A/N: Here's where this fanfic will start to deviate more from the plot of The Darkest Hour. To be honest, I was never a huge fan of how the Erins handled the BloodClan battle, mostly due to the clans' complete lack of forethought and strategic planning. Why let your enemy set the terms of the engagement when you can do something delightfully sneaky and devious instead? Besides, if the clans are really going to use teamwork to make the dream work, that means relying on all of their strengths and skill sets. Hope you enjoy the BloodClan showdown, as it should've happened.
Chapter 33. Making Plans
"What is it, Nettlethorn?" Blackfoot asks, soundin' wary but not outright hostile.
"There are other strays in twolegplace who'd probably jump at the chance to get back at BloodClan," I say. Quick as I can, I explain about Cora, about Risk and Scorch, about other cats I know who ain't all that happy with the way Scourge runs things. "I really think if a cat they trust reaches out to 'em, if they know they can fight BloodClan as part of a strong group-"
"So you think the best way to fight rogues is by bringing more rogues into the forest?" Cloudtail cuts me off. "That's a mouse-brained idea. How do we know they won't try to take over our territories too?"
"They won't," Boulder backs me up. "I know Cora, one of the cats Nettlethorn mentioned, and she ain't power-hungry. The cats who left BloodClan did so because they want to mind their business in peace, not have to worry about when Scourge's followers will come for them and their kin. You don't understand how bad it's been for the town cats since Scourge took over."
"How do we know this isn't just a ploy to flee back to twolegplace? Are you going to abandon us like you did before?" Frogtail demands.
I roll my eyes at the older warrior. "I know you got a brain, so try and use it. If I was gonna run out on ShadowClan, I'd just up and leave like Darkstripe, no need to waste everybody's time," I snap.
"What makes you think any cat in twolegplace will listen to you?" Oakfur wants to know.
"I don't know for sure," I say. "Nothing's guaranteed. But to my way of thinkin', we oughtta at least try anything that can improve our chances. And bringing in cats who know BloodClan, who've actually fought with and against them, could be really useful."
"I think we should let Nettlethorn try to find allies in twolegplace, but she shouldn't go there alone. There could be BloodClan patrols about," Firestar says.
"I'll go with her," Boulder volunteers immediately. "I'm partly responsible for BloodClan being here. Let me help fix my mistake."
Leopardstar and Blackfoot still look uncertain. The RiverClan leader's tail twitches as she thinks it over. She summons her medicine cat, and the four of 'em huddle together for a quick whispered conference. I get why some cats ain't thrilled at the idea of bringing more rogues here, but my paws itch with impatience. If we gonna do this, we gotta roll.
When the leaders break apart, Blackfoot says, "Okay, Nettlethorn, we've agreed to try your plan. But we don't think you should be waiting at Fourtrees with the rest of us. We want your force hiding on ThunderClan territory—Firestar will have a guide for you—ready to enter the battle when it looks like we could use an advantage." The ambush is an awesome ShadowClan touch!
"We'll make sure our warriors expect reinforcements from ThunderClan territory, so they won't attack your allies," Leopardstar adds.
"Why do we have to wait till dawn?" Heads turn at the question, and every eye fixes on Russetfur.
"What do you mean?" the RiverClan leader asks.
The dark ginger she-cat shifts from paw to paw, then raises her head confidently. "If Boulder and Nettlethorn leave this afternoon, they'll be in twolegplace by tonight. Give 'em a day to find allies, and they can be back in the forest the night before Scourge's deadline. We can attack the mange-pelts while they're sleeping nice and easy in our camp."
"They wouldn't see it comin'," I add, feelin' a surge of pride and affection for my mate's sister. "After he killed Tigerstar and took our camp, Scourge probably reckons we're just 'bout beat. He's arrogant enough to think we wouldn't dare mess with his camp."
"We know all the best places to ambush them!" Oakfur yowls in excitement.
Blackfoot glares down at the small brown tom. "That doesn't mean we want the other three clans knowing the best ways to attack our camp," he growls.
Russetfur fixes her gaze on her paws. "Blackfoot has a point, but it's still a good idea. You did the right thing, bringing it up," Boulder meows.
"We don't want to invade your boggy camp," Graystripe growls. "Besides, most of us have seen it anyway, and we prefer ours." Firestar shoots his friend a quelling look.
"My warriors are not as accustomed to fighting at night as those of ShadowClan," Leopardstar says with trepidation.
But Blackfoot's dour expression is slowly shifting to one of satisfaction. "Perhaps the advantage would be worth temporarily allowing other clans onto our territory. If we attack Scourge's forces while they're stuck in our camp, we can pin them down or drive them into the marshes," he meows.
Leopardstar almost looks convinced, but Firestar's tail-tip twitches. "Is it not dishonorable to meet an open challenge with a sneak attack?" he asks.
This sets Blackfoot off. "Was it honorable of Scourge to murder our leader and invade our camp after giving us three days to make our decision?" he snarls.
I can't even imagine all the furious things Firestar has to say about Tigerstar and honor. For a few heartbeats, I more than half expect to see the ThunderClan leader and ShadowClan deputy jump at each other. Behind Firestar, Graystripe gets into a fighting stance. Flintfang and Russetfur flank Blackfoot. If fur starts flyin', this already-fragile alliance between warriors who were mortal enemies just yesterday will crack like a rotten branch.
Sandstorm touches her mate's shoulder with the tip of her tail, and Firestar takes a deep breath. "Very well, Blackfoot, your warrior's plan is sensible. Raiding enemy camps is not against the warrior code. And I swear by StarClan that ThunderClan has no designs on ShadowClan's territory, nor will we seek revenge for Tigerstar's crimes. We merely wish life in the forest to continue as normal, with four strong, independent clans striving to survive."
I let out a slow, relieved breath as Blackfoot dips his head ever so slightly to the ginger tom. After another moment of silence, he meows, "My warriors will scout our territory to get a sense of BloodClan's numbers and patrols." I notice he don't invite the other clans on these scouting missions.
"They'd better not be caught, or else Scourge might guess our plan," a dark brown RiverClan warrior mutters.
Blackfoot flicks his tail contemptuously. "We know every pawstep of our land in a way those flea-pelts never will," he growls. "Russetfur, start organizing groups of no more than three cats. This is all about speed and stealth."
"I want to help!" Cedarpaw cries.
"This is no task for apprentices," Blackfoot says sternly. "You'll spend the next few days training for the battle."
As the other ShadowClan warriors gather around Russetfur (who I bet a moon's worth of prey will be our deputy if we survive this), some RiverClan warriors start organizin' more hunting patrols and battle training for the apprentices. Leopardstar stands by the Bonehill. I see grief, self-loathing, and guilt in her dark eyes.
"We must pull this down. It belongs to a darker time," she announces, digging a paw into the pile of bones. Some of her warriors join her, lookin' over their shoulders like they reckon Tigerstar's fixin' to jump out at 'em.
I walk over and savagely kick what's left of the Bonehill, scattering the bones across the clearing. I only wish it was the face of my brother's murderer. After a few heartbeats, Flintfang, Wolfstep, Tallpoppy, and Lightningpaw come over to help. Blackfoot watches us from a fox-length away, his expression inscrutible. What kind of leader will he be? I wonder. I been so busy thinkin' about how we gonna survive the next few days, but seein' the Bonehill gone makes me wonder 'bout ShadowClan's future. Can Blackfoot learn from his mistakes? Does he even think he's made mistakes?
Lightningpaw's meow jerks me out of my thoughts. "You're really leaving again?" she asks.
"Just for a couple days, but I promise we'll be back. You want us to kick BloodClan's tails off, don't you? Boulder and I are the only cats who can do this."
"Yeah, I get it. I'm just scared you won't come back," she says.
"Ain't gonna happen," I say bracingly. "Just remember what Nightwhisper taught you. Stick close to the older warriors, and for StarClan's sake, use your brain. You gotta fight smart."
"I will, Nettlethorn," Lightningpaw says, and races off to join Tawnypaw.
I turn and see Blackfoot a mouse-length away. I wait for some caustic comment about how I'm not Lightningpaw's mentor and shouldn't be givin' her advice. But he just growls, "You can't fail."
"We're not planning on it," Boulder assures him.
"The other three clans won't be in a hurry to forget who brought BloodClan to the forest. ShadowClan has to be part of the solution in a way that no cat can deny. This is damage control," the deputy says. Boulder and I both nod in understanding.
Mudfur pads up and drops a bundle of leaves at our paws. "What are these?" I ask him.
This gets me a few startled looks, but there's no judgment in the old tom's voice as he explains, "They're traveling herbs. Sorrel, daisy, and cammomile. They'll give your strength and keep you from getting hungry for awhile. It's tradition to eat them before a long journey."
Sounds useful, and it's obviously an important clan ritual. I crunch up the bitter-tasting leaves, and almost immediately, energy floods my limbs.
"Thanks, Mudfur," I say with a dip of my head. Boulder echoes my appreciation.
"Thank you for being a friend to my clanmates when they needed it most," Mudfur murmurs. "StarClan light your path, Nettlethorn and Boulder."
Firestar's patrol be fixin' to leave. "You cool if we walk with them?" I ask.
Boulder hesitates for a heartbeat, and a panicky little voice inside asks if he's questioning my loyalty. But then he just says, "Yeah, that's the quickest way to town anyway."
The ThunderClan cats don't say nothin' as I fall in beside Sandstorm. Bramblepaw be lookin' over his shoulder every few heartbeats, hopin' for one last glimpse of Tawnypaw. The image of the Bonehill's destruction repeats in my head. With that big heap of carrion gone, the forest smells so much fresher. We're still in stupid amounts of danger, but I feel lighter than I have in a half moon.
"Did I hear you right when you said Tigerstar murdered your brother?" Sandstorm asks cautiously.
"He tried to leave TigerClan the night before we went to Fourtrees, but some BloodClan cats caught him," I say past the rocks that seem to be stuck in my throat. Sandstorm brushes her tail gently over my shoulders in silent sympathy.
"How are Mistyfoot and the apprentices?" I ask, eager to change the subject.
"Doing well. They'll be glad to know ShadowClan took you back," the pale ginger she-cat purrs. Will they? I wonder. Will Mistyfoot ever be able to look at a ShadowClan warrior again?
"You reckon they gonna stay in ThunderClan?"
Sandstorm shrugs. "The apprentices could go either way, but Mistyfoot is a RiverClan cat through and through. Leopardstar asked her to meet at Sunningrocks near sunset. Firestar's bringing the message and allowing the meeting on our territory."
"That oughtta be a fun conversation," I say sarcastically.
"Leopardstar deserves to get her ears clawed off. I'm glad she sees the error of her ways, but honestly. Firestar would never let one of his clanmates be slaughtered like that," Sandstorm snaps.
"I think I see why you two are friends. Both so diplomatic," Boulder teases. Cloudtail mutters something about Boulder and Firestar being lucky toms, then stops when we all four scowl at him.
After a few moments of silence, Bramblepaw edges away from his mentor to walk beside me. "You saved my life in the fire," he meows. "I remember how you grabbed me, and your voice when you told me I was okay. Thank you, Nettlethorn."
I shrug. "I would've done that for anyone, especially a kit. That's straight out of the warrior code."
After another hesitation, he asks, "Do you think Tawnypaw will be okay in ShadowClan? I mean, with us sort of being half-clan?"
I do something unusual and actually think real hard about my words before spewin' 'em. "Yeah, I really do. Some cats just gotta run away and start over to find where they really belong. I reckon I know what that's like. Lightningpaw and I will look out for her, and Oakfur's a good mentor."
Gratitude flickers in the young tom's eyes. He dips his head and murmurs, "I'm sorry about your brother," before hurryin' to catch up with Firestar.
Eventually, we get to what the ThunderClan warriors call Tallpines. I can faintly smell the sour, metallic stench of twolegplace, weird after so many moons in the forest.
"We part ways here," Firestar says. "StarClan light your path. Nettlethorn, your mother and Bluestar were right about you. Your return to ShadowClan will help stop BloodClan from ruling the forest." And he walks away without another word, his tail like a flame against the sky.