The Final Battle
With all the most recent deaths and Buzzardstar growing more and more paranoid Panthertuft had decided enough was enough. After the murders of the moon before the fluffy she-cat rounded up a few more brave cats that held more of a personal grudge against the crazed calico leader before slipping out of camp to join up with Jayfur and his group. Although many cats where ready to fight to take back HazeClan, Panthertuft only recruited those who where mostly driven by revenge. Almost all the cats in the group had lost someone dear to them thanks to Buzzardstar and thus they where more fired up than most. With the cover night, Panthertuft lead her group out safely, making sure not to raise any suspicion from Buzzardstar or his lackeys.
With Batwing in the lead and Panthertuft covering the rear, the group made it safety to Jayfur and the others' hideout. Upon entering the make shift camp they had built, the warriors rested up for the battle that was coming. Today was the day they would rise up and take back HazeClan. Panthertuft let out a heavy sigh as she rested, unable to sleep with everything just right around the corner. "I know your worried, but we will win this." a stripped cat meowed from behind Panthertuft. Lifting her head to see who was speaking, the fluffy gray she-cat smiled softly at the familiar sight of Starlingflight. "He's gotten a few more followers though..." Panthertuft meowed, letting out a frustrated sigh. "Yes, but their the younger warriors who don't know any better. However that won't stop any one of us from killing if we have too." Starlingflight meowed. Panthertfut sat up, starring at her best friend in aw, surprised to see the once timid tom to be actually composed and determined. "Starlingflight..." Panthertuft whispered. "I know... Me being so forward like this, but I'm tired of us living in fear. Who knows who will die next. It's time we fight for our clan." He stated, holding his head high as he spoke.
As night faded into day, the sun slowly began to rise higher and higher into the sky. When the sun reached its highest peak in the sky Panthrtuft, Starlingflight, and Jayfur met up to discuss their plans. "The time has come... We'll leave the queens here and send a patrol to fetch them after the battle. If... If we do not succeed I have spoken to GroveClan's leader and they have promised to give them shelter. However I have faith that we can take back our clan back and make it great again." Jayfur meowed. With a determined nod both Panthertuft and Starlingflight rose to their paws and stood alongside Jayfur. "Today we take back HazeClan!" Panthertuft yowled, railing up the rebellion party. Each cat let out a determined yowl in return before Panthertuft, Starlingflight, and Jayfur lead them on ward.
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Yowls ripped through the air as mass bodies of fur collided together. "You dare defy me Panthertuft!? You really think you can win with these mouse brains!?" Buzzardstar yowled, lashing out and scrapping Batwing across the muzzle. Soon after Lynxheart jumped in, pinning the black and white female down. The two large cats wrestled one another until Batwing manged to slip away and disappear into the crowd of cats. "Look around you Buzzardstar. Your cats are falling already!" Panthertuft hissed, making her way between cats and heading straight for the calico tom. By then Batwing had conquered Lynxheart, ending the large tom's life before jumping back into battle. Blizzardstorm had also fallen to the paws of Warblercall and Almodnfall, the pair of brothers teaming up to take down the angry elder. Buzzardstar stepped back, shoving a young Clifftalon in front of him before slipping away. "Coward!" Panthertuft called out, dodging the young warrior's claws. Clifftalon and Panthertuft began to fight, the large stocky warrior trying to use his size over Panthertuft.
With Panthertuft occupied with Clifftalon, Buzzardflight made his way to an unsuspecting Sheeppelt, quickly taking the young she-cat's life with one fell swoop. Leaving the she-cat to bleed out, the calico leader once again disappeared into the mass of fur and furry, using his troop to defend himself. Upon witnessing Buzzardstar kill her daughter, Marigoldthistle struggled to escape Sootpelt and Turtledove's clutches, running to her daughter's side. However by the time Marigoldthistle made it over to Sheeppelt, the young she-cat had already slipped away. Enraged by grief, Marigoldthistle took off after Buzzardstar challenging him by herself. Blinded by rage the orange she-cat fell at the paws of Buzzardstar, the calico tom's white fur stand with blood.
Back on the main battlefield more of Buzzardstar's followers had fallen along with another one of Panthertuft's followers. Slowly but surely Buzzardstar's force had began to dwindle. With Adderstrike and Rookwatcher detained and Clifftalon and Amberdrop fallen, only Buzzardstar and Crowstrike remained. "You have no one left. It's just you and Crowstrike. Your surrounded." Panthertuft meowed, glaring at the two cats before her. Letting out an annoyed hissed, Buzzardstar shoved Crowstrike in front to great a distraction. Letting out a yowl, Crowstrike tried to put up a fight, only to be quickly ended by Inkfire. With a small nod from Jayfur and Starlingflight, Panthertuft took off after Buzzardstar followed by Viperfang. As the pair chased after Buzzardstar they found their way down by the lake. Unable to out run any farther, the calico tom paused by the bank of the lake, trying to catch his breath. "Give it up Buzzardstar. The only places you can go is towards us or into the lake." Panthertuft hissed, slowly moving forward to close the gap between her and Buzzardstar. Viperfang stayed back making sure if the calico tom tried to dart he would be there to take him down.
Buzzardstar let out an annoyed hiss, stepping back a bit farther into the water behind him. Panthertuft was right, he was trapped and had no where left to go. With a few more steps forward Panthertuft had closed enough space between them to lunge at the tom. Upon colliding with the tom the two cats wrestled a bit before Panthertfut was able to pin Buzzardflight down. With water and sand soaking their fur the two cats glared at one another with out speaking a word for some time. "It's over Buzzardstar. Your end is now." Panthertuft meowed, forcing the tom's head underwater. Buzzardflight struggled for some time, until finally he stopped struggling.
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When Buzzardstar opened his eyes he was greeted by darkness and one familiar face; Hazestar. The two toms stood in darkness, standing only a cliff like area with Buzzardstar being the one close to the edge. "I told you I'd be the one to take you to the Forgotten Forest." Hazetsar meowed, smirking a bit. The gray tabby felt that justice had finally been served and that he could feel more at ease. Hazestar would be able to watch over his clan and allies, knowing Buzzardflight was no longer able to harm any cat. "It's funny how things work out Buzzardflight. I hope you suffer and rot for eternity." Hazestar meowed, his voice more dark and ominous then usual. The older calico tom glared at Hazestar, lashing out at the tom before him only to have his paws phase through the starry figure. The calico tom went to speak, but found for some reason could not speak, his voice seeming to have vanished. The gray tabby tom chuckled, rolling his eyes a bit before stepping even closer to Buzzardflight. "You can't harm anyone anymore. In the Forgotten Forest you can not speak. Doomed to wonder the woods unable to speak and alone forever. A fitting punishment for a cruel cat like yourself." he meowed, gently pushing the calico tom backwards. Buzzardflight stumbled backwards, his paws slipping over the edge. He grasped at the edge trying to hold on, but felt a gravity pull pulling him down towards the dark fading forest below. Unable to hold on any longer the calico tom lost grip and fell into the Forgotten Forest. Hazestar stood at the edge of the cliff looking down at Buzzardflight and watched the tom disappear in to the woods below.
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With the battle finally over and only a few casualties on her side, Panthertuft sat below the High Rock with Jayfur and Starlingflight. "It's finally over... Now who will lead HazeClan?" The she-cat meowed, exchanging looks with her two most trusted friends. The two toms next to her gave looked at one another before looking back at Panthertuft and shrugged. "Since Buzzardstar never took a deputy I'm sure some of the senior warriors will get together and discuss who will be leading us now." Starlingflight meowed. Jayfur gave a small nod, agreeing with the other tom's remark. With a heavy sigh Panthertuft gave a small nod, knowing both toms where right. "Your right... Twigstorm, Applepaw, Turtledove, Sootpelt, Lilybrair, and Viperfang know what their doing. Who ever they decide is for the good of the clan." she meowed, her eyes wondering back to the group of six cats across the way.
On the other side of camp a small group of senior warriors along with the clan's medicine cat and medicine cat apprentice. The group of six cats sat together in silence until young Applepaw spoke up. "We can't just keep sitting here in silence... I know it's hard, but we need a leader. Someone who is willing to step up and make HazeClan great again." The she-cat meowed. Although still fairly young, the apprentice had grown quit a bit since her first day in the clan. She had found her calling and voice and was ready to help get her clan back to its powerful great self. Shocked by his apprentice's outspoken words Twigstorm sat there with his mouth slightly a gap in awe. Finally letting out a purr Twigstorm gave a small nod before speaking. "Applepaw is right. We need to discuss our options. I know there are plenty of senior warriors that could do a good job, but lets take the prophecy into consideration. Now with the hardships over we can agree that Buzzardstar was the threat the prophecy warned us about. Panthertuft, Starlingflight, and Jayfur being the savors it talked about. However with Jayfur's family in GroveClan I see him passing on any sort of leadership role. He's a great cat, but I think I'd have to put my vote towards Panthertuft. She's lead the majority of this rise up. I believe she should be our leader." Twigstorm meowed. Each cat exchanged looks with one another before each also giving a small nod. "My baby is gonna lead us back to greatness." Turtledove purred, her eyes shinning with pride.
Upon discussing a bit longer Sootpelt rose from his spot and gave the group one last nod before padding over to the High Rock. The fluffy tom gave Panthertuft, Starlingflight, and Jayfur a small nod before slowly making his way up to the High Rock. Once at the top, the fluffy tom perched at the edge and called the clan out from their dens, waiting for every cat to settle down before speaking. "So after talking for awhile Twigstorm, Applepaw, Turtledove, Lilybriar, Viperfang, and myself have decided on who our clan's next leader shall be. This cat has grown so much from when they where just a kit and now look at what she has done. Panthertuft, and many others stepped up and took back our clan. We have decided that Panthertuft shall lead HazeClan into a new and brighter era for us." Sootpelt meowed."Although once apart of Buzzardstar's group, they did surrender before the battle. Both Adderstrike and Rookwatcher did not cause harm to anyone and where just acting to stay alive. If any cat dares harm them or treat them differently they will be punished. However with out further a do, let's welcome our new leader and send her on her way to the Ancestor Tree." The wise old tom meowed. Upon finishing his speech the tom made his way down back to the ground and gave Panthertuft a small nod and smile, the clan chanting Panthstar echoing in his ears.
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Earlier that day Panthertuft had been voted by six cats to become the clan's next leader. No cat objected to her becoming leader when Sootpelt had made the announcement that day. With a gulp, the fluffy dark colored she-cat stepped forward towards the Ancestor Tree, full of excitement but also nervous. "There's a reason no cat objected to you becoming our leader Panthertuft. You have done well over the past moons and lead us greatness once again. Don't be nervous." Starlingflight purred, gently nudging his friend forward. With a shaky sigh Panthertuft gave a small nod and stepped forward, entering the hollowed tree. Before her flowed a small waterfall of bright amber sap into a small trench in the ground. Stepping forward, the she-cat bent down and took a small lap at the sap before lying down in front of the small trench and closed her eyes.
When she awoke Panthertuft found her self surrounded by many starry figures, many of them looking familiar while others must have been before her time. However out of all the cats around her a total of nine cats sat closer to her, each one waiting patiently for her to get her bearings. Before her sat nine cats that had impacted her life greatly, now they would do so once again by granting her the nine lives of a leader. "It's good to see you again Panthertuft. You have grown up to be such a wonderful she-cat." Quailtuft meowed, stepping forward first. Panthertuft was quick to close the gap between her and Quailtuft, excited to be reunited with her mentor.
Quailtuft had been a goofy she-cat and helped Panthertuft become the strong cat she was today. It was thanks to the round quirky orange she-cat that Panthertuft was able to lighten up a bit. "With this life I give you guidance. May you use it to guide young minds to shape HazeClan into an even better clan than before." the orange she-cat meowed, gently touching her nose to Panthertuft's forehead. A soon as Quailtuft's nose touched her forehead, Panthertuft felt a shock wave of pain rip through her body.
Next one to step forward was Wrenfeather, Warblercall and Almondfall's father. He had died standing up against Buzzardstar, the one to fully spark the fire inside Panthertuft to take the old calico leader down. "I give you the gift of loyalty. Use it to always know where your heart lies." the gray tabby meowed, gently touching his nose to Panthertuft's forehead. Once again pain ripped through Panthertuft's body, but she remained strong, digging her claws into the ground to stay focused.
Followed by Wrenfeather was his mate Cloverpool, a shy yet sweet she-cat who died a moon before her kits became apprentices. The sweet she-cat gave a small nod and smile before speaking. "Panthertuft, with this life I give you the gift of justice. May you use it to always know what is right and wrong." She meowed softly, gently touching the she-cat's forehead. This time the pain that ripped through her body was more intense, causing Panthertuft to stumble back a few steps.
Fourth in line was one of the clan's well known queens, Cloudripple. A fluffy white she-cat who had adopted many kits in need. She was sadly one of the first to fall victim to Buzzardstar. "With this life I grant you protection. May you use it like a mother who fiercely protects her kits." Cloudrippled purred, gently touching Panthertuft's forehead. Like the lives before pain ripped through her body, this one feeling more like a mother's strong love for her kits.
Next was Sheeppelt, a quirky she-cat who had join Panthertuft's group in the fight against Buzzardstar. She had sadly died young, but held no grudge against. "With this life I give you adventure. May you use it to venture far and wide in search for greatness." She purred, touching Panthertuft's forehead. With Sheeppelt's touch Panthertuft felt almost no pain this time around.
Followed by Sheeppelt was Frostsky, one of Cloudripple's many adopted kits. She had also been apart of Panthertuft's group before she too passed away during the battle. "I grant your this life with the gift of strength. May you use it to always have the strength through every situation." With yet another touch to her forehead, pain once again ripped through out her body. Gritting her teeth Panthertuft looked on, knowing there where only three more to go. The pain would be worth it in the end.
"Before I give you your seventh life will you pass on a message to Jayfur, Marshpool, and Batwing for me please." Raveneyes spoke. With a small nod Panthertuft then gave a small smile. "Of course Raveneyes." she meowed. "Let them know that I'm watching over them and to stay strong. Also tell them if they do anything stupid to have them end up here way before they should I'll personally shred them to pieces." The black and white tom meowed. Letting out a small laugh Panthertuft gave a small nod. "I will." she spoke. Giving her a small nod back Raveneyes stepped forward to give her his life. "With this life I give you friendship. May you use it to form strong bonds with many cats all around." he meowed softly. Her seventh life ripped through her body followed by a soft warm feeling.
Now almost to the end a small fluffy dilute calico she-cat stepped forward. Her green eyes sparkling as she came closer to Panthertuft. "Softpaw..." Panthertuft choked out, her eyes beginning to water. Many memories came rushing back to Panthertuft, overwhelming the dark fluffy she-cat with emotions. "Panthertuft..." Softpaw purred, her eyes full of love and sorrow. "I'm so proud of you... Look at you. You have come so far." the calico she-cat spoke. Panthertuft stepped forward, embracing Softpaw close to her as she reminiscing about the good old days. The young she-cat had been Panthertuft's first friend and first love. Sadly she had been taken away from the real world at a very young age. "Panthertuft... I love you. With this life I give you love. May you use it to love your clan and to one day find love again." Softpaw purred. The young apprentice's life ripped through Panthertuft like a strong forceful wave followed by a calm soothing warm flood. "I... I love you too." Panthertuft meowed, watching Softpaw walk away.
With only one life left and one cat left, Hazestar stepped forward with a gentle smile on his face. "Finally, with this last life I grant you leadership. May you use it well to lead others and the clan into a new era."the gray tabby meowed, touching Panthertuft's forehead with his nose. Agonizing pain ripped through the fluffy she-cat's body, sending her down for a brief moment before eventually rising back to her paws. "I hail you by your new name, Pantherstar. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and the Dark Forest grants you the guardianship of HazeClan. Defend it well; care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code; live each life with pride and dignity. And finally... Thank you. Thank you for getting HazeClan back to its great and powerful self." Hazestar meowed. Behind him all of HazeClan's ancestors began to chant Pantherstar.
