Chapter 16
Thunder rumbled above head as Morningstar leaped onto her den. "Let all cats gather immediately." There was an edge in her voice, one Ripplesky had never heard before. "Hurry up!" she snapped, her eyes blazing with fury.
"Morningstar, what's going on?" Puddlefur questioned.
"ThunderClan killed Mudfoot," came Brambletail's weak reply. Shellnose, Frogkit, and Reedkit pressed against the tabby she-cat, trying to comfort her.
"Those fish-hearts!" Pebblestripe gasped, narrowing his eyes. Glancing at Lilypelt he yowled, "We need to attack them immediately. They can't get away with this."
Morningstar flicked her tail in annoyance. "Trust me, they won't." The tortoiseshell leader was silent for a few heartbeats, before slithering down from the top of her den. "We will strike tonight, with every warrior we have." Spinning around to face Frogkit and Reedkit she growled, "We need them for the battle."
Brambletail's eyes widened. "They're only kits!"
"Not for much longer," the RiverClan leader grumbled. "Frogkit, from this moment forward you shall be known as Frogpaw. Rainfall shall be your mentor. Reedkit, you shall be known as Reedpaw. Waveheart will mentor you."
The two apprentices exchanged worried glances, before padding up to their mentors to touch noses. No cat cheered, as they were too stunned. Morningstar had never given such an informal ceremony before.
"Take them training immediately," Morningstar ordered, flicking her tail in the direction of the training area.
Waveheart hesitated for a few moments, before leading Reedpaw away. Rainfall and Frogpaw followed after them, fear scent coming off of them in waves. As Ripplesky watched them go, his stomach churned nervously. What is Morningstar thinking? They're too young to be fighting in such a serious battle.
"I don't think it would be wise to bring them into such a battle," Birchtail murmured.
Morningstar glared at him. "Have you forgotten that I'm leader, Birchtail?" she snarled.
Birchtail blinked in surprise. "O-Of course not," he stammered.
"Then why are you arguing with me?"
"I'm not. I'm just trying to advise you," Birchtail growled, clearly growing annoyed with his leader.
"I don't need your advice," the tortoiseshell she-cat hissed, stalking in the direction of her den. Spinning around to face her Clanmates she yowled, "Mudfoot will be avenged if it's the last thing I do!"
"Ripplesky?" Reedpaw's shy voice alerted Ripplesky.
The medicine cat looked up from the pile of yarrow he had been sorting through. "Come in," he called, returning his attention towards the herbs.
Reedpaw nodded, and slowly padded into the den. Fear scent was coming off her in waves, and her neck fur was bristling. "Are there any herbs for fear?" she questioned, shuffling her paws in the sand.
Ripplesky shook his head. "I'm afraid not. Are you scared?"
"I'm terrified," she confessed, meeting his gaze. "Just this morning I was a kit, and now I'm going to be heading into my first battle. Waveheart is a great mentor and all, but I don't think I know enough yet. What if my brother and I get killed?" Tears welled up in Reedpaw's eyes as she spoke. "I don't want to die."
A pang of sadness filled his heart. "You'll be fine," he murmured, trying to comfort the young apprentice.
"You really think so?" Reedpaw questioned.
He nodded.
The young she-cat gave him a quick smile. "Thank you." Before she could say anything else, Morningstar's sharp yowl sounded from the clearing. Flattening her ears to her head she gulped, "It looks like it's time for the battle. I'd better go."
Together, the two cats padded out into the clearing. Ripplesky's heart beat increased as he scanned all the warriors that would be attending the battle. His eyes widened when he noticed Sootpelt among the gathered warriors. Was Morningstar bringing every RiverClan cat into the battle?
"We must attack them with all of our might," the leader announced, her tail held high in the air. "We will make them pay for what they have done, not just to Mudfoot, but to every Clan in the forest. They will pay for their crimes."
"For RiverClan!" Birchtail cheered.
"RiverClan! RiverClan! RiverClan!" the warriors cheered in unison, before slipping out of camp after their leader. As Ripplesky followed them, a feeling of guilt came crashing down on him. Innocent cats would die tonight, and it would be all his fault. No! a voice in his head reminded him. Mudfoot had to die, just like Nightsky. Narrowing his eyes, Ripplesky continued on in the direction of ThunderClan's camp.
As they crossed the stepping stones, heavy rain began to fall from the sky, soaking their sleek pelts. "I can't wait to sink my claws into Redheart's spine," Shellnose growled.
"I'll help you," Briarpelt agreed. "Last battle, that fox-heart ripped a chunk of fur from my tail, and it still hasn't grown back."
"Be quiet!" Birchtail scolded in a hushed voice. "ThunderClan will hear us coming a mile away if you keep chattering on."
Shellnose flicked his tail in annoyance, but said nothing.
As they crossed into the forest, a feeling of dread overcame Ripplesky. ThunderClan's territory at night reminded him of the Dark Forest. He hadn't dreamed of that wretched place since Nightsky had come to rescue him. I hope I never see Snowdust or the others again. They'd probably skin my pelt. Pushing the thoughts away, Ripplesky continued on through the forest.
Suddenly, Morningstar came to a halt beside the edge of the gorge. She crouched to the ground, before flicking her tail, ordering the others to do the same. As Ripplesky crouched in the undergrowth, his heart pounded wildly. He knew he would have to stay behind, but adrenaline pumped through his veins. All his guilt from earlier was gone.
The RiverClan leader then leaped to her paws before yowling, "RiverClan, attack!" Like a stream of fish, the cats poured down the side of the gorge. The clearing below filled with screeching cats. As Ripplesky watched them, his eyes gleamed in the moonlight.
He then scanned the clearing for Frogpaw and Reedpaw, before spotting them battling against a black-and-white tom. Despite their lack of skills, the apprentices were fighting well. I wonder if Minnowpaw and I would fight like that, he wondered, before looking for his sister. When he didn't spot her, his heart beat quickened. Where could she be?
There!
Minnowpaw was locked in battle with a gray tabby apprentice. The gray tabby pulled free, and started racing across the clearing. Minnowpaw charged after her, before leaping onto her back. The apprentice let out a surprised yowl, before rolling onto her back, crushing Minnowpaw. The RiverClan apprentice squirmed under her weight, but could not free herself. Before the ThunderClan cat could attack, Splashflower barreled into her side, knocking her off Minnowpaw. Together, the mother and daughter worked together to fight the apprentice. As Ripplesky watched, his heart swelled with pride. He loved watching his family working together.
A sudden wave of envy came crashing down on him. I should be down there fighting!
"Enjoying the show?" a cocky voice sounded.
Spinning around, Ripplesky spotted a brown tabby tom slither from the undergrowth. It was the same cat who had attacked him all those moons ago. Ripplesky wasn't sure, but he believed the tom was named Leafblaze. "You," he snarled, unsheathing his claws.
Leafblaze's eyes widened. "You remember me? I guess that's not such a surprise, considering I sent you running towards the nursery with your tail between your legs!"
Ripplesky narrowed his blue eyes, a growl rising up in his throat. "And I guess you couldn't forget me either, considering my father beat you to a pulp."
"Your daddy isn't here to save you this time," Leafblaze taunted, slowly circling around Ripplesky.
"I don't need my father to protect me anymore," the medicine cat yowled, before leaping onto the ThunderClan tom. Leafblaze staggered to the ground, surprised at the sudden attack. I'm much stronger than him now, Ripplesky thought as he battered Leafblaze's muzzle. And I weigh more too, meaning he'll have a harder time getting free. Suddenly, Leafblaze went limp under the silver tom's grip.
Stepping back, Ripplesky's stomach began to churn nervously. Did I kill him?
The undergrowth rustled as a pretty brown tabby she-cat stepped out. When she noticed Leafblaze, her eyes widened in horror. She rushed to her Clanmates side, tears welling in her eyes. After a few moments, she sat back with a sigh of relief. "He's still alive."
A few moments later, Leafblaze opened his eyes. "Brackenfur?" he whispered. "What are you doing here?"
"I saw you run out of camp, and I wanted to check to see if you were okay," Brackenfur responded, fear edging her mew. Glancing at Ripplesky she pleaded, "You're a medicine cat, right? Will you please treat his wounds?"
"I don't need help," Leafblaze spat as he tried to stand to his paws. As he placed weight on his hind legs, he collapsed to the ground, hissing.
"I don't help the enemy anyways, especially after they murdered my Clanmate," Ripplesky hissed, his neck fur bristling.
Brackenfur stared at him in astonishment. Turning back to her Clanmate she whispered, "Come on, let's take you to Acornleaf. You're pretty beat up."
Leafblaze staggered to his paws, before leaning against Brackenfur's shoulder. Together they limped down the side of the gorge. The she-cat suddenly paused, before glancing back at Ripplesky. Narrowing her eyes she spat, "You're a monster!"
As Ripplesky watched them go, his blood boiled with anger. How dare they! Lashing his tail, he settled down in his spot and began to lick his wounds. Who cares what they say? he told himself as he draped his tongue across a nasty shoulder wound. I'm RiverClan's medicine cat; I shouldn't be expected to look after ThunderClan as well. Besides, they don't deserve my help after everything they've done. Who cares if they lose a warrior or two tonight?
Once he was calm, he directed his attention back towards the battle. In the middle of the clearing, Morningstar and Ravenstar were circling each other, their teeth barred in a snarl. Suddenly, Morningstar leaped at Ravenstar, knocking the ThunderClan leader to the ground. The two leaders wrestled on the ground for a few minutes, before Ravenstar pulled away. Morningstar lunged for the dark pelted leader once more, but this time Ravenstar was prepared. The ThunderClan leader quickly dodged the attack, before leaping onto the tortoiseshell she-cat's back. Morningstar wriggled under her weight, but could not shake Ravenstar off. Before Morningstar could react, Ravenstar lunged down and grabbed her neck. In one swift movement, she pulled back on the RiverClan leader's neck.
A loud crack! echoed across the clearing, making every cat stop dead in their tracks. Ripplesky's eyes widened as he watched Morningstar's body fall limp to the ground, her head laying at an awkward angle. As quick as he could, he scrambled down the side of the gorge and stood over his leader's body. As he checked for any signs of breathing, his heart stopped at the sudden realization.
Morningstar was dead.
"You killed her," he choked out, his eyes wide with fear.
Ravenstar gave him an annoyed look. "She was asking for it. Now get out of my camp at once!"
Birchtail limped forward, his eyes dull with grief. "First your warriors murder Mudfoot, and now Morningstar? You're a disgusting excuse for a cat," he snarled, looking ready to attack the ThunderClan leader.
"I said get out," Ravenstar repeated, before directing her attention towards Redheart. "Have a patrol escort them towards the border. Make sure every RiverClan warrior leaves, and if you catch them on our land you are to kill them immediately."
Birchtail barred his teeth in a snarl, before scooping Morningstar's lifeless body up in his jaws. As he carried her towards the camp entrance, her neck hung at an awkward angle, making her look like a piece of prey. The RiverClan cats followed after their new leader, too stunned to say anything. As they climbed up the ravine, Ripplesky's throat tightened.
"Morningstar walks with StarClan now," Swanfeather murmured, stepping into place beside him.
Ripplesky nodded numbly, too upset to speak. While he had never been too fond of Morningstar, he felt as if her death was all his fault. She had gone into battle thinking she was avenging Mudfoot, when that was quite the opposite. He had killed Mudfoot, not ThunderClan. Morningstar had died for nothing.
When they reached the river, the ThunderClan patrol stepped back. "We'll be watching you," Redheart threatened.
"You don't scare me," Briarpelt retorted, lashing his tail back and forth. Before Redheart could do anything, Splashflower nudged Briarpelt forward onto the first stepping stone.
When they reached camp, Birchtail slowly carried Morningstar's body over towards the medicine cat's den. Ripplesky slowly followed after him, his eyes drooping from fatigue.
"Place her over here," Ripplesky ordered as he began sorting through his herbs. Gripping the rosemary and lavender in his jaws, he limped towards his dead leader's body. Birchtail sat beside her, his eyes filled with grief.
"She was expecting my kits," he whispered so quietly Ripplesky barely heard him.
The silver tom took a step back, surprised. "What?" he gasped, glancing towards Morningstar's stomach. To his dismay, he noticed that her stomach bulged out slightly, a sign of pregnancy. "Why didn't either of you tell me?"
"Morningstar didn't want everyone to worry about her," the grayish-brown tom explained, squeezing his eyes shut. "I told her to take it easy, but she didn't listen to me."
I can't believe I didn't notice, Ripplesky thought as he rubbed rosemary and lavender on her stiffening body. "May StarClan light their paths," the medicine cat murmured, his heart aching. Birchtail was a good cat. He didn't deserve to have this happen to him.
Once the body had been prepared, the two toms gently carried her out into the clearing. From there, they arranged her limbs to make it seem as if Morningstar was sleeping.
"She was a great leader," Pebblestripe whispered, dipping his head.
"She was a great mentor, too," Puddlefur put in, his eyes tearing up. "I'll never forget the time she took me squirrel hunting. I got stuck in a tree, and had to have half the Clan come get me down!" A quick smile crossed his face, before he let out a sigh. "Rest in peace, old friend."
One by one, the Clan gathered around Morningstar's body to say goodbye. Ripplesky noticed Birchtail was hanging back.
"Aren't you going to say your respects?" he questioned.
Birchtail shook his head. "I'll see her at my nine lives ceremony," he meowed, not meeting Ripplesky's gaze.
Of course! He had completely forgotten about Birchtail's nine lives ceremony. "Are you ready to go?"
"We'll leave tomorrow morning. I don't feel good right now," came the tom's quiet reply. Slowly, he limped in the direction of the warriors den, before disappearing inside.
I apologize for not updating in almost a month. I've been very depressed, and I've had to deal with some health issues. Luckily it's nothing too serious, but I've just lacked any motivation to update. It didn't help that half way through writing this, the website glitched and I lost all my progress, even though I had saved several times prior. It made me furious, especially since I had worked so hard. Anyways, I hope you all enjoyed this chapter. I had a lot of fun writing it. No promises, but I'll try to update quickly. Also, I know in the canon timeline, Birchstar of RiverClan was female. When I first started writing this story, I wasn't really planning on fitting it in with the canon timeline. I had already created Birchtail though, so when I learned there was a Birchstar of RiverClan who fit the timeline perfectly, I decided to roll with it.
As always, thanks for reading!
