Disgraced:
Sandtail gasped in shock as Jaggedfeather and Kinkfur walked into camp, each of them carrying two limp bodies. Jaggedfeather gently set down his two shapes, breathing in the scent of the newly deceased. Ivydapple followed them, quiet and staring at the ground... except something didn't seem right. Sandtail dashed over to the body of her mother, Petalbreeze, and her father, Lionclaw. She buried her head in Petalbreeze's fur, sighing, before glancing up. "W-What happened?" she croaked, voice cracking. The once proud and strong ThunderClan deputy pawed the limp bodies of her parents weakly, before resting her head on the golden tabby tom's flank.
Jaggedfeather flattened his ears. "We found them dead by the stream, same as Clawheart and Foxcloud. They were murdered." His voice was low with grief, and at the sound of Ivydapple's voice, she jumped to her feet, forcing her bristling fur to flatten. "I don't know what happened," the sly tortoiseshell mewed. "But when I found them, all I could do was yowl in shock. Then they found me."
"I want to know who killed my parents!" Sandtail mewed firmly, resting her head for a moment on her best friend's shoulder. Ivydapple gently slid away from her. "You are our deputy," she reminded. "You must tell the clan." Sandtail froze. "Why would I tell the clan? Wouldn't Featherstar do that?"
"Because you must have killed her, too!" Ivydapple's accusation rang in her ears, echoing over and over and over until it was like a group of bees hovering around her, blocking her sense and filling her with pain. "Why would I kill her?" she gasped, yet her friend- or at least the cat she thought was her friend- met her gaze evenly. "You must have known I would hear you murmuring to yourself as you fell asleep about how you would kill them. 'First I'll send them to the stream,' you said. 'Then I'll follow then and attack when they ask why.' Don't you remember, or are you too busy licking the blood off your claws?"
Freezing, Sandtail's eyes narrowed as she saw a glint of red on Ivydapple's claws. "Did you do it?" she snarled, stepping forwards. "What's that red stuff on your claws?" Ivydapple wiped the blood off so quick she wasn't sure it had really happened, but when Kinkfur peered at her claws, they were bone white. "Look, I thought you were my friend!" Sandtail growled. "But either you've gone crazy or you're my enemy, Ivydapple! Shape up; this is a clueless accusation."
Featherstar stood on the high ledge, staring down at Sandtail, and Ivydapple flinched. How could she have blamed her old friend? Of course, Sandtail couldn't be her friend anymore. Now that she had done all this, Ivydapple was probably Sandtail's sole enemy. She shook off the pain. Sandtail deserved it, after she had abandoned her when her own parents died. Where had Sandtail been? She had been stealing her father's place as deputy! She watched carefully as her leader opened her mouth, ready to give Sandtail's sentence, and she froze, pricking her ears, hoping for her accusation to be found correct.
"I, Featherstar, leader of ThunderClan, look up to my ancestors as I make this decision. Four cats have been killed, and we honor Petalbreeze, Lionclaw, Clawheart, and Foxcloud as they make their way to join you in the stars." Featherstar closed her eyes for a moment. "But we have found the killer. Ivydapple, the accuser, was the first one to find our fallen clan mates, and has heard Sandtail plan in her sleep. She admits she should have confessed before this incident happened, but we do not blame her. Murder is hard and scary for all of us to deal with. Sandtail, all the evidence has pointed to you, and with regret, I sentence you to execution. We shall do it at once. ThunderClan, follow me to the training clearing."
Ivydapple quivered in excitement, eyes hard, trotting over to where a group of four cats guarded Sandtail. She tried to catch the gray tabby she-cat's eye, but the former deputy was refusing to look at her, staring at her paws. Oh, what have I done? She asked herself, purring softly. I've rid myself of one enemy- and maybe I can do the same thing to rid myself of another! Sighing, she glared at a golden tom with shredded ears. One day Goldshade would pay for not helping her mother when she drowned. She tried to catch up with Featherstar, but her clan mates blocked her way. By the time they had reached the training clearing, Ivydapple was delighted her plan was going just right, ready for the thing to go on.
Featherstar glanced around the clan. "Ivydapple, being as you were so smart to realize it had to be Sandtail, you are to have the honors of killing Sandtail. Step forwards, and rid the lake of this evil cat." Jaw dropping, astonished, she trotted forwards slowly, staring at Sandtail's sad, sorrowful eyes. As they met hers, they hardened into anger. Had she guessed that it was Ivydapple all along? Nodding cheerily, Ivydapple padded to Sandtail. "Crouch down," she ordered.
She struck the blow instantly, ripping a gaping gash in Sandtail's throat, killing her at once. You used to be my friend. Pity it had to change. You were the perfect cat for me to blame, and now I have more experience for when I eliminate my other enemies. Ivydapple didn't listen to her clan mate's cheers. She just licked the blood off her paws and glanced a the sky. There were no clouds. StarClan must approve on her actions!