Quarter Quell
Prologue
Silver light came from the rising crescent moon. Dark shadows lengthened as late evening turned into a purple and black twilight. The shadows cascaded from countless trees-pine, oak, ash, elm, maple, and many more-and landed upon jagged stone cliffs. Small circular openings were scattered about the cliffside-some randomly while some were placed into huge patterns upon the solid light brown stones.
In one of the larger caves, a large black and gray she-cat with one light blue eye-the other had been torn out-was crouched over an ancient book. Countless other books were in the cavern. The she-cat was Wolfbreeze-the Arena Keeper of the Prey Games. This was her fourth year as Arena Keeper, and she took pride in putting only the deadliest of traps into each Arena.
The book's cover was made from dried rabbit pelt, and the pages were made from other animals skins-squirrel, rat, rabbit, hare, and mice. The words were created by prey blood that had dried on the claws of long gone scholars from this place-the Dark Forest. It's title and the author's name-printed in crimson letters-as "The Final Battle: The History Of The Dark Forest. By Tigerheart, The First Dark Master." Inscribed in the final chapter of the book were these words,
"Darkness was falling as our founder, my grandfather, the great Tigerstar, was standing on the ravine opposite in ShadowClan territory of the five Clans, with their leader, Firestar. SkyClan had heard of the Dark Forest battle and had decided to journey and join in on the side of the Clans-worthless fools. I was beside Tigerstar, I being the only Dark Forest Trainee among us, because the rest were in their original clans as agents. I caught eye with my son, Tigerlight, and his mother, my former mate, Dovewing. Tigerlight was one of the double agents, and I had assigned him to kill Dovewing, he had agreed without hesitation and he gave me a look of excitement in his amber eyes. Dovewing shot me a dagger-like glare with her golden eyes. Her distant relatives-Hollyleaf, who had returned to ThunderClan four seasons ago, Lionblaze, Jayfeather, and Firestar himself.
That was when Firestar howled out, "You don't have to do this, Tigerstar! This shall shed only the blood of you, your kin, and friends!"
Then Tigerstar answered with a sneer,
"Any cat not on the side of the Dark Forest is no friend of mine, or kin for that matter!"
That was when I saw Tigerstar give the signal, his tail went straight into the air, and all of the Place Of No Stars cats leaped towards the battle, running down the side of the ravine to the clan cats waiting below-we had the advantage of going downwards. Countless cats from both sides leaped into the battle, claws unsheathed and teeth bared. I spotted Tigerlight fulfilling his promise-he turned around and sunk his teeth into Dovewing's throat, and I watched as her eyes clouded over.
I ran to a former clanmate of mine, Snowbird, and hopped onto her back. I hung on, sinking my pointed teeth into Snowbird's neck and digging my claws in her back. She sunk beneath my weight. I jumped off her back as she was about to roll over.
I leaped at her, and she stood on her hindlegs with her forepaws aiming for my head to scratch my face. I aimed my claws lower and grabbed at her throat, cutting off her air supply. Blood gushed from the fresh wound, spilling all over my face. She fell where she stood. A huge growl emitted from behind me and I turned to see Lionblaze crouched near me, amber eyes blazing with anger.
"Traitor! Don't you care for the cats you lived alongside?" Lionblaze screeched before leaping and landing on my back.
I jumped and flipped onto my back in the air, ignoring my instinct to land onto my feet. My weight crashed down on him stunned Lionblaze. I stood and swerved, and swiftly sank my claws into his throat. I knew that it wouldn't leave a mark, but I had a different plan in mind.
My claws were locked into his throat and he began to struggle, he couldn't breath with my claws squeezing his throat. His golden-amber eyes were beginning to cloud. The sounds of the battle around us were lost upon me as I felt Lionblaze's life slip away under my pointed claws. He closed his eyes slowly, and never opened them again.
I ran from his limp body and looked about. Rowanclaw, my father, and Tawnypelt, my mother, were fighting side by side against Shredtail and Snowtuft. Ivypool was fighting Tigerlight and Hollowheart, and quickly becoming overwhelmed by the quick pair's paws clawing towards her eyes. Hollyleaf had a long scratch along her face, and she was collapsed on the other side of the battlefield, Jayfeather was at her side trying to treat her wounds, but I could tell that she wouldn't last much longer. Jayfeather probably wouldn't last long either, since Hawkfrost had just leaped onto his back and was clawing at his neck and back, creating long scratches on the blind medicine cat's back.
Not very many of the Clans cats were left fighting, most had collapsed on the ground or had given up. All of those who had given up were overcome with fear. Several cats lay dead around ShadowClan territory. No StarClan cats were in my sight, I assumed that they had all died in battle. In the center of the field, my grandfather and Firestar were standing before each other, teeth bared and crouched, ready to pounce. I-and every other cat-knew better than to interrupt this life or death battle.
Tigerstar leaped above Firestar, aiming to land on his back. Firestar jumped as he was about to land, flipping Tigerstar onto his back. Tigerstar turned as Firestar aimed at Tigerstar's throat, but Tigerstar stuck out his paws and slammed them downward. Firestar couldn't stop himself, and claws beat against the top of his head. His chin slammed into the ground, stunning him as Tigerstar flipped him onto his back and ripped open his stomach. Firestar died there, with his blood pooling around him with his stomach ripped open.
Tigerstar rose, but not before Brambleclaw, the ThunderClan deputy, leaped at his throat. He slashed Tigerstar's throat open. Tigerstar faded quickly, quicker than I ever could've imagined. That was when three Dark Forest cats- Silverhawk, Hawkfrost, and I leaped onto him. We killed him quickly for the crime he had committed-killing his new leader, the true leader of the Clans.
Hawkfrost turned to me with respect brightening in his eyes, "You're in charge. I'd rather have a cat that is truly alive lead us than a spirit. Even myself. You are Tigerstar's grandson, and your son shall take over when your time comes."
"Okay, Hawkfrost. Does anyone have a problem with me being the new leader of all Clans?" I yowled, an unspoken threat hidden within the question.
No cat answered out of fear, and I showed my authority, "Now as punishment, you shall be split apart. SkyClan shall stay as is, but under our control, because they were never a problem before our battle. ThunderClan, you are now SunClan, OakClan, and JewelClan. ShadowClan is now ClawClan, BlackClan, and RockClan. WindClan is now SwiftClan, GrassClan, and FlightClan. RiverClan is now BerryClan, SeaClan, and SquirrelClan. Choose your clan wisely."
So began my leadership as the first Dark Master, and the Place Of No Star's rule. The cats who had served as agents for the Dark Forest were those that became the living that made up the Place Of No Star's population. We used the former Clan cats, along with any rogue we could find, as slaves to the Place Of No Stars. I wrote most of this novel not long before I joined the Place Of No Stars as a spirit. My leadership was fine, and my son took over as the Dark Master. In our honor, and of our late grandfather, each Dark Master's name begins with 'Tiger', and only those descended from our line can become the Master.
It was when I joined as a spirit when things went awfully wrong, and the sacred laws I had created were broken. I added the events of what is now called, 'The Dark Days'. A war broke out between the thirteen Clans, and the Place Of No Stars cats. The long war, after lasting many years, finished with us as the victors. However, we didn't win without a price, losing all of the fine slaves in SunClan. We placed multiple cats from the Dark Forest-along with a few cats from the Clans that we trust-throughout the Clans to watch for signs of rebellion and to punish those who break our laws-the Guards.
As punishment for the rebellion, Tigerlight, Hawkfrost (he faded a few seasons later), and I met together. The result was the Prey Games. Twenty-four cats, a tom and she-cat from each Clan, were to battle it out in an Arena until only one lived. The one still living was declared the 'Victor' and given a life of luxury. On each Games, four cats are in charge of the Games- the Dark Master, Arena Keeper, Arena Builder, and the Lead Guard. The Games are held annually and every twenty-five years, a special Games is held, the Quarter Quell. I wrote special requirements for ten of the Quarter Quells.
This is the story of the Dark Forest, the Prey Games, and I. May the Games be entertaining to the cats of the Place Of No Stars. But there are far worse games to play."
A black and brown tom came from behind her. He looked over her silver shoulder to see what she was reading. His eyes brightened before he asked in a deep, growl-like voice,
"Reading about our history, Wolfbreeze?"
Her fur bristled and she turned to see who had asked before answering, "Yes, and it is very interesting. What do you need me for, Dark Master Tigerblaze?"
"You are needed for the opening of the Quarter Quell letter. We need to see what my ancestor, Tigerheart, came up with for the 25th Prey Games." she purred at his statement, curiosity gleamed in her eyes.
Tigerblaze turned around and left the enormous cavern, with Wolfbreeze not far behind him. The tom leaped off the rock to the cave higher up, the highest in the Dark Forest. Two other cats were inside-a nervous looking silver she-cat, the new Arena Builder, and a huge, dark brown tom, the Lead Guard.
The Arena Builder was who located the Arena for each Games. She also was the supervisor for the construction if the wall that kept the contestants from escaping the Arena. They also typically supervise the building of a steep canyon and the stands that hold the Place Of No Stars cats, along with the leaders, deputies, medicine cats, the families, and the friends of the contestants. The Lead Guards makes sure that each contender is closely guarded, so that none escape.
"Did you forget about the meeting, Wolfsneeze?" the Lead Guard, Mudfur, sneered.
"It's Wolfbreeze, genius, and yes, I did forget, Mudfur. Though, I'm not being immature." she retorted angrily.
"Stop it, you two. Let's just read what it says." said the nervous she-cat.
"Fine, Dawnfrost. Give me that," he began as he snatched and opened the small hare-skin and he read aloud, "On the 25th Prey Games, the cats of each Clan must vote who shall go to the Games."
"Not bad, but I would've preferred if he had said to do more than twenty-four contestants." Wolfbreeze commented.
"We'll go with what he has here. My ancestor spent most of his afterlife coming up with these." the Dark Master began,
"Dawnfrost, Wolfbreeze, how quickly can you have the Arena ready?"
"I-I'll finish in three days. I already have the location chosen. My workers just have to build the outer w-wall, the canyon and stands are done." Dawnfrost answered.
"You don't need to be nervous, Dawnfrost. It may be your first Games, but all you have to do is be vicious to the contestants, you'll do fine. Anyways, It will only take me four days to set the traps. I already have them all gathered." Wolfbreeze purred evilly, her one eye gleaming in the little moonlight coming from the hole in the roof of the cavern.
Tigerblaze bared his teeth and growled with bright amber eyes, "Excellent, my ancestors would surely be proud. Too bad that most of the dead Dark Forest cats have faded from memory. This shall be a Games to remember!"