At the End of the Day

IN WETTY'S WRITING CONTEST.

On side note, Swiftstep is NOT a Mary-Sue, as you'll find out.

Prologue
A cat lay in the medicine den, moaning in pain.

"It'll be okay, Swiftstep," another cat murmered.

"No, it won't," Swiftstep said.

"Yes, it will. You were my mentor. One of the best medicine cats of all the clans," the ginger tom said.

"But look at what I caused Fernmist to do," The tabby she-cat spat. "I know I'm Swiftstep. But I also know that I am at fault of all the problems the clan has."

"But you have had such a successful time as medicine cat," he mumered. "Please, Swiftstep?"

"No, I haven't, and you know that, Firetalon."

Firetalon blushed.

Swiftstep looked at the bundle of herbs. "They'll think I haven't taught you well!" she mewed, before bursting into another fit of coughing.

Firetalon check the herbs. It was catmint. "What do you mean?" he asked cautiously.

"I'm developing Blackcough." Swiftstep's mew was quiet.

Firetalon looked ready to pass out. "Seriously?" He put his paw to her pelt; sure enough, it was warmer than usual.

"I'll make sure you are comfortable," he offered.

Swiftstep shook her head. "No," she mewed. "But before you pass me the deathberries that I am going to request, I have one thing to tell you.

"What is it?" Firetalon mewed.

"Fernmist is strong, but ambitious, and yet kind, too. But her brother is a different story."

"What's so special about Brackenpelt?"

"You will find out," she murmered, then muttered, "The next time somebody will die, be careful."

Firetalon flicked his ears nervously. What did this mean for the future of ThunderClan?

"Just be careful," Swiftstep mewed. "Now, pass me the deathberries."

"Why?" asked Firetalon.

"Just do it!" Swiftstep spat. "You never challenged me before, so why now?"

Firetalon flinched, and ran into the medicine den. Het came out with three small, red berries.

"Eat these," he mewed. "If you wish."

He turned away, not wanting to see his mentor die. "Firetalon," a voice said behind him.

He turned around and saw Fernmist. "What happened?" she asked.

Firetalon looked at Swiftstep's body on the floor. He looked back to the deputy. "I'll tell you if you will keep this a secret," he said.

The mottled grey she-cat nodded. "Go ahead."

"Swiftstep, well, she knew she was developing blackcough," he began.

Fernmist's eyes grew wide, in admiration for her former mentor.

"She insisted that I give her deathberries, and told me something about..." Firetalon almost said Brackenpelt. "...medicine."

"I see," murmered Fernmist, her eyes clouding with grieve.

Firetalon bowed his head. If he was to be the next medicine cat, why couldn't he be not as useless?