Ivypool's Decision (COMPLETED)

The Great Battle

A few moons later...

"I was just starting to dream!" hissed Ivypool to Dovewing. Her sister replied frantically, "There's no time! The Dark Forest's coming!"

But I've got to join Hawkfrost... thought Ivypool despairingly. Racing to Brambleclaw, she made an excuse, "I've got to find Blossomfall, Birchfall, Thornclaw and Mousewhisker, Brambleclaw! It's not too late!" After a long moment, the deputy finally relented, and she dashed toward the WindClan territory where she knew Hawkfrost would be.

On the way, she bumped into Blossomfall, Birchfall and Mousewhisker. Since the death of Beetlewhisker, they had become increasingly scared, and their eyes were now fearful. "Ivypool!" Blossomfall gasped. "You're here!" 

Before Ivypool could reply to the tortoiseshell she-cat, Thistleclaw appeared, with Breezepelt and Applefur. The ShadowClan she-cat looked downright terrified, her fur bristling. "Why are you here, Ivypool?" the gray-and-white warrior growled. "Hawkfrost is looking for you."

Giving him a quick nod, Ivypool raced towards a familiar dark tabby shape. "Ivypool, you're here at last," Hawkfrost gave her a curt nod, but she could discern a faint outline of relief in his blue eyes. He raised his tail and brought it down swiftly.

The WindClan camp descended into chaos. Hawkfrost and Thistleclaw led their patrols into the disarray, followed by the rest of the cats. Ivypool swiped at all the WindClan cats, but in her heart she was just looking for one cat; Whitewing. Her mother had always been weak; now was the time to end her.

Spotting Whitewing's white pelt through the crowd, she dived for it. The white warrior whipped around; her green eyes shocked. "Ivypool! It's me, your mother!" "Not anymore," Ivypool hissed, then sank her claws into Whitewing's throat. In return, she swiped at Ivypool's nose, but the silver tabby she-cat didn't even flinch. Letting go, she watched with cold dark blue eyes as the fluffy white she-cat sank to the ground, her light green eyes dulling.

"Ivypool! She was your mother!" a screech sounded behind her, and Ivypool was knocked to the ground. It was her father, Birchfall. He dug his claws into her shoulders, his amber eyes wild with grief. Looking around, Ivypool realised that Tigerheart, Applefur, Blossomfall and Mousewhisker were also fighting for the Clans, and her fury exploded.

Shaking Birchfall off, she yowled, "Traitor! Can't you all see that the Dark Forest is what we need? It is what will make us stronger!" With that, she sank her fangs deep into Birchfall's throat. Ripping himself away, Birchfall meowed solemnly, "I don't want to fight you, Ivypool. You taught me well in the Dark Forest, but this has to end." With that, his light brown tabby shape whisked away.

Out of the blue, a cat knocked into Ivypool. Twisting, she came face-to-face with Berrynose, Hazeltail and Tigerheart. the three cats surrounded Ivypool, snarling furiously. "Traitor!" growled Berrynose. "Let's kill her," suggested Hazeltail menacingly. Trying not to show her fear, Ivypool backed away. "Come on," she pleaded. "I'm your Clanmates! Beside, Tigerheart is also a traitor!" "Nope, I'm not. I'm loyal to only ShadowClan!" The dark brown tabby tom hissed, drawing back his muzzle to reveal sharp fangs.

Stiffening her muscles for an attack, Ivypool slashed a Berrynose as he approached, kicked out with her hind legs as Hazeltail creeped up, and sank her teeth into Tigerheart's shoulder. The ShadowClan warrior shook her off, amber eyes flaming, and she tumbled across a moor. Berrynose took the chance to flatten her to the earth, and his hind claws raked her belly. Hazeltail and Tigerheart circled them, growling maliciously.

I'm going to die... thought Ivypool as Berrynose began to close his jaws around her throat. Without seeing Hawkfrost ever again. Memories of their secret meetings in the clearing surrounded her, sharing tongues, twining tails and loving each other with all their hearts.

"Get up, Ivypool, and fight!" a yowl broke into her thoughts, and Berrynose's weight vanished. Scrambling onto her paws, she realised that it was Hawkfrost! He was duelling Berrynose, and Hazeltail sprang to help the cream-coloured tom. Tigerheart, however, faced Ivypool, ripping at the ground with his claws.

"Need your precious Hawkfrost to defend you, eh? I saw you with him!" he snarled before leaping. All her training in the Dark Forest came to her in an instant. Ducking, she swiped viciously at Tigerheart, matching blow for blow with Hawkfrost. When Tigerheart flinched, she leaped onto his back and scrabbled at him with her hind paws, feeling his flesh tear and knees buckle. At last, he squirmed away and fled, his pained screech echoing throughout the camp.

Turning back, Ivypool saw that Hazeltail was lying limp on the soil, scarcely breathing, blood continuously leaking from her body. Hawkfrost, who had just made Berrynose flee, padded to her side and licked her torn ear gently. "Come, I think WindClan is mostly defeated. Next target: RiverClan!