Warriorcats #1: Vengeance

Chapter Nineteen

Skypaw's fur was ruffled and messy. Her limbs were heavy and her injured forepaw throbbed as she stood. She didn't know where she was, and the only guiding light was the faint memory of what she thought was yesterday. She hoped it was yesterday at least. Her white fur was swallowed in darkness, so deep and heavy she could almost feel the shadows tugging at her flank. She shook the dark thoughts away, but her mood was no better. "Where am I?" Her blue gaze peered around the den curiously. Last thing she could remember was Mask's rogues knocking all of her clanmates to the ground. She shuddered as the memory struck her like a bolt of lightning. "Starclan help us." She murmured, her claws etching deep gashes into the dirt ground.

Pain stabbed her heart as she recalled Tallpaw. She still felt guilty about their fight. What if he's dead? That would be the last memory he had of me... She was tempted to wail like a kit, when a voice sounded from behind. Instantly, she leapt away, her fur spiking up to twice her size. Her gaze narrowed to slits as she peered at the shadows looming before her. "Thinking about Tallpaw, are we?" Mask's voice was just as cold as before. Skypaw resisted the urge to sink her claws into his flank. Problem was, she didn't know his flank from the shadows around her. She cursed silently under her breath, not that it mattered. He probably heard everything. Mask grinned, his blue gaze suddenly visible in the darkness. He stepped forwards, allowing the dark glow of the den to form a thin silhouette around him. "You probably regret a lot of things, now that you're alone and thinking." His voice was brittle; thin as ice. Skypaw hissed, rearing up as he stepped closer. "I don't regret choosing the three clans. I don't regret trusting Starclan." She tried to sound defiant, but her voice was shaky and uncontrolled. Mask ignored her comment. "Love is a crazy force. Something not even Starclan can control." His gaze scanned over her like a predator targeting his prey. "Too bad Starclan can't help you out with this one." Skypaw tilted her head. "W-what do you mean?" She asked, fear welling up in her chest. Mask's gaze glinted mischievously. "You'll see." With that, he was gone. Perhaps he melted back into the shadows, or just somehow flashed out of the den. Skypaw didn't care. She was deeply concerned. Before she could move, sunlight pierced her gaze.

She scrambled backwards, her tail fluffing out in surprise. In the den entrance stood Shadow, the grey tom's muscular frame amplified in the light of the morning sun. His toothy grin was yellow, his gaze full of satisfaction. "Rise and shine, Skypaw. I hope you've enjoyed today's lecture." He flicked his tail to take in the whole den. "This will be your home from now on. I hope you like it."

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"Skypaw, are you ok?" Skypaw was overjoyed to see Tallpaw. Surrounding him were her clanmates. Shadow stood before them, along with a circle of rogues ready for some action. "I'm fine, how are you all?" Skypaw's meow was squeaky with delight. "We're all great..." SkyOtter didn't sound so sure. She was gazing distractedly at the rogues. Skypaw tilted her head questioningly. "What's the matter?" She whispered. SkyOtter leaned in. No rogue was within earshot. "Featherbird is missing. We don't know where she went. Duskgaze went with her. We... We fear they were killed." Skypaw's ears cocked up in surprise. "Why would they-," She was cut off as Mask entered the circle. His blue gaze was maniacal in the sunlight.

 "Cats of Stormclan, rogues of Windclan, welcome to the beginning of our chapter." His voice was thick with excitement. "Today, we'll see what these Stormclanners have got. Who wants to go first?" He glanced at Skypaw questioningly. She dropped her gaze. "Who would like to fight this pretty she-cat?" He glanced at his group anxiously. "There will be no fatalities until later on, so claws will be sheathed today." His gaze wavered hungrily over the cats. "I want them to kill some of their own blood." Skypaw saw Cloudstar shift uncomfortably on his paws.

"I'll go." A wiry brown tom raised his tail confidently. His pelt rippled with muscles. One ear was torn and his green gaze was cloudy. Skypaw could tell he'd been through many fights. Mask grinned. "Ah, Cricket. You'd be a worthy winner." He flicked his tail towards the center of the ring of cats. "Come on, don't be shy." Skypaw hesitantly stepped forwards. Cricket grinned at her, his gaze surprisingly soft. He's going to trick me. She thought bitterly. The tom leaned in. "Just a heads up, I go easy on pretty she-cats." His gaze glinted mischievously. Mask laughed. "The rules are simple. All you must do is pin your opponent to the ground for more than three seconds." He glanced at Cricket. "Piece of magpie." Circket nodded, his lip curling in a crooked snicker. Mask let out a deep howl. "Begin!"

     In a flurry of paws, the two cats leapt at each other. Their claws hooked their opponent's shoulders at seemingly identical moments, sending both cats rolling onto the ground with a hard thud!. Skypaw found herself frantically sending clumsy blows at the tom's head, but he miraculously managed to stay firm in his pursuit to pin her down. In seconds, Skypaw was on the ground, breathless and pinned. "Three!" Mask's howl was unmistakably excited. Skypaw felt Cricket's claws burn deeper into her shoulders. "Two!" A smile spread across Mask's maw. Skypaw thrust upward with her hind-legs, ripping at Cricket's stomach and knocking him off. A disappointed sigh erupted throughout the clearing, followed by hoots from the Ashclan cats. Blood dripped from both cat's flanks. Skypaw took the chance to tackle Cricket while he was recovering, but he was too fast and quickly skirted away, an indignant snarl expressing his concern. Skypaw landed awkwardly on her injured paw, rolling to the side as a result of the fumble. She barely managed to dodge cricket's blow, leaping to the side and swiping out a claw. She managed to hook the tom's paws out from underneath him. With an oof! Cricket was down.  He laid there for a moment, in a daze. Skypaw dashed forwards, pinning him down. "Three..." Mask meowed, surprisingly nonchalant despite the turn of events. Cricket wriggled underneath her grasp weakly. "Two..." Mask was becoming agitated. Skypaw dug her claws impatiently into her opponent's shoulders. Something was strange. He's giving up too easily...

     In a flash, the tom leapt upwards, his strength an utter shock to Skypaw. The sudden force sent her flying in the air. Helplessly, she tried to stop herself, unable to skid to a halt as she skipped across the hard ground. Pain filled her vision as she tumbled. Cats moved out of the way to watch her descent, until Cricket finally leapt forwards and pinned her to the ground mid-roll. Breathless and near unconsciousness, Skypaw allowed the tom to sink his claws into her flesh helplessly. It was pain beyond description, but she was too tired and weak to do anything to prevent it. "Three!" Mask was excited again. Everyone knew this was the turning point in all the action. "Two!" It was over, Skypaw knew it the most. "One. Cricket you may release your hold!" Skypaw closed her eyes, and went limp.