Caged - Unleash the Beast

Chapter 15 - X

"What do you mean that you need my help?" Jackie asked, as she looked Jet in the eye.
"Not only yours, but everyone's." Casper stepped in.
"But why? Why do you need our help?" Jackie questioned once more, now she sounded frightened.
"Ziambe has been recruiting our own, stealing and kidnapping us whilst we sleep." Angel explained.
"He is a coward, and cannot face anyone face to face." Devil snarled, under his breathe.
"We will happily fight by your side, to make sure that this monster is put to the trial of the ancestors." Casper interrupted them, he bowed politely as he stepped forward.
"So will we." Angel nodded.
"The Rockjumper Tribe would happily fight." Devil agreed.
"And so will the Skytreader Tribe." Jet nodded.
"We will all return tomorrow. Us and our tribes." Casper nodded before he went to the window.
"My tribe will be here this afternoon even earlier." Jet told them.
"See you tomorrow." Angel bowed politely before leaving with Devil right on her tail.
"Come on, Koa and Rider are waiting." Jet turned to her.
Jackie nodded before going up the stairs and getting changed. Once they had left, the pair didn't say anything.
"Hey where have you been, we had to start without you." Rider said as he noticed Jackie.
"Recruiting." Jackie shrugged as she looked down at Jet.
"What do you mean?" Rider asked, a crease on his forehead.
"You'll see this afternoon." Jackie told him. "So where are at?"
She noticed that Jet and Koa had exchanged glances before joining them.
"Not good." Rider sighed. "The Thunderheart Tribe have no idea how to be stealthy."
"I have an idea." Jackie smiled innocently.
"That's enough!" Rider called them.
"So how did we do?" One of them asked as he appeared.
"Not too bad." Rider winced, an uncertain look on his face.
"Chief Talon." He greeted her once more.
"Rider help me for a moment please." Jackie beckoned him.
Once they had finished setting up, her plan was starting to come together.
"I would like you all to run this obstacle course, see who can last the longest." Jackie explained. "But there is a catch. If you or your big cat get hit by a rock, your out. This requires stealth and stamina."
"Along the line." Rider instructed them before picking up a sling shot.
"Go!" Jackie instructed them.
She watched as they all raced off but yet one waited a little while before going. Jackie loaded the sling shot and took aim, now they had all taken cover.
"3 o'clock." Rider whispered to her.
She fired, hitting a leopard on the shoulder. The leopard and its rider came out from where they were, their heads low in shame. Jackie froze when she heard a growl coming from behind her, she turned slowly, only for her heart to freeze at the very sight. Standing at the entrance of the training dome was a lion, not as muscular as Ziambe or smaller fit like Kaizan, no this was your ordinary lion. Its pelt dark with lighter spots, its mane big and wild. The lion's paws were double the size of Jet's, the lion bared its teeth, they were long and sharp. The Thunderheart warriors now had joined her, the huge beast took a step towards them.
"Wait for my signal." Jackie instructed them, as she watched the beast step towards them once more.
No one moved or said a thing, they stood in silence and waited. As the beast grew closer Jet had grown restless, Jackie could hear a low growl in the panther's throat. The lion fastened its pace, it now pelted towards them. The lion bunched up it's muscles and leaped at them.
"Now!" Jackie nodded as her and Jet leaped one way.
Everyone was hidden in the obstacle course they had set up, she softened her breathing and listened. Jet was laying flat on her stomach, her ears pricked and eyes focused. Jackie was tempted to ask Jet what was happening but she thought better of it. She heard a bang from close by, she peered around to the noise to find that one of the warriors had found some drums and was now making a racket. His big cat brought one over before heading around the obstacle course. Jet placed her tail on the drum, as a signal to wait. Jackie waited, Jet lifted her tail and she began banging the drums. She heard a frustrated growl come from the lion as she figured that it was coming towards her. Jet laid her tail on the drum, signalling for Jackie to stop. She swore that she could feel the lion breathing down her neck and soon on the other side of the obstacle course some one else began drumming. The lion snarled before whipping around and fastening its pace to the other side. The drums stopped and soon about a few metres away the warrior that had begun it now banged on the drums.
"I have a plan, get the lion over here and keep banging as hard and loud as you can. Do not stop." Jet murmured to Jackie.
Jackie nodded and waited till the warrior stopped, at first everything was silent for a minute. Jet nodded, Jackie swallowed all fear and banged on the drums, Jet began to run around the obstacle course. Once the panther had returned all of the warriors big cats were with her. Confused Jackie continued to hit the drums like Jet had told her too. All the big cats lined up along the course, they all were flat on the ground and their hunches bunched and ready to spring. Jackie could hear the lion, its paws dragging along the ground and stirring up dust. The lion's breathing was quick and short from running across the training dome. The lion had now stopped about 5 metres away, it too had bunched up its hunches. She heard the lion's hind paws flick up some rocks, indicating that it had leaped. She heard a growl come from Koa, she watched as the leopard flicked its ears before leaping. She waited till all of the big cats had gone before looking. Koa had tackled the lion out of the air and was now snarling and growling in its ear. The lion struggled at first before Koa roared loud and clear, the lion now went limp. Jackie came out of the obstacle course and headed towards the lion, Sh e could see that the beast was still breathing.
Jet rubbed her head against her hand before looking at the ropes. Jackie grabbed a rope and tied the lion's front paws together, Rider had now joined her and tied the hind paws. Jackie wrapped another rope around the lion's muzzle before allowing Rider to join all the ropes together. By now James, Christian and Brandon had pelted into the training dome.
"We heard a roar and wanted to come and see what had happened." James said, his eyes shown a hint of fear.
"We have it all under control." Jackie huffed as she looked at the lion.
Koa's claws had left marks in the lion's shoulder but no other wound was evident. Rider attached two more ropes to the back of the lion before tying them to James' and Brandon's saddles, their big cats shuffled their feet as the ropes were tied.
"Let's get this lion to a cell." Jackie instructed them.
"What about us?" One of the Thunderheart Tribe warriors pointed out.
"Christian and Sebastian can take you from here." Jackie indicated.
Sebastian was already supervising the training whilst Christian beckoned the warriors over to where Sebastian stood. James and Brandon mounted their big cats and indicated for their big cats to go. Their big cats moved slowly at first, dragging the lion behind them, the lion's eyes were open as it gave a sympathetic look towards them.
"We will meet you there." Jackie explained to them before beckoning Rider away.
"Where are we going?" Rider asked, puzzled to why they were not following James and Brandon.
"You'll see." Jackie said, patting Jet on the shoulder.
The panther clearly understood and began to fasten her pace. They stopped at the edge of the camp before Jet and Koa raced to the edge of the forest. Jet looked up at the sky, it was the afternoon and now it was time. Jackie dismounted Jet, Rider following her lead.
"Jackie what are we doing here? We'll get attacked!" Rider said, sounding frightened and worried.
Jet nodded to Koa, the leopard sized up the opportunity. Squaring his shoulders, and standing as tall as he could. At first they could hear a small rumble in the leopard's throat but soon the leopard's rumble turned into a roar. It echoed throughout the forest before Koa pricked his ears, in return a roar that Jackie could only just hear replied. Jet did the same, her roar louder and stronger than Koa's. Instead of a roar back, there was silence. The occasional bird singing and cricket chirping occurred but there was no reply. Rider sighed and went to turn, Jackie was about to do the same before she felt the rumble of paws underneath her. She grabbed Rider to stop him, as they turned around a large tiger leaped out from the trees above. It bared its canines and roared at them, it's tail flicking angrily and eyes piercing. That was when Jet and Koa stepped in, the pair raised their hackles and snarled. The tiger winced slightly before backing down. Followed by the tiger was other big cats of all sorts, mountain lions, leopards, jaguars, panthers and even lynx. Rider had a dumb founded look on his face, his eyes wide and mouth gapping. Jackie chuckled at the very sight before Jet and Koa walked up to them with the tiger. Jackie knew what was coming and it was going to be Rider to freak out.
"Now Rider do not freak out." Jackie said calmly.
"Freak out about what?" Rider mumbled as he still looked at the amount of big cats that came out.
"Rider. Jackie. This here is X. Ace's brother." Jet murmured.
Rider looked like he was about to faint, his skin went pale and eyes faded of their colour.
"It is an honour." Jackie bowed at the tiger.
"The honour is all mine. Ace talked fondly about you." X purred.
"Ace was a great friend but a better protector." Jackie nodded at X's comment.
"You... You can talk..." Rider stuttered.
"Rider, it is okay." Koa soothed him.
"But how? But why?" Rider asked.
"There will be a time to explain but today is not the day." Koa murmured.
"So this is what you meant by recruiting." Rider nodded.
"Actually we asked for Jackie's help." Jet corrected.
"This everyone?" Jackie asked.
"This is everyone from the Skytreader Tribe." Jet nodded.
"Wait? What?" Rider questioned, raising an eye brow.
"Like I said before, today is not the day." Koa sighed.
"Come on. We have some organising to do." Jackie beckoned them all.
"Wait!" Jet growled at her.
"What is it?" Jackie asked.
"Take X, Koa and I to the cell with the lion." Jet growled.
"Why? Do the others even know where the training dome is?" Jackie questioned.
"You'll see. The others now where they are going." Jet turned her head the tribe behind her.
"Fine." Jackie sighed.
"You're joking right? What happens if they are spotted?" Rider protested.
"The Skytreader Tribe are quick and quiet. There is no way that they will be seen unless they physical come out of hiding." X cut in.
Rider glared at X, obviously being a little intimidated by him.
"X! That is enough!" Jet snapped, baring her teeth.
X raised his hackles at first but then thought better of it and backed off.
"Everyone else goes to the training dome." Jet instructed the tribe.
A lynx approached and beckoned the rest of the tribe towards the training dome. Jackie mounted Jet whilst Rider mounted Koa. X waited patiently behind them before following.
"We should travel by roof, it wouldn't seem that X has no rider." Rider suggested.
"That is true, but James and Brandon will see X without a rider. The tribe is going to have to get use to unbonded big cats around. X will be the start." Jackie added.
"Very well." Rider nodded before signalling Koa to race off.
The leopard growled competitively before leaping into a full stride, Jet growled a rely before following and soon racing ahead. X on the other hand seemed to hang back a little, as though no being sure of what to do. Up ahead was a bare tree, Jackie looked to Rider and the pair seemed to have the same idea. Jet and Koa picked it up and broke over their full stride.
Bewildered X followed, now reaching his peak stride. Jet was the first to the tree, before the trunk she bunched up her hunches and leaped, the panther landed easily and gracefully onto the branch. Koa doing the same with Rider having to regain his balance slightly. X skidded to a halt but didn't join them, instead he sat down and looked up at them.
"Come on, X." Jet beckoned him up.
"I'd rather not." X replied, shaking his head.
"Your lose." Koa growled under his breathe, before rolling his eyes.
Jet growled slightly before leaping down from the branch, Jackie tried hard not to laugh at Koa's childish behaviour, even Rider was trying not too. Jet and Koa seemed to stay quiet for the rest of the way, occasionally Jackie caught X giving Koa the death glare but said nothing more of it. Once they had reached the entrance of the holding cells, up ahead grey storm clouds began to roll in.
"Let's make this quick." Jackie murmured.
"Agreed." Rider nodded as he too watched the clouds come closer.
"Where have you two been?" James questioned as they rode up.
"You'll see." Jackie nodded.
"Um... Why is there a tiger behind you?" Brandon questioned.
"Like Jackie said, you'll see." Rider shrugged.
Jackie dismounted Jet and unsaddled her. "Do what you need to show us." She whispered into the panther's ear.
Jet flicked her ears, knowing what Jackie had meant. She beckoned Koa and X to the cell. Brandon reluctantly opened the cell door before closing it behind the trio. The lion snarled and growled at the group, lashing out at them as they closed in. Koa lashed back causing the lion to turn its attention onto Koa, giving X the chance to pin down the lion. X held the lion in place whilst placed a paw on the lion's forehead whilst Koa placed a paw on the lion's hind. The pair nodded to one another before at the exact same time the trio roared, each one having a clear difference in their roar but yet they sounded as one. Jackie watched as the lion went limp like before, instead of going completely limp like before there was a change in the lion's pelt. First from its hind legs, its light golden brown pelt went into a dark brown. The lion's once lighter spots were now black and its chest, paws and tip of its tail went white. The thick mane that once covered the beasts neck was now gone and revealed a spotted coat.
"It's a jaguar." James murmured, his eyes wide in amazement.
"But how?" Brandon asked.
"You didn't know about this?" Jackie said, sounding surprised.
"I knew that Ziambe and Kaizan were practicing something but they said that it would take another year or two to perfect." Brandon replied.
"No one freak out, please." Jackie said quickly as she noticed that Jet wanted to say something.
"If we do this at the start of the battle it will turn those Ziambe and Kaizan turned back to normal." Jet planned.
"It's a talking big cat." James murmured.
"We can all talk. When we want to." His jaguar butted in.
Brandon on the other hand didn't seem as surprised that was when she realised that Brandon had been around Ziambe and Kaizan before.
"You okay James?" Rider murmured as he opened the cell door.
"Fine. Just need to sink it in." James nodded slowly.
"You have had plenty of time to think about it." Claw rolled his eyes.
"Claw. You are not helping." Jet snapped at the jaguar.
"Nope. I'm good now." James murmured.
"Come on, I have something to show the whole tribe." Jackie beckoned them.
"Please don't show them a talking big cat." James murmured as he mounted Claw.
"I won't... Yet." Jackie shrugged.
"Wait what do you mean yet?" James stopped in his tracks.
"I have another surprise for everyone." Jackie winced.
"Oh, I know what the surprise is!" Rider said sounding excited.
"Tell me! What is it?" Brandon said as he stopped his big cat beside Rider.
"But then, if I tell you. It wouldn't be a secret anymore." Rider said slowly, a crease in his forehead.
"Come on you lot. James gather those from the east and Brandon west. Rider and I will get the others, tell them to go to the training dome but not to enter." Jackie instructed.
"Gotcha." Brandon nodded before racing off to the west side of the camp.
"Alright." James sighed, rolling his eyes before leaving them.
Jackie and Rider raced one another to the edge of the camp before having to split up. Jackie took the south whilst Rider had taken the north. Jackie had woken the first lot of houses up before she noticed movement in the shadows. She froze and watched as big cats creeped in the shadows, their riders staying low and small. Jackie indicated it to the warriors that were already awake. They nodded and mounted their big cats before indicating to their families to be careful. Jackie watched the last one creep off after the others, she nodded before allowing Jet to pursue. The panther growled before stalking, following the big cats scents. It was obvious that they had figured out that they had been spotted because their scent went all different directions. Jackie instructed the Warriors to split up and look up. Jet growled before following the scent she was following to start off with, now the storm clouds had hit and the rain drummed down. Washing the ground of any tracks and any scents being washed away, by now everyone was awake and following Jackie instructions.
"Mother. I'm cold." A young girl moaned as she tried to keep warm and huddled against her mother.
Jackie pulled Jet to a halt in front of the girl and her mother, she pulled out a dry coat and handed it to girl. The mother thanked her before wrapping her daughter up in it. Once everyone had gathered at the training dome the rain had gone into a small drizzle and fog laid over the ground.
"I am glad you could all make it." A voice, harsh and cold called out.
Jackie looked around, looking for the source of the voice. That was when she picked out the figures they had been chasing on top of the training dome. Jacked clenched her jaw and now Rider was by her side.
"Come down and stop being the cowards you are!" James called out to them.
"Cowards?" One of them scoffed. "We are no cowards."
"Than why aren't you down here?" James questioned once more.
This time there was no reply from them, "What do you want?" Jackie said, sounding defining and serious.
"Plenty of things." The first one shrugged. "But I get more joy out of hearing and seeing how you rely to the news we bring."
"You are no allies, instead you are enemies. If I was you I would be careful with what you are going to tell us." Rider replied, his jaw and knuckles clenched.
"Trust me, it's good." He smirked. "For you lot, maybe not. But for me and everyone else I know and fight beside it is an excellent thing."
"Just to tell you that you are all running out of time." Another one shrugged. "Nothing can prevent this war."
All of the warriors big cats turned to Jet, this time Jet didn't back off. She stood her ground and roared in defiance at the big cats above. Jackie noticed the big cats above back away slightly. Koa joined in and soon all the tribe's big cats were roaring in defiance. The riders turned away and disappeared into the darkness, now cheers erupted and shouts of taunting filled the air. This time Jet turned and roared for silence, everyone turned and went quiet.
"This war will be tough. And we need all the help we can get." Jackie began. "Recently I have found out that there is actually not four but eight tribes. And you wouldn't believe who is the tribe's."
Now murmurs and whispers filled the air, everyone had a crease on the forehead. Everyone was obviously confused by what she had just said.
"They believe that nothing can prevent this war, they are right. Nothing can stop this from happening." Jackie admitted.
"Who says that we have to prevent the war when we can win it." Rider added in, realising that what Jackie had just admitted was hard for her to say. "We can win this, with all four... Eight." Rider corrected himself. "Tribes, we can rid our homeland and every other homeland of these fearful days and nights."
"When four becomes one, we can come up against almost anything. But when wight becomes one, we can be unstoppable." Jackie continued as she turned to Rider.
"Together." Rider murmured.
Before Jackie could reply everyone in the tribe cut in, "Together!" They chanted, raising their hands up in defiance.
"We can not succeeded by ourselves, but we can succeeded together!" Jackie rose her voice, now the rain began to come down harder than before.
Jet and Koa took a step forward, and now Jackie could hear a rumble in the throats. X stood behind them, hiding himself as if scared or embarrassed. That was when Jackie realised that he hadn't bonded yet so he didn't know the feeling of excitement and adrenaline that coursed through everyone else's veins. Jackie felt a little sorry for the tiger, she beckoned him closer to the light. X refused, and turned to the doors of the training dome as if indicating that it was time. Jet and Koa roared and now James and Brandon opened the doors to the training dome. The Skytreader Tribe stood At the doors.
Jackie turned to her tribe, "This is the Skytreader Tribe..."