A New Leader

The camp was quiet as the newly appointed leader, Swallowstar, entered with her head held high. Murmurs and whispers started arising from the silence, spreading the news that Swallowfeather was now Swallowstar in replacement of the previous leader, Sunstar. Cats steadily started to dip their heads as she passed, her blue gray fur revealing different shades in the late sun.

Swallowstar padded up to the Highledge, sitting where Sunstar once stood, looking at the view that Sunstar once viewed. Her cool gray eyes examined the clearing as more and more of AirClan gathered, until the steady stream gradually stopped and the whole Clan was present.

"Swallowstar!" A yowl broke the silence, coming from a muddy-furred warrior named Thistleleaf. That started the cheers.

"Swallowstar! Swallowstar! Swallowstar!" Something swelled in Swallowstar's chest. It wasn't pride, no. It was surprise that she had made it this far. Surprise that StarClan had accepted her as a good and reliable leader.

Anticipation grew in her chest as well, a cruel excitement that now she could hatch her master plan as leader of AirClan. It had taken a long time, and a lot of lying.

You see, Swallowstar had amazing acting skills. Fooling others was done so well by her that she could act like a completely different cat and you would never know the real her. The real Swallowstar. The Swallowstar that didn't have compassion for a starving kit from another Clan. The Swallowstar that could be as sadistic as Scourge if there was enough reason to. The Swallowstar that believed in absolute control, who believed that AirClan could be the leader of all Clans if they tried.

As the cheering died down, Swallowstar announced, "I will now choose the new Deputy of AirClan. Thistleleaf, come to the Highledge."

"I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of AirClan is Thistleleaf!" The warrior-turned-deputy dipped his head in respect, and Swallowstar did the same. When they met eyes, Swallowstar saw something sharp in Thistleleaf's gaze that gave her a suspicious feeling.

When Thistleleaf's name was no longer being cheered, Swallowstar ended the Clan meeting, and murmured for Thistleleaf to meet her in her new den. She was lying in the ground when he entered, paws crossed.

He dipped his head. "You wanted to see me, Swallowstar?"

"Yes, Thistleleaf. I wanted to ask you a question."

"Of course, Swallowstar." He dipped his head again, and she was mildly pleased.

"Do you... have any qualms about AirClan's new leadership?"

He visibly hesitated before denying her inquiry. Swallowstar's eyes narrowed indignantly.

"Do not lie to me, Thistleleaf. I am your leader." As she said this, Swallowstar stood smoothly, then pounced suddenly on Thistleleaf, paw on his throat.

"No, no, Swallowstar. I am completely devoted to you," he gasped, struggling to breathe under the pressure of Swallowstar's paw.

"You know I am... different from Sunstar. That I have different morals. If you want to last more than a moon as deputy, I suggest you keep your mouth shut and your tail in line," she hissed, putting more pressure and watching Thistleleaf's eyes water.

"Anything for you, Swallowstar. Please," he gasped again, eyes squinting, then closing shut in pain. Swallowstar stepped off him and turned away, tail flicking idly.

"Good. I'm glad we had this little chat," she said in her sinewy voice; the one that always seemed kind and soothing before, but was now cold and cruel and calculating.

When Thistleleaf left, she clawed the ground and cackled wildly. Who could stop her now?

Hope anyone who read this enjoyed! The phrase was: She cackled wildly. Who could stop her now? so she had to be evil XD