power in number

~~~

The next few days had gone by in a blur. Venom had helped Storm settle into her den, offering to help her make a nest. The two spent all afternoon together collecting moss, bracken, and feathers, giving them a long time to talk. When they returned, the sound of disapproving murmurs of the PeaceClan cats were no mystery to Venom nor Storm.

"I can't believe that we're switching leaders this quickly. I thought Venom would remain in power for at least a moon more before the transition happens."

"I know, right? I'm not looking forward to Storm's reign at all."

"Want to bet on how horrible she'll be?"

It's crazy how cats can be so oblivious and mean. But, Venom supposed it wasn't that big of a surprise. All the cats that were now in PeaceClan hadn't come from nice, supporting backgrounds. Venom had found them and invited them to join her Clan when they were at their lowest. Many times she would have saved them from being killed or starved, done some sort of heroic deed, before inviting them to PeaceClan.

In their eyes, she was their savior. And there was no cat they'd trust more. Their mindset had been crafted and structured into one where Venom was the best cat there ever was, one that could do no wrong.

Of course, firstly, they wouldn't even want to switch leaders. But to switch to one that they're all jealous of, one that's received Venom's constant attention since she was a kit - well, that didn't mix well.

Storm's head was hung by the time they'd reached Venom's den. No talk was made as the two prepared Storm's nest, just the gentle brushing of pelts of comfort from the black she-cat to the gray one.

"You'll be a great leader," Venom had reassured Storm once they'd finished. "I promise. And always come to me if you need anything, okay?"

The gray she-cat looked much more relieved, giving an enthusiastic nod.

The very next day was the switch of power from Venom to Storm. The ceremony was held, the entire Clan gathered around the ledge, grumbling, as Storm was crowned the leader of PeaceClan. 

Then, it came time for Storm's first speech to PeaceClan as their leader. Before it, however, she and Venom had returned to their den, to talk with one another and give their Clan the time to chatter amongst themselves, too.

"Venom." Storm's voice came out in a soft whisper as soon as they stepped paw into the sanctuary of their den. "They don't like me."

"No, no, darling, I'm sure they do." Venom sat down besides the gray she-cat, giving her ear a soft lick. "They just need time to see and accept you as their leader. I'm sure that they'll soon love you as much as I do." Finishing her words, she gave Storm a smile.

Venom remembered the day of her brother's death vividly. She remembered the comforting smile he'd given her. Now, this was the smile that she offered Storm. Everything will be okay.

But there was another, deeper meaning. Her brother had assured her that everything will be alright, but nothing was alright. And Venom was certain that was how things were going to unfold now.

Storm relaxed, the effect of the smile reassuring her.

"Time for your speech now, darling. And remember, I'm always here if you need me."

Storm nodded, standing up, trembling with anxiety, and trotted out of their den to face the Clan.

~~~

VENOM SIGHED, standing up, shaking with worry, and padded into the Hollow of Blood.

"Apprentices, begin!"

The loud, echoing boom of her father's voice blasted through the hollow. Venom's pelt twitched with anxiety, trembling, as traumatic memories flooded her mind.

Why did I think I could do this?

She glanced around at the four apprentices surrounding her: Flame, Light, Bumble, and Hemlock. None had made a move, each eyeing one another.

The Battle of the Apprentices. Her Battle of the Apprentices.

After Scorpion's death, Venom couldn't do anything without thinking of her brother. She couldn't glance at the Hollow of Blood without trembling. She'd debated about begging her parents to let her skip out on having to participate, but the want for their praise and approval concealed it.

After Scorpion had died, Venom's only source of comfort and care had vanished with him. Because of this, afterward, she had desperately, desperately wanted her parents' attention. She wanted comfort and closure. And the closest thing she'd gotten was that moment she and her mother shared when Crow woke her up before the apprentice ceremony. 

After that moment, she had tried her best to make her parents proud. Although she didn't interact much with her mentors, she woke up early and went to sleep late, spending her free time training.

And, other than the simple want of her parents' attention, she had a hopeful plan forming. Perhaps, if she showed Rattlesnake that she was worth keeping around, he wouldn't be so quick to end her life as he did Scorpion's if she were to mess up.

Did Scorpion even know he was going to die? Did he step into the hollow, knowing that he was never going to exit?

Those thoughts were too terrible to think about. Yet they flooded Venom's brain constantly. Instead of pondering on them, she spent her energy and attention on her training.

Yet, it didn't seem to work. Rattlesnake and Crow's attention seemed more pinned on Hemlock than ever after losing their firstborn son.

So Venom couldn't possibly bow out of the Battle of the Apprentices. Her parents would be more disappointed in her than ever. And who knows what Rattlesnake might do...

Venom shook her head, focusing on the present. She glanced around at her fellow apprentices; none of them had made a move. The crowd was growing uneasy.

Hemlock. Her gaze pinned on her brother. Just attack Hemlock. Be careful, and show off your fighting skills. Then everything will be alright. No cat will be hurt.

Taking a deep breath, Venom jumped at her brother, crashing into him. Hemlock yowled in surprise, twisting beneath the black she-cat as the two rolled around.

Venom was winning; she'd caught her brother off by surprise, and had pushed him down. Just as she was about to demand for his surrender, three heavy weights landed on top of her; claws dug into Venom's pelt as the cats pushed her to the ground, making her yowl in pain and release Hemlock.

Flame, Light, and Bumble.

Hemlock sprung to his paws, eyes blazing, joining the three littermates in pounding Venom.

As Venom withered underneath her, she realized why they were all attacking her. The three littermates always stuck together; they'd never want to hurt each other. And they were much closer with Hemlock then they were her, especially after Scorpion's death, when Venom often snapped at them and ignored them.

Connections truly were important. The more cats to back one up, the better. But, no cats were here to back Venom up right now.

Fur blinded the black she-cat's vision. Everything seemed to be getting heavier. She could feel the sticky texture of blood ooze onto her pelt. She opened her jaws, yowling that she was surrendering, but no cat heard her in the commotion.

And everything was getting heavier and darker.

I might die.

Desperation seized Venom as she clawed out, snagging at whatever pelt she could find, slicing and pulling and pushing, anything to try and wiggle her way out. She felt her claws dig into a cat's pelt, along with a yowl of pain, but she refused to let go.

Suddenly, everything felt lighter. The apprentices climbed off of her - well, all except for Flame, him refusing to move; Venom stood up and shook him away easily, wincing as pain from her wounds stabbed her.

She was greeted by the horror-struck eyes of Hemlock, Light, and Bumble.

"What?"

Turning around and following their gaze, Venom's attention flicked to the ground. What she saw made her heart drop to her belly and ice spread through her veins.

On the ground lay Flame's dead body.

~~~

hi everybody! how's your week?

some more action-packed stuff happening, hmm? i do believe this is my first scene in which venom's fighting in, so let me know how i did!

honestly, not that happy with this chapter, haha. might go back and re-write it some time in the future :')

feedback's appreciated! let me know what you think of venom! with these flashbacks, i'm trying to show you guys how she turned into the cat she is in the present. whether or not that excuses her actions... well, that's up to you to decide!

thanks for reading!

~ lily