The Kill Of Dawn- Book 2

Chapter 16

Ember froze as she watched the two bodies drop to the ground. A shiver was sent down her spine as she watched the life fade from their eyes. 
"Who wins?" Cleo whispered in her ear. She was right. Who did win? Both sides lost.
"I have something to say," a BloodClan cat- No, that wasn't a BloodClan cat. That was Dagger! 
"What are you doing in BloodClan?" Bandit snorted. 
"I decided we should join them. They have similar intentions and give us a better chance of survival," Dagger explained. Ember started to recognise familiar faces. 
"What about Darts group?" Ember asked. 
"I've no idea. They ran someplace else, but it's only Dart, Rat and Burn remain part of his 'clan' if you would call it that. Everyone else had the sense to join this one," Dagger told his crowd. 
"I think this was all mean't to happen," Greystar added suddenly ,"I mean, KillClan dispersed, we joined with our old clanmates, KillClan and BloodClan joined and then they both lost rights to the territories," Greystar explained. 
"What are you saying we do then?" Dagger narrowed his eyes. 
"You could join our clans. We aren't as bad as you may think. It's obvious you aren't as against working as a team as you portray yourself to be. That's what the clans are all about. You don't have to believe in StarClan, there have been cats who don't," Greystar cast a quick glance at Cloudtail ,"But it would be a win-win both ways." Dagger looked thoughtful for a moment. 
"Let me make you a deal," Dagger started after a long silence ,"We'll join your clans, but if it doesn't work out, you have to give us hunting rights in at least one of the clans territories." 
"Sounds good enough to me," Sandstorm shrugged. 
"What if we don't agree?" a BloodClan cat challenged. Dagger turned his head to meet the protesters eyes, shooting them a terrifying glare. 
"Then leave," he growled. The BloodClan cat just stared at his paws. 
"So with that, I think it's about time we elect the new leaders and deputies," Greystar announced. 

By Sun-Down every cat had gathered below the large rock and awaited Greystars speech. 
"So, as you all probably guessed, I will be taking the role of ThunderClans leader. Now it's time t elect RiverClans," Greystar voice rang out through the cold, thin air. 
"I think we all know who that's going to be," a black RiverClan tom meowed, eyes fixed on Mistyfoot. 
"Yes, we can all agree Mistyfoot would make the best leader," another RiverClan cat agreed. His clanmates nodded in agreement. 
"I would be honoured to be your leader," Mistyfoot dipped her head gratefully. 
"Alright, and WindClan?" Greystar moved on. 
"Mudclaw!" a grey WindClan tom called. 
"I think Onewhisker would be a better choice," Tornear argued. 
"Yes, I feel like Tallstar would have chosen Onewhisker as his new deputy if he were still alive," a grey she-cat agreed. 
"You're going to have to decide on one," Greystar shook his head. 
"There are more on Onewhiskers side, Mudclaw should be deputy and Onewhisker should be leader," Tornear flattened his ears as if he already knew a challenge was coming his way. 
"Fine," Webfoot growled. 
"I protest!" Mudclaw bared his teeth ,"Onewhisker is not worthy of being WindClans leader!" 
"Just keep your mouth shut and move on Mudclaw," Tornear rolled his eyes. Greystar stood up abruptly as Mudclaw unsheathed his claws. 
"No fighting in Fourtrees!" Greystar snarled. 
"I don't see any full moon, unless you suddenly make all the rules," Mudclaw challenged. 
"This is unnecessary," the grey she-cat spat ,"You're acting like a kit. Respect your clans opinions would you? You're lucky you're even being chosen as deputy!" Mudclaw finally gave up.
"Okay, So Onewhisker and Mistyfoot will be travelling to MoonStone tonight, is that agreeable?" Greystar asked as the two warriors joined Greystar on the rock.
"And now ShadowClan remains. Who will be your leader?" Greystar asked.
"We don't have enough warriors," a dark brown she-cat sighed ,"It's just me and Cedarpaw. I guess we'll have Rowanpaw and Littlecloud but I am not fit to be a leader and we can't have apprentices as deputies." 
"Perhaps I could lead?" Dagger suggested ,"I may not know how to lead a clan under such strict rules, but I made a deal and I will try to learn your ways."
"We don't have much of a choice," the dark furred she-cat shrugged.
"Dagger can act as leader but he isn't going to be going to the MoonStone is he?" Onewhisker queered.
"What is this MoonStone?" Dagger tilted his head.
"A bright stone that glows in the moonlight where new leaders travel to in order to receive their nine lives," Mistyfoot clarified.  
"I see, so I need faith in this StarClan to receive these extra lives?" Dagger asked. Mistyfoot nodded. 
"Well with that sorted, we need to choose deputies for RiverClan and for ShadowClan," Greystar pointed out. He really does seems to like being in control Ember thought cautiously. He may have saved her kit but there was something off about him... 
"I will choose my deputy when I am granted my leaders name," Mistyfoot told him calmly.
"I see no reason to wait," Dagger butted in before Greystar could speak ,"So I shall choose mine now."
For a moment Ember thought he was going to start arguing with the other leaders but luckily he seemed to have managed to bite his tongue. "My deputy will be Vine." 
Good choice Ember thought, sighing silently with relief. Vine was a witty and powerful warrior but unlike most of the others, he also had brains. Most of KillClans warriors were battle-hungry and only wanted to be leader for the sake of power and control over their clanmates. Spirit was very much like that. He killed Sprite and told everyone else he had ran away and told him he would be the next leader. It was all a lie. Even if Sprite did run away Dagger would have been his first choice..
"I am honoured," Vines grateful mew distracted Ember from her thoughts.
"It's time we went to the MoonStone," Onewhisker's gaze drifted from Greystar to the pointed stones, barely visible against the dark sky.