As Asher got closer and closer to the green trees, sand gave way to grass, and he leapt with delight on the cold soft feeling on his paws he hadn't felt in what felt like years. He rolled on his back in pure joy and rested in contentment, his tail swishing happily.
When the other cats reached him in the forest, he didn't keep his façade of seriousness as he bounded along the grass, jumping and batting at things like a small kitten.
Sky sighed and nearly cried in a mixture of joy and sorrow. "We're here....we're here...."
As Asher was occupied, the other cats began to move deeper into the forest away from him. He paid no mind, as he was now sniffing around for something to eat. He caught the whiff of a plump tiger weasel. His mouth began to drool with the thought of finally eating again. He hurriedly rushed off to find it, pushing through bushes and low trees, still delighting the cold feel to them.
He barely slowed to a crawl as he heard rustling noises ahead of him. He moved ahead faster and eager, creating a great deal of noise himself.
"Hello? Who's there? Show yourself!" Asher stopped briefly. This voice was foreign to him. He scowled. This place is owned?!
"Come out, now! This is Fire Pack territory, I won't hesitate to defend it!" The masculine voice warned. Asher crawled out of the bushes obediently, annoyance in his face. He looked up to see a felenine with grey fur on half of his body, and light grey on the other half. He stared at him curiously.
"Who are you? And....what....happened to you?" He questioned, noticing Asher's ill looking form. Asher paid no mind to what he said, he was much more focused on the tiger weasel he had smelled earlier in front of the young cat's paws, dead.
He sprang forward and snatched the prey and jerked his body back before running off.
"Hey!!" The cat hissed. He reached for him, but Asher whipped around and slashed his unkept claws right above his left eye. The cat screamed in anger and pain. The much healthier cat immediately began chase, only fazed by the slash temporally. Asher looked back to see him right on his tail, before slamming into another cat. He looked down fearfully, expecting to see another cat he didn't know. But he saw Rus looking back up at him in dazed shock and anger.
"A-Asher! Get off me!" He growled. Asher did just that as the half colored cat sprang stopped in front of the cats and yowled: "Fire Pack! I need help! We're under attack!" As he said that, multiple rustlings of bushes and trees occurred around the them, and one cat jumped out, a blue she cat with a single black paw. Then two others, a black female dog and a calico female dog, both exhibiting wings. And finally, a timid looking smaller greenish yellow cat jumped at them, his claws unsheathed.
"Asher! What did you do?!" Albany cried in enraged disbelief. Asher whined like a dog as he leaned over him and raised his paw to attack, only to be tackled by the blue she cat. Asher got up to his feet and sprinted away, until he too was shoved down to the ground by a heavy force. He yelled in terror as he whipped around to see who had pinned him, only to see the calico dog with wings. She was about to bite at him, but she stopped once she saw the fear in his eyes.
"Oh, you've been through a lot..." She spoke softly and kind. Asher was confused for a split second, before struggling out of her grasp.
"G-Get away!" He hissed. He jumped away and turned to face her, claws unsheathed and teeth bared. He was crouched down, prepared to attack. She's not a threat. Maybe she can let me leave! He attempted to turn around and run to the nearest bush, but the calico dog, being much younger and well fed than he was, leaped over him using her wings and blocked him.
"Wait! You need help! You're angry, and hurt. I can help you!" She said in a hopeful tone.
He roared at her. "I don't need help!"
Meanwhile, the blue cat easily pinned Albany, despite him being bigger than her. She scowled at him, then turned her attention towards Quicksand who was charging at her.
"Let him go!" She yowled. Just before she could attack the cat, the green yellow cat jumped over her and latched on to Quicksand.
"Arrgh!" She hissed and she attempted to violently shake him off. He didn't budge, so she reached her paw up to pull him off. He let go with a growl, leaving scratches on her spotted face.
The black dog with wings pounced through the trees to get to Sky. The much larger dog landed on her, knocking the breath out of the blue and white cat. She too however hesitated as he was about to swipe her claw at her, as a wave of guilt passed over her as she saw the skin and bone cat cowering beneath her.
"Hey wait a second guys!" She barked at everyone. Just as she said that, the half faced cat turned to her, leaving Bandit an opportunity. He used his front paws to violently pin the cat down. He yowled in anger and snapped multiple times at his legs.
"Listen! We're not here to fight you." He said in a stern tone.
"Yeah right! That black cat scratched me for a weasel!" The cat in his paws retaliated defiantly, showing no fear of the giant cat.
"He's lost it during the trip to the desert." Albany chimed in darkly, still pinned under the claws of the cat. "For all I'm concerned, do what you want with him, he's not our problem. The rest of us are simply passing through. I apologize on his behalf, and for our intrusion, but we will leave and get out of your guy's fur..."
"Huh, I see." The half faced cat murmured as Bandit released him. "If what your saying is true, than we understand." The black dog released her captive as well, as Sky thanked her generously. She nodded in response, her angry demeaner vanishing. The blue cat released Albany, and apologized awkwardly.
"If you guys are just passing through, then I guess we can escort you guys to the end of our territory." The blue cat offered.
"That would be wonderful...." Rus answered, still a little shaken up from the first encounter.
"Wait a second...." The black dog said, beginning to look around somewhat frantically.
"What's wrong Hex?" The blue cat asked in concern. She whipped around.
"Where's Lulu? A-And that crazed cat?!" Before anyone could answer, a yowl was heard a little ways away.
YOU ARE READING
Asher's Downfall
FantasyAsher couldn't ask for more. He was the leader of a beautiful pack, and he had a mate who has never left his side. However, unexpected and unwanted visitors soon throw their way into Asher's life, ruining everything he ever loved dear. Warning! Thi...
