Graphic content warning: Various, gruesome methods of mass execution, among including feticide and forced suicide. Do not continue reading if this content bothers you.
Blood still streaming from her wounds, the pain still jabbing her like bolts of lightning, Dapplestar pulled herself into camp. Her claws were loose, her ear was torn, but no amount of pain could match the outrage she was feeling in the moment. As she padded into the clearing, she was greeted by the sight of a divided Clan. Shimmerwing, Runningflame, Rippleheart, and Shellfall stood in the center of camp, with several warriors at their side. Some other warriors flocked to the warriors' den; their eyes wide as they watched what was going on in front of them.
On the other side of the camp was Mistsong, and behind her were Blossomwing, Quickbreeze, Sparkfire, Rushfire, and Thistleflame. Rowanshade presided over them, his lip curled, his shoulders braced, as he ordered their execution. Mistsong's eyes blazed as she snapped back to him, chastising him about his involvement. So Rowanshade was involved too, huh? One of my most loyal warriors? A smile tugged at Dapplestar's lips. It cannot be helped.
"Clanmates." Dapplestar's voice turned the freezing leaf-bare day colder than ever before. Every cat swung their head to face her, and Dapplestar lifted her head, letting the feral grin spread on her face. The color drained from Mistsong's face, turning her ashen. The rest of her conspirators shifted their paws, looking at the ground, biting their lips. Rowanshade stiffened, his body turning into one of a frozen cat. "An attempt on my life has been carried out. As you can see, I am unhurt. A claim made by these usurpers that say I am no longer alive is being contradicted at this very moment that I speak to you. You may also want to know the details of a crime without parallel in RiverClan history."
The Clan was completely silent as Dapplestar went on. "A small clique of ambitious, irresponsible, and at the same time, senselessly and criminally foolish warriors, have formed a plot to eliminate me, and with me, my senior warriors. The cat who tried to kill me was Mistsong."
Mistsong gulped as the gaze of every Clan warrior turned to pierce her fur. She looked around the camp, her eyes defiant, her tail lashing. Brave, foolish cat. You still stand, even in the eyes of death. Quickbreeze shifted next to Mistsong, and Sparkfire chewed her lip. Dapplestar could see the swollen belly of the ginger tabby she-cat.
"It appears my warriors have been imprisoned; warriors very dear to me. I do hope they have not suffered any wounds. I sustained only minor injuries, mainly scratches." I lost a life. "I regard this as a confirmation of a task, imposed on me by StarClan itself, that I must continue my quest to unify the Clans, and, in doing so, become a god. Ever since I have become Clan leader, I had dedicated my life to one thing, and one thing only – bringing peace to the realm. The circle of the cats who have attempted to assassinate me has no ties to my loyal warriors. They are a miniature group of criminals who will now be ruthlessly exterminated."
They deserve to die. They turned on their Clan. Me. They imprisoned their deputy and their senior warriors. There was no other way out. They should've known this from the start. They are fools. Every single one of them.
"What fate there would have been in store for RiverClan if this attempt on my life succeeded is too horrifying to think about. This fate that I have escaped is a sign that I must continue on with my work. And there will be no cat left in my way." Dapplestar swung a glance at Mistsong, facing the gray she-cat with all the hatred and fury Dapplestar could muster. You die last. You will see your comrades die in front of you, and then you will experience it. And you… Dapplestar swung her head to gaze at Rowanshade. It appears you were involved. But you are a senior warrior with many achievements to your history. There has to be a way to get rid of you without the Clan rioting.
As a heavy silence hung in the clearing, Dapplestar waited for the emotions to show on her warriors' face. Some were elated to see her, especially Shimmerwing, whose blue eyes glowed with relief. But there was a shadow on her face. The tawny she-cat bounded over to Dapplestar, and Dapplestar examined the wounds on her pelt.
"Did they try to kill you, too?" Dapplestar asked.
"Quickbreeze did," Shimmerwing replied, sighing. "But I fought her off. Dapplestar, are you going to kill them all?"
"Yes." Dapplestar's voice was harsh.
"But, Sparkfire is expecting kits," Shimmerwing explained. "If you kill her, you kill those kits too. Plus, Mistsong, and Blossomwing are my sister's children."
"She should've thought about those kits before planning to kill me," Dapplestar hissed through clenched teeth. "And I care not for blood kin. I care what they did, and what they did is treason."
Shimmerwing's blue eyes widened.
"They are traitors, Shimmerwing." Dapplestar glared at her deputy. "They tried to kill you, and they tried to kill me. The price for betrayal is death, no matter who goes out with you, or who you are related to. There is no avoiding this." The tortoiseshell she-cat turned to the conspirators. "Line up!" she barked. "Now!"
"Dapplestar, please!" Brightpool cried out, racing towards the tortoiseshell she-cat. Dapplestar turned on the she-cat, hissing furiously.
"Stay back!" Dapplestar barked at her. "Your children are traitors. They will pay the price. Sharpfang, Moonshade, stop her."
Her warriors obeyed her order, and the two toms held Brightpool back with their claws. Brightpool flailed in their grasp, and Shimmerwing watched her sister, horrified. Icepaw was holding back Tawnycloud with her claws as the pale she-cat gawked at her sons for taking part in the coup.
Rippleheart herded Mistsong and the other warriors into a straight line, while Dapplestar padded over to the edge of the line, examining her claws as they shone in the setting sun. The first cat at the edge of the line was Rushfire. Dapplestar narrowed her eyes as the pale tabby tom padded over towards her. He faced Dapplestar with a hard stare, his claws unsheathed, but he didn't move.
"Down," Dapplestar ordered.
Rushfire glared at Dapplestar, his eyes blazing. "You may execute me, but in four seasons' time, the disgusted and harried warriors will bring you to book and drag you alive through the dirt in the marshes," he snarled.
Dapplestar eyed him. Snorting, the tortoiseshell she-cat slit her claws down the pale tom's throat, sending him thumping to the ground. Rushfire let out a gurgling gasp, blood bubbling at his throat, and after a few moments of his body spasming, the tom's head fell. His pale blue eyes gazed at the sky, unseeing and cloudy. One traitor down.
Dapplestar turned to see Thistleflame next in line. Thistleflame was shaking, his breath coming in gasps. From next to him, Quickbreeze murmured, "Look her in the eye. She'll remember you."
Yes, indeed. I will remember you for a long time, Dapplestar thought, a chuckle escaping her lips as Thistleflame padded forward. The blue-gray tom seemed to heed Quickbreeze's advice, as he looked up at Dapplestar, his amber eyes locking with Dapplestar's green gaze. Dapplestar gave him a dauntless grin, and within seconds, her claws were out, scoring down Thistleflame's throat. When the tom fell to the ground, Rippleheart padded over and took his body away.
A gasp escaped Jaymoon, who was watching the execution of his son from the edge of the clearing. Dapplestar looked up and met his gaze steadily. This is what happens when your children end up being traitors. But Jaymoon made no move. Instead, he hung his head sorrowfully, seeming to accept that there was nothing he could do. Dapplestar urged Blossomwing forward, and when the tortoiseshell she-cat stood helpless at her claws, Dapplestar slit her throat in a second. Brightpool's choking gasp echoed through the camp as Blossomwing hit the ground with a thud. Rippleheart gazed at the dead she-cat's body before dragging her away.
Sparkfire was next. Dapplestar gestured her forward. The ginger tabby she-cat looked at her swollen belly, and then back at Dapplestar, but Dapplestar continued to gesture with her claws. She would not show any mercy to a traitor. Dapplestar heard Shimmerwing murmuring her name but ignored it. No cat tried to usurp power in RiverClan and get away with it. When Sparkfire padded over, her body shaking, Dapplestar forced her down. Just as she had done with Thistleflame and Rushfire, her claws ripped out the ginger she-cat's throat. When Sparkfire hit the ground, a dying scream escaping her mouth, Dapplestar watched callously. When Sparkfire no longer moved, Runningflame came to collect her body. She could see shadows covering Runningflame's usually bright gaze, but again, the leader made no comment.
You. Dapplestar met Quickbreeze's gaze as Sharpfang urged her forward. Sharpfang's amber eyes glowed as he pushed her forward. Quickbreeze padded in front of Dapplestar, her sides heaving, but Dapplestar was having none of it. Pinning the gray-and-white she-cat to the ground, Dapplestar sank her teeth in her neck, clamping down. When she heard the crack of bones, she let go, and Quickbreeze fell, limp on the ground. Shimmerwing padded forward, sinking her teeth in Quickbreeze's scruff, and dragging her away.
The last cat who stood in line was Mistsong. Dapplestar met her gaze, and Mistsong padded forward. You will walk into the hells, and they will turn you down. You will burn there, and you will suffer for every single moment of it. Dapplestar raised her claws, ready to slice them down Mistsong's throat.
Brightpool let out a horrified yowl. Sharpfang covered her mouth, stopping the tawny and white she-cat from racing to her daughter's side. His claws pierced the base of Brightpool's tail, and even as the RiverClan warrior turned to nip at him, Sharpfang just tightened his grip.
"Long live sacred RiverClan!" Mistsong howled. Dapplestar's claws severed Mistsong's throat, and the gray she-cat fell to the ground. Satisfaction warmed Dapplestar's pelt as she saw all her enemies, dead at her paws. There would be no more resistance within RiverClan. Any cat who showed the slightest bit of hesitation would meet their death at her claws. Dapplestar lifted her gaze, meeting Rowanshade's amber eyes.
After the senior warriors dragged the bodies of the executed cats away, Dapplestar turned to Sharpfang. "Have Rowanshade meet me in the marsh tonight, at moonhigh."
Sharpfang nodded. "Yes, Dapplestar."
Dapplestar glanced up at the rising moon. She could feel Shimmerwing's burning blue gaze on her pelt, but she had nothing to say to Shimmerwing. The price of betrayal was death. It had been since the beginning of the Clans and would continue to be. These cats had turned on Shimmerwing as well. So why was she so hesitant on killing them? Because they're her kin? Marshfoot and Crookedfang had been her kin. But they had been traitors.
Leaving Shimmerwing alone, Dapplestar headed into her den, licking the blood that had landed on her chest when she had executed the traitors. The fury that was burning inside of her still was not sated, even with the death of the conspirators. Rowanshade had to go as well. But how could she get rid of a dedicated warrior? How could she make it look like Rowanshade had taken his own life, rather than having been killed?
Deathberries. The idea came to Dapplestar in an instant. Yes, of course. I will force him to eat deathberries. That way, it will look as if he killed himself, and I do not have to hear my warriors complain. With a concrete plan ready, Dapplestar got to her paws and left her den. She looked up at the sky, seeing the half-moon's silver rays bathe the camp. She knew that no cat was probably sleeping, disturbed by the events of the past day, but she could not care less. Slipping out of camp, Dapplestar headed towards the forest in her territory.
When Dapplestar approached the woods, she began to sniff around the bushes. Continuing to walk forward, she worked her nose heavily until she skidded to a halt. The moon's light exposed to her a bush with bright red berries, just begging to be picked. Dapplestar wondered how she could get the berries without suffering their poison herself. She turned to spot a laurel bush behind her, and her eyes lit up. She pulled a few laurel leaves out of the bush, setting them on the ground. With her claws, she snatched a couple of berries from their bush and dropped the berries on the laurel. After tying up the laurel leaf that contained the deadly berries, Dapplestar carried it by its stem.
With the poisonous concoction in her mouth, Dapplestar knew she only had a matter of time to get to the marshland until she was either found out or she experienced the poison herself. Flexing her legs, she began to run, hoping that the berries wouldn't tumble out of the leaf wrap she had made. If they did, she would not be able to pick them up. The dip in the marshland caught Dapplestar's sight, and she breathed a silent sigh of relief. Dapplestar skidded to a halt once she reached the slope, dropped the leaf wrap, and waited.
Finally, a brown-and-ginger figure made its way towards her. The amber eyes were recognizable, and so was the scar on its face. Rowanshade. As Rowanshade padded forward, his ears twitching, Dapplestar gestured with her paw towards the ground. "Sit," she meowed, watching his every movement.
Rowanshade nodded and sat down, wrapping his tail around his paws. Dapplestar waited, letting the ominous silence engulf between them. "Rowanshade," she began. "You knew of Mistsong's plot, and yet you did not inform me. Is that true?"
The RiverClan warrior shifted his paws, staring down at the ground.
"Is that true?" Dapplestar repeated, her voice harder.
"Yes," Rowanshade replied, finally looking up. "It's true."
"That is treason," Dapplestar hissed, lashing her tail.
"I know." Rowanshade lowered his head. "I am deeply sorry."
"I will give you three options." Dapplestar twitched her tail. "First, you can come to camp and defend yourself in front of me. Refuse to, and I will take that as an admission of guilt. Second, I can surmise a group of warriors that will listen to your case and hear the evidence, but you and I both know that would be tantamount to a death sentence. Third, you can end your life here."
"End my life?" Rowanshade echoed, his eyes horrified.
"In the previous two scenarios, your family would suffer," Dapplestar told him. "Brightpool, Silverheart, and Lightningcloud would never be trusted in the Clan again, no matter what they do. I may even have them exiled, simply for being related to a traitor, or perhaps even killed. Their safety cannot be guaranteed as long as you still live. Take these deathberries I have with me right now, and you will die a hero, with no shame."
Rowanshade stared at Dapplestar, his jaw hanging, but saying nothing. Dapplestar tapped the ground with her paw, impatience beginning to get the worst of her. "Choose," she growled, holding Rowanshade's gaze every moment. "Choose, before I make a decision for you."
Silence blanketed the two cats. Dapplestar curled her lip, prepared to slash at Rowanshade when the tom lowered his head and finally meowed, "I will end my life, as an atonement for my guilt."
Dapplestar pushed the deathberries in front of Rowanshade. "Then eat these," she growled, her voice low as it rumbled in her chest. The moon cast its glow on the bright red berries, and Rowanshade focused his gaze on them. He gave Dapplestar a nod, and Dapplestar sat back on her haunches, waiting.
Rowanshade picked up one berry in his mouth. He lifted his head, gazing at Dapplestar. Dapplestar nodded. Then, Rowanshade bit down, the deathberry crushing in his mouth. Chunks of the berry and liquid poison trickled down his throat as he swallowed. As soon as the lump in his throat was gone, the warrior began to twitch repeatedly. He fell to the ground, gasping for breath, wheezing as he pawed at his throat. His eyes bulged out of their sockets, and he began to gag. He coughed, blood beginning to down his mouth, and after moments of what must have been agonizing pain, the tom stopped moving. His amber eyes gazed sightlessly at the moon.
Dapplestar knew she couldn't leave behind any evidence if she didn't want any cat to think Rowanshade had killed himself. No, she had to make this seem as if he died of natural causes. Dapplestar scraped the residue of the deathberry out of his mouth and hid it back into the laurel leaf. She would have to find somewhere to discard the remaining berry and the rest of the berry that didn't make it in Rowanshade's mouth. Leaving the body of the dead warrior behind, Dapplestar disappeared into the night, determined to find some place to leave the rest of the evidence.
Mistsong, Quickbreeze, Blossomwing, Sparkfire, Thistleflame, Rushfire, and Rowanshade were all gone. There was no more threat to her power. Now she could unify the Clans without worrying about an assassination attempt on her back. Although she was aware Shimmerwing didn't agree with her decision to execute the warriors, there was no other option. Dapplestar refused to let traitors live.