Hello, kind and wonderful world! I have a bit of a surprise for you. Heh.

So I decided to take a 10K Day. Meaning I wrote 10,000 words today. And you should know that EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM has been devoted to Elemental Book Four. Yeah, that's right, I wrote FOUR CHAPTERS today, and I'm going to try to write more and reach 15K words, because 10K didn't take me as long as I thought it would. So, long story short, I have a bunch of chapters in the queue. I want to write some Hollyleaf's Retelling and some Willowshine's Adventure before I post them all, but just so you know, I won't be going on like half-month hiatus for a while. I'll post a chapter a week until I get caught up on the other stuff.

Some alternate titles for this chapter (which has a terrible title, but I decided to just press on): Burying the Hatchet...Information Dump...you can take your pick.

Chapter 15: The Spying Partners

When it was calm, after a long conversation between Littlefalcon, Jayfeather, and the senior warriors, Birdfeather approached her brother beneath the Highledge.

"News?" she said. "I saw Snowpaw come into your meeting."

"The patrol is heading towards WindClan," said Littlefalcon. "For now, the others have agreed to let me try out this whole leadership thing. Just until Doveheart returns." He flicked his ears. "Which should be soon."

"They've been gone a while," said Birdfeather, nodding. She glanced towards the middle of camp, almost visualizing Brackenheart's corpse back in its place. "I don't know what we're going to say to Willowleaf."

"We've lost a lot of cats," said Littlefalcon softly. "She'll find a way to move on."

"You say that like it's unacceptable to grieve," said Birdfeather. She took another look at her brother, hoping that he would just turn and smile and admit that all of this was a game, and that he was just her little kit brother again. But that wasn't the case. Littlefalcon was playing leader.

"We've got a war on the horizon," said Littlefalcon. "You're already moving on from the Gathering. She can move on from it, too."

Birdfeather dipped her head. It still pained her to think of the fire, the heat, everything boiling out of her system. She hadn't even been awake to see her flames destroy, so there wasn't even that satisfaction. Just the pain of losing control and the death when she woke.

"Is there anything I can do to help you?" said Birdfeather. "It would help me to have something to focus on, I think."

"Actually, yes," said Littlefalcon, turning to fully face her. "How are your lies?"

"What do you mean?" said Birdfeather. "You know I can lie easily."

"Great," said Littlefalcon. "I need you to confirm a few things in Old StarClan for me. Do you think you can do that?"

"Like…as a spy?"

"Like as a spy." Littlefalcon nodded. "I think you're the only one that can get that close. You're a medicine cat, after all. If you go to the Moontree and ask for guidance specifically from an ancestor or two, they might talk to you. From there, you can ask for the information I need to confirm."

"What information is that?"

"First, what their plans are with the other Clans," said Littlefalcon. "I can't quite figure it out. There's just so much conflicting information." He shook his head. "Second, when the border will fall. It's close enough that they will know. This is the endgame after all, so things are going to happen quickly. I want a timeline. Third, what it is they're expecting us to do versus what they're afraid we'll do."

"Clearly, they want the border to collapse," said Birdfeather. "And for us to save them, not destroy the world."

"I think it's a little more complex than that," said Littlefalcon. "I know that seems far-fetched, but just go with me on that."

Birdfeather nodded. Her brother suddenly seemed this bank of knowledge. He had always known a lot, but she was shocked at how much of a handle on the end game he had. As if he had been waiting to actually step up and become leader, like this wasn't entirely a show. It spooked Birdfeather, only slightly. Something else had changed about him. Like he was more distant. She had felt something earlier, like he had stopped their connection. She was the worst at connecting mentally, but she couldn't feel his presence anymore. It was like she had gotten used to the mental presence of Willowleaf, Skysong, Mountainstone, and Littlefalcon…and now a piece of that was missing.

"Littlefalcon?" she asked. Her brother lifted his light blue-flecked amber eyes to her. "Do you really have the power to read desires and fears? I thought that was Skysong's thing."

"Most of that was a bluff," said Littlefalcon. Birdfeather could feel the lie. "Okay, yes. Sort of. My power isn't exactly to sense fears and desires. It's more than that."

"Why don't you just tell us?" said Birdfeather.

"It's kind of a complicated power," said Littlefalcon. "Mostly, I think it's what happened to my ability to make cats do what I want. I can't do that anymore, but I can sense what I could do to make them do what I want anyways. If that makes sense."

"Why didn't you tell us before?" said Birdfeather.

"I wasn't sure what it was," said Littlefalcon. A lie. Birdfeather told him such. "Fine. I was afraid of what this power is."

"You should tell the others," said Birdfeather. "Mentally call them or something."

"Why don't you?" said Littlefalcon. His statement brought her to her conclusion.

"You can't anymore, can you?" said Birdfeather. "What happened? What's going on with you?"

"No matter what I'd tell you, it'd be a lie, so I'll just settle to tell you that I can't tell you right now." Littlefalcon smirked as Birdfeather tried to sort out his words. "For now, focus on Old StarClan, okay?" His ears twitched, and Birdfeather turned around after he did. "Willowleaf is back. Good timing."

He was already trotting towards the entrance of camp, and Birdfeather sighed before following him. Sure enough, Mouseclaw was leading the way into camp, shouldering through the brambles. Doveheart and Willowleaf weren't far behind. At once, Willowleaf flocked to her littermates.

"What's going on?" she said, her tail moving back and forth already. "Fountain said someone I loved would be gone…" She scanned the clearing. "Where are Skysong and Mountainstone?" She looked at Birdfeather. "Birdpaw?"

"Uh, Birdfeather," said Birdfeather. "A lot has happened, huh."

"Congratulations," said Mouseclaw and Doveheart in unison. Willowleaf nodded her agreement.

"It's a lot to explain," said Littlefalcon. "We'll brief the three of you right away. I'll meet you in Lionstar's den."

Willowleaf turned to look at Birdfeather, her eyes narrowing in confusion. Unsure of what to tell her, Birdfeather moved steadily to Mouseclaw instead.

"How was it?" she asked brightly. "I hope you weren't hurt?"

Mouseclaw's blue eyes scrutinized her, and Birdfeather wondered if she had done something wrong. The brown-and-black tom opened his mouth to speak but decided better of it. He shook his head instead.

"They told me everything," he said. "And we have news for you, too. But do Willowleaf a favor and tell her what happened to the cat she loved."

Brackenheart. A sinking feeling in her chest, Birdfeather stepped closer to check out Mouseclaw's closing wounds. His breathing was a little heavy, but that was no doubt because they had been moving quickly to return. How did Willowleaf know that someone had been hurt? Was that within Fountain's realm of knowledge, too?

"Well, you seem well enough," said Birdfeather. "It wasn't too hard on you?"

"I'm fine," said Mouseclaw. "But Willowleaf is worried, and you know something."

"It's easier to explain when we're all together." Birdfeather didn't know how to vocalize her fear. It wasn't worth lying to them – she needed to own up to what she had done. But how would Willowleaf look at her after knowing about Brackenheart? Would she be able to recover from another blow like this?

"So you've returned." At the flicker of movement, Birdfeather looked over her shoulder to find Cloudtail and Thornclaw. "A lot has happened, Mouseclaw. Where did you go, anyways?"

"Let Littlefalcon do the explanation," said Birdfeather quietly. Cloudtail lashed his tail but said nothing. Thornclaw sighed and nodded.

"We'd like to know about this mission," said Thornclaw. "It seems unlikely that Lionstar would send Doveheart somewhere if it wasn't important."

"I don't know much myself," lied Birdfeather, but her accompanying smile made the pity peak in their eyes. Such a small lie, such a powerful effect. Mouseclaw was staring at Birdfeather. Willowleaf and Doveheart had already followed Littlefalcon back to Lionstar's den, and she figured she ought to do the same.

"Something big has happened," said Mouseclaw as he followed Birdfeather.

"A lot of big things have happened," said Birdfeather. "I don't know where to begin."

She did know where they would end up beginning – with her massacre. She and Mouseclaw were the last to enter Lionstar's den, this dark corner of camp where she actually felt like she could talk about the truth. But this truth was harder than any of the others. Birdfeather took a deep breath as they all turned to look at her. Other than Jayfeather casually questioning Mouseclaw on his health, there was a chilly and uncomfortable feeling to the den. It was her time to speak. Littlefalcon blinked twice at her as if telling her speak now, and Ivypool looked away. Willowleaf turned to Birdfeather with eyes wide and pleading.

"What is everyone not telling me?" she said in a wavering voice. "Fountain told me that a dear friend of mine, that there would be fire, that…"

"At the latest Gathering, I lost control of my powers." Birdfeather's voice rang out with surprising conviction. Mouseclaw and Jayfeather's conversation fell silent. Doveheart's claws clenched against the hard rock. Birdfeather had been expecting something worse. But she hadn't told them everything yet. "Cats were killed."

"How many?" said Doveheart. "We're missing warriors. How many?"

"Just one from ThunderClan," said Birdfeather. There was a tension thick in the air as she steeled her nerves. Willowleaf deserved no lies, only the truest of truths. "I lost control of my powers, and Brackenheart is dead because – "

"No." Willowleaf cut her off with a voice so wispy Birdfeather gritted her teeth. "No way."

"Onestar, too, walks with StarClan," said Littlefalcon. "And five others from the other Clans."

"Seven, in all," said Birdfeather. Willowleaf trembled for a few seconds, and Mouseclaw moved to press his flank into hers. Doveheart's eyes were cast down at her paws as she fought to wrap her head around the loss. Birdfeather didn't know how to express to them how sorry she was, how much difficulty it had taken just to…just to think normally. Just to remember how her life could go on.

"Between us, that's twelve." Willowleaf's voice was stiff, and she raised her head. "That's the end, then."

"Fountain told us that the smaller prophecy is a lie," said Doveheart. Birdfeather turned to her, only a little stunned. "The one about nature's gift, all that. And the rest of the prophecy, and our prophecy, it's all the same one."

"All the same one?" said Jayfeather. Doveheart nodded.

"Fountain said we hadn't figured the prophecy out because we hadn't been looking at it all together, as one big picture," she said.

"And there was a line I hadn't heard, one that makes…way too much sense." Willowleaf took a deep breath. "Drown in water, drown in air, drown in ice. Drown in earth, drown in fire, then stars will be your truth."

"We think the drowning in ice was Brackenfur," said Mouseclaw. "And the earth was me." Birdfeather winced. She hadn't realized that Mouseclaw had figured out that he had died, but as no one had questioned his presence… "The drowning in fire has to be this."

"But the air, the water, that hasn't happened yet," finished Doveheart.

"I would not be so sure," said Littlefalcon. "Maybe we just can't remember it."

"You sound confident," said Willowleaf. "But do you remember killing anyone?"

"That doesn't matter," said Ivypool quickly. "What matters is that the end is here. And we are busy running in circles because WindClan and RiverClan can't…" She gave an exaggerated sigh. "Lionstar and Icecloud have been kidnapped, and Littlefalcon has put on this ridiculous show claiming that he is the one true leader of ThunderClan, and that's the big secret everyone has been hiding."

"Lionstar and Icecloud?" Doveheart got to her paws. Her eyes glazed over, and Birdfeather knew she was searching for them. Then she leaned back and shook her head. "They are beyond even my senses."

"Mountainstone is going after them," said Ivypool. "He'll find them."

"It's a distraction, though," said Jayfeather distastefully. "We can't say for sure that this is the fault of the other Clans, but I'm willing to say it is."

"And Littlefalcon?" said Willowleaf. "What do you mean, one true leader?"

"I bluffed so we would have some time," said Littlefalcon. "Since Doveheart and Lionstar were gone, the Clan started feuding. So I stood up and said StarClan had foretold me to rise as a leader because of the power I have to know their desires and fears."

"What?" Willowleaf recoiled. "I didn't know you could do that."

"Surprise, our powers are all shifting around," muttered Birdfeather.

"Now of all times." Jayfeather lashed his tail.

"Fountain said Willowleaf had another power," said Mouseclaw, wrapping his tail over Willowleaf's back. "An ability wrapped up in a lie."

"How does this stupid wolf know so much?" said Ivypool. "I don't like it."

"He's in contact with a 'special' member of New StarClan," said Doveheart. "Though I couldn't figure out who that could be."

"Oh, and Rushpaw was important, and we had another cat involved in WindClan, and Tigerheart, too," said Willowleaf. Birdfeather looked up at the prospect of Rushfire being involved. Her stomach began to churn. I lied to my Clan for you. I lied to my mentor for you. She shook the words from her mind. There was no way he could still…he could still…

"I thought as much," said Jayfeather. He turned to Birdfeather and nodded. Birdfeather almost recoiled, afraid of what he was going to say. "We're sharing a dream with Rushfire tonight."

Do we have to? She didn't bother saying the words aloud, just nodded. She hadn't realized Jayfeather's ability to link dreams together could be so powerful. Or maybe it was just that he knew Birdfeather and Rushfire already shared such a powerful bond. Ugh. She really had to get him out of her head.

"So, we have jobs to do, and we don't have time to do a lot," said Doveheart, standing up. "Birdfeather and Jayfeather will get in contact with Rushfire. Skysong and Mountainstone will have to find Lionstar and Icecloud on their own. Littlefalcon, you and I can worry about putting the Clan back together. Ivypool," she said, turning to her sister. "keep checking the border. I want to know the second something happens. And Willowleaf, the others have been practicing using their powers, from what I understand. I want you working on that. And if you can decode whatever Fountain said…"

"I'll help you," said Mouseclaw. Willowleaf smiled at him gratefully.

"Birdfeather and Rushfire will be spying on Old StarClan," said Littlefalcon quietly. "Jayfeather, after tonight, can you visit WindClan? I want to know who this other player is."

"I have my suspicions," said Jayfeather. "But yes."

Birdfeather and Rushfire will be spying on Old StarClan. Birdfeather shivered. It made sense: Rushfire was the only one that could withstand her lies. So he was the only real companion she could take into a dangerous situation. A part of Birdfeather was desperate to go alone if the alternative was taking Rushfire.

XXX

She and Jayfeather stood on the edge of a wide, white-watered river that ran past their paws so quickly and screamed so loudly Birdfeather's ears had gone flat against her head.

"Why does Rushfire have to dream here?" she complained.

"Even for a RiverClan cat, this has to be a nightmare." Jayfeather looked around, blue eyes clear. "This way." Birdfeather followed her mentor along the coast of the river, which pounded on as if they were infinitely small. She hated the feeling.

They found Rushfire not long later, standing in the center of the river on a stone that hardly seemed big enough to hold him. His eyes searched out the depths of the river, terrified that he was going to fall in. And Birdfeather stood on the coast unable to reach him, and then she found herself screaming his name.

Rushfire heard her at once, and his head whipped around. Seeing them on the bank, he blinked three times. The nightmare shattered around him as if they had pierced its immersion. Birdfeather breathed out a sigh of relief as the waters slowed to a steady, black crawl. Without hesitation, Rushfire had slipped into the water and reached the coast before they could speak again.

"Thank goodness for outside influences puncturing a nightmare," said Jayfeather. "I'm glad that worked."

"What are you doing here?" said Rushfire. He looked around himself. "What am I doing here? This isn't a prophetic dream of any type, is it? And this isn't normally where we – " He stopped suddenly, presumably seeing the way Birdfeather couldn't meet his eyes, the way her paws were shaking. She couldn't hear his voice like this, not knowing that he was the reason she had lost control.

"We need you on our side," said Jayfeather. "The end is here. I don't know who you're loyal to – Willowshine or Old StarClan or New StarClan, whoever. But it's time to make that very clear. And if you really want to save RiverClan, you'll be on our side."

"I am," said Rushfire, his voice unhesitant. "I'm on Birdfeather's side."

"You were bringing everything to Willowshine," said Birdfeather suddenly. She glared up at him. "You were sent to trick me."

Rushfire sighed. Birdfeather tried not to allow her heart to beat faster at the way he was staring at her. She tried not to let herself fall. She couldn't let him say these words, couldn't let him talk to her like this. She turned her head to the side, knowing that Rushfire wouldn't say it. Not again. Not when she had destroyed everything and taken two of his Clanmates' lives.

"Look." Jayfeather's voice was icy cold. "I don't care if you two want to fall in love and save the world together, or if you want to hate each other and save the world together. But so help me you are going to work together and save us."

"J-Jayfeather…" Birdfeather's pelt was so hot, but with embarrassment only this time.

"I'm serious." Jayfeather looked wryly between them. "I think every medicine cat in the history of medicine cats has at some point found somebody. But you're not allowed to give up being a medicine cat for it, understand?"

"I'm only one small cat in a big Clan," said Rushfire quietly. "I'm not arrogant enough to believe that I should put myself before it."

"Oh, how noble." Jayfeather rolled his eyes. "Will you two go to Old StarClan and bring us the information we need, now? Will you stop this stupid war before it kills anyone else?"

Ruffled, Rushfire turned to Birdfeather. She still stared at the grasses underneath her paws. Rushfire hadn't said a word about the Gathering. He didn't need to. It would always stand as a barrier between them, just as it would between Birdfeather and every cat she encountered. She wouldn't let herself get close to Rushfire, not when she could easily take away his life and the lives of everyone he cared about. I'm not arrogant enough to believe that I should put myself before it. Fine, then. She would be the same way.

"What are we going to find out?" said Rushfire as if to prompt her. Birdfeather looked up at her new spying partner and tilted her head to the side.

"First, what their plans are for the other Clans." She recited Littlefalcon's list perfectly, remembering his cool manner of delivering it. "Second, when the border between StarClan and the Place of No Stars will fall. And third, what it is they're afraid of, and what it has to do with me."

Fire will quench eternal darkness, she reminded herself. And I'm going to figure out the truth while I'm at it.

I guess another chapter could be IN WHICH EVERY SINGLE CHARACTER PURSUES THE TRUTH, but I suppose that's sort of the idea of this entire section of the book. It's just straight truth-searching. So, it seems like the filler chapters are winding down, and I can get to some of the action now. Which, phew. This fic is SO LONG.

If you liked it, please let me know! I dig your reviews. Plus, BirdfeatherXRushfire officially has a Jayfeather stamp of approval on it! And they're about to become spies. **cue spy music**

Next chapter goes back to our weirdo, Littlefalcon. Because Littlefalcon. It's called "A Proper Family," which is the first fitting chapter title I've come up with today! It will be released next week at the very latest. Maybe like today, but only if I finish two chapters (one of Hollyleaf's Retelling and another of Willowshine's Adventure) today.

~Elsi