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Skystep blinked gratefully at Luna. The group walked in silence the whole way back to the Cave. When they had finally reached the entryway to the Cave of FierceClan, Skystep put her kill down and said,"Through here and to your left is Massivestar's den. Before you enter the den, make sure he knows your coming in." Luna and her companions nodded their heads. They all proceeded into the Cave. As they entered, the normal commotion of Cave life ceased as the other wolves noticed the vampyres. They all nodded their heads in greeting. Skystep quickly went to the den and dropped the catch she had made on the already prospering fresh-kill pile. Then, she went to Massivestar's den. Before she even announced her greeting, Massivestar barked,"Come on in Skystep. You need to hear this too." Skystep entered the spacious den to find that Kirensight, Luna, Fyre, Gretchen, Erin, and Massivestar were all sitting on the ground in a semi-circle. Skystep quickly took a seat in between Luna and Kirensight. "Now that we are all here, lets discuss this threat. Luna, would you tell us about what your theory is of what we should do?" Luna nodded and said,"Well, just like you, our warriors have been attacked. Fyre's sister, Kyrain, was killed while collecting white sage. Herden, my brother, was seriously injured by the 'threat' and is in critcal condition. We are waiting for him to get a little better so he can tell us what hurt him. How many of your warriors have been injured or killed by the 'threat'?" Massivestar nodded at Skystep to answer Luna's question. "Well, two of our warriors, Lionfang and Hawkclaw, were killed yesterday while out on patrol. And Featherfoot and Sireneyes were injured while out on patrol with the two that were killed. Thank HeavenClan that they weren't seriously injured." Fyre's eyebrows shot up. "Are they well enough to speak about what happened?" Massivestar and Kireneyes exchanged looks. "I'll go check with my mate,the Herbwolf, Gingerdawn." kireneyes turned around and hurried quickly out of the den.Within moments, he was back again. "They're well enough to talk about what happened." Massivestar nodded and said,"Well, lets go and see what they can tell us." Everyone exited the den and headed over to the Herbwolf's den. When they entered, they saw that both sisters were sitting up washing themselves. Massivestar walked over to Featherfoot and said,"Featherfoot,dear, Skystep and her friend Luna are going to ask you a couple of questions,ok?" Featherfoot looked nervously at Luna and Skystep and back at Massivestar and nodded. Massivestar signaled with his tail for Luna and Skystep to approach carefully. "Hi, Featherfoot. Are feeling okay? This is Luna Jin, High Priestess of the Tribe of Vampyres. We want to know what hurt you and your sister,okay?" Featherfoot was shaking really bad. But she shook off her fear and said,"O-okay. Skystep. M-me and Sireneyes were renewing the scent markers near the border while Lionfang and Hawkclaw were checking out Crescent Rock. As me and Sireneyes were heading back to join them, I started getting this weird feeling in my stomach." Cold understanding rushed over Skystep, with so much force that she sawyed on her paws. "F-Featherfoot, was this feeling like something really bad was going to happen?" Featherfoot nodded her head. "Yeah, it was a really foreboding feeling in the pit of my stomach. How do you know about it,Skystep?" Skystep had a look of pure horror. "Because I had that feeling all day yesterday!" Luna quickly turned to Erin and Gretchen and said,"quickly, go back to the town and ask my brother if he had a feeling of foreboding before he was attacked. NOW!!"Gretchen and Erin quickly left the den. As they left, Skystep continued to ask Featherfoot questions. "Um, what happened after that,Featherfoot?" Featherfoot's eyes widened with pain and sorrow. "After that, me and Sireneyes heard Lionfang and Hawkclaw yelling for help. We rushed to help them and then something heavy and big landed on my back. When I knocked it off, I got a good look at it. It was a huge, shadowy, black boarlike creature. I glanced at Sireneyes and her opponent was big and shadowy, but it was more like a snakelike thing. I-I couldn't see Lionfang's opponent clearly,because I was bleeding pretty badly. But, Hawkclaw's opponent was horrorifying! It was like a giant darke scorpion creature. It was horrible!!!" Featherfoot sunk to the floor as if telling the tale took her back to that horrid scene. Sireneyes rushed to her sisters side said,"its ok, Featherfoot. its ok, you don't have say anything more." Sireneyes looked at Massivestar meaningfully, and Massivestar nodded. "Thats right Featherfoot. We have all of the info we need." Sireneyes nudged Featherfoot to her feet and guided her back to her nest. Luna dug in her pocket and brought out a sprig of white sage. "Here, give this to her. It will help her feel better." Sireneyes nodded and coaxed Featherfoot to eat a little of the sage. Within moments, Featherfoot was sound asleep. Skystep and the others left the sisters to sleep in peace. Once they were out of the Herbwolf's den, yelling at the entrance of the Cave pierced through the minds of all those around. Luna,Skystep,Fyre,Massivestar, and Kirensight rushed outside to see what the commotion was about. A giant, shadowy, Darke smelling falcon-like creature was trying to get to Erin and Gretchen, who were hiding under a over-hanging rock. Gretchen had caught sight of the group and was trying to make a run for it. But, as soon as she dashed out from under the rock, the falcon creature had her in its talons. Without even thinking, Skystep leaped at the creature and started biting at its face. Skystep lifted up her paw and brought her claws down hard on the creature's left eye. With a screech of pain, the creature dropped Gretchen and shook Skystep off. Skystep landed on the ground with a heavy ooomph. The falcon creature flew off, screeching into the night. "OHMYHEAVENCLAN!!! SKYSTEP ARE YOU ALRIGHT?!!" Massivestar and Kirensight were beside Skystep and Gretchen, helping them to their feet and paws. Gretchen shakily rose to her feet and said,"T-thank y-you, Skystep. Y-you saved m-my life!" As Skystep tried to speak, she errupted into a large coughing fit. She puked up a strange, black liquid. "Get in her inside the Cave, immmediately!" Fyre lifted up Skystep and rushed her inside the Cave and into Gingerdawn's den. "What is it--OHMYHEAVENCLAN! Skystep, what happened to you?!" Fyre quickly filled Gingerdawn in on what happened. "Unicorntail! Go fetch Shadowedsoul,NOW!!!" Unicorntail,Gingerdawn's assistant, rushed out of the den and reappeared with Shadowedsoul in-tow. Shadowedsoul was at Skystep side within seconds of seeing her. "Its alright, I'm here,my love." he whispered into her ear. After a few moments, Skystep's breathing returned to normal. She shakily lifted her head and said,"I-is Gretchen okay?" Massivestar and the others appeared inside the cramped den and licked the top of her head comfortingly. "Yes, she is Skystep. Thanks to you. You were so brave." Luna stepped foward and bowed in front of Skystep,"You have our internal gratitude,young Skystep." Massivestar said,"Luna, I don't think its safe for your Tribe where they are now. That creature was heading for your territory. You must go and bring them here, where it is safer." Luna's wise purple eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you,Massivestar. But are you sure your Cave is big enough for all of us?" Massivestar dipped his head,"of course it is,Luna. Go and fetch them. But leave Gretchen here, I think she is still a little shaken up." Luna nodded in agreement. "We shall return in a few."
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