**NOTE: The last chapter was majorly short and I'm afraid this one won't be too long either. As we near the end of this story, I hope all the pieces of this puzzle will come together and become part of the ShadowClan you know today. As a friend was borrowing my copy of Bluestar's Prophecy as I wrote this, I made a bunch of mistakes in fitting it together. First off, I completely forgot about Yellowfang. She kind of just disappeared amidst all the other cats. Also, Hollywhisker is really Hollyflower in the book, and I screwed up on Littlekit's appearance. He was supposed to be a brown tabby or something, but in my fanfic I thought he was white. Sorry about that. There are a bunch of other little mistakes, like forgetting to tell you who Cedarstar's deputy was after he was made leader, and forgetting to make Featherpaw and Dawnpaw warriors before Raggedpelt, and I completely forgot about two cats, but I'm about to fix that. Anyway, sorry about all those mistakes, but I hope this chapter atones for it, maybe?
Chapter 9: Pride
Cedarstar sleeps comfortably in his den, a few suns later, the night of a Gathering. A fresh scent of Littlepaw awakens him, and he sees the young apprentice looking rather nervously around. "What is it, Littlepaw?" The white cat stammers, "I-I want to be a medicine cat apprentice! I can't even beat Blackpaw at battle training, and I want to be able to help cats by healing them, not by fighting. I already know some of the herbs! Please, Cedarstar?" He looked at his son, thinking how he is following in his mother's pawsteps, though he didn't know it. "You'll have to ask Runningnose, and if he agrees, you must tell Archeye. I think you'll make a great medicine cat, Littlepaw." He smiled as he scampered off excitedly. Stretching, he left the den.
Littlepaw was at the medicine den, talking to Runningnose, who glanced up at Cedarstar questioningly. He nodded, and heard Runningnose tell Littlepaw yes. He gave an excited leap and scrambled to the warriors' den, though worry lit his face now. He made his way over to the fresh-kill pile, where Crowtail and Stonetooth were eating. "Ah, Cedarstar!" said Stonetooth. "I'm an old cat, and I was happy when you chose me to be deputy, but it's time I went to the elders' den, I'm afraid. I can hold out until you find a new deputy, but..." Cedarstar dipped his head. "I understand. I may have an idea for the next deputy...Also, Crowtail? I've been wondering how Featherpaw and Dawnpaw are holding out? I know you've been helping mentor them since Snakefoot and Smokefrost went to StarClan, and I think they might be ready to become warriors? I've trained with them a few times, but you've done more. Are they ready?" His mate smiled. "They're ready. They'll make great warriors. Should I go tell them to get ready?" He nodded again, and then padded over to the warriors' den. Sticking his head in his old den, he called softly, "Raggedpelt? I need to talk to you."
The young warrior made his way out of the den with a bit of nervousness on his face. Leading him out into the forest, Cedarstar asked, "How is training Blackpaw?" Raggedpelt smiled. "He's a great apprentice. A pretty tough little cat, but he can be a bit rude sometimes. I'm trying to teach him some more kindness but he's rather stubborn. He'll make a great warrior though. He's an excellent fighter and I'd never met an apprentice so loyal. And he doesn't complain too much when I ask him to do the not-so-fun duties, though we don't have any elders at the moment, so that may change once we do." He chuckled.
"Well," Cedarstar said, "You'll soon find out. Stonetooth has decided to move to the elders den, and I need a new deputy. I couldn't think of a better cat for the job, Raggedpelt, than you. Will you be my deputy?" Shocked, Raggedpelt replied, "M-me, Cedarstar? Surely Lizardfang would be better for the job. He has a lot more experience than I do!" He shook his head. "Lizardfang, too, will soon retire, and I need a young, strong cat to be my deputy. I have nine lives ahead of me, and I need someone ready to serve as deputy until I die. Crowtail hasn't had a true apprentice yet, and she's expecting kits anyhow. Archeye, Littlebird, and Lizardfang have experience, but you have strength and having mentored you, I can see that you would make a good leader." Raggedpelt gulped, but said, "Alright. I'll be your deputy, Cedarstar." The young leader smiled. "Thank you."
The two cats traveled back to camp, and Cedarstar leaped into the tree. "Cats of ShadowClan! Please gather beneath High Branch for a Clan meeting!" His Clan flooded from the dens and resting places, and his chest swelled as he looked at the cats he would give all of his nine lives for. "I have a few announcements! Dawnpaw and Featherpaw have been deemed ready to become warriors! Featherpaw, Dawnpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to defend this Clan, even at the cost of your own lives?" He waited for the she-cats to respond. "I do." They said simultaneously, then the sisters blushed and looked at each other. "Dawnpaw, from this moment on, you shall be known as Dawncloud. StarClan honors you gentle words and kindness to your Clan. Featherpaw, from this moment forward, you shall be known as Featherstorm. StarClan honors your battle skills and fierce loyalty." He smiled but waved his tail to keep the Clan from cheering just yet.
"Also, Stonetooth has requested to become an elder. Is this still your wish?" He looked at the gray tom. who looked tired but content. "It is." He meowed. "Then may StarClan grant you many seasons of rest. You deserve it." Cedarstar dipped his head in respect. "Lastly, in the place of Stonetooth, I have decided upon a new deputy. I say these words before Stonetooth, the former deputy, and before StarClan, may you hear and approve my choice. Raggedpelt will be the new deputy of ShadowClan. " He glanced at Stonetooth, who nodded approvingly. The Clan erupted into cheers. "Dawncloud! Featherstorm! Stonetooth! Raggedpelt!" they called.
Cedarstar rolled his eyes and waved his tail again. "Shh, shh. You can congratulate them in a moment, just let me finish first," he chuckled. "Littlepaw has decided he can better serve the Clan by becoming a medicine cat apprentice. Archeye, my condolences, but he meant no ill will upon you. Runningnose, train him well, as I'm sure you will. Thank y-" He broke off and his ears twitched as he heard a raucous barking. It was rather deep, so he could tell it wasn't a small dog. "Crowtail, get to the nursery!" He shouted and charged in the direction of the barking. Featherstorm, Archeye, Raggedpelt, and Blackpaw pelted after him. "The rest of you guard the camp!" He yowled over his shoulder.
The dog was huge and looming, with a vicious gleam in its eyes as it flashed toward the cats, lightning fast. Too close to camp! Cedarstar thought desperately. "You'll never get to Crowtail!" he snarled and leaped at the dog's furry throat. As he dug his fangs in, his pelt fluffed out to three times the size, and he clawed furiously at the creature's chest. But its pelt was too thick, and he couldn't pierce the skin. It yelped and twisted it's head at an impossible angle to bite the ShadowClan leader. The dog dug its teeth into Cedarstar's sides with it's long muzzle, but he clawed at its eyes and it threw him. He slammed into the trunk of a tree and felt his shoulder wrench painfully. He fell to the ground, and he saw in a red haze. The dog was crashing through the undergrowth towards camp, where he could smell cats.
Blackpaw latched on to one of its legs but it twisted around to get him, too. "No!" Cedarstar screeched, and sprinted, furious. This beast was threatening his mate, and now his kit! The fury he felt surpassed anything he'd ever felt. He raked his claws down its muzzle as he reached it, and clamped his jaws just below the dog's eye. As the beast shook its head in pain, Cedarstar ripped out the chunk of flesh he'd bitten and the dog howled with pain. But it wasn't done yet. It seemed determined to kill Cedarstar. And so it slammed its gleaming fangs together in his neck and shook him about before, satisfied, dropping him. But it stared in disbelief as his wounds knitted before his eyes.
Meanwhile, Cedarstar looked up at Owlstar, who stood over him. "Am I losing a life?" He rasped. "Your wounds were great. You have lost two lives. You must be more careful." He opened his mouth to protest but Owlstar cut him off. "I know, you were protecting your Clan. But there are wiser ways to attack a dog. Think. You are ShadowClan, fierce and cunning. Use that to your advantage..." The wise cat faded away and Cedarstar found himself back in the pine forest, feeling exhausted but determined.
Raggedpelt and Featherstorm were bravely slicing at the dog with their claws, then dancing away before it could retaliate. Blackpaw was crouched next to him, eyes wide with fear, and Archeye was nowhere to be found. "Y-you saved me! Are you o-okay?" he stammered, obviously stil in shock from his close call. "Fine. Let's get that thing!" he spat and struggled to his paws. The dog, now bleeding heavily, was panting and its cruel eyes showed a bit of fear. When Cedarstar appeared before him, its tail went between its legs and it yelped. It was evidently shocked that he had come back from the dead. As he hissed and once more bit into the animal's foreleg, it yanked free and ran off.
Close to collapsing, the young leader swayed on his feet. Featherstorm let him lean on her as she said softly, "Let's get you to the medicine den." It might have rankled him at some point to be spoken to like that by such a young warrior, but he didn't care. She was just trying to help. At least she wasn't badly injured, other than a few scrapes on her flank. "Archeye?" he asked and her eyes darkened. "Raggedpelt is getting him." A stab of fear shot through him. "Is he..dead?" He couldn't imagine his father being among StarClan. He wanted to wail out loud, but leaders didn't do such things. Featherstorm didn't answer.
As they pushed through the entrance, he saw Crowtail pacing the nursery entrance nervously and when she spotted him, she ran over. "Oh, Cedarstar! I can take him from here, Featherstorm, and thank you." She said gratefully. Winding her tail around his and leading him to Runningnose, he realized how much he cared for her. Guilt for Brambleberry crept in and his heart seemed divided. But it was all he could do to stumble into the medicine den before he went unconscious. He opened his eyes to see Brambleberry before him. Her white pelt looked radiant, and her kind blue eyes looked down at him with a hint of sadness. "I'm so sorr- " She twitched her black-tipped tail over his mouth gently. "It's alright. I want you to move on, to be happy. I can see that Crowtail loves you very much. And that you love her, too. Do not feel guilty. A cat can love more than once in his lifetime. Be happy, for me. I will always love you, but your heart lies with Crowtail now. Watch over our Blackpaw and Littlepaw, and I shall watch over Darkkit. She watches you, too. She loves you very much."
"Tell her I love her, too. More than she knows." She dipped her head. "I will, my sweet Cedarstar. You must wake, now, and see to your Clan." The world dimmed and shifted into the dark medicine den walls. "He's awake!" exclaimed a familiar voice.
Littlepaw. Then Crowtail came over, concern showing huge in her eyes. "Are you feeling alright? Did you lose a life when you fought that dog? Do you want some more poppy seed? Runningnose! " He cracked a smile. "I'm doing alright. I lost two lives when that monster came. But I'm okay now. And I protected you." Remembering his dream, he looked into her eyes and said, "I love you, Crowtail." Her eyes brimming with tears, she replied, "You saved us all. That dog was so huge, I could see it from the nursery. I saw it throw you." She shuddered, "Yes, you saved me, and your kits. And the whole Clan. You know I love you." He strained to lift his nose to touch hers, but he was weighted down by cobwebs all over his shoulder. His mate rested her tail on him, telling him to stay down, and leaned down to lick his ear affectionately. Runningnose ruined the moment.
"This is all very touching, but move over so I can take a look at him." Cedarstar frowned but she just stepped away and rolled her eyes good-humoredly. He looked at her swollen belly and knew that it wouldn't be long before the kits came. Already, he loved them, even though they hadn't been born. Runningnose sniffed him over and said, "You were out for a long while. And when you came to you weren't exactly in your right state." He snorted, and little fleck of liquid splashed on his pelt from the medicine cat's ever present cold. He tried not to show he was grossed out but Runningnose muttered, "Sorry and moved off, embarassed." Crowtail was hiding her face, but her sides were quivering and he guessed she was trying not to laugh. When she looked up, her eyes sparkling with humor, he stuck his tongue out at her like a kit.
She gasped, pretending to be offended, and promptly whacked him in the muzzle with her tail. "Why, if I were able to get up..." he growled in mock anger. "If you were able to get up you still couldn't catch me!" She teased him, then said, "Well, maybe in my current condition," she nodded at her belly, "But you could never beat me in a fight!" She let out a mrrow of laughter. He cocked an eyebrow at her, trying to keep a straight face, but his mouth twitched and quivered until he burst out laughing. She joined in, and her melodious voice blended with his.
At that moment, she gasped and flinched. She looked down at her belly, and then at Cedarstar, and whispered. "I'm kitting!"