SHADOWCLAN
LEADER
Deathsoul (Black pelt and green eyes tom)
Apprentice- Deathpaw
DEPUTY
Darkfury (Black pelt and blue eyes she-cat, has a scar painfully scratching across her underbelly)
Apprentice- Fiercepaw
HEALER
Puddleshine
WARRIORS
Rain (dark blue tom)
Apprentice- Sleekpaw
Stonetooth (white tom)
Apprentice- Juniperpaw
Spikefur (dark brown tom with taffy fur on his head)
Apprentice- Yarrowpaw
Wasptail (yellow tabby she-cat with green eyes)
Apprentice- Strikepaw
Dawnpelt (cream-furred she-cat)
Apprentice- Beepaw
Snowbird (sleek, lithe, well-muscled, pure white she-cat with green eyes)
Scorchfur (dark gray tom with slashed ears, one of which is torn)
Berryheart (black-and-white she-cat)
Cloverfoot (gray tabby she-cat)
Rippletail (white tom)
Sparrowtail (large tabby tom)
Mistcloud (spiky-furred, pale gray she-cat)
Needletail
Roach
Raven
Nettle (brown tabby)
Slit
Ripwrath (brown tom with red eyes, a scar going diagonally across his right eye)
Apprentice- Brokenpaw
Tigerblood (orange tom with black stripes, blood always on his pelt)
Dragonblaze (tall tom with amber eyes)
Apprentice- Stormpaw
Sharpclaw
Phoenixflight
Apprentice- Shadowpaw
Toughstripe
Apprentice- Blackpaw
Darktail
QUEENS
Grassheart (pale brown tabby she-cat)
Pinenose (black she-cat) -mother to Birchkit, Lionkit, Puddlekit, and Slatekit. Fostering Violetkit.
Leopardleap
ELDERS
Oakfur (small brown tom)
Kinkfur (tabby she-cat, with long fur that sticks out at all angles)
Ratscar (scarred tom)
KITS
Birchkit (beige tom-kit)
Lionkit (yellow she-kit with amber eyes)
Puddlekit (a brown tom-kit with white splotches)
Slatekit (a sleek, gray tom-kit)
Violetkit (a black-and-white she-kit)
Swiftkit
Brutalkit
Cruelkit
Prologue
Darktail sat on the grass, waiting impatiently for the new cats he recently recruited to finish their loyalty test. He sat there, waving his tail back and forth rhythmically, as he thought, "No one can stop me now..."
Deathsoul walked across the muddy terrain. Newleaf always brings rain and prey. Deathsoul thought to himself. However, through years of tracking training, he was still able to track down his son, Darktail. Once Deathsoul got his hands on him, he would demand his leadership back. Then, then he will rule over the forest. He walked into the forest, and crouched behind bushes and he followed some cats into a camp, he saw Darktail waving his tail impatiently at the other cats, acting as if he was leader. Deathsoul growled, and leaped toward Darktail...
Deathsoul tackled Darktail to the ground.
"Give me my leadership back, you traitor!" Deathsoul yelled at Darktail, unsheathing his claws.
"Never!" Darktail choked out.
Deathsoul pressed down on Darktail's neck, lowering down Darktail's oxygen.
"Please, fine, I submit!" Darktail pleaded, choking.
Deathsoul got off and addressed the ShadowClan cats that were edging closer with worry and protectiveness for their leader.
"I am your TRUE leader!" Deathsoul shouted.
"I must make them fear me." He thought to himself.
"He is my son, and I will show you what happens to traitors like him!" Deathsoul declared, flicking his tail toward Darktail.
"Please, no, I'm sorry for betraying you father!" Darktail apologized quickly, gasping for air.
"Traitors are not forgiven in this clan no longer." Deathsoul replied bitterly, and he unsheathed his claws, then sliced off Darktail's tail will one swift and clean swipe.
"Whyyy!" Darktail wailed.
Deathsoul stared back at every cat that was watching, daring any cat to challenge him. All the cats stared at Darktail's cut off tail in shock, and then hurried along with their jobs, afraid of getting in trouble too.
Chapter 1
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath Highledge Rock for a Clan meeting!" Deathsoul yowled.
All cats came pouring out of their dens, settling down onto the grass, murmuring about what would happen next.
"As the new Clan leader, I must make some things clear. We will no longer believe in StarClan, for they have given up on us. We will now believe in the Vault of Souls." Deathsoul announced.
Clan cats began to murmur to each other what that might mean.
"From the Vault of Souls, my last name, 'soul', signifies that I have been granted my many lives and that I have been approved as leader of ShadowClan." Deathsoul declared.
Deathsoul paused, as he waited for the shocked talking to die down. "As the new leader, I must also appoint a new deputy."
All the cats were wondering who would be the next deputy.
"I did not come alone, I brought my mate, Darkfury, and our son, Devilkit. Darkfury will be my deputy." Deathsoul announced, looking at all the cats to make sure no one challenged him.
"Now, everyone saw what happened to Darktail earlier am I right?" Deathsoul asked the crowd.
No one dared to speak up to challenge him.
"Now, I noticed that he could NOT be Darktail if he did not have a tail. Therefore, I will change his name to Tailless. ANYONE that calls him Darktail will be punished." Darktail crowed.
"Tailless! Tailless! Tailless! The crowd shouted in fear."
Tailless looked down at himself, head hanging.
"Now finally I must point out new apprentices. Devilkit and Fiercekit, please come here." Deathsoul requested.
The two kits bounded up to their leader excitedly.
"Devilkit, from this day forward you will be known as Devilpaw. I am your father, and I make an exception as leader to mentor you, and I shall pass down my skills to you." Deathsoul announced.
There was murmuring in the crowd, a parent did not mentor their kit.
Deathsoul touched noses with his new apprentice, and motioned Fiercekit over with his tail.
"Fiercekit, you have waited for six moons for this day. From this day on, you will be known as Fiercepaw. Darkfury, your fighting skills and courage are great. I trust you to pass on these skills to Fiercepaw." Deathsoul announced.
"Devilpaw, Fiercekit, Devilpaw, Fiercekit! The clan yowled excitedly.
Deathsoul leaped down from Highledge rock, and observed as the cats started to grow closer together, and more respect for himself.
"My clan will rule the forest." Deathsoul muttered to himself, motioning for Devilpaw to follow him.
Chapter 2
"Rain, you lead the dawn hunting patrol. Take Stonetooth, Spikefur, Wasptail, and Ripwrath, and have all of you take your apprentices." Deathsoul ordered.
Needletail came bounding up to Deathsoul.
"Can I join the patrol too?" Needletail asked Deathsoul.
"That she-cat spends too much time with Rain." Deathsoul thought to himself. "No, you will join Phoenixflight, Tigerblood, and Dragonblaze on dawn border patrol. Phoenixflight, lead the patrol please." Deathsoul decided, motioning for the three other cats to come over. "Bring your apprentices so that they can learn too." Deathsoul suggested.
The three loyal and experienced cats nodded, motioning with their tail for their apprentices to follow.
Needletail just nodded her head in acknowledgement, and slowly followed her patrol.
"Dawnpelt, I want you to supervise Devilpaw's training. Have Beepaw and Devilpaw train with each other. Remember, claws are unsheathed so that you can learn quickness." Deathsoul ordered, sharply, before walking away to his den.
Deathsoul scented his mate coming when he was almost in his den, and he stopped walking.
"Hello, Deathsoul. Is everything alright?" Darkfury asked, wrapping her tail in front of her paws.
"Everything is alright, but you must learn to do the patrol organizing by yourself, beloved." Deathsoul replied, touching his muzzle against Darkfury's.
"Okay, I'll let you watch me organize it at sunset." Darkfury suggested.
"Alright, beloved." Deathsoul agreed, walking back to his den to sleep.
"Welcome, Deathsoul, to the Vault of Souls." Evilsoul greeted Deathsoul.
"Hello father, am I dead? I thought I was awake." Deathsoul asked his father, confused.
"You are dreaming, young one, but I have come to tell you that your new Clanmates, the forest cats, do not know what the Vault of Souls is. You must tell them in a Clan Meeting, and then we can start visiting them." Evilsoul informed his son. "And also, you must attend the Gathering tonight." Evilsoul added.
"Alright fathe-" Deathsoul started to say before waking up.
"Deathsoul, wake up. Don't you want to help me organize the patrols? Rain's hunting patrol brought a lot of fresh-kill and it would do us good in the future if we got more. Additionally, Phoenixflight's patrol found fresh WindClan scent in our territory and Dawnpelt is almost done training Devilpaw and Beepaw, the WRONG way." Darkfury complained, swiping her sheathed paw at Deathsoul's face.
"Ok, Ok, I am up." Deathsoul surrendered to his mate tiredly. "What do you want, leader?" Deathsoul asked playfully.
"Go sort things out, and then help me with the patrols." Darkfury requested, her blue eyes shining.
Deathsoul went to go see Devilpaw first, he had to check on his apprentice, his son's training meant a lot. As he walked to the training area, he hid behind a bush and saw that Beepaw's paw was bleeding, so Devilpaw and Beepaw were fighting claws sheathed. All of a sudden, Devilpaw was about to get pounced on by Beepaw, but Devilpaw rolled quickly out of the way and unsheathed his claws, then raked his claws against Beepaw's belly.
Beepaw fell to the ground, with blood bleeding.
"DEVILPAW! You don't hurt other apprentices like that! I told you, claws sheathed!" Dawnpelt scolded, checking Beepaw.
"But my dad said that we were to train claws unsheathed, so that we can learn agility, unlike this fat apprentice here." Devilpaw retorted.
"That's it! I don't care about what your dad says if it's not safe! You are to pick ticks from the elders and change their bedding for a moon!" Dawnpelt punished Devilpaw.
Deathsoul was infuriated, and he walked out from the bush.
"Devilpaw, come here, NOW!" Deathsoul shouted, angrily.
Devilpaw looked at his father, then walked toward his father, head hanging. Dawnpelt looked pleased.
"Devilpaw, your punishment is not going to happen." Deathsoul announced, pausing.
Devilpaw looked pleased, and now Dawnpelt looked confused.
"However, your punishment will not go away." Deathsoul continued, and paused once again.
This time, both cats looked confused and afraid.
"Your punishment shall go to Dawnpelt, because she disobeyed my orders and talked behind my back." Deathsoul finished, staring at Dawnpelt.
"But, Beepaw got seriously hurt!" Dawnpelt defended herself, looking hurt.
"No he did not, he is just bleeding. We can always send him to Puddleshine for healing and cobwebs. As for you, this is the lightest punishment for you possible, it is just humiliation as a warrior, deal with it." Deathsoul shot back, with a hard stare.
Dawnpelt hung her head and walked towards the elders' den.
"Beepaw, go to Puddleshine, Devilpaw, go to your den." Deathsoul ordered, and then walked to the warriors den.
"Oh, Deathsoul, I was looking for you. We found WindClan scent in our territory, and it was fresh." Phoenixflight reported.
"I will make sure a patrol is always there, thank you for the report, Phoenixflight." Deathsoul assured.
Phoenixflight stood taller with pride for being congratulated by the tough leader.
Deathsoul started to change his course to Highledge rock.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the Highledge rock for a Clan meeting!" Deathsoul yowled.
Cats began to fill the grass, and Deathsoul began to report.
"Thanks to Phoenixflight's dawn border patrol, we have found WindClan scent in our borders. I want cats checking over there from time to time, whether if it is in groups or by yourself." Deathsoul announced confidently.
All cats began to murmur in agreement, and Phoenixflight's patrol licked their chests in embarrassment as their leader praised them.
"Also, Dawnpelt now has the punishment to do the most dreaded apprentice duty, picking out elder ticks and changing their bedding." Deathsoul paused for dramatic effect.
Cats began to look at Dawnpelt, and laugh. However, their laughing was stopped quickly with fear, fear that their leader would punish them for laughing at a Clanmate.
"Humiliation is the point of the punishment, so all cats, including elders, kits, apprentices, and even other warriors, may mock her and laugh at her until her punishment is over, which is in a moon." Deathsoul finished.
All cats began to laugh, and some even began to mock Dawnpelt right then and there. Dawnpelt had to try to keep her fur from sticking up.
"Finally, I have heard that some cats do not know what the Vault of Souls is. The Vault of Souls is also known as SoulClan. It just like StarClan, but only well respected and loyal warriors go there. It is an honorable place to go to, and as a Soul in the Vault, you may be chosen to give a life to a new leader. Each leader is given 99 lives, because the Vault of Souls is bigger, and better, than StarClan. They talk to us more, and do not talk in prophecies." Deathsoul explained, with pride.
"Now that we all know what the Vault of Souls is, we will now abandon StarClan, and listen to the Vault of Souls. We do have the warrior code still though." Deathsoul reassured some cats that looked uncertain.
Every cat in the camp nodded approvingly, and then Deathsoul called the meeting to an end.
Chapter 3
"We will not be doing the evening patrol today." Deathsoul announced to his warriors. "Instead, we will go to tonight's Gathering."
The warriors around Deathsoul let out a sign of relief. After hearing that they would give up on StarClan, they did not know what was tradition anymore.
"Devilpaw and Fiercepaw will come. Phoenixflight, Tigerblood, Dragonblaze, and Needletail you four will come with me too. Tailless, Beepaw, and Dawnpelt, you three come as well. Darkfury and Puddleshine you are welcome to come to the Gathering as always too." Deathsoul decided.
As Deathsoul began to jump up the tree to join the other leaders, Onestar shouted out, "Who are you?! You and your other rogues are not allowed here! Only CLAN cats meet here mouse-brains!"
"My cats are now the new ShadowClan. We are not to be called rogues, and we will now join Gatherings as a Clan." Deathsoul replied calmly.
"A Clan is not a Clan until it has a good leader. You still did not answer my question, who are YOU?!" Onestar asked, with hostility in his voice.
"My Clan DOES have a leader, and that is me. I am Deathsoul, the new, strong leader the new ShadowClan deserves." Deathsoul replied back, bitterly, with his tail lashing from side to side.
"The moon will go away soon, we must start the Gathering before moonhigh is over." Mistystar pointed out, growing impatient.
"The Gathering will start as soon as that band of rogues leave." Onestar harshly shot back.
"We are getting nowhere with this babbling, let ShadowClan be here, they are a proper clan in my eyes. They have a leader, deputy, medicine cat, and warriors. StarClan would send clouds to cover the moon if they leave." Bramblestar argued.
"Very well, let the Gathering begin!" Onestar conceded, seeing no point in fighting the other three leaders.
"Prey is running well in ThunderClan because of newleaf. Our medicine cat apprentice, Alderpaw, is now Alderheart." Bramblestar announced kindly, looking at Alderheart.
"Alderheart, Alderheart, Alderheart!" The clans greeted warmly. Alderheart gave his chest a few licks of embarrassment.
"There are many fish in the river, and RiverClan is well fed." Mistystar said, relieved to start the Gathering.
"RiverClan is always well fed with that disgusting fish." Deathsoul heard some cat mutter in the crowd.
"WindClan is also well-fed, with many rabbits to catch in the moor." Onestar announced confidently, looking at Deathsoul as if to challenge him.
Deathsoul took the challenge. "Oh, so your clan is well fed, right? Then why do we smell WindClan scent in our territory, as well as fresh squirrel scent, with blood on our grass? WindClan has been hunting in SHADOWCLAN territory!" Deathsoul yowled. Phoenixflight, Tigerblood, Dragonblaze, and Needletail hissed, claws unsheathed.
"Don't fight! This is a Gathering!" Deathsoul, call your cats down! Bramblestar cried.
Deathsoul flicked his tail, signaling his clan to sit, irritated to be disgraced by his cats, and taking orders from the ThunderClan leader.
"Is this true Onestar? Have you been stealing fresh-kill?" Mistystar inquired, turning her attention to Onestar.
"WindClan HAS been taking food from ShadowClan, just because ShadowClan is not a Clan, and rogues do not deserve Clan food." Onestar replied simply.
Deathsoul continued, "Other than that, prey is running well in ShadowClan. We have two new apprentices, Devilpaw and Fiercepaw."
"Devilpaw, Fiercepaw, Devilpaw, Fiercepaw!" All the clans congratulated.
"As I said earlier, our dawn border patrol, Phoenixflight, Tigerblood, Dragonblaze and Needletail smelled WindClan scent in our territory. We will fight any trespassers that walk across our border." Deathsoul threatened.
Deathsoul continued, "What many of you might know as Darktail, my son, is now Tailless, because he no longer has a tail."
The clans gasped in shock.
"Also, Dawnpelt has been punished with an apprentice duty, picking off elder's ticks and changing their bedding because she has disobeyed the warrior code." Deathsoul finished.
The clans sat in silence.
Bramblestar broke the silence. "The Gathering has ended, the clans can now go to their OWN territories." Bramblestar gave Onestar an expectant look.
"He doesn't even have nine lives, Bramblestar. How do you expect me to accept him as a leader in the first place? If he has nine lives, then I will accept his band of rogues and former Clan cats as a Clan." Onestar compromised, thinking that he was being sly.
"We don't need your acceptance as a Clan, Onestar. As long as we have Sou- I mean, StarClan's blessing, I am proud to be leader of the new ShadowClan. However, to answer your question, I do have nine lives." Deathsoul lied, as he turned back to his Clanmates, and led them back to camp.
"Will we have a war against WindClan, Deathsoul?" Devilpaw asked.
"We might, but not yet. The Clan needs to grow stronger together, and WindClan would probably be waiting right now. We must wait until they lower their defenses, so we can sneak into their camp and kill them." Deathsoul explained to his son.
Dawnpelt butted in. "Wouldn't that be against the warrior code if we killed WindClan?"
"It would not be against the warrior code if we were protecting our border, like the warrior code says, and if we have permission from SoulClan. Therefore, I will wait until our warrior ancestors tell me to attack, and when WindClan is weak." Deathsoul replied.
Dawnpelt kept quiet.
"The Clan will show no sign of weakness, we are stronger than regular Clan cats, and we will prove that by showing that we can protect our borders with force, otherwise the other Clans will pay." Deathsoul threatened.
"Father, wouldn't the other clans turn on us though?" Devilpaw asked.
"They would, if they felt that we were doing something wrong. However, if I explain to them I was doing it to their precious StarClan's wishes and the warrior code, they will respect that. Especially that Bramblestar." Deathsoul confirmed.
Dawnpelt started to pick up the pace, and bounded back to camp, leaving Devilpaw and Deathsoul to talk by themselves.
"You are a great leader father, I wish I could be just like you." Devilpaw admitted.
"I will make you a brave warrior, young one, but you must learn to never show weakness." Deathsoul told his apprentice wisely.
"And Darkfury will move to the warrior den, or elders' den once you are ready to become my deputy, so that you can become leader. It was planned ever since you gave Darkfury a scratch across her underbelly as a kit. It is your destiny, not Tailless's." Deathsoul thought to himself.
As Deathsoul's Gathering patrol entered camp, Deathsoul ordered Devilpaw, "Go to sleep, we will practice your hunting and battle training. If you show promise and learn fast tomorrow, you will get your assessment fairly soon." Devilpaw nodded, and then quickly went back to the apprentices' den. After Deathsoul saw Devilpaw's black tail enter the den, Deathsoul went back to his den, then fell asleep.
Chapter 4
Deathsoul found himself on a battlefield, watching his Clan attack WindClan.
"The same moon Devilpaw becomes a warrior, ShadowClan shall attack at night for an advantage. ShadowClan shall first wipe out the patrols, and then sneak into the medicine den, kill the medicine cat and his storages, and then attack WindClan. Do not lose any cats in this battle, only look to kill or injure some cats, but retreat when you are about to lose. Leave the WindClan cats to look over their injured, they will have no medicine cat to heal them, so you will succeed." Evilsoul advised.
"Ok father, I will try." Deathsoul promised, waking up.
Deathsoul walked out of his den, and watching as Darkfury organized the dawn patrols.
"I am taking Devilpaw for his warrior assessment." Deathsoul told Darkfury proudly.
"Okay, I'll have Fiercepaw take hers." Darkfury replied, busy with patrols.
Deathsoul walked into the apprentice den.
"Devilpaw?" Deathsoul called.
"No, Devilpaw went to go look for you, I'm just heading out to take my assessment from Darkfury." Fiercepaw replied, padding out from the den.
"Thanks." Deathsoul said, eyeing Devilpaw at the camp entrance.
"Devilpaw, are you ready for your assessment?" Deathsoul asked.
"I thought I was supposed to train first?" Devilpaw objected.
Deathsoul glared at Devilpaw, and Devilpaw opened his mouth again to change his mind, but Deathsoul replied calmly, "I have trust in your abilities, I've seen you hunt prey and fight against other apprentices on your own time. Do you think I don't know?"
Devilpaw said nothing.
"Have pride in yourself, for it is time for your assessment." Deathsoul advised his son, beckoning him to follow with his tail.
They met up with Darkfury and Fiercepaw, which were waiting at the camp entrance.
Deathsoul turned to the two apprentices. "You both will be hunting in separate areas. Choose a part of our hunting territory and start hunting for prey. Darkfury and I will watch you from a distance, but you will not notice, see, or hear us, which is exactly how you must approach your prey." Deathsoul instructed.
Devilpaw took the left, and Fiercepaw took the right. Deathsoul watched from a bush as Devilpaw stealthily caught a squirrel, and then swiped at a mouse that was trying to run past him with his other paw. Deathsoul was proud, but said nothing. Deathsoul just continued to watch as Devilpaw caught more prey.
When Devilpaw and Fiercepaw arrived back at camp, Deathsoul congratulated the two, then instructed them to bring the prey to the fresh-kill pile. As Deathsoul leaped up on Highledge Rock, he heard the other cats marveling at the apprentices' progress.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath the Highledge Rock for a Clan Meeting!" Deathsoul yowled.
Cats came pouring out of dens, carrying fresh-kill. Some were eating the fresh-kill that the apprentices caught.
"It is time to celebrate one of the most important ceremonies a Clan has, the making on new warriors." Deathsoul announced.
All the cats brimmed with excitement, looking at Devilpaw and Fiercepaw.
"Fiercepaw and Devilpaw come here." Deathsoul directed.
Fiercepaw bounded up to Highledge Rock, beaming with pride.
"Darkfury, has Fiercepaw learned everything about the warrior code?" Deathsoul asked.
"Yes." Darkfury replied confidently.
"As I say the same thing about Devilpaw, my apprentice." Deathsoul commented.
"Then I, Deathsoul, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn." Deathsoul crowed.
"Fiercepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Deathsoul inquired.
"I d-do." Fiercepaw answered, nervously.
"Devilpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Deathsoul asked.
"I do." Devilpaw answered, standing tall with pride.
"Then by the powers of SoulClan, I give you your warrior name. Fiercepaw, from this moment you will be known as Fiercestorm. SoulClan honors your dedication and wisdom, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan." Deathsoul turned to Devilpaw. "By the powers of SoulClan, I give you your warrior name. Devilpaw, from this moment you will be known as Devilclaw. SoulClan honors your courage and fighting skill, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan." Deathsoul finished.
"Fiercestorm, Devilclaw, Fiercestorm, Devilclaw!" The clan cheered.
Fiercestorm look at the cheering crowd nervously, but with a wise glint in his eyes. Devilclaw stood next to him, standing tall with power and pride.
The cats started to leave, but Deathsoul yowled, "Wait! I have one more announcement to do!"
The cats stopped, and turned to listen to their leader.
"As you know WindClan has been stealing prey and asking for a challenge. Tonight, we will give them one! As ShadowClan cats, we will sneak in the shadows to the WindClan camp, kill the patrols, and then kill their medicine cat and medical supplies. However, we will not run away like cowards! We will attack them! Injure as many as you can, you do not have to kill unless you are about to die. Once I give the signal I want everyone to flee. We will leave WindClan to die, for they will have no medical supplies or medicine cats to help them heal." Deathsoul announced.
All cats sat in silence. Fiercestorm and Devilclaw broke the silence. "YEAH! REVENGE!" They yowled. All cats started to yowl, "REVENGE! VENGEANCE WILL BE OURS!" Deathsoul looked down at his cats with pride.
"I will take Fiercestorm and Devilclaw of course. Dragonblaze, Phoenixflight, Scorchfur, Rain, Stonetooth, Spikefur, and Ripwrath. All of you, take your apprentices with you. The rest of you will protect camp, Darkfury will be in charge." Deathsoul announced. "Time for battle!"
Deathsoul met his warriors and apprentices at the camp entrance. "Remember, stealth and quick killing. Our first target is any patrols that are looking out, and then we attack the medicine den." Deathsoul reminded his team. "When we see a patrol, I will give a signal, and then I want Dragonblaze, Spikefur, Yarrowpaw, and Stormpaw to attack the threatening patrol. Once we destroy the supplies, I will give the signal to attack, and when you hear me retreat, flee as fast as you can. Is all understood?"
His team nodded. Alright, let's go. "Please don't let me be leading my new Clan to their deaths." Deathsoul pleaded SoulClan quietly, as he journeyed with his team.
"Oh please. ShadowClan wouldn't be brave enough to face us, they are just a bunch of rogues while we are strong Clan cats!" Some WindClan cat had boasted.
"Shush Larkpaw, we must be on the lookout for them." another WindClan said.
Deathsoul signaled his cats to hide in the bushes. Ripwrath tripped, for he could barely see with his left eye, and made some noise. Deathsoul rolled his eyes, irritated.
"What was that?!" The mysterious WindClan cat inquired, whipping around, scared and alert.
"Relax Furzepelt, just some rabbit hiding behind the few bushes on the moor." Some other cat that Deathsoul guessed was Breezepelt, he had heard him through a dream once. Deathsoul flicked his tail, and watched as Dragonblaze, Spikefur, Yarrowpaw, and Stormpaw snuck up on the patrol. Dragonblaze and Spikefur both swiped at Breezepelt and Furzepelt's throat, killing them, and then watched as their apprentices did the same to Larkpaw.
Deathsoul came out of the bushes. "Well done." He whispered. "Let's move on to the medicine den. I want all of you to destroy the supplies as quickly as possible. I will silence their medicine cat."
Deathsoul walked into the medicine den, and toward Kestrelflight's nest. As Deathsoul edged nearer, Kestrelflight woke up and pinned Deathsoul to the ground.
"StarClan warned me about this. What are you doing?" Kestrelflight demanded, softening his grip as he remembered his promise to not hurt other cats.
"That's funny, StarClan order me to do THIS!" Deathsoul lied, as he threw Kestrelflight off of him and then pinned Kestrelflight down. "You know, I was looking forward to maybe compromise with you, but this... tantrum you brought changes everything." Deathsoul confessed, as he unsheathed his claws.
"I would never do a thing you say on StarClan's name!" Kestrelflight cursed, try to get Deathsoul off.
"Well, bye bye!" Deathsoul answered, swiping his unsheathed claws across Kestrelflight's throat. Deathsoul turned around. "Are you guys done?"
"Yes." They replied immediately in unison.
"We will attack camp, target Harespring, but kill or injure anyone that gets in the way. Leave Onestar to me." Deathsoul ordered.
Deathsoul watched as his cats attacked WindClan. None of the WindClan cats could touch his warriors, no matter how fast the WindClan cats were supposed to be. He turned his gaze to the apprentices, who were fighting side by side against full grown WindClan warriors. The apprentices exchanged blows, using each other as cover. Within seconds, the team of apprentices had killed 3 warriors, and left 4 warriors limping with injuries. Deathsoul saw Onestar emerge out of his den, and immediately fought Devilclaw. Devilclaw won quickly with a kick and then a swipe from the throat to the underbelly, and celebrated. However, Devilclaw forgot about the fact that Onestar had one more life, so when Onestar rose again to kill Devilclaw from behind, Deathsoul sprang and kicked Onestar away from Devilclaw.
"I will never let you kill my son, right now, or when you go to StarClan in a couple of seconds!" Deathsoul spat.
"You will not be able to kill me, rogue! I have nine lives!" Onestar retorted.
"A careful listener and observer like me would know that you are on your last life!" Deathsoul stated.
Onestar was taken aback from the comment, but quickly put his guard back up. "Then let us fight and see who is right! Unless you are a coward." Onestar taunted.
Deathsoul immediately sprang at Onestar, but Onestar was too fast and raked Deathsoul's underbelly as Deathsoul fell to the ground.
"Heh, so much for tough, LEADER." Onestar spat.
Deathsoul tried to get up, but too much blood was coming out, and then, he blacked out.
"You failed. You lost to a fat leader. A weak leader. You lost a life. How dare you!" Evilsoul cried, pushing Deathsoul to the ground.
"I'm sorry father, please, I have 97 more lives, please, let me go back!" Deathsoul pleaded, bowing down to his father on the ground.
"Very well, you will have the element on surprise I guess." Evilsoul submitted, reviving Deathsoul back to the current world.
Deathsoul was whirled back into the battle. He was behind Onestar, who was celebrating his victory. Angrily. Deathsoul pinned Onestar on the open moor.
"How? How did you survive? I thought you were dead! You weren't breathing!" Onestar exclaimed, confused.
"I told you, I have more than one life. Now you must submit my clan as a proper clan, or you shall die, for then you will be calling me a rogue so I can kill you like a rogue." Deathsoul explained, as if he was talking to a young kit.
"I promised something, and I must go through with my promise. You are a true leader of a new and true clan." Onestar conceded.
"However, you must have your clan submit to mine and do whatever I say, even you." Deathsoul declared.
"Fine. Under one condition, you do not harm our kits." Onestar compromised.
"Very well, and to mark your defeat..." Deathsoul trailed off, as he sliced at Onestar's right eye. "There, a scar to mark that." Deathsoul finished proudly.
Onestar was silent, and his gaze drifted off to his Clan, where he saw Harespring and many others dead, and many more injured. "Stop fighting! WindClan will submit to ShadowClan and do as ShadowClan says!" Onestar ordered.
WindClan cats turned around, and some started to argue.
"That's enough! The warrior code says my word is law, and I say to stop fighting!" Onestar yowled. "From now on, ALL of WindClan will do as Deathsoul orders, otherwise they will be punished. HOWEVER, ShadowClan is to not harm WindClan's kits." Onestar announced.
"Consider it done." Deathsoul assured Onestar.
"Gorsetail, run around and see how many have died and how many are injured." Onestar ordered.
"Yes, Onestar." Gorsetail answered briefly before running off.
Deathsoul did a count in his mind, and spotted all of his cats, alive and well, except for Devilclaw...
Chapter 5
Deathsoul stared at his son, frozen in shock. He had thought his son had extreme fighting skills. He looked at Onestar with a puzzled look.
"Sorry, while you were being revived by StarClan, I took the opportunity to kill Devilclaw. He managed to survive the blow I guess, but has a serious wound. Should I go get Kestrelflight?" Onestar suggested.
"No, send one of your fastest cats to alert Puddleshine." Deathsoul ordered quickly.
"Onestar I have a report. Breezepelt, Larkpaw, Furzepelt, Featherpelt, Hootwhisker, Whitetail, Oatclaw, and Harespring are dead. Nightcloud, Fernpaw, Sedgewhisker, Emberfoot, and Leaftail are injured. Kestrelflight is dead too!" Gorsetail exclaimed, panting.
Puddleshine appeared, running as fast as he could, behind Crowfeather. He sat next to Devilclaw, muttering under his breath. "Cobweb for bleeding, marigold for infection." He waited for a bit, and then watched as Devilclaw took a deep breath. "Good, keep breathing. Try to walk, Devilclaw." Puddleshine advised. Deathsoul was watching with amazement. Devilclaw walked normally, and he seemed alright.
"It hurts a little bit, but it feels a lot better. Thanks Puddleshine." Devilclaw told Puddleshine, stretching.
"No pro-" Puddleshine started to say.
"Good job, Puddleshine." Deathsoul praised Puddleshine."
"-blem. Uhh.. thanks Deathsoul." Puddleshine thanked, before licking his chest in embarrassment to be so happy to be praised.
"Tend to the injured WindClan cats. Today, ShadowClan has won, and WindClan is no more." Deathsoul declared.
"Yes, Deathsoul." Puddleshine hesitantly answered. He gave Deathsoul a puzzled look before he started to tend to the others.
"Devilclaw, you stay here with Puddleshine." Deathsoul ordered. "I will have more cats come here to make sure everything is in order. Everyone else, follow me."
Deathsoul travelled back to camp. As he leaped up to Highledge Rock, he heard the other cats congratulate his team for the big win.
Darkfury walked past him, but Deathsoul told her to stop.
"I need you to send cats over to WindClan to check on things." Deathsoul suggested.
Darkfury nodded. "Ok." She agreed.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join beneath Highledge Rock for a Clan Meeting!" Deathsoul yowled.
Most of the cats were already underneath the Highledge Rock.
"Today, ShadowClan has won. However, instead of letting WindClan die, Onestar has fallen under my mercy, as he is on his last life. He has given his leadership to me, and any cat of ShadowClan may tell a WindClan cat what to do. However, we are not to harm their kits. Is that all understood?" Deathsoul explained.
The cats below him cheered, for they had won and now they could boss around others.
"Can kits boss them around too?" Brutalkit and Cruelkit asked.
Deathsoul thought for a moment. Those two kits were over 6 moons old, older than the other kits. It was time they were apprentices.
"Uh, yes." Deathsoul answered, lost in his thoughts.
The clan cheered once more.
"After this battle, I have also seen some apprentices that are ready to become warriors. Stormpaw, Yarrowpaw, Brokenpaw, and Shadowpaw come here." Deathsoul ordered.
The four apprentices leapt up Highledge Rock, all of them shining in the rising sun.
"Dragonblaze, Spikefur, Phoenixflight, and Ripwrath, have your apprentices learned everything about being a warrior?" Deathsoul asked.
"Yes." All of the mentors replied firmly.
"Then I, Deathsoul, leader of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn." Deathsoul looked at Stormpaw.
"Stormpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Deathsoul asked.
"I do." Stormpaw replied, standing taller.
"Then by the powers of SoulClan, I give you your warrior name. Stormpaw, from this moment you will be known as Stormfire. SoulClan honors your strength and stealth, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan."
The clan cheered, "Stormfire, Stormfire!"
Deathsoul turned to Yarrowpaw. "Yarrowpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Deathsoul inquired.
"Y-yes." Yarrowpaw stammered, voice shaking.
"Then by the powers of SoulClan, I give you your warrior name. Yarrowpaw, from this moment you will be known as Yarrowtail. SoulClan honors your speed and intelligence, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan."
The clan cheered again. "Yarrowtail, Yarrowtail!"
Deathsoul met Brokenpaw's gaze. "Brokenpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Deathsoul raised his voice, getting tired.
"I do." Brokenpaw answered firmly, looking at Deathsoul's hard gaze.
"Then by the powers of SoulClan, I give you your warrior name. Brokenpaw, from this moment you will be known as Brokenheart. SoulClan honors your loyalty and spirit, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan."
The clan cheered, some grew tired, and others yelled louder. "Brokenheart, Brokenheart!"
Deathsoul looked at Shadowpaw. "Shadowpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Deathsoul asked for the last time.
"Yep!" Shadowpaw said enthusiastically.
"Then by the powers of SoulClan, I give you your warrior name. Shadowpaw, from this moment you will be known as Shadowsneak. SoulClan honors your skill and determination, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan." Deathsoul finished.
"Shadowsneak, Shadowsneak!" The crowd yowled with enthusiasm.
"Now, for the last ceremony for the day, the making of new apprentices." Deathsoul announced. "Brutalkit, Cruelkit, Violetkit, and Swiftkit come here."
The four kits bounded up to meet their leader excitedly, except for Violetkit, for she thought she was Violetpaw already.
"Brutalkit, you have all reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Brutalpaw, Cruelpaw, Violetpaw, and Swiftpaw. Your mentors will be Fiercestorm for Brutalpaw, Stormfire for Cruelpaw, Devilclaw for Violetpaw, and Sparrowtail for Swiftpaw. I hope your mentors will pass down all they know on to you." Deathsoul turned around to meet the standing mentors.
"Fiercestorm, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You had received excellent training from Darkfury, and you have shown yourself to be dedicated to the Clan and wise. You will be the mentor of Brutalpaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to Brutalpaw."
"Stormfire, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You have received excellent training from Dragonblaze, and you have shown yourself to be stealthy and strong. You will be the mentor of Cruelpaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to Cruelpaw." Deathsoul skipped Devilclaw and moved onto Sparrowtail.
"Sparrowtail, you have been a senior warrior in this clan and you are ready to take on an apprentice. You have received excellent training from your former mentor, and shown yourself to be fast and a good hunter. You will be the mentor of Swiftpaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to Cruelpaw."
Deathsoul turned back to Devilclaw. "I know many of you knew Violetkit as Violetpaw, but she did not have a proper mentor. Therefore, Needletail will not be Violetpaw's mentor, but Devilclaw will. Devilclaw, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You have received excellent training from me, and you have shown yourself to be great in battle and brave. You will be the mentor of Violetpaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to Violetpaw."
The clan cheered. "Brutalpaw, Cruelpaw, Violetpaw, Swiftpaw!"
Deathsoul was too tired to speak anymore, and collapsed right then and there.