Disclaimer: ……… please… tell me you've learned by now. I don't own. No. Never will, either.

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A/N: Wow… It's been a really long time since I last updated. I just want to say that I'm really sorry. I'm not going to use schoolwork as an excuse, even though that would be perfectly valid. We've had so much lately… Horrible. Science Fair ruined my weekend. But, I admit having this chapter ready for more than three months, and that's bad, very bad of me, but the bright side of all of this is that I caught six mistakes when I reread this! Also, as consolation, my next chapter is nearly done, I already have twelve pages. I'm looking for a spot to end the chapter, so I'm almost done…

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Moonstar of FireClan: (gulp) spare me! Acidpaw will appear in this chapter! I promise!

Mystra14: Thanks! I'm glad there's a new reviewer! As for Rainpaw's Medicine Cat name…wait and see…

Princess of Lightning: Hmmm… you'll find out soon enough.

Mintytooth: My beta liked the name Funkypelt too. It does sound fitting, right? Yes… isn't Seth adorable?

Flamespirit-eth: Soon soon soon… Mwahahahahahahahahaha!!!

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Chapter Five

Freddy's Story: Part Two

Rainpaw woke with a start. She had the same dream that she normally had, where Redstar repeated the prophecy once again. But this time, she heard a different voice. Someone had called out: "StarClan, why are you showing me this?"

Rainpaw was sure that someone else apart from her had the same dream. The weird part was that the voice that she had heard was familiar, but it wasn't anyone in the clan, she was sure.

She whispered the prophecy.

"There are three: one who watches them as a star,

The others do not know who they truly are.

The one of scarlet knows nothing of the diamond breeze,

The one of blazes fled far from the trees."

It was drilled into her head now. Why, oh why, couldn't the StarClan cats simply give her the answer?

"What was that, Rainpaw?" sneered a voice, "Are you trying to come up with poetry? If you are, it's certainly not very good."

Rainpaw's gaze darted around the apprentice den. She saw two acid green eyes glimmering in the darkness. She cursed his black fur for being nearly invisible in the dark.

"Acidpaw!" she gasped, "You didn't hear that, did you?"

"The whole thing."

Rainpaw was silent.

"Sounded kind of fishy if you ask me, like something StarClan would say," Acidpaw stopped for a moment, "Not that I've heard StarClan say anything."

Rainpaw rose to her paws. "Well… uh… I've got to go… um…"

"Listen to the rest of Freddy's life story?"

"What? How do you know?"

"Uh…"

Rainpaw stepped in front of the apprentice den exit. "I'm not moving until you tell me how you know."

Acidpaw glared at her. "I was eavesdropping from the back room. I know the entire story. I snuck into the Medicine Cat den during the confusion of Quietpaw's arrival," the black-furred apprentice smirked at the shocked look on Rainpaw's face, "Happy now? And I'll be coming with you to listen to the rest of the story. I did my chores at the crack of dawn."

Rainpaw was speechless. She backed out of the apprentice den. One thought crossed her mind.

He could've just shoved me out of the way. I'm not training to be a Warrior, so I would've been a pushover… Why did Acidpaw bother telling me?

The Medicine Cat apprentice heard Acidpaw's pawsteps behind her. She entered the Medicine Cat den. Both Freddy and Quietpaw were awake. Silverdiamond was removing the cobwebs from the kittypet's ribs.

"Ah, Rainpaw," meowed her mentor pleasantly. Her gaze darkened when she saw who was behind her apprentice, "What brings you here, Acidpaw?"

"I'm finished my chores, if that's what you're implying. And since I can't leave camp for another eighteen sunrises, I thought, 'Why don't I help out in the Medicine Cat den?'. It's not like I have anything better to do. Believe me, if there was, I wouldn't be here."

Silverdiamond snarled softly. She couldn't make him leave.

"Fine, stay here then. There's nothing to do, though."

Freddy looked at the argument in confusion, and Quietpaw's eyes were shining. If she were able to speak or make any noise, she'd probably be laughing.

"Continue with your story, Freddy," meowed Rainpaw.

The kittypet nodded.

"It was perfect. The allies were all lined up… or that's what we thought…"

Flashback

Freddy took a deep breath. Tonight was the night when all of the allies were supposed to meet. After grooming Rebekka's fur for hours on end, he exited her den and approached December.

"Hi Freddy," he meowed.

"Hi… Listen… about yesterday's conversation. You pretty much told me that I should abandon this place and join Ember. What did you mean by that, exactly?"

December sighed. "Let's go back to the doghouse. I'll explain everything there."

Freddy followed him in silence. When they arrived, December sat down on a cushion that Rebekka had left there for him. He started to speak.

"I came here some time ago, though, I was originally on Ember's side with the rest of my family. My parents and siblings were all killed by Ember's crew, and I fled to this side. Normally, Rebekka refuses to take in ones who have been on the other side, but for some reason, when she saw me crying over my family's deaths, she picked me up and brought me to her den. She allowed me to stay with her. At one point, our eyes met. She looked at me as if she knew who I was. As if she had met me before. She gave me the best doghouse, and whenever she found high-quality food, she gave me a little bit. She didn't force me to work or fight. Many cats and dogs have told me that it was pity that made Rebekka do what she did… but I don't think that's the case. She suddenly told me to groom her fur every day. I did as I was told, because I wanted to repay her. Our eyes locked once more, and she looked afraid. Of what, I have no idea."

December turned and stared hard at Freddy. "What's your story?"

Freddy took a deep breath.

"My sister and I lived with our mother on the streets. It was actually pretty peaceful. Mother would catch us a mouse in the alleys every now and then, as a special treat. Normally, we just ate what the Upwalkers didn't want. Then… Mother was hit by a car. She died, and Maddie and I were caught by the Upwalkers and taken to a shelter. Now… all we want to do is resume our lives before our capture, whether our mother is there or not."

December's eyes narrowed. "That's not all, is there? You're hoping for a better life now, aren't you?"

Freddy blinked. "I guess that would be nice."

The white cat nodded. "I want a better life too. Away from here."

"But… Rebekka is treating you perfectly fine!"

"I know, and I'm grateful for that… but… I've seen so much death in this place. I want to leave. So many cats and dogs here hate me. I want to experience a world where not as many people wish they could rip my fur off."

"Come with me tonight," urged Freddy, "There's a group of allies who are trying to leave this place too."

The white cat's eyes shone. "Thanks. I will."

"Come on. Flame and the others will be waiting for us."

December nodded.

The two cats arrived at the border of the two territories. A group of cats and dogs were waiting there. Flame stepped forward.

"Shall we go then?"

Freddy nodded. "Yeah."

"There are even more?" whispered the white cat.

Flame noticed December for the first time. He glared at the white cat.

"What's he doing here?"

"He—" Freddy was cut off by December.

"I'll explain it myself," the white tom looked at the assembled traitors, "I appreciate what Rebekka did for me, but I've seen her kill so many… I can't be around anymore."

Flame nodded. "I understand, but I'll be keeping a close eye on you."

"It's alright."

They reached the Upwalker nest. One by one, every traitor went through the dog door.

Whitefire, Maddie, Seth, and a small hoard of cats were waiting.

"Gather 'round!" meowed Whitefire.

When everyone was silent, Whitefire stepped into the middle. "We're all here because we are sick of the way things are around here, am I right?"

"Yes!" came assorted barks and yowls.

"We're going to overthrow Rebekka and Ember!" added the tabby, his orange eyes glistening.

"Are we going to kill them?" asked December quietly.

"Of course!" barked a Malamute.

"We simply cannot let them live any longer!" meowed the same tabby she-cat who had been grooming Rebekka's fur the first day Freddy came.

"But…"

"Of course it's understandable that you don't want to kill Rebekka," added the ginger tom from the day before, " Sure, she's been nice to you, but she has killed many others."

"So that's December!"

"What's he doing here?"

"I bet he's a spy for Rebekka!"

Other cats and dogs howled and snarled at December.

"Stop it!" yowled the white tom, "None of you understand! The fact that she's been good to me has nothing to do with anything! It's just that—"

"Just what?" snarled Terry the Yorkshire Terrier. Scars covered his face. One of his eyes was scratched out and a large chunk of his right ear was gone. His left ear was gone altogether, "Look at what she did to me! And I'm one of the lucky ones!"

Another uproar began. December's voice rose above them all.

"If we kill her, we'll be no different from her!" everyone stopped speaking.

"He's right…" whispered an Akita Inu.

Terry growled. "I don't care!"

Just as another argument was about to break out, a loud voice rang out.

"SILENCE!"

The crowd parted. A gray tom with emerald green eyes stepped through. There was a large scar running along his throat, going all the way down to his right paw.

"Greens—" whispered Whitefire, before being cut off.

"December is right," meowed the gray tom, "We should just find a way to escape."

"Don't be stupid," growled Flame, "How are we going to escape? We know that the fence goes far underground, and that the top is sharp. Either way, it's not like a dog can leap over the fence."

"Simple," meowed the gray cat, "We wait."

"Wait for what?" snarled Terry, "Snow to fall?"

The gray cat smiled. "Exactly."

Everyone around gave the gray cat confused glances. Whitefire, however, didn't seem surprised by the gray cat's statement.

"I knew you would come up with that!" laughed Whitefire.

"What does he mean?" asked the tabby-she cat.

"Exactly what he said: We wait for snow to fall. In the dead of night, we assemble and form a hill of snow big enough for us to leap safely over," explained Whitefire, "We've done it before."

"Ingenious!" barked Flame gleefully, "When should we start? And where should we build this? And just what is your name anyways? We should all introduce ourselves. Looking at the numbers, there are at least fifteen from both sides combined."

"Our side will start," meowed Whitefire, "I am Whitefire."

"KJ!" meowed a ragged brown-furred tom.

"Maggie," a cheerful ginger and cream colored she-cat chirped.

"Trisha," added a brown she-cat.

"Hi! I'm Sanna!" mewed a tiny silver kit. She could be no older than two moons and sported unusual black spots.

"I'm Seth. Pleased to meet you all," Seth bowed his head slightly, "I am the one stupid enough to contradict Rebekka. I'm in hiding here in the Funkypelt nest."

Maddie glanced at Seth and licked her own shoulder, and nodded at the dog.

"This is Maddie. She's Freddy's sister."

The tabby she-cat nodded.

"I'm sure she can introduce herself, no?" asked Flame.

"She's mute," explained Freddy.

"I see… sorry about that."

Maddie shrugged and nodded.

"She forgives you, don't worry," assured Seth.

"And you are?" grunted Terry, motioning towards the gray tom.

"I'm… Greenstone," he replied. Whitefire glanced at him, eyes narrowed.

"Alright now," meowed Whitefire, "Your group's turn."

"Terry," grumbled the Yorkshire Terrier.

"My name is Maya," barked the Malamute.

"Ginger," added the Akita Inu.

"Maryll," meowed the tabby she-cat.

"Jerome," the ginger tom put in.

"I'm Flame," barked the Borzoi.

"I'm called Freddy," meowed the ginger-and-white tom.

"I'm sure you all know that I'm December," meowed the white cat.

"Right, so… We've got me, Freddy, December, Flame, Maryll, Jerome, Ginger, Maya, Terry, Maddie, Seth, KJ, Sanna, Trisha, Maggie, and Greenst—Greenstone," listed Whitefire, "We'll meet again here at the first snow fall."

Freddy and December turned to leave. The ginger-and-white tom felt a tug on his tail. He turned to see Sanna, the little silver kit.

"I didn't know that Maddie had a brother! I bet you're just as nice as she is! I want to be just like Maddie when I grow up!" Sanna looked down at her paws, "I had a brother. But he… left the world. Sometimes I can hear his voice. I bet he's watching over me. He looked a lot like you, you know! Can I call you big brother? Okay! Yay! I'll see you soon, big brother!"

"Come on, Sanna!" meowed Trisha, leading the kit away.

Sanna ran up to Maddie. "Wait for me, big sister!"

Maddie licked Sanna's ear.

"Stop it! That tickles!" giggled the silver kit.

Everyone said their goodbyes and returned to their sides of the territory.

As Freddy and December headed back to the doghouse, December spoke up.

"I forgot you had a sister," he mumbled.

"Brilliant," teased Freddy, "Come on, let's hurry. Your ears are turning pink. It's getting chilly, you know!"

"Shut up," muttered December.

Freddy laughed.

Life went on. Freddy groomed Rebekka's pelt every day. December still took frequent breaks. Maddie taught Seth her sign language. Whitefire and Greenstone made preparations.

Then, one day, one month later, a pawstep of snow fell, covering the ground. The group met on that night.

"I can't wait to see Maddie," meowed December on the way to the meeting.

Freddy stared at him.

"A-and Sanna, and everyone else of course!"

"Yeah… Sanna's really sweet. Maddie seems to be a lot happier. She's always wanted a friend like that."

They arrived at the Upwalker nest.

"Is everyone here?" asked Flame, "Freddy?"

"I'm here!"

"December?"

"Yeah."

"Terry?"

There was a grunt.

"Maryll?"

"Right here."

"Jerome?"

"Uh-huh."

"Maya?"

"Yup."

"Ginger?"

"Here."

"Greenstone?"

"Yes."

"Whitefire?"

"Yeah."

"Seth?"

"I'm here."

"Maddie?"

"She's here."

"KJ,"

"Yup."

"Maggie?"

"Hi!"

"Trisha?"

There was no reply.

"Sanna?"

No reply.

"Where are Trisha and Sanna?" asked Flame.

Freddy frowned and glanced at Maddie. She saw him and approached, burying her head in his shoulder.

"Maddie… What's wrong?"

December looked concerned. "What's wrong with her?" he looked around. Everyone on Ember's territory's heads were down as well. Finally, it was Greenstone who spoke.

"Trisha and Sanna… Ember… He killed them."

Maddie sobbed onto Freddy's shoulder. The ginger-and-white tom's eyes widened.

"What… What happened?"

"Trisha was walking by Ember and didn't bow her head. He attacked her, and Sanna… she got in the way. She told Ember to stop. He killed her too."

"He didn't just kill her, Greenstone," growled Whitefire softly, "He tore her apart."

"That's not fair!" yowled Maryll, "She was just a kit!"

"What right does Ember have? Even though I'm a dog… That's going too far!" snarled Maya, tears in her eyes.

Freddy looked down at his sister. He was fully aware of a wet stain of tears on his shoulder. Sanna's death had hit her hard.

"Their deaths won't be in vain," snarled Flame, "We'll escape in their honor."

Everyone agreed. They went outside and started to pile the snow outside the Upwalker Nest. By the time all the snow nearby was gathered, their hill was only a foxlength high.

"We'll meet again when more snow has fallen," decided Greenstone, "It won't be too long."

For another two months, every time snow fell, the group gathered and piled up snow. In that time, Maggie was killed by Ember. Jerome succumbed to an illness, and Ginger and Maryll died of hunger. Food was scarce now. The Upwalker living in the nest had just disappeared. Freddy and December remained well-fed. Some of the food that Rebekka got was taken to December.

Now, only Greenstone, Whitefire, KJ, Maddie, Seth, Terry, Maya, Freddy, December, and Flame remained.

Finally, the hill of snow was high enough for Flame to jump over.

"It's perfect," meowed Whitefire, he turned and looked at the Yorkshire Terrier, "Terry might not be able to jump over."

Said dog snorted.

Flame laughed. "I'll carry you over."

"I think I'd rather die," retorted Terry.

Maddie smiled. She was standing next to December. She was glad that they were going to be able to escape.

"We'll meet here tomorrow, and we'll escape this hell," barked Flame.

Terry grinned. "Finally."

Everyone returned to their sides of the yard.

"I wonder what life in the Clans is like," thought Freddy aloud. He, December, and Maddie stayed at the Upwalker nest to talk before parting ways.

Maddie shrugged.

"Clan life?" asked December, "What's that?"

Freddy explained to December the things that Whitefire told him on the first night of his stay at the animal hoarder.

"Sounds interesting," meowed the white tom, "I'd like to have a cool name like Whitefire and Greenstone. Iceeyes! What do you think?"

"I think Icebrain is more fitting," teased Freddy.

"Hey!"

Maddie giggled.

"Maddie… did you just laugh?" asked Freddy incredulously.

The tabby she-cat nodded, smiling.

Sometimes I can make some noise…

"That's great!" exclaimed December, who was slowly learning Maddie's sign language, "I bet you'll be able to talk in no time!"

Said she-cat grinned.

"Well… we'd better go," meowed Freddy, "See you tomorrow, Maddie!"

December touched Maddie's shoulder with the tip of his tail. "See you tomorrow."

The two cats slept peacefully that night. They groomed Rebekka's fur with no complaints. Freddy didn't care that his neck was hurting. They were going to escape!

Freddy wanted to join PrairieClan. He, December, and Maddie would make an amazing team. Every cat in the four clans would honor their names!

"You may go," Rebekka's voice broke through Freddy's thoughts.

"Already? It's kind of early, no?" the question had just slipped out. The ginger-and-white tom flattened his ears and looked at his paws, "Apologies, your Highness."

"It's alright," whispered Rebekka. Freddy could feel her sky blue eyes boring into his head, "Go now."

Freddy and his white-furred companion padded out of Rebekka's den.

"That was stupid of you," hissed December.

"It just slipped out! Besides, I'm alive, aren't I?"

"Yeah. Just be careful."

"I don't have to be. Not after tonight."

December grinned. "Oh yeah! Right!"

Freddy and December rested at the doghouse until the sun was down.

"Come on."

Flame stood at the entrance of the doghouse. Maya was behind him.

"What about Terry?" asked Freddy.

"I can't find him," explained Maya, "Maybe he went already. In any case, we have to go now. We don't have much time."

The two cats nodded and followed the dogs. They met KJ, Greenstone, Whitefire, Maddie, and Seth at the border of territories.

"Ready?" asked Greenstone.

Flame nodded.

The entire group reached the hill of snow.

And eerie laugh echoed.

"Who's there?" snarled Flame.

"My, my. Is that any way to talk to your leader?" Rebekka stepped out of the shadows.

"Y-your Highness!" chocked the Borzoi, "Apologies!"

"Yes… I'd like you to meet the new General."

Flame, Maya, Freddy, and December's eyes widened. The title of 'General' was only given to the highest-ranking dogs.

"General Terry, step forward."

Terry appeared next to Rebekka, his remaining eye glinting with malice. His fur was well-groomed.

"I assume you're all wondering about how Terry got this rank," Rebekka grinned cruelly, "Well, you see, Terry was rewarded this rank when he informed me about a pack of traitors. I am sure you all know who I'm talking about."

KJ bristled and glared at the Yorkshire Terrier. "How could you!? We trusted you, you filthy son of a—"

The brown-furred tom was bowled over by Logan, a tough, high-ranking Bulldog. Logan sunk his teeth into the cat's throat, silencing him for the last time. Terry didn't flinch. Freddy shuddered.

"KJ!" howled Maya.

"Traitor!" growled Flame.

Rebekka laughed. "I think you are the traitor here, Flame. Jordan?"

An enormous Great Dane pinned the Borzoi down.

"Give my regards to your family in hell," snarled the white dog, "You'll be joining them in a moment."

"NO!"

Rebekka gasped. Standing in front of her, white pelt bristling in rage, glaring daggers from ice blue eyes, was none other than December.

"December… What are you doing here?"

"Trying to escape! Let Flame go!"

"You… betrayed me?" Rebekka was genuinely shocked, "I… I took such good care of you! I treated you so well! How could you?"

"I've had it with watching you kill others!" hissed December, "You think I'd stand by and watch? KJ was my friend! Maryll, Jerome, and Ginger too! You stood and watched them starve, when you had more than enough food for yourself! I hate you! I hate you as much as I hate Ember for killing my family!"

Rebekka swayed on her paws. "December…"

Greenstone sprung forward and slashed his claws across Jordan's throat, striking a vein in his neck. The Great Dane fell, dead. Flame scrambled to his paws.

Freddy stared at the gray cat in amazement. He had knocked down a dog four times his size in one blow! Such power… he must have had an extremely high rank back in PrairieClan!

"We fight! We fight for freedom!" yowled Greenstone.

"Fight!" echoed Whitefire.

The next five minutes seemed like a blur to Freddy. Terry had attacked him at some point, and Whitefire had leapt in front of him. The Yorkshire Terrier was no match for the powerful Warrior of PrairieClan.

"For KJ, Ginger, Maryll, Jerome, Trisha, and Sanna!" he yowled before delivering the killing blow.

The snow all around was tainted red.

"December, Freddy!" Seth howled, "This way! We're escaping! Now!"

Freddy snapped out of a trance. He and December joined Maddie, Seth, Maya, Flame, and Greenstone on the summit of the snow hill. Flame leaped over the fence, carrying December. Maya followed, with Freddy, then Seth with Maddie. Greenstone was strong enough to clear the jump without help.

The gray cat turned around. Whitefire was on the edge of the hill.

"Come on! Hurry!" yowled Greenstone.

Whitefire was about to leap when Rebekka appeared behind him, catching his legs in her jaws.

"Whitefire!" howled Seth.

"Let him go! Whitefire!" shrieked Maya.

"No…" whispered Greenstone, "This can't be happening…"

Whitefire squirmed out of Rebekka's grasp and fell off the hill. He faced Greenstone from the other side of the fence. His legs were hopelessly mangled.

"Go on…" he whispered hoarsely, "Go home… The Clan needs you… you've been gone for too long."

"But… You're deputy! You can't do this!" protested the gray tom, pressing his paw against the fence, "Whitefire! Climb back up! You can make it!"

Whitefire shook his head. "Look at my legs. I… can't even walk. I won't go down without a fight, don't worry."

"No! You're deputy!"

"You said you saw the traits of a leader in Blazingflame… Go! Forget about me! Besides… She needs you."

"Stupid cat!" snarled Rebekka, "I'll kill you!"

"GO! Don't look back!"

Flame had to drag Greenstone away. Freddy followed, but disobeyed Whitefire. He glanced once more time back at the home of the animal hoarder.

"Whitefire!" yowled Greenstone, "Whitefire!"

Whitefire slashed out one of Rebekka's eyes. Rebekka lunged at the cat. Then there was blood.

"WHITEFIRE!"

Maddie was crying into December's fur. The group of traitors continued along the road.

"He… could've been Whitestar…" whispered Greenstone, "He could've been leader! It was his lifelong dream! Why, StarClan?! Why has this happened?!"

"We won't forget him," muttered Flame.

"Rebekka…" hissed December, "If I ever see her again… I'll kill her."

End Flashback

"We parted ways after that. Two groups, really. Myself, Maddie, December and Greenstone wanted to go towards the Clans. Maya and Flame went further into the Upwalker city. Flame wanted to tell his mate's brother what had happened to her, and Maya wanted to find her old owner. She had been stolen as a pup, and she never saw her Upwalker friend again."

"What about Seth?" asked Rainpaw.

"He was caught by the Upwalkers and taken back to the shelter. We never thought we were going to see him again. We were close to the prairie. Greenstone said he could almost smell the prey. Suddenly, Greenstone disappeared and December got sick. We hid in a shed in an Upwalker garden and Maddie tried to heal him. That's when the real trouble started…"

"Meaning?" Silverdiamond put in.

"We did see Seth again. But the Upwalkers that adopted him… They caught us in the shed and brought us into their nest. They kept us in a place with little food or water. It was horrible."

"So in the end, you were all together again, right?"

"Yes… but it wasn't the same. Seth had changed…"

What happened? thought Quietpaw.

"I'll tell you."

Quietpaw jumped. It was almost as if Freddy was reading her mind. Said ginger-and-white cat laughed.

"Maddie was mute, remember? I could understand her easily."

"Go on with the story!" growled Acidpaw impatiently.

"Fine! Fine! Sheesh…" meowed Freddy, "As I was saying, Seth had changed dramatically…"

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I know… That's a really crappy way to end a chapter. I was trying to find a good place to stop, but I couldn't. Freddy's story is really long, isn't it? Well… At least only half of the next chapter is the rest of his story, then we move on. Once again, sorry for the really long wait!