CHAPTER 2

"White Death"

It seemed like an eternity before the two young IceClan warriors reached their destination, the very outer edge of their territory. Bluelight spotted it first, his eyes catching a glimpse of the towering tree tops that made the area appear flat and safe for passage. He immediately warned his companion.

"Hold up. It's right ahead of us."

Goldfire stopped and peered through the wind.

"I'm glad you can see it. Those eyes of yours really are something."

Cautiously, Bluelight and Goldfire proceeded forward with slow steps so that they could feel the angle of the ground beneath the snow and their feet. Soon, even Goldfire could make out the shapes of the towering pines, reaching so high that a few of them disappeared into the low-hanging storm clouds.

Besides what they couldn't help, neither tom made a sound. An unspoken dread hung between them, causing their young hearts to race. Bluelight did not need to ask Goldfire to listen carefully and alert him of any unusual noises. He could see the ginger and white tom's ears moving rapidly, taking in everything. Likewise, Bluelight kept his eyes open as wide as he could and constantly scanned their surroundings. Their target, unfortunately, was just as pure white as the snow that stretched out endlessly on all sides of them. Both toms used their noses, sniffing the air for the acrid smell of carrion. The scent of death…a telltale sign of a winged predator's nest. It would be faint though, so they had to be careful or they might miss it entirely.

As they circled the base of each pine, Bluelight began to wonder if in fact the nest was so well hidden, finding its location from the ground would be impossible. He imagined the two of them climbing every single tree on the cliff and suddenly, his limbs felt very heavy. What choice did they have?

He swung his head in Goldfire's direction. "I think we need to split up."

Goldfire blinked at him. "Terrible idea. You seem to be full of them tonight."

Bluelight growled quietly. "Only far enough so that we can cover more ground. Staying close enough that we can still see each other. That's what I meant."

His friend sighed. "Then you should have said 'spread out' not split up."

"Whatever. I'll take the right side, you take the left."

Goldfire nodded and the two toms separated, weaving in and out of the trees while keeping their ears and eyes sharp. Every so often, Bluelight would glance over to make sure he could still see Goldfire, and his clan mate did the same. After a little while, the young warrior lost track of how many trees he had checked and focused only on the scents. Despite the low howling of the wind, the area was eerily silent. Normally, he could hear the quiet stirring of prey in the trees or the soft sound of other wildlife making their way through the snow, and large clumps of snow falling from the tree branches with a distinctive "thud". But tonight, there was nothing. What noises the storm did not drown out were absent entirely. It created a very unsettling atmosphere.

Suddenly, images of Rainkit swam into his mind. He saw his baby brother's face, the large, round blue eyes that were too big for his tiny body. The way he always bounded around Bluelight's feet, tripping him, begging for stories of what lay outside the camp. He was full of spirit, thirsty for adventure, and ambitious. Bluelight had looked forward to the days when he and his brother could go on patrols together, explore the ocean of snow that covered their territory, and fight side by side as loyal IceClan warriors. And then, the images changed. He saw Rainkit playing in the middle of camp with the other kits, and then…a monstrous form descended from the sky, crashing through the pine branch ceiling with wings beating and talons outstretched. He saw Rainkit's face twist in horror as the claws came down around him, and then-

Bluelight let out a cry of alarm as he suddenly ran headfirst into the trunk of one of the pine trees. The vision…no, the nightmare…disappeared and Bluelight was painfully brought back to reality, but not entirely. He was dimly aware of Goldfire calling his name but, as his head throbbed, Bluelight felt his heart twist in his chest and he simply sat in the snow, defeated.

I failed him. I wasn't there to protect him…and now he's dead. I failed…I failed…

Goldfire rushed to his friend's side and stopped, staring at his faraway, wide-eyed expression.

"Hey, Bluelight! What happened? Why did you make that noise? Blue?"

Bluelight did not answer but just kept mumbling, shaking his head side to side. "He died….cause I wasn't there…it's my fault…I failed him…I failed my mother…I failed…."

Goldfire frowned. "C'mon Blue, snap out of it. Blue?"

When he still did not answer, the ginger and white tom raked up some snow with his paw and flung it into Bluelight's face. It worked.

Bluelight yowled, swiping at his own face with his front paw. "Wha…what in the name of StarClan did you do that for?"

"Cause you were losing it. Listen, Blue. You cannot blame yourself for what happened, I've told you that. You didn't fail anyone, okay? This thing is obviously pretty smart. It waited until the least amount of warriors were around to attack. There's no way you could have known. And…geez, it was just a little snow!"

Bluelight's continued to wipe at his face while glaring at his friend. "Just snow, my tail! There was clearly a rock or something in there too!"

"You're just being a drama queen. I wouldn't have flung a rock at you. I would have seen it."

"Well, something hard hit me, I know that much."

At that moment, both toms dropped their gazes to the ground where, laying at Bluelight's feet, was something buried halfway in the snow. Goldfire reached forward with one paw and dug it out, revealing a small chunk of bone. The warriors looked at each other, and then started digging through the rest of the snow, finding more bone fragments of different shapes and sizes. Most belonged to small prey animals, but a few were too big.

"What the heck?" Goldfire exclaimed, staring at a piece of a jawbone. "Why are these just laying here?"

The toms' eyes met again, and together, their craned their heads upward, from the base of the tree to where the canopy began. They drank the air, and despite the bitter coldness of it, they could taste the very subtle scent of carrion. The answer was suddenly very clear.

They looked at each other one last time.

"I think…we found it" Bluelight said quietly.

Goldfire's ears pulled back.

"Dammit."

For a few moments, the two warriors sat quietly as they processed the new information. Goldfire was the first to break the silence.

"So…now what?"

Bluelight purposely did not look his friend in the eyes. "Well…we climb the tree. Find the nest."

"This 'bad idea' thing of yours is really getting serious. You should have Fogpelt take a look at you when we get back…if we get back."

"There's not much point in just sitting at the base, now is there? Plus, we need to confirm that we actually found it. It might not be the right tree, we have to be sure."

"We could only be so lucky."

Tired of discussion, Bluelight proceeded to climb the trunk, digging his claws deep into the bark. Noises behind him confirmed that Goldfire was following. It took several minutes, and a few close calls as the wind threatened to blow them clean off, before they reached the bottom layer of the canopy. Bluelight closed his eyes and pressed through the prickly pine branches, hoisting himself up onto the nearest one that would support his weight. Seconds later, Goldfire was beside him.

"Well, that was fun. I wonder why we don't have our camp at the top of a massive tree like this one? You could roll out of your nest in the morning and fall nine hundred tail-lengths to the ground. That would certainly be motivating."

But Bluelight ignored him. He was more focused on how powerful the carrion stench had become now that they were in the branches. It was so strong that it stung his eyes.

Goldfire reacted as well. "Not to mention the lovely aromas. So I'm guessing we either found it, or some poor soul climbed up here and died instead of climbing down."

Bluelight moved around the branches carefully, following the smell. Then he saw it.

Inside a large hole in the trunk, which looked like it had been literally clawed out, was the nest. The reek of it as Bluelight got closer was almost unbearable. Despite that, it was fairly well hidden. Bluelight could see the lining inside, made of various twigs, feathers and…fur. And bones. Lots of them. The White Death was a messy eater, so confident in its predatory dominance that it did not bother to keep it's resting place clean. The sight of it all was filthy and vile. And to top it off, Bluelight saw a distinctive clump of white fur, spotted with black, mangled amongst the debris. Rainkit's face popped into his mind again. The likely hood of that fur belonging to his brother was fairly unlikely, but it still made the young tom's blood boil.

"You're awful close, Blue" Goldfire said quietly from behind him. "Be careful. I assume it's not home right now, but it could come back any second. Let's not give it the impression that dinner now delivers itself."

The other tom swung his head around, eyes blazing with hatred and cold determination.

"I'm going to wait for it to come back."

Goldfire's amber eyes widened in shock. "What!? Bluelight, of all the horrendously bad ideas you've had tonight, this is the WORST. You can't fight that thing in the top of a tree! What kind of advantage do you have up here?"

"The element of surprise for one. It'll never expect to be attacked right outside its own nest. Even if I fall, all I have to do is mortally wound it and the job is done."

Goldfire tore at the branch he was sitting on with his claws, clearly uncomfortable. "That's crazy, Blue….Believe me, I'm rooting for you. And I'm here to back you up, but…I don't know. I just have a really bad feeling about this plan. What if it catches sight of you before it lands? There goes the 'element of surprise'."

"I'll hunker down against the trunk. My fur is dark enough, it won't see me. You, on the other paw, are going to need to hide in the next tree over, be my lookout. Your orange fur is too easy to spot."

"Whoa, whoa. So let me get this straight. Not only do you want to wait for the White Death right next to its own nest, but now you want me to hide in another tree where I can't even help you if things go wrong? I think we have a new winner."

Bluelight was getting really anxious, but instead of losing his temper, he looked up at his friend with pleading eyes.

"Please, Goldfire…please."

The other tom was silent for a long time. Then, with a long sigh, he stood up and started making his way back to where the climbed up.

"I'm going to regret this, I just know it…"

But before we started down, he turned back one last time.

"Be careful, Bluelight. I'll call out if I see anything wrong, okay? And just know, if I think you're about to torn limb from limb, I will go full 'squirrel mode' and fly over to this tree if I have to."

Bluelight nodded with a smirk. "Just don't fall. You'll die looking ridiculous."

Goldfire grinned. "I never look ridiculous."

It must have been hours that Bluelight waited in that tree, stomach churning with hunger, nose practically melting off from the smell. In all this time, he still hadn't gotten used to it. Goldfire had made successfully over to the next tree and was just barely visible through the canopy. The first thing he did after making it there was call out something about his tree smelling better. But since then, it had been an eternity of nothing but howling wind and creaking wood.

Bluelight dug his claws into the branch as another gust swept through his tree, causing it to sway dangerously. He was sick of this. Sick of the storm, the smell, the bitter cold, all of it. But he couldn't give up. He wouldn't give up. Every time he considered it, he forced himself to remember the terrible vision of Rainkit's fate, and the flame of determination in his heart was immediately rekindled. He just hoped Goldfire was alright. He felt horrible that his friend was enduring this horrible night with him, even if it had been his choice. He was torn between wishing Goldfire was back safely at camp and being relieved that he wasn't out here all alone. He couldn't help feeling guilty and selfish.

Bluelight dropped his head onto his paws, exhausted and trying to get comfortable. He had almost fallen asleep a few times, but the storm always snapped him out of it. He imagined his nest back at camp, right between Goldfire and Treeshadow, who snored like a bear. Their camp was rough around the edges and very hard to maintain, but it was home. The thought made him feel warmer and his eyes began to droop shut once again.

But that's when the storm suddenly surged stronger than it ever had before. The wind hit so hard that Bluelight was almost thrown clean off the branch. He yelped, clinging to the tree with all four feet as the lower half of his body slipped. The wind wasn't letting up either. It continued to roar and batter the canopy as Bluelight used every ounce of strength left to pull himself back up and plastered himself to the trunk for stability.

Bluelight closed his eyes against the stinging gusts, but they flew wide again as a horrific cracking sound filled his ears. He looked around wildly for the source of it. And then, he heard a yowl of fright. Bluelight looked over just in time to see the tree Goldfire was in start to keel over, the terrified tom still clinging to the branches.

"GOLDFIRE!"

Bluelight only managed to scramble down the tree halfway before the wind did the rest. He landed hard in the snow, the wind knocked from his lungs, but he still pushed himself to his feet and surged forward. Clearly, Goldfire's tree had not been the only one blown over. The area was now littered with debris, but it was quickly being covered up by the blizzard. The fallen trees were being swallowed in white before Bluelight could reach them. He became disoriented quickly, not knowing which direction he was going or had come from. There was nothing but the white abyss and the raging winds. He finally stopped, worried that he might wander to an area where the ground dropped out from his feet. Bluelight's limbs shook with fear for the other tom's life. He couldn't lose his best friend, too. He screwed his eyes shut.

And just like that, the winds died off, leaving an odd wake of calm and quiet. Bluelight opened his eyes, and stood a little straighter. Somehow, he had walked into a clearing. That, or all the surrounding trees had been felled. Either way, he was now completely surrounded by nothing, just a blanket of snow as far as his eyes could see, which still wasn't very far. It was very still, no sound at all. Bluelight looked around wildly. How was he going to find Goldfire's tree now?

"Goldfire? Hey, you out there?" he called.

Nothing.

Bluelight's heart raced.

His sound of his own breath was deafening.

He was nowhere.

Alone.

And his friend might be dead.

He had failed….

Again.

And then….

"Aggh!"

Bluelight shrieked as pain suddenly exploded along his back and then, he was being lifted off the ground. He thrashed wildly in the grasp of his unseen foe. And just as suddenly as it happened, Bluelight was dropped, landing in the snow roughly. He panted as he felt the sticky sensation of blood running down his sides. The pain was excruciating. He struggled to his feet and whipped his head around, but his attacker had disappeared again. Bluelight, however, knew good and well what he was up against. And now, if it was even possible, he was at a greater disadvantage than before when he was still in the tree. Out in the open, unable to see pretty much anything, and hunted by a winged creature with superior vision. The odds were not in his favor. But he did not run away.

Instead, he listened, craning his head up. He had missed the wingbeats before, but was now expecting them, so he did his best to tune out all other noises. He stood as still as possible, eyes wide and searching. He barely heard it in time, the sound of rushing air coming from behind him, and he whirled around and face his opponent. Great StarClan, it was fast.

Bluelight eyes widened in horror at the sight of the enormous white owl that descended upon him with talons extended and wings outstretched, eyes huge and yellow like two full moons. It was quite easily the most terrifying thing he had ever seen, worse than he had even imagined. Like a nightmare come to life.

He was barely able to roll away in time as it crashed into the snow where he just been, screeching and beating its wings furiously. It lunged at him again, staying a little ways off the ground, snapping at him a razor sharp beak and even sharper talons. Bluelight scrambled backwards, completely on the defensive. Great StarClan, it was fast. He desperately looked for an opportunity to get the advantage but so far, he could not. His retreat ended as he reached a rather steep part of the hill and fell backwards. He rolled a ways, leaving a streak of blood in the snow, and when he stopped, it was on him again. Its feet landed on either side of him and Bluelight braced, waiting for the killing blow. But it never came.

The White Death let out a screech of fury as, out of nowhere, Goldfire crashed into its side, knocking onto the ground and off of Bluelight. The orange and white tom leapt back, claws and fangs bared, back arched. As the creature recovered, so did Bluelight, as he scrambled to his feet and stood by his friend's side, matching his hostile stance. The owl faced the two warriors, its yellow eyes ablaze, and then took off straight for them.

Bluelight and Goldfire split down the middle, lashing out at the raptor's wings as it passed. It arched around to the right, coming for Goldfire first. The tom spun around and reared up, swinging both paws at its face and yowling. The owl stopped midair, beating its wings back to avoid Goldfire's claws. Bluelight took the opportunity to leap at it from the side, taking a swipe at its front. It screeched and retreated further before landing in the snow, wings still extended to their full length in an intimidating pose. The toms circled it, hissing and yowling, waiting for its next move. Finally, Goldfire tested it, lunging forward with one paw. It retaliated immediately, swiping back at him with one of its own feet, its huge talons catching the edge of Goldfire's paw. The tom drew back in pain, blood staining the snow beneath him. The owl took advantage of the situation and continued to advance on Goldfire. Limping slightly, Goldfire ducked away from the attacks and rejoined Bluelight on the other side. The two looked at each other.

"Together?" Bluelight inquired, his voice raspy.

Goldfire nodded. 'Together."

So, together they attacked, both landing on the huge bird before it could really react. They bit and clawed in a frenzy as the creature shrieked and writhed underneath the onslaught. It ended when the owl managed to sink its talons into Goldfire's hind leg and fling him aside, and likewise knock Bluelight backwards with one of its wings. Before they could recover, it was airborn, and this time, it was retreating for good. As it started to fly away, Bluelight watched after it, and everything else around him faded away. He had come so close to the vengeance that had driven him that night. Everything in his body screamed for him to run away. In his mind, he knew that he should just accept that this was enough, that he had avenged his brother and his clan mates who had been taken by the White Death. But though his mind and body was ready to accept it….

His heart was not.

Goldfire stood shakily and called to his friend. "C'mon, Blue. We did it. We sent it running…flying…whatever. Let's go home while we have the chance."

Bluelight didn't even look at him. "No…it's still alive."

His bright eyes narrowed and he bared his teeth, legs prepared.

"I'm not finished yet."

Before Goldfire could stop him, Bluelight took off, his legs tearing through the snow with new found agility and determination. Any other cat would not have been able to see the owl flying just above the cold white fog, but Bluelight had unusually powerful eyesight, and it was easy for him to spot. He locked on to the outline of its form through the fog and picked up speed. He was aware of a downed log straight ahead and, with very careful timing, used the log to launch himself as high as he could in the air.

He landed on the owl, immediately digging his claws and teeth through its feathers and into its flesh. Completely caught off guard, the creature shrieked in pain and shock before trying to shake off its attacker. When Bluelight would not let go and as his weight began to drag them to the ground, it resorted to snapping at him with its sharp beak, lacerating the tom's face several times. But he still would not let go. In fact, as it continued to snap at him, he released his teeth only to take advantage of its outstretched neck and latch into its throat.

Inevitably, they crashed hard into the ground, but on impact, Bluelight felt the owl's neck snap in his mouth. He did not move at first, just lay in the snow with the dead monster's body sprawled on top of him. He moved only when he heard Goldfire's frantic voice.

"Blue! Oh great StarClan, please don't be dead. Answer me!"

With a groan, Bluelight let go of the limp neck and shoved the body off himself. "I'm alive, which is more than I can say for this piece of foxdung."

"I cannot believe you did that..." Goldfire breathed. "That was either the stupidest or most amazing thing I've ever seen. You took that thing down like…I can't even describe it and- whoa. Bluelight, your face..."

Bluelight could feel the blood running down his face, not to mention the pain, and his right eye was already swelling shut. The chances of him being half blind were pretty high. Goldfire's comment reminded him of how much pain we was actually in, from all of his injuries, combined with the exhaustion from a long, hard night. Bluelight sat down, legs shaking as his body threatened to give out.

Goldfire stepped forward. "Hey, I know you're beat, but we can't rest now. We gotta get back and get these wounds checked out. C'mon, I'll lend you a shoulder if you need it."

Bluelight hoisted himself up slowly but then stopped.

"Wait."

He looked back at the bloody, unmoving form of the White Death.

"I'm taking it back with us, so I might need your help."

"Why?"

"Proof."

Goldfire nodded. "And one hell of a meal."