Farewell

    Transition began to show itself in the colonies. With autumn approaching, the leaves began to wither so they could inevitably bare themselves of their stalks. Cats grew older, facing new challenges none had gone through before. Those challenges in and of themselves were a transition to a new time in the colonies.

  The last time Spider had been in the Clover Colony… relations were in a much better state, to say the least. He never expected things to have changed as they did. As open-minded to new change as he was, rigidness began to show in the tom as he was told everything he knew was wrong. The goals he had worked for, short-term or long-term, turned out to be for nothing. They were nothing. Probably, no other cat in his situation would still think of a future in the colonies. They’d admit defeat, as any smart cat would do. 

  But Spider, he didn’t think of himself as “smart.” He was never smart… only persistent.

  Persistence got Spider through a lot of things. 

  When he came to the Clover Colony, he didn’t expect anybody to treat him with decency. After all, why would they have any reason to? He’d gotten them pulled into a violent war, one that took many lives. Really, it didn’t matter if it was unbeknownst to him. Actions spoke louder than both words and intentions. Somebody who lived by seeking constant improvement could see as much.

  Obviously, it was easy to exceed nonexistent expectations, but the Clover Colony did much more than they needed to. Spider didn’t put much consideration into it before, keeping his focus centered on his mission to gather information. Now, though…

  Raspberry carefully sticking up for him against Lune, Olive’s soft and kind voice that soothed him, the potentials outright or subtly helping him during his stay, even something like Rooster’s nosiness toward him…

  It all reminded him of the warmth a soul had.

  There had been a barrier between Spider and his residents all along. He cared about them, but not as much as he should have. He… should have been there himself to witness their laughs, curiosity, even tears. If he had just put in an effort to see them as their own, none of this would’ve happened. He would’ve been able to stop Lune’s deceitful ways. He would’ve saved them from battles that would forever leave a mark on them.

  Lune did not have a soul, not to Spider. Nor did he, though. And it was strange to learn how to have a soul again. Somehow, he found himself missing the company of others, seeing them less as numbers and more as their own individuals. It was a shame to feel the warmth and know that it’d be gone again.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll be back again soon! Bye, everyone!”

  His ears perked as Pinecone’s voice suddenly chimed. She’d stayed longer than she normally would have, yet Spider still wanted to greedily ask her to stay in the Clover Colony for a while longer. At least, before he’d leave. That wouldn’t be convenient on her part though; she was a wanderer at heart, and staying in one place for too long would surely get boring for somebody like her. But, just a little longer.

  Spider wordlessly followed Pinecone out of the valley. The molly quickly realized his tall shadow and curiously turned to face him.

  “You’re staying, right?” she mewed with a confused blink.

  “Of course. I thought I’d see you out, though.”

  “Oh, sure!” Pinecone giggled as she stepped aside, making room for Spider to walk with her. “A personal bodyguard.”

  “Bodyguard? Afraid to say I don’t fight well enough for that…” Spider meowed, amused by the idea.

  “Ah, but so big and tall!”

  Spider purred and stared at Pinecone through his peripheral. Was it strange to think he’d miss the scent of Pinecone? The Web Colony had a much more dense pine smell, much like Pinecone herself. It was like a taste of home.

  “Where are you headed, then?”

  “Me?” Pinecone awkwardly craned her neck to look up at him. “I was thinking the Hill Colony for now.”

  “A nice place. You know, their trades are quite interesting to take part in. I wonder if they’d like those sprouts of yours.” He momentarily stopped to poke at her tail. “Limited, and thus rare.”

  “Not limited!” Pinecone indignantly squeaked.

  “You or the sprouts?” Spider impassively teased, then looked onward. “You don’t want to see the Fire Colony and Lake Colony again?”

  He noticed Pinecone hung her head. “Well… I’m not sure they like me anymore.” Her ears lowered sadly. “Since…”

  Since he returned. He felt pity for Pinecone, getting her into the middle of this mess he helped create. Still, despite being a bothersome conflict, it didn’t seem unfixable. “The Fire Colony has known you for a long time, haven’t they? They wouldn’t drop you just because of me.”

  “I hope not.”

  “The Lake Colony will come around too. You’re only trying your best.”

  Quiet filled the air. Did Pinecone not believe the Lake Colony would forgive her? Nonsense. Still, she didn’t see it that way. He lowered himself in an attempt to meet her gaze.

  “Things will clear up as soon as I reach the Web Colony,” he reassured her. “Tensions will be low again, and they’ll realize they can’t blame you for doing what you think is right."

  Pinecone sighed. “Yeah.” He could barely hear her mew.

  “I’m thankful for your help, Pinecone. Everything you’ve done for me… it’s very kind, and I won’t forget it.” His eyes narrowed contemplatively as he looked down. “The colonies’ mercy for me is extensive, too. The Clover Colony has gone above and beyond in their assistance.”

  Pinecone seemed to perk up. “I’m not giving you mercy… The Clover Colony isn’t, either.” She looked at him with round eyes. “We have your back ‘cuz we’re your friends. Right?”

  Spider doubted the Clover Colony saw him as a friend, but sure. He was at least happy to hear she considered him a friend too.

  He let himself relax as he walked by Pinecone’s side. The land ahead, lit beautifully by sunlight, made him think life didn’t have to be so complicated. Once he got on with his plan, perhaps things would be pleasant. A transition to a better, fulfilling life.

  Spider blinked as the border came into sight. They’d been walking for a long time, but he still wasn’t prepared to say goodbye to Pinecone. He came to a slow stop, as did she.

  “Well… umm, is this goodbye?” Pinecone mewed, giving Spider a clueless look. Her paws shuffled beneath her.

  Spider’s breath caught in his throat.

  Unfortunately, he had to bother Pinecone for a little longer.

  “One last thing,” Spider meowed softly. He sat down and bowed his head to her. “I’m ever so grateful for your help, Pinecone, but I'm afraid I need a final favor from you.” His gaze strayed from hers. “If you could, please tell the Fire Colony I’ll be returning to the Web Colony soon.”

  Spider closed his eyes. “I doubt they’ll feel anything by this news, but I’m hoping to finally get the Web Colony on my side. Then, we can finally see some change. I want the Fire Colony back in their territory.” Opening his eyes, he finally glanced back up at Pinecone. “It's a step in the right direction. You’re afraid they may not like you anymore, but there is nothing wrong in what you have done. There is especially nothing wrong with something as harmless as delivering that message."

  Pinecone stood still, likely taking a moment to process what he was saying.

  “Okay… But, wait, wait. How are you getting the Web Colony on your side?” Her tail twitched with excitement. "Did you finally think of a plan?"

  “A plan?” Spider was caught off guard by the question. How to phrase this? “Admittedly, I don’t have many options. So I’m just going to do the only thing I can.”

  “The Clover Colony told me the truths I needed to know, so I won’t bother them anymore.” Spider meowed, looking away in thought. “Nor the other colonies. Ideally, the Fire Colony just returns back to normal once I’m finished. Simply, I’m going to let myself be caught alone and try to explain what I can.”

  “Caught… alone? What if they… you know…” Pinecone grew nervous. “‘Take you prisoner,’ like the Lake Colony did.” Spider understood what she truly meant; what if the worse happened. It was like the question he asked her before they traveled to the Lake Colony. Worse than being taken prisoner, he could be killed.

  “I’ve considered it. But say I try to find a Web Colony cat who could get everybody to turn against Lune, wouldn’t everyone still believe I cannot be trusted? Or, how about I lead the Clover Colony into their territory with me? The Web Colony is far gone, so they’d think we are being hostile. I know my old self would have believed that. And what does a hostile patrol do against another ‘hostile’ patrol?”

  Pain flashed in his expression. “They get each other killed.” Pinecone's involuntary wince immediately turned to a frown.

 “If I don’t mess up, and the Web Colony chooses to trust me just a little bit, I have a chance to get them to hear me out. If I just tell them all the things that they never fully understood either, they’ll listen to what I have to say about Lune. Alternatively, say I get killed, wouldn’t it make a statement to them?”

  “K-killed?” Pinecone’s fur stood on edge. “You really think you might be killed? This is too dangerous, isn’t it? There's got to be something else you could do?”

  It certainly was a leap of faith he was taking. Surely, though, one he was willing to take. He weighed the option of being seriously hurt and he didn’t think it was too likely. More than not, he trusted in the will of his residents. They were good cats. Good cats who he’d no longer hide himself to.

  “The Web Colony has a soul. Just the ones leading it didn’t.” Not me, and not Lune.

  “What if things go for the best? It’s worth the risk?” Pinecone hesitantly asked.

  “Sure. Lune isn’t the Overlord anymore.” That would be the best-case scenario. “The Web Colony crumbles.” He lowered his head. “I care for my residents dearly. That means peaceful destruction is for the best. No more Web Colony, no more pain.”

  “No more Web Colony? But… but what about you being leader again? You’ve learned a lot! You’re actually doing good now…”

  Spider gave a weak laugh. “Ah, what could go wrong.” He shook his head. “No, everybody deserves better than that. If I became Overlord again, I’d be getting off all too easy, don’t you think? Besides, I’m not as great at leading as I thought I could be.”

  “I guess so,” the tabby molly mumbled. “This doesn’t sound like a happy ending. Especially for you. What if…" she trailed off.

  Spider softly smiled. “You know better than most of us, most cats have good intentions. I’m merely hoping. So, you tell me, I’m gonna be alright, yes?”

  Pinecone stared back, then gently nodded. “They… won’t forget that nasty scar Lune gave you, or how you didn’t put up a fight, or the weird things you said before you left. So they’ll keep you safe and try to understand.”

  “That’s right. Now, I’ll see you soon, Pinecone,” he said with a fond smile.

  To his surprise, the little cat looked pitiable, carrying with her a distraught expression. Was she still upset, despite his reassurances? As much as he tried to be a better friend, he had no idea how to handle somebody else’s emotions. There there, he’d probably say, if given more time. But he kept quiet as Pinecone simply walked up to him and pressed herself against him for what could be the last time. Worst case scenario. Yes, he was simply being dramatic…

  “Good luck with everything.”

  Spider stood frozen until Pinecone backed off. Frankly, he wasn’t used to physical affection like that. But it was nice to have that reminder that warmth existed. Toward him, even.

  “Bye, Spider.”

  “Goodbye.”

---

  Spider would persevere just as he always had. He was stronger than everything that was happening, he'd choose to believe. As long as he kept his determination, things would turn out right. He’d get his happy ending. A transition to a new and peaceful life.

  He wasn’t afraid of anything.

  He wasn't afraid that he had been isolated and cornered, left with no option but to hope. Or that he'd face Lune again and hear her voice, cold yet gentle, lying yet persuasive. Even the thought that he could be cast out with no solution. That he could be hurt again. That… soon, he could meet his end, and never feel the warmth of love and connection again.

  He wasn't afraid.

  But if that were really so… 

  Why were there tears in his eyes?