Did anyone like how Blueflower got involved in the last chapter? Thanks to all of my great reviewers and the names you gave me!
Heres some more spunky and kick-butt Dawnspirit for you guys in this chapter ;)
Chapter 16
"Look at them, those Thunderclan cats. Picking up every stray kittypet and loner they can find." Crookedstar's voice was scornful, his eyes wide with false innocence, as if his words were not insults yet simply the thoughts filling each of the cat's heads. "We've been silent for far too long, I know its been at the back of your minds for a long time, yet we've all been too courteous, blinding our eyes from the truth."
"Our leaders correct!" Dreamfire cried, yelling for her voice to be heard. "They dirty the name of the clans by inviting these impure cats to join them. Just look at how many its been, they don't know when to stop!"
Crookedstar nodded in approval from atop the boulder, pleased by her response. His reddish brown fur caught the light, and it gleamed, giving him the look of a spirit. "We all know I speak the truth," he mewed, staring out across the clan, daring any cats to question him. "What I say is that out of hatred, just out of love, for I hope to protect Shadowclan from what Thunderclan is doing to the forest. Do they truly deserve to have a place among us?"
"How dare you say that." Dawnspirit's voice shook with rage, and her blue eyes were cold as she stepped forward. Cats drew back as the medicine cat came through the crowd, her steps confident and strong. Her heart pounded in her chest, and for a moment she doubted herself, however her mind slipped back to the day before with Batwing and Blueflower. She had trained more, and begun to master the fighting moves. Now she could beat Batwing in a fight, and hopefully she could now defend herself if Crookedstar tried anything. With renewed courage, she looked back up at the leader. "The four clans have lived in harmony for a long time. We may have territories, borders, and battles, however we are still one, united by Starclan. Thunderclan is a part of us just as much as each of the clans."
"Of course you would say that," Crookedstar scoffed, his voice challenging as her gazed at her. "You're a medicine cat, you think that every choice Starclan makes is perfect, you would never admit that perhaps our ancestors were wrong. Perhaps one of the clans should not be in the forest."
Dawnspirit stared at the tom, horrified by his words. "How dare you insult Starclan," she hissed. "They have guided us through every hardship, they give life to our kits, they have protected us since the birth of the clans. And you should treat your medicine cat with more respect, Crookedstar." She spit his name out with distaste, her eyes as frigid as a winter's day.
Murmurs broke out among the clan, some looking outraged, yet some nodding with respect. Dawnspirit gazed around at the cats gathered, her head proudly raised. She said nothing, simply walked out of the crowd into her den, not looking back. She could feel many eyes of her, however she ignored them, beginning to sort herbs and look busy. After what seemed like an eternity, Crookedstar cleared his throat, his voice now shaky.
"The gathering is tonight. I would like to take Scratchfur, Dreamfire, Hedgeleaf, Twigtail, Shimmerpaw, Cougarpaw, and Sparkpaw."
Dawnspirit's brow furrowed, wondering why he had chosen to take so little cats, and noticing that the majority of the chosen were those who were faithful to him and the cause against the other clans. She grumbled in annoyance at this, listening to the idle gossip as the clan dispersed. She looked up as she heard pawsteps, sighing in relief to see Blueflower.
The she-cat shook her head, but she was smiling. "That was amazing," she mewed, holding back laughter. "Did you see his face? I've never heard anyone speak to Crookedstar like that!"
Dawnspirit grinned, letting herself enjoy the lingering sense of accomplishment. "The cats for the gathering-"
"I know." Blueflower cut her short, eyes wide. "Its not going to be a normal gathering is it? I wish I was going, but I'm not the biggest supporter of Crookedstar, so I guess he would never have chosen me. You'll tell me what happens, won't you?"
"Of course," mewed Dawnspirit, her worries squashing the former excitement. "I wonder what will happen..."
Shadowclan surged down the hill into four trees like the force of a rippling river. Cold stares followed their ascent, clearly not welcomed by the other three clans. Dawnspirit shivered in the cold night air, her pelt fluffed up against the wind. She glanced up at the sky, finding comfort in the pearly light of the full moon. The stars twinkled in the ebony sky, shedding spots of silver down on the cats, however they seemed cold and empty. Dawnspirit frowned at the sight of them, the absence of Starclan frightening her.
As she passed through the crowd, pushing past cats, she scanned each of the faces of each, hoping for a glimpse of Batwing.
"Dawnspirit!" The black warrior waved her tail from the other side of fourtrees, her face relieved. "Over here!"
Dawnspirit smiled, the sight of the she-cat comforting her. She padded quickly through the bustling crowd, grinning in relief as she reached the other side. "Thank Starclan I found you," she mewed, sinking down to the ground on her paws. "I wouldn't want you to miss the fireworks!"
Batwing stared at the grey she-cat, bewildered. "What are you talking about?"
Dawnspirit smirked, shaking her head slowly. "Crookedstar picked his cats carefully. The only ones here are those most loyal to him, I don't think this is going to be a normal gathering."
"You don't think they're doing to..." Batwing froze, her golden eyes wide. "They aren't going to start a fight, will they?"
Dawnspirit shrugged, a careless attitude filling her. "I don't even know whats happening in Shadowclan anymore. Can you believe that Crookedstar was trying to convince them that Thunderclan didn't deserve to be in the forest?"
Batwing stared at her in disbelief, her mouth dropping open. "Doesn't deserve to be in the forest?" she said, sputtering with anger and shock. "What in Starclan's name is that supposed to mean? We're not the ones attacking and killing apprentices for no reason except to 'assert their dominance'!"
Dawnspirit nodded in agreement, her eyes dark. "I know," she mumbled.
"Get away from me!"
Batwing whirled around at the harsh words, stunned by the screams.
Dreamfire stood before Speckleclaw, her fur standing on end, and her lips drawn back into a snarl. "Don't get near me," she growled, spitting at the tom. "Filthy kittypet, you shouldn't even be here!"
Speckleclaw drew back, hurt. "I-"
"Don't even speak to me," Dreamfire hissed, her eyes narrowed. "You ought to go back to your little twolegs, you don't belong here!"
"Hey, you two!" Dawnspirit rushed over, stepping between them. "Break it up, thats no way to act at a gathering!"
Dreamfire snorted and stalked away, her tail high behind her.
Dawnspirit turned back to Speckleclaw, her eyes soft. "I'm sorry," she mewed apologetically. "I don't know what got into her."
"Speckleclaw, are you alright?" Batwing cried as she rushed over, eyes wide from having witnessed it.
The tom nodded, stepping backwards slightly. "I'm just a bit shaken up," he muttered quietly.
Dawnspirit shook her head, hardly able to believe how much trouble Crookedstar had managed to stir up towards the Thunderclan cats. Her attention was drawn as the Shadowclan leader yowled in the night air, silencing the four clans.
"I hope I have all of your attention," Crookedstar called out, his stance confident and strong from he stood at the Highrock. He took a deep breath and continued. "Shadowclan will no longer be attending gatherings. This is a warning to all of you, do not cross us. We control the forest now."
Dead silence followed his words, and Dawnspirit's jaw dropped open. "We what?" she gasped, her azure eyes stretched to their limit. "A warning?"
Crookedstar flicked his tail towards the small group of Shadowclan cats which had gathered near the Highrock. The tom leaped down and motioned as the cats bounded out of fourtrees. Crookedstar turned back, his eyes surveying the crowd of stunned and horrified cats. "You have been warned." With that, he bounded off into the trees.
Dawnspirit was frozen in place, her bones shaking. "Batwing," she hissed softly.
"Go." Batwing's eyes were cold. "Now, before he notices you're not there. We'll deal with this later."
Dawnspirit stared at her friend, her expression hurt and full of pleading.
"Four days. The usual spot."
With a shuddering nod, Dawnspirit ran out of fourtrees, her paws fleeting along the ground, her sobs silent and tormented.
The white she-cat paced back and forth, her claws unsheathed out of frustration, digging into the soft dirt. The wind whistled through the trees, sad and lonely tunes forming from the patterns it made, winding its way to her ears and simply causing her more desolation.
The she-cat's eyes were a stunning sapphire hue, which reflected the faint light of the moon, yet it was partially hidden by clouds, a mocking of the cats who dwelt in the forest. She was a small figure, the appearance of one quite young, however her face held the look of one who held knowledge beyond that of her age. She was lean and slim, her pelt clear of any blemishes except for one long jagged scar running down her right cheek.
She shivered in the brisk night air, the chill not truly affecting her dead form, yet it gave her faint delight to pretend, feign that physical blood ran through her veins, that hunger tormented her stomach, and that the cold whisked past her body in chills.
"Why do you torture yourself like this?" The voice came from in front of the she-cat, amidst the shadows. "Why do you insist on dwelling on what we cannot change?" The speaker stepped out of the dark, a brown she-cat with brilliant golden eyes.
The first cat raised her head, part happiness, part distress at the sight of the newcomer. "How can I not dwell on it, Nina?" she mewed quietly, her voice floating through the frosty air. "The prophecy has done no good, blood still soaks the forest, and deceit corrupts in. I cannot help but worry, I fear that Batwing will never uncover the truth behind your words."
Nina stared at the she-cat thoughtfully. "My daughter has already begun to grasp the prophecy, it will not be long before she understands her role. You'll see, although Starclan has blocked themselves off from those they have sought to protect, the prophecy shall come to pass, and the clans will not perish."
The white she-cat snorted at her words, her gaze filled with disbelief. "You thought you could do it," she said, shaking her head sadly. "You thought that you could be the one to save them, but look around you, Nina! Look at the death and destruction that fills the clans, they are dying, and you have failed to prevent their downfall!"
"Echo!" Nina cried, shocked at the outburst.
The white she-cat gazed back at her friend, cobalt eyes defeated. "I shall pray that Batwing lives, that the four clans do not perish, for your sake, for hers, and for all of theirs. However my hope has left me, I feel as if the battle is already lost."
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