A.N.: Hello everyone! Sorry it's been forever since I've updated. The song is Time of Dying and the book is The Three Strangers. Plushies for everyone! (Throws plushies in the air)
Isn't it great that Jayfeather is doomed to die?
Cinderheart: (Grabs Natureboy3 around the neck)
Natureboy3: Or…not…
It was the following morning after Jayfeather had proposed to Cinderheart, and he was feeling good about his position.
Leafpool couldn't keep him there forever, and he would get to see his fiancé again.
Prison guard: Hey! You! Leafpool wants a word with you!
Jayfeather allowed himself to be led out of his cell and down the hall. He looked in Nightcloud's cell as he passed, but all he saw was an eggplant and some fireworks in her place.
The guard moved him outside and to the base of a large structure. It was a simple wooden platform with a beam suspended above it. There was a gray tabby adjusting a loop of rope hanging from it.
Claudandus: Hello, customer! Ready to see how I do for my first time on the job?
Jayfeather: (Thinking) What in the name of StarClan is this nut talking about?
Leafpool stepped up to Jayfeather, motioning for the guard to un-cuff him.
Leafpool: Hello, Jayfeather. I need to talk with you.
Jayfeather: (Stares blankly) Okay.
Leafpool: You've broken the code Jayfeather, and I'm going to let you go. You still need to be punished. I'll let you stay with Cinderheart, so you can stay focused on the war. One, I can hang you, which I won't do for a number of reasons.
Jayfeather: (Glances nervously at the gallows) Why have you changed your mind?
Leafpool: I don't want my inbox clogged with angry emails.
Jayfeather: (Sarcastically) Gee…thanks!
Leafpool: Two, I can give you thirty lashes and exile you.
Jayfeather: And option three?
Leafpool: I give you fifty lashes and forget this ever happened.
Jayfeather: (Thinking) I…I can't leave Cinderheart. (Speaking) I go with option three.
Leafpool: Okay. You'll wait until sunhigh.
The guard started to take Jayfeather back to his cell.
Leafpool: Hey! Jayfeather!
Jayfeather: (Looks over his shoulder) Yes?
Leafpool: Congrats on your engagement!
Jayfeather: (Smiles) Thanks!
It was almost sunhigh when Cinderheart was brought to Jayfeather's cell. To say that Cinderheart was happy to see him would be an understatement.
Cinderheart: (Hugging Jayfeather and crying) Jayfeather! I've been so worried!
Jayfeather: I'm alright Cinderheart. This will be easy. I don't blame you for this.
Cinderheart: That's what I'm worried about! You'll be hurt! (Bursts into tears)
Jayfeather: (Hugging Cinderheart tightly) It'll be okay.
It was several minutes before Cinderheart could pull herself together and go to the whipping post. It was several more minutes before Jayfeather was taken there himself.
The gallows from earlier had been torn down and a whipping post had been set in its place. It was several tail-lengths high with a crossing piece at the top for Jayfeather's forepaws to be tied to.
Claudandus was there, and he didn't look very happy from being cheated out of playing executioner.
Almost all of the ThunderClan charges were there, including Cinderheart, except for Hollyleaf and the apprentices.
Claudandus: (Tying Jayfeather's paws to the crossbeam) You cheated me out of an execution. Don't worry; I'll make sure to hit you extra hard. (Pours some water in Jayfeather's mouth)
Jayfeather: (Spits the water in his face)
Claudandus: (Snarls and wipes water from his face) Tough, eh? Well you're not tough enough to stop this! (Cracks his whip over Jayfeather's back)
There isn't anything I can say to make you imagine the horrible, agonizing, and excruciating pain Jayfeather felt. His shirt was soon cut to ribbons and his back was bleeding heavily.
Claudandus: …nineteen…twenty…
Jayfeather slowly opened his eyes. Claudandus had stopped.
Claudandus: (Scowling heavily) …fifty! You're done!
Claudandus began untying Jayfeather's paws and glanced at his back.
Claudandus: With any luck you'll bleed to death. That would make my day.
Everyone watched as Jayfeather was untied, then dropped like a stone.
Cinderheart: (Screaming) Jayfeather!!!
Hollyleaf let out a sigh as the apprentices filed into the small classroom.
She was stuck in there for the afternoon, but at least she could teach these young cats about the warrior code.
Hollyleaf: Okay everybody, listen up! You're going to learn the best part of the warrior code!
Everyone: (Groans loudly)
Hollyleaf: (Switches off the light, talking as she does so) Quit griping! The best part of the warrior code is not to have kits before you're old enough. In order to learn how not to have kits, you must learn how to have kits. (Motions to a screen on the wall) Everyone watch and be quiet.
(Several mind scarring minutes later)
The apprentices moved slowly out of the classroom, eyes wide. Hollyleaf remained at her desk, reading a magazine and playing some music.
Prince Toadstool, you're so misguided
I've never found of bookworms
But then again this one does make good Mario bait
I can't wait
With my magic book
I'll shower those crumsy lizards with my power
Until dinosaur land is nothing but fossil fuel
My only problem with these spells
Is that I know not what they tell
So every hex leaves me perplexed
And all I want are those plumbing fools
Princess Toadstool, you're not so clever
All your words are alphabet soup
A picture tells it better
I'll say it again!
Olivepaw: Ms. Hollyleaf?
Hollyleaf: (Glares over her magazine) Yes?
Olivepaw: You know how you turned in Jayfeather for having a forbidden love?
Hollyleaf: What about it?
Olivepaw: Wasn't that you and Breezepelt on the screen…?
Hollyleaf: (Throws random objects at Olivepaw) Out! Out of my classroom!
A.N.: There you go! I'll try not to take forever to update next time! Tell me what you think! Can you guess the song? Review, no flames!
