✧ Devious Fates ✧ | COMPLETE WARRIOR CATS FANFICTION STORY |

// Chapter Twenty

The thought of his fellow apprentice's death haunted Silverpaw. The silver tabby apprentice was sharing a fresh-kill wren with his brother, Duskpaw. Even though the battle with rogues had occurred three moons ago, it had still been in the back of Silverpaw's mind. Why would Lakestar of sent two new apprentices to battle? I would've happily fought for my Clan.

Should Silverpaw of been mad at his leader? He didn't know. He took a bite around the wren's flank, licking his lips as the savory flavor absorbed on his tongue. His brother took a nibble after him, before lifting his head.

"The hunting patrols made some pretty lucky catches today," Duskpaw remarked. Silverpaw nodded.

Volefoot padded up beside Silverpaw and Duskpaw. He blinked, asking, "Would you two and and Rosefern like to go on evening patrol later?"

Better than nothing. "Sure," Silverpaw answered. He stammered onto his paws, disposing the wren's remains. He shook his pelt, nipping at some straw in his pelt. He gaped his jaws in a yawn.

Before Silverpaw could start towards his den, an agonized yowl split the air. It was close. Silverpaw's ears went flat on his head. What happened? His question didn't take long to be answered. Rogues stormed into the camp with determined and bloodthirsty expressions; their claws outstretched. Silverpaw didn't wait for his mentors call as he unsheathed his claws and slashed at a brown she-cat's throat as she leaped at him. He was unsuccessful as the she-cat bounded back, retaliating with a swift unsheathed claw aimed towards Silverpaw's shoulder.

Silverpaw winced with pain as his opponent afflicted his shoulder blade. As he threw the she-cat back with all his might, he gasped with shock as one of the rogues met his eye. No. It wasn't a rogue. Yarrowpaw! She led the rogues here! But why? Silverpaw realized Yarrowpaw had acted different since the first rogue battle. Of course... she wants revenge because of her sisters death!

Silverpaw felt a charge of energy run through him. I won't let her! The brown she-cat he was fighting lunged back toward him with a furious hiss. Duskpaw joined him, fastening his jaws onto the brawny she-cat's spine. He was hurled back, almost losing his grip. Duskpaw latched onto the rogue's face, his muzzle wrinkled up with fury.

Painful and defiant screeches rung around the ThunderClan clearing. Silverpaw counted at least eight rogues; there were more than the prior battle. He felt a feeling of doubt snap through him. Will we win? The silver tabby apprentice surged with determination and rage. He dug his claws into the large rogue's back, dealing dirty wounds.

Duskpaw crashed into the dirt, his belly exposed. Silverpaw froze as the brown she-cat under his paws neared her claws toward the dusty apprentice. Brother, I will save you! Silverpaw hurled himself at the she-cat's scruff, kicking her face and trying to knock her off her balance. The brown rogue responded with an enraged growl, Duskpaw scrambling onto his paws. Silverpaw felt a sliver of relief dash through him.

Silverpaw was jolted into the air by the yellow-eyed rogue as he tried climbing back onto her back. He screeched with surprise, pain racing through him as the brown she-cat's claws raked across his flank. The stench of blood spewed into the air, making ThunderClan's camp unrecognizable. Duskpaw nipped at the lithe she-cat's neck, tearing at her ear.

Silverpaw, groaning in pain, forced himself onto his paws and wrenched back towards the rogue. The brown she-cat veered around, and Silverpaw secured his claws into her muzzle. Silverpaw aimed for her eye; but stopped as he almost lost his grip as he was being thrashed around by the large she-cat. He shuttered with terror as he was almost propelled into a large oak that probably could've snapped several of his bones.

Just as the silver apprentice was about flung off, a black tabby tom charged at the brown she-cat. Silverpaw recognized Wolfspirit, Dawnpaw's former mentor. Silverpaw held his grasp; a bit of relief pacing through him. "Ivy, watch out!" Yarrowpaw's warning rang. Her optics glistened with livid emotions for Wolfspirit.

Just as Silverpaw thought he would be free, Yarrowpaw fixed her claws into Wolfspirit's shoulder, dealing a harsh blemish to his jaw. The faded ginger she-cat was flanked by a blue-gray tom, who joined in on Wolfspirit's attack. Silverpaw thrusted himself off of Ivy's muzzle, rushing over to assist. Duskpaw also escaped, fending off Ivy by hitting her blows back. Should I help him?

Silverpaw didn't know who to attack. He made the choice to assist his brother, dipping under Ivy's belly and wrapping his jaws around her hind leg. But Ivy was too large for the apprentice. She fell towards the ground, Silverpaw barely escaping. While Silverpaw was still stunned, Ivy pelted towards him with a fierce yowl.

Duskpaw darted in front of Ivy, dragging his claws across the she-cat's chest. Ivy stammered back, only to charge back. Silverpaw arranged back onto his paws, alerted by the agonized howling of Wolfspirit. He was covered in wounds. Yarrowpaw ambled towards him, a bloodthirsty smile cut across her muzzle.

Silverpaw's heart lurched, and he burst towards Yarrowpaw, clasping her tail in his jaws. Yarrowpaw stifled an irritated hiss, whirling around and clawing Silverpaw's nose. Silverpaw stumbled back in pain, horror drowning his feelings as he heard a deathly scream from Wolfspirit. Blood poured from his neck as he crashed onto the ground. No!

Silverpaw's pupils darted around as he searched for Duskpaw. Bitter and sorrowful feelings were placed on his tongue. Fuming, he placed his gaze toward Yarrowpaw as Pond and Ivy bounded away to clash with other warriors. Silverpaw scrambled onto his paws and galloped toward her, eyes scorching. He raked his claws across Yarrowpaw's chest.

Yarrowpaw barely flinched. She batted Silverpaw on the ear with sheathed claws, taunting the silver tabby tom. She pinned him to the ground while unsheathing her claws, her eyes gleaming with satisfaction. Silverpaw wriggled frantically under the yellow she-cat, gasping for air. This... can't... be... happening!

"You see?" Yarrowpaw snorted. "There's just no escaping us. You promise so much, but give so little. I thought ThunderClan was so honored and loyal, so courageous? But where are you now? You're all as corrupt as the villains that lived generations ago. And if the most 'loyal' Clan turns out to be the most crooked, then what other lies have we been told?"

"You.. won't... win," Silverpaw choked.

"It's not winning," Yarrowpaw hissed. "It's revenge."

Silverpaw's lungs demanded air. He suddenly started whipped around profusely again, Yarrowpaw shaking her head and clicking her tongue with disappointment. "I thought maybe you would understand," she sighed. "But I guess you're just going to watch your Clan sink to ruin from StarClan." No! StarClan, no!

Suddenly, as if StarClan had responded, Silverpaw was able to throw the faded ginger she-cat off him. With a gasp for breath, he sliced his claws across Yarrowpaw's nose. Yarrowpaw went limp for a few heartbeats; her body motionless as she slammed against a rock. She's unconscious! Silverpaw, boiling with rage, severed a scar along the faded ginger she-cat's face.

Out of nowhere, Yarrowpaw awoke, flinching from pain. She was exposed to another blow from Silverpaw, before he was torn away by a black she-cat. Duskpaw suddenly appeared, guiding Hazelpaw onto his paws. His eyes were swallowed with terror as he saw Silverpaw being hurled back towards the oak he feared impact from.

Silverpaw slammed into the tree, his head growing woozy. Must.. fight..