Hello c: Anyways,let's get right to the point ^^

Yea,so the reason I didn't update on Wendesday because I was trying to get all my work done for Thursday,cuz',ya know,Falcon Flight was Friday,so... ^^;

Thursday,obviously,I didn't have anything to do for school,but I couldn't come up with anything for chapter 34,so... >3<

Saturday,I WAS trying to update,but I got all caught up in the Toy Story movies (you're not allowed to judge >:T) so I never got it done =^=

Sunday-...this Wednesday,I was just too lazy BT

Last Wednesday,I had research to do LIKE SERIOUSLY I CAN'T FIND ANYTHING ON SUMERIAN HOMEMAKERS/CARETAKERS WHAT THE FLUFF OAO 

SO it's now Thursday(Fall Break is almost over ;-;) and I FINALLY came up with something it's a miracle ;D; BTW,Falcon Flight was AWESOME OUO I got two Poptarts,two fall cakes,and one fall brownie just from doing the Cake Walk...several times o3o (it takes a good deal of patience and the indurance to get through the suffering of hurting feet ;^;) Although I think I could've gotten more,it was still fun ^^ Also got some slam dunks in one of the inflatables :D ...Before it deflated ono DON'T WORRY nobody got hurt ^^

ANYWAYS enough talking about me and possibly making you jealous ^u^ LET THE STORY COMMENCE .D.

Dead(17):Arjanna,Silverpaw,Midstrip,Kelive,Hazelclaw,Dappleheart,Shadestar,Angelfeather,Comet,Tundrafrost,Skycloud,Burnflight,Echostrike,Skyfire,Vi,Apollo,Bismuth 

Tributes:

Coldice

Dodre

Swiftstar

Alex

Splash

Bearpaw

Firefly

(So few tributes,so little time ;A;)

::Splash's POV::

Splash padded angrily to the river.The lung-crushing scent of smoke,fire,and ash still hung stiffly in the air to match the blackness of the burned trees and grass.Even the river looked a bit black.

Ignoring it all,the Aussie padded to the river's side and splashed a paw quickly through it.Water sprayed everywhere as his paw came in contact.His earlier quarrel with Swiftstar and Alex and his fury seemed to melt away into the water.

Why did Swiftstar have to ruin everything? he thought bitterly in his head.Clan leader.Huh!Clan leader my butt!Some leader she is! 

He oice,imitating her somewhat sweet-sounding and tough voice."Oh,look at me,I'm Swiftstar!I think I'm so-o special and can boss everyone around,including Alex,just because I'm Clan leader and I was approved by all my stupid Clanmates!"

"You know I can hear you,right?" (DANG IT SPLASH YOU HAVE SUCH A FLIPPING BIG MOUTH OAO)

Splash froze where he was.Heat pulsing from his pelt,he slowly turned around and saw Coldice,in the flesh,half smirking at him and sitting back on her haunches.

"W...W-what...what did you hear?"he stuttered,feeling completely mortified.

Coldice just casually shrugged."Oh,nothing much.Just the fact you sounded like a high-pitched,awkward Swiftstar,said she thought was special and can boss anyone around...Need I go?"

"Definitely not,thanks,"Splash barked curtly,trying to send the message she wasn't needed."What are you doing here anyway?"He snorted."Don't feel like hanging out with your mate,Dodre?"

Small triumph crept into him when he saw Coldice flinch harshly,then shrank under her burning glare and scathing growl."He's not my mate!I don't love him!Not at all!Besides!"she snarled,flipping her bangs,"I have a mate!I even have six little pups of my own!"

Splash tilted his head to one side."Is that why I always hear Avalanche,Brooklyn,Zios,and Phoenix talking about you?"

Coldice narrowed her eyes and looked Splash again like he the dumbest canine she'd ever known."What other reason do you think they would?"A small longing seemed to sparkle in her icy blue eyes."We're from different O.C. groups,so it's not like we get to see each other that often...Anymore."Splash practically had to strain his ears forward because the last part Coldice had said was barely audible.

"So,what are you doing here,anyway?"the Aussie woofed,hoping to steer the she-wolf away from her troubled thoughts."Because I know it wasn't to invite me into Dodre's group."

Rolling her eyes,Coldice replied,"There's something I know,and I know I shouldn't be telling you this,but...,"she looked left and right before continuing,"Firefly...isn't dead."

Splash's eyes widened.Firefly wasn't dead?That seemed next to impossible.Dodre said it himself-he had been annihilated from the competition.Unless...

"What do you mean?"he finally asked,thinking his still whirling theory was incorrect.

Coldice sighed,shaking her head."Firefly isn't dead.There,I said it.Dodre lied."

"But why?"the Aussie prompted,still confused.

The she-wolf narrowed her eyes."Clearly,you don't seem to have a part in your brain that's supposed to put together a chain of events."Before Splash could reply to the stinging retort,she continued,"Why wouldn't he?He's a murderer and deceiver.He'll do anything for power,whatever it takes,no matter the sacrifices.Haven't you seen how small our group is?"A sudden edge appeared in her voice."He hasn't even tried to save some of the Goldscars.In fact,he killed one with his own fangs."

A shudder rippled through Splash as he remembered watching Skyfire die at the cruel paws of Dodre.His teeth sinking terrifyingly deep into her neck,the pained,petrified look in the vixen's  golden eyes,the blood pooling around her,staining the once green grass red... 

"Earth to Splash?"

The pup shook his head,dazed,as he blinked at Coldice,who had her head tilted to the side."My question is,if he doesn't seem to care much...or really,at all...about what happens to his group members,what point was there in creating it in the first place?"

"Like I said,he'll do anything for power,whatever it takes,"Coldice reminded him.She looked away for a minute."Even if it means losing my pup..."

Cautiously,Splash murmured,"...Do...Do you think...Dodre killed him?"

Coldice opened her jaws like she was about to say something,then closed them again.Heartbeats passed before she answered,"I don't know...maybe.It's not like there was any evidence he had when we found Kelive's body,"she added quickly,defensively.

"If there was never any evidence that Dodre did it,why did you think it was a good idea to be so quick and assume it was us?"Splash accused hotly,remembering the battle that had caused Skyfire's death.

The Aussie was taken back by surprise from Coldice's sharp tone."Like I just said,there was never any evidence,and it seemed just about all of us had a grudge against your group,so I don't see why we didn't."

"But do you still think it was a good idea to make assumptions?"Splash pressed,now starting to glare at her.

Letting out an exasperated huff,the she-wolf responded,"I don't know why in StarPack I expected a pup to understand any of this."

"Hey!Even though I'm just a puppy,I've seen a lot of things happen since day five!"Splash barked indignantly.

"Day five?"Coldice responded,looking confused."So,that means today is day six?"

"I-I thought it was day eight,"Splash stammered,looking down at his paws.

"Great,we've both lost track of time,"Coldice muttered.

Feeling a bit hesitant,yet desperate to change the subject,Splash woofed,"So,about Firefly?If he was never dead to begin with,why did Dodre want to lie about it?"

"Correction:when it comes to Dodre and lying,there's no such thing as wanting to,there's only needing to.At least,that's what he sees in his own stupid little world.But to answer your question,he did it to try and scare Echostrike before he killed her,or least left her to die.He thought it would mean she would have less to fight for."

"It's not like she had much left to fight for,"Splash mumbled,looking down at the blackened grass,crunchy underneath his paws.

"True,"Coldice woofed,shrugging."But,still,you have to give her credit for still at least fighting her hardest."Her expression darkened."She died the death of a true hero,so don't go blaming yourself for her death."

Splash suddenly perked."You heard us fighting?!"

Coldice snorted,sounding half-amused."It would be a bit surprising if anybody nearby hadn't.By the way,you forgot to bury Skycloud and Echostrike,not to mention Alex,Swiftstar,and you were being disrespectful enough with all your bickering."

Splash froze.In the midst of all the fury,none of them had even thought about the burial they had been planning to hold for the two she-cats."Maybe I could go back there now-!"

"I wouldn't do that if I were you,"Coldice interrupted."Could've sworn I saw Swiftstar going back soon after you all split up.If she's where Skycloud and Echostrike died,it would literally be suicidal to go back."

"And she won't let me come back,anyway.Not until I kill Bearpaw...,"he muttered futilely.

"Look,I'm not saying we should completely team up...,"Coldice began."But I know a place nearby your old camp.You know,the willow tree.It's a bit of a trek from here,but we should make it by sunset."

"You'd really do that for me..?"Splash woofed quietly."But what about returning to the Goldscars?How will you explain that to Dodre?"

"I-I'll find a way,"Coldice said quickly,not looking directly at him."Come on.If we hurry,we should get there relatively quickly."

Nodding,Splash followed after her,his tail lightly wagging.He strangely felt safe around Coldice,despite the battles where they had fought against each other.Now,here they were,temporary allies looking for a new home for the little Aussie.

"If only this could last...,"Splash murmured.

::Coldice's POV::

Coldice tread along the blackened earth,ignoring the smoke-stained trees now half gone after the fire.No birds sang their harmoniousness tunes that floated into the air.No crickets chirped.Nothing stirred.Everything was deafeningly still.Coldice hated the quiet.Even more,she hated to the fact that Splash was barely saying anything.She had hoped that,because of her experience with Kelive and the other pups,he'd be a bit more talkative than this.But of course,he had decided to be as quiet as the forest itself.Only did she take her eyes off the path was to look over her shoulder and see if Splash as still keeping pace,even if he did lag behind a bit.

Why am I doing this? she thought to herself tartly.I could have ditched this little scamp,gone back to Dodre,and still be safe inside the heart of our den.Instead,here I am,burning up under the sun,ash stinging my lungs and eyes,and my paws aching and heavy as stone...

Sniffing,Coldice put her complaints to the back of her head and tried to focus on the reason why she was doing this at all,though it seemed pointless to try at all.Splash wasn't trying to make conversation.Her belly,hollow with hunger,growled lowly,and yet there was no prey in sight.

Stopping,the she-wolf felt relief flood her as the forest soon opened up to a vast meadow.A willow tree swayed in the distance,its lush leaves practically glowing in the sunlight.

"You see that tree?"she barked to Splash,flicking her ice-blue tipped tail."That's where your old camp is.Keep traveling past it and you'll soon find a small overhanging cave with a pond near it."

The Aussie looked up at her,a look of disbelief and confusion in his eyes."You're leaving me already?"

Choking down her emotion,Coldice responded,"I have to get back to Dodre's group.Besides,if I stay any longer,he'll eventually come looking for me."

"Just tell him you don't want to be in his group anymore!"

"As if it's that easy,"Coldice muttered."He'd quite literally tear my throat out if I said that,or threaten to kill you.Trust me,neither of us can risk that."

"Then if Dodre gets hostile,just kill him yourself!"Splash barked,sounding impatient.

Shock pulsed underneath Coldice.She never thought Splash,let alone a pup of any kind,could sound so vicious.Pushing down her surprise,she continued,"I'm sorry,Splash.But I'm doing this for our own good."

She didn't even give the little Aussie any time to respond as she padded away.Although she felt a bit of joy now that she was free of the burden that had been weighing down on her shoulders,a hollow emptiness filled in her belly.She had strangely liked the company of Splash,no matter how quiet.But she knew she was doing the right thing by leaving him-she was only trying to protect him.Without her around to drag him down,Dodre would be less likely to dream of hurting the little thing.

That's all I'm doing-the right thing,she thought,trying to sound optimistic.

But deep down,a nagging guilt kept pricking her as Splash kept calling her name and she ignored him.

Coldice relished the familiar scents of the other Goldscars as she emerged into the den.Luckily,she remembered her decision to hunt before going back.Because of the ash-invested forest,she didn't find much-just a stringy squirrel along with a tough rabbit.It wasn't much-or very healthy-but at least the Goldscars would have a meal tonight.

Dodre and the remaining ones,Firefly and Bearpaw,sat in a tight circle,their voices low murmurs.Dodre finally lifted his head up and gaze warmly at her."You're back,love."

The she-wolf tucked her paws under her tail."I wouldn't dream of ever abandoning you,Dodre."She shot a hard glance at Bearpaw,who pretended to gag.Someday he'll know what's it like...if he survives the Games first,she thought to herself.

"I see you caught some prey,"Firefly mewed.His eyes suddenly narrowed."Though it doesn't seem very fit enough to be called that."

Ungrateful furball! she thought angrily.I caught something,didn't I? Pushing down her rage,she tried to keep her voice steady and barked,"Prey is prey,however you catch it and whatever condition its in."

"You wouldn't say that if you've seen crow-food before,"Bearpaw added,wrinkling his nose.

"Quiet,"Dodre growled at the two toms."Keep bad-mouthing your only meal and you'll be sleeping with empty bellies tonight."

I wouldn't do that if I were him,Coldice though,casting glances at the two toms.Since the Games had begun only StarPack knew how many days ago,she'd have thought that because there were only four of the remaining Goldscars left,that would mean more prey.But,of course,with Dodre in charge,that meant the biggest and juicer prey went to him and her,while the stringier,smaller items went to the two felines.

Coldice wouldn't complain much about this if Bearpaw and Firefly hadn't looked like they'd been half-starved.Their ribs jutted out against their sides,their bellies thin with days of undernourishment.At this rate,they would be dead within a couple days-or by tomorrow.

Dropping the two pieces,she woofed to Dodre,"Maybe we should let them have this.We can always hunt for ourselves."

"And prove that I learned all those hunting techniques for nothing?"Bearpaw yowled,sounding disgraced."Never!"He glared down at the two pieces of prey Coldice had managed to get and tossed them back to her."Take these back!I won't accept food so easily like I'm an elder!I'm a 'paw for StarClan's sake!"

"You sound more like an 'paw that's begging to go hungry tonight,"Dodre snapped,pulling the squirrel to him."Fine.We'll take this if you two don't want it."

"I never said anything!"Firefly protested.

"It doesn't mean you shouldn't be punished as well,"the wolf replied.

Hissing,Firefly spat,"I'll just go hunt for Bearpaw and me then."Sliding past Dodre,he slipped out of the den and padded off into the distance.

Narrowing her eyes,Coldice continued."I'm not joking around,Dodre.Do you want to keep having a group,or have it destroyed to nothing?"

Dodre sighed,a heavy sigh."Coldice,darling,I know you're my mate and all,and I would never disagree with you,but I have to decide what's best for the Goldscars."

"Well,I'll let you in on a little secret,"she replied scathingly."You won't have much of group left if you don't treat them right."

Dodre's eyes suddenly grew cold."Who's said its up to you to decide how I treat my own members?"

Bearpaw suddenly weaved in between them towards the den entrance."I-I think I'll go follow Firefly.He might need help,"he mewed nervously,quickly leaving.

Coldice turned her attention back towards Dodre as Bearpaw's striped tail disappeared."Since you decided to starve the other two."

A throaty growl rumbled in the male wolf."I'd suggest you keep quiet before you say something that's going to end up being too late to regret."

"No!"Coldice barked,growling at him."I'm not to going stand by and watch weak O.C.s die of starvation while you just sit down and let it happen!"

"It wouldn't happen if Firefly and Bearpaw weren't so pathetic,"Dodre shot back.

Coldice didn't even know why she did what she did next.All her rage,anger,grief,sorrow,and regret seemed to explode right then and there as she launched herself at Dodre,lips curled back to reveal her sharp teeth.She could taste the salty tang of blood on her tongue  and the soft flesh of the male wolf's ear ripping through her fangs.A shrill yelp pierced the air as Dodre retaliated and threw a hefty paw towards her cheek and landed a fierce blow.They ended up tussling into a mass of jumbled and flying fur,blood streaking the den floor.

Coldice couldn't tell which way was up and which way was down.Everything seemed to fly by in a tangled blur until a piercing shock of agonizing pain dug deep into her throat.Stars exploded in her head as she howled out in sheer pain.Collapsing onto her side to the ground,more stars exploded in her head as she did her best to brace for impact.

Gritting her teeth,she tried to get a glimmer of hatred to shine in her eyes as Dodre loomed over her,his face twisted into a satisfied grin.If only she had fought harder-or at least had seen what he'd been playing at.

I've been so foolish...

"Honestly,Coldice,I really hoped you would be smarter than this,but I guess this is what happens when you become mates with a wolf who helped the enemy escape,"he snarled.

Shock pulsed painfully beneath the she-wolf's skull.He knows?But how?He couldn't have been that close by!...Could he? The thoughts whirling in her miraculously still-working brain hurt her head even more.She tried to open her jaws to defend herself,but another shock of pain shot through her them and she ended up clamping them shut.

"Let this be a lesson to you-never fall into the clear traps of a deceiver,"he woofed quietly into her ear.

A growing darkness enfolded over Coldice.She tried to suck in a last few mouthfuls of air but so much as trying to breathe hurt her chest.

I promise you,Dodre,you'll be sorry you were ever even so much as Reaped for the Games,she thought darkly as her last wisps of life disappeared and she was lulled into a calming dark.

POOR COLDICE ;;A;;I love her su much right now...BUT NOW ITS TOO LATE WHY OAO

::Firefly's POV::

Oh,look, a POV on the third villian and probably the third most hated O.C. in the Games in front of Swiftstar,the fourth possibly XD 

Firefly had come racing back to the den the moment he'd heard the howling and yelping,with the added addition rolling thunder and lightning.Of course,it hadn't taken long for him to arrive,seeing as he wasn't that far away from the den.But still,the sight waiting for him had made him stop dead in his tracks,Bearpaw stumbling behind.Coldice lay lifeless on the ground,Dodre looming over her with his back hunched.Blood soaked the ground.

"What happened?"he croaked,almost surprised that anything had come out of his mouth.

Dodre turned around,a heart-twisting pained look in his green eyes."She had gone insane,saying how you two were weak and pathetic and were no use to the group,so..."It was a moment before he continued."...I had to kill her."

"She really said all those things?"Bearpaw wailed,looking fiercely hurt.

Dodre just nodded somberly."I could hardly stand it.I wasn't thinking when we started fighting."He looked down at the she-wolf,her once beautiful ice blue and white fur now matted with blood and dirt."I didn't think I would end up killing her."

"It wasn't your fault,"Firefly mewed,trying to keep the boiling anger out of his voice.How dare Coldice speak about Bearpaw and him like that?"You just couldn't control yourself."

"But now what do we do?"Bearpaw yowled,sounding distraught."There's only Firefly,me,and you left,Dodre!"

Dodre inhaled then exhaled deeply.He gazed hard at the two them,making Firefly's pelt crawl."We'll just have to ameliorate our fighting skills.Now that the rest of the Goldscars are gone,Alex's group might try and target us."

"You don't really think they'd do that,do you?"Firefly asked,feeling doubtful."I mean,Swiftstar has gone crazy lately,Splash still looks like a measly pup,and Alex looks a lot less of a leader by the day...I say we go after them before they can come after us,"he suggested.

"And risk losing a battle we might not win?"Dodre woofed,sounding disgraced.

"There's three of us and three of them!How could we not win?"Bearpaw meowed.

"Give me time to think about this,"the male wolf ordered,flicking his tail toward the entrance."Go see if you two can find where Alex has made his camp,then report back to me."

"What if they attack us?What do we do then?"Firefly mewed.

"Don't fight back:run" was all Dodre replied.

Nodding,Firefly beckoned towards the apprentice."Let's get a move on,Bearpaw,while there's still daylight."

I FINALLY UPDATED CAN YOU BELIEVE THIS ;;D;; Yea,I've been pretty lazy lately,but it's Fall Break so JUST GIVE ME A BREAK I'M SUPPOSED TO WAKE UP BY 7:00 IN THE MORNING OAO

ANYWAYS yea,hope you guys have had a nice Fall Break so far ^^ TRUST ME I'll try and update faster,but at the moment I'm working an AMV based on the games on Scratch (whaaaaaat .D.)

Also,a quiz based on the games is on Scratch! ^^ You guys should do really well seeing as you the know story so good,so...don't see anybody being down at the "Coward" rank ^^; (don't ask)

ANYWAYS! ^3^ Happy very early Halloween and Happy early birthday Silvershimmer! :D

Days till Halloween:23 days (In the words of Rex:Why can't time go faster?)

(I have a feeling XxIshehxX is crying about Coldice and raging now that the chapter is over o^o)

~Webkinzluver5