The Demon Gang

[» &Göldιê™; «]

<sub>Twilight set in as the sun sunk lower in the increasingly darker sky. The place where the Demon Gang resided was an abandoned Twoleg nest, but it was huge. Humans would call it a warehouse. Deep in Penbrook, near the most northern part, exactly opposite of the DarkClan camp, lie this huge tin and wood warehouse. Inside it was full of hay, where horses had been kept in the warehouse. Some rumors for the locals were that a local gang of young thugs hung out in it, but it wasn't true in that they were human. They were most assuredly feline.

Their leader sat on a ledge just before a window cut into the huge and empty warehouse's western-facing side, his eyes reflecting the twilight. They were blue, but they weren't a typical, bright blue. They were almost gray, and seemed to have a slight, cryptic scarlet tint around the outside rims. They were, many moons before, the bright and inquisitive blue that his mother, Frostlight, had passed down. But his father's instincts were stronger on him. So he had been named after the twilight, just before dusk, always just the last light before the darkness. But he had a new name now. His fur was mostly white, with dark rusty-red on his paws, tail, and face. It faded into the creamy white as it rose. Cats claimed to their kits that Demon the Slayer would whisk them away in the night, to face a worse fate than death. Rumors were spread about his coloring. Some cats claimed that he had fallen into a pool of evil when he was a kit and come out colored like he was to indicate that his soul was evil all the way through. But the more common (and as some thought more realistic) story was of what he did to cats who challenged them. He cut them open, still alive, with his claws. Those silver claws, unlike any cat before him. There was a name for it, as scientists knew; it was a pigment in the claws and a genetic trait. But the cats had no way of knowing. He cut the victim open, and bathed himself in the blood, to dye his coat in the morbid reminders of all those he had victimized. A scar ran, deep and long, across his face, where his face had been split. Some say he killed an entire Clan, but their leader with his dying breath inflicted the seemingly-fatal wound. But the wound was not fatal. Nothing was for Demon the Slayer.

But he was restless. No matter how he claimed otherwise, his faith in StarClan was unquestionable, though if any furball was daring or stupid enough to mention it, he'd have his throat sliced through before anyone had even seen Demon move. But that wasn't the point; it was still there. They had been trying to tell him something, that someone he knew was coming, someone close to him was on his way, and that bothered him. He didn't have any power over this. But he was brilliant beyond the belief of his enemies. He was patient. He could wait, and see when it came what it was. His thick muscles rolled under his cream-and-russet pelt as he stood, lowering his silver claws into the wood frame. The Demon Gang cats rested below, sharing tongues or play-wrestling. They would never harm or kill another without permission from Demon himself. And his watchful and faithful devotees watched every exit with sharp eyes, ensuring that no one tried to make a break for it. He was content to wait, but the waste of time was frustrating Demon the Slayer.

---

Duskhaze entered Penbrook with his amber eyes filled with excitement... and dread. When finally he met his brother, how would the slightly older tom react? How would Twilight- no, Demon- treat his sibling? Will Demon accept me? Duskhaze didn't let a slight bit of uncertainty leak out. He resembled Demon as he walked, his muscles forming similar patterns as he placed one foot before the other. And the slight hint of crimson in the eyes, that was disconcerting to one who would compare the deep-gray tom with his brother. Rocky's eyes were focused ahead, and he glanced at Cherry occasionally, ensuring that she was still comfortable with bringing Duskhaze and Shellpaw to Demon himself. They were outer agents of Demon's, spies they could be called, even though Rocky and Cherry were both definitely young. The tin warehouse came into view, and Duskhaze felt another wave of uncertainty. He glanced at Shellpaw for mental support.

---

Meanwhile, the long-pelted she-cat who had introduced herself as Lilly, led Ghostpaw and Phoenixpaw to the very same tin warehouse. They were a bit behind Ghostpaw and Shellpaw, following guides as well, so neither Ghostpaw nor Lilly saw them. They too saw the tin warehouse in the distance, black hole of a door yawning open in the twilight. This is it. I can find them, finally. And realize who I am.</sub>

[arina]

Shellpaw looked around warily. The air was fogy and humid. Looking up, clouds as red as blood hung low to the ground, threating to crush them all. Shellpaw didn't like this. This Demon, he didn't seem like he would like two strange cats wandering around his place. And Shellpaw was pretty sure she didn't want to meet this cat in battle.

" Duskhaze, is Twilight, I mean Demon, older than you?" she asked, trying to hide the fear in her voice. Cherry picked up on this instantly. " Are you scared?? I always knew that you were a mouse." Cherry smirked but was supprised when her sister stopped and looked at her with such a look that she almost shivered. Shellpaw growled, this time seriously. Her sister looked so twisted. She wanted to hold her down and torture her untill she told her why she changed. She was the mouse?? This comming from her pampered sister? She was the one who got critisied about being too much like a tom cat!

" I hate you." she said quietly so that no one would here the hurt or venom in her voice.

[» &Göldιê™; «]

_{Duskhaze nodded slightly. "Yes, he's the older one, but only by a few minutes. We retained about the same maturity level." He stopped, listening to Shellpaw. He knew then that he respected the apprentice a lot, for her courage to stand up for herself, especially against her own sister. Cherry had been bullying Shellpaw, and if Duskhaze hadn't been concerned with hurting Shellpaw, he would have put her in her place before. Pride shone across his dark-gray face for his Clanmate. Rocky stopped, a low growl in his throat, but they were close enough to the warehouse to sprint the rest of the way, Duskhaze estimated. Assuming that was the way they were going. The warrior scrutinized the two servants to Demon carefully.}

[arina]

Shellpaw looked at Duskhaze, eyes shining. " I'll bet you're way better than he is in more than one catagory. " she meowed. She broke into a sprint, trying not to fall behind but not wanting to rush the two rouges. She looked at Rocky, angry that he had even dared to growl at her. Cherry was at fault here! If she wasn't leading the way to somewhere important, she'd have kicked her tail all over the place by now.

[Sable]

Phoenixpaw trailed after Lilly, her ears pricked forward and thick fur bristling. She felt incredibly uneasy. "So then," she growled at the other she-cat, "Exactly what is your connection to Demon? He must be pretty arrogant to name his whole group after himself." Her fiery eyes watched Lilly supsiciously.[/color]

[» &Göldιê™; «]

<sub>Duskhaze blinked in surprise, and lagged behind a little. He wasn't the leader of a gang of vicious cats, he was barely a warrior, and yet... he never realized before how much he valued Shellpaw's opinion. He caught up quickly. They had reached the doors, open. Rocky turned and glared at the two. "Are you two still following us?" He snorted. Slipping into the shadows, Duskhaze felt a growl rise in his chest. The tom had no reason to treat others like this. The dark gray tom entered the warehouse after the two rogues.

It took Duskhaze a moment to adjust to the new light. He blinked, amber eyes shocked for a moment, but when he glanced around, he felt a chill run down his spine. There were cats all around him, scarred ones, and cats as unscarred as his and Shellpaw's guides. He looked around for a few seconds, but the idea of who was boss around here came to him quickly. The white-and-scarlet tom sat on the sill of a window so high up, he looked around to see if there were any props for the big tom to have climbed up to the windowsill. But there weren't, and a trickle of icy chill jumped down his spine like a cliffdiver. No cat could jump that high... could they? He waited as the other cats appraised the two.

----

"I'm Demon's adopted sister," Lilly boasted. Ghostpaw grinned. "But you're not really his sister though." The thick-pelted kittypet looked crestfallen, but her sarcastic temper shot back, "And you're a mangy furball." She ran ahead, towards the warehouse and into the door. Ghostpaw followed, intensely focused on finding his family. He paused at the door, awaiting Phoenixpaw.</sub>

[Sable]

Phoenixpaw's claws shot out as she growled at Lilly. "I'll show you mangy, you pampered little snot," she hissed under her breath. She stopped behind Ghostpaw, staring up at the warehouse doors, which seemed miles high to a cat. "She wouldn't be so high and mighty if she didn't have Demon to come to her rescue," she commented to Ghostpaw.[/color]

[arina]

Shellpaw sighed and then rushed into the dark warehouse. She looked around before catching up with Duskhaze, almost hiding behind the dark tom. She didn't like the dark or the evil it brought. This was not a good setting for her.

[» &Göldιê™; «]

<sub>Ghostpaw had an uncharacteristic glowering expression as he looked on into the darkness. The kittypet had gone in there... and that was where Demon went. He had answers. The apprentice's bright-blue eyes were wide as he stepped into the abyss of black.

Duskhaze peered intently at the cat balancing on the high-up ledge. His amber-and-crimson eyes were narrowed. Cats began to whisper as Rocky stepped to the side, sitting down near a small clique of cats, gesturing for Cherry to do the same. The dark-pelted tomcat took a step forwards, and his heart throbbed wildly in his ribcage. This was it. This was the moment of realization.

An imposing figure Demon made. His gray-blue-scarlet eyes were focused on the window, and his neck arched gracefully in the last of the light spilling in a pale splendor from the sun setting below the horizon. Rusty red paws and tail were visible from behind to the other, new arrivals. He snarled; they were here. He would kill them like he had killed so many others. They were interfering with his plans to take over the Clans. Yes, once the Demon Gang was strong enough, the Clan leaders would be taken out by his finest assassins, himself included. And then they would be his, for his vengeance was harsh. They let the rogues take his mother and father and himself. No, they would pay dearly for this.

As the muscular and imposing figure turned to fix Duskhaze in his piercing leer, the warrior felt his breath catch in his face. His brother- the one he assumed to be so- had gray and red eyes. The red reminded him of his father, as did the muscles rippling beneath the pelt. Duskhaze had to remind himself to breathe, but it was hard. He felt this cat ripping into his heart with that cold glare, and seemed rooted to the spot. Was this really his brother? No, it couldn't be.

Demon's voice was like venomous and sleek velvet. "Welcome," Demon purred in that voice. When he jumped, he practically glided down to the floor of the warehouse. It was deathly hushed, silent. And then came the interruption. Through the door flung Lilly, her face distressed and dismayed. She also had a mocking sneer on her face. Duskhaze decided he didn't like her as soon as he saw her. "There are two more right behind me, Clan cats," She grinned darkly. Demon nodded. "Thank you, Lilly. Dismissed."

Ghostpaw heard this exchange as he stepped through the doorway. He finally understood; she wasn't free, she was a spy, a recruiter, and they had just stepped right into her trap. He was about to turn around and tell Phoenixpaw not to follow, to get out while she could, but Demon fixed his eyes on Ghostpaw, and he shivered, unable to move. He glanced aside. "Duskhaze? Shellpaw?" He meowed confusedly.

"Ah, you've met before. That makes things easier." Demon's purr was low. He looked up at Duskhaze, who was chilled by the scar across his face. "What is it you all came here?" He meowed quietly. Duskhaze glanced at Shellpaw, uneasy, but his heart flared to life again as he remembered that this intimidating tom was his brother, after all. "Demon," He began, his deep mew quiet as his brother's. Demon inclined his head slightly. "I'm your brother."</sub>

[arina]

Shellpaw looked at Ghostpaw, then Phenioxpaw, then to Duskhaze and finally to Demon. Ok, too much info. This was too confusing. Shellpaw didn't like Demon. He was a rock: cold and hard. Surly this wasn't the brother Duskhaze was talking about?

[Sable]

Phoenixpaw's eyes widened as she heard Lilly. She whirled and looked back at the doors, only to see a line of shadowy cat silhouettes, as a dozen or so pairs of eyes gleamed eerily at her. One took a step forward, his ragged face seeming to detach itself from the wall of guards. A wide paw tipped with five needle-pointed claws met his cheek, and he fell back with a hiss. Phoenixpaw moved to Ghostpaw's side.

Even before the powerful tomcat spoke she knew who it was. She had seen him, and easily recognized him despite the dim light. A shiver crawled it's way down her spine nonetheless. Thrusting her nerves into a vacant corner of her mind the russet she-cat growled, "You're pretty brave when you've got all these loyal followers, aren't you?"[/color]

[» &Göldιê™; «]

<sub>Duskhaze stood protectively in front of Shellpaw, imposing. Lilly sat smugly amongst the other cats, near where Rocky sat. Demon scrutinized his younger brother with cold, calculating eyes. He stared down Duskhaze, but the dark gray tom's amber and crimson eyes locked unhesitantly with Demon's own. Demon switched his piercing glare to Phoenixpaw's eyes, listening to her. He shifted back to Duskhaze. The silence was so intense it seemed to muffle everything else for Duskhaze. Many cats looked on edge, about to jump forwards to sink their claws into the Clan cats' pelts. The tense silence drew on.

Demon suddenly laughed a soft but piercing and intense laugh. Many cats flinched back a little. His blood-tainted stormy eyes grew a little softer. He unsheathed his silver claws, but Duskhaze didn't draw back or even twitch. Demon's russet face looked amused, but still fear-striking. Duskhaze didn't let his guard down, and a moment later he was glad he hadn't. His brother lashed out insanely fast, but Duskhaze countered his paw with a duck and a swipe from his own. They moved at a difficult speed to match or even follow, matching each other's moves and neither gaining headway. After a few seconds, the gang looked ready to interfere, but when one cat stepped forwards to aid the fight, Demon hissed a warning, and the chilled-looking cat stepped back. No others stepped forwards. They still moved at an unreasonably fast speed.

Both slid back from the center of the circular arena-like clearing. They were panting from the exhertion of fighting so quickly. Demon narrowed his eyes, and unexpectedly laughed again, but this time it was more of a barking laugh, lighter and less tense. Duskhaze remained wary, and Demon grinned at his younger brother. The air of authority was unbelievable. "There is no doubt you are my brother."

((I'm sorry, I'm not giving a lot to work with... insert yourselves wherever you want to =3 ))</sub>

[arina]

As soon as Demon lashed forward, Shellpaw had jumped back, skidding to a stop near Cherry. Her sister was not ammused. She shoved Shellpaw forward towards Demon and Duskhaze, laughing. " If you're so brave, why don't you help?" she asked in an ammused tone. Shellpaw wanted to take Cherry out right now, but didn't want to deal with all of the other cats. So instead she got into a fighting position behind Duskhaze, waiting for if she was needed.

[Sable]

"They're so fast," Phoenixpaw hissed under her breath to Ghostpaw. A floorboard creaked behind them. Phoenixpaw twisted to see the tom she had batted away earlier. He yowled at her and gnashed his teeth at her head. With a screech she she bit and pierced his ear, dragging him down. But before she could deal any more damage two more cats had leaped on her, and she writhed, lashing out as all three latched onto her body; luckily a thick pelt provided protection from serious harm.[/color]

[» &Göldιê™; «]

<sub>Through the clash of battle with his brother, Duskhaze barely had time to breath. His brother's harsh, piercing laugh set some angry instinct into play in his mind, but he was interrupted from the next attack by movement out of the corner of his eye. Shellpaw had backed up, safe, which was what he wanted; he would never see her hurt. But her sister had lashed out, forcing Shellpaw forwards and into the ring of battle with Demon and himself. His breathing was harder and a small bit of blood trickled from his mouth, and his eyes were majorly red. That happened when he got too angry or the adrenaline pulsed through his veins like it did now. He backed up in a flash, skidding to a halt next to Shellpaw. "Are you hurt?" He asked, worriedly. With another glance he saw that Ghostpaw and Phoenixpaw were under attack, and felt so helpless. He had allies, it was true, but they were outnumbered ten to one at least.

Ghostpaw froze as the cats attacked, and then charged forwards. There were two already on Phoenixpaw, but three more stepped forwards to attack him. One was Lilly, one was Rocky, and one was a black tom. He didn't recognize any but the tom in the middle. "Rocky?" He whispered. The brown and white tom froze, hissing a little. "Don't," he growled to the other two. Lilly ignored him and ran up, but the black tom listened and took a step back. Ghostpaw thought it would be easy, battling a kittypet, but she was fighting like a warrior herself. He felt her claws sink into his ear and he screamed with pain. Pushing her back, he knocked her down and pinned her to the floor, claws next to her throat. In disgust, he shoved her aside, as she bled from wounds that were not fatal. "As I was saying," Ghostpaw growled to the brown and white tom, "if you're Rocky, you're my brother." Rocky froze like he had been hit, and then rounded on the black tom. "Tell all the other cats not to attack any of them. They all have ties in the Gang." The black cat nodded and sped away.

Demon hissed a little, eager to begin fighting again. His bloodlust was strong now, threatening to overpower him in its attempt to taste Duskhaze's blood. He had killed his mother, and father, because to him the blood of his kin tasted better than that of strangers. Duskhaze was the last kin he had, and... No, I have better self control than that. It is up to me. He turned his statuesque head to look at the black tom as he ran up to Demon, whispering into his ear. Demon's eyes narrowed into slits, but he nodded, looking back at Duskhaze, who stood, awaiting his next attack. He growled, but nodded again, more slowly. "You all have too many ties in my gang for me to kill you. If you leave now, your lives will be spared." "We know now that you planned to attack the Clans," Duskhaze countered. "We can't just leave knowing this."</sub>