Chapter 1
Bramblestar woke up with a startled yelp, his heart raced as he thought back to the terrible dream that StarClan had sent him. He stepped out of his den and padded over to the small fresh-kill pile. A chilly leaf-bare breeze swept through the camp as he picked up a scrawny mouse. Most of the camp was sleeping, besides Squirrelflight and the dawn patrol. Among them was Icecloud, the white she-cat was grooming herself quickly while Squirrelflight told the patrol where to go. His paws trembled, how was he supposed to tell the Clan these horrifying news? "Are you going to eat that?" Squirrelflight purred as she padded up to him. His ear flicked as he realized that he had clawed up the bony mouse. "Errr... I guess not." He said as he started trotting to the Highrock. "Where are you going?" She frowned. He ignored his deputy and climbed onto the huge rock that loomed in the camp. "All cats that are old enough to hunt their own prey, gather beneath the Highrock for a clanmeeting!" Bramblestar yowled as Squirrelflight leaped up beside him with curiousity. Warriors started to file out of their den with yawns. Some of the warriors went into the apprentices den to wake them up, the apprentices stumbled out of their den and sat down next to their mentors. Bramblestar cleared his throat, the dawn patrol hadn't left yet and he could feel their urgency ripple through the air. "Cats of ThunderClan, StarClan have told me some horrible news. They have agreed with the Dark Forest to start deathly duels every four seasons. Two cats from each Clan, a she-cat and a tom are chosen. The tributes for the first duels ever are Cloudtail, and Icecloud."
Blackstar climbed up the tree where he assembled his Clan from angrily, like his Clan didn't have enough to worry about. The omonoumous warning from StarClan had ruffled his pelt in anger and pride, anger because it would be less cats in his ranks while these strange Death Duels were going on, but pride because he was sure his Clan would win and prove once and for all that ShadowClan was the strongest! As his Clan gathered beneath him, he motioned for Toadfoot and Olivenose to step forward. "My dear ShadowClan, StarClan has informed me of some interesting news..." His voice boomed through the crowd as his gaze swept from side to side. He knew how to work these cats, every ShadowClan leader had used it before him, to make the Clan believe what they were doing was making them stronger. "Toadfoot and Olivenose will be the first ShadowClan cats to ever compete in the Death Duels!" Courisity buzzed through the cats, he knew what they were wondering. "What are Death Duels?" Rowanclaw's deep voice jutted through the crowd, the cats quieted down as soon as their deputy stood up with his tail bristling. The ginger deputy seemed angry that he hadn't been warned of this before but Blackstar ignored his unease and growled, "Death Duels are a battle between all four Clans in which two cats from each Clan must fight to the death. In which ShadowClan will finally prove that they are the best!" He boomed his tail whipped back and forth like a snake and the other cats yowled their approvals at his "words of wisdom". Out of the corner of his eyes he saw Tawnypelt and Starlingwing glance anxiously around the clearing. I better keep my eyes on those two... He thought to himself as he jumped down and stalked over the fresh-kill pile.
Crowfeather woke witha yawn as his leader summoned the WindClan cats from their rabbit-chasing dreams. The gray tom strecthed effortlessly and walked out of the warrior's den rarely used. Most of the cats were already there, especially the tired queens and the bouncing kits. His apprentice, Heathertail was trying to calm her six kits, they had only been born two moons ago but they thought themselves full-fledged warriors. The other day he'd caught Lavenderkit trying to sneak into the warrior's den. He felt bad for Heathertail at the moment but kits were good for the Clan. His mind snapped back to attention as he heard his name being called, "...Crowfeather and Frostkit have been chosen." He turned to look at Heathertail in confusement. What were they talking about? The small Frostkit jumped up and down excitedly while her siblings looked at her in envy, Heathertail's fur was on end and she looked like she was close to wailing a protest. "Crowfeather!" He turned his head to see his mother Ashfoot standing next to him. Her eyes shone with a sad but furious light. "Be careful by kit..."
Mistystar staggered as she went to her den, mixed emotions swam across her eyes as the realisation of what she had to do settled in her mind. Killing cats, she had to kill cats to survive, her own Clanmate might die. She was probably the luckiest, having nine lives she would definetly win, but other innocant cats were going to be murdered in cold blood. Her own mother might die... "Mistystar?" She jumped up as Mintfur padded in her den. "Oh it's you, what's wrong Mintfur?" Mintfur sat down next to the entrance, "I just wanted to let you know that I will willingly die for you in these Death Duels."
Tangle yowled in anger, "What! I joined this Clan to live peacefully on my last moons, not become fresh-kill!" His tail whipped back and forth in anger at his leaders strange words. He turned his ragged head to the gray tabby, Mintfur, as she sat down next to him. "Calm down Tangle. You will not become fresh-kill, we are Clanmates, you are my elder, and I will protect you with my life." The young gray tabby stared at him with confidence, she was prepared to kill to get back home safely.
Beetlewhisker and Brightflower trotted to the border between DarkClan and StarClan. Clawface and Mapleshade were already there. "It's about time!" Mapleshade's gruff voice split through the tensioned air. "Well are we going or not?!" She snapped. Brightflower merely nodded her head and lead the way.
Wow I'm so sorry... I can't believe I let the time slide by like that. I promise you I will try to upload faster next time. I'm so so sorry... :( Anyways sorry if it's a bit... hurried, I was trying to upload as fast as I could for you guys. Hi: Thank you so much! If it wasn't for you I probably would've forgotten about the story completely. As usual tell me if there are any mistakes, and PLEASE COMMENT. I love hearing feedback from you, it makes me feel so special when you comment, and I CAN take comments telling me if there's something wrong with my story, it makes me a better writer. Sorry if this chapters a bit dull, it's a bridge for upcoming events... MWAHAHA! Anyways BYE!