The Fight That Changed History
Sandpaw's whiskered quivered with anticipation as Longtail and Rusty, the kittypet, stalked around each other dangerously
 She knew who would win from the beginning. Even though Longtail had earned his warrior name only a moon ago, he was a strong and powerful ThunderClan cat, fully trained in combat. He knew how to take down an opponant; especially one half his age and size.
 From the moment he entered the camp, Sandpaw had noticed the softness in his features. The way his fur was neatly groomed and trimmed, unmarred by scars unlike many of her Clanmates. The way his green eyes sparkled and shone every time Lionheart or Whitestorm told him something. He saw life in the forest as a constant adventure, full of joy and happiness. He was blissfully - and in Sandpaw's mind, ignorantly - unaware of how truly horrifying it could be.
 Sandpaw watched with perked ears, eyes keenly tracking the movements of both toms, one tall and brave and oozing skill and the other tiny and fumbling. Rusty's legs were shaking and he squealed like a kitten as Longtail pounced.
 For a few heartbeats, the two grappled, locked in a wrestling match. Then Longtail spun, digging his teeth into Rusty's sky-blue collar and yanking him harshly, forcing the kittypet to lose his footing. Longtail whirled in a circle, letting go and tossing Rusty a fox-length across the clearing, forcing the little tomcat to cry out. Sandpaw saw Spottedleaf cringe, crouched at the edge of her den.
 As Rusty groaned, struggling to his paws, Longtail sprang again and fastened his claws into the kittypet's flanks. Rusty hollered and aimed a bite for the warrior's throat, but Longtail twisted at the last second and Rusty instead ripped a chunk from Longtail's upper ear.
 The spotted warrior howled, shaking his head wildly, losing his grip on the kittypet as crimson droplets scattered across the sandy grass. Before Rusty could make a hasty escape, Longtail dug his claws into his hind legs, growling with fury. Rusty squeaked like a shrew in response.
 Sandpaw's gaze then flicked to Highrock, where Bluestar was neatly descending a spiral of stones, her eyes dark and foreboding as she approached the quarreling felines.
 "Longtail, this fight is over. I have made my decision." Her voice was loud and commanding, like a great rumble of thunder. Longtail ducked his head in response, a thin trickle of blooding coming down his forehead as he crept away, leaving Rusty heaving on the ground.
 "Rusty." Bluestar towered over the quivering kittypet, his eyes huge and scared, scrabbling at the earth underpaw in a vain attempt to get away from her.
 "You are not the cat I thought you were. Your eyes do not carry the same sheen as when you fought Graypaw." she spoke in a threatening tone, as though she were describing the betrayal of a trusted friend, "You are cast out from ThunderClan. You cannot return to these woods as long as I hold my leadership here, and for many seasons after." Bluestar's gaze burned like fire, voice carrying a snarl. Sandpaw wouldn't be surprised if the large she-cat attacked Rusty herself.
 Not a moment later Lionheart and Whitestorm were at her sides. Lionheart bit into Rusty's collar, Whitestorm nipping at his ankles until the kittypet rose on quivering legs. As the two huge warriors began to drag him from camp, Rusty started babbling like a sparrow at dawn.
 "No- wait, wait- I can prove myself! I can! I'm strong, really- I'd make an amazing forest cat!" He wailed pitifully, like a young kit trying to justify himself after caught trying to sneak from the Nursery.
 Sandpaw watched as he was yanked back through the thorns, voice trailing away as he was swallowed up by the sounds of the forest. Her ears twitched aimlessly. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Spottedleaf, jaws agape and eyes wide, as she ducked her head to catch a nap in the sun.
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