A/N: Hey Guys! Wanna make a proposition? If I get 100 reviews on this update, I will put up the prologue of my FINAL GREAT LAKE CLANS BOOK about VolcanoClan, it's already written and the moment I reach 100 reviews, I will post it!

Enjoy chapter thirteen!

Chapter Thirteen

Several days had passed since Hollowstar launched a rock down the Speaking Cliff and crushed Splashfur's hind quarters. Cactusthorn paced anxiously around the clearing, occasionally glaring toward the leaders den. Hatred filled her heart, almost blinding her, that was until Darkwater approached with worry sparkling in his eyes. "What now?" The dark brown tom asked.

Cactusthorn stared at him blankly. "We have to get rid of him. What did the toms say to you?" She asked.

Darkwater's expression changed to satisfaction, "Thistlepelt, Windwhisper, Sandwhisker, Jayflight, and Blacknight agree that Hollowstar must be over-thrown."

Cactusthorn nodded approvingly. "Good, Rushfall, Silverdrop, Silverdream, Hareleap, Rosedance, Fireclaw, and Hawkpelt are ready. I'm going to ask for Alderpaw to become a 'she-cat warrior' today. Right now, actually," she whispered to Darkwater.

"Okay, when will we fight?" He asked as she began to pad away.

She turned her head back at him, "When the time is right, I'll give the signal."

Darkwater nodded understandingly as she finally began to make her way to Hollowstar's den. The lichen that cover the entrance quivered as Hollowstar nosed his way out to stare at Cactusthorn in the eyes. Cactusthorn's fur bristled and she spit furiously, "Are you trying to scare me out of my fur?"

Hollowstar's eyes glittered wildly. "You think Alderpaw is ready to become a She-Cat Warror?" He chuckled.

Cactusthorn nodded hesitantly. "Very well, I trust your judgement," he growled as he leaped onto the Speaking Cliff.

Cactusthron starred forward as the Clan gathered in fear. "Cats of RockClan, Cactusthron, my Huntress leader says Alderpaw is ready to take her duties seriously. Alderpaw, do you promise to hunt and make sure this Clan remains strong?" He yowled.

Alderpaw's green eyes glowed with hostility, "I do."

"Then by the powers of me, I give you your She-Cat Warrior name. Alderpaw, from this day forward, you shall be known as Alderwillow. RockClan values your stealthiness as ability to reproduce," he snarled.

Cactusthron flinched as Hollowstar passed her. "How's Splashfur?" He sneered in her face.

Cactusthorn leaped forward and pinned Hollowstar down with incredible strength. "She might die because of you! Or worse, be paralyzed!" She snarled in his smug face.

The tom's yellow eyes flickered with satisfaction. "Who cares? Now I have more kits to take over after me. Specifically young Dustkit, he'll make a great leader," he laughed.

Cactusthorn stared at him wildly, what was he talking about? She leaped off Hollowstar and bounded toward the nursery to be stopped by Petalbloom, "I'm sorry, Cactusthorn, you can't go in there."

"I must," she growled at Petalbloom.

The medicine-cat lowered her gaze. "Very well, she's been asking for you anyway," she meowed.

Cactusthron pushed back the ivy the clung to the rocks the made the entrance for the den. She opened her eyes to see Spashfur laying sprawled out in a nest the size for three cats. She padded up to her injured sister. Poultices clung to her fur. Her legs were mauled. Flesh clung on as bones were exposed. Cactusthron lowered her gaze. "Splashfur, this is all my fault. I shouldn't have let you leave," she whimpered.

Splashfur's eyes snapped open. A horrific wail rose in her throat. "Petalbloom, something's wrong," Cactusthron called as she leaped to her paws.

Petalbloom rushed in, her eyes glazed over when she saw Splashfur lying in her nest. "Nothing's wrong, Cactusthorn. She does this every few minutes. Some are worse than this. It's the exposure of her bones. Infection is clinging onto her body like a parasite. I can't stop it," Petalbloom mumbled.

Cactusthorn's attention was directed to the entrance of the den. A single orange and black butterfly fluttered in. Her eyes fixed to the large insect. It landed lightly on Splashfur's matted head, then took flight once more to land casually on Cactusthorn's nose. A strange feeling flared in her nostrils. Soon, she sneezed and the butterfly flew out of a crack in the den. "It's a sign from StarClan, they've recognized you for the pain you've endured. Splashfur will not make it, Cactusthron, but her kits will live on," Petalbloom whispered into Cactusthorn's ear.

A tiny wail rose in her throat, but she kept silent as a though popped in her mind, "Petalbloom, who is the father?"

"She told me not to tell anyone, but since you're her closest relative: Hollowstar," she spat his name.

"How did this happen?" She growled at the medicine-cat.

"He knew you two weren't actually related. He wanted more kits in the Clan, just in case you didn't follow through. And he succeeded. If you have his kits, he'll kill you too," Petalbloom hissed as she eyes Cactusthorn carefully.

She quickly stood to her paws as Splashfur coughed hard. Another wail rose from her sisters throat. "I can't do this anymore," she whispered to herself then stared at Splashfur. "I love you and I will miss you, Splashfur. Thank you for sticking with me for so long. May StarClan light your path."

She turned toward the entrance as her eyes darkened with pure rage and hatred. Now, she was blinded by fury. She tore through the ivy covered entrance, ripping the ivy from its roots, it drug helplessly as Cactusthron padded on. She made her way into the center of the clearing. Petalbloom stood at the entrance of her den with her fur bristled and her eyes blazing. "HOLLOWSTAR!" Cactusthorn yowled at the top of her lungs.

Cats scurried from their dens with fur bristling with anger, some with fear. Darkwater stood on the right side of her and Hawkpelt stood on the left. Her clanmates glared forward as Hollowstar exited. Gorseclaw, Eagletalon, and Briarclaw stood next to him with fur bristled and claws extended. Hollowstar's eyes were menacing and full of anger.

Cactusthron puffed out her chest as she let her fur stand on end completely and her claws extend to their full length. She bared her teeth in a horrific snarl as her usual soft green eyes grew wild with fury. "Your reign is over," she spat like she swallowed poison.

Hollowstar chuckled. "Oh, but it's only just begun, sweet Cactusthron," he spat her name back.

What was about to happen next made her heart beat hard against her chest, but not in fear, but in pure courage and determination. Fur flashed as Cactusthorn leaped in the air with her claws slashing through fur and flesh.

A/N: Remember to review so I can put the prologue for the next book up! It's gonna be wonderful! Remember 100 reviews or more! There's only one or two more chapters left in this book! So enjoy while it lasts! The next chapter is going to be brutal. So REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! Thanks!

-Nightspirit