Hello peeps! Where are my usual reviewers? I miss you guys :( Tinyshygirl125 and Crystalsun00, I miss you guys! This is the last chapter! The next book is The Terror Inside, so keep an eye out for it! Thank you all for toughing it out with me! I appreciate every single person who views each chapter, and it makes my world go 'round! R&R, I don't own, and cya at the end!
Chestnutfire woke to a paw prodding him lightly in the side. He opened his eyes to see Silverstar standing over him. "Come," she whispered, "I wanna speak with you before the others wake up."
He nodded, getting up carefully so he did not disturb Peakstone. He led her out of the den and up the spiral path, nodding at the four warriors who were keeping vigil. Once outside the thorn barrier, he swung left, aiming for the Climbing Oak, as it was so deemed after yesterday's training session. He leaped gracefully on to one of the lower, wider branches, leaving room for Silverstar.
She jumped up beside him, her blue eyes sparkling with...something.
"What's wrong, Silverstar?" he asked, sensing that their walk was more than just for the pleasure of each others company. She turned towards him, and that's when he realized what it was: failing hope.
"I...I don't know if I can lead this Clan," she whispered, her claws tearing chunks out of the tree branch. He brushed his tail over her forepaws lightly, stopping her.
"If you don't mind, I'd rather not fall out of this tree due to your anger." She purred slightly, but it was broken and forced. "Silverstar," he began, "I trust you with my life. Ever since I ran into you a few days ago, I've felt as if something in my life was finally certain. No more struggling to find an answer, no more barely hanging on." Her blue eyes were boring into his, hanging on to his every word. He carefully twined his ginger tail with her white one. "If we make it through this battle, I would like nothing more than to be your mate. I know," he forced himself to turn away from her surprised eyes, "that it's sudden, and that we've only just met, but I feel as though I have known you all my life." He trailed off, realizing he was rambling.
Chestnutfire felt her press into his side, purring. He looked at her, shocked. "It's nice to know that I wasn't the only one who felt that way," she purred at him. "Could we just enjoy the morning a bit?" He nodded, too pleased to speak.
They sat there on the branch, watching the sun peak out over the tree tops. They listened to the birds wake up and begin their morning songs. They watched a pair of squirrels play a game of chase on the ground below. Finally, when the sun had finished clearing the horizon, Silverstar stood up.
"I believe it is time to go to battle."
The clearing was full of activity when they returned. Thirteen of the kits were in a mock battle with the warriors, practicing ambushes. The eight warrior apprentices were having a mock battle of their own, the ThunderClan cats teaching the other three a few helpful moves. Silverstar made a small note to remind them that they were staying behind per Bramblestar's orders. She saw the tails of Pearlsky, Branchclaw, Eagle-eye, and Sapphiresun disappear into the warriors den, their vigil over.
Blacknight waved his tail at the pair, signalling them to come over. He was sitting beside Skylooker, Moonpaw, and Briarlight.
"What's up?" Silverstar inquired, Chestnutfire hard on her heels.
"Bramblestar told us to leave all apprentices behind, correct?" Blacknight began. The NightClan leader nodded. "So that means Moonpaw and Briarlight must stay here."
"But I am not an apprentice!" Briarlight interrupted, smashing a front paw into the ground in anger.
"Briarlight, Jayfeather is still alive, and will be your mentor until he either retires or dies. You have to stay behind. Besides, you can teach Moonpaw more about herbs. Think of it as practice for when you get your own apprentice." Briarlight narrowed her amber eyes, glaring at the leader. Just then, Graystripe barged into the group.
"Now, wait. Are you trying to get away from me?" he scolded lightly, cuffing her ears softly. Briarlight turned her glared to her father before sighing.
"Never, Graystripe. If you keep eating the way you do, it will be impossible to run away from you!" she teased, dragging herself over to him. "Okay, Silverstar, I'll stay behind." The white she-cat dipped her head in thanks.
Just then, there was a slight tugging at her tail. She spun around to find Firekit staring up at her with large, round eyes.
"You said that only two queens will stay...who?" the small she-kit asked. Silverstar paused. She knew there were five queens, and that they would need at least two to stay behind, but which three could be pulled away from their kits?
Dovewing approached, a sense of calm settled in her eyes. "I will stay behind with Flowerpetal. Sunchase has agreed to go with Squirrelflight and Cinderheart into battle. I can hear what's going on from here, so I'll be able to keep everyone updated here."
"Thank you, Dovewing." Silverstar pushed her muzzle into the gray she-cat's flank briefly. It was time that the battle group moved out.
"Silverstar!" Dovewing called her back, her eyes now dark with worry. "You must hurry...I think the attack is meant to happen tonight at moonhigh!" Silverstar nodded, rushing up the spiral path until she stood upon Highledge.
"Cats of NightClan! It is time for us to leave! All apprentices are to stay behind, but do as Dovewing tells you! With her sharp hearing, she'll know if we need you as back-up." All eight apprentices, along with Moonpaw and Briarlight, gazed at their leader determinedly. "Dovewing and Flowerpetal will stay behind, along with the elders, kits, apprentices, and five of our warriors. May StarClan light your path! The rest of NightClan, it is time!" With that, she sped up the slope, focusing on her breathing and getting all of the cats there in time, before it was too late.
The sun had just set when the NightClan army arrived at ThunderClan's camp. Lionblaze took the lead with Squirrelfight and Cinderheart at his heels. In the clearing, Bramblestar stood waiting with Jayfeather.
"Ahh...so here is the mysterious NightClan." Bramblestar whispered, confusion rolling off him in waves.
"Yes, sir. I am now Silverstar, leader of NightClan. Blacknight is the deputy, but away at camp. Skylooker is my medicene cat, and he is training his son, Moonpaw, to be a medicene cat as well." Silverstar mewed carefully, the weight of leadership finally resting heavily on her shoulders.
"I thought medicene cats were not allowed to have kits." Bramblestar focused his gaze on Skylooker, but it was Chestnutfire who responded.
"Well, he had Moonpaw before he was a medicene cat, and StarClan still accepted him, did they not?" The ginger tom stated openly, earning a small purr out of ThunderClan's mighty leader.
"Yes, indeed they have. Who am I to judge? Welcome. Let us get you some nests-"
"There's no time. Dovewing overheard the plans." Bramblestar raised an eyebrow. "The attack is at moonhigh." Silverstar bowed her head, giving Bramblestar control of her forces. He nodded once, before issuing orders.
"You." He pointed his tail at a black she-cat with strange orange eyes. "What is your name?"
"Shadowpelt, sir."
"Good. Now go wake up the warriors. Tell them your name and that the battle is almost upon us." She nodded once before disappearing under a tangle of branches.
"We need to split up, to attack them at different fronts." Bramblestar began, before Silverstar cut in.
"I'm sorry Bramblestar, but I may have a better idea."
The cats slunk into the camp silently, not noticing the fact that there was no guard posted. Some of them were lean from constant running. Others were slick from the oils of the fish they ate. And still others were a bit heavier on their paws, used to pine needles muffling sound. They didn't belong here, but that didn't matter. All they knew was that the two abominations had to die. Blackstar padded forward, signally with his tail for a few to follow him. They approached the fallen birch that took up most of the clearing. They pushed through the branches, one of them hissing silently when a branch snapped underpaw.
The sleeping bodies of dozens of cats could be seen once they were in the den. Blackstar smiled wickedly. He began to search for the black and white coats of his targets.
Out in the clearing, two more groups had broken away from the main attack group, one aiming for the apprentice den and one towards the nursery. Mistystar gazed at the ground sadly. She didn't want to hurt the kits, but they all knew that if they held the kits hostage, Silvermist and Blacknight would surrender. Yet...she sniffed around the nursery. Something smelled off.
Onestar stalked up to the apprentice den. He knew there were only five apprentices, but he brought seven warriors with him, just in case. Better to get the pesky apprentices out of the way sooner rather than later. Oh, he wouldn't kill them, unless they kept trying to escape. A few of his warriors stopped, confusion cluttering their faces. He stopped as well.
Blackstar couldn't spot them. Maybe they were in a different den...
Lionblaze hopped up. "NOW!"
Suddenly, the warriors den exploded with snarling cats, with Lionblaze blocking the exit. Blackstar yowled as he lunged at the golden warrior, furious that his plan failed.
Mistystar squeaked in surprise as a large gray shape jumped out of the shadows and landed on her shoulders. She turned to see the furious blue eyes of Cinderheart. "I cannot believe you were going to attack kits!" Cinderheart screeched as she tore her claws along the RiverClan's leader back. Mistystar stared helplessly around as she saw her few warriors taken down by Squirrelflight, Daisy, and...a cat she did not recognize. Has ThunderClan recruited rogues?!
Onestar couldn't believe his luck. Just when he thought he had captured Silvermist in his claws, a ginger cat had jumped out of the apprentice den and attacked him! He could tell by the smell that he was a rogue, and that just irked Onestar more.
He glanced around, frustrated, as he saw countless rogues fight side by side with ThunderClan. I cannot believe ThunderClan would stoop so low!
"STOP!" Immediately, the rogues and ThunderClan cats defeated their opponents to look towards Bramblestar who stood atop of Highledge. Behind him stood Silvermist.
Humiliated, Blackstar looked around to see every single cat defeated in some way, shape, or form. He focused his eyes on Silvermist, hatred stirring his blood. This cat was the spawn of his most hated enemy!
"Cats of all Clans! I come here tonight to announce the formation of a new Clan!" Silvermist called out, her eyes shining with triumph. The three leaders looked at each other, confused.
"StarClan has appointed me leader of NightClan, the seventh Clan. Blacknight is my deputy and is at our camp. I also received my nine lives two moons ago." Silvermist continued, though Mistystar figured she would be Silverstar now.
"What if we do not believe you?" Onestar called out, hatred brimming in his soul. At this, Jayfeather came out of his den, followed by another rogue.
"I was there for her naming ceremony, along with Skylooker, the new medicine cat of NightClan." Gasps rose from the assembled cats as a pearly light shown in the bare spot in front of Jayfeather. A ghost-like cat appeared, white with dark green eyes, faded to almost nothing. Blacknight recognized her as one of the StarClan cats who had saved his Clan in the Great Battle.
"I am Half Moon, the first Stoneteller. I was the first official leader of my descendants, which includes you, my children. My family left the lake and went to the mountains, forming the Tribe of Rushing Water. Some of my Tribe went off to find better living conditions, finding a forest faraway. They made five Clans: ThunderClan, ShadowClan, RiverClan, WindClan, and SkyClan. The cats who died there were not all able to find there way back to my ancestors, so they formed what you know as StarClan. These were the six original Clans." Every cat was hooked on her speech, though many did not recognize the name SkyClan.
"SkyClan was driven away, scattered, but a young Firestar left with Sandstorm to rebuild them in a gorge upriver of RiverClan's old hunting grounds." Mistystar's eyes widened in surprise. "You all moved back to my old home, and so I helped you when the Great Battle arised. However," the she-cat paused, anger in her eyes, "you deemed two cats worthy of death over something they could not control?!" Lightening crackled in the sky.
"I gave this cat power to lead her own life, showing her cats who would accept her! She is the sixth leader of the seventh Clan!" The clearing lit up with a flash, then she was gone. The cats stood stunned, blinking away the blue spots the flash had created.
Silverstar stepped forward, anguish in her eyes. "It hurts leaving the Clan that took me, but I will do so if it is the will of StarClan. We are a new Clan, but we have strong ties. We will be victorious. By this sunhigh tomorrow, any cat who wishes to join should be at Moonpool."
"Wishes to join?" Mistystar shoved her guard off, standing up to face the new leader. "You would take away our warriors?"
"Not by force!" Silverstar rushed, leaping down to walk among her former attackers and Clanmates. "I only say what i do to give cats an option. I do not want to force the new Clan upon any cat." She stopped beside a ginger tom, twining her tail with his. "I do not need cats, for I already have a whole Clan of cats, don't I?"
Yowls of agreement came from all of the rogues and several of the ThunderClan cats.
"Leave us. You have no purpose here." Bramblestar flicked his tail, dismissing the intruding cats.
Sun broke over the small clearing, hardly any sign of last night's struggle visible. Lionblaze and Squirrelflight exited the warriors den, exchanging embarrassing glances as they realized they had both come out to give out orders for the new day.
Silverstar dashed up the ledge leading to Bramblestar's den, coughing slightly to signal her presence. The two cats in the clearing ran up to join her.
"Bramblestar, it's time my Clan and I left. We will send back your cats tomorrow, if that is okay, or we could send them now. Dovewing is undoubtedly listening." Silverstar joked, her blue eyes sparkling.
The dark tabby gazed at his mate. "Go fetch Bumblestripe, please." Squirrelflight nodded, dashing off to find the tom.
"Lionblaze," he turned to the tom he once called son, "go get Cinderheart." The golden warrior shot his leader a curious glance before rushing off to find his mate.
"Bramblestar?" The ThunderClan leader turned his amber gaze to the NightClan leader. "What's going on?"
Bramblestar sighed, worry shining in his eyes. "Kits are too young to decide on their own. It is common knowledge that the kits adore you and Blacknight both." Silverstar nodded, still unsure of where he was going with the conversation. "So, their parents will decide if we shall let them choose, send them to you, or keep them here." Suddenly, Silverstar realized just who Bramblestar had summoned.
The two summoned cats entered the den, Lionblaze and Squirrelflight right behind them. Bramblestar began to describe what he had just explained to Silverstar. The moment he finished, Jayfeather rushed into the den, Sunchase behind him.
"Bumblestripe, I visited Dovewing in her dreams, and she told me to tell you that she was okay with sending the kits away." Jayfeather explained the gray tabby. "She says that Sunchase will help look after any kits, with the help of Flowerpetal."
"That's right." Sunchase mewed, excitement in her eyes. She turned towards Bramblestar. "If you send the kits now, Flowerpetal and I will watch them, though I suggest waiting until they are apprentices to send them." Her golden eyes flashed. "It's better to know your mother and father fully before you leave them."
Squirrelflight nodded, grief filling her eyes as she glanced at Lionblaze. Bramblestar looked thoughtful.
"I want my kits to decide!" Cinderheart announced, Lionblaze nodding. "Cinderpelt never got a choice, and I did. I know the value of a choice. I will let them choose when they are ready." Jayfeather nodded, his eyes thoughtful.
"Once every cat has made their decision, I will try to contact Dovewing to get the kits' answers." Cinderheart nodded, tears shining in her eyes. Lionblaze wrapped his tail around her shoulders, proud of her for making such a sacrifice.
Squirrelflight looked Bramblestar deep in the eyes, thoughtful. She rushed over to Jayfeather, whispering furiously in his ear. He jumped, staring at her confused. "Really?" he asked, suspicion in his eyes.
"I...I think so." She shuffled her paws, looking embarrassed.
"Come with me real quick." The pair left, confusion brimming in the room.
"I, uh, wouldn't mind sending my kits to live with NightClan. I love them too much to let them stay this close to the lake with this much tension." Bumblestripe stood up, stretching out his legs quickly before lying down again. "Bramblestar, if they wished to return, would you welcome them?"
Bramblestar widened his eyes in surprise. "Why, of course!" Relief settled in the gray tabby's eyes, his shoulders slumping as well.
Silverstar started when Squirrelflight rushed in, speaking in hushed tones to Bramblestar. His eyes lit up immediately.
"We shall send our kits over at once! We trust them well enough. Squirrelflight is expecting kits again!" Silverstar stared at her former leader. "That's not to say that we don't love them," he hastily tried to explain.
"Ever since I arrived at the Hole, those kits have talked of nothing but staying. I will miss them, but I can tell they belong there. Plus, we will see them at Gatherings." Squirrelflight explained, slapping her tail-tip against Bramblestar's muzzle. "Sunchase, please make sure they behave?"
The pale ginger she-cat purred, nodding her head.
Jayfeather entered the den once more, a solemn look in his eyes. "I've spoken with Dovewing, and the kits have their answers. Volekit, Shrewkit, and Swallowkit all wish to stay in ThunderClan." He turned his blind eyes towards Lionblaze. "Obviously they know their in good paws. The rest want to stay until their sixth moon, then join NightClan." Bumblestripe, Squirrelflight, and Bramblestar nodded solemnly, knowing they had three months left with their kits, four in Bumblestripe's case.
Silverstar stood up. "Well, it is time that I went to meet at Moonpool. I will take leave of you, Bramblestar, and Dovewing will be here by moonhigh with the kits, elders, and apprentices. Thank you, for everything." She padded out of the den, signalling with her tail to Chestnutfire, who was sitting in the middle of the clearing, to start gathering up the warriors. He nodded once before setting out. Skylooker approached her, a question burning in his eyes. She flicked her ear once, signaling for him to speak.
"Are we to be off?" he simply asked.
She dipped her white head once, though she sensed that he had more to say.
"Good, because I want to get back to do some tests with Airkit."
"Airkit?" Silverstar questioned, the image of the small white she-kit with pale blue eyes. If she remembered correctly, Sunchase was her mother.
"Yes. After being around Jayfeather so much, I've noticed how he sees without seeing. His nose and paws are always leading. I know that Airkit sometimes does this." Silverstar's eyes widened in horror.
"You...you think Airkit may be blind?" she whispered.
"Yes, but more than that, she may be deaf as well." Skylooker responded, grief filling his gaze. Suddenly, it all clicked in Silverstar's head. The kit was constantly tripping over small things, bumping into other cats, and not responding when her name is called.
"Do you think Sunchase knows?" Silverstar asked, worry forming a tight knot in her stomach.
"Yes, I know." The leader of NightClan spun around to see Sunchase calmly sitting behind her, her golden eyes clear.
"I've known since the day she was born. I knew she was special. However much it pains me to know that she will never be a warrior, I can feel it in my bones that she has a purpose." The pale ginger warrior walked away, leaving the pair to ponder what she meant.
Sunhigh came and went, and no new cats came to join NightClan. Silverstar curled up in her den, listening to the activity outside. Chestnutfire was leaving with Peakstone, Saltpaw, and Blacknight to scout out borders, while Pearlsky, Shadowpelt, Pepperpaw, Branchclaw were all returning from hunting. The past few moons had aged the young she-cat in many ways, but Silverstar finally felt ready for the upcoming seasons with her new Clan.
A stiff breeze swept though the hole, and on it, Silverstar heard her mother's voice: "Seasons of peace lay before you, but the Shadow of doubt and anger can tear the new Clan apart."
THE END! I'll post Clan allegiances, so that you all might know who's who in NightClan :)
Welcome to NightClan :)
Stay tuned for The Terror Inside, the sequel to this, and Chestnut's Rogues, the prequel.
I love all my followers, favoriters, reviewers, viewers, and everyone else :) You can still ask for cats to be added, so don't be afraid.