Blossompaw's Escape
Part Six: The Battle
The pack was only all too eager to assist Blossomstar in the looming battle with Shane and the South half of the city cats. It was decided that any animal under twelve moons would stay behind. She couldn't ask a cat or a dog who was young enough to still be an apprentice to fight in a war they had no part of. That left her with six dogs and eleven cats. Four of the dogs were larger breeds, almost as big as Braveheart. The other two dogs, Talia and Baxter, were roughly the same size as a cat. But they still had longer fangs.
It was an impressive force, but mostly a bluff. Most of the animals hadn't fought a day in their life and were highly unskilled. Shane might be nervous about fighting dogs, but he still had sheer numbers and wouldn't hesitate at the front lines of the battle. Blossomstar thought quickly; there was nearly ten days until the grand finale. It would take two, almost three days, to reach Ashclan since the pack moved slowly. That left six days of training, and one day of rest before Shane attacked.
She couldn't bring herself to ask the question, will it be enough? Because she knew the answer was no. No it would not be enough to stop Shane. There was only one thing left to do, resort to Foxtooth's plan of asking Niko for help. If they somehow managed to get Niko to assist them, it might still not be enough. Echo remained an unpredictable force. Her and Shane might be recruiting more numbers themselves. They didn't have to attack the day of the half moon - they could spring upon Ashclan whenever they pleased.
Blossomstar sent a silent message to Starclan, asking them to lend her courage.
Foxtooth was talking with the pack and getting to know them. The six dogs were named Diego, Marshal, Seal, Inky, Baxter, and Talia. The eleven cats had mostly been kittypets and had weird names as a result. Maybell, Lady, Zoey, Max, Gueido, Robbie, and Tiger. The other cats had been rogues before being captured by the white coats. Their names were Sleat, Coral, Farley, and Robin.
And Blossomstar was asking each and every one of them to risk death for her. If any of them got hurt...or worse, she would never forgive herself.
"We should head out soon and try to cover as much ground as we can before nightfall. Before we go I want everyone to know you don't have to fight for me, it's unfair of me to ask you of any favors. Anyone who wants to stay behind may do so and know that I understand. If you do fight in the battle your wounds will be treated by our medicine cats and you will be fed and rested before you leave for the moors."
Mylph looked up at her. She had wanted to fight in the battle for Blossomstar but had to stay behind because she wasn't old enough.
"We owe our lives to you Blossompaw," she said, not used to calling her by her new name. "And we aren't cowards!" she added as an after thought. Her words were greeted with cheers of the other animals. Blossomstar nodded.
"Well then, let's go."
It was the second sunset when they reached the blue twoleg nest that functioned as Ashclan's main camp. Fawndapple's kits were perched in one of the broken window sills - eagerly watching their father's approach.
"Foxtooth is home!" Tasypaw exclaimed and leapt down from the sill to great her father. Fawndapple appeared a moment later and ran forward towards her mate. Most of the clan was now outside of the camp and greeting Blossomstar. Braveheart nudged his old friends playfully, seeming like a young dog again. After the commotion died down Blossomstar introduced the pack members.
"Ashclan, these are my old friends. They have come to assist us against Shane. They are exhausted from our trip so we'll let them rest. But tomorrow we will start our training," she announced. The cats and dogs were guided into the camp and made temporary nests from moss and grass. Blossomstar caught Icefire and Halle's attention and walked outside the camp. Both she cats followed curiously. There was no point in making small talk, every second mattered so Blossomstar got right to the point.
"The pack will help us greatly, but we're no match against Shane. We need more cats - and there is only one option."
"We need Niko's assistance," Icefire muttered, eyes flashing with distaste. "Niko is not pleased with us. You took members of her Fela, important ones too. Halle is Bella's sister, and I am Bella's kit. Astrid was useful, she was young but tough. Zilla was smart - or at least until she changed her name to Echo and went ballistic. Cookie was often underestimated by Niko's cats, but Niko herself saw Cookies importance. Cookie was friends with everyone. So if we want Niko's help...well, it won't be easy."
"But Bella is still your mother, right? Wouldn't she convince Niko-" Blossomstar was grasping at straws and Icefire cut her off.
"My mother might be Niko's closest ally, but Niko is the only one in charge. If you want Niko's help go to her and be upfront, no skirting around the city trying to gain sympathy from her followers."
"So if I go to Niko and make my case there is a chance she might listen?"
Halle blinked at her. "You're the leader Blossomstar, you'll make the choice you think is right for Ashclan. Just know that we'll support you no matter what."
"Thank you Halle. I know what I need to do, and I need Niko's help. That's the final solution." she said before turning back to Icefire. "Can you send Foxtooth and Charlie out here?" Blossomstar asked the medicine cat. Icefire nodded, the ghost of a smile curved on her lips. The fiery tempered she cat approved of Blossomstars choice, and that was all the support she needed. A moment later Icefire returned with Foxtooth and Charlie. Blossomstar told them the plan which she credited to Foxtooth - since it had been his idea to use Niko against Shane.
"We should leave for the city as soon as possible I think," she said and looked at the darkening sky. If they traveled all night they'd be at the outer limits by dawn. Foxtooth interrupted her train of thought.
"Why such a small group?" he asked.
"I don't want to seem like were an invasion. Niko won't help if we look like we're threatening her," Blossomstar explained.
"Don't you see that's the only way she'll help?" he objected. "We need to show her Ashclan is a force to be reckoned with. We need to show her she won't be doing all the dirty work!"
"Foxtooth is right. We bring everyone but the kits," Icefire agreed with the red furred tom. Charlie and Halle nodded in agreement. It was decided. The entire clan and the pack would head to the city and force Niko to listen to them. Whether she wanted to or not.
"You might not realize this Blossomstar, but Niko has more common sense than you'd think. Shane is the one who is easily manipulated by others - Echo for example," Astrid joined the conversation, she'd been listening to the whole thing. It was probably a good thing, Astrid had worked closely with Niko's Fela before they'd tricked her into luring Blossomstar into their lair. Astrid had switched sides then after realizing Niko was going to kill Blossomstar, they'd been forced to jump out a window where Astrid had sprained her leg in the fall.
"For Flintmask's sake and our own I hope you're right."
...
The pack rested at Ashclan's camp for several hours before they were ready to head to the city. Shiverspots had Tansypaw, Pebblepaw, and Dovepaw catch as many squirrels and voles as they could so everyone could have a full belly before confronting the boss of the North end of the city. The apprentices wanted to visit the city with almost desperation. Fawndapple was vehemently against the idea, although Foxtooth thought it might be good to show the apprentices what they were up against.
"They're too young to make the journey and it's far to dangerous!" Fawndapple hissed. Foxtooth remained a calm composure.
"They'll be fighting in the battle with us whether you like it or not. Showing them the city will prepare them more," he pointed out.
"Mom please! We'll be careful!" Dovepaw interjected.
"Yeah, we've been training for a long time - we're ready to see the city." Pebblepaw added.
"Besides if we sit around camp some warriors will need to stay behind to keep an eye on us - and if we want all the warriors to go to the city then technically the apprentices need to go to the city as well," Tasypaw said with a smirk. Fawndapple let out an exasperated sigh, she was outvoted.
"Fine! But if you three cause any trouble you'll be picking ticks out of Bugs fur for the next moon!"
Bugs! Blossomstar thought. She'd almost forgot about the elder. Was he strong enough to make the journey to the city and back? Bugs seemed to realize what the leader was thinking.
"Don't worry 'bout ole JuneBug here. I still got some power in these dusty bones."
It appeared everyone was ready to go. Blossomstar swept her gaze around the camp on last time before flicking her ears, signalling for everyone to move out. The mass of cats and dogs marched solemnly towards the city. Niko was their only hope of standing a chance against Shane and Echo. Blossomstar hoped Astrid knew what she was talking about when she said Niko would listen to reason.
Otherwise Ashclan would fall in a few days time, and not even Starclan could save them.
Niko's lair was in a room at the top of a twoleg factory. Her and her Fela had befriended the twolegs and become similar to kittypets, however they still had dangerous fighting skills from a lifetime on the streets. It was smart of Niko to hide in the twoleg building, there was no way for more than a few cats to reach her or the twolegs would stop the animals from getting inside. If they wanted to talk to Niko they'd have to lure her out, which wouldn't be a problem since a mass of dogs and cats prowling her streets would surely call her attention.
Ashclan and the Pack had barley entered the city before Niko arrived, backed with her closest members. Blossomstar recognized Bella, but the others were unfamiliar. However Blossomstar did not underestimate Niko's numbers. Where Niko went, hundreds more were concealed.
"Blossomfang! What a pleasure to see you," Niko said with a false smile. Her velvet fur was impeccably groomed, but the hairs on her shoulders were rising with agitation.
"My name is Blossomstar now, I am the true leader of Ashclan," she announced with her head held high. Niko terrified her, but she wouldn't let anyone know it.
"Congratulations, so if you are such a happy leader why is your clan here in my city instead of frolicking through the trees where you all should be?" Niko said through gritted teeth. She was keeping things peaceful, the six dogs plus Braveheart had not slipped her attention. If they fought blood would be spilled on both sides.
"Perhaps there is someplace more private where we could discuss why I am here?" Blossomstar asked. Niko paused for a moment before nodding. She turned to Bella and whispered, "If I'm not back by the time the sun sets - kill everyone."
With that Niko stalked off, and Blossomstar followed.
"This wouldn't have anything to do with that delicious tom cat of yours, would it?" Niko asked once they were out of earshot of everyone. They kept walking though, and Blossomstar guessed they had not reached the place Niko intended for them to speak at.
"You know that Shane has Flintmask?"
"I heard he had captured one of your forest lot, I stopped by just to make sure he didn't have a she cat I wanted. He'd captured the orange tom cat, but Zilla had apparently joined him willingly."
"Zilla calls herself Echo now, and that is what we need to discuss."
after a few minutes of silent walking they reached a small stretch of grass with trees and ponds. It was a twoleg park, and a few of them milled about. Niko crawled under a flowering bush. This was her private meeting place.
"Zilla joined my clan a few moons back. She was a welcome addition, and appeared to have the makings of a good warrior. Then...she started strange. Like there was two voices in her head fighting for control. She have moments where she seemed normal, like her old self. But slowly she became more and more vindictive and shady. When I was contacting my warrior ancestors she attacked me. We drove her off, and she ran straight to Shane."
"Interesting," Niko murmured. "What would Shane see in a scrawny she cat like that?"
Blossomstar resisted the urge to roll her eyes, Niko had completely missed the point.
"During my leadership ceremony she attacked again, this time severely wounding one of my medicine cats. Shane's gang accompanied her and they kidnapped Flintmask. A few days after that she contacted Ashclan to inform us that the South end of the city will attack us at the full moon."
"Why would she tell you they were attacking?" Niko asked incredulously.
"Shane's pride. He wanted to prove he could beat Ashclan without the element of surprise."
"Stupid tom cats," Niko muttered under her breath before she looked Blossomstar square in the eye. "So let me guess, you rallied all your dog friends to beat Shane but you need more numbers. My numbers."
"Yes...that is correct."
"As much as I'd love to see the look on Shane's face if I beat him in a battle, it's still not enough reason to risk my fela. I'd prefer you stay out of my fur."
"I understand why you don't want to help. You hate me and there's no reward for you helping me fight Shane, beside's gloating rights."
"Not true Blossomstar, not true at all!" Niko exclaimed with a look of feigned hurt. She pouted for a moment before continuing. "I never said I hated you. I'm not happy you stole Cookie, Zilla, Astrid, and Icy right from under me, but I respect you. We are both leaders, and in that we are united. I'll help you if you give me a reason too. A reason that benefits my group, not your own."
"Well it's simple. Once Shane beast Ashclan, which he might without your help, he'll give my warriors an option. Either join him or die. A good number will choose death, but more will choose to live as slaves for him. With new numbers and strength from my dogs, where would Shane and Echo turn their sights next? He'll beat you too Niko, and you know it. He'll claim the whole city if we don't stop him now."
"Very well Blossomstar, you've convinced me."
