Shimmerwing fidgeted in the bramble thicket that Rushfire and Thistleflame had her cornered in. Minnowflight was still unconscious next to her, and she knew that if she made any abrupt moves, Thistleflame or Rushfire would kill Minnowflight. Even though Minnowflight is Rushfire's sister, he clearly doesn't care. Now the two toms stood in front of them, their eyes scanning every single one of their movements.

"I don't know what you're watching me like that for," Shimmerwing snarled. "I can't believe you two turned traitor. What happened to you two?"

"We don't want to see RiverClan ruined," Rushfire growled, his burning eyes scanning Shimmerwing. "I've told you this."

"RiverClan is prospering with Dapplestar," Shimmerwing hissed at him. "By doing this, you have signed your death warrant!"

"Whatever it takes to get rid of Dapplestar." Rushfire curled his lip. "Perhaps the whole world will vilify us now, but I am absolutely convinced we did the right thing. Dapplestar is not only the archenemy of RiverClan, but all the Clans. If, in a few hours' time, I go before the gods to account for what I have done and left undone, I know I will be able to justify what I did in the struggle against Dapplestar. None of us can bewail his own death – those who consented to join our circle have already bitten into the deathberry. A cat's moral integrity begins when he is prepared to sacrifice his life for his convictions."

The intensity of Rushfire's speech made chills crawl down Shimmerwing's spine. How can he believe he's doing the right thing? "Bit into the deathberry?" Shimmerwing echoed. "You should swallow it by now. You will not win! Dapplestar is a glorious leader."

"She allied with Peartuft," Thistleflame hissed. "Took Icepaw as a kit and made her a hostage. She killed Shrewfur. She decimated ShadowClan. She watched the entire scene on the Gathering unfold and did nothing. Yet you think that she is the one who can unify the Clans?"

"Sometimes, Dapplestar must be very cruel to fight back against the cruelty of the world we live in," Shimmerwing growled. "That, at times, can breed misunderstandings, and drive cats far away from us. Like it has done with you."

"Misunderstandings is a funny word for murder," Thistleflame sneered. "But then again, you've murdered cats, Shimmerwing. Like Eagleflight, for example."

Shimmerwing's tawny fur bristled. The mention of Eagleflight always hit a nerve. "It was a mistake!" she hissed at him. "I didn't mean to!"

"Didn't you." Thistleflame threw his head back. "You're just as bad as Dapplestar. There was no use killing a madman just to let a lunatic replace her."

"You were going to kill me too?" Shimmerwing echoed.

"Quickbreeze was," Rushfire replied flatly. "But Minnowflight stopped her."

Shimmerwing lashed her tail. "You say this because you don't like Dapplestar. But where is your loyalty to your Clan?"

"It is because we are loyal to our Clan that we do this," Rushfire hissed. "I don't want to see RiverClan go up in flames. I want a leader who will do what is best for RiverClan! With peace and compassion. Not drive us into every war possible. How many cats have to die for the land to be united?"

"So many cats have died before," Shimmerwing retorted. "I know life is sacred, Rushfire. I, more than anyone else. I have lost my mother in the wars, and my father has died because he started one of them. Even my mentor has died because of the wars. But I know every sacrifice they made is a push in the right direction, for the Clans to be united again. We're closer than ever, can't you see that? Dapplestar may use some methods at her disposal, but…" Desperation began to seep through Shimmerwing's voice. "If it works, it works."

"Her apprentice blinded a ShadowClan cat," Thistleflame spat.

"I wasn't that happy about it either!" Shimmerwing snarled at him. "But I can't control what Icepaw does, and neither can you! Give this up, Thistleflame, Rushfire. You'll never win. Let me and Minnowflight go."

"So you can go get your nine lives at the Moonpool?" Rushfire shook his head. "I don't think so."

"Dapplestar is not dead," Shimmerwing hissed through clenched teeth. I refuse to believe that!

"She is." Rushfire narrowed his eyes. "Mistsong left her in a pool of her own blood. If you can't accept that, that's your problem."

"Mistsong killed her…" My niece? My sister's daughter? Shimmerwing inhaled a sharp breath, biting her lip. "But… why…?"

"I've told you this, Shimmerwing," Rushfire hissed. "She wanted to save her Clan. That meant taking out Dapplestar."

"Dapplestar is saving this Clan," Shimmerwing rasped. She wanted to curl up, to shut her eyes, for this nightmare to go away. But she had to face it. "You have destroyed it."

"In the ashes of Dapplestar's Clan, a new Clan will rise," Rushfire hissed at her.

"With what leader?" Shimmerwing snapped. "Mistsong?"

"We want Rowanshade to be our new leader," Thistleflame responded.

Shimmerwing's heart slowed until it was barely beating. Rowanshade…? Images of the brown-and-orange tabby flashed in her mind. He had served next to Shimmerwing and Dapplestar for his entire life. "What…? No. Rowanshade would never! He is one of Dapplestar's most loyal warriors!"

"Was." Thistleflame scoffed. "Now he's one of us."

"I don't believe it!" Shimmerwing snarled at him. "Not at all!"

Rushfire eyed Shimmerwing with a look of disgust. "You're naïve, Shimmerwing," he growled. "You don't know how the world works."

"I am your deputy!" Shimmerwing hissed at him. "I was deputy when you were just a kit!"

"Not anymore." Rushfire shook his head. "A new era will come in RiverClan, where we will be respected for our compassion and loyalty, not our brute strength and fear." The brown tabby turned his back on Shimmerwing. "Don't test me, Shimmerwing. Mistsong can always have you killed. You're lucky we let you live for so long."

Shimmerwing stared at Rushfire, her blue eyes wide with horror. What had happened to this cat? He had been a loyal warrior of RiverClan, and now he was turning on his StarClan appointed leader? How dare he talk about compassion while he had his Clan deputy and his unconscious Clanmate prisoner? She turned away from the pale tabby and glanced at Minnowflight. The dark gray she-cat was still out cold. Please be okay, Minnowflight…

She said nothing more to Rushfire and Thistleflame. Her claws ached, feeling the need to sink them in their fur, but she knew that if she attacked them, Minnowflight would be in real danger. She had to think about Minnowflight, first. Once Minnowflight rose – if she did – then she could figure out what to do. For now, Minnowflight was her priority. Shimmerwing watched as her former apprentice's side rose up and down, and a twinge of worry kindled in her belly. She had been out for quite some time. Would she wake up?

Rushfire's words sank in Shimmerwing's mind. Rowanshade. The young warriors… she couldn't understand, but Rowanshade had been so loyal to Dapplestar, that it made little sense. Surely Rushfire was fooling her? Shimmerwing clenched her teeth, unsure of what to make of all of this. She had faith that Dapplestar was alive – Dapplestar had nine lives, and dodged death at every opportunity she had. She wouldn't believe Dapplestar was dead unless she saw her body.

"Rushfire! Thistleflame!" Shimmerwing spun to see Quickbreeze, who had crossed the island. Blood still stained her gray-and-white fur from her battle with Shimmerwing, and Shimmerwing curled her lip to see the traitorous she-cat still standing. "It's time to put Runningflame and Rippleheart on trial."

Runningflame and Rippleheart? "What are they on trial for?" Shimmerwing demanded, her tawny tail lashing back and forth. "They didn't do anything wrong!"

Quickbreeze glared at Shimmerwing. "For planning a coup in the wake of Dapplestar's death, of course."

Shimmerwing's jaw dropped in horror. Her blood froze, and chills crawled down her spine. The world was spinning around her as Quickbreeze's words sank in her mind. Her mouth turned dry, and she had no idea what to do. Everything was falling to pieces around her.

Thistleflame jerked his head to Shimmerwing. "We have a problem," he growled. "She won't stop talking."

"Bring her too," Quickbreeze snarled, leveling a glare full of hatred at Shimmerwing. "She'll go on trial with them."

"Minnowflight is still unconscious," Shimmerwing hissed, snapping out of her daze. She had to deal with what was going on, and then she could stew on her feelings. "What will you do with her?"

Thistleflame gave Minnowflight a passing, nonchalant glance. "Rushfire, bring her to Starlingfern. Quickbreeze, let's bring Shimmerwing in camp."

Shimmerwing hissed as Thistleflame and Quickbreeze pulled her up roughly. Rushfire grabbed Minnowflight by her scruff and dragged her through the dream and onto the island. Shimmerwing fought the urge to cuff Thistleflame and Quickbreeze's ears. She couldn't risk getting attacked. She had to see what was going on in camp. What were they going to do to Runningflame and Rippleheart?

Shimmerwing allowed Quickbreeze and Thistleflame to drag her into camp, but she did not dare lose her dignity as she lifted her head and walked with her shoulders tensed into camp. She stiffened as she swept her gaze through the Clan cats. Driftheart and Ryefern were in front of the elders' den, and Shimmerwing could see the ginger-and-white pelt of Runningflame inside it. She could only imagine that Rippleheart was next to him.

Snowstorm and Gooseclaw were pacing the camp, their blue eyes dark. Sunshine was cowering in the warriors' den, her gold-and-white pelt bristling. Next to her was Darkshadow, whose gaze was directed towards the paws. Wolfheart and Squirreltail were guarding the apprentices' den, and Shimmerwing wondered who was in there that required a guard. Shimmerwing looked around for Icepaw or Moonshade. They were not present in camp. Where had they gone?

"Shimmerwing!" Sunshine looked up, her green eyes focused on the tawny deputy and raced over. "Is it true? Did you plan on overthrowing Dapplestar? Did Runningflame and Rippleheart—"

"Enough!" Mistsong snapped from where she was prowling near Dapplestar's den. She bounded over to them, her claws outstretched as she bared her teeth at Sunshine. "Back to your post, Sunshine!"

"What did you just say?" Shimmerwing gaped at Sunshine. "Mistsong is saying I plotted to overthrow Dapplestar?"

"Dapplestar is dead," Mistsong snarled, stepping in front of Shimmerwing, her blue eyes blazing. "That is all there is to it. Bring her to the prison!" She snapped her head towards Quickbreeze and Thistleflame, who nodded.

"Where is Rowanshade?" Shimmerwing demanded, fidgeting in the grip of the two toms as she turned around to examine the camp, searching for the warrior's ginger-and-brown pelt. "What does he have to say for himself?"

Mistsong's eyes flashed briefly. "Rowanshade?" she asked. "He has nothing to do with this." She lifted her head to glare at Thistleflame, and Thistleflame looked away guiltily. Shimmerwing's eyes widened in horror. Was the plan for Rowanshade to stay in the shadows? Had Thistleflame given him away? Shimmerwing turned her head around, desperately trying to spot the tom in the crowd of shocked cats. Rowanshade?

"Bring her!" Mistsong snapped again, her fur bristling.

Thistleflame nodded and hauled Shimmerwing across the clearing towards the elders' den. Driftheart met Shimmerwing's gaze, fear in her blue eyes, but stepped aside. Ryefern swallowed, lowering her head deeply to the deputy in a gesture of respect. So not everyone is on Mistsong's side, Shimmerwing thought as Thistleflame pushed her into the bramble thicket.

Runningflame looked up from where he was gouging holes in the sand with his thorn sharp claws. "Shimmerwing," he gasped. "Thank the gods you're alive."

Shimmerwing turned her head to see Rippleheart from the shadows, stepping forward. The gray tabby tom lowered his head but said nothing. She could see the deep grief in his sky-blue eyes. Oh, no, don't tell me he believes Dapplestar is dead?

"What happened to you?" Rippleheart finally asked, staring at the long scratches down Shimmerwing's pelt.

"Quickbreeze," Shimmerwing hissed. "She attacked me while I was hunting. She's one of the conspirators, alongside Thistleflame, Rushfire, and Mistsong."

"Blossomwing and Sparkfire, too," Runningflame asked.

"Sparkfire?" Shimmerwing echoed. The she-cat was expecting kits! And Blossomwing and Mistsong are Brightpool's daughters! They're my family! The tawny she-cat lurched to the ground, the reality of the events hanging on her shoulder. She rubbed her head, feeling a painful, throbbing sensation, where Thistleflame had hit her and knocked her unconscious. Her thoughts flashed back to Minnowflight.

"I have no idea what's going on," Runningflame growled, looking out the entrance of the den, "but when I find out, I'll kill everyone involved."

"They say Dapplestar is dead," Rippleheart said, glancing at Shimmerwing. "Is that true?"

"I don't know," Shimmerwing gasped out. "But… it can't be true. There is no world left to rule if she is not in it!" The tawny she-cat shook her massive head. "I don't know what Mistsong and the others are up to. They're mad because of Dapplestar's actions. But no cat can absolve the sins of another by taking their life."

"The only thing that can save us now is the slim chance Dapplestar may be alive," Rippleheart said, looking exhausted.

"Where is Shellfall?" Shimmerwing demanded. If Mistsong had Dapplestar's most loyal followers imprisoned, shouldn't Shellfall be among them?

"He didn't turn on Dapplestar, did he?" Rippleheart asked.

"That lad would never." Runningflame shook his head. "He must be out."

"Shellfall may not have turned on Dapplestar," Shimmerwing said, breathing heavily, "but Rowanshade did."

Runningflame stiffened, and Rippleheart's jaw dropped in horror. The two toms exchanged baffled glances, and then looked back at Shimmerwing.

"What do you mean?" Runningflame asked.

"I think Thistleflame let something slip," Shimmerwing said. "He told me Rowanshade was involved, and then when I asked Mistsong about it, she denied it, but she glared at Thistleflame like she was going to kill him. I'm convinced Rowanshade is involved, but I don't know why."

Runningflame shut his eyes. "It makes sense," he said. "He's Mistsong and Blossomwing's father. Maybe he wants to stick up for his daughters, even if they're doing the wrong thing."

"But Rowanshade is one of the most respected warriors in the Clan!" Rippleheart exclaimed. "It doesn't make sense! I don't understand! He grew up with Dapplestar. Why would he turn on her?"

"I don't know, either," Shimmerwing sighed. "He's my sister's mate. How did we not see this happen? How did we not know that cats were planning a rebellion in our stead? It reminds me of Marshfoot, Crookedfang, and Shadefire, but this time… bigger."

Runningflame clawed the roof of the elders' den with a massive paw. Fury burned in his green eyes, and Shimmerwing flinched at the intensity of his rage. However, she could not blame him. She shared his feelings, and the severity of it. She understood how he felt, and she was sure Rippleheart did as well. Why had Rowanshade turned on Dapplestar? Why had these young Clan cats? Where was Shellfall? But the biggest question that hung over her head was one of utter importance.

Was Dapplestar alive?