WattyWarriors Fan Magazine 2.0

Contest Entree: LightningStrikeTC

Theme: Write an alternative ending to “The Last Hope”.

"You're no leader, Tigerstar." Firestar padded closer. "You never were."

Tigerstar snarled, "I'm a better leader than you could ever be."

"A leader puts his Clan first." Firestar lashed his tail. "Instead, your Clanmates are made to fight their battles, not theirs."

"Real warriors love battles," Tigerstar sneered. "I give them a chance to die for cause."

Dovewing searched Tigerstar's gaze. Was he mad? Countless cats have died in battles. Does he really believe he'd done them a favor?

Firestar's pelt rippled, his muscles twitched. "And what have all your battles been for, Tigerstar? What cause is worth the lives of so many warriors?"

Tigerstar's eyes burned. "Deafeating you, of course."

Firestar met his gaze. "You haven't defeated me yet."

Dovewing held her breath. There was a wildness in the dark warrior's eyes that terrified her.

"That's why I am here," Tigerstar growled.

"No!" called Bluestar. Every cat turned to her. Firestar turned to his old leader, surprised. "Tigerstar . . . no matter how many times you may kill Firestar, this battle for you may never end how hard you fight and how hard you train." Her eyes blazed with truth and wisdom.

Tigerstar sneered. "What are you talking about?"

Bluestar sighed. "If Firestar dies . . . if he gets killed . . . there is always another cat who will come . . ."

Rock padded from behind Bluestar. "That's enough," he ordered. "This is Firestar's battle."

"Rock correct," Midnight said. "Future will form in the paws of present." She dipped her head. "Good luck, Firestar."

Firestar turned to Tigerstar. Dovewing watched, her bones burning, her eyes longing to leap in and just end it all. Bumblestripe walked up from behind him and touched his pelt to her's. "It's okay," he murmured. "Firestar is the best leader any cat may ask for. He is unbeatable . . ."

"Every cat can fall," Dovewing murmered back to Bumblestripe, "no matter how great they are."

Tigerstar growled to himself. Firestar straightened his posture to look more stronger. "The Dark Forest will never be able to beat the Clans!" Firestar declared. "They all know that no matter how hard they try, they will only win with the goodness in their hearts."

"I don't need them." Tigerstar glanced at the cats bristling at the edge of the clearing. "I only have to beat you. And when you're gone, I'll start picking your Clanmates one by one, moon after moon, till there's no one left."

Firestar's gaze flitted from Ferncloud's body to Hollyleaf's. "I'm not going to let you harm any of my cats, not ever." His tail swished low over the ground.

"Then you're gonna have to kill me."

Firestar narrowed his eyes. "Has it been worth it, Tigerstar? All the hate? All the death?"

Tigerstar flattened his ears. "Every moment." Eyes slitted, he attacked. Hooking his claws deep into Firestar's shoulder, he raked his spine with churning paws. "Ever since Bluestar found you I became nothing! I all this time for my revenge!"

Firestar twisted free and slashed at him. The dark warrior ducked back, head low, and grabbed Firestar's hind paw in his teeth. Biting hard, he dragged Firestar onto his belly, then reared up and slammed his forepaws onto Firestar's spine. "When you're dead, I can rule the Clans or kill them!"