I decided that Copper needed to appear in my stories again.. not just Gingerstar's. XD So, here he is. Ugh. He creeps me out.

Unfinished

Coppertail stood, proud, next to Burningstar. His tail was fluffed up and his fur was clean and slick. A hint of radiance shone in his green-eyed gaze as he looked down upon the Clan.

"Warriors of DarkClan," Burningstar began. "I have chosen the new deputy of your Clan. I say this before the body of Badgerbite, so that he may approve my choice. Coppertail will be the new deputy of DarkClan," he announced. He turned and touched noses with Coppertail. The red tabby tom stepped forward.

"I will be sure to assist my leader with courage and diligence," he meowed. DarkClan yowled in approval.

A small white she-cat gazed at Coppertail with love clear in her amber eyes. "Isn't he great?" she sighed happily. The she-cat next to her, a fluffy gray apprentice, rolled her eyes.

"Snowpaw, you think everyone's great."

"No, Graypaw. He's wonderful."

"He's your mentor. And have you heard of his horrible luck? His last apprentice died, and three cats before her died with him. I don't think that is coincidence," Graypaw pointed out, narrowing her eyes.

Snowpaw looked at her, bewildered. "Are you accusing him of murder?" she asked shrilly.

"Yes."

"I assure you, I did not murder those poor apprentices," a strong voice said. The two apprentices spun around and saw Coppertail standing not far from them. "They slipped down the ravine. I couldn't save them."

Graypaw's eyes widened. "I-I-I didn't mean anything..."

"It's ok, Graypaw. I know," Coppertail mewed silkily. He turned and padded away, to the warrior den.

Snowpaw turned her accusing gaze on her friend. "See? He wouldn't kill anyone! He's too sweet!"

The gray she-cat rolled her eyes and turned away.

Time...

"Snowpaw, my dearest, would you care to join me on a quick patrol by the ravine?" Coppertail purred smoothly.

The little white she-cat purred and leapt to her paws. "Of course!" she mewed, ready to follow him to the end of the world. She happily followed him out of camp. They padded over to the ravine, where the water crashed hungrily against the sides of the cliffs.

"Wanna play?" Coppertail said all too easily.

Snowpaw nodded. Coppertail smiled and attacked her, playfully batting at her ears. They wrestled like this for several moments, and they finally flopped down on the ground.

"Snowpaw, my dear, I would love to stay and chat...," Coppertail purred. The words came to him naturally. "But one of us needs to continue his life."

The apprentice looked at her mentor in confusion. "But, Coppertail, what do you mean?"

Realization suddenly dawned on her. "No," she mewed, shocked. "No, no! It isn't true! You wouldn't... you can't kill me! Lilypaw, Dovepaw, Bearpaw, Eaglepaw, Deerpaw... It was you!" She sprang to her paws.

"Leave me alone!"

An evil smile crawled across Coppertail's face. "Never, my dear. For after you, I only need to kill one more. Then I shall have complete power... Graypaw seems like a worthy victim, don't you think?" he purred silkily.

"Stay away from her! From me!" Snowpaw wailed.

Coppertail sprang toward her, hitting her squarely in the chest. The young apprentice cried out and toppled backward, toward the edge of the ravine. Her back claws slid out from under her, and she lost her footing. Claws scraped against the dirt as she cried, "Murderer!" and fell.

The red tabby watched, and his eyes glowed red for a heartbeat. "This is all unfinished right now, Snowpaw. But soon it will be complete..."

Oh my! What could Copper be talking about? Has he lost it... again? Or have I?