Guardian quest (Multi- fandom AU)

Chapter 4 (Ember light's POV)

Imp, May and Aleyda belong to Petpyves

Ember Light, Blazing star and Winter Mist belong to me

"What do you mean you're leaving?" 

Ember stared in disbelief at May and her companions. May nodded, golden eyes hard, "I have to find my family," she meowed. "But in the middle of a snowstorm? You'll freeze to death if you don't get yourselves lost first!" Ember sighed, reluctantly admitting defeat, May was determined and so were the three reapers with her. "Alright, I won't stop you. But I only have one request," "And what is that?" Aleyda's voice was wary as she spoke to Ember. The ginger she- wolf dipped her head, "That you let us, my pack and I, join you on your quest." "Wh- what?" May stammered, her eyes wide, "Why?" Ember shifted her paws, sighing, "Five days ago, some of our Packmates and all of our pups disappeared. We don't know who or what took them, and we've been searching for any clue as to where they may have gone but..." Ember paused, struggling to keep her voice steady. "But?" Winter Mist goaded softly. Taking a deep breath, Ember went on, "But we've found nothing. No matter how hard we look, or how thoroughly, we can't find anything to lead us to our missing Packmates." The she- wolf hung her head, ears drooping wearily, "I've tried to convince my Pack that they could come back, that they shouldn't lose hope... but how can I when I don't know any more than they do?" She queried, speaking more to herself than anyone else. For a brief moment, Ember felt as if the weight of being the pack's Alpha were crushing her. Rising to her paws, Ember shook herself and bowed her head once more at the four travelers, "I am sorry, it's not your responsibility. You have your own troubles. I'll get someone to show you to the trail out of the mountains." Turning, the ginger wolf began padding toward the deep shadows at the back of the cave. "Ember. Wait," at Imp's call Ember stopped and looked back to the red pelted tomcat, "Yes?" "You said your Packmates disappeared, right? Vanished without a trace?" Ember twitched her ears, "That is correct," she murmured hesitantly. What is he playing at? Imp blinked, his tail flicking thoughtfully. "And they haven't come back?" "No," Narrowing her eyes, Ember noticed May and Imp exchange a glance, "Why do you want to know?" The ginger wolf questioned warily. Shooting a last fleeting glance at her fellow travelers, May stepped forward, "Because that same thing happened to my own family." Ember gazed at the queen, blinking in disbelief. "It is true," Winter Mist confirmed, her voice grave, "And I fear that missing family is not the only problem we are facing," Both Ember and May stared at the white pelted canine, "What do you mean?" May whispered, her voice tense as she turned to stare at Imp, "Imp, what is she talking about?" "It- It's nothing- don't you worry-" "Don't lie Imp," May interrupted the tomcat, "Please. Just tell us what is going on." Imp sighed, "Okay, I hear you May. It's just-" the reaper hesitated, "Well, you'll see soon enough."

"So, what you're saying is that the Rift is empty, all the other reapers are gone?" Ember stared at the three reapers in front of her through narrowed eyes, "Correct," Winter Mist nodded at the she- wolf before turning to May, the tabby she- cat was gazing at the reapers, a stunned look on her face. "As you can see, we not only came to assist you in finding your kin, but to find the rest of the reapers as well-" Winter Mist paused, glancing skeptically down at Imp, who was giving her a questioning look, "Yes Imp, that includes Shiva and Morven too." The white reaper growled flatly. Imp shrugged, "Fine, but it doesn't mean I have to like it," The tomcat muttered mutinously, the tip of his tail flicking. Aleyda nuzzled the top of his head, "Don't worry Imp, we'll give Morven what he deserves." Abruptly, Ember rose to her paws and padded away from the travelers and into a tunnel that led to a small, moonlit cavern. Padding slowly to the very back of the cavern, Ember lay down, her back to the entrance, and rested her head on her paws. Letting out a soft sigh, Ember closed her eyes, almost instantly waves of pain coursed through her, and the she- wolf had to clench her teeth to refrain from moaning aloud as she thought of her missing packmates, among them, her own pups. Oh, my children, wherever you are, please be safe. I miss you more than you'll ever know. A small sound behind her made Ember look up into Blaze's blue eyes. Lowering himself onto the cave floor, Blaze silently curled his body around Ember and draped a large wing over her back. Gazing into her mate's eyes, clouded with pain and fear, Ember felt her throat tighten, and she pressed her face into Blaze's fur. "I'm scared," the she- wolf whimpered, "What will we do? How do we even know if they're still alive?" Ember felt a warm tongue rasp over her ears, "Hush Em, there's no need to fear anymore. Guess what?" "Hmm?" Ember responded dully, "Ivyleaf had a vision. She saw the others." Ember jerked her head up, staring at her mate with wide eyes, "Did she really?" She gasped, her heart beating hard against her chest, "She saw the others?" Blaze nodded, his blue eyes glistening with joy and relief, "She really did Em, they're safe and travelling with some cats." Ember stared at her mate, "They're alive," She murmured, then, happiness flooding though her, she leapt to her paws, her tail whipping the air, "THEY'RE ALIVE!!" Ember's voice echoed loudly throughout the cave, bringing Winter Mist, Imp, Aleyda and May running into the cavern, an alarmed look on their faces. "What's happened?" Mist demanded, her hackles raised and bristling as she stared around the cavern, "Oh Mist, you wouldn't believe it," Ember gazed at her friend, her tail still whipping the air, "Our packmates are alive and safe, and travelling with some cats!" Winter Mist blinked, her hackles relaxing, "What?" she muttered her eyes wide with astonishment, "They're- alive?" "Yes! Yes they are!" Ember barked, "And May, I think they're travelling with your family too!" The tabby queen's pale golden eyes were round with shock, but when she realized what Ember meant, she let out a deep sigh, her body sagging with relief, "They're safe," May's voice quivered with joy, "Thank you, thank you so much." Eyes glowing happily, Imp spoke up, "Well, what are we waiting for then? Let's go find our families!"