Chapter 1: Nightkit and Fuzzykit
"Barkpaw, do you mind checking on Poppyspeck and her kits for me." I stopped organizing the measly amount of herbs we had to see Swiftnose enter the den.
"Of course!" I trotted out of the den and into the clearing. The place was barren with only Beetlepaw and Dirtpaw rolling around in the dust.
"Hey Barkpaw! Want to play?" Beetlepaw threw her littermate off of her to walk over to me.
"Can't. I have duties to fulfill." I walked past her and into the nursery. Nightkit and Fuzzykit finally opened their eyes yesterday, it took them four days. Swiftnose said that was the longest he's seen it take.
"Hi Barkpaw." Poppyspeck yawned, greeting me as I entered.
"How are you doing?" I asked, sitting and observing the kits nursing.
"Tired, Fuzzykit never stops kicking when he sleeps." Poppyspeck licked Fuzzykit and he mewed in protest.
"I could watch them while you nap?" I suggested.
"Would you really? Oh thank you Barkpaw. I just wish Frogfall would wake up and get the patrols started, so it's not so unbearably quiet around here." Poppyspeck yawned again. I picked up Fuzzykit and Nightkit and moved them to an open moss bed next to Poppyspeck.
That's when I heard Frogfall shout in the clearing. "Why can't you two do anything useful! All you ever do is play and wake everyone up! You'll never be warriors at this rate." I poked my head out to see Frogfall glaring at Beetlepaw and Dirtpaw. The two of them had their heads down looking at their paws.
Spiderbite and Lightscratch scrambled out of the warriors den to possibly defend there apprentices. "And you two! How are your apprentices supposed to become warriors when you never train them!" I just about walked out to shut Frogfall's big mouth when Swiftnose intervened.
"That's enough Frogfall!" Swiftnose stood between him and the four cats.
"Instead of yelling at these innocent cats, you could be making patrols, like your duties entail!" Swiftnose instructed.
Frogfall growled at the senior medicine cat before speaking. "You four can go on the first patrol of the entire border. There's been sightings of ThunderClan cats possibly taking our prey, teach them a lesson." Beetlepaw and Dirtpaw were quickly on their feet and out of camp, followed by their mentors.
I felt a bump on my paw as Fuzzykit had managed to crawl toward the entrance, or the sound of all the commotion outside. Nightkit was sound asleep in the nest. I put Fuzzykit next to her.
I crouched in front of them. "You two were brought into one of the darkest times of ShadowClan, but you'll make it. I know you will." Fuzzykit yawned, resting his head on Nightkit's paws.
Swiftnose walked into the nursery without a word, sitting next to me. "I don't like this Barkpaw. I can just feel something coming, something big." He poked his head outside to see Blackheart grab the last squirrel for her and Mudfoot.
"What do you mean?" He never answered me. "I'm going to give you your medicine cat name. You've been ready for a while now, but I was waiting for the right time." With that he left the den, probably to inform Scarstar.
Poppyspeck blinked open her eyes, she yawned and stood. "Thank you Barkpaw, I can take it from here." I nodded farewell and left the den, returning to the medicine cat den.
I wasn't there for long when Swiftnose entered, "We're going now. Have you eaten?"
"There's nothing to eat." I informed him. He treaded the ground in frustration.
"That's fine, we'll catch prey on the way there. Come along then." He turned sharply, leaving the den. I followed, once in the clearing I felt a wave of tension. Scarstar was talking with Frogfall, Brownpelt, and Lizardclaw. The ones who are most loyal to Scarstar, and well fed. The other half of the clan were across the clearing, glaring and talking under there breaths.
I scurried to catch up with Swiftnose. "Swiftnose, what's going on?" We were on our way to the Moonpool, that much I knew.
"W-what do you mean?" Swiftnose seemed panicked as he kept a steady pace through ShadowClan territory.
"I'm pretty sure you know what I mean…" I informed him. Swiftnose sighed, coming to a stop on the edge of our territory, one step away from being in ThunderClan.
"There's been talk of a battle, but not with another clan, within our own clan. I need to speak with StarClan, see if there's a way to stop this, before it's too late." He stepped over the border on to ThunderClan. ThunderClan's scent wasn't that bad, not as bad as RiverClan with the smell of fish anywhere you went.
Chapter 2: Mudfoot vs Scarstar
"Scarstar! This is ridiculous! Can't you see your own clan is starving?!" Mudfoot finally spoke up, standing and approaching his leader."You dare question me!" Scarstar turned abruptly, but Mudfoot stood his ground.
"We're leaving. Those of us that actually want to live are leaving this godforsaken hovel of a camp!" Mudfoot didn't waver as he turned and went to stand next to his mate, Blackheart.
"Those of you who want to join this rogue of cat can join him! Leave now! Before I change my mind!" Scarstar growled at Mudfoot. Darkdash, Sweetpetal, Lightscratch all stood next to Mudfoot. Spiderbite walked out of the nursery with Fuzzykit hanging by the scruff in his mouth, Poppyspeck following with Nightkit. Scarstar hissed and glared with each new cat joining Mudfoot. Beetlepaw and Dirtpaw standing next to their mentors.
"Well get out of here then! You're all banished! I hope to never smell your scents again!" Scarstar hissed. Mudfoot stepped forward looking caringly at Yellowbreath.
"Yellowbreath please. Don't follow this monster!" Mudfoot spat. Scarstar hissed at him in return.
"You traitor! Why would I follow you?" Yellowbreath growled.
"We all know he murdered Grizzlystar in cold blood! I bet StarClan didn't even give him his nine lives!" Mudfoot glared at Scarstar as he said the last part.
Scarstar raised his hackles and approached Mudfoot. "Would you like to find out, you mongrel!" Mudfoot hissed, unsheathing his claws.
Scarstar made the first move, tackling Mudfoot, gripping his shoulders with his claws, sinking in as they rolled. Mudfoot was famished, his ribs showing through, but he still put up a fight against his well nourished leader.
Mudfoot kicked his back legs into Scarstar's belly, drawing blood. Scarstar let go and they both slid away. Mudfoot made the next move, running forward to swat at Scarstar's ears. Missing once and then making contact. Scarstar teetered, giving Mudfoot the opening to tackle.
Mudfoot crashed into his side, knocking the wind out of him. Mudfoot pinned Scarstar down by the shoulders. Scarstar used his back legs to kick him off, taking skin with him.
Mudfoot's shoulders and belly were bleeding badly and he was out of breath. Scarstar got to his feet, puffing his chest, a murderous gleam in his eyes. They circled each other, but Scarstar was quicker as he bared his fangs and dug into Mudfoots shoulder, throwing him to the side. Mudfoot crashed into a pine tree, but still attempted to get back up. Scarstar was on him instantly.
"You're loyalty for Grizzlystar will mean nothing now." Scarstar hissed into his ear. He bite down on Mudfoot's neck like he was merely prey and Mudfoot went limp, the life from his eyes vanishing.
"No…" Blackheart gasped.
"Leave!" Scarstar got up and screamed at the group of unloyal cats. Blackheart viciously hissed at him and ran forward to grab Mudfoot, dragging his lifeless body out of camp. The group of cats made the long treck to the very edge of ShadowClan, past the Twoleg Nest.
Chapter 3: Too Late
Swiftnose went into camp before me, but came to an abrupt stop, as I had to push my way through. The scent of blood hit me first, making me cough as my eyes adjusted to the scene before me. Patches of fur and blood were everywhere in the clearing
"Oh no. We were too late…" Swiftnose stepped forward gingerly, looking around the camp for anyone.
Frogfall burst from the medicine den. "Come quick!" He shouted and then disappeared again. We ran across the clearing, stepping in cold blood. I felt sick. We walked into the den to find Scarstar battered up and asleep on a moss bed, with shallow breaths. Swiftnose got to work automatically.
I looked around at the cats in the den, Brownpelt and Lizardclaw watching on nervously while Yellowbreath stared off into the distance behind them. Something happened out there and I need to know.
"W-What happened?" I ask nervously. Lizardclaw hissed at the question, while Brownpelt looked down at her paws.
"The clan left. M-Mudfoot called Scarstar out on starving the clan and just when they were going to leave, untouched, Mudfoot mocked Scarstar and called him a killer. T-They dueled, and Scarstar won." Her tail rested on her paws. She didn't need to say anything more. Grizzlystar and now Mudfoot.
Scarstar coughed, awake, and attempted to stand. "Lay down! You are absolutely flea-brained if you think you can carry on like this!" Swiftnose ordered.
"How dare you! I'll battle you next you old nut!" Scarstar insulted, but laid down once more.
"Sure you will." Swiftnose gently pressed a mixture into his wounds and I laid cobweb over them so they didn't leak.
"There. You should be able to walk around tomorrow just fine, but no heavy activity. As for right now, all of you should get some rest. Scarstar is in good paws and from the look of you all you need a good sleep." The small group spilled out of the medicine den, leaving us with Scarstar.
Swiftnose looked to me and then walked outside of the den. I glanced at Scarstar, he sighed in his sleep, almost like he was relieved. I followed Swiftnose out and he sat right outside our den.
"I'm going to go in search of the clan. You stay here and take care of Scarstar." He instructed me.
"What? What if he-" "He what? Kills you? You're going to be the only medicine cat here, if he lays one whisker on you I'll-" Swiftnose dug his claws in the ground, frustrated at the words he was going to say next.
"Do what? If you kill Scarstar you'll be banished for sure." I informed him.
"Being banished doesn't sound half as bad as what's going on right now Barkstep." With that he turned and made his way out of camp in search of the lost clan.
Chapter 4: What I Need To Do
Nightkit and Fuzzykit rolled around in the grass, play battling. Poppyspeck and Spiderbite watched their kits play. Sweetpetal and Darkdash shared tongues and watched the kits as well. Everyone else were hunting or checking out there new territory they found beyond the twoleg nest.
"Hello?" Swiftnose called out. If the kittypets pointed me in the right direction they should be around here.
"Swiftnose?" Beetlepaw walked out from a bush curiously.
"Oh Beetlepaw! Am I happy to see you. Where is the rest of the clan?" I approached her, but she took a step back, almost as if she were afraid.
"Can I trust you?" She asked warily. Lightscratch and Dirtpaw appeared behind her.
"Of course you can! I came here to make sure you all were alright. I'm your medicine cat, I've never harmed anyone." Lightscratch walked up to me, pressing her forehead against mine.
"I'm glad you're alright." She told me. "These two are just afraid after seeing what Scarstar can do. They battled right in front of us all."
"Well you have a right to be afraid. How is Blackheart doing?" Lightscratch walked in front of me as she directed me to the rest of the clan.
"She hasn't spoken a word since yesterday, and I don't think she's eaten either." We walked into a grassy clearing where everyone was lying about, watching the kits. Everyone stood as I entered.
Poppyspeck stepped forward. "Where's Barkpaw?"
"Barkstep is at camp, watching over it as I'm gone. I can't stay long. I just came to make sure you all were alright." I sighed.
"Mudfoot wasn't!" Blackheart spat from were she was curled up to the side of the clearing.
"Mudfoot's death was unfortunate...but his death just proved the point that Scarstar needs to go. I have a plan, I can't share it, but by tomorrow you should all be able to come back to camp." I instructed them.
"What are you going to do?" Lightscratch asked.
"What I need to." I told her. She looked shocked, some others did too, but no one said a word, for the sake of the apprentices who were playing with the kits.
Poppyspeck stepped forward pressing her head against mine. "Make sure we never see his ugly muzzle again." She whispered.
Everyone else said there farewells as I left there makeshift camp back toward home.
Chapter 5: What Are You Going To Do!
"Swiftnose?" Scarstar coughed awake.
"Swiftnose isn't here, I can help you…" I stood and approached the injured leader.
"Forget it! I'll do it myself!" He shakingly got to his feet and shuffled out of the den. I followed him to see what he could possibly be doing. He left camp and went toward the stream right outside of the camp, to get a drink. I let him be and went back to camp. Lizardclaw, Frogfall and Brownpelt had stockpiled a small pile of prey. I grabbed a squirrel and sat outside my den.
"Where's Swiftnose?!" Scarstar walked into camp. I swallowed the bite I took, thinking of an excuse.
"H-he went to go collect herbs." I informed him.
"Why is his scent trail stale? Are you lying to me?!" Scarstar loomed over me.
"I'm right here Scarstar." I looked past Scarstar's legs to see Swiftnose, a pile of herbs at his paws.
"Where have you been?" Scarstar whipped around, approaching the medicine cat. Swiftnose picked up his herbs and walked past him, into the den. Scarstar growled, following him. I left my squirrel there to follow the both of them.
"I was collecting herbs like Barkstep said." Swiftnose went ahead and started organizing the herbs he collected. Scarstar hissed at his reply.
"You should be resting. I can feel a fever coming on." Swiftnose said calmly.
"I'm fine!" Scarstar swayed to the side, almost falling over completely.
"Sure you are, that's why I can feel the heat radiating off of you. Lay down and take this." Swiftnose pushed a leaf with a pulp on it toward him. Scarstar crashed over onto his side, lapping up the dark pulp.
"It'll help with the pain." Swiftnose watched as he finished it all, closing his eyes to rest.
"Forever." Swiftnose finished. We both watched as his breath became shallower and shallower, eventually, stopping altogether. Swiftnose put his paw up against his muzzle to check.
"He's gone." Swiftnose grabbed the lifeless leader and dragged his body into the clearing. I watched from the entrance as his body was swarmed with cats.
"What did you do?!" Frogfall hissed at Swiftnose.
"No…" Brownpelt knelt down next to her mate.
"I didn't do anything! When he went to go get a drink he must have ate some poisonous berries!" Swiftnose hissed back.
"That's a lie! You killed him!" Frogfall lept over Scarstar and tackled Swiftnose. I ran forward and grabbed Frogfall by the scruff, pulling him off.
"What are you going to do?! Kill me? That'll get you banished!" Swiftnose got up slowly. Frogfall hissed back at him. Frogfall's mood changed almost instantly as he realized what this meant.
"I can't be leader! I never wanted to be deputy!" Frogfall panicked looking over the small group of cats, his eyes resting on Scarstar's body.
"Once the clan returns tomorrow, we'll have a vote. Make you leader, or make someone who is worthy of the title leader." Swiftnose told him.
"Clan returns?" Frogfall seemed fearful.
"That's right. That's where I was early today, telling them to come back to camp. Having the clan split like this is ridiculous and uncalled for!" Swiftnose spat at Frogfall and then glared at the rest of the cats before him.
"We'll sit a vigil for Scarstar tonight and then Ratfang and those who would like can bury him." Swiftnose informed them. Brownpelt already had her nose buried in his fur as everyone else joined her.
Chapter 6: A New Leader
Blackheart was the first to enter camp looking over those circled before her. Swiftnose and Barkstep stood in front of the semicircle of cats who all were looking at there paws, ashamed. The rest of the clan came trickling in.
"Welcome back." Swiftnose nodded toward them. Frogfall glanced up but was hissed at by his fellow clan mates for doing so.
"Scarstar passed away yesterday due to eating berries on his hike out of camp. Before we do anything else, we need a new leader and deputy. Frogfall has stepped down from deputy." Everyone circled around, opposite of the traitors. Leaving Swiftnose and Barkstep in the middle of them all.
"Rightfully so." Blackheart glared. We all sat in silence, glancing at each other in wonder of who was going to step forward.
Sweetpetal stepped forward nervously. "I think Blackheart should be our new leader. She led us bravely beyond the twoleg place and even fought off a kittypet as we ran." She stepped back as everyone looked over to Blackheart, nodding in approval.
"Blackheart?" Swiftnose nodded to the slim black she-cat as she stepped forward.
"I would be honored to serve this clan and to make it strong again." Blackheart said proudly.
"Who would you like to be your deputy? To help you lead this clan." Swiftnose asked. Blackheart made a complete circle looking over those around her.
"Lightscratch." Blackheart said simply. The young cream she-cat's eyes went wide as she stepped forward.
"Me? Are you sure?" Lightscratch asked.
"You helped me get everyone to safety and even decided on the small grass clearing for us. Of course I'm sure." Blackheart spoke. Lightscratch seemed to puff her chest with the thought.
Swiftnose stepped forward and Lightscratch turned toward him. "I say these words before Starclan, which the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of Shadowclan is Lightscratch."
"Lightscratch! Lightscratch!" The clan shouted her name in approval.
"Blackheart we must leave now to the Moonpool. Actually…" Swiftnose turned to me.
"Barkstep you should take Blackheart to the Moonpool. I don't think my old joints can take the long walk again and this will be good experience for you to witness a leadership ceremony." Swiftnose instructed me.
"Of course Swiftnose, I would be honored." I nodded toward the old medicine cat.
"I'll make sure everything goes smoothly here." With that I led Blackheart out of the camp and toward the Moonpool.
We were stopped by a Thunderclan patrol but were quickly let pass to the Moonpool, running as fast as our legs could take us, weaving through the tall oak trees. We get to the stream separating ThunderClan and WindClan and make our way up. I looked over my shoulder at Blackheart, her eyes wide with amazement at the beaten down path there ancestors have made. I slide into the beach of the Moonpool watching Blackheart as she observed the water falling into the pool and the rippling of the water.
I begged her forward with my tail, crouching down before the water and rested my nose into the water. I assumed she did the same as we both arrived in an open clearing, rows and rows of StarClan cats welcomed us. Blackheart turned to me but I nodded to the cat that approached her.
A large white tom with a single black paw spoke. "My name is Blackstar, I was the first ShadowClan leader in the lake territory." He stepped forward, resting his nose on her forehead.
"With this life I give you patience. Use it to give those who need it, time to think of there actions." I watched as Blackheart's tail drooped and her shoulders sink. It must have been a good life. She opened her eyes and Blackstar walked back into the crowd. One by one 7 more cats walked forward.
Her newest life of trust left her heaving for breath as the last cat stepped forward. A white cat with brown paws and a brown tail approached her.
"Mudfoot…" I heard her sigh.
"Hello Blackheart. " He stepped forward, resting his whole forehead on hers instead of his nose. "With this life I give you motherly love. Use it well to love the clan as if they were all your own kits." Blackheart dug her claws into the ground, clearly in distress. After opening her eyes Mudfoot rested his head there for a second longer before turning and making his way back into the crowd of StarClan cats.
Grizzlystar stepped forward once more after giving her the life of forgiveness. "I hail you by your new name, Blackstar. Your old life is no more. You have now received the nine lives of a leader, and Starclan grants you the guardianship of ShadowClan. Defend it well; care for young and old; honor your ancestors and the traditions of the warrior code; live each life with pride and dignity." Grizzlystar stepped back as StarClan chanted Blackstar's new name as she awakened.
"Blackstar! Blackstar! Blackstar! Blackstar…"