Chapter 10: The Gathering
Dark Clan
Gianttail keeps replaying the battle over and over again. It frustrates him that he got beaten by his enemies so easily.
"Damn that Stardust and that bitch defeat me so easily," he shouted. He turned to Lizardtail, who escaped during the battle. "What information did you get about her?"
"All I know was her name, Redheart. She saw me before I can get more news about her and the two clans. Apparently, Forest Clan has a new leader and their deputy is Stardust," she answered. Gianttail growled.
"That Stardust should be punished for his crimes, not get rewarded. I need to get rid of him before he kills more cats, but that bitch keeps getting in the way. I need to get rid of this Redheart," he meowed.
"Who's Redheart," Spiderfang asked.
"That black-and-red bitch who always protects that Stardust," Gianttail spatted.
"Can you describe her for me," the leader asked suddenly.
"She has black fur with red paws, ears, and on the tip of her tail. Her eyes were crimson red," Lizardtail described for Gianttail, who didn't get a closer look at her. Spiderfang's eyes widen and smirked.
"So, she did survive," he laughed, leaving the two Dark Clan cats confused. "I can finally kill her and her for my revenge."
'They'll be joining you soon, Ravenwing,' he thought.
"Go and rest." Spiderfang walks away. Lizardtail and Gianttail looked at each other to see if they have an answer.
Neo Clan
Blackrose, Lifepaw, and Fairypaw were going out to gather marigold leaves. Lifepaw was complaining about how he should be training instead of picking herbs.
"Will you stop complaining? You might as well scare away the prey with that loud mouth of yours," Fairypaw said.
The young tom was about to argue, but Blackrose cut him off.
"Shush, I smell a cat nearby," the medicine cat said. She sniffed the air and followed to the border. Once they got there, they saw Redheart grooming herself.
"Hey, you're on Neo Clan's territory," Lifepaw hissed. Redheart stop and looked up.
"Technically, I'm on Jungle Clan's territory," Redheart said.
'The two are in this group, but which ones,' she thought.
"Then, who are you and what do you want," Blackrose asked.
"My name is Redheart and I want to learn about your clan, medicine cat," the black-and-red rouge replied. The red she-cat narrowed her eyes.
"How did you know that I was a medicine cat?"
"I can smell the herbs from you and your apprentice." Redheart pointed to Fairpaw. "You two young ones are twins, am I correct?"
"Yes, how did you know?" Lifepaw was amazed.
"You both look alike, beside from the fur color."
"Alright, enough, you say you want to learn about our clan? How will we know that you are working for the other clans," Blackrose asked.
"If I was with a clan, why would I be here and look skinnier then a bare-leaf cat?"
"She's right, Blackrose. She probably hasn't eaten in a couple of days, but I smell no sickness from her," Fairypaw stated.
"Such a brilliant apprentice, your parents must be proud of you, at least you have parents, I presumed?"
"Y-yes, I do." Fairypaw is embarrassed from the comment that Redheart has given her.
"Since you all know my name, why don't you tell me your names," Redheart suggested.
"My name is Blackrose, this is Fairypaw and Lifepaw. Now please leave," Blackrose said, quickly. The black-and-red rouge's ears twitched at the sound of bushes moving. Redfang appeared behind the three Neo Clan cats.
"There you are, Lifepaw," Redfang said, irritated.
'Yes, I have found the last three chosen cats,' Redheart thought.
"Sorry, Redfang, this rouge asked to learn about Neo Clan and got distracted," Lifepaw explained. The Neo Clan's deputy scrutinized Redheart to determine if she is dangerous or not.
"I may look weak doesn't mean that I am one, deputy," she said like she read his mind. Redfang narrowed his eyes.
"How did you know I'm the deputy," the blonde tom asked.
"Your voice sounds commanding and your posture is all high and mighty but not too much as a leader," the rouge answered.
"Hmm, interesting, we'll take you to see Dapplestar," the deputy said.
"Wait," Blackrose stopped Redfang, "You trust this rouge, Trash cat."
Redheart's eyes narrowed when the medicine cat insulted Redfang. He just glared and turned. Blackrose followed him. The two young ones were walking side-by-side with Redheart.
"Are they always like that," Redheart question the two.
"Yes, Redfang used to be a Trash Clan cat," Lifepaw answered.
'Hmm, I don't feel anything from him, so his sister must be the one,' the black-and-red she-cat thought. She sighed. 'That's just great. Two medicine cats, two deputies, and a warrior, they are all so young.'
"So, what's it like, being a rouge I mean," Fairypaw asked politely, while Lifepaw is practically bouncing everywhere.
"It's ok, I guess. It can get lonely and sometimes you can run into trouble if you're not careful," Redheart answered, honestly.
"Don't you have a friend to keep you company," the light ginger she-cat asked, feeling bad for her.
"No, my parents died when I was very young and loss my brother." Lifepaw stopped bouncing and listened to Redheart explaining about her life.
"Do you think he still alive," the tom asked. Redfang was secretly listening to their conversation and can relate his life to hers.
"Yes," Redheart said.
"How do you know," Fairypaw asked.
"Because I saw him recently," You can her hints of sadness in her voice. They walked in silent before Redfang announced that they were at the camp.
When they got into camp, Redfang immediately went into Dapplestar's den. Redheart followed him and waited patiently outside. When the blonde tom finished speaking to the leader, he motioned the rouge to go in. She walked in and saw a light tabby she-cat, who must be Dapplestar.
"So, you must be the one Sky Clan sent to find the five chosen cats," Dapplestar started to speak.
Redheart bowed and said, "Yes. My name is Redheart."
"Did you find all of them," the leader asked.
"Yes."
"Who are they?"
"Why not tell all the clans at the Gathering? I believe that is tonight," the rouge suggested.
"Very well, but rest first. Go find a black tom with blonde and red stripes," the tabby she-cat instructed. Redheart nodded and walked out of the den.
When she was out, the tom that the leader described was sitting outside waiting for her.
"So, you must be the cat Redfang told me to show you where you can rest," the tom asked. She nodded. "My name is Darkshadow."
"I'm Redheart," she introduced.
"Redheart, sounds like a Clan cat name," Darkshadow stated.
"I hear of the clans. I like the idea of working together and protecting the young and old, how you support one another," Redheart said.
"Come on. I'll be showing you where you'll be resting." The black tom showed her near the elders' den.
"Thank you," the rouge thanked him.
"Is there anything you need before you go," he asked.
"No, thank you. I'm good." He nodded and walked away.
It was about moonhigh and the cats were preparing to go to the Gathering. Once they got there, they saw Trash Clan was waiting for the rest of the can to show up. Dapplestar walked up to Greystar near the big oak tree.
"Hello, Greystar. I see you looking well," she said politely.
"Greetings, Dapplestar. Yes, and you as well. I met an interesting cat not long ago," Greystar stated.
"Oh and what is this cat's name," she asked.
"Oh, her name is-" but he was cut off when Shadowstar and Foxstar walked towards them.
"Good evening, Dapplestar, Greystar. How are you," Shadowstar asked.
"I'm fine. Thank you for asking," the Neo Clan leader said. Redheart walk toward the four leaders quietly.
"Oh, Redheart, you're here," Foxstar said.
"Yes and I found them," Redheart stated.
"That's great! Let's start the Gathering." All the leaders jumped on to the lowest branch.
"Let the Gathering start," Shadowstar yelled. Every cat stop talking and took their seats. "We all have an important to tell you all, or rather Redheart will tell you."
The rouge jumped up and looked down. She started to get nervous. With all the cats looking at her, she didn't know if she can speak at all.
"It's okay. Just calm down and speak," Foxstar whispered. Redheart took a deep breath.
"There is danger coming soon," Redheart started, "There are five cats chosen by Sky Clan. They are Blackrose."
Everyone looked at the medicine cat.
"Fairypaw, Redfang, Blackcrow." The cats started to whisper. Redfang sat there quietly, looking indifferent. Fairypaw tried to look as small as possible. Blackcrow shifted, uneasy. Redheart looked at Stardust.
"And Stardust."
(Edited and written by: TNckitty)