Chapter Text
Consequences of the stars
Prologue
Bluestar’s ears flicked as she listened to the wind. In the distance she heard the rush and tumbling of falling water letting her know she was close to her destination. She opened her jaws, smelling for her companions.
Next time I’m picking the meeting spot!
She thought hotly, as she delicately placed her paws, trying to avoid the puddles of mud. Bluestar pushed her away through the final group of ferns, spotting a familiar medicine cat sitting near the edge of the pool of water in front of the waterfall.
“Greetings Spottedleaf,” She mewed padding over.
“Greeting Bluestar. Wet enough for you?” Spottedleaf mewed teasingly as Bluestar settled down next to her. The gray leader rasped her tongue against her muddied pelt, cleaning it.
“I don’t understand why she had to pick this meeting spot.” Bluestar grumbled under her breath.
“Because you insist on keeping what's happening a secret from the other cats!” a familiar voice growled behind the two she-cats. Bluestar lifted her head looking over her shoulder. A scruffy gray cat with scars over her face, padded into the clearing. Bluestar flattened her ears.
“And we must continue to do so. I will not have Starclan thrown into chaos, Yellowfang!” she growled back as Yellowfang padded over.
“Cats are starting to notice, Bluestar. The other leaders are beginning to struggle with coming up with excuses as to why they can not journey to certain parts of Starclan. We can not keep what is happening secret for much longer!” Yellowfang mewed, her voice full of agitation.
“And as I’ve said I will not have Starclan thrown into chaos. Were word to get out about what's happening at the borders some of the cats may become reckless! I will not have warriors foolishly throwing away their lives!” Bluestar hissed sternly.
“You and I both know that secrets don’t stay buried. I’m surprised after all that’s happened you still insist on keeping secrets! We should have meddled more in the beginning!” Yellowfang protested.
Bluestar felt the fur along her spine bristle.
“This prophecy has never been ours to begin with! Had we meddled more in the beginning, stars only know what else could have gone wrong!” Bluestar snapped back.
“Yellowfang is right. If we had meddled more in the beginning we could have guided Hollyleaf better. Perhaps we could have even stopped her from revealing the secret!” Spottedleaf chimed in.
Bluestar shook her head.
“Hollyleaf made her choices. The truth about Crowfeather and Leafpool was always going to come out. If we had meddled more it might have come out sooner.”
“At least that's one thing we can agree upon.” Yellowfang mewed.
The sudden sound of paw steps made the three she-cats quiet as they turned to see who was approaching. Up the ridge came a large golden tom with a dark tortoiseshell tom astride him.
“Lionheart, Redtail! We’ve been waiting for you! How are the borders?” Spottedleaf mewed as the two walked over. Lionheart sank wearily to the ground shaking his head.
“Things aren’t good, I'm afraid. The southern dreampools by the glades are gone.” Lionheart mewed wearily.
Bluestar felt her heart jump.
“What that can’t be possible! I went on patrol with you there only a few sunrises ago! What happened?” Bluestar gasped.
“It’s been sealed off. There are huge brambles wrapping around the territory! These brambles they’re thick as trees and their thorns are as big as a single cat! I managed to get a glimpse of the other side through a small hole in the barricade. It’s all gone now. It's been corrupted and is Dark forest territory now.”
Foxdung!
Bluestar thought.
“Those were the pools we were trying to contact Hollyleaf with. The Dark forest warriors retreated back to their border after the secret came out! When did they come back?” Spottedleaf mewed, her amber eyes wide.
“Stars only know. Whenever they came back they did so when they knew our patrols weren’t around. Stars…how could they have corrupted that area so quickly? It's never happened that fast before!” Redtail mewed, his whiskers twitching as he seemed frazzled.
“Until a few seasons ago they’ve never been able to get past the Dark forest border. They’re growing stronger every sunrise and moonfall. What about the border at the Veil of mists?” Bluestar mewed urgently to Redtail.
“It’s holding. I haven’t seen any border movement from the Dark forest there. I don’t think they’ve figured out how to navigate it yet. Same with the Endermost Forest.” Redtail reported.
Bluestar rose to her paws and began pacing.
“This isn’t good. They’re trying to cut our communication with the living cats off. Lionheart, I want extra patrols around the corrupted dreampools. Keep an eye on them and warn me if the brambles start growing or changing. Redtail, gather some trusted warriors and have them start patrolling the other dreampools, but make sure they swear to keep their mission a secret! I want those pools protected! I’ll speak with the other leaders about the changes,” Bluestar instructed.
“You can’t be serious about still keeping this from the other Starclan cats! Things are getting worse, Bluestar! It’s time that Starclan bands together to keep the Dark Forest at bay!” Yellowfang hissed.
Bluestar turned to give the scruffy gray she-cat a sharp retort, only to be stopped as Spottedleaf pushed in front of her.
“Feathertail?” Spottedleaf called in surprise as slender silvery she-cat raced towards the group. Feathertail skidded sliding through the mud, before she came to a stop in front of the group of cats. Her head dipped as she struggled to catch her breath.
“Feathertail where have you been? Silverstream’s been looking for you for almost a moon!” Spottedleaf mewed in surprise. Bluestar stifled a low growl in her throat, as she lashed her tail.
“Were you spying on us? This isn’t a meeting for you!” She hissed. Feathertail shook her head.
“No, I wasn’t spying on you!” she mewed sharply.
“Well you need to go, this is Thunderclan business!”
Feathertail straightened, her sky blue eyes boring holes into Bluestar.
“The prophecy is my business! Those three are Leafpool and Crowfeather’s kits! I care about what happens to them! I’ve also been walking with the Tribe of endless hunting! I’ve managed to gather more information about what we’re dealing with in the Dark forest! Jayfeather needs to go to the mountains!” Feathertail mewed quickly. Bluestar’s hackles lowered.
“You’ve discovered more information?” Bluestar mewed shock, edging her voice.
“What have you learned?” Yellowfang asked.
“A lot. The danger that the Dark Forest possesses is far worse than we originally anticipated. Jayfeather must go and learn what he and the other three are up against!” Feathertail insisted. Bluestar exchanged uncertain glances with her companions.
“I trust what she says.” Spottedleaf mewed.
“As do I.” Yellowfang chimed in along with Lionheart and Redtail.
Bluestar sighed.
“Alright we’ll send a message to Jayfeather to head to the tribe. Yellowfang, do you want to send it?” Bluestar asked.
Yellowfang nodded.
“Yes, I’ll send it, but not to Jayfeather. I’ll send it to the fourth cat. It’s time for them to come together.”