Ghosts of the Clans (COMPLETED)

Chapter 25

"Well, we certainly did stir up quite a lot of trouble that night," Ratscar commented dryly as he and Redwillow slunk inside, pelts dripping. Redwillow puffed out his chest, "We did learn more about the other Clans, though." 

Ratscar looked uneasy. "Do you think the Dark Forest is planning something?" "Of course they are! And I'll be on their side." Redwillow declared, though smart enough to make sure no warriors overheard them. Ratscar simply shrugged and settled back into his nest, closing his eyes. "See you."

The moment they arrived at the Dark Forest, they knew that something had happened. Applefur, Ivypool and Breezepelt were just slinking through the bushes. Breezepelt had a calm expression, and Ivypool's tail was twitching nonstop, and she kept glancing over her shoulder.

But what bothered Redwillow most was Applefur, blindly careening into them with the look of pure terror in her green eyes. 'Woah, slow down! What happened?" Ratscar halted Applefur with his tail, while Ivypool veered away to talk to them. "Brokenstar... Brokenstar killed Beetlewhisker," Applefur stammered, her eyes darting from side to side.

"What? Where is Beetlewhisker then?" Redwillow demanded. Ivypool blinked slowly at him, her dark blue eyes solemn. "You don't understand, Redwillow. Brokenstar left Beetlewhisker's body there to rot. Yes, his body is just...there." She shuddered.

'And you said that you and your recruits would kill every lake cat during the battle!" Applefur rounded on Ivypool, fur bushed. "Calm down, Applefur. We're allies, remember?" Ratscar blocked her path before the mottled brown she-cat could attack. "Yeah. And remember, the Dark Forest wants that." Ivypool's voice was rough, but Redwillow caught a flash of something in her eyes.

Applefur shifted her paws. "Sorry, Ivypool. It's hard to control yourself when Brokenstar literally said that if there is any betrayal of any sort, he would kill me first." But Redwillow didn't pay attention to her panic-filled words. "Wait. Applefur, you mentioned something about a battle. What about it?"

Ivypool winced, and lowered her voice. "There is going to be a battle against the Clans... I just don't know when." "Oh." Ratscar sat back, his yellow eyes round. "I didn't know that..."

But Redwillow had his ears pricked up. A chance to display my loyalty? I'm up for it. "Will we- the recruits- get to participate in it?" Applefur eyes him suspiciously. "Yes, all of us are expected to help the Dark Forest." she answered.

Yes! Redwillow dug his claws into the earth. Ivypool opened her mouth to ask a question, but just then a voice interrupted their conversation. "What's this? A group gossiping? Go for training now, you four!" It was Hawkfrost. He slunk out of the reeds, ice-blue eyes unreadable. Applefur cowered back noticeably, and Redwillow wondered how much the dark brown tabby tom had heard. "I've been looking for you- all of you. We're doing a shared training session tonight." He led the way through winding paths, motioning for them to follow.

Soon, they reached a clearing between two wilted cedar trees, where Sunstrike, Furzepelt, Birchfall, Minnowtail and Icewing were waiting. "Alright. Anyway, Applefur, Tigerstar is taking you tonight, so meet him at the boulder." The ShadowClan she-cat bowed her head and melted into the shadows, while Redwillow listened to Hawkfrost.

"Okay. Since we had one disloyal cat today, I want you to all pit your skills against me." Hawkfrost ordered. "One on one?" Icewing asked. "Yes. Don't worry, I'll try not to kill you. Furzepelt first. Redwillow, you're next. Then Ivypool." Hawkfrost smirked.

Redwillow had never felt so alive.