Content Warning:
The story gets considerably darker from here - especially with descriptions of brutal war, death, betrayal, etc. I advise no longer reading if this content upsets you.
"Let all cats old enough to swim gather underneath the Streamrock for a Clan meeting!" Dapplestar's words rang through the island as she leaped up on the massive rock that jutted out of the island floor. Her green eyes focused on the gathering cats. Shimmerwing settled next to Runningflame, while Rippleheart and Shellfall sat together. Driftheart padded out of the nursery, her kits, Ryekit and Amberkit, bounding around her paws. Moonkit and Sunkit followed them, much more composed compared to the younger kits, but there was excitement shining in their eyes. Silverpaw slipped out from the elders' den, while Lightningpaw yawned as he left the apprentices' den. Wolfheart's amber eyes fixated on the Streamrock, and Rushfire pawed the ground.
"I have several things to say today." Dapplestar cleared her throat. "First, Wolfheart and Darkshadow have reported to me that Silverpaw and Lightningpaw passed their assessment. Silverpaw, Lightningpaw, come here."
The eyes of both apprentices shone with stars, and the two cats stepped forward. Dapplestar leaped down from the branch, staring down at them. I hope you realize just what the oath you two are going to make carries. "I, Dapplestar, leader of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these two apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to warriors as you in their turn. Silverpaw, Lightningpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." Silverpaw's voice was steady as he lifted his head to meet Dapplestar's gaze.
"I do," Lightningpaw promised, exchanging a glance with his brother.
Dapplestar nodded slowly. "Then, by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Silverpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Silverheart. StarClan honors your loyalty and courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan." She rested her head on the silver tabby's head, and Silverheart licked her shoulder in response.
The RiverClan leader turned to Lightningpaw. "Lightningpaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Lightningcloud. StarClan honors your integrity and enterprise, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan." Just as she had done with Silverheart, the tortoiseshell she-cat rested her head on Lightningcloud's forehead, and the tom licked her battle-scarred shoulder.
The two warriors turned around to meet the cheers of the RiverClan cats. "Silverheart! Lightningcloud! Silverheart! Lightningcloud!" The cheering was the loudest from their parents, Rowanshade and Brightpool. Shimmerwing's cheers were just as loud, pride for her sister glowing in her bright blue eyes.
Dapplestar raised her tail for silence. "As customary, Lightningcloud and Silverheart will sit vigil tonight to guard our camp. But this is not the only ceremony I have planned. Moonkit, Sunkit, come here."
Moonkit and Sunkit exchanged nervous glances, and they padded towards Dapplestar. Dapplestar looked down at them. They had lost much of their kitten fluff, although Sunkit still retained her long, downy fur. They were much larger than when they had come to camp, and their coats were sleek and bright. Dapplestar had thought they would not even survive to apprentice hood when she and Shimmerwing had brought the near-death kits to Grayripple. But now, here they were, about to be apprentices.
"Moonkit, Sunkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day, until you receive your warrior names, you will be known as Moonpaw and Sunpaw. I ask StarClan to watch over you and guide you until you find your paws in the strength and courage of a warrior." Dapplestar gestured to Runningflame, who stepped forward. "Runningflame. You have mentored warriors such as Swiftcloud and Redfern, who we still grieve for. Now you have Moonpaw to mentor. Show him the power and vigor you have taught Swiftcloud, and the selfless virtues you have taught Redfern."
Pain shadowed Runningflame's eyes at the mention of his dead apprentice, but he stepped forward and touched his massive head to Moonpaw's small one. Moonpaw licked him on the shoulder, his blue eyes glowing as he bounded around Runningflame.
"We'll be working together, Uncle Runningflame!" Moonpaw meowed excitedly.
"Yes, we will." Runningflame flicked Moonpaw on the head with the tip of his tail. "Soon, you'll be just like me."
Rippleheart chewed his lip.
"Shimmerwing." Dapplestar turned to the tawny she-cat. "You have mentored Meadowdawn and Minnowflight. Show Sunpaw the courage you taught Meadowdawn and the loyalty you have taught Minnowflight."
"You can count on me, Dapplestar," Shimmerwing purred as she stepped forward, touching the young she-cat's nose with her own. Sunpaw's green eyes were shining like the sun she was named for. Cheers for Moonpaw and Sunpaw rang through the camp. Any hesitation about their origins had been stamped out a long time ago. Now every Clanmate was accepting of their new apprentices.
Dapplestar dipped her head, a sign that the meeting was over. When the RiverClan cats had dispersed and the tortoiseshell leaped off the Streamrock, she walked over to Shimmerwing. "So, what are you going to do with Sunpaw today?" she asked.
"I'll probably take her to explore the borders with Runningflame and Moonpaw," Shimmerwing meowed. "Is that fine with you, Runningflame?"
"Sure, lass." Runningflame padded over to Shimmerwing. "I think this lad needs to run off some energy."
"Mhm." Dapplestar's whiskers twitched. "Don't let down your mentors, you two, all right?" She leaned into the two new apprentices.
"Yes, Dapplestar!" Sunpaw meowed.
Moonpaw nodded vehemently.
"Go on, get out of here." Dapplestar waved her tail towards the camp exit as Shimmerwing and Runningflame took their apprentices away. Dapplestar padded away towards her den and sat down, looking at the lines she had drawn in the sand earlier with her claws.
Invading ShadowClan outright to gain control would be risky. It could even be the sign of a tyrant. She would need a reason to invade them. But what would it be? Dapplestar titled her head, biting her lip. She could always ask Talonstar to obey her, but she knew that Talonstar would rather die than hand ownership of his Clan to Dapplestar without a fight. I can count on WindClan being distracted for a while, since they share a border with ThunderClan, and gods know what trouble they're in.
As Dapplestar mused over the next steps to take to unification, she could see the sun hitting its peak. She jerked her head over, hearing hisses and snarls in camp. What's going on? A fight? Dapplestar exited her den and looked over at the entrance. Shimmerwing and Runningflame were hauling two cats, a gray tom and a brown-and-white tabby, on the ground. What…?
Dapplestar walked over to the two cats as they handled the cats roughly. "What is going on here?" she demanded, sniffing the air. ShadowClan. Dapplestar looked down on the two cats, unimpressed. Oh, StarClan, are you trying to make me laugh?
"We found these two delinquents at the border," Runningflame reported. "They killed one of our rabbits."
Dapplestar could sense Rippleheart coming to her side. She wondered what the gray tabby warrior would say. He was always composed and level-headed in situations such as these. She looked over at the tabby tom, waiting.
"There are rabbits here?" Rippleheart quipped dryly.
So much for that. Dapplestar turned to the two ShadowClan cats, regarding them silently. They looked up at her, their eyes wide with horror, the fear-scent from them so rancid it made Dapplestar nearly choke. "Tell me your names," she ordered them flatly.
"…Stoneheart," the gray tom choked out. He lifted his head and met Dapplestar's gaze for a split second before dropping his head and staring at the ground.
"T-T-Thistlestorm," stuttered the brown-and-white tom from next to Stoneheart, barely moving an inch. Dapplestar tilted her head, saying nothing for a few moments. Her silence made the fear-scent from the two toms even stronger.
"Well, it seems that Talonstar did a very poor job teaching you the warrior code, didn't he." Dapplestar's voice was cold. She would never be caught stealing prey, no matter how hungry she was. How did these two warriors think this was okay?
Stoneheart's gray fur bristled, and he snapped his head up. "Talonstar is a better Clan leader than you'll ever be!" he snapped at her. Silence fell through the clearing; the only audible sound was the wind whipping through the air. Stoneheart looked down again, wincing.
"Mind your tongue!" Rippleheart finally snapped.
"Is he?" Dapplestar finally asked, trying to hide the fury flaring inside of her. How dare he compare me to that puny Talonstar? Talonstar can't even beat me in battle. "Then I guess we will just have to change that. Stoneheart, Thistlestorm, for your crimes, you will stay as prisoners in our camp. I will decide when you get to leave – or if Talonstar decides to come make a heroic rescue. You will hunt for us, and you will be under heavy guard. If you make one wrong move, you are to be sentenced to death. Is that understood?"
Stoneheart began to tremble. "Yes," he whispered.
"Yes," Thistlestorm whispered, his voice tiny. The color had left his face.
"Look at me," Dapplestar ordered the two cats. When they didn't respond, Dapplestar repeated herself, her voice much more forceful. "Look at me."
Finally, the two cats looked up at her. Dapplestar said nothing and turned her head away. "Sharpfang, Shellfall, you are to be their guards," she meowed to the two cats. "If they put one paw out of line, you know what to do."
Sharpfang stared at Dapplestar, seemingly taken aback. "Yes, of course," he finally said, snapping out of his trance. "They won't get a paw past us."
Shellfall nodded in agreement, focusing his gaze on the two young toms. Dapplestar had no idea what the dappled gray tom was thinking, but there was one thing Shellfall was, and that was loyal. He would never disobey her.
"Well, then, for starters," Shimmerwing meowed, looking pleased with Dapplestar's decision. She walked in front of the two ShadowClan prisoners and meowed, "You will go fetch the rabbit you graciously killed for us."
"Okay." The word that came from Stoneheart was barely audible. Sharpfang and Shellfall led the two cats away.
Dapplestar looked at Shimmerwing. "Did Moonpaw and Sunpaw see any of that?" she asked.
"Moonpaw was the one who alerted it to us," Shimmerwing replied.
"Good," Dapplestar meowed. "So he knows how to tell when a cat is breaking the warrior code."
Rowanshade padded over to Dapplestar. "What will you do with the hostages?" he asked. "Keeping them here will make Talonstar very angry."
Dapplestar lifted her head. "That is exactly it. Talonstar must learn he does not control my Clan, nor does he control me. He needs to be taught a lesson if he thinks he can let his young warriors dance on RiverClan's border without any punishment. It is completely unacceptable, and against the warrior code. We will wait." She watched as Sharpfang and Shellfall disappeared with Stoneheart and Thistlestorm in front of him. "And he will come."
Rowanshade dipped his broad ginger-and-black head. "Yes, Dapplestar."
This is it. This is the battle I've been looking for. The one that will let me claim superiority over ShadowClan. Dapplestar turned her back from the entrance of camp and watched the sun in the sky. She wondered what would happen to Stoneheart and Thistlestorm with Sharpfang and Shellfall. They're young, foolish warriors. They'll do something stupid. And I'll be ready.
After Dapplestar had time to eat a trout, she could hear loud cries from the entrance of the camp. Again? Dapplestar turned around, spitting out the bones, and padded over to the source of the sound. Sharpfang and Shellfall had returned with the two ShadowClan warriors, and their eyes were blazing.
Sharpfang threw Stoneheart to the ground. "It seems you were right, Dapplestar," he hissed through clenched teeth. "Despite your direct orders, they attempted to escape."
"I'm sorry!" Stoneheart cried out.
"Silence!" Sharpfang kicked Stoneheart sharply in his stomach.
"Is this true?" Dapplestar asked Shellfall.
Shellfall looked conflicted. Finally, he nodded. "Yes," he replied. "They tried to run away while my back was turned."
"Is that right." Dapplestar padded over to the two cowering ShadowClan cats. "Now look what you've done. Disobeying a simple order… that is called insubordination. ShadowClan doesn't teach their cats well, do they? I warned you earlier that if you were to try to escape, you would be sentenced to death. Now you have brought that fate among yourselves. At sunset, both of you will be executed."
Dapplestar's orders made Stoneheart's eyes widen with terror, and Thistlestorm let out a horrified cry. She could hear a faint gasp from Shimmerwing, but Dapplestar didn't address her. She knows the punishment for insubordination. "Sharpfang, Whitefeather, bring them into one of the unoccupied dens, and bring them back here at sunset."
Sharpfang nodded vehemently, while Whitefeather simply looked down at the ground. Dapplestar eyed him, and then Whitefeather dipped his head. The two warriors led Stoneheart and Thistlestorm to a bramble thicket nearing the stream, and Dapplestar watched. It's not like I make a habit out of executing cats. But enemies must be killed. How can I keep order in a Clan if I don't wipe out my foes?
To her, mercy was nothing but an empty word. It would be a chance for a cat to kill them. The need, the possibility for power, of ruling whatever lands she wanted, of bringing freedom to her own Clan, it was all inside her. To protect her Clan, to protect her land, she would have to wage war. This was the storm brewing since Pale-eye died.
When the sun began to make its descent towards the ground, the sky grew dark and heavy with gray clouds. In just moments, rain began to fall, drenching the island ground. Dapplestar stood at the entrance of her den, feeling her fur growing slick by the rain, but not really caring. The RiverClan warriors had gathered, and Whitefeather and Sharpfang were bringing Thistlestorm and Stoneheart from their prison. The two RiverClan warriors set the cats in the center of the camp.
"Please, help us," Thistlestorm pleaded to Whitefeather.
Whitefeather said nothing.
Shimmerwing padded over to Dapplestar, her tawny fur soaked by the rain. "Can we delay this to tomorrow?" she asked.
"No," Dapplestar replied. "This is a perfect day. StarClan approves, don't you see?"
"Er… yes." Shimmerwing nodded, her blue eyes shadowed. Dapplestar left Shimmerwing to sit and padded over to the two ShadowClan warriors, her claws unsheathed. Raindrops trickled down her talons, and a bolt of lightning rumbled in the sky, making the two prisoners flinch. Cowards.
Sharpfang grinned sinisterly at the ShadowClan cats. Darkshadow huddled under an overhang near the apprentices' den. Runningflame's green gaze was focused on the two ShadowClan cats, his face unreadable. Rippleheart's gray tabby ears twitched. Shellfall was biting his lip. Dewfrost covered her face from where she sat at the entrance of the nursery. Tawnycloud took in a shaky breath. Wolfheart stared at the ground. Whitefeather moved out of the way to allow Dapplestar access to the two warriors.
Dapplestar glared down at the two ShadowClan cats. "May you repent for your crimes in the next life," she growled at them. Lifting her paw, she prepared to strike it down against their throats. Before she swung down her thorn-sharp claws, a cry made her halt in her tracks.
"ShadowClan, with strength and honor, attack!"
Perfect.
Talonstar's voice howled through the clearing and was stronger than the roaring lightning as the dark brown tabby thundered across the clearing, throwing his powerful body on Dapplestar, slamming her down and pummeling her stomach with his claws. The clearing turned into a whirlwind of fighting cats, punctuated with howls of the battle ready, screams of the injured, and the indecision of what they were fighting for.
Dapplestar kicked his underbelly with all the strength in her back paws and sent him toppling off her. She leaped to her paws, losing all interest in Stoneheart and Thistlestorm, and leaped on Talonstar, ready to attack again. The dark brown tabby swiped her paw across her face, slicing skin. Dapplestar grunted as the tabby pulled her down again with his front claws.
"This is for thinking you could take out our warriors," Talonstar hissed at her, his claws raking down her body repeatedly. The fury of Talonstar was unmatched, and Dapplestar was feeling every moment of it. A white blur flashed in Dapplestar's vision, and Talonstar landed on the ground. Whitefeather had taken over and was slashing at Talonstar's chest with his claws. Dapplestar pulled away, coughing up blood. Her body was searing with agony, blood gushing from all the deep wounds Talonstar had made with her claws. But the pain just made her even more furious.
"Get off of me!" Talonstar howled at Whitefeather.
"Not if you touch my leader," Whitefeather snarled at him, arching his back.
With a mighty roar, Talonstar slammed his front paw against Whitefeather's cheek with all the strength in his body and sent him to the ground. Talonstar turned on his heel, and Dapplestar was ready for him. He charged at the tortoiseshell she-cat, who met him head on. She wrapped her paws around Talonstar's neck and sank her claws into his skin, bringing him closer to her as she tried to find an opening to sink her teeth into.
Dapplestar hissed at Talonstar, and Talonstar let out a low snarl as the two cats prowled around each other, each of them waiting for the other to make a move. Dapplestar was the cat who did. She lashed out a paw, and as Talonstar reached his jaws out to grab her paw in his jaw, she immediately brought it back and lunged under Talonstar's stomach. Flipping the tom over, she sank his teeth into his jaws. Hot, salty blood stained her teeth and dripped onto her tongue. Maybe I can take all his lives. But, even as she continued to bite Talonstar's throat, she could feel her consciousness starting to waver.
"Great StarClan, she's killing Talonstar!" a yowl echoed from the clearing. Dapplestar looked up to see a gray-brown cat, accompanied by a black cat, racing towards her. The black cat slammed his paw against Dapplestar's head, sending her to the ground. The gray-brown tom grabbed Talonstar by his scruff and dragged him away.
With Talonstar having been the only thing holding her up, Dapplestar collapsed to the ground, seeing the blood spilling out of her, faster and faster as the moments went by. Gah… hold on… don't close your eyes…
"Dapplestar!" Dapplestar lifted her head weakly to see a blur of tawny fur, and her deputy raced towards her. "Dapplestar—"
"Lost your leader, Shimmerwing?" a taunting voice came from behind the she-cat.
Shimmerwing spun around, and her focus on Dapplestar was gone. Dapplestar blinked twice, trying to stay in the moment, but black spots were taking over her vision. She winced as she felt sharp teeth in her neck, and recognized Shellfall. The gray tom had picked her up and was dragging her across the clearing. Dapplestar could see the entrance of her den through agonizing pain.
Dapplestar was beginning to lose her strength. Even as Shellfall continued to hold her in his jaws, she shut her eyes, knowing she could not keep her hold on her sentience for a moment longer. Instead, she let go, and waited for StarClan to take her.