Ivypool's Decision

Invasion

Screeches were already filling the RiverClan camp by the time Ivypool and Hawkfrost arrived. Without even needing to glance at each other, they raced down, pelts brushing against each other briefly, and hurled themselves into the fray.

Before long, Ivypool found herself face-to-face with Toadstep. "How's it going?" panted Ivypool, worn out after the long run. "Pretty good. The Dark Forest seems like it's winning," purred Toadstep, clearly satisfied. The black-and-white tom had easily learnt the ways of a Dark Forest warrior with Tigerstar as his mentor, and his loyalty was also to them, just like Ivypool.

A RiverClan warrior loomed in front of them, fur bristling in panic. It was Grasspelt, the young light brown  tom. Upon seeing two Clan cats, he breathed out a sigh of relief, "Thank StarClan its you! Where are the reinforcements?" Toadstep answered him by slashing his paw across the young cat's throat, and blood gushed out. However, the wound was not deep, for it was not the purpose. He obviously wanted to make Grasspelt afraid, and it worked.

"Icewing!" he let out a wail and cannoned into the white she-cat. She looked at Ivypool, and at once her sky-blue eyes darkened with understanding. She meowed to her son, "Go to Mothwing; I will handle them." "Oh really, Icewing? It seems like you're a traitor to me," hissed Ivypool, unsheathing her thorn-sharp claws. Minnowtail also appeared at Icewing's side, and the two she-cats faced them. "We understand loyalty to the cats who raised us, unlike you!" snapped Minnowtail.

Without warning, Toadstep leaped towards the dark gray she-cat, bowling her over. Icewing started to her Clanmate's defense, but Ivypool stood in her way threateningly. "Don't, unless you want to be killed," she warned, stepping forward. Only when Icewing backed away did she turn her attention to the battle.

The two cats were swiping at each other. Toadstep managed to catch Minnowtail's eye, the she-cat yowled and sank her claws into his black-and-white tail, pinning it down. She then kicked out with her hind legs, knocking Toadstep to the ground. Then, she raised one paw, ready to deal the death blow while Toadstep clawed uselessly at her chest.

No! Ivypool wasn't going to let Toadstep be killed. Flinging herself to Minnowtail's blind side, she dug her claws into the RiverClan warrior's cheek and flung her away, panting with the effort. Toadstep scrambled up, his amber eyes glowing with gratitude. Then, as one, they lunged.

Ivypool's claws found Icewing's throat, and she clawed harder, satisfaction flooding her as they sank into flesh. Icewing retaliated by clawing at her eyes; only when a claw sliced her cheek then Ivypool let go of the white she-cat's neck.

Hissing vehemently, Icewing leaped, flinging out a paw when Ivypool tried to dodge, and it hit hard into her belly. Winded, the ThunderClan warrior lay on the grass, breathing heavily. But when Icewing leapt, ready to drive her to the ground, the silver-and-white she-cat suddenly rose, slamming her forepaws hard on Icewing's shoulders and spine. With a grunt, she fell, terror lighting her gaze as Ivypool placed a paw on the white warrior's neck.

"Ivypool, don't kill her." the solemn mew came from Toadstep. The tom padded forward, meeting Icewing's eyes. "Icewing, if you promise to stay on the side of the Dark Forest, you may live," he told her, his amber eyes calculative.

It seemed like a fair compromise to Ivypool, but to her surprise the Riverclan warrior shook her head. "Kill me if you want. At least I'll die loyal to my birth Clan, unlike you two!" she hissed, then deliberately closed her eyes and fell limp, giving herself up.

A stab of pity pierced through Ivypool's heart, but soon determination and fury blinded her feelings once more. Looking straight into Toadstep's questioning eyes, she snarled, "Kill her."