Author's comments: Sorry this one took so long. I've been busy. Thanks to all those that keep reading, and those that give reviews! :)
Chapter 9
Life in Empireclan
Eclipsenight stepped out of her den at the sound of her leader's meow. She stretched in front of her den and then padded over to the clearing where the rest of the cats were gathering. Since the gathering with the other Clans, even more cats had joined the clan, and cats from outside the clans had also joined. They were all given warrior names, and a rank. Eclipsenight had been a rogue, kicked out of Duskclan several years ago for breaking the warrior code. Most of Empireclan's cats had similar stories.
Eclipsenight sat next to Dapplecloud. Dapplecloud had been a kittypet up until she had discovered she was going to have kits. Her mate, Shadowstrike, had begged her to leave her soft kittypet life, because the rogue couldn't bear the idea of his kits becoming kittypets. They had joined Empireclan because of Eclipsenight, and her and Dapplecloud had been close friends since. "How are you?" Dapplecloud meowed as Eclipsenight joined her.
"I'm fine," she meowed in reply. "How are you?" she asked the young queen.
"I'm doing wonderful," Dapplecloud purred. Cheerful as always, Eclipsenight thought. Dapplecloud was a really positive cat, and even though this drove some cats insane, Eclipsenight thought it was sweet.
She was about to say something else when Shadestar started the meeting. "Cats of Empireclan, we gather here today, because the Empire in the Stars has come to me, and told me that Stormshadow's kits are old enough to leave her side and begin their life as clan members. They have told me what their fates are to be, and it is time for their ceremonies." Eclipsenight noticed Stormshadow and her three kits near the front of the group. Instead of looking happy, Stormshadow looked a little nervous, and every cat knew why. Her third kit, Twistkit, had been born with a deformed leg, almost guaranteeing her the life of a slave.
"Tundrakit, please step forward," Shadestar continued. The oldest of the three kits stepped forward, her ringed tail held high. "Tundrakit, as a she-kit, you have a duty to Empireclan that you share with your fellow she-cats. For our clan to flourish, we must have strong warriors. The Empire in the Stars has told me that even though you probably have what it takes to become a warrior, we do not have enough she-cats to further our cause. Because of this, they have asked me to allow you a chance to fulfill your duties as a she-cat and make you an Unselected She-cat. Do you accept your task?" he asked Tundrakit.
Eclipsenight couldn't help but wonder how the young she-cat would react. Eclipsenight herself had been trained to fight and had been a warrior in her previous clan. She was a very capable fighter, but when Shadestar had approached her and asked her to join Empireclan, he had said she wouldn't be a warrior. At first, Eclipsenight had been angry. She had thought that she deserved to be a warrior, and that she had earned it, but she had eventually accepted it, knowing that if she wanted to be part of a clan again, Empireclan was her only option left.
Looking up to Tundrakit, Eclipsenight could tell that she was a bit disappointed, but would accept the task even before the kit said she would. "I do," she meowed.
Shadestar nodded, looking pleased. "Thank you for your loyalty, little one. You will be working with your mother, Stormshadow, to learn everything you need to know about motherhood. Sense you are going to be her apprentice, you deserve an apprentice name; from this moment until your mother deems you worthy for a full name, you will be known as Tundrapaw. May the Empire in the Stars bless you with many healthy kits in your future." The cats at one started calling out Tundrapaw's new name.
"Next, is Roguekit," Shadestar meowed. Roguekit stepped forward. She looked a little wary, as if she was worried her future wouldn't be very good. "Roguekit, you are a special case. The Empire in the Stars says it sees violence in our future, and feels it best that Icedawn take on an apprentice. She has also received this impression. She has decided, along with myself and the Empire in the Stars, that you would make a fine healer, and are to become Icedawn's apprentice. Do you accept this task?" he asked her.
Roguekit didn't look surprised by this at all. In fact, she seemed relieved. Eclipsenight expected that Icedawn had already talked to her about this, and the kit had accepted the task already, preferring it over her other options. "I do," Roguekit meowed.
"Then I ask the Empire in the Stars to guide you in your training. From this moment until you become a full-fledged healer you shall be known as Roguepaw," Shadestar announced. They all called Roguepaw's name out to the crowd.
"Finally, we have Twistkit," Shadestar meowed. A hushed silence fell over the cats. They all knew the kit's fate would not be good. Slowly, she climbed to her feet, grimacing as she put pressure on her deformed leg. It saddened Eclipsenight to see the kit's pain. The leg obviously bothered her often. The small kit limped forward to stand before Shadestar.
Shadestar stared down at her, a strange emotion glowing in his eyes. Most cats would mistake it for pity, but Eclipsenight knew Shadestar felt pity for no cat. It was loathing that shone in his dark silver eyes. He hated Twistkit for her deformity, even though it wasn't her fault she was born that way. Eclipsenight glanced at Stormshadow. The queen's head had dipped low, her attempt to hide her sorrow.
"Twistkit," Shadestar meowed. "You have been born with an imperfection. You are clearly unable to be a warrior, and we cannot have you bearing kits and risk passing on this imperfection. Therefore, you are to serve the clan in the only way you possibly could; Twistkit, I proclaim you a slave. To separate you from the better cats here, I revoke your clan name. From now on, you will simply be known as Twist." He flicked his tail in dismissal, and the kit limped away, her head bowed. They all watched in silence as she made her way to the back of the group, the rightful place for slaves. As she sat down, Eclipsenight turned back to the leader in front of them. "Long live Empireclan!" Shadestar yowled, breaking the silence.
"Long live Empireclan!" Eclipsenight called, along with everyone else, but her heart wasn't really in it at the moment. She couldn't help but wonder if Shadestar really had the right to ban Twist to such a life. The group disbanded, as was tradition. They always ended clan meetings by swearing their loyalty to Empireclan as they just had.
Just then, Razorstreak entered the camp, followed by a small group of unfamiliar cats. Amongst them were two cats Eclipsenight knew from the other clans; there was Firestripe, of Chanceclan, and Silverwing, of Dawnclan. Eclipsenight padded towards them, curious. out of the corner of her eye, she saw movement, and glanced over her shoulder to see Shadestar approaching. She moved aside for her leader, and then watched as he approached the group. "Shadestar," Razorstreak meowed as he bowed his head in respect. "I found these hopefuls by the lakeside. They wish to join Empireclan."
Silverwing stepped forward. "Shadestar?" she meowed softly, sounding hopeful. Shadestar's cold gaze shifted to her, but when he saw her, his gaze visibly softened. He moved towards her, purring softly. That was a sound I never thought I'd hear coming from him, Eclipsenight thought as she watched. "Oh, Shadestar, can you ever forgive me?" Silverwing moaned as she gently rubbed her head against her son's cheek.
"Of course, mother," Shadestar meowed softly. "But why have you come? Your place is in Dawnclan."
"I didn't know what had really happened in Dawnclan... and when you told us at the gathering that you were making a clan of your own, I knew I could no longer be loyal to Rowanstar. I couldn't bear the idea of meeting you in battle," Silverwing meowed in response.
Shadestar seemed happy. "I'm glad you came. You shall be happy here, I promise," he meowed kindly. He licked her forehead, and then turned to the other cats. "Who are these, Razorstreak?" his former friendly tone replaced by his usual cold demeanor. This was the cat Eclipsenight knew. She couldn't help but feel surprised that Shadestar was acting so nice. She hadn't thought it possible of the dark warrior, even towards his own mother. It seems he is a cat of many sides, she thought, and told herself to remember that.
"This is Firestripe, formerly of Chanceclan. He was close friends with our admiral and wishes to join our ranks. The rest are rouges; this is Ebonyflicker, Yellowflecks, and Silverclaw," Razorstreak replied as he indicated the three toms standing by him.
"Welcome, my friends, to Empireclan. You all look like capable cats; you can join our ranks of warriors." Shadestar glanced over his shoulder and noticed Eclipsenight watching. "Eclipsenight, will you show them to empty dens? I'm sure there's still a few."
"Of course, Shadestar," Eclipsenight meowed as she bowed her head. She flicked her tail, and the four toms and Silverwing followed her. She led them to empty dens scattered along the edge of the camp. "Choose one," she meowed, flicking her tail at the empty dens.
"The warriros don't sleep in the same den?" Silverwing asked as she studied the dens.
"No. There isn't a den big enough for that. The biggest dens we reserved for the nursery and the unselected she-cat dens," Eclipsenight replied.
"That'll take some adjusting to. I'm used to having my fellow clanmates around me," Silverwing meowed softly, and then moved to a den near the bottom of a tree trunk, under a thick bush. She climbed in. "This one will do fine," she muttered to herself.
"When you've chosen a den, you can find moss by the lake. After that, meet me back in camp, and I'll give you the full tour of the territory," Eclipsenight meowed. She then moved away from the cats, having other things she wanted to do before she was burdened with giving them a tour.
Shadowleap stared out at the camp from the mouth of Shadestar's den. Razorstreak stood near him, his brown form turned to face their leader, who was laying somewhere in the shadows of his den. "They are ready, don't you think?" Shadestar meowed.
Shadowleap turned back towards the other toms at the sound of his leader's voice. "They are," Razorstreak meowed with a nod. Shadowleap knew that the brown warrior would never disagree with his leader.
Shadowleap on the other hand was more skeptical than Razorstreak of Shadestar's plans, and less willing to blindly agree with the dark leader. "I'm not sure. I know we outnumber them now, but I know that Chanceclan's warriors are at least formidable enough to still be a challenge for us," he meowed.
"They are fine warriors, Shadowleap," Razorstreak meowed, sounding almost insulted that Shadowleap would dare question Shadestar. "And completely loyal to your cause, Shadestar. They will fight to the death for you."
"I know this, Razorstreak, but I feel Shadowleap may be correct. They have what it takes to take to beat the two smaller clans, but Chanceclan is still too close to us in numbers, and shear skill will not be enough to win. We need more warriors for that," Shadestar meowed.
"But where will we get them? The recruiting is slowing down; I don't think we'll get many more warriors from outside the clan, and we do not have any apprentices or kits to promote," Shadowleap pointed out.
"From Duskclan," Shadestar meowed simply.
"Duskclan?" Razorstreak asked carefully. Clearly he was confused, but unwilling to doubt Shadestar. Shadowleap rolled his eyes, annoyed by the cat's blind obedience.
"If we take Duskclan's warriors prisoner in battle, I can almost guarantee it won't take much to convince most of them to side with us," Shadestar meowed. Shadowleap imagined the dark leader's face distorted in a silent snarl as she mentioned his former clan. He knew very well that his leader hated both Dawnclan and Chanceclan for his past. "If I learned anything from my time with them, it's that they are good liars, and not very loyal to any one clan or cat."
"So we attack Duskclan," Razorstreak half asked, half stated.
"That will only leave us with a bunch of half loyal cats. We don't need that," Shadowleap pointed out.
"Well, after we use them to take over the forest, who says they need to remain warriors? Who says they even need to remain alive? Those that are loyal to us, will be rewarded with a good position in the clan. Those that aren't very loyal or are openly hostile will become slaves, or, if necessary, we will kill them," Shadestar stated. Razorstreak blinked in surprise, almost as if he hadn't really understood just how cruel his leader could be. Shadowleap on the other hand wasn't surprised at all. He had already known his leader had a dark side, and had readily accepted it. It was easy to accept something in somebody else that you saw in yourself. It took a certain type of evil to betray your clan, litter-mates included, for power. It was that type of evil that Shadestar and Shadowleap shared.
"So we attack Duskclan?" Razorstreak meowed after a moment of silence.
"Yes," Shadestar confirmed.
"When?" Shadowleap asked.
"Give them a bit. Let the shock of such a mass betrayal dissipate. Wait until they're least expecting it... in fact, wait for Leafbare. They won't expect us to risk injury during the hardest part of the year. It'll take them by surprise," Shadestar instructed. "Until then, make sure my warriors are ready. I will not have them be weak an unprepared so close to battle."
The to admirals nodded their heads in understanding, sensing that Shadestar was dismissing them with this command. Shadowleap stepped out into the camp, Razorstreak close behind. "Well," he meowed, eying the cats around him. "Let's get to work."
ALLIANCES
Dawnclan
Leader
Rowanstar- Brown tabby she-cat with white markings and golden eyes.
Deputy
Sablestorm - Tortoiseshell tom with golden eyes. Apprentice, Owlpaw
Medicine Cat
Heatherwhisker - Dark copper tabby she-cat with white markings.
Warriors
Sandstone - Sand colored tom.
Wolfheart - Dark gray and black tortoiseshell tom with blue-gray eyes.
Gingerclaw - Ginger colored tom. Apprentice, Sandpaw
Braveheart - Once timid black she-cat. Apprentice, Gentlepaw
Lightningpelt - golden tabby tom.
Squirreltail - squirrel colored she-cat.
Rippleshine - Siamese she-cat with a very glossy pelt.
Apprentices
Owlpaw - Tan tom with a white belly, chest, and chin. He has pale blue eyes.
Gingerpaw - Ginger tom.
Silverpaw - Blue point she-cat with deep blue eyes.
Gentlepaw - Pale calico she-cat.
Sandpaw - Siamese she-cat. Looks exactly like her mother, Rippleshine.
Elders
Cloudedeyes - old gray she-cat. Blind.
Duskclan
Leader
Cinderstar - Broad shouldered dark gray tabby tom.
Deputy
Thornmouth - Older, battle-scarred brown tom with a very short temper.
Medicine Cat
Moonsoul - Dark blue point she-cat with pale blue eyes.
Warriors
Whispspirit - Blue and white tabby she-cat with gray eyes.
Adderstripe - Brown tom with markings that resemble a snake, and a sandy belly and paws.
Silvereyes - blue point she-cat with silver eyes. Moonsoul's only litter mate.
Clovefur - Dark brown tabby tom with green eyes.
Lightheart - Long-furred, sleek white she-cat with light cream tabby splotches.
Firesoul - Long haired ginger she-cat with a short temper.
Elders
Gentlefoot - Pale tabby she-cat. she retired young after loosing her last batch of kits to a horrible miscarriage that left her body permanently damaged.
Chanceclan
Leader
Fallstar- Completely black she-cat with golden eyes and a long, jagged scar along her left side.
Deputy
Oakfur- Dark brown tabby tom with yellow-green eyes and a scar across his chest.
Medicine Cat
Aquasky - Long haired blue she-cat with yellow eyes.
Warriors
Mystictail - dark blue, almost black she-cat. She looks black with a blue sheen. Senior warrior. Apprentice, Poppypaw
Wolfclaw - Brown and gray tom with long, abnormal sized claws. Senior warrior. Apprentice, Quickpaw
Brakenclaw - Bracken colored tortoiseshell tom. Senior warrior.
Darksong - Black she-cat and sister of Fallstar. Senior warrior. Apprentice, Reefpaw
Maplefur - Red tabby she-cat with aqua eyes. She's blind in one eye, and a scar crosses that side of her face.
Singinglark - beautiful golden tabby she-cat with a white chest, belly and paws, and piercing, icy blue eyes.
Shadedmoon - Shadedmoon is a long-haired light silver she-cat with darker patches. Her voice was damaged in the fire that killed her in her previous life, and so it's very raspy, and sometimes when her throat is dry, she can't talk at all.
Echocliff - Gray tom with dark blue eyes.
Apprentices
Poppypaw - Dark orange she-cat with black patches and yellow eyes.
Quickpaw - black and white tom.
Reefpaw - pale cream-colored she-cat.
Queens
Whitebird - white she-cat with pale brown speckles. (mate- Echocliff. Kits- Lightningkit and Juniperkit)
Empireclan
Emperor
Shadestar - Black tom with dark eyes.
First Admiral
Shadowleap - Black and gray tom. Fallstar's brother.
Second Admiral
Razorstreak - Brown tom with a black streak down his back and a white chin.
Healer
Icedawn - Soft, long haired brown she-cat with a white belly, chest, and nose. She icy blue eyes and darker brown patches on her face. Apprentice - Roguepaw
Warriors
Pineclaw - Big brown tabby tom with large front claws. He has a white star on his chest and a white tail tip. Eaglefeather's brother.
Eaglefeather - Large dark brown tabby tom with soft fur, like feathers.
Yellowflecks - Tortoiseshell tom with lighter yellow flecks, giving him his name.
Tigerfrost - Silver tabby tom. His tabby stripes are unusually dark, making him look like a mini white tiger.
Shadowstrike - Black and white tom.
Silverclaw - Almost white tom, except for a few patches of silver on his back and head. His ears are silver too.
Ebonyflicker - Light brown tabby tom. He has peculiar blue-green eyes.
Firestripe - brown tom with white and orange calico-like markings and green eyes.
Silverwing - Pretty silver she-cat with a small scar above her eye. Currently the only she-cat allowed to serve as a warrior, because she is Shadestar's mother.
Queens
Dapplecloud - Long haired pale calico she-cat. (Mate- Shadowstrike)
Chosen She-cats - these are she-cats that have a mate, but currently don't have or aren't expecting kits.
Stormshadow - dark gray tabby she-cat. Apprentice, Tundrapaw. (Mate- Tigerfrost)
Unselected She-cats
Eclipsenight - Pretty black she-cat with one white paw and a white tail tip.
Windlestorm - Grey she-cat.
Spottedheart - Brown she-cat with lighter amber spots and amber eyes.
Apprentices
Rougepaw - Long haired Siamese she-cat. Training to be a healer.
Tundrapaw - Mostly white she-cat with pale tan tabby stripes on ehr legs and tail, and the same color on her ears. Currently training to care for kits.
Slaves
Twist - Pale brown she-cat born with a deformed back leg.