Blossompaw's Escape

Part Two: The Mission

Two days later...

"We have to get out of the city, now!" Chance snarled, startling Blossompaw from her sleep. She groggily opened her eyes and Chance nudged her to her paws. She had been sleeping under a dumpster, it was a miracle Chance had even managed to find her in the middle of the night.

"What's going on?" she yawned and shook out her mud crusted fur. As her vision cleared she saw two figures standing behind the dog, Blossompaw was instantly awake as she recognized their gray and orange pelts. Two pairs of green eyes observed her before dropping their gazes to their paws. Before anyone could break the silence Chance was on the move, Blossompaw had no choice but to follow.

"How did you get them out? Why are we running? Chance!" Blossompaw shouted as the dog barreled down the thunderpath.

"First we get out of the city, then I'll talk," he barked and picked up the pace. The two siblings ran on the left of Chance while Blossompaw flanked his right, she noticed the distance Shiver and Flint were putting between her. It was obvious they were guilty, but it changed none of what had been said. She just hoped they could move past their fight and focus ont he goal at hand; saving Ashclan.

Blossmpaw heard hisses not too far behind. She risked a glance over her shoulder and saw Shane chasing after them with an army of cats.

Two days earlier...

Chance approached the building warily. He had been instructed by a passing rouge to find the ancient brick structure, half of it eaten away by fire. He hoped he hadn't been deceived, otherwise he was back to square one and time was crucial. Chance's ears perked up as he saw guard cats position around the open windows of the building. Guards was a good sign, it meant the building was important.

"Greetings," Chance rasped. "I have come to speak with your leader, Shane."

"No one sees Shane unless I say so," one of the guards laughed. Chance noticed several guards sneaking behind him. He watched their movements with his one good eye, hoping they wouldn't ambush him just yet.

"This is urgent, I need Shane's help," Chance growled. The guard blinked with disdain.

"Shane? Help you? Not likely dog."

"He'll be interested when he hears what I promise in return for his cooperation,"

The guard looked the older dog up and down. He nodded to another cat and jumped down from the window.

"Follow me," he instructed and guided Chance around the back. As they entered the building Chance had to blinks several time before his eye adjusted to the dark. He wrinkled his muzzle with disgust as he carefully stepped around the rotting carcasses of carrion. Boxes filled with trash littered the ground, groups of cats sat in shaded corners and talked in hushed tones, occasionally one would let out a crude laugh.

The guards led Chance up a flight of stairs, the creaked under his weight and the guards gave the dog more space. Once they reached the highest floor not affected by the fire they stopped. This floor was completely empty of cats, or anyone present was hiding. An arrangement of twoleg furniture was disheveled and turned over.

"Shane, we have a guest," the guard announced to the room. Shane jumped on top of a table from behind a chair. Chance quenched his surprised look and wondered how many guards were concealing themselves. Enough to stop him if need be, he guessed.

"I've been informed you have come here for my assistance," Shane sneered. "I'm not really the generous type," he added.

"I know, but you are the bargaining type. I will make you a deal," Chance offered. Accept, please accept. Show me where you keep your prisoners!

"I'm listening,"

"Your guards I'm sure have told you about their encounter with me and my cat friend. We got split up - Niko took Blossompaw. I want her back."

"As much as I love taking things from Niko, why should I endanger my guards on a rescue mission?" Shane asked, but he hadn't refused yet. He was waiting for Chance to propose something.

"I'll serve you if you bring Blossompaw back to me. I'm a strong as five of your best, my assistance would greatly benefit you," Chance shrugged, like Shane would be foolish to refuse.

"As tempting as that is I must say it's suspicious that a dog as strong as you wouldn't just march over to the South end and take your friend back yourself,"

"I wouldn't know where to begin looking, you Niko better than I do," Chance said with another shrug.

"Still, most of my guards are watching the prisoners. You know, stopping rebellion and escapes. If I took those guards to rescue this Blossompaw of yours, well that would be an issue," Shane pointed out.

"Then let me stand in as a guard, those cats will be too scared to try anything," Chance pleaded. Shane flicked his tail and the guards began leading Chance back out of the room. Chance knew better than to protest. Besides he had seen the look in Shane's eye when he thought of taking one of Niko's cats right from under her. That alone was enough to convince the boss, he would help Chance. But first he'd make a big deal of mulling it over.

Chance waited at the base level until just before nightfall, Shane's guards stood stoically around the dog until Shane reappeared.

"Alright, dog, I've reached a decision."

Chance closed his eyes and waited for the answer.

"I'm in a philanthropic mood today so I will assist you is rescuing your cat friend. But you must promise your services to me for six moons,"

Chance had no intention of ever keeping that deal, but he would agree just so Shane would help him. He nodded solemnly and Shane's whiskers twitched, his lips cured back in a grimace. Chance realized he was trying to smile.

"Right, Wulf and York will take you to the prison so I can take some of the guards with me on my mission,"

Two cat guards Chance noted were Wulf and York began guiding him to another abandoned building nearby. This building was much smaller, only two stories. The first floor was filled with guards. The second floor was where the prisoners were. Shane picked out the strongest of the guards, leaving about half behind to guard with Chance. Half was still too many for him to fight though. He couldn't protest otherwise Shane would get too suspicious, he would just somehow have to find away to get Flint and Shiver out.

Chance waited a good hour after Shane left with his forces. It was enough time to look the place over but not so long Shane would figure out he had been tricked. The guards weren't paying attention, half of them were asleep by now anyways. Chance carefully crept up the stairs, knowing he only had a few minutes of time.

The prison area was even more foul than where the guards sat. There was nowhere to go to the bathroom except the floor, the smell hit Chance like a wave. A wall of twoleg furniture was blocking the stairs so the prisoners couldn't get down. Only a small gap allowed food to be sent in. Chance shouldered the pile and it lurched dangerously. He froze and waited for the guards to come rushing at him but nothing happened. Chance pushed against the pile again the items shifted enough for him to crawl over and into the prison den.

Hundreds of faces stared at him in shock and terror. The cats scattered for coverage among the boxes.

"Flint! Shiver!" Chance called out to the suddenly empty room. The cats had gotten fairly skilled at hiding. Chance pricked his ears as he heard whispers coming from inside on of the many boxes. He peered inside and saw a tom and a she cat bickering softly. They froze once they saw him.

"Are you Flint and Shiver?" Chance asked.

"No," the tom said quickly. Too quickly.

"Nice try," Chance snorted. "Now let's get out of here."

"Who are you?" The she cat, Shiver, demanded. The dog didn't reply, but Flint and Shiver exited the hiding place.

"Getting past the guards is going to be tricky, but I have a plan," Chance murmured and took a few steps away from the wall of twoleg furniture.

"We asked, who are you?" Flint growled. Chance sighed, he could see they wouldn't be complying unless he explained.

"Alright we have probably less than a minute to get out of here before the other guards notice I'm no longer at my post. My name is Chance, I was from the testing facility. Blossompaw sent me to rescue you your worthless flea brains,"

"...Blossompaw?" Flint said in shock. Shiver rounded on her brother with narrowed eyes.

"I told you she wouldn't abandon us!" Shiver said haughtily.

"Like you abandoned her?" Chance pointed out. Both cats couldn't meet his gaze. By now the other prisoners had figured out Chance was instigating an escape and wanted in on it.

"Okay the plan is we are all going to make a bunch of noise and draw the guards of the stairs. I'm going to knock over the wall on them and everyone runs for it," Chance instructed. Instantly the prison den was filled with caterwauls and shouts. Chance heard the guards angrily rushing up the stairs, he took another step back before charging the wall. He collided with a sound like a clap of thunder. The pile shuddered and toppled down the stairs, crushing some of the guards.

A flood of cats jumped over the landmine of furniture and disappeared into the night. Chance licked his oozing shoulder and regained his bearings. Flint and Shiver followed him as they made their escape.

"Where is Blossompaw?" Shiver asked once they were back on the streets.

"She should be in Niko's territory, I'll try and pick up her scent," Chance said. There wasn't really another choice, they had to get out of the city. Once Shane realized Blossompaw wasn't being kept prisoner by Niko he would find out Chance had lied. And he would not be very happy. The group rounded a corner and came face to face with Shane and his army.

"Chance," Shane growled. "You crossed the wrong cat."

"Run!" Chance shouted and turned on his heels. Flint and Shiver didn't need to be told twice. They fled like they were on fire, but Shane pursued them with cats who knew the city like the back of their paw. However Shane's cats were tired and beaten from scrapping with Niko's forces. Chance wove down every backstreet and alley in an effort to shake the cat gang but they were always right behind. Chance caught a whiff of a familiar scent as they neared the border. The smell was cloaked with mud but Chance recognized it. He followed it to its source and found Blossompaw asleep under a dumpster.

"We have to get out of the city, Now!"