A New Era

OK! I'm feeling a bit hyper today, so I'm typing to calm me down. Hmmm… Anyway, We're so caught up in ThunderClan! And ShadowClan always has to be the bad guys! They're always described as mean, dark, cruel, and evil. That's unfair! That's why we're going to visit them for a bit. Anyway, this chappie takes place one day after the Moonpool visit, two days before the gathering, the day Brightheart fainted, and one day after Hazeltail ran away. If you didn't figure it out in chappie 8 that she ended up in ShadowClan (cough cough, think pine trees, prickly underpaw…), then I hope you noticed last chappie.

Oh yah, please do three things for me.

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~Crystal Cavern

P.S. Sorry this chapter is so short.

Chapter 11: In ShadowClan

It had been one day since Littlecloud returned to camp.

He was tired and depressed. The gathering was in two moonrises, and he still didn't tell his clan about Scourge yet. I hope I won't ever have to tell them. He thought. I'll do what I need to do, but I wish ShadowClan wasn't affected. I don't want my clan to be in turmoil. It will be bad if they find out. I wish it would all pass. But deep inside, he knew that it was impossible.

Littlecloud sighed as he poked his fresh-kill. What do I tell my clan? He left his fresh-kill there, his appetite gone, and went over to the elder's den.

"Greetings, Littlecloud." A voice said.

Littlecloud looked at the previously framed elder. "Hi."

"What have you come for? Are you really going to exile me?"

Then Littlecloud remembered. The day before, his clan came up to him with the request of exiling Runningnose. He protested, but he didn't win the argument. Littlecloud shuddered.

"Not without reason. I don't want to, and I won't. You are not guilty of Blackstar's death." Littlecloud said.

"Thank you for believing me." Runningnose said, emotionlessly. "I really appreciate it, but… it seems that ShadowClan thinks otherwise."

Littlecloud looked at the old elder. He admired Runningnose, and not just because he was his mentor, but also because he was not afraid of losing his life and being exiled. It took courage to do what he did. He stood firm when he was falsely accused as a murderer.

Littlecloud sighed again. "I'm sorry for this. I tried to convince them. I really did."

Runningnose nodded. "I know, but for now, you must lead ShadowClan. I don't mind if I am exiled. It has been a good life, especially after that horrible war with BloodClan."

Littlecloud tensed. Did Runningnose know something about Scourge's 'rebirth'"? He couldn't have! Runningnose was at camp the whole time he was gone, and he did not sleep! There was no way he could've gotten any help from StarClan at that time!

Littlecloud looked at his paws. "I'm sorry… It's… It's just that… Um… Well… A lot has been happening." He looked at the old elder. "Sorry." He said again.

"Littlecloud." Runningnose announced, his voice filled with emotion. "There is no need for you to be sorry. I accept my punishment, and I accept it with pride." Runningnose coughed once. "I know I am old, but I will manage to take care of myself somehow. Besides, I was surprised that ShadowClan spared my life."

"But you're an elder! I'm ashamed that ShadowClan would treat you like this! You've served your clan to your fullest, and this is how you get repaid! And now it's my fault, because I can't change their minds. It's not just the majority, Runningnose. Every cat in ShadowClan wanted you exiled!" Littlecloud hung his head lower. "I feel as if I have failed."

Runningnose looked at Littlecloud hard. "I must go soon." He said.

Littlecloud twitched his ears. "Should I ask RiverClan to shelter you for a while? That way, you would survive and-"

"No." Runningnose cut off. He then his eyes seemed far away. Unfocused. As if he were being possessed. "I feel it is best if the four clans have minimal contact with each other right now."

Littlecloud tensed once more. Did he know about Scourge? "You mean…" He stammered, unsure if he should say it. "Do you know about…it?"

Runningnose closed his eyes and shook his head, but didn't reply. When he opened them again, it was focused once more, all trace of his sudden trance gone. "I'm sorry, Littlecloud. I felt gone for a second there. What did you say?"

Littlecloud was confused. He doesn't remember my question. "Nevermind. May StarClan light your path."

"And yours." Runningnose got up and walked away, with no grudges at anyone.

Littlecloud heard a few insults thrown at Runningnose made by warriors. Apprentices spat at him and told him not to come back –ever. Queens pushed their kits into the nursery as if the sight of Runningnose would kill them. Runningnose just silently padded out of camp. Littlecloud was devastated. He didn't do anything. He couldn't. Anything he did would have been futile. Yet, he could still have tried once more. But… now it was too late.

He's gone now… My mentor is gone…

Littlecloud sank onto the ground, his limbs tired, his mind a jumbled mess. What would you do, Runningnose, if you were in my place? He thought. Would you do what I did? How would you handle this situation? If a spirit framed me and the whole clan wanted me exiled, what would you do? Littlecloud thought. Not this. Not this… Not lying here like some limp crowfood. Not dying of depression. You'd want me to be strong, wouldn't you? You'd want me to live on with life. You'd want me to make ShadowClan strong once more. You'd want me to help save the clans… Am I right?

Littlecloud got up. Every movement felt tiring. Every effort made needles pierce his heart. Every breath was threatening him to rest some more. Every painful heartbeat reminded him of his place, his status.

If I don't do anything, who will?

Littlecloud imagined Runningnose's laughing face. In his mind, he felt depressed, but in his heart, he felt the faint flicker of hope.

I swear I will avenge you some day. I swear.