A/N: I don't know if anybody tried to review but couldn't; if so, I apologize, as I had forgotten to save my account changes that would let guest reviews be posted (or something like that). Also, according to Phantomthestral, a lot more was going on behind the scenes of Frigga's death; and unlike you readers, I actually know what happened! But the 'big reveal' within the story doesn't happen for ages; as in, it hasn't even been finished written yet. Yep, the reveal was post-poned more than 60 chapters. Unless you figure it out, you'll have to wait and see!
Phantomthestral and I pretty much freaked out when we discovered our two followers (thank you laureas and shadowlynx14) and our guest reviewer Loptr! And much more is coming, for sure ;)
Disclaimer: See previous chapters!
**Note**
Cat Description: Ripple is an Asgardian-bred silver-tabby tom with a willowy but strong build and icy-blue eyes.
/-/
After Loki took out some of his fury on his cell, he slumped against one wall while the she-cat's sprawled near and on him, with Duskstar curled up in his lap. He lightly tapped one of her paws, and she glanced up at him. "You want me to go to the funeral for you." Loki gave a tired smile. "You know me too well. Yes...I would like to go myself, but you're the only one who can pass through the force-field at the moment; and while you could bring me with you, it would defeat the whole purpose of my remaining here in the first place. But I can see through your eyes, if you let me." Duskstar leaped down and stretched. "Of course."
/-/
Duskstar made her way through the palace, slinking around wreckage and dodging large crowds of mourning citizens. She made her way to the water-front, near Odin, Thor and the others. She allowed her mind to relax, and felt a stinging sensation in her eyes as Loki peered through them. They watched as Frigga floated out across the water, as the fire-arrow was lit and loosed, as the small boat slid over the edge of Asgard and floated a moment, falling into endless space as a shimmering wave rose up to the stars. Hundreds of other boats were lit as the Asgardians lifted their hands, releasing a wave of stars. Duskstar could feel Loki's growing rage at the Dark Elves, and she blinked, gently pushing him from her mind. As she turned to go, her ears twitched as she picked up a yowl of sorrow. Curious, Duskstar padded after the noise, her pelt melting into the shadows. Not too far away, perched high above the crowd, stood a silver-tabby tom with icy-blue eyes that burned with sorrow. He was large, for a cat, with longer-than-normal limbs and large ears, extra-canted eyes, and a tail that was unusually long and feathery-an Asgardian-bred feline. Duskstar glanced from him out to the fires on the water, and felt sure she knew what was wrong with this cat. As she padded closer, she saw a darker area on his chest and felt a sense of amusement-LokiClan seemed to be attracting a lot of cats lately. The tom glanced at her as she approached, pale eyes glittering in the star-lights. Duskstar dipped her head and settled down next to him. "Your Asgardian...?" The tom bared his teeth. "Dead. And the one responsible goes unpunished." Duskstar nodded, eyes fixed on the point where Frigga's boat had vanished. "I think I can help with that..." The tom's head whipped around, and he narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about?" The shadow-gray she-cat considered him a moment. "My name is Duskstar. I lead a Clan of cats that...well. We help my friend. You may've heard of him...his name is Loki." The tom sprang to his paws with a hiss. "I would never-" Duskstar interrupted him with a glance. "Listen. Loki has as much cause to hate the Dark Elves as anyone. He *will* be getting his revenge. If you want to be sure that the demon-elf who killed your Asgardian is punished, you should come with us. From there, you can do what you want." The tom flexed his claws, conflicted. Then, glancing back over the water, the tom squared his shoulders. "My name is Ripple. I'll go with you, but don't expect me to be overly friendly to the prince of lies and mischief." Duskstar flicked her tail. "Try not to judge so harshly when you know so little of the story."
/-/
The two cats made their way quickly to the prison, and Loki's cell. Once there, Duskstar drapped her tail over Ripple's shoulder in order to guide him through the force-field. Inside, the tom froze, staring at Blade. The black she-cat let out a mrrow of laughter. "Look what the cat dragged in! Ol' Ripple. Want a re-match?" Fawnstep and Sunpool padded over from where they'd been talking; Lilyfire and the two younger cats were asleep. "What's going on?" Duskstar dipped her head toward the silver tom. "His Asgardian was killed by the same demon-elf who killed Queen Frigga. He wishes to come with us and make sure that he is punished." Fawnstep nodded while Sunpool considered the tom, glancing at Duskstar with an amused expression and a twitch of an ear. Blade snorted. "Ripple isn't exactly cut out for a Clan of spies. He's too *noble* and *brave*." Fawnstep calmly cuffed the she-cat over one ear. "Believe it or not, but we would be glad to have such a cat."
"Besides," Sunpool added, "We could really use a tom to calm down this Clan of she-cats!"
/-/
TBC