Rising Moon

Jedi Goat

Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors.

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Chapter 34

The rest of the week passed slowly. Every day, Moonblaze, Leafpool, and Cindercloud would set out to collect herbs. Hunting patrols were almost constant, yet the fresh-kill pile remained minute. Border patrols kept track of ShadowClan's actions. So far, the enemy clan had remained in hiding. Firestar himself had visited WindClan and RiverClan. The result: WindClan had allied itself with ThunderClan, should it come to a fight; RiverClan, however, had been skeptical of the danger.

Meanwhile, the camp bustled with action. Brightheart could be seen teaching Squirrelflight's kits to fight, as well as helping Mousefur, Longtail, and Brambleclaw prepare themselves for battle.

Moonblaze found little time to contemplate the prophecy and its meaning, but as the Gathering crept closer, she began to worry about it once more. She really didn't want to think about it – how could it be that she needed to somehow save the forest? She was but one medicine cat – but it was inevitable.

The day of the Gathering dawned with an extra heap of snow, and ThunderClan spent most of the morning clearing the camp. They could not let the snow slow them down, should they resort to a battle in their camp.

Moonblaze cornered Leafpool in the medicine cats' den, where she was counting their stocks of herbs.

"Leafpool?" Moonblaze inquired nervously. Her mentor jumped and turned to face her.

"Oh, hello, Moonblaze." Leafpool's eyes were troubled, no doubt by the upcoming fight. Moonblaze dipped her head respectfully and seated herself beside Leafpool.

"Have you heard from StarClan lately?" she asked awkwardly.

Leafpool frowned. "Relating to ShadowClan, I have not heard nor seen anything."

Moonblaze scuffed a paw against the ground. "No, I meant about a prophecy…"

Leafpool straightened up, murmuring, "Betrayal will spill blood of old wounds. A terrible danger comes to prowl the forest. Night will send aid, and will replenish the spirit of the forest. Three cats have been chosen. They alone can save the clans."

Moonblaze nodded, looking at her paws. "Do you understand it?" she asked quietly.

Leafpool prodded some juniper berries back into their place, thoughtful. "Well, Nightfang did betray us by bringing in the rogues – and I suspect he brought the wolves, too."

"The terrible danger," agreed Moonblaze. "But what of the blood of old wounds? I mean, you said this sort of war between clans happened once before, long before I was born…If Nightfang wasn't around then, how is it an old wound to him?"

"Perhaps the prophecy refers to the warriors who have experienced it before," considered Leafpool. "It is, after all, a hardship they must go through again."

Moonblaze nodded again, glad for her mentor's wisdom. The prophecy's mysterious phrases were finally beginning to make sense. Of course, she already knew the meaning of the third line.

"Leafpool, the other night I had a dream from StarClan…Dawnbreak – my sister – told me about my mother." Moonblaze swallowed hard, meeting Leafpool's gaze. "Her name was Night. Could she be the Night in the prophecy?"

Leafpool turned away. "I have no doubt that she is," she murmured.

"Then I must be here…to replenish the spirit of the forest. But, Leafpool, I don't even know what that means!" Moonblaze's voice rose to a wail.

Leafpool nosed her ear affectionately. "My dear Moonblaze, do not worry. StarClan will reveal everything in time."

"But we have no time," lamented Moonblaze. "Does StarClan expect me to save the clans, all by myself?"

Leafpool sighed. "I do not know, Moonblaze. But remember, StarClan is always with you."

Moonblaze was not altogether assured. She stared at her paws, mumbling, "And the last two lines? I kind of get them, but I don't know who it's about."

Leafpool turned to her. "Three cats, all siblings, have been chosen."

Moonblaze thought about that a long time. Suddenly she raised her wide eyes to Leafpool's and whispered, "No."

Leafpool only nodded.

"No, it can't be us – I mean, they're in StarClan!"

"But that does not mean Duskshadow and Dawnbreak have left you, does it?" murmured Leafpool. "You see them all the time in your dreams. And I know you still love them."

Moonblaze only stared at her mentor. "How do you know?" she asked finally.

Sighing, Leafpool murmured, "I only had my guesses – but then I saw the three of you, the night of your warrior ceremony. You glowed like stars, and I remembered the trio of stars Spottedleaf had shown me, a long time ago. It is written in the stars, Moonblaze; you three will save the forest."

Moonblaze's mind was still buzzing with questions. How could the three of them save the forest? It was just nonsensical. Shaking her head, Moonblaze left the den.

Finally, the night of the Gathering arrived. Now it seemed things were moving too fast; before she knew it, Moonblaze and the rest of the chosen cats were heading off for the island.

Moonblaze took one last glance around camp before they left. Firestar had left a good patrol at home to be on alert in case ShadowClan tried a surprise attack. Thornclaw was left in charge of this patrol.

Firestar's group consisted of Moonblaze, Leafpool (Cindercloud was to remain in the camp), Oakheart, Sandstorm, Ashfur, Ferncloud, Honeydew, Wolfspirit, and Birchhollow. Signaling with his tail, Firestar led them out the entrance tunnel and through the forest. Moonblaze gazed around her, wondering if this would be the last time she saw this place. Shaking her head to clear it, she bounded ahead.

StarClan, be with us.

The Gathering clearing seemed eerily normal; with cats from all clans milling around benignly, it seemed this was just a regular meeting. Moonblaze looked to Firestar. The ThunderClan leader stood, determined, at the front of their troop. "Watch yourselves," he warned them, before joining the other leaders in the branches of the Great Oak. Oakheart headed to the base of the tree with the other deputies. Moonblaze stuck with Honeydew and Wolfspirit, taking comfort even in the tiny brush of their fur against hers. She was tense and jittering with nerves; tonight would decide the future of the clans.

Moonblaze looked up at the Great Oak, where Firestar was crouched with Leopardstar of RiverClan and Onestar of WindClan. Puzzled, she looked around for Nightfang. Surely he would be standing tall in the tree, fire in his eyes, just like at ShadowClan camp –

Moonblaze shut out the thought of that day. No. She had to keep her mind on the present.

She found Nightfang instead at the base of the tree with the other deputies; Moonblaze felt anger prick at her paws. Was he going to pretend that he'd never laid his bloody claws on Blackstar?

Except for a leader representative from ShadowClan, everyone was present. Thusly, Firestar stepped forward, pronouncing the words to open the Gathering.

"Cats of all clans!"

Silence fell over the clearing like a thick blanket of snow.

Firestar took in the clearing with his commanding gaze. "Tonight one of our leaders is not with us. Let it be known the reason why." His voice rose. "A traitor in ShadowClan murdered his own leader. He is also responsible for the death of Russetfur, the previous deputy, and the bloodthirsty attacks of the wolves. Nightfang!"

Whispers flitted through the crowd. Nightfang rose smoothly to his paws, and silence resumed.

Moonblaze bristled. How does it feel to be ousted, traitor?

"How kind of you to say, Firestar," he sneered. "Call me a traitor, do you? Well, you just wait…"

Nightfang turned to face the crowd of cats, announcing, "Let me introduce you to the new leader of ShadowClan, and soon the entire forest…my father, Bone of Caught-Prey."

There came a yowl from somewhere behind them, and Moonblaze whirled around to see a group of cats charging down the slope. In the lead was a huge battle-scarred gray tom. With a gasp, Moonblaze drew back as she had in her dream. Preybone… Then she remembered her mother. She had to be strong for her, to stand up to this cat. She would not show any fear.

The clans split ranks to allow Preybone and his rogues through. Most cats were watching in terror, remembering the last time such a takeover had happened to the forest. However, Moonblaze stood tall, glaring at the invaders.

He is no father of mine. Moonblaze thought of Brackenfur, her adopted father. She closed her eyes briefly. I will fight for your honor, father, and for everyone else in this forest.

Preybone reached the Great Oak and lunged up into the tree, taking a place above all the leaders.

"I will make this simple," he rumbled, his voice thunder. "Give up your territory and retreat, and I will not harm you…much." He smirked before continuing, "Resist, and all of you will die."

Some cats bristled, while others crouched lower to the ground in fear. Moonblaze stared up at Preybone with her ears flat in anger. Oh, no you don't! This is our home! We will fight for it!

Preybone gave a loud yowl, and it reminded Moonblaze of the fearsome battle cry of the wolves. This was no civilized cat; he was a monster!

"I claim this territory in the name of the resurrected BloodClan!" He unsheathed his claws, which glittered in the moonlight. "And in the name of my departed father, Bone!" Moonblaze shivered ever so slightly.

"BloodClan!" the hushed whisper shuddered through the crowd. The cats all remembered BloodClan, the group of rogues led by Scourge and Bone who had attacked the old forest long ago. Even the younger cats, Moonblaze included, had heard the terrifying stories.

The blood of old wounds…it's BloodClan! Nightfang brought in BloodClan!

To be continued...

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