Set many seasons before Ivy joins, here is something about the Governor from Crystallised Ivy.
Should be interesting.
Violet was hidden in the shadows of the City, blending in even though her fur wasn't black; just a well-groomed, shiny silver-grey. The darkness concealed her, enveloping her like a second pelt. She loved it. It was her old friend. But she shouldn't be thinking about that. There were more pressing matters to tend to at the moment.
The silver she-cat turned her strange, electric blue-streaked violet eyes towards a pure white cat coming into the deserted, ill-lit square, who was looking around warily.
Violet circled the clearing by using the benches for cover until she could creep up on her and come up behind her. "Flight." The other she-cat gave a start and turned around, alarmed.
"You nearly gave me a heart attack!" Her sister's tone held a hint of reproach, which Violet didn't like, though she chose to ignore it. She'd bear it - for now.
"Let's wait for the others." She ignored Flight's previous sentence, sweeping her tail calmly over her paws.
Falling Leaf was next. She felt a ripple of satisfaction as she saw the muscles beneath his calico pelt and the intelligence in his piercing, pale blue gaze as he slunk out from behind a broken lamppost. He reminded her of a fox in many ways: he was strong, cunning, no code of honour of any kind. She was glad she'd chosen him as second in command. Maybe slightly too capable of having her killed to take her place, but that just proved how useful he could be.
Thorn arrived soon enough, the small, wiry, pale ginger she-cat striding in confidently. Thorn was her code name, not her real one. She was the only cat out of Violet's group of rebels to have a code name, but that was for an important reason - a secret only she and Violet shared - as far as the others were concerned, she was a loner from beyond their territory. She was one of those Clan cats. She'd gotten involved after meeting Violet by chance close to the border and being drawn into a conversation. The silver she-cat had persuaded her that things needed to change in the Blood, and that if Thorn helped, she would make sure they never bothered the Clans. Even Violet hadn't been told her real name, which irritated her slightly.
Finally came Coal, not early, like the rest of them, but just on time, bordering on late. That tom wouldn't put in any extra effort. No doubt he'd waited until the last heartbeat to get out of his warm comfy nest. Annoyingly lazy but an undeniable advantage of brute force in battle. Maybe she'd have him killed once she didn't need him anymore.
The cats settled into a ragged circle, all facing Violet with expectant looks on their faces.
"You all know why we're here." It wasn't a question, but the rebels nodded all the same. "We're not satisfied with the Governor's leadership. We're going to overthrow him. We just need to plan exactly how…"
She'd made sure the Governor was out of the way - she'd suggested for him and his lieutenant - and mate - Ness to go hunt somewhere in the City.
It left the Blood cats in the old, abandonned storehouse where they'd established their nests.
"Cats of the Blood!" She yowled. Some cats only gave her curious glances before going back to what they were doing, but as her group of rebels began to gather around her, setting the example, the others followed.
At last, she had every cat's attention focused on her - and that was exactly where she wanted it.
"The Governor and Ness are out. I suggested they hunt in Cygnis Alley."
Slick, a Trainee, gasped. "Isn't that where someone said they saw a fox?"
Violet gave a smile. "It should keep them busy for a while." And having them weakened by wounds will be an advantage in what I'm planning. There was a shocked silence. She drew herself up to full height and carried on. "A lot of us don't like the way the Blood is run anymore. The Governor has been allowing citypets and other strays into our borders. The territory is no longer ours! We must work together to overthrow him so we can have strong, reliable leadership - leadership I can give." She gestured for Falling Leaf, Flight, and Coal, as Thorn was busy, to come to her side. "Anyone who wishes to join us, come here. All the others… Watch your backs. Don't you dare tell Ness or the Governor."
About three quarters of the Blood cats came forwards, no doubt in their eyes. Just determination. All the nursing queens were among them, Violet guessed they wanted their kits to be safe from outsiders. The rest followed, more reluctantly, fear written all over their faces though they tried to conceal it.
"Good." Violet purred. "Now listen closely. This is the plan…"
The Governor and his lieutenant Ness had arrived some time after she had finished laying out the plan to the Blood, reporting meeting the fox and immediately collapsing from their injuries. A few cats that had some knowledge of healing had tended to them - they'd had to keep up the act until the last moment.
Mostly, the plan consisted of the other cats keeping out of the way while Violet's group of rebels trapped the Governor and Ness in their den - the big cardboard one - and killed them. Maybe she'd have a little fun with them… Clean murder was no fun, she wanted to see the fear struck on her victims' faces as they realised the end was near, to watch them try to escape their fate until the fight faded out of their eyes. To see them give up would be the final confirmation of Violet's leadership, the assertion of her superiority and her right to become the next Governor. She licked her lips. Soon.
The moon had been in the sky for a long time when all the cats were in place. They were spread out, hidden behind dens and crouching outside by cracked and smashed windows.
She waved her tail up from where she was under the closest window to the Governor and Ness' den. The signal. Silent shadows simultaneously leapt out of their hiding places, claws gleaming and teeth bared in threatening snarls. They prowled closer to the den, but Violet barred their way.
"I'll go first." She hissed. Her eyes adapted almost immediately to the low light as she entered the cardboard den. Her cats were close behind. The first thing they saw was Ness and the Governor, tangled up together in their shared nest.
"Love," she spat. "Pathetic." She saw Thorn's eyes flash briefly with hurt, but Violet didn't dwell on that. She launched herself at the Governor, catching his brown tabby scruff between her teeth and shaking him violently. Flight took hold of Ness and did the same. Their eyes shot open, their peace disturbed.
"This is a coup d'état," Thorn sounded amused as she used the fancy language. Coal seemed confused for a second but seemed to decide not to think too much and to get to attacking. He joined Violet, giving the Governor shallow scratches as she hauled the struggling tom out on his back. He was like a tortoise: he could only flail his paws around, incapable of getting up. He yowled and Violet bit his ear.
"Shut up." Honestly, a Governor should be able to beat two or three cats easily. But this was different; she was fighting. No one could beat her. Violet smirked.
Soon, Ness and the Governor were successfully carried outside of their den. Paired spots of colour shining out of the darkness indicated that cats were curiously looking out from their nests, heads raised to get a better view of the bruised, battered and bleeding leaders. Some Trainees poked their noses out to see, morbid fascination in their eyes.
In little time, it was over.
Violet leaped up onto a close-by windowsill, looking down on her group as the two bodies were carried out before they could stink up the storehouse and attract predators.
I've worked so hard for this. I deserve it.
The previous Governor's rule had been over as soon as she decided to overthrow him. He'd been growing old and it was time for a cat who was better for the job to take his place.
A thought popped randomly into her mind. She wished she'd had the Governor blinded and thrown him out into the street after seeing Ness killed. Violet sighed with slight disappointment. Too late now.
"Our so-called Governor and his lieutenant are dead." Violet announced. Satisfaction filled her as cheers rose from all sides. "I, as the leader of the rebels, take over as Governor. Falling Leaf will be my lieutenant."
The calico tom's eyes gleamed with triumph - and something dangerous. The new Governor made a decision: as soon as there was another cat suitable for the position, she'd have her lieutenant discreetly killed, probably making it look like an accident.
Thorn would be rewarded with prey that she could take back to her Clan and take credit for, and disappear quietly.
Coal would stay, but only because he was useful as a fighting force, despite his apparently very limited number of brain cells.
Flight, her sister, was starting to get annoying, but nothing that she couldn't put up with at the moment.
But the Governor left the planning for another day. It was time to enjoy her success.
One-shot about very dark and mysterious character - check.
I love all my evil cats for some reason.
B
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~Crystal