This is it... THE CHAPTER. No, not the climax chapter of the story, sorry. :) I meant the race chapter of the story: exactly what Pebbleblaze, Heronflight, and Dawn have been working for! Make sure to root for them and enjoy! This chapter is out very, very late, so sorry about that as well!

~CHAPTER 14~

A strong sense of fear trembled Pebbleblaze's paws the entire morning. Dawn had woken them up extra-early in hopes that they could be more prepared for the race.

Of course she's not panicked; she's already done this before! Pebbleblaze thought as she shuffled nervously in her position on the table. Heronflight couldn't even stomach any food, claiming that he didn't want to waste his appetite before his role was complete. However, Pebbleblaze knew that he was probably just as worried.

"Don't worry," Dawn reassured them, flicking her tail. "We've worked hard; nothing can go wrong." But Pebbleblaze could hear something in her tone, something that sounded like Dawn was trying to assure them as much as she was herself.

Heronflight pushed a fresh mouse around. "What if something does?"

"Trust me. Nothing bad can happen. And don't play with your food," Dawn added, giving Heronflight a slight sharp glance.

Heronflight sighed and let go of the prey. "Pebbleblaze, what do you think?"

The silver tabby she-cat froze. On one paw, I agree with Dawn; it took a lot of hard work to get here, so we shouldn't have any problems, she thought. But on the other, someone could mess things up. Someone that's not a part of this. She trembled. "I-I think that... maybe we can..."

Dawn purred. "See, Heronflight? I told you."

"You have literal enemies!" Heronflight suddenly exploded. "What's not to say they just try to sabotage our run?"

"They're too cowardly to try," Dawn mumbled, looking down. "Especially after what happened last year. It'll take a lot more than just a plan to beat us." Letting out a sigh, Dawn took a glance at the clock and her tail straightened.

Heronflight twitched his whiskers. "What?"

"It's time to go," Dawn replied somberly. "Best of luck to you all!"

Pebbleblaze could feel her heart suddenly speed up and slam like a bird trapped in a cage. She tried to block out her feelings of nausea and worry.

This is it. We're actually going to do it...

And I don't think even StarClan will be able to predict the results.

Pebbleblaze crouched on the pebbly shore, her tail tip flicking back and forth. She swallowed.

There were several Twolegs in line beside her, some casting her confused glances. Pebbleblaze knew her fur was heating up and tried desperately to look away.

"Go, Pebbleblaze!" Heronflight cheered from above, standing in place and ready to perform his leg of the race. Dawn nodded and jumped beside him. Pebbleblaze gave them both grateful looks.

The Twoleg who had signed them up stood beside the racers, raising a bell. "Ladies and gentlemen, the annual Portorosso Cup is about to begin! Racers, take your marks... get set... and go!"

Pebbleblaze felt like she wanted to freeze in place, flee, and rush forward all at the same time. She opted for the last one and darted ahead, her paws easily skimming over the rocks and her muscles bunching.

The sea water welcomed her in. Taking a deep breath, Pebbleblaze imagined she was only back at home, an apprentice, racing Heronpaw in the river for fun.

As she swam, kicking out evenly, Streamfur's kind mentoring returned to her.

"Kick out your paws forward, then backward," the gray tabby had said.

Pebblepaw had tried, flailing out before sinking under. Streamfur had had to haul her up, holding back a purr.

"I can't get it!" Pebblepaw had wailed, frowning.

"That's because you're not kicking underwater," her mentor had responded with a flick of her ears. "You can do it! Just try again."

Inching into the water again, Pebblepaw had finally mastered the technique. "Look, Streamfur, I've got it!" she had mewed excitedly, eagerly showing off her manuvers.

"Wonderful!" Streamfur had congratulated her apprentice.

The memory soothed Pebbleblaze and offered her a welcome burst of confidence. She noticed a turn coming up and aimed for it, surprising the Twolegs.

"I thought cats hated the water," one of them remarked, astounded.

Not RiverClan cats! Pebbleblaze shot back in her head.

However, her pace was broken by a whizzing sound from above. She looked up and instantly stopped, as did the other Twolegs lingering behind her.

The shape landed in the water, sinking with a gurgling noise, but all Pebbleblaze could hear was her own heart.

The shape was a harpoon, according to what she had learned from Dawn. And it had been aimed at her. That meant it had been intended to hurt... no, she couldn't sugar-coat it. To kill her.

Pebbleblaze spotted Heronflight and Dawn waiting on shore, clearly puzzled by her halting. They hadn't seen her near-death experience. She looked from the sunken harpoon to them and back. Choosing to continue, she shot forward, gaining a lead on the other racers. Worry still zapped beneath her pelt, and she was constantly scanning the sky for another flying weapon.

But she knew who had fired it.

And she that most likely everyone else did.

Giving herself a boost of encouragement, she lashed her tail in the water and pushed forward.

Making pace, she reached the shore. She hauled herself onto it, shaking the water from her pelt. Streaming droplets flung off of it, giving the pebbles beneath her a darker shade as the moisture reached them.

Heronflight's yellow gaze was bright. Pebbleblaze, remembering Dawn's instructions, tagged him with her paw.

Both exchanged a confident glance and the gray-and-white tom bounded to his position.

Heronflight knew he had to do this. He jumped onto a wooden seat, kneading his paws on it. His claws unsheathed, gently scraping against the wood.

All his training flooded back to him at once. Heronflight began to nibble into his plate, gradually at first, but soon picking up speed. Twolegs began to eat beside him, but he was purely focused on his task. Nothing would distract him.

Heronflight finished his pasta, his belly filled but his spirits still high. The choice this year had been lasagna, a slightly uncommon pick, but still a well-known one at that.

Suddenly, there was a thud from somewhere beside him. Startled, Heronflight raised a paw, his ears perking. Everyone at the table turned their heads.

One of the Twolegs had passed out, his head lying on the table and a few snores rising from him.

In a heartbeat, Heronflight had located the source of the problem.

There was an unmistakable scent of poppy seeds wafting from that competitor's pasta. Upon closer inspection, a gooey liquid coated the pasta, as well as now the fork. Heronflight deducted that it was a Twoleg medicine that obviously put the consumer to sleep. I knew it! he thought with triumph. Someone did try to sabotage the race!

Then a cold realization creeped into him.

That medicine wasn't meant for a Twoleg.

It was meant for me.

It all made sense: the enemy had suspected that Heronflight would choose that plate. After all, it was located dead center in the middle, clearly visible. Thank StarClan I chose this plate... the one only a single plate off from the sabotaged one.

The other Twolegs were also trying to figure out what was going on, but with a quick look at the food, it didn't take them long to do so.

Heronflight tried to put his mindset on the race and quickly stood whilst the other Twolegs still sat, staring at the scene.

Dawn stood positioned next to the bikes and blinked happily as she saw Heronflight approach. He gave her a light tap on her paw, and she took off.

Heronflight let out a breath of relief. They were still good to go... for now.

Dawn could feel excitement coursing through her veins. As she bounded across the stone, her mind wandered. Why had Heronflight suddenly looked over? Had something happened? Or, did she dare, something bad?

The thought chilled her. She shook it away, concentrating on the feeling of her paws touching the ground and the wind blowing through her fur.

The whir of bikes started up behind her, and quickly, other racers caught up. Dawn put extra strength into her step, managing to keep up with them.

Somehow, she got ahead. Victory rushed through her as the top of the hill neared. Memories fluttered in her mind.

Dawn couldn't believe it. Were they finally going to make it? You can do it! she willed her friend on.

But she knew that the food had been a lot to take. She winced, imagining herself heaving down it. Sympathy made her whisk her tail, but she knew - they both knew - it would be hard to beat the enemy.

They were willing to do it.

Then there was another memory.

They've risked so much, Dawn thought. Hopping down, she dipped her head.

"Dawn, we..."

Dawn shook her head. "Don't say anything." She turned forward, facing the downhill. "Now come on, do you want to beat those bullies or not?" When the hopeful, confident response came, she raced off.

The thought of running alongside her friends gave her fresh energy. She would rescue them.

I miss you guys so much! But I'll rescue you, I promise. And I'm going to win this for you!

She made it to the top, pausing to catch her breath for a heartbeat. Then she returned to her running.

The run down was easier, but she could feel everyone else catching up. She didn't dare to turn around; it would waste time. She was so close!

Then...

She tripped. The breath was knocked out of her.

"I told you that this wasn't over," a sneering voice jeered. "And would you look at that? It seems like the tables have turned."