"Everybody, attack!" roared Bramblestar as he struggled to get out of the way of Lakepool's particularly talon-like claws. Berrynose, Redwing, Jadefall, Lionblaze, Cinderheart and Starlight dodged and leaped, but Lakepool seemed to have limitless strength and agility. The forest cats raced around, sometimes tripping over the others' paws. It was useless.
"Lakepool, why are you doing this?" yowled Starlight as she paused in the middle of the fray, followed by the others. "You are a ThunderClan cat!"
"That's where you're wrong, tabby!" Lakepool screeched loudly, hissing at hissed at Redwing. Her eyes flashed amber and crown flickered through her spots. Lakepool' ears twitched, and as if by signal, the WindClan cats that were in ThunderClan camp appeared in the undergrowth, chased by the ThunderClan warriors. The battle exploded into the small clearing."I'm Tigerstar!" she yelled and hurled herself recklessly at Starlight. Starlight was so surprised she couldn't move.
Then a battle cry sounded. It was Redwing! She jumped on top of Lakepool, knowing that it wasn't her sister anymore. It yowled in pain as Redwing's claws ran down her sides. Suddenly, Lakepool flipped over, pushing Starlight's sister against the ground with a thud. She then got up and crouched, ready to attack Starlight. Redwing got up and raced over to Starlight, jumping in front of her, blocking Lakepool's slashing claws, which raked across her underbelly, but not before Redwing had sliced her teeth across Lakepool's throat.
"No, Redwing!" choked Starlight and she looked at her fatally wounded sister. "Redwing, are you okay?" she asked, upset. Redwing coughed, blood bubbling at her lips.
"Goodbye, Starlight." Redwing's eyes closed. Starlight choked back a sob. She had lost both of her sisters, and it was because of the cats in the Place of No Stars. They would pay for this, and Starlight swore it. She whirled around to see the dying Lakepool. But Lakepool looked at her sister with sad eyes.
"Tigerstar is gone now." She said. "I just want to say farewell. Redwing has to have some company in StarClan, right?" Lakepool attempted a laugh, but all that came out was a gurgling noise, and a spasm shook her small body. She lay still on the ground, in the midst of battling cats, lifeless yet peaceful. Then a miracle happened. Time seemed to slow down. Golden light swirled around her body, and threads of it vaulted into the sky, while others circled Redwing's still form. The light from them danced across the grass, twisting the stalks into knots and jumbles. Three black strings of light crept away the side, unnoticed by everyone, because they were captivated by what was happening. Redwing gasped and stood up. Lakepool had faded, but she had saved her sister, and that was the greatest victory of all.
The happiness was short lived. New light swirled on the grass, burning the elegant curls made by Lakepool's sacrifice. Demonic cackling filled the air, and voices whispered through the trees. A black cloud was forming where the grass was burnt. Starlight stumbled backward into another cat, who laughed.
"Hello, Starlight." Said a familiar voice. "Welcome to the Dark Forest."
Starlight whipped around to see Tigerstar behind her. His eyes were no longer amber, but a charcoal black, as if his soul burned with the surroundings.
The trees twisted and leaves burst into ashes. A thick, sticky river ran around the clearing. Shadows danced among the forest cats. Then the trees started to unbend, and new leaves sprouted. The ashes on the ground formed new grass and the river started to sink into the ground.
"No! I won't let you do this, father!" Bramblestar screeched from across the clearing, on the boulders that sheltered Hollyleaf.
"Bramblestar, my son! The forest cats should fall and burn; the foundations of my empire" yelled Tigerstar. "You make a foolish decision doing this!" He roughly pushed Starlight to the center of the clearing, visible to all. His claws pressed against her neck.
"If you don't cooperate, the she-cat dies!"
Brambleclaw snarled. "Lionblaze, now!" Lionblaze leaped at Tigerstar, who loosened his grip in surprise. Starlight took the chance and sprang away, bounding towards the threw Lionblaze off and chased after her.
