as a slave until I see fit."
Wood bowed his head. Winter can be mean when she wants to.
