Chapter Twenty

DISCLAIMER

If I owned warriors, Feathertail would've survived the fall, the three would belong to Squirrelflight and Brambleclaw, and Spottedleaf and Firestar would never have loved each other

Here comes the climatic bit!

Lighteningclaw felt as though he could run forever. Clan Deputy! Wait till Tigerstar and Hawkfrost hear about this! He thought, more elated then he had ever been in his life. Finally, the ginger warrior stopped in a clearing where two dark tabbies waited.

"Hello," Hawkfrost greeted somewhat warmly. No matter how friendly Hawkfrost seemed, it felt as though his eyes were always icy and could pierce through you.

"Hi," Lighteningclaw replied, dipping his head respectfully.

"Well done," Tigerstar said. "I have been watching over you. Clan deputy!" He purred – more like a rusty growl, but nevertheless, Tigerstar was obviously happy.

"StarClan –" But Lighteningclaw did not get to finish his sentence, for Tigerstar slapped his tail over his mouth.

"We need to start planning on how you can become leader."

"By serving the code loyally?" Lighteningclaw queried.

"No!" Tigerstar hissed. "Kill that soft fool. Then you will be a leader."

Lighteningclaw took a hasty step backward. "I'm StarClan's chosen one. If they've chosen me to be deputy, then I will soon become leader."

"No! ThunderClan are turning you into a soft fool. You need to learn things the hard way!" Tigerstar growled. "StarClan didn't choose you."

"What?"

"Rabbit-brain!" Hawkfrost hissed. "StarClan aren't the only ones who can send signs. We can too. That mouse-brain of a cat who supposedly interprets signs believed that the fake dream we sent him was from StarClan!"

"Wh-what? I wasn't chosen?"

"Of course not! The only way you could get chosen from StarClan is if you trained hard with me for the rest of your life!" Tigerstar hissed as Hawkfrost vigorously nodded agreement.

"You are worthless," Hawkfrost added. At this comment, a jolt of anger ceased Lighteningclaw.

"I am not!" He screeched. "I am kin of Firestar and Brambleclaw. I'm proud of it. Though now I'm not sure if I'm proud to be your kin!"

"You're just a piece in my plan. A small – but vital – part." Tigerstar said.

"What are you talking about?" Lighteningclaw asked, suddenly curious.

"This is our revenge on ThunderClan. Your stupid home destroyed us. ThunderClan could've been great if they had let Tigerstar rule. But they didn't. They mercilessly watched him die. And my own brother killed me! ThunderClan is no longer worth ruling. So we must destroy it!" Hawkfrost yowled.

"I thought… I thought you wanted to make it up to ThunderClan." Lighteningclaw appealed directly to Tigerstar, thoroughly dumbfounded.

"No," he mewed menacingly. "It was the only way to get you to train," Tigerstar whispered. He took a step forward.

Lighteningclaw took a step back.

Hawkfrost joined Tigerstar and they both stepped forward again.

Lighteningclaw turned to flee, but his way was suddenly boarded up with trees and brambles – the only way out was too push through prickly thorns or push his way past Tigerstar and Hawkfrost. He could wake up, but no matter how hard he tried, he simply couldn't. Suddenly, Hawkfrost leaped for him – before he could run tail and flee through the brambles – and held him down with strong forepaws. Lighteningclaw struggled to free himself, but Tigerstar quickly joined in and together they pinned down the orange deputy.

"Don't you understand?" Tigerstar spat. "Everyday, you wake up feeling more tired then before your rest. You snap at your friends and family every time they try to help you because you are tired. Then, for no reason at all, they seem to be mad at you, and you have no idea why. Haven't you wondered? It's because I've slowly been taking your life… And now I can finish you off!" Tigerstar sneered at him. "But I bet that the mighty StarClan can save you!"

I have to get away, Lighteningclaw thought dimly, anywhere but here. Away from that mocking tone. But it was too late. Lighteningclaw felt the energy draining from him. Hungry flames lapped at him from all around, singing his fur.

"StarClan will help me," was the last thing he murmured before unconsciousness took over.

I'm sorry that was so short! It was less then one and a half pages! But don't worry – the next few chapters are going to be action-packed – but they might be pretty short. Some may be even less then a page, but when that happens, I'll post two chapters at once :)

~CoolAwesomeRandomGirl123