above: fawntail

chapter 12

. . . 

I met up with Frostpaw, Dustysky and Stormywind in the mess hall once again. 

"Is Mission Escape ready?" I asked the toms, leaning in so we couldnt be overheard.

"Ready for showtime," Dustysky whispered, his eyes shining with excitement.

"Alrighty then, you all know your places," I whispered back. 

I looked around. Beetleclaw and Thunderfish were in their positions. Fawntail and the three kits were huddled by the door, waiting for us.

"Go!" I whisper-yelled.

Frostpaw stuck by my side as Dustysky approached a guard. Beetleclaw cornered another one, and Thunderfish went to the third.

I half ran, half trotted to our companions. "I really hope Troutprickle made it to his spot," I mumbed as I led the elder and the kits down the maze. Using our map, we made it there in record time and Frostpaw set to unlocking the door that led to freedom. Troutprickle jumped down from the maze wall, scaring all of us.

"You scared the life out of me," I mewed, embracing him quickly. He helped Frostpaw open the door and we faced the three cats.

"We're sending you back to RiverClan now," I told them gently. "Troutprickle will be coming with you. He then will return back here with more cats."

Fawntail's dull eyes sparkled. "Let's get on with this, then."

The kits squealed as the wind hit them at last, happy to be free. I watched, a weird feeling in my chest as they were led away by Troutprickle.

"Three down, a lot more to go."

I nodded, kicking the door shut with my back legs. The zephyr that had greeted us vanished and we were once again in the stuffy hallway. Frostpaw's smile disappeared as we walked in silence, just the sound of our pawsteps hitting the floor.

"Were have you two been?" a harsh voice demanded, making us jump.

I spun around to see the same white tom who had blocked me previously. He seemed to remember me too, because his eyes lit up with greed and maliciousness.

"Oh, it's the kit-warrior!" he sneered, padding up to me until our noses were nearly touching. 

"Don't call him that!" Frostpaw jumped to my defense.

"You're still an apprentice, Frost, back down!" the guard snapped at him, making his fur bristle.

"Look, we don't need a fight," I told the guard, eyes smoldering.

"Oh yeah? Well, you have one!" the white tom leaped at me and caught by surprise, I felt myself being pinned against the ground.

"We don't need a fight!" he mocked me, tearing fur on my shoulders. 

I winced and bucked him off with a heave, kicking out with my hind legs. The guard recovered smoothly and lashed out a paw, ears flat. I sprang back neatly and reared up on my hindpaws as he came closer, ready to box his ears. Snarling, the guard canooned himself into my belly, sending me into a wall. Stars swirled as I stumbled back from the impact.

"StarClan, help me," I muttered as I launched myself at the guard, finally suceeding in pinning him down and securing my paws around his neck.

"StarClan is a case for fools!" the guard rasped, seemingly unaware of his position.

"Listen here, Snowtuft," Frostpaw growled, pushing me out of the way and taking my position. "You leave us alone. We have business to do, you're just a guard hired to guard. You have no purpose, we do. So you gotta mind your own business."

"Fine," Snowtuft muttered, rolling over. Frostpaw neatly sprang back, beside me. My head spun, I could barely stand. "Let's get you back to our cell," Frostpaw told me, accompanied by a lick to the ear. I nodded and staggered after him as we walked back.

I looked over my shoulder to see the guard inspecting the door we had let prisoners out of. I closed my eyes and made a wish that they would never find out about our plan.

The next moon was filled with fighting, and on the side, smuggling prisoners out through the escape route. No authorities seemed to know who was doing it, but they were furious - we were good to go! There were only ten prisoners left when it happened.

I licked up the rest of my shrew and stood up, glancing down at Stormywind. "Ready to take a nap?" I yawned, sinking into a stretch.

"You bet," he mrrowed, swallowing his fish.

As we stood up, I noticed guards rushing to the exit door. In no hurry, we followed. It swung open to a blast of noise and I stumbled back, flattening my ears. The guards swooped out with bared teeth and narrowed eyes. I squinted and gasped in horror - the authorities were fighting RiverClan cats!

It seemed that the prisoners we had released had gone back to RiverClan safely, and sent out a rescue patrol for the rest of them! Nearly the whole Clan was here - Lightstar was sinking her teeth into Snowtuft's leg, Troutprickle and Mousefoot were fighting side by side, and Applespring was dodging out of Rosedawn's way.

I turned back to the ten prisoners in the mess hall. "RiverClan cats, attack!" A wave of cats rushed out, teeth bared, and swooped into the fight as swiftly as the guards had done. But however many RiverClan was, the guards kept pouring out of nowhere. Ashenbark appeared next to me as I fought beside Stormywind. "Rushingwave, get them out of here and run. We'll hold them off!"

I was about to follow the warrior's command when an earsplitting command burst through the air. Everything froze. Paws, which were only just flailing, stilled and were lowered. Lips were tugged back over exposed teeth. Pelts smoothed. Claws sheathed. Cats broke apart of their skirmishes to look at the cat who had yowled.

"Stop!"

A tall, lean cat was standing on a upturned box at the corner of the room. His coat was yellow and had cheetah-like brown spots. His ears were large and pointy. He was missing one eye, but the other was a dark, crude yellow. The tom's tail lashed back and forth as he surveyed the cats.

"There is no point of fighting any longer." His voice was smooth and lulling. I nearly lost my balance, but lowered myself into a sitting position to listen.

"I am tired of this sneaking around, this mouse-dung. I am done hiding my secret."

Lightstar stalked out of the crowd, tail rippling. Evidentally she had took this cat as a leader. "You have a lot to explain, cat. You have taken my warriors for seasons."

The tom's eye emotion changed, holding a little respect now. But it flickered and disappeared, replaced by something hard once more.

"Indeed. Well, how about you take a few of your warriors and we shall discuss together."

The leader raised her eyebrow, unconvinced. "What about yours?"

"Mine will be away."

"What about the rest of my Clan?"

"They are welcome to make themselves comfortable in the mess hall."

Lightstar nodded, seemingly satisfied. "I'd like to take Rushingwave, Dustysky and Frostpaw with me.

I nudged Stormywind, eyes wide. He mirrored my expression before dipping his head and beginning to herd everyone else into the mess hall.

I was speechless as I followed my leader and the authorities' leader down a hallway we never ventured into. Frostpaw and Dustysky were on either sides of me. No one spoke a word as a door swung open and we were welcomed into a pristine, cozy office that had a mystic aura to it.

Two guards were sitting inside. At a nod from the tom, they sprang outside and the door closed. The dotted cat took a seat and motioned for us to do the same. I sat akwardly around Lightstar, aware of my Clanmate's warm breath beside me.

The tom opened his mouth carefully. "My name is Hail. The first thing you should know is F.E.A.T.H.E.R."

I exchanged a stunned look with my companions. It was starting to all fall into place!

DUN DUN DUN!! yea, this chapter is FINALLY posted. WHAT DO YOU THINK??? i've been writing it for so long, I NEED THOUGHTS!! what do you think is going to happen? do you remember what the FEATHER stands for? what do you think of hail?? btw, i welcome constructive criticism.