Wow, was it fun getting to write like that again! I hope everyone enjoyed that chapter and found it a great breath of fresh air to read a new chapter again. But it seems like Dawn is in trouble! Will she make it out safely? And what about Heronflight and Pebbleblaze anxiously waiting for her at the start? Enjoy!

~CHAPTER 15~

"She should be here any minute," Heronflight mewed, worriedly scanning the finish line.

The two RiverClan cats had seated themselves at the front of the crowd waiting at the end. It was extremely hard for Pebbleblaze not to explode with worry. I really hope Dawn is alright...

Luckily, no bikes had appeared yet, confirming that no other racers had gotten too far ahead of Dawn. That was at least a small breath of relief.

Heronflight tried to break up the anxiety. "Did anything... weird happen to you when you were racing?"

Surprised, Pebbleblaze flicked her tail. But I thought he hadn't seen what had happened with the harpoon. "Well, yeah... I was swimming back when something dropped in the water next to me. At first, I wasn't sure what it was, but I realized it wasn't supposed to be there. It was a harpoon, and I had heard it fly past me, so I know it didn't just fall from something. I-I don't think it was unintentional, and I'd bet you know as well as I do where it came from."

Her mate grunted in agreement. "Something odd happened to me, too." Pebbleblaze's ears perked in interest. "I had just finished eating when, suddenly, one of the other competitors passed out beside me. I wondered what had happened so I took a closer look. There was some... gooey texture on the pasta. I think it was a sort of Twoleg medicine that our enemy," he continued, hissing out the word "enemy," "coated over the pasta to try and knock me out with. Additionally, it was in the middle plate, which means it would be a more common spot to choose. Probably thought we were too dumb to pick a more strategic seat."

Pebbleblaze gasped. "Do you suppose there were poppy seeds in it?"

"I did smell them," Heronflight answered. "But there weren't any on the pasta, so I think it must be poppy seed-infused, with other weird Twoleg things, of course."

Instantly, Pebbleblaze pushed herself into Heronflight's neck fur. "I'm so sorry that almost happened to you," she murmured. "I had no idea."

Heronflight licked her ears comfortingly. "It's alright; it's not you fault that it happened. I'm just glad you're alright. That we're both alright."

Pebbleblaze flicked her tail in agreement.

She remembered Mistystar's kind words of encouragement.

"StarClan is on your side."

If we have the support of our ancestors, Pebbleblaze mused, we might just be able to do this!

She held her breath, bracing herself for the sure to be soon approaching sound of pawsteps and tires that would signal the racers. Not only did she have to put her faith in StarClan... She also had to put her faith in her friend.

Dawn's breath came in suddenly and she shuddered with its force. She took in a few more deep breaths before snapping her head around to face her enemy. Her caramel-colored ears flattened against her head.

"Just what do you think you're doing?" she spat, hearing the surprised screech of other racers' tires behind her.

"Exactly what I had planned to do for quite some time. All I need was your helpful timing."

Dawn's tail lashed back and forth as she stood. "You're not doing much. You're only slowing things down."

A few mutters of agreement rose to meet her words.

The enemy bristled. "You underestimate me!" he responded sharply. "I want revenge for the humiliation, the shame. Everything you did to me I will do to you." He reached out to grab Dawn.

"That's not fair!" a brave racer finally piped up.

"Yeah, what did you do with her friends?" another challenged.

Dawn nodded to them gratefully. Triumph surged through her as the enemy's smug expression was wiped off.

"I - Well, I mean, nothing. Absolutely nothing. I have no idea what you're talking about. Her friends just... probably got sick and couldn't come. Or maybe they were too scared to show up so they sent in their pathetic friend instead."

You're a coward, Dawn thought. Setting up lies in your defense and instead calling my friends the scaredy-cats.

"Go," Dawn warned him aloud. "No one wants you here. It's over."

Huffing to himself, the enemy left, dragging the rope he had used to trip Dawn with him.

There was a moment of pausing as the competitors all recovered from their experience. Then they sped up, Dawn still gaining a lead.

It's so close! I can make it; I know I can!

Dawn's vision was darkened slightly as she passed through the tunnel, blocking out the nearly painful memory that threatened to wash over her. The sky was bright and nearly cloudless today, unlike last time. Lightning had struck and thunder had rumbled with a might crack.

Finally, the flag neared. Heronflight and Pebbleblaze brightened to see her coming, Pebbleblaze leaping up and down.

I'm coming!

A few racers threatened to overtake her when they neared, but she sped up. Somehow, she had the chance of winning. Despite running against man-made vehicles and practiced racers, she could possibly make it.

Heronflight's eyes stretched in a mixture of surprise and hope. Pebbleblaze, meanwhile eagerly swatted her tail back and forth.

"And nearing the finish line is..." the announcer called, the same one who had begun the race as well as signed them up. "Dawn?"

There were several yells of pure shock, as well as some cheers. The cheers then rose to a loud chorus.

"Go Dawn, go!" Pebbleblaze yowled with Heronflight joining in.

Suddenly, Dawn leaped over the line. She skidded to a halt, kicking up a thin layer of dust. Claps, whistles, congratulations surrounded her, enveloping her.

We did it! Again. I promised them we would win this for them, and looks like we did!

Pebbleblaze and Heronflight bounded over to her, purring and brushing against her. Their scents, still carrying RiverClan, flooded over her. A shadow stepped over them and all three looked up.

"Congratulations," the announcer praised, laying the shiny trophy in front of them. "You have won!"

"It's so pretty," Heronflight stated in awe, then immediately embarrassed himself and licked his chest fur. Some members of the crowd chuckled.

Pebbleblaze twined around it, admiring its reflective surface. "This is what you got last year?"

Dawn nodded. "And it looks like now we have another one to add to our collection!" She gazed at the trophy approvingly. A small wave of sadness crashed through her heart. They should be here to celebrate this victory. Just like before.

She was snapped out of her thoughts by Heronflight's mew. "Well, what do you think, Dawn? We did it!" He puffed out his chest.

Pebbleblaze hurried over, still casting an awe-filled glance back at their prize. "I still can't believe it!" she whispered, almost breathless.

Dawn let out a brief purr. "We all worked together. I'm really proud of you all! I know you were scared to race, but look what we accomplished."

Her friends quickly returned to chatting, surrounding their trophy whilst the viewers broke off into small groups as well. Dawn could catch snippets of their still-wondering conversations about how cats had somehow won. She became lost in a swarm of thoughts and memories, her gaze fixated on the trophy. Fondly, she thought about what her friends would think when she told them that they had won.

Not if, she proudly told herself. When.

Oh, Luca, Alberto. and Giulia, we're coming to rescue you!