Hawkstar's Clan

Chapter 9

It was getting close to night when Twistedwish returned back to ThistleClan after washing himself clean from Icefog's and Cypressnose's blood in the nearby river below.

He slinked back through the hidden tunnel and emerged back in his Clan. The camp was empty, not a single cat in sight except for Nightfoot and Whitefoot standing guard. He padded towards the leader den. His smile became more maniacal; it was time. With Icefog gone, he was one step closer to ridding all the Clans of their deputies and leaders. Badgerstar was next.

He gently called out:

"Badgerstar? Are you available?"

"Yes Twistedwish. Come in!"

He pushed through the entrance, meeting his leader. The gray and white she-cat was laid in her nest, paws tucked in. The remains of a mouse were present in the corner of the den, having been discarded there after she had finished it.

"Is there something wrong?" she asked, standing up.

"Nothing wrong," Twistedwish assured her. "There's just something I'd like to talk with you about. Something important."

"What is it you'd like to discuss, Twistedwish?"

Twistedwish sat down, his tail swishing the dirt below him. His heart was practically racing with excitement, claws itching to unsheathe. This was his moment. His time. For revenge. For what she did to him as a kit.

He had to wait though. He couldn't act now.

He had to take it slow before the surprise.

"It's about you."

Badgerstar's muscles twitched underneath her fur. "Me?"

"Yes." He stood up. "You see, you're a great leader. I've respected you, and all you've done for ThistleClan. But I think it's time for fresh blood to take control of ThistleClan. And the Three Clans."

The gray and white she-cat's neck fur bristled at the slow approach. "What are you--"

Without warning, the silver tabby lunged and grabbed her by her neck, sinking his teeth deep in her flesh. Badgerstar realized he was going for the killing bite. Panicking, she lashed out her back leg and kicked Twistedwish off her, lashing out her claws at him once she whirled around to face him. She managed to rake his muzzle, blood splattering on the wall of the den. He hissed, slashing her shoulder. Pain seared her as she fumbled. He tackled her again when she stumbled and dug his claws into her belly. With all her strength, she lifted up her back legs and shoved into his belly hard, throwing him to the wall.

"What is this madness, Twistedwish??" Badgerstar hissed, rolling to her side.

"Don't play stupid, you know EXACTLY what you've done to me!" Twistedwish hissed back. "How you exiled me as a kit because you were too weak to kill me yourself! You've already killed the old me when you threw me out. My mother wanted me gone, didn't she? All because she saw Hornetheart in me? Well he was a great cat! You just can't see greatness in a cat like him."

"Hornetheart threatened to kill us all." Badgerstar leapt and pinned Twistedwish down, pressing her paws deep on his shoulders. She ignored the screaming pain from her wounds. "I knew you were going to betray me one day. When you returned, I didn't want to bring you back. But I did. I gave you a chance! To redeem yourself! It seemed I was wrong that you were worth the chance."

"You didn't give me a chance! You nor Ferretsea never did. YOU THREW OUT A HELPLESS KIT!"

"And I'll do it again." She grabbed Twistedwish tightly by the scruff and ran out, as far from camp. There was no point gathering the Clan to witness the exile of their treacherous deputy. It would put her Clan at risk. Especially she didn't want Hawkpaw to know that his brother wanted power for his own sake.

Badgerstar pushed herself through bushes and trees, ignoring the twigs that snagged on her. Twistedwish struggled to free himself, hissing, "LET ME GO! I WILL GET YOU ONE DAY! I WILL RULE! MY BROTHER AND I WILL RULE ALL THREE CLANS AND THE WHOLE ISLAND!"

StarClan, forgive me.

Badgerstar ran towards the cliffs and hung him over the edge. The ocean below raged under the moon's grip. She closed her eyes. "Goodbye, Twistedwish."

Then she let go.

Huh!?

She felt claws snag her front legs, causing her to lose her footing and join Twistedwish in the freefall. No no no no! Badgerstar flailed her legs, trying to grasp something. Nothing was nearby for her to grab. She was too far from land. StarClan help me! Air rushed in her ears. Her life seemed to flash before her eyes.

She turned to look at Twistedwish, who even in the face of potential death, wore a smile.

"You're coming with me, Badgerstar!" he said gleefully. He began to laugh, raving like a cat gone madder than a fox in a fit. "No one can save you now. StarClan is dead! The Three Clans will die! This island, the POWER, will be mine!"

His laughter was soon cut off when Badgerstar felt her back collide with the raging ocean waves. It claimed her like she was prey, and she struggled to swim in the current. All senses went dark.