Review answer time!

Starshine- Thank you! I know you will! Glad you like them! We'll see more of them in later chapters!

Nikonkey- I'm glad you like the story so much!

Foxbracken- The Tragedy of Julius Caesar. The exact quote is "The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars, but in ourselves, that we are underlings." I just thought it would fit well. Stars. Starclan. Tragedy. Boom! :D And Shhhh! I thought I told you that was confidential! Haha! Just Kidding. Yes ,you are correct. Silver is bearing kits, and yes, Redfur did try to do that. There'll be a chapter more about that later.

Presenting the next installment of Shatter! Dun Dun DAAAA!

*Warning: Lots of Bloodshed, Fighting scenes, and Deaths. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!*

Chapter 23: The Slaughter of Shadowclan

Tawnydrop flicked her tail, irritated. Echostar had not yet returned from his meeting, and she was beginning to worry. It was the night to make Lizardpaw, Whisperpaw, and Pouncepaw warriors. She let out an exasperated sigh, ears flicking at the sound of pawsteps behind her. She looked over her shoulder to see the small white she-cat apprentice.

"Is the ceremony going to happen tonight, Tawnydrop? Where is Echostar?" inquired Whisperpaw.

"I am not sure, but if he does not come soon, I will perform your ceremony."

The little she cat smiled shyly, nodded, and then padded back toward the other two apprentices, who were bouncing with excitement, especially Pouncepaw. Tawnydrop looked up at the moon, lost in thought. After a while, she sighed, bounding over to Nightrock. Echostar was late, and although she worried, she knew her duty had to come first.

"Let all cats who have caught their first lizard gather beneath the Nightrock for a clan meeting!" Slowly, cats slipped through the shadows of their dens to settle in front of their deputy.

"Starclan, I know that I am not a leader, but I will fill Echostar's place to the best of my abilities. Please accept this temporary position. Lizardpaw, step forward." As she spoke, he did, looking up her with joy blazing in his eyes. Tawnydrop looked at Larkstripe, who blinked in approval. Nodding, she continued.

"I, Tawnydrop, deputy of Shadowclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He had trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her a warrior in her turn. Lizardpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life."

"I do."

"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Lizardpaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Lizardgaze. The Clan honors you for your tireless energy and sharp hunting skills, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Shadowclan."

The tom leapt up to Nightrock and licked Tawnydrop's shoulder while she rested her muzzle on the newly named warriors head. He hopped down, sitting next to the warriors and his mentor.

"Whisperpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life."

"I do." The quite she smiled sheeply at the deputy.

"Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Whisperpaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Whispersky. The Clan honors you for your superior observation skills and your willingness to go above-and-beyond to care for your clanmates, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Shadowclan."

The little she slinked up the Nightrock, doing the same as Lizardgaze.

Pouncepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your life."

"I do." The little white tom was squirming with excitement. He could barely contain himself.

"Then by the powers of Starclan, I-"

A loud yowl broke the proud, uplifting moment in the ceremony. All the eyes of Shadowclan cats were met with fierce, harsh ones. Hisses rose up from the Shadowclan cats as they met the cold stares of the combined Bloodclan and Windclan cats.

"What are you doing here? We're in the middle of a ceremony! Where's Echostar?" hisses Tawnydrop, feeling on edge.

Darkshard flicked her tail, and a brown-and-white spotted tom, who Tawnydrop recognized as Fawnstep, dragged a limp, bloody bundle of black fur. Its blue eyes rolled back into the head and face that was contorted with fixed agony. Cries of horror and outrage rose up as Fawnstep threw the body harshly to the camp ground, giving it a good kick toward the shaken gathered clan.

A fluffy brown she broke apart from the group, falling at his still body with her back toward the Shadowclan cats. "My mate! What have you done to him?! Our kit! Fatherless!" she sobbed. "Darkwing! Darkwing, come do something!" She screeched hysterically.

A little brown she-kit, only about 2 or 3 moons old, treaded carefully across the camp. "Barkkit! Come back!" someone snapped from the crowd. Ignoring whoever called her away, she stayed a distance from the body, circling it so she faced opposite to her mother. She sniffed once. "Daddy? Daddy? Wake up. Please." she squeaked, fear and mournful cries making her sound even more pitiful. Her innocent amber eyes swept over his mangled, sliced body, and her little legs began to tremble.

"I'm sorry, Dovesnow, but there is nothing I can do. He's in Starclan's paws now." The cats parted, revealing the medicine cat. He looked even more aged as grief swam in his eyes.

"You! You're precious plan failed, and now you must pay. All of you!" Gorsestar snarled, his ears plastered flat to his head. He flicked his ear, and a tan tom growled. Lunging forward, he grabbed the cat nearest to him. A shriek sounded out as Barkkit's body was locked in Yellowfoot's jaws. Dovesnow yowled, leaping over her mate's body. Her claws unsheathed in fury as she charged the Windclan warrior.

She was so caught up in her rage she didn't see his tail flick, and a black she leapt out from behind him, claws outstretched. The two hissing shes soon became a tangle of torn fur, bloodied claws, and biting fangs. Dovesnow became pinned under Spiderpelt's paws.

The black she grinned. "Aww, look. Am I too fast for the wittle kitty?" She mocked at the thrashing Dovesnow. "What should her punishment be for stepping out of line?" she asked Darkshard.

Darkshard narrowed her eyes. "As punishment, she will watch the execution of Barkkit."

"NO!" The mother screamed. She watched with fearful eyes as Yellowfoot bit down on the little she-kits neck. A sickening crunch was loud enough for all to hear. The little brown kit's scream was cut off as she slumped in his jaws. He opened his mouth, and the little lifeless body fell to the ground with a thud, her innocent amber eyes seeing no more.

Dovesnow's screams and insults rang out in the clearing. Spiderpelt grabbed her with the speed of lightning, and threw her over her mate's body. Dovesnow landed, crumpling on the ground. The medicine cat stepped forward, checking on the she before glaring at Darkshard. "Do you have no mercy?" He snarled, showing slightly yellowed fangs. "She was just a kit! If you want me, take me, but kill no more!"

Darkshard grinned. She flicked her tail, and Chill appeared from the mass. Darkwing straightened, standing tall and proud. Chill snarled, rushing forward with unsheathed claws. Darkwing closed his eyes, bracing himself. Chill landed on his front paws and swiveled. His hind paws connected with the tom's face, snapping his head to the side and the old tom flew toward Nightrock. He smashed into the darkened rock and let out a gasp as pain shoot through his back and left hind leg. It was definitely broken, as it was as twisted and gnarled as the tree roots.

Darkwing struggles to his paws to face a smirking Chill. "Give it up! You're as old as an elder! You're weak!" With a laugh, he charged the cat again. He rears up on back legs and brings his weight down on the fragile medicine cat, who crumples from the added pressure on his broken leg. Chill snarls, his fangs gleaming in the moonlight, before they sink into the back of Darkwing's neck for a killing bite. Darkness descended over the camp as a cloud passed by the moon.

Smirking, Chill leans down to whisper in the dying cat's ear."You know, funny thing is... we can't keep that promise."

With a hiss, Darkshard cried for an attack, and Chill leapt into the wave of allied cats as they crashed into the battle against Shadowclan. Yowls and cries could be heard though out the moonless night.

I hated writing this. Excuse me. *cries for being a horrible, despicable life form, who apparently has no soul, for killing Barkkit and Darkwing*

OMG! I'm actually crying as I write this. I feel so awful! WHY STARCLAN WHY!? WHY AM I SUCH A BAD PERSON?! TOO MUCH DEATH! DX REVIEW THOUGHTS, COMMENTS, QUESTIONS, RAGE VENTING! ANYTHING!