Copperfur's Choice (COMPLETED)

C h a p t e r 3

The battle roared around him, but Copperfur hardly noticed. His mind was racing, reliving what just happened. He fought his best friend. The copper-colored tom shook his head to clear it.

"Nightstar!" There was a scream from not far away. Snowstorm. He forced his legs to run over.

Shadestar was standing over another cat, looking confused. Snowstorm was standing there, her lips peeled back in a snarl and her hackles raised at Shadestar. The body of a black cat lay under Shadestar, blood trickling down her neck. This must be the famous Nightshadow.

Shadestar glanced in his direction, "Ah, Copperfur!" He gave his yellow-toothed grin. "Copperfur!" Snowstorm sounded desperate. Copperfur padded a few steps closer.

"Copperfur!" Snowstorm yowled again, "Please, make the right choice!"

This is my choice. I can help the outcasts and kill Shadestar. I can live a new and better life. Or, I can help BoneClan and live a life I don't want under the rule of Shadestar. It is my choice. No one else's.

Copperfur turned to look at the scene once more before darting off. He slashed at a few cats along the way before he found her. Her orange tabby fur was ripped and bloody, her amber eyes were wild, her claws unsheathed. Foxclaw. Yep, this was his mother.

"Foxclaw!" Copperfur called. She turned her wild eyes to him, "Copperfur, my son. Do you enjoy this battle as much as me? Those foolish cats will pay for leaving us!" She cackled.

Note to self: Do not get near Foxclaw in a battle. Yep, his mother was crazy, maybe crazier than Shadestar himself.

Copperfur shook his head, "No Foxclaw. They did the right thing. I should've listened to Snowstorm when I had the chance. She was right. Shadestar leads us to our deaths. He is evil." He unsheathed his claws. "Oh Copperfur, foolish Copperfur." Foxclaw drew closer.

"You think you can defeat BoneClan? We are strong. Shadestar has made us strong. BoneClan hasn't been this strong since the days of Bonestar." Copperfur sighed and also took a step closer, "Killing others. That's all Shadestar does. He isn't a good cat. He rules by fear. You fear him. It's the it reason you stay. It's time for a new age of BoneClan." Foxclaw laughed.

"My son, you are so dumb. I thought I tough you well. Good luck, I say to you. For you'll be dead before the day is done." She lunged.

Copperfur rolled to the side just in time. His mother landed with a thump on the ground and stood up snarling. Copperfur could see her weakness, she was old. She was older than Shadestar. She had had kits fairly late in her life. A few more moons and she would be an elder. Copperfur was younger and stronger. He could beat her.

This time he lunged. She moved out of the way but Copperfur managed to claw her flank, leaving a small clawmark. Foxclaw smirked, "Ready to fight for real, son? She spat out the last word and lunged. Copperfur was caught off guard. She bowled him down. "That was too easy." She clawed his nose.

Copperfur had never been a good fighter, but he could win with smarts. He pawed Foxclaw in the eyes, blinding her for a moment as she stumbled back, then he scrambled back up and faced her. He leapt forward and grabbed her back leg in his jaw. Foxclaw yowled in pain as her son twisted her leg. She reached around and clawed him across the shoulder. Surprised, Copperfur stumbled back, letting go of Foxclaw's leg.

They lunged at each other again. They were a ball of fur and claws for a few moments before Foxclaw's injured leg began to slow her down.

Copperfur saw this and pinned his mother down. She snarled at him, "You will not win Copperfur. Killing me will not stop this battle. I will haunt you forever." She laughed again.

Copperfur took a deep breath, "This is my choice, Foxclaw. And I regret nothing." He quickly sliced his claws across her throat. She let out a small cry before going limp.

Foxclaw was dead.

Copperfur stumbled back, realizing what he had just done. He took a deep breath and looked to where he had came from. Now he would help Snowstorm and the others.