THE RESISTANCE

[Rose]

The small she-cat slowly padded toward the rest of the Resistance, the weak rays of sunlight that were filtering in causing her coat to gleam like the silver of a river. With her dark-colored pelt, it would've been easy to hide had it not been her flame-fueled eyes. The orange pierced the darkness like nothing before with ease. Exchanging small words with various cats, she took in the newcomers with a slightly bored gaze. In light of all that had happened to the rogue, it was as if nothing could surprise her anymore. At least, nothing that was easily expected.

Slvana, hearing a happy, sort of warm meow echo from the side of the clearing, turned her fine-shaped face toward the sound. She could just barely make out the shape of Pantheress and one, who, by the name the ebony she-cat spoke, was called Ace. Listening in on their conversation, the silver tabby's eyes narrowed to slits. What in the world was Pantheress doing? It was as if she...she fancied this tom or something. But that's impossible. That's just not Pantheress. Slvana thought darkly as she headed toward the pair. Determined not to reveal her feelings, the she-cat forced her fur to lay flat and a smile to appear on her face. In fact, if you didn't know her well, you might actually think the wretched soul was happy for once. "Pantheress, I'm sorry to interupt your....conversation, but I have a question. What are we going to do now? We can't stay in one place to long, unless we want to lead BloodGang right to us." She meowed, her tone dry and sarcastic near the end.

OOc: Sorry if it's bad.

[hotsoup]

Ace grinned, looking into her excited face. She'd obviously never gone anywhere to exciting... but then not many had. But unlike the others, Pantheress looked eager to hear of his tales. Maybe she'd travel with him once the whole BloodGang thing was over...

"Pantheress, I'm sorry to interupt your....conversation, but I have a question. What are we going to do now? We can't stay in one place to long, unless we want to lead BloodGang right to us."

A small silver she-cat cut in, just as he was about to launch into a tale of the cities. She was right... but he was still slightly annoyed that she'd interuppted. Her voice turned dry at the end of her question. From the looks of her, she'd seen happier days. Sarcasm and hatred had replaced what was once there. She did have a point though.

But where could they go? This 'BloodGang' had obviously fought at the loner's barn, so that was a no-go zone; they might return. And it would be pretty difficult to manouver ten or so cats around the forest, hunting for them all and not bothering the Clans. And moving right away was out of the question. It would be a good few weeks before the Clans came here for a gathering, and hopefully they wouldn't hunt too close to here. Of course, Ace had no idea how long they'd been here. Maybe he'd have a chance to ask about the Resistance that she was obviously an important part of - maybe even the leader - after she stopped questioning him about his travels. Not that he wanted her to. A small purr escaped as he looked at the enthusiasm on her stunning face.

[♫ E§he ♥]

Let them come...
~Pantheress~
I will enjoy their fear.

There is a sort of greenness of grasses that exists only within our imagination.


'Pantheress, I'm sorry to interupt your....conversation, but I have a question. What are we going to do now? We can't stay in one place to long, unless we want to lead BloodGang right to us.'

A petite pang of disappointment hit Pantheress in a small corner of her chest, but her eyes lost concentration upon Ace and dipped down into her moonlit thoughts. Considering the anxiety Slvana was expressing, Pantheress could only help but flinch inwardly at the idea of encountering the BloodGang before they were aligned with the Clans. The size of BloodGang was overall disconcerting. Where Seth had found so many loners so quickly was almost flabbergasting. Was it truly possible for cats to have such power? To not only rule a Clan, but rule an entire forest? An entire empire? Pantheress was hit with an eerie feeling that things in the forest would never be the same, even if they did defeat Seth.
With an encroaching anxiety bordering upon hysteria, Pantheress flicked the worries from her skull and attempted to focus on the issue at hand. Not quite sure how to ease Slvana's nerves, Pantheress decided to voice aloud the very thoughts she had been telling herself. Just so stop herself from flinching at every snap of a twig, and rustle of fur.

"We should be safe in Stone Hollow, for now. We are located in the very center of Clan territory. East lies Dawnclan, North Mistclan, West Stoneclan, and South is Echoclan. It's like having four bulwarks between us and BloodGang. Me and Bandit are guessing that the BloodGang are trying to appear not a threat to the Clans for as long as they can; so they'll gain the element of surprise. And after midnight tonight, we'll create a connection with the Clans. As allies, I'm sure we'll also gain their protection."
Although I'd rather not depend on the Clans if I can help it, Pantheress thought, a bitter taste in her mouth. But whatever happened tonight would determine her future, and the future of all cats stranded in The Resistance. They were nothing. Perhaps strong and willing, but greatly, greatly outnumbered. The loners and rogues DID appear incongruous in the Stone Hollow; much less organized and unfit for a warrior's life.

And if the Clans DO decide to send us to our doom, what will we do then? Surrender? I know I'm not. Would Mistclan even lament over my descent? I doubt it. I'm nothing more than lost blood to them.
Sighing, Pantheress straightened up and looked at the silver she-cat, than at the golden tom. If there was anything she had learned from choosing the life of a rogue, it was that all life mattered. As Clan cats protect only their blood and their Clanmates, they have no reaction to the suffering of others. But now, looking at all the brave cats assembled around her, Pantheress swore to protect them. Why not? She had nothing to lose.

[Silver]

Lilyan watched the cats talk, flittering about the clearing. She worried about every little scratch and bruise, having to constantly reapply goldenrod and cobwebs, even though it was unnessacary. The fact that Fala had yet to greet her made her uneasy. Had she upset the warrior somehow? She had greeted her just as warmly as Damien before her attention was dragged elsewhere. As she finished applying a fresh solution to a small, sleeping tom, she zipped back to Pantheress and her friends. "If everything all right? I hope you guys don't mind me being here. Is it also ok if I stay for a while? It was awful lonely on the way down here. Oh dear, now what's up with Damien?" she purred, her words starting to blurr together. Before a word could be said, she bounded over to Damien, who was curled up in the reeds. "Damien, you have that most unpleasent expression upon your face. Cheer up! You could go home in a couple of weeks!" she twittered, having trouble keeping her legs still.

[Måø§†]

Risk.
Remember you are born to live,
don’t live because you were born.

Bitter hallows of beating thoughts pulsed through Fala's mind. The Resistance was growing like weeds, but they had never been trained. Only half of the cats knew how to fight well, half of the cats wouldn't survive minutes against the thirsty Bloodgang cats. They would teach them to fight as soon as possible but worry gripped the corners of her skull when she realized Bloodgang could attack any minute.

Where was Bandit? Had he managed to form an alliance or would they act alone as the only prepared union? It had been all day and still he hadn't come back. Would he come back at all? The sweet sounds of talking and prey rustled through the clearing but in her position, Fala barely recognized any sounds at all.

Lilyan. She had journeyed this entire way to make sure they were alright. A small purr thrust through her throat and curved the corners of her lips into a smile, she was being like Lilyan. Too many worries could drive you moons towards something, but she really was glad Lilyan had managed to come. She had been her closest friend in the tribe and leaving her had almost wrenched her heart out, she couldn't count how many times she would rather make the journey with Lilyan over the course of three moons. And now she was back.

Creeping towards both Damien and Lilyan, Fala acknowldeged her companion with a brush of her tail and turned to Lilyan. "I'm so glad you came!" her purr raged in her chest. "But I need you to help Pantheress, I, and Bandit training these cats. Many of them barely know enough to defend themselves against one cat, let alone the whole of Bloodgang," she turned to Damien, concern twinkling in her eyes, "If you're up to it. I realize you've gotten so much better. You could help with explaning...you know I'm horrible at it."

Hope.
Keep your eyes on the stars and your paws on the ground.

[Torn]

(Sorry its short and rubbish...)

Shell pricked her ears and angled them towards the Tribe cats. Words about training and fighting floated to her ears. A shiver spiked down her spine as she thought about all the blood and yowls of a battle. It was her worst nightmare. Turning away, she miserably plonked herself down on a nest off moss away from the others. Her body was as still as sleep, but her amber-green eyes stared out at the forest. She didn't want to fight... no more than she wanted to live right now.

Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope at all.

But not me.

[Silver]

Lilyan's gaze drifted over the cats, worried. "What do you mean?" she asked, returning her eyes to Fala. What was she talking about? Did she really intend on staying? And fighting, none the less! She shook her head, confused. "Fala... I'll help out where I can, but I can't stay and fight. I just barely managed to get out here. Not that I didn't come out to help, I really missed you guys, but I came to bring you back home. I have until the end of the season," she meowed, picking her words carefully. She didn't like the look in their eyes. It was so... serious. These were not the cats she knew. Well, maybe Damien, but not so much Fala. Was her friend really intent on killing Seth? By helping these cats she had no idea about? Lilyan was shocked. If she had to chose, she would jump at the chance to go back home. The forest was alien, these cats even more so.

(eh, bit brain dead at the moment)

[Måø§†]

Resist a current and you have retained who you are.

Wind whispered past her ears, the breeze carrying scents of fallen leaves that could no longer hold onto the steady branch they once clung to. Tender green brushed grass and pines, hallowed by twisted bark and imperfections, upturned by their own paws. Fala let the cool zephyr pour past her, facing - unflinching - against it, resisting it.

Her lips closed tight and eyes falling through Lilyan's. She knew what doubts were twisting their way through her friends mind. "Lilyan," her voice was a strong, "Bloodgang is so much stronger than I've told these cats, they don't know anything of what to expect yet. They aren't trained, not prepared and the forest needs this resistance. The Clan cats believe it will be just another battle to protect their territory, but this isn't a battle. It's a war. They need all of what they can reach and Bandit and Pantheress will never be able to do this alone. Lilyan, you can stay. But I'm not leaving until we've won," commitment held her gaze. She had changed so much since she had come here, and there wasn't a way to change her back.

Some people come into our lives and quickly go.
Some stay for a while and leave footprints on our hearts.
And we are never ever the same