Do or Die (A Warrior Cats Fan Novel)

chapter 20

Rubystar cackled, malice dripping from her hysterical, chilling voice. Mothstar was dead.

The thought was continuously resonating within Amethystpaw's head, and a ball of contempt and despair in her belly. Contempt resting solely on Rubystar's shoulders, and despair for Amethystpaw's fallen mother.

The heiress was pressed against Moonfur, tears cascading down her cheeks like miniature waterfalls.

"She's in StarClan now," Moonfur started, voice trembling, "running with the legends."

"I don't want her to run with the legends," Amethystpaw cried. Her sunset colored eyes were sparkling.

Moonfur's gaze hardened. "If I could've saved Mothstar, then I would have. She's in a better place and there's nothing we can do about it." He nudged her through the exit tunnel.

"Technically, you'd be our leader, but you haven't been fully trained yet. For the time being, I could lead and train you, or you could lead and I would help you along the way."

Amethystpaw blinked away her tears. "I think it would be best if I led the Clan. I'm the heiress, and it would spark outrage if a male were ro be leader, no matter if he is the lead... the past leader's mate."

Moonfur nodded. "Once we make it to WisteriaClan camp we'll head off to the Moon Tree."

The Moon Tree was a sacred place, a towering oak with petals and leaves that were sparkling white, as if they were stars. It was fabled to be planted by the first cat to step foot on this earth. It went undiscovered by the first four Clans, the second generation, and one-hundred years later, was finally discovered by one cat called Shinekit, who has wandered away from her Clan.

"The Moon Tree?" Amethystpaw mewed, tail flicking.

"Well, yea. You'll need to get your name, of course." Moonfur smiled pridefully.

Amethyststar, the heiress thought. It just doesn't sound right. Mothstar should be leader, not a StarClan warrior.

Amethystpaw sighed and looked up at her Clan, which had severly dwindled in numbers because of the attack. There were about five warrior standing, and two apprentices who were fortunate enough to survive. Aloetail was alive, but severely wounded, and her deep green eyes looked grief-strickenbeyond repair.

The apprentice sped up to walk beside her sister, nuzzling her reassuringly. "You fought really well," she murmured.

"Not well enough," Aloetail responded, looking away. "I should've gottenin between Mothstar and Rubystar. I wouldn't have been much of a loss compared to her."

Amethystpaw raised an eyebrow, "Don't say that. I would've been devastated!"

The medicine cat chuckled, nudging the amaller she-cat. "Thank you for talking to me. I feel a tiny bit better."

"WisteriaClan camp!" A voice called, and the tiny group sped up, stepping into the camp battle-wounded and despairing.

"Great StatClan!" One cat said. Mellowstar, the Matriarch. "What happened to the lot of you?"

Moonfur furrowed his brow, "ScarletClan."

"Those bastards!" Mellowstar mewed. "Albatross, please help Aloetail patch up these poor cats."

A burly black-and-white tom stepped forwards, dipping his head to Moonfur and Amethystpaw before collecting the most damaged cats and leading them to the medicine den.

"...where's Mothstar?" Mellowstar mewed, her gray pelt fluffing up. She trulywas a beautiful cat, pale gray with white spots and sea-green eyes.

Moonfur looked away. "Dead. Rubystar struck her down with a single blow."

"Oh, God." The WisteriaClan leader whispered. "That's a direct violation of the warrior code. Who will take over? Aloetail, I assume. She's the old-"

"Amethystpaw will," Moonfur said, smoothing down his pale, bloodstained coat of fur.

"She's so young!" Mellowstar exclaimed, raising a paw. "Does she know how to lead yet?"

Amethystpaw stepped forwards and shook her head. I was hoping Moonfur could help. Is that allowed?"

"Honestly, I'm not sure," the other she-cat shook her head. You're welcome to stay here for a while if you'd like. Your elders have been a joy, their stories are so colorful, and I'm sure Princess Bunnypaw won't mind at all!"

Bunnypaw was a silvery gray tabby she cat with a single folded ear, amber eyes, and a very plush coat. She and Amethystpaw had been friends since they were about three moons old, when PearlClan and WisteriaClan had first become firm allies.

"We wouldn't want to trouble you! Besides, my cats don't know the first thing about hunting aboveground." Moonfur smiled gratefully.

"Oh, I insist! Please do stay. I can assist with Amethystpaw's training. Although, she is Matriarch now. Well, I'll just give helpful tips. Your cats can share the same dens as mine, and I'll be sure to tell my clan not to hassle you!" For some reason, Mellowstar found that phrase hilarious, and was laughing uncontrollably.

"Oh, dear heavens! I do apologize. I've just been in such a good mood all day. Doesn't Amethystpaw need to travel to the Moon Tree?"

"Indeed," Moonfur responded. "Would Albatross be able to travel with us? Aloetail need some rest. The battle really spooked her."

"Of course he can! Albatross, dear? The princess of PearlClan needs some guidance to get to the Moon Tree! Be a doll and please help her~"

The black and white tom poked his head out of the den and nodded. "When do we depart?"

"When the sun sets," Moonfur mewed, nodding respectfully at Albatross.

"Alright," Albatross responded. "When the sun sets below the horizon, Amethystpaw will make the journey to the Moon Tree and be initiated as leader of PearlClan."

~

A/N: I'm at school right now so I'm on my phone. Updates will be faster when I get home÷