Warriors: Darkness In The Clans 3: Melt

Chapter Three

Berryfrost stumbled through camp clumsily, his thoughts distracting him. How would he get Snaketooth exiled? Would he pin someone's death on him?

Yes. I'll do that. But who? It had to be someone Snaketooth hated. Other than himself, of course. Or Batwing. He did look at Swarmflight funny when he passed. Then it's decided. Swarmflight will be the one to be sacrificed. Surely, if it was for the good of the clan, it would be okay to kill someone? How would he lead Swarmflight away, though? He was always with Petalfur and Brightlight. And how would he get Snaketooth to take the blame? An idea popped into his head. "Snaketooth, can you go collect some herbs?" He asked, trying to make him sound scared, as though he regretted even considering asking him. Snaketooth looked up at him, hatred in his eyes. Berryfrost was surprised as his frosty stare made him flinch. They had once been so close, before he knew of his kittypet blood. It was upsetting, seeing his litter-brother stare at him with such dislike.

"Fine." He spat harshly, getting up and leaving through the second entrance. Berryfrost made sure he plucked out some of his fur, keeping it trapped in his claws before trotting over to Swarmflight.

"Can we hunt together?" He asked. Swarmflight nodded, and mewed something to Petalfur that Berryfrost couldn't hear. He led the calico into the gloomy forest, his heart drumming in his chest. If he messed up, his plan would fail, and the clans would fall at Snaketooth's paws.

"Erm, Berryfrost, we're going really deep into the forest." Swarmflight murmured uneasily. He has no idea that I'm taking him to the river. Berryfrost swished his tail.

"There's a good hunting spot around here." The medicine cat told him. Swarmflight hesitated before increasing his pace.

"Are we going fishing?" Swarmflight gazed upon the river as they neared it. They stood at the edge. "What are you doing? Berryfrost, stop!" His voice increased into a panicked yowl as Berryfrost shoved his head in the water, claws piercing into his skin.

"A few sacrifices wouldn't hurt," Berryfrost mewed, half to himself, "If it's for the greater good." Bubbles rose around Swarmflight, a sign that he was still alive. Berryfrost shoved his head and claws deeper into his skin and water. Swarmflight tried to scream, but it came out as a gargled "stap". Berryfrost's eyes were full of hunger. He enjoyed seeing cats so powerless, unable to stop him from doing what he wanted. And no cat could tell him he was wrong. He was a medicine cat. Medicine cats wouldn't kill others without reason! He gleefully wagged his tail like a dog.

The bubbling around Swarmflight's head began to stop, and he soon fell limp. Berryfrost tore out some of his fur as he pulled away. Grabbing one of Swarmflight's paws, he shoved Snaketooth's fur in between his claws. "There. I'm sorry, Swarmflight, but I had to do this." He mewed regretfully. Swarmflight was a nice cat. It's a shame that he had to die. He left his body there and tore out chunks of his own fur, before racing to camp, his eyes wide. "Swarmflight is dead!" He called.

"What?" Fireskip's head shot up, and Mushroomsprout looked in his direction.

"Snaketooth... he..." He collapsed to the ground, pretending as though he were suffering from shock. "He killed him. Drowned him by the river."

"Where is Snaketooth?" Hollystar's eye blazed as she emerged from her den, eyebags under her eyes as though she had not slept in a while.

"I don't know." Berryfrost trembled, hiding the joy he felt. Hollystar believed him. "He might still be out."

"Snowfall, Mushroomglow, and Morningsun, go fetch Snaketooth. Make sure he comes back in one piece." She commanded. Berryfrost noticed Iciclecrash watching uneasily from the distance, as though unsure if she should stay by Snaketooth's side or help her clan get rid of him. Even his mate believes me over him! Berryfrost could hardly contain himself. Snaketooth, get ready to say goodbye!

"What? I would never kill someone!"

The clans were hosting a trial for Snaketooth. Iciclecrash had talked Hollystar into hearing Snaketooth out. "Did anyone see that I killed him?"

"I did!" Berryfrost called out in a small voice. "He probably killed him to get even with me for 'killing' his kit." He whispered the word "killing".

Snaketooth's eyes flashed with fury, and he leapt out at Berryfrost, who stumbled backwards. His heart thumped madly in his chest, and his fur bristled with fear. Snaketooth had him pinned to the ground, claws unsheathed. "Pathetic kittypet!" He hissed, loudly so everyone could hear. "Of course you saw me! It's weird that you're always affected by my 'bad actions', and not anybody else. I'm starting to think you're lying." He snarled. Berryfrost shrunk, his fur flattening against the ground. Could he see through his plan? His eyes were wide with terror.

"Please don't hurt me. I'm sorry." He breathed, and he meant it. Well, part of it. He was sorry that he had to do this to him, after he had lost so much. When he's gone, we'll all live peacefully among the clans. He told himself to reassure him. Snaketooth leaned closer to whisper something in his ear. Before he could say anything, Mushroomglow ran forward and threw him off of Berryfrost.

"Berryfrost isn't the only one you hurt." He hissed, and Berryfrost had no idea he was so upset.

"But he's the only one brave enough to do something about it." Snaketooth sneered. Mushroomglow's eyes flashed with rage.

He sat upright, cleaning his dirty pelt, hiding the fear he felt. Snaketooth was close to killing him, and the other cats just watched. His eyes blazed with anger. Mushroomglow was the only one who cared. Fury churned in his belly. "Silence!" Hollystar screamed, causing Mushroomglow and Snaketooth to stop arguing. Tears were dripping down Mushroomglow's face, as though it was hard for him to confront Snaketooth about his actions. "I have seen enough. Snaketooth, you have killed Swarmflight. That is against the code, and against your own morals. From now on, you are exiled. My clan has permission to attack you if they see you on our territory, and we will treat you like an enemy."

"You can't do that! Iciclecrash-" He looked at his mate for help, who watched him with anger.

"Swarmflight was my friend!" She spat harshly, "And you killed him! Snaketooth, from this moment on, we are no longer mates. If you're willing to risk cats' lives just for the sake of your little kittypet hatred, then..." Bugpaw and Thistlepaw trembled beside her, as though they were scared of their father.

Fireskip called out angrily. "He would be alive if it weren't for you!" Cats yowled in agreement, Caterpillarcrawl meowed the loudest. Snaketooth seemed angry, his fur bristling. He stared at Berryfrost, his green eyes burning into his pelt.

"Anyone who wishes to join Snaketooth may leave now." Hollystar continued. Foxtuft joined Snaketooth without hesitation. Berryfrost looked away from the scene. His body was shaking with delight.

"I'll never forget this, kittypet." Snaketooth promised. He slipped away into the forest, Foxtuft at his heels.

I'm sure you won't. Just like how I haven't forgotten. Berryfrost thought, remembering his kithood and time as an apprentice. And I will never forget.