Ivypool crept through the bracken and brambles, making sure neither of them touched her pelt. Her paws were treading lightly across the soft ground of Thunderclan territory, tracking a scent that she knew since birth. The overcast sky was above her, matching the still mood she felt. Everything had to be pierced in this moment, nothing could go wrong it could ruin everything she was planning. Continuing her steady pace, Ivypool continued to follow the scent of Jayfeather and fox.
The Dark Forest had called upon her, asked her, chose her, to do the most important part of their quest for the forest. Kill the three, each one. Tricking what made them special and ridding the world of them. Starclan would be in ruins when the cats they sent to fight off the Dark Forest were gone. That's when the Dark Forest would attack, swiping their judgement and justice through the clans. They needed and deserved it. Nothing in the clans were right anymore, just thinking about it made Ivypool hiss.
Three cats having powers, only three cats. Why should they be the only 'special ones'. Weren't they raised to know that all cats were important to their clan? Why should three be better than others? And why should the three only be in ONE clan instead of three? Or four cats instead, one for each clan? Just showed how unfair Starclan was, only caring about previous Firestar. Tigerstar had taught Ivypool how to really feel about her wise leader, he was just Starclan's kittypet, he didn't do anything for himself. The past leader of Shadowclan had confused Ivypool about how he talked about how horrible her clan was, but soon it opened her eyes.
Thunderclan tried to be the only clan, forcing all the others to follow their rules of peace. Cats are cats and will act like such, not like mice and rabbits who hide in the bushes. Firestar pushed for this, making other cats listen to his ideas. Unfair! Unjust! He didn't know what went on with the other clans! Borders were borders and he can't change that. It sickened Ivypool that she was related to that piece of mouse-dung.
She neared her target, his pelt flashing between the tree trunks. The blind cat was searching for herbs, in a spot that had recently been overrun with two foxes. Their scent was heavy in the air still, making it hard to detect one smell from another which was just want Ivypool needed. Pushing herself even further into the ground, she carefully pulled herself forward, keeping her tail curled next to her side. Flattening her ears, she remembered what the Dark Forest reminded her off, don't think. Don't think about killing him since he'll sense it with his combat the hunting urges in her, she pretended to be stalking a bird that wasn't there.
The image of feathers filled her mind as she snuck closer and closer to her prey. No wind pushed her scent towards him, and he hardly noticed. Jayfeather's gaze was set downard as he stripped the leaves off a root of some sort. Ivypool halted the fact she was staring at him and went back to imagining prey. Nothing of the Dark Forest and her loyalty to them could be seen anywhere in her thoughts, she must seem like a normal, every day, warrior. A cat that was below Jayfeather and normal, not special. Something she would never be. The tom looked up suddenly like he smelled something and the she-cat in the bushes stiffened. Neither made move, as a wind drifted between them. One of Jayfeather's ears twitched and his blind gaze slanted. He suspected something was up and Ivypool could tell, even though she was still many fox-lengths away.
"Ivypool, I didn't know you were hunting over here." He replied sternly. Ivypool halted the relief she felt and instead growled in impatience.
"It's hard to when cats point out right where you're trying to hunt." She growled crossly, going to her full height. Her legs were cramping up in the pose she had for so long it was almost a relief. They will be a relief when the cat in front of her is dead at her paws, thought to be killed by a fox in the territory.
"I don't scent any prey, nor hear any." He replied, keeping his distance from his clanmate. He doesn't trust her, this wasn't good. Ivypool took matters into her own paws and went forward. Jayfeather was trying to play it off like she was, making it seem like he didn't know what they both knew. That's the thing Jayfeather, I'm not your brother and you're not my sister, we are dealing with a battle of wits. One that I'll win. Thought Ivypool. The distance closed between them and soon they were two tail lengths away, each pair of eyes glaring into the other.
"Maybe it's because of all that herb scent you inhale every day." Ivypool said, her ear twitched in force casualty. Jayfeather just stared, unblinking.
"Maybe you shouldn't be stalking in the bushes so close to your clanmates." He responded. "Maybe you should face them head on."
Ivypool was none the least surprised. She thought she had been planning everything right, focusing on hunting instead of Jayfeather. No doubt he felt that, but nothing gave it away his look still emotionless.
"I've walked in your dreams and seen the scars you wake up with." He confirmed. "You have gotten yourself very deep. Talking to Tigerstar and training under him, what were you thinking?"
Ivypool outright hissed at him, not changing her position. How dare he walk in her private dreams! That was one of the most rude things she could think of, another tally on her list of why Starclan didn't care about other cats, it was growing fast. "I was thinking about how unfair everything is. Why three cats with powers? Why do you get the powers? Why doesn't another cat?"
"I never asked for this." He responded. "It seems easy but a power is a curse."
"Easy for you to say! Everything has been given to you, written in the stars! All you have to do is play along!" Ivypool growled, getting ready to attack the medicine cat.
"Easy? Do you think it's easy to try to deal with Starclan's demands and deal with the mouse brains in this clan! Everyone acts like kits and so are you! Stop acting like you didn't get your pick of the fresh-kill pile and be a warrior like you're suppose to be!" He growled, barking in a way.
"It's about to be a lot harder for you." Response Ivypool, his word chose pushing her over the edge. His last words were cut short with a yowl as the silver cat jumped him. He thrashed below him but her training, both Thunderclan and Dark Forest, overpowered him easily. She sank her jaws into his neck and met the warm blood there. With a jerk, she ripped the skin and the crunch of bone below made excitement run through her. The medicine cat fell limp below her and Ivypool stepped off of him, smirked. One down, two to go. She stalked away, covering the scene inasmuch fox scent as possible. Luckily, the scent was so thick still she could easily pass off as passing a few days before on the patrol to get rid of the fox. Everything was working out well, the Dark Forest would be pleased. As she walked to the lake to clean herself off, she felt a presence she knew well, the Dark Forest was there with her. Whispering in her ears a congratulations and advice for the next one. Ivypool was sure to use it.
"I'm sorry you lost Jayfeather, two littermates can't be easy to deal with." Lionblaze looked at her, anger and hatred spinning in his gaze. Perhaps he knew what had happened? It would be like Starclan to continue to but into the affairs of living cats. The Dark Forest stayed reasonably, only training those who wanted to and not controlling lives like the clan cats were merely there for enjoyment. Still, Lionblaze wasn't the sharpest of the three, in fact quite the opposite. That's why Jayfeather was first on top of everything. He would know and stop her before she could dare sink her claws into another 'special' cat's fur.
Lionblaze continued to stare, his amber gaze never watering. The suspicious in Ivypool's stomach started to rise, take its control. She felt it creep in her veins and a new way to stop the powerful tom began to resurface and create itself in her mind. The yellow cat turned away and huffed loudly, flicking an ear in disgust.
"You would hardly know what it's like to lose one, you still have Dovewing." He huffed, wrapping his tail around his paws.
Ivypool felt herself relax again, her noble secret still hidden in the shadows like it should. She let out a sigh, but quickly covered it up, hoping the other cat didn't hear it. Even if he didn't know what was behind it, he could take it with offensive. Luckily, Lionblaze was too wrapped up in his self pity to notice Ivypool, perfect. The anxiety faded and was quickly replaced with hatred for Dovewing. It boiled through her veins, fast, hot, and no shortage of it.
Dovewing. The name sounded bitter in her mind, crackling and smug as it echoed through her. Last she had seen the grey cat was wallowing by the warriors den, obviously upset about have one of her precious friends dead in the ground. Don't worry Dovewing, he'll mettle soon or better yet, you'll join him if this goes by the plan. Ivypool suppressed a snicker as she imagined her sister's death. The sister who had always been special, the one that their parents were most proud of, the one that everyone liked. The whispers of her clanmates as she walked among them in Thunderclan cats burned her pelt with fury. Whispers of her being unstable, unapproachable, and unlikeable. Gossip filtered through the cats when ever she returned from a patrol who wouldn't talk to her or exited from a den where ever cat refused to sleep near her. Something that Ivypool always thought she didn't care about, just a grain of sand on the lakebed shore, was another reason she couldn't wait to finish the three off. Revenge for what they made her look like, not perfect, not the saviors, not likeable.
I'll just give them something to gossip about. She thought as she put her crockett mind straight again and looked at the warrior. He was glaring a leaf as it fell from a tree with the same determination as a kit, nothing was left of this broken warrior anymore. Hollyleaf had never really healed and losing his brother must be chipping away at him right now. Broken cats are not easy to kill, nor should they be hard. The trickiness comes from knowing how they will react. Some will give in, some will fight as strong as four warriors, but knowing how to use their reaction makes them like kits, simple minded and dead. Hawkfrost's words echoed in her mind, his advice had gotten her through many times in her life but this one should be the most helpful.
The grey tabby padded over to the other cat, attempting to look concerned. Lionblaze continued to nurse his unseen wound, only glancing at her sideways. Ivypool uncomfortably nudged him in the shoulder, hoping it was in some way confronting to him. He shrugged her off and, with a loud huff, turned away, flicking his tail in irritation. He just had to be stubborn. Ivypool racked her brain over everything that made the strong warrior happy, Lionblaze had mentored Dovewing so she spent enough time with the massive tom. Her eyes lit up with an idea hit her head, forest walks near the lake. He always took them hunting there when her and Dovepaw were apprentice. It was unusual for him to leave them to hunt while he strolled among the lower lying pieces of undergrowth. Not the shore though, he hated that.
"Come, let's go hunting, that should take the matters off your mind for a little bit." Ivypool said, forcing symbaity into her voice as much as possible. It was hard to fake sympathy who had it made for them since the beginning. Lionblaze didn't know what it was like to get hurt for your clan, nothing could hurt him...in battle that is. This couldn't end the way that Ivypool wanted, she wished she could see all of the three withering beneath her paws as she dug her teeth into their special throats. Starclan had to be difficult, Ivypool would just have to find a way around it, there always was a solution.
Lionblaze sighed, still looking as pouty as he was a few heartbeats ago. Dragging himself to his huge paws, he glanced at the younger warrior. Ivypool's heart fluttered with hope that he would agree, seeming he got up after all. The yellow tom stood still, letting the wind play with a tuft of fur on his head, swaying it back and forth. A growl began to form in the silver tabby throat, wanting him to get it done with so they could move on.
"I suppose a true warrior doesn't like things like this get in the way of his clan." Replied Lionblaze, using his mentor voice. The she-cat rolled her eyes at his 'wisdom' but forced a smile on her lips.
"Great, I'm sure it'll make you feel better!" She purred, one she meant. THe deed had to be done with. Lionblaze grunted, he didn't believe her. The trust of her Thunderclan clanmates didn't matter, only her true clanmates ever crossed her mind nowadays. He pushed ahead of her, his tail tip flicking in annoyance. Well sorry she was ruining his previous moping time. When his yellow pelt disappeared through the bramble tunnel, she turned to follow. A prickleing her fur distracted her from moving forward. Unease filled her and she turned her head, like someone was staring at her from far away. A quick glance sideways showed a fluffy grey cat, staring at her from beside the mourning cats.
Dovewing had a suspicious.
Ivypool didn't care though, she had one matter at paw and the more that Dovewing suspected, the more likely she would confront her. A confrontation was what Ivypool hoped for. Her sister wouldn't go anywhere if she learned that Jayfeather and Lionblaze died while she was also out of camp. That's why she had to come to her, and more pieces of the plan fell together.
Snarling at the other cat, Ivypool hurried out of the camp to the unjudging forest beyond. Her pads tingled under the grass, it felt different since the last time she was out there, very different events happened last time she was out here of course. Lionblaze stood in a small patch of sunshine where trees had forgotten to cover. His pelt shone bright like the sun, making Ivypool's stomach curle again. Of course one of the three would have fur that showed how high and mighty they were. Ivypool pasted him, her own silver giving it's own glow but not nearly as bright.
Luckily, he followed her, his pawsteps distant behind her. They walked in silence, nothing but the wind and birds echoing through the light air. As they swirled around the filler trials, Ivypool took a glance back at her companion. He seemed looser then he was in camp, trotting across the ground instead of dragging his paws. Ivypool smirked lightly and quickened her pace, hoping to get it done and over with.
Lionblaze raced ahead as they neared the lake, quickly overtaking Ivypool's stride. The she-cat gave a huff of annoyance as she followed, pushing down her want to beat him there, prove she was just as good as he was. That wouldn't be good for his mood, her plan stuck her in the same, slow pace she was in. She didn't need a grumpy Lionblaze anyway, the faster they got past that, the faster Ivypool could move on.
He was already settled, sitting down on a patch of grass nearby the pebbly shore. His eyes were closed as his muzzle was pointed at the sky. It was almost touching to Ivypool, it looked like he was trying to connect with his fallen littermates. For a slight second she felt something for Dovewing, something she hadn't felt since they were apprentices. Shifting on her paws, she didn't like the feeling as it wrapped itself around her.
Shaking her head, she cleared it out of her, the feelings striping away. She couldn't waste time on her sister, the sister everyone preferred over her. Her eyes slanted at the thought, glad her normal hatred filled her body again. Lionblaze was caught up in his own self-problems, no doubt lost in his thoughts.
"Hollyleaf's death hasn't healed you yet?" Asked Ivypool as she stood a few pawsteps away from him. Lionblaze flinched, one of the few times he showed weakness, something a cat should never do. He dipped his head, his eyes focusing on a small pebble.
"It feels like just yesterday she ran into the tunnels." Lionblaze mumbled. "I hoped that she was alive but after a moon, that clearly wasn't what Starclan wanted." Ivypool stiffened slightly at Starclan and what they wanted, but she stayed still to listen further on his monologue. "Jayfeather and I tried to get over it, but, we just couldn't. It's horrible to lose a littermate, I would give anything for all of us to be together again."
Perfect timing. Everything was down to the wording. Ivypool felt security in her plan even more now. The Dark Forest seemed to egg her on, just as giddy as she is about it working out. She nudged his shoulder with her muzzle, he didn't flinch or move away, another great sign.
"You may not live side by side anymore, but perhaps we can at least bring Hollyleaf and Jayfeather together again." Ivypool said, trying to sound like she had just came up with this idea.
Lionblaze turned, shock clear all over him and he jumped to his paws so quick he almost slipped. "How?" Suddenly he flopped back down again, trying to show like he didn't think it could work but his sudden outburst before paw showed differently. "What do you mean?"
"We'll go through the tunnels, find her body, and bury her next to Jayfeather so they can lay side by side." You'll do the same soon enough. Thought Ivypool as Lionblaze started to process the idea.
"Well, I guys." Lionblaze mumbled as he slowly rose again. "Wait, the tunnels are blocked off! We can't go down there if we tried!"
Ivypool shock her head and bounded away a few tail-lengths. "There's more than one way! I found an old badger den that went right into it!" Ivypool sprinted away fast, holding her breath while she waited for Lionblaze to follow her. The thundering sound of his paws crushed leaves below them and Ivypool pushed her muscles faster, leading him to the entrance to the tunnel she had found earlier. Light filtered through the tree branches creating almost a path to where there were going.
Jumping over a log, Ivypool stopped suddenly. Lionblaze did the same and started to sniff around the bracken. He soon found it and he grinned big, his tail twitching in excitement.
"I hope this works." He mumbled as he looked into the dark hole.
"It will, trust me." Sneered Ivypool, no use acting nice now. "You go first, but don't go so far."
Lionblaze looked at her, obviously confused in her sudden change in personality. He shrugged it off, pushing his way into the cramped tunnel. Ivypool counted a few seconds, waiting. The echoing of his pawsteps stopped suddenly and she knew it was time. With a hefty shove, she pushed loose the rock that was supporting the top of the den. Before she worked on making it easy and quick, since the tunnel ending at a dead end. He would be trapped in a tomb of sand, suffocated. With a clunk, the rock fell to the ground and the tunnel collapsed with little build up. A muffled yowl was heard below in the ground.
Ivypool grinned as she heard it, her claws shifting anxiously back and forth. She could catch flashes of yellow through the sand as his paws shunned to get him out of his undeniable death. When fur appeared it was soon covered in the earth and before long, it trashing, no muffled screams, no Lionblaze. Ivypool's grin grew better on her muzzle as she cleared her throat. With a large yowl she began to call out to her clanmates about the untimely death. Streaming away from the place where her latest triumph was, Ivypool felt the tinge of a chill around her. The Dark Forest was here, her true clanmates, sharing the kill with her like it was fresh-kill. No doubt she would be honored tonight turning training. The grey tabby lowered her head and ran faster, only one more thing to do.
A moon had passed since the toms of the three died. Cats seemed more suspicious of Ivypool now, barely speaking to her at all. She prefered this way, the more time alone, the more time she had with her true Clanmates. Hawkfrost seemed more real and real, not that she had any feelings for him. The presence of the Dark Forest was large and the medicine cats admitted to not having much contact with Starclan anymore. Hawkfrost seemed to follow her more now, making it easier to plan her final kill, Dovewing.
Ivypool waited in the spot, the spot where she first learned her sister was destined to be better than her. The spot where Dovewing was showing off her powers to LIonblaze, showing how good she was at hunting and hearing. She paced back and forth, her whiskers and ears twitching angrily. No use hiding anymore, no use stalking, no use planning, Dovewing would come to her. Licking her lips, nervousness filled her stomach as she heard rustles in the bushes. This would be a full on battle with a cat she had trained and grew up with. They knew each other like their own whiskers, neither of them really had the upper paw.
Dovewing's concerned face appeared through the pushes and fear filled her eyes as they landed on Ivypool. She knew what was going to happen. One of them wasn't going to make it out of this spot alive, both hoped for different things.
"Ivypool, why?" Asked Dovewing, not even a hello now,
"Ask Jayfeather, I told him." She responded, growling deep in her throat. Dovewing stiffened and started to back away but the tabby pounded in her sister. The fluffy grey she-cat reacted quickly, trying to push off Ivypool who stayed firm over her. "Fairness, Starclan only cares about certain cats, leaving the rest of us to the side. We're nothing but dust under their paws, disposal of the time needs. You three aren't, you get something that many dream of. Only cats that Starclan deems worthy get to do great honor to their clan. The rest of us sit and wait, scraping for any trace of fame you leave behind."
Dovewing shivered under her grasp and Ivypool lept off, determined to not be as unfair as Starclan was. The Dark Forest was strong around her, the climax for her story about to begin. Dovewing was last, once she was gone the Dark Forest could rise to the new Starclan. A better one, where all cats were able to do great deeds.
"Ivypool, please. Come with me. Leave the Dark Forest behind." Dovewing begged, taking a step forward. Ivypool could she she tried hard to show no fear of her sister, but the slight quiver in her ear showed differently. She laughed, a cruel unkind one before staring Dovewing right in her eyes.
"It's too late for both of us sister dear." She said calmly before pouncing.
Dovewing ducked and slipped around, trying to get away from Ivypool's experienced claws. Kicking out with her back leg, Ivypool slanted her eyes when she missed the nimble she-cat. With a sudden quick turn on her paws, Ivypool was able to surprise Dovewing enough, jumping forward and slashing at her flank. Blood began to form at the wound and the other she-cat quickly learned this wasn't a game. Ivypool wasn't bluffing and she was out for blood.
Dovewing jumped back and ran at her sister, dodging to the side quickly and slicing a cut along side it. Ivypool hissed at the pain but was able to trip her sister down with a quick flick of her paw. The other cat crashed to the ground and Ivypool was quickly on top of her. Dovewing struggled and kicked out with her back legs, trying to get the other cat off of her. Ivypool stood strong, not letting her sister get away this time. No one was here to save her, it was her time to feel what Ivypool has been feeling since she was born, powerless. The fear in Dovewing's eyes shone bright but a speckle of determination was there. With the combined effort of her back and front paws, Ivypool felt the breath leave her and her back hit the ground.
The training came back to her and she turned on her paws quickly and ran forward again. The two continued to dodge and hit, not a single one making a break in the walls. Slashes and nips, trips and falls, kicks and scratches, all combined in what seemed like an endless fight. They tackled and rolled over each other, tails lashing and claws flashing in the dark sunlight. Neither sister wanted to lose, one for her survival and the other for her honor. It wasn't until Ivypool firmly held her sister down when Dovewing knew it was hopeless.
Ivypool savored the moment for a second, enjoying the feeling. Her pelt burned from the scratches and wounds Dovewing had inflicted. She would give her sister this, she was a good fighter. It took longer than she thought for her take the other cat down and she was impressed. Sadly, all good things had to come to an end.
Dovewing had accepted her death, ready to do it. She comforted herself in thinking that Ivypool wasn't the cat she grew up with , a different type of cat took over her sister, if she could ever call her that. Her chin lifted a bit, as if she was standing strong, facing death like how she wanted too.
"Bye, bye sister." Ivypool purred and lunged her muzzle forward to deliver the final bite.
I finished this at 1:00 AM...I got lazy with the spell check. Hope you enjoyed cause it was kind of a pain to write. It was just, mindless anger to me. It was kind of fun. Time taken was about 4 or so hours of the actual piece and count the many times I rewrote Jayfeather's part. So many times. Listened to West Side Story and Grease while writing it.