There are gray tortoiseshells – referred to as blue- or lilac-cream tortoiseshells. They have gray/blue patches of varying hues along with typical ginger patches. Dapplepaw's description might have gotten mixed up with Ivydapple's – understandable, since they're next to one another and 'dapple' is usually a prefix reserved for patched/tortie cats. However, "patched tabby" still works in regards to her being a tortoiseshell. You should say that she's a tortie with very little ginger!

Tigerstar will be showing up – how soon, though, I don't know. I have the rest of this story planned out and he's not in it. That can, however, change as I see fit. If it doesn't, then I know the best place to have him make his entrance. For now, he's just an ominous presence.

You will be hearing from Spottedpaw soon. In fact, after this part is wrapped up she'll be rather prominent, along with Lionpaw, Robinpaw, and Bramblestar.

Robinpaw is a very confused young fellow right now, as you can imagine. It's like he's being pulled in two different directions! Sometimes when that happens someone will recede further into themselves… which is not often a good thing.

I apologize for frequent/obvious typos – I often write rather quickly and on several different keyboards. Different keyboards means different things to grow accustomed to, so it can often lead to a mistype here or there that I don't catch.

Anyway, here's the conclusion to this little subarc that you've all been waiting for!

Chapter 36

Squirrelflight's heart was racing. The clamor of the crowd was loud and unsettling both, and Squirrelflight felt chills run up her spine as she looked into eyes glowing with eagerness. The matches were riling them up, and Squirrelflight felt the overwhelming urge to crawl back into her hole – but Hawkstar would make sure she stayed.

Besides, Starlingpaw was in this fight. Squirrelflight couldn't abandon the only cat she could call 'friend' in this dark, horrid place: It was thanks to Starlingpaw that Squirrelflight was here to begin with. Blackclaw would have killed her after the last Gathering if Starlingpaw hadn't interfered.

Blackclaw hasn't been happy since, Squirrelflight thought with a wince. Even now, the dark-furred deputy was leering at Starlingpaw. He hadn't been happy about the loner's existence since the moment she stepped paw into TigerClan territory, and his loathing was only growing.

Squirrelflight frowned, watching him pass a piece of prey towards Russetfur with a malicious grin. Is he betting that Thistleclaw will kill Starlingpaw? A chill of horror bubbled in Squirrelflight's belly. She had been there when Marshpaw had been slaughtered, and she'd heard of how Thistleclaw was so ruthless.

Starlingpaw could lose.

Squirrelflight adjusted herself so that she sat more comfortably around her wounds. She craned her neck, straining to see above the crowd. The battles had begun, and the clearing was a mess of three different battles happening at a breakneck pace.

Owlpaw was wrestling with Maggottail, a Dark Forest warrior Squirrelflight had seen only a few times – mostly as a spectator. But Maggottail was skilled and seemed capable of predicting Owlpaw's moves before the apprentice could make them.

Sparrowfeather was clearly toying with Dapplepaw, however. A bat here, a swipe there – it was easy to get Dapplepaw caught off guard and make her nervous. The poor tortoiseshell was at her wit's end trying to find an opening for her to land her scratch, but Sparrowfeather wasn't going to make it easy.

Squirrelflight looked to where Starlingpaw was fighting with Thistleclaw. The gray-and-white patched warrior was relentless, and Starlingpaw seemed to be at her wits' end trying to avoid him in her usual manner. Thistleclaw, however, was persistent – and fast.

"Get her!" called a warrior.

"Come on, Owlpaw!" growled Smokefoot. "You can do this!"

"Dapplepaw! Dapplepaw!" the remaining apprentice's cheered. "Owlpaw! Owlpaw!"

"Starlingpaw!" Applenose cheered. "Starlingpaw!"

But Applenose was alone in her cheering. Other than her or the apprentices, no other cat seemed to be interested in Starlingpaw winning her match – in fact, from what Squirrelflight could hear, most of the prey was bet on her either surrendering or dying.

"I bet she goes crying back to wherever she came from once Thistleclaw catches her," sniggered Voletooth.

"She's never fought a real warrior like him before!" another warrior agreed.

Thistleclaw is no 'real' warrior! Squirrelflight wanted to growl. Thistleclaw was a brute and a tyrant – he was no warrior. All Starlingpaw has to do is scratch him. Just one scratch!

Suddenly the crowd surged with cheers. Squirrelflight glanced over and her fur fluffed in shock – Dapplepaw had overcome Sparrowfeather!

"Dapplepaw! Dapplepaw!" chanted the crowd. "Dapplepaw! Dapplepaw!"

"She did it! I can't believe she did it!" breathed her mentor, Rippletail. "One moment Sparrowfeather was attacking, the next…"

Beside him, Snowbird shifted on her paws. "Sorry, Rippletail – I had my prey bet that she'd give up. Good job with her!"

Rippletail didn't seem bothered. "I've never seen her look so confident!" he said.

Squirrelflight looked at Dapplepaw. The young apprentice was panting, exhausted – but triumph gleamed in her eyes as her claws dug into Sparrowfeather. She had won!

Two more to go…

Hawkstar grinned. Dapplepaw had won – something he had not expected, but Sparrowfeather's eagerness often got away from her. It made her an easy target at the worst of times.

Dapplepaw's victory had not stopped the other battles – Owlpaw was still struggling with Maggottail, and Starlingpaw was still evading Thistleclaw with every ounce of energy she had. Hawkstar craned his neck to observe the battle as Dapplepaw was swept away by the crowd for her congratulations.

Hawkstar swept his eyes across the crowd and spotted Owlpaw swiping at Maggottail with his claws. Hawkstar watched eagerly – Owlpaw was a tenacious apprentice, and tended to be a little hot-headed. He would make a fine TigerClan warrior, but a little more tempering could be necessary – training as a warrior within the Dark Forest would help, if he made it that far.

Owlpaw and Maggottail clashed – but the two were even in weight and it was difficult for one to overpower the other with sheer force alone. Maggottail's claws flashed.

"Well, apprentice?" Maggottail growled. "Is this all you've got?"

"Not at all!" Owlpaw crowed.

Maggottail let out a shocked mewl as Owlpaw suddenly dropped. All the force Maggottail had been putting against the apprentice was suddenly met with no resistance and the dark-pelted warrior was flung over Owlpaw's crouching body and onto the ground. Hawkstar's eyes widened with interest.

Owlpaw pounced onto Maggottail and dug his claws into the older warrior's pelt. With a cry of triumph, Owlpaw tore a hunk of Maggottail's oily fur from his flank. The skin beneath was patched and red with scratches.

"TigerClan apprentices are full of surprises these days," Maggottail chuckled. "Perhaps I shall take on one for myself…"

Maggottail stood on no more ceremony – the old warrior disappeared beneath Owlpaw's claws. Owlpaw stood on all fours and lifted his head, soaking in all the praise from the crowd. Hawkstar's tail flicked – from the amount of prey going around, Owlpaw's win had been a favorable outcome.

Owlpaw turned his head to look at the last remaining battle. He cried, "Starlingpaw! They're not so tough! You can do it!"

Hawkstar blinked and looked down. Starlingpaw did not turn her head away from Thistleclaw but she acknowledged Owlpaw's words with a flick of her tail. Hawkstar adjusted his paws on his perch and raised his head.

Come on, Starlingpaw, he thought. Don't disappoint me. I want three warriors tonight; not two.

"How cute," hissed Thistleclaw. "They won – but Maggottail is old and gives up easily. Sparrowfeather is overzealous and weak."

Starlingpaw rolled her eyes. "And you're not?"

Thistleclaw curled his lip. "Our last fight should have taught you that," he growled. "I don't give up easily. You'll have to fight me every step of the way to get your precious little scratch, loner."

Starlingpaw narrowed her eyes. Thistleclaw was right – he certainly was different in fighting style than Maggottail or Sparrowfeather. He was brutal, ruthless, and had no regard for his own safety. Starlingpaw could beat him close to death and he would still keep fighting.

Thistleclaw swiped at her. "Come on, loner – fight me. Show some backbone!"

Starlingpaw frowned. The worst part about fighting Thistleclaw was that he knew Starlingpaw fought defensively, not aggressively. Her style was more suited to dodging attacks and waiting for the right moment – which involved a lot of stalling. Thistleclaw was impatient – which sometimes would suit Starlingpaw's needs in a foe; but Thistleclaw had the strength and skill to back up his impatience.

The crowd was clamoring for a show. Owlpaw and Dapplepaw had already won, and Starlingpaw's fight was dragging on the night. TigerClan wanted a show – they wanted to see if this loner could scratch a seasoned Dark Forest warrior.

I gain nothing from this, Starlingpaw realized. No advantage.

Starlingpaw bunched her muscles and leaped, but Thistleclaw was ready for her. The patched warrior side-stepped and when Starlingpaw landed on nothing but grass and dirt Thistleclaw leaped onto her back and dug his claws in. Starlingpaw let out a hiss of pain and annoyance.

"Finally decided to show your claws?" sneered Thistleclaw.

Starlingpaw didn't grace him with a response. She flung herself onto her side, making sure to land hard enough to dislodge Thistleclaw – it worked. Starlingpaw got to her paws quickly and lashed out, but Thistleclaw rolled away. He got to his paws and pounced – and this time Starlingpaw rushed forward and ducked beneath him.

Thistleclaw landed on nothing and spun, but by that time Starlingpaw was charging his way. One quick strike is all it will take, she thought. Just one.

"Don't think you've won so easily!" Thistleclaw roared.

He lashed out with his claws, catching Starlingpaw as she flung herself at him. His claws stung as they dug into her, and the force of the blow drove Starlingpaw to the side. The crowd cheered as the scent of blood filled the air. Starlingpaw's nose stung and she sniffled, seeing blood well up before her eyes.

Thistleclaw chuckled, "Loners bleed so easily. Here I thought this would be fun!"

Starlingpaw wiped her muzzle with a paw, then stood. Just one scratch, she thought. Just one.

Thistleclaw charged at her again. Starlingpaw hopped out of the way and stretched out a paw. When Thistleclaw landed, he tripped and tumbled onto the ground with a grunt. Quickly, Starlingpaw pinned him with her paws and laid one scratch.

"You're right," Starlingpaw grunted. "I thought this would be fun, too."

The crowd erupted into roars of both surprise and rage. Starlingpaw frowned as she stepped off of Thistleclaw and observed the crowd. Prey was flying and piling at the paws of the few cats who had betted on Starlingpaw winning – Applenose, to Starlingpaw's delight, was boasting the largest pile.

"Blasted loner," some cat snorted. "Hawkstar can't really think we'll allow her to be a warrior!"

Starlingpaw narrowed her eyes. She found the warrior – Voletooth – and stepped towards him.

"Say that to my face, coward!" snarled Starlingpaw.

She took another step towards Voletooth – only to be knocked off of her paws. Claws dug deep into her pelt and Thistleclaw hissed into her ear: "You think I'll let you win that easily?"

"The rules -" Starlingpaw's protest was cut off as Thistleclaw pressed his paw against her throat.

"I made the rules," Thistleclaw hissed. "I can change them, and I say that you're not allowed to win you filthy loner!"

Starlingpaw gasped as Thistleclaw dug his claws into her throat. She lashed out with her paws, digging her claws into him as her breaths became shorter and more ragged. She clawed clump after clump of fur, but Thistleclaw was unmoved, grinning and cackling.

Dark spots infiltrated Starlingpaw's eyes as Thistleclaw's grip was strengthening. She gasped for breath.

"Enough of this!"

Thistleclaw was roughly shoved away. Starlingpaw's vision returned to normal and she gasped for breath. Starlingpaw pushed herself to her paws, but fell onto her belly with weakness. She settled for lifting her head – her eyes widened in shock.

Across the clearing Thistleclaw was wrestling with Hawkstar. The dark warrior was taken by surprise as TigerClan's leader gave him a vicious clawing with his long, hooked talons. When Hawkstar finally allowed Thistleclaw to wiggle free, the patched warrior sported a new batch of bloodied scratches down his side.

"The battle is over, Thistleclaw," Hawkstar snarled. "You lost."

Thistleclaw narrowed his eyes.

"Believe me," Hawkstar went on. "I will be telling Tigerstar about this."

Thistleclaw spat at the ground and faded away into nothingness.

Sparrowfeather padded over to where Thistleclaw had been. She shook her head at the spot and chuckled, "What a drama tom!"

She turned to Hawkstar and mewed with a flick of her tail, "Don't worry about him, he's a sore loser! Have fun with the new warriors – see you in a moon!"

Hawkstar sheathed his claws and nodded as Sparrowfeather disappeared into the darkness. Most of the mist fled the clearing, but a few dark warriors remained – possibly to watch the ceremony. Starlingpaw pushed herself to her paws, feeling strength return to her limbs.

"Mothwing!" roared Hawkstar. The dappled she-cat appeared with a bundle of herbs in her jaws as if she had been expecting to be called. Willowshine followed like a dark shadow. They both stopped before Hawkstar. "Tend to them," he ordered. "The ceremony will be soon."

Neither Mothwing nor Willowshine said a thing as Hawkstar padded past them. He disappeared into his den.

Mothwing approached Starlingpaw and set down her herb bundle. Willowshine handled the two apprentices. The crowd was surging at them, but Willowshine kept them at bay with a few sharp words. Thankfully, the cats were so befuddled at Starlingpaw's win that they kept well away - but Starlingpaw could see that some were throwing her nasty looks, mainly Voletooth and Blackclaw.

"How are you?" Mothwing asked quietly.

"A little dizzy still," Starlingpaw admitted.

"So is the Clan," Mothwing pointed out. "It will pass. Now eat these and sit still."

Starlingpaw obeyed, munching the bitter herbs that Mothwing pushed forward. Starlingpaw didn't know the mixture, but it made her feel a little better to eat them. As Mothwing began rubbing poultices all over Starlingpaw's wounds, Starlingpaw realized that the medicine cat was right – the whole of TigerClan seemed to be in shock at what Thistleclaw had done.

"Has… Has Thistleclaw done something like this before?" Starlingpaw wondered. "Broken the rules?"

"It's happened once or twice," Mothwing answered. "But I think the Clan was worried something like Marshpaw might happen again."

Starlingpaw winced at the thought.

"Thistleclaw might get punished, or he might not," Mothwing sighed. She pressed her pulpy paws against Starlingpaw's throat. "I just wish they'd go away forever."

Starlingpaw sighed. I do, too.

"Cats of TigerClan, gather beneath the half-moon for a Clan meeting! I have some warriors to name."

Hawkstar's announcement made Squirrelflight's ears prick. Though she was at the very edge of the crowd, the TigerClan cats were clustered in a way that allowed her to see. Squirrelflight craned her neck and spotted Owlpaw, Dapplepaw, and Starlingpaw.

She's all right, Squirrelflight thought. Thank StarClan! Starlingpaw's throat was clustered with herb pastes, but the smoky she-cat's head was held high. Squirrelflight sighed.

She's fine, but she'll be further away than ever.

Starlingpaw looked around, and suddenly she locked eyes with Squirrelflight. Starlingpaw's yellow eyes were full of apology, and Squirrelflight kneaded her paws as Starlingpaw looked away.

She's getting her warrior name, Squirrelflight thought. A moon ago, she was just a loner. Now she's a warrior of TigerClan.

"TigerClan!" Hawkstar called, his ice-blue eyes glowing, "I am proud to bring you three more warriors! With their help we will defeat LionClan!"

The crowd clamored and cheered.

"Come forward, Owlpaw," Hawkstar meowed.

Owlpaw nodded and stepped forward. He bent himself in reverence to Hawkstar.

"Owlpaw, in honor of your victory against Maggottail, your warrior name will be Owltail," Hawkstar announced. "TigerClan welcomes you."

These ceremonies are so informal, Squirrelflight thought uncomfortably. Nothing like a ceremony made with the warrior code. Squirrelflight recalled her own warrior ceremony, words passed down from generation to generation said before her. TigerClan apprentices didn't have any of that tradition.

"Owltail," Owltail meowed. "Thank you." He stepped to the side, head held high.

"Dapplepaw!" Hawkstar called. "Your turn. Come forward."

Dapplepaw nodded and padded forward, crouching like Owltail had. None of her nervousness was here now – she seemed so confident.

"In honor of your victory against Sparrowfeather," Hawkstar decided, "your warrior name will be Dappleheart. TigerClan welcomes you."

Dappleheart raised her head and repeated, "Dappleheart. Thank you, Hawkstar." She turned away and sat beside Owltail. The two sat together in reverence, but Owltail nudged Dappleheart with a grin.

"And you, Starlingpaw," Hawkstar meowed finally. "Come forward."

Starlingpaw did, copying the others as best as she could when she bowed. Her injury pained her, Squirrelflight saw, and she wasn't able to crouch completely. No cat seemed to care – most were still in shock that a loner was becoming a warrior.

"You came to us as a loner without a path," Hawkstar began, "and now you stand amongst us as a warrior. Starlingpaw, in honor of your victory against Thistleclaw, your warrior name shall be Starlingthorn."

Starlingthorn lifted her head. "Starlingthorn," she murmured to herself. Louder, she meowed, "Starlingthorn. Thank you, Hawkstar."

She padded towards the other warriors and sat with them. Owltail and Dappleheart looked at her proudly, and Starlingthorn sat between them with a guarded look.

"Welcome to TigerClan, warriors!" Hawkstar announced. "You went through many trials to get to this point – but remember now that a warrior's training is never over. There are always battles to fight, and one must never be unprepared."

Squirrelflight sighed.

She's a warrior now, she thought. She'll fight their battles, win their wars. Wherever she came from, she can't go back now. Not wholly.

I'm so sorry, Starlingthorn.

The feast lasted long into the night. Applenose had been generous with her winnings, and Starlingthorn was stuffed full of mice and pleasantly exhausted. Applenose and Dappleheart lay with her, and the three she-cats were sharing tongues. Talk of the battle had died down, and only the quiet murmuring of voices filled the night now.

"Look," chuckled Dappleheart. "Owltail is already asleep!"

Starlingthorn lifted her head to find that Dappleheart was right. Owltail was passed out just outside the warrior's den, the remains of his meal before his muzzle. The she-cats purred in amusement.

"He looks so…" Dappleheart drifted off.

"So what?" Applenose wondered.

"N-Nevermind!" Dappleheart insisted. She returned to lapping at Applenose's flank. "You've got a tough knot of fur right here…"

"Tough knot my tail!" Applenose chuckled. "You like Owltail!"

"Hush!" Dappleheart hissed.

Starlingthorn let the conversation fade into the background, focusing on a bit of fur on Dappleheart's patchy spine.

What do I do now? She thought. I know my destiny. Midnight told me I needed to stay here… to stop this. But I'm just one cat, and TigerClan is so tightly-woven… they're loyal to one another.

How do I break that?

"Starlingthorn."

Starlingthorn lifted her head. Applenose and Dappleheart stiffened as Hawkstar's shadow fell over them.

"Yes?" Starlingthorn wondered.

"I'm here to discuss our deal," Hawkstar grunted. His ice-blue eyes focused intensely on her, and Starlingthorn felt her pelt bristle and grow warm. "You made it to warrior status in TigerClan – but are you willing to stay?"

Starlingthorn's mouth went dry. Regardless of what she thought, she had to say, "I will."

Hawkstar's eyes flashed, and Starlingthorn looked away, twitching her whiskers.

"Good," Hawkstar meowed – his purr was barely audible. "Then I'll see you for the sunhigh patrol tomorrow. The moor-side LionClan border."

"Of course," Starlingthorn meowed.

"Get some rest, all of you," Hawkstar advised. He turned away and padded towards his willow log.

When he was gone, Starlingthorn was nudged by Dappleheart. "A patrol?" the tortoiseshell chuckled. "You and Hawkstar?"

"Not just us!" Starlingthorn defended.

"Sounds like Dappleheart isn't the only one with a crush," Applenose purred.

Starlingthorn's fur fluffed, and her pelt went warm again.

"We're just messing with you, sweetie," Applenose assured her. She licked Starlingthorn between her ears. "Let's get some rest before that patrol, OK?"

"Oh! Let's make all our nests together!" Dappleheart purred.

"Sure," Applenose agreed. "I'll go tell Owltail!" The dark ginger she-cat stood, eyes gleaming.

Dappleheart bristled and stood as Applenose bounded away. "Applenose!" she cried. "No!" Dappleheart leaped over Starlingthorn to chase Applenose.

Starlingthorn chuckled lightly and lifted her head. I have friends, at least.

Perhaps this won't be so bad after all.

But Starlingthorn laid her head on her paws again as the grim realization flooded over her - Applenose and Dappleheart were her friends, yes... but they were TigerClan warriors. If Starlingthorn's destiny was to defeat TigerClan, then that would mean going through the cats she considered her closest friends.