Book 1 - Warriors: The Shadow Outcast

Chapter Thirty-Seven

Mudpaw

Mudpaw turned to face a large grey tom who had at least ten Warriors behind him. For some reason that Mudpaw was trying to understand, every cat in the den gasped with shock. Sure, it was surprising that there was many followers of this huge tom, but they didn't seem to be looking at that. They didn't even notice the cats behind the RiverClan Warrior. They were looking at nothing but the grey tom in front of him.

All of the cats stared for a moment, taking in the shocking appearance of the grey tom. Mudpaw curiously looked to each cat, eventually noticing that Bravestar was surprised the most. This meant that the tom in front of him must have known Bravestar, or was at least a Warrior of his.

"Wolfheart, what is the meaning of this?" asked Bravestar his eyes narrowed as he gave a hostile stare to his seemingly fellow Warrior. Then Mudpaw remembered—this tom was the RiverClan deputy. Why would he of all cats want to kill Robinwing? "You are my deputy!"

"Such a well-placed cat for a spy, don't you think?" asked Wolfheart, a smirk forming on his face as Bravestar panicked. Mudpaw had never seen the look upon a leader's before, not even Rainfur's. This meant that whatever was happening was bad. Really bad.

"A spy?" asked Bravestar, shock and anger boiling madly. "What reason do you have to be a spy for that monster?" the grey tom just continued smirking, laughing a bit as Bravestar finished his questioning. Wolfheart obviously had knowledge of something very important.

"What other reason than to simply follow one who can lead these Clans into a better future?" asked Wolfheart. "Not only that, but he has promised me a position as RiverClan's leader, just as soon as I get rid of you. Then I will finally be a leader, and I might even be able to execute those stupid kits of mine."

"All this time you've wanted to become a leader?" asked Bravestar, his voice rough with the anger that continued boiling like a volcano. "Wolfheart, you are smart enough to know that power isn't everything. Weren't you in love with Thorntail? She's dead now because of Sharpstar. Weren't you happy for your kits? They won't stand a fighting chance! Wolfheart. . .why?" The silver Warrior just spat at the pale leader's feet, challenging him.

"Why?" Wolfheart asked, his eyes now narrowed with fury. "While I was stuck below you, everyone else thought of me as a bully. The only thing I did was push away my kits, and who wouldn't if they were the reminder to everyone that you broke the Warrior code accidentally?" Wolfheart got into a fighting stance, ready to attack as Bravestar mimicked him.

"When I'm leader, they'll all be forced to respect me. When I'm leader, they'll all be forced to realize that I am a powerful cat that will punish them severely for judging me. See Bravestar? You always said that you must fight for what you believe in. So you know what I believe in? Revenge!" That was they only warning given to Bravestar before Wolfheart lunged onto the slender tom, his teeth sinking quickly into Bravestar's shoulder.

Mudpaw watched with shocked eyes as the two toms fought, realizing that his wish to become an apprentice had vanished. Why had he wanted it so badly? The only thing he'd seen in the last few days was revenge, death, and blood. Was this all to being an apprentice? If so, he'd rather be a kittypet. At least he'd live longer.

Just then another wail had come from Robinwing, her eyes filled with tears but the determination was still there. The poor queen had promised herself that she would live, but Mudpaw was doubting it as her moments passed, and though he could tell that the kitting was moving along, but it wasn't moving fast enough.

Mudpaw suddenly remembered the battle being fought in front of him. Just as the two strong toms rolled toward him, he jumped out of the way, avoiding getting crushed by the two stronger cats. As he stood up again, he realised the wounds on Bravestar's sides and belly. He was losing, and for some reason, Mudpaw could tell that he was on his last life now. He didn't understand it, but he didn't have time to figure it out. There was just too much going on.