EDGECLAW'S GROUP
The remaining cats at Saige's home curled up close to one another, their flanks slowly rising up and down in a soothing rhythm as they slumbered, trying to catch up on some much-needed sleep while Kickleg, Splinter, Berrybranch and Cedar had gone hunting for prey.
Edgeclaw dreamed he was back in the ThunderClan Camp. The Freshkill pile was full and he had Bravepaw by his side. Together, they were watching as Bladestar prepared his clan to leave for one of the gatherings.
"Bravepaw, you've grown so much!" He meowed wistfully.
Edgeclaw was then jerked awake from his sleep by an alarming meow from the returning cats. He turned and opened his eyes wide as the four rushed in. Kickleg was being supported between Berrybranch and Cedar, his shoulder was damp with blood from what appeared to be, long deep scratches.
"We had a run-in with Blood-Eye and his gang." Cedar gasped.
Edgeclaw and the others quickly rose to their paws as they gathered around the hunting patrol.
"What happened?" Owlcpaw asked as Berrybranch and Cedar gently put Kickleg onto one of the nearby nests made of straw. Berrybranch set to checking Kickleg's wounds immediately.
"We had just finished hunting, when Cedar decided it was about time for us to head back… that's when they appeared from out of nowhere. They demanded we give them our fresh prey." Splinter spat. "Kickleg had swiped a claw at one of the rogues as they took his prey, and they did this to him." She then turned to look at Edgeclaw, "There was way more than I thought… at least fifteen!"
Edgeclaw's heart felt heavy at the thought of their chances against so many rogues. "Then we'll just have to try more than ever to get Blood-Eye to agree to fight me one on one."
"He says he wants to meet you tomorrow at sun-high, at his camp and for you to choose any cat you want to go with you. But only one cat, that's it. He says he wants to talk with our leader," Splinter meowed. "He said to meet by the big Oak tree out back and one of his rogues will escort you to his camp."
"Fine, I'll go." Edgeclaw nodded.
"You can't trust him." Charles walked up slowly, limping slightly on his injured leg.
"I'm going to just have to take that risk." Edgeclaw meowed. "We need to see if he'll agree to the challenge, and since he'll be in front of all his rogues, how could he refuse?"
Charles shook his head. "Blood-Eye will never do anything fair."
"You're right," Saige agreed, "We're gonna need help if we're going to defeat him."
Owlclaw turned to look at Saige. "But where would we get help from? The Two-legs?"
Charles answered the question for Saige. "There are a few other cats in this city that are sick of Blood-Eye's bullying. They were too scared to come together on their own, because they wouldn't have stood a chance, but now that you've come… maybe we could persuade them to help us defeat Blood-Eye and his gang once and for all."
Edgeclaw looked down at the scratches on Kickleg. "It's worth a shot. I'll go tomorrow morning and see what Blood-Eye wants to discuss. Something tells me it's nothing good. While I'm gone, it would be the perfect time for you to go and see if any of the other cats around here will be willing to join us."
There was a quiet pause as all the cats slowly nodded their heads in agreement.
"That sounds like a good idea to me." Saige meowed.
Charles padded back to his nest and wrapped his tail around his sleeping kits, Pebble and Iris. "I'm sorry it looks like you all will have to go to bed hungry tonight. That terrible cat and his gang have stolen our prey once again."
Berrybranch looked up from where she was bent over Kickleg, cleaning his wounds. "I saw some poppyseeds right outside your den. I'm going to go get some for Kickleg so he can get a good night's rest."
"I'll come too." Edgeclaw offered.
Berrybranch was already on her way out. "You don't have to if you don't want to. They're right outside by a pile of old boards. I'll be fine."
Edgeclaw ducked through the exit after Berrybranch. "That's okay. I just want to make sure Blood-Eye and his gang of rogues aren't waiting for us out there."
Berrybranch padded over to where she had last seen the poppyseed plant. "Here it is." She bent down and grabbed a small branch off. "They sure are lucky to have this growing so close to their den!"
Edgeclaw looked up at the small sliver of moon shining in the dark sky above them. He turned to look at Berrybranch. "I… I was wondering if you'd like to come with me tomorrow when I meet up with Blood-Eye."
Berrybranch looked pleased as she blinked. "Are you sure you don't want Saige to go with you? She's had more experience with Blood-Eye after all."
Edgeclaw licked his fur with embarrassment, "I know, it's just…well… I'd feel better if you came with me."
Berrybranch smiled. "I guess I'll come with you then."
"Besides," Edgeclaw continued quickly, "Saige will already be busy trying to convince any of the kittypets around here to join us."
They both quietly slipped back into the abandoned two-leg den, and Berrybranch gave the poppyseeds to Kickleg.
"I guess we all better get whatever sleep we can get before tomorrow," Splinter meowed, plopping herself down in one of the nests. "We're gonna need it."
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"Well this is the only big oak tree around here." Berrybranch meowed as she paced up and down. "What's taking them so long?"
Edgeclaw just sat with his paws folded in front of him. "Don't worry. I'm sure they haven't forgotten about us."
Edgeclaw glanced up at the oak tree I sure hope I don't look as nervous as I feel! I haven't felt this anxious since I was an apprentice taking my assessment!
Suddenly, there was a sound of pawsteps approaching and five burly rogues appeared, surrounding them.
Edgeclaw bristled inwardly. They've been waiting here for us the whole time, just watching us!
A short dark gray tom with an long tooth sticking out from his jaw took a step forward. "Follow us." He growled, his eyes darting back and forth with hostility.
They were led down a couple of alleyways, two rogues in front leading them and the other three following close behind.
The she-cat leading then turned abruptly and growled, "You both better close your eyes the next couple paces or I'll be forced to close them for you."
Berrybranch looked like she was about to protest when Edgeclaw gently flicked her with his tail. "It's only until we get there." At least I hope so, he added quietly to himself.
Knowing how important this could be, she closed her eyes along with Edgeclaw as they followed the rogues the last couple of tail-lengths. Once they stopped and opened their eyes, the first thing they saw was the rogue leader, Blood-Eye, staring down at them from on top of one of the trash bins. Edgeclaw recognized him right away from Saige's description, though he was larger than he imagined. His one eye with blood-shot marking was noticeable right off.
"I'm glad to see you didn't have any trouble finding your way." Blood-Eye sneered.
Rogues from all around started gathering around Edgeclaw and Saige, closing off any means of escaping. Berrybranch moved instinctively closer to Edgeclaw.
Edgeclaw squared his shoulders and lifted his head. "You wanted to speak with me?"
Blood-Eye jumped down from his perch and padded over and stood beside a smaller she-cat not far from him, who Edgeclaw could only assume to be Blood-Eye's mate, Scarflank.
"I have no quarrel with you and the cats that came with you." Blood-Eye meowed, trying to not sound hostile. "This is between Saige and us. There's no need for any-cat you care about to get hurt for something that doesn't even concern you."
"I care about Charles and Saige and their family." Edgeclaw meowed coolly, "That's why we're here. We won't let you bully them any longer."
Blood-Eye faked a gasp. "Me? Bullying them? They get what they deserve. I'm sure you know as well as I do that only the strong survive. Isn't that right … Edgeclaw, I believe? Saige and their kind will always be around and they will always find a way to make do." He glanced down as his long claws. "Once again, this doesn't concern you. After all, if it came down to tooth and claws, you all would be nothing but shreds of fur when we were finished with you. I mean, look at my number of cats." He indicated the large group of rogues surrounding Berrybranch and Edgeclaw. "Now, I'm a sensible cat, I don't want to fight you, but if it comes down that," his voice hardened, "I will."
Edgeclaw couldn't argue that Blood-Eye definitely had the greater numbers on his side. After all, he couldn't even be sure this was even all of them. "You stand there all high and mighty with your rogues behind you to back you up." Edgeclaw spat. "Talk is cheap. Let's stop playing games, Blood-Eye. You're a coward. You wouldn't have the guts to stand up to any cat on your own even if it was a kit!" Turning toward the other rogues he asked, "Is this the kind of leader you all want to follow?"
He knew he had struck a nerve when he saw the fur rising along the back of Blood-Eye's neck as the rogue leader started to growl.
"I challenge you, Blood-Eye," Edgeclaw continued, "to fight with me one on one." Edgeclaw winced inwardly as he said the words out loud. Why does he have to be so big? "If you don't want to fight a large-scale battle like you say, then this will be the perfect way to settle this. If you defeat me, then me and my cats will leave and things will go back to the way they were. But if I win, then you and your cats will have to leave to some other place, or agree to boundaries that will give Saige and her family more hunting space and never to go near that family again." Edgeclaw waited to see what Blood-Eye's reaction would be.
Blood-Eye stared around at his rogues who were purposely avoiding eye contact with him.
Scarflank glared at Berrybranch and Edgeclaw. "Blood-Eye's no coward, and he doesn't have to fight you to prove it."
"I accept." Blood-Eye looked coldly at Edgeclaw, "We'll meet tonight, and I'll bring every one of my rogues with me, I suggest you do the same. That way, every-cat can see you torn apart, piece by piece. You bit off a little more than you can chew this time, Edegclaw. You won't be able to see another sunrise, after this evening, you're going to be a dead cat."
Author note/ I forgot to give a shout-out to Creekflight for the kit name, 'Pebble,' Thank u!:) So, which bad cat do u guys find more evil, Steel or Blood-Eye or which character to u find more interesting? Thanks again to everyone who's read or reviewed this story! I just thought I let u know I appreciate the time it took u to do so!:) Hope u all enjoyed this chapter!