AN: I'm alive! And here's a new chapter. Enjoy.

Chapter 31: Revelations

Iceshard paced angrily to and fro, tail lashing and eyes narrowed. Her head was a muddled mess of ideas and plans that would probably never occur. Sitting on their thrones trying to keep as far away from Iceshard as possible, was Eternity and Settingsun. The two cats didn't say a word, afraid that Iceshard would snap at them or draw blood like she usually did when she was in this type of mood. "I can't believe this!" the Highest Star snapped. "Our powers are running low and we have no cat capable of giving us our powers! Maybe killing Death wasn't such a good thing…"

Eternity snapped his eyes open with a hiss, "That is the most ridiculous thing I have heard you say all day! Death needed to die for the crime he committed when he created that demon she-cat that now has control over all six Clans!" The midnight coloured tom closed his mouth with a loud snap. He'd said too much. Iceshard hadn't known about the loss of the six living Clans that the High Stars governed over.

"She's taken over my Clans?" Iceshard snarled, "All of my Clans are under her control? How!?"

"Mind control," Settingsun explained simply, drawing a paw over her ear.

Iceshard stared at her daughter with narrowed eyes, "You're kidding, no cat, not even us, has the power to control minds. Are you telling me that Crimson is more powerful than us? Why was I not informed of her powers earlier?"

"It's not really mind control if you think long and hard about it. She basically strips cats of their memories, impulses and emotions. Then she can tell them to do whatever she wants and they will do it."

"Really?" the Highest Star breathed. "That is certainly a wonderful power to have. Are you certain she doesn't want to join us and be a High Star? She'd make a powerful leader and it might keep her in check, stop her from killing anyone else that might be of any importance to us." She paused and twitched her ears, "Have any of you seen Hawkfrost recently? He seems to have vanished."

The sound of paws padding across grass suddenly rang out across the clearing and the heads of all three High Stars swivelled to stare at the newcomer that had interrupted their private meeting. However not one of them could put a name to the cat they saw slinking over to them, long black fur shimmering as she walked. Green grass seemed to turn a shade duller as the pitch black paws of the she-cat touched them, air danker as she let out a breath. Whoever the she-cat was she was powerful, that was easy to see.

"You better have a good excuse for intruding upon this important meeting," Iceshard snarled lashing her tail to show the intruder how irritated she was. "But first your name, I don't recall seeing you around here, but then again I don't know that names or pelts of many of the cats that dwell within this forest."

The she-cat came to a stop a few fox-leaps away from the High Stars, light amber eyes twinkling slightly. "My name does not matter as it is not of any importance. However the reason I am here may intrigue you more."

"Your name is rather important to us. It might help us find you again," Eternity rumbled with his eyes narrowed. He wasn't all that sure on whether to trust this strange she-cat or remain wary of her. Already he could tell that Iceshard was leaning towards trust but that was only due to her curiosity towards what the she-cat had to say. He only hoped that it was good, or the she-cat may be leaving without her eyes.

She sighed in annoyance but paused before she answered as if she was trying to recall what her name was, "My name is Astrid and I'd very much like to tell you the reason why I am here before this clearing," she paused again and stared around the spacey clearing, "becomes crowded."

Settingsun cleared her throat, earning herself a glare from Iceshard, but the pretty orange she-cat spoke anyway. "I myself would like to know where you have been hiding..Astrid," Settingsun appeared to be testing the name on her tongue. "My mother and friend may not know many of the cats that dwell within this forest but I do and I have not seen or heard of you before. So, please do tell us what part of this forest you come from."

Astrid wrinkled her nose, "Furthest edges of the territory, on the border between Place of No Stars and Place of Endless Night. Few of us live there because the living is hard; confrontations are had with the Endless Night cats, especially now that Scourge has taken over."

"Enough with this useless banter!" Iceshard snapped hushing her daughter with a flick of her tail. "We know your name and where you come from now tell us why you are here."

"I couldn't help but overhear that your powers have been failing recently due to a drop in your sacrifices. Death is dead and now you have nobody to perform the necessary ritual to fuel your powers," Astrid explained. For a moment her eyes seemed to shimmer a different colour, but then they stop flickering and remained icy amber. "But Death was not the only cat who had the power to suck the essence from other cats and morph them into powers for another cat. I also can do it." She paused, tilted her head and chuckled softly to herself, "I suppose you could say I was sort of his protégé."

Iceshard went rigid with excitement but then one though crossed her mind and dampened her mood, "You knew Death? How so?"

"He often came to speak with the few of us that lived on the border, said he was interested in how we managed to survive. Apparently I stuck out as the strongest of the bunch and we spent a lot of time just walking and talking," Astrid replied simply. She shrugged and flicked her ear, "He was a nice cat."

"Interesting. So I assume that you are telling us that you can perform the ritual," Iceshard guessed and Astrid nodded. "Good. Be here tomorrow at the same time and we will begin."

Astrid dipped her head in respect before she turned and began to make her way back towards the cover of the trees. As she walked a cruel smile split her calm muzzle in two, warping her face into one of evil instead of peaceful. Her eyes flickered again but this time they changed colour completely, fading from icy amber to blood red. 'Astrid' shed her fake look and allowed her normal form to descend back over her body. Crimson had just gotten a step closer to bringing down the three cats that were just a little more well known that her.

-000-

Frozen Shadows glimmered brightly amongst the dull swamplands, the only splash of white within the dank swamplands. Despite how brightly it shined, Frozen Shadows was bare of any stars, as was anything else within the Northern Lands. Three tall pillars of ice capped with soft snow split the muddy ground and rose up towards the sky. The ice itself was nearly see through, hence the name Frozen Shadows, as the shadows danced within the ice. Scourge sat silently in front of the tallest pillar, tail flicked comfortably over his paws as he waited for the arrival of his love. So far the planning of Iceshard's downfall had gone well, Hawkfrost proving to be a skilled ally in the art of planning for war. The only set back being the large difference in numbers. Iceshard had all of the Dark Forest whilst Scourge had only the cats within his borders.

"You are one time, for once," came a soft purr.

"I am not one for deadlines," Scourge returned the purr, "but I sent Hawkfrost on a tour of the territory with Tempest."

Palesun slunk out from around the pillars of ice, her shadow dancing within the ice like a bird in flight. "Tempest? Really? Of all the cats to take him on the tour you chose Tempest? Honestly, Hawkfrost has a mate, haven't you heard?"

"No. He does not. She ran off after Hawkfrost was framed for the death of her father. Eternity was the real killer but you know how persuasive the High Stars are, if they want you to believe the murderer was a stick they could!" Scourge spat angrily, only to be soothed by a lick on the muzzle from Palesun.

The pale yellow she-cat rolled her eyes, "It's about time they were killed off. So what have you and Hawkfrost planned so far?"

"We will strike during the annual meeting the High Stars hold for the cats of the Dark Forest. Hawkfrost and I will sneak up behind the thrones of the High Stars, kill them and then take over." Scourge smirked. "Easy. Simple."

Palesun nodded, going over the plan in her mind so to pick out the flaws. "It seems like a decent plan but what are you going to do if the cats of the Dark Forest decide to lash out at you? There isn't exactly an army of cats within these boundaries and not all of them are willing to fight," she pressed.

The small black tom scrunched up his nose and flexed his claws, tearing up the muddy grass under his paws. Palesun had a point. There were many cats within the Dark Forest that looked up to the High Stars with adoration and followed the three remaining leaders. He growled in annoyance. He'd been so close to killing them off! "You have a valid point so I assume you have a solution as well?"

"Ask Hiddenstorm for help. He still owes you for saving him from Redstorm's rage a little while ago," Palesun purred smugly.

Scourge narrowed his eyes, "I will not be asking that buffoon for help! Besides, Hawkfrost wouldn't agree with it. Didn't his mate run off in the direction of Hiddenstorm's lands?"

"Then you will be running into your own death, again!" Palesun cried, choking up a little at the thought of Scourge fading away into nothing.

"But if I win," Scourge murmured, brushing his muzzle against Palesun's, "we'll be the leaders of the Dark Forest and no other cat will ever be able to kill us." He licked the yellow warrior's ear, drawing a soft purr from Palesun's belly.

For a little while they remained silent just sitting beside each other with tails entwined and muzzles touching. But that moment was fleeting and interrupted by the sudden arrival of a heavily panting, long-furred white she-cat, splashes of orange darkening her bright pelt. She took a deep breath before she spoke, blue eyes flashing. "Scourge, sir, there are five cats from the Dark Forest on the border. They say they are close friends of Hawkfrost and wish to join his rebellion. Hawkfrost himself is with them now. He advised me that you come quickly."

"Thank you, Tempest," Scourge muttered, waving his tail at the tired she-cat. "You may as well return with us. Hawkfrost must have become acquainted during your short tour."

Tempest groaned, "If I must, sir."

Scourge hissed at the she-cat before he rose to his paws, Palesun following his lead. The three cats began to make their way through the swamp, galloping steadily through the thick mud and shallow pools of water. Other cats ducked out of the way, eyes flashing in the gloomy swamplands.

A scent so familiar that it hurt was suddenly thrust into Scourge's nose and he came to a sudden halt just before the border, lip curling at both the scent and sight of a cat he hated with all his moral fibre. "Tigerstar."

Tigerstar raised his head, ears pinned to his skull, "Hello, Scourge. I hope you can put the past behind us so that my friends and I can join your cause. We too would like to see the High Stars dead."

"We wish to aid you," Ivypool offered from behind Thistleclaw. "Because we feel that the High Stars have grown corrupt with power. Please, Scourge, let us help."

Scourge once again found himself thrust between two difficult decisions. If he accepted the help of the Dark Forest Callers then he would have more cats, strong cats, able to help him bring down the High Stars. It might be the difference between victory and defeat. But he would also be bringing the one cat he had strived all of his living life to kill into his homelands, into his realm. Would that not make him weak? But if he did not accept the help being given to him then he might not come back from the assault alive. I'd be leaving Palesun alone with her other half preying on the shadows, I can't do that.

The choice became clearer than day. "I will accept the help of you and your friends, Tigerstar, but whilst you are within these borders then you will answer to me. You will not be able to give out orders, that duty falls to me and me alone. You will become a normal cat that used to be a leader. Do you understand?"

Tigerstar inclined his head. "I understand."

"Then we have a deal."

AN: Short chapter is short. Grumpy Scourge is easily won over by Palesun. All though I will admit that an alliance between him and Tigerstar might be a little shaky, despite the fact that I've been planning it since Hawkfrost joined him. More Crimson next chapter.

I've added a few more days onto the competition. Details are still on my profile.

-Hunter