Post by Katanaheart on Aug 5, 2016 20:32:42 GMT -5
Hello, everyone! I am Katanaheart, and welcome to Season Three of The Lighthouse! I don’t really have a lot to talk in this Introduction, which is awesome for you, since you’re here for the story.
Before I move onto credits, if you just happened to stumble upon this thread, it’s not going to make much sense without reading Season 1 or Season 2. (Also, please avoid the Allegiances for those two seasons as they WILL contain spoilers.)
Season 1
Season 2
With that out of the way, I’d like to give credit to everyone who has submitted characters throughout all seasons.
Credit to:
•Rainpath117 for Amberfluff
•Icemask for Ashfur III
•Shineheart890 for Quietsong
•Jadeflower for Redclove (Thank you for also helping me with Isole’s name.)
•~Darkpool~ for Petalfrost
•ChasmHeart for Chillfrost
•Jadeflower for Nightpelt
•Cakeengland for Wildface
•Mossnose431 for Ghostail
•Snakestar for Dragonclaw
•Lily of the Valley for Mistrose
•Dawnleaf7763 for Irisleaf
•Ratpelt for Shadowdance
•*Mothleap and Cindertail* for Oceandew
•Embersun for Lightheart
•Nutpelt 5216 for Valenceheart
•Whiskerfeather for Spiderblade
•Winter Eclipse for Sagetail
•Crab that Shines in Stars for Sparrowfoot
•Fading Reality for Flaretail
•Mosspool for Willowtail
•mintedstar/fur for Dustwing
I thank everyone that has submitted characters, they have been amusing to write with, and I will be more than happy to write them again, one last time.
Special thanks to Pinkiefur to the banners and dividers! They look wonderful, my friend!
Post 1
- Introduction and Credits
- Differences in Seasons
- Allegiances
- Episode 1 (The remaining Episodes are located in spoiler tags, separated by the dividers. Episode 14's Allegiances and onwards are displayed in the second post. )
Post 3
- Fan-List
- Polls
- Fan-Art
Post 4
- Stories of Characters
- Extra Information
The number of Guests has dropped significantly, which makes this Season different from its predecessors with a very small cast.
The dark gray color mentions a term that I had plan to mention back at the end of Season 2, which would refer to the creepy Spirit-like cats that appeared late last season.
I have also added an “Extra Information,” section which will cover any ironies I have found. As well as information that was no added into the story, due to whatever reasons. (Aka a section where Blade posts stuff she would normally post randomly throughout the thread.)
(These will change throughout episodes. They will contain spoilers as the season is updated. Most characters go in Order of Appearance.)
Green-Living
Red-Dead
Purple-Missing in Action/MIA
Light blue-Visitor
White-Spirit
Dark Gray-Shade
Black-Enemy
Guests
Tangletalon~Dark brown tabby she-cat with golden stripes. Has hazel eyes.
Amberfluff~Bright ginger she-cat with a unusually puffy tail. Has blue eyes.
Ashfur III~Speckled gray tom with blue eyes.
Quietsong~Light gray tabby with white stripes. He has green eyes with a faint blue circle near the pupil.
As of Episode 3...
Guests
Tangletalon~Dark brown tabby she-cat with golden stripes. Has hazel eyes.
Amberfluff~Bright ginger she-cat with a unusually puffy tail. Has blue eyes.
Ashfur III~Speckled gray tom with blue eyes.
Quietsong~Light gray tabby with white stripes. He has green eyes with a faint blue circle near the pupil.
Spirits
Chillfrost~Skinny white she-cat with a silver tinge on her face, paws, and tail. Has blue eyes.
As of Episode 4...
Guests
Tangletalon~Dark brown tabby she-cat with golden stripes. Has hazel eyes.
Amberfluff~Bright ginger she-cat with a unusually puffy tail. Has blue eyes.
Ashfur III~Speckled gray tom with blue eyes.
Quietsong~Light gray tabby with white stripes. He has green eyes with a faint blue circle near the pupil.
Spirits
Chillfrost~Skinny white she-cat with a silver tinge on her face, paws, and tail. Has blue eyes.
Wildface~Black and white tom with blue eyes.
Enemies
Serpent~A large snake with varying shades of gray with a white underbelly, it has light purple eyes.
As of Episode 5...
Guests
Tangletalon~Dark brown tabby she-cat with golden stripes. Has hazel eyes.
Amberfluff~Bright ginger she-cat with a unusually puffy tail. Has blue eyes.
Ashfur III~Speckled gray tom with blue eyes.
Quietsong~Light gray tabby with white stripes. He has green eyes with a faint blue circle near the pupil.
Spirits
Chillfrost~Skinny white she-cat with a silver tinge on her face, paws, and tail. Has blue eyes.
Wildface~Black and white tom with blue eyes.
Rabbitspring~Fluffy white she-cat with white eyes.
Nightpelt~Gray tom with black stripes. He has ice-blue eyes.
Enemies
Serpent~A large snake with varying shades of gray with a white underbelly, it has light purple eyes.
Spider
Ripfang~Ragged dark brown tom with yellow eyes. He has several scars on his face.
As of Episode 6...
Tangletalon~Dark brown tabby she-cat with golden stripes. Has hazel eyes.
Amberfluff~Bright ginger she-cat with a unusually puffy tail. Has blue eyes.
Ashfur III~Speckled gray tom with blue eyes.
Quietsong~Light gray tabby with white stripes. He has green eyes with a faint blue circle near the pupil.
Spirits
Chillfrost~Skinny white she-cat with a silver tinge on her face, paws, and tail. Has blue eyes.
Wildface~Black and white tom with blue eyes.
Rabbitspring~Fluffy white she-cat with white eyes.
Enemies
Serpent~A large snake with varying shades of gray with a white underbelly, it has light purple eyes.
Spider
Ripfang~Ragged dark brown tom with yellow eyes. He has several scars on his face.
As of Episode 7...
Guests
Tangletalon~Dark brown tabby she-cat with golden stripes. Has hazel eyes.
Amberfluff~Bright ginger she-cat with a unusually puffy tail. Has blue eyes.
Ashfur III~Speckled gray tom with blue eyes.
Quietsong~Light gray tabby with white stripes. He has green eyes with a faint blue circle near the pupil.
Spirits
Chillfrost~Skinny white she-cat with a silver tinge on her face, paws, and tail. Has blue eyes.
Wildface~Black and white tom with blue eyes.
Rabbitspring~Fluffy white she-cat with white eyes.
Nightpelt~Gray tom with black stripes. He has ice-blue eyes.
Quailfeather~Brown she-cat with black spots. Has yellow eyes.
Enemies
Serpent~A large snake with varying shades of gray with a white underbelly, it has light purple eyes.
As of Episode 8...
Guests
Tangletalon~Dark brown tabby she-cat with golden stripes. Has hazel eyes.
Amberfluff~Bright ginger she-cat with a unusually puffy tail. Has blue eyes.
Ashfur III~Speckled gray tom with blue eyes.
Quietsong~Light gray tabby with white stripes. He has green eyes with a faint blue circle near the pupil.
Spirits
Chillfrost~Skinny white she-cat with a silver tinge on her face, paws, and tail. Has blue eyes.
Wildface~Black and white tom with blue eyes.
Rabbitspring~Fluffy white she-cat with white eyes.
Nightpelt~Gray tom with black stripes. He has ice-blue eyes.
Quailfeather~Brown she-cat with black spots. Has yellow eyes.
Dragonclaw~White tom with black ears, paws, and tail-tip. Has blue eyes.
Ghostail~White tom with blue eyes.
Enemies
Serpent~A large snake with varying shades of gray with a white underbelly, it has light purple eyes.
Spider
Ripfang~Ragged dark brown tom with yellow eyes. He has several scars on his face.
As of Episode 9...
Guests
Tangletalon~Dark brown tabby she-cat with golden stripes. Has hazel eyes.
Amberfluff~Bright ginger she-cat with a unusually puffy tail. Has blue eyes.
Ashfur III~Speckled gray tom with blue eyes.
Quietsong~Light gray tabby with white stripes. He has green eyes with a faint blue circle near the pupil.
Spirits
Chillfrost~Skinny white she-cat with a silver tinge on her face, paws, and tail. Has blue eyes.
Wildface~Black and white tom with blue eyes.
Rabbitspring~Fluffy white she-cat with white eyes.
Nightpelt~Gray tom with black stripes. He has ice-blue eyes.
Quailfeather~Brown she-cat with black spots. Has yellow eyes.
Dragonclaw~White tom with black ears, paws, and tail-tip. Has blue eyes.
Ghostail~White tom with blue eyes.
Gingerclaw~Orange tom with yellow splotches, has light green eyes.
Duskclaw~Dark gray tom with amber eyes.
Enemies
Serpent~A large snake with varying shades of gray with a white underbelly, it has light purple eyes.
Spider
Ripfang~Ragged dark brown tom with yellow eyes. He has several scars on his face.
As of Episode 10...
Tangletalon~Dark brown tabby she-cat with golden stripes. Has hazel eyes.
Amberfluff~Bright ginger she-cat with a unusually puffy tail. Has blue eyes.
Ashfur III~Speckled gray tom with blue eyes.
Quietsong~Light gray tabby with white stripes. He has green eyes with a faint blue circle near the pupil.
Spirits
Chillfrost~Skinny white she-cat with a silver tinge on her face, paws, and tail. Has blue eyes.
Wildface~Black and white tom with blue eyes.
Rabbitspring~Fluffy white she-cat with white eyes.
Nightpelt~Gray tom with black stripes. He has ice-blue eyes.
Quailfeather~Brown she-cat with black spots. Has yellow eyes.
Dragonclaw~White tom with black ears, paws, and tail-tip. Has blue eyes.
Ghostail~White tom with blue eyes.
Gingerclaw~Orange tom with yellow splotches, has light green eyes.
Duskclaw~Dark gray tom with amber eyes.
Petalfrost~White she-cat with ginger patches. Has light blue eyes.
Nightshade~Smokey gray almost black tom, with orange eyes.
Enemies
Serpent~A large snake with varying shades of gray with a white underbelly, it has light purple eyes.
Spider
Ripfang~Ragged dark brown tom with yellow eyes. He has several scars on his face.
As of Episode 11
Guests
Tangletalon~Dark brown tabby she-cat with golden stripes. Has hazel eyes.
Amberfluff~Bright ginger she-cat with a unusually puffy tail. Has blue eyes.
[Ashfur III~Speckled gray tom with blue eyes.
Quietsong~Light gray tabby with white stripes. He has green eyes with a faint blue circle near the pupil.
Spirits
Chillfrost~Skinny white she-cat with a silver tinge on her face, paws, and tail. Has blue eyes.
Wildface~Black and white tom with blue eyes.
Rabbitspring~Fluffy white she-cat with white eyes.
Nightpelt~Gray tom with black stripes. He has ice-blue eyes.
Quailfeather~Brown she-cat with black spots. Has yellow eyes.
Dragonclaw~White tom with black ears, paws, and tail-tip. Has blue eyes.
Ghostail~White tom with blue eyes.
Gingerclaw~Orange tom with yellow splotches, has light green eyes.
Duskclaw~Dark gray tom with amber eyes.
Petalfrost~White she-cat with ginger patches. Has light blue eyes.
Nightshade~Smokey gray almost black tom, with orange eyes.
Enemies
Serpent~A large snake with varying shades of gray with a white underbelly, it has light purple eyes.
Spider
Ripfang~Ragged dark brown tom with yellow eyes. He has several scars on his face.
As of Episode 12...
Guests
Tangletalon~Dark brown tabby she-cat with golden stripes. Has hazel eyes.
Amberfluff~Bright ginger she-cat with a unusually puffy tail. Has blue eyes.
Ashfur III~Speckled gray tom with blue eyes.
Quietsong~Light gray tabby with white stripes. He has green eyes with a faint blue circle near the pupil.
Spirits
Chillfrost~Skinny white she-cat with a silver tinge on her face, paws, and tail. Has blue eyes.
Wildface~Black and white tom with blue eyes.
Rabbitspring~Fluffy white she-cat with white eyes.
Nightpelt~Gray tom with black stripes. He has ice-blue eyes.
Quailfeather~Brown she-cat with black spots. Has yellow eyes.
Dragonclaw~White tom with black ears, paws, and tail-tip. Has blue eyes.
Ghostail~White tom with blue eyes.
Gingerclaw~Orange tom with yellow splotches, has light green eyes.
Duskclaw~Dark gray tom with amber eyes.
Petalfrost~White she-cat with ginger patches. Has light blue eyes.
Nightshade~Smokey gray almost black tom, with orange eyes.
Enemies
Serpent~A large snake with varying shades of gray with a white underbelly, it has light purple eyes.
Spider
Ripfang~Ragged dark brown tom with yellow eyes. He has several scars on his face.
Robinsong~Calico she-cat with green eyes.
Treepelt~Dark brown tom with yellow eyes.
As of Episode 13
Guests
Tangletalon~Dark brown tabby she-cat with golden stripes. Has hazel eyes.
Amberfluff~Bright ginger she-cat with a unusually puffy tail. Has blue eyes.
Ashfur III~Speckled gray tom with blue eyes.
Quietsong~Light gray tabby with white stripes. He has green eyes with a faint blue circle near the pupil.
Visitors
Sagetail~Small gray tom with yellow eyes, he has a white tuft of fur on his chest.
Dustwing~Brown tabby tom with amber eyes, he has a long feathery tail with a crooked tip.
Willowtail~Pale grey she-cat with a cream-colored belly and paws, she also has a white tail-tip and light blue eyes.
Spirits
Chillfrost~Skinny white she-cat with a silver tinge on her face, paws, and tail. Has blue eyes.
Wildface~Black and white tom with blue eyes.
Rabbitspring~Fluffy white she-cat with white eyes.
Nightpelt~Gray tom with black stripes. He has ice-blue eyes.
Quailfeather~Brown she-cat with black spots. Has yellow eyes.
Dragonclaw~White tom with black ears, paws, and tail-tip. Has blue eyes.
Ghostail~White tom with blue eyes.
Gingerclaw~Orange tom with yellow splotches, has light green eyes.
Duskclaw~Dark gray tom with amber eyes.
Petalfrost~White she-cat with ginger patches. Has light blue eyes.
Nightshade~Smokey gray almost black tom, with orange eyes.
Enemies
Serpent~A large snake with varying shades of gray with a white underbelly, it has light purple eyes.
Spider
Ripfang~Ragged dark brown tom with yellow eyes. He has several scars on his face.
Robinsong~Calico she-cat with green eyes.
Treepelt~Dark brown tom with yellow eyes.
As of Episode 13
Guests
Tangletalon~Dark brown tabby she-cat with golden stripes. Has hazel eyes.
Amberfluff~Bright ginger she-cat with a unusually puffy tail. Has blue eyes.
Ashfur III~Speckled gray tom with blue eyes.
Quietsong~Light gray tabby with white stripes. He has green eyes with a faint blue circle near the pupil.
Visitors
Sagetail~Small gray tom with yellow eyes, he has a white tuft of fur on his chest.
Dustwing~Brown tabby tom with amber eyes, he has a long feathery tail with a crooked tip.
Willowtail~Pale grey she-cat with a cream-colored belly and paws, she also has a white tail-tip and light blue eyes.
Spirits
Chillfrost~Skinny white she-cat with a silver tinge on her face, paws, and tail. Has blue eyes.
Wildface~Black and white tom with blue eyes.
Rabbitspring~Fluffy white she-cat with white eyes.
Nightpelt~Gray tom with black stripes. He has ice-blue eyes.
Quailfeather~Brown she-cat with black spots. Has yellow eyes.
Dragonclaw~White tom with black ears, paws, and tail-tip. Has blue eyes.
Ghostail~White tom with blue eyes.
Gingerclaw~Orange tom with yellow splotches, has light green eyes.
Duskclaw~Dark gray tom with amber eyes.
Petalfrost~White she-cat with ginger patches. Has light blue eyes.
Nightshade~Smokey gray almost black tom, with orange eyes.
Enemies
Serpent~A large snake with varying shades of gray with a white underbelly, it has light purple eyes.
Spider
Ripfang~Ragged dark brown tom with yellow eyes. He has several scars on his face.
Robinsong~Calico she-cat with green eyes.
Treepelt~Dark brown tom with yellow eyes.
Redclove~Ginger she-cat with darker ginger stripes. Has ice-blue eyes.
Episode 1
*Within a Lighthouse, several cameras zoom in on a dark brown she-cat. The cat appears to be sleeping soundly, her flank rises and falls with each breath. A sudden shriek from elsewhere in the building awakens the tabby, hazel eyes open with hostility She leaps out of the bed and dashes to the door.*
???~Who decided to wake me-what?
*She attempts to open the door, but it seems to be locked. Her rage slowly turns into fear as she turns around to actually see the room. It is a rather ordinary room with the only furniture being a bed, nightstand, and lamp. Everything looks rather worn-out, and the purple wallpaper appears to be peeling in some places…*
???~No, this looks kind of like that room…
*The golden-striped tabby then shakes her head, defiantly.
???~That place burned to the ground, there’s no-
*She shuts her mouth as she notices something shiny resting on the dark wood of the nightstand… An object she knew she had left there… She picks up the shiny item, which turns out to be a light gray key with an amethyst placed at the top.*
???~Please, StarClan, just let this be the guys tricking me…
*The cat returns to the door and inserts the key into the knob. It clicks, and the tabby slowly opens it. The door reveals the top of the stairwell, and rather dimly lit rooms of what Tangletalon knows to be the living room downstairs… She slowly pads out of the doorway of her room; leaving the key still lodged in the knob.*
???~Tangletalon!
*The tabby releases a shriek, her fur spikes up and claws unsheathe in response. Terrified hazel eyes then slowly relax upon seeing familiar, blue eyes.*
Tangletalon~Amberfluff, uh, you-
*The golden-striped she-cat is cut off immediately by the bright ginger she-cat, who sounds both solemn and terrified as she speaks.*
Amberfluff~I can’t believe we’re back here… This place burned down, yet we’ve been dragged back in…
Tangletalon~Yeah, Wait, did a shriek wake you up?
Amberfluff~Shriek?
Tangletalon~Yeah, someone screamed and I woke up in my room…
Amberfluff~Weird, I didn’t wake up in my room… I was surrounded by those mattresses and boxes, it took forever to find my key… Maybe someone’s hurt, we might be able to find one of the guys, while we look.
Tangletalon~Right, let’s start downstairs first.
*The two she-cats then quickly head downstairs; their fur occasionally rises at the familiar sights… The living room itself is as they remembered it; minus the tv, what seems to be a computer desk near the stairwell, and what looks to be a bloodstain near the stairs.*
Tangletalon(Sarcastically)~Nice to know this place saw use since we’ve been here…
Amberfluff~Tangletalon!
Tangletalon~Clearly, you haven’t seen me in a while.
Amberfluff~*Shakes her head.* I prefer Tangletalon like this, it’s distracting from what’s really happening…. The fact that we’re here and doom is upon us…
*Amberfluff glances at the kitchen and dining areas.*
Amberfluff~Nothing has changed there…
Tangletalon~So, nothing in the main rooms then? That just leaves the Lounge and some possible side rooms or whatever The Lighthouse throws out…
*Before Amberfluff can reply a loud shriek splits the air. The ginger she-cat’s eyes widen in shock.*
Amberfluff~ Is that what you heard?
Tangletalon~Yeah! Although hearing it louder… It’s possible it could be one of the guys…
???~I’ve been looking for you two, everywhere!
*The she-cats turn around upon hearing a familiar, grouchy voice. They see a speckled gray tom with blue eyes glaring angrily at them, from the top of the staircase.*
Tangletalon(Sarcastically)~Nice to see you too, Ashfur III.
Amberfluff~We were looking for you, too… Uh, do you know where Quiet-
Ashfur III~If that mouse-brain hasn’t wandered off again, he should be where I left him.
Amberfluff~You left him, somewhere! You know we shouldn’t leave cats-
Ashfur III~Stop arguing and follow me, already…
*Tangletalon rolls her eyes and Amberfluff lets out a sigh, however the two she-cats climb up the stairs to find Ashfur III. The speckled cat then goes back the way he came, Amberfluff begins to speak as they walk.*
Amberfluff~Where did you wake up at, Ashfur III?
*The gray tom lets out an annoyed sigh, but answers Amberfluff’s question.*
Ashfur III~The Lounge, nothing has really changed there… It kind of smells like burned flowers, but that’s about it… Quietsong was already up and around by the time I found him. Where were you two?
Tangletalon~I was in my room, and Amberfluff was in that odd “entrance” with the old mattresses…
Ashfur III~Weird.
Tangletalon&Amberfluff~What?
Ashfur III~Everyone already has their keys…
Tangletalon~Ugh, more stairs!
*The dark brown tabby groans as the three cats make their way up another set of stairs, after leaving the hallway/stairwell of that respective floor.*
Tangletalon~Oh, Ashfur III, did you hear someone shrieking?
Ashfur III~Shrieking? No, I haven’t heard anything…
Amberfluff~I heard it too, a few moments before you called us…
Ashfur III(Sarcastically)~On top of not losing its usual creepy charm and dark walls; we now have random screaming…
*The three cats finally reach the top of the stairs, where they are nearly blinded by the large light from the Lighthouse, which circles about… In a normal situation, this light would be a literal beacon of hope, yet in this setting it seems almost ominous… It is like a unwanted beam, exposing what should be unseen…*
*A light gray tabby stands near the glass of the Lighthouse, shielding it from the pounding rain outside. His white stripes appear brighter each time the light illuminates the outside world. The cat turns around before Amberfluff can speak, the light illuminates the faint blue shade, in his green eyes, his voice is quiet; his words confused…*
???~I saw him die, I think… I saw his eyes disappear as the flames consumed him….
Tangletalon~You mean, Isole, Quietsong?
*The light gray tabby turns away from his spot, and walks to stand by the other cats, he answers upon reaching them.*
Quietsong~Yeah… Yet, I know I did, but for some reason, I feel like he’s still here…
Tangletalon~He could be like how Ripfang was…
Ashfur III~That’s the last thing we need, a-
*Before the speckled gray tom can finish speaking, a sudden shriek cuts him off, the scream is louder than before, and this time it continues. The cats flatten their ears at the loud clamor, and they have to yell to be able to hear one another, through the sound.*
Ashfur III~IS THAT WHAT YOU’VE BEEN HEARING?
Tangletalon(Sarcastically)~NO, MOUSE-BRAIN! I’VE BEEN HEARING SOMEONE CHUCKILING!
*The shrieking then stops abruptly, a moment later the glass around them starts to crack in many places…*
All~StarClan!
*Before anyone can move rain and some weird black liquid seeps from the cracks, as the glass continues to break… Rain and wind suddenly appears in The Lighthouse, drenching and chilling the four cats, despite the glass not breaking at the ceiling… The black liquid starts staining the glass; as more of the unknown substance slips out, and onto the floor. All while the screams begin to rise in pitch, almost as if more voices are joining in,*
Amberfluff~THIS DID NOT HAPPEN LAST TIME!
Quietsong~SOMEONE MAKE IT STOP!
*Suddenly the large light in The Lighthouse goes out, leaving the cats in the cover of darkness…*
Tangletalon~THE FLOOR IS WET, AND THAT IS NOT RAIN!
Ashfur III~WHAT?
*Before Tangletalon can repeat herself, the screaming stops, and the light flickers on… The floor is covered in blood, and gasps and screams catch in the cats’ throats, as they stare at where Quietsong had been, and the surrounding area. The entire area is red with the black substance seeming to replace the glass at this point. Bodies cover the ground of unknown or unidentifiable cats, the screams has reached an all-time high, as more voices have joined in. Then as abruptly as it started, the four cats are blinded by the large white light and everything is as it was.*
Quietsong~That is not something that has happened…
Amberfluff~That was insane!
Tangletalon~*Merely gasps, but does nod her head.*
Ashfur III~… We need to get out of here, soon. Before THAT becomes frequent…
*The other three nod their head in agreement. All four cats have wide eyes, unsheathed claws, and spiked fur to add to their current fear… Out of all the things to expect from The Lighthouse, whatever THAT was, was not one of them… The four cats then slowly head downstairs, all still in shock of what has just, unfolded.*
Episode 2
*The cats are still visibly shaken from whatever had just occurred upstairs. The tension is high within the room and no cat has spoken since escaping… whatever they had just witnessed. Quietsong glances around the kitchen as if expecting bodies to appear out of nowhere, Ashfur III is clearly trying to force his fur to lie flat in order to appear calm. The she-cats do not fare any better, Amberfluff’s fur is spiked up and her ears lie flat against her head. Tangletalon opens her mouth to speak but the only thing that comes out is shaky breathing… A few more minutes pass before someone finally breaks the silence.*
Amberfluff~…That, whatever that was, it was not something we have ever seen before…
Quietsong~Yes…
Tangletalon(Sarcastically)~It’s like… Oh, hey, you have to fear for your life, but have whatever just happened thrown at you too… *She lets out a fake, nervous, laugh.*
Ashfur III~We have to focus on getting out of here…
Quietsong~And ignore a possible danger?
Ashfur III~I did not say that! I am saying we need to escape.
Tangletalon~Duh! Of course we have to escape!
Amberfluff~Calm down! We won’t get anywhere if we start squabbling like kits!
Ashfur III~What do you think we should do then, Amberfluff?
Amberfluff~We should-
???(Sarcastically)~No, go back to acting like kits; it was very beneficial to your survival…
Ashfur III~Is that-
Tangletalon~How is that even possible?
*A familiar skinny, white she-cat appears floating above the kitchen table. A smirk resides on her silver-tinged face and her blue eyes shine with amusement.*
Guests~Chillfrost!
Tangletalon~I will repeat, “How is that possible?”
Chillfrost~I won’t bore you with all the technical explanations, Nightshade or someone else will do that later… The point is; I’m a Spirit.
Quietsong~Is Rabbitspring still a-
Chillfrost~We’re all here, even Quailfeather and Gingerclaw.
Ashfur III~If everyone’s a Spirit, then why aren’t you all here?
Chillfrost~I’m not allowed to talk to you guys? I found it fitting that the first cat you should talk to, should be the last Guest that died? After all, I should be the one still breathing!
Tangletalon~Your death is not our fault! You rushed in like a mouse-brain to fight Isole!
Chiillfrost~To get the key and escape this place! You are to blame for leaving my body to burn!
*Any amusement Chillfrost had has faded, her eyes have narrowed and her fur flares up as she argues with the living tabby.*
Ashfur III~We were trying to flee, Chillfrost. If we had had time we would have carried your body back to your room. But we didn’t, so why are you here?
*The she-cat turns her fierce blue eyes to the gray tom, her fur slowly lies flat yet she still sneers as she speaks.*
Chillfrost~You’d think the four of you would be smart enough to not get captured again… But I’ll clue you in on something that ended a while ago…
Guests~???????
*Any trace of anger leaves the she-cat instead she becomes somber as she chooses her next words, as if she is reminiscing on the past or recalling a terrible event…*
Chillfrost~Sometime after you left, there was another group of cats…
*The Spirit grows quiet for a moment before continuing.*
Chillfrost~Let’s just say being dead and only being able to watch is much worse than anything you could ever imagine… …We also learned what those “groups of cats,” were called… They’re called Cycles, the Cycle you missed was the 12th Cycle… The Cycle we were a part of was the 11th. I guess Isole wants to finish the 11th Cycle off…
Quietsong~Isole? There’s no way he can be alive, I saw him die!
Chillfrost~He is dead, he’s just a Spirit… He’s different though, he can do things I can’t… Being dead gave him plenty of mobility and he can still kill you…
Tangletalon(Sarcastically)~Great! We’re dead.
Ashfur III~*Sighs.* More reason to get out of here…
Amberfluff~Chillfrost, do you know what will happen if Isole… if he kills us?
Chillfrost~No idea, Just “Something terrible,” apparently… So, stay alive.
Quietsong~What about the things upstairs?
Chillfrost~It won’t hurt you. It’s just an illusion. Heh. You’re lucky you didn’t get to meet an actual cat…
Amberfluff~Actual cat?
Chillfrost~Yeah, they started showing up some when the Cycle was going on… They’re very creepy looking. They’re Spirits or at least that’s what Nightshade thinks…
Ashfur III~Have they said anything to you?
Chillfrost~That’s the thing… They don’t notice us, it’s like we’re invisible to them… I don’t even know if they “make” those illusions or if they just happen at random because they’ve happened when there were no Cycles going on…
Chillfrost~They do notice the living which sucks for you guys… They’re nothing to worry about though; they’ll just freak you out…
Tangletalon~I hope you’re right…
Chillfrost~Besides, they’re interested in that old “amulet,” we found… They want it for some reason but it’s not exactly here… It is here but it’s not…
Amberfluff~That doesn’t make any sense.
Chillfrost~ Yeah it does, when you die you’ll find out what I mean!
Ashfur III~Let’s not and say we did….
Chillfrost~I’m going to go back to the others and see if Ghostail’s stopped screaming, so I’ll see you guys later.
*The silver-faced she-cat disappears as abruptly as she had arrived.*
Amberfluff~She had some useful information at least… Those illusions and… cats won’t harm us…
Quietsong~That doesn’t explain why they do it though, I trust Chillfrost’s word but I doubt those illusions and these cats are really harmless…
Tangletalon~She mentioned nothing about getting out though… Amberfluff, you woke up in that original area, was the door unlocked?
Amberfluff~ If it was, do you think I would still be here?
Tangletalon~I’m just making sure that we weren’t missing a major detail.
Ashfur III~At least we’re making more progress than our last time here… We’re actually discussing possible ways to escape.
Quietsong~Last time, Redclove and Isole merely disappeared through smoke… Is it possible that there were nearby exits?
Tangletalon~I wouldn’t scratch that idea out… Connecting rooms maybe? They did that a lot in the living room, below the stairs…
Ashfur III~It would be nice if we had Nightshade’s map… But it was here when the fire broke out…
Amberfluff~I might be able to re-create it…
Tangletalon~That’ll give us some sense of direction…
Ashfur III~We’ll need it if we want to get out here.
Tangletalon~I’ll leave Ashfur III with you, Amberfluff.
Quietsong~Hm?
Tangletalon~I’m going to look around the places we know and see if there’s anything different or anything we’ve missed… If I’m remembering correctly, Ashfur III looked at the map with Wildface last time we were here, so I’m leaving him with you… That and I don’t want that mouse-brain being a thorn in my paw…
Amberfluff~That makes sense… Okay, we have bits of a plan, that’s better than last time!
Ashfur III~Hopefully we’ll get out of here before anyone winds up dead… I really hope we make it out of here…
New Characters: Wildface-A black and white tom with blue eyes. He sacrificed himself and was killed by a chandelier in the first Season. He remembers the map well and was a fairly reasonable cat.
Redclove-A ginger she-cat with darker ginger stripes, she has icy blue eyes. An assassin in season 1. She is Isole's right hand after his original right hand was killed in season one.
Episode 3
*Beyond the Lighthouse sits a building and within this building is a ginger she-cat, who happens to be rather disgruntled as of late. Her piercing, ice-blue, eyes narrowed as she read over several e-mails on her computer… The room she inhabited was far from tidy, daggers and papers laid scattered about on her floor and cabinets, there was a large bloodstain on her desk, (some of it which were staining a few keys on her keyboard,) even her prized double edged sword was currently embedded into the remains of a cat merely tail-lengths from her chair. The head of the now disembodied cat lay on the side of her desk like a coffee mug; if she were to turn and look at the head she would’ve seen terrified, light-green eyes and the matted fur of a cream she-cat…*
Redclove~Who does he think he is? To have me, ABANDON all the work I have accomplished. It’s like he is treating this like some “Grand Finale,” when I should’ve dumped another twelve in there alongside those “Survivors.” “Get rid of the Workers, Redclove. Burn all the evidence, Redclove. Turn off all the cameras; you will no longer be NEEDED?
Redclove~I was more than pleased to cooperate with his first e-mail, even with all the hell that was going on last time around. The way the cameras went off like crazy as who knows what happened; and him skulking about without mentioning that he was alive… …Since when did he become so secretive? Why does he want everything so exact, how deep does this go?
*The she-cat unsheathed her claws as her rage fluctuated, in a desperate attempt to keep calm. She instead reached out with her right fore-paw and swiped the decapitated head off her desk. The head flew and hit the wall, then slid down to the floor. It probably left a bloodstain, not that the she-cat cared to see.*
Redclove~... :mellow:
Redclove~I think some rebellion is in order for the future… You seem awfully impatient about me carrying out the murders of the Workers. I think I’ll let them live for a while longer, just to irritate you. Then I’ll pay The Lighthouse a little visit.
*Redclove pulls her double-edged sword free from the body near her, blood slides down the blade and drips onto the corpse as it is freed from the flesh of the dead.*
Redclove~After all… I have business to finish with a rapier wielding tabby…
*Meanwhile within The Lighthouse, Amberfluff and Ashfur III stand around the dining room table. Ashfur III looks exasperated while Amberfluff draws out the map.*
Ashfur III~That’s in the wrong place.
Amberfluff~No, it’s not. The Lounge is right here in this alcove.
Ashfur III~That’s not what I mean. I mean it comes from this wall, not that one.
Amberfluff~No it doesn’t.
Ashfur III~Yes, it does.
Amberfluff~Doesn’t.
Ashfur III~Does.
Amberfluff~It does not.
Ashfur III~ You didn’t stare at this thing for several hours before a chandelier killed someone! I know what I’m talking about… :mad:
*The bright ginger she-cat lets out a sigh before turning away from the gray tom.*
Amberfluff~StarClan, I really hope the others are having better luck than we are…
Ashfur III~ *Snorts.* I doubt it.
*Speaking of the other two Guests, they appear to be in the Lounge… The two cats glance around the room before they begin searching. Tangletalon pulls some cushions from a loveseat.*
Quietsong~I don’t remember that being there last time…
Tangletalon~Who knows when it got here? *She throws a cushion to the side as she speaks.*
Tangletalon~I don’t understand why we’re doing this again… Why not just kill us all off, when we’re sleeping?
Quietsong~… You and I both know they don’t exactly work like that… They want to cause us pain first…
Tangletalon~It’s annoying.
Quietsong~I imagine dying would be worse than being annoyed…
Quietsong~… Aren’t you afraid to die, Tangletalon?
Tangletalon~We’ve escaped once before. And we have a larger chance this time. We’re actually doing something, not standing around waiting for some stupid Game to provide clues…
Quietsong~That’s true…
Tangletalon~So we’re already doing better than last time. We got here and we’re making some progress… We didn’t do anything till Duskclaw had died last time, and now it’s different… We have the Deceased to help fill in some blanks…
Quietsong~Yeah.
Quietsong~What about everything Chillfrost told us?
Tangletalon~It made some sense… What didn’t make any sense were those “illusions,” and whatever the “cats,” are… And why would they only appear recently?
Quietsong~No idea… Perhaps Isole brought them out? Maybe they’re working with him to keep us on edge?
Tangletalon~Maybe.
*The light gray tabby pauses at the bookcase. He then begins to poke at it with his paws.*
Tangletalon~What are you doing? :uhh:
Quietsong~Nightshade disappeared in here before he returned with that gasoline… I just now remembered it was in this room, maybe I can find it…
Tangletalon~*Rushes over and begins to do the same.*
Quietsong~Hopefully it’s here, and this place hasn’t moved it somewhere else…
*After several minutes of doing this, a clicking sound is heard. Before either Guest can revel in their progress, the floor opens up beneath them, the two cats cry out in surprise as they fall into the unknown.*
*In the Dining Room, a Spirit seems to have joined the two bickering Guests. This Spirit is a black and white tom with blue eyes. Some order seems to have formed through his appearance.*
???~Did you even bother trying to look at it from her angle, Ashfur III?
Ashfur III~(Sarcastically) Yes, I definitely thought of that, Wildface….
Wildface~*Shakes head.* I see some things haven’t changed…
Amberfluff~*Sighs.* Sadly.
Ashfur III~I take offense to that comment.
Amberfluff~… Where is this?
Wildface~That’s that caverns… The one where we met Isole for the first time, remember?
*The two living cats visibly shudder as they remember their first meeting with the gray tabby.*
Ashfur III~And he’s still alive?
Wildface~Not exactly, He’s a Spirit… But he seems to do things that we can’t… Ripfang is also still here but I’m unsure if he’ll be any actual trouble now.
Amberfluff~Why do you say that?
Wildface~The only actual cat he killed in our Cycle was Petalfrost. He merely caused Rabbitspring’s death, he never made her fall… And in the twelfth Cycle, a she-cat called Daylily had been killed by him in the same way…
*The two Guests glance into the living room, their eyes settle on the beginning of the stairs, remembering the way they had found Petalfrost. How the she-cat had been hung from the banister and the events that shortly followed her death, the two cats shake their heads.*
Ashfur III~We need to focus… Once we get this map done, we’ll have a better idea of this layout…
Amberfluff~Yeah… The others should also be coming back soon… Didn’t they say they had only a few more places to look at?
Ashfur~Sadly, yes… Which means I’ll get to argue with a certain furball; I’m not looking forward to that, by the way…
*Elsewhere Tangletalon and Quietsong shakily get up from their fall. They seem to have to have fallen into the middle of some kind of outstretched hallway…? The stone floor is hard and cold beneath their pads and its dark…*
Quietsong~I can’t see anything…
Tangletalon~That makes two of us… So, what? Do we just scramble around in the dark till we find the way out?
Quietsong~It seems so…
Tangletalon~Great… Stick close to me, I’ll try and lead…
Quietsong~Okay.
*The two cats then move forward a few mouse-lengths. Tangletalon stops as they hear the sound of rushing water from somewhere to their left…*
Tangletalon~I’d rather not go for a swim, I have no idea how deep that is…
Quietsong~Agreed…
*The two cats continue moving forward, their paws becoming colder the more they walk on the stone floor. If not for the darkness, one could see the two cats shuddering in discomfort due to the chilly air. Their eyesight has improved with time.*
Quietsong~Tangletalon, do you feel something kind of soft?
Tangletalon(Sarcastically)~Yes, this stone floor is really nice and comfy, moorland…
Quietsong~I don’t mean the floor… Just, feel this. *He moves his paw away from… something.*
*The she-cat turns around and taps at the ground.*
Tangletalon~That is soft, kind of. It feels like a crushed flower.
Quietsong~Why would that be down here?
Tangletalon~Who knows? Maybe it was a herb. It’s useless now, though.
Quietsong~Right. We should keep going.
*The two cats continue their descent into darkness, occasionally, stopping to remark upon the sudden burning stench that lingered shortly after discovering the flower.*
Tangletalon~My paws are going to fall off…
Quietsong~*Pants.* I know what you mean… When does this thing end?
Tangletalon~Soon, I hope… I’d rather not freeze to death in here…
*Shortly after the two Guests speak, this water-filled corridor ends! And opens into another hallway, this one at least looks like it is part of an actual room. The floor is hardwood, except the darkness still remains…*
Tangletalon~Oh, come on! :mad:
Quietsong~My paws are killing me and we get another hallway…
Tangletalon~Ugh… :mad:
Tangletalon~Quietsong, let’s stay put for now. We still have no idea where we’re at, or even if this is where Nightshade had been when he fell down here… Besides, we need some rest with all that walking…
Quietsong~*Nods in agreement.*
Quietsong~I’ll stand watch, if you want. That way one of us can nap, some.
Tangletalon~I’m so happy you volunteered.
*The she-cat drops to the ground as she says this. Her aching paws finally have a chance to actually rest.*
Quietsong~*Sighs.* The others have it easy…
Episode 4
*Amberfluff releases a sigh of relief as Wildface nods in approval at the completed map. Even Ashfur III looks somewhat pleased at the work that has been accomplished. *
Ashfur III~Hopefully this hasn’t been a waste of time, considering how everything moves around…
Wildface~Surely, it will have some use… Some rooms have not changed, after all.
Amberfluff~Can we go find Tangletalon and Quietsong, now?
Ashfur III~Those mouse-brains can find their way back.
Amberfluff~You said it yourself, some rooms change, Ashfur III! What if they’re in a different room or in another part of The Lighthouse?
Ashfur III~……You have a point…
Wildface~I seem to have overstayed my time here, anyway... I wish the two of you luck, and hopefully Tangletalon and Quietsong have not found too much trouble…
Amberfluff~Thank you, Wildface.
Ashfur III~Yeah… The map would’ve been a thorn in our paws if you didn’t come along…
*The black and white tom smiles and nods his head, before disappearing from sight.*
Amberfluff~It looks like we’ll have to retrace their steps…
Ashfur III(Sarcastically)~Great…
*The grey tom grabs the map, as this duo of Guests set out to find their fellow Guests.
Meanwhile, said cats are still lingering in a rather dark corridor somewhere else in The Lighthouse. Quietsong is currently curled into a light grey ball, his white stripes are easily visible against the dark background. A certain golden striped tabby sits grumpily beside the ball of fur...*
Tangletalon~I hate this place but what I wouldn’t give to be back in that bed… That would be so much better than this cold floor right now…
Tangletalon~Shut up, Tangletalon… Talking about a nice bed is just going to make you sleepy… You need to stand watch.
*The she-cat shakes her head as she scolds herself. She stops mumbling to herself and focuses on their current surroundings. Her eyes have slowly re-adjusted to the darkness after sleeping, not that the hallway they’re sleeping in has anything interesting… A few doors that are locked and didn’t budge when she clawed at the wood. There was also the long hallway far ahead of them, and the entry way, to what they could only guess was still the wet corridor.*
*The she-cat let out a sigh and shook her head. They could either move forward and get lost even more, or return to the entrance of the wet corridor and see if The Lighthouse would let them return to the Lounge...*
Quietsong~*Yawns sleepily, as he opens his eyes. Exposing their mint green color to the inky blackness of their current surroundings.*
Quietsong~Anything happen?
Tangletalon~Nope. The doors in this area are locked… Or jammed by something now that I think about it, either way we’re not getting in…
Quietsong~*Yawns.*
Quietsong~Which leaves the way we came or that hallway…
Tangletalon~Correct, Captain Obvious… I’m thinking we should go back…
Quietsong~…Why?
Tangletalon~If we went forward, we may get lost entirely… While with that wet corridor, we at least know where the starting point was…
Quietsong~Yeah, but what if Nightshade had gone further?
Tangletalon~We could still get lost! Besides we’re not looking for a way to torch the place again, without an escape route!
Quietsong~I doubt the gasoline would’ve remained after the last fire, anyway. But what if something else is there?
Tangletalon~I’d rather have the others down here with us to do that. More paws and eyes, that way.
Quietsong~We might not get this opportunity again, Tangletalon.
Tangletalon~Or, we will when all four of us are here.
Quietsong~We fell, remember. There is no point in returning to the entrance.
Tangletalon~ :mad:
*The she-cat becomes quiet for a few moments before conceding.*
Tangletalon~Fine… We’ll go your way.
*Quietsong slowly stands up as Tangletalon rises to her paws.*
Quietsong~I’m pleased you see it my way. :smirk:
Tangletalon~ Lead the way, sleepy rabbit. You can wake up your paws faster.
Quietsong~*Snorts.*
*The two cats then move forward down the dark hallway, ignoring the doors on either side of the walls.*
Tangletalon~… What does an opal even mean?
Quietsong~ :uhh: What?
Tangletalon~Opal.
Quietsong~Opal?
Tangletalon~ Your key has an opal in it, mousebrain!
Quietsong~No… I had Jade.
Tangletalon~Fox-dung! I’m thinking of Ashfur III’s…
Quietsong~Why are you asking?
Tangletalon~There must be some significance to the keys…
Quietsong~They’re keys… They open doors and tell them who has which room…
Tangletalon~… But why are there any expensive jewels in the first place? Rabbitspring had a diamond for crying out loud!
Quietsong~*Nods.*
Tangletalon~What if the keys will help us get out or-wait, no nevermind…
Quietsong~StarClan, are you serious?
*The light grey tabby hisses angrily as the hallway of darkness, warps to a familiar area of wet stone… The only difference is that their “hallway,” is more narrow and unlike the previous room, has dim lighting in the farther area of the “corridor,” This new hallway also features a railing to the left side to prevent falling into the water below.*
Tangletalon~Perhaps we should’ve went my way then…
Quietsong~
Quietsong~… It’s sad that we’ve used to crazy things like this.
Tangletalon~I wouldn’t be surprised if there was a meadow in here actually… This place seems to pop out whatever it wants.
Quietsong~You’d think it would want to create an escape route…
Tangletalon~
*The two cats suddenly jump at the sound of the water hitting the stone below their paws. Their fur bristles, only to quickly lie flat again… Tangletalon chuckles then looks at Quietsong.*
Tangletalon~I guess it must be raining harder than usual outside…
Quietsong~Probably… Or it could be another “Spirit,” encounters.
Tangletalon~Yeah, but that was instant before…
*The two Guests continue to talk as the water below rocks and crashes violently against the stone.*
Quietsong~I wonder if this dim light is the half-way point, here?
Tangletalon~Maybe, it’s nice to not be in the dark, like before…
Quietsong~True.
Tangletalon~I don’t remember you talking this much, last time…
Quietsong~I did talk, more so to Rabbitspring though…
*The light grey tom lets out a sigh.*
Quietsong~I know she’s probably a Spirit like Chillfrost but I’d rather her be alive…
Tangletalon~Her death wasn’t fair… She was possessed.
Quietsong~She showed me the bracelet… I wish… I should’ve told her to throw it away or something…
Tangletalon~You can’t regret your past decisions… Ya’know Wildface died pushing me out of the way…
Quietsong~I remember he had died because of a chandelier, but I didn’t know he pushed you out of the way…
Tangletalon~Yeah…
*A loud wave crashes against the stone, drowning out the sounds of the wet paw-steps of the tabbies. The two continue to walk in silence as the cats attempt to avoid the wetter stones.*
Quietsong~How much farther?
Tangletalon~Maybe a few more fox-lengths? I’m not good at judging long distances…
Quietsong(Sarcastically)~Great…
*Tangletalon lets out a screech as the water rises enough to slip through the railings, splashing the two cats with bone-chilling water.*
Tangletalon~StarClan, that might as well be a storm!
Quietsong~Clearly… *He shudders several times as he speaks.*
Tangletalon~Let’s keep moving… :mad:
*They move swiftly, their wet paws slapping against the cold stone as the waves below continue to rise and smack the railings. Suddenly, a large wave erupts in front of the two cats, shattering the railing as if it were a twig. The dark water flees and cascades down the body of a large Serpent, its light purple eyes gleam as the reptile stares down at the drenched cats. The scales of the Serpent seem to be varying shades of grey with a lighter underbelly, although that might be the lighting’s fault… Quietsong and Tangletalon warily eye the large serpent, having only mere moments to think of some method of escape.*
*Nothing is said between the two as they begin to sprint off back the way they came. There is a loud clack sound as if the Serpent’s jaws had snapped shut, narrowly missing a delicious meal. A hiss of rage escapes the jaws of this beast as it surges forward, moving swiftly to catch up with the drenched felines ahead.*
*Quietsong lets out a surprised yelp as he picks up the pace, narrowly ending up in the reptile’s gaping jaws.*
Tangletalon~Move faster! *The soaked she-cat says through clenched teeth. Between their rather sleepless rest, cold surroundings, and now wet fur… They cannot afford to lose their pace, or worse, slip.*
Quietsong~*Lets out a growl of annoyance but moves faster.*
*They move faster, narrowly tripping on the wet floor beneath them. Occasionally avoiding the snapping of the snake’s jaws, in their battle to escape.*
Tangletalon~I can see the entrance!
Quietsong~How are we going to outrun it in there?
*They pant as they quicken their pace, their lungs burn with each breath as the snake slinks towards them, angry at its meals’ persistence to stay alive…*
*Wet paw-steps pound against the stone ground while a few tail-lengths away the Serpent releases an angry hiss of frustration. The Guests push forward, cautious not to slip yet panting as they swiftly move. By sheer luck, they run past the entrance. What awaits them however, is not the odd wooden hallway with unlocked doors but instead what appears to be a storage room. Tangletalon flops onto the floor, gasping for air, and shivering from the water clinging to her fur.*
Quietsong~StarClan, I need more sleep…
Tangletalon~Way ahead of ya….
*In a dark area within the Lighthouse, a vague outline of a cat shimmers into view.*
???~This is rather interesting, indeed… Do they sense how unwilling you are? Or is it just wishful thinking on my part, you’ve yet to do anything, I wonder… What exactly is your next move?
Episode 5
*The camera zooms in on Ashfur III and Amberfluff as they enter the remnants of the destroyed Garden. Amberfluff looks confused while her fellow Guest appears gravely annoyed.*
Ashfur III~Next time, no splitting up. I’d prefer to at least-Are you paying attention to me?
Amberfluff~This is new…
Ashfur III~I don’t see any sign of either of them. I think we should turn back, it would be a waste of time checking out this place.
*The fluffy tailed she-cat stares at the broken and disheveled landscape. Ash covers the area alongside seared remains of branches, roots, and what little leaves are left. The only plant in the area that remains intact is a large tree in the center, that was now shown complete mercy, judging by the seared, dark marks on the trunk.*
Amberfluff~Huh. That branch looks like it’s drooping, yet none of the others look broken… :uhh:
Ashfur III~(Sarcastically)~Very fascinating. Can we please get back to looking for the missing idiots, please?
Amberfluff~*Sighs.* Yeah… If I focus anymore, I feel like my heart’s going to burst, I really hope those two are okay…
Ashfur III~Do you think the others can tell if they’re alive or not?
Amberfluff~Huh?
Ashfur III~The Spirits. Surely, they can sense if they were in trouble.
Amberfluff~Perhaps.
Ashfur III~Then perhaps we’re worrying about nothing then? Those furballs will show up eventually, right?
Amberfluff~I don’t think we should throw our doubts to the wind. It is possible that Quietsong and Tangletalon are in danger… In which case, we must find them.
Ashfur III~Humph. Then, where do you suggest we keep looking? There is nothing else in here but ash and a burnt tree…
Amberfluff~Then we’ll just go somewhere else then, they should be around here somewhere…
Ashfur III~Perhaps The Lighthouse took them somewhere else or they wandered into a different area…
Amberfluff~That’s rather likely… We’ve searched every possible area from the Lounge to the Attic, their rooms, and this new area… Oh! Nightshade disappeared in the Lounge before the fire, perhaps they discovered where he went?
Ashfur III~That’s likely… Is it possible there is anything in here, among the ash?
Amberfluff~Maybe? Who knows what is or isn’t a doorway into another area of this place…
Ashfur III~Maybe that tree is a doorway, it is the only thing in tact…
*The two Guests then pad further into the Garden and stop at the scorched tree with the low hanging branch. Amberfluff and Ashfur III begin prodding at the blackened bark to find a passageway. Ashfur III takes his paw away from the base of the tree as hears a clicking noise.*
Ashfur III~I think I found something…
*Amberfluff pads over to the gray tom’s side of the tree as he takes his paw off the piece of bark.*
Ashfur III~Listen.
*The tom places his paw on the bark again, the two cats hear a click. Yet nothing happens, no mysterious doorway appears nor do they fall from some unforeseen trap door in the ground.*
Amberfluff~Maybe you need to press it a certain number of times?
Ashfur III(Sarcastically)~Great, riddles…
Ashfur III~How many times am I supposed to press it then? What would even be a good number for these freaks? :mad:
???~Oooooh! Twelve, try twelve! I think it’s twelve!
*The two Guests then turn around. Amberfluff smiles softly as she sees a familiar fluffy she-cat with gleaming blue eyes. The Spirit bounces in the air on four springs.*
Amberfluff~Rabbitspring! …You found your springs.
Ashfur III~…. Even death cannot silence that hyper mouth of yours, it seems…
Rabbitspring~Yeah! I found them! It’s so nice, wait…. Um…
*The white Spirit glances around at the charred remains of the Garden. She blinks in confusion and frowns.*
Rabbitspring~Where’s Quietsong? :uhh:
Amberfluff~He and Tangletalon went to find a way out in the areas we know. We think they ended up somewhere else, so we’re looking for them.
Ashfur III~Can you sense them? You’re a Spirit and you found us, after all.
Rabbitspring~….I don’t know…
Ashfur III~ What in StarClan’s name is that supposed to mean?! You either can or you can’t, mouse-brain!
Amberfluff~Ashfur III! :mad: Don’t yell at her.
Rabbitspring~
Rabbitspring~It’s just really weird, it all got weird after the last Cycle died… Like it’s hard to be here? In this plane, when it used to be really easy, and sometimes its normal and other times, it’s really hard, it’s the same thing with sensing the living…
Amberfluff~Okay… So, in other words you can’t sense them right now… But, it’s possible you could later, right?
Rabbitspring~*Slowly nods her head.*
Rabbitspring~The amulet keeps freaking out too, like it doesn’t know what it wants to do… It used to just be darkening but since Valenceheart died…
Ashfur III(Sarcastically)~Well, this is great…
*The speckled gray tom turns back around and hits the area of the tree a few more times. Each time earns him a click, on the last click it stops.*
Ashfur III~Six clicks and nothing happened… :mad:
Rabbitspring~Uh…
Rabbitspring~Oh, uh, maybe Amberfluff! Let her try!
Ashfur III~It’s not like we have anything else to lose, right now. *He glances at the fluffy she-cat floating beside him, meanwhile his bright ginger companion taps the tree, which makes another clicking noise. * Why twelve?
Rabbitspring~I don’t know! Lucky guess?
Amberfluff~It seems to be working again… Just five more times.
Rabbitspring~Yay! I helped!
Amberfluff~Thank you, Rabbitspring!
Rabbitspring~You’re welcome! I’m going to go and see if the others have done anything yet, they’ve just been standing around like trees! Bye!
*As the Spirit leaves, the click resonates for a sixth time, the ginger she-cat takes her paw off the tree bark and rests it on the ground. A few moments later the area they had been pressing gives way, as more of that side of the tree appears to fall off. Amberfluff and Ashfur III share a look of confusion and intrigue as the hole gets larger to the point they could slip inside the tree.*
Amberfluff~After you?
Ashfur III~*Sighs and shakes his head. The speckled gray tom then enters the hole in the tree.*
Ashfur III~Good news, no falling involved.
Amberfluff~Good, no pits for us. Especially none that have spikes… Poor Nightpelt…
*Amberfluff then follows the speckled tom slowly. It is dark within the “tree,” and the ground beneath their paws is cold and feels vaguely like tile.*
Ashfur IIII~Looks like the only way to go is forward…
Amberfluff~Lead the way.
*The two Guests pad forward into the darkness for several moments, then Ashfur III lets out a yelp as he trips.*
Amberfluff~Ashfur III! Are you alright?
*The speckled tom does not answer her.*
Amberfluff~Ashfur III? *She glances at the area in front of her, the gray tom is nowhere to be seen. Amberfluff shudders as she places a paw forward.*
Amberfluff~Please, StarClan, let this be one of those rooms that appear out of nowhere….
*Amberfluff lets out a breath of relief as she sees Ashfur III’s speckled gray fur only a few mouse-lengths ahead of her.*
Ashfur III~Amberfluff, look at the ground…
Amberfluff~Why? What’s on the-STARCLAN!
*Her blue eyes widen as she stares at the floor below. Whatever room there is contains several bookcases(?) or the tops of them anyway… The floor below is wooden and looks… very far away. Yet whatever the two cats are standing on feels like gravel.*
Ashfur III~We’re on the ceiling…
Amberfluff~StarClan…
Amberfluff~What if we fall? Can you move?
Amberfluff~Ashfur III.
Ashfur III~I-I think so..?
*The speckled tom is visibly shaking as he raises a paw from the ceiling. He then moves it forward and stays quiet for several moments.*
Ashfur III~I think the ceiling is the floor for this room… We’re not going to fall.
Amberfluff~Thank StarClan. *She lets out a sigh of relief.*
Amberfluff~I wish we could see what are in those bookcases…
*The she-cat looks up at the tops of the bookshelves and sees nothing of interest, other than that there is also a small coffee table and a door.*
Ashfur III~That’s creepy and oddly comforting?
Amberfluff~What is? :uhh:
Ashfur III~That.
*The two cats look at the wall ahead of them written in black is some weird words that make no sense yet seem oddly comforting…*
“Miracles give Serenity.
Serenity allows Sanity.
Sanity gives rise to Order.”
Ashfur III~I feel like I’m going to regret this but Amberfluff, are there anymore weird words of encouragement behind us?
Amberfluff~*Turns around and sees more words… This set of words are however, less encouraging in such a dismal place.
“Tragedy inspires Terror.
Terror invokes Fear.
Fear leads to Insanity.”
Amberfluff~No. That’s not encouraging, nor does it make sense… Why is this even here?
Ashfur III~*Snorts.*Why is an upside down room even here?
Amberfluff~True… Except a tragedy is a neutral concept, why is it there?
Ashfur III~True. Miracles is also neutral, it really depends on the circumstances… One cat’s tragedy is another cat’s miracle and vice versa.
*Amberfluff glances around the room, nothing else of interest seems to be here except for the words on the wall. Or whatever is on the actual floor, but that’s out of reach. Well, there is a gaping crack at the ceiling that is suddenly looking very interesting right now.*
Ashfur III(Sarcastically)~Great, more creepy holes we have to go through. *He glances at Amberfluff.*
Ashfur III~She-cats, first.
Amberfluff~
*Amberfluff flicks her fluffy tail as she leaps into the hole in the ceiling, a few moments later and Ashfur III joins her. The two Guests do not have to climb up for long as they enter this new area, thankfully on the floor this time. However, the moment they enter this room Amberfluff notices something very familiar and terrifying… The grotesque abomination currently resides in a corner of the ceiling, unmoving. Yet its eyes are wide open and staring at her and yet, it’s not charging at the Guests. Amberfluff slowly turns to Ashfur III and mouths “Quietly move.” The tom and she-cat then slowly move to a door nearby, while the monster in the ceiling corner does nothing. It does not budge or even seem to be breathing. Yet, every time the ginger she-cat glances back at it, it seems alive, very much alive… They move slowly, careful to not make any sudden moves or loud noises. Just as the two cats draw close to a nearby doorway, it awakens and releases a familiar noise.*
Spider~SCREEEEE!
Amberfluff~RUN!
*The two cats dash off through the doorway ignoring their surroundings as they flee the large arachnid, said arachnid looms behind them screeching and making blood chilling sounds. They pass through rooms, ignoring their surroundings with the Spider mouse-lengths behind them.*
Ashfur III~There’s no way we can outrun that thing! *He says in between pants as he runs.*
Amberfluff~What should we do then?
*Ashfur III does not answer as he runs, focusing on fleeing instead of the burning pain in his legs and paws. The last thing they need is to be captured or eaten by the Spider, with no one to help them…*
Spider~SCREEE!
*The Guests push forward, their paws pounding against the wooden floor as they flee from the large arachnid. Suddenly, a force slams into the two cats sending them flying into a wall. They let out shrieks of surprise as they’re hit by a powerful force; except they fall through the wall, as if it was an illusion. The two cats land on rough carpet, their bodies sore and strained, yet rage floods them as they stare at a ragged tom with dark brown fur. The Spirit laughs without glee, the scars that mar his face seem to ripple as with the movement, his yellow eyes reflect annoyance, yet amusement gleams in them.*
???~Now, is this what you do to thank someone who have saved your lives?
Amberfluff~You’re a murderer, you killed our friends and countless others! :mad:
Ashfur III~*Growls.* Yet, why help us, Ripfang?
*The living slowly rise to their paws, pain and exhaustion floods every part of their being, yet they somehow manage to stand.*
Ripfang~I highly doubt Isole would want two of his returning Guests to die without meeting them once more…
Ashfur III(Sarcastically)~Great.
Ripfang~And to die to that disgusting Spider would be a very gruesome way to go, I imagine. Honestly, I’ve always found that thing rather creepy…
Amberfluff~Stop trying to be civil! We’re safe, you can leave!
Ripfang~*Snickers.* Safe? You think you’re safe, here? *Laughs.* Here’s a hint, you’re not safe, Fluffytail.
Amberfluff~:mad: DO NOT CALL ME THAT!
Ashfur III~*Rolls his eyes.* So, what’s your plan, Ripfang? *He glares at the ragged tom.*
Ripfang~I’m going to check and make sure your fellow Guests are not in danger, once the Spider leaves… *The Spirit glances back at the wall behind him, as the sound of scuttling legs becomes louder.*
Amberfluff~So we’re stuck in a room with a murderer then? *Growls.*
Ripfang~*Chuckles.* You could try and fight me, but the last cat tried… Ended up falling down a long chasm, if I recall…
*The Guests snarl at the mention of the deceased, Amberfluff unsheathes her claws in warning, yet she winces. Her body is still recovering from the run and subsequent fall, afterward.*
Ashfur III~….Why do any of this? Why work for Isole?
Ripfang~If you’re trying to figure out if I know anything about his goals, you’re wasting your time, I do not. He has left me in the dark on any possible plans for quite some time now… As for my own reasoning to be a murderer, it is rather simple. I enjoy it, there is so much power one can gain over another, by ending their life…
*Two pairs of blue eyes widen in shock at this response, the dark brown tom laughs boisterously.*
Ripfang~Others always think it’s for some sort of outside circumstance or tragic reason, when really they overlook the fact that some people like myself, simply enjoy the rush of adrenaline and power, one can get from ending another’s life. I lived for that thrill, and surely it is amazing that I can continue such work, even after death.
Ripfang~I am done talking. Hopefully the next time we meet, there will be four of you, instead of two.
*The dark brown tom grins madly before disappearing into nothing. The Guests do not speak as they shudder in response. For a cat to freely admit that they kill for the rush of it is a terrifying ordeal, and if that was Ripfang’s reasoning to follow Isole to this crazy place. Who knows why Redclove is even here, let alone Isole’s own ambitions and goals…*
Amberfluff~StarClan, why did I have to be brought back into this madness…
Episode 6
*Within the storage room, Quietsong slowly stands up and opens his eyes. Now that he has had some rest and is not in fear of being eaten by a giant snake; he can properly examine the room this time. The gray tabby doesn’t move as he scans the area for anything unusual. Other than dusty filing cabinets and an old printer, the room is rather empty.*
Quietsong~Surely, we can find something…
*Quietsong glances at the sleeping she-cat beside him. Her fur had taken longer to dry and she had been sleeping since they found this room…*
Quietsong~It’s time to wake up, I can’t search these cabinets alone… *The tom then pokes the golden brown tabby several times with one of his fore-paws.*
Tangletalon~I don’t wanna go on dawn patrol…
Quietsong~*Frowns but then smirks quickly.*
Quietsong~TANGLETALON! THE SPIDER’S BACK, IT’S COMING TO EAT US!
Tangetalon~*Screams as she jumps to her paws.*
Quietsong~
Tangletalon~*Glances around room wildily.*
Quietsong~ The Spider isn’t here, Tangletalon. It probably died in the fire, anyway…
Tangletalon~THAT WASN’T FUNNY, YOU MOUSE-BRAIN! :mad:
Quietsong~I’m sorry… But it’s not like I can search through those filing cabinets alone…
Tangletalon~Sure you can. You do work, I keep sleeping. Good compromise.
Quietsong~What if something important is in one of them?
Tangletalon~ I hate you.
Quietsong~ I’m glad we’re on the same page now.
Tangletalon~
Quietsong~There’s about three drawers to each cabinet… So around twelve drawers in all, since they’re four cabinets… So we can each tackle two of the cabinets.
Tangletalon(Sarcastically)~Hooray, Captain Obvious can count. I don’t need you telling me how many cabinets are in here, I can see for myself.
Quietsong~Someone’s a grouchy hedgehog…
Tangletalon~*Slowly opens one of the drawers closest to the entrance…*
Tangletalon~Empty… Looking through these, is going to be a thorn in my paw. I have a better idea, to see if there’s anything in them…
*Before Quietsong can ask, he hears a loud bang. The tabby glances over to see Tangletalon ramming into the filing cabinet, trying to use her weight to get it to fall over.*
Quietsong~:uhh: Tangletalon, that’s not going to work… We’re better off searching drawer by drawer. We’re looking for information on an exit, not trying to damage your head.
Tangletalon~Get down here and help me, I’m not strong enough to knock it down. :mad:
Quietsong~*Facepaw.* The last thing we need is to get injured…
Tangletalon~Standing around and not doing anything, nearly killed us last time… We have to do something!
*Tangletalon snarls angrily from below, while Quietsong is checking his second cabinet. So far the search is yielding nothing, except for a useless argument. At least Quietsong’s actually doing work…*
Quietsong~We’re doing something. We’re looking through old cabinets for information. The Lighthouse threw us in here for a reason.
Tangletalon~The Lighthouse has no reason. It’s a Lighthouse. Controlled by whatever you want to call that mangy creature, he’s not a cat.
Quietsong~He’s a Spirit. Just like Ripfang or Rabbitspring is, as long as one of the Spirits come to save us, we’re fine.
Tangletalon~*Snorts.* Since when did you become optimistic?
Quietsong~I didn’t. Rabbitspring protected Amberfluff and I from Ripfang, before the fire broke out. I’m stating what is obvious to me.
Tangletalon~… Didn’t Chillfrost mention he was different though?
Quietsong~Surely, that’s just Chillfrost being pessimistic. Besides, didn’t she die trying to fight him?
Tangletalon~Chillfrost is a jerk but she’s not a liar… Besides she mentioned there was another… Cycle, surely Isole killed some cats…
Quietsong~That might be true, but he hasn’t showed up yet… Maybe it’s because we’re Survivors?
Tangletalon~Or he hasn’t thought of a Poe style way to kill us off yet…
Quietsong~Nothing in the second cabinet either…
*The light gray tom stares at the dark brown she-cat from atop the filing cabinet, annoyed.*
Quietsong~Am I really going to be doing all the work here?
Tangletalon~You said I couldn’t bash my head in to make work, easier?
Quietsong~Because we do not need to get injured, Tangletalon.
*Tangletalon opens her mouth to speak, before she can say anything. She shakes her head and says nothing for a few moments.*
Tangletalon~ Fine, I’ll open the drawers and find nothing…
*The dark brown tabby then climbs onto the cabinet she had been working and proceeds to open the other three drawers. Her fellow Guest then hops down using the opened drawers as stepping stones to the floor below.*
Quietsong~Find anything yet?
Tangletalon~Nothing. There’s nothing in these drawers… :mad:
Quietsong~There has to be. Why would there be four empty filing cabinets in here?
Tangletalon~Because it was left behind?
Tangletalon~I highly doubt they’d leave behind any information, important or otherwise…
Quietsong~It’s worth to look at least…
Tangletalon~*Sighs as she looks through the next drawer, no surprise, it reveals nothing.*
Tangletalon~… Where in StarClan’s name did the Serpent even come from?
Quietsong~The water.
Tangletalon~I mean, where did it come from? We didn’t see a snake when we were here. I was near plenty of water last season, we should’ve seen whatever kind of snake it was…
Quietsong~Maybe Redclove brought it in last Cycle?
Tangletalon~*Shakes her head.* We need to warn the others about that thing when we get back…
Quietsong~That brings up an excellent question, how are we going to get back?
Tangletalon~Same way we came in.
Quietsong(Sarcastically)~Through the jaws of a giant snake, yes. Great idea.
Quietsong~Even without the Serpent, we fell in through the Lounge to get here… We can’t fall up.
Tangletalon~*Groans.*
*The she-cat is now beginning to look in the final cabinet. So far searching the others have been useless, as nothing was in them. Quietsong still looks optimistic as he waits patiently at the bottom, watching the dark brown tabby work on opening the first drawer.*
Tangletalon(Sarcastically)~What’s behind drawer number one? Oh yes, nothing!
Quietsong~There has to be something in this cabinet…
Tangletalon~Doubt it…
*As the she-cat grabs ahold of the drawer with her fore-paws, she gives it a tug. Yet for some reason it doesn’t open.*
Quietsong~Some of them required more force to get open, just tug harder.
Tangletalon~What do you think I’m doing?
*The she-cat tugs harder at the drawer and it still doesn’t budge.*
Tangletalon~Come, help me! *The dark brown tabby tugs at the handle harder in her attempt to open it.*
*Quietsong’s eyes suddenly widen as he realizes the cabinet is starting to lean, as Tangletalon’s weight pushes it forward.*
Quietsong~Tangletalon, get off of the cabinet now!
*Her hazel eyes widen as the she-cat realizes that the cabinet is tipping forward, with her on it. Tangletalon yowls as she leaps off the cabinet, as it falls forward. She narrowly avoids being crushed, as the cabinet lands mouse-lengths beside her.*
Quietsong~Are you alright, Tangletalon?
Tangletalon~Y-Yeah… *Her hazel eyes are wide, her fur stands on end as she stares at the filing cabinet. She then glances over to where Quietsong is standing, her voice suddenly filled with excitement.*
Tangletalon~Quietsong! Look at your paws!
Quietsong~Huh?
*The light gray tabby looks down at his paws, to find a pile of papers on the floor at his feet.*
Quietsong~ They must’ve fallen out when the cabinet fell!
Tangletalon~ Knocking it down worked! Not that it was my intention to get squished…
Quietsong~Now how do we carry this? We need to get it back to the others.
Tangletalon~Well, let’s see if it’s important first, we have light. We can see what’s on the pages.
Quietsong~*Sighs.* …Okay.
*Tangletalon walks over to Quietsong as the tom moves the papers about, so they can both see them.*
Quietsong~I think it starts here…? :uhh:
*The light grey tabby then moves aside one of the more older papers, said paper has become a rather darkened yellow. Yet the writing is very familiar…*
Tangletalon&Quietsong~Isole…
*Some of the writing has faded away or become ineligible, Tangletalon reads aloud what she can see at least.*
Tangletalon(Sarcastically)~Great, mid-way down the page is readable… Let’s see here…
It is intriguing that such places even exist still…
A place that harbored unfortunate events, what exactly happened is unimportant, in what I wish to create in the grand scheme of things.
It is merely a location, a doorway that-
Tangletalon(Sarcastically)~Hi, smudged writing that I can’t read!
*The golden striped tabby goes back to reading a few lines below.*
This odd pendant appears to be “the key,” and as I suspect, it is likely it was the source of Tragedy in this Lighthouse…
Whatever powers this pendant contained I do not know, nor do I find any significance in knowing, neither of us will be able to activate it…
*The writing fades again, for several more paragraphs before it picks back up near the end of the first page.*
It is amusing to be able to see this place in two ways, with my eyes.
One way this place is falling apart, it is old, decrepit, clearly not a safe place for any living thing…
Yet it is also flowing with shadow and the bare essence of life, the lives lost here are not disturbed by my presence…
I can clearly see how this place used to be…
When the Cycles begins, I shall change the areas so as not to disturb the dead with familiar surroundings.
Despite finding the pendant, the item has yet to lead me to anything that can reveal the number of the dead…
It is both frustrating and intriguing.
A part of me wishes to learn what occurred here, yet the other knows I have work to do.
So much preparation to set up such a grand event…
Finally, some much needed progress!
I find it amusing that the pendant, the “key,” has led me to a key.
My mortal vision sees it as a grey key with a faded gemstone.
Meanwhile the other sees it as an intricate silver key with an aquamarine gemstone at the top of said key.
This key belonged to one of the deceased, the air appeared restless the moment I found this key.
I wonder how many keys exist here…
Tangletalon~The keys are important! He needed them for something! Although… He must have written these things at different times, maybe? After he cleaned the key?
Quietsong~His writing doesn’t act like it was a separate event…
Tangletalon~So, you suppose he has some weird vision, even before all this craziness happened?
Quietsong~That’s what it sounds like…
Tangletalon~Isole’s a psycho and killed cats, just take his word with a mixture of traveling herbs…
Tangletalon~The first key he found was Aquamarine… Who had Aquamarine?
Quietsong~That’s a good question… :uhh:
???~Me.
*The two cats turn around to see a familiar tom with ice blue eyes. The Spirit’s see-through pelt is dark gray, with black stripes.*
Tangletalon&Quietsong~Nightpelt!
Nightpelt~ It’s nice to see you guys… Also, I found out during the last Cycle, that I wasn’t even supposed to be here.
Tangletalon~Huh?
Quietsong~How so?
Nightpelt~ I was merely placed as a way to stall time… My death doesn’t even towards whatever Isole wants to do…
Tangletalon~StarClan, that sucks, Nightpelt. I’m sorry… D:
Quietsong~Indeed… You weren’t even supposed to be here.
Nightpelt~Yeah…
*The gray Spirit shakes his head.*
Nightpelt~Enough of that, I just wanted to tell you guys. It’s interesting about the keys though, my Aquamarine key, was the first one he found, too…
Tangletalon~So you had the Aquamarine key?
Nightpelt~Yep!
Nightpelt~It took forever to find you guys by the way, you’re in a weird spot…
Nightpelt~Oh! I’ll shut up, don’t mind me, keep reading! We need to find out more information, surely we can do something to help our fellow Guests!
Quietsong~Will do! Okay, that paper ended there, and by “ended,” I mean beyond readable… So, I think this one is next…
*The light gray tabby hands another yellowed paper to Tangletalon to read. The dark brown she-cat then begins to read it aloud to the toms.*
I have found all twelve keys, and I intend to go collect Ripfang from TreeClan’s prison…
A very disturbing Clan, TreeClan was, to send the rogues I had used against them, and their own clanmates into a pit to starve and die.
Hopefully Ripfang still lives, it would be unfortunate for me without a bloodthirsty murderer around…
This world is strange.
I can see their argument now, about this world…
But I am not writing this to debate my own thoughts on a something that has flown out of my control, no matter what that fool says…
Speaking of fools, I am about ready to shred someone’s ears off…
He wishes to join me in my endeavor, despite the fact he knows he is limited in abilities…
At least I think he knows…
He has never been too bright, in my opinion.
Yet I feel if I don’t accept him, the others will come running…
And I loathe them much more than I dislike my unwanted helper…
It seems I have no choice if it would lead to other involvement.
This is my show, my Game to play.
They had their chances and blew them.
I succeeded where they failed to do so.
And now I have found something I didn’t believe exist anymore…
As another unwanted flea has said:
“I stand upon a precipice of change, and it is my choice whether to leap forward off this cliff into the chaos or stand by and merely watch…”
What he doesn’t realize is that I don’t have much choice anymore…
The stage is set, and I must play my part.
It seems my part also means inviting someone unwanted as well…
Perhaps this place will amuse me and rid him of his ability to speak?
That would be rather enjoyable, actually…
Tangletalon~That paper was actually, fairly legible compared to the last one…
Quietsong~Indeed. The rest of these papers are a little lighter yellow compared to the first one… But I don’t think time has been very kind to them… I also don’t recognize this writing at the bottom…
*The rest of the papers appear to be faded parts of some blue print drawings with a unknown cat’s writing, describing various exits and entrances...*
Nightpelt~Try putting the drawing pieces together, see if that could work?
Tangletalon~Okay… Now, let’s see here…
*A few minutes later the rest of the pages have been aligned in what is hopefully the correct way…*
Nightpelt~Is that the…?
Quietsong~It looks like The Lighthouse, a more well-designed map from Nightshade’s I believe…
Tangletalon~It looks more complete than the bits I’ve seen of Nightshade’s map…
Nightpelt~Can you read the writing?
Quietsong~*Narrows his eyes.* Not really? I can make out a few random words but nothing else. Whoever wrote this, writes small…
Nightpelt~I can see if Quailfeather, Gingerclaw, or Nightshade knows anything!
Tangletalon~Alright then! You do that! ….We’ll try and… figure out how to get back to the others…
Quietsong~If that Serpent isn’t still out there…
Nightpelt~I don’t sense anything else out there, so I think you’re good… Good luck, guys!
Quietsong~You too, Nightpelt.
*The tom disappears as Quietsong gathers up the blueprint pieces…*
Quietsong~Hopefully we can get back to the others soon… There’s no way we can carry these papers and run if we’re chased again…
Tangletalon~You’re right, it’s going to be hard carrying them now… Let’s hope The Lighthouse is being nice today…
Quietsong~I doubt that…
Quietsong~Should we bring the other pages? The ones with Isole’s writing?
Tangletalon~I don’t see why we should, it’s weird rambling…
Quietsong~Not really… The second page talks about someone else other than Ripfang helping him…
Tangletalon~It’s probably someone like Nightshade, like one of those other cats. Remember that list we found? Maybe one of those cats…
Quietsong~Maybe… I’ll grab the second one just in case…
Tangletalon~
*The two cats turn to doorway of this storage space, with papers in their mouths, careful to not let their saliva ruin the old ink. The two Guests then head out the door and into wherever The Lighthouse wants them to be…*
Episode 7
*Amberfluff and Ashfur III walk slowly out of the “wall,” wary of any potential scurrying of a certain arachnid… Luckily for the two cats, the Spider has apparently fled this area into who knows where…*
Amberfluff~It seems we’re safe for now… *Sighs in relief.*
Ashfur III~Yeah…
*Both cats are still show signs of exhaustion from their chase, sadly fate wills them to journey forward. This means more walking which is awful news to their tired paws.*
Amberfluff~Okay… We were being chased away from wherever we first found the Spider, so we could go back that way… Or keep running the way we were before Ripfang pushed us out of the way.
Ashfur III~Back the way we came. There might have been other exits, not that we had a chance to look, thanks to the Spider…
*Without the fear of being thrown into an unneeded chase the two Guests walk at a slow pace. They say nothing for several minutes as they walk back the way they came, the surroundings they had passed had simple, wooden walls.*
Amberfluff~….
Amberfluff~…. What did you do with the map?
Ashfur III~I left it on the table in the Dining room, once we started exploring the unfamiliar portions of The Lighthouse… I’d rather leave it somewhere safe than have it get crumpled in a chase like that.
Amberfluff~I see what you mean. It’s a safe bet for now, since we’re not all together…
Ashfur III~Ignoring the fact that we’re probably lost in a weird place in The Lighthouse…
Amberfluff~Maybe we’ll find an exit.
Ashfur III~I doubt it.
Amberfluff~True, I don’t want to leave without the others anyway…
Ashfur III~*Nods.*
Amberfluff~.....What did you think, about what Ripfang said?
Ashfur III~It just proves he’s a violent murderer, just with words and not actual murder this time.
Amberfluff~Still… He said it so casually…
*The ginger she-cat shudders as she says this, remembering how easily Ripfang admitted his motive for causing such malicious slaughter.*
Ashfur III~It just proves he can’t be reasoned with…
*The gray tom shakes his head as he speaks.*
Ashfur III~He also mentioned Isole has been leaving him in the dark for a while now…
Amberfluff~Which is odd… What is Isole’s motive for doing all of this? The thrill? Or is it something else?
Ashfur III~Exactly. So what is that deranged piece of crowfood up too? We haven’t even seen him…
Amberfluff~Yet. What are we going to even do when he shows himself? Kill us one by one?
Ashfur III~Probably, that’s more his style. Not kill us all at once…
Amberfluff~Why does-Why am I even caring about motives at this point? The motives never mattered before, maybe it’s just Ripfang getting into my head…
Ashfur III~StarClan, how far did we run? My legs feel like they’re burning…
Amberfluff~Apparently very far. *She laughs halfheartedly.*
Ashfur III~Chillfrost mentioned a Cycle after we escaped…
Amberfluff~Yeah.
Ashfur III~You’d think we would have seen the Spirits of those cats from that Cycle then, right? :uhh:
Amberfluff~It doesn’t surprise me, actually. Sootwhisker was from another Cycle, and after he sacrificed himself… We never saw him again…
???~Good, you’re safe. I’ve been looking everywhere.
*The two cats yelp in surprise as a spotted she-cat appears from the floor, her yellow eyes shining in triumph.*
Amberfluff~Quailfeather, it’s nice to see you.
Ashfur III~Yeah…
Quailfeather~I see someone still doesn’t like me…
Ashfur III~All three of you worked for Isole.
Quailfeather~And then we stopped when we found a chance to do so, to save lives instead. We gave our lives for you… Even if our deaths helped Isole in the end…
Amberfluff~ :uhh: How?
*The living cats begin to keep walking with Quailfeather floating next to them. The she-cat sounds somber as she explains how her death had been unintentional in helping Isole.*
Quailfeather~Due to our interference in your Cycle, along with a mishap in the Tenth Cycle… The Tenth Cycle needed a tom to die to end that Cycle and begin your own. That last tom needed became Gingerclaw.
Ashfur III~You died before Gingerclaw, though.
Quailfeather~I don’t think the order mattered as much as we had assumed. My death started your Cycle, while Gingerclaw’s ended the tenth Cycle.
Amberfluff~How so? What do you mean by “your interference?”
Quailfeather~A Cycle is composed of six toms and six she-cats. Your Cycle had seven toms, that was our doing… We added Nightpelt…
Ashfur III(Sarcastically)~Lovely, so I was supposed to be here…
Amberfluff~Then why didn’t Nightpelt fill the role of the missing tom from the last Cycle? :uhh: Not that I wanted him to die but that makes no sense…
Quailfeather~Opportunity maybe? Gingerclaw was a better target, and he had been killed before Isole attempted to attack any of you…
Amberfluff~… Quailfeather, do you know why Isole does what he does? Why all of this?
Quailfeather~*Sighs.* I wish I knew… It would surely have made his movements easier to read… Sometimes I think he knew anyway, before Robinsong even told him we were betraying him…
Quailfeather~But that doesn’t matter… *Shakes her head.*
Quailfeather~What matters is the four of you escaping again.
Amberfluff~Which we’ll get back too… Whenever we find Tangletalon and Quietsong.
Ashfur III~Which is becoming a quest in itself….
Quailfeather~You’ll find each other again…
*The brown she-cat winces in sudden pain as if she was being attacked.*
Amberfluff~ Are you alright?
Quailfeather~Yeah… I guess I misjudged my abilities of staying here… I don’t know why it’s getting so hard to remain on this plane… Especially since we can see what’s going on just fine…
*The brown she-cat shakes her head.*
Quailfeather~I’m sorry… I’ll have to speak with you another time…
*The spotted she-cat disappears quickly, just as the Guests step into the room where the Spider had been. On closer inspection, the room is rather small with high ceilings, perfect for the Spider. The walls appear to be peeling and the wooden floors look worse for wear. There’s a lone table in the room, on said table look to be several files, the files are a darkened yellow.*
Ashfur III~Why didn’t we see this before? :uhh:
Amberfluff(Sarcastically)~Hmmm…. Probably because of the giant Spider in the corner near the table?
Ashfur III~
*The speckled gray tom pads forward, snatching up the many documents that litter the table.*
Ashfur III~Do you want to read them now or later?
Amberfluff~Maybe later? We don’t have time to read all of those documents right now…
Ashfur III~How are we going to carry them then, there’s at least ten files here?
Amberfluff~That’s a good question… We don’t know how much walking is involved till we get to the others…
Amberfluff~They’re in the yellow paper, thingie… You can carry them with your mouth.
Ashfur III~ You mean the folder.
Amberfluff~Yeah, that.
Ashfur III~I have an idea… Since there was a Spider in here…
*The speckled gray tom pads over to the corner where the Spider had been residing above.*
Amberfluff~What are you doing? :uhh:
*The tom says nothing for several minutes.*
Ashfur III~That should do it… A bit sloppy but it’ll come in handy anyway…
*The speckled tom returns wearing a “necklace,” made from webbing. The files are tucked neatly into a “pouch,”*
Amberfluff~
Ashfur III~That thing can catch cats, so I’m not surprised this worked… Plus if we get hurt, we have spare cobwebs.
Amberfluff~Yeah…
Ashfur III~There’s another door this way. Come on.
Amberfluff~Uh-huh…
*The two cats leave the room and enter yet another “interesting,” hallway…
Amberfluff~We’ll at least get to see what’s at the end of this hallway… Starclan, that thing looks awful…
Ashfur III~Hopefully it won’t take us as long to get there, I need a rest soon…
Amberfluff`Agreed…
Ashfur III~Rabbitspring mentioned that it was off, coming to this “plane,” And we saw Quailfeather in pain… Why do you think that happened?
Amberfluff~Rabbitspring mentioned it happening after the last Cycle… Maybe it’s Isole’s doing? Or something.
Ashfur III~… You know who we haven’t seen yet either…
*In a short distance away from The Lighthouse, within an “Office,” looking room sits Redclove. Her ice-blue eyes stare at several e-mails on her computer, a gleeful smirk sits on her face as she reads over them.*
Redclove~He’s so angry… As if I’m disturbing his little show by not killing off the other Workers… I don’t see why he wants them dead. We need them to handle the cameras and smoke… Maybe he wants them dead because they’re not doing a very good job? That has been certain as of late, what with the cameras blacking out last time and freaking out every now and then, right now… With the smoke, I would really need one or two of them alive…
Redclove~And with all four of them scattered right now, it certainly makes things less fun for me, and I’ve technically have followed my orders…
*The ginger she-cat glances at her one white paw, now stained a brilliant red with a recent kill. On closer inspection, her “Office,” looks more disheveled than before. Beside her chair is a new corpse, that of a white tom from what can be gleaned from his blood-stained pelt. His brown eyes reflect a terrified expression as if his death had been much longer than the she-cat’s before him.*
Redclove~Isn’t that right, Webclaw? You just came in at the wrong moment and I just had to stab you… Blame the Guests, if they were reunited right now, I could come and kill them all right now…
Redclove~I’ve been so impatient lately… Probably because of Isole and that nothing has been done so far… Ugh, why is this one taking such a long time?
Redclove~*Sighs.* Hopefully all four come together soon, I do want a public performance after all…
*Her ears perk up as she receives another e-mail. She then opens it quickly, seeing as it is from Isole.*
Redclove,
Since you have been receiving my prior messages, you know what it is I need you to do. I would like all remaining Workers dead.
I do not want you to stall and procrastinate on murdering those that work for you, given that has never bothered you before.
I remember how keen you were when Foxblaze betrayed us back when Ripfang and Lotuspetal were captured by the warriors of TreeClan in a time that feels like many seasons to me.
Yet, now you hesitate.
Are you that eager to defy me?
The one who sought you out for this project?
For your sake, I hope you’re merely just toying with those who remain alive.
~ Isole.
Redclove~I suppose he’s trying to reason; why I’ve been so slow with killing the others… And he probably knows they’re still alive as I haven’t confirmed it with him, or come to The Lighthouse… He probably escaped the fire, how else would he even be alive right now?
Redclove~I’ll kill when I grow bored... Not that I have many victims, only three cats remain. Those Visitors from last time killed off my strongest cats and Olivepelt. Hopefully, they don’t return to ruin things, although it was fun killing off that she-cat…
*Within The Lighthouse Amberfluff and Ashfur III have stopped to rest in a new area. This new area is not really unique, it is similar to the other long hallways, except this one has a darker shade of wood for flooring and walls.*
Amberfluff~StarClan, where are we? We go through on hallway and into another…
Ashfur III~I would suggest looking at the files but we need rest… StarClan knows how much walking we would have to do later…
Amberfluff~Yeah… Hopefully no running will be involved later.
Ashfur III~Hopefully not.
*The gray tom yawns and lays down, careful to not disturb the files.*
Amberfluff~Should one of us keep watch?
Ashfur III~Have at it, I’m going to rest my eyes right now…
Amberfluff~Normally I would argue but he’s carrying those files, and there were a lot of them… He needs the rest more than I do…
Amberfluff~ *Yawns.*
Amberfluff~We don’t need to run into anything dangerous… We just need to find the others and get out of there… Maybe, they’ve found something important, I hope…
*The ginger she-cat glances back and forth down the long hallway, nothing is moving in either direction.*
Amberfluff~Nothing. And it better stay that way. *Sighs.*
Amberfluff~I have a long wait till I can sleep…
Episode 8
*In a different area of the building that houses Redclove, sits a light gray she-cat with white flecks. Her pale green eyes glare at a computer screen in disgust. The screen itself flickers in static as if whatever she is watching, isn’t working… The she-cat lets out a growl of rage before spinning herself in the opposite direction, the chair’s back now faces the flickering screen as she stares at her “companion,” a dark brown tom with yellow eyes.*
(Tom)~Is something wrong, Heronflight?
Heronflight~The cameras aren’t working again. Webclaw was supposed to be back ages ago to give us permission to purchase-
(Tom)~Yes, yes, whatever it is you’re needing that can fix the cameras…
*The tom snorts sarcastically.*
(Tom)~Honestly… I think she killed him.
Heronflight~Who? Redclove? Why would she kill us? We’re her Workers, besides as clever as she thinks she is, she can’t work the cameras or smoke.
Heronflight~Speaking of said smoke, is that even working anymore, Treepelt?
Treepelt~Last time I checked, yes… Although our deceased Webclaw’s expertise were the smoke effects with the piping….
Treepelt~As for why she’d start killing us off… Nothing’s working and she’s been rather bloodthirsty recently… Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Berryheart around either…
Heronflight~Yeah, but of course she’d kill Berryheart… She’s too jumpy and easily startled. Weak.
Treepelt~Still rather organized. Much like myself and my poisons….
Heronflight~Your poisons don’t do anything though… They haven’t been used since… Who cares? It’s been forever.
Treepelt~Redclove prefers violent murder as did Ripfang. Only our former employer even cared for them… *Sighs.*
Heronflight~Why are you even still making them? You’re not even using them?
Treepelt~Not true. I’ve been testing out mixtures in your drinks every now and then.
Heronflight~WHAT?
Treepelt~ :mellow:
Treepelt~Sadly no… You would’ve died by now, or I’d be very impressed by your body’s capabilities to withstand herbs that have made others die quickly…
Heronflight~WHY DID YOU THINK IT WAS NECESSARY TO JOKE ABOUT IT!?
Treepelt~I’m bored. As are you. Speaking of boredom, I wonder where Robinsong is…
Heronflight~Flea-brain… Crazy ex-medicine cat….
*Heronflight turns her chair forward, facing away from the dark brown tom, who is snickering behind her.*
Treepelt~I wonder why the cameras have been acting so erratic recently. Ever since Redclove took charge, you and Webclaw have had to fight the cameras…
Heronflight~….. Maybe The Lighthouse hates Redclove or something?
Treepelt~That would imply The Lighthouse is sentient… If I’m remembering correctly, you have insisted The Lighthouse’s rooms are merely special effects in the camera or tricks, of some sort…
Heronflight~Yeah. I’m thinking maybe it was the fire, all the equipment is new though…. Eh… New means bugs.
Treepelt~You dislike both new and old tech though, if I’m remembering correctly…
Heronflight~….. I’ve just realized something….
Treepelt~Hm?
Heronflight~There hasn’t been any riddles? Oh, the humanity!
Treepelt~Why are you obsessed with those things?
Heronflight~I like them coming true. I like watching others fail the riddles and someone dies because of it. They’re fun.
Treepelt~Killers shall always have different motives to kill, I suppose. *Snorts.*
Heronflight~Exactly. I wonder why Redclove kills.
Treepelt~I imagine her temper plays a part of it, she gets this way when she hasn’t felt blood beneath her claws. Like a predator that hasn’t eaten prey in a while…
Heronflight~Maybe…
*Several sounds of clicking comes from the keyboard Heronflight is using for a few moments.*
Heronflight~Yes, it’s working again!
Treepelt(Sarcastically)~Huzzah.
*Heronflight’s eyes gleam with delight as the camera focuses in on two cats, carrying something in their mouths. The camera zooms in on two familiar tabbies, as they walk down a long hall way. Stones jut out from the ceiling of this “hallway,” the two cats walk in silence unable to speak with paper in their mouths.*
*Quietsong flicks his tail towards the ground, as he releases the papers gently. Tangletalon follows suit, wrinkling her face in disgust as she drops the papers.*
Tangletalon~StarClan, I’m hungry…
Quietsong~Me too… Hopefully the exit isn’t that far off… Maybe it leads to the kitchen?
Tangletalon~With our luck we’ll be back with that Serpent…
Quietsong~*Chuckles.* Very true… We’ve been walking through this corridor ever since we left that storage room…
Tangletalon~Who do you think did the map?
Quietsong~Isole, probably… But he has never drawn anything before though…
Tangletalon~True…
???~There they are!
*A white tom with black ears and a black tail-tip floats down from the spiked ceiling. *
Quietsong&Tangletalon~Dragonclaw!
Dragonclaw~ I would say in the flesh but, I’m clearly not…
Dragonclaw~*Glances around suddenly, confusion shines in his blue eyes.*
*Dragonclaw glances towards the ceiling.*
Dragonclaw~Come on! We know these cats, you’re doing okay! Come on!
Tangletalon&Quietsong~:uhh:
*A white tom slowly floats down to join his fellow Spirit. He looks out of it, his blue eyes occasionally glancing around as if disturbed.*
Tangletalon~I see Ghostail hasn’t changed…
Dragonclaw~…. *Glances at Ghostail.* He’s gotten worse in my opinion…
Ghostail~*Eye twitches.* StarClan doesn’t exist anymore. Not for us, not for you, not for anyone….
Ghostail~Something terrible awaits us when you die…
*Ghostail stares blankly at Tangletalon and Quietsong for a few moments.*
Ghostail~I’ve caught glimpses of what awaits us when we die… It’s beyond words…
Tangletalon~What? The Darkforest?
Ghostail~*Laughs.*
Dragonclaw~:uhh:
Ghostail~Something beyond both… It’s-It’s- I don’t want to be able to see it anymore…
Ghostail~Although… Better here than there… I think that’s where they went… The others, they all died.
Dragonclaw~This is the most coherent he’s been… I’m amazed.
Quietsong~Perhaps it has something to do with us, maybe?
Dragonclaw~Perhaps.
Tangletalon~What does he mean by others?
Dragonclaw~The Cycle after ours… We saw no Spirits of the deceased, ever… They just simply disappeared. We couldn’t sense them.
Tangletalon~That’s disturbing.
Quietsong~Were you looking for us?
Dragonclaw~Yeah. Nightpelt came and told us where you were.
Ghostail~Papers?
Quietsong~Yes. We found what looks to be a map. Could you tell Nightshade, Quailfeather, or Gingerclaw to come find us? I imagine they would know who drew this.
Dragonclaw~It’s not Isole?
Tangletalon~Isole never seemed to draw anything, so it has to be someone else.
Quietsong~We also found some old writing from Isole back in the storage room. Nightpelt can probably find it for you. We need to keep moving.
Dragonclaw~*Nods.* I think it’s time I take Ghostail back to the other side, anyway…
Tangletalon&Quietsong~Other side?
Dragonclaw~Think of The Lighthouse but empty and slightly different.
Dragonclaw~Good luck!
Ghostail*Waves goodbye with his tail, while his eye twitches suddenly.*
*The two toms then disappear, leaving the Guests alone.*
Tangletalon~So dying make things worse for Ghostail… It was nice seeing them though…
Quietsong~Indeed. For now, we need to keep moving.
Tangletalon~*Grumbles.* Which means more quiet time…
*The two tabbies pick up their papers, being careful not to wrinkle them. They then break into a run with Tangletalon in the lead this time. Paws run across the wooden floor at a swift speed, hazel eyes brighten as Tangletalon sees a dim light at the end of the hallway.*
*Tangletalon flicks her tail signaling for a stop. She then rolls her eyes as she flicks her tail to the stairs. Quietsong snorts in amusement at Tangletalon’s irritation. The stairs seem worse for wear though, seemingly about to break in some places, it is also being held together by fraying rope… The light gray tabby tom takes the lead, slowly getting onto the first step. The steps creak beneath the weight of the tom yet they do not give in. Quietsong moves to the second step, signaling with his tail for Tangletalon to climb up. The two cats continue to do this method for a few more steps with only minor creaking, as they near the top Quietsong tilts his head in confusion. There is a slight light coming from the top of the stairs. The light gray tabby tom then leaps forward knocking aside a hatch in the at the top of the stairs. Light flows from above as Tangletalon leaps up from the last step, joining the gray tabby to whatever is above the stairs. Tangletalon’s eyes widen as she recognizes their surroundings, Quietsong looks equally excited about their surroundings, his eyes glowing with triumph.*
*Elsewhere in a clearing, a good distance away from both The Lighthouse and the building that Redclove inhabits, only the outline of a cat can be seen. The cat’s back is turned and it is too dark to see it’s pelt color, one can only make out the cat’s short frame and what appears to be a white tuft of fur on its chest. It turns its head to the right, glancing at another cat, this one has light blue eyes, and the only other feature that can be made out is the white tip on its tail. The two cats glance towards the edge of the clearing just as two other cats enter the darkened area. Unlike the first two cats, there is no hint of white on either cat, their fur colors are a complete mystery. Their eyes are a different story, however; the cat to the left has amber eyes, while the other has green. A crisp wind blows suddenly ruffling the fur of the four cats as well as the tall grass on the outskirts of the area. Finally, one of them speaks.*
???~Area’s clear.
*The voice has a quiet tone to it but it is also clear that it belongs to a tom.*
???~Are you sure about this, Sparrowfoot?
*Another voice asks, this one is higher in pitch than the previous but it is clear it is also a tom’s voice. This cat seems to be the smallest one, as he turns his head to look at “Sparrowfoot,” who seems to be the cat with the green eyes.*
???~I’m sure, Sagetail. You know the way there, just as well as I do. Besides, I’ll catch up once my “solo,” mission is done.
*This voice seems to belong to Sparrowfoot. The voice has a teasing tone and belongs to a she-cat, most likely the green eyed silhouette. Despite the teasing tone, the she-cat seems to also sound grateful for Sagetail’s concern.*
???~Hopefully it won’t be dark in there. It’s pitch black…
*The last cat speaks, this voice is rather nervous sounding… It also belongs to a rather nice sounding she-cat.*
???~It’s going to get a lot worse from here on out, judging by past reports…
???~Shut up! I know that! :mad: …. I’m just not a big fan of the dark, that’s all… Things lurk there, ya know!
*The shadow of the amber-eyed cat shakes their head in annoyance, before continuing to speak.*
???~Sparrowfoot, it’s going to be a little while before we can start our half of the mission. But it seems you might have a wait on your part as well.
Sparrowfoot(Sarcastically)~Great… More waiting around, just when “Time is of the essence,” isn’t stressed enough…
???~We’ll be on the move before you know it. Till then, we should return to the make-shift camp. We don’t need anyone finding us like last time…
*The small cat, Sagetail(?) speaks once more, ending the conversation. All four cats slowly slip away from the clearing under the cover of the moonless night. For some odd reason, there seems to be no rain in this area, while around The Lighthouse, the rain pours as if a claw had come and slashed at the clouds, causing rain to pour ceaselessly…*
Episode 9
*Elsewhere in The Lighthouse, Amberfluff and Ashfur III have seemed to arrive at a rather large, yet rather empty room… The floor boards look broken in some places, so it may be best to watch where they’re putting their paws. Ashfur III looks annoyed at their lack of progress while Amberfluff looks slightly unhinged, thanks to the recent encounter with Ripfang…*
Amberfluff~Do you think we should look at the files now?
Ashfur III~We just got moving again.
Ashfur III~Besides, there’s no telling how long it would take to get the papers back, let alone how long it’ll take to read all this information.
Amberfluff~ We both know you’re making excuses.
Ashfur III~I don’t want to re-explain things to that idiotic tabby. That should be a valid excuse.
Amberfluff~Tangletalon is annoying sometimes but she’s not mouse-brained. Give her more credit than that, Ashfur III.
Ashfur III~The only thing I give that crazed tabby credit is that she’s good at getting Redclove’s ire.
Amberfluff~While that’s not the only thing she can do… She is rather skilled at doing that…
Ashfur III~Do you think it’s the sword- Come to think of it, where is that thing?
Amberfluff~Who knows. It might’ve been lost in the fire or Redclove has it…
Ashfur III~True.
*The gray tom glances at a doorway nearby.*
Ashfur III~Let’s try this way.
Amberfluff~Not like we have any other choice…
*The two cats then pass through the door, said door leads them into another empty room.*
Ashfur III~I already feel like I’m going around in circles….
Amberfluff~Surely these empty rooms lead to somewhere…
Ashfur III~We’ll see…
*The “bag,” of files sways gently as Ashfur III decides to move faster, seemingly annoyed at their slow rate. The ginger she-cat has to concentrate in order to keep up with the speckled tom.*
Amberfluff~Stop moving so quickly!
Ashfur III~Keep up, then.
*The ginger she-cat shoots a glare at the gray tom but decides to say nothing. The sounds of their paw-steps are the only noise within the empty rooms they are traversing. Suddenly, Ashfur III stops, wrinkling his nose in disgust at something in front of them. Before Amberfluff can speak, she does the same, having found the same odd smell, it smells sort of like salt-water...? But murky and a strong scent of a foul smelling herb, that she can’t’ place.*
Amberfluff~What in StarClan’s name is that smell?
Ashfur III~No clue, its atrocious though…
???~Whe-Where isss itt?
*The voice sounds croaky and out of breath, as if its owner cannot fully breathe. The voice himself seems to be male, although it sounds warped… As if it’s not here…*
Guests~Huh?
???~Wh-Where isss itt?
???~Hav-Hav-Have t-to-to fi-fin-find itt. Th-Th-The p-p-pendant…
*The two cats glance around, confused as to where the voice is even coming from… It becomes apparent that the voice is not coming from any side in the room…*
Ashfur III~Then where is it?
Amberfluff~…. Oh, StarClan…
*Ashfur III turns to look at the ginger she-cat who is looking up. The gray tom follows suit, perhaps the Spider learned to speak? What he sees makes his widen in terror… A black mass of liquid is quickly spreading onto the ceiling, covering it in its dark substance. What seems to be worse, something is moving deep within it…*
Ashfur III~I think I’m going to be sick…
???~T-Th-The pen-pend-pendant, wh-whe-where?
*Amberfluff swallows loudly before she speaks, the stench of salt water and unknown herb burns her nose with each second she breathes in that vile scent.*
Amberfluff~Pendant? What do you mean?
???~P-P-Pend-Pendant?
*The mass of black substance suddenly switches direction, moving down the walls at a swift pace… It then… contracts, all the while the voice seems to have given up speaking, merely take shaky breaths, breaths that seem to be improving as the mass slowly moves onto the floor. The substance then stops moving; slowly, the substance continues the process of collapsing in on itself, before either Guest can speak, the substance then shapes itself into a cat…? It looks rather lopsided, it’s paws look too large for it’s body, the cat’s form also looks clumpy as if it was molded out of mud, and the fur is the same color as the substance, or at least; it should be fur. The “fur,” is still composed of that dark substance, the only thing that looks remotely normal is that it’s eyes appear to be a light brown color. Whatever it is, it appears to be breathing normally, or at least that’s how it sounds…*
???~The Pendant. It’s here. He-You… You have it, don’t you?
*The voice is much clearer now, no longer struggling to breathe, it also appears to be a tom’s voice. How he seems to be breathing clearly now, is a mystery, with every word that liquid falls out of the tom’s mouth and onto it’s “paws,”*
Ashfur III~What even are you?
Amberfluff~Ignore him… What do you mean by pendant?
???~Don’t be foolish with me, you have it! I know you have it, the way you skulk about it, you’re hiding something.
*Immediately the tom’s old, tired voice becomes violently loud… Yet the voice also sounds desperate and afraid… Amberfluff’s ears flatten against her head, whatever this thing is, he’s more pitiful than dangerous…*
Ashfur III~If you just explained what you were talking about-
???~YOU KNOW WHAT I SPEAK OF, YOU WRETCHED MONSTERS!
*The second the venomous words fly out of the tom’s mouth, his form shifts, sores seem to grow all over his now, “normal,” looking body… His eyes appear to be swollen and it’s as if his flesh is rotting. The fur falls off revealing dark, raw, and blotchy flesh as if the sores had grown worse there. To make matters worse, said flesh appears to be falling off in some places, with the skin near his mouth, barely hanging on by strings of skin. The smell of decay seems to join the salt-water and unknown herb as the tom opens his mouth to bare his fangs. Fangs that appear to be black and rotted, the dark substance sloshes from his mouth and onto the floor below. Amberfluff and Ashfur III take a few steps back, appalled by this creature’s appearance, both feeling that it would be better to not fight it. Neither say anything, fears keep their mouths shut as this diseased creature moves towards them, anger flaring in his light brown eyes, he seems to have some sort of vendetta…*
*Then suddenly, the tom suddenly stops, as if frozen in pace. Yet he still growls and bares his awful fangs, all the while not noticing the pieces of him falling off his body. He then mumbles something incoherently and shakes his head… The “cat,” suddenly widens his swollen, bloodshot eyes and falls apart… Back into that black substance before sinking into the floorboards…*
Ashfur III~WHAT IN STARCLAN’S NAME WAS THAT ALL ABOUT?!
Amberfluff~That was terrifying….
Amberfluff~And Chillfrost said they can’t hurt us… It certainly WANTED to hurt us. *She shakes her head in disbelief.*
Ashfur III~More importantly, what did he mean by a pendant?
Amberfluff~How is that more important than us nearly being killed by a thing?
???~Because it can’t hurt you… We think.
*An orange tom with yellow splotches floats into the room from a nearby wall. He gives a shy smile to the two Guests.*
Amberfluff~It’s nice to see you again, Gingerclaw.
Ashfur III~*Huffs.*
Gingerclaw~Likewise. Although I wish I could be breathing during this “reunion,” I wasn’t really hoping to see you guys again, that means you’d be back here-never mind. *He shakes his head.*
Amberfluff~Do you know what they meant by Pendant?
???~We assume they’re talking about the amulet.
*A familiar voice answers her question. Her blue eyes suddenly become solemn as another familiar face floats in through the opposite wall. Other than being see-through, the tom hasn’t really changed, minus the lack of guts, since she last saw him… He nods his head at the two Guests, yet his amber eyes reflect embarrassment.*
Amberfluff~Duskclaw! …. I’m so sorry… I couldn’t save you.
Duskclaw~It’s fine, Amberfluff. Minus being trapped here, I think I got the better deal in the end… Besides, there was no way Isole was going to let one of us go…
Ashfur III~Strange, hearing the deceased say being dead is better than living.
Gingerclaw~Oh! Uh, as to why we’re sorry… We kind of used you as bait to try and test a theory I had…
Ashfur III~You had?
Gingerclaw~Yes… Duskclaw here, has the amulet.
*The dark gray tom then takes amulet from off his neck. The gem in the middle, has grown darker since the last time the Guests had seen it.*
Amberfluff~That wasn’t there-
Duskclaw~Spirit abilities. Told you I got the better end of the deal. :cool: Powers and Petalfrost…
Gingerclaw~Anyway, we wanted to know if having the amulet here would influence those things…. Especially since they seem to want it so badly…
Ashfur III~Then why didn’t you come out here to test it yourselves? :mad: Why use us as bait?
Duskclaw~They can’t sense us you, mouse-brain.
Gingerclaw~Indeed. :uhh: They seem to not be able to see us, even vice versa, us seeing them is hard… We didn’t even see him fully till he was a mass of sores.
Duskclaw~Although he seemed strange near the end, mumbled something, and then he left…
Gingerclaw~I don’t think that was the amulet’s influence though… We’ll have to try again later. *The ginger tom nods his head in agreement. He glances at the wall, where the tom had disappeared, his light green eyes glowed with intrigue, yet merely shook his head instead of saying anything.*
Gingerclaw~I nearly forgot! We found Tangletalon and Quietsong… Well, Nightpelt did.
Duskclaw~*Nods.* He had some information for those three, we’ll speak more of it later though.
Amberfluff~Later?
Ashfur III~Why not now?
Duskclaw~I doubt anyone wants to hear someone explain something twice…
Gingerclaw~We won’t trouble you any longer now. Get back to the main room of The Lighthouse. Goodbye!
*As quickly as he had appeared, the ginger tom faded from view.*
Duskclaw~….Amberfluff, stop blaming yourself, okay? Not just for me. Him too.
*Amberfluff widens her eyes at Duskclaw’s words as he fades away, joining Gingerclaw in, wherever it is the Spirits go…*
Amberfluff~But it was my fault you died… And then I didn’t help-
Ashfur III~Amberfluff, come on! :mad: We need to keep moving, if they’ve already found those two mouse-brains, we’ve just been standing here chasing our tails. Let’s go.
Amberfluff~ :mad: You have a sharp tongue, Ashfur III!
*The gray cat doesn’t reply, he merely moves forward with Amberfluff following as they leave the empty room behind.*
Ashfur III~We need to start getting answers… None of this makes any sense. What does the amulet have to do with anything? Why hasn’t anyone made their move? We’re all here… Well, separated out at least, but here.
*The cameras shift and then zoom in on a very excited dark brown tabby, the she-cat screeches loudly meanwhile, the light gray tabby beside her merely sighs relieved. From the apparent open hatch, the two Guests had apparently found their way back from wherever had been previously… *
Tangletalon~THANK STARCLAN! SOMEWHERE FAMILIAR!
Quietsong~You’re excited… But did you really have to drop the papers you were carrying on the floor?…
Tangletalon~I CAN SLEEP SOMEWHERE COMFORTABLE! *Yowls in delight.*
Quietsong~You’re going to bed, now? We need to show Amberfluff and Ashfur III what we found.
*Tangletalon’s eyes suddenly narrow as if she is now realizing that they did find important information and Ashfur III wasn’t here to fuss at her…*
Tangletalon~…. Speaking of those two… Where are they?
???~They went looking after you.
*A familiar patched face appears from the floor beside Tangletalon and Quietsong. Her light blue eyes are warm; her ginger patches make her white fur seem even more transparent. Yet the she-cat is as bright as she had been in life.*
Quietsong~I was wondering when we were going to see you, Petalfrost.
Tangletalon~You would’ve made an easier “First Spirit,” to talk too instead of Chillfrost…
Petalfrost~Perhaps. But she had been closer to escaping than I had been, of course she would still be upset.
Petalfrost~But that shouldn’t matter, I’d be happy seeing the four of you escape again.
Quietsong~Speaking of four, where are Amberfluff and Ashfur III?
Petalfrost~They went looking for you, Rabbitspring spoke about seeing them a while ago, although how long that was compared to our time and yours…? I have no clue.
Tangletalon~Speaking of dying though, shouldn’t you be upset, Petalfrost?
Quietsong~TANGLETALON!
Petalfrost~It’s fine, no one has bothered asking us Spirits about our emotions… But… Not really… I had been under the impression that my death could not have been avoided, and that was later proven true, by what Ripfang did in the last Cycle…
*The patched she-cat glances at the ground, her light blue eyes suddenly flashing with grief at the apparent terrible memory.*
Petalfrost~He hung a she-cat named Daylily with a spiked noose… According to the Guests of that Cycle, his mate had starved to death, her name was Lotuspetal.
Tangletalon~StarClan… It was by mere happenstance, that…
Quietsong~*Winces.* It must be horrible knowing Ripfang is still among you as a Spirit.
Petalfrost~Indeed, it is. We have crossed paths several times before, all wounds heal even if we were able to hit at all… Something tells me Isole is different though…
Tangletalon~I wouldn’t be surprised…
Quietsong~*Shakes his head.* We haven’t even seen him.
Tangletalon~And we’re all here, so it’s not like he should be waiting around to kill us…
Quietsong~This is unlike him, he only waited around till we were all together…
???~Isole merely waited because he wanted to “make an entrance,” and to no doubt kill us in our act of betrayal…
*A smoky gray tom materializes behind Petalfrost, his orange eyes reflect exhaustion and uncertainty. Somehow his spectral black fur appears ruffled despite being dead and see-through...*
Tangletalon~Hello, Nightshade.
Quietsong~*Nods hello to the Spirit.*
Petalfrost~Then what is he waiting for? He could’ve “made an entrance,” when they arrived.
Nightshade~That I don’t know… *Sighs.*
Nightshade~You do not know how much it pains me to see you two, and to know all four of you were dragged back into this mess…
Tangletalon~Hey, we get the Spirits can’t really do much, it’s why we split up from the others. And we did find some stuff, a map you need to see. :coolcat
Quietsong~And a few other bits of information, we should go over those first, I think. Especially since someone dropped the map…
*The camera suddenly goes static, obscuring the cats from view. Elsewhere, a light gray she-cat shrieks angrily at a dark brown tom in disgust.* Her pale green eyes blazing with fury as she bares her fangs. Despite her furious appearance, she does not move from her seat.*
Heronflight~I HAVE A SIGN OUTSIDE TO KEEP THIS FROM HAPPENING, NOW LOOK WHAT YOU MADE ME DO, YOU ROTTEN PIECE OF CROWFOOD! :mad:
Treepelt~Ah, so that’s why that exists…
Treepelt~How does that work? *The tom glances at the she-cat’s shaking paws, her claws unsheathed and move frantically. Yet the white flecked she-cat has enough control to where she’s not harming herself.*
Heronflight~IT HAPPENS WHEN I’M STARTLED, LEAVE ME BE. :mad:
Treepelt~You can’t fix the cameras with your paws shaking…
Heronflight~I KNOW. …STOP TALKING.
*The she-cat breathes for several moments afterward, eventually she is able to place a trembling paw on one of the many buttons. The camera switches from The Lighthouse’s main areas to the outskirts of the land, just as the image shatters due to a well-placed strike of a cat’s claws. Heronflight’s screen goes black instead of static this time, her shaking paws resume in a much swifter pace. Behind her, Treepelt’s eyes merely widen at the sudden force, the shock quickly leaves him as he guesses as to who had decided to destroy their cameras…*
Heronflight~STARCLAN!
Treepelt~*Sighs.* You’re truly useless, I shall go and inform Redclove…
*The dark brown cat takes his leave, narrowly crashing into a calico she-cat. Said calico is clearly very excited and is rather off balanced due to the bow she is holding, along with the quiver of arrows on her back.*
Treepelt~Now what has crawled in your pelt?
???~I was looking for you. Redclove wants to send me into The Lighthouse at a random location, instead of a pre-determined one.
Treepelt~… We couldn’t send you to a pre-determined destination even if we tried, Webclaw’s dead, mind you.
???~I worked on it too, I can set up a pre-determined destination if Redclove needs it. Besides I’m not the only one going.
Treepelt~I tend injuries and or possible dead Workers. Heronflight is the only cat left able to use the cameras, and that is supposed to be a two-cat job at the very least… If you haven’t noticed, we’re short pawed as Redclove has decided to kill us off…
???~It’s not going to matter. There’s four cats to kill this time, it’ll be easy. You’re coming with me. We need ol’ Shaky Paws to watch the camera.
Treepelt~Are you mouse-brained? I have important information- Robinsong, let go of my paw-
*The dark brown tom is dragged off to somewhere else in the building by a blood-thirsty Robinsong.*
*Elsewhere Redclove is checking her e-mails from Isole, they are all the same. Continued grievances at her apparent “incompetence,” to finish off the Workers, he seems to continuously drift from anger and that is it is the utmost urgent thing, or that he’s merely disappointed and that it needs to be done soon. The appearance of her “Office,” has not changed since the last time she had been seen, even Berryheart’s head still lies where it had fallen… The ginger she-cat debates on checking possible progress to see if the Guests have found each other, when she is suddenly stopped by a sudden ding.*
Redclove~Hm?
Redclove,
I do not think you understand how vastly important eliminating the Workers are. Nor do you understand the utmost necessity of not allowing anyone else to enter but yourself.
Hence why you must eliminate them, I shall not have a certain uninvited… creature devour them, especially since someone I did allow to roam The Lighthouse can do this, just fine.
But that purpose has been fulfilled, I do not see reason to reward that associate...
Just get this done, I have other matters to attend too.
Sincerely, Isole.
Redclove~”Other associate,” What in the Dark Forest’s name is he rambling on about?
*Her ice-blue eyes narrow in anger, as she glances at her double edged sword on the wall.*
Redclove~Hopefully, those flea-brained Guests find each other soon… I’ve been itching to murder one of them…
*Returning to the surveillance room, Heronflight grins in triumph.*
Heronflight~Finally, now let’s see what my cameras can see. I really need to revise that old poem in reference to my camera, the old one was horrible…
*The cameras zoom in on the main area of The Lighthouse, the Guests have apparently moved to the Kitchen, where a variety of files and papers have been laid out on the desk. The two Guests talk over a few files with the two Spirits. Suddenly a loud crash resonates from elsewhere in the main area.*
Quietsong~StarClan!
???~Will you get off me?! :mad:
???~You’re on my tail!
Tangletalon(Yells.)~We’re in the Kitchen!
*The remaining Guests pad into the Kitchen, Ashfur III is for some reason wearing a “satchel,” made from spider silk.*
Ashfur III~Hello, Petalfrost. Nightshade. *The speckled tom nods his head to each Spirit in greeting.*
Amberfluff~Nightshade!
*The fluffy-tailed she-cat looks almost distraught at the sight of the spectral cat that had saved their lives, in what felt like many seasons ago…*
Nightshade~A- I would say it is good to see the four of you alive and well but this is not where you must be.
Petalfrost~Agreed, we can save greetings for later. It is nice to see you again, Amberfluff. It is nice seeing you again, despite the circumstances.
Quietsong~Agreed, and judging from that… whatever that is. You found something?
Ashfur III~Yes, and we ran into that Spider as well. Ripfang too.
Tangletalon~We got chased by a huge Serpent!
Quietsong~It was new… Hopefully it’s just around watery areas, we made it out unschated.
Amberfluff~Good, hopefully it’s not something to worry about.
Ashfur III~There are papers on the table, what were you discussing?
Quietsong~Some old documents about Isole finding this place, and finding the keys. It was all a little bizarre.
Ashfur III~Anything useful?
Petalfrost~Wait, before we continue, everyone should hear this.
Nightshade~No, we still don’t know how much energy all eleven of us could attract…
Petalfrost~*Sighs.* You’re right.
Tangletalon~…Okay, now who’s sharing information first?
Amberfluff~You two first. You must’ve found it first, after all.
Tangletalon~Okay then, we’ll go over the brief weird key stuff, and then continue from there…
Quietsong~Agreed.
*Meanwhile in a distance away from The Lighthouse, four cats gather in a clearing. The torrent raining down upon them blocks the moon from view, as well as covers the four intruders. They are merely outlines once more, merely being identified by their voices and eye colors. One cat slowly separates from the others, before placing something at their paws. The lone cat looks back at the remaining three, revealing their eyes to be green. A familiar voice erupts from one of the three shadows, it is Sagetail, his voice expresses a sense of stress and worry.*
Sagetail~Sparrowfoot, are you sure-
*The lone cat, Sparrowfoot snaps in a teasing sort of manner.*
Sparrowfoot~I’ll be fine, this is my job for right now. Your job is to guide the others to The Lighthouse and carry out our mission. I’ll meet up with you later.
*Sparrowfoot chuckles in delight.*
Sparrowfoot~Either way we have a whole lot of cameras to destroy!
???~Make sure to use those herbs, not all of them, mind you. We need all we can get our paws on… Just be safe, Sparrowfoot.
*This voice has a quiet tone to it, it belongs to a tom yet this cat is clearly not Sagetail.*
???~Good luck, Sparrowfoot!
*A kind yet also energized female voice gives her two-prey to the she-cat.*
Sparrowfoot~They won’t know what hit them!
Sagetail~Be safe…
*Sparrowfoot then picks up what she had placed on the ground, presumably herbs(?) and quietly slinks away from the clearing.*
???(She-Cat)~How far is it, Sagetail?
Sagetail~We still have a good while left, so hopefully Sparrowfoot can join us as soon as get inside. For now, though. We need to rest and get out of this bad rain, it should lighten up some later.
???(Tom.)~Agreed.
*The three cats then pad away from the clearing to seek shelter for the remainder of this sudden downpour. *
*The camera zooms in on the Guests and Spirits around the kitchen table, speaking calmly over the bits of information the tabbies found, meanwhile Tangletalon and Ashfur III bicker in the background.*
Tangletalon~It’s important! :mad:
Ashfur III~It’s useless.
Nightshade~The only thing of importance in these letters is Isole’s mention of an associate. It is possible this could be Redclove… But she didn’t arrive till the Eleventh Cycle…
Petalfrost~Is it possible it could be Rainfall?
Quietsong~Who?
Petalfrost~He’s some kind of… ball of light… It’s easier to explain in person, he had some very… questionable things to say about Isole…
Nightshade~I’ve thought about Rainfall… But I don’t want to place my paw on him just yet, he did explain some important information last Cycle… Besides Isole also speaks of an “unwanted flea,” so there are two cats from the very beginning.
Amberfluff~I see. This Rainfall could be either one of them…
Quietsong~I think we should move onto the map now.
*Upon hearing this Tangletalon and Ashfur III pad over to the table, just as Quietsong unfolds the large paper for the map.*
Nightshade~… I recognize some of this drawing style… There was a she-cat that worked for Isole, her name was Berryheart. She was rather skittish and constantly nervous as I recall, we didn’t really speak much… However, some of this looks older…
Petalfrost~Wait. I recognize some of this writing. Do you guys remember where we found the amulet?
Tangletalon~Yes…
Quietsong~There was a skeleton. That’s all I remember, I think I passed out…
Amberfluff~There was some cat’s writing….
Ashfur III~If memory serves, the former cat worked for Isole; and it does look like his writing…
Nightshade~An older Worker, I suppose? Still, this map is slightly different from my own. … It also mentions some kind of; chamber, deep within The Lighthouse, in its center?
Nightshade~May I take this with me? I would have to look at it for a longer time to make sense of it.
Amberfluff~Go ahead, Nightshade. We recreated your map so we should be fine, without this one.
Quietsong~It would’ve been nice if she asked our opinion…
Tangletalon~That map could be important to us…
Ashfur III~
Petalfrost~We’ll make sure to bring it back! Now, what did the two of you find?
Amberfluff~…We haven’t even looked actually…
Ashfur III~I didn’t want to explain things twice.
*The speckled tom takes off the web “satchel,” and reaches in for the various files, he and Amberfluff had found. He then places them on the table, before swiftly opening one of the files.*
*Said file contains a picture of a ragged, dusty, brown tabby tom with dark green eyes. Along with various information but it’s the name of this cat that garners attention from a majority of the cats.*
Tangletalon~Owlclaw… Why does that name sound so familiar?
Quietsong~No clue… :uhh: This is my first time hearing it.
Petalfrost~The skeleton with the amulet!
Ashfur III(Sarcastically)~Does that ring any bells now, Tangletalon?
Tangletalon~
Amberfluff~Everyone, hush. There’s more here.
*The ginger she-cat then reads the file aloud. Some of the letters have faded away due to age in certain places, hopefully it shouldn’t be too difficult to make out.*
Owlclaw
Past: Former warrior of an unknown Clan. He would not give too many details regarding his former life, other than a flood had separated him from his Clan. (He did not seem desperate to get back to them either.)
Found.
Job: Cartographer, later served as an assistant once the First Cycle began.
He later betrayed and stole from me during the Fifth Cycle, most likely in an idiotic form to repent his prior actions. It was futile, he was sentenced into The Lighthouse and was later killed by Ripfang. What was stolen was not retrieved, I shall not fret over it too much till the Twelfth Cycle begins.
Tangletalon~That’s rather short… What’s a cartographer?
Nightshade~A map maker, it seemed Amberfluff was right when she guessed the skeleton you had found.
Petalfrost~He stole the amulet, yet Isole acted as if it wasn’t a big deal…
Ashfur III~Why wouldn’t he be worried about it?
Nightshade~*Sighs.* This is just bringing more questions not answers.
Quietsong~It’s important yet not enough for his immediate attention?
Ashfur III~There’s more files here, we’ll have time to ponder later…
*The speckled gray tom then grabs another file and opens it. This file reveals a face everyone knows, for one cat, a bit too well…*
Petalfrost~Ripfang…
*The ragged dark brown tom’s face seems to grin manically as Amberfluff reads his file, some of the letters seem to have faded away due to age.*
Ripfang
Past: A former warrior of TreeClan, formerly known as Raggedfang. He was not Clanborn, taken in as a kit and raised to be a warrior. He later aided me with a rogue attack on his own Clan, where he was later caught after the battle. I did not see him again for a long time, till the younger generations of TreeClan decided to give him up. A shame, his mate, Lotuspetal had perished in their confinement within the pits.
Joined.
Job: Assassin
Crimes: Murdered several of his Clanmates, and later cats we had met when recruiting Workers. His Job, no doubt speaks of his desire to spill blood. A true example of
Amberfluff~I can’t make the rest out…
Ashfur III(Snorts)~It doesn’t matter, most likely going on about how great Ripfang is…
Amberfluff~It probably pertains to then, remember what Ripfang said, Isole had been keeping him in the dark?
Nightshade~You met Ripfang? *He looks rather worried upon hearing this.*
Ashfur III~He saved us from the Spider, he doesn’t like that thing.
Tangletalon~*Shudders upon hearing the Spider be mentioned.*
Petalfrost~He saved you…? :uhh:
Ashfur III~Yes, now can we keep going? There might be clues in these files, we can talk about everything later. :mad:
*The speckled tom then grabs another file and opens it. Instead of Amberfluff the gray cat reads this next file instead. Said file shows a light gray tabby tom with pale blue eyes, the paper also seems to be lighter in color compared to the previous two files…*
Olivepelt
Past: Former warrior of RainClan.
Taken.
Job: Messenger.
Originally he was meant to be a Guest during the Seventh Cycle, upon finding out his previous crimes prior to capture, he was forced to become a Worker for me. Odd how killers tend to fear death, yet have no problem killing others…
Crimes: Confessed to murdering his apprentice as the young cat had seen their mentor with a cat from another Clan. He would later gather information about eventual Guests for me.
Nightshade~Olivepelt was always nice, it seems disturbing to think he would do something so horrendous…
Petalfrost~He could’ve been one of us, why change it because he murdered someone?
Amberfluff~Maybe because he killed someone, perhaps?
Quietsong~That could be a possibility…
*The grey tabby grabs a file before Ashfur III can protest another conversation. Quietsong opens the file which shows the picture of a small cream colored she-cat with light green eyes, he then reads the she-cat’s information.*
Berryheart
Past: Former warrior of BrackenClan.
Taken.
Job: Cartographer and Assistant/Messenger.
A botched job in BrackenClan through various miscommunications between other Workers brought Berryheart to me. She was used to re-vitalize later maps as The Lighthouse morphed about through the Cycles. (Became rather obedient and skittish once she understood her sister had become a Guest.) Instead of vengeance she went in an opposite direction, interesting…
Tangletalon~That explains the “Taken,” part… And why did he find how she acted so interesting?
Nightshade~ *Sighs.* That at least explains her behavior, she always stuttered when speaking, too…
Amberfluff~For a certain someone’s satisfaction, we’ll save all comments till we reach the end of these files…
*Ashfur III smiles smugly in the background as the ginger she-cat picks up one of the files, opens it, and begins to read. This cat is a white tom with brown eyes.*
Webclaw
Past: Former warrior of MossClan. He found some of my Workers and offered to join as a Worker.
Joined.
Job: Smoke Mechanic and Messenger. Former Taker.
Crimes: Confessed to have killed someone, it is likely talk. He however, did murder two would be Guests. This nearly cost him his life if he wasn’t needed to transport Ripfang into The Lighthouse… (Odd, how some fools rush to spill blood at times, for idiotic reasons…)
Amberfluff~They’re becoming easier to read…
Tangletalon~There’s not much there to begin with…
Nightshade~It still gives us information on my former associates, there is surely a pattern here, somewhere… Still, upon hearing this information so casually… What is Isole’s angle…
*The smoky gray tom lashes his tail, he seems annoyed at this lack of progress and still disturbed at such atrocities so casually written down…*
Amberfluff~Surely, we’ll find something eventually… *She grabs another file and opens it as she says so. This file reveals a large light brown tabby tom with amber eyes.*
Adderstrike
Past: Former warrior of MapleClan, was exiled for attempted murder on one of the Clan’s warriors.
Joined.
Job: Guard.
Crimes: A variety of murders both job related and in the past. His blood-lust almost rivals Ripfang’s…
Nightshade~That doesn’t surprise me, really… Ripfang always liked Adderstrike and Galestorm for a reason…
*Ashfur III grabs the next file as Nightshade speaks, and opens it. This cat is a gray tabby tom with green eyes.*
Galestorm
Past: Former warrior of an unknown Clan, he later left it for reasons he would not speak of.
Joined.
Job: Guard and Taker.
Crimes: Alongside those of his job, he may have committed dark atrocities in his past.
Petalfrost~It’s terrifying how many of these cats seemed to have joined Isole to help with these Cycles…
Nightshade~I wonder if they found Isole or if he found them first… Technically all of us committed crimes by helping him, yet why does he only list some… What does this mean?
*Quietsong grabs another file and opens it. This file features a dark brown tom with yellow eyes.*
Treepelt
Past: Former medicine cat of NettleClan. (He was exiled after it was discovered he had poisoned several of his patients and healthy cats of his Clan.)
Found.
Job: Coroner.
Crimes: Aside from the atrocities among his own Clan, he is responsible for killing past Workers when they’ve outlived their usefulness…*
Quietsong~A medicine cat?!
Amberfluff~It’s amazing none of us have been poisoned!
Nightshade~It would be mouse-brained to try and poison anything here, which is why Treepelt is limited to other activities…
Tangletalon~It makes sense, disturbing sense… Hopefully we never meet this cat…
Nightshade~It’s probably not going to happen…
Ashfur III~Hopefully there’s some sense in this, other than just disturbing information….
*Ashfur III quickly grabs another file before more cats can speak. He opens it revealing a familiar calico…*
Robinsong
Past: Former warrior and loner. She did not speak of her former Clan when I tried to get information.
Taken.
Job: Messenger and Taker.
Petalfrost~He should add Crimes to her now… She murdered someone last Cycle.
Quietsong~Really?
Petalfrost~Yes… Thornfang didn’t need to die like that, he didn’t even realize he was dead, I don’t think…
Nightshade~It’s rather likely, Gingerclaw, Quailfeather, and I are in these files as well… You know our pasts, so I’ll quickly mention our jobs, in case someone picks them up. Gingerclaw served as an Assistant and Messenger, I was a Taker, and Quailfeather worked on the cameras.
Everyone~Cameras? :uhh:
Nightshade~Don’t bother looking for them, they’re hard to see and there’s no point in bashing them.
Tangletalon~Have they always watched us, everywhere?
Nightshade~Most likely…
Ashfur III~That’s unnerving…
Amberfluff~Indeed…
Quietsong~*Looks through the other files.* Would Quailfeather and Gingerclaw like their files?
Nightshade~Perhaps. I’ll take our files with me, alongside the map, Berryheart and Owlclaw worked on.
Quietsong~*Places the files on top of the map, as the gray tabby opens the remaining file.*
Heronflight
Past: Former warrior of SwiftClan.
Taken.
Job: Surveillance Cameras and Riddle Maker.
Her paws shake when angry, alarmed, or nervous due to some unknown trauma.
Crimes: Possible murders, given she had some of her murderous riddles already planned for some Guests.
Ashfur III~ I feel like I’ve learned that his Workers are either murderous or damaged, things we could have already guessed…
Amberfluff~Not exactly, why would he mention crimes in these files?
Nightshade~Especially when we are all to blame for whatever reason in what we’ve done anyway… There must be a reason behind why he would bother to write that down. He never used any of us to harm the Guests, after all. Only Ripfang, and Redclove during the last two Cycles…
Quietsong~That is interesting, actually…
Tangletalon~Are you sure you’re not just grasping at mouse tails, Nightshade?
Nightshade~Perhaps but what if this actually means something…
Ashfur III~We’ll give you all the files then, in case something else comes to you then. You did know most of these cats, after all…
Petalfrost~We’ll let you know, if something else comes up… Perhaps the others, or even Rainfall can come up with an answer…
Ashfur III~*Sighs.* Get the map back to us soon, we need to escape before we’re all dead.
Amberfluff~Isole, hasn’t even revealed himself…
Nightshade~On second thought, I could always try and re-create this older map and compare it with the former to study with the others…
Petalfrost~We don’t have time to do that, Nightshade. We’ve exhausted our time here, already…
Nightshade~*Sighs.* I suppose my memory will have to suffice…
Nightshade~We shall meet again, soon… It’s getting hard to be in this plane…
Petalfrost~Good luck, everyone. May StarClan light your paths!
Quietsong~Thank you, Petalfrost.
Amberfluff~Indeed, I hope we see both of you again soon.
*The two Spirits disappear with Nightshade disappearing with the files containing the information of the Workers.*
Amberfluff~What should we do now?
Tangletalon~We sleep and hope we don’t have nightmares of a bunch of murderous cats watching us…
Ashfur III~Is this really what you’re thinking about right now?
Tangletalon~You try sleeping in random hallways, exhausted after being chased by a giant Serpent. :mad:
Quietsong~I agree with Tangletalon, we have an actual rest, and then we’ll try and think on an escape later.
*The two tabbies then quickly make their way up the stairs, preferring to not even bother arguing with the others, their fur is somewhat on end, given that the files may have worsened their already tired condition.*
Amberfluff~*Sighs.* None of this makes sense…
Ashfur III~Is it supposed too, though?
Amberfluff~Yes, something has to in this messed up place… What Nightshade mentioned could be possible, and why would Isole- Why would Isole want to do this?
Ashfur III~Same way, Ripfang and those other Workers would…
Amberfluff~Something must be different, it almost seemed like Isole was… judging, assessing, their reasonining or something?
Ashfur III~Unlikely… Now are you going to compare the maps with me or do you also want to go to sleep?
Amberfluff~*Sighs.* Suit yourself, Ashfur III. I need to think on this, there has to be something…
*The ginger she-cat walks upstairs, leaving Ashfur III at the dining table with the maps.*
Ashfur III~*Sighs.* We’re just in a Lighthouse for a murderer’s entertainment, what else could it mean? We just need to focus on escaping, not a meaning to it…
Episode 12
*The cameras play absent-mindedly near them, Tangletalon appears to be sleeping rather soundly for someone who should be haunted by recent events; her fellow Guests that had retired to their rooms seem to have a harder time falling asleep. Amberfluff seems particularly troubled, although Quietsong doesn’t seem to fair much better, elsewhere in The Lighthouse, Ashfur III seems to be at work, comparing the two maps… Completely unaware that elsewhere, someone else appears to be facing death…*
*Within the surveillance room, a cat cowers in fear her paws trembling, the claws unsheathed, alas are worthless beside her head, as she is held against the floor. Pale green eyes narrow and glimmer with what could be described as both fear and deranged merriment. So narrowly close to slicing her head off, a doubled edged sword is narrowly close to her throat; a hind paw also rests directly on the pinned cat’s underbelly, claws unsheathed, either she bleeds out or loses her head… Above her stands a dark ginger tabby, the sword-wielding cat’s eyes blaze with rage and hints of blood-lust.*
Redclove~I will not ask you again. Tell the truth, Heronflight.
*Redclove growls, her tone however; doesn’t reach her manic eyes. It’s rather cold and unsettling… The captive she-cat seems to be in a mix of confusion, uncertain whether to laugh or yowl for help. The white flecked cat’s paws begin to shake, nearly forcing the blade to loosen from the ginger cat’s grip.*
Heronflight~I told you, Redclove… I don’t know where he is, and he’s not rabbit-brained to have run off…
*Redclove sneers in response, her eyes narrowing as her rage grows, her fur bristles along her back, and she appears almost ready to slice Heronflight into pieces…*
Redclove~Treepelt isn’t a fool, which is why you must’ve done something…
*Heronflight’s eyes widen in astonishment at the accusation, the shock overwhelms the fearful emotion, as if she had been merely insulted, instead of moments away from losing her life. Before she has a chance to retort, her eyes catch a blur of color on one of the cameras in the room, and the she-cat’s pupils widen in glee.*
Heronflight~Redclove, let me up, he’s on the cameras.
*The ginger tabby sneers in response, placing the blade closer to the other’s throat to where one movement would turn her gray fur crimson…*
Redclove~Oh, do you take me for a fool, Heronflight?
*Despite the cold rage in the she-cat’s voice, curiosity gets the better of her, Redclove glances at one of the cameras in her peripheral vision. She catches a glimpse of something dark brown on the camera, and it is not The Lighthouse’s normal décor. It’s a cat, and this cat does not have golden stripes cutting through their fur like a certain Guest, no. There’s only one other cat with brown fur and he is supposed to be in this building…*
*In one swift movement, Heronflight is released from certain doom, and instead of springing at the ginger tabby intent on ripping her would-be killer’s throat; the white flecked cat springs for her chair. The chair’s wheels spin several times before resting in front of the cameras. She somehow manages with her shaking paws to hastily zoomS in on the specific camera she had caught a wonderful, hopeful, glimpse… She would have yowled for joy, as she spots Treepelt’s “broody,” frame next to Robinsong’s wobbly form as she struggles to walk with the weight of her bow or quiver, or both…*
Redclove~So Robinsong took him without asking for my permission? :mad:
Heronflight~Seems like it… Robinsong’s has been almost impatient as you are…
Heronflight~I think this is a good time, actually…
Heronflight~
Time has slowed but now it flows.
Screams shall ring in a house with no light.
When paws run wild with blood, it will violently glow.
They feared it, but it has come to pass…
Their imminent fright,
Has arrived at last.
Redclove~Someone’s rusty…
Heronflight~In my defense, I can’t think straight when my paws are shaking out of fear more so than anything else…
Redclove~As much as I would love to end this, and the bodies littering my Office, know how much I want to slice them all to bits… I will need to make sure Robinsong does not get any kills that should be rightfully mine…
Redclove~I shall be back shortly…
Heronflight~You know once you go in there, it’s unlikely you’re going to come back out again… I can’t operate that dumb thing…
*The dark ginger she-cat merely mumbles something under her breath before leaving, her double-edged sword in paw as she exits the room.*
Heronflight~Now let’s see where you’ve been!
*Within The Lighthouse, the camera zooms in on the Workers, skulking about in a long hallway, Robinsong’s green eyes brighten with each paw-step while Treepelt merely seems to be bored. The dark brown tom also appears to be carrying a dark satchel, upon closer inspection, the contents must not be heavy, given he’s not struggling to carry his item, unlike a certain calico.*
Treepelt~It’s a good thing you took forever to get the machine working, it gave me time to get supplies of my own…
Robinsong~It was more difficult than I expected…
Treepelt~*Snorts.* Now you know why we have specific jobs...
Robinsong~Not that you really do anything though… Weren’t you supposed to be taking care of the bodies anyway?
Treepelt~In case you haven’t realized, Robinsong. I dislike working for a certain dark tabby, she’s irritating. She allowed capable warriors to die on her spot, and allow two of those murderers to escape…
Robinsong~Wait, you’re saying you cared about Adderstrike, Galestorm, and Olivepelt?
Treepelt~No, I’m saying she’s a sloppy leader, she has no qualities, unlike Isole…
Robinsong~Isole never utilized any of us though, if it wasn’t for the traitors’ attempts at rescue, I never would have gone inside The Lighthouse…
*The calico lashes her tail angrily at the thought, as she stops walking. Her fellow Worker eyes her with disdain and boredom.*
Treepelt~Now what are you doing?
Robinsong~Readjusting the weight so I can actually; move…
Treepelt~*Shakes his head.* I get the feeling Isole never wanted us to be here, outside of Ripfang and Redclove… Now that I’m actually; in here, something does feel wrong about this place…
Robinsong~Why should it matter? We’ve both killed before, this place should be no different…
*The calico takes off her equipment and proceeds to do something with the arrows in their quiver.*
Treepelt~I have. You did not have such a title prior to coming here, unlike myself…
Robinsong~You don’t know what I did prior to being brought here.
Treepelt~I know you didn’t kill anyone. There’s a difference there, although others do choose to hide their true nature. Some are not as well as hiding it as they appear to be, for example a bird, I would enjoy talking with immensely, more than I do you…
Robinsong~Heronflight? Her paws shake too much, I’ve seen her nearly rip the camera’s controllers out when she couldn’t control them.
Treepelt~Some prefer turning another into viscera and guts, Heronflight does not, but I get the feeling she can’t help herself, too much anticipation and nervous energy, it does not make her discreet at all.
Robinsong~How do you know this?
Treepelt~I actually; talk with my co-workers, for one. It’s an unspoken rule you must speak with one of the camera Workers, they enjoy commentary too much, Heronflight especially… I mock her and joke with her, and she does the same, or gets angry and tells me to leave. It’s an interesting relationship.
Robinsong~Forget I asked…
*After a few brief moments of silence, the green eyed she-cat has fixed her equipment and placed it back on her back. Her movement has greatly increased from the awkward movements from earlier… The two resume moving, albeit at a much faster pace this time.*
Treepelt~What even is your plan?
Robinsong~Find the Guests and fill them with arrows.
Treepelt~Straight-forward and idiotic, as I thought. Why am I here, again?
Robinsong~To poison others if you want, it’s not like we’ll have any need for the food anymore… Till the next batch of them, anyway! :mellow:
Treepelt~Do you even know where we are?
Robinsong~What part of random location did you not get? Of course I don’t know where we are…
Robinsong~We’ll just have to find our way to the main living area of The Lighthouse…
Treepelt(Sarcastically)~Wonderful.
Treepelt~If I must be here, it should’ve been with Heronflight… I enjoy speaking with her, not someone who has no clue for what she’s doing… New ones never have any idea as to what they’ve fallen into…
*The two cats walk in silence as the area changes to a walk-way just barely over-looking what appears to be murky water. The two cats warily glance down at the water, unable to see it, even when they’re so close to it. The water still hits the walk-way, staining it and making the surface slippery.*
Treepelt~You can’t swim either, I’m guessing?
Robinsong~Of course, a robin is a type of fish-No I can’t swim! :mad:
Treepelt~*Sighs.* It looks like we’ll have to go slowly…
Robinsong~Great…
*The two cats slowly walk in silence, the only sounds in this room is the sloshing of the dark waters and the splashes their paws make, every time they move. Every now and then the two would have to narrowly avoid large waves of water that would strike the cat-walk, causing the two to jump and skid forward in order for their items to not be severely damaged.*
Robinsong~It is just me or does the waves keep getting larger?
Treepelt~Who cares, we need to keep moving. I do not want my supplies to be soaked.
*The two cats half-walk half-skid across the walk way, as another wave hits, this one nearly knocking Robinsong off balance… The dark tom glances to the water around the platform and his eyes widen in terror as another wave smashes against the cat-walk, except this wave brings something with it…*
Treepelt~Run!
*Immediately the ex-medicine cat rushes forward, with Robinsong partially sliding close behind him, having regained her balance, a mere moment after he yelled to run. The last wave had brought with it a large snake, the two cats could make out the head and fangs as the beast had slammed its maw into the cat-walk, tearing where the two cats had been, into bent pieces of metal. The beast releases an enraged hiss as it maneuvers its head part of its head can maneuver and not break the cat-walk… Meanwhile the Serpent’s prey is currently making decent progress on escaping, as in they have narrowly avoided falling into the water several times now… A few arrows have even managed to escape from Robinsong’s quiver, her bow is also sliding onto the side of her shoulder, instead of remaining on her back, like she had it previously… Their heats beat in their chest as the two scrambled to find the end of the cat-walk, while the head of the Serpent approaches the two Workers… A screech fills the air as Treepelt nearly lands in the water as he tries to turn his head around, to see Robinsong’s tail caught in the Serpent’s maw. Her claws begin to bleed as she digs them into the metal floor, fighting to stay on the ground…*
Robinsong~Treepelt!
*Forcing himself not to hesitate the former medicine cat uses the water to scurry back, grabbing one of the fallen arrows and swiftly driving it into the calico’s tail, blood rushes out as the tail is severed, causing the Serpent’s head to jerk backward. The dark brown tom half drags/half slides on slippery paws to the end of the cat-walk, leaving blood and murky water on the remaining pieces of the platform. The area changes as his wet paws connect with an old carpet… He turns to the she-cat, who’s eyes have widened in terror and her breathing has become rapid, as blood flows from the remains of her tail.*
Treepelt~You better pray my herbs didn’t get wet…
*The dark brown tom grumbles angrily, his yellow eyes flashing in an almost eerie way, as he takes off the drenched satchel and begins to rummage through it… The camera then switches from the two Workers into an idle standpoint, skewing the two from view, as Heronflight spins around in her chair.*
Heronflight~So this is how the ex-medicine cat is in action? Treepelt, you look about ready to shove death berries in her mouth…
Heronflight~But I doubt that… So let’s go see what the Guests are doing.
*The white flecked she-cat cheerfully pressed a variety of buttons as the cameras return to the more normal areas of The Lighthouse. The camera zooms in on a very grumpy Tangletalon who seems to have been awoken by something…*
Tangletalon~StarClan, it better not be Ashfur III… I need my sleep…
*The dark brown tabby opens her door to see a single crow on the stairs adjacent to her room. The crow stares at the dark brown tabby for a few moments before cawing a few times… Before Tangletalon can speak, the bird flies away as if spooked by something…*
Tangletalon~A raven flew in here last time… Birds, if we had wings, we could fly out of here… *Snorts.*
*The dark brown tabby glances down to see the kitchen lights are still on…*
Tangletalon~I’ll get something to eat before bed, hopefully Ashfur II isn’t awake…
*As she sleepily descends the stairs, she feels her tail brush against something that is not a wooden piece of the stair rail, but fur. She turns her head and her eyes widen in horror as she sees the outline of a cat’s body, almost resting and about to fall if it was moved, onto the stairs. Tangletalon lets out a scream as she recognizes gray fur in the darkness…*
Episode 13 Part 1
*A few mouse-lengths away from The Lighthouse stands three cats, their fur drenched by the constant storms that engulf the immediate area, the smallest of the three leads them, occasionally placing a paw on the dark walls. His companions watch in silence, their forms shrouded by the darkness around them. A light envelops from something around the small silhouette’s neck, and a small hole appears, the outline shines bright amidst the darkness of whatever lies in The Lighthouse.*
???~You didn’t mention anything about darkness, Sagetail…
*One of the other cats’ whines in protest, while the other secures some kind of bundle around their neck…*
???~This wasn’t mentioned in the reports, Sagetail…
Sagetail~It, uh didn’t work like this before… There was no light outline or anything like this…
Sagetail~It’s kind of terrifying, really… It wasn’t like this before, not at all… Where is the reactor taking us?
Sagetail~We should get going…
*The small tom leads the trio of through the strange hole, where they end up is far from, the water filled cavern he and Sparrowfoot had went through the last time they entered The Lighthouse. Instead this area is well-lit with a few lamps strewn about the room, the floor is also carpeted with an odd light green color. With the three cats no longer cloaked in darkness, one can easily see their fur colors. Sagetail, obviously, is the small light gray tom with yellow eyes, around the small cat’s neck is a leaf like chain, a white object that bears resemblance to a sun, in the center of the object has a design which appears to be a gust of wind. Beside the small cat is a brown tabby tom with amber eyes, the tabby also has a long feathery tail that ends in a crooked tip. The tabby tom seems to be preoccupied with readjusting a satchel that he is carrying around his neck. Their remaining companion is a pale grey she-cat with cream-colored paws and belly, her white tail-tip flicks about like an uncertain snake as she looks up towards the ceiling, her light blue eyes widening at what she sees.*
???~Wasn’t this in the reports?
Sagetail~What do you mean, Willowtail?
Willowtail~Look up, it’s on the ceiling.
*The toms look towards the ceiling, and find something written in what appears to be dried blood, most likely… Or paint of some sort, it’s hard to tell which. Sagetail reads aloud the words inscribed on the ceiling.*
Sagetail~
“Miracles give Serenity.
Serenity allows Sanity.
Sanity gives rise to Order
Tragedy inspires Terror.
Terror invokes Fear.
Fear leads to Insanity.”
Willowtail~I remember reading something like that, don’t you, Dustwing?
Dustwing~Agreed. I doubt these were words of encouragement, as you had said Sagetail… The fact that they’re here… Hmm…
Sagetail~Don’t breathe on my head, Dustwing!
*The small tom leaps forward, his composure broken by the unexpected blast of heat from the dark tabby.*
Dustwing~And this, Willowtail, is supposed to be the cat to guide us, here…
Willowtail~He was frightened Dustwing, you can’t blame him.
Willowtail~You’re a weird cat to get used too, anyway… Now then, did you come up with anything while you were terrorizing Sagetail?
Sagetail~I feel like a kit…
Dustwing~Not particularly, just that this phrase must have some sort of correlation to the past of the cat we’re looking for or Isole himself, in relation to our Boss.
Sagetail~Uh, remember. Finding whoever we’re supposed to finding isn’t our only objective this time… We have to protect the uh-Survivors? Guests?
Willowtail~The cats trapped here, would be easier to say, instead of worrying about what to call them.
Sagetail~Yeah… We have to make sure, none of them die this time… Or us finding whoever we’re supposed to find, won’t matter… That’s what the document brief said… It’s game over if we lose all four Guests/Survivors…
Dustwing~And to protect those trapped here, our leader needs to get a move on, not mumble to himself…
Sagetail~Uh, right… Um…
*The gray cat glances around the room, his ears perking up when he sees a doorway nearby to the left of this room.*
Sagetail~This way!
*The small tom leads the other Visitors through the doorway, as the trio pass through it, the reactor shakes as they enter a different area of The Lighthouse. This new area more so resembles a dark, thin hall-way, the Visitors pick up a quick pace, their paws meet a wooded floor, that is surprisingly not creaky, despite what their paws tell them…*
Willowtail~Why does it have to be dark?
Dustwing~Huh. So that’s how it works…
Sagetail~I really wish we had Flaretail with us, she could easily see if there were any other ways in this darkness… Meanwhile, I can only see one way, straight ahead, StarClan let it be the right one…We need to find the Guests soon, and whoever we were looking for in the first place…
???~You’re on the right path, you may not make it there as quickly as you think though…
*A voice echoes throughout the hallway, the cats keep walking albeit at a slower pace, to speak with whoever is talking. The voice sounds rather pleased but sorrowful, there is also an odd indication that the owner has not been this content for a long time…*
Dustwing~What the?
Willowtail~Okay… Disembodied voice from nowhere, hello.
???~Hello, hmm….
Dustwing~What’s the “hmm,” about?
???~You are, yes… That makes sense, only one of you was here last time…
Sagetail~You probably mean me...
???~I find it foolish that he’s wasting resources here, especially since I can handle this on my own…Although it is him, I shouldn’t be surprised, he would get involved now…
Dustwing~Speak up, we can’t hear you! Where are you anyway?
???~I apologize for that, oh! This’ll help raise your spirits, I believe. I am who you were seeking previously, and are still looking for…
Sagetail&Willowtail~Really?
Dustwing~Show yourself then, we need more paws, since we’re a pair short anyway…
???~That will just draw unwanted attention for right now, besides I doubt you’d want to speak to an outline of a cat…
Visitors~What are you talking about?
???~My body needs to be found first…
Dustwing~Your body?
???~I’ll explain later, once you find the Guests, it’ll all make sense then… Good luck, getting there though!
???~Oh, and good luck! You’ll find your way to the Guests at the right moment, I’m sure.
Dustwing~StarClan help us… *Shakes head.*
Willowtail~Great, let’s leave before I can explain anything useful…
Sagetail~It’s not all bad though, we were at least able to talk with who we’re looking for!
Dustwing~I’m curious to see what he meant by “body,” though… If he has one, it is no doubt decayed with the time it took the original group to arrive, leave, and our group to arrive…
Willowtail~True.
Sagetail~A disembodied voice also sounds familiar… Did Shadowdance mention this before?
Dustwing~*Sighs.* It doesn’t matter for now, we need to keep moving…
Willowtail~Yes, are there any Shifts in the area, Sagetail?
Sagetail~None right now, we’ll just have to keep moving down this hall-way…
Sagetail~Hopefully Sparrowfoot is doing fine…
Dustwing~Less mumbling, more walking.
*The Visitors increase their pace moving down this thin hallway that seemingly leads to more of said hallway, at least their eyes have adjusted to the darkness, for the time being.*
Willowtail~How does someone like you became a medicine cat, Dustwing, I’ll never know…
Dustwing~*Snorts.*
Willowtail~That’s not an answer, fish-brain…
Dustwing~It’s the only one you’re getting.
Willowtail~*Shakes her head in disbelief.*
Dustwing~You said it didn’t take you too long to find Guests last time, right?
Sagetail~Yeah… But we kind of ran into three of them, and then one died… It took a while longer to find the main group of Guests though…
Sagetail~I shouldn’t have been so confident that we could find them so quickly… And even that voice said we’re not going to find them as quickly as we want-no need too…
Dustwing~In order to lead, you need to stop mumbling to yourself, and say what’s on your mind.
Sagetail~I-but Sparrowfoot should be leader right now, not me… I can’t lead…
Willowtail~Of course you can lead, you have the most experience being here. Sparrowfoot can also be a bit brash at times, anyway…
Dustwing~Besides she has her own mission to complete, and that’s not ignoring the fact that the Boss chose you over her specifically, it was in the documents, remember?
Sagetail~Y-yeah… But I feel like the Boss…
Willowtail~Are you doubting his decision? He knows what he’s doing, Sagetail…
*Dustwing’s eye begins to twitch several times. The brown tabby grits his teeth as he attempts not to rub it.*
Willowtail~Is your eye bothering you again, Dustwing?
*Sagetail stops moving and quickly turns around, seeing one of the medicine cat’s amber eyes twitch madly. His own yellow eyes flash with concern for the tabby tom.*
Dustwing(Sarcastically)~No, I’m doing this for fun…
Sagetail~I’m sorry, is it my fault?
Willowtail~No. His eye just does that sometimes, the only thing it does is annoy him… It’s also amusing to watch…
Dustwing~I heard that Willowtail.
Dustwing~And yes, I’m fine, Sagetail… It’ll stop on its own, we need to keep moving…
*The small tom nods his head, deciding that arguing would just stress the tom even more. Sagetail leads the way in silence, with the only noises being occasional displeased noises from Dustwing.*
*Elsewhere in The Lighthouse, Robinflight and Treepelt have resumed moving, although it is a much slower pace than normal. Without the blood everywhere, Robinflight is missing nearly half of her previously long tail, with the end of it currently covered in cob webs. The calico is also walking rather lop-sided with the bow and quiver on her back, ruining her limited balance.*
Robinsong~…I thought you were going to kill me, instead of fix me.
Treepelt~It wasn’t like the option didn’t come to mind… It did.
Robinsong~
Treepelt~But your only issues will be balance related and it’s not like you lost any legs… If that was the case, I would simply have to kill you. You would have been a liability.
Treepelt~Oh, and you’re not going to be able to balance very well and shoot what arrows you have left…
Robinsong~Y-Yeah…
Treepelt~*Snickers.* Where’s that rush of blood-lust from earlier?
Robinsong~It’s still there! :mad: Do not taunt me ,Treepelt!
Treepelt~I’m just pointing out that a mere brush with death has made you quiver like a new-born kit…
Robinsong~I was nearly eaten alive, anyone would be terrified in my situation. :mad: And you didn’t help when I was going into shock…
Treepelt~My herbs not being damaged is vastly more important than your life, Robinsong.
*Robinsong’s eyes widen in shock as Treepelt simply keeps moving forward, not even looking back at her, his words are blunt and cold, the ex-medicine cat truly means what he says, and this sends a sudden chill down the calico’s spine.*
Robinsong~Why did I decide to drag him along with me, again? He’s-I’ve never seen him act like this… Is this how he is when he’s not working or bickering with Heronflight? He was a medicine cat for crying out loud… What made him decide to start not helping others? Then again, what made me decide to start hurting other cats…? Recognition, I think… Maybe? I don’t remember anymore…
*The calico shakes her head as she carefully places one paw in front of the other as Treepelt leads the two Workers into a new area…*
Treepelt~*Growls.* I feel like someone is pulling my tail, there’s no way this place is that convoluted…
Robinsong~At least we know never to choose a random destination again, but the smoke should be operational once we find the main living area, provided Redclove didn’t turn it off…
Treepelt~Hmmm…. Do you think Heronflight is watching us?
Robinsong~Does Isole have multi-colored eyes?
Treepelt~Touché. Wrong tense though.
Robinsong~According to Redclove he’s alive…
Treepelt~And in my expert medical opinion, she’s going mad. She’s been killing us off in an alarming rate, and I wouldn’t be surprised if she decides to slaughter the Guests out right, once she gets the smoke to work and transport her back as well…
Robinsong~We have to kill them too, she can’t have all the fun…
Treepelt~What’s this?
Treepelt~Someone’s less excited than beforehand, when you were hopping about like a rabbit…
Robinsong~Shut up! :mad: I’m just hoping I don’t accidentally kill them outright, I want to play with them before killing them, and my balance is going to be an issue…
Treepelt~*Snorts.* Just keep telling yourself that…
*Meanwhile far from The Lighthouse, a dark ginger tabby returns to the surveillance room looking very displeased. Heronflight glances up from the cameras as Redclove stomps angrily into the room.*
Heronflight~I can’t do anything to help you when it comes to that thing. Only Quailfeather and Webclaw could work that thing…
Redclove~You’ve said this the last three times I’ve come in here. Have you even fixed the cameras yet for the main rooms of the Guests?
Heronflight~Still all static, I did somehow get Treepelt and Robinsong eventually… She’s missing part of her tail, it’s going to be hilarious to watch her flounder around trying to shoot her bow.
Redclove~Says the cat with shaky paws…
Heronflight~At least I can still cause damage.
Redclove~How did she miss part of her tail, exactly?
Heronflight~*Shrugs.* There were no cameras in that area for whatever reason, which is unusual… Since I remember there being cameras there, even though they malfunctioned on me, usually…
Heronflight~So, how much longer do you think it’s going to take you to get it working?
Redclove~*Growls.* Hopefully soon, my claws are aching…
*The dark ginger she-cat then leaves the surveillance room as quickly as she had entered it. Heronflight spins her chain around a few times before clicking out of the cameras watching her fellow Workers. She stares annoyed at the static filled cameras where the Guests should be.*
Heronflight~Come on, you dumb thing… Work, like you’re supposed too…
*The gray she-cat presses a few buttons which yield no results. She closes her eyes and lets out an exasperated sigh, before grinning.*
Heronflight~Ya’know Treepelt, if I told Redclove what you said, you’d be dead… It would be hilarious!
Heronflight~But you’re stuck there and I’d rather her not decide to kill me too, for whatever reason…
*The white flecked she-cat opens her eyes as she presses a few more buttons on the camera, trying to will something to work. Her pale green eyes glimmer in delight as the cameras start roaring to life again in the main areas of The Lighthouse.*
Heronflight~Finally! Now then, where were we?
Episode 13 Part 2
*The camera zooms in on Tangletalon’s horrified form, the dark brown tabby continues to stare at the body, too scared to move. There’s the sudden sound of paws stomping about, but it is too loud to tell from which direction, the rushed paw-steps are coming from… It is apparent the lights were turned off or dimmed to the lowest setting it could allow, the camera is having difficulties pin-pointing which… That is probably the fault of technical difficulties though…*
Ashfur III~What in StarClan’s name are you screaming about T-oh…
Amberfluff~Is everyone alright? I heard screaming. Oh StarClan! Where’s Quietsong?!
*The lights suddenly flicker on as Quietsong runs to join Amberfluff at the end of the upper part of the staircase. The tabby’s worry slowly fades as he realizes all four of them are accounted for. He then catches sight of the body that is laid haphazardly on the railing of the stairs… Ashfur III stands beside Tangletalon from where she is one of the steps, her hazel eyes widening as the deceased’s form becomes clearer…*
Quietsong~That…
*With the lights present, a few key details can now be made out concerning the body of the deceased. The cat’s fur is charred in some places, yet it is not enough to fully hide the cat’s dark grey fur, even if some other features are unrecognizable due to the blackened state of the body.
For some reason, the corpse still bore wounds, as there are areas of dried blood on the body, most notably the face and paws. Formerly white paws were now darkened and appeared to be the most scorched part of the cat’s body.
Yet, it was not the scarred face that made the four Guests’ hearts seemingly drop, the most recognizable feature, was the eyes. Calculating eyes that were now dull and lifeless…
In life, the left eye had been a blazing orange, the right, a vibrant green…
The Guests couldn’t even celebrate in this revelation, on one paw, it made no sense as for a body to just appear, on the other… It didn’t really matter…*
Tangletalon~StarClan… I thought it was…
Amberfluff~This proves it though…
Quietsong~Isole is dead.
Ashfur III(Sarcastically)~Not that it matters. According to our fallen Guests, he’s still around…
Amberfluff~But his body is here! Maybe we can do something with it.
Quietsong~More importantly, why is it here? It just showed up, out of nowhere…
Tangletalon~There was a crow, but that doesn’t really matter…
Amberfluff~Maybe it’s a sign?
Ashfur III~Does anyone here look like a medicine cat to you?
Quietsong~No one can read signs… He has a point…
Ashfur III~The deceased body of our former enemy aside-
Tangletalon~Are we just going to leave it on the stairs?
Ashfur III~Yes.
Tangletalon~Duh! I don’t want to leave it on the stairs for it to see us!
Amberfluff~She has a point, and we still don’t know how it even got here…
Ashfur III~We do. Redclove. She most likely appeared, dropped the body here, and then left till one of us found it…
Amberfluff~True, that makes sense. Redclove could be trying to unnerve us by placing Isole’s body here…
Tangletalon~This doesn’t get rid of said body! :mad:
*Quietsong pads slowly downstairs to where Isole’s singed body lies and knocks it over with a swift strike of paw. The body falls ungraciously onto the floor, sprawled out on its side… If not for the obvious scent of death and the fact that no one bothered to close the eyes of the violent tabby, he would almost appear to be sleeping in a haphazardly manner…*
Everyone but Quietsong~
Quietsong~What? I’m not the only one who wanted to hit his face… :uhh:
Tangletalon~That doesn’t solve anything! We can still see it!
Ashfur III~It’s not staring at anyone, so it’s fine.
Amberfluff~And we’re just going to ignore the smell of charred flesh?
Ashfur III~*Shakes his head.* Since everyone is up, does anyone want to help me with the map?
Tangletalon~BED.
*The golden-striped she-cat begins to walk back upstairs.*
Ashfur III~Really?
Tangletalon~Yep! I’m not good with details like that, so I’m going back to bed…
Amberfluff~*Sighs.* I feel more rested so-
Quietsong~No, I’ll help Ashfur III. You stay upstairs with Tangletalon…
Amberfluff~Huh?
Quietsong~If Redclove knows this “scare,” tactic didn’t work, she’ll try something much worse, and we’ve been taken by her, beforehand. We need to stick together for the time-being.
Ashfur III~*Nods.* Good point. We’ll work down here then, we’ll let you know if we make any actual progress.
Amberfluff~Good luck!
*The fluffy tailed she-cat nods her head as the toms make their way back to the kitchen… All four Guests appear to not be disturbed by the sudden appearance of Isole’s body, when really none of them can shake the feeling that something is wrong, dreadfully wrong about the whole situation… And eerie, someone, hopefully Redclove, planned this…*
*Elsewhere in a distance away from The Lighthouse, Heronflight’s eye are wide and the grin on her face widens… Her pale green eyes shine with intrigue.*
Heronflight~This is certainly interesting!
Heronflight~It means either Redclove was lying when she said she couldn’t find his body or someone else is lurking around…
Heronflight~First one’s more believable though… Redclove doesn’t trust us…
*Heronflight’s lip curls in a snarl as she spins her chair around to see no one there, there is no familiar ex-medicine cat threatening to poison her or irritating voice meeting her comments. No, instead here she is talking to herself… With the she-cat’s back turned to her cameras, she fails to notice some odd movement in the security cameras a short distance away from the building… If she had noticed it, she would have assumed it to be a passing predator, but this passer-by seems more calculated than a lumbering badger or hungry fox…*
Heronflight~Hmmm…. While I should probably check on Treepelt’s progress… Nah. I’d have to hear more of Robinsong’s whining, dumb calico thinks she’s so great and now she’s a whimpering mess, annoying…
*The gray cat is interrupted by a sudden noise from the screens behind her, she turns the chair back around and pulls up her e-mail… Said e-mail is displayed on the many screens that should be displaying the cameras, something that Isole would’ve had her pelt for, but the tabby clearly wasn’t around anymore, so it’s not like he could’ve done anything, the Guests or her fellow Workers were not doing anything noteworthy anyway…*
Heronflight,
I have the machine working now, it should do well for return trips.
I am going to test it out at the “entrance room,” of The Lighthouse.
Make sure I have appeared at the proper location and then go to my office and fetch Tangletalon’s rapier. It is time the two of us have a proper fight.
~R
Heronflight~How about I ignore the first part of that, since it was working previously anyway… And the cameras in the room with all the mattresses is still shot…
*The gray she-cat swiftly leaves her surveillance room and briskly pads through the various hallways, ignoring the once cat-filled areas where her former Workers had resided. Almost gleefully she enters Redclove’s “Office,” her nose wrinkles automatically at the stench of death… There’s also a slight buzzing noise indicating flies have found the deceased at some point, it’s not hard to miss Berryheart’s decapitated head near a book shelf, flies buzz around the stump of the head, said stump is thankfully out of Heronflight’s eyesight, and so is the body... Other than the decaying bodies and loud flies, the room is in disarray… Papers are scattered all over the desk and floor, as if Redclove had been searching for something important… The walls have claw-marks ripping apart the once nice wall-paper, Redclove’s double-edged sword is nowhere in sight, but that’s not a mystery, given she had been threatening to kill Heronflight with it earlier…*
Heronflight(Sarcastically)~Great job to make it harder for me to snoop around, Redclove…
Heronflight~You also didn’t mention where the other sword was, so that gives me time to snoop around.
Heronflight~Computer time!
*The she-cat nearly shrieks as she moves Redclove’s chair, one of her hind paws makes contact with the flesh of another cat by the desk. Her eyes widen to see a familiar white form, dried blood pooling around his body…*
Heronflight~Webclaw…
*Heronflight glances away quickly, refusing to take any more detail other than the white fur and blood of the former Worker… She then sets her gaze on Redclove’s computer screen, luckily for her the tabby had left everything open in a hurry…*
Heronflight~A shame I can’t stay long…
Heronflight~May as well glance through e-mails…
*After a few clicks the screen reveals Redclove’s e-mail with the most recent mail in said inbox being from someone with a very familiar name.*
Heronflight~I just saw his body… How could he have sent these? :uhh:
Heronflight~He wants us dead, just what…
Heronflight~Uh… Wait, no one found the laptop, right? Surely someone else is sending these, and it’s likely he left important info on that thing… That must be it… There’s no way he’s alive… He couldn’t have survived those burns, from the looks of it…
Heronflight~That has to be it… And Redclove’s so delusional and impatient, she’s killing off others for fun, alongside replying to whoever is using his laptop…
Heronflight~As much as I would to look through everything but the e-mails, I do have to find that rapier… *Sighs.* And there’s no telling where she put it in this mess…
*After a “long,” period of time nosing through various files and information, nothing she had clicked prove fruitful other than a “living Isole,” which is incorrect since he’s very much dead… Heronflight lets out a loud sigh as she looks through various drawers in search of the rapier. Most of the drawers revealed other knives and daggers, nothing of importance really, and no item of importance.*
Heronflight~It has to be the last drawer…
Heronflight~Found it!
*Her pale-green eyes brighten as she pulls the blade from it’s prison, the handle and blade are still covered in burn marks from when Redclove had pulled it from the wreckage…*
Heronflight~That took forever to clean up…
*The she-cat glances at the laptop again, nodding her head to reassure herself.*
Heronflight~Someone has to be in The Lighthouse, there’s no way his body could have shown up on it’s own… That’ll certainly be a surprise for Redclove…
*The she-cat then quickly flees Redclove’s disorganized office, she nearly trips over someone’s leg, as she leaves with the rapier…*
*Meanwhile within The Lighthouse, a pair of ice-blue eyes glances inside the main area; the light and constant chatter from the Kitchen is an obvious sign half of her prey lingers there. The other half is elsewhere, most likely still upstairs, she unsheathes her claws without a second thought… Those fools make things too easy, it would be so simple to take them and force the others to take part in her Games, her riddles… No matter what Isole said, she was in charge now. It was she, who could decide to make a Game unfair…*
Redclove~There will be no Game though, merely a Duel… One that I have been itching to finish…
*Elsewhere within The Lighthouse is a silhouette of a cat, the outline appears to glow dimly but that does little in this expanse of shadows, it merely proves to show how large this room must appear if there was more light in the surrounding area. A voice suddenly sounds from the silhouette presumably, it sounds… surprisingly confidant and almost excited…*
???~It is now my turn, right? It’ll be odd for a move to benefit both of us.
???~Hopefully you’ll come around to your changed way of thinking though, but if you don’t…
*The voice suddenly lowers and in an almost threatening tone, yet so sickly considerate tone…*
???~It was never my intention to let you come out as victor in the first place…