"Hello guys! This is Flower1815 here, bringing you a new chapter of Eddswarriors. This chapter is an adaptation of the series' episode: Hello hellhole. So much like the premise of that episode, the four friends take a trip to the Dark forest in order to escape the boredom of their routine. I know it's kind of late but consider this as your late-Halloween special for the evening. Anyways, I hope you guys enjoy it, thank you all so much for your support and I'll see ya all later! ;)
"I'm bored!"
Sunhigh has just gone by, and the four friends who had nothing else to do went out to train in the sandy hollow. This monotone routine has been going on for a while now. Everything in the forest has been peaceful. No signs of invasion from the other Clans. No prey stealing. No border skirmishes. No predator or rogue scent found inside their territory. No sickness plaguing their Clan. No hunger. Everything is absolutely perfect. But perhaps a little too perfect. Because there hasn't been any conflict in the last moon; ever since Cloverheart and Redthorn got struck by a monster and had to spend a few days in ShadowClan before making a full-recovery and then returning to ThunderClan, it left them with little else to do. The only thing they could do is go on hunting and border patrols, eat, sleep and groom themselves. That's it! Every day it is the exact same thing. At least when they were apprentices they were always busy with tasks their mentors gave to them, but now that they are warriors they have to find a way to entertain themselves.
Today is another one of those days with nothing else to do.
The four of them started to go out together in the afternoon to train Gingerpelt in hunting and fighting, but even that was beginning to wear out fast.
Cloverheart, who had just shouted out of frustration, slumped to the ground with his tail slashing the air. "Let's do something, I can't take this boredom anymore!"
Redthorn looked up from where he stood; positioned directly across from Gingerpelt, whom he was helping in teaching new battle moves. "Like what? There isn't much else we can do." He pointed out. The medicine cat tried to take the opportunity to attack him while he was distracted, but Redthorn spotted him slinking away in the corner of his eye and made quick work in pinning Gingerpelt down.
"I don't know! Just anything!" Cloverheart whined.
"Easier said than done, Cloverheart." Beside him, Holloweyes laid on a shady patch of grass beneath a beech tree; hungrily tearing into a piece of thrush he managed to catch. "Unless we are attacked by something right now, or a conflict pops up, chances are things are going to be like this for a long time."
"I know! How about we tell stories to pass the time?" Gingerpelt suggested, playfully cuffing Redthorn's ears to let him up.
"What kind of stories?" Holloweyes prompted.
"Any kind!" Gingerpelt mewed. "Alright, who wants to go first?"
A long, drawling silence followed his words as they stared at each other with expressions of expectation, and confusion. Gingerpelt frowned in disappointment at his friend's lack of enthusiasm. "No one?"
Redthorn scoffed. "No offense, but stories are for kittens."
Gingerpelt glared at him. "Well, I don't see anyone else coming up with suggestions!" He huffed. "Well, since no one has a story to tell, then I guess I'll have to fill in the spot." He decided, pawing the ground as he hummed deep in thought. "Let's see… Oh! I know! Have you ever heard about the Dark forest?"
Three pairs of ears pricked as the warriors looked up at him with interest.
"The what now?" Holloweyes muttered.
"You haven't? Huh, kind of surprised considering how closely tied it is with StarClan mythology and the Warrior Code history." Gingerpelt murmured, genuinely taken by surprise. "Regardless; the Dark forest, also known as The Place of No Stars, is the opposite of StarClan. It is a place where cats that have committed great crimes against their Clans and the Warrior Code go when they die." He explained to them in great detail. "Much like the name suggests, The Place of No Stars is a dark and secluded place where bad cats are damned to wander for all eternity, to reflect upon their crimes until they fade away from existence, as the living will eventually forget about them."
The three warriors blinked at him with deadpanned silence.
"Well, that was… Eventful." Cloverheart muttered, rolling his eyes. "Now what we're gonna do?"
Redthorn, on the other paw, was smirking with intrigue as he gazed at the sky through the branches of the towering trees above them. "Hmm… Wouldn't it be fun if we could go to the Dark Forest?"
"Right! Very funny, Redthorn!" Cloverheart laughed, flicking his tail against Redthorn's cheek.
"I'm serious! Why don't we go and visit the Dark forest?" The red-tabby warrior insisted.
The other stared at him with surprise.
"You're kidding, right?" Holloweyes asks. "You are messing with us right now."
"Why not?" Redthorn prompted.
"Why not? How about because this place is infested with evil cats who won't hesitate to shred us as soon as we step paw into their hunting grounds?" Cloverheart countered.
Redthorn met his friend's gaze evenly. "Weren't you the one who, mere moments ago, was complaining about having nothing exciting to do?" He argued. "Come on guys! This is our chance to go and do something out of the usual basis! We don't have to stay long either; we'll just take a quick trip to the Place of No Stars, see what's all about, and then leave with the knowledge that we're probably the only living cats who ever walked without the stars."
Cloverheart looked away, still unsure. "I don't know…" He murmured. "The Dark Forest sounds like a horrible place. And how are we even supposed to get there anyway?"
"Actually…"
The three warriors looked back at Gingerpelt. The medicine cat shuffled his paws, feeling conscious under his friends' stare. "The Moonstone is the Clan's only direct connection to StarClan. If we were to go to the Moonstone, and get into StarClan, we can cross the border over to the Dark Forest."
Holloweyes eyed him. "Would that really work though?"
"I think it's worth a try! I mean, what do we have to lose from going anyway?" Redthorn bounded past them, heading out the hollow and staring into the undergrowth. "Worst-case scenario, we don't get to visit the Dark Forest and we'll just go back to camp the next day, at least having done something different."
"No, that's not the worst-case scenario." Cloverheart hisses. "The worst-case scenario would be us actually managing to get there, only to be mauled alive by a bunch of vengeful spirits!"
The red-tabby warrior turned to face his friend. "Come on, Cloverheart! You can't possibly tell me there isn't at least one part of you that's thrilled in going!" Redthorn insisted, flicking his tail. "We're going to be fine. We all have battle skills, and we'll be in and out before they even notice our presence."
"But what about the Clan?" Holloweyes pointed out. "Surely they'll notice us missing if we're gone for a whole day." Some more than others.
"We'll just make up some story when we get back." Redthorn replied dismissively. "So what do you say guys? Are we going or not? Because if we are, we should go right away if we want to reach Mothermouth before Moonhigh."
Cloverheart exchanged glances with Holloweyes and Gingerpelt. They were bored, and couldn't stand the monotone schedule anymore. A little excitement surely won't hurt? After all, it's not like it goes against the Warrior Code?... Okay, it kind of does. But they're not going with any malicious intentions, so this should be alright then.
They all nodded in silent agreement.
"Let's go to the Dark Forest!" Cloverheart yowled.
Together, the four of them set off into the undergrowth and bounded away. They shared few words between themselves as they followed the route through the forest to Fourtrees, saving their breath for the long journey ahead. They paused at the top of the steep slope on the far side of the oak-shaded clearing, their sides heaving from the climb.
"Is it always windy up here?" grumbled Holloweyes, fluffing out his thick fur against the blast of cold air that swept across the uplands.
"I suppose, since there aren't any trees to block it." Cloverheart pointed out, screwing up his eyes. This was WindClan's territory. As Cloverheart sniffed the air, he detected a scent that all of his senses told him to turn back the way he came. "Do you smell WindClan warriors?" he murmured uneasily.
Redthorn lifted his nose. "There's a fresh scent here." He commented. "A patrol must've come by not too long ago. But other than that, I don't smell anything else."
"We should probably get going then." Decided Holloweyes. "If we want to reach the Moonstone without getting into trouble with WindClan, we should take the chance now that we know a border patrol won't come by any time soon."
Following Cloverheart's lead, the four friends padded watchfully into the open meadow. Their senses high alert for any signs of danger.
A fresh scent stopped Cloverheart in his tracks. "Can you smell that?" he hissed.
"Yes." whispered Redthorn, flattening himself against the ground. "WindClan!"
They immediately dropped into a crouch, keeping their ears below the heather. Holloweyes lifted his striped-blue head to peer over the bushes. "I can see them." he murmured. "They're hunting."
Gingerpelt stretched up cautiously to look.
Four WindClan warriors were chasing a rabbit through a patch of gorse. A smoky-gray apprentice pounced, his claws unsheathed, but sat up again with nothing to show for the chase. The rabbit must have made it to the safety of her warren.
"They're not so great rabbit hunters after all." Holloweyes hissed scornfully.
"He must've started his training only recently." Redthorn whispered back. His nose twitched as he smelled the scent of a terrified rabbit coming nearer. With a pang of dread, Redthorn heard the pawsteps of the WindClan warriors fast approaching after it. "They're coming this way! We'll have to hide!"
"Follow me!" Whispered Gingerpelt. "I smell badgers this way."
"Badgers?" Holloweyes echoed. "How is that safe?" He hasn't forgotten how his last encounter with one of those horrible creatures ended.
"Don't worry. The scent is strong but stale." Gingerpelt reassured him. "There must be an old set near here."
Cloverheart sniffed. His scent glands picked up a strong, almost fox-like scent. "Are you sure it's abandoned?"
"We'll know soon enough. Come on; we've got to get out of here." Replied Redthorn. Gingerpelt led the way quickly through the low bushes. The rustle of heather told them that the WindClan warriors were closing in.
"Here!" Redthorn shouldered aside a tuft of heather to reveal a sandy hole in the ground. "Get inside! The badger's scent will disguise ours. We can wait till they're gone."
Gingerpelt slipped speedily into the dark hole, and Cloverheart followed him. Holloweyes hesitated, but soon joined them. The stench of badger was overwhelming inside. The four friends huddled together in the dark, tight den and pricked their ears for sounds.
Pawsteps thudded on the ground overhead. The four cats held their breath as the steps halted and one of the WindClan warriors yowled, "Badger set!"
A second voice answered: "Is it abandoned? The rabbit may be hiding inside."
Cloverheart felt his friends' fur bristling beside him in the dark. He unsheathed his claws and stared at the entrance to the hole, ready to fight if the warriors came inside.
"Wait; the scent leads this way." meowed a gruff voice. There was a scrabble of paws overhead as the WindClan warriors charged away.
Gingerpelt slowly let out his breath. "Do you think they're gone?"
"Perhaps we should wait a bit longer, make sure none of them stayed behind." Cloverheart suggested.
No more noises came from outside. Redthorn nudged Cloverheart. "Come on." he meowed.
One by one, they slipped cautiously out into the daylight. There was no sign of the WindClan patrol. The fresh breeze cleared Cloverheart's scent glands of the badger stench. "We should hurry." he meowed. "At this rate, we'll never get to the Highstones before moonhigh."
They continued with their journey. Passing by Twoleg nests, and crossing over the Thunderpath where the land was less familiar to them, and every sense was alert for danger. As the four ThunderClan cats reached the foot of the final slope of their journey, the sun was setting behind the peaks in the horizon. The evening shadows were lengthening and a chill crept over the ground. Above his head, Cloverheart could make out a square opening beneath an overhang of stone.
"We've reached Mothermouth!" Gingerpelt meowed, curling his tail with delight. "Perhaps we should rest a bit before moving on?"
Holloweyes nodded in agreement. "Sounds good to me."
Cloverheart and the eyeless warrior lay down together on a flat rock while the last of the light died from the sky and the stars of Silverpelt began to appear. Next to them, Gingerpelt thoroughly groomed his orange coat. Meanwhile, Redthorn strayed away not too far from where they were to hunt. The moon flooded all the landscape around them in a cold, frosty light.
Gingerpelt sat up, and glanced at the dark, glimmering sky. "It's time."
One by one, they filed into the gaping entrance of Mothermouth and dived in to the dark tunnels. Making their way into the darkness, they felt their whiskers brush against the walls; telling them when to look out for a wall and turn the other way. At last, the four of them piled in the chamber of the Moonstone. They gathered around and sat, waiting with anticipation for the moon to reach its highest position and light up the dark cavern.
A shaft of moonlight shone through the hole in the roof, falling directly onto a rock in the centre of the cavern. The Moonstone revealed itself to them as the moonlight reflected in its dazzling crystal; shining so brightly as if they were in the presence of a fallen star. The white light lit up the whole cave, and the cats winced at the sharp, bright glare.
Gingerpelt faced his friends and signalled them to come closer.
They obeyed; wordlessly laying down in front of the stone, and settling their heads on their paws so that their noses touched the cold, smooth surface of the Moonstone. Soon, the dark gripping cold took over them and the four friends drifted into sleep as they waited for the stars to come to them.
When Cloverheart opened his eyes again, the world opened before him, green and lush. Warm breezes enfolded him and the smell of fresh prey touched his nose. Sunlight slanted through the trees as he scrambled to his paws; peeking out from the tall grass.
Beside him, Gingerpelt and Redthorn rose to their paws. "StarClan!" Gingerpelt breathed, relief flooding through him. The medicine cat is just as nervous as Cloverheart to meet the evil cats of the Dark Forest.
"Now all we need to do is find the border and cross over it." Redthorn commented, heading off into the starlit undergrowth.
"Wait, hold on!" Cloverheart swung his head, looking around with worry. "Where's Holloweyes?"
Gingerpelt shrugged, not knowing the answer either. Redthorn flicked his tail dismissively and scoffed. "He's a StarClan reject. No wonder he isn't here!" He beckoned his friends to follow him deeper into StarClan's hunting grounds. "Come on guys, he'll be fine! With any luck, he should be already waiting for us in the Dark Forest."
Hesitantly, Cloverheart and Gingerpelt proceeded to go after him.
(Meanwhile…)
Wandering aimlessly, Holloweyes found himself in the middle of nowhere. Absolutely nothing but blank whiteness stretched out all around him with no signs of ending.
"Hello?" He called out. "Cloverheart? Gingerpelt? Half-breed?"
No answer.
"Is anyone there?"
(Meanwhile…)
The three friends padded through the long, sparkly grass. Gingerpelt, for being a medicine cat was more familiar to these hunting grounds than any of them, so he lead the way while Redthorn took the rear.
Trees in full leaf whispered gently in the breeze. Gingerpelt hopped over a narrow stream that meandered through the long grass. Cloverheart followed, relishing the warm lushness underpaw after walking for such a long distance on their way to the Moonstone. Redthorn trailed soon after. The medicine cat led them through flourishing bushes that brushed their pelts with dew and pollen as they passed.
A meadow stretched ahead, graced by trees, flecked with glimmering flowers, aglow in the slanting sunlight. Cloverheart tasted the air. Half-familiar scents floated in the breeze: WindClan, ShadowClan, ThunderClan, and RiverClan. All together here; in StarClan's hunting grounds where there are no borders between the four Clans and they coexist in harmony.
With a shiver, Cloverheart remembered where they were going.
They continued to trek through the trees, the lushness fading with every pawstep. The trunks grew thinner and smoother, the branches too high to reach.
The sun faded from the sky, leaving white, eerie light that permeated the woods like water flooding through a reed bed. Cloverheart drew a breath of cold, damp air, tasted nothing but decay, and shivered. "We have crossed over the border." Gingerpelt whispered, a tiny tremble could be heard in his voice. "From here on out, we'll be treading in the Place of No Stars." The grass had thinned and disappeared, and mist wreathed the bare forest floor. It rose and thickened, enfolding them in fog.
They padded through the sucking mud, deeper into uncharted land until the fog began to clear away. The shape of tall, barren trees became more apparent through the fading mist. Many thorn and bramble bushes scattered all over the place. A stream of blood and mud cut through the land. The air was heavily tainted with the stench of death, guts, and decay; no insufferable it was choking their senses with each breath they take. Above them, a pitch-black sky loomed up above with no signs of light. This place is truly without stars.
The three of them jumped, and jerked their heads at the sound of rustling in the sparse undergrowth, the pattering of paws. Cloverheart glanced questioningly at Gingerpelt.
He shook his head. "No prey here."
Cloverheart's fur rippled, chilled by the gaze of watchers in the shadows. With his senses alert, Redthorn scanned the trees. Eyes glowed back at him from the misty gloom. He could feel menace in their stares, their minds haunted by evil beyond the reach of every memory but their own.
Cloverheart drew closer to Gingerpelt. "Who are they?" he whispered.
"Cats, dead and long forgotten." Gingerpelt murmured. "But they don't pose a threat to us, just as long as we steer away from them and don't get too close. Cats who end up here and are forgotten through time, are cursed to be imprisoned in the fog forever."
They resumed walking, and headed along a trail weaving between the gray, whispering trees. "What happens to StarClan cats who are forgotten then?" Cloverheart questions.
"They fade away from existence altogether." Gingerpelt answered. "No star shines forever, and all of them will eventually fade away when the living cats forget about them."
A shiver racked Cloverheart's spine at the chilling idea. To be forgotten by everyone and be forced to fade away. Where do they go from there? Regardless, Cloverheart vowed to keep his father and sister in mind a lot more often to in order to save them from meeting this same fate.
As he continued to lead the way through the murky forest, Gingerpelt glanced over his shoulder, checking that Redthorn and Cloverheart were close behind. Due to all the fog shadowing this place, it is very easy to get themselves lost. Gingerpelt definitely did not want to be found wandering the Dark Forest's hunting grounds by himself.
Who knows what the residents would do to him if they discovered a medicine cat here?
The three cats jumped simultaneously when a piercing shriek of pain tore through the air. Cloverheart's fur began to bristle along his spine, while Gingerpelt shrunk back against him; wide eyed.
Redthorn's mouth was open, his nostrils twitching as he breathed the air for new scents. Failing to find any trace of smell above the powering stench of death, he craned his ears forward. "It came from this direction." He whispered, intently listening to the shrills and battle cries that rang through the forest not so far from where they stood. "Let's check it out!"
"Wait!" Before Gingerpelt could stop him, Redthorn bounded away into the undergrowth and disappeared in the dense mist.
Cloverheart stared wildly into the trees. With neither of them wanting to be left behind in this horrible, and dangerous place, Gingerpelt and he were quick to pursue after their friend.
Racing through the thick fog, tripping over exposed roots and sharp bramble strands, they burst through the undergrowth and arrived at the edge of a cliff. Cloverheart breathed out a sigh of relief at the sight of the familiar dark-ginger tabby shape sitting at the very edge of the cliff. His back turned toward them, as he seemingly looked to be gazing down at something with clear interest.
"There you are!" Cloverheart meowed. "What were you thinking running off like that in a place like this?!" He walked up to him with a hiss, lashing his tail wildly. "Don't you ever do that again!"
Redthorn did not respond. A flick of his ear was the only indication that he listened to his friend's worried rantings.
Gingerpelt and Cloverheart shared an inquisitive expression; slowly approaching the edge to see what has gotten Redthorn's interest so much.
They froze at the sight below them.
"So this is the Dark Forest, eh? What a sight! ~"
The cliff gave them a clear, full view of the murky hunting grounds. A black lake stretched in the distance, sharp and pointy stones dotted the landscape, barren trees with their bone-thin, twisted branches looming over the muddy ground. But what really got their attention were the residents. From their point of view, they could see a few cats lurking around the foggy undergrowth. Unlike their StarClan counterparts, these cats do not have any stars sparkling in their faint pelts. Instead they carry the death-wound inflicted upon them in their last living moments before joining the Dark Forest's ranks. Scarred and bloody, they challenged one another into vicious fights until only one of them remained existent while the loser faded away.
"Let's take a closer look! ~" Redthorn suggested.
"Huh?"
(Meanwhile…)
Padding around blindly in the clear white landscape, Holloweyes continued to call out to his companions in a mixture of confusion and irritation. Although there was nothing there, stretching on for miles on end, the ground still felt very much solid beneath his paws.
He kept on walking, hoping that he would eventually come across a change of scenery.
But he halted in his tracks, when he heard voices whispering softly.
Pricking his ears, Holloweyes tried to listen to what the voices were saying, or where they came from. But they seemed to be echoing from all direction, and the whispers are unintelligible.
"Hello?" Holloweyes called out. "Who's there?"
The voices did not reply to his calls; they only kept on whispering in hushed tones.
"Please talk to me!" Holloweyes cried out, getting somewhat desperate to find his way out.
A faint figure stood out amongst the stark whiteness. Holloweyes squinted his eyes, trying to peer through the thick cloud, like haze to make out the strange shape.
It's a cat.
Holloweyes gasped in surprise, blinking to see if it's only his imagination and expecting the figure to disappear. But it doesn't.
The cat ominously stood several tail-lengths away from where he is, still as a rock. The cat in question has large pricked ears, long-furred dark coat, and shining white eyes that were nearly invisible against the surroundings; only contrasting against the cat's dark pelt.
"Who are you?" Holloweyes questioned, taking a step toward the mysterious cat. However, as he did so, the cat suddenly vanished from sight. Holloweyes panicked. "Wait! Don't leave me!" He raced forward, hoping to catch up with the figure; when the ground beneath his paws suddenly gave way and he found himself standing on nothing but air.
With a cry of surprise, Holloweyes stumbled forward and fell; rolling continuously down an invisible white hill. But the image of the mysterious cat, has been all but forgotten from his mind.
(Meanwhile…)
Confidently, Redthorn led Cloverheart and Gingerpelt farther from the cliff, weaving through the dank undergrowth, only half-visible in the mist. The three of them stuck close together, their paws wet and cold as they padded over the sticky earth.
Water murmured ahead of them as they crept from the ferns. A sluggish river heaved its way through the forest, its waters dark and lifeless.
Cloverheart scanned the bank. No fallen tree spanned the water. No rocks dotted its course. Gingerpelt shuddered. He hoped the brown-tabby wasn't going to suggest they swim across.
"Look!" Redthorn hissed, pointing ahead of them with his muzzle.
There were figures moving among the trees, beyond the water. Half-shrouded in mist, warriors gathered.
"Always aim for the throat." A mottled dark gray-and-brown tom was lecturing the others. He grasped a wiry brown tom, hooking his claws into his ragged fur and hurling him to the ground. "See?"
The tom struggled helplessly as the mottled cat ran a claw along his throat. Blood rose in its trail.
Cloverheart gulped in apprehension at the sight. Cautiously, he crouched down and pressed himself as low to the ground as possible. Gingerpelt copied his actions, while Redthorn watched the scene unfold with somewhat of a morbid fascination.
A low growl set their pelts on end. A sleek, tall, black-and-orange tom with yellow eyes padded from the shadows, knocking the mottled cat away from his victim. "Concentrate on what you're doing!" He grabbed the bleeding tom and shoved him back toward the line of watching cats.
The brown tom shook himself and lapped at his wound.
The bicolour tom snarled. "Worry about your pelt later!"
The tom stopped midlick and stared at him with rounded eyes.
"You wanted to learn some killing moves!" The bicolour cat went on, hissing at him. "Stop acting like a frightened kit and listen." He then turned his attention to a lean black-and-white tom who was watching the aggressive display with half-closed eyes. "Come here, Batear!"
Warily the tom crept forward.
"Are you ready to learn?" Sneered the bicolour cat.
Eyes glinting, Batear nodded. "That's why I'm here." He spat, lashing his tail.
"Good." Without warning, the scary looking bicolour cat lunged and grasped Batear by the throat. Lifting him with powerful paws, he spun around to face the others. "Deerfoot, come here!"
As Batear's paws churned helplessly in the air, the mottled cat from before crept forward.
"Claw out one of his eyes." The bicolour cat ordered.
Cloverheart's breath quickened. Bile rose in his throat. "No!" He breathed. "The Warrior Code would never allow such vicious battle moves."
Deerfoot's menacing yellow eyes gleamed with blood-hunger. "As you wish, Ripplestar."
Cloverheart nearly jumped out of his fur when Gingerpelt gasped loudly next to him. He quickly slapped his tail over the medicine cat's mouth to keep him from making any more noise, and possibly attract unwanted attention to themselves. "What?" He hissed quietly.
"Didn't you hear what his name is? That's Ripplestar!" Gingerpelt says with astonished horror.
Cloverheart and Redthorn shared a confused look. "So?"
"Don't you guys know anything about Clan lore?" Gingerpelt asks incredulously. "A very long time ago, Ripplestar was once ShadowClan's leader. In one faithful gathering he brought his warriors, not to share news with the other Clans, but instead to attack them in an ambush."
"That's a ridiculous idea." Redthorn sniffed, one of his ears twitching. "One Clan against three is hardly an advantageous battle!"
"StarClan was furious by Ripplestar's treachery, and they ended the battle themselves." Gingerpelt carried on. "They struck him down from the top of the Great Rock with a bolt of lightning, and took all his remaining lives away. This action was what caused the creation of the tenth commandment in the Warrior Code."
"The one about the truce at the gatherings?" Redthorn prompts.
"Exactly."
Just as Gingerpelt finished telling the story, the piercing sound of Batear's agonized yowl rang through the trees behind them. Cloverheart nearly gagged at the implication, imagining the scene unfold.
"Why, hello there. ~"
Foul breath stirred the fur on Gingerpelt's spine.
Instantly Gingerpelt jerked away and spun around wide eyed. A broad-shouldered, cream-white tabby tom loomed over the three. His pelt is matted, chunks of fur missing from his pelt, and many scars littered his body; more notably the long cut that stretched across his muzzle and face.
Trembling, Gingerpelt backed away, pressing himself against Cloverheart's soft pelt.
The scary looking cat was staring at them with cold contempt, his bared yellow teeth glinting in the eerie light. "What's this? Never have I expected to find a handsome medicine cat wandering around here of all places." The scarred tom says. "And so knowledgeable too! Such a shame to see a young spirited soul come waltzing in to their own doom."
Gingerpelt opened his mouth, reaching for something to say. But his mind is hazy from fear, which only skyrocketed when the Dark Forest cat circled them with a hungry gaze.
"And these two strong, capable warriors; are they your bodyguards?" The cat mocked, stepping closer to them. "Since you seem to know so much, surely you must know who I am?" He re-directed his attention back to Gingerpelt. When the medicine cat failed to utter a word, completely frozen with fear, the cat clicked his tongue in disappointment. "Nothing, eh? Figures. But I can't say that I blame you youngsters. After all the horrible things that I did, I wouldn't want to remember me either."
The three remained silent. Gingerpelt was cowering between his friends. Cloverheart tried to appear stronger than he looked, but the tiny waver of his whiskers gave himself away. And Redthorn has his gray eyes narrowed into slits, and fixed on the Dark Forest cat's movements; not once taking his gaze away from him in case he jumped on them. He instinctively flexed his claws, bracing himself for a possible fight.
"I am Maggottail, pleasure to make your acquaintance. ~" He introduced himself, drawling out his words with a purr at the end.
"Mag-Maggottail?" Gingerpelt stuttered, attempting to put some distance between himself and the foul-smelling Dark Forest cat. But feeling his hind legs touch the bark of a tree, he knew there was nowhere else for him to go.
Maggottail looked at him with peeked interest. "Oh! So you do know who I am! I'm flattered."
"I just- I heard of you before. But not much." Gingerpelt admitted, his voice merely a squeak. He nearly cried out once Maggottail stepped closer to him.
"And just what, may I ask, have you heard?" The Dark Forest cat inquired.
Gingerpelt gulped. "Yo-you k-killed kits."
Redthorn pushed past both of them and faced Maggottail. "What do you want?" His mew was commanding.
Maggottail looked at him as if he had only just noticed he was there. "Nothing." He swept his tail behind him. "Look around." He purred invitingly. "Explore a little. Isn't that the reason why you're here?"
Despite his fear, Cloverheart found himself following the warrior's gaze as it flitted over the dank, gray trees and wreaths of mist.
"See as much of my home as you like." He urged, before pausing and fixing a cold, and yet curious glare at Redthorn. "You're lucky that I found you instead of Featherstar." He meowed. "Had she spotted you wandering around our home she would not think twice about getting rid of you. Twice, to make sure your presence won't linger here."
Gingerpelt shuddered with disgust at the mention of the name. Redthorn may not realize it, but Maggottail is right. He should be grateful he hadn't run into the ancient WindClan leader.
Featherstar was leader of WindClan countless moons ago, and she contributed to the creation of the Warrior Code with the addition of the seventh commandment: A cat cannot be made deputy without having mentored at least one apprentice. However, as good as the addition was, Featherstar was infamously known for something much worse. Not long after the creation of the seventh rule, she tried to add another commandment to the code; a terrible rule that cost the lives of many cats at the time.
No non-Clanborn and half-Clan cats are allowed in the Clans. They must be banished and never return, or face immediate execution.
For obvious reasons, the other leaders were against such an extreme rule and disagreed in its creation. But that did not stop Featherstar from carrying it out regardless. She publicly executed the mixed-blood cats from her own Clan; even kits did not escape her wrath. The few cats who managed to flee WindClan before they were caught and killed, went to the other Clans to plead for help. Hearing their plight and shocked by Featherstar's atrocities, the other Clans band together to take her down and end her reign of terror.
Just thinking about the horrible things those cats had to go through made Gingerpelt feel nauseous.
Cloverheart sat up, forcing his trembling shoulders to relax. "Hey, how come you Dark Forest cats are still training fighting moves?" He asks with genuine curiosity.
Maggottail flicked his tail. "Why not?"
"You're already dead!" Cloverheart exclaimed indignantly. "Surely you got no more need for your skills?"
"Once a warrior, always a warrior."
The group pricked up in alarm at the sound of the new voice that echoed around them. Maggottail looked over his shoulder; following his line of sight, Cloverheart leaned to his right and peered into the dense mist clouding the tree line. Out from within the dark, murky fog, a white shape stepped out. Jade green eyes glinting ominously as the skinny white tom showed himself, blood staining his pelt along the scar snaking from his belly to the tip of his ear.
The newcomer's morbid appearance sent a shiver down Gingerpelt's spine. Then he fixed the trio with a look so cold, Gingerpelt had to sink his claws into the ground to stop his legs from shaking.
"Being dead is no reason to lose our fighting skills." The mysterious cat finished, before fixing his gaze onto Maggottail. "Why are you wasting time chatting, and prolonging their deaths?"
"Oh you're no fun, Snowtuft!" Maggottail sniffed dramatically. "I was eager to see how long it would've taken for them to realize that they're not getting out of here alive. I was especially looking forward to killing the pretty medicine cat," Gingerpelt froze in fear at his words. "But you just had to come and ruin my schemes!"
The white Dark Forest warrior, Snowtuft, shrugged his shoulders. "Do you intend to keep on dawdling, or are you just waiting on them to die of starvation? Cause' let me tell you, it's gonna take a while."
Redthorn let out a low hiss. "If you honestly believe that killing us is gonna be easy, then you're having another thing coming!" He challenged.
The eerie looking, white Dark Forest warrior regarded him with disinterest. "Oh really?" His foul breath washed over Redthorn's muzzle as he leaned closer. Snowtuft lifted a paw and unsheathed his claws. "Why is that, I wonder?"
Redthorn bared his fangs, his fur bristling as he thrust his muzzle into Snowtuft's face. "We outnumber you three to two!"
Snowtuft mrrowed with laughter and batted him away.
Huffing as he hit the floor, Redthorn winced at the pain burning his cheek. He scrambled to his paws and faced Snowtuft again. There was no way Redthorn was going to let this dead warrior think he was scared to fight him.
"Don't bother." Snowtuft growled. "It's a fight you can't win." He flicked his tail, beckoning Maggottail to his side. "We have been around for far longer than any of you; training and honing our skills to its sharpest perfection. Two of you are novice warriors at best, and one of you is a medicine cat. You stand no chance against us!"
They slowly prowled toward them, unsheathing their claws. Gingerpelt whimpered and trembled with fright at the approaching threat. A low growl rumbled in Cloverheart's throat, his green eyes narrowed as he braced himself. Redthorn scowled, feeling his blood pumping hot and fierce through his veins, and every fighting move he had ever learned was at his claw-tips.
In the blink of an eye, Snowtuft hurled himself at Redthorn; claws plunging into his shoulders and throwing him to the ground. Hissing with pain Redthorn trashed and twisted around in Snowtuft's hold, rearing back to bite Snowtuft's hind legs and tail.
Maggottail rushed at Gingerpelt, but Cloverheart stepped in between them and bowled the Dark Forest warrior over with his own weight. Cloverheart raked his claws over Maggottail's face and stomach repeatedly. Spitting with fury, Maggottail struck Cloverheart across the face with one well-aimed blow, and used the distraction to shove the brown tabby away by kicking his soft belly with his hind legs.
Cloverheart was thrown away, landing in a thorn bush; stinging his pelt all over in small scratches.
His path cleared, Maggottail turned his attention back to Gingerpelt, who remained frozen and staring wide-eyed with fear at the commotion. They should've never come here!
He was brought out of his fear-induced shock by the tall figure currently looming over him. Maggottail stalked closer to him; a menacing glint in his glowing eyes. Gingerpelt gulped.
Maggottail lunged at him with outstretched forepaws. Using his size to his advantage, Gingerpelt quickly ducked and dashed beneath Maggottail to avoid the attack. Using the few seconds of delay while Maggottail was turning around, Gingerpelt twisted and pounced at him; landing squarely upon the white-tabby's shoulders and flailed his paws to fiercely claw at his back.
Trashing in his hold, Maggottail jumped and shaked to throw him off; but Gingerpelt valiantly held on, refusing to let go for fear this could mean his demise.
But then, before Gingerpelt could see the move coming and jump away, Maggottail rolled over on his back and crushed him underneath his weight. With the wind knocked out of him, Gingerpelt gasped and coughed for air, feeling suffocated beneath the large mass of fur pinning him down. For a Dark Forest cat, who's figure looks barely tangible, they certainly feel very much real despite their faint outlining.
Even when Maggottail got off him, Gingerpelt couldn't bring himself to react fast enough; still stunned by the rough landing, before Maggottail returned to pin him down with prickly, sharp claws.
"I'm surprised. The pretty little medicine cat isn't so helpless after all." Maggottail mocked with amusement. "But you were trained to heal, not to fight; much less kill. Even with all the moves you've learned, you would never be able to finish this battle on your own. And that is why, this is the end of the line for you pretty little medicine cat!" He placed one of his paws beneath Gingerpelt's chin; claws positioned right above his throat to deliver the finishing blow.
Gingerpelt winced and shut his eyes, trembling as he braced himself to be executed.
Suddenly, a loud scream could be heard echoing around them. Maggottail pricked his ears with curiosity. "Hear that?" He prompts. "Those are the sounds that you're going to make soon enou-!"
Before Maggottail could finish his sentence, Holloweyes fell from the starless dark sky, yelling at the top of his lungs. Eyes widening with startled realization, Gingerpelt thought fast. Struggling, he squeezed out from Maggottail's hold on him; making the white-tabby stumble. Before the Dark Forest warrior could react, Holloweyes crashed right on top of him.
The blue-tabby grunted as he landed. Shaking his pelt, he staggered to his paws before blinking at his surroundings. Holloweyes was shocked by the creepy setting he found himself in, but not as much as when he saw the state his friends, and Redthorn, are in.
"Oh hey guys!" Holloweyes mews, acting as if he didn't just fall out of the sky. "Is this the Dark Forest? What's going here?"
A low groan of pain his words. Looking down, Holloweyes finally took notice of where exactly he had landed on. Or rather, who. He sat on top of Maggottail, who was sprawled out and crushed beneath him, with his neck bent the wrong way as his eyes rolled backward into his head. Before Holloweyes could do anything else, Maggottail's form began to fade away. The solid shape beneath him disappeared and Holloweyes found himself stumbling forward.
A few tail-lengths away, Snowtuft had Redthorn pinned down on his back, ready to tear out his throat when he became distracted by Holloweyes' arrival. Taking the opportunity that the white warrior wasn't paying attention, Redthorn used his hind legs to shove Snowtuft away; who skidded to a stop to stare wide eyed at Maggottail's disappearing shape.
"You took down Maggottail!" Snowtuft exclaimed with genuine surprise. "Not that anyone will miss him. He has been quite bothersome, so it was only a matter of time until he was taken down." He explained coolly, sitting down to wash his stained white pelt.
Scrambling to his paws, Redthorn shook himself impatiently as blood welled up from his wounded shoulder and scattered scarlets drops onto the muddy soil. "You are alone now!" He snarls. "It's the four of us against you. Even with your skills you won't be able to fight four cats at once!"
Snowtuft stopped lapping at his fur, and looked up.
Redthorn faced him with bristling fur. A few tail-lengths behind him, Cloverheart staggered to his paws and shook his pelt free of the thorns that clung to him. Gingerpelt stood next to Holloweyes, thanking the eyeless warrior profusely for saving him.
Evaluating his options, Snowtuft blinked in acknowledgement at his situation and stood up. "You're lucky your friend showed up when he did." He motioned towards Holloweyes with his tail. "Otherwise you wouldn't leave this place ever again." He turned away. "Now get out of here before I pass you over to my friends for practice."
The four friends gathered close together, watching the Dark Forest cat disappear into the mist. They looked at one another.
"So… What did I miss?" Holloweyes broke the uncomfortable silence.
(Time skip)
Prowling through the dense undergrowth, the four trekked through the thick fog; searching for a way out but to no avail.
"I already told you this is hopeless!" Gingerpelt cried out with frustration as Redthorn led the way. "We won't be able to leave until we wake up."
Cloverheart nudged Gingerpelt with his shoulder, trying to reassure him. "What if we crossed the border back to StarClan?" He suggested. "Surely we'll be safe then?"
"If we can find our way back to the border, then, sure!" Gingerpelt grumbled, looking around wearily as he jumped at every sound. He surveyed the trees and mist, terrified of what else could be lurking out there and waiting to attack them next.
They kept on walking until they emerged into an open space. The trees gave way to a lake, stretching out ahead of them with dark, murky waters. At its centre, there's a small island with rocks jutting from the ground.
The four stared at the scenery in astonishment. Slowly approaching the lake bed, Cloverheart lifted his head and sniffed the air cautiously, but could not detect any scents that would be deemed out of place in this territory.
"Look!" Holloweyes hissed suddenly, and nodded straight ahead.
Following his line of sight, the others stiffened with dread.
A cat is sitting alone on top of the rocks in the little island. An eerie red glow resonated around the lone figure, revealing a large, mottled golden-ginger tom with jagged claws and mangy, knotted fur. As if the cat's appearance wasn't scary looking enough, the cat then raised his head and gazed at the four of them from across the lake with only one scorching yellow eye. The other one was missing; nothing more than just an empty socket stained with blood.
The four of them simultaneously choked at the sight.
"Welcome, living newcomers" The cat's deep voice rumbled with an echo. He kinked his tail and beckoned the group forward. "I am One Eye, the ruler and founder of The Place of No Stars."
The four friends exchanged worried looks between each other. Taking authority, Cloverheart gulped and took another step forward; his white paws barely touching the edge of the lake as he faced the dark entity.
"We are not looking for trouble." Cloverheart spoke; his voice strong and clear. "We're just searching for a way out."
"Oh, I know."
"Y-you do?" Cloverheart stammered with surprise.
"But of course! I know everything that goes on in my domain." One Eye purred, jumping down from the stones he was perched on. "Ever since you first set foot here I was aware of who the four of you are, where you from, and what you are here for." He paused, giving his chest a couple of licks. "I must say I am quite surprised the lot of you made it this far. I know of the recent encounter you just had, and how you managed to vanquish one of the Dark Forest's residents. You'll Have to forgive them. It' not often that we get living visitors and they tend to get overexcited. Surely you understand, yes?"
"We nearly got killed!" Gingerpelt sputtered in disbelief.
"What did you expect? You trespassed into the Dark Forest, after all." One Eye rebuked dismissively.
"Uh, that's all fine and good, but we're still looking for a way out." Holloweyes interrupted. "So, if you could, like, let us go or show the way out we'll gladly be on our way and never come back."
One Eye tipped his head to one side in a curious manner. "So soon?" He prompted coolly. "You came such a long way for a little thrill of adventure, and now that you are here you want to leave as soon as possible?" He laughed. "Have my warriors really frighten you so? And here I thought I was standing before warriors, not mice!"
Before Cloverheart could properly answer him, Redthorn paced forward to confront One Eye. His lips curled and drawn back into a snarl, showing his fangs.
"It will take a lot more than a few mangy dead rats to scare us!" Redthorn growls, gray eyes narrowed into slits.
One Eye let out a deep and cold mrrow of laughter, before fixing the four with his sinister yellow eye; shining across the lake in a bright glare. "Very well, warriors! Show me the depth of your courage and you'll be free to leave." He meowed, twirling his tail.
Cloverheart looked back and forth between his friends, sharing worried expressions. "Okay? How are we supposed to-?" He stopped abruptly, watching with a mixture of dread and awe as One Eye raised one paw.
"Cast your gaze upon the lake. Take a peek; if you dare, and see what awaits you in death if you break the Warrior Code." One Eye challenges, slowly bringing down his paw to gently dip it on the lake's surface; creating small ripples that disrupted the water's stillness.
Holloweyes was not fazed. "Let me guess; blood, darkness, and screams for all eternity?"
"Of course!" One Eye grinned mischievously. "That is, if you ever escape your solitary confinement."
"Huh?"
"If you ever have the misfortune of ending up here, you won't be roaming around like you saw with some of the other Dark Forest residents." One Eye calmly explained; acting as if he were lecturing a group of kits that have just left the nursery. "No, no. You'll be trapped in your own, personal Dark Forest. Kept away from all forms of contact, and be forced to endure your punishment until you manage to escape and join the rest to linger around here for all eternity; waiting to be forgotten and then vanish to never return." He smirked. "Or, if you get lucky, until you are slain by any of the other residents."
Cloverheart felt a shiver wrack his body with apprehension. Glancing sideways he could see his friends, even Redthorn, share similar expressions of dread. But if this is their only way out of this StarClan forsaken place, they must face up to the challenge!
Without a word being spoken between them, only shared in tiny nods, they have made their decision.
"Fine. We'll accept the terms." Redthorn murmured.
With a twitch of his tail, One Eye beckoned the group forward once. Hesitantly, and yet, mustering all the courage they could gather they bent down and stared at the murky waters of the lake.
Almost immediately, Cloverheart was plunged head first into a chaotic whirlwind that ruffled his fur wildly. Shadows swallowed his surroundings whole, and he was cast in bleak darkness. For a moment, Cloverheart worried he had gone blind and would never see again. For all he knew, One Eye could've well tricked them into stealing their eye-sight or something.
However, his sight progressively returned and Cloverheart found himself in a tiny clearing, surrounded by tall hedges of sharp thorns, dense fog, and crooked trees.
"Hello?" Cloverheart called out. "Is anyone there?" His ears began to twitch, pricking to listen for a reply.
Nothing, but pure silence met his ears.
The fur on Cloverheart's neck and shoulders rose as he stared into the tree line beyond the mist and saw shapes of cats standing there; eyes glinting in the darkness staring back at him with repulsion and disappointment.
"Hello? Who are you?" Cloverheart narrowed his eyes and peers deeper into the barren undergrowth, trying to make out the appearance of these cats. He sniffed the air, but he could not scent anything out of place above the thick stench of decay that clogged his senses.
Looking closer, Cloverheart could finally make out six distinct shapes watching him from the fog; four of which he instantly recognises. Standing before him are his three friends; Holloweyes, Gingerpelt, and Redthorn, and his mother, Breezeshine. Cloverheart then turned his attention to the other two figures, who he did not recognise, but something in his gut was telling him that he should. One of them is a large, broad-shouldered tabby tom with green eyes. The other shape is much smaller compared to the others. A tiny, speckled light brown she-kit with amber eyes.
Cloverheart stared at the tiny kitten in wonder, when his breath hitched at the realization. "Volekit!" This must be his sister, looking as young as the day she died. If that's her, then, the bulky tom next to her must be… "Stagheart!" The father he never had the chance to meet was there too.
For a brief moment, Cloverheart was happy to see them until he saw the looks on their faces. They don't look happy with him at all.
"How could you do it?" They spoke in unison, their voices mixed together to create a resonating booming sound. "What have you done, Cloverheart? Why did you do it?"
Throat clutching with apprehension, Cloverheart backed away; his eyes wide and wild with fright. He shook his head profusely. "No! I- I didn't do anything!" He cried out. Cloverheart whirled around and tried to flee; but no matter what way he turned to, Cloverheart found himself surrounded by the taunting figures of his family and friends.
"We all know what you did!" They continued to chant, their voices growing even louder. "You are not a warrior anymore."
"P-Please! Stop it!" Cloverheart wailed, his eyes welling up with tears as he looked for a way out. Finding none, Cloverheart collapsed to the ground in a heap of broken sobs as he hid his head beneath his paws; in a feeble attempt to block out their harsh comments but to no avail.
"You let us all down."
(Meanwhile...)
His friends aren't fairing any better.
Stalking through the shadows Gingerpelt paused, ears pricked, and blue eyes narrowed. No wind stirred the long grass at the edge of the path he followed. No signs of light anywhere in sight, but tree trunks thick with fungus shed an eerie glow on the bare earth beneath his paws.
The medicine cat opened his jaws to draw in air, though he did not expect to taste the scent of prey. Although he knew that the twitching of the ferns meant nothing, and the flickering scraps of darkness that he could see from the corner of his eye would eventually vanish; it still did not deter Gingerpelt's fear from rising.
Gingerpelt kept on walking, not knowing what to expect at this point, until the trees thinned out and he found himself standing at the edge of a clearing washed by sickly light. Straining his eyes, Gingerpelt could barely make out the figure of a cat sitting there; their back turned towards him.
The light grew more prominent and illuminated the lone shape, revealing golden-brown fur and tall ears. "Acornshell!" Gingerpelt exclaimed, happiness washing over his fear like a tide filled with relief. He bounded across the open space to meet her, when his steps slowed and apprehension slowly pricked back up again. Something is wrong.
He'd soon know why.
As Gingerpelt slowly approached her, Acornshell whipped around to face him. He gasped, shocked to find her pale green gaze that is usually shining with kindness, blazing with anger.
"You! How could you do it?" Acornshell spat, her voice sounding odd and a little distorted. "I thought you were a good cat, but clearly I was mistaken!"
"A-Acornshell?" Gingerpelt stammered, slowly backing away as she stalked toward him.
"Had I known that you were going to turn out this way I would've never taken you in!" She continues to snarl, coming dangerously close to him.
Gingerpelt whirled around, only to bump into a sturdy wall that consisted of dark gray fur. Gingerpelt looked up only to choke back a gasp at the sight of Pebbleheart glowering down at him.
"You have failed to serve your Clan, Gingerpelt." The old medicine cat growled. "You have failed to abide to the medicine cat code, and now you must face your consequences."
Gingerpelt looked back and forth between the two medicine cats with shock and horror. What had he done to provoke such a reaction from them?
Something bad enough to land you on the Dark Forest. An uncomfortable thought tingle inside his head, making Gingerpelt grow uneasy.
There has never been record of a medicine cat going evil throughout Clan history. But just because it hasn't happened yet, doesn't mean it can't. What if it happens to Gingerpelt? What if he were to become the first medicine cat to go to the Dark Forest? Everyone would be ashamed of him for sure! He'll get the title of worst medicine cat in history, everyone will want to forget all about him, and Gingerpelt would vanish forever!
Gingerpelt turned away to leave, only to bump into his parents' see-through shapes standing before him; their eyes shining with disappointment.
"You are no kit of mine!" Dawnflower hisses, trying to take a swipe at him. "You are not our son!" Flamewish and her snarled simultaneously.
Without missing a heartbeat, Gingerpelt scampered out of the clearing as fast his legs would carry him. Not once, did he look back.
(Meanwhile…)
Striding around the barren landscape, Holloweyes found himself wandering around on his own once again. He arrived in a tiny clearing, and slumped down tiredly. Although he was far from welcome, Holloweyes wished he was back in ThunderClan camp; curled up on his nest surrounded by a familiar environment.
But then again, he is a StarClan reject.
"You belong here."
Holloweyes was aware of voices whispering into is ears, but he could not deduct if they were merely hallucinations of the Dark Forest, or a creation of his own mind.
"Abomination."
Holloweyes simply sat there and absorbed the harsh words being spat his way. He flinched at every insult that was thrown at him, as they pierced right through him like the sharp fangs of a fox that has gotten a hold of him and refused to let go. The voices grew progressively louder, turning into various shrieking cats yowling out with disgust and indignation at Holloweyes, as shadowy specter-like figures crowded around him; shooting him glares of suspicion and hatred.
"Bad omen!"
A loud snarl cut through the heavy yowls of disgust and made Holloweyes freeze on his spot. The lithe shadows slithered and parted away to reveal the massive black and white shape of a badger appear from the undergrowth; beady yellow eyes fixed down on Holloweyes as it parted its jaws to reveal a set of jagged teeth.
Trembling, Holloweyes backed away; not once veering his sight away from the huge, nightmarish creature.
The badger bellowed a thunderous roar, snapping Holloweyes out of his fear induced state long enough for him to whirl around and dart away. The badger growls and gives chases; its huge paws slamming the ground with heavy thumps as it pursued its eyeless prey.
But no matter which way Holloweyes went to, the badger's loud pawsteps followed right behind him; along with the cursed words he is so used to hearing it by now, screeched out for him to listen from anywhere he goes, but still sends a prickling sensation through his spine.
"StarClan reject!"
(Meanwhile…)
"Redthorn!"
The lake Redthorn was previously peering into had vanished. Now he found himself standing on damp earth. Trees crowded around him, their trunks wet with moss, and roots snaking into the slimy soil. Mist swirled around Redthorn and darkness pressed down through their branches, hiding the sky from view.
As sour scents bathed his tongue, Redthorn unsheathed his claws at the distorted and faint figures flashing in the shadows before him. "How could you leave your Clan, Redthorn?" They wailed; glowing eyes staring at him accusingly. "You betrayed us!"
Redthorn observed the shapes with narrowed eyes, unfazed by their claims. "You betrayed everyone!" The shadows lurked toward him one by one, dripping with inky darkness. When they got within reach, Redthorn launched himself at them with a mighty battle cry; slashing through them with his claws as he whipped around in circles to attack the crowd surrounding him. The shapes wailed in distress and began to disappear after they've been struck, only for more figures to show up to replace the lost ones.
Redthorn chuckled. "Is that all you got?" He jeered, raising his chin cockily. "Please make it more of a challenge for me!" He kept slashing through the lithe shapes non-stop, swiping left and right and turning to all sides to avoid getting jumped on.
Complying to his wishes, even more sleek shadowy figures emerged from the dense fog to confront him. They came from all directions, and Redthorn found himself drowning in a sea of dark figures as they all pounced on him as well. Redthorn shrieked in agony as he felt countless prickly claws stab at him and slash his back. He tried in vain to shake them off and struggle to his paws, only to be knocked down repeatedly.
"Traitor!" The figures hissed as one.
Spitting with fury, Redthorn thrashed underneath the large, heavy pile of bodies piling on top of him; and he snapped his jaws at anything he could grasp within reach. Blood blinded Redthorn for an instant, as one of the figures managed to strike him across the face and split open his nose. Ignoring the pain and the crimson fluid welling up on his muzzle, Redthorn lunged forward and sank his teeth down hard on one of the specter's hind legs.
Just when Redthorn thought this might be the end for him, feeling his strength slowly ebb away with every twitch of his spasming muscles; one particular jeer from the various shapes on top of him made him think otherwise.
"Half-breed!"
Bursting with fury and revived with a newfound determination, Redthorn surged upwards with all his strength; throwing his attackers off before lunging. Blinded by rage, and a thrill for battle, Redthorn veered in all directions to strike his many opponents with incredible speed. He raked his claws down one figure's face, tore the throat out of another one, clawed out the other's eyes. Redthorn was unstoppable now.
The figures' pleas and cries were drowned out by the rush of blood roaring in Redthorn's ears and he focused solely in the fight.
Before long, the battle was over. Redthorn stood alone in an empty clearing, his muscles trembling beneath his blood-soaked pelt and panting from overexertion, surrounded by the leftover remains of his phantom foes as they faded away, leaving only motionless bodies behind.
Slowly, Redthorn progressively recovered from his battle-hungry induced state. He blinked only to emit a startled choking gasp at the sight he was met with.
During the fight, Redthorn saw nothing but shadowy specters with no clear traits in appearance attacking him. They had all look the same. But now, as he looked down at his friends' corpses, Redthorn wondered if he had been mistaken.
He scrambled backwards, wide-eyed as he stared down at the shapes of his dead friends. Their eyes are glazed over and glossy, expressing fear and anger in their last living moments. Redthorn felt so sick to his stomach at the sight, he barely registered the whisper into his ears.
"You did this, Redthorn. You killed them.
You are dangerous."
Tearing their gaze away from the lake, the four friends returned to the real Dark Forest. They all shivered with fear and shared looks of apprehension; not speaking one word of their personal experiences. But their faces said enough.
"Well met, warriors." They were disrupted out of their terrified thoughts by One Eye's meow. The large golden cat regarded them with barely suppressed amusement. "You have passed the test, and rightfully proven yourselves. You are free to go." He turned away, and emitted a loud caterwaul; ringing through the bleak landscape.
The four friends huddled close together, looking around wearily as they expected to be ambushed at any moment.
The thorn-bramble bushes rustled on the far side of the clearing, and the group froze. Out from within the fog, and barren undergrowth a little, scrawny black tom with blue eyes manifested. One of his ears is torn, and carried a massive gash on his right shoulder.
"Houndleap, please escort these four safely out of here." One Eye ordered, twitching his tail.
Houndleap dipped his head. He beckoned the group to follow him, as he turned away to lead the way.
Still apprehensive, but not having much of a choice at this point, the four reluctantly agree to go with Houndleap. They trekked through the dark woods for a while, not one word being spoken between them when they finally break through the tree line and arrive at the border between the Dark Forest and StarClan. The group of friends breathed a sigh of relief at the sight of the starlit meadow before them.
Houndleap watched them bound away in silence, a smirk on his face. "We hope we get to see you again." He murmured ominously. "Permanently, that is."
Holloweyes, hearing the comment whirled around in shock. Before he could question the cat, his surroundings became a blur of colors and he found himself blinded by the unforeseen whirlwind. Next thing he knows, Holloweyes blinks open his eyes to find himself back in the Moonstone chamber.
One by one, the others stir awake from their sleep.
"I think I had enough of adventures for a while now." Cloverheart muttered, still visibly shaken.
"Let's all agree to never do something this mouse-brained ever again." Holloweyes agreed, shaking his pelt and stretching his limbs.
They second the motion. Without uttering another word, they climbed out of Mothermouth just in time to see the sunrise. They have never been so happy to see the bright colors of the emerging dawn, or the fresh breeze stirring their fur.
They set off for home.
Sorry for the long wait; I got caught up with exam week and other works, so I apologize. A little bit of trivia from this chapter, I was originally going to include Mapleshade near the end. She is one, if not my favorite Dark Forest cat and I wanted to insert her in here in some way. But after I re-read the chapter I thought it may have been kind of forced so I cut her out. But I still hope you guys enjoyed reading it! Leave reviews to let me know what you guys think! Thank you all so much!