Chapter 36. –Cries in a corner- I'm sorry Bumblepaw! Evil Brightheart made me do it!

Brightheart and Jayfeather returned to ThunderClan without much trouble. Surprisingly ShadowClan didn't appear and attack the two cats even though both Brighthearts suspected it would happen.

The moon was rising higher as the two cats silently made their way into ThunderClan territory. When they made it into the camp, they were immediately surrounded by ThunderClan cats, all asking what had happened with RiverClan.

Firestar, who had been eating fresh-kill at the time, left the half-eaten vole and went to the High Ledge. "Let all cats who can catch their own prey gather here under the High Ledge." He waited until the cats that were inside the many dens came out and gathered under the rock.

Brightheart didn't know how it happened but she ended up at the front of the group of cats. The place that kits were turned into apprentices and apprentices into warriors. She was shocked. This was the first time she stood before everycat like this. Sure she stood in front of everycat in the old forest, but that was the old forest and this was the lake. This was different.

"Brightheart," announced Firestar, "Tell us what RiverClan's decision was."

Brightheart gulped and searched the ThunderClan warriors for Cloudtail. However her eye settled on Dustpelt and she felt courage fill her as she looked into his amber eyes. She silently cursed herself, hating the fact that the other her's feelings would affect her.

"Well Brightheart?"

"Uh, right." She found Cloudtail's blue eyes and felt relief. "RiverClan has decided to form an alliance with ThunderClan for now."

"Did Leopardstar ask for anything in return?" asked Brambleclaw.

"No. She didn't."

"What are we waiting for?" yowled Spiderleg, "Let's go and attack ShadowClan now!"

"Don't be hasty Spiderleg," snapped Dustpelt, his tail around Ferncloud's shoulders. "We haven't even discussed a plan with RiverClan yet."

Spiderleg was about to snarl back at Dustpelt but he held back.

"I want to attack them too," said Hazeltail, placing her tail on Spiderleg's paw, "But I know that it wouldn't be a wise choice."

Spderleg glared at Hazeltail like she was a fox. The black and white she-cat pulled back her tail in fear. Spiderleg's gaze softened and he said sorry to her.

"Let's discuss this tomorrow," said Firestar, "Maybe StarClan will send a dream to Jayfeather about this."

The cats scattered, all retiring to their nests. While cats passed Brightheart they all thanked her for convincing RiverClan to have an alliance. Brightheart just nodded. Personally, she could not remember what happened with Leopardstar and Voletooth. After they left the RiverClan camp, the other Brightheart had told her that RiverClan agreed to an alliance and they didn't want anything in return.

Brightheart entered the warriors den and headed over to her nest. She settled her head on her paws and let sleep overtake her.

A Dream

"Where am I?" wondered Brightheart. She looked around and figured she was in a forest clearing. Above her, the stars were shining brighter than she ever saw them. With a jolt it hit her. This was StarClan! Why was she here? Where was the other her? Did she die somehow?

"Brightheart."

Brightheart's heart stopped. That voice. It was familiar. A voice she thought she would never hear again when she was alive. She whirled around. "B…Bumblepaw."

The tom looked nothing like Brightheart's last image of him. His fur was clean and he seemed full of life. His amber eyes sparkled. It was like the lost eye never happened.

"Bumblepaw," repeated Brightheart, walking towards him. She wanted to touch him to make sure he was really there. The look in Bumblepaw's eyes stopped her. He seemed sad. "Bumblepaw? What's wrong?"

"Why are you doing this?"

"What?"

"Why are you trying to destroy ThunderClan?"

The accusation slammed against Brightheart's heart. "No…" she whispered, "Bumblepaw. I didn't-"

"Brightheart. Do you really want to tear ThunderClan apart? Would doing this help you in any way?"

Brightheart took a step towards Bumblepaw. "No! It's not like that!"

"Stop lying Brightheart! Spottedleaf still hasn't recovered from the attacks you put on her."

Brightheart felt like yowling in pain. How could Bumblepaw say such horrible things? But, she knew he was right. She should have fought against the other her more. She should have stopped the other her from getting control of RiverClan. She should have stopped the other her from killing all those innocent cats.

"Bumblepaw…I'll try harder. I'll stop her."

"What are you talking about?" Confusion flashed across Bumblepaw's face but it was replaced by the same sad look.

"She's talking about me."

The two cats turned to the voice. The other Brightheart entered the clearing. Anger was radiating off her. Her eye was set on Bumblepaw.

"Two Brighthearts?"

"StarClan sent you to make Brightheart feel bad right?" snarled the other Brightheart, still walking towards Bumblepaw. "Well StarClan should just mind their own business don't you think? I thought I made that clear with Spottedleaf."

"Wait. You..."

Brightheart sprung into action, jumping between Bumblepaw and the other her. "Run Bumblepaw!" she yowled. "I'll try to hold her off. Get out of here." Brightheart knew she had to protect Bumblepaw. She still remembered how viciously Spottedleaf was attacked. She would not let that happen to Bumblepaw.

The other Brightheart didn't stop. "Brightheart. Get out of my way."

"No!" yowled Brightheart, "Bumblepaw is my apprentice. Even if he is in StarClan I will still think of him as my apprentice. I won't let you hurt him."

"You forgot one very important thing," the other Brightheart stopped in front of Brightheart. "I am you." She lifted a paw and smacked it against Brightheart's head, throwing her to the ground.

Brightheart rushed to get up but the other Brightheart was already before Bumblepaw. Brightheart yowled for him to run but it was too late. The other Brightheart smashed her paw against Bumblepaw's head.

"Bumblepaw!" screamed Brightheart getting to her paws.

The other Brightheart turned to her, "Stay there."

Brightheart's legs locked into place. She couldn't move! Her voice still worked though. She wailed for Bumblepaw.

The other Brightheart kept her paw on Bumblepaw's head, pinning him down. He struggled furiously but she just increased the pressure until he stopped. "So now you know," she hissed, running her claws along Bumblepaw's spine. The tom stopped squirming. "Hmmm. What would be the best way to take care of you?"

"Leave him alone!" wailed Brightheart. She yelled at her paws but they refused to move.

The other Brightheart's ears flicked and she looked up, into the forest. "Help is coming for you. Guess I can't have fun after all." She pulled back her left front paw and then shot it forward, the claws slashing Bumblepaw's belly. His eyes widen and he began struggling but the other Brightheart just pushed her paw in deeper and deeper.

"Bumblepaw!" screamed Brightheart.

The other Brightheart turned to Brightheart, "Wake up!"

End Dream

Brightheart's eye shot open and she sucked in deep breaths of air. Next to her, Cloudtail stirred but didn't wake up. Her thoughts went to her dream. Bumblepaw. "I couldn't stop her. I couldn't do anything for Bumblepaw." She shut her eye and forced the sobs that were rising down. She couldn't wake up the other warriors. "I have to stop this. I need to stop her before anymore cats are killed."

She placed her head back on her paws but whenever she closed her eye, she could see Bumblepaw with the other Brightheart's claws in him.