A/N
You know what? I'm gonna try to write this part 3… sorry if it's messy… ALSO READ THIS HERE! So, I edited the previous chapter because I realized: when Fallenstar told Cloudstar the dead cats, she said Talonclaw and Flowerbreeze, however, Flowerbreeze is later seen by Rainstorm battling a cream tom. So I changed it; Flamefur/Bloodyfur died, not Flowerbreeze
Hawkpool's paws trembled with every step as her clan began to leave for the Marsh Island. Slowing her pace, she trotted with Mothleg. The tom's fur was bushed up, and his eyes regretful.
"It's not your fault." Hawkpool whispered. Mothleg stared at her in surprise. He snorted disdainfully. "It is, I can't believe Gingersnap betrayed me…"
Hawkpool prodded his shoulder sharply with a paw. "You shouldn't have betrayed Duskflower!"
Mothleg rounded on Hawkpool, his eyes ablaze. "Who are you to input your opinion? You're just brash young warrior!" Mothleg dug his claw into the reeds.
"I-I was just-" Hawkpool stammered, cut off by Mothleg's hiss.
"You know nothing! You have a mate and kits! It's all fine with you! Perfect, petite, Hawkpool!" Mothleg spat, his eyes huge and wild.
K-kits? Hawkpool shivered as she remembered. "Only for a night…"
"Oh, don't act all surprised! Mothleg barked, "The slowness, the plumping, it's all obvious!"
Mothleg glared down at Hawkpool, leaning into her face, his rotten, fishy breath choking her. "You're useless as a queen."
Hawkpool felt helpless, crouching low in the cattails, wishing Mothleg would go. I do not have kits. I do not have kits. I must fight!
"Leave her be, Mothleg." Thornsnag growled. The chocolate warrior turned to Hawkpool. "I'll protect you in the battle; don't worry, love." He whispered.
Mothleg scrunched his nose up. "Ugh." He grumbled, trotting ahead with Petalwish.
Thornsnag gently, but firmly, gripped Hawkpool's scruff and stood her up. "You okay?"
Hawkpool shook her head, sighing. "I think I'm expecting kits."
(POV change; Thornsnag)
Hawkpool let out a long sigh. "I think I'm expecting kits."
Thornsnag couldn't help but flinch, startled as he remembered similar words…
"Redbreeze said that I am expecting kits." A light grey she cat with darker splotches with dark blue eyes meowed.
The two cats stood high up in a tree, the young she cat yelped as her thin branch swayed too far, but she regained her balance.
…
"IVYPAW!"
(A/N: just for clarification, the Ivypaw mentioned above is the one who gave Cloudstar his fifth life, not the one currently in RiverClan)
Thornsnag opened his eyes with a gasp, shaking his head from the terrible memory. Hawkpool stood beside him, her eyes glowing with worry.
"I'm fine." Thornsnag panted, feeling weak all over. Hawkpool pressed against him. "We will survive together." She insisted.
"Cats of RiverClan!" Oakstar's yowl drew their attention.
(POV change; Hawkpool)
Hawkpool lifted her head from Thornsnag's shoulder, slightly startled by her father's call.
"I'm willing to bet the NightWalkers will be the last to arrive, making sure no clan has fled. And we won't. RiverClan, will stand! We will fight! We. Will. Not. Die!" Oakstar growled, his eyes sad.
Melody is my sister. But it doesn't matter. She killed Shadefur. She took two of Fallenstar's lives. She's going down today! Hawkpool didn't notice her lips were drawn back into snarl until Briarfrost nudged her.
"Hawkpool, calm down. Save it for the battle." The dark brown she cat meowed. Her pale eyes drifted to where Ferretnose was sitting alone. Briarfrost's face suddenly stiffened with surprise and she looked down.
Hawkpool gazed over at where Ferretnose was sitting, stunned to see him staring at Briarfrost intensely. His yellow-green eyes darted away as he met Hawkpool's eyes.
Hawkpool smiled slyly. "I think he likes you." Briarfrost's heart skipped a beat. "I-I don't think so. You've seen how he flirts with Shadeleap." Briarfrost drew in a short breath, sighing heavily.
"He's coming over here." Hawkpool purred in a sing songy voice, silenced by Briarfrost whacking her on the nose.
Ferretnose looked terribly awkward as sat in front of Briarfrost. His head was hung low, eyes flickering up at her every now and then.
"Briarfrost, thanks to Shadeleap, I've come to realize something…" Ferretnose's eyes were now staring straight into Briarfrost's.
"I told Shadeleap I liked her. She, of course, denied me. She told a she cat loved me. Someone I didn't pay attention to. Not since we were kits. Briarfrost, I am so sorry. I love you, and if we survive this, I'll follow you anywhere." Ferretnose dabbed her nose softly with his own soft pink nose.
Briarfrost scoffed good-heartedly and lovingly. "Now he tells me." (Shoutout to anyone who got that reference)
Ferretnose pulled Briarfrost in closely so their foreheads touched. "You were right." He whispered.
Briarfrost tilted her head. "What do you mean?" Ferretnose smirked at her. "I was named for my good sense of smell." He meowed cockily.
Briarfrost scoffed again, nuzzling into his shoulder. A sudden, powerful waft of ShadowClan and ThunderClan blew in on the breeze, and both Cloudstar and Fallenstar leading their clan across the large boulders jutting out of the dark, murky water.
Fallenstar jumped ashore first, her pitifully small clan nervously sitting down next to RiverClan. Cloudstar sat good-naturedly with Oakstar, devising a battle plan.
Out of the corner of her eye, Hawkpool saw Spiderheart stare at Willowleap. The cream tom began to make his way over to her, only to be stopped when Willowleap curled into Gorseheart's soft fur.
Hawkpool's attention was drawn away from the love triangle when she felt a muzzle press into her shoulder.
"Hawkpool…" The young warrior turned her head, surprised to see Splashpaw. "WindClan arrived. I'm scared."
Hawkpool parted her jaws, the breezy, fresh scent bathing her tongue. "It's okay, Splashpaw. We'll be okay." Hawkpool whispered.
Splashpaw nosed her way under one of her mentor's forelegs, shivering. "They're here…" She whimpered.
(POV change; Morningpaw)
"I'm Morningpaw." The golden kit mewed to a well sized WindClan apprentice. She cocked her head. "I'm Mintpaw… Gee, you're awfully small…"
Morningpaw looked away awkwardly. "I'm three moons…" Mintpaw held her breath slightly.
"T-the NightWalkers will tear you apart!" Mintpaw exclaimed, the grey and white she cat winding around the kit.
Mintpaw's tail brushed Morningpaw's flank, and the kit gasped, her eyes glazing over.
"You sickly, weak kitten!" A black and brown tabby tom snarled.
"You'll never make it as a warrior; your brother is stronger than you." A dark cream she cat towered over Mintpaw- well, Mintkit- with cruel eyes.
Mintkit's eyes flitted to where Fangpaw watched shyly. Mintkit felt a cough rise in her throat, her chest aching. Why can't I be an apprentice like him, my brother?!
Fallenstar leaped onto the Fallentree, her eyes dark. "Mintkit, you are hereby exiled from ShadowClan. Never, ever come back."
Mintkit felt tears come, falling to the dusty ground. Her coughing increased, choked with tears as she fled.
Morningpaw gasped, her eyes wide and stunned. Mintpaw stared at Morningpaw curiously. "Is something wrong?"
Morningpaw shook her head, still panting. Honeysnow was instantly next to Morningpaw, hushing her softly.
Just across the clearing, Morningpaw saw Splashpaw hide beneath Hawkpool. "They're here…"
(POV change; Hawkpool)
With Splashpaw's words, a choking, musky crow-food scent wafted towards the four clans, most of the cats screwing up their faces in disgust.
Melody waltzed into the clearing, prey hanging in each of her cats' jaws. They tossed their food towards the clan cats, Melody putting on a sickly fake grin.
"Just thought you might want to eat before we utterly destroy you." Melody giggled sinisterly.
Flameheart of WindClan sniffed the mouse before him, and placed a paw over his nose. "This is crow-food! You're trying to poison us!"
Melody frowned. "Well," she chirped, "worth a try…" Melody's face twisted into a freakish grin, her eyes wild and crazed. "Now you die."
Melody launched herself forward, her cats following blindly in her pawsteps.
Thornsnag was by Hawkpool's side in an instant, his face serious.
"You will not die." He declared, slashing the muzzle of a white tom.
Hawkpool leapt at a ginger tom with white splotches, snapping her jaws at his hind leg. "What do we do?" Hawkpool cried, as the tom battled her relentlessly.
"We fight to the death!" Came her father's booming growl.
Hawkpool nodded to herself, a bit frightened at the thought of killing.
The ginger and white tom turned around, placing his paws on Hawkpool's neck, ready to snap it.
Hawkpool lay on her back, curled her hind paws in, and kicked him in his belly, claws and all. He let out a sickly groan, his teeth gritted in pain as blood pooled around him.
Hawkpool scanned the Marsh Island, frantic to spot a clanmate. Petalwish and Poppypaw were clashing with three, well-muscled toms, Creeksplash and Reedflight over took a brown mottled tom, clawing as his throat until he fell limp.
(Quick A/N: I didn't mention a lot of cats in the NightWalkers because of two things; 1. couldn't think of any names; 2. And it seemed pointless after a while. I bet none of you even read it. Yeah. Keep reading now XD)
Rainstorm stood behind a WindClan elder she recognized as Half-face. The deputy brutally tore the ears of a smokey grey tom, snarling as a cat attempting to attack from his blind side, but earned a blow to the face.
Gingerroot's tail was bushed up as she circled around Fallenstar, her eyes wide in fury. "I'm gonna kill you," Gingerroot cackled, "and I'll still be Smokestar's perfect angel!"
Fallenstar's eyes flashed with rage, crouched to spring at the former queen. Hm, Hawkpool thought, I'm not very surprised that Gingerroot sided with Melody like the vermin she is.
Hawkpool spun around as she felt claws on her flank, slashing the ears and muzzle of a dark golden tom with mangy fur. Hawkpool hissed as the rogue smirked at her slightly round belly.
The tom pummeled into Hawkpool, grinning evilly as Hawkpool screamed when he raked her claws over her plump stomach.
The dark golden tom flipped Hawkpool onto her back, his grin widening into a smile that Hawkpool's fur crawl. The tom stood over Hawkpool and leaned into her ear.
"My name is Ropeburn, and you'll never forget me." He whispered, then proceeded to hold Hawkpool's forepaws down with his paws, as Ropeburn used his hind claws to dig into Hawkpool's belly.
The black she cat shrieked in pain and fury, wriggling under Ropeburn's grasp, but the mangy tom's weight was too heavy.
Suddenly, Ropeburn's weight was ripped of Hawkpool, the dark golden cat screeching in surprise. Hawkpool stumbled, feeling her heart tug as she recognized Thornsnag tearing at Ropeburn's underbelly.
"THOSE ARE MY KITS!" He yowled, his pupils like cold, heartless half-moons.
Somehow, Ropeburn managed to fling Thornsnag off him, grinning with venom. Ropeburn stood over Thornsnag as he did Hawkpool, creating a wide gash in his underbelly.
Thornsnag gritted his teeth, flailing his paws, attempting to get a hit on the mangy cat, but to no avail.
Hawkpool felt her heart shatter as Ropeburn bore his teeth, and with a sickening ripping sound, tore Thornsnag's throat.
Ropeburn ignored Hawkpool as he stalked past her, merely whispering, "now your kits with know no love of a father."
Hawkpool stared helplessly at Thornsnag as she crouched by his side. He was hardly breathing.
"H-H-Hawkp-pool?" he rasped as blood trickled from his half torn windpipe.
The black she cat nodded frantically. "Yes, yes, it's me, it's Hawkpool!" Thornsnag sighed peacefully. "I love you, Hawky."
Hawkpool chuckled as he used his nickname for her. "I-I love you too, Thorn. You were my best friend… Oh, StarClan, please don't go!" Hawkpool wailed, burying her face into his thick fur, breathing his soothing scent.
Hawkpool cringed as she heard a gurgling sound from him as tried to purr. By now, cats had gathered around the dying tabby, their heads hung low.
Brackenfang stood on the opposite side of his brother, his jaws wide in a terrified, soundless cry. Petalwish's eyes widened as she caught sight of her former mentor. She plopped down on her rump, lifted her muzzle to the sky and let out a loud wail of anguish.
Blackpelt pressed his pale nose to his former apprentice's side, a single tear falling to his chocolate fur.
Weaselclaw briefly gave Thornsnag a friendly lick on the ear, before racing away, muttering something about 'dumb love'.
Hawkpool, however, could not contain her grief. She bawled until Thornsnag slowly placed his paw gently on hers.
"Hawky, love… I find it kind of funny, and I find it kind of sad, with all the tragedy in my life, this is best moment I've ever had." Thornsnag whispered hoarsely, bumping noses with Hawkpool.
Hawkpool bent over, whimpering as he coughed and choked once more. "You… You were the only joy in my life that lasted. Too bad I couldn't last for you…"
Hawkpool let her tears fall freely, shaking her head at him. "Thorn, don't talk like that! Honeysnow can heal you! You'll be fine!"
Thornsnag sighed shakily, ending it with a raspy cough. "I can practically taste the stars, Hawky. Don't let our kits grow up without a father. You know who I mean."
Hawkpool did not listen. "No, not now. You can't go. You were supposed to be my deputy!" She cried, staring at him sorrowfully.
"You can't go." Hawkpool repeated. She sighed mournfully. "Goodbye, Thorn…"
Thornsnag attempted a purr once more, but stopped half way. "It's not goodbye, it's see you later."
Hawkpool held back a whining sob. "B-but you just can't leave! You're my best friend!"
Thornsnag let out a wry laugh. "But I wish we could've been more…" The chocolate tom attempted to give Hawkpool a lick on the forehead, as he brushed his tail over her flank, but as he leaned forward, a final sigh escaped him, and Thornsnag fell limp.
"Thorn?" Hawkpool whispered, her eyes worryful and bloodshot. "Thorn?!" She wailed louder, shaking him with a paw.
"THORNSNAG?!" Hawkpool screamed, her face collapsing into his fur, the young to-be queen breathing in his scent while he was still warm.
Mothleg stood from afar, a strange, half-grin on his face. "Serves you right." He muttered so only Hawkpool could hear him.
Hawkpool rose slowly from where she lay, her gaze flickering around the clearing dangerously. She finally spotted him; Ropeburn.
(POV change; Jaytalon)
Jaytalon felt pity rise in his chest as Hawkpool wailed and sobbed into Thornsnag's pelt, but also pure jealousy.
He was curious when she suddenly rose, her eyes darting about until they landed on a dark golden tom with scrapy fur.
Jaytalon strained to see her, but he was plunged into darkness as a wave of bloodthirsty cats washed over him.
(POV change; Hawkpool)
Hawkpool felt nothing as she chomped on Ropeburn's neck, tearing out his throat cleanly and letting him fall limp with terror left in his dead eyes. Too much, too much…
Memories came in a flood of sorrow, more than she could count…
Thornsnag was by Hawkpool's side in an instant as the black she cat woke in a cold sweat, panting and nearly choking on her own fear-scent. The NightWalkers…! Hawkpool shivered.
"I'm fine, just a nightmare…" Hawkpool stammered, tucking her paws under her chest.
Thornsnag smiled understandably. "Don't worry; I get them too…" Just as he stood up to leave, Hawkpool placed a paw on his tail. "Can-can you stay?"
Thornsnag sighed good-heartedly and curled next to her, purring as she nuzzled into him. "Always, Hawky."
…
Hawkpool sat just outside the warriors' den, purring softly as the kits played with a moss-ball. Hawkpool was suddenly aware of Thornsnag sitting down next to her. "I wonder if WindClan or ShadowClan use moss-balls. Perhaps it's different…" Thornsnag rambled, staring at Hawkpool in a quirky way with his blue-green eyes.
Hawkpool snorted at him. "That was random." Thornsnag grinned and rolled his eyes. "When I'm leader-" Hawkpool cut him off, pretending to be taken aback.
"When you're leader?" Hawkpool giggled, raising an eyebrow. Thornsnag gave his chest a few licks before puffing it out.
"Eeyup." He meowed cockily. "I could conquer all the clans with one paw; if you were there holding the other."
Hawkpool felt her face fill with heat, hot from the open flirt. "I-I, uh, erm…" Hawkpool's eyes widened, staring at the ground. Thornsnag pressed against her, purring. "Hush, kitten."
Hawkpool raised an eyebrow at him shrugged. "I'm just a-lovin'." Hawkpool kept her expression the same, only looking more puzzled.
Thornsnag rested his chin on her head. "Eh. I'm in a quirky mood." He stuck out his tongue teasingly and swished his tail back and forth over her spine.
Hawkpool shook her head, breaking away from the memories where she had begun to cry. I knew looking back on our tears would make me laugh, Hawkpool thought sorrowfully, but who knew looking back on our laughs would make me cry?
Hawkpool stared at Ropeburn's lifeless lump with blankness. She felt no regret, but she felt no peace either. Only the black, empty void in her heart.
The fur along Hawkpool's spine rose, alerting her she was being watched. Hawkpool turned around, staring straight into the heartless eyes of her sister.
And then it came to her.
Heatherkit peered through barely opened eyes, squealing as she was shaken back and forth, constantly colliding with- what was it, Copperkit? Cedarkit?- oh! Right, Cloverkit.
Heatherkit felt herself hoisted into the air, wanting to hold her ears down as screaming flooding her head. Heatherkit cried out as she could no longer feel Cloverkit's warmth, the grey she kit fell into the foaming water, as did Heatherkit heartbeats after. She screamed and gurgled as water filled her lungs, gasping and shivering as she felt jaws pick her up…
Hawkpool stared at Melody. "I remember you!" Melody's eyes narrowed. "As do I. But that doesn't change anything."
"You killed Thornsnag. Your fighters killed Thorn!" Hawkpool yowled, lashing out an unsheathed paw. Melody dodged.
The sisters began to circle one another, jumping forward to hit and leaping backwards to dodge.
Melody, of course, made the first move. The mottled she cat lunged at Hawkpool, teeth aimed for the black queen's neck.
Hawkpool reared onto her hind legs, slamming her forepaws down on Melody, pinning her to the floor.
Hawkpool gasped as Melody very flexibly curled her hind legs over back, and somehow managed to throw Hawkpool off of her.
Melody drew her lips back in a snarl, rearing up onto her hind legs and crushed Hawkpool beneath her grey paws. The black she cat wriggled and gasped for air, her throat being stepped on from the back.
Hawkpool screeched as Melody sunk her fangs into Hawkpool's shoulder, relishing the taste of blood.
Hawkpool managed to half copy Melody's extremely flexible move from before, twisted her legs to side and shoving Melody off her with her back paws.
The black she cat yowled in surprise as Melody bowled her over, slapping Hawkpool's head repeatedly on the ground.
Her vision began to become fuzzy, her mind wavering in and out. Hawkpool grabbed the paw that Melody was holding her head with, and using her sharp teeth, dug into her forepaw.
Melody howled in pain, looking at Hawkpool with hurt eyes. Darkness made Melody's purple collar look a deeper color, and moonlight reflected off of what looked like wolf teeth.
In the few heartbeats it took for Melody to regain her balance on her paw, Hawkpool had scanned the clearing.
Weaselclaw, Ferretnose and Doestripe were all huddled around a heap of silver fur, their heads low. Greywillow notice the three cats, dropping to the ground and letting out a low cry, muttering something about 'her poor kit'.
Pinewhisker was greatly struggling agaisnt a pair of toms, as they clawed at his face and bit at his ears.
Fernbreeze seemed to take great joy in taking the lives of NightWalkers, slashing throats and biting necks like it was nothing. Her apprentice, Pebblepaw, looked slightly hesitant, but Fernbreeze kept coaxing him on.
Darkheart and Crowblaze easily overpowered a dusky grey tom with tall ears, letting him bleed out from a deep belly wound. Willowleap was thrown threw a thistle bush and out of sight, Marshystripe, charging after her with unsheathed claws and bared teeth and a lusty glint in his darkened eys.
Sandfern, however, scared Hawkpool. The ginger she cat stood over Gingerroot, her black stripes eerie in the moonlight.
Sandfern had created a sickly gash on Gingerroot, blood welling as Gingerroot screamed in pain. The soon-to-be scar stretched from the reddish cat's eye, missing the eye itself, twisting over and under her left side of her body.
Fallenstar lay almost still behind a boulder near Sandfern, practically gagging at the frightening gouge. Sandfern was screeching at Gingerroot, "NEVER TOUCH MY KITS AGAIN!" As she formed the nauseating incision.
Over and over, Sandfern traced even deeper in the pierce, the cut ending just before Gingerroot's right back leg. By the time you could only see blood, it had dried, and Gingerroot was dead.
Sandfern's face was splattered with blood, but not Gingerroot's; this smelled different, almost too familiar. Her paws were coated in the stickiness, and shaking when she stood.
"I-I-I killed her… I k-killed h-her, Fa-Fallenstar!" Sandfern shrieked, covering her ears with her blood soaked paws.
Hawkpool attention was drawn away from her mother as she felt claws rake her muzzle.
Melody lashed her tail, puffing out her rank pelt, which stood in every direction.
Hawkpool took the challenge, running in a zigzag fashion towards her sister. Melody made no move to dodge the upcoming blow, her reddish-orange eyes gleaming with malice.
All of a sudden, Melody leapt out of the way, letting Hawkpool trip over a tree stump. The mottled she cat lithely climbed over Hawkpool's belly, preparing to tear her throat.
I love you, Hawky… Thornsnag's voice echoed in her head. Hawkpool felt hatred fill her, unable to feel the pain Melody was inflicting. I know what I have to do, Thornsnag…
Hawkpool roared at Melody, a half growl half snarl escaping her. The to-be queen knocked Melody off her with such force, the NightWalker leader lay wheezing by a boulder for breath.
It was and Hawkpool realized something as she caught the sight of her own, heartless eyes in a murky puddle. They were not heather red. She had fire eyes.
Hawkpool struck the water with a forepaw, stirring her reflection. She could not stand such fury in her own eyes.
Turning back to where melody lay, staring up at Hawkpool with fear. "You won't kill me." Melody meowed somewhat confidently. "You Clan cats are soft. You can't kill me."
Hawkpool's eyes were wide and her pupils hardly visible. "Try me." Hawkpool thundered, digging her claws into Melody's shoulders as she stood over her sister's back.
Hawkpool clamped her fangs tight onto the back of Melody's neck and with a bite, a twist and a snap, Melody fell limp in Hawkpool's merciless jaws.
Hawkpool dropped Melody to the ground, letting out a yowl. Cats stopped fighting, and one by one, the NightWalkers fled, their numbers split in half twice by the ferocious battle. Willowleap stumbled from out of the thistle bush, her eyes wide in terror and shock, tail tucked between her legs protectively.
Rainstorm slowly padded up to Hawkpool. "Come with me… You need to see him…" Hawkpool feared her brother's words. Is Jaytalon dead as well?!
But what she saw was much, much worse. Cats from every clan surrounded a tomcat, but she didn't need to see him to know who it was. "Pinewhisker! Pinewhisker?!" Hawkpool cried, shoving through the wave of cats. She could recognize his scent from a mile away.
Oakstar, Sandfern and Heatherpaw stepped back, revealing the mangled body of the brown mottled tabby.
Hawkpool slumped to the ground, her stomach tightening as she saw how he had been torn apart. You saw him struggling, you could've helped him, saved him even. But you left him to die!
"No!" Hawkpool shouted, screaming at the voice in her head. Rainstorm looked at her with a puzzled expression.
Hawkpool lifted her head to face her parents. Sandfern's paws were mostly clean now, only tiny bits of the crimson remained, but Hawkpool realized; the blood drops on Sandfern's face, were Pinewhisker's.
Hawkpool couldn't meet Sandfern's bright green eyes, as hard as she tried. "I'm going to lead a patrol to-" Oakstar cut his daughter off.
"Actually, I need you, Rainstorm, Stagstrike, and Brindleleaf to gather the fallen from your clans." Oakstar meowed, his voice dark.
Hawkpool saw Brindleleaf emerge from where the medicine cats had taken refuge with the kits and queens, in a large, somewhat underground hollow. The golden-brown she cat's belly swayed with overdue kits, her face sharp and her mouth forced to remain neutral.
However the queen failed to do so. At a glimpse of Pinewhisker's limp body, she let out a whimper, muffled by her squeezed shut muzzle.
Brindleleaf turned around, suddenly storming over to Hawkpool as if she'd remembered something. "I saw you." Brindleleaf snarled under her breath.
"I know you saw Pinewhisker losing versus those two toms and you didn't help him. HE DIED BECAUSE OF YOU!" Brindleleaf did not raise her voice above a whisper, until the end. Few cats looked but paid no interest.
"He-" Hawkpool barely got a word in before Brindleleaf spoke again. "I loved him Hawkpool. And you stole him from me."
Pinewhisker is the father of Brindleleaf's kits? Hawkpool shook her swirling head, concentrating at her father's orders.
Hawkpool went around, paying her respects to every passed cat, even if she did not know them; however, when she came across Thornsnag laying in the middle of the clearing, she ignored him.
It's not goodbye, it's see you later… Hawkpool remembered his last few words with a heavy heart.
Upon finding Ferretnose sitting with Briarfrost as she comforted him. Dovetail's limp, twisted body lay at an awkward angle, her eyes glazed over.
Doestripe sobbed into her friend's soft fur, Weaselclaw sat by the young warrior. That's right, he and Yellowlily are her and her brother's parents.
Hawkpool padded up to Dovetail, carefully picking her up. Doestripe lashed a sheathed paw at her step-sister. "You can't take her!"
Hawkpool sighed, placing the pale warrior down. "Oakstar ordered me to gather everyone in our clan that has passed." Hawkpool's voice shook, even though she disliked Dovetail, it was sickening to see her death so cruel.
Doestripe snatched Dovetail up. "And let me take her." The brown she cat stomped her black paw on the ground stubbornly, taking her friend away.
Hawkpool broke down when she saw the next dead cat. Poppypaw's throat was ripped out shallowly, which meant the two moon old kit died a slow and painful death.
Petalwish was bent over her former apprentice, her face blank. "I couldn't help her in time." The golden spotted she meowed bluntly.
Hawkpool brushed her tail over her friend's back. "I-I couldn't save my brother… I saw him losing, but I didn't help…"
Petalwish sighed. "I gave her a warrior name. She wanted to be called Poppywish…"
Hawkpool dipped her head respectfully. "I'll leave it up to you to take her to the elders."
Hawkpool's mind spun with all the perished cats. Beechtail with a broken neck, Dovetail with a torn windpipe, Poppywish with a shallow throat cut, Whitefog with a ripped throat, Mallowtail with a broken windpipe, P-Pinewhisker with mangled body, Hailfall with a broken neck Eaglepaw with shallow cuts everywhere and a broken neck, Sunstar with a deep belly wound, Marshystripe with both a belly wound and a broken neck, Mousetail with a torn throat, Mudpaw with a torn throat, Darkheart with a deep belly wound, Forestclaw with a broken neck, and Thorn with a torn throat and broken windpipe…
Hawkpool fell to the ground, her paws shaking like rippling water. Rainstorm sat next to her, helping her stand. "Oakstar says we should scout the Island to see if any rogues hid within. Creeksplash and Flamefoot are with us."
Hawkpool nodded blankly, setting off with them. Rainstorm whacked her ear with a sheathed paw. "Hawkpool, I understand you lost more than I, but would Pinewhisker and Thornsnag want you moping?"
The to-be queen stared at Rainstorm bluntly. "I-I, it was my fault they died." Hawkpool moaned sorrowfully. Rainstorm pressed his blue-grey fur against her. "We'll live together."
"Run, run!" Came Flamefoot's urgent scream. Creeksplash was just behind him, their eyes wide with alert.
About four or five cats were chasing Flamefoot and Creeksplash, their scrappy fur reeking of crow-food and blood.
"NightWalkers!" Creeksplash yowled, dashing past the littermates without stopping.
A dark ginger tom slammed Hawkpool to the ground, blurring her vision as a sharp ringing in her ears began. As she was pulled into darkness, she saw a brown she cat with a zigzag stripe and a bright golden tom overtook Rainstorm, the deputy falling to the ground.
…
"Hawkpool! Hawkpool!" Came a frightened voice, and a harsh nudging in her side.
The to-be queen shot up, her eyes wild. "Rainstorm?!"
A sigh was heard. "I had to kill them, Hawkpool…" It was Rainstorm voice. One of his ear tips was torn off, and he had nasty bites and claws running along his shoulders and flank.
The bodies of three NightWalkers lay limp and still in front of the littermates.
"C'mon, I think Pine- er…" Hawkpool stopped herself, grief coming back to her. Rainstorm dipped his head awkwardly. "He's worried even now, Hawkpool… Just because he resides in StarClan doesn't mean he's any different."
As Rainstorm and Hawkpool burst into the clearing, cats of both ThunderClan and RiverClan swarmed them instantly.
Rainstorm stumbled and crashed to the floor as Gorseheart approached his blind side. Rainstorm let out a soft growl, but he was pretty much forgiving.
"What happenend?" Came Shadeleap's voice as she pestered Hawkpool. "Are the NightWalkers back?" This time it came from Huntpaw of ThunderClan.
Overlapping voices stressed them out until Rainstorm lifted his head and thundered, "STOOOOOOP!"
Instant silence fell over the clearing. Rainstorm cleared his throat and began. "Flamefoot, Creeksplash, Hawkpool and I all went to scout out any stray NightWalkers. Creeksplash and Flamefoot came dashing back with NightWalkers chasing them. Hawkpool and I fought valiantly, killing the bloodthirsty rogues."
It took Hawkpool a moment to realize that Rainstorm had twisted the truth. "Rainstorm!" Hawkpool whispered. "Why'd you lie?"
The blue-grey tom shrugged. "Sometimes lies are easier to handle…" Rainstorm, however was not talking about the other clans. He meant himself.
He did not kill a single cat during the battle, but he had to save his sister, didn't he? After all, she was carrying kits.
Rainstorm did not speak his thoughts, instead, he trotted over to Oakstar, who mourning the former RiverClan deputy.
Beechtail had a broken neck, most likely the work of the same toms who killed her brother, as the same black and white fur was lodged into the pale ginger tom's claws.
Rainstorm whispered something into his father's ear, who in turn stood and followed his son to where Lightfeather sat with three small kits.
Curious, Hawkpool followed her kin. "These are my kits; Dovekit and Rabbitkit. Squirrelkit is Squirrelnose's son." Rainstorm meowed to them, knowing that the three kittens were asleep.
Dovekit suddenly stood, arching her back as she yawned. She blinked her wide, red eyes at Hawkpool. "Are you my daddy's sister?" The blue grey she kit purred.
Hawkpool crouched down, giving Dovekit a lick on her forehead. "I am. My name is Hawkpool." Dovekit cocked her head. "Why aren't you in ThunderClan with us?"
Hawkpool looked awkward, so she just turned around to leave. She gave Dovekit a pat on the head with her thin tail and meowed, "because it's where I belong."
Rabbitkit and Squirrelkit woke up just in time to see Hawkpool leaving, and Dovekit began to brag to her brothers about being the first to meet Hawkpool.
Hawkpool took her place among the queens and warriors as the four leaders spoke in hushed tones. Oakstar lifted his muzzle and yowled, "I say these words before StarClan so that the spirit of Beechtail may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of RiverClan shall be Reedflight!"
Cats murmured for a moment, but the cheering started before even a heartbeat could pass. "Reedflight, Reedflight!"
Beechtail and Reedflight were brothers, perhaps it was Oakstar's way of apologizing… No, he's not like that… Hawkpool argued with herself. Most likely because Reedflight is calmer and tends to think things through and through…
The tawny brown tom looked highly stunned, but he dipped his head nervously and sat back down next to Creeksplash, who nuzzled and purred at her mate.
Oakstar, Flameheart and Cloudstar stared at Fallenstar's pitifully small clan. "We three clans have agreed to let ShadowClan be while they regain their numbers for three moons, on the account you still arrive to Gatherings."
Fallenstar seemed to ponder over this for a moment before nodding. "ShadowClan accepts."
Flameheart then stepped forward. "I will go to the Moonfall and receive my nine lives tonight, Blueberry will accompany me."
Cloudstar gazed over his cats, nodding to himself. "In honor of events today, I wish to name new warriors. Heatherpaw, Moonpaw, come up here."
"I, Cloudstar, leader of ThunderClan call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these apprentices. They have battled hard to protect their clan and I commend you to make them warriors in their turn. Heatherpaw, Moonpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?"
"Yes, yes! I do!" Heatherpaw answered immediately, but Moonpaw seemed to hesitate.
"C-Cloudstar?" Moonpaw stammered. The white leader gave her a half nod, telling her to speak.
"I wanted to follow the path of a medicine cat, but I cannot. However, I wish to be called Moonwing, after my dead brother." Moonpaw meowed confidently.
Cloudstar dipped his head sympathetically. "Very well; from this day forward you shall be known as Moonwing. StarClan honors your determination and forethought and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."
Cloudstar turned to Heatherpaw. "And from this day forward, you shall be known as Heatherblossom. StarClan honors your courage and kindness and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."
"Moonwing! Heatherblossom!" Nightbreeze and Jaytalon were the first to chant their new names, follow by Brackenfang then the rest of the clan.
Oakstar was last to speak. "I'd like to right a wrong I made. Antpaw, Ivypaw, Treepaw, Morningpaw, you're too young to be apprentices. I give back your birth names, Antkit, Ivykit, Treekit and Morningkit."
In the back of the crowd, Snowpaw flattened his ears angrily, while his brother looked heartbroken. Ivykit stared apologetically at Runningpaw, causing Snowpaw to hiss at his brother.
Weaselclaw gave his apprentice a harsh prod in his side, and Snowpaw was quiet.
Cats meowed a somewhat guarded farewell, wishing the other clan good luck after the disaster.
Pricking her ears, Hawkpool could hear pawsteps trodding up to her. With an inward groan, she recognized Pebbletail matched her steps beside her.
"Um, Hawkpool?" Pebbletail meowed, sounding slightly uncertain.
"Yes, Pebbletail?" Hawkpool replied, biting back a sharp remark.
"I, um, know you're a to-be queen," Pebbletail stammered, and after earning a glare from Hawkpool he added, "And before you claw my nose off, can I guess something?"
Hawkpool flicked her tail, telling him to go on, but also warning him. Pebbletail took a short breath and meowed, "well, my father once told me a trick to telling the majority genders of a queen's unborn kits."
Hawkpool perked her ears but said nothing.
"Before I tell you the trick, I think they're mostly toms."
"And why would that be?" Hawkpool nearly growled.
"Because carrying mostly she kits makes the queen tired from their restlessness, but carrying mostly toms makes the queen's fur glow and look beautiful from the kits' laxity."
Hawkpool searched the grey tabby's words for any fault, but she merely felt her face grow warm from his compliment.
"Th-thank you." Hawkpool stuttered. Pebbletail smiled a crooked, half smile.
"Anytime, I think you're stunning beautiful; even with a belly bump!" Pebbletail bit the bottom of his lip, his eyes widening as Hawkpool narrowed her eyes and unsheathed her claws into a marshy dirt.
"Excuse me?" Hawkpool snarled hotly. Pebbletail flattened his ears awkwardly. "No, no, what I mean was you-"
Hawkpool pressed her nose threateningly against his. "Run."
Pebbletail's eyes retracted, trotting away with his tail tucked in embarrassedly.
…
When they arrived back at camp, Honeysnow instantly got to work with treating injuries. She treated Hawkpool first, snapping at her for battling whilst carrying kits.
Hawkpool lay in her nest and closed her eyes, imagining Thornsnag's thick, soft pelt pressed against her. And for a moment she swore she could feel his chocolate fur, but when she opened her eyes, nothing was there except his sour-sweet lingering scent.
"You couldn't save me." Taunted Thornsnag, circling Hawkpool menacingly.
"I tried to!" Hawkpool protested, but he did not seem to hear.
Suddenly, Pinewhisker joined in on the jeering. "You saw me but you didn't even bat an eye at me!"
Hawkpool's eyes had begun to brim with tears as she frantically shook her head. "No, no, no! Pinewhisker, I couldn't Melody would've killed me, and she wouldn't have stopped there! Thornsnag, I tried to stop Ropeburn from killing you but it was too late!"
Pinewhisker and Thornsnag both leaned in and growled in unison, "tough."
"You could've tried harder."
Hawkpool woke with tears in her eyes, falling as she blinked sleep away. Fear and regret pounded in her chest, her heart beat and blood roaring in her ears.
Unable to sleep again, Hawkpool stood from her nest, shaking the reeds and feathers away from where she lay in the medicine den. She stepped out from the boulder like den, racing off like all of NightWalkers were right on her tail.
As she neared the river that bordered ThunderClan, she picked up a familiar scent.
"Jaytalon?" Hawkpool whispered.
After a moment's hesitation a voice replied, "Hawkpool?"
Hawkpool splashed into the river, nuzzling up against him. "I'm glad you're okay… Can't sleep?"
Jaytalon shook his head. "Not really… Eaglepaw was my apprentice…"
Hawkpool gazed at him understandingly. Then, a thought popped into her mind. "Jaytalon, meet me here; same time, in an exact quarter-moon. I'll give details then."
Without waiting for a reply, Hawkpool crossed over the icy cold river and bounded away.
…
Seven sunrises and six sunsets had passed since Hawkpool's plan, but she was beginning to doubt herself, but with every day her grief grew.
Splashpaw had begun to fall behind in training, but with Briarfrost's help, she caught back up.
"Splashpaw, this is pretty complicated move here, it took me-" Hawkpool was slightly surprised when Splashpaw cut in.
"Are you sure you should be training me, I mean, you carrying kits and all…"
Hawkpool opened her mouth to speak, but and she closed it and hung her head. "You're wrong, Splashpaw," Pebbletail defended Hawkpool, "She's been of great help and her dead friend's kits are obviously a burden to her."
Splashpaw looked taken aback. "I-I didn't mean it like that!"
Hawkpool stared back at Splashpaw when the black spotted apprentice searched her mentor's eyes for forgiveness.
"How about your warrior assessment?" Hawkpool began, "You've beaten Petalwish and Trouttail in battle practice."
Jaypaw and Splashpaw's eyes lit up excitedly. "Yes, yes!" They exclaimed.
(Time skip because author doesn't know what to write)
"And from this day forward you shall be known as Splashspirit. StarClan honors your vigilance and ferocity and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan."
"Jayheart, Splashspirit!" Pebbletail, Hawkpool, Spidertail and Puddlewhisker were the first to cheer.
Later that evening, Puddlewhisker announced the reason to her plumpening. She was expecting another litter, and had been for about two quarter-moons. Honeysnow smacked Puddlewhisker's nose when she heard this, grumbling about stubborn queens.
Hawkpool waited till she heard Willowleap finally fall asleep, who'd been sneezing and coughing every now and then.
Tonight I launch my plan… I sure hope Jaytalon agrees…
Jaytalon was already at the river when Hawkpool arrived. "Hawkpool. why did we need to wait? And why didn't you tell me anything?"
"We're running away, Jaytalon."
A/N
Cliffhanger. Yup. Okay, now I HAVE A MESSAGE! In the poll I had, I put up a few cats as a test. To the four people who voted for Thornsnag: I had a very hard time writing his death. I understand his drastic change, but he really grew on me. I feel terrible for killing him.I would like if you could say if you voted for him because I'm very shocked four whole people want him dead.
Now the one person who voted for Thymetail: Spark understood her, and had even loved when she was crude. That's true love. Thymetail was put there as a test. Please say if you voted for her.
The one person who voted for Sandfern: It's not her fault at all. Smoketail/star attacked so brutally, what would you have done? Please say if you voted for her.
The two people who voted for Stagstrike: SPOILER ALERT! Fallenstar is his mother. He loves her because she raised him, and he believes she can work on bringing back her good and true side. Please say if you voted for him.
Now onto a more light hearted manner; I rewrote the prologue. It's got way better detail and more description. Please read, and review if you haven't already (especially to this chapter because I need 3 reviews per chapter to make another; it inspires me to write)