Chapter 50
Tigerstar's POV
Tigerstar sat on top of the tallest clump of rocks, watching all the Dark Forest cats gathered before him.
"Cats of the Dark Forest!" Tigerstar yowled. "I want a full report on how training is going. Antpelt, how are the WindClan apprentices faring?"
"Everything is going according to plan, Tigerstar," Antpelt mewed, bowing his head. "Ripplepaw and Ripplestar, the former long-forgotten leader of ShadowClan, are doing very well together, and Ripplepaw has been able to sneak around like a shadow. Leopardpaw and Leopardstar, the past leader of RiverClan, are becoming an unstoppable force. Silverpaw and Silverhawk are the strongest pair of them all."
"Good work, Antpelt," Tigerstar commented. "And to you as well, Silverhawk."
Silverhawk dipped his head, "The pleasure is all mine, Tigerstar."
"How are things going in ShadowClan, Brokenstar?" Tigerstar asked, switching his attention to the former ShadowClan leader.
"ShadowClan has many apprentices, Tigerstar, but we have no problem training all of them, even the medicine cat apprentice," Brokenstar replied. "Pebblepaw is being trained by Pebbleheart, the first ShadowClan medicine cat. Together, they came up with ways to poison cats, and to cure the most notorious wounds if needed. Brownpaw is being trained by Clawface, as the Brownpaw in StarClan is too young to train an apprentice. Stonepaw keeps hesitating, however. He said that my methods were too harsh. I had to keep reminding him that he's just becoming a better warrior 'for the sake of his Clan', but I think the stories the mouse-brained elders told him are stuck in his head! He keeps showing more worry than strength! I think I need another warrior to watch him while training just to make sure he trusts us again!"
"I could send a fake sign for you, Brokenstar. One that will shake the bees out of his brain," Mapleshade suggested. "We could place him in a dream where some 'poor' and 'defenseless' cats are attacked. He won't be able to do anything to help them. Then he will focus on training, thinking that he will protect the weak, but I'm sure that you change his thinking easily, Brokenstar."
"Of course! Then I could tell him that the weak cats symbolized the weak Clans and that he must focus on training! Send it to him now so that he sees our way," Brokenstar mewed.
"Certainly. You can continue the meeting without me. I'll catch up on what happened later," Mapleshade said, as she disappeared into the shadows to haunt the young apprentice's dreams.
"For the other three apprentices, Yarrowpaw, Beepaw, and Needlepaw, we will begin their training soon. Redwillow, Maggottail, and Bee, one of the first Dark Forest residents, will train them," Brokenstar finished.
"So ShadowClan is taken care of. How's mouse-brain ThunderClan doing, Thistleclaw?" Tigerstar demanded, a gleam of power in his eyes.
"Well, Ashpaw is having lots of fun training, maybe too much fun, but Ashfur knows how to fix that. All it takes is reminding him that he is the Clan leader's son, and that he's training for ThunderClan. Featherpaw seems to be in sync with Feathertail. She listens to her and trusts that she is a good cat, and is ignoring Ravenpaw's tales because she is stronger and faster than her now. And Sparrowpaw is eager to train with Halftail. He has the same hunger in his heart for battle just like us. Of course, Ravenpaw has been going to them and telling them things, but they are ignoring their sister because they are stronger, faster, quicker, and smarter than her. The fact that Bramblestar is away makes it easier to train them because their father can't tell them to stop, and that they want to impress him when he comes back," Thistleclaw replied, making sure that he gave every last little detail.
"What will we do about that nuisance, Ravenpaw?" Hawkfrost asked his father.
"For now, she isn't doing any damage," Tigerstar mewed. "Later, we will punish her for being uncooperative."
"Thank you, Thistleclaw, for the very detailed report," Tigerstar added, happy that he had power over ThunderClan, or at least their apprentices, once more. "And now, let's not forget our precious little Peanutpaw and Lavenderpaw in the legendary SkyClan." Tigerstar said menacingly. "One Eye, once part of Clear Sky's camp. I trust everything is going according to plan?"
"Even better," One Eye replied. "Since majority of SkyClan has never heard of the Dark Forest, Peanutpaw thinks that he's being trained by StarClan! He's very willing to train and work. Lavenderpaw has broken her leg trying to complete a task, but she'll be up and ready in no time. Dustypaw is the one we can't get to, however. Nothing can shake him, as he holds such powerful belief for his ancestors. Additionally, SkyClan's medicine cat, Frecklewish, is worrying about Icekit, and he has been having dreams. I believe that this should be brought to our attention because StarClan is starting to notice Icekit's potential. He could use his powers for us! In fact, why are we not training cats with powers? I mean, we can't train Lionblaze or Dovewing, but why can't we train others?" One Eye asked.
Mapleshade came back into the clearing. "I think that we should keep an eye on him for now. But we can't train the cats with powers because they know about the Dark Forest. And then the Clan leaders get suspicious."