User blog:Forestpaw13/Freedom at Last - Prologue Pt. 1

Hey, guys, I've decided to reveal the first half of the prologue of the first Standards special, titled Freedom at Last. I can't reveal the plot, or the second half of the prologue, but I wanted to give you a hint of what was to come. So, enjoy!

Prologue Pt. 1

 * The darkness was weight, putting its weight on everything, everyone.


 * Eyes glittered like stars, appearing, pair by pair, from the night.


 * One single cat stood alone, at the head of them. Its form was barely visible, and, looking up, the waiting cat could only see a faint outline.


 * "Brother," the cat on the ledge called, his eyes glittering brighter. He leaped down, his form perfect.


 * The waiting cat nodded respectfully. "Why are you here?"


 * "I have a word for you to think about," the head tom said quietly, his gaze piercing.


 * The waiting tom nodded, anticipating the word that his brother would utter.


 * "Elite," the other cat whispered, his eyes shining. "What do you think about that, Deuce?"


 * "I'm not surprised, Deuce replied slowly. "But I have a word, too, brother, perhaps more powerful."


 * The other cat snorted, but pricked his ears.


 * "Trust," Deuce whispered, aware that he was winning.


 * His brother's eyes widened and narrowed. "What about trust, brother?" he asked smoothly.


 * Deuce approached slowly. "Do you trust me?" he asked, whispering. He touched his brother's face with his tail.


 * The other cat snapped back quickly and regained his control. "Enough to talk to you tonight," he whispered.


 * Deuce took a hesitant step backward, feeling heat pulse through him.


 * The cat nodded approvingly, then his eyes narrowed once more. "I doubt your loyalty to me."


 * "Brother," Deuce replied, "I have never been loyal to you."


 * The other cat's eyes narrowed.


 * "I know your goal," Deuce hissed, "and I'm not afraid to stop you. You and your little..." he paused.


 * "Leave." When Deuce didn't budge, the cat repeated, "Leave."


 * Deuce turned to leave.


 * "And, Deuce?" his brother called after him.


 * Deuce turned.


 * "If you ever touch me again, I'll kill you."


 * Deuce nodded and padded away, until he was sure his brother couldn't see him anymore.


 * But the clearing was lit by moonlight. Deuce could see his brother gasp and stumble. A cat raced down from the ledge and dove beneath him, trying to save their leader.


 * His brother nodded and stood. The cat that had caught him comforted him with their tail and looked into his eyes.


 * "Showing a weakness, huh?" Deuce murmured, feeling a rush of adrenaline pulse through him. "Well, brother, you'll need to overcome it if you want to defeat me."


 * With that, he was gone.