Chapter Twenty-Four: Unlikely Saviors

"Why, this looks familiar," Longfang chuckled as he stepped out of the shadows and into the small clearing where Lionpaw and Pebbleheart were. "A medicine-lion and her lost lover."

"How dare you!" Lionpaw snarled, feeling terror raking his spine. This lion, this huge, dark animal slithering towards him, was a murderer. He'd destroyed Firerunner, and he'd broken Pebbleheart beyond repair. Now he was here to finish the job he'd started months ago.

And by the demonic gleam in his eyes, Lionpaw knew he was going to kill more than one lion tonight.

"Longfang, please, don't hurt the apprentice," Pebbleheart murmured. Lionpaw looked at her; her face was terrible calm, and her eyes cool and soft. With a feeling of horror, Lionpaw realized that she'd already accepted her fate.

"Ah, Pebbleheart," Longfang chuckled, sounding pleasant as ever as he glanced around. "My. This spot looks achingly familiar. Don't you think so? Odd... you chose to come here, to die in the exact spot as your lover...
Firerunner." His voice was low and menacing, and he scowled mockingly at the mention of the first lion he ever killed.

Pebbleheart just slipped in front of Lionpaw, and stared at Longfang, her head low, her eyes glittering. "I don't care for your jokes, Longfang," she breathed. "You may be strong, but we are two, and neither of us are hurt. We can run, and we will reveal the truth. LightningClan will drive you out."

"And what about you, I wonder?" Longfang asked in a soft, melodic voice. "You can only reveal the truth of Firerunner's tragic death by telling your precious Clanmates the truth of your affair with him. What will they do to you then?" He paced around them, looking less amused by the moment. As he circled like a vulture, Lionpaw felt thrill and fear making his heart race. This was it. Everything... his whole life... had come up to one crazy moment.

And it was here.

"I don't care what they do to me," Pebbleheart told him softly. "It no longer matters. All I care about is getting justice for what you did to Firerunner!" Her voice cracked under the amount of grief and anger boiling there.

"He deserves no justice! We both know he deserved his death! After he broke the Warrior Code like that..." His voice trailed off as he stopped pacing, and suddenly gazed at Pebbleheart, his nose inches from hers, his eyes burning. "And besides... I'm surprised you're so unhappy about his death. After all... you chose it."

"Shut up!" Lionpaw snarled as grief dropped in Pebbleheart's eyes. Longfang knew he'd gotten her weak spot, because he just spat at her, and then turned to Lionpaw, eyes blazing.

"You have no part in this, apprentice!" Longfang hissed. "I knew you were up to something... you and her are too close for your own good. And I'm afraid this night is going to cost you your life, Lionpaw!" Longfang growled as he raised a paw, claws unsheathed, ready to strike at Lionpaw. Lionpaw snarled and leapt up, ready to fight to the death. It was time this killer was stopped!

There suddenly came a crashing in the jungle around them, and Longfang dropped down, ears flattened. Lionpaw shakily fell back, wondering who in StarClan was coming through the jungle at this hour. But he did know one thing.

Whoever it was, they had just saved his life.

"Longfang? Did you find them?" It was Curlclaw. The large lion muscled through the trees, his eyes glowing, as Emberfoot padded after him, ears pricked.

Longfang took a deep breath, and Lionpaw couldn't believe it. What could he do now? Should be blurt the truth? Would they believe him?

He felt something touch his flank, and Lionpaw looked over. Pebbleheart was staring at him, eyes wide and urgent as she silently told him to say nothing. He nodded just slightly, and slowly looked over just as Curlclaw and
Emberfoot drew to a stop in front of them.

"Thank StarClan," Emberfoot growled, sighing as he looked between Pebbleheart and Lionpaw. "We noticed you two were gone, and sent out searching parties, because you'd just disappeared. Longfang here offered to go off alone and find you," he added, chuckling in admiration towards the huge lion. Curlclaw nodded in agreement, but was staring at Lionpaw and Pebbleheart, eyes narrowed.

Emberfoot was smart, but Curlclaw was older and wiser, and he sensed something way bigger than he could understand was going on. But he had no proof, and Lionpaw wished more than anything he could say something, anything. Because they were all in danger.

And just because Longfang's plan had been foiled this time didn't mean it would happen again. He was dangerously smart, and the next time he cornered Pebbleheart and Lionpaw alone, the two lions that threatened his power as deputy, Lionpaw knew he wouldn't make a mistake.

Next time, he'd be dead.

"Come on back to the camp, then we can all settle down. It's been quite a day," Emberfoot added with a nod. "I'm just glad we found you two."

Lionpaw swallowed, but couldn't say anything. He'd just had an attempt on his life, and the killer of Firerunner was inches away. He would get no sleep tonight. He had to find Snowstar immediately.

"Yeah. Me too," Pebbleheart purred, trying to keep the good mood.

Longfang said nothing, just hesitated as Curlclaw and Emberfoot began leading them back to camp. Lionpaw knew how hard it must be for him now; he'd failed to kill them, and now his secret was at risk of being exposed.
Being banned from the Clan meant a slow, painful death, for sure.

But all his doubt that Longfang would succeed in his sick plans to murder him vanished as the large deputy suddenly glanced back at him, and his eyes flashed. They were piercing, and terrifying at once.

This is far from over, apprentice.

It's freaky how much this feels like the Lion King...