Chapter 74: You stand alone
As Darkstripe approached Fourtrees with the rest of "Tigerclan," he had to wonder how much change his efforts had made. He peeked over at Blackfoot. Blackfoot, somehow sensing Darkstripe's attention, shifted his gaze over. It was a ponderous look that Darkstripe wore. Blackfoot's instincts told him Darkstripe would be doing something soon about Tigerstar, so he returned a confirming nod.
Blackfoot's face was solid and resolute. That simple nod left Darkstripe feeling prepared, and most of his wariness had faded. His attention shifted over to Leopardstar. She did not look like the defeated cat he'd been tasked with overseeing. Her presence was now commanding and firm. She did not notice him like Blackfoot, but he did notice the venom in which she stared at Tigerstar, now fully aware how he'd misused her and misled her. Finally, things might go back to normal.
As they got closer, a third group appeared, much to Leopardstar's confusion. This group was comparable in size to "Tigerclan" and bore collars studded with dog and cat teeth. Their steps were loud and scratchy due to the reinforcements they wore on their front paws, extending their claw length significantly. Not every one of these cats was graced with reinforced claws, but the ones that did clearly were seasoned fighters. It was Scourge's Bloodclan.
Darkstripe spotted the small, but definitely not weak, tom. The cat's icy gaze pierced his own. They could read each other's anticipation, ready to finally rip the lives out of their most hated enemy. Who knew such malus could be so reassuring?
Tigerclan emerged into the clearing while Bloodclan waited just outside. Thunderclan and Windclan sat waiting. Tigerstar, the ever confident and foolish, leapt onto the high rock.
"Tallstar, Firestar. This is your final chance. Do you agree to join your clans into Tigerclan?"
Yowls of disapproval echoed from Windclan, Thunderclan, and even a bit from 'Tigerclan'.
"Never!" Spat Tallstar.
Firestar was a little more controlled with his response. "I may have once seen unifying the forest as a good idea, but that was when I was a kit, unknowing of the strength our differences foster. You claim the clans would be stronger together, but those you've 'unified' are weaker than they were before. No, Thunderclan will not surrender to your weakness."
Tigerclaw growled at Firestar's words. "Weakness! So, it seems you are content to die. Scourge!"
Scourge emerged from the bushes followed by the rest of Bloodclan. Their collars and claws shined eerily in the moonlight. Scourge leapt up onto the rock beside Tigerstar, somehow just as intimidating as the evil tom.
"I would like to introduce you to Bloodclan. With these cats, your clans will die!"
Scourge decided to make his play. "You promised us an army and an assured victory, but here you are standing all alone." He mewed in a disinterested voice.
Tigerstar spun with fury. "What!" He hissed.
Scourge, while appearing to be inspecting his reinforced claws on one paw replied, "You've been betrayed. There is no Tigerclan. You demand respect and power, but I see none. I will give you none. You are alone, and you will die alone, exactly the way one such as you deserves."
"We had a deal! You fight for me, and I give you half the forest!" Tigerstar hissed with unimaginable fury.
Scourge fixed Tigerstar with a stare so icy and full of hatred even he froze.
"Let me make one thing clear to you. I came out here to gain territory and kill someone specific."
Scourge faced out at his Bloodclan before loudly asking. "Bloodclan! What do we do about those that can't hold up their end of a deal?!"
The collared cats yowled and chanted their response. "Blood! Blood! Blood!"
"And what do we do when cats think they can control us!"
The crowd of cats responded again. "Blood! Blood! Blood!"
An evil smile crossed Scourge's face. "Now my clan demands your blood, but first I wish to reveal something to you. Thunder!"
Dakrstripe hopped onto the rock with no hesitation.
"You've served me well, delivering to me my most hated enemy. Would you like to start things?"
As confusion covered Tigerstar's face, Darkstripe revealed a crooked smile. He may have been a weak one on one fighter, but his strike was true. Darkstripe's claws sunk into Tigerstar's face clipping his left eye was they pulled down. A very faint scar those claws had created before was now sliced open. It was poetic how the only scar Darkstripe ever gave to Tigerstar now bore the wound of the last time he would ever hurt Tigerstar.
Tigerstar spat in pain with his left eye now torn and his pace marred by the one cat he was sure he could control.
"Traitor!" Tigerstar screeched before leaping at Darkstripe.
Scourge intercepted the attack with practiced ease. He left a long wound along the warrior's side which shredded muscles. Tigerstar landed staggered, and Scourge didn't waste the opportunity. He slammed into Tigerstar's side, forcing the tom to roll and expose his soft stomach.
"You know… I never forgot you." Scourge mewed with a cruel smile. "Now die for me like the rat you are."
Scourge's claws met Tigerstar's throat, but instead of swiping horizontally like he'd usually do, he dragged his claws downward, feeling his claws bounce off his enemy's ribs and finally sink deeper into the cat's stomach. He continued his strike further, tearing through the cat's soft belly and hooking the tom's intestines in the process. Finally, he pulled his claws free, somewhat disemboweling his most hated enemy in the process.
Scourge watched Tigerstar's body sputter to life and die again and again with morbid interest. He even counted them. Nine. He watched his enemy die nine times. He felt a strange feeling. It wasn't satisfaction but rather the feeling of having accomplished a long sought after goal and now no longer having something to work towards. It was a peak and a victory that felt slightly hollow. Goals were what made Scourge strong and productive. Now he lacked purpose, but he would not reveal that to any cat except maybe Bone.
Scourge's icy eyes stared out at the crowd of clan cats who looked at him with horror. "This is not over Clan cats! I'm content to have completed one of my goals today but mark my words. This isn't over. I'll give you three days to either leave or face me."
Scourge's eyes met Firestar's as he said his last line. "Don't disappoint me."
With that, Bloodclan left the clans to ponder. Darkstripe stood alone with Tigerstar's corpse at the top of the high rock. He shoved it so it went rolling off the side onto the ground below. Tigerstar never deserved a place on the rock in the first place. Finally, Darkstripe jumped down. Firestar, Blackfoot, Tallstar, and Leopardstar met him at the base.
"Darkstripe." Mewed Firestar with a tell all grin.
"You knew this would happen." Mewed Leopardstar in response.
"What can I say? It pays to have a cat on the inside. The real question is what to do about Bloodclan."
Darkstripe actually had an answer for this. "Bloodclan does have a ritual for duels. If we can acquire a dog tooth, we can toss it at Scourge to request a duel. Bloodclan is all about strength, so I bet we can convince them to settle the matter over several duels. Each clan could be represented, but Scourge won't accept anything conventional. He'll want a two on two."
The leaders agreed to the idea. It would limit the number of lives at risk to settle the problem.
"Let's go home Darkstripe." Firestar softly mewed.
"Wait a minute!" Leopardstar hissed. "Darkstripe has been my deputy for a while now. You really mean to deprive Riverclan of a deputy?"
Darkstripe turned to her with a smile responding. "I was never meant to be your deputy. I gave you the tools to lead your clan and showed you who you needed. You know who should be your deputy and who you have to apologize to."
Stonefur and Mistyfoot emerged from the crowd of waiting cats. Their presence filled Leopardstar with a mixture of guilt and relief.
"You're right. Mistyfoot, will you be my deputy?"
Darkstripe turned his attention away to look at Blackfoot. "Your clan needs you now more than ever. Remember what it means to be a clan. I expect to hear your name is Blackstar soon my friend."
Blackfoot turned away, appearing aloof, but he didn't want them to know he'd miss Darkstripe, the tom who would listen to him and not judge. The only proof he gave them he heard Darkstripe's words was his response. "I won't forget."
As Thunderclan made their way home, Darkstripe was tightly sandwiched between Sandstorm and Firestar. They embraced each other's presence after having been apart so long. It was almost as if not touching brought about the fear that he would disappear again. Darkstripe was home again with the ones he loved.