Fireheart stared in shock, a cold feeling seeping under his pelt. "N-no, you... you couldn't have..."

   The dark brown tabby tom was hunched over something in the back of the den. He cackled wickedly as he turned to face Fireheart. Dark red blood dripped from the muscular tabby's chin and his dark pupils were thin slits. He didn't even seem to notice that there was blood pouring out of his own wounds.

   "I did, Fireheart," the tabby tom blinked slowly, his eyes focusing on the dark ginger tom in front of him. Fireheart's heart was pounding, and he started backing out of the den. "Where are you going, kittypet?"

   Fireheart screeched as Tigerclaw grabbed his tail and dragged him back into the den. "Tigerclaw! You can't! Please!"

   "Face me!" He dug his claws farther into Fireheart's tail. "I said face me!"

   Slowly, he turned his green gaze to the murderous deputy. Fireheart was trembling in fear, but he tried to hide it. "Yes, Tigerclaw?"

   The dark brown tabby smirked. "Look at your precious leader. She's back there, in the shadows. Let her blood soak you fur, Fireheart. Let it sink in that you have lost, that you have failed the one cat that trusted you to protect them."

   Feeling his heart crack, Fireheart obeyed. He took a few trembling pawsteps until he stood over the lifeless body of his former leader. "B-Bluestar..."

   He rested his muzzle on her neck while blood still pumped out of her belly. "I'm so sorry," his voice was barely more than a whisper as he choked out a sob. "This is all my fault. I'm so, so sorry."

   "You're right. It is your fault, kittypet," the dark ginger tom turned back to Tigerclaw, shaking in rage. "If it weren't for you, that pathetic cat wouldn't have let her guard down. You're nothing but a failure and a mistake."

   With a yowl of rage, Fireheart leaped at Tigerclaw. The dark brown tom sidestepped at the last second, but Fireheart managed to catch his shoulder with a paw swipe. Tigerclaw grunted, then whipped around faster than Fireheart would have thought possible. Within a heartbeat the dark brown tabby was on top of him, his crimson fangs only a mouse-length from his exposed throat.

   "Not so fast, kittypet," Fireheart gagged as Tigerclaw's blood-scented breath wreathed around him. "I'm in charge now, and I will not tolerate treason."

   "I'll never obey you," Fireheart choked out. Tigerclaw's paw was pushing down on his throat, making it hard to breath. "I-I would rather die defending Th-ThunderClan from you than have you lead me and my Clanmates to our deaths," he could see some emotion forming in Tigerclaw's eyes. But it wasn't fear. Was it... smugness?

   Fireheart went on. "Besides, they'll never listen to you. You killed their leader, after all."

   "Oh, they'll listen to me," Tigerclaw breathed with a smile. His long tail was lashing out behind him as he spoke. "I'll make sure they obey me. And soon, you will too."