Warriors: 9 Lives of TERROR

Epilogue

Shadeblossom licked her claws, cleaning off the blood. The corpses of Ivyclaw, Cherrynose, Honeyflower, and Mossypelt lay in the middle of camp, for all to see. Dawn was just arriving, the rising sun basking the camp in a warm orange glow. The four dead cats lay with their throats ripped out, bodies drained of blood, eyes open and empty.

Shadeblossom and a few others who were summoned by Sageweed chased down the killers, tearing them to shreds. They let WindClan go, mostly unharmed. They wouldn't be returning any time soon, but the once ThunderClan warriors needed to be made as an example. I won't mess around when it's my time to rule. And every cat knows that now.

Robinflight had fainted when she had seen her mate's body, and hadn't awoken since. The former WindClan- and RiverClan- medicine cat Cloudfrost (whom she kidnapped) said she would be fine, if she woke up. Shadeblossom examined her claws. Once the search patrol returns with Froststar's body, I will claim my nine lives. StarClan will grant them to me, or I will take them by force.

Shadestar. She liked the sound of that. And then I'll kill off all the weakest members of ThunderClan. Cloverbreeze will go first, that skittish queen. Her kits Ravenkit and Galekit no longer need her milk. Mistfeather will die, she is useless. The rest of the cats I'll have fight it out, see who's left standing. I'd like to get rid of Roseheart, but I know Thrushfeather wouldn't let me.

Shadeblossom let out a purr. And it will be me, who takes Froststar's place. After all, she would be backed up by her mate, Russetstar. And I will let my supporters fight it out for deputy. Bloodfang, Fiercefire, Marshfrog, and Fernclaw all definitely want the position. One of them will win, I'm sure.

Shadeblossom yawned, arching her back in a stretch. She turned around to face her Clan. The warriors and apprentices were clustered together, staring wide-eyed at the dead bodies. The apprentice's looked more scared than the warriors, which was to be expected, but even they didn't dare whimper. "Warriors of ThunderClan," she announced. "If the search patrol returns without Froststar, I will have Cloudfrost accompany me to the Moonpool to receive my nine lives."

"No!" Shadeblossom, surprised, looked down as Tigerpaw sprang out in front of her. Froststar's kit hissed, fur bristling. "My father will return. There's no way you will become leader," the striped she-cat spat. You'll learn to watch your mouth, or I'll silence you myself.

Before Shadeblossom could reply, the thorn barrier rustled, and the search patrol entered camp. Shadeblossom sniffed the air. No scent of Froststar. She threw a smirk at Tigerpaw, then padded over to greet the warriors.

Fernclaw was in the lead, panting, clumps of enemy blood still stuck on his fur. "No sign of Froststar. There were marks on the ground, and smears of blood, like he dragged himself away. We followed it to a creek, then lost his scent," he reported.

Shadeblossom scowled, feeling a twinge of doubt. Is it possible he's not dead, then? Better get on with this quickly, if that's the case. Shadeblossom cleared her throat. "Well, then, you know Froststar. He wouldn't leave this Clan unless he had to. Therefore, we can assume he is gone, and ThunderClan needs a leader. I will go at once to the Moonpool to claim my nine lives."

"Well," came an all too familiar mew. "You are right about one thing, Shadeblossom." Shadeblossom, stared, mouth open at the thorn barrier entrance. Fernclaw and the rest of the patrol had hopped to the side, equally stunned. Froststar stood in the entrance. He was covered in horrific wounds, closed up though they were, they were still fresh and ugly. There was not a trace of blood on him, however. His fur was wet from the creek water. He was shaking, too. Probably in a great amount of pain.

But his lime-green eyes were the same. They bore into Shadeblossom, making her feel the urge to crouch submissively before him. But she fought the urge. I can take him. He's weak right now, he's clearly lost lives. Seeming to sense her thoughts, Froststar grinned. Shakily, he made his way forward. She stood her ground, facing him. Froststar stopped before her. "I would never leave my Clan," he whispered, breath ruffling the fur on her ears. His breath stank of blood, and the last drop of courage was sucked out of her. I only have one life. He still, clearly, has more.

Shadeblossom stepped back, dipping her head to him. "We're happy to have you back with us, Froststar." Froststar began to laugh, a choked sound, that ended in a fit of coughing, and a splatter of blood on the ground.

"Get me me a medicine cat," he snarled, and limped off towards his den. "And Mistfeather." Then he slunk inside, lichen swishing behind him. At first everyone stared, and did nothing, too shocked to move. Shadeblossom growled, shaking out her fur.

"You heard him!" she barked. "Fetch Cloudfrost, and Sprucepaw."

"I knew he'd come back," came a whisper. Shadeblossom turned around with a growl, paw raised, ready to lash out at the apprentice. Not only Tigerpaw, but Darkpaw and Dawnpaw as well, smiled back at her. Go on, their gazes challenged. Hit us. See where that gets you now. Shadeblossom snarled, and put down her paw. Little monsters. We a lash of her tail, Shadeblossom whipped around and marched off. She didn't have a specific destination, and was surprised to find herself stopped outside the nursery. A strange feeling propelled her inside.

It was like instinct, and it lead her over to Oneflower, who had three newborn kits suckling at her belly. One of them didn't match the others, and that one Shadeblossom was drawn to. Oneflower shied away with a whimper, but Shadeblossom ignored the queen. She crouched down by the kit. The kit was almost as skinny as the other two, but she wasn't WindClan, that figure came from her mother. She was dried out now, her thin kitten fur clean. Her pelt was ghostly gray, and had faint, streaks of black fur spread among her pelt, it looked like someone had spilled ShadowClan on her. And she is half ShadowClan, by her scent.

The kit was dubbed Silentkit, a reminder that her mother's treachery would never be talked about. Coldrose. Her name will die with her. As if by some instinct, Shadeblossom buried her nose into the kit's fur. At once, a vision flashed through her mind.

The kit, grown up now, amber eyes blazing. Leading an army of yowling cats.

Rogues. Loners. Cats she didn't recognize.

Another cat, standing besides Silentkit, and the word 'sister' sang in Shadeblossom's mind.

Froststar, cowering, shrieking in fear.

Shadeblossom pulled herself away from Silentkit, panting. Oneflower stared at her warily, but Shadeblossom continued to ignore the queen. Well, that last image is one I could get used to. The vision of ThunderClan's leader cowering in fear was imprinted on her mind. She looked back down at the kit, a cold smile spreading across her face.

Maybe Froststar wasn't stopped this time. But that doesn't mean there won't be another chance.

This kit will grow up to end him. Shadeblossom chuckled. End his nine lives of terror. 

Soooo, Nine Lives of Terror is finally complete!!! I hope everyone enjoyed it. The sequel is out, go ahead and read it!