The Curse of Fates, Snowdapple, walkswithwheels and everyone else who has reviewed, followed or favored, thanks so much! I know you all hate Bittenstar but that's the point! After all, if he wasn't evil we wouldn't have this story. Wyldclaw is my 100th reviewer! And walkswithwheels has given me the names.

Bittenstar smiled. "Bumbleclaw, deal with this."

"My pleasure."

Specklepaw was screaming and Silverwhisker had to hold her back. He watched his mate, knowing she had no chance against Bittenstar's crony.

"Now, the gathering. Toms and she-cats will attend as usual with no revealing anything as usual. But all she-cats are not to speak to authority. Or you will be killed back at camp. That is all."

Bumbleclaw leaped at Slowstep and pinned him to the ground, lazily swatting at Briarheart with his back leg.

"Get out of there, Briarheart!" Fleeingwaters hissed. Briarheart scratched and bit, ignoring her completely. Gloryheart noticed Squirrelspring slip into Bittenstar's den.

"What could he want?" he mused aloud. His thoughts were cut short by Slowfoot's eerie wail as Bumbleclaw snapped his neck. Briarheart stood before his body. "From now, into your next life, you will once again take on the name your mother has given you but with a symbol of honor. You shall now be known as Greyblaze. Starclan honors you for your bravery and courage."

Bumbleclaw was staring. Then he burst out laughing.

The clan sat in silence until Raspberrypaw stood up. "Greyblaze!"

Leapflame joined him. "Greyblaze!"

Silverwhisker's voice rang with the rest. "Greyblaze!"

And soon the whole clan was chanting. "Greyblaze! Greyblaze! Greyblaze!"

Briarheart stood tall. "We will remember you!"

Bumbleclaw watched this little act of defiance. Then he killed Briarheart with one snap at the neck.

"This is what happens when you defy Bittenstar! Mousepelt, Wetclaw, Gloryheart and I are going to keep you in check. If any toms wish to join us elite warriors, please speak with Bittenstar."

It was at that moment Squirrelspring came out. "I am part of the elite. My mate, if Gloryheart agrees will be Debrisleaf."

Gloryheart nodded. Debisleaf had a mate already but he hadn't come to him. Gloryheart knew this was wrong but his life, his mate's life and his kit's lives depended on this duty. He would mourn Briarheart tonight. He caught Silverwhisker's eye. The look that once said 'I'll follow you anywhere' now read 'why has this happened?'

"Gloryheart!" Mallowleaf shrieked.

"What is it?" he asked tiredly.

"I can't have my kits growing up like this! Your son, Bigkit, thinks he owns the nursery now that he heard Bittenstar's rule. Talk to him will you?"

Gloryheart sighed and went to find his son. "I want Spottykit on my team. Ivykit can have Rainkit."

Gloryheart shook his head. "Actually I want Rainkit on your team."

"But dad, she's just a she-kit!"

"And that she-kit is just as good as you."

"But she's weak!"

"No she is not. She is your sister and you will look after her. I will be at the medicine den if there is any more problems."

The medicine cat den was dim and had an atmosphere of gloom. "Jasminescent? Weatherstorm?"

Jasminescent smiled when she saw Gloryheart. "Can I help you?"

"I wanted to ask how Weatherstorm is doing."
"Not so well. She feels trapped here. And Spottykit is upset because Weatherstorm is my apprentice."

"Why?"

"He didn't tell you? He wanted to be my apprentice, not a fighter."

"Oh."

"Weatherstorm. I am so worried about her. Every day she goes out and comes back late and smelling of unfamiliar territory. I fear that she is losing herself."

"I wish I could help her but I can't help myself anymore."

"I understand."

"Thanks."

Jasminescent opened her mouth to say something but Spottykit raced in."Help! Bigkit's attacked mom!"

"What? How did he do that?"

"He and Squirrelspring took over the entire nursery."

Gloryheart didn't believe him but followed him anyway, Jasminescent at his heels. It looked like he had told the truth. Mallowleaf was bloodied and so was Streamflower and Plumclaw who had moved in. the kits were no where yo be seen.

"Mallowleaf!" gloryehart exclaimed rushing to her side. "How are you, my sweet? What have they done to you?"

Mallowleaf whimpered and moved over, revealing Rainkit, also extremlly battered, hunched under her belly. Streamflower and Ivykit looked worse but Gloryheart didn't pay them much attention because Mallowleaf had begun to wail.

"My kit has turned on his own family. Why him? And Squirrelspring! He was a good cat. He said he had to prove himself but like this…it's just too terrible!"

Gloryheart sighed. "I will sleep here with you tonight. Jasminescent, keep Rainkit in your den. Spottykit stay with her."

"Good idea. Streamflower, what about you and Ivykit?"

Streamflower didn't say anything but Ivykit stood tall. "It's mostly Bigkit's blood on me."

Streamflower nodded. "With cobwebs I'll be fine."

"Very well. What happened to Bigkit?"

"He's staying with Squirrelspring now. In the warriors den!" Plumclaw hissed.

"Rest Plumclaw. You don't know when you're kits will come."

Rattletail came to sit with Gloryheart for a moment. "I wish for a mate."

"I'll give you…no, you choose."

"Thanks. I want Beestripe, then."

"Okay. I know you'll be good to her."

Gloryheart slipped into the nursery, making sure Bittenstar and his elite didn't see. The warriors den was divided thanks to Wetclaw, into toms and she-cats. Well, as Bigtooth pointed out, now you can tell that it's Mousepelt and not Breakingflower who snores so loudly.

Before Gloryheart sat next to his mate, he remembered how many friends he'd once had. Now he had only Jasminescent, Mallowleaf and Weatherstorm left. Maybe Bigtooth.

"Gloryheart, are you alright."

"I'm fine."

"Good. I am really glad you're here with me."

"Me too. You're the sweetest cat in the world, and the best mate I could've asked for."

"We're perfect aren't we?"

"Together we're more perfect than the stars. But sleep now my love; I want you strong and healthy tomorrow."

"Okay. Goodnight Gloryheart."

"Goodnight."

But before he fell asleep he remembered who he asked when he needed help. Hickoryclaw. Tomorrow he'd ask his former mentor what to do. And maybe he'd get good answers that would help him. Just then, Beestripe came in.

"Thanks for letting me have Rattletail."

"It's the least I can do for an old friend."

"I'm expecting his kits."

"Already?"

"Yes."

Gloryheart gestured for her to sleep beside him but she shook her head. "I don't want to disturb Mallowleaf."

"Okay."

Gloryheart knew the real reason: she didn't want to sleep beside a murderer.