Boulder
Ivy
"You summoned me?" Ivy half asked, half stated as she walked into Echostar's den casually.
Though Echostar was the clan leader, Ivy had begun to look at her more as a friend than a superior figure. Ivy sat down before the leader, staring at her.
Echostar stared back for a moment until she finally spoke. "Yes… I was just wondering if you could give me any more information about Bloodclan to help prepare for this attack."
Ivy's face fell a little, but she nodded anyway. "Of course," she said dryly, "what would you like to know?"
Echostar thought for a moment before getting up from the place where she was previously sitting and began pacing.
"I'm not sure. Just anything that might help. You see, the Bloodclan cats that came in here told me about a sign that they received from Starclan." Echostar said.
Ivy laughed in amusement. "You do know that Bloodclan doesn't believe in Starclan, right?" Ivy asked, wondering how Blizzard could even begin to think that this would fool anyone. Even someone who was mousebrained could know that it was a bluff.
Echostar nodded. "Which was why I was wondering if you could help me figure out his thinking behind this. Surely Blizzard would know that we would know it was a fake? He may be ruthless, but he's not mousebrained. He's actually fairly intelligent. You know that though, you were under him for a while."
Ivy winced at this. "I know how smart he is. He's clever enough to be a danger to any clan he has a problem with. He's clever enough to play with our minds." Ivy said, more to herself than to Echostar.
Tilting her head to the side, Echostar sat still, not following Ivy's thoughts. A little amused, Ivy proceeded to explain her thinking.
"Blizzard knew that we would think it was a bluff, but he also knew that you, or someone here, would think him foolish to use such an obvious bluff, but then you would think 'Why did he send it then? What more is there to it?' It's obvious that some of your clan would think you a bit foolish to look into it any. Eventually it will cause conflict. Some of your clan thinking that you are wasting time on this, which might mean more lives lost. Arguments will break out like they did before and it will give Blizzard just enough time to attack when we are fighting amongst ourselves." Ivy paused and then added, "This is just my thinking though. It could be completely false."
Echostar blinked before rising from her spot. "Thank you, Ivy. You are dismissed."
Ivy nodded and began to leave, when a yowl sounded through the camp.
"Echostar!" Nightmist slid into the den entrance, a worried look on his face. "There's a new cat entering the camp. He says he's looking for-" He paused, slowly turning towards Ivy, "You, Ivy."
Echostar and Ivy glanced at each other before the three cats rushed out of the den.
The moment the new cat was visible, Ivy stopped dead in her tracks, frozen to the spot. Echostar stopped, too, perhaps because she was worried -or, terrified- from the expression on Ivy's face. Ivy's face went blank as she recognized the new cat.
"Boulder." she breathed.
Twig
Twig shivered as she hid. A breeze had just begun to blow, a rarity in the old twoleg alley because of the huge rocks that sheltered the cats from almost anything. Now's my chance, she thought to herself, spotting her target just before the she cat could make it back into the shadows. Twig flung herself from her perch onto the mud-covered tabby's back, pretending to dig her claws and sink her teeth into the soft flesh. The cat flung her off, twisting around to face her.
"Stop!" came a voice from across the alleyway.
The two turned to face the direction it came from, bowing their heads.
"Fang, you will do this over again. Twig, no more pretending. Rip her to pieces." The tom stepped out into the center where the moonlight shone brightest. His white fur shone bright under the moon, making him look almost ghost-like. Fang dipped her head lower in shame, then turned to Twig.
"Do not hold back. What Blizzard wants is what he will get."
Twig couldn't bring herself to look at this cat. She was a rarity: someone who, back in the old days, could have possibly been trusted. A low-ranked, almost friendly warrior who could definitely hold her own in battle. Twig liked Fang, and she thought Fang at least mildly respected her. Or maybe she despised her because of how well Blizzard was treating her. It didn't matter, though. Twig was given orders, and no one disrespects Blizzard unless they have a deathwish.
So, Twig puffed out her fur a bit, making herself look tougher than she felt. She nodded at Fang, and she hoped the she cat could tell just how much it pained her to do this. The two went back to their original positions, Fang on one end of the alley and Twig on the other. And then, Twig waited.
Fang rushed as fast as she could to get to the shadows, but Twig was just too fast for her to escape. She pounced, unsheathing her claws and pushing them deep into Fang's back. Fang screeched, twisting and turning and trying her hardest to get Twig off of her, but all she really ended up doing was getting her back sliced up even more, Twig's claws sliding down her back. The blood made it hard for Twig to hold on, so she bit down on Fang's neck, not allowing herself to give up now. Blizzard was watching, and she had to do him justice no matter how much she hated him, no matter how much she hated this, and no matter how much it made her hate herself.
After a while, she jumped off of Fang who swayed and struggled to stay on her feet.
"Finish her," Blizzard meowed calmly.
Twig dipped her head to Blizzard, then to Fang. If she was going to do this, she'd give her the proper respect. Fang closed her eyes and waited for the final blow, her legs shaking and unable to hold her up much longer. Twig sighed, and then rushed forwards, dragging her claws over Fang's face and body and biting her throat, ripping holes in the poor she cat's ruined body. Twig took a few steps back, the bitter taste of cat blood filling her mouth, and watched as Fang's body fell limp to the ground.
She felt sick, but Blizzard's enthusiastic purr of "Well done, Twig." made her feel even sicker. She shook her head and watched as Blizzard made his way over to her.
Once he got in front of her, she bowed her head, mumbling a quiet "I honor you." His tail glided from side to side, and he was radiating a happy feeling, one that Twig never expected to feel from Blizzard. She shuddered, her fur standing on edge, but he touched his tail to her cheek. Affection. She shuddered again.
"Your claws are wonderful. You should shred things for me more often, Twig. Go rest, I will not allow you to fail because of exhaustion at tomorrow's training." Then, he turned and left, somehow making his white fur blend into the shadows of the alley.
Twig walked over to the body of her could-have-been friend, and lay down beside her mangled body, burying her face in her fur.
"I honor you, Fang."
Duskpaw
Duskpaw sat puzzled at the camp entrance. He and Nightmist had been on their way to join group training, and they ran into a cat that smelled of Bloodclan, but also…
"Ivy," the cat Ivy called 'Boulder' purred in response.
Ivy and Boulder walked towards each other to press their muzzles together. Duskpaw could feel relief coming from Ivy.
But Duskpaw didn't return the feeling for some reason…
'You have to take me to Ivy,' this, Boulder had told Duskpaw and Nightmist as he came across them. He told them it was vital for the survival of this clan. Duskpaw and Nightmist figured if he was actually a Bloodclan warrior… well they'd let those other three in and out peacefully before, so they had nothing to lose. Also... the cat was incredibly polite.
So, what's bothering me? Duskpaw thought to himself.
"Boulder?" Echostar questioned, and looked at Ivy. Ivy turned away from Boulder to face her. Boulder followed.
He bowed his head. "That's me," he smirked. "Sorry for jumping in on an odd time, but I've been kinda lost."
Echostar opened her mouth to start talking, but Ivy leapt to her and whispered something in her ear. Echostar closed her mouth and nodded.
"Excuse me?" Nightmist cut in. "But who in the name of Starclan is this cat?" Nightmist was apparently as confused as Duskpaw. But somehow Echostar understood Boulder's presence.
"This is my friend," Ivy explained slowly. "You could say we 'worked' together in Bloodclan…"
There were only about two other cats in the camp, not including Brindlestripe and Ferretpaw. All the others were out training, but the ones in camp glanced suspiciously towards the new cat.
"That's all very well, but what is he doing here?" Nightmist worriedly mewed. Boulder dipped his head in response.
"I've come looking for Ivy, but it appears that you have quite a situation in your paws. I'd be willing to help," Boulder explained calmly.
Echostar blinked at Ivy. "If you trust him, I do. Does he have information?" She asked while standing up.
"I'm not sure," Ivy meowed. "Do you mind if we converse enough to catch up? I promise you he'll be helpful."
"Yeah, I'm helpful," Boulder purred, unphased by the obviously rushed clan.
"Do what you need. Please come talk to me in my den when you've finished," Echostar stated smoothly, and turned to pad back to her den. Nightmist quickly followed her, with his tail twitching anxiously.
And so Duskpaw had nothing to do. He watched Ivy and Boulder pad to Ivy's den, side by side. And suddenly Ferretpaw was beside him with prickling fur.
"T-That cat…" The tabby stuttered. "There's something I don't like about him."
Duskpaw too felt the spine tingling oddity that emitted from Ivy's companion. But the cat was so friendly. And Ivy felt so close to him.
"Let's go ask her more about him," Duskpaw suggested. Ferretpaw nodded and lead the way to the den.
Once they neared the den entrance, they slowed their pace. To Duskpaw, it felt as if he shouldn't take another step forward. He bumped Ferretpaw with his side.
"Well go on," Duskpaw whispered through gritted teeth.
Ferretpaw still had some fur sticking up on his spine, but he entered, anyway. But slowly.
"Boulder… that's too dangerous," Ivy was whispering.
"Oh, well. What's done is done. We're at an advantage with what I have," Boulder whispered nonchalantly in return.
"You-" Ivy stopped herself, and turned to the entrance. "Duskpaw, Ferretpaw."
The two toms rigidly entered the den.
"Who're they?" Boulder complained.
"I brought you into the camp," Duskpaw hissed.
"They're fine Boulder. They're friends," she blinked at them. Duskpaw felt Ferretpaw relax slightly. "So. What did you want?" She sounded like she was trying to keep calm from another disturbing thought.
"Um… well w-we… wanted to meet your friend," Ferretpaw probably had good wording for once in his life. Or better then Duskpaw would have done.
Boulder flicked his ears and stared hard at Ivy. Ivy hesitated for a moment.
"They can be completely trusted," she told Boulder. This comment offended Duskpaw. Why wouldn't he be trusted?
Boulder sighed. "Allow me to start. Ivy is my sister."
Duskpaw felt a pulse of shock. Ivy had a sibling? And Duskpaw hadn't already known?
Ivy dragged her tail in a wide motion, and purred. Ferretpaw's mouth was hanging open. Duskpaw felt how Ferretpaw looked.
He wondered why Ivy hadn't told them before. Maybe they weren't as close friends as he thought they were. But that made sense… Duskpaw has only known this cat for some sunrises. And Ivy isn't a completely insocialable cat; she would have some other cats she was closer to than the Shadowclan cats. ...And yet, it hurt his feelings. He took a breath in and shook off the useless emotion. Ivy was telling them now, after all.
Then again… what did Duskpaw know about Ivy? She came from Bloodclan… and she wants to help us. And she has a brother named Boulder. It didn't seem like much.
Boulder turned towards Ivy. "Is that all? Do they know anything else?"
What else? Duskpaw wanted to ask.
"They know I'm from Bloodclan," she told him.
"I think that's obvious," Boulder chuckled.
"There's more?" Ferretpaw gaped.
"…Yes. I think it's about time you know who I truly am. And what specifically I've done," Ivy sighed.
"It's nothing to be ashamed of," Boulder put in.
Duskpaw was suddenly angry. "You know what? I don't even care. I just want Bloodclan to attack us already," he snarled, and fled the den. He was sick of secrets. He was sick of cats who kept secrets. He was sick of Ivy and Boulder. He was sick of everyone.
He charged to the ever-dark corner of camp. He knew that if he left camp he could be attacked, so he couldn't risk it. But he could at least pout.
Foxpaw was the first to appear.
"I thought you'd gotten over the whole edgy, I-want-to-be-alone thing," she tried to tease, but it only made Duskpaw feel worse. He didn't even know why he felt bad. But he ignored her.
Foxpaw hissed at him. "Come on, I'm only trying to cheer you up."
"I don't need cheering up," Duskpaw meowed in a nice tone, but allowed the aggression to be obvious.
"Well, fine. Just put everyone else in a bad mood too," she growled, and padded away to the exit to camp.
Some time later, it was Ferretpaw's scent that greeted him.
"Do you have some kind of problem?" Ferretpaw sighed.
"I'm just stressed out," Duskpaw replied bluntly.
Ferretpaw's eyes narrowed. "We're all stressed, but no one else is moping about, alone."
Duskpaw, who had been previously facing away from Ferretpaw, now turned himself and met Ferretpaw's eye-line. The tabby tom didn't flinch. Duskpaw wanted nothing more than to claw his face off. But… it was because Ferretpaw was right.
"Yeah, I know," Duskpaw grunted, and stood up.
"Ivy's got a serious past to her. I guess it's not something you have to hear, but at least do what you can for the clan right now," Ferretpaw complained, and start to turn away and trot back to the medicine cat den, not allowing Duskpaw to reply. But he didn't need to reply.
Just like you said earlier; try hardest for what you have, Duskpaw reminded himself.
He decided he'd go and clean out the elder's den, since Nightmist had still not shown himself from Echostar's den. Duskpaw thought about how many Bloodclan cat throats he'd rip out soon to make himself feel better, and pushed away the realistic risks of possibly losing his friends, or the whole clan, forever in this upcoming battle. And as he passed Ivy's den, he saw she and Boulder pulling themselves outside and stretching. Duskpaw again felt that strange emotional sensation at the sight of the dark gray tom.
It's a feeling I know… Duskpaw thought to himself as he tried to push away the chills crawling across his body. Like when Ivy first pinned me, except stronger…
Duskpaw choked on air as he recognized the emotion.
It was fear.
Blizzard
"We're ready to advance as soon as you are, Blizzard," Talon's deep meow echoed the abandoned two-leg hut.
Blizzard flexed his claws. "Yes, I've seen how strong we're now appearing." Blizzard could almost taste the beauty of the revenge and power he'd soon hold. "But we'll make no moves yet… I have a specific time in mind."
Talons ears flicked in surprise. "Oh? I thought you said as soon as we had the upper paw-"
"But we haven't. Not quite yet. And Boulder will be making his move at this time as well."
"So... you've had this plan for awhile?"
"I always have a plan."
Talon was nodding slowly. The eerie darkness of the hut swirled about, and a gentle breeze brought along the scent of carrion. Blizzard understood how loud the silence was. Silence was more than the usual emptiness others interpreted it as. In silence, Blizzard was strong. It made him grin. He directed his single eye back to Talon.
"Make sure our new friends understand their place amongst Bloodclan," Blizzard reminded himself to tell Talon aloud. Talon sighed.
"What are we supposed to do with them before the battle?" Blizzard's wise and strong associate questioned him.
"Keep some clever eyes on them. We don't want them changing their minds about helping us, yes?"
"Yes Blizzard. I honor you."
"One question. What do they call themselves?"
"They appear to have no name. Just a gang of rogues, fairly unorganized," Talon answered, and started backing out of the hut with a bowed head, into the shadows.
Blizzard narrowed his eyes. Unorganized large groups were dangerous, for they were easily influenced. Blizzard considered himself lucky for finding them.
Ivy
"I should probably go check on Duskpaw." Ivy said, turning towards the den entrance. As much as Duskpaw could annoy her, Ivy felt bad for holding so much from him. It obviously pained him. He had run out of the den close to tears. The kit was arguably more sensitive than even Ferretpaw.
"Ivy, wait." Boulder said, walking in front of her as to block her way. "I just got here. I haven't seen you in many, many moons. Can't we just talk? Let the runt pout, he's out of the way." Boulder said, hoping to convince Ivy not to leave him again.
"Boulder," Ivy said a bit sternly. "That 'runt' and his friend saved my life once. I would have died if they hadn't helped me."
Boulder sat back, a grim look crossing his face. He only let his expression linger for a moment before rising and walking over to Ivy, draping his neck over hers.
Ivy remembered that he used to do this whenever she was upset or scared as a kit, and even as they grew up in Bloodclan. Many, many nights were spent with Ivy telling Boulder her fears and Boulder repeating this same comforting gesture.
When you grow up under the rule of a tyrant constantly making threats against you and your family's life, any bit of small comfort from someone is always welcome.
"Of course," Ivy said, her voice so quiet, it was close to a whisper. She had missed him more than anything. "How did you find me?" Ivy asked in the same hushed voice, not wanting to move away from her brother's strength.
Seeming forced, her brother moved away from her and looked her in the eyes before answering.
"When we left each other to go our separate ways, do you remember what you told me?"
Ivy shook her head. To be honest, she didn't remember much of that day. It was one of her worst memories, but even still, she didn't remember much.
"You told me that you would never truly leave me. You told me that if I ever truly needed someone, you would always be here. I promised you that, too." Boulder closed his eyes and sat down again. "Well... I need you now more than ever, and I feel like you need me. I'm tired of living fear from Blizzard. I'm ready to take him down. I won't let any more cats suffer under his reign anymore, not if I can help it. And I know that he's planning to attack Shadowclan. Please, don't ask me how I know. I just do. I'm going to help you and Echostar in any way I can."
Duskpaw
Duskpaw shook out his fur and continued walking across camp, hoping it'd leave behind his disturbing feelings. He dragged himself into the elder's den with forced cheer.
"Hello there," he greeted them awkwardly. Previously chatting, the elders stopped their meowing and returned the greeting.
"How are you, Fogpath?" Cloudeyes croaked to Duskpaw.
Eagleclaw lashed his tail. "You old fool! That's an apprentice!" Eagleclaw hissed at his confused denmate. Cloudeyes just calmly blinked at him in return.
"Both of you, hush," Breezetail snapped. "Now, what is it you want Duskpaw?"
Duskpaw was relieved that Breezetail at least remembered him. But he didn't feel anything against Cloudeyes' dying memory.
"I wanted to know if you needed your den cleaned out," Duskpaw offered politely.
"Ha, I clean out my own den," Eagleclaw snorted.
Breezetail narrowed her eyes at the grumpy old tom, who was also her former mate. "You can't even reach the drinking pond without help. We'd love for you to clean out the den," she thanked Duskpaw, blinking.
Duskpaw dipped his head and began moving out and replacing their bedding.
The pines towered over Duskpaw. He strode about the marshy ground in search of more dry moss for the elders, and angled his ears around the territory to listen to the sounds of battle practices and marching patrols.
Will we really be ready for what's to come?
Duskpaw's worry was interrupted by a sudden sharp stench that set his fur on end.
"Hi, Duskpaw," a low voice friendly mewed.
Duskpaw turned around quickly with his hackles raised in defense to see Boulder sitting a few tail lengths away.
He stood there like a cornered bird for a moment, but finally found sense. "Hello… Boulder…" He mumbled cautiously.
He's come to kill me! Why did I come out in the forest alone at a time like this? How could I have been so frog-brained? How-
Duskpaw halted his panic at the sight of pain that crossed Boulder's face.
"You're afraid of me…" Boulder whispered sadly.
Duskpaw was shocked. "Y-you don't know that. I fear nothing!" He hissed while calming his body.
Boulder shook his head slowly. "No, it's ok. Almost all of your clanmates do, too."
Duskpaw didn't know what to say.
"B-but it's fine of course! I know you all have good hearts, and I'm excited about aiding you," Boulder purred with forced happiness. "I think they just don't… understand me."
The guilt Duskpaw felt was immense. This cat was Ivy's own littermate, and a friendly soul. But the clan was being so cruel to him passively… and especially Duskpaw himself. And he knew what it was like to be misunderstood. Also, wasn't that behavior what drove Blizzard to insanity in the first place? ShadowClan needed to be better than their past!
Duskpaw lowered his head. "…I'm sorry."
Boulder appeared surprised. "There's nothing to be sorry about. Though, I do think we got off on the wrong paw," he admitted, "but I hope… I will come to know you well. Ivy has already talked so fondly of you."
Hearing that Ivy had talked about him immediately lifted Duskpaw's spirits. "Yeah, I hope I get to know you too." He answered in embarrassment. "Anyways, what are you doing out here alone?"
"Ah, I just needed a breath away from the new environment, see? I do have a specific place to go in mind, but I stopped when I saw you. You are looking for… moss?"
"Um, yes. It's hard to find it dry around here," Duskpaw sighed. "But I've never seen it anywhere else. And bringing back wet moss will earn me scratched-off ears."
Boulder sat in thought for a moment. "How about on that big ash tree Ivy mentioned? Ash is dry but well nourished."
"The Old Ash Tree? I guess… yeah, there might actually be some there!" Duskpaw gasped at having never thought of that before. It'd be a much easier task if he'd started there. "Thank you Boulder, but I need to hurry for the elders. And again… really. Sorry." He dipped his head to the gray tom and charged off for the bedding.
Duskpaw thought terribly and unjustly of this cat previously. He hoped he'd never do that to any cat again.