A/N - This chapter is brought to you by Quillbot. Holy shit what a godsend for writers.

Buuut anyway. Remember when the creeper cat told Fireheart things would "get worse"? Well, we're kinda shifting straight into fourth gear with this one.

Also, this chapter shoulda been out earlier, but I find it waaay too easy to procrastinate x(


Disclaimer: Warriors is owned by Erin Hunter/HarperCollins Publishers LLC


The Rogues

Fireheart sat in the prisoner's den, watching his clanmates go about their daily activities from the entrance.

His tail swept the ground behind him, his gaze fixed on any fresh faces that passed through the gorse tunnel. He had been doing this for the last three days, observing any cat that caught his interest and noting their routines.

He was fortunate. Since he returned to the prisoner's den, Yellowfang had not disturbed him. He figured she must've believed he wanted some time alone, given everything that's happened lately. Fireheart could understand her reasoning—after all, he'd gone away on his own accord.

And he was glad for it. Now, she wouldn't get in trouble for what he was going to do next.

Fireheart told the entity that he didn't need their help—or anyone's help, for that matter—but it didn't take long for him to change his mind. He did require help, and when he asserted otherwise, that was just an impulsive statement.

Because he was a prisoner, he wasn't exactly free to do as he pleased. He needed to talk to someone—somehow get some sort of lead on how to deal with Tigerstar. He thought of two cats for that, but the first one, the entity, was not as helpful as he expected.

They'd only wanted to talk about some gift, saying that was how he would beat Tigerstar. Fireheart had no choice but to oppose such a ridiculous idea. He'd never heard of nor seen any such cat with such a power, and if he went to StarClan to confirm, then apparently the entity could hurt him.

So only the super weird and dubious spirit located in apparently what was the realm where evil souls went after death was the only one that could bring forth some kind of ancient power?

Fireheart scoffed. What a load of mousedung!

Now, only the other cat in his pair of suspects was his conduit to Tigerstar's defeat. However, as Fireheart learned over the past three days, getting to simply catch her alone was a challenge in itself.

He'd tracked Sandstorm by the hour as she went about with her clanmates. She and Darkstripe would still argue about training usually and even got others to join their argument at times. It wasn't at all pleasant to listen to, but Fireheart weathered it. He waited for an opening, an opportunity to catch her alone, where he wouldn't attract anyone's attention, but such an endeavor was made difficult mainly because of a few cats.

Goldenflower seemed to have established some sort of order in the nursery ever since his fiasco with Featherkit and Stormkit. No kits were seen playing out in the camp anymore, and those that tried were immediately snatched up by the golden queen. And then, it was always her scolding the other queens about their kits—it was always her leading the decision-making amongst the mollies.

If Fireheart learned anything from observing the nursery these past few days, she was the one queen to keep an eye out on. He hadn't spoken to her since then and had avoided the nursery, to his relief, though that wouldn't save him from the occasional glare from across the clearing. Fireheart didn't want to try anything if she was outside of that den.

It was probably for the best, however. As far as he knew, the queens were his biggest threat, aside from Tigerstar and his inner circle.

Darkstripe, Longtail, and Tigerstar himself were not often seen separated. Their decreased presence in the clan ever since Fireheart was attacked at the Moonstone did not go unnoticed. Yellowfang told him she had no idea where they would go off to—like they were trying to be discreet. It was yet another thing Fireheart was compelled to ask Sandstorm about—she was always on Darkstripe's case, surely she would know something.

Although, the biggest obstacle of them all, was Dustpelt.

When he wasn't out with his apprentice, Ashpaw, the older warrior was practically glued to her side. Whether or not Fireheart paid Sandstorm any attention, he clearly intended to keep her away from him. Even though Fireheart knew the older tom would eventually have to leave her side, his behavior still irked him.

He only needed to wait… bide his time until the opportunity presented itself, as the entity would say.

And, as luck would have it, he'd soon find his chance.

When he heard a call coming from the gorse tunnel, Fireheart's ears perked up. Looking around, he noticed Tigerstar coming back from his patrol, as he always did at this hour every day. The ThunderClan leader, despite his absences, had the fortitude to complete his patrols on time.

But this time was unlike every other. As he scanned the clearing, Fireheart caught sight of other cats coming out to meet with their leader. He blinked as he realized who had been called: Darkstripe and Fernpaw, Longtail, Swiftpaw...

Fireheart's eyes widened as he watched Dustpelt heading toward the gorse tunnel, seeming annoyed at Tigerstar for calling him away from Sandstorm's side. A sudden rush of enthusiasm filled the orange tom. Dustpelt and the rest of Tigerstar's posse heading out of camp at once? That was perfect!

This is my chance! Fireheart immediately stood up, determined. He waited until the cats had vanished into the gorse tunnel before making his move.

Fireheart turned to look at Sandstorm, who now appeared to be washing her fur—possibly for the first time today given that her "tick" had finally disappeared—and ignored the glances of worry his quick-moving presence brought as he set out for her.

Fireheart approached, growing apprehensive when she didn't notice him at first.

"Sandstorm?"

He could see her muscle tense, hearing her name called. She turned around, getting a good look at the tom.

"Yes?" She sounded worn. eyeing his neurotic tail-flicking. "What does Yellowfang need from me?

Fireheart blinked. "Oh, well-" Immediately, he looked away. "Actually, I'm the one that wanted to talk... We've never gotten a chance as of late."

He peeked back to see her reaction. She abruptly frowned, which was not far from what he had anticipated.

"Well, you're only one of the many mousebrains I have to keep track of in this clan." She looked around as she said that, a clear hint of annoyance in her eyes. "And last I recall, you didn't want to talk."

Fireheart had to look away again, feeling guilty. She was right, he was the one who had pushed her away before. At that time, she was oddly curious - Fireheart still couldn't make sense of it, but he regretted not pressing her further then. What he hoped for, though, was that she could at least hear him out now, similar to what she did before.

"I-I know," Fireheart stuttered. "I remember what I said. But… this is important."

She said nothing at first, only relaying a skeptical look. Eventually, she just hung her head and shrugged.

"Fine then," she sighed. "Go on."

Fireheart perked up instantly. He wasn't expecting that—Sandstorm seemed to have a tougher shell to crack than others. The ginger tom wasted no time in rapidly gathering his thoughts together.

"Brightpaw came to me a few days ago, covered in thorns. She told me that Swiftpaw and she fell into a bush while claw-fighting," he stated in earnest. Sandstorm perked up, hearing that topic.

"I remember that. I told Darkstripe it was a bad idea, but our great deputy doesn't want to hear my opinion," she said with a grumble. Fireheart nodded, encouraged by how he wasn't immediately dismissed.

"I heard your argument with him the other day. You don't like it and I bet a few other cats don't like it either."

Sandstrom grumbled again. With that, she suddenly directed her vexation onto him.

"So this is what you wanted to talk to me about? Why are you trying to stir this up?" She sent him a slight glare. "I'd think you hardly have room to talk when it comes to apprentice training."

"But this isn't training!" Fireheart stated in a hushed tone, trying not to attract any more attention. "Claw-fighting is bad—we both agree, right? I mean, Brightpaw was clawed-up pretty bad when I pulled out her thorns. Those scratches were worse than the thorns even!"

He paused, taking a breath. "Look, I'm just saying, maybe Tigerstar-"

"Wait a second." Sandstorm's voice made Fireheart lift his head up. "Did you just say you pulled her thorns?"

Fireheart blinked, furrowing his brow. "Yes?" He responded, worried by her genuine tone.

She grunted, doubtful. "Brightpaw told me the other apprentices helped her."

Fireheart felt his eyes widen a little bit. He stumbled to find a response.

"Then… she lied to you," he murmured. Of course, she would. No apprentice would want to admit they got help from me.

Although Fireheart grew concerned, realizing Sandstorm seemed unconvinced.

"Y-you can ask Dustpelt! He saw her in the medicine den with me."

But, remembering how Dustpelt approached him that day, he immediately wished to retract that statement. Or… maybe you shouldn't. He thought, knowing Dustpelt would surely claw him if he caught wind of this conversation.

He suddenly heard Sandstorm groan.

"Nevermind. It doesn't matter now." She rolled her eyes. "Hmph, and if it makes you feel any better, they've all been more careful when training. Swiftpaw just got excited that one time, he's learned to hold back." She gave him a look as though she were criticizing his lack of faith in the apprentice, something that prompted Fireheart to appear even more desperate.

"But has he?" Fireheart sounded almost pleading. "He's Longtail's apprentice, remember? Longtail never holds back, not even against a kit." The last word was said with a snarl as he remembered his first day in the clan. "And Fernpaw, imagine what Darkstripe is teaching her! I see you all when you come back from the Sandy Hollow. Mousefur and Thornpaw always look exhausted—Dustpelt and Whitestorm too. I know you even help him with Ashpaw sometimes! If their mentors are exhausted all the time, then don't you think it's bad to-"

A sharp growl cut him off in the middle of his babbling. Sandstorm yanked her gaze away from him.

"No… stop," she grumbled before peering back. "I don't need to hear this. I-"

Her voice faded away, and Fireheart could her eyes flooded with concern. She seemed to be gazing right through him.

"Hold on…" Her tone sounded worried. "What are they doing here?"

"They?" Fireheart echoed. A familiar smell suddenly hit his nose prompting his eyes to widen as well. He whipped around to where she was looking, narrowing his eyelids towards the gorse tunnel.

Watching, he felt his fur prickle as Tigerstar appeared to be returning with his patrol. That was fast! He thought with alarm. However, his patrol wasn't the only thing to come through that tunnel…

Fireheart dropped his jaw at what he saw.

"ThunderClan!" Tigerstar's yowl arose.

Fireheart did not even flash him a look, his focus lying on the ones following the ThunderClan leader. He sat stunned as the group of strangers spread out, following the larger tabby… except these cats were no strangers at all. Fireheart could practically taste their putrid odor - the scent of ShadowClan!

It only took another second for him to come to a horrifying conclusion. He noticed one had a black-colored paw, another with tangled brown and gray fur, and a third with a stump for a tail…

It's… Brokentail's rogues!?

Fireheart's heart beat faster, memories of their last encounter flooding his mind. Suddenly Dustpelt was the least of his worries. Are they going to attack again?

The clan's reactions made it evident that they held the same notions as him. Hisses and growls erupted from surrounding cats. The queens and elders, having poked out from their respective dens, all backed away further into them, some even dropping into their defensive crouch. Elders, apprentices, and warriors all did the same - even the ones on Tigerstar's patrol seemed apprehensive.

But Tigerstar looked around, seemingly unphased.

"Hear me! I have important news for you all!" He spoke with confidence, a glint of excitement in his eye.

Fireheart growled. What are you planning now, traitor?

A few seconds passed, and one by one, the cats of ThunderClan slowly creeped out of their dens, hissing, and hackles raised.

"What are they doing here?"

"Have they come to attack?!"

Fireheart heard questions similar to his own raised by his clanmates, who for once, completely disregarded him as a threat to their safety. The rogues only stood behind Tigerstar, unmoving. They held firm gazes, yet Fireheart could tell they were fighting to keep their fur down.

"Tigerstar?"

The voice of Goldenflower seemed to silence the chorus of growls. Fireheart looked at her, seeing the large molly standing outside the nursery, at the forefront of all the queens. She gazed cautiously at her mate before voicing the question that was on everyone's minds.

"Why are these cats in our camp? Again?"

That last part seemed to sting the rogues a little bit. Tigerstar shared a look with her before waving his tail behind him, and Fireheart heard one of the rogues suddenly clear their throat.

Watching, he could see the one with a black paw raise their chin.

"We mean you no harm, not anymore. None of us can bear to fight any longer," he said, glancing around warily. Each of the rogues had their fur on end, clearly bothered by the glares the clan was giving them.

Fireheart quickly heard yowls of protest arise.

"Because you got the murder you wanted?"He flinched at one in particular.

"How dare these filthy rogues show their faces in our camp!"

"We already have enough trouble lurking in our camp. What's some more?"

"SILENCE!"

Tigerstar's deafening roar made even the rogues fall back in surprise. The clearing was quiet in an instant as Tigerstar's hum of annoyance pervaded the air.

"Before you all, stands what remains of Brokentail's former allies," he continued, ignoring the fuss a few cats were still making. "Bear in mind, the word former."

Fireheart scoffed, looking around. Surely nobody would be fooled by this? Tigerstar was speaking up for the rogues who ambushed the clan. How is that not at least somewhat suspicious?

He observed Sandstorm had left his side. Whirling around, he found her sitting next to her mentor, Whitestorm, and Dustpelt, who seemed to be completely focused on the rogues, not knowing she'd just been at his side. She flashed him a worried look before turning away. Fireheart felt a bit of disappointment, seeing as their conversation was cut short by Tigerstar - who was now readying to speak again.

"As some of you may have noticed, I have been rather busy with ShadowClan as of late," he admitted, giving the rogues a nod. "These cats are the reason."

After that, one of the rogues, a huge tom with a ginger pelt similar to Fireheart's, opened their mouth to speak. He flexed his paws, his amber eyes revealing a slimmer of hesitation.

"We… we are going to rejoin ShadowClan," he stated simply.

The clan fell silent, as did Fireheart, who gazed in astonishment at the rogues. Sure enough, outrage quickly flared up throughout the clearing.

"We know our crimes!" Another rogue cried out - this time the gray-and-brown she-cat - before her voice could be drowned out. "Every clan has a right to be angry with us, but we are not above admitting our own mistakes, even if it's in front of all of you."

Only briefly did the commotion die down. Fireheart looked around the clan, seeing everyone's displeasure, before returning to Tigerstar. The large tabby was clearly irritated, but he... did nothing.

Fireheart frowned. What kind of step in his plan was this?

The noise eventually dwindled to no more than distressed chatter, where at that point, one voice rose above the rest.

"What is this?"

Fireheart turned to see Willowpelt, who despite having a belly round with kits, stood at the nursery entrance glaring at the rogues with a curled lip.

"Last I checked, it was WindClan you pathetic lot had the most problems with. Why don't you bother them?"

"They are here for more than an apology, Willowpelt," Tigerstar spoke up, giving the rogues no chance to reply themselves.

Willowpelt sniffed, looking at him and then back at the rogues.

"Then I do hope they get on with it!"

Tigerstar nodded, signaling the cats beside him with his tail. The one with a black foot stepped forward, giving the tabby a nod.

Fireheart, after jostling his memory for a bit, finally remembered the tom's name. This was Blackfoot, Brokentail's former second-in-command. Seeing him taking the initiative, Fireheart believed he must've been the leader of these rogues if he excluded Tigerstar as a possibility.

By now, the clearing had grown mostly silent, every cat waiting for the rogue to speak. Blackfoot cleared his throat.

"All we've ever wanted was to give our hearts to ShadowClan. Brokentail always put his clan first… we believed so strongly that he was the reason ShadowClan was as fierce as it was. We didn't want to follow orders from anyone else."

The large tom then moved his gaze onto Fireheart.

"At least," he teetered on the edge of his words. "Until he came along, that is."

Fireheart felt his hackles stand on end as suddenly the glares of his clanmates soon fell onto him.

Blackfoot murmured his name just barely loud enough for all to hear.

"Fireheart."

A few hisses were sent the ginger tom's way as he looked around confused and wary.

Fireheart felt his breath escape him, whipping his head around.

"Me?" He blurted with disbelief. He could hear Longtail sneering from his place near Tigerstar.

"It always comes back around to that kittypet." Fireheart heard him mutter, but the ginger tom hardly cared.

But this… Fireheart thought frantically. This means… yes! It's a lie! His head shot up. These rogues are definitely working with Tigerstar! Fireheart gasped. But the clan couldn't see it!

Fireheart suddenly had his head on a swivel, registering the looks from the clan. They all seemed just as shocked as he was: disgruntled looks from Sandstorm and Whitestorm; surprised looks from Dappletail and the elders; shocked but slightly unsurprised looks from the queens and the apprentices…

Fireheart sneered, returning his glare towards the rogues, who now were peering back at him with equal intensity.

Tigerstar himself seemed unphased by this revelation, Fireheart noticed. A sign he had planned this!

Tigerstar turned away from him, nodding again to the rogue.

"Explain, Blackfoot."

The large tom grunted, keeping his gaze even with Fireheart's.

"After Brokentail was captured, we wandered the forest in hiding, trying to plot our next move," he started. "However, it wasn't long until we were discovered, one day between RiverClan's borders. The one who found us-" His tail pointed towards the ginger tom. "-was him."

Fireheart growled. Between RIverClan's borders? Was he referencing the time he'd hunted for RiverClan?

Blackfoot continued with a huff.

"We were gonna kill him… but then he said something interesting. Something about helping us get Brokentail back."

At that, Fireheart could hear a surprised mewl escape himself. His clanmates expressed a similar reaction, and Fireheart could hear more hisses come his way.

"Wh-what?!" he stuttered, perplexed until Longtail's voice sounded out again.

"Of course!"

Fireheart looked around to see the tom's curled lip. It looked as if he was about to spring towards him—as he did on Fireheart's first day in the camp. "As if you weren't bad enough! You dirty, spineless, little-"

"Longtail."

Tigerstar's irritated voice quickly silenced the younger warrior. Longtail sniffed before curling back into a slouch, still clearly hostile towards both the rogues and Fireheart.

Fireheart opened his mouth quickly to respond, but Blackfoot spoke loudly, cutting him off.

"That was what he told us, in exchange for not getting his throat ripped out. He visited us a few more times after that - once or twice when he was out with his apprentice, who I assume that white-furred cat was."

Fireheart pinned his ears back. How dare they speak about Cloudpaw!

"W-what?" A feminine voice sounded out. Fireheart looked back to see Brindleface poking out of the nursery with a horrified expression. "No… was Cloudpaw really colluding with you rats?"

The large ginger rogue spoke this time.

"No. The kittypet always came to us alone," he stated. "Though we also saw him once or twice with a gray-furred cat as well. When we asked about him, the kittypet admitted they were hunting prey for RiverClan." He sneered with amusement. "So then, I suppose your kittypet warrior is a traitor two times over, eh?"

Fireheart reeled back but quickly regained his composure. By now, his sense of shock had worn off. These rogues had to have been given every detail they needed to bring Fireheart down, so it was no surprise that they were aware of these things.

Right now, Fireheart only begged for his voice to be heard.

"That's fox dung!" He exclaimed, perking everyone's attention. "I've never met with any of you! This is all a lie!"

Blackfoot only shrugged, as if expecting to hear that. "Sorry, Fireheart, but there's no point in lying anymore?"

"This- no… All you've done is lie!" Fireheart shouted. "I don't even know your names!"

"Aww. Now that's a bit harsh, ain't it?" Fireheart snapped his head towards one of the rogues. Their fur was dark brown with green eyes similar to his—Fireheart swore they looked familiar.

"You and that blasted apprentice clawed me up worse than badger - tryin' to look all convincing and the like. How could you just forget, after what we've done for you?"

Fireheart widened his eyes. He remembered this rogue now; he and Thornpaw fought him together when they attacked ThunderClan's camp! However, this rogue had attacked him first— how was that convincing at all to his clanmates?

"Tigerstar…" Among the hisses and growls, Fireheart heard Whitestorm's heavy sigh. "I think a more reliable explanation is in order."

The great tabby turned to him looking about to respond.

But Fireheart growled.

"No, Whitestorm!" He shouted, catching the ThunderClan leader by surprise. "You can't trust a single thing any of these cats say. Especially Tigerstar!"

The clan suddenly went silent as Fireheart whipped back towards the rogues, matching their glares.

"You mean to tell me these snakehearts just-... just show up after talking with Tigerstar in ShadowClan for who knows how long? This- this is all a setup. It has to be!"

The clearing stayed silent for a moment. Fireheart locked eyes with the rogues, seemingly in a standoff.

Eventually, the she-cat of the group gave him a sneer.

"The only set-up was the one you had with us! Just own up - like we are!" She scoffed. "Ain't no use trying to save your pelt now, kittypet." She curled her lips into a mocking smile. "Even if you're already starting to lose some of it."

Fireheart's face dropped, hearing a few cats snicker around him as the she-cat mocked his scars. His expression morphed into one of concern, whipping his head around towards the clan.

"No, stop!" He pleaded.

He had to keep talking - these rogues were not going to succeed in framing him!

"Don't you all give me that look! I fought these rogues beside you. I was trying to drive them out too!"

Fireheart looked around, praying for any kind of support. Whitestorm and Sandstorm both were giving him blank stares, while Yellowfang appeared hardened in her expression. It was then that Fireheart noticed the old medicine cat was even there. How was she just watching all of this instead of speaking up for him?

"Of course, you were!"

Fireheart looked around to see Blackfoot take a step forward, his voice and expression both dripping with sarcasm. "That was all part of your big plan, remember?"

Fireheart bore his fangs, listening as another rogue continued.

"Our attack was just a distraction for you," the ginger rogue said. "It makes perfect sense after what Tigerstar told us in our conversations. You never said what was in it for you, after all…"

Fireheart's ears lowered, his understanding of their plan slipping away.

"In it for-?"

He was cut off, seeing Blackfoot's smirk.

"Remember? You told us the best way to invade ThunderClan's camp?" The large tom shared a glance with ThunderClan's leader. "Heh, it was tough luck when Tigerstar found us out in the forest before you did. You wanted us to go for Brokentail, meanwhile, you'd be doing something else. You never told us what that meant exactly…"

Fireheart heard the female rogue snicker. "I couldn't believe it when Tigerstar told us! For a kittypet softie, you never seemed like the murderin' type."

Fireheart growled, clenching his eyelids.

"Enough!"

He raised his head.

"I- Agh!"

Fireheart lost his voice as he suddenly felt pressure on his head. Before he knew it, he tasted dirt as his jaw was buried into the ground. After a moment's daze, Fireheart glanced up, only to see Darkstripe's scowl.

"Yes, that is indeed enough."

A flash of red passed through Fireheart's vision, as the ginger tom sneered loudly.

"You're all fools!" He growled, suddenly feeling a heated rage, not unlike the one he'd felt when dealing with the entity of his dreams. With a grunt, he pulled away from Darkstripe, leaving the tom stumbling into the ground.

He took a few steps forward, teeth gritted.

"Tigerstar is behind all of this! How clear does it have to be!?"

While Fireheart chastised the clan, all he got in return were meows of protest. Blackfoot merely scoffed, unintimidated by the smaller cat as he lifted his paw towards the ginger tom.

"That, right there? That was a lie."

He looked to the rest of the clan as his voice called their attention.

"This one really had it all figured out. He told us if our plan ever failed, then he'd slide the blame onto Tigerstar. Take out both the leader and deputy in one blow, you know?"

Fireheart gawked at him. Just how much did these cats plan for this moment?

Blackfoot could see his look of surprise, merely responding with a hmph of amusement.

"Too bad that didn't work out though, huh? Neither of us got what we wanted…" His face turned sour. "Although, in hindsight, I can see it was for the best."

"Tigerstar?"

Whitestorm's calm voice quickly arose. The senior tom's troubled gaze was shifting between Fireheart and his leader. "Do you believe any of what these rogues are saying?"

Tigerstar blinked slowly towards the white warrior.

"Yes. I believe them, Whitestorm." He turned away, gesturing to the rogues with his tail. "The moment I found them on ShadowClan territory, they submitted to me. I was by myself—they could've ambushed me… Yet they didn't. Without their leader, it seemed a half-moon's worth of exile was enough to make them realize their sins, and drive them to seek atonement."

Whitestorm shot the rogues a disgruntled look and simply responded with a nod. Fireheart frowned, watching the older warrior he had respected submit without any further questioning.

"I also believe them."

Fireheart turned as the hardened voice of Goldenflower grabbed everyone's attention. The large she-cat stared repugnantly at the rogues.

"I don't trust anything else they say, but in this case…" She peered at Fireheart. "I suppose we can look at it this way: Now it's been confirmed that our traitor was working with these cats."

Tigerstar nodded in agreement toward his mate, peering across his clan.

"Which means there now should be no doubt he planned Bluestar's murder," he said.

Fireheart snapped his head at him, eyes widening as he heard the name of his former mentor. Curling his lip, he could practically feel the rage building up within him.

You planned it with them! He screamed to himself. Alas, he was once again cut off from a chance to speak.

"What will happen-" Sandstorm spoke up, breaking her eyes away from Fireheart to look at Tigerstar. "-with Brokentail's rogues now?"

Blackfoot grunted. "Please, we are no longer associated with Brokentail," he said. "And we told ya, we're rejoining back to ShadowClan."

"They can't possibly want them back, can they?" Swiftpaw's skepticism could be heard from his place near the other apprentices.

Blackfoot cast a glance at the apprentice as if irritated that someone so young would speak out against him. "This isn't something we have just decided," he stated. "We've already returned to our clan. Tigerstar acted as a voice of reason for us when we came back for the first time in moons."

The tom with a stumped tail raised his head. "We would've been chased out of the forest in a heartbeat if he wasn't there! Your leader commands a great presence in ShadowClan… our clanmates respect him, given everything he's done to help."

Everything I've done! Fireheart growled to himself. He was the one who helped drive out Brokentail. Tigerstar didn't deserve any praise!

"We owe him a great debt." Blackfoot nodded to the clan. "ShadowClan has agreed to leave you all in peace. You won't have a problem with us any time soon."

Fireheart looked around, certain that no cat would take them seriously. However, his feelings were slightly dashed, seeing his clanmates' faces light up with relief. Even though the presence of rogues in the forest was cause for concern, the promise of peace was apparently enough to appease the clan.

"With that said, I will still be assisting ShadowClan, at least until StarClan has approved of their new leader in the wake of Nightstar's passing," Tigerstar spoke again, looking towards Blackfoot. "We may be at odds with RiverClan, but this could be a new era of friendship between us and ShadowClan. Brokentail and his rogues are no more!"

After that, the heavy air in the clearing seemed to soften slightly. Tigerstar's reassuring tone appeared to assuage his clanmate's concerns, something Fireheart knew the tabby was skilled at.

Tigerstar then shifted his gaze onto him, making his heart skip a beat.

"The only threat that remains has been treated to the prisoner's den, as they deserve."

Fireheart sensed more eyes focusing on him, but he continued to ignore them. His ears started to heat up as he peered almost numbly at Tigerstar.

The ThunderClan leader turned to face the rogues and his clan.

"With that being said, I need a patrol to escort these cats back to ShadowClan. I want–"

"No."

Tigerstar's ears pricked, a surprised expression on his face. When he turned slowly, he noticed Fireheart looking straight at him.

"Not this time."

The ginger tom had a feral, raspy tone, and his teeth were bared with pure hatred.

"Do I get any say in this whatsoever?" He spat the question, not expecting an answer. "I am not going to be silenced again!"

He turned, sweeping his gaze across each face of his clanmates, each either confused or frightened.

"You're all short-sighted fools," he stated venomously, looking over each of the warriors, elders, apprentices, and the queens. "Tigerstar and these rogues… They're deceiving you all!"

He spun around, sneering indiscriminately at every cat he faced while his tail lashed violently. He seized the opportunity to continue as shock seemed to silence the clan.

"You think you can just throw me into a pit and forget about me? All because you just blindly follow this mousebrain's word like the grunts you are!?"

"Nrgh, here he goes again…"

Fireheart pricked his ears as he heard Darkstripe's voice. He whipped behind him, full of adrenaline.

"Tigerstar is the evil in this forest! This is his plan, and I'm his bloody scapegoat!" He sneered, looking around again. "I bet no one even cared to hear what I had to say after these ShadowClan foxhearts tore us apart! Noo, I'm just the kittypet who never deserved a chance! Who needs proof when you could just shove the blame onto the stupid kittypet!?"

Silence was all that followed. Fireheart's vision was too red, almost tearing, to notice anyone's reaction, but hearing their stunned silence made him scoff loudly. Why hadn't he scolded these mousebrains so much earlier?

"If I'm just meant to be forgotten, then at least listen now. You can't trust anyone who-"

Fireheart stopped as a sudden sharp pain in his side made him wince. He whipped around him with a hiss, only to recoil at the sight he saw.

Yellowfang had suddenly appeared beside him, her expression intense and unreadable.

Fireheart looked into her eyes, swearing he saw a glistening in them. It was then that he realized how quickly he was breathing, and how his claws were gripping so tightly that they made deep scrapes in the ground.

Fireheart blinked at Yellowfang, who stayed by his side, looking at him with a frown. The ginger blinked again, suddenly whipping his head away, gasping for breath.

As quick as it came, Fireheart's resolve suddenly wore away.

Why-… Yellowfang, what are you doing?...

Silence filled the clearing for only a few seconds more before a relieved groan sounded nearby.

"Ugh. Thanks, Yellowfang," Darkstripe grumbled, giving them the side-eye. "One more second and I would've soiled my claws with his filthy blood."

Fireheart said nothing in response, refusing to look at anyone now. He felt nothing… he didn't know what to feel. Why did Yellowfang stop him? And what was that look in her eyes?

He visibly flinched when he heard Tigerstar's voice.

"Hear me, ThunderClan."

A calmer, more stern voice replaced his usual commanding tone. Fireheart peered up slowly, noting how Tigerstar had his gaze back on his clan–something Fireheart couldn't understand. He was just going to ignore what just happened? Was his outburst something he-

No. He couldn't have known-

"This is the news I wanted to share with you today! Brokentail's legacy is no more, and ThunderClan now stands at peace with ShadowClan."

Fireheart gawked at him for just a second, before his head lowered to the ground in defeat. Yellowfang looked solemn as well. Huffing as she turned away, she left him with a brush of her tail.

Fireheart didn't turn to acknowledge her as he heard Tigerstar continue.

"Our main priority now is RiverClan." The great tabby went on with an austere tone. "We all heard Crookedstar last Gathering. He has no intention of backing down and has started challenging our borders again. Despite what some may think, our apprentices have been improving rapidly, and now it may once again be time for us to bring the fight back to RiverClan."

Tigerstar looked around his cats, taking into account how some had hardly been paying attention. He shook his head, turning to the rogues - who also seemed at a loss - before turning back.

"However… for today, Darkstripe will lead a patrol to escort these ShadowClan cats back to their clan, and our apprentice training will be canceled. That is all."

With that, ThunderClan began to disperse, sharing whispers all the while. He frowned at them, hearing Fireheart's name being thrown around.

"Ah, and one final thing."

The noises of the clan suddenly died down, and the tabby soon gained everyone's attention again.

"I want the kittypet to meet with me in my den."

Fireheart's eyes widened slightly as he stared at the ground. The dangerous tone from the ThunderClan leader made him shiver, and Fireheart could feel the air around him growing heavier once again.

He looked up, seeing the tabby glaring right at him.

"Now."

A/N - Mooore draaama and baaad stuff for Firebooooi~

The rogues must be assimilated into ShadowClan one way or another, and this time Tigerstar had it slightly easier, still being a respected leader and all :P

I probably forgot to include a rogue or two, but eh, the dialogue was still impossible to write nonetheless. I find writing confrontations to be sooo difficult tbh x(

Also, Stumpytail will be included as a rogue in this story, even though he was listed as a warrior in every book in the Prophecies Begin arc. His apprentice Brownpaw isn't really important (to my knowledge), so it's not exactly a big change. I think he was a rogue in Tigerclaw's Fury anyway, but perhaps that was just an oversight by our good ol' friends the Erins.

Anyway, I'm afraid this story may go inactive for a while since for the majority of October I will be on vacation yet again. However, I'll still be writing little by little… so we'll see!