Ghosts of the Clans (COMPLETED)

Chapter 27

"The time has come." Brokenstar rasped, his orange eyes glittering with malice. "Yes!" Redwillow crowed his approval, standing upright with his tail high. Yowls echoed through the leafless branches.

"This is the last night you'll spend in this stinking forest!" Brokenstar declared as he surveyed the sea of bristling pelts. Redwillow hurried to Ratscar's side together with Shredtail and the others, their Clan to fight. 

Tigerstar leaped onto the blackened tree stump. "Tonight we will sweep away the warrior code that has robbed the Clans of true honour for so long. For too many moons, the Clans have nurtured the weak and rejected the strong. But tonight we will rage through the Clans like a storm until only the strong remain. We will build a new Clan where strength and victory are prized above weakness and failure!"

"No more warrior code!" yowled Dappledtooth, a battered tabby in front of Redwillow. "The Dark Forest will rule the Clans!" More cries rose from the crowd. "Follow me tonight! And I promise you more power and freedom than you have ever known." Tigerstar was leading the patrol to the ThunderClan camp.

"The Clans have been flawed for too long. We have to show them that only the strongest will survive." Hollowflight stretched up from among the crowd of warriors heading to ShadowClan. The dark brown tom's pale amber eyes shone with triumph as if the battle had already been won.

Hawkfrost jumped up beside Tigerstar and Brokenstar, his pelt glossy in the half-light. "Our warriors are ready. Death to the Clans!" He yowled, and every cat, including Redwillow, picked up the chant as they surged forward. Battle cries ripped the air, louder than the lightning that split the sky and the thunder that burst forth.

As they reached the forest, they split into four. Redwillow's pelt bushed as he marched together with Shredtail, whose yellow eyes glowed with anticipation.

It was time to finally end the Clans.

"Blackstar! They're here!" Redwillow recognised Olivenose's shriek as they neared the camp. The gray she-cat hared into the camps, and he heard Pinenose wail. Two shapes flashed past them, too fast to be caught. Stoatpaw and Stonepaw. The two messengers had already left.

Just before they reached the camp, two patrols appeared, one with Blackstar and the other with Crowfrost. "They're trying to surround us. Break into two patrols! Shredtail, you take the other." Silverhawk ordered, and Redwillow dashed after Shredtail as they advanced towards Crowfrost's patrol. Redwillow recognised Owlclaw, Starlingwing, Shrewfoot Gorsetail, Petalfur and Pouncetail, and his lip curled in a twisted grin. I know who to attack first.

"Attack!" Shredtail let out a frenzied screech as he leaped into Crowfrost, locking him in a deadly fight. Redwillow hared towards Pouncetail, whose yellow eyes were wide. "Redwillow! Thank StarClan you're-"

Redwillow leaped onto the brown tabby tom and dug his claws into his father's chest. "Not with ShadowClan, you fox-heart. I come to take revenge." Pain flashed in Pouncetail's yellow eyes as he kicked out, throwing Redwillow off. The brown tabby tom swiped at Redwillow's shoulders. "But why? The Clans never did anything to you."

"Yes, they did. They do everything because of some mouse-brained warrior code. And you've forgotten Penny already?" Redwillow's eyes narrowed as he shot forward, ramming into Pouncetail and raking his spine mercilessly with hind claws. "Oh yeah, I forgot. You stopped loving her as soon as your heart became fully Clan- fully weak!" 

Pouncetail struggled beneath Redwillow, though he couldn't get free. "So that's why? You're going to kill me just because Penny died- and it wasn't my fault?" "Not just that. But why should I be explaining my choices to you?" Redwillow fastened his claws around Pouncetail's throat.

"Stop!" A flash of dark brown fur knocked Redwillow off his father. Pouncetail heaved himself weakly to his paws, heading for the camp, where the battle was ongoing. Redwillow whirled around and found himself face-to-face with Hollowflight. "What? Hollowflight, I'm your ally!"

The dark brown tom's breath came in pants and long wounds criscrossed his flank. "Not anymore. I stand with the Clans now." He glared at Redwillow, his claws stained red. "Wow. How disloyal you are. And I really thought I could relate to you. How dare you betray us!" Redwillow reared, slamming both forepaws on Hollowflight's shoulders.

The other tom winced and used his hind paws to knock onto Redwillow's belly, digging them in. "How dare you betray the Clans! You were raised there, Redwillow." Blinded with rage, Redwillow used his front claws to latch onto Hollowflight's chest, and scored a deep gash across his throat and cheek.

Hollowflight stiffened, blood pooling from the wound onto Redwillow's bloodstained fur, and fell limp, dropping onto the soil.

Redwillow straightened, glowering at the body of the cat whom he had thought to be his closest friend in the Dark Forest. "My first and foremost loyalty is to the Dark Forest, traitor."

He gave Hollowflight's corpse a final kick and raced toward the camp, where ShadowClan warriors were being overpowered.

Hollowflight's amber eyes stared into the night sky, dull and unblinking.