The Story of Tiberius

Chapter 47

Landing on the sidewalk outside the dark alley, Eddie motioned for everyone to make no sudden movements. Flash rolled his eyes at the bald eagle. He shrunk down a little in fear as everyone else gave him a death glare as cold as ice in winter. The peregrine falcon, shaking a bit, crept a little closer to Eddie. "Coward..." Calvin muttered. Nodding his head, Pierre whispered, "I second that."

"How bout you two shut it before someone hears you?" Panama hissed quietly.

"How bout the next person who talks has to eat some mud when we get back?" Eddie commented. Everyone tensed up when they heard that until they saw the teasing look in the bald eagle's golden eyes. Frowning, Pierre grumbled, "Very funny Eddie. I'd like to see you eat some mud." Snickering quietly with her wing over her beak, Juno mumbled, "And it looks like our turkey vulture friend Pierre is eating mud fresh from the pond for dinner tonight." This made some of the others snicker as well. Before Eddie could tell them to shut up again, there was a voice that hissed angrily, "What do you stupid birds want?!" His feathers bristling in fear, Tiberius looked over at the dark alley to see a pair of green eyes blinking at them. A moment later, a black cat with a white muzzle and throat stepped out. Bowing his head, Eddie replied, "Please, we ask for an audience with your leader Rex."

Eyes narrowing, the black cat grumbled, "Fine. But only you three." He pointed his tail at Eddie, Juno and Flash. The peregrine falcon wore a smug look on his face as he followed the other two birds of prey, a spring in his step and a victorious smirk. Scowling, Calvin stuck his tongue out at the falcon. Shoving the red tail slightly, Panama muttered, "Act your age."

"Maybe someone should tell Flash that," Oscar murmured. Nodding his head in agreement with his friend, Tiberius heard a soft chuckle come from behind him. Turning his head around, he saw a pair of blue eyes staring at them from the dark alley. They seemed to be coming closer as a small cat stepped out into the moonlight. Her pale skin shone with a silver glow. It took a moment for Tiberius to realize that she was a sphynx cat. She had long limbs and tail while her eyes and ears were big. Her head was also big compared to her skinny frame. A soft gasp came from Panama as the osprey whispered, "It's Ivory." Glancing over at his friends, the red tailed hawk saw that they had bowed to the feline. Feeling like he should do the same, he was about to when Ivory stopped him. Waving her tail quietly, she spoke softly, "There's no need for that. Just because I'm Rex's mate doesn't mean you need to break your backs bowing to me."

"Uh... thank you?" Tiberius mumbled, unsure of what else to say. Ivory merely gave a quiet giggle as she commented, "It's always nice to meet new people. I hope I get to see you all around sometime." Without another word, she slunk off back into the shadows. Shaking himself, Oscar muttered, "She's a mysterious one if you ask me."

"Speaking of mysterious, was anyone else a little creeped out by Striker's actions earlier?" Calvin asked. Nodding his head, Pierre added on, "Yeah, I thought he would be upset that he wouldn't be joining us."

"Plus, he had actually volunteered to watch over Sleet," Oscar pointed out. Shaking slightly, Panama suggested, "Maybe we should send someone to check on how they're doing." All eyes instantly turned towards Tiberius. Sighing heavily, the red tailed hawk mumbled, "Why me?"

"Cuz you're the fastest one here, even faster than Flash, and you can get over there and back in like under ten minutes. Besides, not like we're doing anything standing around out here like this," Pierre explained. Resting her wing on Tiberius's shoulder, Panama pleaded, "Please? I have a bad feeling and I just want someone to check." Gazing down at the osprey and the rest of his friends, the red tail sighed before replying, "Alright, I'll do it. But someone better have a squirrel for me tomorrow." Without another word, he opened his wings and took to the night sky towards Central Park.