Warriors Fan Fiction: Heart of Darkness ~ By Swift

Prologue: Fox Trap

Brambleclaw was taken by surprise by a startled yowl full of pain. His head jerked into the air and he began turning around, darting towards the direction of the lake. He pushed past several bushes and saw Firestar lying on the ground, fresh blood staining the green grass. His amber eyes widened with horror and he saw Hawkfrost standing over the ThunderClan leader, hunger shining in his ice-blue eyes.

"H-Hawkfrost, what happened to Firestar?" Brambleclaw asked. Hawkfrost's gaze met his. His claws were unsheathed as if he were ready to attack Firestar.

"That fool got caught in a fox trap," Hawkfrost replied. Brambleclaw now noticed a metal part of the fox trap was digging into his neck, blood gushing from it. Firestar's green eyes were wide with shock, his mouth opened slightly as he tried breathing for air.

A cold voice whispered into his ear, making Brambleclaw's ear flicked. Kill him. A true leader is not afraid to get blood on his claws. He could recognise his father's dark voice that chilled him. Firestar shuddered and Brambleclaw closed his eyes for several heartbeats, thinking of how Tigerstar had his nine lives ripped away by Scourge, the leader of BloodClan.

"He's only got six lives left," Brambleclaw murmured as he opened his eyes. "Six lives until I become a full-pledged leader. . ."

"That's correct," Hawkfrost growled. "Quit stalling and just kill that kittypet." His half-brother sounded desperate for him to kill his leader-the one who had mentored him and the cat he had looked up to all his life. Could Brambleclaw really be like Tigerstar, a cold and heartless murderer? Did Hawkfrost truly decide that was the right path for himself and Brambleclaw?

"I can't," Brambleclaw replied. He wanted to be leader, yes, but he never thought of killing Firestar to achieve that goal. Surely there was some other way he could be leader without killing Firestar?

"Do you want to avenge Tigerstar's death?" Hawkfrost hissed. "Firestar watched as Scourge ripped out his nine lives, not willing to help him. Firestar deserves this and you've always wanted to lead ThunderClan. Think of our father's plan, Brambleclaw." Tigerstar didn't mention anything to Brambleclaw about avenging his death. He knew Hawkfrost was just saying this to get him to murder his beloved leader. Was Brambleclaw really that kind of cat?

Tigerstar deserved it, Brambleclaw thought. His death was his punishment. I know I've always wanted to be leader but is this the right way to get it? Brambleclaw began remembering how Firestar accepted him despite looking like his father. He trusted him enough that he decided to make him deputy. Is death what Firestar really deserved in return for helping Brambleclaw?

Brambleclaw was a loyal ThunderClan cat, not a murderous, warrior code-breaking Dark Forest cat like Tigerstar. "I won't kill Firestar, Hawkfrost," he mewed and went to his leader's side. Remembering how Berrykit was freed from the fox trap, he began to dig into the ground to find the tendril a stick held that went around Firestar's neck.

He could hear a low growl rumbling from Hawkfrost's throat. The RiverClan warrior sprung, slamming into Brambleclaw's side and knocking him hard onto the ground. Hawkfrost had Brambleclaw pinned onto the ground, his cold ice-blue eyes burning with betrayal and anger. I have to save Firestar or he'll die! Brambleclaw thought. He could hear the faint voice of Tigerstar ringing through his ears: You foolish traitor!

Brambleclaw struggled under his half-brother's paws that had him pinned onto the shore. "You're a fool, Brambleclaw," Hawkfrost snarled. "We've planned or this-you longed for it! Now you've gone soft." He'll kill me for sure! Brambleclaw thought with alarm. But I can't kill Hawkfrost. He's kin and it's disloyal to kill a cat.

"I know our plan well enough," Brambleclaw rasped. "It's just that I don't want to kill Firestar to be leader. I need to earn my name, not kill all Firestar has done for me. I can't repay him like this. I'm sorry." Brambleclaw thrusted his hind paws hard into Hawkfrost's belly, the force knowing Hawkfrost off of him.