MISERY
Prologue
The night was young, and only a few warriors of silverpelt had made themselves known of this frosty eve. Small, muscular shapes slid in and out of looming trees, their eyes glittering mischievously. It was a medium size group of cats, perhaps seven in all. The one in the front of the group paused at a ravine, and the others immediately stopped. The cat turned around the face his followers, a smirk carving his handsome golden features. "Tonight," he hissed as the cats perked their ears, listening, "tonight we will attack the ShadowClan camp, and force all those under Blackstar's leadership to join us, or parish by our claws." The metallic sound of talons scrapping against rock grazed the night, and loud cheering broke out from each and every cat at their leaders words.
"All hail Talonclaw! All hail Talonclaw!" Was their cherished chanting, each face reflecting a look of praise and awe as the one called Talonclaw whipped back around to face the thin lining of trees that separated ThunderClan and ShadowClan by a tar street. His powerful muscles bunched beneath his blazing pelt as he crouched by the edge of the road. Tonight the path was silent, and no cars harassed the cats, meddling with their plans. Talonclaw hissed in triumph as he sprang up and out onto the curving black road, all six well-trained warriors in tow.
"Talon," a new, deep voice whispered in the golden tabby's ear, "Talon, when we take ShadowClan camp, you'll make me – I mean, you promised..." Talonclaw brushed his tail over the other cat's mouth, silencing any farther words.
"Yes, Twoface, you'll be made my deputy. I know what I said, and you of all cats should know that I hold true to my word," Talonclaw spoke, regally, as if the deed was already done. Twoface hung his head for a moment, a bit ashamed that he questioned not only his leader, but also his best friend's orders.
"Right," Twoface finally said, dismissing the whole conversation. With a quick nod, he doubled back, looking left then right as he made sure that he was the last cat to cross the oily road before bounding into the shelter of the trees. He stopped momentarily, hanging back just on a strange feeling; though it felt as if the feeling wasn't even there. Moonlight cast a sidelong shadow on his lithe figure, and even by the waning light it was obvious that his was prone to fights. A scar in the shape of an 'X' ran jaggedly over his otherwise perfect, left gray eye. Half his face was a deep, ghostly silver; the other half was a daring black. The whole of his pelt was colored the same way; half silver, half black. Twoface was a perfect name – besides matching his pelt, it also matched his 'two-faced' personality. Kind and witty one moment, snarling and dripping with malice the next. In short, a cat to stay well away from.
"Talonclaw…Talonclaw, we're nearly there," a new, strange voice rose from somewhere near Twoface.
"Yes, you can see I'm perfectly aware of that," Talonclaw hissed, a prominent sneer etching his tone. He of all cats should know where he was now, here, on this very night. "Now keep your voices down, especially you, Eaglestrike. I have no need of your idiotic self-centeredness here." Smiles flashed across every cat's lips except Eaglestrike's, and it was no surprise that he snarled at snapped at the closet cat to him; Twoface. Twoface merely drew a clawed paw across his face, and then got up and walked away.
"Settle down, settle down my kits. The time is here. Blackstar has seen his last day…" Talonclaw paused, whipping around with murder in his eyes. "I want three cats on Blackstar. Tear at him until his last life has parted from his lips. Block his way to StarClan, if you must, and kill anyone else you stands in your way of tearing down this famed leader. ShadowClan will soon know a new era of glory and praise. Talonstar will be feared! Talonstar will be loved! Talonstar will be praised!" With one last yowl the cats dispersed, skirting over the rise and baring down on the sleeping cats, taking with them the lives of the undeserving in the night…