Warriors: Empire's End ~Book 5 Series 3~

Chapter 23

Spectrum's POV:

She had been tempted not to reveal herself to the silver she cat, but those intentions had been wiped away immediately as soon as she caught wind of Silvershy's grief. An attack had most certainly occurred, judging by the scent of unease hanging in the air of Java's camp, and the patch of dried blood on the ground near the centre of it. Silvershy's weeping had tipped her over the edge, and Spectrum had wanted nothing more than to comfort her friend. Were they even still friends? She wasn't so sure, but in that moment it didn't matter.

Spectrum allowed Silvershy to sob into her fur, her silver-furred body shaking against her. The black she cat rested her chin against the top of Silvershy's head, remaining silent. She hadn't uttered a single word since arriving at Java's camp. She didn't feel like talking.

It was some time before Silvershy found the strength to peel away from Spectrum and lean back to look her in the eyes. "Where have you been?" Her voice was soft, filled with hurt as she stared, teary-eyed, up at the Promethean.

Spectrum swallowed thickly, thinking back to Maple- who was no doubt hating her for kidnapping her and shoving her in the prison. No matter what Spectrum did, she always failed her friends. Even the ones who came before Silvershy and Maple had similar stories, now that she thought about it. What a sad existence I have.

"Where have you been?" Silvershy demanded, her voice stronger this time. Her tail lashed impatiently and her ears flattened against her head, her green eyes searching Spectrum's blank face. Behind the silver she cat, her three kits lay fast asleep, their flanks rising and falling peacefully.

The black she cat didn't meet Silvershy's burning gaze as she spoke, voice soft with guilt. "I've been with NoName..."

"With NoName?" Silvershy's eyes widened and her lips immediately pulled back in a snarl. "You were helping her?!"

Spectrum heaved a heavy sigh and nodded, her tail lashing at the fact that she was the one being yelled at for once. But, she deserved it.

"Why?" Silvershy snapped at her. "Why would you join her? Did I upset you that much?"

"N-no it wasn't you!" Spectrum gasped, stepping closer to the silver she cat, only to be shoved back. "Silvershy, you didn't upset me! I only joined NoName t-to.. To help you! To help your clan mates!"

"I doubt it." The silver she cat muttered, her green eyes blazing with anger. "You never do anything out of kindness, or to help your friends."

Silvershy's words struck Spectrum hard, and she physically staggered backwards, her heart stinging. It was the truth, but it had never been said to her face like that. "No.. I do! I want to help you Silvershy, that's why I returned. Please believe me."

"Prove it to me by getting me home." Silvershy growled at the black she cat. "Take me and my kits back to our clan, where we belong."

Spectrum reluctantly shook her head. "You're safer here. NoName will kill you if you go back."

"It's not safe here. We were attacked! And Duskkit was-" Silvershy seemed to choke on her words, her green eyes watering with tears again. "Duskkit was blinded and I could do nothing but watch."

"You're still safer here than you would be with the Dark Forest." Spectrum felt her frustration begin to rise. "Can't you understand? They'll kill you and your kits the moment you step into that camp!"

Silvershy's fur bristled in anger. "You're a Promethean aren't you? Start a rebellion! Beat NoName and the Dark Forest! Chase them back to where they rightfully belong and free my Clan!" Her green eyes darkened, still fixed relentlessly on the black she cat. "Or will that ruin your special bond with NoName, now that you're part of her force?"