Disclaimer: I own only what was not in the books

a/n- sorry I took so long to update. It's going to take longer now that I have to type each chapter before posting it.

Chapter 12: Lord of Shadow

A red dawn rose on the small band of bedraggled cats who trudged beside the ledge of the canyon.

Thunderfoot couldn't believe so many had been able to escape. They had gotten out similarly. The wolves had easily crushed the cages. But it wasn't the wolves that bothered him anymore. It was the Beast.

He didn't know what had happened to it, didn't know if it was really called the Beast. All he knew was that with that thing at their tail, they were in constant danger.

They clambered along the edge of the gorge, silent, to horrified by what had happened, and what might have happened, to speak. Thunderfoot found himself thinking ironically, Twas the wolves that saved us, same ones that destroyed us.

As least they were safe for now. The wolves couldn't have followed them, their scents were to mixed up, going in all directions and mixed with that of the Canyon Cats.

As if in mockery of this thought a howl rose through the air, behind them. Thunderfoot's eyes widened.

The wolves were catching up.

At the sound of the howl, all the cats began to scatter. Even Riverstripe panicked, but, forcing it down, she yowled above the noise in a thunderous voice, "Stop!"

Every cat skidded to a halt, a lifetime of following the orders of their Elite's forcing them to freeze.

"It won't do any good, us scattering like that. We'll never be able to find each other." Windheart spoke this time.

Riverstripe was glad. Her voice hurt from shouting so loudly.

Suddenly, quiet Shadowpelt spoke in a voice no one knew he possessed. "I will stay behind to distract the wolves." All the cats gasped. Riverstripe stared. This cat was insane!

She hurried forward, to speak with him, Thunderfoot and Windheart beside her. She would persuade him this was madness! If he didn't listen, she would drag him along by the scruff!

Unfortunatly, Windheart beat her to it. The normally gentle she-cat spoke in a harsh voice. "Shadowpelt this is insane! You'll die!"

Shadowpelt glared. "I don't care. I want to fight back!"

Windheart met his gaze evenly. "Then let me stay. I'm the fastest"

"I don't want to run," he spat. "I'm sick of running. I want to fight! That's what I was born to do."

This was to much."I'm not going to let you," Riverstripe hissed. Turning to her other brother, she growled, "Thunderfoot, back me up!" He was frowning slightly at the other tom.

At last he murmured, "Shadowpelt should stay if he wants. I agree. I would stay too, if I didn't know that he had to do this alone."

Riverstripe gaped. Both her brothers had lost it. The horror of the other night must have affected their brains. But looking into Shadowpelt eyes, she saw a fierce determination, addled brain or not. She sighed. "If he wants to stay, I'd rather he do it with my blessing."

Shadowpelt watched as his sibling wove through the cats, explaining and soothing. Suddenly, Sheba burst from the crowd. "Are you insane!" she screeched. "What in the name of the Great Clan's do you think your doing!"

Shadowpelt sighed. "I have to do this Sheba. You might not understand why, but I have to." She glared at him, then began to busily wash his face.

"I understand," she snapped. "I just don't like it." She sighed and stopped washing. "Promise you'll come back in one piece?"

He grinned, and gave her ear a lick. "I'll do my best"

Suddenly, there was a terrible baying. He whipped around. The wolves were closing in. they had come to soon! They weren't supposed to be here for at least an hour. Looking around frantically, he realized it was to late for the cats to run.

Windheart gaped at the approaching pack in horror. They were here way to soon! A small party had pulled ahead of the rest apprently as only four, harnessed to that ghastly Beast, were there.

Suddenly, there was a streak, black as shadow, and one wolf went down, the tendons behind his leg cut. Shadowpelt doubled back, outpacing them, and turned again to face them again.

Glancing over her shoulder, Windheart saw Thunderfoot and Riverstripe rounding up the rest of the cats. She turned to help. Fifteen minutes later, they were gone from sight.

She glanced over her shoulder, a kit in her mouth. It's mother and the other two kits, born in the Mountain, clambered beside her.

Only Beast remained on his feet. Shadowpelt looked ruffled, and there was a deep gash running from his right ear to his left shoulder. The two faced each other off. Suddenly, the wolf charged. He leapt over Shadowpelt and charged straight at Windheart and the terrified queen.

Dropping the kit, Windheart lunged forward, slamming into the Beast's shoulder. It seemed more surprised than hurt as her claws dug and tore, and easily flipped her to the ground. Pinning her down, a powerful paw on her chest, it lowered it's head.

Windheart shivered.

It's eyes were full of hate, not only for cats, but for all living things. His breath reeked of rotten meat and his massive fangs, crusted with old blood along with the rest of his body, dripped some of the saliva hanging from his mouth. He snarled, driving a wave of nausea through her entire body. She wanted to throw up.

Suddenly, he was torn off her. She scrambled to her paws. A black shadow had attached itself to the Beast's face, and it was stumbling back, it's back paw's slipped on the edge of the cliff. It struggled for a hold, and slipped more. She limped over to where it clung onto the ledge. It snarled.

Ignoring it, she reached for Shadowpelt, and mewed softly, "Climb off of him now. He'll fall."

Her brother turned to look at her, eyes sad. "If I let go, he'll will get back up." He took a deep breath then, reaching back, placed a paw over the wolf's. He looked her in the eye. "Goodbye, Windheart. Tell the others farewell, and please, tell Sheba I am sorry I broke my promise. I will be Lord of Shadow forever." With that he dug his claws into the Beast's paw. With a snarl the wolf let go and Windheart watched helplessly as both cat and wolf were plummeted into shadow.

a/n- please don't kill me for getting rid of Shadowpelt! ducks pointy sticks thrown from angry readers It will make sense by the end!

And I know it's short, but it's something, right? Please R&R. I only got one review for my last chapter. Again, not my best writing, but I wanted to get something up. Febuary break is coming, and I'll type a couple of chapters then. Good ones! Long ones!