A strong ache passed through Rain's body as she leaned against the stone that kept her trapped in the darkness. She didn't know for how long she had been stuck in this cave, but it was definitely long enough to leave her weak with hunger and thirst. Her mouth felt like a desert and her body was in constant agony as it sought nutrients that were unavailable, both for her body and for her kits. She was terrified that the lives inside of her body had already been lost...but that didn't deter her from trying to escape. If there was ANY chance her kits were still alive, even the smallest, she wanted to take advantage of that chance and get out of here.

She spent the entirety of her time in the tiny cave searching for a way out. She ran her nose along the ground, her mouth open, trying to find some kind of crack or opening that was letting in fresh air. The only ones she could find were far too small and her claws were definitely not strong enough to dig and make them any bigger. She let out a frustrated growl as she placed her paws on the wall of the cave and stood up on her hind legs, searching the ceiling this time. It was around her fifth time doing so, but she held out the hope that maybe she had missed something.

The desperate mother searched all along the top of the cave, claws scraping against the walls as she kept herself up against it. She sighed and dropped back down onto all four paws, frowning at the darkness all around her. She sat down, bowing her head and wrapping her tail around her paws as powerfully depressing guilt and sadness washed over her. "I never should have left..." she breathed shakily. "M-maybe Shard...would have changed his mind...ma-maybe he would have let my kits be born...they could have lived...b-but now...now I've doomed them...!"

She laid down with a small mournful cry, covering her eyes with her paws and curling up on the cold, unforgiving ground. "I'm so sorry..." she breathed shakily as her tail brushed her stomach. "My kits...I'm sorry...! Now you have to suffer..." She curled into an even tighter ball, shaking as she held back the urge to throw her head back and yowl out her sadness.

For a long time she just laid there, reveling in her misery. That is, until she heard faint, muffled sounds from outside of her cave. She hesitated before lifting her head, looking at the stone that kept her trapped in here. After a moment she stood slowly and went to the stone, leaning her head against it, ears perked and pressing slightly against the surface. She could hear voices. She couldn't identify them and she could only pick out bits and pieces, but she heard them all the same.

"...-sil...tonight...one named Rain."

"Her? She'll...and even then, we...with that kit, Blu."

"We will...so both."

"Both...once?"

"Yes."

Rain flicked her tail, frowning some as she craned her ears even more, trying to hear more of the jumbled up conversation.

"-kit, Angel?"

"-sed and then, added to...sacrifice...same as Rain and Blu."

The she-cat jerked her head back, her eyes wide, the fur on the back of her neck bristling. Sacrifice? W-what do they mean, sacrifice? More panicked than she had been this whole time, Rain scrabbled at the stone, panic and terror beginning to ebb away her logic. "Let me out!" She yowled, claws frantically scraping on the stone. "Let me out, please! Please, let me out!"

Her calls were met with silence and she spat in frustration, circling around the cave before going right back to the entrance, raking her claws along it and yowling as loudly as she could once more. She repeated this cycle for hours, hollering at the stone, pacing, then hollering once more. She was exhausting herself, but she refused to stop.

"LET ME OUT!" She shrieked, continuing her panicked cycle a whole day after she had first started. She pushed as hard as she could against the stone, ignoring the blood coming her shredded and cracked claws. "SOMEONE! LET! ME-!"

She gave a cry of surprise when the stone suddenly shifted and rolled to the side, making her fall forward. She leaned to the side and rolled over so she landed on her back, sheltering her stomach. She laid there for a moment, stunned, before blinking and leaning her head back. She was shocked to see the large, brawny dark red she-cat, Rosemary, standing over her.

Rain stared at her, green eyes round. "...R-Rose..."

The red she-cat stepped back, waiting and watching as Rain rolled over and pushed herself onto her feet. Rain shook herself off some and looked uncertainly at the so-far aggressive she-cat. A long silence stretched between them before Rain swallowed. "W...w-what are you doing here?" Rain asked hesitantly.

Rosemary flicked her ears, hesitating before glancing over her shoulder some.

Rain followed her eyes and blinked in surprise when the lithe golden body of Ervan stalked into the caves. "Ervan..."

"Rain," he greeted through the fur of a rabbit he held in his jaws. He came forward and dropped the rabbit in front of her.

She gave him one quick, uncertain look before she dug right into the rabbit, too hungry to question why he was giving it to her. She scarfed down the whole rabbit, feeling a bit sick from eating so quickly, but wanting to give her starving kits all the nutrients they could want. When she finished the rabbit she sat there quietly, licking her lips for a moment before she sat up some and looked at Ervan and Rosemary. "What's going on...?" She now asked, glancing between them both.

"I'm getting you out of here," Ervan told her outright.

The queen stared at him, silent. She eventually blinked and quickly shook her head before looking back at him. "I-I'm sorry...what?"

"I'm going to help you escape," he murmured, staring at her. "I...I ran into that rogue. He came to the side of the mountain, trying to find a way in to rescue you. And I told him I would help him get you and that kit, Angel, our of here...if he also helps get Marcy and my kits out."

Rain fell silent, staring at him.

He gave a flick of his ears as he stood. "Anyway, Rosemary is going to help as well."

She blinked and nodded. His words began to settle in and hope began to fill her. Here was a small, slim opening for her to escape this place and continue her search for a safe, happy home for her kittens. "What's the plan?" She asked quietly, curling her tail around her paws as she looked at the two cats.

"Tomorrow evening, Basil is going to be having a...a ceremony of the sorts. Most of the mountain will be unguarded, since almost all of the guards will be with her during this time. During this time, your rogue friend will come in from the front of the mountain and distract the guards that remain at their posts. Rosemary will come and get you and hide you in a small concave on the lowest level. You'll wait there while I get Marcy, my kits and angel. Then you'll all flee with the rogue. If we have the chance, Rosemary and I will escape as well."

"That...t-that actually sounds like a good plan," Rain meowed, looking at him in surprise. "Tomorrow evening, you said?"

"Yes, so get plenty of rest so you're ready to run for your life."

"For my kits lives," she corrected him quietly. "I wouldn't care if I died...all I want is their safety."

He shrugged and stood. "I need to go. Basil will be making her rounds soon and I don't want her to see me away from my post. Rosemary, you should head back as well." He glanced at Rain, "...If...I don't make it out, Rain...make sure Marcy and my kits are safe..." he hurried off without another word, leaving Rain with Rosemary.

She glanced at the red cat, who stared at her silently for a moment before jerking her head towards the cave.

Rain flattened her ears but made no protests. She turned and went back into the cave, watching as Rosemary rolled the stone in front of the entrance, trapping her once more. She didn't feel the terror, concern or desperation she had felt since she was first imprisoned, though. Now, she felt hopeful, excited and apprehensive. She was getting out. She would be able to keep her kits alive and find them a safe home where they could live their lives happily. She laid down to rest as Ervan had advised, praying the whole time that everything would go as planned.

When she next woke, it was to stone scraping against stone. She lifted her head and stared as the stone rolled out of place and Rosemary's broad frame came into view. "Is it time?" Rain asked softly, standing.

Rosemary answered with silence, turning her head and stalking towards the entrance of the cavern. Rain hurried after her, her tail quivering with excitement as she followed her onto the coil that stretched all through the mountain. She perked her ears, surprised by the silence and the lack of cats moving about. "Ervan's plan is working, then?" She asked, unable to hide the excitement in her voice.

As expected, she was met with silence from Rosemary once more. She swallowed the need to yowl in excitement as Rosemary began to hurry down the coil. Rain padded after her, her senses on high alert. Her ears swiveled in the direction of every tiny sound, her tail flicking back and fourth apprehensively the entire time.

They soon reached the base level of the mountain. Rain wanted to stop to look for the guards Zero was supposed to be distracting, but since Rosemary kept moving, she did so as well. The she-cat led her to a small area that looked like nothing but several large rocks that had collapsed onto one another, but if one looked close enough, they could see a small opening amongst the rocks. Rosemary slipped into it, Rain wriggling inside after her. It was a tiny, cramped little cave amongst the rocks, but it was definitely a good hiding spot. "W-we just wait here for Ervan now, right?" Rain mewed softly. "He'll come with Marcy and the kits...r-right?"

Rosemary stared intently out of their hiding spot, her ears sitting high atop her head, her whole body still.

Rain sighed and shifted some, er paws tingling nervously as the suffocating silence persisted. It was making her uncomfortable and even more nervous than she needed to be. She eventually tried to break the silence by clearing her throat some.

"...R-Rosemary," she began softly. "W...w-why are you helping? I-I mean...you seem...very loyal to Basil. Why are you..." she flinched and closed her mouth when the dark green-eyed cat looked at her.

Her stare was piercing and made Rain's stomach churn uncomfortably. "...I-I'm sorry if I-"

"I love him," the red she-cat spoke for the first time, making Rain blink in surprise. She looked away after saying those three words, going back to staring out of the cave entrance.

...I get it now. Rain thought as she looked at her. Ervan doesn't love her...he still loves Marcy. She knows that, but she still loves him so much that she would go against Basil to make him happy...

She looked around, not saying anything, letting Rosemary keep watch to her hearts content.

It felt like they were hiding between those rocks for ages...and when they finally heard something, it wasn't a positive sound. Heavy panting came their way, paws rapidly pounding against the stone underfoot. The next thing Rain knew, Ervan had poked his head into the cave. "Get out here," he panted.

Rosemary hurried out of the cave, Rain following her and looking at Ervan, whose sides were heaving as he struggled for breath. "What happened?" Rosemary asked him softly, pressing herself against him.

"B-Basil..." he panted, looking at Rain. "S-she...She took...M-Marcy...a-and my kits...and-and Angel...to the Ceremony...!"

Rain stared at him for a moment before quickly looking around. "Where's this Ceremony?"

Ervan blinked, looking at her. "W...wh-what?"

"Where is it?" Rain repeated, lashing her tail some as she looked at him. "I don't know what this 'Ceremony' is all about, but it sounds like a bad thing...we need to get Marcy and the kits out of here."

"...B-but it's dangerous. Your kits-"

"Ervan," Rain looked at him and gave a small smile. "If you can't tell by now...I'll do anything for my kits. They'll be safe."

He looked at her and took in a deep breath before nodding, stepping forward and touching his nose to her shoulder gently. "Thank you..." he breathed, his voice quivering slightly.

She nodded. "Now, where's this Ceremony? And where's Zero?"

"Your rogue friend is still keeping the guards held off near the entrance, which is good...come on," Ervan flicked his tail before taking off, Rain and Rosemary running after him. They stayed on the floor of the mountain as he slipped around several stalagmites, not breaking his run or slowing his speed until they came to a large, yawning gap in the ground. A pathway like the one that stretched all throughout the mountain ventured downwards into the darkness of the opening.

"The mountain goes deeper?" Rain panted, staring into it.

He nodded. "It's down here where she holds the ceremonies. Let's go..." He began to walk carefully down the slope, Rain stayed close to his and Rosemary's sides as they padded into the darkness. The light from the upper levels grew darker and darker the further they walked. Rain had to keep herself at the utmost attention to make sure she didn't slip and slide down the steep slope.

"...S-so, what is it with this 'ceremony'?" She asked quietly as they walked. "What's the point? Why does Basil do them?"

Ervan was silent for a moment before he sighed. "After all of this...you deserve to know. You see, Basil...she believes in some strange, ancient Deity."

"Deity?"

"Yeah...she found, in the lower caverns of the mountain, ancient cave records from the cats that lived here long, long ago. They told stories about a deity known as Nyx that watched over them and granted their leaders eternal life."

"Eternal life? That's ridiculous!"

"I know. But she and her mate, Claric, believed the stories they found within this mountain. And so they developed the orphanage, where they could gather all of the supplies they needed to pay homage to Nyx and gain eternal life..."

"Supplies?" Rain spoke up in surprise. "I-If they needed supplies, then why make it an orphanage? Why welcome in queens and ki...k..." her eyes widened and she let out a gasp of horror as it dawned on her.

"Sounds like you figure it out on your own," Ervan murmured sadly. "...Apparently, the records say that the only way for the leaders to gain eternal life from this Nyx...was...was for them to sacrifice kits and queens, feeding Nyx more and more until she was willing to give them immortality."

"S-so Basil...has been..."

"Sacrificing kits and queens, the whole time she's been here," Ervan finished for her, a quiet growl coming from deep within him. "That is why no two cats here remain mates for long. She wants us to keep breeding, more and more and more, so she has an unlimited supply of kits to kill until she gains her immortality...she's...she's so desperate for it that she even sacrificed her own mate, near the beginning, before she had read the records properly."

"T-then...Marcy...her kits, angel, my kits, Rosemary's kits-"

"Are all to be used as sacrifices..."

Rain felt like all of the wind had been knocked out of her. All of the information came crashing together in a violent wave called reality that swept over the young queen and left her feeling suffocated. That was why Basil had welcomed her so readily into her midst. She was pregnant. She was carrying fresh sacrifices within her. "This is...this horrible!" Rain finally managed to cry, her voice tight and constricted. "We have to hurry!" She tried to run only to have Rosemary grab her scruff.

"Don't be hasty," Ervan hissed quietly. "You'll loose your footing and fall to your death if you move too quickly. Just calm down...there's a lot that needs to be done before the sacrifices begin. Basil has to do a very long-winded speech before the ceremony can begin..."

Rain didn't take off running but still let out an anxious, horrified whine.

"Your rogue friend," Ervan said, clearly trying to distract her with his voice. "For the longest time, he's been coming to this mountain and causing trouble, trying to crumble Basil's control and save all of the cats within here."

She just gave a small nod, too panicked and concerned to really think of a verbal response. A quiet sigh came from Ervan and they continued forward in complete silence. When they finally saw light, it felt like they had been walking in the darkness for ages. A strange, orange glow began emanate from the end of the passageway. Since the ground was less sloped, Rain picked up her pace until she was running, Ervan and Rosemary running on her heels. She had to skid to a stop at the end of the tunnel, however, to shocked by what she saw to keep running. Below them sat a huge basin with a layer of elevated stone that wrapped around it. It was upon that stone that Basil stood, along with a horrified Marcy, Ami, Breeze, Angel and the scrawny young cat, Blu. But that wasn't what made Rain's heart drop in horror.

In the center of the basil, like soup in a giant bowl, was rumbling, bubbling molten lava. It gave the entire chamber an eerie reddish-orange glow and left a frightening, growling reverberation echoing all throughout it. "This..." Rain looked at Ervan in shock. "This isn't a mountain...i-it's...a volcano...?"

"It hasn't erupted in ages," he said with a small shrug of his shoulders. "But this is where the sacrifices take place..." he frowned as he looked at Basil. "And it looks like they're going to start soon. Alright, we need to devise a plan to get around all of the guards and get the- RAIN, WAIT!"

She ignored him, taking off like a spooked hare. She raced down the sloping spiral that led down to the outcrop of stone Basil stood on. She saw the golden she-cat walking towards Angel and ignored all logic and sense. Her instinct as a mother had kicked it for a kit that wasn't even hers. Logic meant nothing now. She let out a vicious screech as she separated the remaining distance between her and Basil with a powerful bound.

Basil barely had time to register what was going on before Rain slammed into her, knocking her straight off of her paws. They rolled around on the warm stone, both she-cats screaming as they claws and bit at one another. Blood roared in Rain's ears as she grabbed any fur and flesh she could with both her teeth and claws. She kicked her hind claws furiously, hoping they would rake open the golden cat's stomach as they tussled on the ground.

She gave a yowl of surprise when, instead, Basil's hind paws caught her stomach and kicked hard, throwing her off of her. Rain slammed into the ground, rolling a small distance before falling still, panting and shaking, her adrenaline making her head spin.

"What is the meaning of this!?" Basil spat, the definition of rage as she sat up, her blue eyes appearing red in the crimson-tinged cavern. She glared down at Rain, growing even more furious when she realized who she was. "You! How did you get out?" She demanded furiously.

Rain answered with a vicious snarl, trying to get up and attack her only to be pinned by a guard.

"Basil!"

She saw two guards coming forward, both dragging Ervan and Rosemary along by their scruffs.

"Ervan...?" Marcy breathed, stepping forward some, eyes wide.

"Rosemary, Ervan!" Basil spat. "What is the meaning of this?"

"You promised me, Basil!" Ervan cried, fighting desperately against the guard holding him. "You promised me you would never touch Marcy or my kits! You promised! You said they could live safe and happy! You promised you'd never kill them!"

"Plans change," she growled, lashing her tail. "It seems they've changed even more now. To think that you, of all cats, would betray me, Ervan...how can you do this? Turning your back on your own mother?"

Rain paused in her struggled, looking between the two cats in shock.

"You stopped being my mother the moment you killed father!" Ervan growled. "I've stuck around because of his wishes, but no more! I am NOT going to let you kill the she-cat I love and my kits!"

"Well, you don't have much of a choice! Because the ceremony is beginning right now..." she chuckled, "I was going to wait to sacrifice you..." she added, looking at Rain, "But I guess I can go ahead and add you to the offering. The lives inside of you should count as well, so I kill multiple birds with one stone~"

"Basil!" Snarled Ervan, fighting even more desperately.

She ignored him and diverted her original path from Angel, going instead to Marcy and Ervan's small golden colored kit, Breeze. She picked her up roughly by the scruff, earning a screech from Marcy. "LET HER GO! LET HER GO, YOU MONSTER!"

Basil chuckled against the kit's fur and walked confidently to the edge of the stone ledge, about to lean over the lava to drop the kit in. The moment she slightly moved her head towards the drop, she was suddenly knocked back off of her paws by a powerful, dark orange body. Rain could only manage a weak cry of relief as she recognized the strong body of Zero. The scarred rogue grabbed Breeze securely in his jaws and bounded off of Basil, whom he had left stunned on the ground.

Zero bolted towards the guards holding back Marcy and rammed into them with all of his force, freeing the tabby queen. She took Breeze from him and scooped up Ami, quickly moving out of the way with both of her kits, the terrified Angel and Blu bounding after her. The moment he was free of the kits Zero snarled viciously and lunged at the guard holding Rain down, who let out a terrified shriek before releasing her and fleeing. He then attacked the two holding onto Ervan and Rosemary, freeing them as well.

"Zero!" Rain cried, leaping to her paws and running over to the tom, pressing her muzzle against his. "I've been happier to see a cat in my whole life...!"

He nuzzled her gently. "I'm glad you're alright, Rain...I should have warned you about this place before I let you leave."

"Don't beat yourself up over it," she mewed softly. "You-" Her words were cut off by a scream of fury from Basil. The she-cat bolted towards them, shoving past her guards and knocking two into the lava before leaping at Rain and knocking her over, clawing curiously at her face and stomach.

A rush of adrenaline later and Rain let out her own scream of fury, biting down hard on Basil's neck as they flayed at each others fur. She felt the disgusting taste of blood in her mouth as she bit down even harder, earning her an agonized cry from Basil. A powerful cuff over the back of her head that left her stunned was the consequence of drawing blood on the golden leader. She cried out as Basil dug her claws into her gut, growling. "You won't take everything away from me!" She snarled. "I won't let you! I've worked far too hard to let a little rat like YOU destroy everything!"

"Y-you've-nng-! You've...destroyed e-everything...NOT ME!" Rain hissed. "T-taking advantage of the trust queens and innocent kits give you...a-and killing them!"

"As if they matter! They're just worthless little worms that wriggle in the dirt!" Basil screamed. "What matters in this world is ME! ME! Soon, I will be the eternal RULER of this pathetic world! I will be immortal! I will live on and take control over EVERY CAT IN THE WORLD! I WILL BE THE NEW GOD! I WILL RULE SUPREME!" She let out a maniacal laugh that danced menacingly around the cave. Fierce bubbles from the lava leaped up, growling and spluttering a small shiver passing through the mountain.

"And I will start by getting rid of you..." Basil hissed, glaring at Rain. "I wonder...if you will be the final sacrifice~?"

Rain growled and tried to kick the she-cat off only to have Basil's teeth sink powerfully into her neck, earning a pained yowl from the weakening blue-gray cat. She felt the strength that had so powerfully ran through her waning as Basil stood and began to drag her towards the edge of the stone. She could faintly see Zero fighting the remaining guards, trying to get to her, yowling her name. She trembled as an eerily calm cold began to overtake her body. My kits...I'm so, so sorry...She thought as her eyes began to slide shut.

"RAIN!"

Her green eyes snapped open in time to see Ervan flying over her, his eyes narrowed, his teeth clenched together and his paws outstretched, claws extended and aimed directly at Basil's neck. Time seemed to slow as she watched him soar over her, his golden coat glimmering in the light of the lava boiling below them. She felt Basil's jaws release her and heard a drawn out cry of terror coming from the mad cat. Time slowly resumed its normal pace as Ervan rammed into basil with all of his might, his claws tearing into her neck, sending blood showering over the lava.

As time completely caught up with itself, a gurgled scream ripped from Basil's lips as she and Ervan tumbled over the edge of the outcropping. Rain was shoved out of the way by Marcy, who bolted to the ledge and reached out, managing to snag her claws into Ervan's paw. Rain quickly stood and looked over the edge, eyes widening when she saw Basil clinging to Ervan's back legs.

"Ervan!" Marcy cried, trying to pull him back up. "E-Ervan, hang on!"

"Marcy..." the tom breathed lovingly, "Marcy, let me go."

"NO! No, I-I can help you!"

"Marcy, if you pull me up, you'll pull Basil up as well...let me go."

"NO! I'M NOT GOING TO LET YOU GO!" The cat screamed, tears streaming down her face as she stared desperately at him.

"You have to..." he gave her a tired smile. "It's alright...everything will be okay. You and our kits will live on and be happy. I know you'll do what's best for them...and Rain will help you," he added, glancing at Rain. She stared at him for a moment before giving a small nod, blinking quickly to fight back her own tears.

Ervan smiled and looked back at Marcy. "I've done what I needed to do, Marcy...I saved you and our daughters...I love you..." He reached up with his other paws and scratched at hers, making the tabby she-cat cry out in pain...and release him.

"NO!" She shrieked the moment she had realized what she'd done. "ERVAN, NOOOO!"

Rain could only watch as Ervan and Basil tumbled together into the basin. She wanted to pull her eyes away, but felt she couldn't. Basil screamed the entire time, but Ervan just closed his eyes and smiled, looking content. Rain managed to look away just as the lava devoured the two cats, a heart-broken wail breaking out of Marcy as she watched her love vanish into the volcanic fluid. The cave fell silent except for Marcy's cries, all of the guards staring in shock at the lava below. Rosemary bowed her head, Zero going over to Rain's side and gently kicking her cheek. Angel scurried over to them both, hiding between Rain's paws, trembling.

Breeze and Ami hesitated before tottering over to their crying mother, cuddling up to her side and staring with round, frightened eyes at the lava. Blue hesitated before going over to Rain, standing uncertainly beside her. All of them just stood there for a long time, listening to Marcy's sobbing...until another powerful shiver passed through the mountain.

"What was that?" Zero asked quietly, lifting his head and looking around.

After a moment of quiet, Rosemary's eyes widened. "It's awakening," she rasped, making everyone but Marcy look at her. "The volcano..."

Rain saw understanding bloom in Zero's eyes, closely followed by terror. "The volcano's going to erupt!" He gasped. He quickly looked at Rain. "We need to go, now!"

Terror bolted through her and she quickly nodded. "You take Angel," she told him, watching him nod before quickly picking up the kit. "Blu," Rain turned to him, "You're coming with us. Stick close to Zero. Marcy-" She went to the grieving cat's side and gently nudged her to her feet. "Marcy, come on. You need to get your kits out of here..."

Marcy's eyes were blank with sadness but she at least listened to her, picking up Breeze and Ami by their scruffs.

Rain let out a shaky breath, surprised by how calm she was on the outside while, on the inside, she was panicking. "Alright. We need to get out of the volcano as quickly as we can and then put as much distance between us and it as possible. Rosemary, are you co-" She blinked in surprise as Rosemary charged up and out of the basin, the guards hesitating before all letting out horrified yowls and racing after her.

Another shiver came, but this time it was much more violent, almost knocking Rain over.

"Come on!" Zero snapped against Angel's fur. "We need to go!"

Rain nodded and all of the cats quickly took off, running as quickly as they all could as the mountain began to tremble more and more until it was a constant, violent shaking that was constantly trying to trip them up and send them falling into its gaping mouth of lava.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, another tremor came...but this one was, by far, the most powerful. It felt like someone had picked the mountain right up and was shaking it around violently. Rain tripped some and fell against Blu, making Zero skid to a halt. He hurried back to them and shoved them both back up, eyes wide, staring in horror at something over Rain's shoulder.

Rain saw this horror and looked over her shoulder as well...only for her inner panic to catch up with how she was acting. She let out a terrified screech at seeing the lava rising, heading towards them. She stood the rest of the way and shoved Blu up, pushing against Marcy. "Go go GO! The lava's rising, GO!" She screamed, making them all start running once more.

She felt the rough stone underfoot tearing at her pads due to the speed, but even the blood coming from her feet didn't stop her. She could feel the searing heat of the lava nipping at the tip of her tail. If they didn't hurry, they would all face the same fate as Ervan and Basil. They quickly reached the base level of the mountain and hurried for the entrance only for Rain to stop and look around.

"Rain!" Zero snapped, handing Angel to Blu. "What are you doing!?"

"T-the other cats!" She cried, staring at the spiral that went up the mountain. "All of the queens and kits-"

"There's nothing we can do for them now!" He roared over another powerful tremor. "We need to get out of here!"

"But-"

"Think of YOUR kits, Rain!"

She wanted to argue further, but the lava bubbling up from the opening in the floor changed her mind. She cried a silent apology to all of the cats they were abandoning within the mountain before turning and hurrying after Zero and the others.

They raced out of the opening of the mountain, the light of sunset greeting them. They didn't stop to rest or let out a breath of relief, though. No, they kept running and running, trying to get as far away from the shaking mountain as they possibly could. It seemed that, no matter how far they went, the ground continued to tremble and groan beneath their paws. Rain forced herself to keep speeding up more and more, eyes widening as she saw a dark plume of smoke filling the sky, hiding the shades of violet and pink behind a thick cloud of black.

"Up that hill!" Zero cried to all of them, indicating a small hill with his tail. "That should be far enough away, but if it's not, at least it's high ground!"

Everyone obeyed him, swerving to head for the hill. Rain was gasping and shaking when she reached the top of it, her companions all equally shaken up and out of breath. Rain took a moment before slowly turning, looking at the volcano. Her eyes widened as she watched lava spew from the top before it began to sluggishly travel down the face of the mountain. They all watched in silence as the lava ventured downwards and the black smoke overhead crawled further and further out and over the sky.

"...We can't stay here," Zero murmured. "We can't rest or hunt anywhere near here. That smoke and the ash that will be falling soon will suffocate us. We need to move until we've at least escaped the smoke."

"How long will that take?" Squeaked out Breeze, her and her sister trembling in terror.

He shook his head. "I don't know. But we need to go. We need to find somewhere safe. Once we have, we'll eat and rest and then discuss what do from there. Is that alright, Rain?"

She tilted her head a little, confused as to why he would ask her this, but nodded.

"Then let's go."

Zero led the way, heading down the opposite slope of the hill and beginning the long trek away from the volcano, Marcy and Blu following him. Rain hesitated, glancing over her shoulder at the volcano. She stared at it for a long time before looking away and hurrying after her companions.

Woooo, I finally updated! No abandoning this fanfic for me, nope! So sorry for the delay, everyone. There were some serious family things going on, but everything's a whole lot better now, so hopefully I can get onto a schedule to make sure I update frequently. Thanks for reading! :)