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Chapter 4

Chapter 4

“You missed.” Dusk meowed bluntly, as the mouse scurried away from Badger’s paws.

“I know that; you didn’t have to point it out.” Badger, growled as he turned his head, to glare at Dusk, the silver she-cat simply chuckled. This was a rare occasion when the two cats weren’t arguing with each other, but then again something as simple, as pointing out a mistake would lead to an argument.

“If you hadn’t landed a mouse-length away you would’ve caught it.” Dusk meowed, slightly irritated.

“I know that-“The shaggy white tom began to growl, but was cut off by the sound of paw-steps. The two cats quickly turned around to see Pebble and Forest.

“Arguing again?” Pebble meowed, chuckling. Forest said nothing but glanced annoyed at Pebble, who was the large dark brown tabby’s partner.

“Shut up, Pebble.” Badger growled angrily; at the speckled golden she-cat. The shaggy white tom then turned to walk away.

“Wait up, we have to stick together remember?” Dusk meowed, before she quickly picked up the rabbit she had caught from before. Sadly, it had been the only piece of prey she had caught. I would’ve caught more if Badger was useful hunting… The silver she-cat thought annoyed, as she began to follow the shaggy white tom.

“Hey, I wasn’t done talking!” Pebble snapped angrily from behind. Soon, the speckled golden she-cat and large brown tabby had joined Dusk and Badger on their walk back to camp. Why? Why, are you with us? Dusk thought with annoyance, as Pebble blabbered in Badger’s ear. Better him than me though, and at least I can tune her out right now… The silver she-cat thought as she looked away.

“Sorry, for the intrusion.” Forest’s gruff voice brought her back from her thoughts. “You know how Pebble gets; honestly I’m surprised I can still stand that chattering squirrel.” Forest, chuckled a little at his own joke, Dusk would have laughed at his joke, too if her mouth wasn’t preoccupied by rabbit fur.

“Will you go away; you’re about as bad as a Loyal-“Badger’s complaint was quickly broken off.

“How dare you compare me to one of those savage murderers, I feel so offended.” Pebble meowed, sarcastically. Honestly, Pebble was probably used to being called a Loyal, despite the fact that she was a Rebel for some reason… Pebble was a strange cat, she behaved like a Loyal yet she hated the monster that controlled Two-leg Place… Like, Quail she wasn’t really out for vengeance, she was just there… As, for her reason no one was really sure what her reason was… Pebble’s always been a strange cat; no one even knows her motive… She might be like Quail, but who knows? She doesn’t act like Quail, and she has no qualms about killing other Loyals… Dusk thought, as she stared at the speckled golden she-cat as she annoyed Badger.

“I see none of you really caught much…” Night meowed, bluntly, as the four cats entered camp. Dusk had only caught that one rabbit while, Badger didn’t catch anything; if hunting was the reason why Pebble and Forest were out in the forest, then the two cats had not caught anything either.

“Well, it’s predictable; Badger couldn’t catch his own tail if he tried.” Lark laughed, at her own joke, as her green eyes shined brightly. Dusk shook her head, and padded towards the fresh-kill pile. She quickly dropped her rabbit down on the pile. The silver she-cat quickly looked around for Rabbit’s fluffy white pelt, she sighed as she noticed the only white furred cat in camp was Badger… I guess I could talk with Quinn and Reese, despite being toms they do gossip a lot… Maybe, it’s a kittypet thing, despite the fact they’re former kittypets… Dusk thought, as she spotted Quinn’s silver tabby pelt as well as Reese’s gray and white one.

“Hey, guys.” Dusk meowed, as she padded over to the two former kittypets.

“Hi, Dusk.” Reese meowed, happily. Quinn nodded his head, in hello before turning his attention back to Reese. I might as well just stay and listen; I doubt they’ll talk to me… Dusk thought as she sat down next to Reese, she began to groom one of her black paws as Quinn spoke.

“It’s weird though, Flame’s letting Leaf help with choosing who should carry on Thrush’s mission…” Quinn meowed, his yellow eyes held a look of curiosity.

“That is a bit weird, but I think they’re going to make their decision soon, I saw Blaze, Meadow, Quail, and Leaf going into Flame’s den a little while ago.” Reese meowed. “I have no idea why Quinn gets to help choose, it’s not like he does anything, important.” Reese meowed, as he glanced at Flame’s den. Normally, Dusk would’ve agreed with the gray and white tom, but after the events from last night, she knew why Flame allowed Quail to help in these important decisions. Quail, doesn’t have any vengeance on any Loyal, he sees the true picture here unlike most cats, who only seek revenge, he has the true goal in mind, and he wants to pick a cat that will follow that goal and not blindly attack a cat that has done them wrong… Dusk thought as, she flicked one of her black ears with her paw.

“Hey, look Flame’s leaving his den with the others.” Quinn meowed, quickly. Dusk looked away from the silver tabby tom, to Flame’s den, and just as the former kittypet had said, the bright ginger tom was leaving his den. As, he walked towards the roots of the oak tree, Rabbit came running in with a few mice in her mouth. The fluffy white she-cat quickly dropped them on the fresh-kill pile, and then padded towards the already forming group of cats. Dusk quickly followed, and sat down next to Rabbit.

“Sorry, I was late; I was doing some hunting…” She whispered. Dusk, just nodded her head as Flame began to speak.

“Everyone, it has been decided, Blaze, Meadow, Quail, Leaf, and I have all decided who will carry on Thrush’s mission, of destroying the tyrant that has plagued our home.” Flame meowed, as his green gaze swept across the cats around him. Everyone’s eyes remained on their leader. I wonder who it is. It could be anyone… Dusk thought suddenly anxious, as she waited for Flame to continue to speak. “We have chosen Dusk.” What? Me? The silver she-cat’s dark green eyes glowed in astonishment.

“But why her, she has family with Loyals!” Web yowled, angrily. The white she-cat’s fur bristled and her green eyes were blazing with rage. Nearby, Trapper was also glaring at Dusk with his yellow eyes. I should’ve known, Web would speak against this… The silver she-cat thought annoyed.

“That’s a reason why we chose Dusk, she has family on the Loyals side, now before you start arguing again, stop thinking of Coal; Dusk does have another sibling!” Quail yowled, before any other cat could speak. No one spoke for a moment but the tension remained in the air.

“Quail is right, Dusk also has Stream, who still trusts her sister; think now Dusk has an ally among the Loyals, this is a step towards that monster that has plagued our home!” Flame yowled. Most of the tension in the air quickly subsided.

“You leave, at dawn alone.” Meadow meowed quickly in Dusk’s ear.

“Good luck.” Leaf whispered quietly, as she padded up to the silver she-cat, her good eye, blazed with hope as well as joy. I will need more than luck for this, I’ll have to fight against my friends, but I’ll soon free them from that monster… Dusk thought with a sudden determination, as she imagined her black paws turning crimson as he died by her paws.