Chapter 24

Darkstar paced back in forth after a long time of hunting. Dustfur had not yet returned to tell him his plan and the former ShadeClan leader was beginning to worry. Now, Darkstar turned and padded toward the ShadeClan border, anxious to learn of how his Clan was doing. When he arrived, crouching in the shelter of a holly bush, he spotted Duskfoot leading a patrol to the border.

Darkstar heard Bramblestripe murmur, "Duskstar," Oh right, I forgot, Darkstar remembered. She's not Duskfoot anymore. "Do you think he's around here."

Duskstar's eyes grew sad and she murmured, "I don't know what happened to Darkstar... but wherever he is, I hope he figures it out."

"Was it StarClan's will for him to be exiled?" Weasalflight asked as he hurried forward to catch up with the rest of his patrol.

Duskstar's eyes darkened and she murmured, "Who knows? I did what I had to for my Clan, and I'm certain that wherever he is, he understands that. Darkstar was a great leader... I don't know what happened."

Dovetalon padded out of the bushes and growled, "Duskstar, I've told you a million times, that's not my brother!"

Duskstar flashed back, "No, he's not your brother, he's Raggedstar's son, and you are not Raggedstar's daughter."

Dovetalon lashed her tail. "Duskstar, I don't care what you think! He's my brother to me, whether you like that or not, and that cat was not the brother I know."

Duskstar's eyes flashed with doubt. "We may not have all have known him very well; Darkstar never was the one to speak of his own life. Darkstar always wanted to hear from us, but we never heard from him."

Darkstar closed his eyes and thought, That's because I never wanted to burden you, or any other cat with my life. My story's too much for anyone else to hold but me and my brother.

Darkstar opened his eyes again to see that Dovetalon's eyes were looking straight at him, and he forced his fur not to rise. Dovetalon quickly looked away and Darkstar immediately knew that she knew he was there. Duskstar sprayed a tree before turning to Weasalflight and telling him to guard. The warrior turned his back on the other cats to scan the forest.

Darkstar ducked in his bush when Weasalflight looked his way, rewarding himself with some scratches from the sharp holly leaves. Darkstar waited for a moment before peering back out, only to find that the cats were finishing their marking and nearly ready to return to camp.

When all the cats had finished, Duskstar called, "Let's go!" The black and white she-cat turned and began to head out from the border and toward the ShadeClan camp. Weasalflight and Bramblestripe began to follow while Dovetalon stayed put.

"I'm going to check the markings, Duskstar!" Dovetalon called to her leader. Duskstar flicked her tail to show that she had heard and Dovetalon turned to the border, checking for any scents lying over it. Dovetalon grew very careful as she made her way toward Darkstar, passing by the cliff as she walked.

Darkstar stood and stepped from the holly bush, mewing, "Looking for me?"

Dovetalon's head snapped up to look at him. The pale gray she-cat was silent for a moment before replying, "Yes."

Darkstar nodded. "That's what I thought."

Dovetalon sat down and Darkstar padded forward to sit just before her. He winced inwardly at the sight of the scar on her shoulder.

Dovetalon tipped her head and whispered, "Why, Darkstar? What's going on?"

Darkstar smiled at her, sadly, and began to explain, "Dovetalon, you know how Treestar and Icestar and Pheasantspirit are my siblings, right?"

"Yes," Dovetalon mewed, looking cautioned.

Darkstar glanced up at the sky; it was past sunhigh now and the sun was descending quite rapidly. "Well, I figured out I have a second brother."

"A second?" Dovetalon looked bewildered. "Why didn't you ever mention him?" Dovetalon's gaze hardened. "Did he threaten you, Darkstar?"

"No," Darkstar murmured, a creeping sense of fear that Dovetalon would think he was crazy after his explanation, "far from it, actually. You see, Dovetalon, my brother is... different."

Dovetalon's eyes stopped clearing and became bewildered again. Slowly, she asked, "What do you mean?"

Darkstar sighed, though he tried not to make it seem as though he was frustrated with her, because he wasn't. So, Darkstar began to explain. Dovetalon was quiet through the whole story, and at the end she was obviously more puzzled than before.

"But why you?" she inquired. "What would Shadestar want with you?"

Darkstar sighed, "Apparently, Shadestar knew that I would become leader one day, so, seeing that my brother was very evil, or would be, placed him within my own physical body. This transplant allowed Shadestar the hope that I would follow the influence of my brother."

Dovetalon narrowed her eyes and hissed, "Shadestar! And that fool thinks he was the founder of our Clan? More like Falconstar was!"

Darkstar twitched his nose in agreement and then meowed, "So, here we are. Now, Ravendust is deep within our combined souls in a place built within our minds. It allows the both of us to gain some rest from the other's thoughts, and that is where Ravendust is now; in a world where he can relax. The moment he slips back into the conscience of this body, he will regain everything that happened."

"So Ravendust or you could stay in that place for moons," Dovetalon realized, "even years!"

Darkstar nodded.

"And I was right," Dovetalon mewed excitedly. "I knew it wasn't you, Darkstar! I knew you would never do that!"

"Yeah," Darkstar acknowledged her excitement, but he didn't share it; Ravendust had said that he was much stronger than Darkstar, and he was right, Darkstar knew that, but he was keeping it from himself in the best ways possible. However, now the thought was beginning to buzz in his head like an annoying flea.

Dovetalon tipped her head and asked, "If Shadestar gave you Ravendust, can't he take Ravendust away?"

Darkstar paused before responding, "I'm not sure, Dovetalon."

Dovetalon twitched her nose before sighing, "Well, I hope that he'll leave soon, because I don't want my brother to keep hurting me."

Although he knew it was a joke, Darkstar winced. "Yeah... well, you better get going, Dovetalon, now that you know the whole story; your patrol will be searching for you. Also, please don't tell Duskstar any of this."

"But Darkstar!" Dovetalon protested. "You'll never become leader again that way!"

"No, no," Darkstar silenced her. "That's not necessarily true. Look, I've got a plan, but it will take some time..."

"Until Duskstar dies?" Dovetalon whispered, and Darkstar was caught by surprise by the question. He stared into her eyes and realized that this may possibly be what Dustfur was waiting for; Duskstar's death, and the only one she would have with only one life.

"I'm not sure," Darkstar mewed hastily. "Let's not jump to conclusions, alright?"

Dovetalon nodded slowly before meowing, "I've gotta go. And, could I tell Sloeberry what is going on?"

Darkstar's ears pricked as he was caught by surprise a second time. "Sloeberry?"

"Yes," Dovetalon replied. "She's terribly worried about you and shares the belief that you aren't the one who was using those movements, as well as Birdpool."

Darkstar paused for a moment, considering the two she-cats Dovetalon had just named. He didn't trust Sloeberry as much anymore; when Hawkstorm died she had seemed satisfied, and he felt that a conversation between the two of them had been shared without Darkstar's knowing. Birdpool, on the other hand, Darkstar knew he could trust, so he knew that she would be a good cat to tell. "Yes..." Darkstar murmured. "You can, Dovetalon. Tell Birdpool, too. She deserves to know.

Dovetalon nodded. "Thanks, Darkstar, I can't bear to see them so upset!"

Darkstar nodded and meowed, "I know, Dovetalon."

Dovetalon stood, smiled sadly at Darkstar, before turning and padding toward the camp. She called over her shoulder, "Goodbye, Darkstar. Watch yourself and please... just please don't..."

"Die?" Darkstar whispered, guessing what the next word was that Dovetalon was struggling to speak.

"Yes," Dovetalon responded, before bounding off into the forest, disappearing from the sight of her adopted brother and former leader.

Darkstar was silent and just sat in the same position for a drawn-out period of time. Then he remembered; tonight was the Gathering. Darkstar wanted to attend, but he feared of what Duskstar's report would be when she announced her new leadership of the Clan. Would she say that he had died? In her position, though Darkstar would have wanted to, he would have plainly have said that he had been exiled. Darkstar understood that the different Clans cared for one another somewhat, and it was the leaders' duty to report everything that could possibly endanger another Clan.

Darkstar rose to his paws slowly and turned. The dark gray tabby tom made his way back to his den and curled up, tucking his tail over his nose, to catch a few winks before night came.

Darkstar awoke at moonrise and jolted from his nest. The dark gray tabby burst from his den and started racing into ShadeClan territory, heading straight for the edge of the territory. Darkstar raced onward, whiskers quivering as he brushed through the undergrowth. Darkstar burst from the bushes as they flew by and whipped his face. Darkstar spotted the last silhouettes of the ShadeClan cats disappearing in the side of the cliff leading up to the Gathering rock.

Darkstar raced onward, tail waving behind him, but he was stopped cold when he heard a voice, "Darkstar, wait!"

Darkstar whipped around, tail twitching, and found himself staring straight at the unkempt shape of Russet. Russet's green eyes glittered and Darkstar growled, "What are you doing here, Russet? I already silenced your friend, Snow!"

Russet twitched his nose and hissed back, "I know that already. Listen, Darkstar, I need to speak with you."

Darkstar sat perched upon a branch overlooking the Gathering area, where the cats from all Clans were perched below. Russet sat beside him, and the wind stirred the leaves growing rapidly in the trees. Russet mewed, "Do you understand, Darkstar?"

Darkstar nodded. "Yes... but, Russet, how am I supposed to do this?"

Russet flicked his tail and replied, "When you leap down from this tree and head for the Gathering Rock, simply let Ravendust take control; he'll know exactly what to do and it won't harm you. Now that you know his name, you can address him directly. Plus, he will aid you more often in that way. Now, listen, when you venture down to grab him, your body will keep moving, but begin to lock down. However time travels much more slowly inside, you must hurry, or something bad may happen; a question asked by Sparrowstar, cats protesting your appearance... anything could happen."

Darkstar nodded, understanding the unkempt cat's words. Then, he murmured, "Why are you helping me with this?"

Russet twitched his nose and stood, meowing, "Because, you still are vital to my mission." Russet turned and leaped away, through the trees, disappearing from sight. Darkstar turned and surveyed the cats, noting Duskstar's choice of deputy; Oaktail. Darkstar twitched his nose and waited patiently, as Sparrowstar yowled, "Let the Gathering begin!"

The other four leaders gave Sparrowstar a nod of approval to tell her that she could speak first and the silver tabby began, "MistClan is prospering, and some words were settled with Darkstar. We avoided a battle, but we are still eager to gain the territory again. However," Sparrowstar glanced at Duskstar, "I see that he is not here tonight. Why so, Duskstar?"

Duskstar stepped forward and yowled, "Darkstar has been exiled!" Gasps erupted from the cats below her. "He attacked Dovetalon, who is here tonight, and attempted to go against every rule the code gives us but that of the Clan leader's word is code! He was no longer safe, and he did this by his own will, I-"

"Not by my own will!" Darkstar yowled as he leaped from a tree. Every cat looked up at him, shocked. Here we go. Darkstar twitched his nose and ducked into his own mind. He groped for a moment before finding the imaginative place that Ravendust had led him to. Darkstar looked from side to side, noting that the place was a swamp, covered in marshes. Darkstar yowled, "Ravendust!"

Darkstar's brother appeared in sight from a swamp, slicked with mud. Ravendust twitched his tail and the mud disappeared. "Darkstar? What are you doing here?" he asked, eyes glittering eagerly, and Darkstar knew that Ravendust probably understood that it was time.

Darkstar stepped forward to his brother. "For the moment, I will give you control. Hurry, please."

Ravendust tipped his head. "What's going on?"

Darkstar hurriedly explained the situation, and then mewed, "Go, Ravendust. You know what to do."

Ravendust nodded and faded away, disappearing from Darkstar's sight.

Ravendust made his way through the crowd, appearing just like Darkstar. However, no cat knew it, but the soul inside was completely different. Ravendust leaped upon the Gathering Rock to appear just before the cats around him.

Sparrowstar cocked an eye and asked, "Not by your will?"

"No," Ravendust growled, playing as his brother. I hate not being able to slice her throat open! That she-cat gets on my nerves! I hate MistClan... "Sparrowstar, you don't quite understand, nor do you, Duskstar, even though you knew me so well."

Duskstar's whiskers quivered and she asked, "I-I don't understand. How do I know you're not lying?"

Ravendust hissed, "You of all cats should know, Duskstar! I would never act like that, and you know it! My actions were all fallen upon by another thing! Another will!"

Duskstar's hackles raised at his tone, and Ravendust understood that his voice sounded as though not all of StarClan backed him up, but all of the Dark Forest. Duskstar asked, "Darkstar, p-please e-explain."

Ravendust snarled, "Haven't I explained enough?" Duskstar shrank away at his snarl, and Ravendust felt satisfaction deep inside before hissing, "It was not by my own actions, Duskstar! My actions are justified! You must understand that! My actions were not by me, but by the power of the Dark Forest!" Just as he said the last words, lightning forked from the sky, and Duskstar's eyes were bright with its flashing and filled with fear.

Gasps filled the cats below, and Ravendust realized that he had almost forgotten that they were gathered there. Duskstar looked on the brink of tears as she nodded, "Okay, okay, Darkstar! I understand! Please, do not hurt me!"

"Hurt you?" Ravendust snorted. "Why would I hurt you if this is all by my will?"

Duskstar looked up at him. Her eyes were wide with terror and she gasped, "You-you won't? You won't hurt me?"

Ravendust shook his head. "Of course not, Duskstar. But, I need you to take down that name. I want to return to my position as leader of ShadeClan."

Duskstar was silent for a moment and Icestar stepped forward. "I'm sorry, brother," Icestar winced at the last word, "but I must agree with Duskstar that we don't know for sure how you will lead. What if the Dark Forest takes over again? Isn't that dangerous to your Clan?"

Ravendust shook his head and replied, "No, Icestar. I will not do anything dangerous for my Clan, and if the Dark Forest comes, I will beat them all down. They will be begging for mercy by the time I'm done with them! Trust me, Icestar, it will not happen again."

Icestar twitched her whiskers and Treestar nodded beside her sister. "Very well, Darkstar," Duskstar forced her fur to lie flat and keep her voice from quavering as she spoke. "You may return, and I will return to my original name, Duskfoot."

Ravendust nodded to her and turned to face the cats bellow, eyes gleaming. In that moment, he spotted a gray and white tabby she-cat he recognized from whenever he killed Snow. Ravendust spotted her fear and smiled at her. Mallowpaw, as he recalled her name from Darkstar's memories, ducked behind her sister, Silverpaw, in an attempt to escape Ravendust's sharp eyes. Ravendust yowled, "ShadeClan is prospering! I know that very well just by watching, and I know that, although there are a few changes I would make, things are perfectly-"

"Fine," Darkstar was trying to take control.

Ravendust battled back, "And we are all-"

"Duskstar did well in-" Darkstar began.

"-very happy with all-" Ravendust tried to gain control.

Darkstar and Ravendust, at the same time, cried out as pain shot through both of them and they collapsed, everything going black.