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And guys, I appreciate SO MUCH how you guys love this story despite how depressing and dark it is, but I beg of you, constructive criticism will always be welcome. I want to perfect my writing skills. :)

Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors

Chapter Thirty-Four

The alley cats were lined up against a wall of one of the Twolegnests. Ice paced before them, asking of them their names. When she reached Slither, the ginger she-cat lashed out a paw, but Ice grabbed her and slammed her against the wall.

"You are lucky I like you," Ice snarled, pinning Slither. "Don't screw that up for yourself."

She released her and continued. No cat tried to attack her after that.

Once she reached the end of the line she spoke up for everyone to hear. "Alright! Now I know you, and the next order of business are rules. I am your leader and you are to call me by the name of a leader. I will decide when kits are ready to join the fun, and if you are healthy enough to continue when injured. I will assess your battle moves against one another, because I would beat you if I fought myself. Those that lose will be scarred and sentenced to extra training-with me. Something you don't want to go through." She looked at the many pairs of frightened gazes and smiled. "The first assessment is today. First up, Rosemary and Drake."

A tortoiseshell she-cat and a black tom stepped forward, eyes on the ground. They were evenly matched, about the same size and well-muscled. Ice could see that they were two of the strongest alley cats.

"Stand there," Ice said, flicking her tail at the center of the alleyway. The two cats obediently walked there and faced each other, looking unsure. "Go."

They hesitated, but eventually, Drake rushed at Rosemary, claws unsheathed. The she-cat yelped and fell to the side, surprised at his speed. Drake leaped on top of her, pinning her down the the hard floor. Rosemary wriggled a leg free and struck the black tom just hard enough to make him shift his weight, and with another leg free, she threw several blows until he was off of her completely.

The faced each other again. Rosemary's shoulders bled from being pinned and Drake's face and flank were scratched, but they weren't done yet. Drake jerked one way but when Rosemary went the other, he twisted and bowled her over.

That move...it's so familiar. Ice saw yellow eyes flash in her mind, but for only a heartbeat. She watched the two again as they swatted and hissed at one another. Rosemary swung around, gathering enough force to hit Drake in the muzzle. After regaining his balance, he retaliated by lunging and sinking his teeth into her scruff. With a grunt he threw her away and as she staggered, he was able to get a better grip on her and take her down.

Ice narrowed her eyes. This was lasting much longer than she thought. Were they stronger than she realized?

Rosemary cried out as her head struck the ground. She tried escaping, clawing at the floor with her paws but Drake had her down too tightly. She stopped doing anything for a moment and gazed past her opponent to look at Ice. The tortoiseshell she-cat gulped.

"I submit," she squeaked.

Drake let her up. Ice beckoned Rosemary and the alley cat approached with her head bowed like she was an apprentice being scolded by her mentor. She sat and Ice unsheathed her claws and slashed them over Rosemary's chest, like she had done to Pussy. Rosemary yowled and crumpled to the ground in pain. Ice kicked her a mouse-length or two and called on the next batting pair.

"Thorn and Dewey."

One by one, a cat fell and another triumphed until the lone was through. To her surprise, Slither was one of the losing cats. She seemed very unfocused during the fight.

We have no time for grief, Ice decided as she thought about Darren. "The losers of the assessments, to the corner. I will speak with you in a moment. For the winners, you are all to hunt. I want each and every one of you to return with something edible. Don't bother returning until you have caught something." Her eyes flashed. "And don't think about running. I'll know, and then your blood is mine."

Quickly, the alley cats tumbled over each other to get out of the alley way. A golden she-cat and two kits remained. The she-cat was Flower, Bolt's mate. "Um, Commander Ice. May I stay to nurse my kits?"

Ice glared at the two scraps of fur that stood at her paws. Each of them were built strongly. They would make fine warriors for her, so they might as well eat. She looked back up at Flower and gave a swift nod.

"Thank you, Commander Ice," she replied, herding her kits a nice shaded spot in the alley.

Ice turned to the others. Each of them sat, staring intently at their paws, tails flicking with uneasiness. In each of them, a spark of fear Ice sensed. She padded before them for a moment, and then spoke, bitterness edging her tone.

"Can any of you tell me why you failed?" she asked.

All were silent.

"I see," Ice snarled. "You're afraid. Yes, you have all right to be apprehensive of me, but here's the issue." She slithered up to them, eyes blazing. "I'm not here to lead cowards! I don't care if you're scared! I don't care if I have in my power to kill you! You will speak when I say so, so speak!"

A brown she-cat, known as Ginger, whispered softly. "We are sorry, Commander Ice. This was all a very drastic change in atmosphere. Darren had been killed mere hours ago, and suddenly...you know..."

"Is that an excuse I here? An excuse against me?" asked Ice.

Ginger's eyes flashed with realization. "No, I didn't mean-"

"Look," Ice growled. "We are all very new to this. I'll let you off with a warning. But this is a warning to all of you. Any of you slip up-"

"You'll kill us, hang our tails, gouge out our eyes. We know."

Slowly, Ice turned. Slither wore a cold expression as she glared at the ground beneath her.

"Slither..." a tom, Dragon whispered.

"No," Slither hissed, facing him. "I don't even care! This Commander Ice killed Darren and assumed the position by force! A position that would have been mine! Everyone knows that Bolt wouldn't take it, and I was Darren's favorite! But it was ruined!" Her gaze snapped to Ice. "Just because this murderous little dog-breathed, Twoleg-minded she-cat just had to feel blood run under her paws today!" She took a step towards Ice. "We don't deserve this! She should just-"

The ginger she-cat was cut off as Ice barreled into her, claws ripping at her flank. Slither grunted and pushed Ice away and scrambled to her paws. She crouched ready for any attack Ice could deliver.

"You..." Ice snarled, shivering. "You have no idea what I've been through! My life has been a whirlwind of pain and suffering, and when I finally find who I am, you go and tell me I'm making the wrong decisions. You don't need to tell me. I know."

"Then why do you keep threatening and hurting us! What did we ever do to you?" Slither spat.

Ice growled. "This is who I am! I've gone down a long path before I could finally accept myself! And as long as I feel no gulit, I can live with myself." She glared at Slither, ready to sping when a sudden fatigue washed over her body. As her every limb felt like it was weighed down, her body went cold.

She turned away. "Wow, Slither. You got lucky twice in the same day. It's unlikely that it will happen again. Watch yourself from now on. Your pride won't save you next time."

The hunters all returned with something in their jaws. Everything was scrawny and had little meat on the bones, but it was food and enough for everyone to share. Ice ate a mouse alone, though, watching everyone skeptically as they devoured their own prey. Slither ripped a piece of meat from her squirrel. She looked about ready to explode in a fury of flames. Ice knew she was upset, and she herself was too. It had all began so much rougher than they would have liked.

She pushed away her mouse, sighing. She couldn't remember the exact time she was really as down as she was then. Everything she described to Slither, that was everything she knew. Ice had no exact memory of her past, only that it was filled with pain and misery, and that the only way out was through causing pain and misery back. She was a new cat now, and glad of it. Would relearning her past be a good or bad thing?

Maybe it wouldn't be the best idea, but something in her mind was longing her to find the memories. But she wouldn't go back, she would have to find something to trigger her mind. Closure, it was called?

She wasn't losing herself. She was still the same Ice. She still laughed at the thought of killing and battle. It was a game to her, but maybe these alley cats would teach her a thing or two.

The next day, she would make sure the whole Twolegplace knew who she was. She would make sure that they knew that everyone under her power was dangerous. If she had to kill six or seven cats to make herself heard, so be it. She didn't quite have a plan yet, but it would come to her soon.

As the sun dipped under the horizon, turning the sky a mild shade of orange and pink, Ice ordered two cats, Ivy and August to take the bodies of Darren and the other cats killed by her to the pond. She noticed some cats leaving the alley to go mourn for them, but didn't stop them. Her entire body ached with exhaustion, though she hated to admit she was tired.

And as the day closed with a clear, star-lit sky, Ice climbed up onto the ledge, curled up and fell asleep to the sight of the alley cats below her.

She was their leader, and this was her place now.

I was actually considering killing Slither, but that would put a death in like, every chapter, and I like her. So she'll stick around for a while.

And guys, don't be afraid to put out some constructive criticism. I'm not like Ice. I'll take it without killing you. :) Review!

~Destiny