Chapter 10

Lionblaze followed Ivypool and Amberpaw out into the forest. They headed toward the Shadowclan border. Mistystar's patrol was waiting.

Lionblaze nodded to the Riverclan deputy, Reedwhisker. "Greetings, Reedwhisker. Have you decided on your decision?"

Reedfeather nodded. "Mistystar agrees." His voice dropped into a growl. "But Thunderclan will not control our warriors." He narrowed his eyes.

Lionblaze met his gaze. "We mean you no harm, Reedfeather. We only wish to save the clans."

"So you say." Another voice. But suddenly, Brokenstar's stench hit Lionblaze's nose. "Reedfeather, this half-clan rogue wants to take over your clan! He wishes to control the forest. Bramblestar was Tigerstar's son. He has the same ambition."

Lionblaze leapt around at the scent. "Brokenstar! Don't feed us your useless lies! The forest is free from you."

"Oh, yes?" Brokenstar slinked out of the undergrowth. "Then what am I doing here?"

Lionblaze let out a yowl of rage. This murderous cat had killed Ferncloud! He leapt onto Brokenstar and pressed him to the ground. "The—Dark—Forest—does –not—belong!" He swiped at Brokenstar with every word. Amazingly, the glint in his eyes twinkled. He spat blood onto the ground, and glanced at Reedwhisker. "You see? This cat is just one of the clan who wants to take over. Who knows? How can you trust them?" He cackled with laughter. Lionblaze roared and bowled him over, pinning him to the ground. Lionblaze looked up at Reedwhisker's terrified face. "Don't listen to him, Reedwhisker! Brokenstar is the—"

Reedwhisker dashed back into the undergrowth. Lionblaze watched his retreating tail in despair. Ivypool's eyes burned with rage. "Brokenstar! How many times do we have to make it clear? You are dead. Leave!" She pushed Lionblaze aside and bit into Brokenstar's neck. He fell limp and dissolved into shadows.

Lionblaze growled. "I thought killing him two times was enough. How could he come back a third time?"

Ivypool shrugged. Her apprentice was crouching behind her. "Um… Ivypool?"

Ivypool licked her on the shoulder. "Don't worry, Amberpaw. I think that's the last we've seen of him."

Amberpaw's eyes were round with fear. "But I thought killing cats was against the warrior code."

Ivypool stared off into the distance. "Sometimes breaking it is the only way. This cat killed Ferncloud… and Beetlewhisker… Mintkit and Marigoldkit. He exiled the elders and killed his own father."

Amberpaw gasped. "I never knew that!"

Ivypool's eyes darkened. "Maybe it's better you don't."

For a moment, there was an awkward silence. Then Lionblaze spoke up. "Um, maybe we should get on with the patrol and report back to Bramblestar as fast as we can?"

Ivypool nodded. "Come on, Amberpaw."

Her apprentice nodded and followed her mentor along the border.

"What?" Bramblestar's snarl echoed across the clearing. Many cats lifted their heads, curious about the noise.

Lionblaze saw his own anger mirrored in Bramblestar's amber eyes. "Brokenstar wanted to prove that Thunderclan is full of violent cats. He sacrificed himself to do that."

Then, a thought hit him like a blast of cold wind. "But if he could show himself again… maybe former leaders have that power? To have nine lives again in the Dark Forest?"

Bramblestar shook his head wearily. "I don't know, Lionblaze. Starclan gave them their nine lives. They wasted them away and entered the Dark Forest. Can Dark Forest warriors give lives?"

"We can keep guessing and never know the answer." Lionblaze jumped. Jayfeather had appeared right behind him. "But I suggest we prepare ourselves from the bears and the Dark Forest as well."

Bramblestar nodded. "So, all the clans have joined. Did you pass on the news about gathering at Riverclan?"

Lionblaze cursed. "Reedwhisker ran away before I could give him the message."

Bramblestar sighed. "I'll send another patrol to cross to Riverclan and tell them."

"But the bears are there." Squirrelflight pointed out.

"Oh, yeah…" Lionblaze's thoughts spun. "Then how did Riverclan get to the border without getting eaten?"

Bramblestar frowned. "Maybe the Dark Forest is influencing the bears to their will. I really hope that's not true."

Lionblaze privately agreed. "So… should we tell Windclan to pass on the message?"

Squirrelflight nodded. "I'll do that right now." She padded into the clearing. "Hazeltail! Thornclaw! Come with me. We're going to Windclan."

The two cats, who were sharing tongues in the shadow of the warrior's den, leaped up and bounded out of camp, Squirrelflight at their heels.

Bramblestar padded back to his den. "At least that's sorted. Lionblaze, go lead a hunting patrol. We have three days to prepare."