SIXTY ONE

Unease rippled through the Clan when the Gathering ended. For the first time since this venture started, Flamestrike suddenly felt overwhelmed with a sense of foreboding.

He knew going into this that the other Clans would refuse to accept SkyClan as a fifth Clan. Life around the lake was already difficult enough without another Clan adding to the challenges. With leafbare in full swing none of the Clans would accept the fact that they had even more competition. Now ThunderClan was left to pick up the pieces and decide what to do with the newcomers.

They couldn't stay on the farm forever. Too many cats would drawl unwanted attention from curious Twolegs or dogs. Flamestrike was well aware of the fact that the farm was abandoned, but that didn't mean it wasn't too close to Twolegplace. He couldn't shake off the feeling that SkyClan was in danger regardless of where they stayed.

Will they ever felt welcome anywhere? he wondered.

Guilt stabbed him in the chest at the thought. He had his own Clan to worry about without letting another Clan get in the way. Yet he couldn't help but feel responsible for what happened to them. Meeting Birdpaw, Spruceleaf and Reedriver had given him a sense of purpose in life. He finally understood his place among the Clans after moons of searching.

"I'm not sure what we're going to do with SkyClan now," Petalstar let out a heavy sigh when the rest of the Clan started asking questions. It was late by the time they arrived in camp and cats were already asking what happened. Word spread quickly about SkyClan's predicament and what was happening among the other Clans. "The other Clans are right to deny them entry around the lake… we've all held claim to the territory for as long as we can remember."

"Let's not forget the fact that WindClan and ShadowClan seem to have formed an alliance," Foxfur growled. His tail flicked from side to side as he recalled the Gathering and how the two Clans seemed oddly comfortable with each other. "If that is the case, then our borders may be at risk of attack on both sides."

"We have always been at odds with WindClan and ShadowClan," Heatherpelt pointed out. "It makes sense considering RiverClan is on the other side of the lake."

Flamestrike's eyes narrowed with curiosity. Heatherpelt made a valid point regarding the two Clan's rivalry with ThunderClan. It seemed odd that they were suddenly getting along after seasons of tension. He knew something was off when he saw that black she-cat at the Gathering. Those piercing green eyes sent a shiver of dread through him.

"Whatever the case, we can't just ignore the fact that SkyClan is one of us," Dusknose reminded them. The medicine cat had been quiet throughout the meeting until then, listening to all sides of the argument. Flamestrike couldn't help but wonder if the medicine cat was worried about treating more injuries. With herbs now scarce, it made sense for him to be more concerned about that notion. "They follow the same tradition as the other Clans, and even if their ancestors travel a different path, they too are similar to StarClan. We cannot ignore that."

Everyone murmured in agreement, though there was some reluctance and hesitance.

His ears flattened at the thought of what would happen if the other Clans refused to accept SkyClan. They traveled all this way just to be treated like outcasts. The whole thing was messed up, and something told him things would only get worse with leafbare on the way. The chill was bad enough as it was, and there had already been reports of a fresh snowfall.

As if things aren't already bad enough, he thought angrily.

"You've been with them longer than any of us," Hawktalon suddenly meowed. Flamestrike winced when all eyes landed on him. He could already feel the suspicious glares other cats were giving him. "What do you make of letting them stay?"

"You're seriously letting this decision rest on a young warrior?" Shademask growled. "He hardly has enough experience!"

I've got more experience than you'll ever realize! He wasn't sure where that thought came from, but he desperately wanted to say it out loud. He kept his jaw clenched as other cats agreed with Shademask. It was clear there were those that opposed the idea of letting SkyClan stay. Yet there was also the added fact that SkyClan had already been cast out once.

"Are we really going to forget the fact that SkyClan was cast away from the Clans?" Flamestrike glanced at Rockfur in surprise when the elder spoke up. He and Daisytail were sitting together during the meeting, whispering to one another the whole time. "I remember when we were kits. The elders would tell us stories of how the Clan had been rescued by Firestar, and of how they managed to survive at the gorge all this time. Is it really our right to decide their fate?"

For once, no cat argued with that logic. Rockfur was right in many ways. Though it happened long before the Clans moved to the lake, their ancestors cast SkyClan out due to Twolegs invading their territory. Flamestrike knew somewhere deep down that keeping them out was the wrong intention. SkyClan deserved better treatment than that.

"I think it is safe to say that we will agree to let them stay," Petalstar meowed once that settled the argument. "The real question we have to ask is where will they go? What territory will suit them the most, and is it safe for them to claim?"

Her question left everyone sharing uneasy looks with one another. Flamestrike had little doubt there would be retaliation from the other Clans. Minnowstar didn't seem to care one way or another if SkyClan was given some territory. RiverClan already had the lake to themselves, so losing a patch of land wouldn't be that problematic. ShadowClan and WindClan was a different story.

"Perhaps this is something that should be discussed among our senior warriors," Hawktalon suggested.

His tail lashed as he looked at Shademask pointedly, who ducked his head in embarrassment.

"Everyone else, return to your tasks," Petalstar snapped after nodding in agreement. "This includes you, Flamestrike." He opened his mouth, ready to object when he saw something flash across her eyes. "I don't mean any ill intention, but this is personal for you. You have friends in SkyClan, and we need cats that are not influenced by outside forces to make this decision."

Flamestrike narrowed his eyes when he realized what Petalstar was implying. He had been close to Birdpaw and Spruceleaf. When they traveled together they formed a bond with one another. Though the same bond wasn't felt with Reedriver, he still felt some sort of kinship with the RiverClan cat. He just hoped that they made the right decision.

He let out a sigh of frustration.

He hated knowing there wasn't a thing he could do in this situation. Rockfur was right about accepting SkyClan. After everything the Clan went through, it was the least they deserved. Yet he also understood everyone else's concern. With leafbare on the way, life would only get harder and the prey would be difficult to find.

He glanced up warily at the feeling of a tail brushing against his shoulder. To his surprise, Roseclaw was there with a look of sympathy sweeping across her face. She sat down beside him and let out a sigh of her own.

"Five moons ago I would have never pictured my kit in such a position," she deadpanned. Flamestrike flinched when her shoulder leaned into his. How quickly had he forgotten that his mother was always watching him. Or that Roseclaw had been there from the time of his birth. "You're stronger and braver than everyone gives you credit for. I am grateful for that."

"A lot of good that's gonna do me when the Clan's attacked on all sides," he muttered crossly.

It wasn't until hearing her purr that Flamestrike glared at her. Though to his surprise, she looked deadly serious.

"You act as though you are already the leader," she retorted. "To my knowledge, you have to have an apprentice first and be deputy after. Petalstar is doing what she can to help this Clan, but there is only so much she can do without the Clan's support."

Flamestrike groaned in annoyance, "I'm already aware of that. I just wish that the Clan would see Rockfur's point. They deserve better."

"And you're not alone." Flamestrike looked at her in surprise as she flicked her tail in amusement. "Don't act so surprised. There are those who feel as if SkyClan was wronged. And not just in ThunderClan. Other Clans have heard of SkyClan and Firestar's heroic actions. Our voices may not be much when we act alone, but together, we are loud and powerful."

For a moment, Flamestrike wasn't sure how to respond to that. He couldn't help but wonder if Roseclaw was right. That there were other cats outside of ThunderClan that believed SkyClan should stay. If what she said was true, then something needed to be done about it. He just hoped that he knew what he was getting himself into.

...

The moon was just beginning to rise as Flamestrike made his way to the horseplace. His ears were flattened against the back of his skull when he noticed silvery wisps of clouds stretching across the sky. Snow had fallen later in the day, adding to an already thick blanket of snow. Thankfully it hadn't taken long for him to reach his destination, in spite of the cold. With the wind finally dying down, that made his journey much easier.

To his relief, Spruceleaf and Birdflight were already there at their meeting spot. They all agreed to meet as soon as they could. He knew what needed to be done in order for the other Clans to accept SkyClan. It would take time for WindClan and ShadowClan to fully accept a fifth Clan. They used the same excuse that there had always been four Clans, but everyone knew that wasn't true. As far as Flamestrike was concerned, there had been five Clans back in the old forest territories. They just needed to prove that history before it was too late.

"I'm surprised Reedriver didn't bother showing up," he remarked after noticing the RiverClan warrior's lack of arrival.

"He actually stopped by earlier today." Flamestrike stiffened in surprise when Birdflight spoke up. She looked more embarrassed than anything else, but at least Reedriver had the decency to acknowledge their presence. "Apparently he was asked to go on a moonhigh patrol tonight, which is why he couldn't be here."

I didn't know RiverClan cats patrolled at night, he thought in surprise.

Then again, he really didn't know much about RiverClan aside from what he saw in Reedriver. The stubborn tom hadn't been ready to accept his fate. As much as Flamestrike hated to admit it, he couldn't blame the young cat for feeling that way. There had been times when he found himself wondering why they had been chosen in the first place.

He tried pushing those thoughts aside as he recalled the Gathering from earlier.

They were still at odds over how to handle that particular situation. He knew something needed to be done to preserve SkyClan. They deserved that much after everything they had been through. He saw a light flicker across Birdflight's eyes, signaling that she had been thinking the same thing. Since she was directly involved with the prophecy, her concern made sense.

I'm supposed to be Thunder, which means that I have to worry about my Clan as well, he reminded himself. He wouldn't let that stop him from worrying about the other Clans though, especially with cats like Icestar and Russetstar in charge. There was so much they had to learn about their past lives. Between that and everything else, he didn't know what was more overwhelming.

"We still haven't figured out who Shadow's descendant is," Spruceleaf meowed. Flamestrike agreed with her fullheartedly. There was so little communication with ShadowClan these days. He suspected Russetstar's alliance with Icestar had something to do with that. The ShadowClan leader had always been sneaky and conniving from what he was told. He wouldn't be surprised if those two were working together against the other Clans. "Which begs the question of whether or not they even know about the prophecy."

"ShadowClan hasn't given any indications that they're aware," he muttered crossly. "And if they are, they won't share with us any time soon. They're living up to their reputation."

His ears flattened as a faint memory from the elder's den came rushing back. Daisytail used to share stories of what the old forest was like. Her time as a kit was spent listening to stories from other elders, and they shared stories of what they were told. One story in particular had always struck him with fear: The tale of Brokenstar.

Brokenstar had once been ShadowClan's fiercest and deadliest leader. He treated his Clan with such cruelty that kits were taken from the nursery too early. Those kits were often trained as apprentices in the harshest ways. More often than not, they died in battle before they were even six moons old. It was against the warrior code to allow any kit to train as a warrior. So Brokenstar had treated the code as if it was a joke, and at the end of the day, he paid the ultimate price for his cruelty.

The last thing Flamestrike wanted to do was admit that Icestar reminded him of Brokenstar. Or that Russetstar could also be traveling down a similar path. Two cruel leaders made the situation that much worse. If his theory was true, then the Clans needed to be extra vigilant for signs of battle.

"Even if that is the case, then we should at least be open to talking to them," Birdflight pointed out. Flamestrike glanced at her in surprise as she stared at him thoughtfully. "I may not know much about the other Clans, but it doesn't hurt to try. Maybe some of these ShadowClan cats would be willing to share."

Flamestrike had his doubts that these cats were willing to listen to reason. After what he saw, he couldn't help but wonder if there would ever be peace. Still, he didn't want to deny the fact that Birdflight made a good point. They had to at least try and make peace with opposing Clans. Even if it went against everything he believed in.

"I can try reaching out to them, since ThunderClan shares its borders with them," he replied with a shrug. "I've got my own reservations about whether or not this will work, but you're not wrong."

Birdflight puffed out her chest a little as Spruceleaf purred in amusement.

In spite of the rising tension, Flamestrike felt more at ease than ever around them. They at least had the beginning of a plan, even if it was a simple one. He wanted things to work out. More importantly, he wanted his own life back.

I've lived in your shadow for too long, he thought bitterly. I'm tired of being seen as Thunder.

And yet, that is who you are, another voice reminded him. You are the direct descendant of Thunder and Firestar. Two great legacies to follow.

A shiver swept through him.

As much as he wanted to deny it, that voice was right. He had to follow through with this prophecy, one way or another. It would either destroy the entire lake, or save the Clans. Either way, their fate was sealed the moment they were born. Now it was only a matter of time before they fulfilled the prophecy and lived out the rest of their lives.

...

I can't believe I agreed to this plan, Flamestrike thought as he made his way towards the border.

The sun was just beginning to set when he left the hollow. He hadn't explained where he was going to the guards. Thankfully they didn't have the chance to question his motives. Hazelwind made a surprisingly good distraction when he needed it. Once he was out in the forest, he tried coming up with a game plan on how to approach ShadowClan.

He knew the Clan would be on edge the moment he arrived. There was already enough tension between the five Clans. SkyClan's arrival spurred something in the Clans, making it impossible to live peacefully along the borders. He knew somewhere deep down that the tension would end up in an explosive battle sooner or later. He couldn't shake off the feeling that such a battle would end in disaster for the Clans.

Flamestrike tried pushing those thoughts aside as he crept closer to the border. The wind thankfully was blowing in his favor. He knew ShadowClan would use his approach as an excuse to attack. They were the type of cats who would do so without hesitation. So he had to bide his time and wait for the right opportunity.

Thankfully he didn't have to wait for long. A patrol was headed in his direction, consisting of three cats. One looked to be an apprentice, and the other two were she-cats. A sleek, pale gray she-cat with bright green eyes looked in his direction. Beside her was a smaller gray she-cat with amber eyes and a white underbelly. He'd seen these cats at the Gathering before, and he recognized them in an instant as Sleetstorm and Snowstorm. Out of the pair, Snowstorm had been the friendliest. That didn't mean she was hostile to trespassers.

"I smell a rat on our border," Sleetstorm snarled as her apprentice stopped. Flamestrike's ears flattened with annoyance when the ginger-furred apprentice started charging at him. Sleetstorm stopped him in an instant, stepping on his tail to keep him from crossing the border. "Frogbrain, do you want to start a pointless battle?"

"But Russetstar said we should attack any cat that tries crossing the border!" the apprentice protested.

"And Russetstar isn't here," Sleetstorm rolled her eyes in exasperation. "As much as I enjoy tearing apart ThunderClan cats, I also know when to avoid a battle." The apprentice looked as if he wanted to keep arguing when he seemed to think better of it. Flamestrike's shoulders sank with relief when Sleetstorm pried the apprentice away from the border. "You're just lucky I'm not in a fighting mood."

"I didn't think she was capable of hospitality," he remarked when she left Snowstorm behind.

The younger cat looked equally surprised by Sleetstorm's reaction. Flamestrike fully expected her to lash out at him for being so close to the border. Maybe Birdflight had been right about not all ShadowClan cats being bad. That didn't stop him from keeping up his guard as Snowstorm eyed him suspiciously.

"What are you doing here?" she asked warily. "I've only ever seen you on patrols or at the Gathering."

"I'm here because I wanted to talk," he replied carefully. The last thing he wanted was to give away the real reason behind his presence. "I know we've never really been on good terms, but there's something I've been meaning to ask." He paused to let that sink in. Snowstorm merely flicked an ear to show that she understood his implication. He wasn't there to make friends or small talk. "Do you know of any cat that might look like Shadow?"

Snowstorm's eyes widened in surprise at the mention of ShadowClan's founding leader. He knew that she likely heard tales of how ShadowClan was founded along with the other four Clans. Because SkyClan was nearly forgotten by the Clans, they never heard of their story.

"To be honest I wouldn't know what she looked like," she admitted sheepishly. Flamestrike looked at her in disbelief as she sat down and wrapped her tail around her paws. "The elders haven't really shared stories about that part of our past. I'm not sure if they've forgotten or if Russetstar told them not to share it."

She had black fur and piercing green eyes, the voice from earlier suddenly spoke up. He stiffened when he registered that the voice must have been Thunder. Shadow has always been a clever and conniving cat. She is part of their Clan, and she will hide from the rest of us.

She'll hide like a coward, he thought angrily.

Then his heart nearly skipped a beat when he registered the description Thunder had given him.

He remembered seeing a cat just like that at the Gathering. While he couldn't remember her name, he pictured the cat clearly in his mind.

That's her, the voice confirmed. She hasn't changed a bit.

"At any rate, I'm not sure why that would be relevant," she suddenly added with a shrug. "I have a patrol that I need to finish."

Flamestrike simply nodded in response, already having formulated a plan as she disappeared into the shadows.

If what he thought was true, then Shadow was likely living in the Clan as a warrior. He'd seen the cat a few times at Gatherings. He knew how hostile she was to other cats aside from her own Clanmates. Thunder's response to his memories had only confirmed his concern. She was likely training to harm the Clans and turn everyone against the other founding leaders. And worse still, she had every right to do so. He just hoped that it wasn't too late and that she had already convinced everyone to turn on them.