Sandstrike's Curse

- 12 -

"Sandstrike, wake up," Sandstrike awakens to the familiar voice of his older sister.

"What is it, Fallensnow?" He whines then yawns. "I was having a good dream," he complains as he rolls over onto his back and stretches his legs out.

"You slept in really late," Fallensnow responds. "But, that's not the reason I'm waking you up, sadly," she adds, lowering her ears and tucking her tail. "There was a SkyClan attack on the dawn patrol today."

"Ugh... I knew this would happen... those mangy tree-climbing rats..." Sandstrike grumbles. "Are Tulipblossom, Cinderdust, and the others alright?" He asks, his yellow eyes gleaming with worry.

Fallensnow responds with a simple shake of her head. She does not say a word, but lowers her head in grief. Sandstrike immediately gets up out of his nest and hurries outside of the warriors' den. Once he steps outside, he spots Sweetberry and Lilypaw near the entrance of camp, bloody and badly wounded. The two cats were dragging the cold, lifeless bodies of Tulipblossom and Cinderdust.

Sandstrike lets out a loud wail and rushes to their side. Rainpetal rushes over as well, prepared to guide the surviving dawn patrol cats towards the medicine cat den. Rainpetal is still helping out with the medicine cat duties. Fogwhisper is much better, but is still not mentally prepared to return to his medicine cat duties yet and mentor Echopaw.

"SkyClan did this?!" He yowls, driven by grief and anger. He gazes around at his clanmates, who are all watching the scene. A few more cats exit the warriors' den due to the ruckus. Fawnbriar, Fallensnow, Dustfur, Maplefrost, and Falconflight join Sandstrike's side while Aspensong dashes towards the medicine cat den to be with Lilypaw.

"Whoever did this... no matter who they are... they will pay for this!" Sandstrike yowls angrily. "I will tear them to shreds, piece by piece! SkyClan has taken enough from me!"

Falconflight leans against Sandstrike and nuzzles into his fur in efforts to comfort his father. Sandstrike takes a deep breath and lets out a few whines, his body shaking from anger.

"Now's not the time to be angry at SkyClan, dear. We all are angry, but now is not the time. Just grieve over your sister and mate for now, okay? We can direct our anger towards SkyClan and avenge them later, alright?" Fawnbriar meows to her angry son. Sandstrike nods in understanding and takes another deep breath to try to calm himself down. He gentle nuzzles Tulipblossom's bloody, lifeless body.

"I'm sorry I couldn't save you, Tulu. But I will get revenge, okay? I'm not going to let them take you away from me easily," Sandstrike whispers and gently licks her fur.

"And Cinderdust... you weren't only my littermate, but also my best friend. I will avenge you, I promise," He then whispers as he gazes over at Cinderdust's body.

"What are we gonna do...?" Falconflight asks his father, his voice shaky. "I don't know what I'm gonna do with her not here anymore..."

"I don't know..." Sandstrike responds, his voice also shaky. "I just know that SkyClan are going to have to pay for this, okay?" He meows and Falconflight responds with a nod.

"It's clear that SkyClan no longer wants peace," Owlstar meows loudly. Sandstrike turns his head and spots Owlstar sitting on the highbranch as the rest of the Clan turns their attention to him.

"Turns out the peace deal that was made between Badgerstar and I was not genuine. Vigil will be held for Tulipblossom and Cinderdust tonight and they will be buried. May they be hunting plenty in StarClan. Not long from now, we will plan an attack SkyClan. But for now, we need to mourn Tulipblossom and Cinderdust, who were both great ShadowClan warriors and will be greatly missed," Owlstar announces from the highbranch.

Don't worry, I will avenge you both. I promise. Sandstrike thinks.