The full moon shone brightly, illuminating Shellfall's pelt silver as he crossed the tree branch to the island with his Clanmates. Dapplestar was at the head, her broad shoulders tensed, her tail-tip twitching rapidly from side to side. Shimmerwing was behind her, swinging her head around. Shellfall padded next to Runningflame, who seemed elsewhere, judging by the far-off look in his eyes.
Behind Shellfall and the senior warriors was the rest of the patrol. Wolfheart padded next to Darkshadow, while their respective apprentices, Silverpaw and Lightningpaw, stayed on their heels. Quickbreeze and Mistsong were attending their first Gathering as new warriors, but the rest of the new warriors, Blossomwing and Sparkfire had been left at home to guard camp. Jaymoon walked with Whitefeather, the two warriors in deep conversation even as they moved. Brightpool brushed against Rowanshade affectionately as they watched their two kits chase after their mentor.
As RiverClan landed on the island, by the tense scent in the air, Shellfall immediately could tell there was something wrong. Dapplestar's ears twitched, but she flicked her tail and ordered a descent into the clearing. Shellfall pushed through the foliage and watched as Dapplestar walked over to the Great Oak. She leaped up on a branch and turned towards the gathering cats, her green eyes piercing. Talonstar was already there, shooting Dapplestar a venomous glare through amber eyes. Dapplestar paid no notice. But there was one cat on the Great Oak that stood out from the two other cats. Is that Winterfall?
The pale silver tabby cat looked out of his element, anxiety glittering in his eyes, but he held himself true and strong. Curious, Shellfall decided to pad up to him. He had fought next to Winterfall before, in the battle against WindClan and ShadowClan. "Winterfall?" Shellfall inquired.
Winterfall looked down, focusing his dark blue gaze on Shellfall. "Shellfall." His greeting was less than cordial, his voice strained.
"Why are you here?" Shellfall inquired. "Are Rootstar and Sunfire okay?"
"Rootstar is on a journey," Winterfall replied. "But he will be back soon. Sunfire could not make it." The shadows gathered in Winterfall's eyes, and Shellfall knew that there was no truth to his words. "So, I am here in their stead."
Shellfall's gaze swept through the ThunderClan contingent. The tension between the cats was adamant, and there was a cat Shellfall swore belonged to another Clan. Is that Russetstripe? Shellfall had seen the long-furred ginger she-cat in RiverClan, moons ago, when she and WindClan had sheltered on their territory. "Did Russetstripe join your Clan?"
"No," Winterfall replied, clenching his teeth. "She's… here to help."
"Help with what?" Shellfall pressed.
"It's none of your business," Winterfall snarled. "I'll report what I need to. Things are complicated now, but they'll be fine soon."
Shellfall watched Winterfall, unimpressed. From the shifting of the tom's massive paws and the glances he was casting behind him, Shellfall knew that he wanted to go back to camp as soon as possible. Something's there that you didn't want to leave, right, Winterfall? Deciding it best not to press the clearly short-tempered tom, Shellfall turned and decided to join his Clan. There was no room for mingling, not in this strained Gathering.
The gray dappled tom padded over to the ShadowClan cats, trying to look for Nightfire or Cactusclaw. What had happened to Cactusclaw's son, Dusk? Had Talonstar accepted him in the Clan? Shellfall hadn't seen him at any previous Gatherings, but that could possibly be because he was too young to attend. He also hadn't had the chance to speak to Nightfire, because the tom had never been to any of the recent Gatherings. Was he here now?
Padding closer to the ShadowClan cats, Shellfall scanned the group for Nightfire's familiar black pelt. There! Nightfire was standing next to Owlfang and Snakenose. Shellfall winced, knowing it would be impossible to get to him through the two senior warriors who harbored a deep hatred for RiverClan. Is there any way I can lure him here?
StarClan seemed to hear his prayers, as Nightfire lifted his head and caught Shellfall's glance. Shellfall tilted his head towards a fern bush, and Nightfire nodded. The black tom slipped away from Snakenose and Owlfang, while Shellfall maneuvered towards the bush. Nightfire padded over to him, his amber eyes not particularly friendly, but not hostile either.
"Has everything been okay since we rescued Cactusclaw?" Shellfall asked the ShadowClan warrior.
Nightfire shrugged. "Talonstar was furious at him, and even more when he saw that Cactusclaw brought Dusk. He ordered us to find a home for him in the Twolegplace, but I could tell that didn't exactly make Cactusclaw happy. Cactusclaw actually went to check on him a few days ago, but one of the cats told him that Dusk had left the area, harboring a deep hatred for the Clan cats."
Shellfall narrowed his eyes. "Have you scented him anywhere?"
"No." Nightfire shook his head. "I'm not particularly concerned about him, either. He's barely more than a kit. If we see him, we'll just take care of him. Like you should if he comes near your territory, too."
"We will," Shellfall promised. He knew he couldn't say anything more to Nightfire. They were enemies. But, in another life, we could've been friends. It was even more tragic to him, because he knew that one day, he may have to face Nightfire in battle. I don't want to. But it was a fantasy if he thought he could avoid it. "Until we meet again, Nightfire."
"Yes." Nightfire dipped his head and slipped away into the shadows. Shellfall followed suit, joining his Clan. He looked around, seeing that every warrior was there… Wait, where's Runningflame? There was no sign of the fiery-and-white tom. Did he go and pick a fight?
Shellfall padded over to Rippleheart. "Where's Runningflame?" he asked the gray tabby.
"You tell me," Rippleheart sighed. "That tom is going to take years off my life, I swear."
"I already see the white hairs growing," Shellfall teased him.
"Very funny." Rippleheart rolled his eyes. "By the way, have you noticed that Winterfall is representing ThunderClan? I'll have to hold Dapplestar back by her tail if she gets any crazy ideas."
"Yeah, it's odd, isn't it?" Shellfall remarked. "I'm sure we'll learn more when he reports." The scent of WindClan was thick in the clearing, and Shellfall assumed they had already come.
As if Shellfall's words had summoned the Clan leaders, Dapplestar's yowl rang out through the island. "The Gathering is at a start! I will speak first!"
Shellfall snapped his gaze to look at the leaders, and he could see Scorchstar and Talonstar glaring at Dapplestar angrily. Winterfall didn't seem to even notice Dapplestar's command, as his gaze was fixated on the outskirts of the island. Anxiety was settling in the shadows of the silver tabby's eyes.
"RiverClan is thriving," Dapplestar began. "Silverpaw and Lightningpaw are excelling in their training and will be warriors soon. Driftheart has given birth to two kits, Amberkit and Ryekit. We also made four new warriors, Quickbreeze, Mistsong, Blossomwing, and Sparkfire." The tortoiseshell she-cat tucked her paws underneath her white furred chest and looked down at the other leaders.
Talonstar curled his lip. "Well, isn't that nice for you." The dark brown tabby's voice was deep. "Thistlepaw and Stonepaw have recently become warriors, Thistlestorm and Stoneheart. Eveningfrost and Brackencloud defeated a fox earlier today and killed it before it could get to our camp."
Like the fox that killed Redfern? Shellfall thought. Talonstar sat down on his battle-scarred haunches, nodding to Scorchstar. Scorchstar got to his paws.
"WindClan is prosperous," Scorchstar meowed, glaring at Dapplestar. A dauntless smirk spread on Dapplestar's face as she met the ginger-and-white tom's face. Scorchstar scowled before going on with his report. "We have three new apprentices, Mintpaw, Turtlepaw, and Seedpaw. They are here with their mentors."
Shellfall glanced at the WindClan cats. Surely the apprentices must be the smallest cats. Iceheart, a silver tabby she-cat sat with a small tortoiseshell she-cat right next to her. Wildheart, Scorchstar's mate, was holding a gray cat back by his tail. Another small cat was looking up at Scorchstar, confusion in his gaze. Lilystream, a lithe WindClan warrior, nudged the apprentice, but there was worry in her eyes. Is something wrong with that apprentice?
"It's my turn, now." Winterfall's voice was strangely calm for a cat whose body language screamed panic. "Yes, before any of you say something, Rootstar and Sunfire are not here. I am representing ThunderClan tonight. Rootstar has been called on a journey by StarClan, but he should return any day now. Sunfire could not make it today. But before you think we are weak, think again. We have new kits – Aspenkit, Snowkit, and Mountainkit to Mintsplash and Peartuft. Our warriors are united and strong."
"Are they." Rippleheart snorted.
"Half your Clan isn't even here," Snakenose pointed out from where the ShadowClan cats stood. "How can we believe you when you say you are strong?"
"Would you like an example of just how strong ThunderClan is?" Winterfall asked Snakenose coldly.
"Winterfall…" Russetstripe murmured.
Snakenose opened his mouth to counter Shellfall, but a cry of triumph split through the cool newleaf evening. Shellfall swung his head towards the entrance of the island, where the howl had originated from. Winterfall's blue eyes widened into two full moons, and he abandoned his spot on the Great Oak, racing away. He shouted the words behind his back, "ThunderClan! Let's go!"
Russetstripe was at his heels, and the rest of the ThunderClan warriors began to follow Winterfall. Panic was beginning to spread within the ThunderClan ranks. The RiverClan cats next to Shellfall glanced at each other uneasily, while ShadowClan was silent. WindClan's cats watched where Winterfall had just left.
"After them!" Scorchstar howled. "Someone's in trouble!" The ginger-and-white tom leaped down, hurrying after Winterfall with Wildheart and Blackdove behind him.
"Stay here, ShadowClan!" Talonstar ordered his warriors.
Shellfall caught Dapplestar's glance. Dapplestar gave him a small nod. Shellfall began to run away, noticing Shimmerwing catching up with him. She had the same idea I did. The two RiverClan cats followed Scorchstar, crossing the tree bridge until they landed on the pebbly shore. Shellfall's eyes widened.
In front of him, Winterfall was battling a dark gray tabby tom, letting out a howl full of rage as the silver tabby clawed his opponent relentlessly. Russetstripe tussled with a spotted dark brown tabby tom. It's Peartuft and Houndheart! Shellfall recognized the cats from the battle.
"You're a coward!" Peartuft was screeching at Winterfall. "But I no longer consider myself your Clanmate, my dear Winterfall. You are my enemy."
What? Peartuft's words made Shellfall's blood chill. Enemies now? Did Peartuft commit mutiny? Wait, he's running away. What in all the hells is going on within ThunderClan now? ThunderClan cats fought against ThunderClan cats, crimson blood spraying against the island shore. Shellfall was rooted in his spot, knowing that this was not his battle. Shimmerwing's muscles tensed from next to her, but Shellfall put a paw in front of her, warning her not to interrupt.
Scorchstar was watching the fight with a horrified gaze. Winterfall rolled with Peartuft, finally pinning him down. The silver tabby's eyes blazed with fury as he held his claws to Peartuft's throat. Even though Peartuft was seconds within being killed, still the gray tabby stared at Winterfall with a wild light in his eyes.
"What happened?" Winterfall snarled. "If you don't tell me, I swear I will kill you right here."
"What does it look like?" Peartuft chuckled, his mouth stained with blood as he stared at Winterfall.
"It looks to me like you've turned traitor on your Clan after years of bellyaching about how you weren't chosen deputy," Winterfall snapped.
"Well, it looks like you have eyes, then. Good for you!" Peartuft's voice came in a rancor snarl. "The only flaw in your observation is that I deserved to be leader. Not Rootstar! Rootstar has failed you all, time and time again. And he isn't here to save you. You'll find I have left a lovely surprise for you all at camp. One that will definitely make you happy, Winterfall." The gray tabby tom grinned wickedly at Winterfall. "Just to say goodbye."
Winterfall shoved Peartuft away as he loosened his grip and got off him. "Get out. Run away from here, and never come back. If you set paw in ThunderClan – no, Clan territory – I will kill you."
Peartuft laughed diabolically, a deranged light in his blue eyes. He twitched his tail to the contingent of cats who had been battling with the rest of the ThunderClan patrol. His cats immediately ceased fighting to follow Peartuft as the gray tabby tom raced away into the hills, his laughter still audible to the Clan cats.
"Don't follow them," Winterfall meowed, stopping Russetstripe and Blossomfawn who were about to pursue the retreating cats. "It's not worth it."
"How did they get out of camp?" Russetstripe asked, her green eyes full of distress. "Houndheart was prisoner."
"Prisoner?" Shellfall found himself echoing. "For what?"
Winterfall jerked his head and stared at the cats around him, his eyes wide with shock. Did he not even know we were here? "Do I have an audience, now?" the silver tabby growled, blood dripping from the wounds on his face. "Get out. All of you."
"I need to talk to Russetstripe," Scorchstar told Winterfall. "I'm not leaving."
"Fine." Winterfall swung his head to Shimmerwing and Shellfall. "Then you two."
Shimmerwing curled her lip, ready to snap at Winterfall, when Shellfall interfered. "We'll go," he told Winterfall. "I hope you can resolve whatever is going in your Clan." Shellfall gestured his tail to Shimmerwing and led her away across the tree bridge towards the island.
"Why did you stop me?" Shimmerwing asked Shellfall, looking genuinely confused.
"Shimmerwing, I didn't want to get in a fight with them," Shellfall explained to the tawny deputy. "Do you really want RiverClan to get involved in a Clan's domestic tension?"
Shimmerwing said nothing, her whiskers pressed together, her eyes narrowed. Shellfall padded towards Dapplestar, who had leaped down from the Great Oak, waiting for the two cats to return. Shellfall lowered his head to her.
"What happened?" Dapplestar demanded.
"It seems Houndheart and Peartuft turned on their Clan, Dapplestar," Shimmerwing reported. "It appears they tried to plan an insurrection."
"It must not have worked," Shellfall added, "because we saw them running away towards the hills."
Dapplestar's green eyes narrowed. "And where is Rootstar to deal with this?" she asked.
"We don't know," Shellfall replied. "Peartuft just went about saying how Rootstar isn't there to help. He must have left his Clan."
Dapplestar tilted her head. "Interesting," she meowed. "It can't be helped."
It can't be helped? Wait… Those were the exact words Dapplestar had said when a report had come to her during the battle against WindClan, when ShadowClan had betrayed her to join Scorchstar's side. She's not surprised.
"Did you expect this to happen, Dapplestar?" Shimmerwing asked.
"No cat can predict the future," Dapplestar meowed. "But Peartuft has been struggling with Rootstar for leadership a long time. It was only a matter of time until he rioted. I guess now was the moment." She shrugged her shoulders. "So long as it doesn't bother RiverClan, right now, it is not any of our business. When unification reaches ThunderClan… that's another thing."
"So…?" Shellfall leaned closer.
"We'll deal with it when the time comes," Dapplestar decided.
"If it does, who will you side with?" Shimmerwing asked uneasily.
Dapplestar grinned at her. "Whoever comes to me first."