𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐋𝐄 𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐃𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐎𝐑, an indoraptor story

The Rescuer They Gained

As I arrived at the glistening river, I paused to survey my surroundings. Towering reeds stood sentinel in orderly columns along the bank, prompting me to release a breath of exasperation. Navigating through this thicket would certainly consume a significant amount of time.

 Suddenly, a commanding voice pierced the air, causing me to divert my gaze from the reeds. Emerging gracefully from the rushes was a resplendent she-cat, showcasing a coat of golden-brown adorned with intricate spots, and enchanting amber-colored eyes. A reflexive shudder passed through me. Mothwing, perhaps? I pondered silently, before lowering my head in deference. "Forgive my encroachment, but I am in search of RiverClan. Do you perchance hail from their ranks?" I inquired.

"Indeed, I am a member of RiverClan," the she-cat retorted, elegantly twitching her tail. "And who might you be?"

 "I am Alba," I revealed calmly, "and I have arrived with the intention of providing assistance to RiverClan." Mothwing's reaction was immediate, a subtle recoil betraying her surprise. "And what exactly do you imply by that?" she retorted sharply, her fur now standing on end. "We are without troubles, least of all any that warrant your intervention!"

I emitted a contemplative hum, my voice soft yet imbued with underlying authority. "I detect a hint of apprehension emanating from you, my esteemed companion. Rest assured, my sole purpose is not to witness the staining of your elegant fur with the blood of cats, be it tonight or any other night. My presence here is purely intended for aid and support. It seems you find yourselves lacking a leader, do you not? Or perhaps bearing a leader whose capabilities are in question, am I correct in this assumption?" 

Mothwing's gaze sharpened, and she responded with a vehement hiss, "Pray maintain your silence. The knowledge of our predicament should be privy only to us of RiverClan. Who divulged this information to you?"

I straightened in my stance, a subtle display of readiness. "No feline, no individual within my acquaintance. It is simply that I possess a deeper comprehension of your situation than most would assume," I remarked, my incisors catching the sunlight as it filtered through the swaying reeds. "I have garnered a significant wealth of knowledge regarding the various Clans."

"Frostpaw!" Mothwing's voice rang out suddenly, prompting the swift arrival of a diminutive she-cat adorned in a coat of pale gray with darker mottlings, striking blue eyes, and a visible scar adorning her slender neck. As she bounded over the modest hillock upon which I was stationed, a warm smile graced my countenance. Ah, Frostpaw, I noted inwardly, observing her with a sense of delight. She exudes an even greater degree of charm in person.

"What troubles you, Mothwing?" the she-cat gasped, her breaths shallow and rapid, with a persistent shake of her head. Clearly fatigued from her exertions, she struggled to convey her urgent message. "Please, ensure this interloper vacates our territory promptly," Mothwing instructed, a directive that stirred a mix of irritation and disappointment within me. Departing so soon was not my desire. "Nay, Nay, Nay, your concern is unwarranted, Mothwing. I give you my word, my intentions are solely geared towards assistance," I reassured her, my tail swaying gently behind me. The plumage adorning my neck bristled, a gesture of heightened emotion, eliciting a look of utter confusion from Frostpaw. "And who may you be?" she stammered, her words faltering as she sought to make sense of my presence. Responding with a genial smile, I imparted, "Alba."

Twing sneered, dismissing Frostpaw's significance. "She holds no importance; heed my command!" Ignoring her, I beckoned Frostpaw closer, deterring her from complying with Twing's orders. Rising onto my hind limbs, I loomed over the two RiverClan felines, my demeanor unequivocally defiant. "I will not yield," I spat, fixing a piercing gaze upon Twing. "Your excessive pride blinds you, misguided feline. It is incomprehensible that the taint of Tigerstar persists within your lineage."

Mothwing sneered in response. "Speak not his name," she snapped. In a display of escalating tension, I extended my claws, which caught the sunlight, momentarily halting Mothwing's sneer and causing her fur to bristle. Frostpaw let out a yelp as my tail thumped the ground rhythmically, my anger reaching its boiling point. "Begone, Mothwing! Your insolence knows no bounds. I am committed to aiding RiverClan, and my decree is final!"

Gazing beyond them into the reeds towards RiverClan's camp, where felines congregated in anticipation, my attention then shifted back to the camp. Many cats turned their heads, emitting startled cries and fearful whimpers upon seeing me. "And who, who are you?!" bellowed RiverClan's leader, Owlnose, his inquiry laced with uncertainty. I locked eyes with the disoriented tom, asserting my authority. "Descend from the rock immediately," I snarled, and he complied swiftly, leaping down in a single bound. "Cats of RiverClan, I am Alba, the Intrepidator, and I offer my assistance. It appears your circumstances are less than favorable," I declared, observing the stunned silence that followed. With a sense of satisfaction, I smirked as Mothwing and Frostpaw emerged from the reeds into their camp, panting vigorously. "Your supposed guardians attempt to hinder rather than aid you! They seek to obstruct the help you so desperately need!"

"Oh, please," scoffed Dustfur, narrowing her gaze in suspicion towards me. "You are an enigma to us. Why should we trust your words over those of our trusted medicine cats?" I growled in response, displaying my sharp, jutting fangs. "Because I foresee the impending demise of your clan. I understand your plight. Allow me to assist you, and I will ensure that the other clans never underestimate you again." Despite the uncertainty of the source of my unwavering conviction, I remained resolute in my determination to do all in my power to prevent the clans from tearing each other apart, even if it meant seeking alliances with ThunderClan and ShadowClan intermittently.

And perhaps rescue Rowankit, I pondered, my claws instinctively curling into the hardened soil as I sought to steady myself and calm my racing heart.

"Don't--" her words were abruptly cut off by a snarl escaping from my throat. I lunged forward, pinning down the golden she-cat and hissed in her face, observing the flicker of fear in her amber eyes. "Silence!" I commanded, before releasing her and turning towards Ospreypaw. "Converse with your soul beliefs. May StarClan heed their messages and mark my words as authentic!"

Frostpaw nodded in a whimper, then swiftly departed from the camp. I released a held breath, unaware of the tension I had been carrying. StarClan would undoubtedly support me, of that I was certain. And if they did not, then they would face the consequences of harboring the notorious slayer of twolegs.