Shadowstripe's Treachery

Chapter 23

((Larkstar's pov))

Larkstar slowly opened her eyes, the bright sunlight around her making her flinch. She shivered as the blood started to flow throughout her body again. The soarness and pain of leaping into the swollen creek and hitting quite a few rocks had returned, making her groan in pain.

Once she fully regained all of her senses, she tried to muster the confidence to lift her head for one second. But something about laying on the cold shore was comforting to her and it brought her the peace she had been looking for. She sighed, happily enjoying the quietness that she had been seeking ever since the terrible ringing had started. Wait a second.... the ringing is gone! It worked; I'm finally free!

She sighed in contentment and continued to lay there, letting the sunlight bathe her soaking wet fur. I'm finally free... I could lay here forever. Suddenly a strange scent filled her nose and she stiffened. "Am I in MountainClan territory?"

"Hey! Aren't you Larkstar?" She heard a voice growl. Her fur started to prickle as she saw a cat coming towards her. "I would ask you what you're doing on our territory, but you look pretty banged up. Are you in some kind of trouble? Do you need help?"

"I... um... I...." she suddenly gasped, her eyes widening in fear when she saw a figure standing behind the friendly MountainClan cat. It wasn't just any figure, but her brother. There was something off about him, though. He had no pupils, just glowing yellow eyes, and he was much bigger then she remembered.

"Are you okay? You seem a litte frazzled." The cat mewed.

She stood there with her mouth open, "Sh-shadow.... Shadowstripe!" She stuttered.

He looked confused, "Shadowstripe? Isn't that the cat who-"

"Look behind you!" She screamed, seeing her brother laugh menacingly and unsheath his claws.

"Huh?" He turned around for a second, and then looked back at Larkstar. "Are you trying to trick me or something? Because it's not working." He looked slightly annoyed.

"Don't you see him?! Shadowstripe is standing right behind you!" She cried, the ringing in her ears starting to come back.

The tom looked slightly confused, but he nodded. "You know what? I think you need some help." He said, slowly backing away. "You stay right there and I'm going to go get you some help. Okay?"

"No wait! Please wait! Don't leave me alone with Shadowstripe! He'll kill me!" She wailed.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine." He mewed, walking until he seemed out of sight and then running the rest of the way.

"Please don't hurt me, Shadowstripe.... please...." she cried, backing up.

The large figure of her brother started bounding towards her and she screamed, running as fast as she could to get away from him. The piercing headache and the roaring in her ears had returned. Her peace had vanished.

***

((Shadowstripe's pov))

Shadowstripe paced back and forth anxiously in the dark forest, his tail tip twitching with impatience. I can't take this anymore! When will she-

"Shadowstripe!" The sound of his name being called interrupted his thoughts.

He turned around and saw Nightstorm bounding towards him, a look of exhilaration and excitement on her face. He rolled his eyes, "What do you want?"

"Shadowstripe, we've done it!" She meowed. "We've finally done it!"

"Done what?"

"Larkstar has gone insane!" She announced happily.