Its about time (RESCUE THREAD/TC PLOT/ALL POST!)

[Fleet]

OOC- OK SO THIS IS THE RESCUE OF DAWN AND SHADE, I'm gonna explain how this is gonna go... Basically there are 2 patrols, the forward patrol led by Lilacshadow with Honeywhisker as her second in command is smaller and is stealthily trying to get close to the Deepground base, they will come across the prisoners as they escape and basically form a protective barrier around them as they guide them back to the second patrol which is lead by Greenstar, this patrol is much larger (its basically an attack force) and they will form a line that the Deepground cats cannot get past, the fight will last until I post the end.

*NOTE THERE ARE NPC FOES IN PLAY SO IF YOU HAVE NO OFFERED OPPONENT TO INTERACT WITH GO FOR THE NPC's*))

The attack force will consist of: Greenstar, Falconeyes,(Buck is among them but he will probably be avoiding the fight as he was acting as a guide) Lunamoth, Wolfecho, Cloudshadow, Rushpelt, Snowleaf & Grayheart (any issues with involvement DM me on Discord)

The attack force is not to post until I give the go ahead as we will start with our stealth patrol which consists of: Honeywhisker,Lilacshadow,Breezeheart & Ridgestone (Any issues with involvement DM me on Discord)

I will now set the scene in a separate post below with our escaping felines and their helper, Spotted is to post second with Dawn and then the thread starts proper after that with any of the stealth patrol who wants to post!
= )



Player tags- Fern of my <3 ShinoDino first of her name! SpoodleDoodles Who am I? (It's totally Kayla) The one, the only FEATHER!

Links to connecting threads are-
survivorcatsx.proboards.com/thread/25373/nightmare-dressed-daydream-spoots
survivorcatsx.proboards.com/thread/25485/plotting-rescue-senior-warriors-shine

[Fleet]

The grey, blue tom did not know what to say as they emerged from a watery tunnel, which flowed with mountain water up to their belly fur. His dark brown eyes were wide, his whole form was tense but the icy water he waded through seemed to sharpen his mind, Shadestorm felt more focused than he'd felt in a long time, the war in his mind was numbed by the icy water which sloshed around him. Ahead of him he could see the golden, cream form of their supposed rescuer slowing, peering out into the light beyond the end of the tunnel and then heard the tom muttering a curse under his breath. At that Shadestorm moved up alongside the tom as the tunnel opened up into a wider space at its entrance, enjoying how the water seemed to grow shallower there and blinked against the early morning sunlight, the golden cream tom beside him held a paw out in front of him, stopping him from going further saying quietly but firmly"Steady Jesse... You don't want to fall."

Glancing down with his brown eyes he noted there was a bit of a drop, but it was not one that would kill them if they took it, though it would lead into a plunge pool where who knew what the current would do to them. But then Shadestorm noted what had caused the creamy tom to curse, there was a group of Deepground cats around the pools edge, not a large group of cats but certainly enough to start an alarm call should they see them. The blue, grey tom backed up from the edge, until he backed into another cat, his brown gaze now fixed upon the she-cat behind him, he half pulled back his lips in a snarl, a warning in case the she-cat was going to do anything to him, the mind washing Deepground had done upon him suddenly springing to the foreground. Distantly there was the sound of paws in the tunnel and Shadestorm knew they were coming for them, his gaze went back to the creamy tom at the entrance who was frowning down at the patrol blocking their escape. Shadestorm took steps forwards again, glancing out of the tunnel, beyond the patrol, noting a jumble of rocks and scrub land on the steep downwards slope and far down below there was a treeline.

Deep within his mind a voice whispered freedom and for a moment the trauma, the abuse were forgotten as he whispered"We're so close..." Something made him reach back with his tail, suddenly wanting a connection to Dawnstripe. But then the tom beside him was muttering"Caught between a rock and hard place- Wait, I think I see movement.." Shadestorm glanced towards the creamy tom, confused and unaware that a small bout of hope was creeping up the mountain slope towards them. But even as this was happening, the sound of pawsteps in the tunnel behind them was only beginning to grow louder.

Shadestorm (Includes mysterious ally Rhaegar xD)

When Reno had commanded them to come stand by the waterfall pool the black and white she-cat had not really understood why, until the brown tabby at her side had pointed out several of the underground network caves came out here, apparently Reno had commanded for a group of cats to be at several entrances ready to catch their escaping hostages. Their had three possible exits around them and so their patrol consisted of five cats, all sitting around the drop pool in silence, eyes on their various exit points. Trinity's black tail flicked, she hated sitting outside their tunnel system in the morning because despite it being green-leaf, it was always freezing up the mountain.

She longed to shuffle closer to the brown tabby Ballybriggs, her mate whom she knew always ran a few degrees hotter than she did and yet they had to be alert in case the escapees finally emerged so that they could catch them or alert the other patrols. The black and white she-cat shifted once more, her lime green gaze going to her mate as he sat patiently waiting for something to happen, before flicking to their three companions who were all also idly waiting with various levels of patience. A sigh escaped her as slowly her green gaze swept back to the various exits the escapee's might take, unaware of the approaching threat behind her.

Trinity & Ballybriggs (Along with 3 NPC's)

[SpoodleDoodles]

Dawnstripe

She had faltered and slipped more then once, blood mingling with the water sloshing around her paws, yet each time she had risen without complaint and continued on, following the tail of Shadestorm and the silhouette of their supposed rescuer ahead. She didn't know what this rogue wanted with them, however since he had saved them from the maniacal fighting ring and caused Shadestorm to calm down enough to act with some trail of rational thought, she was willing to trust him and his intentions for the moment.

She had feared what a bunch of loners had wanted her for and the revelation of the depth of their insanity had shocked and burned her. Never had she thought such cruelty to anyone, let alone Shadestorm, possible. Somewhere in there, he was the cat she loved... and scars and all, tortured madness and all, she loved him to the core. And she would stay by his side until he had healed enough to understand it, if that day ever came.

They had come up to an opening, the breeze was welcome in her face though it stung the bleeding wound son her face and shoulders. She could hear the paws behind her and she came further forward, only to come too close and have Shadestorm turn and snarl at her as he tried to back up. She didn't back down or strike out in defence; if in his half-crazed state he struck her again she would not hold him accountable for it, he was very much not himself. She simply looked back at him with trusting, warm blue eyes and blinked calmly, her voice soft and almost undetectable. "It is only I, love."

She knew words would hardly help calm him but they were all she had as her presence seemed too cause more fear then calm, and she didn't want to cause him any more hurt then what he had already suffered. Her own hurt could wait. She heard him whisper that they were so close, and heard the despair and the aching reach for freedom in his voice. His tail reached behind him, flicking around as if searching for something, and she understood immediately and stepped up behind him, knowing he could change his mind and lash out at any heartbeat yet not caring if he did. "I'm here."

She glanced downwards and saw the patrol the others had spotted, and heard the paws drumming even louder behind them. They were about to be caught, and in the state they were all in she knew they couldn't fight the patrol below them without others hearing and coming to help. She tried to keep the fear and disappointment of her face, she needed to stay strong for Shadestorm. If it came down to it, she would fight them to her dying breath before she let them drag him back down to that pit of blood and fire.

Looking closer, she thought she could recognise two of them as cats Reno had pointed out and named for her, Trinty and Bally.... Ballybriggs? The loners' odd names would always sound odd to her ears yet she had paid attention at the time and knew her memory wasn't faulty.

At the stranger's words she pricked her ears and looked in the direction he was looking, looked hard. It was the glow of two pinpoints of amethyst that did it, the glow of purple eyes that gave away the black cat silently making its way up the slope. It looked familiar. Nearby she could pick out now, a ginger-and-white pelt that was achingly familiar. Searching more there was the glimpse of a grey cat, and a brown tabby one. In that heartbeat she knew, and her voice reflected that surge of hope the stranger's had had. "ThunderClan... ThunderClan is here."

Lilacshadow

Greenstar's orders had been direct and to the point, and Buck's directions had been clear. Four of them had been selected to make this first foray, though she had to admit she was concenred over the addition of Ridgestone. He certainly was experienced, yet more and more cats were noticing the older-generation warrior seemed to be loosing some of his mental facilaties. However, they had needed the Tribe-bloods for this, as they were likely to go underground to search out where their missing queen and warrior were being kept.

No one knew for certain, however is was quite likely, according to Buck, that they were being held together or nearby, if they were both still alive.

Her amethyst eyes glinted. They had both better be alive. No one just waltzed out of ThunderClan with one of Greenstar's most trusted warriors followed by the very heart of ThunderClan herself without retribution.

But she and her scouts were not here to battle, they were here to find, liberate, and escort. Greenstar was waiting with a battle line to cover them, and with this in mind she lead the scout party up the slope, using every ThunderClan trick in the book to keep under cover and make no noise.

She could hear falling water and as they crested a little rise she could see a pool, and a collection of cats around it. They'd found there first guards, though Buck had assured them an entry point of some kind would be nearby, and the presence of the guards confirmed it. They seemed rather alert.

She glanced back at the scout patrol, flattening her ears to signal caution, and mouthed to the cat closest to her- the patrol's second-in-command Honeywhisker- what she had seen. "Five cats." Her tail thrashed once in frustration. They would need to get past them without being seen, and the guards certainly looked like they were paying attention. Dutiful guards or had something happened? She hoped it was the latter. A distraction would certainly be helpful.

[ShinoDino first of her name!]

It's a scene and we're out here in plain sight
I can hear them whisper as we pass by
It's a bad sign, bad sign

He sat so still that he might well be made of the same stone as the mine caves. Only his amber eyes, glowing like the sun, belied the life burning within. Breezeheart pondered each of his split attention: his adoptive father Ridgestone, whom he worried would forget where they were. The patrol leaders themselves, Lilacshadow and Honeywhisker, so he wouldn’t miss a thing. The instructions Greenstar had given, burned into his mind.

"Five cats."

He caught Lilacshadow’s barely breathed report and clenched his jaws. Their task was simple, yet oh so complicated. They were not to fight but to infiltrate. But how could they with the guards standing sentry at the very place they needed to enter?

Something was amiss. Winds were at play here independent from their own goals. He almost spoke up with ideas and commands, but tamped down the urge just in time.

This was not his place to lead. His skills would serve the intended purpose well, but to disrupt the senior warriors would only be counterproductive.
Besides, he didn’t really have ideas.
His Tribe blood might come in handy here, but the guards were the biggest concern. Unless there suddenly appeared a way to go around them. Ghost cats.

Breezeheart choked down his small chuckle at his ludicrous idea. No, they’d get there the old-fashioned way. And that was by following the lead of the senior warriors that Greenstar had trusted.
He inched closer to Ridgestone, intent upon keeping an eye on the older tom. Two eyes, if he could spare them.
Somehow, some way, they would either have to sneak past the guards or lure the guards away. Whatever happened, he would be Breezeheart, loyal warrior of ThunderClan, for this day, this mission.

Nothing else mattered.

Something happens when everybody finds out
See the vultures circling dark clouds
Love's a fragile little flame, it could burn out

[Fern of my <3]

Strange.. the moon isn't cast for a reading of the pools. Why am I headed to the Cave of Pointed Stones? Sensing the earth surrounding on all sides brought Ridge of Sharp Stones great comfort. It was a great honor to walk this path on the nights ancestral wisdom danced in the air. Cool and compressed, the light tunnel draft rolled against the fur of his face. Chest swelling with pride, his slow majestic stride brought him closer to the cave entrance. Soon, the Stoneteller would know the message of the stars.

"Tribe of Endless Hunting..."

Ridgestone snapped back to reality at a brush of Breezeheart's fur against his flank. Three sets of eyes intermittently cast nervous glances his way. Tension cut the cool air like a knife and the starry-eyed glow vanished from his teal orbs. Come back, come back.. "Come back." Thankfully his voice was hardly a whisper below the sound of tumbling water as he tried re-orienting himself. Breezeheart. Recognizing the figure of his adopted son silhouetted in the tunnel light brought Ridgestone some grounding. The sound of Lilacshadow making her report pulled him all the way back. Thunderclan mission. You're on a Thunderclan rescue mission.

Giving his thick red pelt a brief shake, the large tom dismissed his delusion for the moment. Lives were at stake and the Tribebloods were here for a reason. Looking over to his successor, he sensed the warrior holding back from taking the lead. I am surprised Greenstar did not entrust my son with this mission. Certainly Thunderclan would want it's own-blooded cats to head the rescue- Ridge understood well the air of trust and security with one's own kin.

Standing at the rear of the patrol it was difficult for him to see past his clanmate's ears. Ridge closed his eyes and instead sensed the rock and earth surrounding them. Heritage granted the old cat the ability to hear past the rushing water below with ease. His ears twitched as he detected for drafts that crossed with their main tunnel. Taking a few steps back the way they came, Ridgestone felt himself standing in front of a small opening, just large enough for a cat to squeeze through. Leaning closer, he noted that by the echo it reverbed that it must open up somewhere closer down to the cats below.

What a strange entrance.. I've never seen this in the path to the Pointed Stones before. Mission forgotten again, the brute sat down in front of the hole and pondered what sign this must be from his ancestors.

- - Ridgestone

[The one, the only FEATHER!]

Honeywhisker

The tom walked along in utter silence, hearing the calm breathes of the patrol, treading behind lilacshadow carefully the tom kept his wit about him, his white and ginger coat sticking out a little in the dark, as his light blue eyes looked around the tunnel carefully in case lilacshadow missed and entrance, the black as the pit, she-cat in front of him came to a silent halt her tail flicking in silence. The patrol came to a stop, the tom did the same to those behind him. the tom then slunked lower to the ground, peering up a little to see what laid ahead. That moment the purple eyed furry turned to him and mouthed that there was five cats.

The tom flicked his ear in acknowledgement, before giving a tiny nod. Clearly these cats were on high alert otherwise lilacshadow would of started to slowly move around those cats. The tom frowned for this thin space he could not see much of what was ahead. The tom then silently placed his head close to the tunnel wall to see if he could hear any other cats trailing up the tunnels, he steadied his breathing and focused on the wall, the cold dampness of the tunnel... he could hear something feint.. but it was further up the tunnel... he frowned trying to focus harder. Then he heard a impatient sigh it was coming in front of them.... tom move his ears away from the tunnel wall.

Looking to lilacshadow giving her a slight nod that it did only seem to be like 5 cats present, the tom then narrowed his eyes to her flicking them to the entrance of where a cat sat silently suggesting taking it out quietly, the ginger and white tom thought if they take out the cat in front of them swiftly bringing her to back of the tunnel where ridgestone could hold em quietly as the rest of the patrol took the others out... or if lilacshadow wanted to go the other way use the cat in front of them as a bribing tool threating to kill her if the others came any closer.. but as the loner claimed before they did not care about value of life as the clans did so, so that might not work.... The tom came to the conclusion that a silent attack was the way to go. He readied himself showing her that he would leap in if the others heard her he would jumped into the next cat, he flashed his tail behind him signaling the others to be ready for possible attack.

[Fleet]

His cream ears flickered as the she-cat came up alongside them, noting that in that moment Jesse was more Shadestorm, shifting closer to the she-cat as if somehow there was comfort in being close to her. The she-cat was staring at the movement he'd spotted and glancing sideways towards her he saw recognition glint in her eyes before hearing her soft murmur. Thunderclan had come all this way, that was something he had not anticipated but it was a blessing because it meant that even if a warning cry went up, they'd have help. His creamy tail curled, he glanced at their surroundings, he knew that climbing down would take too long and likely not jar the guards enough to keep their focus on them, but if they jumped the guards focus would be entirely on them as they prepared to fight them upon their emergence from the plunge pool. He drew a quiet breath, neither of the cats beside him were going to like this, but if they wanted to get free they were going to have to do it and so turning to them Rhaegar spoke"We're going to have to jump..."

At that Shadestorm's scarred face filled with a look of surprise"But you sa-" At that his violet eyes went to the other tom as he cut him off sharply"I know what I said and it was about falling not jumping... But that doesn't matter now, if we remain here we'll be caught.. And if we want to get all the guards attention so that Thunderclan can act we'll have to move faster than climbing... Jumping is our only option." The blue, grey tom looked uncertain as he responded"How do you know Thunderlan will do anything? Their not-" Rhaegar once again cut him off"I am willing to believe that they will do anything for their own... Besides we don't have time for this, hear that? That sound like thunder? That is the sound of many Deepground assassins, spies and warriors coming down this tunnel to catch us... If you want to be free, you'll follow my lead." The creamy tom was firm, for a moment Jesse seemed to hesitate before he gave a sharp nod and Rhaegar flickered his violet gaze across to Dawnstripe, keeping it stern incase she planned to argue too.

He and Arnon had not plotted this rescue out so Shadestorm could be re-captured, if they messed all this up it would all be for nought. Then turning to look out of the cave, he drew in a breath before murmuring"One... Two... Three!" With that he started running towards the edge, he heard paws behind him so he knew at least one of the two cats was following and then he reached the edge. His legs bent and he sprang out the cave towards the pool of water, he saw several sets of shocked eyes watching before he hit the water, where for a moment he sunk beneath the icy cold surface. In that clear cold pool for a moment there was peace, as the water muffled all sounds and just for a second the creamy tom was some place else, but then with lungs screaming he was breaking the surface where the peace of the dawn was likely broken

Rhaegar & Shadestorm

She'd just been fighting off another bout of drowsiness when there was a sound above them and suddenly the brown tabby beside her was on his large brown paws saying"The lunatics!" Then he was yelling orders"All of you to the edge of the pool, surround it entirely, leave no gaps for them to escape through!" The five cats all moved swiftly forwards as one unaware that they'd made their first mistake by not calling for back up, the black and white Trinity among them her green gaze fixed entirely on the scene before them. They were all completely unaware that not far behind them was a group of cats just waiting for the right opportunity. No instead their gazes were fixed on the cats now hitting the plunge pools icy waters, their claws unsheathing, their fangs bared as they prepared to deal out proper punishments. Trinity could feel a cold grin forming on her black and white face, she glanced briefly towards her mate as she spoke"Trust Rhaegar to think jumping into the pool would save them!" Her tail flicked with amusement, her mate gained a smug grin and then the first head emerged above the water's surface,Jesse. Trinity instantly focused on their prey once again, preparing to move in on the tom whatever edge he came too.

Trinity (& the 4 other Deepground cats on watch)

[SpoodleDoodles]

Dawnstripe

"We're going to have to jump..."

She had torn her eyes from the approaching patrol to enjoy the moment Shadestorm allowed her to be closer to him, missing his warm touch and knowing it would be a while before it was ever easy between them both again, yet fiercely devoted to the fact that that day certainly would come, eventually.

Yet Rhaegar's quiet words fell like stones in her ears and she stared at the tom with wide blue eyes. Jump. From this height. His plan certainly had merits that she could see in the value of the sudden distraction, yet it was not something she would have been happy to bring up herself. Shadestorm's reaction echoed her own and her ears flattened a little at Rhaegar's tone, but he was correct. The drumming of many paws behidn them could be heard and there was no time to think, to plan, only to breath and react.

She had refused to move from Shadestorm's side and glanced at him gently, hoping he'd take comfort for her rather then fear. "I'll be right beside you."

Rhaegar made the count, his words timing each beat of Dawnstripe's heart as they teetered on the edge. Then, aiming for the pool far below, they each made their jump. Dawnstripe hesitated slightly to make sure Shadestorm was in the act of jumping before she did; she could not leave him behind to sit up here until death came for him. Yet he made the jump and she followed, pretty pale ginger fur ruffling in the breeze, and the water rushing up to smack her in the face.

She was no RiverClanner. She sputtered and panicked, eyes watery and wide as she struggled to right herself and get to the surface. It took a few moments of burning lungs and sodden fur but she made it, bursting out into the clear open air, hearing alarm calls and scenting wet cat. Shadestorm had surfaced beside her and before she could check to see how he had coped, a black-and-white she-cat with green eyes was there on the shore, focusing on him. With her protective drive giving her a burst of energy she paddled infront of Shadestorm and stared at the female, recognising one of the cats she had been introduced to, though it took a moment for the name to register. "Don't you even think about harming him, Trinity!"

Lilacshadow

The dawn was approaching, pink hues touching the sky, and she knew with their scant cover they would be seen easily once the sun was up. ThunderClan cats preferred forest stalking, not open ground warfare like the rabbit-chasers loved. She was focusing on the five cats before them, noting Honeywhisker said nothing in reply beside her, but was ready, tail tip-twitching, as obviously prepared to attack as she was. And she was grateful that Greenstar had asked them to work together again. Her respect for her fellow Clanmate had grown immensely, this wasn't just another mousebrain. This was a ThunderClan warrior to trust and work with.

All such quiet and mild, focused thoughts went out the window when she heard Ridgestone's whispered, distracted mew behind her. She turned to shoot him an incredulous look after waiting several heartbeats in terrified silence for one of the watchers to have heard, and give alarm. But there was just a yawn and shuffle, thankfully he'd been almost as quiet as they. But he wasn't paying attention to the alarm he had caused among the patrol; he was sitting at the mouth of a tunnel peering down at it as if it was the most interesting thing in the world.

Lilacshadow only just barely restrained herself from thrashing her tail in anger. Clanmate or not, she'd rip him a new one if he didn't keep focused. Hoping he would react correctly to a battle call and not endanger himself or the other cats on the patrol, she half-rose in her crouch, eyeing their targets. There was no choice, they'd need to be taken down for the patrol to advance. She hoped Honeywhisker, Breezeheart and Ridgestone all recalled how important it was that they struck fast, fiercely, and retreated back to Greenstar's waiting reinforcements. There would be no time now for an extended brawl.

The rushing sound of paws followed by bodies falling through the air drew her attention, and she watched with wide amethyst eyes as a cat she didn't recognise- some oddly familiar, creamy golden tom- hit the pool of water, followed closely by two forms she knew well. Shadestorm's gaunt blue body, and Dawnstripe's pale ginger fur flashed by, swallowed by water. They might have been injured, she wasn't certain in that splash of water, but the guards were moving to surround the pool.

Crazy dirtbrains! Did they go stark raving mad or did some idiot trip and fall?! Her violet eyes flashed at the thought that some furball had dared push ThunderClan cats off such a high ledge. Time to deal with that later, however. Speed and accuracy was the game today. She was already shooting forward, knowing Honeywhisker would be right there with her, and hopefully the other two as well. "Quickly! Knock them down!" She herself angled straight for the black-and-white she-cat that was close to Shadestorm and Dawnstripe, a black silent missile that shot across the distance with a spring-loaded leap, intending to knock her target down by any means necessary. She fiercely hoped the others would remember the actual plan and not get stuck in an all-out brawl. Not yet.

She had to hope the other cats that had fallen into the water would not be enemies, but this was their one and only chance to attack the guards with surprise. They could not afford to miss this cue.

[ShinoDino first of her name!]

We won't just fall away
We weren't just born to fade
Our stories are past the horizon

Only some sort of supernatural blessing kept his ears from flattening at Lilacshadow. Yes, Ridgestone’s deteriorating mental condition posed potential issues, but that was on Greenstar. Not Ridgestone. But he knew that stirring up the prickly ebony femme at this moment would only deter from the rescue.
Breezeheart closed his glowing eyes for a moment as the entire gravity of the situation pressed upon him.

StarClan, Tribe of Endless Hunting . . . please protect Ridgestone today. Let him go home safely to Lovebattle and earn his golden moons of retirement. He’s following orders; nothing more,

Breezeheart begged.

In the split moment of silence as the three cats - two achingly familiar - hung in the air, Breezeheart pressed himself against Ridgestone’s side again. But his mind flew to her.
Sandecho.
What if their agreement came to fruition, she became pregnant, but he didn’t make it back to see his kits grow up? He’d truly live and die like Cloud then. But she didn’t deserve that fate. No one did.

Gritting his teeth, the gray tom forcefully shoved all thoughts of Sandecho, kits, and Cloud from his mind and watched Lilacshadow and Honeywhisker. Heart in his throat, he moved forward in step with his Clanmates, praying Ridgestone would follow. He locked eyes on the brown tabby tom whose back had turned so perfectly to him.

Maybe those crazy cats weren’t so crazy after all for jumping off the ledge . . . it had made one heck of a distraction.
He took aim at Ballybriggs, lowered his head, gritted his teeth . . . and charged.

We're chasing the sun till we find them
Goodbye to what we made
No matter anyway

[The one, the only FEATHER!]

Honeywhisker

There was some noise that rose from the silence.. shortly after a splash sounded then once again followed by silence. Then voices could be heard gathering around the pool, Honeywhiskers ginger ears flicked as the black she-cat in front of him moved forward, automatically his own paws followed in quick stride. As lilacshadow's pace quickened leading to a high leap to her target.

The tom blitzed past silently in a fast stride approaching two cats, that were on the other side of lilacshadow target, his paced quickened as he braced himself for impact, using his shoulder with heavy force to the first cat, sending him stumbling back on his paws and hide not before it sent him colliding with the second cat, causing the second cat to break from concentration looking at him in pure surprise. As honeywhisker missed no beat in his swift attack he slashed his forepaw forward across the second cats face, he used such a force from his forepaw it sent his target it hitting their head against the wall knocking it out.

The thunderclan warrior then turned his attention back to the first cat who was slowly coming to, struggling to get back up to fight from the low silent attack. Honeywhisker didn't give that tom the time or the chance to recover and fight. he again used his whole body this time to slam this cats body against the cavern wall making sure to slam with all his might. The body went limp and the tom released his hold watching the body slide to the ground.

Honeywhisker gazed over the two clearly they were still breathing, a little relief washed over him he didn't want to kill any cat unless he had to.. That was the true warrior in him, The tom flicked his ears as he mewed " clear" reporting to lilacshadow as he stood over eyeing those two off making sure if they wake he would knock em out again. He hoped the others were successful in a quick take down. The tom slightly turned his gaze to check on his clan mates, as what these cats should of remembered to always check your backs..

Though a thought came to his mind what happened to the group they were meant to rescue? did they see them and thought to create a diversion? or was it like one went to far a fell with the others in tow? well however it happened honeywhisker was glad, they didn't have to go all the way into the heart of this place, they can get those cats go back down the tunnel they just came from and head to where greenstar is waiting for them... it seemed almost to good of a mission? Honeywhisker frowned as he walked to the wall placing his ear against the cold rocks looking at the two cats below him still knocked out he listened to the sounds...His blue eyes seemed to have given off a warning.. it sounded like rats in a tunnel it was slightly unsettling that the sound was cats storming the tunnels heavy underpaw. The tom mewed " we don't have much time lilacshadow theres more... loads more all looking in the tunnels, we going to have to be careful which way we go"



occ": i have Honeywhisker attacking two of the NPCS loners

[Fern of my <3]

As Breezeheart brushed against his flank, the scent of moonlight and stars vanished. Fading back into the gravity of the situation caused Ridgestone to angrily sink his claws into the earth. I can't tell what's real! The frustration from the cats around him was reflected in his own heart. Less certain about his current orientation the senior warrior only identified that his son was beside him. And that a brawl was on their horizon. A strong scent of unfamiliar cats was detectable from the small tunnel entrance before him.

Quickly! Knock them down!

The black she-cat at the head of their group made the call and charged over the edge. Red fur bristled and adrenaline surged through his paws. Running on primarily instinct, Ridgestone fixed teal eyes on the tunnel path before him; rather than jump with the others he instead went straight into the darkness. Immediately, the large tom felt gravity pulling him down a steep slope. He moved his paws quickly underneath him to stay upright.

Light flashed across his vision a heartbeat later and Ridgestone came charging out of a wall beside the pool. Rolling with momentum the brute felt himself suddenly crashing into someone. It was one of the Deepground cats that had turned towards the unexpected appearance of his clanmates. On-edge from the fall Ridgestone growled and launched himself at the cat who'd been prey to his accidental knock-down. He used his powerful hind legs to launch himself to aim towards it's backside and extended his claws to grip onto the shoulders in an attempted pin-down.

- - Ridgestone

[Fleet]

The blue grey tom had spaced out the moment his form hit the water, something burned through his mixed memories, Reno, Zulu and black death with green eyes. For a moment he forgot how to swim and sunk back beneath the surface, numb to all that was happening around him. But then something had a grip on him and he was pulled back to the surface, he could see Dawnstripe moving in front of him, shouting at someone waiting on the shore. Something was tugging on the small amount of scruff he had left, he didn't understand what was happening but he could see movement of the shore, cats were attacking cats.

Next thing Shadestorm knew was his paws were scrapping along the ground and the grip someone else had had on him faded, he stood there, someone was talking to him but he was suddenly lost within his own head. A creamy pelt moved in front of him, concerned violet eyes staring into his eyes and then through the muffled haze that was over him words reached him"Jesse.... Shadestorm... Wake up! You have to run, the noise of the fighting will be drawing cats in!" He shook his head trying to focus, but he was still haunted by forest green eyes, gleaming in the darkness and then he was being roughly shoved, he took a step forwards, then another shove came and he took two more.

Shadestorm

The black and white she-cat had been moving to intercept Jesse when Dawnstripe was lunging between them with a screech that had her smirking, tail twitching mockingly as she continued her course to re-capture the cats before her. But then a sound came from behind, her black ears flickered and she half turned when something black collided with her. Trinity found herself flung from her paws, unprepared from attack from behind, she tumbled along the bank, pebbles and stones cutting into her as she rolled. Her green eyes were wide with surprise, but as he wild tumble slowed she tried to react defensively a low snarl in her throat as she lashed out while trying to roll back onto her paws. Around her she could hear total chaos, her band mates were being overwhelmed, they needed help, so even as she tried to find her paws she prepared to let out a wild screech that would summon the other patrols unaware of the patrol approaching through the tunnel the escapees had jumped from.

Trinity

The large brown tom was just as unsuspecting as his mate when it came to the attack which came from behind them, when Breezeheart lunged at him he'd been completely unsuspecting and was sent sprawling in much the same way as his mate had been, except instead of tumbling along the shore of the plunge pool he was sent tumbling into the ice cold water. It was so cold that for a moment he felt like he couldn't breath and then he couldn't actually breath because his head went under and then his artful tumble stopped. He flailed wildly in the shallows, bringing his head out the water, coughing and spluttering, his gaze falling on his attacker, his claws unsheathing as wildly he lashed out trying to keep the threat at a distance, trying to make sense of what was happening. Ballybriggs shook his head, trying to get the wet fur around his eyes to not go in his eyes and noted as he did so that they had a breach in their formation that Rhaegar was trying to push Jesse through.

Ballybriggs

His golden cream pelt clung to him, he'd managed to get to SHadestorm when he'd sunk beneath the surface while Dawnstripe defended him and got him too the shoreline. But something had happened, Shadestorm was not responding, he had a far away look to his face and so now progress was slow. Rhaegar shoved Shadestorm again, trying to get him walking but the tom would take only a couple of steps before stopping again and he was fast growing frustrated. So turning, he looked behind him, seeking out Dawnstripe, wanting her to try because who knew the she-cat might receive a better response than he was getting. There was a sound above and Rhaegar's gaze flicked up from the pool to fix upon a large ginger and white form. It was definitely time for the Thunderclanners to be gone, his violet gaze dropped back to the pool and he called"Dawnstripe! Get him moving! Get them all moving!"

Then he was shifting away from Shadestorm, splashing through the shallows, a determined expression upon his cream face as he made for the bottom of the narrow path way down. Even as he moved he could see several cats making the same jump that he and the two Thunderclanners had made before, likely on Zulu's orders. But the ginger and white tom was still at the top, his green gaze overseeing events below him. So upon reaching the bottom of the route up the small cliff face the cream tom began to climb, moving swiftly, knowing that if he could distract Zulu the Deepground fighters would be in even more of a disarray which would allow for a greater chance for the Thunderclanners to escape.

Rhaegar

[ShinoDino first of her name!]

Did you ever feel like a call in the night?
A good idea laid to waste
And left untried

The gray tom suppressed a sudden snort of laughter as Ballybriggs emerged from the shallows, sputtering and soaked. The smirk fell from his face though as the claws came. Breezeheart jumped back into action, dodging and weaving the blows as they came. He appeared, for all intents and purposes, to be on the defensive - but he had another plan.

If he kept Ballybriggs swiping at him, maybe he could turn the other tom’s back to Rhaegar, Dawnstripe, and Shadestorm, and thus take the rogue out of the equation all together. A cat couldn’t attack what he wasn’t facing, unless this rogue had some newfangled eyes in the back of his head or a fancy move to basically turn his body halfway around in the span of a blink.

Breezeheart struck out suddenly with a blow of his own, aiming to catch Ballybriggs mid-blow and throw him off balance again. Clearly, these cats were not water-inclined any more than he was and if he could keep even just this one off-balance and on unfamiliar footing . . . well, that would be one less cat to impede the rescue.

He kept one ear out for Greenstar and the attack patrol. It wasn’t his job to be engaged in a huge brawl and when the time came he’d high-tail it out of there as instructed. He kept one eye on the two cats that all of this fuss and battle was for. He saw Shadestorm’s hesitation and nearly rushed over to help, but halted himself just in time. No. He’d follow orders. That was his job today.

He thought of Sandecho and that steely look in her eyes as they’d made their agreement. He didn’t want to teach his kits - if there ended up being some, and they’d sure tried! - his twisted loyalties. He didn’t want them to think like a leader until they were one.

And he definitely didn’t want their loyalties torn in two.

Breezeheart snarled and took a step closer to the water, not getting in but not about to let Ballybriggs out. His amber eyes flashed dangerously.

Now the pillar of dust
That is holding you up
Is crashing down around you now

[SpoodleDoodles]

Dawnstripe

The black-and-white she-cat in front of them only had time to smirk at her words before she was being cannoned off to the side, Lilacshadow's pouncing strike more than effective on the distracted warrior. The pale ginger she-cat pulled herself dripping out of the water, Rhagaer hauling out Shadestorm beside her. The water was bliss on her wounded face and shoulders, washign away the blood and leaving a numb tingling in its place, but it couldn't last. With screeches exploding around them and the knowledge that cats were on their tails she knew they had to leave, and prayed Lilacshadow had some kind of plan in place that wasn't destroyed by rescuing mouse-brained diving cats.

At Rhaegar's frantic words she came back to Shadestorm's side, their savior shooting off in the dark to fight who knew what on the slopes that were coming alive with alien cats. Splashes echoed behind them and she knew others had attempted the crazy jump. Not sure if she was about to get mauled again she ignored the fight around them and focused on the blue-grey tom, his eyes vacant and distant for a moment. "Come on, love, come with me..." She curled her tail over his back to help support him in the direction he needed to go, pulling and tugging at his paws as she'd seen Rhaegar do. "Come, love, let's go home... stay right next to me, that's it..."

She was aware of friendly cats pulling in around them as a defensive guard, and at Lilacshadow's call she picked up the pace, pulling her tortured mate along with her, determined not to let go of him until they were at last far from the danger of this insane band.

Lilacshadow

Her attack had gone perfectly, her target rolling away in surprise among the stones and making a defensive swipe that was easy for Lilacshadow to dodge. It bought the black-cat with purple tinted fur enough time to glance around quickly, noting with pride the patrol had followed instructions- even Ridgestone had surprised a target- before Honeywhisker was reliably back by her side, reporting rapidly. The golden-cream stranger was yowling to Dawnstripe to move, for them all to move, and Lilacshadow agreed whole-heartedly.

Spotting Dawnstripe and Shadestorm already attempting to leave the pool area and hearing other cats splashing as they made the crazy plunge, the purple-eyes cat of fury called to get the attention of the other two in the patrol. "Patrol, fall back! Fall back right now!" Knowing actions spoke louder than words she fell back herself, close to Shadestorm's side but keeping her distance after one look at the tom. Both cats were injured and the welling blood marks on Dawnstripe's face set her heart ablaze with fury. Just let those fleapelts try to follow us.

Despite how much she wanted to turn and pull out their opponents fur Lilacshadow knew they had to keep moving, just as Greenstar had planned and ordered. There was a better surprise waiting for the mangy loners. Trusting Breezeheart to keep Ridgestone following them and knowing Honeywhisker would be guarding the other side of his sister, Lilacshadow sprang forward, calling back to the others. "Quick! Move, move, move!" This whole thing, from start to finish, depended on speed, and as they hit the undergrowth as a group and bolted through it as only ThunderClan cats could, she knew the second patrol would be hearing the racket they had raised and would be ready, waiting and willing to assist them the second they got back to that line. "Don't stop till we get past Greenstar!"

She wondered briefly where the golden cream tom had gone, but he had chosen his fate, and she had to guard theirs.

[Fleet]

Zulu's green gaze could see clearly all that was happening below, his comrades leapt past him to join the fight the ginger and white tom directing them to where they should head. He could see Ballybriggs and Trinity were struggling, he needed to send cats to support them, so as the next cats emerged from the tunnel he stood beside he turned towards them, preparing to command them to fill the breach so no one could escape. But his mistake was to turn towards the new cats as next thing he knew someone had seized him and launched them both from the cliff face towards the water below.

It seemed someone desired to prevent him from organising his band mates, someone seemed determined that Jesse would escape and not wanting to fail his band or his leader again, Zulu fought to free himself from his unknown attacker while in the air. He twisted and kicked trying to sink a tooth or claw into his attacker, but they had him in an iron grip. Then they hit the water and the other cat still clung to him, seemingly pulling him down further.

Finally he felt one of his kicks strike something solid, he struck there again and then the grip was loosening. Twisting in the depths of the plunge pool he finally managed to free himself and despite the desperate desire to kick for the surface he had to know who his attacker was. Spinning in the water he saw a golden blonde pelt and sad violet eyes, Rhaegar, of course it was the prince of chaos himself!

Zulu

The brown tabby tom was finding his opponent was to quick to land a blow on, but that was not surprising, he'd taken a tumble into ice cold waters, he was so very cold that every part of him ached and not to mention the bruises he likely not bore. On top of that he recognised that the other tom was more for quick fighting where as he was large and heavy, this faster, lighter tom was always going to be quicker than him so he had to find another way to end this fight.

His thoughts swirled as he sought a way to end this fight, he wondered what would happen if he just used his body like a feline barrier and rammed past the tom? He was thinking to hard and that was what became his undoing as Breezeheart suddenly swapped from defence to attack, a blow struck him and sent him staggering back into the water, it was so cold, distantly he could hear voices all around them, followed by the desperate sounds of combat.

Ballybriggs

All the voices around him seemed a long way off, he felt detached from his body looking in and he had no idea what steps to take. In his minds eye he could see a black pelt and green eyes, a voice, a whisper, I weep for you.. What was happening? Where was he? The world around him seemed to spin and he staggered slightly, his eyes closed. But then a new voice came, a voice that set his heart pounding and filled his body with warmth, slowly his brown eyes opened to see a beautiful pale ginger she-cat standing before him.

Part of him told him she was dangerous and he should lash out at her. But a larger part told him that he had to trust her, that he had to listen to her, that there was a reason she set his heart pounding and flooded his body with warmth. There was a touch on his back that sent shivers down his spine and gradually the sounds around him became sharper but loudest of all was her voice, directing him forwards. With the tiniest of nods he was obeying the she-cat, one paw moved then the other and repeat, gradually his pace picked up till he broke into a desperate run at Dawnstripe's side.

Shadestorm

Rhaegar knew he'd taken a risk going after Zulu, but he also knew that by taking out the second in command Deepground would fall into disarray. He did not know if he could kill the ginger and white tom or simply hold him up leaving his comrades in confusion in the chaos of the battle. He had not had a plan as he'd climbed the cliff, but upon reaching Zulu he knew instinctively what he had to do, so he'd taken hold of the ginger tom and flung them both into the plunge pool. It was only when they were in the water that Zulu broke free, leaving a gash on one of Rhaegar's legs in the process.

Now though they faced each other in the dark depths of the water, Zulu stared at him with green eyes full of surprise which was quickly shifting to hatred. But surprisingly the tom did not try to hurt him, instead he started kicking for the surface and Rhaegar knew the other must be desperate for air for him to focus only on getting to the surface. Narrowing his violet eyes Rhaegar started to chase the tom to the surface, in the moment he barely noticed how his lungs were burning as they gasped for air. No he only had eyes for Zulu and so he went for the other tom's legs. With lightning quick speed he seized one in his jaws and yanked the tom forcefully back down towards the depths.

What followed was an underwater struggle without much elegance as Rhaegar fought to keep Zulu in the depths and Zulu fought to reach the surface. Time seemed to stretch out, but Rhaegar knew only seconds were passing, he could feel both of them were weakening due to lack of air and then with one final kick from Zulu they were separated. Zulu seemed to have one last burst of energy left which he used to kick to the surface, Rhaegar however felt drained. For a moment he just seemed to hang there in the water, letting it pull him in several directions, at one point it felt like he was pushed deeper under but then his back was hitting something solid and the water forced him up.

He came out coughing and spluttering, hidden in the shadows of the cliff, just behind the waterfall. He was exhausted, but he could see his efforts weren't in vain, without a leader Deepground were struggling to contain the Thunderclan cats. He saw the Thunderclan cats sweeping up their two missing members and fleeing into the night, the Deepground cats struggling to follow as a disorganised rabble.

Rhaegar