Prank Plan #1: Def vs. The Skinner

With enough time having passed since his arrival, Def was growing cocky. Winterfest had been a blast, patrols weren’t too harsh, and he was beginning to hit his stride with the other Haveners. Hanging in the snow with Arno had been a blast, and seeing the kit trying out for the play filled him with excitement. Then there was Aurora, who seemed to genuinely want to get to know him. And Bathsheba, who he’d heard so much about, and lived up to every expectation he’d had of her.

Yes, things were great, the Bengal mentally agreed to himself, flicking his hat with a paw. He was happy, he’d had fun, and-

“Get out of the way, Pilgrim mongrel.” Def felt himself bumped to the side as a surly looking tom pushed passed him, a nytemare draped over his broad shoulders. The crooked under-bite was unmistakable.

“Heya, Baron,” Def drawled, his ill-concealed disdain entering his voice. “Good to see you out and about.” The Skinner’s Gang member didn’t even deign to respond with a grunt. No way would he waste his breath on a Pilgrim wannabe.

“Wonderful weather we’re having.” Glancing to his side, the tom was horrified to see the chatty Bengal had fallen in stride with him. Stoically, Baron continued looking forward, determined not to give any indication he’d heard the other tom speak.

Def continued grinning, but inwardly he couldn’t help but seethe. The Gang. The only thing he hadn’t come to terms with in Safe Haven. There were cats on fire, cats who could make dolls come to life, cats who could shoot water, and still the most disconcerting thing for him was the presence of Skinner’s Gang.  The Bengal was trying his hardest, and he’d grown to realize he was being unfair to the Gang- by the StarClan, he’d never believed he’d ever think that- but something in the tom still recoiled at the closeness of the group.

The Skinner seemed… alright. She’d told a story, involved herself in Winterfest, and even engaged in some civil conversation, but Def wasn’t willing to give her more than that. He remembered how Tyrael had said she was different from the old Gang leader, more cunning and far more fearsome. Now, having met her, there was nothing to do but agree with his old mentor. Then, there were the cats like Mjolnir and Pebble. Before the Calamity, Def was sure they’d have exchanged blows before the possibility of conversation occurred to them. Now, they were expected to act as allies.

At least they were better than some, Def reminded himself, glancing at Baron.

“So, Baron, right?” Again, silence. Def felt his grin grow as he looked at the other tom. Rugged, powerful, and far older, there was no way Baron would lose a fight to the Bengal. Watching the older tom, Def noticed him stumble for a second, unable to right himself quickly without his tail.

“Careful, old-timer. I know how fragile cats your age can be.” Noticing Baron’s eye twitch, Def allowed his grin to grow broader. Already tensed, it didn’t take Def much to duck under Baron’s paw as the tom tried to smack the back of his head. Dancing away, Def laughed, winking at Baron.

“Too slow, old man.” Snarling, Baron started forward. On a good day, he’d have let this slide from most cats, but lip from some Pilgrim wannabe was not going to be tolerated. Striding forward, he struck out at Def again, but the younger Bengal danced away again, dodging with his superior speed abilities.

“You can’t dodge forever, boy,” spat the old Gang member, whirling to face the Pilgrim Knight. “And when you tire out, I’ll see to it your pretty face is in rags.”

“How’s it feel a Pilgrim survived the Calamity as long as you did?” Def jeered, dancing back. The tom knew there was no way he’d be able to fight Baron head to head. However, he didn’t know Baron’s powers that well, leading him to yelp in surprise when Baron teleported behind him, putting two paws on his shoulders.

“I’ve got you now, you Pilgrim runt,” Baron snarled, beginning to extend his claws. However, before he could sink them in, Def teleported to the side, laughing.

Def winked at Baron, jutting out his lower jaw and furrowing his brow. Trying to make his voice deeper, he started tottering away. “Ah’ve gut ya naow, ya Pilgrim runt!” Hearing a snarl of anger from behind him, Def began cackling, activating his most powerful tier of speed. Running off, he could hear the other tom following after him. Turning suddenly, Def slicked the area behind him thanks to the handy Winterfest hat he now bore. Laughing louder as he heard Baron slip on the ice, loudly cursing the Bengal, Def ran off to find Berryswirl and Snowrose.

---

The two dames happened to already be in conversation with one another. Neither stopped speaking to acknowledge the tom as he approached, but Berry did wave a paw in his direction.

“So, you seek? What do you mean, you seek?” asked Berry, frowning.

“Well… think of it like scouting,” Snowy replied, shrugging. “I run around and get the gist of Ashen movements as best I can, and figure out where materials to be collected are.”

“An’ doing all this is enough to get you called a Seeker, hun?” Berry continued, frowning. “I seek things all the time. Heck, bein’ on a farm, I bet I can seek a fair sight better ‘n you,” added the dame thoughtfully. “Had to find all kinds of tricky varmints runnin’ about the barn.”

“Sorry to interrupt this stimulating conversation,” Def said, cutting of Snowy’s frustrated response. “But I have a favor to ask of you two darling dames of disproportionate delightfulness.”

“Oh, hello Def,” Snowy said, smiling shyly at the tom. She’d seen him a couple of times during Winterfest and was still in awe of the tom’s apparent reputation. When Def winked at her, she turned away, feeling her face grow warm.

“Oh, hey there, hun.” Berryswirl turned to face the tom. Having spent considerably more time with Def while travelling, she was less impressed by his easy charm. “What do you need?”

“Well, my delightfully darling duo, I need help setting up a prank.” Berry grinned while Snowy cast Def a worried glance.

“What kind of prank?” Berryswirl asked.

“So glad you asked, Swirl my girl,” Def replied, pushing a paw through his hair. “You see, just a few days ago, I was chatting with my dear friend Pale when I was struck by inspiration. Could you two help me hollow out a tree trunk and fill it with water?”

“Can a horse gallop over a hog hidin’ in the hay?” Berry responded, excitedly getting to her feet. Snowy, unsure of whether that meant yes or no, stood as well.

“Wonderful,” Def beamed, clapping Berry and Snowy on the shoulder. “With my brains and you two beauties, nothing could stand in our way!” Snowy coughed slightly, embarrassed by all the praise Def was heaping on them. Berry laughed, clapping Def on the shoulder and knocking the tom off balance.

“Life’s never dull with you around, hun!”

“Thanks, my fierce friend of frightening f-power,” Def replied, rubbing the shoulder she’d struck. That farm cat hit like a hellion.

---

With the help of the two dames, the trap was soon complete. Hunting through the woods, they’d found a toppled over tree and worked to split it down the middle. After doing so, Snowy worked carefully with her pyrokinesis to hollow out the log, forming a deep reservoir in the wood. She also burned two holes at either end of the wood, at which point Def and Berry found and coerced Dudley into tying two thick ropes through the holes. With some careful effort involving Berryswirl’s geokinesis, Def’s ice walls, and a lot of cursing, the cats managed to tie the trunk up between two branches. Snowy carried one end of the rope down to Def, who tied it to a thinner piece of rope and attached it to a stick across a path he was sure the Skinner used frequently.

“So, who’re we pranking?” Berryswirl asked, glancing towards the tom as she finished tying off the last rope. Def grinned, winking at her.

“Let me tell you, Swirl my girl, it’ll be a real treat. Either of you know the dame of devilish disposition, the vixen of villainous violence, the girl of ghoulish gripes?” Both Berry and Snowy looked to the tom. When Snowy shook her head, Def sighed, placing a paw on his brow. “The scheming, scarred, sneaky, sarcastic, snobby Skinner Skinslip!” Def settled back, obviously pleased with his alliteration. The dames, however, did not share the Bengal’s enthusiasm.

“Oh,” Snowy said, starting to back away. “Oh, alright. Uhm, Def, if people ask, I didn’t help. At all. Good luck, Waspmouth…” As she finished, the dame turned, bounding off. Frowning, Def turned from where she had disappeared to face Berryswirl. The female vanguard was already shaking her head.

“You’re a little a bit braver than I am, hun. Hate to say it, but this seems like it’ll go as well as a cow plowing a field of flower.” With that, the dame strutted off, leaving Def very alone.