The moonlight shown on Shade's black and grey fur as he paced back and forth as the clan cats he managed to drag away from their puny clans watched his every move with hungry eyes.
"Clan cats!" He yowled, allowing his voice to hit the sky with power. "I once lived like you as a cat of your old Thunderclan, until Bramblestar drove me out!" He snarled, scraping the rocks with his hooked claws. "I have lived in pain and suspicion in Earthclan because no cat trusts me because I am Sol's brother! I will not tolerate impurity and neither should you!" Echoes of excitement and uncertainty rang in the wooded area; not many cats could sense his feelings. No cat noticed that Owlwhisker and Rockpelt had hidden themselves under the brush nearby.
"This must be the cat Leopardstar warned us about!" Owlwhisker hisses as her tail fluffed up in fear. "I can feel his anger. It's consumed him!"
"I know." Rockpelt brushed his fur up against hers, making her shudder in excitement; now was not the time for that! Shaking her head he continued, "His inner color is the exact same color as his pelt color; I can tell you already it's a dangerous sign." Owlwhisker tore her gaze from his and watched Shade create more turmoil.
"The attack on Earthclan will begin three sunrises from now!" He lashed his tail. "Now, to begin the battle plans." Sitting down he slashed three lines into the soil. "You three." He flicked his tail towards three Earthclan cats. "You know the camp better than anyone. Guide us in through any secret pass ways you know of." He glared at the other cats, mixed groups of Earthclan, Steamclan, Heatclan and Marshclan. "You will all fight and be victorious. When we take down the inner core of Earthclan, I will take on the lives of the leader, and we shall make sure no cat will suffer again!" Yowls of agreement rose throughout the clearing.
Owlwhisper began stepping back lightly. "This is madness!" She whispered to Rockpelt. "I can't stand here and hear anymore. We need to report this to Marshstar!"
"Report what exactly to Marshstar?" Shade shouldered his way through the bushes, his bright yellow eyes flashing in anger. Owlwhisper looked around frantically for Rockpelt, but he was nowhere to be seen. Dipping her head in defeat, Shade picked her up by the scruff of her neck and threw her into the clearing. "I found a sniveling spy!" He spat, his eyes blazing in cold fury. He placed his claws over her throat and pressed down. "Would you all like a demonstration of what happens when a cat acts out on me?" Pressing his claws into her throat, Owlwhisker could feel warm blood seeping through her neck. Starclan don't let me die now! She thought closing her eyes.
"I apologize Shade; she was sharing an idea with me of asking Marshstar to join the alliance." Rockpelt padded gracefully over to Shade and dipped his head. "I will make sure she doesn't step over the line again."
Shade looked curious and content. "I see your point young cat. A leader with nine lives will persuade the old fool to step down quicker and with more force than were I to do it alone. Listen up!" He swept his gaze across the clan cats. "Those who belong to Marshclan, try to coax Marshstar that I am her ally and that this will be for the better of the clans. Then," He rumbled in satisfaction, "Is when we will strike down old Earthstar and bring a new lmeaning to the new Shadeclan!"
Owlwhisper gasped as Rockpelt helped her into the ferns towards Marshclan. "We can't let him do this to Earthclan!" She winced as blood seeped out of her neck.
"Don't worry Owlwhisper; he won't get too far with us here." Rockpelt reassured her as they disappeared among the ferns of the marshes.