End it before it even starts [SHORT STORY]
Slatestar coughed up black gunk as he surfaced from the oily pond, throat aching with soreness and legs feeling like they were going to collapse. He already knew where he was, it didn’t take much time to guess- The Dark Forest stood before him, imposing trees and a dark sky out as far as the eye could see. And he already had visitors. Eyes gleamed out of the darkness at him, one of which taking a pawstep forward- A low hiss emanated from the undergrowth, and he snarled in return- But suddenly, something barreled into his side, knocking him off of his paws and out of breath.
The elderly tom wheezed as he tried to get up, only to hear a high pitched hiss and see a dark-furred, lanky cat move in front of the eyes staring before them. “He’s ours.” She said, her raspy voice full of hatred. Lunarpaw.
He started to get up, only to get his head slammed down onto the ground again- And a cream tom moved back, soft blue eyes full of uncharacteristic anger. “Slatestar.” He spoke, and Slatestar gasped as he looked up to see Beampaw. The murderous apprentice was expected to be here- But not her best friend. Lunarpaw stalked up to Beampaw’s side, her claws unsheathed and tail lashing from side to side. “We were expecting you.” She started, striding forwards- Beampaw moved in sync with her, his voice wavering for a moment before losing hesitation. “It took us a while to be ready for your arrival.” He said quietly, but piped up. “But now you’re here!” He said, a hiss underlying his voice.
He tried to scramble back, only for his rear to bump into a tree. “Don’t try and run- We’re faster than you, know this place more than you.” Lunarpaw said with a growl, taking more pawsteps forward. Suddenly, she lunged forward- Gripping his paw in her jaws, and with a turn of her head-
Slatestar let out a half-hiss, half-shriek of pain, snarling at the she-cat. “You wicked Foxheart-!” He started, only for her to laugh. “Oh, the irony! You, of all cats, deserve to call nobody wicked.” Lunarpaw backed up with an ominous chuckle, striding forward in sync with Beampaw once more.
“This is for all the cats you left broken and bleeding.” She started. “For all the kits that grew up suffering under your rule.” He continued.“For all the parents who knew their children were never coming home, thanks to you.”“For all the cats who tried to set peace, only for you to rip them apart.”“To all the cats who had to grow up fearing for their lives.”“And we won’t allow your tyranny to continue here,” Beampaw snarled.“So we’re stopping this problem before it even starts.” Lunarpaw’s eyes glowed in the darkness, like a monster’s lights.
“May you never rest in peace,” Their paws rose together, “And may you find nothing but nightmares waiting for you, wherever we shall send you.”