A/N: Enjoy the Harry Potter reference I slipped into this chapter. I don't own that either, otherwise Dobby and Lupin would still be alive.
Chapter 34. New Allies
"What was that about your mother? How much have you told those ThunderClan cats?" Boulder asks, a touch of suspicion in his meow.
I told Whitestorm about the broken claw, I think uneasily. Now that Tigerstar is dead, I worry how ThunderClan might use that secret to undermine ShadowClan. Firestar says he don't want revenge, and mostly I believe him, but a little healthy paranoia never hurt anybody. And the last thing ShadowClan needs is its faith in StarClan shaken.
"You gonna think I'm crazy."
"At this point, crazy could be half of your warrior name. Crazythorn almost suits you."
I snort-laugh despite myself. "You're ridiculous. Who would name a kit Crazykit?"
"You," he teases right back. I swipe playfully at him.
But we stop our messin' around real quick when a familiar scent touches our noses. "Darkstripe," I hiss.
Boulder and I spread out, and the dark warrior slinks out of the trees, lookin' sullen. "Why are you two on ThunderClan territory?" he demands.
"Yeah, we're really gonna tell you our business, 'cause you're such a loyal clanmate," Boulder sneers.
"I wouldn't want to be. None of you traitors were worthy of Tigerstar," Darkstripe retorts.
I turn to my mate in mock horror. "Boulder, this cat who tried to poison a kit and ran out on his clan thinks we're traitors. How can we possibly go on?"
Darkstripe stalks away, his lip curled. "And don't even think about followin' us, or you might meet Tigerstar sooner than you'd like!" Boulder calls after him.
Once I'm sure Darkstripe is out of earshot and we're headin' toward town, I tell Boulder about all my weird dreams, plus Firestar's. He looks troubled. "So you shared a dream with the ThunderClan leader?" he asks.
"Well, there was that one time when Tigerstar set the dogs on ThunderClan... I reckon I saw the business from Firestar's point of view. But it's more like he dreamed about me."
Still the narrowed eyes. "Nettlethorn, you know I love you and think you're a great ShadowClan warrior, but is this really the place for you? You need to be sure. Our clanmates are only focused on survival now, but eventually some of them are gonna remember you betrayed our leader and sought refuge in another clan. Not all of them will forgive you, despite what Tigerstar did."
Stumpytail's accusation echoes in my head. I remember Tawnypaw's words about cats in ThunderClan bullying her on account of her dad. If somethin' like that happens to me, I'll deal with it. I can't please every cat. Plus, there's the whole lost-daughter-of-the-pines-returnin' business.
Straightening up, I meow, "It don't matter. As long as I'm allowed to stay, ShadowClan is my home. I knew that on my first morning in ThunderClan."
Boulder purrs and twines his tail with mine. By this time, we're well into town. The grass and stone beneath our paws has been replaced by hardblack. Was it always this cold and unforgiving?
We dart between two fences. My fur bristles as two cats with teeth-studded collars jump down from 'em. The big ginger she-cat is Brick, who has not-so-fond memories of Snag, Nightwhisper, and me drivin' off her patrol. The black-and-white tom is Claw, brother of Bone. Cats say he's called that on account of the long, curved scar that crosses his forehead. Their eyes gleam with cruel pleasure.
"Well, if it ain't forest scum," Brick jeers.
I get ready to spring, but Boulder jumps in front of me and slaps his tail over my muzzle. "Not anymore," he says easily to the BloodClan cats, like we just passin' the time of day.
Claw saunters toward us, a snarl risin' in his throat. "I recognize both of you. Thought you'd run off with that Tigerstar, did you, Cici? And Boulder, you ran like a pathetic coward even before then. Are you here to spy for your fellow forest scum?"
Boulder shakes his head. "Cici and I had enough. We don't want nothin' to do with BloodClan or the forest."
Catchin' onto his awesome plan, I add with as much contempt as I can muster, "Them forest cats are finished. Boulder and I lit out once Scourge took ShadowClan's camp. Bunch of scared mouse-hearts, I reckon they won't even fight."
Brick and Claw purr. "You two oughtta think about joinin' us. Scourge always be lookin' for new blood. He might be in a forgivin' mood after we take the forest," Brick says smoothly.
"We gonna sit this one out," I say firmly. "We just wanna mind our own business."
The BloodClan cats stare us down for several long heartbeats. A fight could go either way, and they both know it. Eventually, Claw flicks his tail dismissively, and he and Brick dash away into the maze of streets and buildings.
"You think Scourge and Bone will believe it?" I ask when they're gone.
"Snag's already deserted, why wouldn't we?" Boulder points out. "If the situation was reversed, half of BloodClan would slink off in a heartbeat." That loyalty's our strength, I reckon. BloodClan has never faced an enemy with ThunderClan's courage, WindClan's resilience, RiverClan's strength, and ShadowClan's cunning.
"I just thank StarClan I have a smart tom," I purr.
"All's fair in love and war," Boulder purrs back, "and this is a bit of both."
I wanna start lookin' for our old rogue contacts right away, but it's just about full dark. Boulder insists we'll be no use to any cat if we lose our way or blunder into danger. So we curl up in a culvert at the edge of a narrow, dirty street. It rains in the night, and streams of filthy water trickle past us.
We huddle together for warmth, but it's a long, uncomfortable night, during which we speculate endlessly about our clanmates' battle preparations, worryin' for the spies we're sending into our conquered territory. I just pray Blackfoot's busin' common sense and keepin' his temper with the other leaders. And that they're givin' him the respect ShadowClan deserves, even if he don't have nine lives. That thought gives me another fun scenario to worry about: if we defeat BloodClan, can ShadowClan survive if Blackfoot gets killed? If we end up with no leader and no deputy again, it's all too easy for me to imagine ShadowClan cats either givin' up and becomin' rogues or being absorbed into other clans.
We hit the streets with the first rays of sun, barely pausin' to give ourselves a cursory wash. We only have a day to gather reinforcements, and I can feel every heartbeat passing. Boulder and I run our paws sore in vain for half the morning. My hope drains away as we go through the park and other favorite haunts without meeting any cats. The biggest excitement is when one particularly nasty twoleg tries to kick me. I avoid the huge swinging foot by a whisker, dartin' behind a twoleg plant.
But my heart leaps when I see a familiar gray-and-white tabby rootin' through a garbage can. "Cora!" I exclaim. "You're all right! I ain't seen you in seasons."
For a heartbeat, Mama's old friend looks bewildered. Even when she clearly recognizes me, she don't entirely relax. "Cici," Cora says cooly. "Risk and Scorch told me you went to live in the woods with those wildcats. Your mama always hated that forest lot, said her mate was real scared of 'em."
"We did. You remember me, Cora?" Boulder says as I process this scrap of information about my unknown father.
The older she-cat's amber eyes narrow, but then she nods. "You're Rock or Stone or something like that? Left seasons ago with your littermate."
"Boulder. Cici is called Nettlethorn in the forest. We're here to make you an offer and ask for your help."
So I tell her about how BloodClan is tryin' to take over the forest, and the four clans are uniting to fight them. Cora's ears twitch uneasily as she listens, like she expects Scourge to jump out and kill her. "I heard BloodClan was allied with one of the wildcat clans. Ain't that the one you two joined, with that Tigerclaw? He came sniffin' 'round me once, but I didn't want no part of his business," she says.
"I didn't either at first. But listen, the mouse-brain actually thought Scourge would agree to share power with him in the forest. I'll give you three guesses as to how that worked out," I say.
"He got all kinds of dead," Cora says.
Nine kinds, to be exact. "Yeah, but we got a new leader now. He's uniting with the other forest cats to drive BloodClan out. They're strong cats, and there are lots of 'em, almost as many as BloodClan. If we can get BloodClan's other enemies to help, if cats from the forest and town can unite just this once, life will be better for all of us. You won't have to worry about 'em comin' after Leia no more," I say.
Cora turns back to the trash can and pulls out a big hunk of some twoleg food. "That sounds brave and noble, and I really hope you win. But I can't leave my kit for some battle. I don't ever wanna fight other cats no more if I can help it."
"We understand," Boulder says, guiding me away.
Hot, sour disappointment rises up in me. Is Cora really dismissin' my idea this easily? Am I a daft fool for thinkin' any cat in town gonna risk it all for cats they don't know? Do I remember so little about growin' up here?
"I think Scorch and Risk be sunnin' themselves on some parked cars two streets west. They might be up for somethin' like that. And my friend Hope, who hangs out behind the yellow house, would rather nurse a twoleg kit than have anything to do with BloodClan. She might be down to fight," Cora calls after us.
"Thanks. We'll be leavin' tomorrow at dawn, if you change your mind," I call over my shoulder.
Boulder gives my ears a comforting lick. "Don't give up, Nettlethorn. She's just one cat, and your plan is brilliant," he meows. "Let's go find your friends who think it's fun to sun themselves on cars. I can't wait to meet them."
Risk has always taken her name seriously. Ain't never seen no other cat lie on a parked car like she ain't got a care in the world. "I have plenty of warning if the twolegs come," she said when I asked her about it once. And Scorch seems cool goin' along with her. They ain't as suspicious as Cora, but there's a certain wariness in Scorch's voice when he greets me.
"Where are Mowgli and Snag at?" Risk demands.
"Mowgli's dead," I make myself say. "And I ain't ever havin' nothin' to do with Snag again long as I live, except maybe rippin' his fur off. He's gone and joined BloodClan."
Scorch hisses and jumps down from the roof of the car they're lying on, his ginger-and-white fur bristling. "Whoa there. We ain't in BloodClan. We're tryin' to stop 'em," Boulder says.
We take turns tellin' 'em a very condensed version of what's been goin' down in the forest. They definitely seem interested. Risk brushes her tail sympathetically over my spine when I talk about my brother.
"You sure these forest cats want our help? They won't tear us to bits?" Scorch asks.
"Every set of claws can help. We can weaken BloodClan together," I say.
The couple walks a few fox-lengths away and put their heads together. I pace in nervous circles. I've just remembered that Scorch and Brick are littermates, even if they ain't been on good terms in seasons. Will the big tom be up to fightin' her? My stomach be flutterin' like a butterfly.
They pad back over to us in perfect unison. It's amazing how their movements have come to reflect each other so perfectly. Will Boulder and I be like this after seasons together?
"Okay, we'll join you," Risk meows. "Those lowlifes owe us blood for Shade's death. I think my sister Chance will want in too."
"Don't take this the wrong way, but are you sure we can trust her? If BloodClan finds out we're planning an ambush-"
"Chance would rather die than serve Scourge," Risk cuts across Boulder.
"This be a one-time thing, you understand? We ain't joinin' no clan," Scorch growls.
"Understood," I say, relieved we have at least two allies. "Let's round up any other cat who's interested and meet at sunset."
The others nod. "We can meet at your old den under the raised twoleg nest. Ain't no cat been usin' it since that forest lot left," Scorch suggests. My heart aches at the thought of those simple, relatively carefree days with Blackfoot, Tangleburr, Stumpytail, Mowgli, and Snag. Before we had any idea how Tigerstar's schemes would ensnare us.
I pad off to follow Cora's second lead. The yellow house ain't hard to find. Thing practically burns my eyeballs out. Ain't one she-cat lyin' on a patch of brown grass behind the building, but two. One is tawny with blue eyes, the other a pale silver-gray that reminds me of my mate.
"Hey, is one of y'all Hope?" I meow.
The silver she-cat lifts her head and demands, "Who wants to know?"
"Cora told me where to find you. My name's Nettlethorn."
Hope's tawny companion leaps to her paws. "Nettlethorn?" she echoes. "But that's a clan name." She opens her mouth to get a better whiff. "You're from ShadowClan. But I don't remember seeing you in camp. Did Tigerstar send you?" Her fur bristles.
"Tigerstar's days of sendin' anybody anywhere are over," I say, unable to keep the relish out of my voice. "Who are you anyway? When were you in our camp?"
"Sasha," the tawny she-cat meows, blinking rapidly. "Tigerstar brought me a few days ago. I… what did you mean when you said his days of giving orders are over?"
I'm on firmer ground now. "Tried to recruit you too, did he? I reckon I was in prison at the time, or I'm sure we would've hung out. Not that it matters much now, 'cause Tigerstar's dead as can be."
"Say what? But he was so strong. How could… who killed him?"
"Scourge. Turns out being strong don't make up for being an arrogant fool. Killing him's the best thing Scourge ever did, if you ask me," I say.
Hope's ears prick. "I heard a rumor that Scourge allied himself with some of the wildcats and is planning to rule the forest as well as the town," she meows.
"That's the basic idea, but the clans ain't gonna put up with it. All the forest cats are workin' together to drive BloodClan out, and we're lookin' for any town cats who want to help. Way I see it, if all BloodClan's enemies unite, we have a better chance of defeatin' 'em, and then we can all be free."
"You're mad!" Sasha hisses, her fur spiking again as she glares from Hope to me. "You warriors ain't nothin' but trouble. I want nothin' to do with you." There's somethin' brittle and wounded in her blue eyes, but I can't decipher it, don't have the time.
"You do you," I meow with a shrug.
Sasha turns tail and flees. Havin' heard much the same thing from Mama, I can't say I'm all that surprised. Just disappointed that Risk and Scorch may be the only strays who come back with us. Two cats ain't a lot to show for my big idea.
But Hope don't go after her friend. A cold light has come into her face. "I don't think you're cracked, Nettlethorn. Tell me more 'bout these wildcats and their plans."
By the time the sun be sinkin' over the high rooves of the buildings, Hope is padding after me toward the meeting spot. The two of us have been joined by a bouncy black-and-white tom named Lucky who seems to think this is all some grand adventure, even though I've warned him the danger is very real. A purr rises in my throat when I see a battle-scarred old tom lying beside Boulder, grooming his thin, ragged pelt.
"Hey, Nettlethorn, this is Zander," my mate says.
I dip my head politely. "Nettlethorn. Cats got the strangest names these days. Used to be Daisy or Rose was good enough for a she-cat," the old tom mutters, but he sounds more amused than mean.
"I'm Lucky!" the young black-and-white tom cries. "I can't wait to rip all the BloodClan cats' fur off!"
"Save some for the rest of us. We don't wanna be bored," I joke.
Scorch and Risk approach cautiously with another she-cat. Chance looks identical to her sister, except one of her green eyes is missing. The huge scar on her face gets me thinkin' of Brightheart, the spunky young ThunderClan warrior.
"Bone did this to me," Chance growls. "I'd like to pay him back by rippin' out one of his eyes."
"I'm up for that," I meow.
"In that case, how about Nettlethorn and I teach you a couple fighting moves from the forest," Boulder suggests.
"Awesome! I wanna learn the best warrior moves!" Lucky enthuses.
"We'll teach you some ShadowClan favorites. Those are the best," I say.
They learn eagerly and fast. As I adjust Hope's stance and tell Zander not to hunch his shoulders so low, my mind takes me back to those lessons with Tigerstar, first here and then, after his exile, in the woods beyond ShadowClan territory. I want to reject the surge of bittersweet nostalgia that wells inside me. I want to feel nothin' but hate for my brother's murderer, but I can't help but miss those days just a little. Chance is a formidable fighter despite her blind side. She's good at protectin' it, weavin' around so an enemy can't take advantage. Risk fights best when she's part of a team, workin' with either her sister or her mate.
We hunt up a rat and a couple of skinny mice. It ain't a feast, but every cat has somethin' in their belly. Lucky pesters us for stories about clan life. We share a few but then I insist we all go to bed so we'll be in fightin' shape tomorrow. It's gonna be a long day and night.
As I settle into a makeshift nest of dead leaves and paper beside Boulder, I wonder if we'll ever sleep in the warm, cozy ShadowClan warriors' den again. But more than that, I worry over who will die tomorrow. cause I know not every cat's gonna live through this. Will I lose Boulder or any of my other clanmates? One of my ThunderClan or RiverClan friends? Or—this thought makes me shudder from nose to tail—one of the cats I'm leading from town? Please, don't let me be responsible for any of their deaths.
I must go to sleep without realizin' it, 'cause next thing I know, a paw be nudgin' me. "Not plannin' to sleep through the battle, are you?" Risk asks tartly.
"Wouldn't dream of it," I shoot back, getting to my paws and shakin' leaf litter from my pelt. Risk mrrows with laughter.
As we emerge from under the raised house, I'm amazed to see Cora paddin' in our direction. "What's up?" I meow.
"I done talked it over with Leia, and I slept on it. Leia says if I can help stop BloodClan puttin' any other cats through what they done to us, I oughtta do it. So I'm comin' with you to the forest," Cora meows.
"That's great!" Boulder cries, his tail curling in delight.
"But if I die," Cora says, meetin' our eyes steadily, "I expect you to take care of Leia."
I know I shouldn't make any promises on behalf of my clan, but I wouldn't leave a blind cat to fend for herself. "We'll definitely check in on her," I promise. Cora hesitates, then falls in beside Hope.
Not includin' Boulder and me, we be six. That's a good-sized patrol, and while these cats ain't warriors in the truest sense, I'm proud to fight beside them. Proud that cats from such different places and backgrounds can come together to fight an evil that threatens us all. For the first time since Firestar told me about his prophecy, I really do feel like this could be my destiny, what all of the mess Tigerstar got me into was for. If I can help destroy (or at least weaken) BloodClan, will that be worth it?
No, because Nightwhisper will still be dead, and ain't nothin' worth losin' him. But I imagine my littermate's spirit paddin' beside me as we walk back toward ThunderClan. There's nowhere to go but on ahead.