The Last Hope the Way I want it Chapter 1

Fog shrouded a small, low hill as two cats padded up it. Another cat had been waiting on it for quite some time.

"It's about time you came," the cat who had been on the hill, growled. "I've been freezing up here."

"Stop complaining, Bluestar. I-" the bigger of the cats started.

"I have things I don't want any other cat to overhear," recited Bluestar. "You make come up here to discuss the Three again?,"

"Bluestar," a gentle, beautiful tortoiseshell she-cat mewed. "Be calm."

"How can we be calm?" Bluestar hissed.  

"Hush!" the dark gray one growled. "The Dark Forest is rising."

"I'm not a mouse-brain, Yellowfang. I know the Dark Forest rising, and there's nothing we can do about it. We're doomed!"

"Bluestar!" the tortoiseshell yelped. "Calm down! I'll go in and see if I can do anything in the Dark Forest."

Anger welled up in Bluestar. "Spottedleaf, you think you can just stroll in there whenever you feel like it? They'll kill you!" she spat, and then her voice softened. "Maybe StarClan will be better off without you."

Anger gleamed in Spottedleaf's eyes. "Remember how I told you the prophecy, Fire alone can save our Clan?" she asked darkly.

"You think I don't remember that?" Bluestar dug her claws into the ground. "Every time we fight, you bring it up."

"Stop fighting!" Yellowfang hissed, sliding her claws out. "You are no better than squabbling elders."

"You too!" Bluestar shot back. "You two care only for yourselves and the Three. What about the other cats? What about your dead kits, Yellowfang? Spottedleaf, what about your littermates, Willowpelt and Redtail? Oh, I suppose Firestar was more important than they ever were. What about other cats, like poor Sweetpaw and Rosetail? What about Cinderpelt, who had to go through her life knowing she couldn't be mates with the once she loved? The only one who listened to the medicine code! Yellowfang, you refuse to attack your son. Have you seen what he's done? He's caused terrors and horrors! Look past your own face and think of others."

The two cats glanced at each other. Spottedleaf had an offended look in her eyes, and Yellowfang had anger gleaming.

"I'm leaving." Bluestar began to stalk off when out the fog a white she-cat with gry-tipped ears burst out. "Snowfur!"

"Bluestar," she panted. "Mosskit's missing!" Then Snowfur glanced at the two other cas. "What's their problem?"

Spottedleaf shook her head. "Nothing."

"So, what happened?" prompted Bluestar.

"Well, she and Stonefur were playing in the river. Stonefur helped her onto a big rock in the stream and said he would look for a juicy vole for her. So I went to hunt, because I figured she'd be fine in the middle of the stream. I returned before Stonefur. But when I came back, she was gone. I scented around and…" Her voice trailed off.

"What happened?" Bluestar's voice quivered.

"Thistleclaw," the white she-cat whispered.

Bluestar dug her claws in the ground to stop herself from ripping at some cat. "Thistleclaw!" she hissed. "I knew we could never trust him! Never!"

"Calm down," Snowfur pleaded. "We'll find Mosskit soon, I promise."

"We'll go now." Bluestar laid her tail on Snowfur's shoulders and started padding away.

"Bluestar!" yowled Yellowfang. "Get back here!"

"No! My kit is worth more to me than you two ever will!" Bluestar growled.

She turned around to leave but Yellowfang launched herself at her. The two started fighting. Bluestar tore her claws through Yellowfang's flanks. Yellowfang nipped Bluestar's ear, creating a small tear. Bluestar landed her paw on Yellowfang's cheek. Yellowfang threw herself on Bluestar, pinning her down. Bluestar, seeing her chance, stretched out her hind legs to pummel Yellowfang's soft belly. Blood covered both of them as Yellowfang howled in pain.

"Stop! Fighting will do no good!" Snowfur wailed.

"Stop! Please!" Spottedleaf urged.

Yellowfang staggered towards Spottedleaf. "Shame on you, Bluestar," she hissed through gritted teeth.

Bluestar let out a huh and stalked off with Snowfur at her side.

Suddenly, a blood-curdling wail echoed through the forest. Spottedleaf murmured, "The battle is beginning."