Author's Note: If you have ideas for OCs to add, keep it to one or two at a time and flesh out their history. If you decide they will be a specialist, try to keep their powers thematic to their nature/history. Also try to keep powers as observable elements. Concept powers like speed or stealth are relegated for much further in the future after elemental powers have been explored to their furthest depths.

Chapter 21: Constellations Unseen

After we'd recruited so many cats so fast, I realized we'd never be able to rehabilitate them fast enough. The faction was growing too quickly, and we were out of mentors. Faintly I could still feel many souls out there. At our current pace, we'd never keep up with the growing total. I needed an answer. Sure, some souls couldn't be saved and deserved torment, but if I really wanted to make a difference, I owed it to all those other souls to at least pass judgement. Either I'd have to grow my powers to the point I could instantly read every soul's history and sins and pass instant judgement, or I'd need cats to search them out for me. I needed a lower faction under the Unseen Stars control. I brought Splitpelt and Frecklewish over to outline my idea and end goal.

"Frecklewish, Splitpelt, we've done good with how we've been rehabilitating cats so far, but I can feel more out there, too many to count. From my estimates, we won't be able to keep up with the number of incoming souls and echoes. Our end goal is to provide each cat in the Darkforsest the opportunity to change. We can't save everyone, but we can give them the chance to save themselves."

Frecklewish spoke next. "As noble as that sounds, you said it yourself. We can't keep up with the incoming amounts. How can we offer every cat the chance if we can't meet them all?"

Splitpelt solemnly nodded. He didn't believe in the idea, but his loyalty to us, specifically me, was beyond his doubt.

I continued. "I never said we would have to meet every cat. We would just have to provide the opportunity. Look at it like this. Soon enough with our recruiting, our current camp will be packed. Will we stop recruiting then? No. That denies every other worthy cat a chance. Instead I propose something else that we can work towards."

I pointed my tail at the sky to draw their attention.

"Our stars are currently disorganized and represent us as individuals, but what if we made them mean more. What if we made constellations, subfactions who have goals different to but coinciding with the main faction. It does present the opportunity of treachery, but I believe the benefits outweigh the disadvantages."

Splitpelt looked considerate before responding. "How do we ensure their loyalty?"

I answered with a somewhat devious smile. "The same way cats respect me and receive their powers, belief. We send agents periodically to check up on the constellations for progress reports. If they do well, we reward them with additional powers and benefits. Some may even be called to the main faction for voting power. Constellations who disobey or are rebellious receive less powers and may have a trusted agent posted there to get them back on track. If my powers grow like they have been, I might even be able to keep tabs on specific cats. With duties and skillsets divided into constellations, that gives the main faction time to consider new ideas and better answer problems that occur throughout the future system."

Splitpelt was deep in thought at the idea. Lower level factions had never crossed his mind even when every part of him founded the clans. Would that idea have made the clans less hostile to each other if they'd done that back then? No. They were too different from the start, but it did cause him to look downwards. Windclan already had two internal factions, but they seemed to jockey for the leadership position instead of falling under one lead ruler. The leader was always a cat of one faction but not the other. Was that a failure of his part? If he ever got the chance to speak to Windclan, he'd have to let them know. If the leader was trained in both factions, the issue would be largely mitigated.

Splitpelt's thoughts were interrupted by Frecklewish's voice. "Even if we do make these constellations, who would lead them? How do we come to trust them?"

My tail flicked towards the apprentice's den this time.

"We've already got two apprentices with leadership potential in our camp. Northpaw is coolheaded and is growing to be a great judge of character. Shellpaw has leadership experience and is tactical. I think it would also benefit their spirits to know leadership is attainable, just not through the means from life. We can't age here, so a position is more or less permanent until the cat decides to retire or gets faded. There still should be opportunities for the newer members. Constellations offer the opportunity for the cat to gain leadership or respect. When they've proven themselves, they can be invited here to either represent their faction or to serve a role here. They could even become our agents. This is a long-term project and by no means is it perfect. The main camp still has no way to expel cats besides convincing them to join constellations, but I think it's an idea with merit."

I had just bared my idea for judgement. It was a risky idea which did not fall into any of our previous teachings. I was tempted to just shut it down myself. It was too big and risky, but it solved so many issues.

Freckewish looked at me softly. "Where do I fall into this? I'm not a leader like you two. I don't have the skills to form one of these constellations. Am I to become just another member in this big idea?"

I could feel Frecklewish's low self-esteem. She really thought she'd be next to useless. I couldn't disagree more. The longer I'd been in the Darkforest, the more my malicious urges grew on me. It was all too easy to just give in. They were after all desires and desires fester here. I gave Frecklewish a firm but kind smile.

"Frecklewish, you will always be important here at least to me. You are my moral compass. I've always felt urges to let out my battle hungry and frankly murderous tendencies loose, but you've kept me sane. I rein myself in. You remind me what is right instead of what is desirable. You make me a better cat. I wouldn't trade you for anyone. I'm sure even Splitpelt agrees."

I must have thrown Splitpelt off with that comment because now he was forced to speak from his heart.

"Frecklewish, you are the kind one of us three. It is all too easy to choose violence as the catch all answer, but you see the other options and remind us. I am not a good cat. I've murdered and stole because I felt like it. You wouldn't do that. Even I respect your council because you keep us from turning the Unseen Stars into exactly what Starclan thinks we are. Please continue to serve that role and keep our desires from twisting us."

Frecklewish ducked her head embarrassed. She hadn't known that she'd be complemented and told she was vital for the continued prosperity of the Unseen Stars. She tried to cover it by grooming herself, but Splitpelt and I saw through the façade.

"Anyways, I think we have our first long term goal settled. Feel free to share it with the rest of our companions minus who we want as future constellation leaders.