Template:Red Riding Hood/Sample

Prologue Redstar held back and watched her warriors stream for the entrance. The night smelled of flowers and crickets chirped in the shadows. So peaceful… She closed her eyes, enjoying the moment while it lasted. " Redstar?" a deep meow came from behind her. The leader swung around and saw her deputy, Hawkflight, nodding to her. " Are you coming?" " Yes," she replied, shaking out her white pelt. Hawkflight had been her deputy for countless seasons. He's the best deputy any cats could wish for. ThunderClan is lucky to have him. She ducked under the thorn entrance, leaving a few tufts of ginger fur on it. Her most distinguishing feature was her face, that was strangely colored red. " Rosestar!" Hawkflight's sharp meow jolted her out of her thoughts. I'm becoming old. My thoughts wander. She narrowed her eyes at her deputy. He gestured impatiently to the waiting warriors. " They're ready. Should we cross now?" " Wait," Redstar squeezed through the crowd and ran her gaze over all her warriors. A pitiful sight. If ShadowClan knew what was coming to attack them, they'd laugh. Her Clan was failing. Nine warriors, of which six were toms and three were she-cats. Silvermoon, another she-cat, was still in camp. Her kits were due soon. Even Pinenose and Dawnpaw are fighting. The two medicine cats were whispering, casting dark looks aorund them. My Clan. If we do not survive the night, I have tried hard. StarClan, hear my prayer. Help us. Through these troubles time I have never given up my faith in you. She titled her head back to look at the bright stars. Redstar sighed. She flicked her tail, and all her warriors streaked across the Thunderpath. They were headed for ShadowClan territory, which they would claim. Redstar watched her once-proud warriors head into battle. Weariness dragged at her pelt, Redstar barely knew how she managed to run after them. We will win! The paw steps of her warriors pounded on the earth. Suddenly, a howl sliced through the air. It was followed by the musty scent ShadowClan that rolled in from the marshes. Redstar halted in astonishment. How did ShadowClan knew we were here already? Redstar warriors had barely crossed the Thunderpath. She spotted one dark-furred tom grappling with Brackenstripe. The grey-and-ginger tom was fighting bravely. Redstar was about to haul the ShadowClan warrior off, but not before he leapt and bit Brackenstripe's throat. Redstar howled in rage as Brackenstripe fell dead. No, no no! She raced over to his dead body and glared at his killer. The tom bared his teeth mockingly. " How did you know?" Redstar growled. The tom shrugged, eyes glinting. " You don't want to find out," with that, he plunged back into the mass of writhing pelts. Stunned, Redstar bent her head down to bury her muzzle in Brackenstripe's fur. You will not be forgotten, I promise. Yowling in rage, Redstar grabbed the nearest ShadowClan tom and shook him viciously. He shrieked, swiping at her face. As she ducked, he delivered a blow to her head with his other paw. Redstar stumbled in surprise. That's a ThunderClan move! Then, she found herself staring into the face of Hawkflight. "You!" Redstar snarled, kicking him away in disgust. Hawkflight recovered, eyes alight with triumph. "Me," he agreed, jumping onto her back. Redstar bucked wildly, but she couldn't throw him off. Hot pain burned up her shoulders as blood welled from his claws. Redstar threw herself onto her back, but Hawkflight jumped free. He placed a paw on her exposed belly. Holing the other up into the moonlight, he unsheathed his stygian claws. Redstar gulped. " Help! Skystorm! Tigerfur! Mouseclaw!" she yowled out the names of her finest warriors. " They're all dead," Hawkflight snarled, baring his fangs to reveal bloodstained teeth. " You killed them?" Redstar whispered hoarsely. Hawkflight let out a horrible purr. " Right as always, Redstar," his face twisted wryly. Another warrior came by his head and whispered in his ear. Hawkflight nodded eagerly and the cat left. " No survivors!" Hawkflight yowled after him. Redstar writhed between Hawkflight's claw, but could not break free. " What do you mean?" she gasped. " They're attacking the camp. You're going to die, so I might as well explain everything," Hawkflight rasped. " You're mate is in the camp! Silvermoon!" Redstar choked. Hawkflight shrugged. " Nothing can stand in the way of me and power." Bile rose into Redstar's throat. " You can kill your own mate, your own kits, for leadership," Redstar whispered. Rage erupted inside of her. " You won't have my Clan!" she lunged forwards, teeth snapping at his throat. Redstar had caught him by surprise. Using a few well-aimed blows, she managed to drive him backwards. But Hawkflight was fast. He spun around, hooked Redstar's legs out from under her, then poised to strike her throat. " Redstar!" a desperate cry came from across the marshes. Dawnpaw, the little medicine cat apprentice, threw herself at Hawkflight in an attempt to save her leader. Hardly moving a whisker, Hawkflight killed her with a single blow to the neck. Horror and grief rose up inside of Redstar. " I conspired with Brightfrost of ShadowClan. Of course, she doesn't know I'm killing cats. But I convinced her to help me," Hawkflight snarled. " Now I will be leader of ThunderClan!" " You monster. You. Sick. Monster. I will kill you, and send you where you truly belong," Redstar snarled. " You can't kill me, old cat," Hawkflight whispered dangerously. " Then I'll die trying!" Redstar howled, leaping for his throat. His own paw flashed out for hers. In that one moment, time seemed to slow down. Redstar saw his fur ruffle in the breeze, his claw extend, his eyes narrow. She saw her own paw move towards her throat, saw a gash open where she hit it. Then Redstar fell back. Hawkflight tumbled to his side, thumping onto the ground so her eyes met his. He struggled to stand up, but didn't succeed. Redstar felt feeling seep from her body. " I'm …not dead ...yet," Hawkflight choked. " I …. stopped you," Rosestar managed to say. " The cats… you killed… have been avenged tonight." " Not for long!" Hawkflight's eyes blazed. " I will be back, believe me." With that, Hawkflight's eyes dimmed and his head fell back. Rosestar rolled onto her side, facing the pine forest. I want to die facing my home. Her eyes began to close. I tried, but I destroyed ThunderClan. StarClan, all I want, all I want, is another chance...