The Mark of the Tabby 2

(Hai! This is the sequel to The Mark of the Tabby that I hv first made. BE SURE TO CHECK IT OUT!)

(pls edit any grammar mistakes. I appreciate it!)

Prologue
A deep grey bird tiptoed through the dark hallways of the Queen of the Phoenixes' palace, evidently lost in thought. She strutted gracefully down corridor after corridor, not paying attention to her surroundings, only focused on her thoughts.

They were deep thoughts.

Very deep thoughts.

A rustle sounded over the bird's head. She turned her gaze sharply. Thoughts would have to wait.

A thump.

A screech.

A groan.

And the She-bird was one the floor. In vain she struggled against the sharp talons closed around her throat, wheezing and sputtering.

After a few moments, the bird gave up her struggles and glanced feebly at the large bird pinning her down.

”Mmmmother.” The bird rumbled. He took a talon off her neck and watched as she propped herself up on a wing.

”Ssssssssson.” She growled mockingly. “What a way to treat your mother. I thought i taught you better, South.”

South laughed slowly. “'''You’re scared. I'm guessing that you know why I have greeted you so rudely, then.'''”

The she-bird flinched. South leaned in closer. ”'''I. Want. The throne. And the only way to get it is to. . .” '''he grinned toothily.

The bird began to tremble. “Please. . .no. . .I'm—I'm your m-mother! You can’t. . .”

South's grin grew wider. “I can.” He drew back, looking down his beak at the She-bird. “'''Any. . . lassssssssst. . . wordssss?'''” He hissed.

”Oh, Shard,” The bird whispered. “What have I done to our son. . .”

Chapter 1:
{Sparrow}

By the time Sparrow became brave enough to poke his head out of the cave, it was morning again. The young cat's body was aching and throbbing all over and his heart was pounding boisterously in his chest.

”Scout. I think it's okay to come out.” His voice was husky from not using it for a while and also slathered with fear and annoyance.

A small, pointy snout poked out of the cave entrance, twitching and sniffing suspiciously. After a few seconds, it darted back in. Then the squirrel came back, dragging a tattered twig with him.

Sparrow's eyes widened. It was Auklet's stick.

Scout laid the stick in front of the tabby and chittered. Then he carefully propped it up. He blinked two times at Sparrow.

”Auklets. . .alive?” Sparrow whispered. He closed his eyes and lifted his muzzle towards the cloud dotted sky. He let out a contented sigh, and then looked down at where Scout sat at his paws.

He blinked.

And he blinked again.

Then he stared as if his life depended on it right where the squirrel had been only two seconds ago.

Chapter 2:
{Crest}

Crest smiled through the mouthful of squirrel fur she was holding, risking a glance back at the tabby next to the entrance of the small cave.

Her cave.

Her and her brother’s cave, to be exact.

The tabby was on his feet, scanning the clearing around him warily, his eyes sparkling.

Crest just managed to hold back a snort. He would never find her AS LONG AS SHE WAS QUIET.

She dropped the squirrel and studied it curiously. Crest could recall its peculiar behavior outside her cave, and half hoped the critter was alive so she could study—uh, no—learn more about it. It flopped lifelessly on the grassy floor.

“That’s a disappointment,” She grumbled.

Uh oh.

That wasn't silent, right?

Crest whirled around, only to find herself nose to nose with the tabby.

Chapter 3:
{Sparrow}

Sparrow paid no heed to the she-cat standing in front of him. All his attention was on Scout's body.

It was mangled and covered in blood.

Sparrow's eyes practically crackled with the fire that had alighted in his soul. “WHAT DID YOU DO TO HIM?!” He bellowed at the cat.

As a response, she attacked.

Sparrow was knocked back into the clearing as the she-cat struck him with a blow as strong as ten lions' roars. He landed with a grunt and a skid on his side, then scrambled to his paws. The She-cat stood at the other side of the clearing, just out of the dense forest where she had been hiding, facing him with a defiant glare.

With a roar of pure anger and sorrow—of pure woe—Sparrow rushed to revenge his friend.

The she-cat was ready. She reared onto her hind legs, front claws slashing viciously. Sparrow ducked and swept one leg towards her paws, knocking them out from under her. She let out a yelp and slipped onto her back.

Swift as—well—a sparrow, the young tabby shot to his feet and raised a paw full of claws above his head.

”DON'T. TOUCH. MY. SISTER. YOU. MANGY. MUTT!” the scream, paired with a blow he had never seen before, took Sparrow by surprise. Soon he was the one on his back, two furious looking cats glaring daggers down at him.

”Um. Sorry. But SHE JUST HAPPENED TO KILL MY FRIEND!” Sparrow screeched, outraged.

The male gave the female a reproachful scowl. The female shrugged.

“This is NOT something you can just throw over your shoulder!” The tabby roared. “He might of just been food to you mange-pelts, but he. MATTERED. TO. ME!”

”Don’t you dare call us mange-pelts,” the female growled.

The male sighed. “You know, Crest, it is kinda true—we haven’t been the nicest. Especially to him. You outta apologize.”

The female—Crest—groaned, then stretched out a paw. “I'm sorry.” She mumbled.

Sparrow gave her a wary glance, then grasped her paw and hauled himself up. Her claws pricked his pads, and Sparrow quickly let go and brushed some dust off his fur. “I'll forgive you eventually,” he snarled.