Wind Whispers || Warriors Story || Chapter 13 Up!

[AstroCat]

Best Warriors fan-fic I've read! New chapter soon, I hope.

[nezuko.]

I feel so flattered...
Yeah, the new chapter will be up tomorrow or the next day if I have time to finish it.

[nezuko.]

CHAPTER TWELVE

Ruffledstar stared at Tigerstar. His task seemed to be hard, almost impossible. Pebblestar was a stubborn, determined she-cat. She was fierce too, which meant she could claw her way out of any mess. Except for the fact that Ruffledstar and Tigerstar were already deceased. He shook his head, clearing the thought from his mind.

"So what exactly is in it for me after we get Pebblestar?" he asked. This wasn't going to be an easy task anyway.

Tigerstar let out an amused hiss. "In it for you? You haven't even completed the task yet! And once we get Pebblestar, it will be great for the entire Dark Forest. We will be unstoppable!"

Ruffledstar hesitated. Pebblestar had done nothing wrong to him. She had given him great advice while he was still leader and she helped him during times of need. He wasn't sure whether or not he was ready to bribe the RiverClan leader into becoming one of them. All the same, he wanted to please Tigerstar. He wanted to show him that he wasn't just a lazy, useless cat. Not that he was lazy and useless...

"I shall do it." Ruffledstar meowed confidently. "I will try, but I cannot guarantee anything."

"It is fine if you fail." Tigerstar retorted, his ears flicked dismissively. "I have plenty of other... alive cats to help me." Ruffledstar saw a mixture of doubt and pride in the tom's eyes, but when he blinked the look in his amber eyes vanished.

"Iceheart and Darkstripe shall give you a quick tour of the Dark Forest." Tigerstar added. "It is time you explore your home. Your new, true home."

Iceheart and a dark-furred tom padded towards Ruffledstar. The dark tom, probably Darkstripe, mewed gruffly, "Follow us. As long as you don't speak to any cat, you'll be fine."

Ruffledstar glanced uncertainly at Tigerstar. Darkstripe's tone sounded murderous, but he seemed safe with Iceheart around. She was fine, not that cold but not exactly that warm and friendly either. Reluctantly, the gray tom followed the two cats as they padded away from Tigerstar. He caught a glimpse of the worried look in Tigerstar's eyes, but he didn't exactly know why he was worried. He did say that he had other cats if Ruffledstar failed his task.

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Mintstar clambered onto the Rockpile. She gazed around her Clan, her own Clan that she now led. Everyone looked anxious and a little paranoid. Mintstar felt that too, but she needed to show them she wasn't scared. Her frosty green eyes blinked a few times at the setting sun. She had just recently come back from the Moonpool to receive her nine lives and she felt exhausted. But the Clan needed to come first before sleep and they needed a new deputy.

"Let all cats gather around the Rockpile for a Clan meeting." Mintstar yowled. She felt nervous because she feared that StarClan wouldn't approve her choice, and also because this was her very first meeting as the WindClan leader. "I say these words before StarClan, that the spirits of our ancestors may hear and approve my choice. The new deputy will be Breechlight."

Breechlight held his head up and his amber eyes glittered with pride. The muscular tom looked around the Clan as the cats yowled, "Breechlight! Breechlight!"

Dewpelt, Breechlight's mate, and their kits padded over to the new WindClan deputy and nuzzled him playfully. Peachkit, one of the three kits, mewed dreamily, "I'd love to be a deputy one day! Imagine, You're going to be the leader!"

Mintstar felt a sense of warmness as the Clan went over to congratulate Breechlight. Mintstar jumped off the Rockpile and nudged her deputy's shoulder. Breechlight looked at her gratefully, unable to speak. He licked the she-cat's shoulder and Mintstar, overly satisfied with her choice, padded away.

Redfrost came over to Mintstar, looking pleased. "Well done. That wasn't a bad first meeting."

"It could have been worse." Mintstar replied, looking up at the glimmering Silverpelt above them. Then she realized that they needed to hold vigil for Ruffledstar.

Her medicine cat probably thought the same because she bit into Ruffledstar's scruff and dragged him closer to the center of the camp in view of everyone else. Now, Breechlight, his mate, and his kits along with the rest of the Clan grew awfully silent so the vigil could begin. Redfrost and Mintstar bowed their heads, since they were the closest to the deceased leader.

"You taught me well." Mintstar murmured, pressing her nose against Ruffledstar's body. "I was proud to serve as your deputy. Thank you and may StarClan light your path."

She could hear Redfrost say almost the same thing as she did and she glanced at Breechlight. He seemed to be taking the vigil seriously, staring at Ruffledstar's lifeless body without any emotion... except a little grief.

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The RiverClan leader, Pebblestar, lay down in her nest. It was a long day, especially just hearing from her medicine cat Stonetail that the WindClan leader was dead. It had shocked her, especially when Stonetail added that Ruffledstar still had three lives left. "Remarkable, really." he had murmured, shaking his head. And then she found the death of Rowanwing!

Pebblestar sighed. She would go to WindClan tomorrow to congratulate Mintfern- no, Mintstar- and also express her sympathies. She was quite fond of Ruffledstar anyway. Pebblestar soon closed her eyes and fell into a deep sleep.

Pebblestar found herself in the a forest that didn't seem to have light. It did, but the light came from somewhere besides the moon, stars, and sun. The Dark Forest. She thought, shuddering. Stonetail had told her about the evil spirits that go to the Dark Forest once they died.

"Hello, Pebblestar." meowed a quiet voice. Ruffledstar's. Pebblestar felt her blood turn to ice as Ruffledstar spoke again. "Welcome to my home, my new home as a dead one."

"Ruffledstar, here? In the Dark Forest?" Pebblestar was stunned. "But you were a fine leader! No evil at all! How...?"

Ruffledstar stepped out of the shadows, looking very weary. "I chose this path, Pebblestar. Unlimited power and revenge is what I crave, not the warm content afterlife of StarClan. You would enjoy this life, I just know it!"

"You dare suggest that I would enjoy life as a nefarious cat!" Pebblestar snarled, flexing her claws. "You are no better than Iceheart, who chose this too! I suppose she is here too, watching us argue."

Ruffledstar shook his head, looking sad. "She has decided not to face you. She is with my... master and his friend. But nevermind that, Pebblestar. My new home could be our new home. Imagine, revenge on our enemies and power after death! Nothing StarClan offers you can compare to that!"

"I am not a fool, like you and Iceheart." Pebblestar growled, arching her spine. "Afterlife is peace, not war. You were much better than this, Ruffledstar. Who do you serve? Who is your master?"

"I cannot tell you if you do not join us Pebblestar." the former WindClan leader mewed coldly. He started to melt into the shadows as he hissed his parting words: "You will not regret it if you join us!"

Pebblestar opened her eyes, gasping for air. Her deputy, Blizzardtail, poked his head into her den looking concerned. "Are you alright, Pebblestar?"

Pebblestar blinked twice, determined to keep calm. The words flew out of her mouth before she could think about it's true meaning: "A war has just started and the Dark Forest has their advantages."

[dddddonuts]

Oh, ~Shy Shadow~... wait, ~*January*~... wait, Juliex... ahg Artemis, you change your username so much XD
Can't wait for other chapters c:

[Axxeon]

Go Pebblestar! I loves! Make more please!

[nezuko.]

@Shimmer sorry! I get so bored with my usernames...
@Legacy thanks! And of course I'll make more!

[nezuko.]

Bump!

[indebted]

Yayz! Great story!

[nezuko.]

Thank you!

[nezuko.]

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

"You fool!" Tigerstar spat at Ruffledstar, glaring daggers at him. "Why did you let her wake up? Now she can tell all the Clans who is behind our plot! You should have murdered Pebblestar the moment she refused!"

Ruffledstar's fur bristled in protest but Tigerstar really did look murderous. He didn't want to try his odds. "I- I never knew dead cats could murder! I promise you, Tigerstar, I would have if you would... would have told me."

Tigerstar looked outraged. He turned away from the tom, chest heaving. In a low, dangerous tone, he growled, "Go... fetch... Iceheart... and... Darkstripe... NOW."

Ruffledstar knew his fear scent was overpowering as he scuttered away in search of the two cats. They were huddled by a tree looking a little apprehensive. He padded clumsily over to them and muttered, "Tiger- Tigerstar wants you."

"About time!" Iceheart snarled. "I thought he'd forgotten we existed!" She threw a nasty look at Ruffledstar while Darkstripe sighed and grunted, "Take him to us, mousebrain."

Ruffledstar led them back to Tigerstar. Along the way, the WindClan cat shuddered at the way Iceheart kept throwing him looks of loathing since he had been sent to Pebblestar instead of her, a RiverClan cat and Tigerstar's supposed favorite. Darkstripe, on the other paw, kept sighing and shooting Ruffledstar a disgusted, doubtful look. Ruffledstar tried his best to ignore them as they approached Tigerstar. The massive tom completely ignored Ruffledstar's presence.

"We have certain matters to discuss because of a... failure." he sneered, but he didn't look at Ruffledstar at all. "We must rely on my descendant to kill Pebblestar and make sure she joins us. Once we've got her, we can conquer the Clans!"

Ruffledstar flinched at Iceheart's gleeful look when she found out that he had failed to recruit the RiverClan leader, but it vanished when Tigerstar mentioned Sting, his descendant. Ruffledstar had found out about Tigerstar's descendant from Darkstripe anyway. He glanced at Darkstripe who looked furious.

"Sting and his friends again?!" he exploded. "We can handle it ourselves, Tigerstar, just give me and Iceheart a chance! We can even use the WindClan cat if you are doubtful."

Tigerstar shot him a meaningful look before it froze into a cold one. "You will do as I say, I don't care. And I say you must tell Sting to murder Pebblestar. Do it NOW!" He roared when Iceheart and Darkstripe opened their mouths to protest.

The two cats bowed their heads and stepped back. Darkstripe beckoned with his tail for Ruffledstar to follow. Confused, he followed the two cats out of Tigerstar's line of sight. "What do you want me for? Aren't you only going to tell Sting?"

Before Darkstripe could answer, Iceheart mewed grudgingly, "We aren't stupid enough to tell him. We are second-class next to Sting and that must change. We will murder Pebblestar by ourselves, and Sting will not."

"But won't Tigerstar find out?" Ruffledstar argued. "You'll both be dead... not literally... if he finds out!"

Darkstripe snorted. "Mousebrain, we're going to murder Sting first. Honestly, I thought it was obvious enough to process in that tiny brain of yours."

Ruffledstar was too shocked to argue. "You- You're going to kill Tigerstar's descendant? I- I can't let that happen. Our position will be in danger."

"You think I care?" Darkstripe spat. Gentler, he meowed softly, "Don't you want your pride and glory restored? I understand being sneered and taunted ruined you as it ruins many."

Ruffledstar thought about it. Darkstripe had a point. He nodded slowly and Iceheart purred happily. "Then you shall join us."

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Sting yawned, obviously tired. He was starting to get worried about Tigerstar. It had been a whiile since he visited his dreams and Sting feared that the massive tom forgot about their deal. After what we did, I will ensure he won't forget. Sting thought, curling up in his hay next above the horses. Next to him, Harper's breathing slowed. The she-cat was sleeping. Sting hid an amused look and closed his eyes.

He was in the Dark Forest once again. "It was about time!"

But instead of Tigerstar in the clearing, it was Iceheart, Darkstripe, and another cat. It was the WindClan leader, Ruffledstar. Sting's neck fur bristled. "What's this scum doing here?"

"He is dead, Sting, and he has decided to serve us." Darkstripe mewed. His eyes were mocking. "But that's not a very nice greeting, isn't it?"

Sting studied him. "What do you want? And where's Tigerstar? I need my payment. You've been avoiding me for many sun-rises and it has infuriated me."

Iceheart feigned a yawn. Her blue eyes pierced Sting's green ones. "Stop boring me, Sting. You are here for you and your friends' goodbyes. Tigerstar has sent us to tell you the deal is done."

Sting unsheathed his claws and spat, "Done? After all that help my friends have given you? That is not fair, Iceheart! Show me Tigerstar and we will work something out! We have endangered our lives for your Dark Forest."

Darkstripe hissed and lunged at him. Sting feinted to one side, but Iceheart was quicker. She intercepted the move and pushed the black tom down. Ruffledstar hovered above them, expressionless.

"Fool, life isn't fair." Ruffledstar snarled, unsheathing his claws too. Sting struggled, eyes wide with fear. Ruffledstar was on a roll. "You are alive still, but don't worry about it. Your 'endangered life' will come to an end quite soon, I promise."

"You... can't kill... me!" Sting rasped, fighting for breath as Ruffledstar loomed right above him. Darkstripe watched with amused eyes and Iceheart's eyes were narrowed. "I have... helped you a great... deal!"

Ruffledstar wheezed with laughter, the sound cruel and cold. "Fool, you think the Dark Forest cares?"

And with that, Ruffledstar sliced open Sting's throat and murmured in the dying cat's ear slowly, "Nighty-night. Only this time, it's eternal."

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Darkstripe, Iceheart, and Ruffledstar abandoned Stings body in the clearing. Darkstripe looked a little sick, but Ruffledstar felt the sensation of victory in the air.

"So, we are murdering Pebblestar?" Ruffledstar asked, turning to Iceheart and Darkstripe. "I really don't think that mousebrain could handle it now." he added.

Iceheart rolled her eyes. "Right." Then her expression turned solemn. "Yes we will murder Pebblestar. We can show Tigerstar that he doesn't need Sting. Anyway, his so-called descendant is dead."

"Dead?" whispered a murderous voice above them. Ruffledstar's eyes widened as they turned to face Tigerstar. The tyrant's amber eyes were deranged-looking. "You... KILLED... him... when I specifically said not to?"

Darkstripe rolled his eyes. "Come on, we didn't need him."

Ruffledstar feared Tigerstar would tear their fur to shreds, but was suprised and relieved when Tigerstar sighed, but the deranged look was not gone.

"Prepare the Dark Forest." Tigerstar meowed slowly. "On this very day, we are going to make the Clans fall at our paws, at our mercy. And StarClan can't do anything about it."

Yayz! I created a war!
But um, go Clans! Secretly hoping Dark Forest will win. Just saying!