Alas, this story is almost at its end! D: and I've been getting a lot of questions about a sequel which is strange because I've said multiple times that I wasn't going to make one. So, I am saying this now: I AM NOT MAKING A SEQUEL, PREQUEL, OR ANY OTHER –QUELS YOU CAN THINK OF! I'm terribly sorry but the story that I will be making is going to be up very soon after this one is finished. I cannot decide between Twisted Redemption or Silent Little Secrets as the title. So, let me know what you think!
Oh, and I might give you all a little preview at the end of this story ;) ok, comment time! AND OMG 10 REVIEWS FOR ONE CHAPTER! Man, I love you guys. 3
Spottedfire7: :3 thank you so much!
Chibi Kitteh: Thanks, but no I'm not going to make a sequel or a prequel. But I hope you want to read my next story!
Silent Steps in Silver Snow: I'm sorry! D: It's just…I dunno it just always seems like EVERY she-cat has kits, you know? *shrug* oh well.
Sunshadow-andLeaffang: Wow, thank you so much for reading all these chapters! It really means a lot to me. So just for that, which plushie would you like?
Ashclaw10: OHMIGOSH THANK YOU SO MUCH!
Quadehepeanutbutter: Well, I doubt I'm better than Erin Hunter but thank you so much for your continued support. And…um…sure, you can have a DahliaStarr plushie…Lol Wait, how would I give you one? *throws plushie of myself to you* :D :D :D It sounds so awkward XD And of course I'll read your story!
Rainy1212: Why does it seem like all my chapters make you cry? D: and no, sorry, no sequel. But it would make my day if you would read it when my next story is posted!
Iceflower of ThunderClan: I am so going to continue writing! Please let me know what you think of the names for my upcoming story please!
CheyRaye: I used Willowkit as one of Ivypetal's kits so I hope that makes up for it somewhat. ^0^
Butterfly that flies at dawn: I'm sorry…:\
Okay, onto the chapter!
"Echowing, I'm not so sure this is a great idea," Littlewhisker fretted, pointedly eyeing her deep belly wound that was now tinged green because of the herbs he had swabbed on it.
The creamy she-cat rolled her eyes as she struggled to sit up in her nest. "I'm wounded, not a kit. I know what my limitations are, Littlewhisker."
The silver tom flicked an ear dismissively but his dark green eyes softened. "You don't have to do this, you know. You only just woke up yesterday and I'm not so sure that you'll be steady enough on your paws to walk."
"It's just to the clearing though," Echowing insisted. "It's not that far and I know I won't reopen this wound just by walking. Besides, you know I have to do this."
Littlewhisker sighed and shot a glare at Rowanstrike who was standing sheepishly next to her. "I told you not to tell her about the vigil, Rowanstrike."
The ginger tom lowered his gaze. "Sorry Littlewhisker. But there are finally some strong enough warriors to bury the dead and Petalstar told the Clan that tonight would be the final night of vigil."
"And I have to see them," Echowing added softly, eyes wide and sorrowful. "Please, Littlewhisker…"
The Medicine Cat hesitated but finally gave a reluctant nod. "Alright, but be careful not to accidentally twist your body or else all my hard work will be ruined."
The small warrior's pale eyes glowed in gratitude. "Thank you."
With another sigh, Littlewhisker made his way out of the den. "StarClan knows why I try anymore," he muttered under his breath as he pushed out of the ferns. "No one listens to me anyway."
"Okay, come on," Rowanstrike mewed, turning to face her. "Let's get you up."
Echowing painstakingly slowly rose to her paws and caught her breath as a wave of dizziness overcame her. She swayed on her paws and when Rowanstrike caught her, she leaned heavily on his shoulder.
"Maybe this isn't such a good idea after all," he murmured in concern as she fought to keep her balance. She gritted her teeth and ignored him as her equilibrium finally steadied. She needed to do this.
Moving carefully out of the nest and with Rowanstrike's help, Echowing made her way towards the ferns. She slowed right before they emerged into the clearing and she looked helplessly at her ginger friend.
"I'll be with you every step, I promise," he soothed.
Reassured, she took a deep breath to brace herself and she stepped out of the den and onto the sandy ground of the camp. She eyes widened in horror as she took in the sights of the clearing-or at least, what was left of it.
Most of the dens were destroyed, the sides caved in and small piles of twigs and moss littered the area. She figured those were what used to be the nests. As her eyes scanned the camp, she spotted the bramble entrance hanging loosely and to her it now looked more like a limp bush than an intimidating guard. But the ground was the worst.
Dark red smears stained the dusty sand and Echowing's stomach heaved when she realized that the marks were blood from the wounded…and the dead. And at the thought of death, she remembered why she had come out to this devastated clearing to begin with.
Rowanstrike started to pad forward and Echowing swallowed hard when they neared the center of the clearing where her broken Clanmates were crouching around the dead cats.
The first cat she recognized was Hollyfrost. The black warrior's eyes were dull and her gaze was focused on something only she could see. Echowing quickly looked at the others and noticed with relief that most of her Clanmates were alive.
Stormstripe was crouched next to Dawnfeather with their pelts touching and Sunwhisper was sitting with her head buried in Adderflight's shoulder. Petalstar was also there next to Furzebelly and her blue eyes were pained and sorrowful. Jaypath and Sandfur were also there, and Echowing sent a quick prayer of thanks to StarClan that her foster parents were among the living and not the dead.
Finally, Echowing found the courage to look at the cats that weren't so lucky.
The first body she saw was Goldenmist, which wasn't a shock seeing as she had already known that the Elder was gone. The she-cat's golden pelt was groomed and her blind eyes were closed with a peaceful expression on her once pretty features.
Mouseclaw was trembling where he crouched, muzzle thrust into his mate's fur and eyes tightly shut. Tanglewhisper and Tinyfeather were settled next to the old tom and the silver she-cat blinked her blue eyes sadly up at Echowing. Unable to bear the sight of the heart-broken Elder, she moved her gaze to the rest of the bodies.
"No…" she whispered as the breath was knocked out of her.
Rowanstrike pressed hard against her and wrapped his tail across her back to keep her on her paws as the creamy she-cat swayed again woozily. She let out a little whimper and turned her face into his thick ginger fur so that she didn't have to see what-or rather, who- was laying in front of her.
Forestfur's amber eyes were closed and her black fur was splattered with dried blood. Her parents, Dustclaw and Shineheart, were leaning against each other as if they were holding each other up while still leaning on one another. Shineheart's head was bowed and her shoulders were slumped as if she was carrying a huge weight on her shoulders. Dustclaw just stared at his daughter's lifeless body as if he couldn't really process what had happened.
Echowing sneaked a quick peek at her former mentor but hastily hid her face again. "Why didn't you tell me?" she cried, voice small and muffled.
"I know you needed to see for yourself," he murmured in her ear. "I'm so sorry Echowing."
StarClan, why must you keep doing this to me? she screamed silently. Haven't you taken enough already?
Taking a shuddering breath to compose herself, she pulled away from Rowanstrike and took a shaky step towards Forestfur's still form. She leaned down and softly pressed her muzzle to her friend's cold fur. The scent of death hung heavily in the air and an eerie silence coated the clearing like a huge pile of moss.
Echowing looked up and met the unfocused blue eyes of Dustclaw who was staring at her as if trying to figure out who she was. She didn't know what to say. I'm sorry sounded too hollow and She's with StarClan now didn't exactly seem like the right thing. Instead, she just slowly blinked at the pale warrior, hoping to try and reassure him with her gaze that he wasn't alone.
After a few moments, she gave her friend's ear one last lick and then braced herself for the last body that she knew would be there.
The pain of seeing her dead father didn't hit her as hard as it would have had she not had that encounter with StarClan. She knew he was at peace but it still didn't make the feeling of loss any less raw. She scanned Hawkstar's body, noticing the neck wound that Crowstar had inflicted on him that had caused his death. She bent down and touched her wet nose to his dry one in such a tender gesture that it made her heart ache. She wanted to tell him something, to let his spirit know how much she loved him and how he would always hold a special place in her heart. But she came up with nothing except one little thought.
Thank you for saving my life.
Echowing felt movement on her left side and raised her head to meet Petalstar's gentle gaze.
"He gave his life to save ThunderClan," the new leader meowed. "He was a noble cat worthy of StarClan. And I am honored to take his place."
Echowing dipped her head respectfully. "I know that he knew he was leaving the Clan in good paws."
This time, Petalstar dipped her head to the warrior. "You do not know how happy it makes me feel to hear you say that."
Echowing looked mournfully at the cats that were dead and alive. "I think we need all the happiness we can get right now."
The white she-cat flicked her tail and motioned to the leader's den. "Can I speak with you for a moment, Echowing?"
Surprised, she glanced hastily at Rowanstrike who nodded and nudged her forward. "Go on you," he purred in faint amusement.
Concentrating on just putting one paw in front of the other, she nervously followed Petalstar into the dimly lit den. The familiar short tunnel opened up to a small sandy circle that was more than wide enough for the two of them.
"Please, get comfortable," Petalstar told her as she settled down with her paws tucked neatly under her chest. Feeling slightly out of place, Echowing sat down on her haunches and curled her tail over her small white paws.
"I'm sure you want to know what happened after you…fell into unconsciousness, am I correct?" the leader asked.
Echowing nodded once. The thought had been bugging her for the past day but no one would answer them.
"Well, I suppose I should start with what happened after Crowstar died. Everyone was watching the StarClan cats as they too away his remaining lives-which I never knew was even possible."
Neither did I, she thought.
"So, just as you grew unconscious everything was chaos. Three leaders were dead and no one knew what to do," Petalstar continued. "The loners and rouges, those were the ones without a specific scent, fled almost immediately after realizing Crowstar's plans had failed. There were so many cats that were dead, Echowing…it was devastating. The RiverClan and ShadowClan cats didn't know what to do and so we just all kind of stood there digesting everything that had happened. That's when Swallowstar arrived with WindClan."
Echowing's ears pricked. "You mean they arrived as soon as it was over? What took them so long?"
"Do you remember the cats that we attacked in the ShadowClan camp?" When she nodded, Petalstar pushed forward. "It turns out they chased after us after Hawkstar called for a retreat and somehow knew that a RiverClan warrior-Raindusk was his name?-had sought out help from WindClan. According to Swallowstar, they intercepted him and his Clan as they were coming to help."
Echowing shook her head, trying to keep up. "So, while we were fighting RiverClan and ShadowClan, Swallowstar was also fighting RiverClan and ShadowClan? Great StarClan, how many cats were there?"
Petalstar shrugged. "Most of the extra cats were all loners and rouges that Crowstar had corrupted, that's why there were so many."
"So what happened next?"
"Well, when Swallowstar arrived, he leapt into action right away. StarClan bless him, he had brought almost his whole Clan with him. He commanded his warriors to hurry and bury the cats that weren't ThunderClan and Bluepool immediately started treating the wounded with Iceheart and Littlewhisker. Then he addressed all of us and told the RiverClan and ShadowClan cats that whoever was no longer loyal to the Code that they had to leave the territory."
"And that worked?" Echowing questioned skeptically.
Petalstar shrugged again. "As far as I'm aware, there are none on ThunderClan territory. Anyway, after a few of the RiverClan cats left with WindClan warriors chasing after them, Swallowstar turned to the remaining of us. He demanded to know who the deputy of each Clan was. Graystorm and I stepped forward but no one came from RiverClan."
"Wait, Willowfeather was dead too?" Echowing meowed in disbelief.
"Either dead or she ran away like the coward she had always been. The RiverClan cats were very uncertain until the white she-cat Hailsplash stepped forward and said that she would take the place as leader if StarClan agreed." Petalstar explained.
"So now she's Hailstar, you're Petalstar, and Graystorm is Graystar?"
Petalstream tilted her head forward a bit. "That is correct. I think Hailstar made her deputy Raindusk if I'm not mistaken and Graystorm asked Brightwing to be his deputy."
"And Iceheart?" she persisted, wanting t know if her friend was okay.
"Hailstar offered for Iceheart to return to RiverClan to resume her position as Medicine Cat and she accepted," Petalstar purred.
"So, all is as it should be?" Echowing murmured, praying that it was all finally, finally over.
"Yes Echowing, all is as it should be."
Filled with joy, Echowing rose to her paws and shook her fur. "Maybe one day this will all just be a story told to naughty kits by the Elders," she joked lightly.
Petalstar rose as well and walked her out of the den, a purr rumbling in her throat. "And every kit will hear the legend of how a simple Thunderclan warrior defeated a bloodthirsty leader. You'll be a hero Echowing."
"Yeah," the creamy she-cat breathed. "Maybe."
They halted at the top of the Highledge and overlooked the cats down below when a sudden thought struck her. She turned to the white leader, eyes narrowed in curiosity. "By the way, who did you appoint as deputy?"
"Furzebelly," Petalstar answered. "He seemed like the right choice."
Echowing's gaze found the long haired dark gray tom that was watching over his Clanmates protectively and felt warmth spread through her. She didn't even feel a hint of jealousy, knowing it would have been completely irrational for Petalstar to pick her as deputy. Maybe one day, she thought hopefully.
But for right now, Echowing felt content and satisfied with just sitting next to Petalstar as the moon hung in the sky and lit the clearing up. It was then that she realized that evil had been conquered, that Crowstar and his diabolical plans were no longer a threat to the Clans and Code she cherished.
The darkness had been destroyed. Now it was time for the light to finally shine through.
Man…I'm killing of way too many cats. Ugh, so depressing. So, I've decided that there's going to be one more chapter and then the epilogue! Woohoo! Review my lovely readers! An let me know what you think of the nae=mes for my next story. :)