A.N: Hi everyone, this is the last chapter coming in a week. I'll add some as soon as I come back, sorry about this. On the bright side, I think this is the best chapter in the whole story so far. Enjoy, R&R!
My eyes widened in disbelief and dismay as I choked out…"No…Thorntail!"
My paws were numb as my friend and I stared at each other. How…It didn't make sense! Thorntail…Shadowclan? How was it possible? He was a Thunderclan! One look at his face, and I knew he hadn't known it was me he was fighting. But still, he had attacked me, knowing I was a Thunderclan cat! And his scent…it was obvious he had been in Shadowclan area for some time. But…he was my friend! Not my enemy, but a fellow clanmate, my best mate!
Shadowclan – unthinkable! For a Thunderclan warrior, at least. And yet, Thorntail seemed to have joined them.
"Thorntail, tell me you didn't." My voice cracked as my eyes pleaded for it not to be true.
His eyes hardened. "You guessed it. But then again, you always were the smart one. You're lucky, you know that? To have Icestar, and your mother…even if she is just a soft kittypet…"
I was speechless. What? What…did he just say? He was jealous of me? And that was why he joined an enemy clan and betrayed everyone he was close to? Great Starclan…
"Don't do this, Thorntail. Nobody will judge you because of Thistlestorm; every cat in Thunderclan is your friend." I held my breath as his face went blank.
Then he shook his head angrily. "How do you know, Flamepelt? Remember, in the stories the elders told us, even your great-uncle Firestar was wary of Bramblepaw, his own apprentice, because of his father! You can't know that my clan won't do the same for me. There is a better future than that waiting for me in Shadowclan!"
I swallowed hard. Much as I hated to admit it, there was a certain twisted logic to his word. Very, very twisted, but still there. There was nothing I could do.
"Well, what are you waiting for, Thorntail? Your paw is still up; you haven't sheathed your claws. Kill me, if you are so determined to betray everyone. I counted you as one of my best friends, Thorntail, you know that?" I waited for him, a flash of regret, anger, and sorrow ripping through me.
He glanced over his shoulder. Flintstar was still battling Iceclaw, but as he rolled over, he glimpsed the scene. His eyes narrowed.
"Yes! Kill him, Thorntail, and prove your loyalty! Now!" He yowled triumphantly.
Icestar froze for a moment. His head snapped towards us and I saw his breath stop for a moment as he gazed at Thorntail. He shook his head slowly, still gazing at his former warrior with a strange emotion filling his eyes. "Don't, Thorntail. Please."
"Do it! Kill him now, son of Thistlestorm!" Flintstar yowled again, anger slowly creeping on his features. Thorntail hesitated.
He raised his claws higher. Flintstar's eyes widened with glee and Icestar struggled to free himself. He turned to me, looking horrified. Struggling to run over to me, he clawed at Flintstar, but unfortunately to no avail as the Shadowclan leader growled and pinned him back down. Thorntail brought his paw flying down, his claws sharp and whistling through the air…
Icestar watched, eyes wide and helpless as he fought mightier than ever, but he wasn't in time…
The claws came closer, and in a moment they would sink into my stomach, tearing me apart, to death…
I locked eyes with the cat who was about to kill me. My friend…
I'm sorry.