The Warrior Code meant nothing anymore.
She could see that now.
Now that it was too late.
Everyone broke the Code. Everyone. Even Firestar had broken the Code on numerous occasions. In fact, Firestar even being in ThunderClan was against the Code. Not that it mattered. Everyone broke the Code. It meant nothing anymore.
Lightning flashed like a claw of light, illuminating the body of a cat. She hadn't meant to kill Ashfur. She'd only wanted to make sure he didn't destroy the Clan. As a warrior, he was supposed to put the Clan first. But he'd planned to reveal a dangerous secret. If the other Clans found out, StarClan knew what they would do! StarClan… Ha!
StarClan's time was ending. They would crash and burn just like the Code. If the other Clans realized ThunderClan cats were so weak, so quick to turn against their own, and keep secrets from their Clan-mates…. ThunderClan would be destroyed. But then again, the other Clans no longer mattered. ThunderClan would be destroyed either way with cats like Squirrelflight and Leafpool in it.
She knew they wouldn't be banished. Why would they? Everyone broke the Code now. It simply didn't matter anymore. Insanity had patiently waited for her to realize that, lurking in the farthest reaches of her mind. Even when it pounced on her like a hunter did to a mouse, she resisted it. She hadn't meant to kill Ashfur.
And she hadn't.
She was the one bleeding to death.
The rain soaked into her dark pelt, draining every ounce of warmth from her body. That fox-heart hadn't even had enough decency to finish what he'd started. Instead, he had left her here for dead. At one point in time, she would've worried about her brothers. But emotion had left her.
She felt no anxiety for the fate of her family. She had no fear of her coming death. Emotions were pointless, just like the Warrior Code. It had been her life, her obsession. And now she realized just how little it truly meant. Would she go to StarClan? Would be among them when they fell? Would she be there to tell them she knew it would happen?
She didn't want to go to them. Their inaction was the reason for their downfall. Maybe if they had enforced the Code, there would be hope for the Clans. If Firestar had never been allowed to join, she would've never been born, and forced to endure a pointless existence.
If StarClan had warned Bluestar about Tigerstar's treachery, maybe he would've been stopped before causing so much death. But StarClan didn't even try to uphold the Code, which she had tried so hard to live by. Why would they try to protect the Code? Everyone broke it. It meant nothing anymore.
Soon enough, the Clans would fall. Insanity told her to watch it, from wherever she ended up. She didn't want to see everything crumble, though. Soon, she would be forgotten. She would be nothing more than the forgotten warrior, whose name was forever lost to time.
Summoning her last bit of strength, she inhaled deeply, and spoke. She hoped the wind would carry her voice to the ears of someone who cared. "I tried to live by the Code. But everyone breaks it now. It means nothing anymore. I did everything I could for my Clan, but they'll soon forget me when chaos erupts. Let someone hear my message, and remember my name. I am Hollyleaf."
She closed her eyes, unable to hold on any longer, and let death come.
Her only hope was that someone would hear her, and know she tried to do what was right.