Chapter 10 - The Snow Crystal Retrieval Part 2

We flew across the horizion line, and settled in a tree for the night. Yes, cats can climb down trees. We're not so hopeless, we have claws for a reason! For a long time, no one dared to speak. Probably because my sister was there. Finally, Hadesclaw disturbed the silence.

"Snowstar, just how are we going to find the Snow Crystal? We have no map, nor any guided directions," he asked.

"We'll fly over Sedge's cave, ask him for directions to Ambrose's castle, or whatever he lives in, and divebomb there," my sister replied. I bet you a fish that she just came up with that right on the spot. Sedge was a wise owl, whom everyone would go to for advice or directions. I'd seen him before, but it was a long time ago, probably back when I was a kit.

We rested and Legadema went out to hunt. An hour later, she came back with 4 trouts, and a squirrel. I never doubted her hunting skills. We planned our journey as we ate our dinner.

Morning came and went after we landed on the tree next the Sedge's cave. We flew almost an acre just to get here! When we finally rested enough, Snowstar led us to the mouth of the cave.

"Okay, here's the plan. Hadesclaw, and Seigeclaw, you guys go and rattle the old owl out. Screech, meow, hiss, do whatever to make Sedge come out into the open. Legadema, Mosstalon, and I are going to wait here and capture him. Okay? Everyone knows their parts?" she whispered.

You see, Sedge wasn't really a friend of ours. We just drop by and ask for directions, really. No real chit-chat going on.

Within seconds, I swear, I bet you the whole continent could've heard the screeching meows and angry hissing made by our cats.

"Would you please, just SHUT UP?! I'm trying to sleep here! You know how often an owl like me has to sleep per day. It's almost winter, and I gotta hibernate! Geez, you're no better than the woodpeckers in the spring. Stop the racket and get lost with your tails between your legs!" Sedge grumbled loudly. Well, who could blame him? It was fall, and the air was getting chilly. Most birds would've flown south already. It was a surprise to see Sedge still there. "What do ya want?"

"We know that you know where Ambrose's hideout is. And we want you to tell us where it is," Snowstar demanded.

"Woah whoa. Now you're bossing me around? You're the supreme ruler of cats, but not birds," Sedge complained.

"I'm a cat. And you know what cats do to disrespectful birds?" Hadesclaw piped up, defending my sister. He sharpened his claws, until they were as sharp as a needle.

"Well, don't you need directions to whatever-his-name-is? If you kill me now, you'll never get your answer."

Hadesclaw bit back a retort. Smart cat, ain't he?

"Ambrose's castle or whatever he lives in, is right at the peak of that mountain there. Good luck getting there, you'll need it. Terrifying ogres, witches, elves, and nymphs, you'll be FINE," Sedge smirked.

At least we got our answer.

Another day of flying came and I was exhausted. So were the rest, but we couldn't land just yet. It was nightfall and that was the time when the monsters came out of hiding. Resting atop of a tree wouldn't make things better, for there were those flesh-eating ravens that ruled the skies at night. The best way to stay alive was to be noctural. By staying and flying during the night reduced the percentage of being attacked or eaten, because we were awake, and could avoid any possible assaults.

We were flying like that for a week, because we didn't cover much sky. we slept in all day, recovering oursleves from the long flight at night. Finally we reached Ambrose's castle.

It was dark purple, with malevolent sinister drak heavy clouds hovering above the castle. There was also a drawbridge, my my.

"Plan A, let's do this! We'll sail over the moat as a group, and, Legadema, you, Seigeclaw, and Hadesclaw kill the guards. Knock the bridge down. Mosstalon and I will back you up if it goes haywire. After that's done, we enter the castle silently. Then, we'll split up, Seigeclaw and Legadema, you two will look for the potion. The potion that will enable me to become human again, while the rest of us, Mosstalon, Hadesclaw and I will look for the Snow Crystal. That Ambrose shouldn't know what will happen if he merges all the crystal balls together, and if he does, we have to hurry. Everyone agree to the plan? Plan B is when the whole thing doesn't turn out well. If that happens, you all know what to do. Use your special abilties, I chose you four for a reason. Seigeclaw, you know your element, fire. Burn down the guards and drawbridge. Hadesclaw, we all know yours, it's quite obvious, but it won't be necessary for this plan. Your ability is reserved till later. Legadema...yours is the ability over water. Use it well in this case. Uh... sister, I'm not quite sure about yours though. You haven't shown anything to me yet, so I'm not positive about your element. However, I'm pretty sure it's either air or nature. Mother named you for a reason. Okay, that leaves me. I will use my bestowed power when I take on Ambrose. I have to save it, for I will not be able to control myself if I let it loose. That's Plan B," Snowstar explained quickly.

We put our plan to action. The guards were killed easily, they weren't resisting at all. The drawbridge fell easily too. The plan was going way too smothly. Something wasn't right. Just then we met our first problem. Ambrose stood right in front of us.

"Oh, I see, Sarpedon must've sunken beneath everyone if the leader has to come too. Is it due to the loss of Breezestar? Ya know, Sarpedon flourished at its greatest when he was around. I wonder what exactly happened? Ain't this a pity for the once great cat clan? Tsk, tsk, Snowstar, is this what Sarpedon looks like now because you're governing it? Raindrop would've done a way better job. Good enough for your clan to keep it's one and only treasure, I suppose. Looking for this, my purr-fect Sarpedon cats?" he smirked and unclasped his hands together, to reveal...a blackened Snow Crystal.

Sorry for the late update. Most of you are probably wondering why I submitted and published a bunch of new stories, but haven't had the time to update. I just love writing new stories, that's all. I haven't forgotten about this story, though I'm working on concluding this as fast as I can. :3 Oh also, this chapter is a belated birthday present for my friend, zeldalover272. I haven't forgotten your gift. Happy Birthday, Zelda-lover!

~Shiro Shiryuu