Warriors: 9 Lives of TERROR

Prologue

PLEASE DO NOT ASK TO MAKE A CHARACTER FORM FOR THIS BOOK!! I had sign-ups at the very beginning of this book, but they have long since closed!!!!! 

Frostheart, a big white tom with brown and gray splashes and bright yellow-green eyes sat up and yawned. "Let's all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath high ledge for a Clan meeting!" Came a yowl. Frostheart got up and stretched, stiff from the cold vigil. A small gray tom with black stripes was sitting on high ledge. He looked daunted by his new position, but kept his head high. Like he owns the place. He just got back from the Moonpool; he's hardly our leader. Frostheart snorted at the thought. Last night Cragstar, ThunderClan's leader, had died of green cough. While the worst of the epidemic was over, the Clan was still weak. They needed a strong leader. That leader is not going to be Splashwing. A cold breeze ruffled his pelt, and he shivered before hurrying over to high ledge. "Clan! I have successfully received my nine lives from StarClan," he announced, voice sounding higher pitched then normal. Figures.

"Splashstar! Splashstar!" The Clan cheered. Frostheart forced himself to join in.

"Now I must choose my deputy." The clan seemed to hold it's breath. Well, its not going to be me. Frostheart knew with his large size, he frightened Splashwing- well, Splashstar. He also bullied him as an apprentice. Which he didn't regret at all. The tom's weakness bothered him. His friends Archpaw and Coldwhisker had helped him. They were both dead. A fox killed Archpaw, and Coldwhisker died when the green cough epidemic started. I wish Splashstar had died. He sneered at the thought. He felt something shoulder him.

"Wipe that look off your face," hissed a tortoiseshell she-cat. That was Ivyclaw, his older sister. Probably the only cat not even slightly intimidated by his presence. Frostheart rolled his eyes, but Ivyclaw wasn't looking at him anymore.

"My deputy will be Hopelight," Splashstar announced. Frostheart wasn't surprised. The over enthusiastic she-cat was as bad as Splashstar. 

Well, she won't last half as long as him, chuckled a voice in his head. It had been there for awhile- it was a Dark Forest cat named Sageweed. She had first visited him shortly after the death of his father when Frostheart was only a 'paw. Frostheart grunted in laughter at her comment, but it was drowned out by his clan mates cheers.

"Hopelight! Hopelight!" The Clan cheered in unison. Hopelight- a ginger she-cat with a bright pink nose stepped forward, amber eyes shining.

"Thank you, Splashstar. I am both honored and surprised." Yeah, right.

"Splashstar, we must bury Cragstar now," said Wishfeather, the medicine cat. Cats deflated as they were reminded of the leader's death. Yup. There goes Wishfeather- ruining the mood as always. 

She's sure a downer, agreed Sageweed.

"You're right, Wishfeather," Splashstar said, bowing his head in deepest respect to the medicine cat. He respects her so much he practically idolizes her. Frostheart watched as the elders Pineshadow and Willowlight bent down, and had Cragstar lifted onto their backs. Warriors followed. Frostheart would have skipped the burial if he could- but he was probably expected to go, Cragstar was his kin. Not that he cared. 

You should care, Sageweed said. Being his kin gives you a better shot at getting to be deputy. 

You're right, Sageweed, he thought. As always. 

Hmph, was her only reply. The elders began digging, and soon they were lowering Cragstar's body into the hole: a big brown tom with yellow eyes. Is eyes were closed, though. The leader's face was peaceful, at first glance it might look like he was just sleeping. Frostheart sighed. It's cold. I should be in the warrior's den. The warrior next to him- Mousetuft- a tawny brown she-cat with faint stripes interpreted it as one of sadness. She stroked his back with her tail.

"He watches us from StarClan now," she murmured. Frostheart shrugged off her tail. StarClan is overrated. 

You got that right- it's just a bunch of soft old pigeons. At least you continue to keep your skills sharp in the Place of No Stars- even though it ain't pretty.

"May you find swift running, good hunting, and shelter where you sleep," Wishfeather murmured. Yes, Cragstar. Rest while you can.... in a few moons, your precious Clan will be mine. Everyone in it will obey me... or I will destroy this Clan from within. Because I, Frostheart, have a plan. And to start it, I just needed you to die.