Chapter 21


"The Tribe of Endless Stars accepts your request. From here on, you will now be known as Arrow of the Tribe of Shining Suns," Origanum announced, with great empathize, shouting it to the sky above. 

     Cats began to chant the new name, hearing their voice crescendo louder and louder till it reached the stars. Arrow looked embarrassed and intimidated under the cheers, but nevertheless, his competitive nature shot through him. He stood higher, fighting to keep his face under control so he wasn't smiling like a tiny kit. 

     Wildflower tried to see through the variety of pelts blocking her view. Cats began to crowd around the newest member, eager to greet the new member and hand out their wishes towards him. Maple tried to slip by the other cats to arrive first, but Dandelion held her back, promising her and Blaze that they'd spend time together later.

     "Before we get too settled in, Arrow, is it your wish to become a spy?" Origanum asked cheerfully, eyes sparkling a little too brightly in her brother's face. Obviously, the Alpha's playful and strange nature had gotten to Apple as more of a shock than Wildflower had handled it. He narrowed his eyes at her, saying nothing as the wide smile remained on the Alpha's face but cleared his throat to answer her request.

     "Yes, it is," he answered.

     "Great!" Origanum whirled back to the crowd on her ledge. "Attention my fellow tribemates! We now have a new spy in the Tribe! Please raise your heads up high for Arrow!" The spies let out the loudest cheers, even if there were only a couple of them. Wildflower watched as Arrow approached the spies, looking at all of them with his picky eyes.

     It looks like he's already deciding he won't stand being the omega in the spy job. Wildflower padded over towards Arrow and he looked up with her with his judging, yellow eyes. When he saw his older sister, they calmed down, but the fire still never died out. 

     It'll always be like that, Wildflower thought with a smile, which threw him off. He'll always strive and crave to be the best out of all of us.

     "I wish that you'll never lose your competitiveness, Arrow," she said, dipping her head low in respect.

     "Before we do the Acceptance Ceremony, it's time for the Assembly!" Origanum shouted with enthusiasm. "As you know, it's not often that we get a new member of our Tribe and it's the night of a full moon." Everycats' gleaming eyes went up to the silver ball floating above them, praising the silver sun. While they weren't bright and warm like the sun's, Wildflower felt comforted in their cool rays.

     "So, I've decided to start the challenges! For our first one, we've got Snake of the Spies challenging Panther of the Spies for the head role!" Origanum nodded, signaling the two spies to come closer. Cats shuffled around the outside of the camp, giving the two cats enough room to start the challenge.

     The golden Alpha leaped down from the ledge, landing on her paws with ease. "As you know, a simple task will be offered to both cats. Bring out the herbs!" she screamed at the healers. 

     Heather and River scrambled around, grabbing the leafy plants that they could carry and rushed into the center of the camp. The other healers, Oak and Ash, brought in more herbs. Wildflower watched as they dumped the leaves in the center of the circle. The two spies stared at the leaf bundle, their quick eyes picking each and every herb.

     A cool breeze fluttered by, catching some of the herbs and tried to drag them away. Oak leaped in the air, reclaiming the lost herb and placing them back into the pile. Origanum stepped up towards them and her eyes flashed at the both of them. Snake remained calm and focused and Panther's lips quivered as he softly whispered to himself, and if Wildflower craned her ears hard enough, she thought she could hear him state the names. 

     "Okay, the rules are simple in this task. For this one, you are going to do the herb hunt in the Spy Challenges. Whoever can find the deathberries, marigold, coltsfoot, catmint, poppyseeds, and finally, the one leaf that isn't an herb first will win." Origanum turned around to the lingering crowd. 

     A long silence swallowed the crowd and Wildflower felt her heart race as cats shared excited glances, each leaning closer to get a better view of the two spies. Snake and Panther bowed and set their sharp gaze on the pile. 

     "Begin!" Origanum declared and both cats pounced toward the herbs.

     Snake began to throw the herbs around freely, sometimes shredding some of them in the process - to Heather's utter dismay. Her opponent dove his nose in and searched, swimming in the pile to pull out the ones he needed. Cats around them began to shout, supporting either Snake or Panther. Wildflower found it funny how Panther faced the challenge, but he seemed to handle himself better than the other spy, who furiously ripped away as the top healer now looked away. 

     With a flick of his paw, Panther sent a pile of herbs to the side. Oak and Ash began to run around, scrambling to collect the loose herbs that blew away in the fight. They threw them back only to race back and grab another one that tried to escape. Some of the crowd offered to help and gathered loose berries or flowers that fell in their reach and gave them to a healer - one that wasn't Heather, who still seemed to have a mental breakdown. 

     Wildflower remained calm as she watched the two cats. Through all of the spiky competitive and jousting cats, she didn't get as hyper as the others. She focused on each of them, watching as they swiped their head left and right, scrounging for their next find. Panther had already pulled out the familiar little black seeds of poppy and then the leafy plant that resembled catmint. Snake had managed to dig out the deathberries through the other berries assembled and the catmint. 

     Cats began to inch closer, casting glances at each other, whispering eagerly to themselves. Panther pulled out the pink and yellow flower, its features and shape reminded her of an actual dandelion. 

     She looked over at Dandelion, hoping she would notice the flower in Panther's jaws. Instead, her mother's eyes were outside camp, trailing farther and farther away from the camp to the Training Den. Wildflower felt a small stab of the heart at the thought of them.

     Two moons and I haven't seen them. I'll ask Arrow how they are. Hopefully, they aren't mad at me for not seeing them, I still haven't had the chance yet. A joyful gasp shook her from her thoughts. In front of her very own eyes, Snake yanked out the last herb, one that didn't strike her memory. Then she looked at Panther, who had already gathered the required herbs and leaf needed a split second before the skinny black she-cat.

     The crowd roared with excitement, trembling the ground and shaking the sky. Wildflower saw cats screaming at each other and Snake's eyes filling with rage at her timing. Origanum stepped up quietly, not taking notice of her two fellow tribemates. Panther smirked at his keen victory, which only fueled the challenging cat with more energy and lust for victory. 

     Then the Alpha spoke. "Panther of the Spies has successfully protected his title as the head spy. Snake, since you have failed to complete your challenge, you will be demoted to second to the last and will be under Panther's authority for a day," she stated calmly. Panther grinned at his easy slice of prey and Snake looked ready to explode. 

     With that challenge over, Heather was the first to jump and snatch any herb that managed to survive the fight and pull them close, the rest of the healers following her to collect them and push them back into their den. Wildflower felt bad for them, knowing that they'd have to spend the entire night sorting them and putting them back into their place so the den wasn't a mess. 

     But then again, it wasn't her problem, and she wanted to sleep. After all, there wasn't any way to make a mistake in her sleep. 

     "Now, it's time for the next challenge. Storm of the Warriors, please step up and meet your opponent." The white and gray she-cat that Wildflower befriended approached the Alpha bravely, not hinting any signs of fear or discouragement. Cats quickly washed away the events of the previous challenge and began to whisper and bet. 

     "Juniper of the Warriors," Storm stated, keeping her voice on the edge. Her eyes scanned the crowd of cats, spotting her rival. The fluffy, orange tom walked forward, accepting the challenge bravely. Wildflower studied his strides as he came closer to the smaller cat. "I hereby challenge you through the Duel Combat Challenge for your position." 

     "Why didn't Snake do that for Panther?" Wildflower asked Dandelion, keeping her voice low as Juniper accepted the request.

     "The Alpha is in charge of starting it so she has to follow a different system than the rest of us. The Alpha dictates the first one and the rest of them can be whatever challenge you want that involves the job you want. Oh, and be careful who you bet on," Dandelion added at the end.

     Wildflower watched as cats began to move to the left or the right. Most went to the right and in the far right, Juniper stood. On the left, Storm was stretching herself for her battle. Origanum remained in the middle of the circle, ready to give the signal when both cats were ready.

     Endless Stars... this is the part I forgot. I've gotta bet on the winner now... Wildflower bit her tongue. Her paws made the decision for herself. They walked straight towards Storm.

     Storm had gained a few followers, but Juniper, being the higher rank, had the most followers. Maple was standing on Juniper's side as well as Blaze. Dandelion stepped behind Storm, touching her tail onto her shoulder for comfort. The little warrior eagerly unleashed her claws, narrowing her eyes at her opponent.

     It's not considered a mistake or anything, but in challenges like this, we've got to bet on who will win. Whoever loses the bet, we end up losing a whole meal. Wildflower's stomach growled, demanding that she should fill it with the warm juicy meat of a mouse or rabbit. She cowered, hoping to cover up the rumbling sound it emitted. 

     The one standing on the top was Origanum, her eyes full of joy and eagerness to see the battle unfold. "Raise your claws."

     "Good luck," Juniper noted with a sneer.

     "Thanks," Storm responded, pulling her lips back. 

     "Begin!

     Storm sprang, the roar of her supporters pushing her forward. Juniper didn't move and slashed away the smaller cat's attack. She went soaring like a leaf but recovered quickly, nearly crashing into the Alpha. Origanum let out a squeak, leaping away from her and scrambling to the side where she wouldn't get in the fight.

     "H-hey! Don't crush me! I'm not that small! I swear!" Origanum complained, trying to stand on her toes to make herself seem taller. Creek came over to the wailing Alpha and comforted her. Annoyed, the Alpha shouted. "Don't do this to me, Creek! I'm not a kit!"

     We need a new Alpha. Creek, please go against her in the Alpha's Trial! Wildflower begged, momentarily forgetting about her hunger. Juniper had Storm pinned down when she looked again. The lowest warrior whirled around, able to nip at his paw but he didn't release her. And Storm! Don't lose! My stomach depends on your victory!

     Storm didn't hear the request. She sunk under Juniper's claws, blood pouring out of her shoulders from the so-called 'friendly' match. The scarlet blood increased her panic. Under the massive tom, she was unable to lash out. Her back legs were pressing up against his underbelly, trying to get him off of her.

     Juniper swiped a paw across her face, causing her head to smash against the ground with a snap. The young warrior lay unconscious but her chest heaving back and forth gave Wildflower a moment of gratitude. The tom raked his one paw down her side, causing another strangled cry from the warrior, eyes looking at him painfully.

     Origanum, the entire time, did nothing about it, eyes wide and emotionless as she watched two of her warriors battle. Storm's cry went deaf on her ears and she ignored Juniper's constant looks, seeking praise from her. The Alpha remained a statue and waited patiently for the fight to end.

     The crowd was getting rowdier and rowdier by the minute. Juniper's fans hollered about his easy victory. Storm's small support screamed at her to get up and fight. The victor was easy to see and sneaking over to the other side would result in punishment, and Wildflower was forced to stay put and watch her friend cough up her organs.

     End this now! Wildflower screamed at Origanum through her mind.

     "But this is what you want!" Her mind encouraged, seeming to support the fight. It was back to the hissing voice, no longer showing sympathy or care for her troubles. "You don't want Imperfect cats like Storm to stay in this beautiful tribe. Get rid of the Imperfect who can't stand up in a fight!"

     Are you saying I should get killed since I'm Imperfect?

     "Hmm... imperfection is a plague. Dispose of it before it infects the rest of the tribe, would you?"

     And what about me? I've made mistakes. That makes me an Imperfect. Do you want me to... you know...

     "If it means imperfection is gone, do it!"

     Would you just shut up?

     "Storm," Origanum called, shaking the voice out of her head. Wildflower let out a sigh of relief, only hearing the silence in her head now. "You can forfeit now and take the punishment." She nodded at Creek, who was ready to attack as well. "Or you can continue to fight and hope that you will be able to win, but you know the cost." Her eyes darkened and a shadow cascaded down her. 

     Cost? No... No! Storm! Wildflower's breath stopped in its tracks, eyes narrowing on the fight as Juniper taunted Storm. It almost reminded her of Wildfire and the three toms.

     "Let's begin!" her mind sang.

     "No..." Storm moaned and got a slash across the face once again. That sent the silver warrior to the ground, unresponsive to the assaults from Juniper. Her soul was ready to leave its cage and break into the new world as the orange warrior pressed on, pushing back her resistance.

     Storm!

     Juniper unleashed his claws, sinking them into her neck as if she was only prey. Storm's thrashes began to weaken and weaken as more blood drained out of her like a river. Wildflower's eyes grew wide with horror as Origanum watched as one of the members of the Tribe of Shining Suns was withering in pain, refusing to lift a paw to help the young warrior. Cats leaned forward, eager to see the killing up close.

     Wildflower felt her world freeze as she saw the once amber eyes full of life die out in one, simple, attack on the throat. A floated up to the stars or shadows, no longer needed and accepted in the living world. 

     The light in her eyes flickered like a dying flame. Red blood was thrown over it, completely annihilated its existence, leaving neither trace or sign that the brave warrior ever existed.

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