Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Bramblestar moved through the camp to the Highledge, his tail held high. He had no meetings in mind, simply wanting to bask in his power. He had thought that the camp was in better shape, with him in charge and all. Sitting on the Highledge, Bramblestar leisurely licked his paws, amber eyes narrowed as he observed his Clanmates with disdain.

Squirrelflight, his deputy, was currently organizing a patrol, her voice ringing loud and clear for all surrounding cats to hear.

“Birchfall! Take Fernsong and Molewhisker to the Ancient Oak. According to Jayfeather, the foxes that have been passing through the territories must have left by now.”

“ Left is an underestimate.” Jayfeather regarded coldly, his blind blue eyes staring straight at Squirrelflight as though he could really see her. “The scent was faint, but they can still be around.”

Alderheart flicked an ear, looking at his old mentor in front of the medicine den before going inside, a bundle of herbs in his mouth.

Squirrelflight rolled her eyes, the bright green almost hypnotic to Bramblestar as she corrected herself. “Fine. There have been foxes passing through the territories that we think may have left.” She hesitated as she looked at the patrol of cats she chose.

“Take Twigbranch with you.” Bramblestar’s deep meow chillingly hung in the air before Squirrelflight could even attempt to speak. It wasn’t a question, it was a demand. Bramblestar couldn’t help but smile as he saw the weight of what he said settle over the camp, each cat desperate to not look directly at him and draw his attention.

Ever since Bramblestar’s revival, things have changed. Bramblestar was no longer calm and caring but strict and imposing. It’s better, he thinks, that cats fear him. A good leader should expect their cats to listen without question, which is why their hesitance irritated him so.

Pinning his ears back, Bramblestar snapped, “Did none of you mouse-brains hear me? Twigbranch, come here now! ”

Twigbranch could barely hide her trembles as she stood up from where she was among her fellow warriors.

Ignoring her, Bramblestar turned to see Squirrelflight’s reaction.

The she-cat’s fur was bristled, her tail swishing back and forth, glaring up at Bramblestar with a faint snarl.

Bramblestar smiled at her response, feeling unjustly proud of himself.

“I said come here Twigbranch.” Bramblestar growled as he saw her walk towards the patrol. In a flash, she was below the Highledge, looking up with terrified eyes.

Bramblestar didn’t bother going down, satisfying himself with her terror at being named by simply laying down.

“You are going to go on Birchfall’s patrol.” He meowed quietly, knowing she heard.

Her wide eyes made him feel giddy to speak his next command.

“You will catch five juicy pieces of prey– alone – without help from your patrol…”

“That is completely unreasonable!” Thornclaw snapped, getting up and making a move to the Highledge before Blossomfall got in his way.

Bramblestar couldn’t hear what Blossomfall spoke, but he was annoyed all the same.

“If you have a problem, Thornclaw.” Bramblestar stood, towering over his Clanmates as he made his slow descent downwards.

“Then why don’t we discuss it like warriors?” He hissed, claws unsheathed.

Despite being nearly equally good at fighting, Thornclaw seemed hesitant to fight the Clan leader.

Which is what reminded Bramblestar of another tactic he could use.

“Do you have no respect?” He snapped. “No moral code? Because I know of a code. But surprisingly, it seems to me the rest of you don’t.”

Bramblestar’s eyes briefly flickered to Squirrelflight before settling on Thornclaw.

“The Warrior Code states that the word of the Clan leader must be obeyed.” Bramblestar muttered quietly in Thornclaw’s ear.

Seeing the senior warrior’s claws extend felt satisfying, even more so when he knew Thornclaw could do nothing about it.

“StarClan has been silent for moons.” Thornclaw whispered, gazing down at his paws.

“Does that give you the ability to make choices for the Clan?” Bramblestar continued, circling him. He could feel every eye watching their exchange, feeling stronger than he ever has before. “To become nothing more than rogues and loners, desperately clinging to each other for survival… just to claw one another and leave them for dead the moment they lack use, every cat out for themselves and themselves alone.”

“No, no of course not, but…” Thornclaw looked at him, pale blue eyes meeting amber, like droplets of water vanishing in a cold inferno.

“I think you should leave.” Bramblestar meowed. “And don’t come back until you have one piece of prey for every cat in the Clan.” He continued, nervous about the way the camp was eyeing him.

Thankfully, Thornclaw did nothing more than nod his head, making his way out of the camp.

“Can I go too?”

Bramblestar nearly jumped as he heard the unexpected voice, turning to Blossomfall who regarded him with wary eyes. “With Thornclaw. To help him…” Instantly her words died on her tongue, nervous to upset the leader of ThunderClan.

“Of course.” Bramblestar purred. “Feel free to help him. As long as he learns his lesson.”

Grateful, Blossomfall nodded and ran out of camp.

“As I was saying…” Bramblestar turned back to Twigbranch.

“I-I will.” She gulped, looking at Lilyheart for comfort.

Satisfied, Bramblestar nodded and went to the leader’s den, noting how aggressive Squirrelflight seemed.

He didn’t have to wait long until Squirrelflight joined him, presumably after sending the patrol out.

“What are you thinking, arguing with warriors like that? And those punishments! What did Twigbranch even do? Why did you even have to get involved? I was just about to ask Ivypool to join them in case they do happen to come across any foxes. Not Twigbranch!”

Bramblestar was calm as he looked at his mate, his deputy, the love of his life yell at him.

“Thornclaw made a good point.” Squirrelflight continued, not at all scared to be confronting the Clan leader about his decisions.

“That is unreasonable. Everything you do now is!”

“Are you done, Squirrelflight?” Bramblestar purred, knowing how much it annoyed her.

“No, I’m not done! Ever since you came back you’ve… changed .”

Bramblestar tensed. He didn’t want her to know that he changed. He didn’t want her to know at all. Giving her a nervous laugh that he hoped sounded confident and not at all panicked, he casually wrapped his tail around himself, covering his paws as he replied. “I just… StarClan had told me how to lead the Clan better. When I died.” Bramblestar tried to assure her.

“StarClan spoke to you?” Squirrelflight gasped, her stance completely changed.

“It is no cat’s business but my own,” Bramblestar clarified, his head turned to stare at a very interesting mouse some cat must have left for him instead of Squirrelflight’s hopeful eyes.

Bristlefrost . Bramblestar thought, knowing that out of all of his Clanmates, she was the one who trusted him the most. She was scared of him, yes, but was the only cat willing to follow the Code unlike her fox-hearted Clanmates… and Squirrelflight. Though, the difference between Squirrelflight and fox-hearts grew more and more difficult to find each moon.

“Bramblestar, I…” Squirrelflight flinched at his harsh look, her meow trembling. “I don’t know what to do. About StarClan. Everything.” Squirrelflight’s voice was filled with despair, her body crumbling to the ground, curling up.

Instantly, all of Bramblestar’s anger vanished and he purred as he wrapped himself around her.

“Trust me,” He muttered. “I know what’s best for the Clan.”

Squirrelflight looked at him, her eyes so trusting, so hopeful.

Bramblestar didn’t have the heart to crush her yet. Gently nuzzling her like the wonderful mate he is, he’s content.

Who cares if he decides to make up prophecies or cause disorder and chaos within the Clans?

He’ll never forget what she’s done, even if the flames in his heart are temporarily subdued.

Trying to not accidentally claw her, Bramblestar forced his claws to retract, knowing that his time would come soon.

It has been moons since he first came back, and moons yet for his plan to succeed and for Squirrelflight to know true pain, but for now… he’ll just enjoy being leader of ThunderClan and watch as every cat turns a blind eye to who he really is.

For the time it’ll take for all of their suffering to be prolonged, it’ll be worth it to see their faces.

Grabbing the white mouse with a paw, Bramblestar purred as he shared the meal with his mate, looking out of the den to look up at the sky, where stars have yet to be visible.

Soon. Bramblestar thought, the clouds only enhancing his anger. Soon, every cat will pay.

Chapter Text

“Wait! Please!” Bramblestar cried out, his paws scrambling for purchase on the cold, frozen ground. “You have to help me!”

The tail of the yellow tom he saw vanished behind ferns, his fur standing on end with fear.

“Please!” Bramblestar gave chase, fear prickling his own heart. His amber eyes darted around the forest, cautious to not get his fur snagged on any brambles despite feeling nothing but cold air on his back.

The yellow tom ran, and when Bramblestar made it past the trees, he saw him race across the territory, running as if he were being chased by dogs back to the SkyClan camp.

Bramblestar froze, trying to calm himself down. The running didn’t exhaust him, it was the fear. The fear that no cat will ever know what happened. The fear that he was utterly alone, no stars to guide him.

“Please.” Bramblestar’s voice broke, settling down at the edge of the clearing. He watched as the tom finally whisked into the camp, greeted by Violetshine and Dewspring.

Defeated, Bramblestar made his way back to the trees, feeling exposed with the open area despite knowing that he can’t be seen.

Making his way through the rough terrain, he shivered. Were ghosts supposed to be able to feel the leaf-bare frost? He wished he could ask some cat.

The journey back to ThunderClan was boring and uneventful. His head was held down as he entered through the camp entrance, eyes darting to Alderheart who seemed to be inspecting an injured Brightheart, a worried Cloudtail beside her.

Medicine cats were supposed to be able to speak with StarClan. With them being absent, was there any way to contact the Clans?

“Alderheart.” Bramblestar purred, walking up to his son who hadn’t acknowledged his presence. “Jayfeather?” He turned to Jayfeather, who was discussing something trivial with Lionblaze, also giving no indication of hearing him.

Just then, Bramblestar saw himself across the clearing, walking out of the leader’s den with Squirrelflight close behind.

Bramblestar’s heart ached looking at her.

The false Bramblestar gave no indication of seeing Bramblestar either, but with the way he held his head and tail high as he walked to the fresh-kill pile with Squirrelflight behind, Bramblestar felt enraged at her obliviousness. At himself. But just as the feeling of fury took over, so did the resignation of silence.

He couldn’t do anything about it. He just had to watch as the false Bramblestar grabbed the juiciest shrew from the pile and walked back to his den, Squirrelflight hesitating as she glanced at the cats waiting to be put on a patrol for the day.

“Squirrelflight!” The false Bramblestar snapped, speaking with his mouth full.

Squirrelflight looked apologetically at her Clanmates, turning to trot after the false Bramblestar, looking more annoyed than pleased.

“He’s not acting like himself,” some cat whispered.

Bramblestar turned his head to see who spoke, identifying it as Whitewing. “He didn’t usually act like this.”

“He’s just lost a life, what do you expect?” Eaglewing commented.

“Still…” Whitewing turned the leader’s den.

“Should we just… form our own patrols?” Finleap asked, looking at the nearly empty fresh-kill pile.

“I volunteer!” Berrynose meowed, standing as he began organizing patrols.

“Poppyfrost, Hollytuft, and Eaglewing can go on border patrol. The SkyClan side. Finleap and-” Cut off by Lionblaze’s bushy tail, the tom turned and wrinkled his nose at the golden tabby.

“No cat is organizing patrols.” Lionblaze commanded, his voice loud and clear. “We have to wait for Squirrelflight. She’s our deputy and you must respect her.”

Berrynose scoffed, looking ready to argue.

Bramblestar blocked them out, looking at Whitewing again. If somecat notices his behavior change, then surely others will soon follow? But Whitewing only shook her head and settled back down, mumbling something quietly to herself.

Bramblestar sighed, walking to the leader’s den to see what his impersonator was doing.

The false Bramblestar was sharing tongues with Squirrelflight, a purr sounding from his chest.

Bramblestar noticed how stressed Squirrelflight seemed, her claws digging into the moss of the den, her eyes focused outside.

“What’s the matter, Squirrelflight?” Bramblestar sharply inhaled at the sound of his own voice, briefly meeting the imposter’s eyes before they flicked back towards his mate.

They know.

“I should organize the border patrols.” Squirrelflight’s eyes never strayed from the exit. “It’s already past sunhigh and we haven’t done them today.”

The false Bramblestar continued to purr, his amber eyes observing her with keen interest. “But don’t you want to stay here with me?”

“Of course I do. But I have responsibilities as the deputy and so do you.”

That caused the false Bramblestar to pause. “What if I asked some other cat to be my deputy?”

Before Squirrelflight could argue, the false Bramblestar laughed, the sound much more forced than it should be coming from Bramblestar.

“I would never, Squirrelflight. You’re everything to me.”

Squirrelflight looked conflicted. She gazed longingly once more at the exit, looking through Bramblestar’s ghost. Before Bramblestar could give himself hope, her eyes dimmed and she resigned herself to the false Bramblestar.

* * *

The sky was clear. Birds perched on branches were singing out, their chirps like a melody Bramblestar couldn’t follow no matter how hard he tried.

He had attempted to talk to a bird once. When desperate times call for desperate measures, he had hoped that the thrush would see him and flee into the paws of some cat in camp. At least with that assurance, he could do it over and over again until the Clan realized something’s wrong.

But the birds continued to sing. The most that they interacted with Bramblestar was when they eventually flew away. Bramblestar kept a close eye on the camp. However, the more he stayed there, the more emotional he felt about the whole thing.

The false Bramblestar could see him, he was sure. His imposter gave nothing away though, even when Bramblestar yelled and hissed in his ear until moonhigh. The false Bramblestar would just drag Squirrelflight to the leader’s den, giving her no choice in the matter, purposefully agonizing him with the sight.

Squirrelflight and the false Bramblestar argued. A lot. It broke Bramblestar’s heart to see himself so harsh and unreasonable, to watch as he harassed his Clanmates and used the Code to his advantage.

Bramblestar had never thought about the way he acted before. He knew that he was strong, capable, and intelligent. Firestar was his mentor for StarClan’s sake. He had a lot to live up to, with the evil Tigerstar as a father and the constant disasters that seemed to plague the Clan. He thought that he was level-headed.

But now, looking in from an outside view, Bramblestar couldn’t help but wonder about his flaws. Yes, he didn’t listen sometimes, yes, he wasn’t perfect…

But wouldn’t StarClan have known if he was unworthy of being a Clan leader? Wouldn’t they have rejected giving him his nine lives?

Wouldn’t you be honest with me, Firestar?

Bramblestar wandered the camp restlessly. His paws dragged on the ground, fur unkempt. Was this the punishment StarClan thought he deserved? Was he a terrible leader after all and this cat, this imposter, was supposed to teach him how to behave better?

Bramblestar paused as he spotted Jayfeather and Alderheart hurriedly leave the camp.

Interested and bored with nothing else to do but watch his Clanmates suffer under his own tyranny, Bramblestar followed.

“I don’t agree with anything Stemleaf says.” Jayfeather was speaking. “He’s a mouse-brain. He barely even knew Bramblestar before he changed.”

“But what’s the alternative?” Alderheart spoke quietly, his steps more uncertain than the blind medicine cat he followed.

“The alternative ,” Jayfeather hissed, “is that we figure out what’s wrong with him.”

Bramblestar’s heart leaped in his chest. Jayfeather knew! Jayfeather knew he wasn’t himself!
“But StarClan’s silent, they won’t give us answers.” Alderheart ran after Jayfeather.

“There has to be something .” Jayfeather insisted, his paw steps sure and swift.

Bramblestar followed the toms to the Moonpool, his heart racing with adrenaline. This was his chance. Maybe he could send a sign…

“Puddleshine, Shadowpaw. I didn’t expect to find you two here.” Jayfeather noted, nodding to the two cats as he joined them at the Moonpool, light glistening off of its reflective surface.

“What? What are they doing here?” Alderheart perked up, interest gleaming in his amber eyes, a reflection of his father’s.

Puddleshine wrapped his tail around himself, sitting tall in front of the gray tom. “I could ask the same for you. Why do ThunderClan cats need to go to the Moonpool at all? Especially now, when the sun’s still up in the sky?”

Jayfeather hissed, his tail lashing. “Do you really think that ThunderClan would abandon StarClan now? Of all times?”

Puddleshine looked nervous but knew better than to argue with the ThunderClan medicine cat.

“StarClan has been silent.” Jayfeather continued, stepping up to sniff at the pool of water. “They have been silent for too long.”

“They wouldn’t have abandoned us.” Puddleshine worried.

“No, of course not.” Jayfeather said stiffly.

Bramblestar stepped inside, making his own way up to the Moonpool. The water was bright, glowing as if some internal force lay within, the clear sky only amplifying its beauty.

Warily, he dipped a paw in, seeing it through the hazy reflection the liquid gave. He was disappointed to see it remain dry, his reflection nonexistent.

Is StarClan in there? Are they watching me?

Jayfeather had his nose pressed against the Moonpool, his eyes shut. Alderheart moved towards the ShadowClan cats, his eyes friendly and warm. “Is Shadowpaw going to get his name soon?” He asked. “It’s been moons.”

Puddleshine grumbled something before sighing, turning to look at his apprentice. Shadowpaw was a full-grown cat now, the gray tabby tom nearly matching Alderheart in height.

Puddleshine looked miserable. “I don’t know.” He said, his eyes clouded with something unreadable.

“I was hoping to do it when StarClan returned, so that our ancestors could see his accomplishments. To accept him.”

Alderheart looked sad, mirroring Shadowpaw’s disappointed gaze.

“Maybe at the next half-moon Gathering.”

Bramblestar looked back at Jayfeather, wondering if he could do something. Since he was at the Moonpool, maybe it’ll be different than if he tried to speak with his Clanmates at camp?

“Jayfeather!” He called out.

Bramblestar jumped into the Moonpool, like he did so many times before when the medicine cats had met, trying to splash, make noise, anything to grab their attention.

“Nothing.” Jayfeather’s head rose. “Nothing.”

“We should get going. Bramblestar will wonder where we are soon.” Alderheart said nervously, nudging his old mentor.

“Still nothing.” Jayfeather looked straight at Bramblestar.

“Please, Jayfeather! Something’s wrong, you can feel it, can’t you? Alderheart, stop!” Bramblestar cried, watching as Jayfeather slowly stood up and turned to the exit.

“If you only came here to see if StarClan magically came back, then don’t bother. Otherwise, we’ll leave you to it.”

With a flick of his tail, Jayfeather walked out, followed by Alderheart who gave a sympathetic glance to Shadowpaw as he left.

“No, please…” Bramblestar meowed, walking in circles as he attempted to grab onto their tails.

Puddleshine walked up to the Moonpool, staring down at his reflection. All was quiet except for Bramblestar’s pleas, carried off by echoing silence. His words were unheard.

“Next half-moon meeting, then?” Shadowpaw asked hopefully.

Puddleshine nodded.

Despite the reassurance that he’ll finally be a medicine cat, Shadowpaw looked disappointed.

“There’s something wrong with ThunderClan.” Puddleshine said.

Bramblestar perked up.

“ThunderClan isn’t our problem.” Shadowpaw said softly.

“But Bramblestar is.” Puddleshine looked out, as if watching to see if the ThunderClan medicine cats truly left.

“Bramblestar has been getting worse and worse with every moon that passes.”

“His suggestions are the only thing that makes sense.” Shadowpaw defended, walking up. “Yeah, he’s… changed. But is he wrong? What if…” Shadowpaw was quiet.

“What if what, Shadowpaw?”

“I had a vision. Moons ago. About codebreakers.”

Bramblestar watched, trying to focus through his own misery. They were discussing him. Or, he’s included in their conversation, at least.

“You did?” Puddleshine looked surprised. “When?”

“Like I said, moons ago. Before Bramblestar…”

Now Bramblestar was interested.

“What happened?” Puddleshine’s voice was strict, full of disappointment. “Shadowpaw, surely you know that any vision has to be taken seriously?”

“I know, but it's too late now! No cat will believe me.”

I’ll believe you! Bramblestar fidgeted, his claws digging into stone. He wants to know what StarClan said.

“What did they say?” Puddleshine voiced.

“They told me that Crowfeather, Squirrelflight, Jayfeather, Dovewing, Lionblaze, Twigbranch, and Mothwing have broken the code. That… every cat must suffer because it’s happened far too much.”

Bramblestar stiffened. Squirrelflight? Jayfeather? Lionblaze? And poor Twigbranch, too? What did those cats do that upset StarClan?

Instantly, he felt relieved. And then he felt furious at himself for feeling that way. Those are your Clanmates, mouse-brain! Just because you weren’t named doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t care!

Puddleshine regarded Shadowpaw with a cool gaze, his eyes narrowed as he processed the information.

“I was scared that StarClan had already unleashed their wrath with Bramblestar’s death.” Shadowpaw continued. “Dovewing’s one of the cats… so I’m worried. For every cat.”

“If you’re so worried then why didn’t you mention anything before?” Puddleshine snapped. “If even StarClan is encouraging Bramblestar’s point of view…” Puddleshine hesitated, his fur flattening. “That’s not right. StarClan wouldn’t…” He looked at the Moonpool and back, as though confused.

“We should tell the other medicine cats. This is important. I can’t believe my own apprentice would hide this from me.”

“I shouldn’t be your apprentice anymore!” Shadowpaw hissed.

“Then why don’t you become a warrior instead?” Puddleshine didn't even look at him.

Shadowpaw deflated, his eyes on his paws.

“I am disappointed in you, Shadowpaw. I thought you knew better. Is there anything else StarClan has sent you that I need to know?”

Shadowpaw gulped, looking at Bramblestar.

Based on how focused his eyes were, Bramblestar could tell he wasn’t really seeing him.

“No.” The tom mewed quietly. “Nothing.”

“Then let’s go. Jayfeather had done what I needed to, anyway.” Puddleshine looked one last time at the Moonpool before exiting.

Bramblestar watched as Shadowpaw slowly followed, his eyes darting around.

He had something to hide.

Bramblestar wished he could care more. Wished he could focus on ThunderClan. Wished that he’d have nothing more to worry about except Clan borders and skirmishes.

But no. He was here, a ghost.

Bramblestar sat down at the Moonpool, noticing that even the water gave no indication of noticing him.

He felt hopeless. Was this all that death was?

Maybe he was a bad leader. So awful that StarClan had replaced him, cutting off from the Clans and leaving him behind.

No .

Bramblestar couldn’t think that way. Surely there was something. Rootpaw could see him sometimes. Hope was not all lost.

The air was cold and uninviting.

But he wouldn't give up. StarClan wouldn’t have replaced him with this imposter. Not if it hurt his Clanmates. Looking down at the pool with a new determination, he took a deep breath and got up. He’ll figure this out. He’s faced his father, Scourge, even his own half-brother. Surely… he could face himself.

Chapter Text

Shadowpaw followed his mentor, paws dragging on the ground.

“Are you following?” Puddleshine snapped.

“Yes.” Shadowpaw forced out.

It shocked him to see Puddleshine so upset. But he figured it was because of StarClan, after all. Every cat was on edge. Thankfully, no cat had tried starting any fights or violence yet because of it.

If we don’t have StarClan to guide us… what’s stopping us from not following the Warrior Code?

Bramblestar had mentioned time and time again at Gatherings for cats to begin punishing codebreakers. Since Bramblestar had the most recent connection, Harestar had reasoned it was for the best but refused to exile or judge too harshly on his Clanmates, despite Bramblestar’s insistence. Leafstar, Mistystar, and Tigerstar still hadn’t changed their ways. Without proof, Bramblestar’s words were just words. No StarClan backed him up… until now.

Puddleshine moved his tail held high, his eyes focused straight ahead. Shadowpaw had to sprint to keep up with him, not wanting to ask him to slow down in case he got yelled at again.

I should have just stayed silent… but what if this helps us now? What if this was what StarClan wanted me to do all along?

Shadowpaw hadn’t told Puddleshine everything. Especially not the voice he’d been hearing in his head for moons.

But it’s gone now… why can’t I move on? Why do I still feel… watched?

Looking over his shoulder, Shadowpaw saw the Moonpool vanish into the distance, covered up by the forest’s greenery.

Greenleaf is coming soon. He thought, turning back to see Puddleshine take the first paw step onto SkyClan territory. Instantly, he seemed more relaxed.

It didn’t take long for Shadowpaw to know why, turning to see a ThunderClan patrol spot them before cautiously carrying on, noticing their scent.

“Bramblestar has been getting stricter with trespassing cats.” Puddleshine noted.

Shadowpaw wasn't even aware he was looking. “Oh?”

“Kitescratch stepped over the boundary and returned to SkyClan scarred a few moons back. When he was an apprentice. Frecklewish told me how much of a pain it was to heal, already infected and everything. Thankfully, she had the herbs to help him.”

Shadowpaw shivered. He couldn’t imagine accidentally trespassing borders only to get attacked without warning. And to an apprentice! If Lightleap had gotten hurt like that as an apprentice for accidentally crossing the border, Tigerstar would have declared war.

Shadowpaw looked back at his mentor, watching as he continued walking a tail-length from the water.

I’m still an apprentice. Shadowpaw sadly considered. What if that happened to me?

“Puddleshine?”

Shadowpaw stiffened, noticing a calm dark gray tom looking back at him.

“Hawkwing. We’re just passing through. Pay us no mind.” Puddleshine said.

Shadowpaw’s eyes lingered on Kitescratch and Rabbitleap, the two toms looking restlessly at the ThunderClan border.

It seems like every cat is scared of Bramblestar. And for good reason.

Hawkwing sniffed, but upon seeing that they were just passing through, didn’t appear hostile.

“The Moonpool?” He asked.

Puddleshine briskly nodded.

For a moment, Hawkwing looked hopeful. But before he could speak, Puddleshine shook his head and recited the words Shadowpaw had heard so many times before.

“StarClan is still silent.”

“Are they ever coming back?” Kitescratch asked. “Or have they abandoned us?”

No cat answered.

“We’ll be heading back to our Clan, now.” Puddleshine announced, tail held high.

“Next time you go to the Moonpool–” Hawkwing warned, his voice dropping down to a whisper. “Listen. ThunderClan has been getting worse. It’s the long way, but go through RiverClan territory instead.”

Puddleshine hesitated, his fur on end as he looked back at the border. “What have they been doing?”

“That’s none of your business.” Hawkwing stood straight, his eyes narrowed. “Just a warning.”

“But cats can’t attack medicine cats.” Shadowpaw mentioned.

Hawkwing looked doubtful.

“Without StarClan, what’s stopping any cat from doing anything?”

Shadowpaw felt dread fill his stomach. That was true. Bramblestar wanted to punish any codebreakers and would be happy to do so, but judging by his behavior at every Gathering and how he treats his own cats, would he use the Warrior Code to justify any aggressive actions? Would he deem one code as less important than another? Say a leader’s actions are blessed by StarClan so he’ll always be right?

What happened to him?

Shadowpaw didn’t know the ThunderClan leader that well. Back when he was sick, he was too tired to even speak to him. But cats admired him. Even Tigerstar did. But now, it’s as if coming back gave him a new personality.

“Bramblestar is dead,” Jayfeather had announced. “For good…”

Shadowpaw shivered despite the warm air.

“There is a darkness in the Clans…”

“Shadowpaw?” Puddleshine turned, confused.

“That must be driven out.”

“He’s still an apprentice?” Kitescratch huffed in disbelief.

“The code must always be respected.”

“He’s having a seizure!” Puddleshine panicked.

“Bramblestar will get sick…”

“No! He’s a great leader! He never did anything wrong.” Shadowpaw argued back, his voice faint compared to the volume of the shadow he spoke against, their misty appearance surrounding him, swallowing him whole. No matter where he turned, countless eyes stared back, as if his silence was the cause of their suffering.

“Oh, of course not. The wonderful, respected leader of ThunderClan! …The trouble coming will fall on him first.” The voice laughed, the sound ringing in Shadowpaw’s ears.

Shadowpaw gasped, backing up. He saw multiple silhouettes now, their eyes looking at him disapprovingly. Shadowpaw tried to back away but his paws were frozen. Looking down, he saw the frost slowly climbing up his paws. Panicked, Shadowpaw looked at the ghostly figures, their appearances resembling his Clanmates.

Tigerstar crouched down, his teeth bared in a snarl. He was facing another cat, the ghostly eyes that were observing him before now parting in the wake of all the Clans.

“There is a darkness in the Clans,” Voices echoed. The sky was dark, trees covering Shadowpaw’s view of the stars. If there were any watching him.

Tigerstar leapt, attacking Bramblestar who gasped in shock.

“You’re going against the Code!” He cried. “StarClan will never return now!”

Right as he spoke, the ghostly figures of the watching shadows began to fade, each one vanishing with each swipe Tigerstar dealt.

“We don’t need StarClan.” Leafstar hissed. “We’ve lived for moons without them. They should never come back.”

“Please! There has to be another way! This can’t be how it ends!” Shadowpaw begged, his eyes wide as he witnessed the ThunderClan leader’s death.

“StarClan… will never return… now…” were his final words, before he, too, faded into the darkness, amber eyes staring lifelessly into the darkness.

The ice was now up to Shadowpaw’s stomach. He felt like he was suffocating, each Clan leader’s misty paws covered in rising darkness. Slowly, the darkness crept towards him.

It wasn’t until the ice of the Moonpool started to crack when he realized where he wasn’t… and then where he must be.

This wasn’t StarClan.

This wasn’t even Clan territory.

Looking up, eyes full of terror, he was now met with the sight of each codebreaker, their paws dirty with blood, twisted smiles watching him. The scene had changed, every cat’s eyes looking down on him.

“There is a darkness in the Clans.”

Shadowpaw tried to break the ice, frozen in both terror and the mist itself, choking him.

“That must be driven…”

Shadowpaw choked, sobbing, knowing there was nothing he could do. He could smell Bramblestar’s blood, imagining himself hurriedly trying to fix it. Imagining ThunderClan taking on Squirrelflight as a leader, abandoning StarClan for good along with the others. He didn’t want to look up as he thought this, but he felt a gentle prod forcing him to.

It was Bramblestar. The ThunderClan leader looked kind and wise, much like he should be. His pelt was smooth, flat, recently groomed. He gently caressed Shadowpaw’s shoulder with his tail… or was it the mist doing that? Shadowpaw couldn’t tell.

Bramblestar looked like he wanted to talk, his mouth opening and closing. “You have failed me.” He rasped, his form flickering in and out of existence. Shadowpaw could see wounds forming, each scratch distinctively a cat’s. “They don’t trust me. They’ll drive me out. They refuse to see the truth from me.”

Shadowpaw wanted to move but simply shifting his weight caused the ice beneath him to crack. Memories of another ShadowClan cat crossed his mind, the cries abruptly cut off by the cruel water, quickly rising to take him away like flames eager to feed.

He knew what the ThunderClan leader wanted. He knew what StarClan desired. Why me? He wanted to shout, his eyes wide with fear. But he didn’t. His heart raced, the only part of him rapidly moving, each beat loud in his ears.

I did it. I told Puddleshine. Shadowpaw met Bramblestar’s eyes. “I told–”

The ThunderClan leader leaned in close, his muzzle brushing against Shadowpaw’s ear, tail cutting off his words. The ice beneath him finally broke.

Before he fell into the blinding white water, he noticed two things.

One, the water beneath Bramblestar had turned red. The taste of blood coated his tongue, battle cries and sobs muffled by his own heartbeat. Like a weed, the water rose, following Bramblestar’s form, parting so that he could see Shadowpaw be swallowed up, the shadows of a much slimmer cat appearing in his place, covered in mist.

Two, the cat had blue eyes.

“Out.”

He knew nothing more.

* * *

Shadowpaw awoke to the scent of herbs.

“He’s awake.” A tired she-cat sighed.

Shadowpaw tried to stretch his sore limbs, feeling like he just ran to the Moonpool and back.

He could hear cats talking, wondering if he was okay.

Not another one.

Shadowpaw had thought his seizures would have vanished by now.

“Shadowpaw?”

Shadowpaw’s fur prickled, standing on end as he turned in surprise to see a large brown tabby enter the den, amber eyes full of worry. Shadowpaw’s father observed him keenly, Frecklewish sitting straight with her tail over her paws, ears twitching in irritation at the ShadowClan leader’s presence.

“Give him a moment.” Dovewing appeared beside him, her tail-tip touching her mate’s shoulder. “He just got back.”

Unlike Tigerstar, Dovewing’s eyes were soft and gentle. Being in SkyClan clearly didn’t bother her as much as the ShadowClan leader.

Although, being a leader in enemy territory with no reason except to see your injured kit would definitely raise questions…

Ashamed and feeling overly coddled, Shadowpaw licked his fur, trying to smooth it in an attempt to distract himself.

“He’s awake.” Frecklewish announced to some cat outside of the medicine den, her eyes landing back on Shadowpaw.

She blames me for all of this, doesn’t she?

Frecklewish had been the cat who found it the most odd that StarClan vanished around the same time Shadowpaw was apprenticed.

Is it because I’m not like the others?

Fear gripped him at another thought.

Did Puddleshine tell Tigerstar about the codebreakers?

As if summoned, Shadowpaw’s mentor arrived next, seemingly frustrating Frecklewish even more.

“Move back. Let me see him.” The medicine cat stood, moving to stand before Shadowpaw.

It wasn’t until they were shoved in his face that Shadowpaw scented chamomile, a herb used to help calm stressed cats.

“I don’t need it, I’m okay now.” Shadowpaw insisted, turning his head away.

Freckewish blinked slowly, her eyes taking in his appearance. “If you say so. But don’t argue with ragweed. You’ll need your strength.”

Shadowpaw sighed, resigned to do as he was told. Dovewing walked up to him, purring as she nuzzled his shoulder, giving him a quick lick on the forehead. Shadowpaw felt comforted, knowing that his mother cared about him even though she was expecting kits soon, her belly round with them.

“How long will this take?” Tigerstar asked the SkyClan medicine cat.

“As long as it needs to.”

The pungent smell of the tall yellow flowers came soon after her response, the flowers put down so Shadowpaw could lick them up.

“Where’s Fidgetflake?” Tigerstar asked while Shadowpaw was distracted.

“With Harrybrook to find some herbs.” Frecklewish swiftly replied. “There have been foxes among our borders lately. Is the prey running well in ShadowClan?”

“Hunting is excellent in ShadowClan,” Tigerstar grumbled.

When Shadowpaw was finished eating, he was quickly escorted by Puddleshine and Dovewing outside. Fidgetflake had just returned with Harrybrook as they passed by.

“I hope this doesn’t happen again, Tigerstar.” Leafstar’s voice announced from the warrior’s den. “As long as StarClan is silent, I don’t want to hear of any ShadowClan cats trespassing on my territory.”

Shadowpaw turned to Tigerstar for an explanation, but the tom merely nodded his head to Leafstar’s accusation, briskly walking to head back to his own territory.

Shadowpaw had never been in the SkyClan camp before, and it was too late when he realized just how different it was from ShadowClan. From the prey they found to the way their camp was laid out, it was a shame Shadowpaw had to leave so soon. Though, maybe it was for the best. Since he was still an apprentice, cats were bound to make fun of him.

“You shouldn’t be having seizures anymore, Shadowpaw.” Tigerstar scolded him. “I thought you grew out of them.”

I did, too!

“Was it a vision, Shadowpaw? Do you have something to tell us?” Dovewing’s meowed hopefully.

Shadowpaw panicked. Should he tell her? Did Puddleshine tell Tigerstar? The medicine cat apprentice gulped, looking to see if he could read the ShadowClan’s leader’s expression. Neither his dad nor Puddleshine seemed intent on giving him answers.

Looking back at his mother, Shadowpaw couldn’t help but feel dreadful at her hopeful look. She wanted StarClan. She wanted to help. Why did StarClan want to punish her when she was such a good cat?

“ There is a darkness in the Clans that must be driven out.”

“No, it was nothing.” Shadowpaw lied, recalling Bramblestar as he had slipped beneath the freezing water.

That wasn’t ThunderClan’s leader… was it?

Shadowpaw continued to follow his father back to ShadowClan, wondering how much time had passed. It was sunhigh, but Tigerstar wouldn’t have noticed his absence unless a sunrise had passed. Was he in SkyClan for a full day?

Even more problems. Why is it that now I’m getting them?

Back in ShadowClan territory, Shadowpaw held his head low, watching a mouse scurry into a nearby bush upon spotting the incoming cats.

The air felt nicer here, familiar with the scent of his Clanmates and friends. But still, his fur prickled, massive amounts of willpower being used so he didn’t panic in front of his parents and mentor.

Someone’s watching me.

Shadowpaw looked around, trying to be discreet. His pelt felt uneasy, his paw steps slowing down.

Was it just his imagination, or did he see blue eyes behind the bush where that mouse retreated to?

“Come on, Shadowpaw!” His father’s voice called from up ahead. Shadowpaw jumped, turning to respond when he saw a moving shadow sprinting across the forest. Conefoot exchanged merely a glance with him before disappearing.

He must have been chasing a plump squirrel to run so fast!

“Coming!”

Sprinting, Shadowpaw entered the camp, his Clanmates lifting their heads, noticing his arrival.

Without missing a beat, Tigerstar turned to Dovewing and mumbled something in her ear, the she-cat instantly giving him a light-hearted shove before darting into the warrior’s den.

Shadowpaw trotted after Puddleshine, but upon noticing his father following, felt nervous.

His suspicions were confirmed when Puddleshine turned and sat down, Tigerstar blocking the exit.

“Shadowpaw,” Tigerstar spoke quietly, his voice having a slight waver to it. “Tell me exactly what you saw.”

Chapter Text

“I can’t believe you, Bramblestar! He’s your son, you can’t treat him like this!”

Once again…

“He’s not going to get special privileges just because I helped raise him.” Bramblestar’s tail flicked back and forth, irritation clear in his snarl.

“And besides, he’s not even really my kit, is he? He was never my son to begin with.”

“You’re still not over that?”

“HE’S NOT EVEN MY SON!”

Various eyes watched from the shadows, none daring to move past the threshold of their dens. The sky was cloudy, rain undoubtedly going to fall from the heavy clouds soon. Even the songs of birds seemed to be silenced in the wakening of the ThunderClan’s leader’s fury.

It didn’t used to be like this. It shouldn’t. Bramblestar was supposed to love Squirrelflight. She still recalled him for the cat he was before, but it has been getting harder and harder to view him in that light. Was he always this selfish monster? Was she wrong for coming back for him?

Squirrelflight looked and saw her Clanmates’ terror, saw their fearful eyes and lowered heads. Shame formed a pit in her belly, clawing at her insides. She helped cause this, no matter how much she tried to deny it. It must have been her near-death. That must have been the trigger. Even still, he was alright until Bramblestar’s supposed recovery. But what could have happened? How could it have made him change?

Maybe this is the cat he really is.

“Squirrelflight.” Jayfeather’s calm voice spoke from the medicine den. Before Bramblestar could yell at him, too, Jayfeather announced that he’d leave.

Alderheart looked miserable as his previous mentor gently brushed his shoulder with his tail, the blind tom following his brother, Lionblaze, out of the camp.

“No, Jayfeather!” Squirrelflight tried to race after him, only to be stopped by Bramblestar.

“Are you siding with codebreakers, Squirrelflight?” Bramblestar hissed, his fur standing on end to make him look twice as big.

“I am a codebreaker, Bramblestar! If you punish them, punish me!”

Bramblestar hesitated at that, eyes gleaming with uncertainty.

Squirrelflight had used that excuse many times. Her sister, Leafpool, had kits. That alone broke the Warrior Code. And Squirrelflight lied saying they were her own kits. She had thought Bramblestar had gotten over that. She had thought that by naming her deputy, at least part of the reason was because he forgave her. And if not that, then at least he should have the common sense to not lead her astray!

If he’s this stubborn, I might as well be mates with Crowfeather myself. He’s the only cat who can match Bramblestar’s ego.

“I won’t punish you, Squirrelflight.” Bramblestar sighed, his fur flattening. “You mean too much to me.”

Squirrelflight blinked, confused. Bramblestar often played these mind games. What was worse, she often fell for them.

“Will you forgive me?”

Squirrelflight had to fight to prevent herself from saying no outright. It would do no cat any favors. Lionblaze and Jayfeather were still exiled. And only because they were half-Clan!

“No.” She said, her voice coldheartedly indifferent. “I will never forgive you, Bramblestar.”

I will never forgive you for destroying our Clan.

Bramblestar deflated, his aggressive attitude dimming. For a heartbeat, Squirrelflight regretted lashing out at him. He was just trying his best. But if his best involves exiling Clanmates and scaring his own warriors, then maybe it’s better this way.

Squirrelflight turned, unable to bear looking at him any longer. Before she could step into the warrior’s den, Bramblestar once again called for her.

I’m not supposed to be in the warrior’s den. She reminded herself. But upon seeing the faces she felt like she’d been ignoring for moons, she thought that maybe Bramblestar could eat crowfood for a change and settled down among her friends.

“Is every cat okay?” She asked, despite knowing the answer. “I’m sorry I haven’t been speaking to you often.” She lowered her head, ashamed to be the Clan’s deputy despite how much she tries to fix it.

“We’re okay.” Cherryfall licked her ear reassuringly. “It’s you we’re worried about. Bramblestar seems to be quite possessive.”

Squirrelflight purred at her Clanmate’s care, basking in the comfort of being among them.

The den was small and crowded, she noted. She had sent out patrols earlier and debated silently whether she should attempt to find cats brave enough to increase the den size or just leave it up to Bramblestar to exile more of those she cared about.

Ears flattened to her skull, Squirrelflight turned as she saw a shadow cover the den entrance. Every cat who was comforting her now stood back, their heads bowed and fear-scent evident in the air. Bramblestar sniffed and growled, watching the warriors with a dark expression.

“Training exercises. Now.”

Squirrelflight tensed. Every cat scurried out of the den, three of them stopping to grab their apprentices.

This is what the Clan had come to. Preparing for fights they shouldn’t participate in. Attacking one another with claws unsheathed. Bramblestar had never looked so much like his father until he stood on the Highledge during the battles, a wicked grin on his face as he ordered pairs to fight. He reasoned it was to defend the Clan, but Squirrelflight wasn’t sure. Any aggression they experienced was due to Bramblestar himself, and Squirrelflight desperately wanted to know why he would want that.

“I didn’t ask you to follow me.” Bramblestar commented as Squirrelflight briskly walked away.

“Where are you going?” The Clan leader called.

“To train.” Squirrelflight hissed, debating whether or not to attack him or just go easy on some cat she knew needed rest.

Bramblestar ran after her, panting. Squirrelflight couldn’t remember the last time he went to hunt for the Clan, always ordering others to do it for him and acting more superior.

What happened to the cat that I used to know?

“Squirrelflight, I know that you’re upset with me.”

Squirrelflight bristled. “Of course I’m upset with you! You just exiled two of my kits!” She hissed. She forced her fur to go back down, not wanting to cause yet another scene. She stared directly into Bramblestar’s eyes, silently daring him to object.

Even if you won’t claim them as your own, I will!

Squirrelflight remembered flames. She remembered the crackle of fire as she told Ashfur that Hollyleaf, Lionblaze, and Jayfeather weren’t her kits. They were Leafpool’s. But in her heart, they will always be hers.

“Fine, then. I’m sorry.”

“Sorry?” Squirrelflight scoffed. “Will you let them back in?”

“No!”
“Then ‘sorry’ for not forgiving you!” She snapped, running out of the camp’s entrance.

She’d thought that Bramblestar would have chased after her. She’d thought he’d change his mind and welcome Lionblaze and Jayfeather back in. That he’d apologize for everything rotten he’s done.

But she was wrong.

Squirrelflight made it to the Ancient Oak when she finally stopped, laying down and gazing at her reflection in a puddle that slowly rose from the ground, gentle raindrops now cascading down from the tree.

“I came back for him.” She whispered, his claws digging into the muddy soil. “I came back for him and he left me. One way or another.”

Squirrelflight couldn’t tell if tears blocked her eyes or the rain. For it seemed as if even the sky was grieving the old Bramblestar.

She stayed looking numbly at her reflection for some time, mentally tracing back everything that she’d done.

Did StarClan tell Bramblestar to hate me?

Squirrelflight couldn’t bring herself to believe it. That would mean that even StarClan didn’t think she deserved a happy ending. Leafpool had gotten in and Squirrelflight’s father was the great Firestar. Everything she’s done was only to protect those she cared about.

Does StarClan regret allowing me to live?

The ginger she-cat thought, her tail wrapped around herself to preserve warmth. Will I go to the Dark Forest now that StarClan has more time to think about my actions?

Despite that thought entering her mind, she instantly discarded it, remembering that she’s already been on trial. She already justified herself and guaranteed her safety.

But with StarClan silent… will I go anywhere at all?

It terrified her to be a wandering ghost. Or just gone, with no cat to help tether her to the Clans. No, I’ll be a ghost. Tree can see them. I just… wouldn’t go to StarClan. I won’t be with Leafpool. With Hollyleaf. Juniperkit and Dandelionkit…

StarClan shouldn’t be silent for this long. They shouldn’t be so quiet. Bramblestar had proved that leaders will still go after death to receive their next life but… was that still true? That was back in the early days of it.

Clearing her mind of those thoughts, Squirrelflight turned and immediately spotted a wary vole, the animal shaking itself from the rain but moving onwards to presumably their home.

Gotcha.

She might as well do something useful now that she was out here. Shaking her front paws of any water, Squirrelflight tried her best not to shiver as she slowly stalked the vole, trying to keep pace with it.

The moment it froze, head shooting up as the wind changed, Squirrelflight leapt.

Purring, she did the killing bite and looked up at the sky.

Does it make a difference whether I say thanks or not? Squirrelflight sadly wondered. Then she shook her head.

Of course it does! I know better than any cat how troublesome it is to send a message from StarClan. And maybe this means that they’re still looking after us, even if they can’t speak.

Gently setting her vole down, Squirrelflight spoke a quick thanks to StarClan before picking it back up and heading back to camp. Bumblestripe nodded politely as she entered through the entrance, already on guard for the night.

Maybe I can share it with Bramblestar. Squirrelflight thought. Then her thoughts darkened as she saw the ominous leader den. She hesitated, wondering if she’ll just cause another argument. She knew how much Bramblestar hated her leaving and with the way she ignored him might make him do something drastic.

She turned her head to the warrior den, seeing every cat already asleep or trying to.

Maybe I can just have it myself. Sorrow pulled at her heart. Before she could settle down and eat, Bramblestar’s scent became evident in the wind, the tabby making slow movements towards her.

“Did you catch that?” He asked coldly.

“Yes.” Squirrelflight bared her teeth.

Bramblestar slowly blinked, noticing its freshness.

“It’s not for you.”

Bramblestar scoffed. “You wouldn’t share it with your own mate?”

Squirrelflight didn’t know what to feel. She didn’t know what to say. As if you have been treating me any better yourself!

With her head held high, Squirrelflight grabbed the vole before strolling over to the medicine den, ignoring how soggy the vole now was.

Maybe Alderheart would like it?

Squirrelflight entered the den, the smell of herbs making her nose wrinkle.

Alderheart was curled up in the corner, a paw reaching out to the space beside him.

Empathy washed over Squirrelflight. It was too late for her to walk back out since Bramblestar could still be watching, but she was hesitant to do what she did next.

With a soft prod, Squirrelflight gently tried to shake the tom awake.

“Squirrelflight?” Alderheart muttered sleepily. “What is it?”

“I’m sorry.” Squirrelflight whispered. “Do you want to share this vole with me?”

Alderheart looked at the piece of prey with confusion. Then he looked back up at her. “You’re soaking wet.” He said, no judgment in his voice.

“Let me give you something before you get a chill,” Alderheart ventured deeper into the medicine den to fetch a herb. Squirrelflight hadn’t noticed how few herbs there were until she actually looked. When Alderheart returned, she asked him if she needed to send some cat to help him look for some.

Alderheart shook his head, giving her a sad smile.

Squirrelflight quickly lapped up the lavender, the taste unpleasant before giving herself a quick shake, watching droplets fly.

“Sorry.” She muttered in embarrassment. “Despite it being greenleaf, the weather still tries to freeze me to death!”

Too. Squirrelflight thought sadly, the joke in her mind having a darker meaning. Before it kills me too.

“It’s fine.” Alderheart said, drying the vole with moss. “Hungry?”

“Yes!” Squirrelflight exclaimed, settling down and sharing the vole with her son.

They ate in silence for some time, Squirrelflight noting how little Alderheart seemed to be eating.

“Jayfeather’s coming back.” She said sternly. “So stop moping. We still need you, Alderheart.”

Alderheart paused, his eyes widened at her bluntness. “I know. I’m not moping. I know he’s out there… what if he decides to leave the Clans?”

Squirrelflight sighed as he quickly added the last sentence, resting her tail on Alderheart’s shoulder as she stretched out her neck, touching her nose gently to Alderheart’s ear. “He wouldn’t do that to you, Alderheart. He’s stubborn. And Lionblaze won’t leave either. He has a mate.”

Alderheart seemed uncertain, his eyes clouded with sorrow.

“I’ll fix this,” Squirrelflight promised. “Even if I have to…”

Get rid of Bramblestar? Defy him? Get help? Kill…

“Even if I have to go against the Warrior Code to do it.”

Alderheart looked up, his eyes gleaming with affection.

“Thank you, Squirrelflight. I know things have been getting hard with the way Bramblestar’s acting…” Alderheart choked back a sob. Squirrelflight felt terrible, not realizing how Bramblestar’s actions would have affected his kits.

“I’ll fix this.” She repeated.

“Don’t break the Code.”

Alderheart’s sudden words caused Squirrelflight to pause.

“If that’s why StarClan is silent… we must still try everything we can to bring them back, Squirrelflight, please.” Alderheart buried his head between his paws.

“It’s hard enough with Bramblestar. But as long as we don’t know the reason, we can’t take any risks.”

Squirrelflight moved to lay beside him.

“Okay. I won’t break the Warrior Code.” Squirrelflight whispered, knowing that was what he needed to hear.

Alderheart nodded, clinging to Squirrelflight as if he were still a kit.

Squirrelflight said nothing more as she wrapped herself around him, the den feeling empty and cold without Jayfeather’s constant presence.

I don’t know how I’ll do this without breaking the Code. Without defying Bramblestar. Squirrelflight thought, feeling Alderheart’s warm fur against her. But for you, I’ll try.

Chapter Text

The island seemed colder than it should be. Or maybe that was just Bramblestar, lost in the motions of trying to be noticed. His paws dragged on the ground, following numbly behind his Clanmates as they arrived one by one to the Gathering.

His thoughts drifted, his mind wandering. He didn’t know how it happened, but somehow that vole must have scented him. Blind hope kept him going. He refused to believe that it was anything else when it practically ran into Squirrelflight’s claws. It had to have been him. It must have worked.

Even then…

Chatter occurred everywhere Bramblestar looked. From gossipping apprentices to bragging warriors. It's as if Bramblestar had never changed. As if StarClan had never left. As if multiple cats didn’t die trying to stop him.

Bramblestar's tail lashed with frustration, hating how the imposter got away with it. He had watched it all, how Mousewhisker had led the imposter away from camp. How Conefoot lunged first, claws poised to take every single one of the imposter's lives. Then, like a whirlwind, Dappletuft appeared to finish the deed. Maybe death would have freed Bramblestar. Maybe he'd have been able to fight the imposter over control of his body at the cost of a life. The hope vanquished as the fake Bramblestar tore them apart with ease, eyes gleaming with something malicious. Something so like his own father. Bramblestar’s eyes had widened in terror as shadow-like ghosts aided the false leader, appearing in short bursts before vanishing once again.

He had watched Kitescratch fleeing the scene, scattering in the leaves of a tree. Bramblestar had watched Stemleaf’s reaction, grateful that the tom, at least, wasn’t spotted. Stemleaf had ran, wide-eyed from what he witnessed but still as sneaky and stealthy as a mouse, unlike the panicked Kitescratch. Stemleaf had tried to convince the others that it wasn't time. That they needed to prepare. Without a doubt, if it weren't for his mate and kits, he'd have been among them, another body left to decay. Another soul mourned but forgotten.

Somehow, the imposter was warned. And somehow, he had help. However, Bramblestar’s immediate concern focused on neither of those facts. The spirits. Briefly, he’s able to talk to the dead souls of his Clanmates and tell them the situation. He had convinced the ghosts of Conefoot and Dappletuft that he was innocent… but always, they vanished the moment Bramblestar turned his back, flickering in and out with voices so quiet it was like they weren’t even there.

“How do you do it?” Bramblestar snapped, running in front of the fake. He jumped off of the wood that connected the island to the mainland, standing in front of his copy. The imposter twitched his whiskers irritably, turning his muzzle to tell Baypaw to hurry up, the golden tom hanging his head low as his new mentor, Molewhisker, ushered him forward.

“They can’t just vanish. ” Bramblestar continued, now keeping pace. It was annoying. He was forced to pad after himself, like a kit to a queen. Endless questions about the world that they refuse to answer. “Where do the spirits go? Why am I the only one that stays?”

Bramblestar had hoped that the rebels would win, that he could finally learn the truth of who took over him. The other leaders were already up on the branches of the Great Oak, gazing down at the gathered cats as they gave them time to befriend one another and congratulate another passing moon.

Rootspring!

Bramblestar gazed longingly at the SkyClan tom, watching his nervous twitches and ear flicks as he spoke to Bristlefrost. It was a shame. Bristlefrost had so much potential if it weren’t for the imposter’s influence. The only relief Bramblestar had was that she kept the rebels a secret, even if she ultimately decided not to join them in overthrowing his fake.

For Rootspring, it had taken far longer than it should have for him to get his warrior name. Partly because of Bramblestar, he had to admit. He recalled the tom’s profound terror upon seeing him the first time, his constant agitation at being the only cat Bramblestar could talk to.

You have to help me!

Rootspring turned his head, shyly waving his tail for his sister, Needleclaw, to join him as Bristlefrost padded away.

Despite knowing he wasn’t going to help, it hurt to see the only cat he could talk to live a life while he had no choice other than to just watch. Was this what spirits who couldn't go to StarClan usually felt? Bramblestar shivered. He’d give anything just to join the stars. Meanwhile, his entire reputation rested upon an aggressive replacement, the false Bramblestar looking down at every cat with obvious disgust as he leapt upon the tree, sinking his claws into the wood and climbing up to join the other leaders, Squirrelflight taking her place among the deputies.

Tigerstar cleared his throat, head held high, silencing every cat with a wave of his tail. As the mutterings grew less and further between, Leafstar was the first to speak, an aura of confidence and self-respect surrounding her as she stepped forward on the branch to be heard.

“First let us bring you news of SkyClan.” She announced, her voice loud and clear.

“I think we have more important things to discuss than prey and territory at the moment, Leafstar.” Tigerstar spoke, equally loud. “I have news about StarClan.” The ShadowClan leader told, watching as all the gathered cats gasped and leaned forward, straining their ears to hear the message.

From StarClan? They’ve finally spoken to some cat?

Bramblestar looked around, his eyes finally landing on Shadowpaw who stood at the back with the other medicine cats. His pelt was ruffled, his eyes rounded as he stared up at his father.

Leafstar looked annoyed to be interrupted, her eyes focused on Tigerstar with silent fury before she stepped back, bowing her head politely for the tom to continue.

Tigerstar looked down, addressing every Clan.

“My son, Shadowpaw, has had a vision.”

“Shadowpaw!” Minnowtail laughed, the RiverClan tom shaking her head fondly at the idea. “He’s still an apprentice? When is he going to get his name, Puddleshine? He’s as big as you now!”

Many other cats muttered in agreement, Shadowpaw shrinking beneath the eyes of the other cats, Puddleshine sitting protectively beside him, giving nothing away in his expression.

“Silence!” Tigerstar shouted, his voice carrying across the island.

“My son has had a vision –” He dug his claws into the branch, his voice strained.

“How do we know this isn’t just ShadowClan trying to influence us all? If Shadowpaw is still an apprentice, that means he doesn’t know much to be so far behind!” Berrynose exclaimed next.

“He’d have to have failed his warrior’s assessment ten times to still be a warrior apprentice! Let alone a medicine cat. Tigerstar’s just trying to cover up his son’s failure!”

“Enough!” Tigerstar screeched, looking ready to leap down and fight every cat himself.

Bramblestar looked up to the sky, wondering if clouds would gather from this aggressive start.

None did.

“Shadowpaw has had a vision from StarClan and if you refuse to believe it, then fine.” Tigerstar growled. “You can all live without the Code. Become rogues for all I care. If ShadowClan is the only clan willing to try to bring StarClan back, then I suppose there is nothing here to discuss at all.”

Cats looked at one another, whispers drowning out the sound of water surrounding the island. Bramblestar looked around for Dovewing, wondering if the she-cat supported her mate’s words. Unease prickled his pelt, knowing that she was one of the codebreakers, too, and yet, not present at the current Gathering. She had missed the last one, too.

Bramblestar looked at Shadowpaw, feeling bad for the apprentice. The medicine cats seemed to be discussing something, Mothwing scolding Puddleshine and Alderheart looking off into the distance, Willowshine comforting him.

“Tigerstar, even if we are to believe that your son has had a vision, why him and no other medicine cat? An experienced one, at that?” Leafstar spoke calmly, her voice leveled.

Tigerstar bristled, offended before forcing his pelt to flatten with a few quick licks. “Because he’s special. He has had visions ever since kithood. And I trust his words even if you don’t.” Tigerstar added the last sentence with a snap.

“How about instead of bickering,” The false Bramblestar spoke up, eyes observing Shadowpaw with keen interest. From his voice alone, Bramblestar could see the effect. The ThunderClan cats were bunched up, hardly daring to step out of line under their false leader’s gaze. Their heads were bowed, afraid of punishment. Only Thornclaw and Stemleaf looked up with defiance. “We hear what Shadowpaw has to say, without any judgment, and make our choices from there?”

Bramblestar’s claws were unsheathed, hatred burning in his eyes as he looked up at his imposter. “Why are you trying to divide the Clans?” He hissed. “What do you want from us? What have I ever done to you?”

“That is a good idea, Bramblestar.” Mistystar replied smoothly, her voice having a slight waver from age. “Let us hear what Shadowpaw has to say with our own ears. And after we discuss his vision, then we can move on to why Jayfeather hasn’t attended this Gathering.”

The false Bramblestar turned, looking at the she-cat before gathering his composure. “Yes. Then after, we can discuss Dappletuft’s death more thoroughly, can’t we, Mistystar?”

Mistystar didn’t flinch but her gaze hardened. “We gave Dappletuft the burial of a rogue. Any cat who opposes StarClan so sharply, to such an extent that they attack another Clan leader unprovoked, deserves no vigil or spoken words.”

“You are a liar and a fraud.” Bramblestar walked up to the tree, intent on getting the false him to mess up somehow. His front claws dug into the tree branch, wondering if he could get the other to fall.

He was ignored.

“Well…” Shadowpaw gulped, looking around as every eye was now once again fixated on him. “I had a vision.”

Some cat snorted, exclaiming a loud “Obviously.” before being shushed by a Clanmate.

“Go on.” Puddleshine encouraged.

“There are codebreakers in the Clans.” Shadowpaw announced, his voice louder.

The false Bramblestar smiled wickedly.

“Is this– are you the cat who told Shadowpaw that?” Bramblestar cried out desperately. “Is this what StarClan wants ?”

Bramblestar panicked, wondering if perhaps, if even Shadowpaw , a medicine cat, had visions from StarClan about the very topic the false leader was obsessed with, then maybe it was StarClan’s will that trapped him. Maybe StarClan truly did hate him for something he did. Maybe that was why the other spirits moved on while he was exiled as a ghost. But wouldn’t I go to the Place of No Stars? Why would I still be here?

Bramblestar cried out, his claws flailing uselessly at the tree, trying to leave scratch marks or any proof of his spiritual existence. Why didn’t you tell me, Firestar? What did I do wrong? Am I like my father all along? Did you mislead me? Was I only your deputy because you pitied my destiny? What did I do?

Bramblestar needed Rootspring to help him. He needed him. Turning, he looked at the yellow tom, hoping for at least some sympathy.

Rootspring was facing away, his pelt brushing against Needleclaw who seemed happy to give her sibling comfort.

Bramblestar felt broken.

There was an uproar.

Bramblestar hadn’t heard what Shadowpaw had said, but from what he overheard at the Moonpool, it must have been the codebreakers.

“Is that why Jayfeather and Lionblaze are gone?”

“Why does SkyClan not have any? Is it because they’re new? They’ve been codebreakers this whole time!”

“Mothwing is an amazing cat!”

“Silence!” The false Bramblestar ordered, his tail lashing angrily. He nodded to the other leaders, hoping to get them to back down from aggression, too.

The irony.

“What Shadowpaw has said only confirms my suspicion. I told you all myself but did you believe me? No.”

Bramblestar hissed, clawing once more at the tree.

“Imposter! Your words mean nothing! Get down and face me like a warrior!”

“You knew.” Leafstar said, her stance relaxed compared to the spirit’s. “For moons you have told us. And if what Tigerstar has said is true…” Leafstar looked uncertain, her eyes drifting amongst the cats of the Clans. “But that doesn’t sound like StarClan.”

“I agree!” Crowfeather from WindClan remarked, the moonlight enhancing his muscular appearance. “I know StarClan. They wouldn’t want cats to suffer.”

“You’re one of the codebreakers, aren’t you, Crowfeather? You just don’t want to be punished!” Another warrior accused.

“Are you calling my son a liar?” Tigerstar growled.

“What if we call all of ShadowClan a liar?” Harestar replied.

“Then you’re calling me a liar, too!” The false Bramblestar hissed.

“Yes!” Bramblestar shouted.”You are!”

The false Bramblestar’s eyes moved, amber eyes locking on amber.

Yes. Bramblestar thought. You see me.

Bramblestar felt something brush against his pelt, a flicker of a shape that vanished almost instantly, a wave of fear coursing through him.

The imposter smiled before looking back up, as if he had nothing to do with that ghost-like sensation.

“Cats of all Clans!” Mistystar hollered out, all attention now on her.

“StarClan is absent.” She began, her words calculated and loud, showing every ounce of the RiverClan leader she was. “So we must make our own choices. Tigerstar, Bramblestar,” Mistystar turned, regarding the two toms. “If you strongly believe in StarClan’s choice, and are certain that this is StarClan’s will, then I shall denounce Mothwing from being a medicine cat.”

Bramblestar had expected hissing, or possibly a full-on fight by her declaration. But instead, the RiverClan cats only seemed to look around one another, despair and hopelessness in their eyes.

“That isn’t fair!” Mothwing stood up from where she was with the other medicine cats. Her eyes held a rage unmatched by even Bramblestar, burning hot despite the cold water that ran through their territory. “I have been a medicine cat for RiverClan for moons. I have treated cats and obeyed the Warrior Code. Do I at least get an explanation why you are denouncing me? Why any of the codebreakers are being punished?”

Mistystar’s eyes glazed over, silent for moments too long.

“You don’t believe in StarClan, for one.” The false Bramblestar hinted.

Mothwing’s hackles lifted, her claws unsheathed. Her words seemed forced, as if she were trying hard not to lash out. “I believe in them, Bramblestar. I know that they exist. I just don’t need a bunch of dead cats to tell me how to do my job. I have been doing just fine without them.”

“I can vouch for Mothwing.” Willowshine, Mothwing’s old apprentice, spoke up. “Mothwing is a good cat. There must be some misunderstanding.”

Willowshine looked at Shadowpaw, desperate. “Can you talk to StarClan? Ask them why these cats are chosen?”

“It’s obvious!” The false Bramblestar bellowed, addressing all the Clans.

“Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Mothwing are half-Clan. Twigbranch switched Clans multiple times. Dovewing betrayed her Clan by leaving it. Crowfeather abandoned his Clan by mating with a ThunderClan medicine cat. And finally, Squirrelflight lied about her kits and betrayed her entire Clan.”

"Then why aren't Twigbranch and Squirrelflight punished? They're here! And what happened to Jayfeather and Lionblaze?” Berryheart shouted, her words followed by mumbled agreement from ShadowClan.

“Twigbranch eats last. She does apprentice tasks and has sworn an oath to obey me. So did Squirrelflight.” The false Bramblestar’s eyes drifted down to her. She looked away.

But why did Jayfeather and Lionblaze have to leave? If this imposter knew about the codebreakers before all of this, why not exile them moons ago instead of only recently? Bramblestar wondered, looking through the crowd. Just as he thought, Twigbranch was there, her ears flattened as she stood beside her sister, Violetshine, from SkyClan.

“I was raised in ShadowClan!” Violetshine exclaimed, her eyes focused on the false Bramblestar. “Was I listed as a codebreaker? It doesn’t seem like it! Same with Tigerstar, who left his Clan for Dovewing!”

The false Bramblestar hesitated, his eyes darting down to the she-cat below. “Tigerstar was needed for ShadowClan to return,” he offered, his voice wavering as he tried to come up with another excuse. “I’m… sure StarClan has their reasons for letting you go unpunished as well. A future prophecy, perhaps.”

“Still,” Mothwing exclaimed, glaring at her leader. “Really, Mistystar? After all I’ve done for you? After all I’ve done for RiverClan?”

Mistystar was looking down at her paws, silent.

“Dovewing has been a loyal ShadowClan cat…” Tigerstar softly began, trying to defend his mate.

The false Bramblestar looked ready to snap, turning on the ShadowClan leader with a snarl. “Didn’t your son say she was a codebreaker? Is she one or not? Will she be punished or will you willingly turn your back on the stars, even after all they’ve done to save you? Don’t you owe them your life?”

Tigerstar growled, warning the ThunderClan leader to back off.

“I think I know a solution.” A yellow tom with amber eyes stepped forward, looking up at the tree before nodding politely to Leafstar. “If I can.”

Leafstar nodded, giving the SkyClan mediator her full attention.

All eyes were on Tree now as he padded up to the center of the Gathering, to be seen by all cats.

He can see ghosts. Bramblestar thought sadly, looking at him. But he can’t see me.

“Bramblestar, you want all codebreakers to be punished for their actions.” Tree started kindly, his tail wrapped around his paws as he got comfortable, as if he weren’t at all nervous to be in front of such a large crowd.

“I do.” The false Bramblestar nodded.

“And Tigerstar, you want to believe Shadowpaw, but are you certain that is what Shadowpaw truly saw in his vision? Nothing else?”

Tigerstar tensed, looking over to his son. “I believe what he told me.”

“Was there anything else you saw, Shadowpaw? Think real hard.” Tree blinked slowly.

Shadowpaw fidgeted as if he wanted to be anywhere but there, unsure what to say. “The StarClan cat just told me that a darkness is in the Clans. That it must be driven out… and then I saw all of the codebreakers.”

Tree nodded, turning to address all of the gathered cats.

“I don’t believe that Shadowpaw would lie.” He said. “He is an honorable cat. But,” Tree hesitated, nodding to Tigerstar before continuing. “But there may be a misunderstanding.”

“Go on.” Leafstar waved with her tail for Tree to continue.

Now every cat was listening.

“What if these codebreakers that were shown to you… what if they’re the cats who must drive out the darkness?” Tree suggested, his voice light and carefree.

“That is a possibility.” Leafstar muttered right as the false Bramblestar screeched a loud no.

“StarClan backs me up!” He yowled desperately. “That is a sign! A sign that I’m right! I was the last to speak to them and I knew that we had to deal with codebreakers…”

“Then why isn’t Squirrelflight exiled?” Berryheart argued. “And Twigbranch?”

The false ThunderClan leader hissed, looking ready to attack.

“Let’s calm down.” Tree said, his voice still leveled despite the ThunderClan leader’s clear aggression. “Bramblestar might be right. So let’s compromise.”

Every cat waited.

“The codebreakers of each Clan will be exiled… temporarily. If StarClan sends no sign of that being the correct answer by the time two moons have passed, they will be welcomed back to the Clans as future saviors, ready to drive out the darkness. Let’s not forget, Hollyleaf was half-Clan too, and didn’t she go to StarClan? Didn’t Tigerstar get his nine lives?” Tree boasted proudly at his knowledge.

Cats muttered everywhere, quietly discussing Tree’s idea.

“We will try it.” Mistystar was the first to volunteer. “If StarClan does not send their approval within two moons, Mothwing will be welcomed back.”

Mothwing looked distraught, looking up at her leader with a mix of fury and barely held back hurt.

“We will as well.” Harestar said. He tilted his head, looking down at his deputy with respect. “Crowfeather, you will be temporarily replaced. I hope you’ll forgive me when you return.”

Unlike Mothwing, Crowfeather seemed resigned to his fate, nodding in agreement. “I hope that when StarClan shows every cat that they need us, they’ll think twice about sending us away so easily.”

Bramblestar was unsure whether the WindClan deputy was threatening every cat or stating a fact, watching as he continued to hold his head up high as WindClan cats discussed his replacement.

“Temporarily.” Tigerstar forced himself to say, his claws digging into the bark of the tree. “Dovewing will be exiled.”

Bramblestar could see how much it hurt the ShadowClan tom to force his mate to leave the Clan, alone. Dovewing wasn’t even at the Gathering. She couldn’t even defend herself. Bramblestar looked back at Crowfeather, noting his nonchalance.

I can’t imagine exiling my own deputy. Let alone my mate!

The false Bramblestar was the last to agree, his words more hesitant than the other leaders’.

Odd. It was his idea, after all.

“What are you trying to do?” Bramblestar shouted, now climbing the tree. He passed through Harestar to get to his imposter effortlessly, ignoring the feeling that washed over him. It still feels so weird going through a cat!

“Then we’re all in agreement.” Tree purred. “When two moons are up, the exiled can return home.”

“Are we ever going to discuss actual Clan news?” Leafstar sighed, looking up at the bright moon.

“Yes,” Reedwhisker, RiverClan’s deputy, spoke up, his eyes on his leader. Cloverfoot flicked an ear next to him, both deputies sharing a look.

“Not tonight.” Mistystar replied despite her deputy’s insistance, preparing herself for the leap down the tree.

With a flick of her tail, Mistystar gathered RiverClan behind her, her steps slower than her warriors as she led them to the fallen tree back to RiverClan.

“I know you can hear me.” Bramblestar snarled, looking directly at the false leader. “You’re not from StarClan. You’re not even a Clan cat, are you? What do you even gain from taking over?”

For some reason, Bramblestar was reminded of Sol, another cat bent on destroying the Clans and all that they believe in.

The fake Bramblestar paid no mind, talking to Tigerstar in quiet words Bramblestar could barely hear in his fury.

“...Code…Shadow…darkness…”

Tigerstar seemed intent on listening to him, his claws flexing.

“Listen to me!” Bramblestar yowled in the fake’s ear. “Rotton good-for-nothing foxheart! If I could…” Bramblestar tried to swipe at the fake, frustration gnawing at his insides as his paw only went straight through him.

When the fake Bramblestar gathered his cats, Bramblestar followed closely. “What if I never let you rest?” Bramblestar suggested, regretfully recalling how terrified Rootspring was when he woke him up in the middle of the night, once. “What if I just never leave?”

Back in ThunderClan territory, Bramblestar watched as every cat entered through the entrance tunnel. He witnessed the false leader turn away, heading deeper into the forest.

Where are you going now?

Bramblestar followed, determined to make the fake Bramblestar’s existence as miserable as possible until he got an explanation.

“What are the shadows that keep appearing around camp? I’ve seen them a few times. They aren’t well hidden. Are you a Dark Forest cat? A snake-tongued ghost bent on fulfilling a grudge with some ThunderClan leader who died long ago? Were you friends with my–”

“SILENCE!” The false Bramblestar bellowed, his voice scaring the birds and squirrels on nearby trees. Bramblestar jumped, his eyes widening at the hostile look the fake him gave, fear gripping his heart at being addressed so suddenly.

This is what I wanted… to be noticed. Why does it scare me so much?

“You have been a thorn in my paw since the beginning!” The false Bramblestar hissed, looking twice his size. With slow, calculated paw steps, he walked forward.

Bramblestar’s heart raced. Did he have a heart as a ghost? Bramblestar didn’t even know if he was imagining it or not, his paws feeling frozen in place.

Is this how I look to other cats? Bramblestar felt a wave of sorrow. Is this… Is this how I look to Squirrelflight? Bramblestar felt a prickle of admiration for the she-cat. And yet, she keeps fighting.

The fake Bramblestar reached forward, pinning Bramblestar to the ground on his back. That’s not right… Bramblestar’s eyes widened.

Then Bramblestar noticed he was falling. Falling, falling, falling. It hadn’t been his fake’s paw that reached for him, it wasn’t his dark brown fur that seemed to drown him in whatever darkness he now succumbed to.

The imposter?

He didn’t get a good look at it. He gasped, opening his eyes to trees. They looked dead, branches reaching fruitlessly to the sky, grasping at sunlight that seemed nonexistent in such a dark place. It looked like the exact opposite of the territory he was in before, where lush plants and herbs grew.

Branches were tangled above, making stars–if there were any–invisible above their twisted limbs, connecting together like a silent plea as quiet whispers and darkness surrounded him, mist closing in on all sides.

“Where am I?” Bramblestar panicked, looking in every direction possible. He saw black water, as black as a raven, slowly rising up from the ground, a feeling of hopelessness and despair washing down on him. It’s all over… I’ll never escape. I’m doomed.

Bramblestar shook his head, trying to clear his thoughts. No. I’ll leave. I’ll escape this place and get back my body.

A cruel laugh echoed throughout the forest, mocking him. Bramblestar looked everywhere, knowing for certain that no warrior had this kind of power.

“You are mine, Bramblestar.” A dark voice uttered in his ear. He quickly spun around, trying to spot the cat who spoke.

It seemed to always be behind him.

“You weren’t supposed to get involved,” The shadow-cat sighed. It vanished in a blur of mist. Bramblestar coughed.

“But, for every cat to be happy, maybe it’s better that you don’t see.”

“Who are you?!” Bramblestar shouted into the darkness.

The cat didn’t seem to be laughing now. Whatever joy it got out of seeing Bramblestar’s fear had evaporated, replaced with a chilling calmness.

“Wouldn’t you like to know.”

He was alone.

“Hello?” Bramblestar turned, trying desperately to find out where the cat went.

If I know nothing else… Bramblestar gulped, looking up at the foreboding trees.

At least I know this isn’t StarClan.

That fact relieved Bramblestar more than anything. StarClan wasn’t punishing him. Whoever this cat was must be from the Dark Forest. And that must be where he is now.

Squirrelflight…

Bramblestar walked, his paws crushing dry leaves and fallen sticks. There were no herbs. Bramblestar scented no prey, but a freezing breeze chilled him to the bone.

I must find my way out.

“Hello? Is anybody there?”

“What is this?” A twisted voice gleefully laughed, jumping out from a tree. Bramblestar startled as the translucent shape of a cat appeared in his view. It was a she-cat. Her pelt was glossy, a pale gray, covered in black patches. She was small, barely bigger than an apprentice, but her blue eyes gleamed with malice and ill-intent. “I was just taking a nap, then, suddenly, it’s as if the forest wanted you to find me! How exciting!”

“Who are you?” Bramblestar calmed himself, wondering why an apprentice would ever be sent to the Dark Forest.

“I am Silentshriek. And don’t be nice just because I’m small!” The she-cat crouched down, slowly approaching him as if she were stalking prey, looking up at him with large, rounded eyes. “I can tear you apart. Watch.” Then Silentshriek leapt, her paws outstretched. Bramblestar barely had time to back away before she was tearing at him, claws and teeth both.

Bramblestar yowled in pain, trying to swipe at her but she was as fast as a hare, her movements lightning-quick and effective. She laughed at his misery.

I have to get away! Bramblestar tried to look around for an escape, unable to find an opportunity with Silentshriek attaching herself to him, constantly climbing and causing his pelt to sting from her constant scratches and bites.

“Get off of me!” Bramblestar hissed, trying to attack but only snapping at empty air.

“Only way to stop me is to catch me!” Silentshriek smiled.

Bramblestar tried to run, falling down immediately.

“Ooh, you almost dead yet?” Silentshriek asked, watching Bramblestar as he gasped for breath, the spots where blood should be seeping out of only exposing torn skin. Despite the lack of evidence, Bramblestar was in unbearable pain. “My bad. He doesn’t want you dead.”

Bramblestar wanted to ask who ‘he’ was, but Silentshriek vanished before he could open his jaws, letting out a groan instead as he watched the little she-cat dash off into the mist.

I have to get help.

Bramblestar tried to stand, to drag himself against a tree.

There are no herbs here. Nothing that can help me.

Bramblestar coughed, the scent of rot and decay filling his lungs. From the ground, vines seemed to rise from where he stood.

Not vines…

Bramblestar tried to back away, his tail hitting a tree.

Since when was there a tree there?!

The entire forest seemed to change, the silhouettes of ghostly cats visible in the distance. Distant echoes came to his ears, snippets of conversation too quiet to process.

Bramblestar wasn’t where he started.

But that can’t be right… I hadn’t moved that far. Is it from my wounds?

Bramblestar didn’t know how a spirit got hurt. Now paying closer attention, he looked at his injuries, observing how he looked more solid than he did before.

Is it because I belong here? In the Place of No Stars?

Bramblestar shook his head, denouncing that idea. That's ridiculous! I know my imposter isn’t from StarClan.

Even as he thought this, doubt entered his mind.

What if they are? StarClan cats can send the dead to the Dark Forest, can’t they?

Bramblestar gasped as a thorn embedded into his paw, lightly hissing at the added pain. Branches swayed from the tree above him, twisting and turning to grasp at his pelt. Laughter bounced off the trees like a haunting melody, only increasing his panic.

I don’t think I’m getting out any time soon.

The tree seemed to be closing in, encasing Bramblestar like a cage, throwing him into its trunk, brambles and twigs covering the entrance.

Whoever has taken over my body is powerful…

Bramblestar looked up, fearful of all the ghostly wisps that now stared back at him from outside his prison. Shadows that belonged here, or merely just his own imagination as they vanished just as quietly.

“No!” Bramblestar attacked the branches, heaving to free himself. He felt weak, thorns tearing at his pelt and the space he was in getting smaller and smaller with each attempt to leave.

Crumbling, Bramblestar let out a weary sigh.

This is it. The darkness Shadowpaw was talking about.

Of that, Bramblestar was certain.

I can only hope… that the Clans are prepared.

Chapter Text

Shadowpaw was nervous. Maybe nervous was an understatement. Ever since his talk with Tigerstar, Shadowpaw was worried about how the other Clans would respond.

The Gathering is tonight…

Eager to finally get it off his chest but fearful of every cat’s reaction, Shadowpaw tried to distract himself.

“Hey, Lightleap.” Shadowpaw greeted, walking up to his sister. Lightleap smiled, getting up from where she sat with Sunbeam. “Hey, Shadowpaw!”

Shadowpaw gave her an awkward smile, still ashamed to be referred to by his apprentice name. “Do you want to go hunting with me?”

Lightleap paused, a confused look on her face. “Why? Is something wrong?”

Nope! Shadowpaw thought. Just got my mom in trouble and lied to every cat and possibly angered StarClan so much that they quit speaking.

“No, I just… we hardly do anything together anymmore.” Shadowpaw sighed, thankful that his voice didn’t tremble.

Lightleap looked back at her friend. Sunbeam smiled. “Go ahead,” she encouraged, “He’s your brother. And a medicine cat! You don’t often get time to spend time together.”

“Thank you! You’re the best!” Lightleap brightened, nuzzling Sunbeam’s shoulder before sprinting towards the entrance to the camp.

Shadowpaw tensed, blinking. He didn’t expect Lightleap to be so eager! “Lightleap, wait up! Should we get Pouncestep to come with us?”

Lightleap paused, thinking. “I think she and Flaxfoot went out on a walk earlier. They haven’t returned yet.”

Shadowpaw sighed, looking around the camp.

For an unexplainable moment, he felt pride at being a ShadowClan cat. For being able to help his Clanmates. Maybe being with Lightleap will clear his head, but the least he can do is bring some prey back for all the other cats who’ve helped him.

“Okay, that’s fine. Ready to go?”

“Yup!”

Lightleap bounced ahead, leaving Shadowpaw to race after her. Lightleap’s tail was like a fish in the river. There one moment, gone the next. Running wasn’t something Shadowpaw did often, but he was determined not to fall behind. Lightleap noticed, giving him a childish grin as she weaved through the bushes and trees, sending prey scurrying out of her way.

Looks like hunting will come later. Shadowpaw thought. With his eyes set on Lightleap’s tail, he used a burst of strength to jump forward and grab at it, causing a yelp to emerge from the unsuspecting she-cat.

They wrestled on the ground, Shadowpaw’s fur puffed up from the dirt and soil. Lightleap was smiling, playfully batting at his face with her paws, rolling over so that she now stood on top of him.

“Not bad for a medicine cat .” Lightleap teased. “But let me show you how a real warrior fights!”

Shadowpaw lost track of the time as sunhigh slowly became sunset. The trees were lively from observing birds and yapping squirrels, the woods alive and beautiful.

Trees covered the sky, hiding the bright rays of the sun and enlarging shadows. Shadowpaw paid close attention, his ears pricked for any signs of his hunting sister. They had started out with fighting, then Lightleap wanted to teach him, and now Lightleap was stalking him in the darkness, trying to catch him unaware.

We haven’t even hunted yet! Shadowpaw remembered, although the thought didn’t discourage his excitement from being with his sister. I wish Pouncestep would have been able to join us.

Shadowpaw noticed heartbeats before Lightleap pounced. The rustle of leaves gave her away as she darted forward, low to the ground. Shadowpaw jumped. It would've been mistaken as being startled if it weren’t for the way he landed, pinning the tabby she-cat beneath him. Lightleap stretched up, causing Shadowpaw to gasp as he was suddenly forced off of her.

“Again.” Lightleap instructed, darting back towards the shadows of a tree, her dark pelt hidden in the darkness.

She’s treating me like an apprentice. Shadowpaw thought, a pang of hurt entering his chest before he rid himself of it. Of course. We’re only playing. Even if I were a full medicine cat, I’d need her help with fighting.

Shadowpaw walked over to where Lightleap had vanished, sniffing for her scent. He was puzzled, the smell of something like deceased prey entering his nose. Rabbit . Did Lightleap hunt a rabbit while I was waiting for her to attack me?

Distracted, Shadowpaw didn’t notice when Lightleap attacked. Gasping, he coughed, sharp pain tingling his back.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Lightleap gasped, immediately letting go and stepping away from him.

“Why were your claws unsheathed?” Shadowpaw hissed through the pain, trying to look at his back.

“I thought you were prepared.”

The smell was stronger now. But it wasn’t just his wounds that reeked of it. Fox!

Lightleap tensed, turning to the RiverClan border. She smelled it, too. “Pouncestep!” She cried out, sprinting.

Pouncestep? Shadowpaw wondered. Why would she–

Then it hit him. Pouncestep and Flaxfoot must have gone this way. They must have killed a rabbit, which attracted a fox.

There’s more than one. Shadowpaw panicked, running after her.

“Lightleap!” Shadowpaw exclaimed, trying to catch up to her. She was too quick, too worried to listen. I have to get help!

Changing his direction, Shadowpaw ran towards the camp, ignoring the way his wounds still hurt from Lightleap’s attack.

“Foxes!” Shadowpaw shouted as he entered. Every cat became alert. “Where?” Cloverfoot, the deputy, asked.

“Near the RiverClan border.” Shadowpaw gasped, trying to catch his breath. “Pouncestep, Flaxfoot– Lightleap ran after them.”

Before Shadowpaw finished talking, Cloverfoot had gathered a patrol. Scorchfur, Spireclaw, and Sunbeam surrounded the gray tabby and without another word they all sprinted past the entrance.

“Where have you been?” Puddleshine asked, stealing Shadowpaw’s attention. “Those don’t look like fox marks to me.” Puddleshine sniffed, observing Shadowpaw’s wounds.

“I need to go help them.” Shadowpaw insisted, adrenaline still in his system. “They might be hurt. I scented blood but Lightleap was closer and she called out to Pouncestep…” Shadowpaw’s voice trailed off, unsure how he could defend himself when he felt like crying.

I shouldn’t have to ask for your permission. I shouldn’t be the only cat StarClan talks to. Oh StarClan, why me?

Puddleshine looked down at him, his expression giving nothing away. After a moment’s hesitation he sighed and sprinted back to the medicine den. Worried and thinking he was in trouble, Shadowpaw followed.

“You aren’t going to help any cat without herbs.” Puddleshine informed him, Gathering up some poppy seeds, dock, and cobwebs before placing them down on a leaf. “You need something in case of bleeding. I’d come with you, but Tigerstar’s convinced Dovewing’s going to have her kits any day now.” Puddleshine sighed, looking into the nursery.

Grateful, Shadowpaw grabbed the leaf’s edges with his mouth, his nose wrinkling at the strong scent. With a nod, he ran as fast as his legs could carry him back to the clearing where he and Lightleap trained. So much for hunting…

Whines and hisses blocked out all else, Shadowpaw focused on the ground ahead of him, trees blurring into the background. Two foxes were present, vixens. Both were covered in minor scratches and wounds, one of them whining in distress but fighting as if her life depended on it. They were covered in cat bites and scratches. Duskfur, Owlnose, and Icewing from RiverClan were there, every cat intent on driving the foxes out.

Shadowpaw looked at the warriors, his eyes landing on Flaxfoot and Pouncestep. Flaxfoot was on his side, breathing heavily. Pouncestep wailed from his side, nuzzling his chest and mumbling quiet words to her mate. No!

Shadowpaw ran over, setting down the bundle of herbs and began working, Cloverfoot instructing the warriors to lead the foxes away.

“Here. Open up.” Shadowpaw said, trying to feed Flaxfoot poppy seeds. Flaxfoot obeyed, every breath seeming like a struggle.

“Will he be okay?” Pouncestep whispered as if speaking any louder would make what was happening more unbearable to face.

Shadowpaw looked, observing the way Flaxfoot breathed. He’ll be fine… “He’ll be fine.” Shadowpaw voiced, using cobwebs to try and stop the bleeding. “Hold him down. This might hurt.”

Obediently, Pouncestep moved so that the medicine cat could access Flaxfoot’s side. The fur looked torn. Shadowpaw assumed the fox must have picked her up and shook him, but the teeth didn’t sink deep enough to cause permanent injury. He’ll be fine.

“Icewing!” A stern voice called from across the border. “Come here! We brought back-up!”

Shadowpaw saw the white she-cat slip away from the battle, giving the RiverClan deputy a lighthearted look. “I can still fight.” Shadowpaw saw rather than heard her say. Reedwhisker, the RiverClan deputy, shook his head. He was followed by two cats, both gray and white toms. They hissed at the foxes and, seeing that they were outnumbered, caused the vixens to flee, dropping Owlnose and turning tail to leap into the lake, swimming away from the hostile Clan cats.

“Guess,” A she-cat took a deep breath in. Shadowpaw identified it to be Lightleap, surprised at how wounded she got in such a short amount of time. “I guess we won’t be having a Gathering anytime soon. If the foxes swim there.” She pointed with her tail to the island.

“They won’t.” Reedwhisker said with certainty. “Jayclaw, Harelight, Duskfur, make sure they know not to step paw on the island. Or anywhere on Clan territory, for that matter. See to it that they’re driven out.”

The RiverClan cats nodded and sprinted back onto their territory, the destination for the vixens soon to be cut off.

“One of them is expecting kits.” Sunbeam mentioned. “We don’t want that on Clan territory.”

Cloverfoot grimenced. “That must mean there are more nearby, too. If I had to guess.”

“I’ll make sure Mistystar mentions it at the Gathering.” Reedwhisker promised. “Do you need help with your wounded?”

Shadowpaw sighed with relief, seeing Flaxfoot’s injury tended to. Pouncestep didn’t bother to leave her side as Shadowpaw dashed off to help Lightleap.

“You are so frustrating sometimes.” Sunbeam was scolding her. “Every time you leave camp something happens!”

“I couldn’t just leave him.” Lightleap insisted, her eyes on Shadowpaw. He looked up. “I couldn’t.”

That must mean she’d help me, too, if I’m ever in trouble. Shadowpaw’s pelt burned with shame. She’s family. That’s why. Not because I’m still just an apprentice.

“Come on.” Cloverfoot instructed, helping Pouncestep to lift Flaxfoot. Scorchfur walked over, nudging Lightleap to stand up. Sunbeam was by her side, giving her something to lean on. “Thanks, but I’m fine, really.” Lightleap assured them.

Spireclaw stayed back, helping to carry an unconscious Owlnose back to RiverClan and explain what happened.

When the ShadowClan cats finally made it through, Tigerstar appeared, his fur spiked up and eyes wide with panic.

He withheld from making a sound as he saw the injured, looking much more like a paranoid queen than ShadowClan’s leader.

“What happened?” Tigerstar asked Cloverfoot, the ShadowClan deputy beckoning Tigerstar to head to his den.

Guess she doesn’t want every cat to worry about more foxes. Shadowpaw predicted.

“Shadowpaw!” Puddleshine exclaimed from the medicine den, causing him to look up at the sudden call.

“I gave you herbs so these cats didn’t need to come here!”

Shadowpaw bit back a laugh, walking over to find Flaxfoot, Lightleap, and Pouncestep settled down on the moss.

Sunbeam was only given poppy seeds for the pain, a few claw marks on her pelt but nothing severely bleeding.

“Is he going to be okay?” Pouncestep’s voice wavered, looking over at Flaxfoot’s unconscious body.

Puddleshine slowly blinked, sniffing her. “They won’t scar. It seems to me Shadowpaw paid full attention to him and not the rest of you.”

Shadowpaw laughed nervously.

“He tried!” Lightleap exclaimed. “And was smart. I should have gotten help instead of trying to fight two vixens on my own… but wow! Now I have a story to tell! Blazefire will love it.”

Already, Shadowpaw can imagine the days ahead with Lightleap waking him up every so often to talk about something. Now I know why I became a medicine cat.

Shadowpaw helped Puddleshine stop the bleeding. Thankfully, Pouncestep didn’t seem badly injured. “You don’t have to spend the night here.” Shadowpaw informed her, knowing her answer. “I’m not leaving Flaxfoot.” Pouncestep met his gaze with a chilling calmness.

“I can at least bring some prey for you to eat. How about you, Lightleap? Are you hungry?”

Puddleshine mumbled something incoherently, observing his work.

“Yes please.” Lightleap replied.

Shadowpaw nodded and ran out of the medicine den, finding Blazefire standing there, nearly colliding with him.

“Oh, sorry! Lightleap’s in there?” Blazefire exclaimed, backing up a few paw steps.

“Yes, she is. You can go see her if you’d like. She’s awake.” Shadowpaw replied, watching the tom hesitantly walk inside the den.

Looking at the prey pile, Shadowpaw noticed only a few mice and a bird. Well, looks like I get to go hunting after all… just not with Lightleap.

Feeling determined, Shadowpaw turned and made his way outside, his nose sniffing for any prey. Unbeknownst to him, his legs carried him back over to the RiverClan border, nose wrinkling at the stench. A dead rabbit was still there, along with tufts of fur and blood. There’s no point in wasting prey… Shadowpaw thought grimly as he picked it up, the weight surprisingly heavy. This one was a good catch! I hope it’s still fresh by the time I get back.

“Need help?” A cat purred beside him, crossing over the border.

“Spireclaw.” Shadowpaw greeted through the rabbit’s fur in his mouth, his voice ruffled. Spireclaw laughed, his escort, Podlight, giving them a polite nod before quickly heading back into RiverClan, tail held high.

Shadowpaw dropped the rabbit, looking up to meet Spireclaw’s gaze. “Did everything go okay?” He asked.

Spireclaw licked his shoulder, thinking. “Mistystar agreed she’ll address it at the Gathering. Though, she seems tired. Like, very tired. No offense to her, but…” Spireclaw paused.

“I know. Let’s hope she’ll remember at the Gathering. I don’t know if Tigerstar will feel the need to say anything…” Shadowpaw trailed off, knowing exactly what topic his father would bring up first.

“ Cats of all Clans!” Shadowpaw could already imagine his father’s voice booming across the entire island. “There is something we need to discuss…”

* * *

The path to the island was through RiverClan territory. WindClan cats were already crossing the fallen tree. RiverClan was waiting, the cats looking regal in the moonlight. Mistystar was already on the Great Oak, her pelt ungroomed but eyes still holding the wisdom and warmth that her moons have given her.

Harestar climbed up the tree to stand beside the RiverClan leader, his pelt shining and gaze filled with an unmatched calmness. His tail swished back and forth impatiently, the only sign that he wanted to carry on with the Gathering.

ThunderClan was last, Bramblestar leading his cats with his tail held high, eyes sweeping over the Clans.

“There is a darkness in the Clans that must be driven out. ”

For a heartbeat, Bramblestar looked directly at him.

Not another seizure! Not now! Shadowpaw took deep breaths, Puddleshine giving him a reassuring lick on the ear.

Bramblestar shouted something to Blossomfall instead.

Bramblestar carried on, finally settling down between Harestar and Tigerstar on the Great Oak.

“Where’s Jayfeather?” Frecklewish questioned, looking down, confused, at Alderheat who seemed too shy to speak.

“Are the ShadowClan cats who helped fight the foxes okay?”

Shadowpaw looked up at the gray tabby she-cat who spoke.

“Not to be rude.” Willowshine continued, looking over at Alderheart who seemed to be startled by the topic, finally alert.

“There were foxes in ShadowClan?”

“They were on the RiverClan and ShadowClan border. Near the greenleaf twolegplace.” Shadowpaw clarified. “Two vixens.”

“We knew some were passing through ThunderClan but to have travelled all the way to ShadowClan?”

Fidgetflake piped up. “Were they driven off?”

“Jayclaw, Harelight, and Duskfur dealt with them. They tried to swim to the island. Or RiverClan territory.” Shadowpaw explained, looking at the RiverClan cats before motioning with his tail where Jayclaw sat. “You can ask him.”

Just then, every cat quieted down. Tigerstar’s gaze silencing them, looking almost as imposing as Bramblestar.

Here it comes… Shadowpaw tensed. Right when he was sure his father would bring up his vision, Leafstar spoke up.

“First, let us bring you news of SkyClan.” She meowed.

“I think we have more important things to discuss than prey and territory at the moment, Leafstar.” Tigerstar asserted.

Shadowpaw’s slight moment of relief was instantly overshadowed by his father’s claim. Oh, StarClan! If you’re listening, please don’t make him sound like a fool.

The stars twinkled, just as silent as ever.

“I have news about StarClan.”

Shadowpaw watched as every cat whispered and muttered to themselves. He caught words like “lying”, “true”, and “better”.

“How could Tigerstar know something we don’t? We’re medicine cats, aren’t we? Why would they send something to him?” Frecklewish pointed out.

Tigerstar continued before Shadowpaw could reply.

“My son, Shadowpaw, has had a vision.

Shadowpaw sat up straight, trying to appear confident and like he knew what he was doing. He could hear cats make fun of him, mocking him for still being an apprentice.

His confidence lowered.

“Silence!” Tigerstar commanded.

Shadowpaw ignored what happened next, his pelt burning with shame.

“Give him his medicine cat name or decide he isn’t the right cat.” Mothwing demanded, her harsh glare directed at Puddleshine.

“I will.” Puddleshine meowed, not an ounce of doubt in his tone.

“This is cruel and unnecessary. And just for StarClan to be there!” Mothwing continued, seemingly having to hold herself back. “Jayfeather would agree with me. Shadowpaw doesn’t deserve to be bullied or ashamed because his mentor is incapable.”

Before Puddleshine could reply, Willowshine whispered a quiet “What did happen to Jayfeather?”

Alderheart took a deep breath.

“How about instead of bickering,” The ThunderClan leader prompted. “We hear what Shadowpaw has to say, without any judgment, and make our choices from there?”

Shadowpaw looked up, feeling more cornered than ever. Bramblestar was a part of my vision last time… Do I mention that, too? I haven’t even told my father. Oh, StarClan, help me. Shadowpaw gulped.

“That is a good idea, Bramblestar.” Mistystar encouraged, her voice seeming more like a sigh than a confirmation. “Let’s hear what Shadowpaw has to say with our own ears. And after we discuss his vision, then we can move on to why only one ThunderClan medicine cat made it to this Gathering.”

Bramblestar gave the RiverClan leader a harsh glare, mumbling something quietly before looking back at the gathered cats.

“There’s not a greencough outbreak in ThunderClan, is there?” Willowshine guessed, her voice quiet.

“Well…” Shadowpaw took a deep breath, looking around at all of the gathered cats. “I had a vision.”

The silence was unnerving.

“Go on.” Puddleshine urged. Alderheart’s tail wrapped around Shadowpaw, his eyes friendly despite what must be going on behind them.

“You can do it.” He soothed, too quietly for any other cat’s ears.

“There are codebreakers in the Clans.” Shadowpaw claimed. “StarClan had told me that unless they are dealt with, the Clans will continue to suffer without StarClan’s guidance.” Shadowpaw closed his eyes, imagining the voice he’s heard.

“There is a darkness in the Clans that must be driven out. That is what they’ve said.”

“Who are the codebreakers?” Leafstar asked, her tone suggesting curiosity. “Were they named?”

Shadowpaw nodded. “They were. The codebreakers are…” Shadowpaw’s voice wavered.

“ I am going to address this at the Gathering.” Tigerstar had said, back when Shadowpaw had just made it back from SkyClan territory. “You will tell them everything–and I mean everything from your visions…” Tigerstar had hesitated then, as if wondering if he was making the right decision. “Except Dovewing.”

There was an uproar. Shadowpaw shook, pressing himself against Puddleshine. Tigerstar looked bewildered, betrayed.

I’m sorry. Shadowpaw wanted to shout. I truly am. But I can’t upset them even more. Shadowpaw gulped, feeling like he just swallowed a rock that sat heavily in his stomach.

I still haven’t said everything. I haven’t–

“Silence!” Bramblestar screeched, his voice carrying across the island. “What Shadowpaw has said only confirms my suspicion. I told you all myself but did you believe me? No.” The ThunderClan leader seemed almost amused to be proven right.

But is he? Is he right? Shadowpaw could still recall the darkness that surrounded him, the mist, the trees…

…That was from StarClan… wasn’t it?

“You knew.” Leafstar sighed, accepting his words. “For moons you have told us. And if what Tigerstar has said is true…” Leafstar looked conflicted. “That doesn’t sound like words StarClan would say.”

That doesn’t… does it? Is there something wrong with me?

Shadowpaw calmed himself, silently telling himself that there was nothing he could do but watch how his words affected the leaders.

“StarClan told you that I’m a codebreaker?” Mothwing asked. Shadowpaw tried to appear confident. Maybe that’s how he’ll do this.

“I know what StarClan has told me.” He assured her. “I don’t know if it’s right…”

“Shadowpaw wouldn’t want to announce his own mother as a codebreaker unless he truly believed it.” Alderheart chimed in. “He wouldn’t lie.”

“Odd,” Frecklewish commented. “that the only cat who speaks to StarClan now happens to be the one with the most reason to lie.”

“I wouldn’t lie!”

“No, he wouldn’t.” Puddleshine agreed. “I will make him a full medicine cat at the half-moon Gathering. Since we don’t need StarClan’s approval, there is no evidence that any cat but myself can judge him.”

Mothwing looked resigned while Frecklewish only scoffed, turning to Fridgetflake.

“Cats of all Clans!” Mistystar heaved, coughing slightly before returning to her original height, looking down at the Clancats as if daring any of them to comment about her age. “StarClan is absent, so we must make our own choices. Tigerstar, Bramblestar, if you strongly believe in StarClan’s will, and are certain that this is the right choice, then I shall denounce Mothwing from being a medicine cat.”

The response was immediate.

“That’s not fair!” Mothwing shouted, her claws unsheathed as she looked up at her leader with hurt. “I have been a medicine cat for RiverClan for moons. I have treated cats and obeyed the Warrior Code to the best of my ability. Do I at least get an explanation as to why you are denouncing me? Why any of us are being punished?” She hissed.

Mistystar looked down. Shadowpaw thought she must have fallen asleep until Bramblestar’s words released her from her haze.

“You don’t believe in StarClan, for one.” Bramblestar declared, accusing.

“I know that they exist. I don’t deny that.” Mothwing retorted. “I just don’t need a bunch of dead cats to tell me how to do my job. I have been doing just fine without them.”

“I can vouch for Mothwing.” Willowshine announced, stepping forward to stand beside her old mentor. “Mothwing is a good cat. There must be some misunderstanding.”

Willowshine turned to Shadowpaw, hopeful. “Can you talk to StarClan? Ask them why these cats are being punished?”

“It’s obvious!” Bramblestar roared, enraged. “Jayfeather, Lionblaze, Mothwing, and Twigbranch are half-Clan. Dovewing betrayed her Clan by leaving it. Crowfeather lied to his Clan by mating with a ThunderClan medicine cat. And Squirrelflight lied about her kits and betrayed her entire Clan!”

“Mistystar is half-Clan, too.” Mothwing mumbled to herself. “And yet, how can Bramblestar make such confident assumptions as if he knows better?”

That’s right. Shadowpaw thought. Bramblestar acts as if he knew all along.. Maybe I was supposed to mention that he was in the dream. Maybe that was what Bramblestar wanted. But is that right ? Shadowpaw was unsure, seeing how much arguments came out of what StarClan had told him.

“I was raised in ShadowClan!” Violetshine avowed. “Was I listed as a codebreaker?”

It was then Shadowpaw caught sight of Rootspring, the warrior looking at Shadowpaw as if he’d just seen a ghost. Upon seeing Shadowpaw looking back, he quickly turned away.

That’s odd.

Mothwing continued to yell at Mistystar, Tigerstar now hesitant to agree with the punishments.

Bramblestar turned, snapping at the ShadowClan leader.

Why does Bramblestar want every cat to agree with him so badly? Shadowpaw wondered.

“I think I know a solution.” The cat known as Tree stepped forward. “If I can.”

“Was Jayfeather exiled?” Shadowpaw whispered to Alderheart, wanting to know the truth.

“And Lionblaze.” Alderheart confirmed, addressing all of the medicine cats. Willowshine looked at him with sympathy.

“Shadowpaw? Think real hard.”

Shadowpaw blinked, not quite paying attention to what Tree must have said. He must mean my vision!

“The StarClan cat just told me that a darkness is in the Clans.” Shadowpaw recited. “That it must be driven out, then I was shown the codebreakers…” Please let that be what he asked.

Tree nodded, seemingly satisfied.

“Let’s go.” Puddleshine crooned, nudging Shadowpaw away while the leaders continued to talk, all eyes on them instead of Shadowpaw.

Puddleshine led Shadowpaw to the island’s edge, the water gently lapping the shore. Bird whistled and tweeted from the trees, away from the claws of the cats who would most surely hunt them any other night.

Puddleshine sat down, gazing off into the distance. Shadowpaw noticed how the stars seemed to dim with each moon that passed by. Maybe StarClan isn’t watching over us after all. He thought bitterly, wondering if it was all a mistake.

“I should have made you a medicine cat by now.” Puddleshine muttered. “I’m so sorry.”

Shadowpaw stayed quiet, unsure what to say. “It’s not your fault.” He settled on, knowing how awful of an excuse it was. “It would… it still is weird, to do it without StarClan able to witness it.” Shadowpaw continued. Puddleshine hummed in acknowledgement. “I mean, aren’t they supposed to guide us? How do we know if we make the right choices or not?” Shadowpaw scoffed. “How do I know all my visions aren’t just in my head?”

Puddleshine’s tail rested on Shadowpaw’s shoulder, the medicine cat giving him a sympathetic glance. “StarClan isn’t meant to be the answer.” He informed him. “They’re the question. It’s always, “the dark sky must not herald a storm” or “ the shadows are approaching and must not be dispelled” . StarClan doesn’t give us solutions. Not always.”

“But then why listen to StarClan at all?” Shadowpaw asked, defeated.

“Because where would we be without them?” Puddleshine purred with amusement, as if Shadowpaw had just made a silly mistake when sorting herbs. “The Clans wouldn’t exist. We’d separate, eventually, and fight. A cat will get greedy.”

Puddleshine’s eyes glazed over as if he were relieving a distant memory. “StarClan is the light in ShadowClan. They’re the ground in SkyClan, the silence in ThunderClan. They’re the opposite of all of us, the good in evil, evil in good.” Puddleshine looked up at the moon, the light causing a radiance unlike anything Shadowpaw had seen before. “Without a question, there is no answer to find, and without something to find… we’d just be cats. Existing in our own worlds with our own beliefs, uncertain of destiny or fate. We’d just be cats.”

Shadowpaw had never seen Puddleshine so relaxed. The moonlight glistened off of his fur, the water glistening from the light.

Puddleshine believes StarClan is still looking out for us. Shadowpaw thought, looking up at the twinkling stars.

“ShadowClan nearly fell apart when Rowanstar couldn’t lead.”

Shadowpaw blinked. He had heard stories about the old ShadowClan leader, but nothing too deep.

“Even before that, Blackstar nearly caused ShadowClan to collapse. I, myself, don’t know much about that time…” Puddleshine paused. “But Jayfeather told me some of it, once. How Sol convinced Blackstar to lose faith. We were nearly destroyed, Shadowpaw. And to make it worse, even when Rowanstar became leader, a cat named Darktail took over the Clan, causing warriors to turn on themselves. Rowanstar lost hope, even after regaining leadership. No other Clan has suffered as much as us since the Kin’s defeat. Even now, we struggle to move on past the deaths, Darktail’s reign…” Puddleshine gulped. “We cannot let that happen again. ShadowClan is the most fragile, if any Clan is going to fall apart, it'll be us. We cannot turn on ourselves.”

Shadowpaw nodded, thinking. StarClan never gives us straight answers, but they guide us. They always want what's best for the Clans… so why did my heart feel heavy when I told every cat about my vision?

“Have you ever been to the Dark Forest?” Shadowpaw asked, trying to make it sound casual.

“The Dark Forest?” Puddleshine asked, giving him his full attention. “Why?”

That’s not an answer. “I’m… curious.”

Puddleshine stood, his tail lashing back and forth. “The Dark Forest is a bad place. I didn’t expect you, of all cats, to be curious .”

Shadowpaw bristled at the… insult? Puddleshine looked aggressive.

“I’m sorry.” Shadowpaw meowed. “Forget it.”

“I hope that you’re not training there.” Puddleshine warned, observing him through narrowed eyes.

“Of course not! I’d never.”

Puddleshine huffed, walking past the bushes before pausing. “Feel free to rejoin the Gathering when you’re more comfortable.” He sighed. “Or, if you need, go to ShadowClan early. I’m sorry, Shadowpaw, for making you go through this. I just… we need to know we’re making the right choices, no matter how hard they seem.” Puddleshine dug his paws into the earth, his eyes focused on them. “ShadowClan needs to be united again. The other Clans have to know that we won't fall apart, that we can be trusted…” He sighed. “We’ve waited long enough.”

And with that, the tom vanished, the island oddly quiet other than the distant sounds of the leaders still talking to Tree.

Shadowpaw sighed, looking into the water at his reflection.

He saw blue eyes.

“Ah!” A yellow tom jumped, fur spiked out as Shadowpaw swung a claw into the air, barely missing his whisker.

“Oh! Rootspring!” Shadowpaw gasped, instantly embarrassed. “I didn’t see you come up.” Or hear you.

Rootspring gave his pelt a few strong licks, his tail quivering. “It’s my fault. I shouldn’t have snuck up on you.” He laughed nervously. “What are you doing back here, away from the Gathering?”

Shadowpaw didn’t know of an excuse he could give the SkyClan cat, so he settled on the truth.

“I don’t know if I deserve to be a medicine cat.”

Rootspring blinked, now observing him with keen interest. “And why’s that?”

He sounds just like his father. Shadowpaw bit his tongue, staying focused. “Because… Well, StarClan isn’t clear to me.” He admitted, feeling silly to be talking with a warrior about it.

“Is it about the codebreakers? Or the darkness?” Rootspring asked.

“Both. Neither? How do I know if I’m right in all of this? How do I know I didn’t just imagine it?”

Rootspring thought for a moment, his eyes conflicted. “Your… vision, I’m guessing. It takes bravery to say it in front of so many cats. You must believe in it in order to do so.”

That doesn’t help me. Does no cat understand?

“My warrior ceremony was postponed. Twice.” Rootspring shyly admitted.

“Is that why Needleclaw got her name before you?” Shadowpaw questioned. Rootspring nodded.

“It was because… I didn’t know how to fit in. I tried being a medicine cat apprentice because of my…” Rootspring paused. “...something that I could do… but that didn’t lead me anywhere, either. It’s easy to doubt yourself when every other cat does better than you.” Rootspring groaned, frustrated.

Shadowpaw sympathized, recalling Rootspring’s one and only trip to the Moonpool, the tom clearly unprepared but trying his hardest.

“I have visions, too.” Rootspring admitted. “Not visions, that’s the wrong word, just… sights.”

“You are Tree’s son.” Shadowpaw noted.

Rootspring seemed offended by that.

“What are your visions about? Or what do your sights show?” Shadowpaw asked, interested in the warrior’s troubles.

Rootspring looked away as if he were debating whether to rejoin the Gathering or not. “It doesn’t matter.” He concluded, his mind set.

“Hey, Rootspring?” Shadowpaw called, noticing how the voice of every cat was now replaced with the sound of crushed twigs and ruffling bushes. They must be leaving.

Rootspring turned, looking at him with his sky-blue eyes.

“Don’t ignore what your sights show you.” Shadowpaw couldn’t look away. “You’re right. It’s easy to doubt, but every cat doubts themselves sometimes. Even leaders.” Shadowpaw licked his shoulder, embarrassed. “And… if there are any leads to getting StarClan back, we should take it. Even if it seems far-fetched or silly.”

Rootspring blinked, his eyes revealing nothing of his inner thoughts. “I’ll keep that in mind,” he replied. “Bye, Shadowpaw.”

Shadowpaw was about to reply when Rootspring yelped, jumping nearly a tail-length in the air.

“Let me get it!” Shadowpaw ran forward, grabbing the tabby’s bleeding paw as he hissed in pain.

With a quick tug, he got the thorn out, not deep enough to do any harmful damage. “I’m glad you noticed right away before putting all of your weight on it.” Shadowpaw laughed, looking around. “Just keep licking it. Keep it clean and maybe get some cobwebs to bandage it better so it can heal over.”

Rootspring just stared at him. “Okay.” He meowed.

“Why are you looking at me like that?” Shadowpaw asked, looking around to notice the sounds of talking cats have all but vanished.

“Just wondering how you’re still an apprentice.” Rootspring blinked. “You’d make a great medicine cat.”

Chapter Text

What’s taking him so long?

Squirrelflight paced across the camp, frustrated at her mate’s actions. Twigbranch seemed spooked, Alderheart trying to encourage the she-cat to eat something before Bramblestar scolds her again.

“I can’t,” she insisted. “He’ll get mad.”

“You don’t deserve what’s happening to you.” Lilyheart pitied. Stemleaf was off to the side, quietly watching the scene with Thornclaw and Bumblestripe.

“What’s taking him so long?” Squirrelflight complained, looking up at the moon.

“Maybe he won’t do it tonight. He’ll wait until the morning, surely.” Lilyheart hoped.

Ivypool scoffed. “Bramblestar wouldn’t do that. Maybe for Squirrelflight.”

“I don’t want to be kept for his pleasure!” Squirrelflight snapped, pausing in her movements. “If Bramblestar exiles Twigbranch, he needs to exile me, too. I made no oath to him. Jayfeather and Lionblaze were forced out, many cats have been punished.” Squirrelflight met Alderheart’s eyes. “I can’t do nothing .” She insisted, claws digging into the ground.

“Maybe you don’t have to.” Sparkpelt offered, looking towards the entrance. “Maybe he’s gone to convince Jayfeather and Lionblaze to come back.”

“Unlikely.” Berrynose rolled his eyes. “Probably making sure they’re gone for good. They are codebreakers, after all.”

“I never did anything.” Twigbranch said at the same time when Squirrelflight yelled out, “It was for the good of the Clan!”

“Still.” Berrynose shrugged. “You caught the prey, now you can only eat it and see what happens.”

“I’ve never seen ThunderClan so divided before.” Bumblestripe considered. “It’s like Darktail all over again, except in ThunderClan.”

“And Bramblestar is Darktail.” Thornclaw growled.

“Stop it. Stop. Bramblestar is not Darktail.” Squirrelflight countered. “Bramblestar’s just worried… StarClan’s absence has shaken us all.”

“There you go again!” Birchfall exclaimed, the brown tom standing up from across the clearing. “First it’s ‘Bramblestar’s bad,’ then suddenly, ‘Bramblestar’s just stressed’. Make up your mind!”

Squirrelflight hissed, her fur on end to make her look twice as big.

“Let’s calm down.” Ivypool negotiated. “Bramblestar is…” The she-cat hesitated, unsure how to continue.

“Is that any way to speak to your deputy, Birchfall?” Squirrelflight interrupted.

“Or maybe Bramblestar rubbed off on you after all, Squirrelflight.”

Ivypool jumped, colliding with Squirrelflight before she could make the impulsive decision to attack him.

“What are you doing?” Squirrelflight snapped, looking up into Ivypool’s eyes.

“Stopping you from doing something you’ll regret.” Ivypool informed her, stepping off.

She’s right. Squirrelflight glared. I can’t just attack my Clanmates.

Squirrelflight took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

When she looked back up, she saw Cinderheart snapping at the light brown cat, Birchfall’s ears were laid back as he was threatened by the gray warrior. Bristlefrost, Stemleaf, and Berrynose were arguing as well, Daisy coming out of the nursery to beg them all to quiet down. Sparkpelt and Blossomfall had their claws extended, looking ready to attack.

What has ThunderClan become?

Whitewing joined Cinderheart, every cat tense and ready to snap. Heads turned to the camp’s entrance, the remaining warriors waiting for any sign of Bramblestar to come and fix everything. Or make it worse.

“It’s late.” Squirrelflight exclaimed, unheard. Crickets were out and she could hear the gentle hooting of owls. No cat listened, too engaged in their own conflicts.

“Everyone!” Squirrelflight shouted, trying to get some cat to listen to her. Deciding enough was enough, she pounced on to the Highledge, scrambling to the top before giving an ear-piercing screech.

“Cats of ThunderClan!” She called out, feeling a breeze carrying her words to the camp.

“Quiet, quiet.” A spotted tabby whispered from the nursery, Spotfur scooping up her kits with the help of Stemleaf and Bristlefrost.

This shouldn’t be happening. Squirrelflight thought, seeing the kits cry out in frustration and helplessness. They shouldn’t be growing up in a Clan so divided.

“What?” Cloudtail called up from the elder’s den. “Why are you calling a meeting, Squirrelflight?”

Squirrelflight felt embarrassment prickle her pelt from waking up so many cats. “Sorry!” She exclaimed, hoping it’ll be enough. “No cat was listening to me.”

“We’ll, we’re listening now!” Cloudtail huffed, although Squirrelflight could see a glimmer of amusement in his eyes as he looked up at the deputy.

Squirrelflight looked around the camp, wishing, just for once, that they wouldn’t give each other such hostile glares and accusations.

“We all are unsure of what to do about Bramblestar.” She began. “Yes, Birchfall, I know he’s awful.” Squirrelflight waved her tail to silence him before he spoke. “Bramblestar…” Squirrelflight’s voice wavered, loyalty to her Clan and her mate fighting for acknowledgement.

“Bramblestar is not the leader he once was. He is not as kind and caring, and even I am aware of that. But let’s not forget we’re in a time of crisis.”

“Here we go again.” Berrynose grunted, leaving Squirrelflight to feel self-conscious about what she said next before shoving it down, burying it with all the other stupid things she’s said. “StarClan refuses to speak to us. They’ve been gone for a long time. There is hope with what Shadowpaw had said at the Gathering, but even so, to be a Clan, we need to be able to trust one another. We are warriors! Not rogues or loners or kittypets.”

“What if they’ve abandoned us?” Finleap shouted, his pelt twitching nervously.

“StarClan would never abandon us!” Lilyheart hissed, her tone true and honest. “StarClan is in trouble. We can’t do anything but hope it’ll resolve soon. And when it does, everything can go back to normal again.”

“Yes.” Squirrelflight beamed. “StarClan won’t abandon us. It’s like a queen abandoning her kits.” She looked at the nursery where three tiny heads popped out along with an exhausted Spotfur. Squirrelflight gulped. The Gathering had given every cat insight as to what they could do that could possibly help StarClan return. Would Bramblestar make me leave?

Squirrelflight looked down at Twigbranch, the poor gray cat seemingly stricken with fear, head turned to the camp’s entrance with only her ears pointed towards Squirrelflight. Alderheart and Lilyheart sat at her sides, concerned looks on their faces.

“Or a warrior leaving an elder to die.” She looked at the Clan’s elders, Cloudtail and Brightheart sitting side by side.

Thornclaw looked ready, his eyes gleaming with intelligence still even after the two moons since his retirement.

“Or a leader abandoning his Clan.”

At that, many open eyes turned to glares, narrowing down at the slight reference to Bramblestar. Oh, StarClan! How do I make them see?  

“Bramblestar hasn’t abandoned us.” Alderheart supported, his voice calm and collected from his moons training under Jayfeather. Jayfeather. A cat Bramblestar has exiled, and yet, Alderheart’s still courageous even without his support. Pride filled Squirrelflight’s chest as she looked gratefully at her son.

“No other leader acts as he does!” Birchfall protested.

“No other leader has lost a life since StarClan’s disappearance, though.” Stemleaf replied. “I’m not defending him.” He clarified, looking up to the Highledge. “But something must have happened.”

“Shadowpaw and Bramblestar are together on this. They say codebreakers must leave the Clans!” Finleap exclaimed.

“What?” Thornclaw coughed, his eyes wide as he looked at the young warrior.

“Shadowpaw has had a vision and Tigerstar believes…” Squirrelflight’s words trailed off as cats below her began arguing, some loudly protesting the idea of codebreakers being exiled while others supporting it.

“Listen to me!” Squirrelflight screeched, demanding to be heard. I am not an apprentice anymore! I am this Clan’s deputy and you will hear what I have to say! She bit back the words.

Too slowly, the cats quieted, more confused than angry eyes now sent in her direction.

“We’ve already discussed this. Twigbranch and I will leave-”

“NO!” Alderheart cried out, pure fear evident in his eyes.

“We won’t allow it!” Birchfall said, Poppyfrost shifting her paws uncertainly from where she sat.

“We’ve already agreed–”

“Let them be exiled!” Stemleaf’s voice was among the loudest. “Let’s test Bramblestar’s theory! If he’s wrong, then we’ll know the truth.”

All too soon, Squirrelflight lost control again. Cats talked over her, the ThunderClan deputy no more than a shadow on the ledge.

This isn’t how a Clan behaves! She panicked. What can I do?

The stars gave her no answers, merely twinkling from above like thrilled badgers getting ready to pounce. Like an owl or a hawk ready to carry her off into the unknown. She bit back a cry, feeling lost without the stars willing to guide her. Leafpool… give me a sign. Anything.

Head down, Squirrelflight heard nothing but hisses and growls from the cats below, only a matter of time before they turn into sounds of pain and aggression.

The soft breeze felt warm in the greenleaf air, the moon shining high in the sky. Cats will be exhausted by the time patrols must be sent out, but they wouldn’t be Squirrelflight’s responsibility soon if Bramblestar forces Twigbranch out.

StarClan, give me a sign! All she got… was the sound of battle.

When Bramblestar returned, the camp was a disaster. Alderheart seemed stressed, Sparkpelt helping him care for Cloudtail and Ivypool who had jumped into the middle of the fight just to end it. Stemleaf and Berrynose had been quiet since the fight, Stemleaf bleeding from one ear and Berrynose possessing a few scratches that he was quick to hide from his leader.

“What,” Bramblestar started, looking down at the tufts of fur and blood scattered across the clearing. “in StarClan’s name,” he drew out. “has happened.”

Squirrelflight briskly walked over to him, her tail held high. She had talked with Poppyfrost and Bristlefrost about what to do when Bramblestar came back and now was the time to act on it.

“Bramblestar, where have you been? You weren’t hunting and you definitely didn’t tell any cat where you were going.” She sniffed, catching a whiff of strong-smelling herbs. It was almost as if he had rolled on the ground to erase whatever had smelled like crow-food on him. She knew she had started off poorly. She acted more concerned than angry, but couldn’t help but notice how much his fur stuck up, quite literally making him look like a porcupine.

“The better question is what has caused this to happen in my Clan.” Bramblestar held up a tuft of Berrynose’s fur, the tom sinking low to the ground upon being noticed.

“There was a fight.”

“A fight?”
“A disagreement.”

Bramblestar scoffed, his voice quivering with slight laughter. “A disagreement ? This seems like more than a disagreement to me, Squirrelflight. Or are you trying to hide something from me? Again ?”

Squirrelflight felt her claws sink into the ground. Again. Again, he was still not over that! He should have forgiven her by now. She had surely forgiven him for the things he’s done. Not only grievances to her but to the entire Clan.

“There you go again!” Birchfall’s words rang in her ears. “First it’s ‘Bramblestar’s bad,’ then suddenly, ‘Bramblestar’s just stressed’. ” Bramblestar looked down at her expectantly, his eyes narrowed, expressing none of the love he had promised to give to her as his mate. “It’s like Darktail all over again, except in ThunderClan.”

Squirrelflight swatted at Bramblestar, her lips drawn back in a snarl. “How dare you, Bramblestar!” She snapped. “You betrayed me for your brother. I was only helping my sister and you still find the need to insult me when my motives were loyal and respectful while you and your evil half-sibling nearly killed my father !”

Bramblestar leapt, Squirrelflight flat on her back, gasping up at him. Bramblestar growled, his voice a deep, intimidating rumble. “There are consequences for attacking a Clan leader, Squirrelflight.” He whispered, his head bent low. Squirrelflight growled, her teeth bared and on full display. “I am to be exiled anyway. What’s the worst that can happen if I leave a mark before I go?”

Bramblestar’s eyes widened, laughter booming from his chest while she tried to figure out what was so funny.

“I love that about you, Squirrelflight.” He whispered. “So daring. So adventurous. So impulsive. ”

Squirrelflight bit at his chest fur, her claws no longer sheathed as she tried to force the big tom off of her.

Bramblestar howled in pain, pushing Squirrelflight’s head away before leaping back, his own fur torn where Squirrelflight had gripped it, the she-cat releasing him as she moved so her back was to the Highledge.

Around them both, cats stared. Squirrelflight met Alderheart’s eyes, the tom silently watching her with wide eyes, pleading for her to not make a mistake she’ll regret. Too late for that. She thought.

“You broke the code twice , Squirrelflight.” Bramblestar growled, trying and failing to circle her when he realized she was pressed against the Highledge, claws digging into the ground in frustration.

Squirrelflight scoffed. “I can assure you, I broke the code more times than that.” I’m digging a deeper hole for myself. But it’s not like he cares what I do anyway, right? Squirrelflight growled. Twigbranch. Jayfeather. Lionblaze. They all had to pay. More cats would have been exiled if I hadn’t fought back. Squirrelflight recalled that argument all too well.

“I can see that.” Bramblestar observed, stopping right in front of her.

“And yet, you didn’t make me swear the oath.” Squirrelflight continued. “The one you made Twigbranch swear. And you haven’t given me any apprentice chores or punishments, despite what you had claimed at the Gathering.”

Bramblestar stayed silent, meeting her eyes with his own, a haunting amber that seemed to burn straight through her.

“You don’t plan to exile me, do you?” Realization dawned on her.

Bramblestar blinked, as though momentarily confused. “Exile you?” He gasped, as if the very thought was monstrous. “Never.”

Squirrelflight slapped him.

And this time, it wasn’t to get away.

Bramblestar lunged, Squirrelflight trying not to hiss in pain as her back hit the jagged rocks of the Highledge.

Bramblestar didn’t hold back, his claws raking across Squirrelflight’s stomach as if he were trying to kill her.

Gasping, she went all in, biting his foreleg and trying to turn the battle.

Bramblestar was heavy, swatting at her muzzle and biting her neck, his teeth sinking deep and claws raking it when he let go. Squirrelflight heard the sound of her Clanmates running to stop it, blindly trying to kick at him to force him to drop her.

Managing to knock him back, she was able to catch her breath, but not for long before he barreled into her, claws digging into her shoulder blades, teeth yanking her ear. Squirrelflight bit at the tom’s stomach, feeling nothing but fuzzy fur and the taste of dirt coating her tongue. Bramblestar snarled and bit down harder at her ear, trying to tear it off. Squirrelflight felt excruciating pain as she kicked at him, missing as the tom moved to get a better grip.

Squirrelflight let go, trying to find another opening to preserve her life, feeling blood leaking from her wounds when the weight on top of her suddenly vanished, Bramblestar’s yowl of pain both music and torture to her delicate ears.

“Squirrelflight! Squirrelflight, this is bad.” Alderheart was saying. Squirrelflight looked down, numbly realizing the cause for his concern.

When Bramblestar had clawed her stomach, he had sunk his claws as deep as they’d go, blood falling from her like a river.

“Oh.” She said, unsure whether to be disappointed or surprised.

“Don’t heal her!” Bramblestar hissed. Squirrelflight turned to face him but everything was blurry, the only things she could catch being his brown pelt being held down by three others.

“She’s exiled. You can’t heal an exiled cat!”

Alderheart must have ignored him because the next thing she knew, she was laying on her side, her wound exposed to the medicine cat, feeling her thoughts cloud over and muddle together. It hurt to breathe. It hurt to think .

Am I dying? Again? She wondered, feeling the sting and the worried meows of her Clanmates.

I came back for him… I came back for him, I can’t believe it.

Squirrelflight felt like crying. She felt like killing Bramblestar. She felt like curling up against him. How could she love a cat who hated her so much? Who was willing to end her life because he wouldn’t accept that what he was doing was wrong?

“Hang in there, Squirrelflight.” Stemleaf encouraged. Bramblestar’s shouts have died down. Squirrelflight wanted to look over to see why, realizing too late that she must have dozed off. Or fainted. Either way, she was out.

* * *

“Help me.” Stemleaf said, two cats lifting Squirrelflight off of the ground.

Are they going to bury me? Squirrelflight panicked. I’m not dead yet!

“Wait…” Squirrelflight mumbled, her eyes slowly opening to the gentle light of the moon.

“This is a bad time. This is a very, very bad time.” Stemleaf was saying. “Squirrelflight, I’m so sorry. I shouldn’t have… I should have asked you sooner. I know it’s against the Code, but…” Stemleaf seemed frustrated, his thoughts trailing off.

Squirrelflight forced herself awake, still feeling her paws off of the ground. The forest was dense and dark, prey fast asleep in their burrows.

Shaking her head to clear it, she looked at the other cat carrying her. Sparkpelt.

Squirrelflight’s daughter looked concerned, her eyes focused straight ahead. She moved slowly, out of exhaustion from the long night or from carrying Squirrelflight or both.

“Let me down.” Squirrelflight said, more like a question than a demand.

Stemleaf turned to her, his eyes guarded before he hesitantly obeyed. “You haven’t been out long.” He said. “I thought Alderheart said at least until sunrise.”

Squirrelflight blinked, confused. She looked down at her stomach, which had been smeared with a poultice and hastily covered with honey and leaves to keep it in place. Feeling itchy, she made a move to take it off when Sparkpelt stopped her, her eyes clouded with sorrow. “Not yet. Not until we bring you to Jayfeather.” She whispered.

Jayfeather?

“Come. If at any point you can’t walk, just let us know.” Stemleaf’s voice was uncharacteristically soft, the tom who had argued with her about their opposed views on Bramblestar nowhere to be seen.

It did hurt. A lot. As time dragged on, Squirrelflight regained feeling and her injuries throbbed unlike any before. At least being crushed by rocks was quick. Squirrelflight thought, feeling like the pain alone would be what killed her.

Eventually, they made it to the abandoned twoleg nest. The place reeked of dead rats and dust, causing Squirrelflight to sneeze upon entry, unsure whether they were trying to be stealthy or noticeable.

“Jayfeather, we need your help! Lionblaze, where’s Jayfeather?” Sparkpelt called out.

Squirrelflight squinted her eyes, trying to see through the haze of fog in her mind, whatever Alderheart had done was quickly wearing off.

“I’ll fetch him.” The unmistakable voice of Lionblaze said, the wood creaking as he dashed off to do exactly that.

With the help of Stemleaf, Squirrelflight laid down, every breath occurring as if she were starved of oxygen.

“I’m going to go hide our trail.” Stemleaf was saying. “Look after her.”

Squirrelflight barely registered her daughter laying beside her, her chin resting on her head.

Before long, the creaking wood and sound of scurrying rats announced the arrival of Jayfeather, the blind tom not hesitating his movements one bit as he looked at Squirrelflight, sniffing her.

“This is bad. What happened?” Jayfeather didn’t waste a moment before answering his own question. “Doesn’t matter. Lionblaze, there are cobwebs outside, near the back of the den. Impossible to miss. Fetch them.”

Lionblaze hesitated for only a moment before sprinting away, leaving Jayfeather to take another good sniff of Squirrelflight’s wounds.

“This isn’t going to heal at all.” He claimed. “Do I want to know why Alderheart had to rush?”

Squirrelflight didn’t hear Sparkpelt’s reply. A firm lick to her ear ordered her attention straight after.

“Stay with me.” Jayfeather commanded, panic lacing his words.

“I’m here.” She looked up, meeting his blind gaze.

“I’ll be back.” He said, moving to go retrieve something.

“You’re going to be okay.” Sparkpelt whispered, trying to convince herself of that fact.

Squirrelflight purred at her care, her tail wrapping around her daughter’s. “Always.”

I have died before. Squirrelflight recalled as she hazily looked into Sparkpelt’s worried eyes. But did I truly come back only for Bramblestar?

Squirrelflight remembered him back then. Even just barely after the situation with Darktail, Bramblestar was hostile and aggressive to the outsiders who called themselves the Sisters. Was it him I needed?

She remembered talking with Alderheart, the misery in his expression when Jayfeather was exiled but the hope that lingered. Bramblestar was punishing all of them, whether he knew it or not, by what he’s doing. He doesn’t care about family. Maybe he never did. Squirrelflight had to choke back a sob at the thought. He had treated Jayfeather, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf well when they were kits. What changed? Was it seriously just because of her lie? Did she lose her mate by helping her sister? The thought that he may have never even cared about her in the first place entered her mind. No, that’s not true. It can’t be.

“Squirrelflight!” A high-pitched meow echoed in the quiet room. A small she-cat ran up to her, quickly checking her over. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry.”

“How’s it your fault, Twigbranch?” Squirrelflight asked, blinking to clear her vision as Jayfeather finally came back with some poppy seeds. Maybe sleep will help me…

“She has to take those now? ” Stemleaf asked as he entered, looking agitated.

“Yes.” Jayfeather snapped, clearly not in the mood to argue. “Squirrelflight, lick these up.”

Squirrelflight obeyed, trying not to take Jayfeather’s harshness personally. He’s worried about me. They all are.

“I have to ask her something.” Stemleaf protested.

“Ask me now.” Squirrelflight replied, trying to look calm and collected only for pain to prevent her from doing such actions, instead just biting her tongue to hold back from crying out.

Stemleaf looked conflicted, his eyes raw and vulnerable. “You wouldn’t understand enough to make a decision.” Stemleaf argued.

What is he meowing about? “Try me.” Squirrelflight demanded.

Stemleaf sighed, sucking in a breath as he looked Squirrelflight in the eye. “There is… a rebellion.”

Squirrelflight blinked, unsure if she heard right. Sparkpelt licked her ear, trying to provide comfort. “It’s been going on for moons.” She informed her.

Squirrelflight looked at her, too bewildered to speak.

“We think Bramblestar has gone too far. And, clearly, he has.” Stemleaf motioned with his tail to her injuries.

“So–”

“So we’re going to stop him. Either force him to step down or kill him over and over until he dies.”

Squirrelflight stared at her paws, her thoughts far away.

“You don’t have to decide to help us now.” Sparkpelt fretted. “Actually, please don’t. Just focus on recovering.”

“I don’t like the idea of killing a Clan leader.” Jayfeather commented, his cold eyes revealing nothing. He bent down again, gently messing with the poultice on Squirrelflight’s stomach. “But he has gone too far.”

Lionblaze returned, cobwebs tied around his paw.

Squirrelflight lowered her head, feeling dizzy.

“Think about it.” Stemleaf encouraged.

“Focus on getting better. Then decide.” Sparkpelt reasoned.

As Squirrelflight closed her eyes, the pain finally releasing her from its cruel grasp, she felt helpless. She wanted to save Bramblestar, not destroy him… But does he even want saving? Could he be? I fought death for him and he tried to kill me. The thought made her cold. He’s my mate. But these are my friends. My family.

Squirrelflight remembered her panic as Bramblestar tried to tear her apart, stopped by the cats who were supposed to serve him. Who were too scared to even meet his eyes before.

I started the fight. But when it came down to it, it was me they defended. Not him.

Even though Squirrelflight tried to reason with herself, she knew the answer. As much as she dreaded the truth, she knew it was undeniable.

These cats have given up so much so that I could live. She thought. They expect me to be a better leader. To fix everything Bramblestar has broken.

Alderheart’s grief-stricken eyes at Jayfeather’s exile. Sparkpelt’s plea at her recovery. Stemleaf’s assurance that this was the right move to make. If it’s the only way… Squirrelflight has to have other options. There has to be an alternative.

If it’s the only way… she forced herself to accept, feeling her mind fade away into sleep.

Only if it’s the only way, I will do it.

If Bramblestar is truly beyond reasoning with…

I will join the rebellion.

Chapter Text

“Help!” Bramblestar cried out, feeling miserable. The forest was cold and lonely, spiders seemingly crawling beneath his pelt, twisting and turning doing nothing to get them off.

Vines snaked around him, encasing him like a butterfly about to sprout its wings. Except that I’ll never be free. No matter how much I hope I’ll be.

Bramblestar clawed at the vines in frustration, his claws seemingly dull in comparison to the sharp thorns and sturdy stems. “Help!”

Am I going to be trapped here forever? Bramblestar worried. Will no cat know the truth of what’s happened to me?

Bramblestar cried out in vain, the sky hidden above the branches of the trees. StarClan, if you’re there, save me!

Bramblestar worried about what he did to deserve this. To rot in the Dark Forest until he was eventually forgotten, his legacy a spider web of manipulation and lies.

“He was just like his father.” Bramblestar imagined a queen telling her kits.

“Good thing he’s dead. Goldenflower must be so disappointed in him. All of ThunderClan, for his tyranny.”

Bramblestar wailed, wondering if his voice could even be heard. No! He wanted to shout. I’m nothing like him! I’ll do everything in my power to be the opposite!

Bramblestar could imagine himself pleading to StarClan, when his body did succumb and they finally searched for his spirit. He can envision his sister’s subtle frown. His mother’s tearful eyes as she turned and left him in the darkness.

”No! Goldenflower, please! Tawnypelt, you’ll know I’ll never be like him!”

Tawnypelt had looked at him, her emerald eyes filled with regret. “I thought you wouldn’t.” She whispered, her voice carrying across the moonlit plains. “But you listened to him when you trained in the Dark Forest.”

“I was trying to be better for my Clan!” Bramblestar protested. “Sister, please.”

Tawnypelt shook her head, guilt evident in her expression. “You deserve your place in the Dark Forest, Bramblestar. You nearly killed Firestar. You hurt Squirrelflight. And you abandoned your Clan.”

“Not willingly!” Bramblestar argued, feeling snakes slither upon him. Eyes wide with terror, he recalled the old ThunderClan territory, before they moved. With the memory came the prophecy he was destined to follow.  He thought he’d build a legacy of his own, separate from all the abuse and scars he was known by. No longer a shadow to his father but a beaming star to light the way for others.

“I saved the Clans! I brought them to the lake!”

“That’s not enough.” Tawnypelt’s voice was softer, more quiet. “A cat from every Clan had to come. You were just the most… convenient.” Hisses rang in Bramblestar’s ears, the air suffocating. Chest rising up and down rapidly, he searched for the source, seeing nothing but taunting eyes and pinned ears. “The bad you did outweighed the good.”

“No… just tell me! Tell me what I did wrong so I can fix it!”

Bramblestar thought back on his entire life. From the fire, to Scourge, to Midnight, to Hawkfrost and then…

“I thought you were destined for greatness.” Firestar’s meow was cold, wisdom etched into every movement he made as he padded up to the border that separated StarClan from the Dark Forest. He looked regal, unafraid. Every bit the leader he had been in life, almost illuminating the trees on Bramblestar’s side of the border–a beacon of starlight and hope in times of trouble. His orange pelt seemed to glow, radiant among the healthy trees and beautiful landscape of StarClan. “But I was wrong.”

Despair crashed down on Bramblestar. “Really?” He whispered, feeling small in comparison to his mentor. He felt faded already, hopeless to fight against StarClan’s wishes.

Firestar didn’t say a word as he turned away, the cat approaching next, nearly stopping Bramblestar’s heart.

“I loved you,” were her first words, emerald eyes glistening with tears. “I loved you so much.”

“Loved.” Bramblestar repeated, numbly reaching a paw over the border to touch, to feel… He paused, paw hanging in the air. Throughout his entire kithood, he was shunned. His father offered a place for him and he refused. He fought for ThunderClan. He’d die for them. But deep down in his heart, he began to question. Hawkfrost’s convincing smirk as he offered Firestar’s life for leadership. Tigerstar’s cold eyes as he stalked away, so long ago, taking Tawnypaw with him. Bramblestar hadn’t looked back on those times as often as he should have, but even then, he wondered what life would have been like if he’d made the other choice. If he had gone with Tigerstar. If he had listened to Hawkfrost. Would he be loved? Or hated?

The final thing Bramblestar thought as he felt claws rake into his sides to drag him back were the words he had said aloud.

“I was loved.”

* * *

The sound of paw steps didn’t stir Bramblestar from his position. His eyes closed, he stayed curled up within the prison that was made for him, ensnaring him so deeply he could barely think of possible escape.

The sounds of the Dark Forest were quiet in comparison to the loud chatter of the Clans. Alone with his thoughts, Bramblestar had nothing to do but think. Think back on what all went wrong.

It must have been after Bramblestar was leader. Otherwise, StarClan wouldn’t have given him his nine lives.

My lives… if I die, is there a chance of me coming back? He dismissed the thought quickly. But then hope bloomed like a nagging weed, persistent in its effort to remain present. If I can escape, then maybe…

“Oof!” A grunt followed soon after the noise, Bramblestar stretching his head to see through the brambles and thorns.

“Hello?”

Silence. The only hint that Bramblestar had of another cat’s presence being the certainty that he’d hear it. He’d heard many cats come and go around him, but before the vines encased his vision, they appeared only as shadows. It wasn’t until Bramblestar spoke when Silentshriek appeared, after all. Maybe if I stay quiet they’d leave me alone. No. I need their help! But what if they kill me?

Bramblestar couldn’t decide whether or not to shout again, wondering what would ensure his safety the best. Oh, StarClan…

“Bramblestar?”

Bramblestar turned his head, looking through one of the few holes that the vines had yet to cover. The cat on the other side was familiar, the scent of ShadowClan strong.

A gray tabby…

“Shadowpaw!” Bramblestar gasped. “Is it… really you?”

The tom blinked, his eyes giving away concern and fear.

Right. Why would he save me? He works with the fake Bramblestar. As quickly as the anger came, it left. He couldn’t know. He’s just trying his best.

“What are you doing here?” Shadowpaw inhaled, hesitantly touching one of the vines which bounced as if it were startled, making Bramblestar hiss as he was tangled even tighter.

“I’m trapped, as you can see.” He gave a hollow smile.

Shadowpaw stared, eyes wide, saying nothing.

“Shadowpaw?” Bramblestar began to think that the tom wasn’t really there.

Just a product of my imagination.

“Oh no!” Shadowpaw exclaimed, terrified. “This is all my fault! Bramblestar, how long have you been here?”

Bramblestar was startled at Shadowpaw’s fear. “I don’t know. I lost track of time…”

“StarClan, I’m such a fool!”

Shadowpaw circled Bramblestar, testing the vines’ strength. “We have to get you out of here.”

Bramblestar’s heart filled with hope. Finally!

“Here!” Shadowpaw yanked on a loose vine, biting into it and pulling it away. Bramblestar held back a hiss as thorns smeared his pelt but the pain was secondary to the hope of freedom.

Bramblestar helped Shadowpaw set him free, each bramble and thorn losing their sharpness and grip. Not too soon, all of them were on the ground, their colors graying and matching the dull colors of the Dark Forest floor.

Bramblestar shook himself, looking over to see the tears in his fur. Like the wounds, there was no blood, only tears that seemed to slowly heal as time passed. Hopefully they’re not permanent. I can’t wait to get my body back!

Shadowpaw led the way once Bramblestar was out of the vines, his expression worried and panicked. Bramblestar shared that fear as he looked around the forest, a suffocating mist seemingly closing in on them. Shadows seemed to stretch everywhere trees resided, darkness a constant ally to whatever hid among the barren leaves.

“How did you find me?” Bramblestar asked, wondering why a ShadowClan medicine cat apprentice was in the Dark Forest. Is he here to train? Was I wrong that he was simply misguided?

“I don’t know.” The tom answered, his voice shaky. “Bramblestar, I’m so sorry.”

Unsure why he was apologizing, Bramblestar kept pace, trying to appear strong despite all that he’s been through. Shadowpaw kept his head low, as if expecting a stern lecture or scolding. I’m not like him. Bramblestar thought. I’m not my imposter.

“Shadowpaw, I’d never hurt you. You don’t have to be afraid.”

Bramblestar’s words seemed hollow in comparison to all that he’s done, so he continued.

“Listen, Shadowpaw, there’s an imposter. That’s not me. I’ve been trapped as a ghost for moons. I need you to help me get back in my body. I promise, I’m not him!”

Shadowpaw stopped walking, looking amongst the trees. “This is all my fault.” He whispered.

“How?”

“I was the one who killed you.”

Bramblestar frowned. “You didn’t kill me, Shadowpaw, sickness did. It was never your fault… but now that you’re here maybe we can save ThunderClan after all!”

Shadowpaw met his eyes, trembling. “He said he was from StarClan.” He muttered.

“What?”

“The cat who took over your body.”

Bramblestar froze.

So Shadowpaw is the reason I died…? Or is this after I was possessed?

Bramblestar gulped. “Explain.”

“I kept hearing a voice.” Shadowpaw began, trying to get it off his chest as quickly as possible. “He told me a darkness was in the Clans… that I had to let your body freeze in the snow in order to heal you, but… but it was all a lie.”

“Do you know anything about this cat?” Bramblestar asked. If this cat is truly from StarClan then surely they’d have reasons to take over ThunderClan… but if it’s a cat from the Dark Forest who manipulated Shadowpaw… Bramblestar shivered, the cold air a good excuse.

Shadowpaw seemed hesitant to answer, thinking back on something. “Blue eyes,” he said, looking up at Bramblestar’s warm amber eyes. “They have blue eyes.”

Bramblestar and Shadowpaw wandered through the forest, both on edge. Even when I trained here it didn’t look so bad. Bramblestar recalled. Oozing black water seemed to be rising from the ground, a white mist steadily getting closer and closer. Looking up, Bramblestar still saw no sign of the stars he needed. Right. There’s no StarClan here. This is the Place of No Stars, after all.

“We could be walking in circles.” Bramblestar announced, keeping a steady pace with Shadowpaw. “If you’re asleep, then maybe you can wake up.”

“No cat will believe me.” Came the quick protest of Shadowpaw. “I supported the false Bramblestar. I’d have no proof.”

Bramblestar growled in frustration, seeing eyes dart in and out of the darkness. I’d suggest finding Rootspring but he made it clear he wants nothing to do with this.

Up ahead, something glowed blue. Bramblestar’s steps faltered looking at it.

“The Moonpool!” Shadowpaw exclaimed loudly, running ahead.

Bramblestar hastily followed, catching up with the tom before he felt claws rake into his pelt, causing him to yelp from the surprise and sudden pain.

“Look at this.” A she-cat growled right in his ear. “These aren’t Dark Forest cats.”

Bramblestar looked up, meeting the tortoiseshell’s amber eyes with his own.

“No, they aren’t.” A tom weaved closer to Shadowpaw, the gray tabby already staggering from pain. He had dark fur, a spiky gray and white. “We should teach them a lesson.” He hissed, claws extended.

Bramblestar lashed out, scratching the she-cat across the face. She howled in pain and stepped back, a murderous gleam in her eyes. Without waiting, Bramblestar tried to lunge at the tom next but he was quicker, his claws already raking his pelt.

Shadowpaw stood on shaky legs, backing up from the fight as more curious eyes blinked in the shadows.

Bramblestar swatted at the tom but the other was stronger, pinning him on his back.

“Go, Shadowpaw!” Bramblestar yelled. “Find help! Let the Clans know!”

The she-cat hissed, lashing her tail. “Let him. I’m still upset that it took this long for ThunderClan’s leader to be given to us.”

“Maybe the Clancat will get exiled when he starts spewing nonsense. ShadowClan’s leader has defended him for a long time, but even he should know when his son has lost his mind. ” The tom laughed.

At least they’re letting him get away…

Bramblestar turned his head to watch as Shadowpaw retreated into the water, his eyes widening as familiar vines snag at the apprentice’s pelt as he wiggled further in.

The Moonpool is getting covered! The longer I wait, the less chance I have of being free.

“Now what should we do with him?” The tom asked, his head tilting curiously.

The she-cat grinned. “Wait right here.” She demanded, before dashing off into the darkness.

Still pinned on his back with sharp claws digging into his stomach, Bramblestar was forced to wait, looking to see if this tom was familiar to him.

“What are you looking at?” The gray and white cat snarled, showing his teeth. “You’re lucky I’m not killing you, ThunderClan flea-brain.”

Bramblestar would have fought back if he knew his chances of survival. I can’t get myself in more trouble than I’m already in. ThunderClan needs me. “Why aren’t you?” Bramblestar asked, hoping to start a conversation.

The tom’s claws raked down his stomach, Bramblestar screeching in pain.

“You bee-brain!” The tortoiseshell hissed, sprinting up and clawing the tom’s muzzle. “You aren’t supposed to kill him!”

Another cat was present, this one a scrawny black tom, his amber eyes looking uncertain to be in the presence of such strong cats.

Bramblestar got up, watching the cats fight. In pain, he tried to run away, the she-cat quickly giving chase. I can’t outrun them.

Bramblestar felt like just accepting his fate. He’d never get back home. He’d never be saved…

“Wait!”

Bramblestar was trapped, all three cats circling him.

“What?”

The she-cat turned, looking at blue eyes that seemed to be crawling closer.

Blue eyes! My imposter?

A white tom made himself known, his eyes darting between Bramblestar and the Dark Forest cats. He had a long scar from his belly to throat, multiple wounds evident on his flank.

“He wants to see you… All of you.” The tom said calmly, his head slightly bowed.

“Now?” The gray-and-white tom laughed, causing the white one to shrink further within himself.

“If you don’t go, that’s fine by me. He just wanted me to tell you.”

Who?

The she-cat scoffed, clearly upset. “Should we bring him with us?” She wondered aloud. All the cats exchanged looks, uncertain. “You.” She pointed to the white tom. “Watch him. I doubt he needs you there. And besides, it’s about time you actually show some use.”

“Yes. Okay.” The white tom wrinkled his nose in disgust before nodding politely, watching the other Dark Forest cats make their way through the trees.

The moment Bramblestar made a move to leave, he hissed, his eyes accusing. Once again, he was pinned.

“This is all your fault, you know.”

Bramblestar paused, wondering if it was wise to talk back. “How?”

“This used to be a decent place.” The white tom continued. “But because of you, the water’s rising. The mist closes in. I can’t wander from one half of the territory to the other. It used to be endless, but now…” The tom snarled. “It’s shrinking. It only started happening when you got involved.”

Bramblestar bristled. “I never wanted to be! Bring me back to ThunderClan. Let me have my body back. I’ll leave you all alone.”

The scarred tom laughed wickedly and tilted his head. “You really don’t know, do you?”

“Know what?” Bramblestar asked, feeling even more frustrated. The tom shook his head. “Nevermind.”

This can’t be the cat possessing me. Bramblestar realized. It has to be the one who wanted the other Dark Forest cats. The she-cat looked familiar…

“I’m just supposed to stay here?” Bramblestar asked, sighing in relief as the tom got off of him so he could lay down to access his wounds.

“I guess. I’m not as involved as the others.” The tom flicked his tail.

“Involved in what?”

The white tom looked back at him, wondering how much he should tell. Bramblestar tried to look as innocent and confused as possible, hoping that he could at least know a bit more…

“The Takeover.”

“The what?”

The white tom looked agitated, scowling. “If you’re going to keep asking questions, maybe I should just knock you out. I don’t have all the answers and nor do I want any. I’m fine with being in the Dark Forest.”

Bramblestar couldn’t tell whether or not the tom was being sincere. “All I want to do is go home.” He said. “I don’t want to be involved, either. But some cat has taken over my body…” Bramblestar trailed off, frustration clawing at his gut. Why can’t things ever go right for once?

“I don’t want to be evil.” The white tom replied. “That’s just the way things have to be.”

“But why? If you’re okay with the Dark Forest, why will you try to hurt the Clans? What did I ever do to you? To any of you?”

The tom seemed conflicted, turning around before looking to see if anyone else was watching. “I…” He flexed his paws, looking down at some puddles on the forest floor.

“I don’t want to be punished.” He answered.

“By who?”

“By… any of them. All of them. The others I knew… They’ve all faded.” He gulped. “I fear I might be fading, too.”

Bramblestar sighed, trying to lick his pelt clean with short, quick strokes. “I get it. We all have borders we cannot cross.” His voice was filled with defeat.

The white tom sat, his ears pricked for any sound.

“If I help you,” He began, the silence after overbearingly loud. “Will you make sure the Dark Forest won't fade?”

Bramblestar blinked, looking up at those concerned blue eyes.

“Why would I want it to fade? It’s where all the bad cats go.” Right as he said it, he regretted the words.

“Right.” The white tom mewed. “I understand. You don’t want to be here. I know what’s happening is bad. I know it’s awful.” Hope blossomed in his eyes. “But maybe because you’re here, we can help each other. I must have done something awful to be sent here, but that doesn’t mean I don’t deserve to exist. And since things are changing… Maybe that’s a sign that I should do something good for once. Even though I’m already dead and my fate’s sealed, maybe I can stop other cats from being hurt and fade away by helping you.”

“Yes.” Bramblestar exclaimed. “Please. And maybe afterwards, you can go to StarClan.”

The white tom’s eyes glazed with a distant memory. “Maybe not. I forgot how long ago it was… but I must have done some pretty terrible thing to be sent here.” The white tom shook his head, clearing it. “I’m not sure how I can help you.”

Bramblestar looked back into the woods, the sight of the Moonpool hidden beyond the trees. “You can take me to the Moonpool.” He said. “Then I can…” Bramblestar trailed off, uncertain. Do what? Just watch? Watch and wait to be saved?

The white tom seemed to be second guessing his decision to help.

“Actually…” Bramblestar looked down at his claws, thinking back on his training with Tigerstar and Hawkfrost.

That gray-and-white tom could have killed me. I can’t be of use in the Clans… but maybe, here in the Dark Forest, I can find out what’s happening. Put a stop to it before it gets any worse.

Looking up, he saw the white tom’s scars, proof of constant battles, even if they didn’t all end in victory.

“How good are you at fighting?” Bramblestar asked.

The tom groaned, looking away. “I know what I can do.” He said.

“Have you been to the Dark Forest before?”

Bramblestar paused. “Yes. As… as a trainee.”

The white tom didn’t appear to be judgmental for it, heading at a brisk pace in a specific direction. He’s heading to the Moonpool. Bramblestar realized, following.

“So you know it can do this?” The white tom asked, pausing at the clearing where the Moonpool resided.

There was no glow. No water, either. Only black puddles on the ground and looming trees.

“Where’d the Moonpool go?” Bramblestar asked, panic filling his chest. No. He couldn’t be trapped here! As long as he knew he could escape if he could, it would be fine. So much was at risk…

“The Dark Forest changes.” The white tom simply replied, shrugged. “You have a lot to learn.”

Bramblestar looked at him. “Can it be navigated?” He asked.

“Possibly.” Came the response.

This cat is willing to help me. Bramblestar thought, thinking back on Shadowpaw’s odd appearance. Some cat has taken over my body and the Dark Forest may fade for good if nothing is done about it. Looking up, Bramblestar looked at the tom again. I’ll have to prove to him that I deserve to be saved.  

“What’s your name?” Bramblestar asked, at least wanting to get to know the cat who’ll help train him to understand the ways of the Dark Forest.

The tom blinked slowly, blue eyes keenly observing him for any hint of deceit.

“My name?” He asked, hesitant. “It’s Snowtuft.”

Chapter Text

Shadowpaw woke up, his eyes wide with terror.

I saw Bramblestar!

The ThunderClan leader had been trapped, encased in vines that Shadowpaw was barely able to free him from. Two cats attacked them, Shadowpaw’s heart racing with panic as Bramblestar caused a distraction so he could flee. His pelt felt ruffled from trying to wiggle his way through the vines that tried to hold him back, eagerly growing upon the water’s surface to close it off for good. What if Bramblestar can’t make it?

Shadowpaw licked his pelt, still feeling as if thorns were snagged on it, trying to pull him back.

I have to tell someone!

Feeling exhausted, Shadowpaw got up and walked out of his den, looking around at the empty camp. Despite the time he spent wandering the Dark Forest, the moon still gleamed from high in the sky. It’s still night. His tail drooped with disappointment. Bramblestar was in trouble, and if he couldn't escape the Dark Forest cats, what if he never made it back at all? What if Bramblestar still can’t get in? Do I have time to go to ThunderClan to check? Will any cat notice I'm gone?

Nervous, Shadowpaw creeped close to the entrance of the camp, his pelt blending in with the darkness of the night.

Berryheart was guarding the entrance. Before Shadowpaw could speak his pitiful excuse for going out, the she-cat yowled for all to hear. “What are you doing, Shadowpaw?”

Shadowpaw tensed, standing straight. He met the harsh glare of the black-and-white cat with his own. “Nothing. Why does every cat need to know?”

Berryheart blinked, her eyes settling on the gray tom.

To Shadowpaw’s dismay, Tigerstar left the nursery, ever the alert and watchful Clan leader he is.

“Shadowpaw…” He tilted his head questioningly, his amber eyes scorching Shadowpaw’s pelt. He’s still mad.

“I was…” Shadowpaw hesitated, looking out of the camp. The forest was empty and dark, no excuses coming to his mind. What am I thinking? He scolded himself, claws digging into the ground. He lowered his head, ashamed. I can’t go to ThunderClan. They wouldn’t even listen to me.

“I just wanted some fresh air.” He lied.

“Is it because of your siblings?”

Shadowpaw blinked. Right. Dovewing was expecting her kits soon. That must be why he was in the nursery instead of the leader’s den. Shadowpaw still felt uneasy that she was staying regardless of the agreement. Directly after the Gathering, he made that statement. Surprising Shadowpaw, every cat seemed to be in agreement. Dovewing was too close to kitting to have her be exiled. No cat would forgive themselves if she or her kits died. And, Tigerstar added, as long as no cat says anything to any cat outside of ShadowClan, no cat will know.

StarClan will know. Shadowpaw silently argued. StarClan should know.

Gently, Tigerstar ushered Shadowpaw to the nursery, his eyes twinkling with fondness. Shadowpaw saw his mother curled up in the den, her green eyes looking at her mate.

“He just wanted to see you.” Tigerstar purred.

Shadowpaw didn’t argue, his steps light as he walked up to his mother, who licked him furiously at his arrival. “StarClan! Where have you been to have your fur all snagged and torn?” She shook her head, battling between motherly love and sternness for him to understand.

Shadowpaw felt his pelt grow warm, embarrassment filling his belly as he felt his fur stick together in clumps as if he were a kit again.

I knew my fur got snagged. Shadowpaw thought. But I didn’t expect it to be this obvious!

“Shadowpaw!” Dovewing gasped, her neck arching back. “What happened? That’s infected.” Her eyes wide with worry, she tugged apart Shadowpaw’s fur until a festering wound was evidently visible.

“I don’t…” That Dark Forest warrior. He scratched me as I fled. Instantly, Shadowpaw’s entire plan crumbled to dust.

“That’s not from a bramble.” Tigerstar approached, sniffing the wound. “It’s recent.” He growled. “Did Berryheart do this?”

Shadowpaw tensed, dread filling his mind. What should I say?

“No, Berryheart didn’t do this.”

“Then who?”

Shadowpaw rarely caught sight of the dangerous and powerful leader his father was, but from his view, it became obvious why he was ShadowClan’s leader.

“The foxes.” Shadowpaw meowed, the words easily flowing from his mouth.

“The foxes?” Tigerstar settled back down, his gaze not as aggressive.

“There’s foxes near the camp?” Dovewing asked, her eyes glistening with hurt and betrayal. “Nobody told me.”

“Not anymore.” Tigerstar answered swiftly, his tail flicking in discomfort at her scrutinizing gaze. "They've been driven out.”

Shadowpaw stayed silent, feeling the weight of everything come crashing down. Tigerstar curled around his mate, not a care in the world crossing his mind.

Why can’t I be like that?

Shadowpaw made a noise as Dovewing’s tail urged him closer, his thoughts too conflicted for awareness. His mother seemed able to tell, refusing to look away. With nothing else he could be doing, he settled down, trying to keep his distance.

“I’m not a kit.” He reminded her, both of his parents watching him.

“You’re not.” Dovewing said. “But you’ve been struggling lately, haven’t you?”

Shadowpaw deflated, wondering why any of his siblings couldn’t be here instead.

“Every cat is struggling. I don’t know who I can trust.”

“StarClan wouldn’t want to punish cats for breaking the Code.” Tigerstar mentioned, his tone rough, eyes accusing.

“You can always trust us to help.” Dovewing assured him, licking him around the ear. “StarClan knows best.”

“StarClan wants to get rid of you!” Tigerstar growled, his tail lashing with fury. “We might as well leave again. I can’t be this Clan’s leader if they demand such foolishness. Isn’t it in the Code that we don’t leave kits to die, no matter the Clan?”

Dovewing had her tail wrapped around herself, hiding the bump in her stomach. “There must be a reason.” Dovewing insisted, looking down. Her eyes met Shadowpaw’s.

I don’t know! Shadowpaw wanted to cry, feeling much like a kit despite his earlier protest. Every Clan relies on my visions being true!

“I should have told some cat sooner.” He muttered, his mother’s gentle purr encouraging him to speak.

“At least you’ve told us now.” She said.

“Rest.” Tigerstar demanded. “Both of you. Let’s discuss StarClan at a better time. We have a lot to do tomorrow.”

Shadowpaw placed his head on his paws, watching how Tigerstar’s eyes fluttered to Dovewing’s belly, a nervous excitement plain on his features. No cat spoke, the silence a welcome distraction from Shadowpaw’s thoughts.

Tigerstar would abandon his Clan to keep Dovewing safe. Shadowpaw closed his eyes, wondering what life elsewhere would be like. To return to it. But would he be able to, despite his claim? Shadowpaw recalled Pouncestep, how she had stood over Flaxfoot while he was injured. Her eyes were determined, refusing to budge from her mate’s side even at the threat of foxes looming above, threatening to sever her from her mate before Lightleap raced in. Lightleap; his intelligent, foolish sister.

“I couldn’t just leave him.” Lightleap insisted, her eyes on Shadowpaw. “I couldn’t.”

They wouldn't leave. Shadowpaw was sure of it. Tigerstar can’t convince them. And he won’t leave unless he knows we’ll be safe. Even with that final thought, Shadowpaw was unsure. If Dovewing had no choice but to leave, would Tigerstar abandon his Clan, his home, his family, to chase after her? Would he leave everything behind, especially when his Clan needs him the most? StarClan…

Dread clawed his gut. His sisters both had lives here. He had a life. 

Tigerstar would leave us. If it meant keeping Dovewing safe.

Shadowpaw had no doubt about it, watching him nuzzle against Dovewing’s gray fur, even in sleep. Shadowpaw remembered when he was a kit, named after a Clan he was never supposed to come to. How much his father cared. How the Clans needed Tigerstar before it collapsed in on itself, separating ShadowClan for good.

Tigerstar wouldn’t have returned if Dovewing couldn’t.

The memories of the journey, his visions… It seemed like far too much for a cat his age. And now, it’s reversed. Where I faced a warrior’s journey as a kit, now I’m facing an apprentice’s training still even after all these moons.

Shadowpaw understood Puddleshine’s reasoning. But it felt humiliating to still be called an apprentice when he should have received his name already.

What would I be called? Shadowheart? Shadowpool? The name ideas felt like ticks on his fur, his pelt itching to get them off. Is StarClan so upset at me that they’d take away my life’s work because I failed to interpret a prophecy?

Dovewing’s tail flicked in her sleep, seeking Shadowpaw’s warmth. Despite Shadowpaw’s exhaustion, sleep came hard for him. He couldn’t help but imagine the Dark Forest trees, the air tasting like ash on his tongue. The fog that seemed to hide the eyes that constantly prickled his pelt, the oozing black water that always threatened to swallow him whole, drowning and leaving nothing behind…

He wondered if that would be his punishment for not telling the Clans sooner.

He wondered, perhaps, if he’d meet Dovewing there someday.

  >

“Shadowpaw, hurry!” Puddleshine’s weary voice boomed from the nursery. Shadowpaw heard it from the medicine den, his pelt prickling at the thought of his Clanmates watching him desperately look for borage leaves. Lightleap had left camp earlier to find a stick. Pouncestep was beside him, a paw covered in moss, unfortunately dripping. It’s fine. Shadowpaw assured himself. The birth was… unexpected.

Right when the Clan was starting to wake up, Dovewing’s kits decided it was time. Thrown into action after two terrible nights of panic and worry wasn’t the best for Shadowpaw’s observation skills, let alone speed.

“There.” Pouncestep pointed with her tail to a bundle of leaves nestled in the corner of the den, Shadowpaw barely able to flash her a grateful smile before being forced to grab them and take off.

“There. See? Just how I showed you.” Puddleshine was saying, looking far more calm than Shadowpaw felt. I know what I’m doing. He thought bitterly as he helped Dovewing chew the leaves, a paranoid Tigerstar pacing just outside, fur bristling as if the camp were under attack.

“Mm err!” A muffled voice and spiky cat bounced up, nearly poking Shadowpaw in the eye. “Woah! Lightleap!” He hissed, backing up as the she-cat dropped the stick in front of Dovewing who blinked gratefully at her.

“You nearly got my eye!” Shadowpaw complained.

Lightleap paused, her tail swishing back and forth, a twinkle in her eyes. “Live a little.”

Shadowpaw rolled his eyes, Puddleshine scolding him for getting distracted.

“One healthy tom, Dovewing. There’s one more.” Puddleshine said encouragingly.

Shadowpaw watched Puddleshine give the tiny tom to Tigerstar, who began eagerly licking the confused kit to help warm him up.

“One more…”

It’s taking too long. Shadowpaw nearly panicked before Puddleshine announced the final kit’s arrival. Dovewing seemed to sag with relief.

“Another healthy tom.” Puddleshine purred, the kit squeaking in protest at the rough rasp of the medicine cat’s tongue. Meeting Shadowpaw’s eyes, Puddleshine stepped back, letting his apprentice take over.

My brother. Shadowpaw thought, joy and excitement filling his heart as he gazed upon the ginger tom. I wonder what kind of cat you’ll be when you’re older. Shadowpaw’s thoughts darkened. If StarClan doesn’t tear us apart first.

“It’s done?” Tigerstar walked into the nursery, his quick appearance nearly making Shadowpaw laugh.

Dovewing purred, collecting her two kits and holding them close, her eyes shining as she and her mate decided names for them.

“Rowankit.” Dovewing pressed her nose against the small ginger tabby. “And Birchkit.” She did the same with the light brown.

Tigerstar purred, licking Dovewing around the ears. “You did wonderful.” He complimented. “They’re beautiful. Like you.”

Unable to bear his parents being overly affectionate with each other, Shadowpaw took it as his cue to leave. Puddleshine sat right outside the den, his expression giving away nothing to his inner thoughts.

“You couldn’t find the borage leaves?” Puddleshine sighed, disappointment clear in his words. “They haven’t moved! Do we need to sort them again so you can remember their place?”

“No.” Shadowpaw’s pelt burned with embarrassment.

Shadowpaw followed his mentor to the medicine den, head down.

A rustle at the entrance to the camp announced some cat’s arrival, a sharp yowl catching his attention.

“Tigerstar!” Cloverfoot announced, her form highlighted by the position of the sun.

She looks intimidating!

Tigerstar padded his way out of the nursery, impatience clear on his face. “What?” He snapped. “I’m busy… and is that ThunderClan?” Tigerstar’s hackles lifted, his eyes darting to the cats behind the ShadowClan deputy.

Following Cloverfoot was Stemleaf, a white-and-orange tom who seemed far too confident in ShadowClan than he should be, as if invading another Clan’s territory was just another task he had to do, his tail raised high and proud. Behind him was Lionblaze, the golden tabby far more imposing from his Clanmate but still polite enough to nod to the ShadowClan leader in greeting.

Next to Lionblaze…

“Blood.” Shadowpaw muttered, spotting the numerous wounds on the she-cat’s flank and neck. The dark ginger she-cat seemed small, the ThunderClan deputy’s eyes more weary than aggressive. She looked resigned, leaning on Lionblaze. It took a clear amount of effort to manage it without falling over, the she-cat seemingly keen on refusing any more assistance from her companions. Her wounds didn’t seem fatal, but it was obvious they were fixed quickly and barely had much time to heal.

“What are you doing here?” Tigerstar asked, his tone no longer mean but still cautious and wary.

“We need your help.” Lionblaze answered, his amber eyes sweeping over the ShadowClan cats.

“Go get fresh moss.” Puddleshine whispered in Shadowpaw’s ear.

Shadowpaw shook his head, eyes not leaving the scene. “I want to watch.”

“Help? With what? What did that to you?” Tigerstar motioned with his tail to Squirrelflight’s wounds, the she-cat flinching before stepping towards him, ignoring Lionblaze’s silent protest at her actions.

“Bramblestar. And we need to do something about it.” Despite her wounds, Squirrelflight spoke with conviction, refusing to back down.

Cats gasped, many exchanging glances. It was widely known that Bramblestar and Squirrelflight were mates and it was known that they argued, even during Gatherings. But to actually hurt each other?

Shadowpaw paid closer attention to Squirrelflight’s wounds, unmistakably caused by a cat. He was trying to kill her.

Shadowpaw’s heart dropped to his stomach.

“Listen, Shadowpaw, there’s an imposter. That’s not me. I’ve been trapped as a ghost for moons. I need you to help me get back in my body. I promise, I’m not him!”

“ Bramblestar did that to you?” Tigerstar snorted in disbelief. Even so, concern and sympathy painted his features. “Your mate? ThunderClan’s leader?”

“Yes! Bramblestar did this to me!” Squirrelflight snapped, her tail swishing back and forth. Shadowpaw worried that Tigerstar would snap back, but the tom seemed too shocked to respond. “We need to stop him. I should have realized it sooner. That is not my mate.”

Shadowpaw’s heart nearly leapt out of his chest. She knows! She knows and I don’t need to worry about it.

“If Bramblestar… did he…” Tigerstar hesitated, a paw reaching to feel her wounds before yanking back.

Squirrelflight took a deep breath, her voice shaking despite how confident she seemed earlier. “Yes.” She spoke, her voice hoarse. “He tried to–” She broke off, falling to the ground, wrapping her tail around herself.

Lionblaze made a move to step forward, his eyes guarded.

“Squirrelflight?” A meow came from the nursery. “Squirrelflight, oh StarClan, come here.”

Squirrelflight looked up, her eyes widening upon the sight of two newly born kits.

Dovewing ushered her in, the two she-cats whispering quietly to each other. By now, the whole Clan had gathered, heads whipping around as if they expected Bramblestar to arrive to take his mate back.

What kind of cat would do that? Shadowpaw thought, sorrow for Squirrelflight’s situation making everything feel heavy. Who is Bramblestar’s imposter?

“Lionblaze,” Tigerstar said, his voice more hushed as Squirrelflight’s sobs generally ceased into quiet laughter. “Tell me what happened.”

Lionblaze shook his head. “I wasn’t there. I was exiled.” He huffed, his eyes gleaming with annoyance. “Stemleaf was there. He knows.”

“I do.” Stemleaf said, stepping forward. “Bramblestar attacked Squirrelflight. No warning, no hesitation. He would have killed her if we didn’t stop him.”

Tigerstar pondered on his words for a moment, tilting his head. “What happened to Bramblestar afterwards?”

Stemleaf hesitated, his eyes flickering to the nursery. “He– he…” Stemleaf looked down. Even from where Shadowpaw sat, he could see the tom’s pelt prickling with shame.

“What did you do with Bramblestar, then? Did he banish you too?” Tigerstar guessed.

Stemleaf didn’t respond.

“Was he driven out? I’d assume not by what Squirrelflight said.”

No answer.

“Did he order for cats to look for her? I can’t imagine him giving up that easily.”

Silence.

Puddleshine’s fur brushed against Shadowpaw’s as he left, the brown tom carrying a bundle of herbs as he headed to the nursery.

“So? I can’t help you if you don’t answer me.”

Stemleaf finally looked up, looking around at the Clan. His words were too quiet for Shadowpaw to hear, but Tigerstar’s response was audible to the whole Clan.

“What? You did what ? And only once?”

Stemleaf’s ears laid back, his pelt bristled with either fear or anger. “We did what we had to.”

“But he’s still alive, isn’t he?” Tigerstar snarled.

Murmurs and discussion became the backdrop for the confrontation.

“I said, he’s still alive isn- ”

“Yes!” Stemleaf yelled, his eyes blazing. “He’s alive. He’s our leader, we… We can’t… Not yet. We need your help.” The ThunderClan tom had never looked so afraid, his fear-scent evident in the air.

“We killed him. Once, only once. That’s only two lives, right? It’s fine. He was killing his own deputy…”

Gasps and shouts rang across the camp, drowning out whatever else he had to say.

“You killed your own leader?”
“I thought we were supposed to bring StarClan back, not push them away!”

“Did he see StarClan?”

“Rogues! Codebreakers! You should be exiled!”

“Quiet!” Lionblaze shouted, failing to gain control.

Tigerstar snapped, briskly ordering Cloverfoot to organize patrols instead of lazing around in camp. When that was situated, Shadowpaw’s father led the two ThunderClan toms into the leader’s den to discuss the events privately.

ThunderClan turned on their leader? Shadowpaw can barely comprehend the thought. If they killed him… does that mean that the real Bramblestar was able to get back? Shadowpaw hoped that was the case.

“Did you hear?” Lightleap asked from beside him. Shadowpaw nearly jumped out of his fur at her quiet approach.

“Still got you, didn’t I?” She smirked.

Shadowpaw shook his head. “Hear about what?”

Lightleap gasped dramatically as if he just said something ridiculous. “About Bramblestar! He lost a life! To his own cats! That must be rough.”

Shadowpaw rolled his eyes, his tail whisking to the side. “How about you tell Sunbeam about it?” He suggested, wanting to be alone.

Lightleap paused, observing him quietly enough to make his pelt prickle self-consciously before she nodded and walked away.

Talk about weird.

“Puddleshine?” Shadowpaw asked, watching the tom walk up to him. “I know what you’re thinking,” he gave a long-suffering sigh. “I suggest not. We’re running low on chamomile anyway and it’ll help clear your mind over everything that’s happened today.”

Shadowpaw sagged with disappointment. “Alright. When do we leave?”

Puddleshine thought for a moment, eyeing the empty prey pile. “When the hunting patrol gets back. We’ll eat and then we leave. Would that be fine?”

Shadowpaw nodded, energized as he watched Puddleshine leave.

Shadowpaw stood, looking over to the nursery. Dovewing will be in there. He considered. But I need to talk to Squirrelflight! What if I misunderstood? I can’t mess up a second time!

Determined, Shadowpaw made his way back into the nursery, the smell of milk and sound of sucking being the first thing he was greeted with.

“Shadowpaw?” Dovewing purred, laying protectively around her two tiny kits. “We’re doing alright. You don’t need to be in here.”

“I need to speak with Squirrelflight.” Shadowpaw insisted, meeting the she-cat’s eyes. She looked traumatized.

Dovewing bristled. “No, you do not. Now leave.”

Shadowpaw’s claws dug into the ground, wondering if this was the right move. “I need to talk to her.”

“No, you don’t!” Dovewing argued.

“Dovewing,” Squirrelflight’s voice was gentle, soft. There was no trace of her earlier breakdown as she placed her tail on her friend’s shoulder. “It’s fine. I’ll be right back.”

Dovewing hesitated, unsure. She gave her a quick nod. “Alright. If you say so. Shadowpaw, this better be important.”

Shadowpaw knew what Squirrelflight had been through must have been tough. He didn’t doubt that she needed rest and recovery, but if she didn’t know…

If I made a mistake, I need to fix it. If no other cat knows, then where would that bring us if things go too far? Shadowpaw led Squirrelflight away from the camp, his thoughts circling in a storm of indecision. I have to do this. For Bramblestar. For ShadowClan. For me.

“You.. you know what’s wrong with Bramblestar, right?” He began once he was certain they were far enough away to not be overheard.

Squirrelflight tensed, her eyes wide. “Oh.” She said, giving her shoulder a quick lick. “I… thought you were going to talk to me about something else.”

What else? Shadowpaw wondered.

“Yes, it’s… he was never the right cat.” She concluded, her eyes on her paws.

“You mean…” She doesn’t know.

“I was foolish to love him.”

Shadowpaw felt guilty for making matters worse. If he had never listened to that voice…

“Squirrelflight, listen, Bramblestar is…”

“Enough about Bramblestar!” Squirrelflight snapped, her fur on end. Shadowpaw’s pelt spiked, his eyes wide at her aggression.

“If all you want to do is feel sorry for me or tell me it’s going to get better, don’t bother. This is ThunderClan business. Warrior business.”

Squirrelflight seemed to hesitate on her next words. “I’m sorry, Shadowpaw, I truly am. I don’t want to talk about him. Not now. It’s… it’s hard enough.” Her voice shook, misery clear in her emerald eyes.

Shadowpaw couldn’t do it. “I understand.” He whispered. “I’m sorry for bringing it up.”

Shadowpaw watched as she went back to the camp, her tail dragging on the ground.

No matter what I do, I make matters worse.

Shadowpaw took a deep breath, looking across the territory. I keep trying to avoid the cat who spoke to me.

Blue eyes. That’s all he knew.

But maybe that’s what I need to do.

Without realizing it, he was sneaking across ShadowClan, ears pricked for any patrols.

Bramblestar needs help. I don’t know if I can reach him…

Once Shadowpaw made it to the border, he hesitated.

If the real Bramblestar is back, I could be doing this for nothing. He paused, looking up at the sky, wondering if he was making the right choice.

But if not…

He stepped over the border.

Then I am going to save ThunderClan.

Chapter Text

“I’m so sorry.” Dovewing whispered, grooming Squirrelflight’s fur with gentle licks, hesitating around Squirrelflight’s wounds. “He shouldn’t have done that to you.”

That’s what they all say.

Oddly enough, Squirrelflight had felt numb ever since Bramblestar’s attack. Since waking up. It all felt like a dream, so far away. Like watching another cat’s life.

Dovewing had been patient, letting Squirrelflight stay with her and not pressuring her for details. Squirrelflight couldn’t help but see Alderheart and Sparkpelt in Dovewing’s kits, wondering if they were okay.

When Squirrelflight, Lionblaze, and Stemleaf left for ShadowClan, Sparkpelt had stayed behind with Jayfeather to meet with the rebels.

I can’t believe I never knew.

It felt like a betrayal. Her own Clanmates were planning to overthrow Bramblestar. What made it worse; they’ve been planning it for moons.

“We have no other choice, Squirrelflight.” Stemleaf had said. “Bramblestar needs to go. He’s evil. We wished it wouldn’t end this way, but it must.”

“He’s my mate!” Squirrelflight cried, feeling as if the threat were her own. “I won’t replace him if ThunderClan decides they need no leader. What if you overthrow me, too?”

Stemleaf had looked regretful, almost pitiful. I don’t need your pity! Squirrelflight had wanted to shout. I don’t need your sympathy. Just let me talk to him! Then maybe…

A soft tail brushed against Squirrelflight’s side, Sparkpelt’s paw covering her own.

“Squirrelflight, it’s the only way. We’re sorry it has to come to this.”

“Even you, Sparkpelt? He’s your father.” Squirrelflight couldn’t understand it. She couldn’t believe it. Everything she’s lived up for, her entire life. She had gone on a journey with him, faced the Great Battle with him, defied death for him.

“Don’t heal her!” Bramblestar snarled, his voice ringing in her ears, her injuries fresh on her mind. Squirrelflight saw Bramblestar in Sparkpelt.

“She’s exiled. You cannot heal an exiled cat!”

“Squirrelflight?”

Squirrelflight woke, blinking away the drowsiness that still clung to her. The nursery was quiet, the sound of chatter dead in the wake of the night. A ghostly glow emitted from the moon, the entire camp silhouetted by the stars.

“You were crying in your sleep.” Dovewing informed her, her muzzle gently pressed against the ginger she-cat’s fur.

“I’m sorry.” Squirrelflight whispered, hating how hoarse her voice sounded. “Did I wake the kits?”

Dovewing purred, lifting her head to look at the two tiny bundles of fur nestled against her. Rowankit and Birchkit seemed to be one and the same, so close together Squirrelflight could mistake them as one cat.

Rubbing her nose against their tiny foreheads, Squirrelflight felt love pierce her heart. These may not be her kits, but they were beautiful all the same. Birchkit’s nose wrinkled, his head turning this way and that before settling once more against his brother.

I wish I was able to have more kits. Squirrelflight thought. “I don’t know how you do it.” She said aloud. “How are they so quiet?” She whispered.

“Shh!” Dovewing flicked her tail, her eyes gleaming. “It’s the only time I’m able to rest, when they’re this small. A moon won’t pass before they realize they can meow to get their way and be cuddled. Let me enjoy this!”

Although Dovewing’s words were spoken with lighthearted scolding, Squirrelflight felt the hurt all the same.

“You’re right. I’m sorry. You should get some rest, Dovewing.” I should probably be sleeping in the warrior’s den so Dovewing can have her peace.

“It’s alright, Squirrelflight.” Dovewing responded. “I know how much you love kits.”

“Is it that obvious?” Squirrelflight’s tail quivered, embarrassment prickling her spine.

“Just sleep.” Dovewing smiled. “And this time, don’t dream of… him.” Dovewing nudged tiny Birchkit, the kit squawking in protest before deciding its proximity to Squirrelflight was better company anyway. Squirrelflight’s heart filled with awe.

“Dream of Alderheart and Sparkpelt. Jayfeather and Lionblaze. Dream of every cat who’s made your life better, the sun shining brighter. Dream of that instead.”

Squirrelflight softly licked the tiny kit’s fur, the tom already fast asleep again, nestled into her fur.

“Thank you, Dovewing.” She whispered. “You are an amazing cat.” No matter what StarClan says.

Dovewing blinked slowly, keeping a protective eye on her kits, trusting Squirrelflight as she drifted off to sleep.

That night, she dreamt of home.

* * *

“Squirrelflight. I need to speak with you.”

The arrival wasn’t unexpected. The she-cat knew she wasn’t welcome to stay longer than necessary. “Of course.” She nodded politely, getting up. Her injuries still stung, but the pain was bearable now that Puddleshine had looked at it.

Tigerstar’s eyes were on the kits. Squirrelflight knew how much he must want to be with them, to be a father instead of Clan leader. She couldn’t help but sympathize.

But then again, what do I know? Maybe Bramblestar never wanted to be a parent. Maybe he…

Squirrelflight wouldn’t allow herself to think about it. To mourn her losses again. Alderheat was fine, he had to be. With Jayfeather exiled, ThunderClan needed a medicine cat.

Alderheart’s fine.

Squirrelflight padded across the camp, the rustle of leaves and the sound of laughter a welcome distraction from her inner turmoil.

If only ThunderClan could afford to be so carefree.

Once again, Squirrelflight wondered if this was the right course of action. If maybe it was all a mistake. No.

A throb in her stomach nearly caused her to falter.

“Are you alright?” Tigerstar asked, pausing in his steps.

“I’m fine.” Squirrelflight snapped, moving quicker. Bramblestar hurt me. He deserves this. No matter what he may have done before.

She knew her wounds would scar. She will never forgive Bramblestar for his crimes. Not just to her, but everyone. Even if scars weren’t visible, they were real. She was going to make sure he remembers that.

How do I free ThunderClan?

“In here.” Tigerstar sprinted to surpass her, turning around to flick an ear towards his den. Lionblaze and Stemleaf sat outside. Squirrelflight hesitated, pondering why Stemleaf refused to meet her gaze, his eyes on his paws.

“Cloverfoot, take a cat with you to go fetch ThunderClan’s exiled cats. We will provide a temporary sanctuary here.”

“Tigerstar, what about the Gathering?” Cloverfoot argued, causing the ShadowClan leader to pause. “We need to wait. They’ll be fine for two moons. We don’t need to make enemies with ThunderClan yet.”

“But they’re suffering!” Lionblaze jumped up, his fur bristling. “ThunderClan cannot wait! We’ve waited long enough! Look at her! That’s what Bramblestar’s doing!”

Squirrelflight’s pelt prickled self-consciously as Lionblaze waved his tail in her direction, his gaze harsh.

“We must follow the Warrior Code, shouldn’t we?” Tigerstar muttered.

“Many cats have broken it. Why is ThunderClan being the Clan punished?”

“Exile him, then.” Tigerstar offered.

Every cat stilled.

“How?” Lionblaze pressed. “How do we exile him?”

Tigerstar’s eyes narrowed, his tail flicking from side to side as he spoke. “Squirrelflight is your deputy, isn’t she? If every ThunderClan cat is against him, then you can drive him out and replace him.”

“He’d still have his lives.” Lionblaze protested, his teeth exposed in a snarl.

“He’ll die eventually.”

Squirrelflight felt uncomfortable discussing this. She was watching, not contributing. Since when did she become so scared to speak?

“We need to kill him.”

“No!” Squirrelflight shrieked, realizing too late what she had said.

All eyes were on her, the talk around the camp ceasing upon her declaration. Tigerstar’s eyes narrowed.

“No?”

Squirrelflight gulped, standing tall. Pain she was able to ignore seemed to be crawling up her spine like a spider but she discarded it. “There has to be another way.” Her voice trembled.

Silence. Then Tigerstar, Stemleaf, and Lionblaze all exchanged a look, their pelts flat and smooth in agreement.

No.

“Maybe you should sit this out, then.” Lionblaze offered, his head bowed. “If it’s too much for you–”

“You are not killing Bramblestar.” Squirrelflight hissed. “And you will not exile him either.”

Tigerstar’s ear flicked, Stemleaf’s face bunching up in confusion.

“I just… need to convince him.”

She didn’t even know what she was saying. She didn’t even know if it’ll work.

“Squirrelflight.” Cloverfoot’s tail brushed against her shoulder, the fellow deputy’s eyes glowing with sympathy.

“No! Stop it, all of you.” Squirrelflight snapped. Her fur stood on end, her breathing erratic. “You will not kill him. Something’s wrong. We should have just… maybe it’s StarClan! Maybe no matter what we do, this is bound to happen. Whoever is ThunderClan’s next leader will face the same fate or not lead at all. Do you want to destroy ThunderClan, Lionblaze? Stemleaf? Stop looking at me like that!” Squirrelflight argued, her eyes darting to every observing eye.

“Stop it, please.”

She didn’t realize she was on the ground until Cloverfoot gently pressed her nose against her chin, lifting it up.

Everything was blurry. The clouds seemed to float in the air, the twinkling stars hidden from the light of the sun.

“Tigerstar.” She whispered. Tigerstar seemed unsure what to do, his tail flicking back and forth, ears pinned back. “Please.”

If ShadowClan and ThunderClan work together to drive Bramblestar out, we’ll be a starless Clan. They won’t come for my nine lives. They won’t come at all.

But StarClan caused this to happen… Do I even want them?

“I think Tree is the cat to go to for this.” Tigerstar’s gravelly voice responded. “This… this is not something I can advise on. It is ThunderClan business, anyway.”

“It’ll affect all the Clans–”

“Shut it, Lionblaze!” Squirrelflight snapped, rising to her paws. Lionblaze stepped back, his eyes wide and fur bristled.

“I won’t. I won’t do it. Not yet.” Squirrelflight looked to Stemleaf who seemed to find his paws very interesting. Upon hearing his name, he perked up.

“I’m going to SkyClan.” Squirrelflight announced, forcing her pelt to flatten. “You’re right, Tigerstar. Tree would be able to help. I’ll go to him. If he thinks Bramblestar should leave…” Squirrelflight shivered. “I’ll agree. Only then.” I hope I’m not making a mistake.

“Wait, what about the exiled cats?” Cloverfoot reminded them, her claws digging into the earth in frustration.

“What about them?” Tigerstar asked.

Cloverfoot sighed, keeping her temper in check. “Squirrelflight is one of the codebreakers. It’s too soon for any of them to come back.”

Tigerstar scoffed, his tail lashing. “I think this is more important than what we agreed to at the Gathering.”

“Tigerstar!” Puddleshine panted, running up from the camp’s entrance.

“I’m busy, Puddleshine.” Tigerstar dismissed him with a wave of his tail. “When it’s a better time we can do what Tree suggested. All Clans should be in agreement of that. No cat will blame Squirrelflight for coming to Clan territory.”

“It’s about Shadowpaw.”

Tigerstar froze, his head whipping around to face the medicine cat. “What?” He snapped.”

“He’s missing.”

“We should go, then.” Lionblaze muttered, licking his lips before slowly making his way out of the camp.

“I’ll escort you to the border. You should stay near it, too. We don’t want ThunderClan to know you never left, Squirrelflight, if the wind blows towards them.” Cloverfoot insisted, her keen eyes observing the dark ginger she-cat. “Are your injuries giving you any trouble?”

Squirrelflight had to think, feeling incapable of making any decisions about anything let alone her health. “I’m fine. Puddleshine treated me.”

“I don’t think Puddleshine is free to look right now, either.” Stemleaf pointed with his tail to where Tigerstar and Puddleshine were hurriedly discussing Shadowpaw’s absence.

Can nothing go right for once?

Squirrelflight looked at her paws the entire way. The sound of conversation continued long after they left camp. Cloverfoot allowed them to briefly hunt so they’d have energy for the journey, Stemleaf being the one who convinces Cloverfoot they’d be fine trekking through the territory after a SkyClan patrol failed to show up at the border. The only cat who wanted to harm them was Bramblestar, after all, and he rarely left camp.

“If Berrynose scents Squirrelflight, he’d want to impress Bramblestar.” Lionblaze muttered once they were out of earshot of the ShadowClan deputy. “He’d capture us and bring us to Bramblestar in a heartbeat.”

“We’re on SkyClan territory, not ThunderClan. And besides, there’s too many warriors against him.” Stemleaf pointed out. “Even if some cats still support him, the rebels outnumber them by now. They stand no chance.”

Squirrelflight tasted crowfood on her tongue, these open declarations against ThunderClan’s leader hollow in her ears. Just how long has this been going on? Are they really willing…?

“Shh.” Lionblaze froze, his tail held high. The sound of birdsong quieted somewhere nearby, a loud chirp suddenly silenced.

“A hunting patrol.” Stemleaf sighed with relief, licking his pelt. “Let’s go to them.”

“What if they send us away?” Lionblaze argued, sniffing the air. Squirrelflight did the same, recognizing the scent of Kitescratch and Blossomheart.

“They won’t do that! Blossomheart is part of the rebels, she’d understand.”

Squirrelflight’s ear twitched, angling to listen in to the SkyClan cats’ muffled conversation, the wind blocking out their words. So they are a part of the rebellion, too.

“Keep going.” Lionblaze muttered, his bushy tail brushing against Squirrelflight’s side. She wondered if he was doing it out of care or obligation.  

Before Stemleaf could protest, Lionblaze added, “Do you really want to risk it, Stemleaf? Being turned away when we’re this close? Squirrelflight just needs to speak with Tree and then we’re out of there. Nothing more.”

They really want me on their side. To turn on Bramblestar. Following on silent paw steps, Squirrelflight lowered to a stalk, feeling the wind pull against her. The forest smelled more open, the shadows of branches a comfort compared to her visit to ShadowClan. She recognized the landscape, the grass gently parting with her every step. All too soon, they made it to the camp, Silverpelt’s stars already visible in the sky.

“I’m starving.” Lionblaze grumbled.

Stemleaf scoffed. “That’s a load of fox-dung. I can still taste squirrel on my tongue.”

“All I had was that mouse.” Lionblaze protested, his fur spiking. “You should have shared. I’m a big cat.”

Stemleaf laughed, the conflict evaporating. Squirrelflight felt like an extra egg in the nest. She kept her head bowed, unsure whether she ate with them or not. She hardly remembered where they were going.

“Stemleaf, Lionblaze?” She spoke up, wondering when she seemed so distant.

The two toms stopped walking, turning to face her.

“Do you need to rest?” Stemleaf asked, his ears perked, eager to keep going.

Squirrelflight felt a nagging anger that he assumed she couldn’t take care of herself, narrowing her eyes at the two toms.

“Why are you doing this?”

She knew. She just wanted them to say it.

Stemleaf took a deep breath, his eyes darting to look at the surrounding trees. “We should–”

“We need you to join us.” Lionblaze interrupted,  desperation in his amber eyes. “Squirrelflight, we know you don’t want this, we know he’s your mate. But look at you! This is what he’s doing. He has no care for anyone or anything except himself.”

He’s your father! Squirrelflight bit back her words, her heart aching. She imagined him as a kit again, so carefree and young. Bramblestar loved them. He did. He’s just blinded by whatever StarClan told him. By what Shadowpaw claimed. Squirrelflight’s tail swished, anger boiling in her belly. What if Shadowpaw staged all of this? He was the one who suggested leaving Bramblestar out in the snow. He was the one who encouraged Bramblestar’s view. He’s ShadowClan’s medicine cat… what if ShadowClan wants to destroy ThunderClan and this is how they’ll do it? With StarClan’s approval?

“I need another voice.” Squirrelflight replied, her tone cool. “Tree is the most reasonable cat. It’s his job.” Maybe he can see sense. Once I explain to him Shadowpaw’s plan, maybe we can fight back. Figure out what they did to Bramblestar.

“We know.” Stemleaf nodded. “Then if he says he has to go… would you…” Stemleaf waved his paw, a silent sentence.

“Would you take his place? Is what he means.” Lionblaze put in, meeting Squirrelflight’s eyes.

Would I? “That is if he agrees with you.” Squirrelflight pointed out. She gulped. “Maybe.”

That was the most they were getting out of her.

A loud howl announced their arrival, Plumwillow leading them into the camp. Heads rose from where they were resting, Squirrelflight feeling a pang of regret for the necessity.

“Squirrelflight? And ThunderClan warriors.” Leafstar yawned, padding out of her den.

Squirrelflight wondered how long it’ll take before she smelled the scent of herbs, Leafstar’s chin lifting and eyes widening with shock. “Squirrelflight! What happened? Is ThunderClan under attack?” Leafstar’s words carried off, now eyeing the lack of injuries on both Lionblaze and Stemleaf, who seemed to be determined to look imposing despite being largely outnumbered.

“What happened?” The brown-and-cream she-cat whispered, her head lowering.

Squirrelflight felt comforted by her friend’s concern, remembering the Sisters. Bramblestar argued with me then, too. Her mood darkened.

By now, cats were waking up, the wind dying down. A queen somewhere shushed her kits, countless whispers causing Squirrelflight’s hackles to rise defensively.

“Bramblestar attacked me.” Squirrelflight breathed. “He tried to kill me.”

“He what ?” Hawkwing, the SkyClan deputy, trotted forward. “You’re supposed to be exiled , not killed!”

“Bramblestar tried to kill Squirrelflight? His own deputy?” A tan tom muttered somewhere nearby, the she-cat next to him now leaning forward, eyes gleaming with interest.

“Bramblestar wouldn’t.” Leafstar vouched. Her ear twitched. “Did he?”

Squirrelflight swallowed back a sob. She couldn’t speak. Not in front of another Clan, not again.

Leafstar placed her tail on Squirrelfllight’s shoulder, a paw touching her own. Her eyes glowed with sympathy, pressing her nose against Squirrelflight’s flattened ear.

“You can stay.” She faltered, looking among her Clanmates. “You need to heal. How long have you been walking? You look starved.”

Squirrelflight laughed, the sound fake to her own ears. She tried to calm herself, licking at her chest fur and taking her time responding. “I need to speak with Tree.”

“We need to go back to ThunderClan.” Stemleaf announced, exchanging a look with Lionblaze. Stemleaf cleared his throat and continued. “Bramblestar is getting worse and worse. I can keep an eye on him. The rebels need as much help as they can get. I can’t leave Spotfur alone.” He trailed off, looking down at his paws.

Right. He has kits now. Squirrelflight considered, feeling oddly detached. “You won’t hurt him.” Her voice shook. “You can’t.”

“We won’t.” Lionblaze confirmed, pressing his nose against Squirrelflight’s chest as if he were still a kit. “We’ll wait for you, Squirrelflight. But we need you. Every sunrise that passes is another one spent in Bramblestar’s tyranny. Don’t take too long.”

Squirrelflight’s eyes watered. Against her will, she felt liquid trailing down her cheeks, splattering on the ground. She nodded, trusting Lionblaze to keep his word.

“Come here.” Leafstar ushered, leading Squirrelflight to her den. She made sure the other she-cat was settled before walking out, her voice carrying across the camp. “SkyClan! Back to sleep. We will all discuss this in the morning.”

Squirrelflight waited, fidgeting in the cramped den. She wondered if Bramblestar would come looking for her. Demand her to return. Catching sight of an incoming tabby, amber eyes glistening with an obsessive love, she yelped in fear, fur spiking. Her heart raced, eyes finally catching the distinct colors of Leafstar as she came back, fresh moss in her mouth.

Leafstar faltered, backing up. Her eyes were scrunched with confusion and worry as she placed the moss down, stretching it out and keeping a polite distance between them as she settled.

“Do you want to talk about it?” She whispered, tail wrapped neatly around her paws.

Squirrelflight knew she had to tell her. But do I?

“I need Tree’s advice.”

Leafstar blinked, her movements slow. “You… only want to speak with him?” She asked.

Squirrelflight knew the correct answer. Her mouth betrayed her. “I need to know if Bramblestar’s going too far.”

Leafstar didn’t seem comforted by her words, a stiffness present in her movements. “I think…” She hesitated, eyes on Squirrelflight’s wounds.

The ginger cat bristled, claws digging into the moss.

“I think you need rest, Squirrelflight.” Leafstar whispered, lowering her head.

Squirrelflight watched her close her eyes, wondering why in StarClan she’d trust her in her den. She’s blocking the exit. Maybe that’s why. She knows she’ll win in a fight.

Squirrelflight bit her tongue, curling up on the soft moss, the scent of Leafstar prominent in the air.

It’s just Leafstar. She thought, unable to sleep. It’s fine. One step at a time. Then ThunderClan will be okay.

Squirrelflight forced her eyes shut, using her tail to cover her head.

That night, she dreamt of Bramblestar.

* * *

“You need to see me?”

The yellow tom approached her when she was eating, a thrush never tasting so filling. I really was starving! Squirrelflight tasted her lips, looking up at Tree.

Leafstar ate beside her, Hawkwing sorting patrols. The dusk patrol had returned early, the fresh-kill pile raised high now that greenleaf was here.

“I do.” Squirrelflight sat up, her injuries no longer painful. Fidgetflake had looked her over earlier while Tree was hunting, somehow unaware of her arrival during moonrise. Both him and Frecklewish had been out scavenging for herbs with the help of Macgyver late into the night, Leafstar excusing their absence as something trivial.

“Puddleshine did a good job.” Fidgetflake had told her, sniffing her shoulder and stomach. She had pressed a paw against Squirrelflight’s neck, pressing gently against the scar. “The pain will linger. Don’t stretch your injuries otherwise they’ll get worse. I don’t smell infection but you shouldn’t go on any patrols. Your limp will heal on its own but your body will take time.”

With that assurance, Squirrelflight had spent her time waiting by talking with Leafstar. Blossomheart joined not long after to scold Ridgekit, the tiny reddish she-kit scrunching up her white nose in protest.

“I want to know why ThunderClan smells bad!” She argued. Blossomheart gave Squirrelflight an apologetic look before nipping Ridgekit’s ear, pushing her back to the nursery.

“Hawkwing told me about Bramblestar.” Tree continued, his eyes on the sky.

Squirrelflight felt uncertain, wondering if perhaps this wasn’t the right thing to do after all.

Tree blinked lazily, folding his paws beneath himself as he looked at the ginger she-cat. “Tell me about it.”

She did. It started out with a whispered beginning but gradually went to a thrilling climax. When she was done, Ridgekit and Duskkit had bypassed their mother to listen, Fallowfern and a few drowsing warriors having their ears pricked in her direction.

“I think ShadowClan’s behind this.” She continued. “I don’t know why StarClan wants ThunderClan gone, but if they want only four Clans then perhaps that’s how they’ll ensure that.”

“ThunderClan is where most Clan problems originate from.” Violetshine added thoughtfully.

“But Firestar was in ThunderClan!” Rootspring objected, nearly tumbling over from how far he was leaning. “And Shadowpaw didn’t admit to having the vision until the last Gathering. And Dovewing was one of the codebreakers.”

SkyClan everywhere discussed Squirrelflight’s theory, questions and reasoning being thrown to and fro.

“I don’t understand.” Dewspring, a sturdy gray tom, proclaimed. “SkyClan was brought here because there must be five Clans. Why would StarClan be trying to remove ThunderClan?”

“SkyClan has no codebreakers.” Mintfur, another SkyClan warrior, pointed out, licking her gray tabby fur. “ThunderClan had the most. Bramblestar has been enforcing their will, hasn’t he? To get on StarClan’s good side?”
“StarClan wouldn’t want Bramblestar to kill his own cats!” Nectarsong argued, pelt ruffled in distress.

The sound of conversation grew louder, Squirrelflight’s ears only catching snippets of it. StarClan must have forced Bramblestar to act the way he is now. ShadowClan is covering it up. Or maybe it’s ShadowClan all along. After all, if it hadn’t been for Shadowpaw’s suggestion, Bramblestar wouldn’t have died in the snow in the first place… he would have died in camp. Even as she had that thought, guilt pricked at her pelt. Tigerstar allowed us to spend the night. He didn’t take us prisoner. He let me be with his newborn kits, for StarClan’s sake! How could he be behind this?

“Tree.” Leafstar’s voice brought Squirrelflight back to the Clan. “Tell us what you think.”

Tree paused, considering every point of view. “Squirrelflight, what do you think has happened to Bramblestar?” He asked calmly.

I already told him this! “StarClan forced him to act… like he is now.” She gulped. “There’s no way that’s my mate.”

Tree tilted his head, his eyes closing. Before Squirrelflight could ask if he’d fallen asleep, he jumped back up. “You think StarClan’s forcing him to behave erratically?”

Squirrelflight nodded.

“Could he just explain his reasoning, then? Why not say it outright, ‘StarClan doesn’t want ThunderClan anymore’?”

Squirrelflight tasted crow-food on her tongue. “I don’t know.”

Rootspring fidgeted nervously nearby, his eyes darting everywhere but Squirrelflight and Tree. Needleclaw knocked him with her tail, pestering him to stand still.

Tree looked thoughtful. “Do you think he’s unable to tell you why he keeps hurting ThunderClan?”

Once again, Squirrelflight felt her tongue shrivel up as she numbly responded. “I don’t know.”

“You won’t like what I have to say.” Tree concluded, deflating. “I’m sorry, Squirrelflight.”

Squirrelflight felt her hackles raise threateningly, her claws digging into the ground.

“What about the Sisters?”

Squirrelflight turned to address the speaker, her eyes glistening with tears.

“The Sisters.” Rootspring repeated. “If Bramblestar can’t say what’s wrong with him, maybe it’s because he can’t. Because he’s not there.” Rootspring paused, taking a deep breath before continuing. “Maybe he’s… possessed? ” He whispered quietly.

Possessed.

“By a StarClan warrior?” Needleclaw asked, her voice too high pitched to be believable. “So… not Bramblestar?”

“Yes! Maybe!” Squirrelflight gasped, hoping beyond hope that it was true.

Tree’s ears flattened against his skull, giving Rootspring a puzzled look.

“The Sisters can call for the real Bramblestar’s spirit.” Rootspring added. “If he is possessed.”

“The Sisters left this territory a long time ago.” Leafstar put a paw on Squirrelflight’s, looking her right in the eye. “If you can’t find them…” She curtly nodded once, her words going through. “Leave him, Squirrelflight. He’s not good for you.”

Squirrelflight met Leafstar’s eyes, her hope refusing to waver in spite of the solid truth. “Okay, Leafstar.”

“I’ll go with you.” Rootspring volunteered, standing up. His yellow pelt smoothened, the tom behaving more like a warrior than Tree ever did.

“Just you two?” Leafstar said, uncertainty in her gaze.

“We can’t let Bramblestar know where they’re going.” Hawkwing pointed out. “He’s bound to look.”

“I’ll go, too.” Needleclaw volunteered, standing up beside her brother, their pelts brushing against each other.

Leafstar shook her head, amused. “Fine, then. If that’s alright with you, Squirrelflight?”

Squirrelflight hesitated. In a voice not sounding like her own, she said, “I need to find out what happened to Bramblestar.” This is my only chance.

Leafstar was silent for a long moment, pondering over her decision. “Alright,” she said, “if it makes you feel better, Squirrelflight, I can spare two warriors.”

This isn’t about making me feel better. Squirrelflight resented. This is about learning the truth. Shadowpaw’s behind all of this. Maybe Rootspring’s right and Bramblestar is possessed. He wouldn’t do this to me. She closed her eyes, thinking back to the moons of constant torture and abuse.

“No cat can talk to Spotfur for a moon.” Bramblestar announced, a cruel gleam in his eyes. “Lionblaze, once you atone for your mistake, feel free to come back. You are exiled for a quarter-moon.”

“If we keep exiling cats, we won’t have any!” Squirrelflight yelled. It was a rare sunrise, one where Bramblestar actually participated in hunting for once. He flicked an ear in acknowledgement. “Fine. Every cat is welcome to come back… once they make up for their mistakes.” Bramblestar’s teeth were exposed in a snarl. “No cat should be able to break the Code and live free of consequence. StarClan won’t ever come back if that’s how we treat our cats.”

“Then why don’t you let me atone?”

Bramblestar blinked. He softened, moving forward only to freeze as Squirrelflight scrambled backwards, hackles raised. Bramblestar tilted his head, eyes half-lidded.

“Because your only crime… was loving too much.”

“Are we going now?” Rootspring asked, chewing up the herbs Fidgetflake had given him.

Squirrelflight had to force herself to swallow it, settling like rocks in her stomach. The sooner they leave, the sooner they’d get back. Tree’s late arrival meant that they’d leave during the night but by sunrise they’d be able to see where they’re going and have more time to travel.

Bramblestar wouldn’t act like this.

“You won’t hurt him.” Her voice shook. “You can’t.”

“We won’t.” Lionblaze confirmed, pressing his nose against Squirrelflight’s chest as if he were still a kit. “We’ll wait for you, Squirrelflight. But we need you. Every sunrise that passes is another one spent in Bramblestar’s tyranny. Don’t take too long.”

ThunderClan is counting on me to see the truth. Squirrelflight stood, looking at Rootspring and Needleclaw, swallowing back the bile in her throat. I can only hope I’m not too late.

Chapter Text

“Don’t touch the water.”

Bramblestar jumped, his fur on end. Snowtuft let out a laugh.

“Are all Clan cats now this skittish?”

Bramblestar forced his pelt to smoothen, licking it to make it flat. “No. You just… startled me, is all.”

Snowtuft flicked his tail, blue eyes quizzingly assessing the Clan cat.

“What happens if I touch the water?” Bramblestar asked, crouching down to observe the inky black liquid. The entire area seemed to be covered in it, dry land nothing more than small patches of earth.

Snowtuft had been leading Bramblestar across the territory, taking him somewhere he was still uncertain of. The more they walked, the more confusing it got. From the wild, overgrown thorns and brambles the switch to raised, watery terrain was sudden. Where there were trees and bushes was now empty, ghostly land.

The mist that had surrounded him earlier seemed to give him space now, Bramblestar able to see fox-lengths ahead of him. His form seemed more solid as well, still transparent but no longer as invisible. Snowtuft seemed to have the same response, the white of his pelt like a star in the night. Patches of fur were missing from him, Bramblestar too uncertain of this new ally to bring it up.

“It’ll consume you.” Snowtuft meowed impatiently. “You’ll feel awful, distorted. Helpless. Even placing a single paw step will make you lose all hope.”

Snowtuft leaned forward, his nose nearly touching Bramblestar’s, eyes narrowed in warning.

“Don’t. Go. In.”

Bramblestar gulped, nodding warily. “Anything else?”

Snowtuft whisked his tail, padding across the territory. Bramblestar followed, mindful of the water.

“It wasn’t always like this.” Snowtuft mumbled, gazing longingly at the water.

Before Bramblestar could do anything, the tom leapt, paws barely grabbing at the dry earth, scrambling for purchase.

Bramblestar panicked, leaning forward on the hill he was on, watching as Snowtuft got up, his tail dripping wet. Before Bramblestar could question what he was doing, Snowtuft yanked on his tail, the fur tearing right off.

Blinking lazily at him, Snowtuft dropped the tip of his tail’s fur into the flood, turning and continuing on his way.

“Are you coming?”

Bramblestar crouched, trying to judge the distance. It seemed no more than a fox-length, maybe two. Before he could second-guess himself, he jumped, all paws in the air. Don’t touch the water. Bramblestar gasped, rolling on the other side, the breath knocked out of him.

Snowtuft waited impatiently, briskly pulling him up and checking him over.

“Did the water touch you?”

“No.”

“Good.”

Snowtuft left without another word, leaving Bramblestar to wonder what all of that was about. Why would he tear out his own fur just because it got wet? Shaking his head in confusion and bewilderment, he followed.

“I call that the Wetlands.” Snowtuft said, padding through a hazy mist.

Bramblestar raced after him, choking on the sudden intense intake of oxygen. His body felt cold, freezing, even. Like he was sick, still. Taken outside the camp to die in the snow. To die all over again.

Jaws closed around his scruff, yanking him. Bramblestar couldn’t breathe, his mouth opening and closing like a fish. He felt like ice, his body numb. I’m dying. I’m fading away for good.

Bramblestar knew he was moving, the pain on his neck intense. He was being pulled, dragged through.

He’s killing me.

Bramblestar felt acceptance.

“In all the stars! You are about as useless as a dead fox.” Snowtuft hissed in his ear, tugging him the last few mouse-lengths across the border.

Taking in grateful gusts of air, Bramblestar gasped, falling to the ground. I’m dying, I’m dying, I’m dying.

A claw swatted at his muzzle, Bramblestar jumping backwards before realizing his mistake, walking as far away as he could from the mist.

“That’s the border mist.” Snowtuft helpfully announced. “You’ll need to hold your breath the entire time through.”

That would have been helpful to know before!

“You’ll be fine.”

Bramblestar inhaled, the air not as prominent and cold. Gradually, his heart calmed, pelt smoothing after the earlier rush.

“Border mists are present all around the Dark Forest.” Snowtuft informed him. “They separate the different territories. The Wetlands, the Foglands, the Thornlands, and the Darklands.”

Territories? Bramblestar lifted his head. “I used to…” Bramblestar hesitated. I used to train in the Dark Forest, under Tigerstar. Was all of that not what it really looks like?

“It wasn’t always like this.” Snowtuft mumbled, gazing longingly at the water.

“What changed? About the territories, I mean.” Bramblestar clarified, feeling foolish. Snowtuft only dug his claws into the ground, his only sign of annoyance.

“I’m starting to regret setting you free.”

Bramblestar’s hackles rose, his heart beating in his ears. Before he could inhale to apologize, Snowtuft told him.

“Before everything, this used to be just… just a place to wander. To forget. To just exist . Now it’s separated. Like Clan territories.” Snowtuft scoffed. “Now every cat serves under him .”

Bramblestar wanted to ask who he was, but noticing how sensitive Snowtuft’s loyalty to him was, and his clear dislike of whoever ‘he’ was, made him stay silent. Besides, if I’m going to be here for a while I need to know the land.

“Every territory relates to one Clan,” Snowtuft explained, “such as the Wetlands being so clearly…” He swished his tail, eyes on Bramblestar.

“RiverClan?” Bramblestar guessed.

“Mhm.”

In that case… I can assume that where I was before–the Thornlands–is a reference to ThunderClan.

“What about SkyClan?” Bramblestar asked.

Snowtuft wrinkled his nose. “What’s SkyClan?”

The white tom shook his head, answering before Bramblestar could explain. “The middle territory, I guess? Where the most Dark Forest cats stay. Including the prisoners.”

Prisoners?

“We won’t be going there.” Snowtuft coldly informed him. “Just call that… the Middleland. I don’t know. Upland? I came up with these on the spot.”

“Impressive.” Bramblestar chuckled. Snowtuft turned to glare at him.

“Don’t insult me.”

He shut up.

“Dark forest cats fight differently than Clan cats, as you should know.” Snowtuft continued walking, Bramblestar hurrying to keep up.

“I saw some of them in the Great Battle.” Bramblestar imputed, feeling grateful he could finally be of some use.

“But can you do it?”

Bramblestar hesitated.

Snowtuft turned, in a flash his claws sunk into Bramblestar’s chest fur, the tabby flat on his back and amber eyes wide with shock.

Snowtuft leaned in close, his breath carrying the scent of decay.

“You won’t be here long if you can’t fight, mouse-heart.”

Snowtuft hesitated, uncertainty in his eyes. “The Moonpool cannot be found without a connection to the living world. To the Clans. If you don’t have one… you’re not getting out of here.”

Those words shocked Bramblestar more than the attack. Then realization came over him. Shadowpaw found it. He must have a connection.

“I will be saved.” Bramblestar said with conviction in his words. Seeing the hesitation in Snowtuft’s eyes, he continued. “Shadowpaw knows I’m here. He knows I’m trapped. He’ll convince the Clans to try and free me.”

They will. I know they will, now that Shadowpaw knows. Still, doubt entered him. Shadowpaw told every cat that codebreakers must be exiled. Punished. He helped the fake Bramblestar… but he knows! He didn’t before. Now he has to help me.

“I trust him. My Clanmates will realize their mistake and come save me. Of that, I’m certain.”

Pity was visible in Snowtuft’s eyes as he cleared his throat, backing off of him. “You’re ThunderClan’s leader.” He recalled.

Bramblestar puffed out his chest. “And I will die to protect it, especially from this imposter.”

Snowtuft looked him over, his gaze judgemental. “Sure, Bramblestar.” He forced a creepy smile. “Sure. We can only hope, can’t we?”

Time passed differently in the Dark Forest than it did in the Clans. For one, the sky remained pitch black.

“Why doesn’t the sky change?” Bramblestar had asked once during training. Snowtuft was mentoring him, hissing that if he couldn’t defend himself from a Dark Forest cat, he might as well consider his Clan destroyed.

I can beat Dark Forest cats! Bramblestar thought. I killed Hawkfrost with my own claws.

“Why would it? It’s better staying black.” Snowtuft replied, claws extended as he went in for a killing blow.

Bramblestar dropped, crouching down as Snowtuft flew over him, only for the white tom’s hind legs to snag at his pelt, flipping Bramblestar over as pain seared through him.

“No stars shine here.” Snowtuft bared his teeth. “The Place of No Stars is named for it, after all.”

Bramblestar shivered. I prefer calling it the Dark Forest in that case…

He looked beyond Snowtuft, at the sky.

…I can’t believe that StarClan won’t watch over me.

Snowtuft took advantage of his distractment, slicing at Bramblestar’s muzzle.

“Focus!”
Bramblestar kicked at him, claws sheathed.

He gasped as Snowtuft pushed down on him, the breath knocked out.

“A real warrior isn’t afraid to use claws!”

Bramblestar rolled over, his paws reaching over Snowtuft’s shoulders. He saw nothing, his vision blocked by white fur, but he heard the yelp of pain.

Taking the advantage, he flipped Snowtuft over just as he did to him, the Dark Forest cat on his back. Bramblestar leaned forward, his jaws poised for a killing bite.

He waited, watching Snowtuft.

After what felt like an eternity in that position, Snowtuft nodded, his head falling back with a sigh.

Bramblestar stood, walking off of him. His pelt still stung where Snowtuft managed to injure him, but he held his head up proudly from what he managed to do.

Snowtuft taught him things the old Tigerstar never did. For one, there was a reason Snowtuft bled and he didn’t. Dark Forest cats can have injuries. StarClan cats can as well, but be healed whenever they return to their domain, and Snowtuft added how the Dark Forest prisoners didn’t bleed, either, their forms able to be torn and manipulated but unable to suffer as vividly even in the Dark Forest.

“So when I return to my body, my injuries won’t transfer?” Bramblestar asked, wincing at the thought.

Snowtuft tilted his head. “I don’t know. I’d assume so, unless you pay a trip to StarClan.”

Bramblestar didn’t come across many Dark Forest cats. Snowtuft informed him it was because most were in the Midlands, the name easy on the tongue. Bramblestar spotted shadows and figures during his occasional training and when he asked about that, Snowtuft just swatted him on the muzzle and hissed that he asked too many questions.

“Would the Moonpool be in the Midlands?” Bramblestar hoped, right at one of the border mists that separated the Wetlands from the Foglands.

And why do the Wetlands border the Thornlands and Foglands? RiverClan borders ShadowClan and WindClan at the lake!

“No.” Snowtuft snapped, agitated by his constant stream of questions. “I told you already! You need a connection for the Moonpool to appear. He is the only way we can access the living world, now.”

“Who’s he?”

Snowtuft tore at Bramblestar’s pelt, claws leaving a ghostly essence in its wake.

“Stop asking questions!” He hissed, tail lashing back and forth. “In all the stars, do you not know when to shut up? This is all a mistake. I shouldn’t be helping you.”

“Wait! Please!” Bramblestar gasped as the white tom spun around, not giving Bramblestar a second glance.

He mumbled something under his breath, Bramblestar straining his ears to hear and follow, barely conscious of a wet paw, his eyes trained on Snowtuft.

“Snowtuft! I’m sorry! Please! I need to get home!”

Bramblestar felt hopeless. Rootspring. Snowtuft. Squirrelflight. Maybe Shadowpaw already abandoned me. Maybe I’ll never leave after all.

Bramblestar gave up, his eyes watering as Snowtuft vanished through a border mist, his form swallowed up.

It’s all hopeless, isn’t it?

Bramblestar looked down, realizing then what Snowtuft had told him.

“Don’t touch the water.”

Snowtuft had yanked off any fur that did, claiming that it helped keep the dark thoughts at bay.

“If the water dries on your pelt, it’ll stick with you forever. That’s how most Dark Forest cats died during the early transformation of the land. I’d rather lose tufts of fur than lose my mind. Fur grows back. Your mind is difficult to change.”

Bramblestar shook his paw, feeling droplets splatter on the ground. Knowing it’s not enough, he started plucking out individual hairs on his paw, wincing in pain from how much it hurt.

It’s not worth it. He decided, letting the remaining water dry. My paw doesn’t have enough fur on it! I’m sure it’ll be fine.

Bramblestar inhaled, conscious of the puddles of water that surrounded him. Looking to where Snowtuft had gone, Bramblestar felt numb. The Midlands.

That was where the prisoners were kept.

If Snowtuft won’t tell me about it, I’ll just find it myself.

Bramblestar ran, trying to recall where the borders led.

This reminds me of the Old Territories. Bramblestar thought, pausing on top of one of the hills. A river flowed beneath him, black water lapping greedily at the earth.

Right before his eyes he saw the landscape change, the water evaporating into mist, his paws wobbling to stay on the hill.

I have to get used to this.

The river was gone, in its place was now a fallen tree, leading away from him into the mist. It was impossible to see through, but even so, he thought he saw the outline of an island in his view.

The Island! Maybe that’s the Midlands!

His heart swelling with hope, he held his breath, sprinting into the mist.

The air didn’t feel as cold as it did the first time, the chill nothing compared to the warmth in him that refused to part.

Once I know who’s in charge, I can stop them. I’ll return to my Clan, tell them what happened, and we can work together to bring StarClan back.

With that plan in mind, he made it through the mist, eyes shining.

He couldn’t see.

Where am I?

Bramblestar dug his claws into the bark of the tree, listening intently to his surroundings.

It’s pitch black!
He blinked. Blinked again.

Nothing’s changing! How do I see?

Bramblestar turned, his paw slipping from the wood. He yowled, falling into a dark abyss. Landing on his back, he took a moment just to breathe.

Why can’t I see?

Bramblestar stayed where he was, ears straining for anything out of the ordinary.

An unnatural wind blew through the forest, causing leaves to tremble from their respective branches.

Water was flowing somewhere nearby, an eerie silence beyond that. His breathing seemed loud, his fur standing on end as what felt like a dozen insects rose to crawl on him.

Bramblestar yelped, jumping up and shaking his pelt. He could have sworn he heard something screech as it flew off, feeling dirty all over from where he had laid.

I have to get out of here!

Bramblestar sniffed, scenting nothing but blood and some other foul scent he couldn’t name.

He walked forward, putting light pressure on each paw step before continuing, not wanting to risk falling again.

Feeling a rocky wall, Bramblestar guessed he must have fallen into a ravine, sinking his hind claws into any holds he could find and trying to climb up. He grunted with the effort, feeling loose pebbles fall down behind him.

Reaching up for what must have been the top, he felt a furry paw swat at his hand. Then he felt himself slip, his claws only swiping at air as the boulder his weight was on broke free, crashing to the bottom.

Bramblestar coughed from the dust, his side aching. A high-pitched laughter sounded from above, shuffling paw steps growing more distant with each rapid heartbeat that filled Bramblestar’s ears.

Snowtuft was right. I can’t even survive without any help.

Bramblestar buried his face in his tail.

I can’t save myself, let alone my Clan. I’m a failure.

Bramblestar took a deep breath, realizing one of his paws must have been sprained from the fall. Just my luck.

Bramblestar hopped off of the boulder, starting his journey through the ravine.

I don’t need sight. It’s not impossible to live without it.

Bramblestar thought of Longtail, blind after a rabbit scratched his eyes.

His second thought was Jayfeather.

Though, I doubt either of them were ever in quite a situation like this.

Stepping forward one mouse-length at a time, he listened closely to his surroundings, the sound of running water becoming more and more audible.

I’m heading towards it.

Bramblestar sniffed, cautious to not accidentally get wet again. By now he recognized the scent of the black substance. If the Moonpool smelled like fresh herbs during newleaf, the Dark Forest water smelled like crowfood in greenleaf.

I wonder if it’s like the Moonpool, he wondered, if I go in, will I be able to emerge as a spirit back in the Clans?

Bramblestar shook his head, dismissing the idea. I’m not going to kill myself to try. If it was possible, a Dark Forest cat would have done it already and destroyed the Clans.

Bramblestar hesitated a moment longer, torn between the curiosity of trying and the knowledge that it wouldn’t work.

I have to get back.

Bramblestar turned away, feeling for anything to help him get out. Sooner than expected, he felt his paw land on raised land, a steady slope leading up.

This is it!
He continued walking, hearing the water get farther and farther away. He walked tail-lengths from the edge of the ravine, trying to retrace his steps back to the fallen tree. Eventually, he caught his own scent, feeling the wood beneath his paws again.

Finally.

Bramblestar went back the way he came, crouched down so he didn’t tumble down again. He didn’t realize it before but the border mist emitted a strange sound, similar to a mouse squeak but more drawn-out and faint. It gently brushed against Bramblestar’s nose, freezing him to his core.

Time to hold my breath.

With one final gulp of air, he went in.

Bramblestar wandered the Wetlands for ages, uncertain of his destination. He wanted to go to the Midlands, but without directions, he was utterly hopeless.

Sometimes he caught the scent of a cat but nearly just as quickly it vanished, leaving him alone again. Eerie silence was his only companion besides his own breathing and paw steps, crumbled leaves and sticks being crushed beneath his paws.

Passing through another border mist, he recognized the landscape as the Thornlands. Towering trees twisted their branches to cover up the dark sky, the water shrunk to only an occasional puddle, no longer needing to be consciously avoided.

Bramblestar met the amber eyes of another cat, widening in shock before the unknown entity sprinted back the way it came.

“Hey! Wait!”

Using Snowtuft’s training, Bramblestar quickly followed, feeling adrenaline course through his veins. Lowering himself, he leapt forward, recalling Snowtuft’s warning.

Think of the ground as if it were the water. Bramblestar thought, feeling soft fur beneath his claws. If you’re scared of failing, knowing you won’t ever come back, it’ll push you to do your absolute best.

The light brown tom shrieked, falling forward. Using his forepaws, Bramblestar gripped the tom’s head and kicked the cat’s hindlegs out from under him, watching him collapse to the ground. The tom twisted, snapping at Bramblestar’s throat, only to fall back from Bramblestar’s strength, tail lashing.

“Who are you?” Bramblestar asked, his hackles still raised threateningly.

The tom glared at him through half-lidded eyes, snarling.

“I said,” Bramblestar pushed the cat’s head down for emphasis. “What’s your name?”

“Rushtooth.” The tom choked out. “And you must be Bramblestar.”

Bramblestar twitched his ears in interest. “You know me?” I don’t know you.

Rushtooth looked at him. “Of course I know you.”

Bramblestar took his time deciding what to do next, feeling the transparent pelt beneath him.

Is it just me, or am I completely solid now?

Bramblestar looked himself over, noticing for the first time that he seemed more like a Dark Forest cat than a rogue spirit. Terror made his heart race. Temporary. It’s only temporary.

“How do you know me?” Bramblestar questioned, using his claws as a reminder of their current predicament.

Rushtooth flattened his ears. “Everyone knows you. In fact,” His eyes brightened. “I can help you. Let’s help each other. I know how to get back to the Clans.”

Getting off of him, Bramblestar looked at the tom uncertainly. “You can take me back?”

“Of course! Just follow me.” Rushtooth replied eagerly, turning tail and sprinting through the trees.

Bramblestar hesitated. This must be a trap, it has to be. Warily, he stalked forward, spotting the spirit’s form pausing to let him catch up, head tilted in confusion.

Bramblestar caught up, always keeping Rushtooth in sight as they traversed the Thornlands.

“Where are we going?” Bramblestar mewed, trying to see into the darkness ahead. He had no idea why this Dark Forest cat would want to help him, but he seemed far too eager to please for comfort. There was no way he’d be like Snowtuft – he won’t get that lucky twice in a row.

Even Snowtuft was hesitant to trust me. But he knew who I was, too. Not for the first time, Bramblestar wondered who exactly his imposter was to have such influence over the Dark Forest cats. Following on silent paw steps, he was curious to know where Rushtooth was taking him. The Midlands?

That was the first thought that entered his mind upon passing through the border mist, his mouth hanging open at the sight before him.

Spirits. His Clanmates. Throughout the moons with the false Bramblestar as a tyrannical leader, he wondered where the souls of his friends went. They didn’t wander like he did.

They’re sent here.

The prisoners. This was what Snowtuft meant. The ragged, disheveled appearance of exhausted warriors was all that Bramblestar could relate to. Spotting Eaglewing, Snaptooth, Flywhisker, and Brackenfur, his heart filled with dread. Their eyes were blank, listlessly staring ahead before parting for Rushtooth.

“Bramblestar.” Brackenfur purred, catching the ThunderClan leader’s eye. “Welcome.”

Bramblestar felt his hackles raise, seeing so many spirits sitting perfectly still, guarding what looked like a passageway to an island. If I go in, I won’t ever come back out. Bramblestar knew.

“Are you coming?” Rushtooth looked at him quizzingly, eyes gleaming.

Rushtooth was trying to trap him here. On the island. Bramblestar knew it, trying to come up with a plan. There were more cats on the island. Unlike the spirits here, their mews were full of emotion and conversation. He had to see what it was about. On the other paw, going to an island with only one way in and out guarded by the dead ghosts of his Clanmates didn’t sit well with him. The curiosity wasn’t worth it.

“Move, dungface!” A harsh snarl mewed from his left.

Turning, Bramblestar saw a sight he didn’t expect.

Coming face-to-face with Darkstripe, the two toms looked squarely at each other. Behind him was Snowtuft, the white cat’s eyes expressing obvious disbelief at Bramblestar’s appearance.

Gulping, Bramblestar stepped back, allowing Darkstripe to be the first on the island. The dark gray tabby bared his teeth, a malicious gleam in his eyes.

“Oh, no,” he mewed, “you first.”

“Come on, Bramblestar.” Rushtooth tilted his head, beckoning him forward. “The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can all…” Rushtooth’s mew trailed off. “...relax.”

Bramblestar turned to face Snowtuft. The tom’s blue eyes were wide with terror, his mouth twitching between a snarl and a frown. Bramblestar was reminded of his scar. The long line from his belly to his ear. He couldn’t help but wonder what kind of cat Snowtuft was before all of this, to be sent to the Dark Forest for his crimes.

“Cats can be redeemed, can’t they? I know what’s happening is bad. I know it’s awful. But maybe because you’re here, and you must be a good cat in order to want to help the Clans, maybe that’s a sign that I should do something good for once. Even though I’m already dead and my fate’s sealed, maybe I can stop other cats from being hurt and fade away by helping you.”

“Move.” Darkstripe headbutted him forward, Bramblestar following Rushtooth without any more hesitation.

Here goes everything. Gulping, Bramblestar looked onwards. He caught sight of multiple cats, feeling a growing sense of dread weighing down his paws. He had never seen so many ever since being sent here. It was clear from their behaviors and appearances that they weren’t cats Bramblestar knew. Some pelts were ruffled and agitated while others were smooth with a chilling calmness surrounding them. As if they knew where they were and weren’t ashamed of it.

All of these cats belong here. They were sent to the Dark Forest for crimes that they’ve done moons ago, before I was even alive.

Bramblestar noted with relief that the Dark Forest cats present weren’t enough to defeat all of the Clans, if they did ever fight. The majority of them must have died during the Great Battle. These must be old spirits, forced to be here because of the changing forest.

“Move!” Darkstripe hissed, slamming Bramblestar into the crowd. Cats murmured and backed up, some eyes wide with shock while others looked upon him with disgust and eagerness.

“Darkstripe.” A cat let out a mrrow of laughter. Bramblestar recognized it instantly.

His heart dropped. His tail dragged. This whole time he thought it must have been some Dark Forest warrior who had managed to bypass StarClan’s barriers into his body. He had hoped that StarClan would never have replaced him like this, it wasn’t like them. He couldn’t recall a day in his life when a StarClan cat came back to possess a living one, especially for such a long period of time. StarClan wouldn’t have willed it. They wouldn’t have.

Bramblestar wasn’t a terrible leader. He led his Clan through the Great Storm. He found the lake, led by a prophecy sent from StarClan. If he deserved to rot in the Dark Forest, StarClan would have warned medicine cats. They’d have done something similar with Leafpool’s prophecy: ‘Before there is peace, blood will spill blood, and the lake will run red.’ .

The Clans would have talked with him. He’d have realized his mistake. He’d correct it.

He’s always followed StarClan. He wasn’t like his father. Firestar chose him to take over after his death. StarClan granted him his nine lives. Out of every cat possible, the cat who replaced him…

Bramblestar’s head lifted, amber eyes reflected upon a glistening light, as eyes as blue as the Moonpool.

Standing upon a fallen tree trunk, surrounded by ghostly pelts and blank spirits like guards, was a cat he never expected to see. Dark Forest cats cheered and laughed around him, their meows sounding hazy as though through a fog. He felt like he was drowning, being ripped open again and again. Not only did a StarClan cat stare back at him, eyes as cool as a listless breeze, but it was a ThunderClan warrior. A warrior who he spotted with Squirrelflight often after their argument. After he broke up with her.

Squirrelflight had sought refuge with this gray tom. Up until Leafpool’s prophecy was fulfilled, this cat had been by Squirrelflight’s side, whispering sweet nothings and catching prey for her. They laughed, they shared tongues, they did things only she and Bramblestar did when they were together.

This wasn’t some old ThunderClan warrior wanting to make his Clan right again. It wasn’t Thunderstar stepping in, or even the legendary Gray Wing.

The tom laughed once more, his pelt shining and dazzling with sparkling stars. “Remember me, Brambleclaw? ”

“Ashfur.”

Bramblestar’s claws dug into the ground. He felt his muscles coil; his body screaming at him to leap and tear those beautiful stars away from him.

“Why?” Bramblestar choked out, barely having the strength to step forward.

This wasn’t right. StarClan wouldn’t have. Even then, he felt his heart break.

StarClan had allowed this. They allowed Ashfur to replace him… But what if it’s not him? Who could be possessing my body right now, then? Maybe he’s just here to keep the Dark Forest cats in line because something’s wrong in StarClan.

“Why?” Ashfur took his time, drawing a paw over his ear and licking it clean. Although he shined the most among the dark and hidden cats, Ashfur didn’t look like a normal StarClan cat would. His pelt was darker, the glow more gray, matching his fur color. He must be in the Dark Forest often. Bramblestar concluded.

Ashfur stood, hopping off of the trunk and making his way over. Bramblestar felt a flash of fear, frozen in place. Snowtuft was forgotten, crouched to the side and observing it all with cold, nervous eyes. His tail flicked self-consciously, turning away when he met Bramblestar’s gaze.

Ashfur’s presence alone seemed to suffocate him, Bramblestar recognized the feeling like walking through a border mist.

“Because Squirrelflight owes me.” Ashfur laughed. “Because the Clans are too naive and foolish to understand exactly what they’ve done.” Ashfur waved his tail. “See all these cats? Do you see them, Bramblestar?”

Bramblestar felt his head yank up, his eyes racing among the various pelts and shapes of the watching cats.

“We’re going to take over the Clans.”

“How?” Bramblestar choked, feeling his body get released from whatever spell had forced him to obey Ashfur’s command. “You can’t. There’s too many…” Bramblestar trailed off, the excitement on Ashfur’s face pressing him to say no more.

“How do you think they’ll feel, forced to fight their own Clanmates?” Ashfur meowed, his every paw step barely touching the ground he walked on. An air of confidence and pride surrounded his every word, as though he’s rehearsed this a thousand times.

“I’ve figured it out. We’ll start with the warriors. A few have already joined us!” Ashfur chuckled darkly. “Eager. The apprentices would love to join them, once they realize what’ll happen if they don’t.” Ashfur paused, his eyes studying Bramblestar carefully, assessing him like prey. Waiting for the right moment to leap. His voice was quieter, more dark as he said, “then, once we have enough, we’d turn on the Clans. With my power, we can’t be stopped. Those we think strong enough will receive their nine lives, those who have been loyal to me since the beginning. Though, it won’t be StarClan that gives them.”

Ashfur held a paw up, opening it as though some hidden secret was within. Bramblestar felt his pelt prickle with fear at the idea of his Clanmates being forced to fight their loved ones, even if they weren’t in control. Like I am. If Ashfur was working with the Dark Forest in order to take over the Clans…

“So,” Bramblestar began, uncertainty making his body stiff. He met Ashfur’s eyes, not letting fear get the best of him. “You aren’t doing this for StarClan.”

Hisses and snarls greeted Bramblestar’s words, tails lashing in the air and teeth bared in an aggressive manner.

Even Ashfur stopped, his pelt prickling with unease.

“No.” He said, a little too quickly. His eyes were sharp, hackles raised threateningly. Throughout all of his moons of knowing the ThunderClan warrior, Bramblestar had never seen Ashfur so powerful, the very ground seemingly shifting in his wake. Whatever power the gray tom possessed made it so that Bramblestar couldn’t look away, forced to meet his burning gaze. “StarClan is dead, Bramblestar.” Ashfur announced. “And they aren’t coming back.”

Chapter Text

Shadowpaw crept through the ferns, sniffing the air for any scent of ThunderClan. Passing through SkyClan territory wasn't as hard as he thought it'll be. He only caught whiffs of other cats that he hadn't come face-to-face with. Regardless, he stayed tail-lengths near the water anyway, hoping that it would convince any curious cat that he was simply heading to the Moonpool. He had hunted a mouse as quietly as he could but beyond that, everything seemed clear to keep going forward.

He knew talking with Bramblestar one-on-one would be a bad idea, especially if it was still the imposter pretending to be him.

The longer I wait, the worse it’ll get. If Bramblestar’s back, at least I’d know everything’s okay.

Shadowpaw’s pelt prickled uneasily as he stalked through the tall green grass. The sinking sun beat harshly against his fur, making him miss the coolness of ShadowClan. The longer Shadowpaw spent on ThunderClan territory, the more certain he was that he was making a mistake.

Not for the first time, he wondered how he'll get Bramblestar alone.

Whispers somewhere to his right made Shadowpaw freeze. It sounded like various cats, all speaking quietly in order to not be heard. Shadowpaw kept his head low, sniffing the air to identify the scents. To his shock, it seemed like a whole Clan was gathered somewhere nearby. And it wasn't just ThunderClan warriors.

Looking between the direction of ThunderClan's camp and the mysterious meeting, Shadowpaw decided to go investigate. A loud meow made him tense, looking below from where he sat hidden in the ferns, eyes wide.

In front of him were cats from all Clans, all of them shifting uneasily, waiting for something to happen. Shadowpaw couldn’t help but shudder as he saw his own Clanmates in the mix, Berryheart striding confidently among the cats, head held high as she politely dipped her head to a SkyClan tom.

What are all of these cats doing here? Shadowpaw wondered, catching sight of a familiar dappled golden she-cat among the mix. Mothwing was here. Now that Shadowpaw was actually looking, he could see Crowfeather and Jayfeather, too. Alderheart was with him, his head down and ears pinned back in sorrow.

“We can’t keep waiting around!” Berryheart declared, moving to stand in the circle the cats have made up. The birdsong had quieted, the area silent except for the gentle waves of the water. “How long until we make our move? It won’t be long before Bramblestar starts demanding we all be exiled!”

Berryheart’s words had an effect across the clearing. All cats exchanged nervous looks, some nodding their heads while others trembled in fear. Shadowpaw’s eyes kept darting to Mothwing, wondering if talking with her would be a good decision or a huge mistake. They plan on attacking Bramblestar! But what if he’s back and they attack him for nothing? I have to stop this.

“We must go together, or else not at all.” A RiverClan she-cat mewed. “Something must have happened. Bramblestar couldn’t have taken out three cats by himself! Kitescratch, tell them what you told me.” The white she-cat nudged the tom with her tail, giving him an expectant look as he stepped forward, visible for all cats to see.

“There were.. . ” Kitescratch’s voice trailed off, too faint for Shadowpaw to hear. He angled his ears towards the tom, trying to sneak closer for better hearing without being caught.

“Speak up!” The same tom Berryheart had talked to earlier demanded. “Tell us how it happened.”

“Ghosts.” Kitescratch announced.

Ghosts?

“Spirits… whatever you want to call them. They attacked. They attacked Mousewhisker, Dappletuft, and Conefoot. Bramblestar just watched !” The tom’s tail twitched irritatedly. “I knew if I went down there, I was as good as dead. Those weren’t Clan cats. They didn’t look like cats at all! If Bramblestar has them under his control…” Kitescratch trailed off, glancing back at the white she-cat before hesitantly continuing, taking a deep breath. “If Bramblestar has whatever those ghost-like beings are under his command, then we need all the Clans to fight him to win.”

“Shadowpaw.”

Shadowpaw froze, his eyes darting towards Jayfeather who watched him with a calm expression. The blind cat waved him over, Alderheart relieved at the new company.

“What’s going on? You’re in on this?” Shadowpaw questioned, looking from Jayfeather to Alderheart with concern.

Jayfeather snorted. “Of course, go ahead, ask and we’ll answer despite you being the one to sneak up on us .”

“The Clans are rebelling.” Alderheart informed him. “Bramblestar’s attack… he’s been hurting far too many cats for too long.” Alderheart shivered, his tail wrapped around himself. “ThunderClan has no medicine cat. I don’t know what Bramblestar did, but he’s even worse now. Shadowpaw, you have no idea.”

“Are you here to mock us?” Mothwing’s voice was quiet enough to spook Shadowpaw, rapidly turning to face her observant eyes. “What are you doing on ThunderClan territory?” She hissed. “Are you reporting back to Bramblestar that his plan so far has worked? Are you going to tell him that we’re all meeting in secret to get rid of him?”

Shadowpaw gulped, searching for an excuse. Mothwing thought he and Bramblestar were on the same side. He could admit right now that he saw the real one and try to convince them all to wait. That they might not have to fight after all. There were the cats who had chased them but if Bramblestar had half of the strength this imposter did, then Shadowpaw was confident he could have escaped. The Moonpool wasn’t too far from where they were caught. And from what Shadowpaw had heard, if the leader had lost a life in a skirmish then surely Bramblestar must have returned.

“I came to tell you not to fight Bramblestar. He’s back. The voice I heard from before…” Shadowpaw tensed, his pelt prickling with embarrassment. He should have come up with a story before coming here. Especially before getting caught.

Jayfeather tilted his head, his blind gaze somehow seeing straight through Shadowpaw’s lie. And yet… he didn’t comment on it. “What do you mean Bramblestar’s back?” The tom whispered, angling his head to hear better.

“That’s idiotic!” Breezepelt exclaimed from across the circle, his pelt standing on end. His father, Crowfeather,shook his head but didn’t try to stop his accusation. “You’re telling us that in order to kill one cat we need all five Clans ?”

“I’ll tell you later.” Shadowpaw sighed, relieved to change the topic and put his focus back on what was happening. Even then, he felt Jayfeather’s gaze scorch his pelt, just waiting for him to slip up. It’s better that I tell every cat all at once anyway, right? Shadowpaw thought. Bramblestar has to be back. He recalled the panic he felt as he ran during the sudden attack. He remembered Bramblestar’s words.

But Bramblestar’s not weak. The Moonpool wasn’t too far away, either. He’d had to have squeezed through or torn the brambles off but he should have made it. I just hope that his death was around the same time he got back. Shadowpa wondered how that would work. Could he fight the imposter for dominance over his own body? Would he need to?

Hesitantly, Shadowpaw considered the idea that the imposter might be stronger than he thought. If they were strong enough to take over a leader, break the Clans’ connection with StarClan, and manage to cause a rift between the Clans then who knows how powerful this cat truly is?

No. Bramblestar has to be stronger. I just need to believe.

“Did you get a good view of any of the spirits?” A she-cat meowed.

Kitescratch shook his head, uncertainty flaring in his eyes. “I was supposed to attack from above. The ghosts just appeared and vanished. Flickered. Too fast to be touched but slow enough to cause their own damage. If Bramblestar has allies like that, who knows what else he can do?!”

“They wouldn’t be StarClan cats, would they? Spirits?” Blazefire pondered. “To enforce Bramblestar’s words?”

“I don’t think so.” Twigbranch countered. “If that were the case, then why not just tell us? StarClan cats wouldn’t be hostile.”

“What about the Dark Forest cats?” Crowfeather offered, his ears flattened as he continued his thought in depth. “Bramblestar claims that he has StarClan on his side. What if it’s the Great Battle all over again?”

Shadowpaw’s pelt stood on end. His vision, the Dark Forest, Bramblestar’s spirit… if this imposter is able to mimic all of that, how can any cat hope to beat him?

What if he hasn’t returned to his body? What if he was captured again and all of that had been for nothing? Did those spirits work for the imposter or were they just chasing them because they didn’t belong? If the imposter has this much influence over both the living and the dead…

Shadowpaw shuddered, unable to fathom a world controlled by the cat possessing Bramblestar’s body. He had to find out if he returned. He couldn’t risk lying to everyone and assume everything’s better. Especially since he thought the voice had been good this whole time. Serves me right. I should have known that there was a reason I was the only one who got ‘messages’ from StarClan. I was being tricked from the start.

“The Place of No Stars!” A cat Shadowpaw couldn’t see hollered. “If they work for Bramblestar, we know he’s lying about StarClan!”

Many cats nodded in agreement, their fur spiking at the thought of Bramblestar’s long-term manipulation. Shadowpaw had no idea how to convince them that he’s innocent. Right when he was about to speak, a paw nudged his shoulder. When he turned, he spotted Jayfeather’s cold gaze on him. “Tell us.” He said harshly. “Explain.”

Shadowpaw knew it was now or never. Did Bramblestar escape? Did he follow him back into the living world? He had no way of checking. He couldn’t make accusations out of the blue with no proof. Swallowing his pride, he made the decision to just say the truth.

“Bramblestar is innocent.” Before Mothwing could turn to glare at him, he continued speaking as quickly as he could. “I saw him. In the Dark Forest– he was trapped. I realized I made a mistake. The voice I heard wasn’t from StarClan and they don’t want cats to be punished! Bramblestar–”

“Slow down. What ?” Fridgetflake padded up to him, Frecklewish not far behind. Although not every eye was on him yet, many were beginning to notice his unwelcome presence.

“You.” Berryheart accused, her tail lashing back and forth. “You encouraged Bramblestar’s actions! You lied about StarClan, too. What do you expect to gain from this, little kit?” The she-cat walked forward, anger burning Shadowpaw’s pelt.

“Hold on,” Alderheart took a step in front of her. “Let him explain. He must have a good reason for what he’s done. And we don’t know everything. Let’s just hear him out.” Alderheart nodded for Shadowpaw to speak. Even without looking around, he knew every eye must now be on him.

Now or never.

“This Bramblestar is a fake. An imposter.” He declared, looking into Berryheart’s eyes. “He took over the real Bramblestar’s body while he was…” Shadowpaw bit his tongue. In admitting the truth, he’d be subjecting himself to the anger and betrayal every cat will feel from his own actions. I killed Bramblestar for nothing.

Shame fell like a stone to his belly, his pads itching for the ground to swallow him whole. He felt Jayfeather’s eyes on him. Alderheart’s hope.

What if I just say something different? Not the lie, but not the complete truth, either. They don’t even need to know how it happened, just that it did and that he’s innocent.

“I had a dream.” Shadowpaw began, feeling the tension ripple among the gathered cats. “I was in the Place of No Stars,” he continued, his tail twitching with uncertainty. Just by looking, he saw how some cats had their lips pulled back in a snarl, questioning eyes and guarded expressions meeting his own. “I saw him–”

“And that’s all the proof we need!” Berryheart declared with a wave of her tail. “Bramblestar belongs there. He’s trying to break us all, piece by piece. It won’t be long before every Clan is forced into exile just to follow the Code! Atoning! Half of us haven’t done a thing wrong in our entire lives.”

“Didn’t you leave ShadowClan when Darktail took over?” Jayfeather huffed, his head turned towards the confident she-cat.

Berryheart’s pelt ruffled, her eyes darting around the clearing. “Y-Yes, of course. I know I did that. I wasn’t implying that I wasn’t a codebreaker myself.” Berryheart shook herself, her eyes hardening. “Unlike what Bramblestar suggests, I will atone by helping my Clan thrive. To do that, he needs to go.”

Jayfeather hummed, his tail curling around his paws as he straightened, his ears pricked forward.

Shadowpaw opened his mouth to speak when he was once again interrupted by another cat, Blossomfall. “If the Dark Forest still exists, don’t you think that maybe StarClan would, too?”

Another cat replied before Shadowpaw could figure out a way to redirect the conversation onto himself.

“StarClan has left us for moons. We’re talking about Bramblestar , not StarClan!”

And then another.

“If Bramblestar was found in the Place of No Stars, maybe he’s the one keeping StarClan from us!”

Shadowpaw’s mouth felt dry. His pelt stood on end and his heart raced with fear. No! Yes! But that’s not what I was implying at all! Every cat spoke over him, yowls and plans forging among the group on how to deal with ThunderClan’s leader. Shadowpaw had their attention before! Why were they ignoring him now, when he needed them to listen?

Frecklewish and Mothwing’s eyes never left him, both she-cats staring with keen interest.

“I wasn’t finished speaking,” Shadowpaw told them, “I never got to tell them why Bramblestar’s innocent!”

Frecklewish tilted her head, Mothwing moving to sit on the other side of Shadowpaw, caging him between the two. He felt his hope dwindle as they continued to glare at him, bodies unmoving.

“You work for him, don’t you?” Frecklewish accused, her tone bitter. “Because you’re still an apprentice, you want to take out your anger on the Clans. Make every cat think you’re the one and only cat StarClan listens to, right? What a fool-proof plan.”

Shadowpaw’s paws felt like stone. His heart thumped loudly in his chest as he turned towards Mothwing, praying that she’d have some sympathy for him. Instead, all he got was a mirrored reflection of Frecklewish.

“Do you have any proof?” Mothwing asked, her voice only a bit softer than Frecklewish. She leaned down, making eye contact with the tom. “Do you have any evidence you can show us? To prove that you’re right?”

Shadowpaw gulped, his fur prickling. He had no proof. He had no proof at the Gathering and he had no proof now. All he did was make things worse with what he said. Mothwing must have seen it in his eyes because she pulled back her lips, swatting him around the ear. “Go,” she hissed, her hackles rising. “Don’t come back here. Tell any cat what we’re doing and I will make it my mission to make sure you pay.”

“You’re lucky we’re letting you go at all.” Frecklewish chimed in, her eyes narrowed. Shadowpaw knew he wasn’t welcomed here. He looked around for Alderheart but couldn’t see the dark ginger cat in the crowd. He continued walking, trying to make eye contact with someone–anyone. Berryheart was the only one to look up. But by then, Shadowpaw had vanished in the ferns.

Shadowpaw was aware that he should head back to ShadowClan. But he still had to see Bramblestar. He needed to now. If cats were planning to attack him, the real Bramblestar needed to know. But if he asked straight up, why wouldn’t the imposter lie? How could he ensure that Bramblestar tells the truth?

Shadowpaw padded closer towards his destination, freezing at every sound or noise that surrounded him. If Bramblestar sent any patrols out, would they just send him back to ShadowClan? Was it worth the risk? Taking slow, measured breaths, he allowed the scent of ThunderClan to wash over him.

A cat was watching him.

Before Shadowpaw could fully comprehend what was happening, he felt something leaping at him in the darkness, claws extended. He felt his fur tear and snag on brambles, gasping as a large frame towered over him, amber eyes meeting his own as he laid there, pinned back by the bulking frame.

He recognized his father instantly, the sound of shrieks and battle occurring around him. “No!” Shadowpaw exclaimed, his eyes wide with terror. Tigerstar didn’t look at him like he was his son. Instead, he snarled, drawing back his lips, his battle-worn body hunched over for the final attack on the cat who’s caused so much anger and pain. Shadowpaw realized, only then, what was happening. “Not yet!”

“Not yet for what?” A mewl of laughter erupted from the cat above. Shadowpaw blinked, embarrassment clouding his features as he saw a confused Bristlefrost stare back at him, suppressed giggles escaping her mouth. Shadowpaw opened and closed his mouth, wondering how to explain. If he should explain.

“Are you okay?” She asked, worry now present in her tone. “What are you doing on ThunderClan territory at night?”

Shadowpaw blinked, wondering how much he should say. “I’m fine. I just need to talk with…” Shadowpaw second-guessed himself, considering it might not be a good idea. Bramblestar had to fight against two Dark Forest warriors in order to get back… but if his body was killed, then maybe he had a part to play in that? The timing was close, Bramblestar would have had to follow straight after Shadowpaw in order to get to his body in time. Maybe he was somehow able to tell ThunderClan that the imposter wasn’t him, resulting in that conflict, and then everything became better afterwards? But then why would some ThunderClan warriors still be rebelling against him? He’d have to have told only a few cats of the truth. But why?

Questions continued brewing in Shadowpaw’s mind. He had made his choice, he knew. He just didn’t know how to go through with it. I have to warn him of the rebels.

“I need to speak with Bramblestar. It’s urgent.” Shadowpaw meowed, pleadingly looking up at Bristlefrost who took in a sharp inhale of air.

“No.”

Shadowpaw shook his head, confused. “What? Why not? It’s urgent.” He argued, wondering if he’d have to fight his way to Bramblestar. No. Too risky. He wouldn’t hurt Bristlefrost just for this mission. But if she was with the rebels…

Shadowpaw paused, realizing that she must be with them. He had heard the imposter brag about Bristlefrost’s obedience and loyalty, but if she was only pretending to be on his side…

“You’re going to tell him about us, aren’t you?” Bristlefrost accused, her nose sniffing Shadowpaw’s pelt. “You’ve been with them. I can tell.”

Shadowpaw didn’t know what to admit. Since he wasn’t able to talk through them, maybe she could do it instead? He decided to try it.

“That Bramblestar is a fake.” Was, if the real one returned to his body. Judging by Bristlefrost’s narrowed eyes, he sensed she didn’t believe him. “I have no proof,” he sighed, acceptance in his tone. “But I was in the Dark Forest two sunrises ago. I saw him. The real him.” Knowing that he now had her attention, he continued. “He was trapped. I had to free him and I–” Shadowpaw hesitated, wondering if he should bring up the imposter’s eyes. “I escaped–”

“Bramblestar was in the Dark Forest?” Bristlefrost breathed. She shook her head, denial present in her expression.

“He’s a victim!” Shadowpaw exclaimed, praying to StarClan that she’d believe him. “I escaped but I don’t know if he followed me. I need to see if the imposter’s still there or if Bramblestar took back control of his body.”

Bristlefrost seemed reluctant to let him go. Briefly, she continued looking at him. Shadowpaw made eye contact, hoping that she knew he was telling her the truth. “I wouldn’t lie,” he uttered. “I made a mistake. I want to fix it.”

Bristlefrost must have sensed the sincerity in his tone because she finally got off of him. She gulped, her tail twitching as she spoke. “Bramblestar isn’t in his den.” She informed him, her eyes darting to where the rebels were plotting. Shadowpaw’s heart skipped a beat.

“He didn’t–”

“No, he didn’t.” Bristlefrost assured him. “I… I made a mistake, too. I thought ThunderClan was going to kill him and he told me that StarClan was running out of time so I… I helped him escape.” Bristlefrost looked down at her paws. “We had him trapped in his den but Stormcloud got sick and Bramblestar started talking and I think…” Bristlefrost shook her head, giving her pelt a shake before meeting Shadowpaw’s eyes.

“I need to find him, too. He doesn’t know about the rebels, I think. But if what you’re saying is true… we have to find him, regardless.”

Shadowpaw sighed with relief, getting up and sniffing the air for any scents. From what he could decipher, all that had run through the forest were the rebels and a squirrel.

“You didn’t see him there, did you?” Bristlefrost queried.

“No, I didn’t.” Shadowpaw confirmed, following the she-cat in the opposite direction.

“Good. I think he was planning to head to the Moonpool, but I just had to make sure.”

Shadowpaw nodded, understanding where she was coming from. The terrain changed from rocky to smooth as they wandered along the old Thunderpath, Shadowpaw’s ears pricked for any signs of danger. He was so focused on finding Bramblestar that when a drop of rain fell on his nose he jumped, earning Bristlefrost’s laughter and his own humiliation.

Silverpelt was covered by dark clouds that blocked out the light of the moon. Through the few stars visible, Shadowpaw reflected back on his talk with Puddleshine during the Gathering. It didn’t take long before rain started falling all at once, soaking the two cats effortlessly.

“He went this way.” Bristlefrost commented, pausing just a few tail-lengths afterwards. “He went… to the abandoned twoleg nest? No, that’s not right.”

Shadowpaw indeed scented Bramblestar. It got harder to do with the wind picking up, but he could say with certainty that he definitely seemed to be heading that way.

“I’m going to check the Moonpool.” Bristlefrost declared, her pawsteps firm as she turned away. “He told me he was planning to speak with them, since he still had a connection…”

“What if he lied?”

Shadowpaw knew his words hit a sore spot, but he didn’t want to face Bramblestar alone. However, Bristlefrost only looked at him, her paws set on heading to the Moonpool. Maybe she’s the one who lied, Shadowpaw considered. Maybe she just wants to know if StarClan can be brought back.

“I’m going to the Moonpool.” She announced, flicking her tail as she trotted along the grass that led to where the pool of water resided. Shadowpaw sighed, watching her leave. He still wasn’t quite sure if she believed him or not about Bramblestar’s imposter, but he hoped that his words made a difference. Turning back to the old Thunderpath, he crouched down, sniffing for any threats before darting across. The rain fell in heavy sheets, making him grateful when the twoleg den finally came into sight.

Bramblestar’s scent had drifted away with the wind. Shadowpaw hoped that Bristlefrost had been right and that Bramblestar truly did head straight there instead of turning in another direction. If he leaves the lake, what can any cat do?

Shadowpaw considered Squirrelflight. With a heavy heart he realized that she won’t get her nine lives as long as StarClan stays silent. Whoever the imposter is is keeping StarClan from us. But how? Why?

Shadowpaw’s pads were sore by the time he arrived, his tail hanging low and water dripping onto the wooden floor. Once he was fully in, he shook himself, ridding himself of the droplets that clung stubbornly to his pelt.

The den was dark, the smell of rat dung present in the air. Shadowpaw almost preferred getting drenched in the rain than meeting with Bramblestar in a place like this. Every step creaked, his hackles rising unconsciously in preparation of an attack.

It’s just like what Lightleap and I played out in the woods, Shadowpaw tried to convince himself, I have to be ready for when she strikes.

“Oh, I’m sorry!” Lightleap had gasped.

“Why were your claws unsheathed?” Shadowpaw retorted.

“I thought you were prepared.”

Shadowpaw inhaled, ignoring the way bile crept up his throat. This time, he promised, I’ll be prepared.

Shadowpaw hadn’t considered that the noise that echoed throughout the loney den might come in handy. His steps were heard, but, to his advantage, so were another’s.

He dodged the attack.

Bramblestar’s lips were pulled back, his teeth bared in a snarl. His spiked fur made him look twice as large, his body covered with cat scratches, some of which gave off the scent of infection. Shadowpaw now knew for certain that this wasn’t Bramblestar.

“You,” Bramblestar hissed, a growl emerging from his chest, “shouldn’t be here.”

Shadowpaw stayed where he was, crouched down. His heart thumped wildly in his chest. He knew it was the imposter speaking. But Shadowpaw couldn’t help but wonder why Bramblestar seemed so hostile with him . Didn’t he help him? Didn’t this cat trick Shadowpaw into admitting a lie? He dug his claws into the ground of the den, his eyes never once leaving ThunderClan’s leader.

“I wondered how long it would take you.” The imposter tsked, his eyes gleaming with something cold. He bared his teeth in a grin. “I actually liked you, Shadowpaw. You could have helped me greatly.”

Shadowpaw felt his fur stand on end, anger washing over him. The imposter was trying to get a reaction. He forced his pelt to smoothen, refusing to look away or show any sign of cowardice. “I did help you. But that was before I realized who you truly were.”

The imposter let out a mrrow of laughter. Shadowpaw stood, confused, before fear planted his paws to the ground at the sound of claws scraping against wood.

“Then who am I?” The imposter asked, lazily stretching himself out. Shadowpaw saw one long scar on his side, a festering wound that seemed hardly cared for. Shadowpaw swallowed, unsure of what to accuse.

“You’re a Dark Forest cat.” He guessed, flinching as the imposter, once again, began to laugh. The sound was cruel, frightening. But then Shadowpaw realized the look in those amber eyes was far worse.

“I am from StarClan.” The imposter said, slowly drawing out his words as if speaking to an incapable apprentice. “And you Shadowpaw? You are a codebreaker.” The imposter hissed, Bramblestar’s steps moving closer and closer until Shadowpaw realized he had been backed up against a wall. “I knew I couldn’t trust you.”

“Then who are you?” Shadowpaw hated how his voice wavered, unable to hide the fear from it. “StarClan wouldn’t want this.”

“I speak for StarClan.” The imposter smiled, an icy, malignant look in his eyes. “I’ve spoken for them for moons. And do you know what they say?”

The imposter continued walking closer, step by step, claws raking against the ground, his pelt shifting from brown to a near solid black, creeping in like a mist that threatened to swallow Shadowpaw whole. He couldn’t see Bramblestar anymore, a fresh flood of horror creeping in as he watched his surroundings turn black, the mist flowing in from all sides only to reveal two, dark blue eyes that twinkled with a menacing gleam in the center.

“You are the darkness, Shadowpaw.”

Chapter Text

The rain seemed like it would never end. Drenched, paws heavy, Squirrelflight padded along the grass, puddles forming on the ground. Her companions didn’t seem lively, either, but Squirrelflight was grateful that they came.

“Is SkyClan doing well?” She asked, hoping to make small talk so the awkwardness wouldn’t last the entire trip. “I know my arrival was… unexpected. I hope nothing bad happens to SkyClan because of it.” Squirrelflight felt guilty. She was so desperate, trying to hold on to a cat she could only hope still existed. 

Rootspring had encouraged her, but maybe he only did so just to get out of camp. His sister seemed more keen on observing their surroundings, her ears twitching despite the group not even leaving Clan territory yet. She looked at the old Thunderpath to her right and wondered with a sinking heart how her Clan was functioning without her.

“SkyClan’s doing okay.” Rootspring’s voice surprised her, looking at the way he shifted nervously from her passing glance. She quickly focused back ahead.

“SkyClan could always be better.” Needleclaw added, wanting to break the suffocating silence. “Everything could be better, actually.”

Squirrelflight’s paws felt heavy. She felt awful. “Do we have any ideas where the Sisters could have gone?” She asked, sniffing the air. Even if they still lingered nearby, their scents would have been washed away from the rain. Her nose wrinkled as she registered some cat-scent on the wind. “Do you smell that?”

Rootspring lifted his head, sniffing. “ShadowClan?”

Needleclaw bounced on ahead, heading to where the scent led. “Why is ShadowClan on SkyClan territory?” She sneered. “I can’t place who it is.”

“Neither can I.” Squirrelflight admitted, knowing for certain that the cat must have left some time ago. But still… Why would a ShadowClan cat be on SkyClan territory? And at night?

Squirrelflight looked across the old Thunderpath, pausing in her steps. Her eyes focused on that old den, curiosity making her wonder if Jayfeather still resided there and why he’d be meeting with a ShadowClan cat if he was. Is ShadowClan going to join the rebels in the attack? Repeatedly, she echoed Lionblaze’s words to herself, reassuring herself that they wouldn’t do it. Not yet. Lionblaze had promised her.

Cats can always break promises.

“I’m starting to second-guess this trip,” Rootspring mumbled. “How are we supposed to find the Sisters? And in this weather?”

Squirrelflight sighed, each raindrop feeling like a peck against her skin. She needed to see them in order to convince herself. Glancing behind her, she twitched her whispers at Rootspring’s blank expression and tensed body. He was staring down at his paws, ears twitching. Needleclaw seemed used to her brother’s weirdness, the tom shaking his head refusing to look back up.

But Rootspring was right, what would be the point? 

Especially when she knows exactly what they’d say?

“Bristlefrost?” Needleclaw’s comment snapped her out of her thoughts. Just like she said, the ThunderClan she-cat was making her away to the twoleg den from across the Thunderpath, followed by Tigerstar and Puddleshine. Tigerstar was moving at a quick pace, the pale-blue eyed medicine cat sprinting to follow. Squirrelflight’s confusion mounted as Bristlefrost made her way to the abandoned den with purpose in her steps, fear overshadowing her curiosity. I was right. ShadowClan’s going to help the rebels! The abandoned twoleg den must be their hiding spot.

“Let’s go.” Squirrelflight ordered, her paws taking her across the Thunderpath without waiting for a response. Rootspring and Needleclaw might be in the rebellion, too. It would make sense for it to not only be ThunderClan. Anger boiled her belly. Of course, it’s not like I’d know! I was only told any of this when Bramblestar attacked me.

Forcing her mind to focus on the new situation, she whisked her tail and crouched down near the entrance, seeing the SkyClan warriors mimic her movements. Slowly, she etched her way into the den, ears straining to pick up the sound of conversation.

“From the back. His scent’s faint, but it’s there.”

Pawsteps made the wood groan as the three cats left the den, Puddleshine sniffing the air.

“He wouldn’t do that.” Bristlefrost’s high-pitched voice trembled with fear. “He wouldn’t.”

“He did. He must have.” The medicine cat responded.

“I can smell a fox.” The ShadowClan leader argued.

Squirrelflight had to move slowly to catch up, trying not to be heard by the invading cats. The group had dashed off and Squirrelflight knew that she had to follow. With a nod to Needleclaw and Rootspring, she made her way to where the group was huddled. Tigerstar wasn’t with them by the time Squirrelflight arrived a good distance back, deciding against climbing the tree for cover and just hiding behind it with her companions right behind. The branches and leaves provided much needed cover for the cats, although Squirrelflight knew thatshaking the water off would be a mistake if they wanted to stay hidden, glancing back at her companions to make sure that they knew the same. 

Bristlefrost’s eyes were wide with horror as Puddleshine made his way down the rocks that led into a ravine, the she-cat making a move to follow.

“Shadowpaw!” Tigerstar wailed, pawsteps rushing ahead. Squirrelflight tensed, hearing the sound of hissing soon after. “Who did this?”

Squirrelflight couldn’t hear a reply and by looking at Rootspring and Needleclaw, she had a feeling they couldn’t hear either. She wondered if sneaking up closer would be worth the risk. Why is Shadowpaw here? Squirrelflight tried to think. But that wasn’t the cat I scented earlier…

Sniffing the air again, she tried to place the scent. It hadn’t been a ShadowClan warrior after all. Her eyes widened in realization.

“This is war.” Tigerstar’s voice snarled from below. “If Bramblestar thinks he can get away with this, he’s mistaken. It’s not just my kit he hurt–it’s all the Clans. And it’s been happening for far too long.”

There was a reply, then another hiss.

“No. We will attack next sunhigh.”

“We won’t make it back to camp.” Puddleshine’s voice softened as the tumbling of stone announced their movements. Squirrelflight stretched out a paw before her, feeling the grass shift with her weight and a stick crack at the pressure. Realizing that it might be noticed, she immediately moved back, putting her paws beneath herself.

“What was that?” Tigerstar griped.

“Probably a mouse,” Bristlefrost mused, Squirrelflight having to strain her ears to pick up the noise. She considered climbing the tree to hide, looking back at Rootspring to get his opinion. The yellow tom looked up and back at the ravine, his head tilted partially to the side as though he could hear better than she could.

“I want to know if Shadowpaw’s okay.” He whispered.

If Tigerstar plans to attack Bramblestar, then the best I can do is to stop it myself instead of hiding like a coward and waiting for another opportunity. Squirrelflight silently agreed.

There was another sentence that she couldn’t hear, her ears angled to pick up the sound as best as she could while Rootspring did his own thing.

“Fine.” Tigerstar reluctantly agreed. “I’m not letting him get away with this.”

Pawsteps caused Squirrelflight to back up, earning the grunt of Needleclaw who was directly behind her. The three cats climbed to the top of the ravine, dragging a limp form back into the downpour, rainfall hitting the stone in consistent drips.

If hiding was the better option, there was no way to do so now.

Squirrelflight was shocked when Bristlefrost didn’t scent them at first, but now she understood why. When Tigerstar got to the top, on his back was Shadowpaw, the ShadowClan medicine cat apprentice. His body had been scarred and torn, claw marks raking through his body as if he were prey, smeared blood washed away by the rain.

His eyes were closed, his fur sticking to his skin in a way that made him look sick, Squirrelflight unsure if he were even alive or not.

“Squirrelflight?” Tigerstar looked at her, observing her from head to toe. “I thought you went to SkyClan.”

“I did.” Squirrelflight waved her tail to include Rootspring and Needleclaw, walking out into the open now that she was discovered. Rootspring had looked at Shadowpaw with gaping horror. Needleclaw just looked concerned, shifting her weight from paw to paw. “I was on my way to look for the Sisters when I saw you come here. What are you doing on ThunderClan territory?” Squirrelflight decided not to lie, her eyes stilling on Shadowpaw’s form. Puddleshine looked as well, his whiskers twitching.

“We should get Shadowpaw to a medicine den first.” He commented, placing a paw on Shadowpaw’s flank. Thankfully, Squirrelflight saw it rise and fall with even breaths. He was hurt, badly, but with treatment, he’d live.

Tigerstar nodded, making his way towards ThunderClan’s camp before Bristlefrost intercepted him. “Wait,” she said, “How about I bring Brightheart and some herbs to heal him out here?”

Tigerstar gave her a deadpanned look, the rain continuing to fall and soak them all thoroughly.

“I-I think that’s an amazing idea.”

Squirrelflight blinked, turning to Rootspring. It was no shock to see him smitten for Bristlefrost ever since the she-cat saved him from drowning, but the she-cat was clearly agitated at his agreement.

“What I mean is,” she sighed, “Bramblestar wouldn’t let him get treated there.”

“For StarClan’s sake, who cares what Bramblestar thinks?” Tigerstar snapped, his patience running thin. “It’s the closest camp and I am not watching him die!”

“Wait–” Bristlefrost briskly stepped out of the way as Tigerstar rampaged past, his steps heavy with the extra weight on him.

“Why can’t he be treated at the camp?” Rootspring voiced, his words quiet.

Bristlefrost shook her head, her eyes watery from the rain. “I don’t know what to believe anymore.” She whispered, his question left unanswered.

* * *

“What is this?” Bramblestar’s voice boomed from the medicine den. “Why are you–” His voice broke off when Squirrelflight padded into view, her hackles rising at the sight of the ThunderClan tom.

“The Warrior Code says that no cat should neglect an injured or harmed cat, even if they’re from a different Clan.” Tigerstar spat. “Where’s Jayfeather?”

Brightheart, a ThunderClan elder, exited the medicine den, her eyes widening at the sight of Shadowpaw. Brightheart? Squirrelflight frowned. Bramblestar must have replaced Alderheat with her. But I thought he didn’t like elders!

“What herbs do you need?” Brightheart’s words flew past the two ShadowClan toms, Puddleshine entering the medicine den with little hesitation.

Squirrelflight would have thought that Brightheart would take offense with that, but the she-cat seemed grateful in contrast to her belief. Squirrelflight paused outside of the den, her ears pricked for conversation.

“I don’t think we’re allowed to be here.” Needleclaw whispered, her voice soft and tail twitching with unease. Squirrelflight turned back to the two SkyClan cats, feeling guilty all over again. “The rain hasn’t let up,” she concluded, feeling the droplets splatter on her fur as she spoke. “Rootspring, do you have any ideas how we can find the Sisters?” She asked.

Rootspring seemed reluctant to answer, his head shaking back and forth. He seemed out of it, his eyes lingering on something that wasn’t there. “The Sisters?” He asked, his eyes glazed. “You know where they are?”

Squirrelflight paused, exchanging a glance with Needleclaw who shrugged, as if he did this often.

“That’s great! Can you lead us to them?”

As Rootspring spoke, Squirrelflight looked back at the camp, her eyes finding Bramblestar immediately.

He looked… relieved.

“Squirrelflight.” He muttered, disbelief widening his eyes. “You’re alive.”

Squirrelflight paused. She had scars from him. Not only physically, but mentally. He’s abused her, he’s hurt her. But his eyes…

They looked so much like he had before. Before the trauma, before the lies. For a heartbeat, she was tempted to run up to him, to feel his warmth and kindness.

But she knew where that would lead. She still felt blood coat her mouth. Alderheat’s plea, Sparkpelt’s worry. Lionblaze’s determination, Stemleaf’s hope.

She met Bramblestar’s eyes with hatred.

“I can go.” Rootspring shook himself, his voice carrying over the wind. “I know where the Sisters are.”

Needleclaw blinked at him, concern evident in her expression as she gently licked her brother around the ears. “Sure you do, Rootspring.” She assured him, making Rootspring’s pelt bristle in annoyance.

“I do! I really do!”

Squirrelflight craned her neck to try to catch a glimpse of what was happening in the medicine den, trying to ignore Bramblestar’s sorrowful gaze. He doesn’t deserve me. She felt her hackles raise in warning, silently daring the tom to approach her. He never did.

Bramblestar sighed, his head bowed, looking defeated and very much like the useless bundle of space that he is. Squirrelflight refused to believe otherwise, turning her head to look away.

Tigerstar plans to attack. She realized, her pads itching as she carefully considered her options. Rootspring claims that he knows where the Sisters are now… somehow. But can I really leave my Clan again?

Squirrelflight, despite her mixed feelings, turned back to Bramblestar, feeling pity creep its way into her chest.

“He was imprisoned for a bit after he attacked you, Squirrelflight.” A meow caught her off guard. Turning to see Bristlefrost, she felt a wave of sympathy for the she-cat, wondering how Bramblestar must have taken his anger out on her and all of the other cats once Squirrelflight had left. “But when he came back, he told us all that he had a sign. A sign that StarClan will return soon. He seemed… changed. And in a good way. Baypaw and Myrtlepaw are warriors now. Bayshine and Myrtlebloom.”

“What was the sign?” Squirrelflight questioned, thunder booming from above. Bristlefrost looked up, her eyes glowing in the darkness. “Look up.”

It was… beautiful. The clouds have moved, allowing a glorious sun to poke across the horizon. Squirrelflight didn’t know how she couldn’t see it before, but there, up above, a wave of light unlike anything Squirrelflight’s seen before glittered brightly in the sky, an array of colors seemingly spanning from StarClan itself to the lands far off. It was so unlike anything the cats have known and although Squirrelflight should have been terrified, all she felt was hope.

StarClan’s coming back. Tears pricked her eyes, relief nearly making her collapse, staggering to keep her balance. After so long, so many painful moons… They’re coming back.

“If you want to, Squirrelflight, you can come back.”

Squirrelflight glared at the tom who spoke, her hackles raising in defense. “With you?” She snarled.

Bramblestar blinked, either shocked by her outburst or stunned by her appearance or both. Squirrelflight couldn’t find it in herself to care. Not when she’s given him chance after chance after chance to do the right thing. Not when he left Shadowpaw to die, left her to die, and was in the process of leaving ThunderClan in shambles.

Sealing her anger away, Squirrelflight spoke as harshly as she could. “I want nothing to do with you, Bramblestar. You’ve ruined everything we’ve built together.” Silencing him with a wave of her tail, she continued, “I tried my hardest to believe that you were good. I wanted to save you! I thought that there was something wrong, that I could fix it, that I could fix us… ” She gulped, hating how her voice trembled. “I can’t fix you, Bramblestar, and I’m done trying.”

Bramblestar had the audacity to just blink at her, as if he simply didn’t believe what she was saying. Before he could speak, Tigerstar made his way out of the medicine den, his head hanging low but eyes focused on Bramblestar burning with unrestrained hatred.

Bramblestar once again had the audacity to look surprised at him but not her . Maybe he expects me to get angry and then just get over it. Squirrelflight considered. Maybe Birchfall was right. Maybe I did forgive him too easily. She looked down at her paws. Not anymore, she promised. I refuse to be Bramblestar’s prey.

“ShadowClan thanks you for your hospitality.” Tigerstar’s voice was curt, straight to the point. Squirrelflight had to freeze, wondering if she heard right. Tigerstar didn’t look at all grateful. In fact, he looked like he’d just love to tear Bramblestar’s fur off and leave him for the crows.

Bramblestar grinned, nodding his head politely to the ShadowClan leader. “Just make sure it doesn’t happen again.” He replied. “It would be a shame if something happened to Shadowpaw.”

Tigerstar froze, his eyes trained on Bramblestar. Squirrelflight herself couldn’t detect whether that was just a statement or an underlying threat. Tigerstar didn’t seem like he did, either, and with a wave of his tail called to Puddleshine to stay in ThunderClan.

Bramblestar tilted his head. “You’re leaving both medicine cats in ThunderClan?” He asked innocently.

“Temporarily.” Tigerstar claimed. “ShadowClan can survive a sunrise or two without its healers.”

Squirrelflight highly doubted that was true. Especially if a cat got seriously injured. “I know how to find the Sisters!” A whisper snatched her attention, dragging her mind back to Rootspring.

“Why do you want to go so bad?” Bristlefrost asked.

“I think something’s wrong with Bramblestar.” Rootspring replied immediately. “The Sisters can fix it.”

“No.” Squirrelflight sighed, resignation in her tone. She placed her tail on Rootspring’s shoulder, her eyes sympathetic. “Thank you, but no. I can’t fix him. I understand that now.” Her eyes clouded over with pain. She thought she hid it well, but Rootspring still suggested, “Then let me go on my own.”

Needleclaw shook her head, huffing. “Don’t be ridiculous.” She snapped. “You can’t go on a who-knows-how-long journey on your own!”

“I can go.” Bristlefrost smiled. “If I can.”

Squirrelflight couldn’t help but smile. Young love seemed foolish, but Rootspring purred all the same. Squirrelflight sympathized with the two cats’ connection. “We left to go on an adventure, right?” He asked. “Then why not go on one?”

Squirrelflight turned back to Bramblestar, noticing how he stood with his back to her, Tigerstar nowhere in sight. He must have left, she thought. She looked around the camp, trying to discover what had happened in her absence. To her surprise, six cats were missing from the sleeping pile of warriors and elders. Blossomfall, Bumblestripe, Graystripe, Thriftear, Stormcloud, and Cinderheart. Did they leave? Squirrelflight tried to see if any cats were injured. Birchfall, Ivypool, Blossomfall were the only noticeable cats with small injuries. None were major and they seemed to be doing fine, though, so Squirrelflight assumed that the six must be on patrol or somewhere outside of camp.

“Squirrelflight?”

She ignored the tom who asked for her, instead trotting over to Brightheart.

“He… allowed…?”

Brightheart shook her head, her whiskers twitching as she told Squirrelflight what happened. “When Alderheart was exiled,” she began, “Bramblestar wanted Flipclaw to be the new medicine cat.”

“ Flipclaw?” Squirrelflight muttered in disbelief. “Is it just because of that one dream he had moons ago?”

Brightheart let out a purr. “Too many cats were against that.” She paused, her voice dropping down to a whisper. “I didn’t think Bramblestar would last long. As the leader, I mean, after you were gone. But somehow he’s doing better.” Hope dared to enter Squirrelflight’s chest at the elder’s expression. “He’s still terrible,” Brightheart added, “but did you see the sign? He was right. He’s treating us better, too. I know he doesn’t like me here, but he plans on finding Jayfeather and Alderheart and bringing them back. Along with the others.”

Squirrelflight felt something tug on her stomach. No. After everything, everything that’s happened, now Bramblestar’s acting nice?

“He didn’t treat Tigerstar with respect.” Squirrelflight mentioned.

Brightheart gave her a pitying look. As if it were obvious. As if Squirrelflight had simply misjudged the situation, being the selfish cat that she is.

A paw to her shoulder made Squirrelflight want to tear it to shreds, to back up, to yell that this shouldn’t be happening, that Bramblestar must pay, that every Clan…

She collapsed into Brightheart’s fur, a choking sob escaping her clenched jaws. She felt her warm embrace and wanted nothing more than to go back to the nursery.

Back when Leafpool—Leafkit at the time—would laugh and join her in a game of mossball. Back when Firestar ruled the Clan, the wisdom in his eyes not blocking out the playfulness in his heart as he skidded the ball across camp for the kits to chase. Once, when Dustpelt tripped from it, Sandstorm spent the good part of a dusk scolding Firestar in the leader’s den, but when Squirrelkit had crept up to see what was happening and not at all because she felt guilty, she spotted her mother’s chest fur dripping with water, Firestar’s laughs muffled behind his tail, his own paws covered in wet moss as he repeatedly exclaimed, “I didn’t know it was wet! I didn’t know it was wet, Sandstorm!” before the greatest battle after Scourge took place.

Squirrelkit had watched in awe, Leafkit padding up beside her to watch. It wasn’t until Sandstorm spotted them did they flee back to the nursery, Squirrelkit trying to mimic the moves Sandstorm did to Firestar to Leafkit.

“Look! She did this… but then Firestar rolled like this…” Squirrelkit was out of breach as she looked at Leafkit for approval, who only seemed to look towards the leader’s den with a confused frown.

“How did Firestar not know the moss was wet?”

How did I never know that Bramblestar never truly loved me? Squirrelflight remembered milk. She recalled the old territories with a wave of nostalgia. She remembered The Journey, The Tribe, coming here…

Everything she’s lost. If it weren’t for Bramblestar, she wouldn’t have made the journey and helped convince Firestar to travel to new territory. If it weren’t for Bramblestar, Firestar wouldn’t have lost a life that he could have had saved for The Great Battle. If it weren’t for Bramblestar… I would be with Leafpool.

“What’s wrong with her?” A cat meowed from behind.

Squirrelflight felt herself pressing her nose against Brightheart’s fur, muffling her noise as she tried hard not to scream.

“What’s wrong with you?” Squirrelflight asked, her form blocking the exit to the leader’s den. “You never acted like this before.”

Bramblestar tensed, giving his pelt a shake to hide his unease. Squirrelflight narrowed her eyes at how the tom moved, as if his pelt was too big for his body.

“I’ve never lost a life before.” Bramblestar coughed out. “It was…” He hesitated. “Different.”

Squirrelflight knew what death was like. But she wasn’t a leader, so she felt her fur relax and her eyes soften. “I know,” she said, “but that’s no excuse to worsen our Clan by punishing those who speak out of turn.”

Bramblestar sighed, moving with awkward, slow movements as he stood right in front of her. He bent down, exhaustion clear on his face and his eyes haunted by a thousand dying embers. “You won’t leave me, will you?”

Squirrelflight purred, butting him with her head. “What?” She laughed. “I’d never leave you. Not if I have anything to say about it!”

With a smile, she saw the exhaustion on his face turn to warmth, a purr emitting from his chest.

“You won’t leave me.” He meowed. “I’ll make sure of it.”

“Nothing.” Brightheart replied coldly. “Nothing’s wrong with her. We all need time to adjust.”

“Will she be okay? Does she need to go–”

“No, I’m not okay!” Squirrelflight turned, fury burning in her gaze. She was certain her shout was enough to rouse half the Clan, even if the sun wasn’t on its way up. Bramblestar was really trying to pretend he cared about her? After everything? She looked into those amber eyes, now cold with disdain.

“Watch it,” he growled. “I am your leader.”

“You are.” Squirrelflight agreed, looking around the camp with narrowed eyes. “You’re my leader.” For now.

Her words were a confirmation, a declaration, a message. She saw warriors who were just waking up, stretching and licking their pelts clean. She saw others looking at her with confusion and fear, their eyes telling her all that she needed to know. Though, most warriors, as she expected, gave her a nod as they heard her words, their claws pulling at the ground and eyes settling on their leader.

“Nothing more.”

Squirrelflight lowered her head, daring Bramblestar to make the first move. She had been wrong. So, very wrong. She would make up for it, even if it cost her her life. Cats have been suffering for too long. ThunderClan was a disaster. It was time she made her move.

“This is war.” Tigerstar’s voice blossomed in her mind. “If Bramblestar thinks he can get away with this, he’s mistaken. It’s not just my kit he hurt–it’s all the Clans. And it’s been happening for far too long.”

“I’m not even your mate?” Nervous laughter rose from the large tom.

Squirrelflight met his gaze. “No,” she uttered. “Not even that.”

“We will attack next sunhigh.”

She was counting on it.

Chapter Text

StarClan? Dead? “That’s not possible.” Bramblestar shook his head. StarClan has always existed. They can’t be gone .

Ashfur tilted his head, his whiskers twitching with glee. “My word is StarClan.” The gray tom claimed, flexing his muscles. “And I rule the Dark Forest.”

Hisses and snarls backed up his claim, Bramblestar blocked from every exit. These cats looked hungry. They looked battle-worn and weary.

“Not all of us want to be here.” Snowtuft had once said.

It showed. Before his very eyes, he noticed that some cats were barely present. Their appearances were so dull and faded that Bramblestar had to look into their eyes to see their reason for coming.

They were fading. But like moths to a flame, they were drawn to Ashfur’s presence, those closest to him almost emitting the glow of a StarClan cat.

No.

It wasn’t possible. None of it was. He was trapped, there was no way out. He’d become another prisoner, another spirit, bound by Ashfur’s will. He’d hurt Squirrelflight. He’d hurt ThunderClan, he’d do everything he swore he never would.

Again. I’d do it all again and I won’t even get to say I’m sorry.

He wanted to scream. He wanted to leap at Ashfur and demand answers. He wanted to go back. Back before he had to worry about all of this, before Tigerclaw was deemed a villain.

Before all of those whispers and accusations of him became true. Before Tawnypelt left him to a Clan they knew nothing about. Before StarClan used him, uttering prophecies that must be obeyed, truths that cannot be denied.

Feelings that cannot be changed.

He measured the distance. Ashfur was arrogant. He was cocky. He had too much confidence that Bramblestar knew not to attack. If he did so now, the Dark Forest warriors would be on him quickly… but quickly enough to stop a slash to the throat? Could Bramblestar take out their leader and end all of this once and for all?

So what if The Place of No Stars faded? They’ve done their deeds. They had to have become monsters to end up here. They’d have to have been like him…

Fury tore at Bramblestar’s heart. The living Clans didn’t deserve this. He’d rather endure all of this pain himself than watch them suffer.

“Right.” Snowtuft had said. “I understand. You don’t want to be here. I know what’s happening is bad. I know it’s awful. But maybe because you’re here, we can help each other.”

Ashfur was looking at him, an expectant gleam in his eyes. He seemed almost giddy that his plan had been revealed, that everything’s going well.

“I must have done something awful to be sent here, but that doesn’t mean I don’t deserve to exist. And since things are changing…”

Bramblestar dug his claws into the ground. He wasn’t making it out of here, he knew that. The worst punishment would be to exist under Ashfur’s control. Even if no cat understood what happened… even if both StarClan and the Dark Forest are gone…

“Maybe that’s a sign that I should do something good for once.”

Ashfur wasn’t getting away with this. Some Dark Forest warriors were loyal, but others seemed hesitant. If Bramblestar attacked their leader, they might aid him like Snowtuft. Even if they cowered and ran, that was better than actively fighting against him.

“Even though I’m already dead and my fate’s sealed, maybe I can stop other cats from being hurt and fade away by helping you.”

With a roar, Bramblestar leapt, his claws outstretched. He was getting no second chances. If he messed this up, he would fade and be nothing. Ashfur’s eyes widened, the tom scrambling back to evade him…

Something knocked into him.

Bramblestar rolled onto the side, a huff leaving him as he gasped for breath–breath that he didn’t need.

“Go!” A cat snarled, pushing Bramblestar forward. “Run, mouse-brain!”

Bramblestar didn’t register who was helping him, only that the exit off the island was unguarded.

Multiple cats roared and thundered, their paws racing to catch up to the escaping spirit.

Bramblestar felt something, like a tug on his stomach, something calling to him to remain…

Just as quickly, it vanished. Bramblestar ran as fast as his ghostly form allowed, listening as water bubbled and boiled beneath him, leaping up to try and drag him beneath its depths. He saw the spirits of his fallen Clanmates but they hardly registered his presence, their movements rapid and confused.

He slowed down for nothing, passing through the border mist without pausing to rest. It was only when the sounds of hisses and shouting died down when he allowed himself to collapse, feeling himself flicker in and out of existence like those other spirits.

Is it tied to exhaustion? Purpose? What? Bramblestar grumbled to himself, ears straining for the sound of pawsteps or pursuers. Now that he was by himself, he had time to think. Ashfur had killed StarClan.

No.

They had to be trapped. There was no way Ashfur could have killed off the stars by himself… even if he did have help from the Dark Forest.

What’s his goal?

Bramblestar considered Ashfur’s words carefully. He had claimed that he wanted the Clans to pay. That Squirrelflight owed him… He’s my imposter. He pondered. What else does he want? If he wants to punish Squirrelflight and the Clans, isn’t he already doing that through me?

Dread formed a pit in his belly. Or does he plan to do it through every Clan leader?

Still, it didn’t sit right with him. Why go through all the trouble of destroying StarClan just to get back for something that the Clans did? Bramblestar found it hard to believe that Ashfur even had that large of a grudge. The Dark Forest cats, possibly… maybe he had to strike a bargain with them. Considering he expects a nine lives ceremony to start occurring here… or given by Ashfur himself, somehow, there was a possibility that he was aiming to have another Great Battle on the uprising.

But why would Ashfur work with them?

Bramblestar didn’t have that answer. He didn’t have a lot–not his Clanmates, his friends, or even his own body. But he had skill. StarClan couldn’t be dead–not when a single star shines in the darkness. Even if Ashfur claims himself to be the cause, the biggest stars die the fastest, he’d soon learn. The fire within wouldn’t last.

Bramblestar would make sure of it.

Stretching his limbs–which have recovered surprisingly fast from his sprint—Bramblestar began to walk back the way he came. He had to know more. He wouldn’t be tricked again by a cat like Rushtooth.

The forest trees seemed to lean towards him, whispers on the wind eager for conflict. Testing his muscles, Bramblestar considered his options. He wouldn’t have another chance to take Ashfur by surprise, that much was certain. The Dark Forest cats seemed loyal, but most only watched as he lunged, which meant that not all of them want Ashfur in charge. When he even mentioned StarClan, Ashfur’s eyes shone with terror. He didn’t have complete control. Not yet.

He’s afraid of the Dark Forest cats. He needs them, but they can tear him apart. But how did he convince all of them to work for him? Isn’t this place full of traitors and codebreakers?

Maybe he’s not afraid to be attacked. Maybe he thinks he’s invincible and I can use that against him. He’ll expect an attack from me, but if I can get a Dark Forest warrior to betray him, maybe I can save everyone after all.

Snowtuft was a good cat for the job, but–

Snowtuft.

Bramblestar’s paws dug into the muddy groan, his fur prickling on his pelt. He felt a breeze chill him to the bone at the realization. He had left Snowtuft on the island. Snowtuft was being brought there by Darkstripe and–

Snowtuft pushed me out of the way.

Adrenaline told him to run there without stopping, but common sense made him slow down. He’d be no use if he was gone, both as a spirit and a body. Still hearing nothing, he stepped as lightly as he could as he glanced at the ghosts surrounding the island, their gazes empty and cold.

The smell of blood made him freeze, his ears pinned to the back of his head. He needed to be as small as possible in order to blend into the shadows. Making his way to a bush, he decided to remain behind it, using his dark brown pelt to blend in with the trees surrounding it. There were no leaves on the bush, but brambles tore at his pelt anyway, the ghost getting as close as he dared without trapping himself in case he needed to flee.

The first cat he saw was white and brown, a frown on his face as he stumbled off of the island, the ghosts of Bramblestar’s Clanmates parting to let him through.

“You’d think we’d be getting rewarded for this,” he muttered under his breath. A rough shove from a white and ginger she-cat made him shut up, ears pinned back as he let out a low hiss at the violation.

“We will be getting rewarded for this.” She snapped, her large body making Bramblestar wonder how old she must be to tower over him so effortlessly.

The tom turned his head to look away, his steps as silent as a mouse.

Bramblestar heard occasional chatter from the Dark Forest spirits but their words were either too quiet or drowned out by the invading wind.

“By all the stars, when will you give us what you promised?!”

Bramblestar poked his head through the brambles, ignoring the sting as he spotted Ashfur, holding something that made his heart drop.

Ashfur merely blinked at the brown tom’s words, dropping the fading Dark Forest spirit without care to respond.

“When it is time.”

“It’ll never be time!” A ginger she-cat snarled, her hackles raised. Surprising Bramblestar, Ashfur crouched down, his ears pinned as he gave her a low growl.

“For now, we must wait.” A silver tabby muttered. “Attack him now, and we’ll never be free.”

“Without him we wouldn’t need this.” Another cat added.

“Without him we wouldn’t have the chance!” A third protested.

“Everycat shut up!” A tom snarled. “Ashfur will lead us to victory. After we destroy the Clans, we can do whatever we want.”

“Anyone who is against me can speak now and find yourself beyond the stars.”

Silence reigned from his words. Bramblestar lost whatever happened next, his eyes on the listless expression of Snowtuft, a wide cut visible on his neck, tufts of fur missing and various cat bites marking his skin.

Rage nearly made him leap out of his cover, wanting nothing more than to feel Ashfur’s spirit give way to mist as it surrounds his fading body, leaking out from his form like blood as it effortlessly drops into black water eager to consume his spirit for all of eternity.

“Thank you, Clawface.” Ashfur nodded politely to the muscular brown tom. Fitting for his name, scars covered his body, his scrawny form battered from countless battles and victories.

All it takes is one defeat.

Ashfur trotted into the forest, tail held high. Sharp eyes followed him from the ground and trees, only a couple warriors following him like kits to a queen.

Bramblestar looked around himself, taking in all these different cats and warriors. He didn’t notice it right away, but the white and ginger she-cat had a scar, stretching from her hind leg to behind her neck, making her even more vicious than she first appeared. Another cat was a mottled brown tabby, her muzzle battered and eyes more wary than hostile.

Amber eyes caught his attention, his head swinging to look to his right, where he could have sworn some cat was looking at him.

Deciding now was a time to be cautious, he slowly backed up, trying to make the least amount of noise as possible as the cats gradually parted, some together, most separate. The silver and white seemed unashamed to wander closer to Bramblestar’s hiding place.

And then her steps paused.

I have to leave!

Before Bramblestar could tug his head free from the brambles and sprint, the she-cat stepped on his tail, her claws pulling him back as she looked at him face-to-face, her lips pulled back in a silent snarl. Despite being slightly smaller than him, her frame was muscular, her pelt sleek but battle-scarred.

“A real leader wouldn’t cower and hide like prey!” She snapped, slashing him across the muzzle before she briskly turned and walked away.

Blinking away the shock, he crouched down, aware that the trees and forest were quiet now. Lifting a paw to his muzzle, he felt the ghostly air against his fur, knowing that the injury would scar if he wasn’t a spirit.

She just attacked me and left!

Frowning, he looked back to where Snowtuft lay, his heart clenching in his chest.

He couldn’t just ignore it. The ghost prisoners of his Clanmates didn’t move, so slowly making his way over, Bramblestar watched as Snowtuft’s form became clearer and clearer, his paw able to touch the ground through him.

The prisoners watched, silent, as Bramblestar made his way forward. Since they didn’t do anything but sit there, he chose to grieve in peace.

Despite knowing Snowtuft for such a short time, he couldn’t help but reflect back to what he had first said, how it seemed like fate that Snowtuft was led to him.

How naive Bramblestar was to think that everything would go smoothly, without issue. He had used Snowtuft like Ashfur used his body, uncaring and without consequence. When he had attacked Ashfur, he expected to die with him. Not for Snowtuft to take Bramblestar’s rightful place.

It should be him laying there, neck ripped open and slowly fading away. It should be him, not a cat who was barely a part of this.

“Snowtuft…” Bramblestar’s voice wavered. He’d have died countless times if it weren’t for him. “I’m so sorry.”

Closing his eyes, he listened to the sounds of the forest. He listened to the soothing ripples of the water, the gentle lullaby of the trees…

This place isn’t meant to be torturous. Bramblestar realized. It’s supposed to be a memory, a reflection on what could have been. That they can still change for the better.

He opened his eyes, the sounds taunted by haunting mutterings and the ghostly atmosphere. Looking up, the trees tangled with each other, trapping the spirits within like a cage.

Is it right to punish cats who don’t deserve it? Bramblestar considered. Maybe Ashfur isn’t the villain. Maybe it’s StarClan. If they had never accepted him, then I wouldn’t be in this mess. Then the Dark Forest would still be…

Bramblestar hesitated. If cats were punished and rejected from having the opportunity to live with their ancestors in the stars and watch over the Clans by being sent here, why wasn’t it just a peaceful existence? Why wouldn’t it just be The End, instead of endless wandering and never-ending battles? Why couldn’t StarClan give them peace instead of making them hate the stars even more? If Dark Forest cats weren’t evil, then how many cats would have been saved from following the same fate?

If Tigerstar never came into Hawkfrost’s life, would he still have chosen to try and murder Firestar for me or would he have helped and supported me instead? If the Great Battle never occurred, how many would have been saved from death?

“I don’t want to be evil.” Snowtuft had said.

“That’s just the way things have to be.”

“Bramblestar?”

Claws unsheathed, Bramblestar turned to the cat who addressed him, his head lowered and body ready for an attack.

Instead of a Dark Forest cat greeting him, it was Shadowpaw. Bramblestar blinked, wondering why his anger and adrenaline refused to fade.

You should have gotten help! Did you tell the Clans yet? Do they know?

“Shadowpaw.” Bramblestar tensed, forcing his pelt to flatten and for his teeth not to be bared in a snarl. Why is this happening?

The gray tabby blinked, his fur smooth and expression calm, as though he had all the time in the world to respond.

Why didn’t you get help? Why did you let me die? Petty Clan cat thinking you’re better than me just because I can’t do anything about it! Maybe you wanted this! You wanted me to fall apart!

“I’m sorry.” Shadowpaw frowned, making his way over, his head lowered in shame. “I couldn’t convince them. I tried to speak with the imposter but he…”

Bramblestar sighed, pressing his nose against Shadowpaw’s head. “You tried your best. What’s happening, Shadowpaw?” His voice hitched. “What did he make me do?”

Shadowpaw explained everything he could, starting from waking up after their previous talk to Squirrelflight’s arrival and finally, the imposter’s attack.

Bramblestar could hardly believe what he was hearing, knowing that he could have taken his body back if Shadowpaw had come sooner and that Ashfur would dare make him attack his own mate.

That fox-heart! Is taking over the Clan not enough? Doesn’t he still love Squirrelflight? Bramblestar didn’t fight against the low growl in his throat. “We need to stop him.” He declared, looking around to see if he could spot any nearby spirits watching their exchange. 

“We will.” The trees leaned in on their exchange, Shadowpaw’s words carried by the wind. “I promise, Bramblestar, I’ll do everything I can to make this right. Don’t give up.”

Bramblestar looked down at his paws. He was right. There was still time to save everyone. He had to stay strong and fight back against the darkness clawing at his heart. Taking a deep breath, he got back to business.

“Can you take me to the Moonpool?”

It took a lot longer than Bramblestar thought to reach the vines that blocked the connection to the pool of water. “How did you find me?” He asked, slightly impressed that the medicine cat was able to navigate through the Dark Forest better than he could.

“A friend helped me.” Shadowpaw gave him a sad smile. “He helped me a lot, especially when I was a kit.”

“You have a friend in the Dark Forest?” Bramblestar questioned.

Shadowpaw didn’t reply to that.

“The Moonpool is… darker… now… isn’t it?” Shadowpaw mentioned, trying to claw at the vines which wiggled and squirmed like snakes.

“How will you get through?” Bramblestar panicked, noticing how the stars in it seemed to fade more and more as time went by. “How will you get home?”

“There’s a gap! There!” Shadowpaw eagerly waved his tail, brambles and thorns instantly trying to fix the mistake of giving them a path through.

“I need to tell you something!” Bramblestar gasped, realizing time was short.

“You’re coming with me!” Shadowpaw exclaimed, tearing through the obstacles that covered the entrance with determined swings. “We’re going to make it out of this! Together this time!”

Before Bramblestar could form a response, a small, ragged black tom appeared beside them, moving forward to help tear through the blockage.

“Spiresight!” Shadowpaw’s relief was evident in the way he looked up at the tom, blinking his appreciation.

Spiresight didn’t meet his gaze.

With his help, there was enough space for both Shadowpaw and Bramblestar to make it through.

But it doesn’t lead to StarClan from here. Is it really gone?

“Shadowpaw, in case you can’t see me, I need to tell you something.”

Shadowpaw looked at him, his eyes darting to the trees and forest surrounding them.

He’s eager to leave. Bramblestar dug his paws into the ground. He’s terrified.

“Ashfur is my imposter.”

“I can feel him coming.” Spiresight spoke, his head turned towards the trees. “If you want to escape, do it now. I’ll follow you.”

“Ashfur is your imposter, got it.” Shadowpaw put a paw in the water.

“And!” Bramblestar tensed, his fur prickling. There were eyes on him. Somecat was out there, watching. “And he plans on using our dead Clanmates to fight against the living!”

“What?!” Shadowpaw turned, his eyes wide as he processed the information.

Spiresight hissed, Bramblestar taking that as their que to leave.

I will get my body back. He felt the cool water flow around him as he swam, following Shadowpaw as they made their way… up? Looking down, he saw vines ensnare the Moonpool once more, quicker than they could have broken through, leaving Spiresight on the other side.

This isn’t right…

He continued to swim, feeling doubtful that this was the right decision. Could he trust Shadowpaw, a cat who’s done nothing but help Ashfur since the beginning? Could he trust Spiresight, a cat he doesn’t even know? Who can he trust?

With those thoughts in his head, he followed the light, feeling lighter than he ever had before as he emerged on the other side.

Chapter Text

Shadowpaw groaned, his every muscle aching as he tried to stretch, only to be fussed over by Puddleshine and told to stay still. Sighing, he looked out of the den, the scent of ThunderClan making him pause. And then the sight of Jayfeather and Alderheart. And the fact that the den he was in wasn’t ShadowClan’s.

Sitting up, Shadowpaw looked down at his injuries, ignoring the weak protests of his mentor.

Long gashes were visible through his skin, his fur torn where it won’t ever grow back. They were careless and sloppy, his body bruised and exhausted. Puddleshine had already tended to him the best he could, the smell of bitter herbs tingling his nose as he sniffed. His injuries were over a day old but seemed well taken care of.

A grunt to his side announced that he and Puddleshine weren’t alone. Turning, Shadowpaw’s eyes widened as he saw Eaglewing and Dewnose laying on the moss beside him. Eaglewing had a torn ear, scratches covering her side and stomach. Dewnose had a deep scratch on his muzzle, his body heaving as he muttered in his sleep.

Finally paying attention, Shadowpaw looked at the state of the camp. Dried blood and matted fur littered the ground, the entire camp in disarray as though badgers had invaded overnight.

ShadowClan warriors wandered throughout the camp.

“Shadowpaw.” A firm paw nudged his side, an accusing glare informing him that he had missed his name being repeated more than once. “For StarClan’s sake, why won’t you listen to me?” The ShadowClan medicine cat sighed, his eyes clouded with misery. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine.” Shadowpaw’s voice surprised him, his words an obvious lie even to his own ears.

The imposter attacked me and I’m in ThunderClan camp.

His heart raced. Is Bramblestar a ghost or is he back?

“Tell me if this hurts.” Puddleshine began pressing down on Shadowpaw’s side, a sharp winch saying more than words ever could.

StarClan, that hurts! How sharp were his claws?

Puddleshine merely hummed in acknowledgement, turning to fetch something from the back of the den.

“Shadowpaw, you’re awake.” A familiar voice sighed in relief from outside of the medicine den. Turning, Shadowpaw’s eyes widened to see Alderheart and Jayfeather strolling in, herbs in tow. Alderheart smiled at him as he sat outside, watching Jayfeather grunt in disapproval of Puddleshine’s meddling.

“Don’t you have ShadowClan cats to treat?” His unapologetic voice huffed from around the bundle of herbs in his mouth.

Puddleshine looked at him, his eyes once again filling with misery that Jayfeather couldn’t see. “Of course, Jayfeather.” He said instead. “Shadowpaw’s about ready to leave.”

Noticing the sarcasm, Shadowpaw wished he could see Jayfeather’s expression as the two medicine cats stared at each other. Puddleshine’s fur stood on end as he finally broke eye contact, shuffling his way out of the medicine den after telling Shadowpaw he was going to look for more wet moss.

Shadowpaw stretched, curious to know how long he’d been asleep. What happened while I was out?

The presence of ShadowClan warriors made him uneasy.

Tigerstar wouldn’t have sent so many warriors just to make sure I’m okay, would he?

Twitching his nose, Shadowpaw came to another conclusion, his eyes widening with the realization.

Unless ThunderClan was invaded and they needed ShadowClan’s help.

Shadowpaw considered that idea before dismissing it completely. If ThunderClan needed help then they’d have gone to WindClan or SkyClan, not travel all the way just for ShadowClan.

“How are you feeling?” Alderheart’s meow made him jump, his pelt instantly warming in embarrassment.

“I’m fine.”

“Those are some nasty injuries.”

Shadowpaw couldn’t help but wonder if Alderheart was even listening to him. The ThunderClan medicine cat continued mumbling to himself, as if Shadowpaw didn’t know how to treat his own injuries.

“Someone really wanted you gone, didn’t they? If Puddleshine wasn’t here, you wouldn’t have ever woken up.”

Shadowpaw’s heart dropped like a stone to his stomach. Looking over to Jayfeather, the tom seemed keen not to get involved. His ear twitched but other than that, he remained silent.

“But you’ll be fine. He won’t hurt any cat anymore.” Alderheart gulped, and it was then Shadowpaw realized the truth.

“Where’s Bramblestar?” He gasped, pushed down by the dark ginger tom when he tried to stand.

Alderheart seemed out of it, his eyes flickering from Shadowpaw to the camp. It was only then Jayfeather intervened.

“Bramblestar’s imprisoned,” he briskly informed. “An emergency Gathering is taking place. Leaders only.” Jayfeather scoffed, as if the idea irritated him. “Apparently Mistystar is now convinced we can’t be trusted. As if StarClan’s disappearance is our fault.”

“Why does Mistystar no longer trust medicine cats?” Shadowpaw frowned. Out of all the leaders, that RiverClan she-cat seemed the most reasonable.

“We’re unsure.” Alderheart frowned, his eyes passing over the other patients. He swallowed. Jayfeather’s tail twitched but he refused to look at him, his sightless eyes focused on Shadowpaw.

“But that doesn’t make any sense.” Shadowpaw protested, his heart racing. Mistystar exiled Mothwing but that was because of Bramblestar. Willowshine was trusted, wasn’t she? Why would Mistystar not want medicine cats at the meeting? Was it because something happened in RiverClan? Or… did she think Shadowpaw’s to blame for all of this? Since he shared that vision… but why would– Ashfur. Shadowpaw sat up, his movement quick enough to earn a grunt of surprise from the ThunderClan medicine cat. He needed to tell them it was Ashfur!

“Mistystar didn’t tell us.” Jayfeather warily spoke. “It’s because of the codebreakers. When she came to fetch Squirrelflight, she acted as though I didn’t belong.”

Jayfeather scowled, his eyes narrowing. “If cats stopped blaming us for things we can’t control, we could have fixed this entire mess days ago! No cat says anything, so we’re left in the dark.”

Alderheart sighed, his claws scratching at the ground. Before Shadowpaw could question him, Alderheart asked, “Do your wounds hurt, Shadowpaw?”

Now that Shadowpaw was thinking about it, the aching of his muscles had gradually worn down. He was unsure how many days he’d been unconscious but he felt fine, if not for the pain.

“I think a daisy leaf is all I need.” Shadowpaw stretched, wincing as his body ached from the movement.

Nodding, Alderheart turned to fetch some.

Jayfeather stayed where he was, his body as still as a bird of prey before attacking.

Deciding now was as good a time as any, he decided to speak up.

“Ashfur is Bramblestar’s imposter.”

For a few moments, Shadowpaw wondered if Jayfeather heard. Then, the tom looked around, assessing the den before laying down with his paws underneath him.

“Explain it to me.”

Shadowpaw gulped, deciding that he should just be truthful. Jayfeather could sense a lie and if he wanted some cat to believe him, then he needed to be as honest as possible. Eaglewing and Dewnose were asleep. Alderheart would return shortly.

So he began. First with the voice that whispered in his head, telling him about the codebreakers and the punishment. Then Bramblestar’s death. Jayfeather was perfectly still, his expression closely guarded the entire time. Shadowpaw talked about the Dark Forest. Encountering the real Bramblestar. Alderheart froze in his tracks as he walked over, his ears angled towards him as he listened, making Shadowpaw’s pelt prickle in fear.

What if they didn’t believe him? What would he do then, with no cat who believed him? He couldn’t do anything, that was the sad truth of it. Bramblestar’s ghost would be stranded. Ashfur would get his way. If the Clans decided to kill him, what’s stopping Ashfur from taking over another leader when the time comes? What’s stopping him from getting stronger?

So much relied on cats believing him. An apprentice like Shadowpaw wasn’t good for the job, especially when he messed up so many times before. The Clans were divided when he shared his vision and now he’d be causing a further divide, between rebels and the Clans. Codebreakers and code followers. StarClan and the Place of No Stars. The question was, which side did he belong to?

Throughout his entire life he’s always wanted to fit in, to belong. Becoming Puddleshine’s apprentice was such an achievement. He recalled the chants with clarity, the switch from a kit to an apprentice. He was so young when that cat… Ashfur began taking advantage of him. How could he let it get so far? How could he sit back and do nothing? How could he know, in the end, if he was working for the good of the Clans… or their downfall?

“Before we went in, Bramblestar told me that the imposter is Ashfur. And that he plans on using our dead Clanmates to fight against the living. Then I woke up here when I got through.”

Now at the end of his tale, Shadowpaw took a deep breath, knowing it was out of his paws. Whether or not the medicine cats believed him was up to them. In the end, it wasn’t his decision. Turning his head to look back at Alderheart, he realized too late that eyes other than amber were on him.

“ Ashfur ?” Tigerstar frowned. “Why would Ashfur attack the Clans?”

“And hate codebreakers, to add on. Hate them enough to exile and abuse his power,” Cloverfoot shook her head, “That just doesn’t make sense.” Cloverfoot agreed.

Shadowpaw held his breath, his eyes pleading for Jayfeather and Alderheart to believe him. Alderheart’s eyes gave it all away. Jayfeather refused to move.

“I swear to StarClan, I’m not lying!” Shadowpaw pleaded, desperation making his voice high. They had to believe him. If they don't, he’ll lose everything. Bramblestar’s death would always be his fault. “Please believe me!”

Tigerstar huffed, walking up to him to sniff his wounds. “Is he well enough to travel?” He asked Alderheart, as though Shadowpaw weren’t about to have a panic attack.

Alderheart nodded, his eyes unfocused.

Shadowpaw swallowed, his mouth dry. His paws felt unbearably heavy. This was all his fault. He gave Bramblestar hope. He gave him hope that he’d be saved and then yanked it away, feeling more like Ashfur than ever. Looking down at his paws, he saw only pale gray. If he looked at his reflection, he’d swear his eyes would be blue.

Ashfur had given him hope that he was special. Hope that he could help the Clans. He had fed that same hope, that same lie, to Bramblestar.

He’d never forgive himself.

“I knew Ashfur.” Jayfeather’s voice cut through the tense silence, still unmoving from his spot, his voice more detached than ever, speaking matter-of-factly. “He threatened me, Lionblaze, and Hollyleaf.”

Tigerstar paused, his eyes narrowing, Cloverfoot still awkwardly standing at the entrance of the den.

“During a fire in the territory. He blocked our way out. Squirrelflight was there,” Jayfeather continued, “He was upset at her for rejecting him. In the end, he let us go.”

Tigerstar huffed, nudging Shadowpaw to stand on his shaking paws.

“He died to Hollyleaf, unfulfilled.” Jayfeather stood as well. “In StarClan, they forgave each other. Wholeheartedly.”

Shadowpaw had a feeling he knew what was coming. Meeting the blind tom’s eyes, he waited for his confirmation. ‘Ashfur wouldn’t do it’. ‘Bramblestar is just using him’. Maybe it was Shadowpaw who was mixed up, desperate to make rights out of the wrongs he committed. Too terrified to come to the realization that he’s only been falling for the same tricks over and over again. He didn’t know Ashfur. He hardly knew him at all, if it was so easy for himself to be used. Maybe it wasn’t Ashfur at all and just Bramblestar who had orchestrated his own death just to justify his irrational…

Blue eyes.

Before he could let those thoughts take over, that flickering hope like a gentle flame, he snuffed it out. Maybe that, too, was a lie. To keep him off of Bramblestar’s back. To make him chase stars all the while Bramblestar destroyed them. Act as the victim just to play the villain.

Had he fallen for yet another lie?

“Puddleshine.”

Shadowpaw didn’t realize that the ShadowClan medicine cat had arrived.

“I need to speak with you.” Jayfeather motioned for him to enter the den, frowning. “You’re taking Shadowpaw back to ShadowClan?” He asked Tigerstar, sitting up.

The ShadowClan leader curtly nodded, his eyes drifting towards Shadowpaw. “Yes. It’s about time we had a medicine cat again. And clearly, he needs to relearn that not every dream has meaning.”

Jayfeather didn’t respond, his eyes watching as Tigerstar, Cloverfoot, and Shadowpaw left the den. He looked ready to speak but decided against it, giving one last look to Shadowpaw before motioning for Alderheart and Puddleshine to listen in.

He… didn’t say I’m crazy. A glimmer of hope entered his chest, unbidden.

“What are you thinking ?” Tigerstar yelled. “Making up lies like that! I thought I raised you better.”

“He might have been confused from his injuries.” Cloverfoot defended, letting out a long breath. “He just woke up not that long ago.”

“Still! My own kit!”

Shame burned his pelt like fire, his eyes on his paws as he followed his father back to ShadowClan. ThunderClan camp was getting repaired, both ThunderClan and ShadowClan warriors helping. Inside the leader’s den was a shadow. Two warriors were guarding the shape within.

Blue eyes twinkled from within, the darkness cloaking his pelt in black.

Shadowpaw shivered. Just as quickly, it was gone. He couldn’t see blue eyes nor amber, the large form curling up in sleep.

Shadowpaw was terrified that in admitting the truth, he invited a deeper darkness to take root. Bramblestar was alive, but every cat glared at him with hatred.

And he could do nothing but watch it grow.

He couldn’t leave camp. That was his punishment. Not only that, every cat now looked at him with disdain.

He had tried everything he could to convince them. Without proof, it was hopeless. He didn’t even know Ashfur that well. He was half-convinced by his own peers that he had made it all up, too oblivious to admit that Bramblestar just changed and that it didn’t need a reason to occur. He just did.

But there had to be a reason. And the Dark Forest was real, otherwise he wouldn’t have gotten injured. It was obviously real. He had been there. Other cats have been to the Dark Forest but being unable to travel, he can’t ask for their support, if they’d even believe his tale, either. Like Puddleshine, they’d probably just assumed he went there to train. Even after the Great Battle.

Did Bramblestar lie to me? He tried to recall the details. If Bramblestar was truly himself the whole time, why would he tell Shadowpaw to kill him? To excuse his early behavior. Because of his death, cats allowed him to behave so… rashly… for moons. But why continue using him? Because he’s a medicine cat. But why him specifically? Because he’s the one most likely to believe him?

Shadowpaw groaned, curled up in the medicine den of his own camp. He had to find out if Bramblestar had tricked him. Only then he could consider Ashfur’s involvement. Bramblestar was just an ordinary cat. How would he get the powers to give Shadowpaw visions? Did Ashfur have blue eyes? Trying to recall Ashfur’s appearance gave him a headache. He wasn’t an important cat. He hadn’t been a deputy or medicine cat or a leader, just an ordinary warrior. Jayfeather’s words made it sound silly that he’d possess Bramblestar just to wreck havoc on the Clans.

The only motive behind that would be Squirrelflight. According to Jayfeather, he was jealous that she chose Bramblestar. That would make him want to replace him. But then what about the codebreakers? Why would he want every Clan to suffer? Those things just didn’t make sense.

“Feeling okay?” Puddleshine’s voice was unexpected but not unwelcomed. Shadowpaw has had nothing to do but linger in camp with his thoughts, resigned to wait until Tigerstar deemed him ‘healed’ enough to leave. Frustration gnawed at his insides. He wasn’t a kit anymore! He shouldn’t even be an apprentice! Tigerstar and Dovewing never treated his siblings like inexperienced kits, so why did they treat him like it? Dovewing had promised that she’d talk to Tigerstar about it, but busy with her new litter, she must have forgotten.

In the end, it was Shadowpaw’s fault, wasn’t it? If he had just kept his mouth shut since the beginning, none of this would have happened at all. He wouldn’t be scarred, Bramblestar might have been fine, and all the Clans would have gotten along.

But no. He messed it up.

“You know how it is.” Shadowpaw absentmindedly waved a paw, bored out of his mind as he began sorting herbs for the third time that day.

Normally, he’d be happy to be back home. He was in ShadowClan, where it was safe. He didn’t have to worry about other Clans or their conflicts. But like it or not, he was involved. Bramblestar needed him. ThunderClan needed him. He had to know what was going on, but how could he when no cat would bother to tell him?

Not to mention Mistystar’s refusal to have medicine cats at the meeting. Shadowpaw frowned. What would motivate her to enforce that? What could she have said to make the other leaders agree to it, too?

Puddleshine didn’t reply, watching him like a mentor would during an assessment. Shadowpaw bit his tongue, trying to keep his fur smooth to not hide his irritation.

It’s not his fault.

“There’s an emergency meeting for medicine cats at moonhigh.” Puddleshine whispered. “You’re coming with me.”

Shadowpaw tensed, his eyes wide as he looked back at Puddleshine. “But Tigerstar said I’m to stay in camp.”

Puddleshine twitched his whiskers. “Leaders don’t always know what’s best.” Puddleshine seemed to spot something, his eyes lingering on Shadowpaw’s injuries.

“I’m… sorry, Shadowpaw. About all of this. I’m going to make it better, I promise. I’ll give you what you deserve.”

Shadowpaw carefully considered his words, his anger melting like dew in the sun. He wished he could be enthusiastic, but all he felt was despair.

Once again, he’s bound to make a mistake.

“What’ll happen if Tigerstar catches us leaving?” Shadowpaw paused, rethinking his question before realizing something he should have at the start. “...Does he even know that there’s a medicine cat meeting?”

“Shh!” Puddleshine smiled, a paw gently swatting at Shadowpaw’s head. “Get ready, Shadow…paw.” Puddleshine waved his tail, eyes bright, his thoughts clearly elsewhere.

Shadowpaw had a feeling he knew exactly what he was thinking. And, against his wishes, he felt a flame flicker in his heart once more.

* * *

“RiverClan closed their borders, SkyClan is considering leaving, WindClan has closed their borders again , and ThunderClan’s deputy is missing. Anything to add, ShadowClan?”

Shadowpaw gulped at Frecklewish’s stern gaze.

“Tigerstar has halved the Clan to help ThunderClan repair.” Puddleshine announced. “What do you mean Squirrelflight is missing?”

“She left camp and hasn’t come back.” Jayfeather stated, his head lowered to touch the Moonpool’s edge with his nose, his eyes squeezed shut. “We haven’t seen her since.”

“We’ve sent warriors to look for her but none have returned.” Alderheart chimed in.

“Why have WindClan’s borders closed?” Jayfeather sighed. “Don’t they realize that hiding doesn’t help? I thought Harestar knew better.”

Freckleshine shook her head. “I tried to talk to Kestrelflight but apparently he’s been hurt. The patrol wouldn’t tell me why and Whistlepaw sent me away when I offered to help. Every cat seems on edge.”

“Mistystar, too, considering how she reacted when she came to get Squirrelflight.” Jayfeather grunted.

“Leafstar as well. She doesn’t know what to do, with every cat at another’s throat.”

Shadowpaw stared at his paws the entire time they spoke, uncertain of what he could add that won’t complicate the situation even more. It already sucked that the situation with Bramblestar hadn’t been fixed yet. I wonder what his ghost is up to…

He considered the alternative.

If he truly is the victim.

Squirrelflight’s disappearance caused many questions to arise.

“What will ThunderClan do now, without a leader or deputy?” Fidgetflake asked, concern in his eyes.

Jayfeather frowned and Alderheart looked at his mentor for assurance. “We don’t know. She might have just left to cool off. We can all assume that she’s not happy with what the other leaders have decided to do.”

“Which is?” Fidgetflake prompted.

“If only we knew!” Jayfeather shot up, the water reflecting his anger through twinkling stars. Was it only Shadowpaw, or were there brambles beneath the light, covered by the shadows of the stars?

“Apparently we can’t be trusted!” Jayfeather exclaimed, his hackles raised. “The leaders are mouse-brains for thinking we aren’t trustworthy. When I spoke to Tigerstar about it, he treated me as if I were still a kit in the nursery.”

“In RiverClan, when I went to speak with Willowshine, Mistystar acted as if I personally insulted her. I didn’t know she was...” Fidgetflake gulped, his pelt ruffling uneasily. Freckleshine gave him a look and he straightened. “If it’s true, what will become of the Clans if they don’t trust us to heal and care for them?”

“It’s StarClan, isn’t it?” Puddleshine prompted.

Jayfeather frowned, his paw dipping into the water to watch it ripple. “If they only trust us to help our Clanmates if StarClan approves, then what happened to the Warrior Code? The oath we swear as medicine cats? Mothwing must have the right idea to leave the Clans altogether. If we fall apart without the stars, what becomes of us?”

Silence greeted his words. Shadowpaw was certain there was something black in the water. How could the others not see it?

“We need to treat these issues one at a time.” Freckleshine took a deep breath. “Only then can we focus on StarClan.”

“StarClan is the center of all this chaos.” Alderheart replied, his ears pinned back. “Without them, we’re falling apart. ThunderClan won’t have…Squirrelflight…”

Jayfeather brushed Alderheart’s back with his tail, every cat watching as the tom tried and failed to hide his misery for his parents.

If the leaders decided to kill Bramblestar, then that would explain Squirrelflight running off. Shadowpaw realized with a pang of pity. She’d come back, but what if something happens to her? Alderheart would have lost both parents. Jayfeather, too.

Jayfeather mumbled something to the dark ginger tom who nodded and sat down, lowering his head to his chest, keeping his eyes closed.

After a moment of silence, Freckleshine added her own words of regret, guilt overlaying every word.

“SkyClan is worried that StarClan is upset that five Clans are at the lake.” No cat challenged her words. “Even after everything that was done to bring us here, Leafstar informed me that…” She looked at Alderheart, her words hushed by the dawn of truth. Instead of saying what every cat already knew, she continued. “...When it’s done, if the Clans haven't been repaired by a moon’s time, we’ll leave. If every Clan agrees, it can be ThunderClan driven out, but if not, she’d take that sacrifice.”

“Why would StarClan be upset at there being five Clans? That was what the prophecy was for. We fought off Darktail to assure SkyClan stays.” Puddleshine muttered, his head tilted to the side.

“I don’t understand, either. But I do understand driving away ThunderClan.” Jayfeather sighed. “The codebreakers, I’d assume. It’s not like everything doesn’t come back to us and the mistakes we make.”

Freckleshine nodded. “There were none in SkyClan initially, but Bramblestar keeps insisting more and more. From all the Clans.”

“Don’t talk about Bramblestar.” Jayfeather snapped.

Despite his uncertainty, Shadowpaw opened his mouth to ask when… it … will take place.

Jayfeather flicked an ear. “We don’t know.”

Shadowpaw didn’t know whether to be relieved or upset at that information.

“We’re all just guessing what the leaders have decided, aren’t we?” Jayfeather continued, looking down into the Moonpool.

“I have something that I need to confess.” Puddleshine sat up straight, his eyes assessing every cat present. “Yes, it is about Bramblestar, but I have a feeling it’s good news, depending on how you view it.”

Jayfeather twitched an ear, every cat’s eyes on him.

To Shadowpaw’s shock, Puddleshine looked him dead in the eye, his pale blue eyes calculating and sharp.

Pale blue eyes….

Realization dawned on him.

“I was there when Bramblestar attacked Shadowpaw. I saw what happened.”

Shadowpaw gasped, his hope kindling anew.

“Shadowpaw was right. Bramblestar isn’t himself. He’s possessed. Some cat has taken control of his body, so I can assume everything else he’s said so far has been true all along.”

To Shadowpaw’s utter amazement, Jayfeather didn’t seem as shocked as everyone else by this development, instead nodding along.

“I second that,” he meowed, “Shadowpaw had informed me of Ashfur being the possessor.” Jayfeather scoffed, then paused, considering. “But then I spoke with Bramblestar, rethought all of our interactions. It still doesn’t make sense why , but I can see the truth in Shadowpaw’s words. Ashfur isn’t the type to give up that easily.”

“What does that mean?” Freckleshine frowned, her eyes darting from Jayfeather to Puddleshine. “Bramblestar’s possessed ?”

“If the leaders plan on killing Bramblestar, then we have to stop them!” Alderheart exclaimed. “If he’s innocent–he is innocent, right, Shadowpaw? Puddleshine?”

Puddleshine looked at Shadowpaw, respect glistening in his eyes. Shadowpaw had never felt closer to uncovering the truth. With all of the medicine cats aware, they can all tell their Clanmates and figure out a solution.

Bramblestar wouldn’t do this. Shadowpaw knew. He’d gain nothing from it. He’s already a leader. He couldn’t send me visions. A StarClan cat can, though. A StarClan cat who has a grudge on Squirrelflight. A cat who’s threatened her kits just to hurt her. If he can go that low, what’s stopping him from destroying everything Squirrelflight holds dear just to make her be with him? Bramblestar wouldn’t use me… Ashfur would.

It felt right. Every whisper he’s heard, every prophecy uttered by that voice, all of it belonged to some cat who hated Squirrelflight more than anything. Ashfur wouldn’t care if Bramblestar took the blame because that’s what he wants.

Thinking back, he recalled the vision of Tigerstar and Bramblestar in combat. Bramblestar pleading for him to tell the Clans about the codebreakers. None of it would have happened if he wasn’t fooled. None of it will happen, now that he knows the truth.

“He’s innocent.” Shadowpaw said with certainty. He’d bet his life on it. Every cat exchanged glances, nodding to one another.

“We need to find Squirrelflight.” Jayfeather meowed.

“I’ll tell RiverClan about Bramblestar, if I can,” Fidgetflake added.

“And me, SkyClan.” Freckleshine said with determination.

Puddleshine and Shadowpaw exchanged a look.

No cat would believe them. Even now, with Puddleshine aware, Tigerstar was already set on his goal. If he intended to kill Bramblestar, they wouldn’t be able to convince him to stop.

That battle. It won’t be Ashfur possessing Bramblestar against Tigerstar. It’s actual Bramblestar against him! We need all of the Clans to understand what’s happening. We need a cat who can speak to ghosts…

A cat instantly came to mind.

“Before we all leave,” Puddleshine coughed, looking up as Jayfeather made a move towards the path that led back to ThunderClan.

“I would like to do something that I believe I should have done a long time ago. But couldn’t, because I had hoped for something different.”

Shadowpaw tensed, his heart fluttering in his chest.

Puddleshine stood, walking up to the Moonpool. Its surface shone a bright radiant blue, welcoming the medicine cats with starlight.

“Something to give us hope for the future,” Puddleshine continued, motioning with his tail for Shadowpaw to join him.

Shadowpaw followed his mentor up the stone path, gazing down the water’s edge.

Puddleshine’s eyes flickered to the Moonpool, his head tilted up as though he were addressing the stars themselves, no matter how distant they may be.

“I, Puddleshine, of ShadowClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice.”

Was it just Shadowpaw or was some cat watching him? Someone who–a tail flashed in his vision, completely black, disappearing into thin air behind Jayfeather. I’m just imagining things. He tried to hide his shudder.

“Shadowpaw has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help he will serve his Clan for many moons.”

The black goo in the Moonpool grew, stretching up like tendrils. Within it, he could have sworn he saw ginger fur. How no other cat saw it was a mystery to him. I am being watched! His heart thundered in his chest. Something was wrong with the Moonpool. Everything about it was… wrong.

It felt like home.

But it felt like pain.

Unbidden, a vision flashed across his mind. Brown fur disappearing into the liquid.

“There is no cleansing the darkness,” a voice uttered.

Before his heart could leap out of his chest, Shadowpaw felt a paw poke his side, turning to see Puddleshine’s gaze fixed on him, concern evident in his expression.

“Was this unexpected?” He whispered. “We can do it later.”

Shadowpaw shook his head. “I’m ready.”

Relieved, Puddleshine continued with the ceremony. “Do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?”

Shadowpaw nodded, his tail raised in hopes that no cat noticed his fear. “I do.”

“Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Shadowpaw, from this moment you will be known as Shadowsight. StarClan honors your insight, your courage, and your determination, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of ShadowClan.” Puddleshine touched his nose to Shadowpaw’s paw. Following the ceremony, he gratefully licked his mentor’s shoulder, feeling excitement burn away the rest of his fear.

“Shadowsight!”

“Shadowsight!”

He couldn’t help the smile that came to him, being called by a new name. It was odd, different in a way he hadn’t expected. He wanted to compare it to his apprentice ceremony but that didn’t feel right. He earned this. He earned this.

The voices and yowls of the other medicine cats gradually faded as the cats wore themselves out. Shadowsight turned to his mentor, beaming. Puddleshine looked back at him, twitching his whiskers in amusement. Shadowsight realized, only then, that he shared part of a name with Spiresight.

Spiresight, the cat who saved his life when he was a kit and again to help him find Bramblestar’s ghost. Who prophesied that he’d be the one to see into shadows. Tigerstar must have talked about him or Puddleshine would have never made that his name. Pride blossomed in his chest. He was a medicine cat now. No cat could take that joy away.

“Congratulations.” Jayfeather nodded his respect.

“It’s about time.” Frecklewish rolled her eyes playfully. Shadowsight had no idea that the she-cat was capable of being proud of him but her eyes, once accusing and cold, were now soft and warm.

“We should be heading back to ThunderClan.” Jayfeather stated with a sigh, stretching out on the smooth, cold rocks, his claws digging into the stone so he didn’t slip. “If Lionblaze notices we’re gone he’d throw a fit,” the tom added with amusement.

Alderheart nodded, following Jayfeather back to ThunderClan. Before disappointment could linger like greencough, Alderheart turned back to him and smiled. “Good job, Shadowsight. You deserve this. More than any cat. It’ll get easier.”

Shadowsight felt a tug on his stomach as he wished for it to be true. Only downhill from here.

Shadowsight turned, his eyes catching bright green before vanishing into ferns. Shadowsight shivered, feeling doubtful of Alderheart’s certainty.

To him, it was all uphill.

Chapter Text

Squirrelflight had tried.

She had really, really tried.

Why did her heart still ache? He was bad for her. Evil. Why did she still long for the way things used to be? Why does she still hope that somewhere, deep inside, he’s a good cat?

How did she ever convince herself that he could be saved?

The battle was over fairly quickly. ShadowClan had come and gone in a blink. Bramblestar’s harsh gaze softened at her. The blood on his pelt went unwashed, staining him physically if not mentally as well.

He didn’t regret it. Strikestone and Frondwhisker had fallen at his paws and he didn’t pause a second. Cats were injured. They died . How could one cat hurt so many ?

She couldn’t stop her tears as she ran. To where, she didn’t know. Away. Away from her choices, away from leadership. Maybe it was corrupted. Maybe becoming Squirrelstar would change her as it did Bramblestar. Brambleclaw was such a nice cat, what happened? Why would he do this? What did he gain?

So many questions. Zero answers.

The mate she had grown to love and cherish, gone, disappearing like heat in the summer. The cat she had relied on for warmth being the very same one that froze her solid with his gaze.

If he had cared, he would have stopped. It’s too late now.

It’s too late to save him.

“I’m sorry, Squirrelflight, but I can’t help but agree with them.” Harestar said sympathetically.

The trees whistled and groaned as if they, too, were listening. The sky, as clear as a rippling ocean, had its glorious sun bathe the cats in its harsh glow, the sounds of prey scurrying for cover heightened by the unusual stillness in the air from the lack of predators around to fetch them.

“There’s no point in delaying. Once he’s gone, then the Clans will be at peace,” Mistystar briefly closed her eyes, her claws digging into the ground from some internal battle. “I know how much you love him, Squirrelflight, but it’s best for the Clans if he’s gone.”

“Will the codebreakers be able to return home once Bramblestar is dealt with?” Leafstar questioned, her voice softer in the light of Squirrelflight’s misery, her thoughts oddly quiet.

“No!” Mistystar hissed, her hackles raised as she glared at the SkyClan leader with hostility.

Tigerstar jumped, covering up the action with a quick lick to his shoulder, standing up as he cleared his throat, giving a questioning glance to Mistystar.

Mistystar didn’t seem aware, too focused on Leafstar. Her tail lashed back and forth. “We aren’t allowing codebreakers back into RiverClan.” She announced. “And neither should the rest of you.”

Harestar bristled, standing up against the gray she-cat. “Why not?” He demanded. “Crowfeather was my deputy–”

“Codebreakers cannot be trusted.”

Tigerstar twitched his whiskers. “Now you’re acting like Bramblestar,” he commented, “Careful, Mistystar. Be wary of what you say.”

Mistystar sighed, her fur flattening as she looked at all of them in turn.

“Mothwing murdered Willowshine.” She declared, her voice carrying across the land. “She snuck in with the help of Icewing and Harelight, two traitors I will not allow back in, and poisoned her food with deathberries.”

Squirrelflight had been half-listening to the conversation, but hearing of a murder brought her back to life.

“Mothwing wouldn’t do that.” Tigerstar frowned.

“She did.” Mistystar stood up, her eyes clouded. “Bramblestar was wrong about many things, but he was right about a few. Codebreakers cannot be trusted.”

“ Did you see her poison Willowshine?” Harestar’s ears were laid back, uncertainty making him hesitant.

Squirrelflight knew Mothwing. The RiverClan she-cat may not follow StarClan, but she’d do anything to keep her Clanmates safe. There was relief in her expression when she first got an apprentice, knowing how much RiverClan needed to connect with Starclan. She wouldn’t murder Willowshine, not Mothwing.

“You think I don’t know what I’m doing?” Mistystar snapped. “Mothwing is a traitor. Bramblestar was right about that, and I encourage you all to be aware of cats who’d rather fight for traitors than against them. That’s the point of this gathering. Not what’s happening in RiverClan.”

Squirrelflight looked at Tigerstar, meeting the tom’s uncertain gaze. Was Misystar talking about the rebels? Dread filled her gut. How would Mistystar feel, knowing that cats from all Clans were involved in fighting against Bramblestar’s tyranny? But… that doesn’t explain Mothwing’s actions. Squirrelflight knew it couldn’t have been her, but if she didn’t kill Willowshine…

“Is there a body? Willowsh–”

“Enough about RiverClan!” Mistystar snapped.

Squirrelflight startled, taking a step back. Tigerstar stepped between the two she-cats, looking as though he’d rather be anywhere else.

“Leafstar, SkyClan had no codebreakers mentioned from StarClan,” Mistystar commented, her voice lowered as though talking to an old friend. Leafstar gave nothing away, her expression closely guarded. “I have no doubt that some cat would take advantage of that fact and do something terrible to you and your Clan.”

“Unfortunately,” Leafstar sighed, “If we’re discussing problems–”

“We’re supposed to be talking about Bramblestar!” Tigerstar argued. “Can’t this wait until the Gathering?”

Squirrelflight looked away, unable to stand being back on topic.

She saw amber eyes dart away. Before she could stand to give chase, a large squirrel ran from that spot, the only sound being the leaders’ bickering as it looked up at Squirrelflight, tilting its head as it searched the ground, unafraid.

Squirrelflight felt her stomach rumble but didn’t dare approach. Was it a sign? From Leafpool? Firestar?

Crouching down, she watched with keen focus as the squirrel searched through twigs and grass, never close enough for her to grab.

Squirrelflight tried to make sense of it. Was it sick? Hungry?

The squirrel continued looking until its eyes flashed back towards Squirrelflight, who tensed but did nothing.

Surely it was a sign, for the squirrel approached before running away, something small now held in its mouth.

Squirrelflight inhaled, her heart racing as though she were that squirrel. Did it have what it was looking for? Was it because it wasn’t afraid to face her that it got it? Was that what she needed to do? In order to get… something… she had to face her fears?

“Squirrelflight!” A cat exclaimed, snapping her back to reality. She turned, noticing that all eyes were on her.

“Yes?”

The leaders exchanged looks. Squirrelflight bristled, knowing what they all must be thinking. “Squirrelflight was listed as a codebreaker,” Mistystar mused.

“We’re discussing Bramblestar,” Squirrelflight reminded her, “not me.”

“What were you doing?” Tigerstar questioned, his amber eyes carefully observing the forest around them. For a moment, Squirrelflight wondered if the amber eyes had belonged to him. But if that were the case, then the tom would be in two places at once, which would be impossible. And besides, his eyes were darker. The ones she saw earlier were brighter.

“I was…” Squirrelflight realized how silly it was, to be so desperate for a sign from StarClan that she hoped a squirrel would bring her answers. Admitting to it would only make her seem more helpless, as if she were a kit exploring outside of the nursery. “Thinking,” she settled on, knowing that it was only partly true. Were the other leaders suffering as much as ThunderClan without StarClan’s guidance? Was she the only one praying to them for answers?

Are they hiding from me on purpose?

Tigerstar didn’t look convinced. Leafstar once again gave her a pitying look, and Squirrelflight couldn’t help but resent her for it.

She didn’t need StarClan. The Clans have survived without them! Their ancestors were still watching and one day, she’ll join them. She didn’t need proof to know that. There didn’t have to be a reason at all, unless they were punishing her. I’m a codebreaker. Her expression dimmed. But they’ve left us all, not just ThunderClan. Not just me… everyone’s suffering. She briefly glanced at Tigerstar, who seemed to have his head in the clouds, if anything.

“Next Gathering,” he sighed, far too calm for Squirrelflight’s liking as he looked directly into her eyes and continued, “next Gathering we will bring him before the Moonpool and take every life from his body.” He stilled, waiting for protest. When none immediately came, he opened his mouth to speak when Mistystar unhelpfully decided then to speak up.

“Why at the Moonpool?” She asked. “Why not kill him in his own camp?”

“Because of StarClan, isn’t it?” Leafstar’s tail swished back and forth. “How long will it take before every cat realizes they’re gone for good?” Her voice grew faint at the end, as though struggling to believe it herself. Harestar said nothing, his eyes focused on Squirrelflight.

Mistystar replied, but it all faded to the background as Squirrelflight scrambled for a reason to delay it. To change it. Anything.

I told myself I’d hate him. She ran a paw across her stomach, feeling the scar. Over and over I gave him chances and he just kept hurting me. Squirrelflight felt more and more like a squirrel. A piece of prey for Bramblestar to bite into. He’s imprisoned, how would death fix anything? Even as she had that thought, she considered what death wouldn’t fix. StarClan won’t be brought back, Bramblestar would never apologize for what he’s done, and Squirrelflight would be the first leader never to receive her nine lives.

Not only that, but she had to consider the effects. Bramblestar’s tyranny made many cats fearful. Squirrelflight would be able to allow the exiled cats back in, but will they forget what had occurred? Will they ever forgive her for letting it happen? Can she forgive herself for not noticing the signs, for not stopping him sooner? Back when Bramblestar was deputy, could Squirrelflight have told Firestar that something was wrong and have him fix it? Would he have made Brambleclaw a warrior again, never to abuse his status and power? Or would her words fall on deaf ears, since she had no proof at all over what he’d become?

Brambleclaw had been a thorn in her side ever since she joined The Great Journey. But it was through that travel when they grew close, and closer still when they found their new home. It had all started falling apart when she lied about the kits, but that couldn’t have been her fault.

She just did what StarClan told her to do.

“I can’t…” She muttered aloud. She didn’t even know if the other cats heard her. Did they stop talking because they did, or because there was nothing more to discuss? Bramblestar’s fate was sealed, as it should be. To die beneath the stars he had sworn to follow.

“How do we know StarClan isn’t torturing us for something we’ve done as a whole?” She considered as she looked up. “How do we know it’ll help?”

Squirrelflight closed her eyes, feeling her heart squeeze in her chest. She still remembered that day she left for the Journey. Brambleclaw was beyond against it, but Squirrelpaw had insisted she come along. Was it her? Was she the problem? She had lied to him, but he did, too. Were they not meant for each other because of that? Or was that the exact reason they belonged?

She felt a tail brush against her ear, opening her eyes just enough to see Leafstar gaze back at her. The SkyClan leader pressed her nose against Squirrelflight’s head, a wave of misery falling from them both.

“I didn’t think joining the Clans would be like this,” Leafstar whispered, “SkyClan is having a vote. We might have to leave the lake.”

Squirrelflight thought her pain couldn’t get any worse, but she was wrong. “Why?” She choked, hugging her friend. “So many cats have died just so you can stay.”

Leafstar sighed, her shoulders hunched. “I know. It isn’t easy. Life in isolation was tough, and we don’t belong there. But ever since we came… there’s been nothing but trouble.”

After a few agonizing moments, Squirrelflight let go. All of the leaders had decided on their next course of action. She didn’t want to think about it. She wanted to forget it, but knew that in the end, she had to be the leader her Clan expected her to be.

“When will it happen?” She lifted her chin, looking at Harestar for an answer, knowing that the WindClan leader had been mostly quiet throughout all of this.

“At the Gathering.” He replied with a stern nod, his eyes softening for only a moment before looking back at the others.

Mistystar was the only leader who hadn’t taken her eyes off of Squirrelflight, her tail moving back and forth hypnotically. Her eyes gave nothing away.

Squirrelflight nodded to Harestar’s answer, not needing to know anything else. “I should… prepare.” She said, standing. Without waiting for the other leaders’ responses, she turned, stalking back the way she had come. ThunderClan needed her. Bramblestar needed her. Bramblestar was one cat. She was going to be a leader, so she needed to act like it. But Bramblestar was her mate… but he doesn’t care about her. But what if StarClan forced him to act this way? What if it was the Dark Forest?

Briefly, she considered going back on her quest to find the Sisters. Rootspring, Needleclaw, and Bristlefrost might need her help.

Forcing her eyes to look at her paws, she continued walking. No more delays. She loved Bramblestar, she did, but he was just using her to get his way. She will not be distracted any more.

Once again, she thought back to that squirrel. Maybe it wasn’t a sign. Either way, she didn’t need the stars to tell her what to do. They were only there to help, not guide. She forged her own path, even if they were the destination.

She felt her paws pick up the pace, feeling her path diverge once more.

How many times has she sacrificed for cats she cared about? Leafpool, Moonlight, Bramblestar, ThunderClan, StarClan… higher and higher it goes, until she’s a mouse and all she can see are the large eyes of cats ready to pounce. She never had a moment to care for herself, always rushing after another cat’s wishes, trying her best to fulfill their dreams, even if her own were shattered in the process. StarClan itself had put her on trial for it. Crimes she did out of love, not selfishness. Crimes that were too dark for StarClan to welcome but apparently an inferno in comparison to Bramblestar’s.

After all, StarClan must have visited him when he had lost his life. What did they say? Was he too soft? Too compassionate? Did they even give him a trial, before telling him that he must change his ways or else be sent to The Place of No Stars?

That was when Squirrelflight started running.

* * *

She found herself wandering aimlessly, her tail dragging behind her. The trees seemed ominous, looming over her. She could envision StarClan cats mocking her, taunting her for her misery.

StarClan was quiet, but that didn’t mean they weren’t there. She felt resentment rise in her chest, trying to repair the broken fragments of her heart by tooth and claw alone.

“Stop it!” She yelled into the forest, her ears twitching with the leaves’ quiet laughter. “Stop laughing!”

In a moment of pure anger, she cursed StarClan. She cursed all that they stood for. Who were they to decide who’s right and wrong? Who are they to determine whether a cat can rot in the Dark Forest or thrive in StarClan? They didn’t know everything, clearly, since she had to convince them herself that she was worth saving.

“What did you tell Bramblestar?” She exclaimed, demanding answers. It wasn’t Bramblestar’s fault, it couldn’t be. It wasn’t just her heart telling her that something’s wrong. It wasn’t just a final plea for there to be a reason. Because there was a reason, there had to be. “Give me a sign! I know you’re capable of it!”

The sounds of the forest were the only sounds that greeted her words. She waited, her fur on end, waiting for a sign that should surely come.

No. With her mind set, she ran in another direction. She wouldn’t wait. She wouldn’t rely on the stars to send her answers, she’d seek them herself. And if they won’t respond to her, then she knows the truth.

She knows it. Because Bramblestar loved her, and she loved him. It was all the bad moments that connected them, but she felt a warmth in her heart like never before when they were together. Feathertail’s death, finding the lake, Hawkfrost’s plan, Leafpool’s kits, even The Great Battle connected them. When she looked at Bramble claw , she never saw a hint of the father he was so keen on separating from. Ever since his first life, all she could think about were the connections.

But even then, something wasn’t right. The way he held himself, the way he was so obsessed with her… He didn’t sound like a copy of the original Tigerstar.

It reminded her of another cat she knew, though.

She didn’t care how much time passed, her destination clear. By the time she made it to the spiraling path of stone, she was panting. Her Clan will be missing her, soon, if they weren’t already. That was fine, she’ll be back shortly, knowing the truth.

Her steps were filled with purpose as she made her way to the Moonpool, the sun just starting to set. She closed her eyes as she pressed her nose against the pool of water, forcing herself to relax.

She waited. And waited. Her claws dug into the stone, rage making her blood boil. Why wasn’t StarClan answering? Why were they making her suffer?

Squirrelflight forcefully pressed her nose closer to the water this time, hearing it splash and shaking her head as it clinged to her, lifting it just enough to not get it overly wet.

She refused to take no for an answer. She deserved answers. Come on! She squeezed her eyes shut. She could hear the wind mocking her, the trees laughing. Everything was against her. But why? What did she ever do to make StarClan think she deserves this? What did StarClan know? They were just a bunch of old cats! Were they upset at her for occupying Brambleclaw on the Great Journey when she wasn’t supposed to? So what? The prophecy was still fulfilled and the Clans were saved! StarClan had encouraged her to take Leafpool’s kits. They were destined for greatness! If it weren’t for them, they would have lost the battle against Sol and the Dark Forest.

Squirrelflight squeezed her eyes tighter, not quite aware of the rising water.

If Squirrelflight had never taken Leafpool’s kits, then what kind of sister would she be? What kind of Clanmate? The Clans would be lost without her. She deserves some sympathy! She didn’t want pitying looks or soft words. Cats who cared would make it their own problem, chase the hopes of other cats to satisfy their needs above their own.

Like her. She was a codebreaker.

All because she cared too much.

Squirrelflight’s eyes burst open when she failed to breathe, realizing she was now submerged in water.

Panicking, she tried to swim up, following the bubbles. She wasn’t going to die, not again. Not like this, so suddenly…

She felt more than saw something brush against her side and only then did she hesitate.

Up was the surface, she knew. But this was her chance. Her chance to find out why Bramblestar hates her, her chance to find out why StarClan is being silent…

She was going to get answers.

So she swam down.

Chapter Text

Bramblestar didn’t know what he had expected. He had known things would go wrong eventually. Ashfur couldn’t keep up the act forever.

Following Shadowpaw into the waking world seemed easy enough… except that he was completely alone at the Moonpool, having to run all the way to ThunderClan to see what was going on.

He didn’t want to think about it. He wanted to gag, to fall back into the shadow of who he became. But he couldn’t. His Clan deserved a better fate. Squirrelflight deserved a better fate.

The battle was brutal. He had seen himself fight against the assassination attempt but knowing Ashfur was the one controlling his body made him shutter. Those familiar moves… of course a normal StarClan cat wouldn’t know them, and of course it had to be Ashfur who does. How long had he been planning this takeover? How long did he train with the Dark Forest, promising them a chance for revenge if they taught him everything they knew, worked alongside him, and made sure he never lost a battle?

His smile was haunting. His body’s–Ashfur’s. The way he attacked with merciless efficiency, treating his own Clanmates like prey to be tossed and discarded. Was he really that cruel in life? Or only now that he won’t take the blame for it?

“Come on!” Ashfur hissed, using Bramblestar’s body as if it were his own, his movements fluid as though he never once quit training. “You all saw the sign! It was from StarClan! You must fight to protect me!”

Bramblestar caught his eye, a chilling grin appearing across his own bloodied body.

Bramblestar shivered, his ghostly form flickering in and out. He didn’t belong here. Not without a body. He was fading, and he panicked knowing that Ashfur knew it, too. The Dark Forest was the only place he felt solid, and that knowledge didn’t help him in the least.

“Stand down, Bramblestar!” Tigerstar had hissed, coming up behind the fake and swatting at his muzzle.

Ashfur never lost his smile.

“Never,” Ashfur snarled, using Bramblestar’s voice, as he lunged for the ShadowClan leader.

Bramblestar watched as Ashfur clawed at his face, blood oozing out of multiple wounds. It only took one more shout from him for ThunderClan to switch sides, the warriors unsure of what exactly they fought for.

A sign? A sign from StarClan? Horrified, Bramblestar looked up, fearful that Ashfur’s words rang true. Does he truly control them now?

Ashfur yowled as he was ambushed, Tigerstar holding him down. “I should kill you,” the ShadowClan leader breathed, his claws extended as he looked into Ashfur’s eyes.

No! Please no! Bramblestar panicked, pacing back and forth, knowing he was helpless in this fight.

“But all of the Clans deserve justice for everything you’ve done.” Tigerstar paused, multiple eyes turning to one certain cat who’d hung back in all of this.

Bramblestar knew exactly what words Tigerstar hadn’t spoken. “And Squirrelflight doesn’t deserve that kind of ending. Or that kind of beginning.” Bramblestar turned to his mate, longing for her to look, just once, at him, and not the bloodied monster he’d become.

He had never seen her look so miserable, her pelt shaken and eyes downcast as the fighting eased on both sides, none truly willing to harm the other for the sake of Bramblestar. Squirrelflight hadn’t protested Tigerstar’s attack, nor had she joined in on the conflict.

When she looked up, her eyes were ablaze with something cold. “For now,” she spoke, her voice loud enough for all to hear, “imprison him.” She stepped forward, eyes trailing over Bramblestar’s body. “Make sure he’s healed enough to not die by sickness or injury, yet.” She spoke it more like a question, a wavering edge in her voice that made her sound smaller than she appeared. “And make sure he doesn’t escape.” Tigerstar narrowed his eyes at her before waving with his tail for Scorchfur to approach. Squirrelflight fixed herself, tail held high as she looked down at the tom she once considered her mate.

Bramblestar opened his mouth to say her name when Myrtlebloom shrieked, Eaglewing collapsing on her side. He flinched, feeling another ghostly presence besides his own brush against him.

Squirrelflight gulped, her eyes transfixed on the imposter as the tom coolly returned her gaze, neither of them acknowledging the surrounding cats around them, caught up in their own silent battle.

Bramblestar felt unease crawl up his spine at all the destruction surrounding the camp. He felt an even chillier fear settle over him knowing the true cause, his eyes tracing the line of blood covering his physical body, his spirit frozen in place.

I did this.

Eaglewing was lifted, led by Jayfeather into the medicine den, the tom’s nose wrinkling in disgust at the foul stench.

It was then when Bramblestar noticed the limp form already inside, a tabby who wanted nothing more than to help save him.

No…

Bramblestar had never felt more like a ghost than he did then. Every cat ignored him, his entire body tense from his newfound discovery.

No.

There, on the moss, was Shadowpaw. His eyes were closed, his body stretched out in slumber. There were clawmarks etched onto his skin, clawmarks that Bramblestar hardly had to struggle in identifying the origins of.

His head turning back towards the clearing, he watched as Birchfall and Scorchfur led his body back to the leader’s den, every eye narrowed with hate.

I can’t fix this, even if I do return to my body. No cat will ever trust me again!

Bramblestar wanted to call out, to insist that he be seen. Rootspring won’t even help me! Frustration clawed at his belly and it was only then when he realized Squirrelflight was looking straight at him.

“Squirrelflight?” His heart dared to flutter with hope.

Instead, he felt fur pass straight through him, a chilling frost now residing in his mind as he watched Tigerstar converse with Squirrelflight about the situation.

The ShadowClan cats who had come for the battle had split up now that it was over, some helping the wounded, much to Jayfeather’s protest. “Do you even know what you’re doing?!” The medicine cat would snap. “How can you not tell the difference between a broken bone and a twisted paw? Warriors get twisted paws all the time!”

Once Bramblestar’s body was safely hidden in the shadows of the leader’s den, the warriors’ whispers grew louder, their conversations rising, up until Tigerstar waved his tail, signaling for silence.

Now that I’m taken care of, every cat feels safe.

Bramblestar’s spirit felt heavy, as though a boulder were crushing him with its weight. His heart was torn, his love for his Clanmates rivaling his sense of duty. Was he never cut out to be leader? Looking at Squirrelflight, the she-cat seemed just as conflicted as he was, her eyes occasionally darting up to where Bramblestar’s imposter rested.

The gradual ease with which Clanmates talked in his absence broke him. The memories of when he used to be able to do the same were gone, now lost in a dreamlike haze where  nothing ever went wrong.

Bramblestar felt alone, his spirit unseen as cats took the deceased away, lives Bramblestar had taken with his own traitorous claws.

Could he even return to his body, at all, once this was over? Would he even want to? He tried to recall the weight of his paws, the strength of his muscles. He felt freer as a ghost, but more trapped as well.

What if he couldn’t decide? What if he wanted to be dead? Didn’t the Clans want that? Wouldn’t Ashfur be stopped if he could no longer take control of him?

An image flashed through his mind. The Dark Forest cats are still helping him. Ashfur only managed to kill as many cats as he did because of their aid. Either by their physical presence or…

Bramblestar lifted his head, angling his ears towards Squirrelflight and Tigerstar. The two seemed to be heavily debating their choices, their options limited but the solution clear: To remove Bramblestar from power but… then what? Squirrelflight won’t receive her nine lives and ThunderClan would be even more vulnerable to the other Clans without a properly assessed leader.

“We need an emergency Gathering,” Tigerstar mused.

“ThunderClan’s business should stay ThunderClan’s business, don’t you think?” Squirrelflight argued, her head held high. “We thank you and ShadowClan for your help–but Bramblestar is our problem. We’ll solve it and then inform you of our decision.”

“How do we know you won’t just release him and let him go?” Snaketooth padded up to the two cats, her expression fierce. “How do we know you won’t just set him free because he’s your mate ? ThunderClan isn’t the only Clan who’d gotten hurt from Bramblestar’s actions!” Before Tigerstar could stop her, if he was even planning to, the she-cat thrust her muzzle in front of Squirrelflight’s face, her eyes ablaze with fury. “Strikestone gave his life to stop him! So did Frondwhisker. Now you go meowing about how it’s ThunderClan’s business when ShadowClan has sacrificed just as much to put him in his place!”

Bramblestar’s spirit hovered closer, his head lowered as he watched the bodies of the two ShadowClan warriors be taken away, the cats disappearing outside the thorn tunnel.

“I’m sorry, Snaketooth, but what happens to Bramblestar now is to be decided among my Clanmates and medicine cats.” Squirrelflight spoke calmly, her eyes looking away from the ShadowClan warrior. “I can assure you, we won’t set him free after everything he’s done.”

Before Snaketooth could protest, Tigerstar urged Snaketooth back with a tilt of his head, turning back to Squirrelflight with narrowed eyes. “If you don’t want a full Gathering, we can just fetch the leaders and medicine cats to discuss this privately."

Bramblestar lost focus, his eyes closing in quiet acceptance,  the smell of fear-scent now a familiar but drowning sensation.

“Where am I?” A cat materialized in the air, his eyes wide with fear. “Why do I feel so… wrong? ”

Now knowing what happens to the deceased cats, Bramblestar found it even harder to meet his eye.

“Bramblestar…” Frondwhisker breathed, her spirit backing up. “You’re dead! Aren’t you?”

Bramblestar still didn’t turn, feeling a ghastly chill settle over him as once again, something dark and evil brushed against his pelt.

“So… we won?” Strikestone seemed confused, the tom going quiet as he slowly came to realize the situation. Either that, or he and Frondwhisker decided celebrating his death wasn’t worth it, refusing to give Bramblestar the satisfaction of knowing he was seen, that he wasn’t alone…

Somehow mustering the courage to turn, he did so, hoping to see eyes looking back at him, not through him, for once in his ghostly life.

Instead, all he saw were the branches of a beech tree, the warriors beneath still talking in hushed whispers. Bramblestar couldn’t decide between relief or disappointment at how quickly the other spirits faded away, not even giving him a chance to talk to them like he had been able to with Conefoot and Dappletuft.

Remembering the glazed eyes of Brackenfur, he shivered, acknowledging that it may be best he didn’t get to speak with them.

Tigerstar made his way over to the medicine den, the cavern floor covered with the blood of cats passing through. Bramblestar watched him disappear inside, his focus returning to Squirrelflight, the one cat he wished more than anything he could apologize to.

Snaketooth had disappeared while Bramblestar had been distracted, but her words must still linger in Squirrelflight’s ears because she had yet to move from her spot, her eyes intensely focused on assessing the clearing around her.

Bramblestar knew better than any cat what she was doing–distracting herself. Busying herself with fixing the camp so she didn’t need to worry about fixing the Clan. Slowly, she bent down to pick up a fallen twig off of the beech tree that made up the warriors’ den. Blinking slowly, she walked over to the elders’ den to place it with the others, Rosepetal and Flamepaw using honeysuckle to further reinforce the shelter.

“Are you sure we need more?” Rosepetal spoke quietly, so quietly that Bramblestar almost missed what she said. “I think warriors’ den needs reinforced too, considering how eager ThunderClan was to fight!” Rosepetal purred with amusement, her words trailing off as Squirrelflight only blinks in reply.

“I’ll help you. Can you handle the rest of it on your own, Flamepaw?” Rosepetal asked the apprentice. Flamepaw nodded but grimaced at how much honey was now stuck to his paws, his tail flicking in irritation as Brightheart and Cloudtail padded forward to help.

Bramblestar watched the two she-cats move back to the warriors’ den, Squirrelflight finally taking in a deep breath once she dropped the stick. “There’s less damage than I thought,” she meowed, “but all of these falling leaves and twigs can still be dangerous, can’t they?”

Rosepetal nodded, licking her paws clean of honey. “I’d thought the other warriors would take better care of the camp, knowing we live here!” Rosepetal sighed before answering Squirrelflight’s unspoken question, “I don’t think we need honey for the warriors’ den. The twigs aren’t too plentiful but if we do this right, they’d still stand strong as long as we’re careful.”

“Are you implying that elders need to be treated like kits because our den needs more protection?!” Cloudtail’s meow rang across the clearing, Rosepetal’s fur spiking at the realization that she was overheard.

“Maybe!” She replied, a small smile on her face.

Bramblestar nearly laughed at how shocked Cloudtail looked, a paw raised over his chest. “I’ll have you know I can still work as well as any warrior can! Flamepaw, move, let me show them. I can repair my own den!”

Brightheart looked exhausted as she trotted after Cloudtail, her words too quiet for Bramblestar to hear. Flamepaw obediently stepped away, his pelt bristling as he left to do some other chore.

Bramblestar’s eyes focused on the ThunderClan apprentice, a frown on his face as he realized how outcast the young tom was, sinking into the shadows of the camp with disturbing ease.

Once again, the Dark Forest flashed in his mind and Bramblestar had to look away. Ashfur had said that he’d get living cats to join him… he felt unease not knowing who could be a traitor.

Knowing he could do nothing but wait, he was resigned to watching over the camp, listening to cats laugh and smile as though Bramblestar were already done and dealt with.

However… the sound of pawsteps made him pause, the scent of RiverClan having him glance up in confusion.

Mistystar, leader of RiverClan, stood at the entrance. Her pelt was matted and breathing unsteady as she walked into the clearing, ignoring the aftermath of battle as her haunted eyes fixated on Squirrelflight. For a brief moment, her hackles rose, as though threatened, but then she shook her head and relaxed, sighing in relief once Tigerstar made his way out of the medicine den with a confused look in his eyes.

“Why–”

“Emergency Gathering. Leaders only.” Mistystar declared, stumbling towards him. Alderheart raced out of the medicine den, a bundle of herbs in his mouth as he cautiously moved towards the she-cat who hissed and swiped at him in response, much to Alderheart’s confusion.

“ Only leaders.” She snarled, her claws extended.

“Mistystar, what is the meaning of this?” Squirrelflight padded up to her, Mistystar warily stepping back as she repeated her earlier statement.

“ I am acting leader for ThunderClan at the moment.” The ginger she-cat stood tall, challenging Mistystar with her gaze. “If you want to speak to Tigerstar, you also want to speak with me.”

Mistystar blinked, momentarily confused. “What happened to Bramblestar?”

“He’s contained.” Tigerstar informed her. “Bramblestar is not fit to be leader of ThunderClan anymore.”

“Did Squirrelflight talk with StarClan?” Mistystar narrowed her eyes towards the she-cat, who bristled in response.

“No, but StarClan can’t speak with anyone at the moment and Bramblestar is clearly incapable of leading, so…” Squirrelflight took a deep breath. Bramblestar could see her trembling but trying to stand strong with the eyes of ShadowClan and Mistystar watching. He felt respect wash over him, pride at his deputy’s courage. He knew she’d be a good leader, and only hoped that she wouldn’t crumble under his own heartwrecking betrayal.

“So a codebreaker leads ThunderClan.” Mistystar’s voice was hushed, regarding Squirrelflight anew. The ginger she-cat blinked in shock, surprise evident in her expression. “I had my reasons for what I did,” she hastily defended herself, “and similar to the Gathering, let’s not forget you’re half-Clan, Mistystar. Every cat has broken the code at some point.”

Mistystar turned her head, her claws retracting. “I suppose so,” she muttered. “Regardless,” Mistystar stood to her full height. “I need all the leaders to meet me on the island. It’s an emergency.”

Tigerstar tilted his head, exchanging a glance with Squirrelflight. “Now!” Mistystar snapped, turning to walk out of the camp. “Only leaders,” she clarified, side-eyeing Alderheart. To Bramblestar’s surprise, Jayfeather sat next to his spirit, the tom tilting his head to the side as he listened quietly to the exchange.

Alderheart looked from Mistystar to the herbs he gathered.

“Mistystar, maybe we should–” Squirrelflight as cut off as the RiverClan leader continued out of the camp, Tigerstar whispering something to Squirrelflight before she looked apologetically to Alderheart and did the same, following after Tigerstar.

That’s odd. Bramblestar frowned, knowing something wasn’t right. What’s with Mistystar?

The camp resumed as normal, cats discussing what just transpired. Looking up beyond the highledge, Bramblestar looked at where Ashfur was being kept, seeing only himself terribly still inside of his den. Scorchfur and Birchfall exchanged looks, sitting outside of the leaders’ den as they guarded Bramblestar’s body.

Sighing, Bramblestar made himself as comfortable as he could be, his hopeful eyes lingering on Jayfeather, who had yet to move.

“Mistystar didn’t let me help,” Alderheart padded up. “She just denied me straight away. As if I have greencough and tried to get her infected.”

“Something’s wrong with her.” Jayfeather noted, his tail wrapping neatly around his paws as a cool breeze ruffled the tom’s fur. “I just don’t know what.”

“She’s not the only cat acting weird,” Alderheart continued, “Shadowpaw has been really insistent on getting into everything lately.”

Bramblestar perked his ears upon hearing the name, Jayfeather as well, apparently. “Well, he’s a young tom wanting to impress his Clan. What more do you expect?”

Before Alderheart could respond, Jayfeather stood, nudging Alderheart towards the medicine den. “Puddleshine can’t treat every cat’s minor injuries on his own.” Jayfeather sighed. “I’m going to catch up with Tigerstar and see what’s going on.”

Alderheart hesitated for a moment before nodding, watching Jayfeather leave through the thorn tunnel. It was only when the medicine cat had vanished from sight when Alderheart bent down to pick up the bundle of herbs meant for Mistystar and trudged back to the medicine den, leaving Bramblestar alone once again.

He felt cold.

The rest of the day moved on quietly. Bramblestar, at first, was concerned that something was wrong with Shadowpaw, since he clearly recalled the medicine cat swimming through the Moonpool to return and yet, remained deeply asleep. However, as time went on, Puddleshine’s lack of concern gradually grew on him and he found himself sitting patiently by his side, his thoughts vanishing one by one until he felt only peace.

He didn’t realize he drifted off–he didn’t realize he could drift off–until the sound of yowls arose around the camp.

Rising, Bramblestar raced out of the medicine den to investigate.

“Squirrelflight has been gone for too long!” Stemleaf declared, standing on top of the highledge.

“Get down from there!” Cloudtail scolded.

“This isn’t right!”

“You’re not our leader!”

Stemleaf waited patiently for the accusations to calm down. Bramblestara blinked in surprise at the scene. Less ShadowClan warriors were in camp but he could still spot Scorchfur and Tawnypelt among the few who stayed.

Shouldn’t they have all gone back to ShadowClan by now?

Looking behind Stemleaf, he still saw his body eerily still, and if it weren’t for his breathing, he’d assume he had died again.

What’s going on?

“Cats of ThunderClan,” Stemleaf announced, his meow sounding anything but right. “ThunderClan is without a leader.”

“We have a deputy!” Lionblaze hissed.

“A proper leader. And we may never have one again!” Stemleaf snapped back, his fur bristling. “I want nothing more than for ThunderClan to be okay. You all know that! I don’t want to be leader.”

Silence greeted his words. Bramblestar made his way through the crowd of cats, sitting next to his sister, who he longingly stared at in desperation.

Please, he thought, see me.

“Squirrelflight is not the right mindset right now,” Stemleaf looked down, sorrow filling his gaze. “We all know that. She loves Bramblestar too much to do what’s right for the Clan.” He sighed, his eyes turning towards the nursery, where his three kits sat outside of it with wide eyes, carefully watching. “Bramblestar has to go.”

Bramblestar watched as his body stretched, amber eyes blinking away sleep, now attuned to everything.

Stemleaf’s speech faded to the back of Bramblestar’s mind as he backed up, amber eyes meeting amber. He turned towards Tawnypelt and saw the she-cat eyeing Ashfur with skepticism.

No. “Don’t look at him,” Bramblestar pleaded, continuing to phase through the crowd. “Look at me.”

Seeing his body tilt his head, Bramblestar’s spirit ran into the forest, his paws thumping against the ground.

Ashfur can send me back at any time, he realized with dismay. It’s all just a game to him.

An owl hooted from above, the forest lengthening as the sky continued to shift, Bramblestar’s thoughts muddled in his head.

“He’s not acting like himself.”

“You are mine, Bramblestar.”

“This is all my fault.”

“I don’t want to be evil.”

“I should kill you.”

He groaned, a tug on his paws leading him to the one place he dreaded most.

He had hoped that by returning as a spirit, he could do something. In the end, all he could do was watch.

The grass beneath his paws turned to stone and he felt his head hang low with grief. Two more cats to add to the deceased… two more to add to Ashfur’s army.

Looking down into the pool of glimmering water, he saw the Dark Forest stare back at him, the trees stretching to reach him, their branches creaking and groaning.

The air felt cold, the birds and mice taunting him with what should have been. Here, he was nothing but a memory. There, he had a chance.

Swallowing back his doubts, he held his breath as he swam down, his spirit no longer as light. He felt grounded, more solid, than he ever did in the waking world. Emerging onto the other side, he opened his eyes to see the forest shift, the brambles that prevented his passage through now disappearing as quickly as the water, leaving him half-afraid that he’d end up stuck in the ground.

Darkness crept in to surround him, a heavy blanket he didn’t realize he missed. The air smelled just as bad as he remembered, though, and he’d never get used to the sharp tang of rot as he walked through the woods. There was another scent he couldn’t identify, but it smelled more alive than anything in the Dark Forest should be.

Shadowpaw?

Bramblestar followed it, pausing whenever he felt the forest start to change around him, wanting to trick him into walking somewhere else. Proud that he was figuring out its tricks, he continued on, the scent growing more and more familiar the further he walked.

Then it hit him. All at once.

The trees quieted their sounds as if they, too, sensed the importance of this moment. The whispers and dread fading away like mist. There, standing over a bank of dark water, was a cat he had never expected to see in the shadowy depths of the Place of No Stars.

There, on the riverbank, turning to look right back at him with her emerald green eyes–not through him but at him–was none other

then Squirrelflight.

Chapter Text

Puddleshine had made Shadowsight stay quiet about his ceremony. Despite other cats still referring to him as Shadowpaw, he felt light on his paws knowing that he was no longer an apprentice. And, despite Puddleshine keeping it a secret for now, he no longer treated Shadowsight as an apprentice. The tom left camp often, leaving Shadowsight in charge of any injuries or concerns. Feeling proud of his independence, he made sure to keep stock of how many herbs he had and the exact treatments used for each.

Watching cats come and go from camp only reminded him of his situation. He was trapped. Despite being a full medicine cat, he still had no power. Tigerstar thought it was too risky for him to leave camp, despite himself doing so constantly.

Frowning, he left the medicine den, wondering what was going on with every cat disappearing. More often than not he found himself alone with only a pawful of warriors in camp.

Right now, Berryheart, Grassheart, and Snowbird were the only visible cats, sitting outside of the warriors’ den. Noticing his stare, Berryheart narrowed her eyes before turning back to her companions with an irritated flick of her tail.

Making his way to the fresh-kill pile, Shadowsight stared down at the meager amount within. Pawsteps to his right made him turn, only then noticing that Snowbird had approached, a frog in her mouth.

“I’ve noticed how hard you’ve been working lately,” the she-cat meowed thoughtfully, “do you blame yourself for what Bramblestar has done?”

Shadowsight froze, not expecting such a straightforward question from the senior warrior. Holding his tongue, Shadowsight silently reminded himself that Frondwhisker was one of Snowbird’s kits, and that she must still be grieving her lost daughter over something so unjust.

Of course she’d blame Shadowsight. Of course she’d want him to apologize.

Just then, the scent of Tigerstar washed over him. He turned to see his father making his way back to the camp, a solemn look on his face, followed by Scorchfur and Tawnypelt.

Scorchfur headed over to his mate, giving Shadowsight the chance to figure out what Tigerstar wanted, seeing that he was heading to the medicine den.

“Puddleshine?” Tigerstar observed the den.

“Puddleshine went to find some horsetail.” Shadowsight said, taking a deep breath as their eyes met.

“Then why aren’t you with him?” Tigerstar replied.

“ Some cats have to stay in camp,” Shadowsight retorted, his tail pointing to the half empty warriors’ den. I get that some ShadowClan warriors need to be in ThunderClan, but is that really all that’s going on? “If you have something to tell Puddleshine, you can tell me and I can transfer the message.” He offered.

Tigerstar glanced back out of camp, his fur standing on end before smoothing back down with a few quick licks. “The situation is worse than I feared. Squirrelflight still hasn’t been found and ThunderClan is divided. Do you have any idea what your actions have done?”

Shadowsight blinked at the accusation, unsure how to respond. “I-I only did what I could to help,” he insisted, more confused than upset. Unfortunately, his father was the opposite.

“Help?” Tigerstar’s hackles rose before he took control of himself, shaking his head. “All the ‘help’ you’ve done has made everything worse. Why in StarClan would you go to ThunderClan territory alone ? Surely you must have known what would happen! I’ve tried this entire time to keep my paws off their land but for some reason or another, I’m either mediating them or giving up my time and warriors just to help.”

“That’s all you care about?” Shadowsight snapped back, disbelief filling his mind. “Just because you don’t want to interact with ThunderClan, you’re going to get upset with me about doing the right thing?”

“What makes you think trespassing is the right thing to do?”

“Because StarClan wouldn’t stand for us to be at each other’s throats in a time of need! StarClan would want us to help one another, not ignore them or tear them down. We need five Clans to survive. I’m going to do whatever it takes to save every single one, even if I have to risk myself to do it.”

Tigerstar was silent after that, his intense stare giving Shadowsight goosebumps.

“Are you sure there needs to be five Clans?”

“What?”

Tigerstar inhaled, looking around the camp.

“I was being reckless,” he admitted, “in pushing Squirrelflight to punish Bramblestar.”

Shadowsight tensed.

“Most of ThunderClan is willing to give Bramblestar what he deserves, but without knowing what’s happened to Squirrelflight, they don’t…”

Shadowsight opened his mouth to speak but nothing came out, his thoughts conflicting.

“They don’t want to be leaderless,” Shadowsight concluded. “But how can they not find her? Why is she gone this long?”

“We don’t know.” Tigerstar huffed. “We can overpower ThunderClan enough to kill Bramblestar, but without Squirrelflight… and StarClan’s still gone, too.” Tigerstar hastily added, swishing his tail. “Either way, ThunderClan won’t be a complete Clan anymore.”

Shadowsight saw his chance.

“Which means that Bramblestar has to live.”

Tigerstar stared at him, tilting his head in consideration. “He can’t rule.” He narrowed his eyes. “It’s better if he dies.”

“I agree,” Shadowsight tried not to show his excitement at still having a chance to save him. “But we need five Clans–”

“The Clans lived fine when SkyClan was gone. Moons of peace… another cat can take over ThunderClan until Squirrelflight is found. They don’t need to disband.”

Shadowsight’s hope crumbled like a dry leaf. “But they need a leader. A proper leader, blessed by StarClan!”

“You’re saying that Bramblestar deserves to remain a leader?” Tigerstar scoffed. “After everything he’s done? Really, Shadowpaw?”
Shadowsight bristled. If Tigerstar just spent a moment to think, then he’d realize what was wrong with Bramblestar! Every cat was so insistent that the only problem in the Clans was StarClan’s absence that they were blinded by the simplest solutions.

Remembering Bramblestar’s ghost, Shadowsight tried a different approach. “How about this, Bramblestar remains imprisoned and chooses another deputy to take over. He still cares about his Clan. He’ll choose a good deputy and they can take over until Squirrelflight returns.” Or Bramblestar gets better.

Forming a plan in his mind, Shadowsight set his sights on getting Tree to help. The SkyClan tom was able to speak to ghosts, so surely he could get Bramblestar’s spirit to appear. If he was still around.

Pausing to feel the wind in his fur, Shadowsight wondered if Bramblestar had waited. Did his ghost follow him? Or could Ashfur have done something to his spirit to make him stay in ThunderClan? Either way, he needed Tree’s help. But to get his help, first…

Tigerstar shifted in place. “Help me find Puddleshine,” he demanded, turning without another word. “As long as you stay with me, you can leave camp.”

Shadowsight’s paws prickled with anticipation. Passing by Yarrowleaf, the two toms wandered into the coniferous forest, the trees whistling with the sound of birds.

Tigerstar didn’t slow his pace, not even turning his head. He knows exactly where he’s going, Shadowsight sighed. Observing his paws, he thought wearily about everything he’s been through. Tigerstar still thinks I’m just an inexperienced kit. Gulping, he recalled the Gathering where his visions were revealed. Tigerstar had seemed so proud of him, the only medicine cat able to communicate with StarClan still.

I wish I knew. A ghastly chuckle entered his ears, the entire forest darkening with the sick truth of who his visions really came from. Jayfeather mentioned that Ashfur is a StarClan cat… so it’s not my fault for trusting him. I was only listening to StarClan. Still, a hollow pit formed in his chest. He should have known. No StarClan cat would want the Clans to suffer. He was right to be hesitant, but if he didn’t say anything, then what would have happened?

His nose twitched as a rotten smell hit his nostrils, reminding him too much of the scent of the Dark Forest. Looking at the source, he couldn’t tell whether the pawprints were cat-shaped or…

Foxes. Foxes have been through the territory.

Tigerstar seemed to have smelled it too, his ear flicking but eyes focused straight ahead.

“There is a darkness in the Clans that must be driven out.”

Shadowsight blinked, shaking his head to clear it. Was the darkness… ShadowClan?

“ You are the darkness, Shadowpaw.”

Did his namesake need to be driven out?

“Are you sure there needs to be five Clans?”

“Puddleshine?” Tigerstar’s voice cut through Shadowsight’s thoughts, bringing the light back to the forest again, making him blink in order to see.

“Tigerstar,” Puddleshine nodded politely, his eyes drifting to Shadowsight. “Shadow paw . What is my apprentice doing out here?”

“I brought him here with me,” Tigerstar informed him, his tail lashing before he got back to business. “I need your opinion on something. Shadowpaw, bring the horsetail back to camp. Can I trust you not to run off?”

Shadowsight froze. He looked down at the spiky stems and his thoughts raced. This was his chance to go to SkyClan, but would it be worth it? What if Leafstar sent him back? Or Tree can’t summon Bramblestar’s ghost? How angry would his father be? How disappointed would his Clan be?

“Thank you, Tigerstar, but that’s not necessary.” Puddleshine licked his chest fur, his head slightly bowed. “Whatever you have to say to me should be said to Shadowpaw. He won’t learn if he’s kept in the dark.”

Tigerstar briefly considered his words before sighing and nodding in agreement, sitting down.

Shadowsight sighed with relief, the choice made for him.

“You know what’s going on in ThunderClan right now,” Tigerstar began, staring down at his paws. “There’s no… leader .”

Puddleshine nodded, his tail curling neatly around himself.

“I’m considering taking over. Temporarily.” Tigerstar added at the medicine cat’s shocked expression. “When I was there, it was… bad. I have Cloverfoot helping them, but she’s facing backlash because they insist they can handle things on their own.”

Shadowsight couldn’t believe his ears. ShadowClan? Taking over ThunderClan? Why would his father do this?

“ThunderClan isn’t a Clan without a good leader. We’ve been letting them get away with a terrible one that cost me and every other Clan our warriors and reputation. Bramblestar isn’t fit to be leader, but he’ll undoubtedly appoint a bad deputy–”

Puddleshine raised a paw to silence him. After a few heartbeats, he spoke. “I understand where you’re coming from, Tigerstar, but is that really the best idea?”

“I talked to Cloverfoot about it and the only way to stop a full-on war between our Clans has to be this.”

Shadowsight blinked. “A war? Why would we have a war against ThunderClan?”
Tigerstar blinked at him. “Because no cat is satisfied with our arrangement. Every cat wants Bramblestar dead, but everything revolves around Squirrelflight’s return. If StarClan comes back, ThunderClan can appoint their own leader…”

“ThunderClan is in no state to be appointing leaders,” Puddleshine argued, “I know ThunderClan. Every cat thinks highly of themselves. If more cats agree with, let’s say, Lionblaze, as a leader, there will be some cats who hate it enough to not do what he says. Even if they solve it on their own, there will be no cat with true authority.”

Tigerstar dug his paws into the dirt. “I’m losing my own authority,” he admitted. “Just today, Snaketooth and Berrynose fought and when I intruded their argument, Snaketooth called me out for refusing to stand up for my Clan.” Tigerstar sighed. “Bramblestar is the problem, not ThunderClan, but more and more of my warriors are placing the blame on them instead of the real tyrant!”
Puddleshine and Shadowsight exchanged a glance.

“I understand, Tigerstar, but how will taking over ThunderClan help make them have a better relationship with ShadowClan?”

“They’ll work together,” Tigerstar stated. “They’d treat each other like Clanmates.”

“But if they hate ShadowClan–”

Tigerstar whirled on him, eyes flashing. “Apprentices shouldn’t be a part of this discussion,” he snapped. Just as quickly, his anger faded and the leader blinked, startled by his own words. “I mean…”

Apprentices shouldn’t be a part of this conversation.  

“I don’t know what got over me,” Tigerstar admitted, turning back to Puddleshine as if he had all the answers.

Puddleshine ruffled through the horsetail, mumbling something under his breath before speaking up, “I don’t know either. But I still think you should reconsider taking over ThunderClan. Maybe you should leave them alone for awhile. With Bramblestar imprisoned, they should be able to handle themselves.”

“Bramblestar escaped last time!” Tigerstar argued, and Shadowsight couldn’t help but compare his outburst to that of a kit’s. What’s going on?

“Give it a moon.” Puddleshine picked his herbs up, motioning with his tail for Shadowsight to help, which he eagerly did.

Tigerstar stood there, blinking in confusion at the abrupt halt to their conversation. “I hope you know what you’re doing,” he said, “because I don’t know about you, but the longer Bramblestar remains alive, the worse my nightmares seem to be.”

Shadowsight watched as the ShadowClan leader turned and began padding back to camp, his head hung low. Guilt simmered in his belly. He knew that Tigerstar only wanted what was best for his Clan. He must be stressed. Two ShadowClan cats died fighting Bramblestar.

Once he was out of view, Shadowsight dropped the herbs, waiting for Puddleshine to notice before speaking, “I need to go to SkyClan.”

Puddleshine blinked at him.

“Can you come up with an excuse for my absence? I want to see if Tree can make Bramblestar’s ghost appear.”

Puddleshine blinked again.

Shadowsight felt something sliver up his spine, the air growing cold. “Puddleshine?”

“Hm?” Puddleshine shook his head before nodding. “Sure,” he spoke around the horsetail, turning and following Tigerstar’s path back to the Clan.

That was… odd. Shadowsight looked around. What was wrong with him?

Nothing seemed wrong. In fact, everything seemed perfectly normal. Just as he thought this, a shadow darted behind a tree. Ignoring the horsetail, Shadowsight raced after it. “Hey!”

The shadow didn’t halt, continuing to sprint as if being chased by foxes. “Hey! Stop!” Shadowsight called out, trying to find a way to somehow get ahead.

The shadow moved quicker than him though, and before long vanished into the forest. Sniffing the air, Shadowsight tried to pick up a scent, but failed. What did this cat cover themself with to make them have no scent? Shadowsight shivered. Now that he thought about it, that cat didn’t appear to have color, either. Just pure black…

Turning around, Shadowsight began heading to where ShadowClan shared the border with SkyClan. He couldn’t help but wonder if this cat tried to lead him astray or take him somewhere else. Pausing, he considered it.

No. No more stupid decisions, Shadowsight! Stay focused. Save Bramblestar.

With his mind set, he reached the border.

* * *

“No.”

Shadowsight scowled. He knew it wouldn’t be easy but he had expected Leafstar to at least hear him out!

“I forbid Tree from going into ThunderClan.”

“But we need his help!”

“Just consider it, Leafstar,” Frecklewish pleaded. “Bramblestar can’t do anything now that he’s imprisoned.”

Leafstar briefly glanced at the two medicine cats before looking away, her head held high. “I said no. That’s my final answer, Shadowpaw. We are not getting involved in this. Let ThunderClan handle themselves.”

“But that’s the thing! They can’t!” Shadowsight argued. “Bramblestar is their leader and without StarClan to appoint a new one, they have no cat in charge!”

“So they’re just a group of rogues.” A cat mumbled from behind him. Shadowsight couldn’t look, not when he had to convince Leafstar that she had to let Tree come to ThunderClan.

“ThunderClan saved your Clan, Leafstar. Firestar did. The least you could do–”

“We owe ThunderClan nothing!” Leafstar bellowed, her hackles rising. “SkyClan is doing just fine the way we are. Last I heard, ShadowClan lost warriors to ThunderClan’s problem.”

Shadowsight gulped, not knowing what else he could say.

“Leafstar, wouldn't you do it for Squirrelflight?” Frecklewish asked.

“Squirrelflight’s dead.” Leafstar claimed. “Unless ThunderClan puts themselves back together, we aren’t going to divide them any further.”

“But it’s just for one thing!” Shadowsight argued. “If this fails, then you can back off. If it fails, you–”

“It’s not going to fail because we won’t even attempt it.” Leafstar turned away. “Now leave.”

With a wave of her tail, Rabbitleap and Wrenflight walked up to Shadowsight, following close behind as he dragged his paws to the camp’s entrance. Frecklewish followed Leafstar into her den.

Sighing, Shadowsight looked at Tree, who was sitting next to Violetshine out in the sun. The she-cat coughed, looking unwell, and whispered something to her mate as he stretched out, not returning Shadowsight’s look.

Defeated, he was escorted to the border. Not only had he failed to get Tree, but he had also strained Leafstar’s patience. What if SkyClan decides to close their borders? Or leave for good?

In his mind, he went back to the vision that started it all, Tigerstar crouched down, teeth bared in a snarl. Bramblestar on the ground, pinned by the ShadowClan leader’s weight.

“You’re going against the Code!” He repeated. “StarClan will never return now!”

“We don’t need StarClan.” Leafstar hissed. “We’ve lived for moons without them. They should never come back.”

Shadowsight trembled, trying to keep pace with the warriors. Was his vision accurate? Was it a lie or a genuine warning? Was that Bramblestar the real one or possessed? Questions swirled in his mind like a tsunami, each one making his paws feel heavier and heavier. Tigerstar was losing control of ShadowClan. ThunderClan had no leader. Was SkyClan going to leave? Or would they end up–

Shadowsight’s head perked up. The SkyClan warriors froze, turning to look at who snuck up behind them.

A yellow tom made his way through the underbush, tail held high. “Do you need me?” He questioned, sitting down. Rabbitleap and Wrenflight exchanged glances.

“You should go back to camp,” Rabbitleap said.

“I will.” Tree made no attempt to get up. “What did you need me to do?”

Seeing that the SkyClan warriors looked more confused than upset, Shadowsight took his chance to explain the situation.

“I don’t know.” Tree pawed at the dirt. “Squirrelflight had already come to me to ask me to do something similar. To summon Bramblestar.”

Squirrelflight knows? Shadowsight wondered how she came to realize he was possessed. He never got to tell her himself. “Does that mean you won’t do it?” Shadowsight asked.

Tree took his time to respond, gazing longingly back at the camp. Shadowsight was almost convinced that the tom had fallen asleep when he shot up, his eyes wide. Rabbitleap, true to his name, jumped too, looking around for any danger.

“Rootspring!” Tree randomly called out. “There you are!”

Shadowsight turned, only then realizing what Tree meant.

Across the forest, Rootspring sprinted, Needleclaw right behind her. Both cats were running like the wind, chased by some horrible monstrosity that would enable the Clans’ destruction…

“I win!” Needleclaw beamed, digging in her claws to slow to a stop.

“It’s until we reach camp, not until we reach a patrol!” Rootspring argued, meeting Shadowsight’s eyes. “Oh. Oh.”

“You’re back!” Tree purred, bringing his two kits close for a hug. “You worried me! Now we can talk to Leafstar about leaving. Come on.” Tree turned, ignoring the astonished faces of his kits as he headed back to the camp.

“What took you both so long?” Rabbitleap scolded. “When we got the news of Squirrelflight staying in ThunderClan, we thought you’d have returned home!”

“Sorry, we were doing some important task that Squirrelflight gave us.” Rootspring puffed out his chest in pride. “We’ve heard that she’s gone missing. Does any cat know what happened?”

Shadowsight sighed. “We think it’s because–”

“What are you doing here, Shadowpaw? Aren’t you supposed to be in ShadowClan?” Needleclaw looked him over. “What in StarClan’s name happened to you?”

Shadowsight felt his fur spike. Was it that obvious?

“I was trying to get Tree’s help,” he retorted. “But SkyClan doesn’t want to help ThunderClan anymore since Squirrelflight left.”

“I’ll help.” Rootspring padded up to him. It was only then Shadowsight noticed a faint scar on his flank. “We just came from ThunderClan. Do you need me to go back there?” He seemed almost hopeful that that was the case.

“You don’t understand.” Shadowsight sadly shook his head. “I need Tree. A cat who can speak to ghosts.”

Rootspring and Needleclaw exchanged a look. “Now that that’s taken care of, Rabbitleap, Wrenflight, want to go hunting before heading back to camp? I want my paws to be full of prey!”

“We were told to escort Shadowpaw to the border,” Rabbitleap protested.

“I can do that.” Rootspring licked his fur, turning back the way he came. “Come on.”

Giving SkyClan’s camp one last glance, Shadowsight followed Rootspring to the border, his heart heavy.

“Remember when I mentioned how I had these, um, sights ? Sightings ?”

Shadowsight frowned before remembering the Gathering. When Rootspring said he’d make a good medicine cat. “Yeah?”

“I can–” Rootspring paused his words, hesitating. The only sound that came from him was the crunch of leaves his paws walked on. “I can see ghosts. Like my father,” he sheepishly admitted.

“You can…?” Shadowsight’s eyes widened. “ That’s why you always act so weird!”

Rootspring turned around in a flash, his fur standing on end, earning a laugh from the ShadowClan medicine cat.

“I’m not weird!”

“I remember. You also went to a half-moon meeting that one time! You looked so confused,”

“Take that back!”
“You can see ghosts? Like Tree can?”

“Yes! I just said that.”

Shadowsight’s eyes brightened. He didn’t need Tree. Rootspring could help! If Rootspring could make the real Bramblestar’s ghost appear, then they’d believe him! The Clans could work together to kick Ashfur out and then every Clan would be saved! “Rootspring?” Shadowsight waited until the tom looked at him.

“Yes?”

Nothing could go wrong. As long as Bramblestar’s spirit was still nearby, he could be summoned. Tigerstar would back off, ThunderClan would devise a plan, and all of the other Clans would help defeat the evil tom, rescue Bramblestar, and if things went extremely well, return StarClan back to the Clans.

“Let’s do this.”

* * *

ThunderClan wasn’t as bad as Shadowsight thought. No cat claimed the leader’s den… that was, until Shadowsight realized that the lump of darkness inside wasn’t moss and instead Bramblestar’s imposter. Bristlefrost and Flaxfoot stood before the entrance, looking at each other. It was only then Shadowsight got the full extent of how much ShadowClan had taken over.

ShadowClan and ThunderClan cats alike roamed the camp, but there was a clear hostility between them. So much so that if Shadowsight spoke too loudly, he was certain every cat would pounce on one another.

Oh wait…

Standing above the camp, he was relieved he didn’t enter it through the entrance. Cloverfoot watched each and every cat with an observant eye, breaking up arguments and earning hisses in response.

“This is bad.” Shadowsight mumbled, his eyes darting from Clanmate to Clanmate below. Tigerstar was right. Tensions really are high… but how will adding more cats to ThunderClan’s camp make it better?

Counting, he realized that only a third of his Clanmates were present below. Hunting? Why is ShadowClan camp so empty when not even half of them are here?

Worry began to fill his head.

“Are you ready?” Rootspring asked.

“I can’t go down there.” Shadowsight turned his head to Cloverfoot. “I’m supposed to be in camp. I’m not supposed to be doing this at all.”

Rootspring shook his head. “Then why are you?”

“Because it’s the right thing to do.”

Rootspring said nothing for awhile. Curious to find out the reason why, he followed his gaze to Bristlefrost.

“I can do it alone,” he said. “I’ve summoned a ghost before.”

Shadowsight perked up. “That reminds me, where did you go? Squirrelflight sent you on a mission?”

Rootspring turned his head away, licking his chest fur to keep it down. “Kind of. We were originally going to look for the Sisters but they’ve been gone for too long. Squirrelflight decided to stay here and we just… continued with the plan, anyway. But that’s not what we discovered.” The yellow tom looked into the leader’s den.

“I…” Rootspring looked around, hesitating. “Are you certain that Bramblestar’s spirit is here?”

Shadowsight’s heart dropped. “Can you not find him?”

Rootspring shook his head.

“He followed me, I know that.” Shadowsight gulped.

“He couldn’t have gone far,” Rootspring comforted. “Should we look for him?”

Shadowsight looked back into the camp, freezing. He heard Rootspring’s breath hitch at the very same sight. “No, Bristlefrost, no…”

The she-cat had turned to Flaxfoot, the two walking away from the leader’s den in their conversation. Bramblestar stretched out, a grin on his face. Cloverfoot wasn’t looking in his direction, too busy stopping another argument. In fact, no cat was paying attention to him.

Amber eyes met his.

Shadowsight crouched down, dread pooling in his gut.

“Is he going to escape?” Rootspring asked in a panic.

“Why would Bristlefrost help him?” Shadowsight huffed.

“She’s not. She wouldn’t. Not again.” Rootspring risked a peak over the edge. “He’s gone.”

Shadowsight considered what to do next. He could run into ThunderClan and tell them that Bramblestar–

“Let’s go.” Without so much as an explanation, Rootspring pulled Shadowsight back to his paws and began racing around the border of camp. Blindly following, Shadowsight darted around the trees and caught sight of the dark brown tabby right when a shadow flew past his vision, knocking Rootspring into a tree.

Heart racing, Shadowsight stared at Bramblestar, meeting the tom face-to-face once again.

“Hello, Shadowsight,” Bramblestar smiled through his teeth. “It’s nice to see you again.”

Shadowsight turned to Rootspring, who shook his head and blinked in confusion. The mysterious cat was gone. Shadowsight would have almost believed Rootspring ran into the tree himself if he hadn’t been paying attention.

“What do you want from us?” Shadowsight stood his ground. “Whatever it is, you won’t get far.”

“Oh, I know.” Bramblestar– Ashfur –solemnly frowned. “You told the other medicine cats. And now? Now my plan is ruined, Shadowsight! I’ve lost everything and I’ll never ever be able to get this close again.” The ThunderClan leader cried, dramatically waving his paw to empathize his point. “That’s what you want me to say, isn’t it?”

Shadowsight backed up. The imposter stepped forward.

“Oh, Shadowsight… Shadowsight!” He laughed, claws raking the ground. “It’s the complete opposite! Thank you, once again!”

Shadowsight’s eyes widened. What? No…

“Without you, I would never have gotten the Clans to hate ThunderClan! If you never came to me, ShadowClan wouldn’t hate ThunderClan as much as they do now!” His smile chilled Shadowsight to the bone. “Thank you again, Shadowsight.”

“So your plan had nothing to do with Bramblestar? Shadowsight inhaled, his voice wavering despite his best efforts. “Everything was just so that ThunderClan is the most hated Clan?” But that didn’t make sense. Nothing made sense! “And now you’re going to kill me so I don’t have a chance to ruin your plan again?”

The imposter stilled, his gaze distant. Shadowsight turned, seeing flickers of shadows behind the trees.

“You can see them too, can’t you?”

Shadowsight gulped. The imposter had never spoken so… so sweetly before.

“What a pity, then.”

He turned back around.

“That it has to end this way.”

Stars filled his vision. He felt every muscle protest as he tried to get back up, confused as to what even happened. “Come on, Shadowsight! Fight me! I know you want to.” The imposter stepped forward, his eyes gleaming.

Shadowsight backed up, ears pinned back. Rootspring was getting his bearings, staring at Shadowsight in terror. All of this was his fault. Everything. He had fallen into Ashfur’s paws time and time again with no end. He couldn’t fight back when he knew he’d lose. He couldn’t stop a cat he hardly knew, but…

Shadowsight recalled the hazy forest, the barren land. The Dark Forest was where this cat belonged. If he was the one hiding StarClan from the Clans, then would him being trapped in such a place put a stop to it? There was only one way to find out.

Shadowsight didn’t have as much stamina as he’d like, but neither did Ashfur, being in a much bigger body. He had spent so long trying to save Bramblestar, he hardly paused to consider how to stop Ashfur. What if he just possessed another leader at the end of their life? What if he only grew more powerful with each cat that he kills?

Rootspring stared at him, waiting for him to make the first move. Shadowsight saw it, too, how Ashfur waited. How the spirits of evil cats in the past slithered around him like snakes. If he ran to the Moonpool, would he have a strong enough connection to get in? Would Ashfur follow him?

Shadowsight couldn’t fathom what would happen if he failed. He had to hope that he could get in and out without Ashfur being able to, too. From what he’s seen, the Dark Forest can be manipulated. He’s been there long enough to understand it.

Smirking, Ashfur seemed to realize his way of thinking, his body hunched to leap. Last time, Shadowsight had chosen to fight instead of flee. This time, he’ll do the opposite. All he needed for this new plan to work was to trick Ashfur to follow him to the Dark Forest. If he comes across Bramblestar, even better! They could kick Ashfur out, Bramblestar could take control again, and Ashfur could be trapped in the Dark Forest where he belonged.

All the plan needed was for him to keep running. Running until he got to the Moonpool, running until he found Bramblestar.

Amber eyes twinkled mischievously in the dark. The shadows continued to whisper and move. It was then Shadowsight realized how foolish he’d been to forget one more thing he’d need.

A whole lot of luck.

Chapter Text

Nothing could prepare Squirrelflight for the Dark Forest.

Granted, she's been to StarClan so she knew that the Dark Forest must be the complete opposite, but still, that knowledge couldn't save her from that first whiff of decay or the startling flash of light.

Blinking rapidly, she shook her head and stepped out of the pool, the sight before her stopping her in her tracks.

Right away, she knew something was wrong. The trees seemed to flow towards her, an unusual breeze beckoning her to join them. Their branches stretched out, and it was only when she felt wood touch her pelt when she moved, hopping out of the water and shaking herself clean. She felt completely dry, as if the action wasn't necessary, but the last thing she'd ever do is trust it. Where she'd thought the sky would be dark and ashen, it was instead a dull blue, the trees seemingly fading upwards as she looked, as if something prevented them from passing through.

Endless fog made seeing ahead of herself nearly impossible, her eyes squinting to see only darkness ahead. Warily, she stepped forward, cautious of how the trees whispered and begged. They couldn't hurt her, she knew. They couldn't touch her.

She wasn't dead.

And yet, with each creak and groan she heard, her fur stood on end. This wasn't StarClan. But… Why did the sky remind her of it? No stars sparkled above her, but she could have sworn she saw stardust when she went through the Moonpool. Even now, she could see the twinkle of them, just barely visible before vanishing from view.

This isn't the Place of No Stars. Squirrelflight slowly wandered through the trees, observing each branch and blade of grass as she went. Something was very wrong here. The trees were covered in faint scratches everywhere. Without counting, she estimated about twenty on average per tree. Sniffing the wood, all she got was the overwhelming smell of decay, unable to determine anything else beyond that.

The grass seemed worn down, stepped on countless times. No new blades grew. It was expected in a place where cats were meant to rot but it still puzzled her. They seemed to be leading somewhere, to the darkness her eyes refused to see past. Eyes wide with realization, she followed them. The pawprints were difficult to spot in the grass but the wear had certainly caused the blades of grass to bend enough to identify.

Taking her time, she observed her surroundings. Again, it didn't seem like the Dark Forest. If there wasn't such a bad smell associated here, she would have thought it was just a normal forest.

It reminded her almost too much of ThunderClan.

Sighing, she recalled how foolishly she left. How irresponsible she was. A part of her regretted it, but another part, the part that she hated, said she was right to leave.

She couldn't face Bramblestar. Her mind constantly showed the good parts of him, blocking out the rest. Laughing bitterly, she wondered how it'll feel to attack him back. To feel her claws sink into his pelt, drawing as much blood from him as he drew from her. Then she wouldn't be the only one with scars.

Shockingly, the darkness she saw at the end of the path wasnt darkness at all. The water seemed–wrong, to flow like it did. But what didn't feel wrong here?

Reaching a paw to it, she hesitated, unsure if it was wise to once again face the unknown. A shuffle from behind her made an ear twitch but the silence after made her refocus back on her question. Previously, it had gotten her to the Dark Forest, but what's beyond the Dark Forest?

Looking at her own reflection, she flinched at how she looked. Her fur was unkept and dirty. Definitely not the appearance of a warrior. Or a leader, she thought sadly. From the view alone the water seemed similar to the Moonpool's but more… empty. Void of… everything. She felt her claws dig into the grass, wondering if beyond the stream were more pawprints. If there were, did that mean they swam across? Should she follow?

Looking back up, she saw nothing but mist obscuring her vision. Maybe this’ll be the one thing she doesn’t dive head-first in.

Turning back around to take a new path, she froze. Her breath hitched as she saw a tom stare back at her, his pelt completely in disarray and eyes wide. He couldn’t have followed her. He couldn’t have. Not when all of ThunderClan and half of ShadowClan guarded against him.

“Squirrelflight?” the tom uttered, leaning forward as though he couldn’t quite believe what he was seeing.

Squirrelflight. She couldn’t believe her ears. She couldn’t believe her eyes. The tom that had caused all of his problems… had followed her? How many cats did he hurt just to get here so fast?

“Squirrelflight?” he repeated.

When he stepped forward, she did so in reverse. Bramblestar’s eyes widened at the water behind her, backing up. “Squirrelflight, get away from that! It’s not safe!” The tom paused, his eyes becoming more gentle. “It’s you. It’s really… you.”

“Yes, it’s me!” Squirrelflight yelled. “And it’s you. ”

Bramblestar flinched at her harsh tone before stepping forward again, his expression almost obsessed. “Don’t go near the water,” he gulped, “it’ll… you’ll drown.”

Squirrelflight grit her teeth. Of course he’d think she’d try to drown herself! Of course he’d assume she had the intelligence of a kit. Maybe that’s why he looked so tired! He felt like a parent, not a mate! Not a leader or a friend or a warrior or a Clanmate.

Bramblestar began circling her, his paws carelessly dragging along the trail, hiding the pawprints she followed all the way here. His gaze never drifted, staring at the she-cat as though they never met. Squirrelflight stayed near the water, refusing to let herself be led back out.

He’s afraid of the water, Squirrelflight’s pelt bristled with anticipation. Why?

When Bramblestar reached the water himself, he paused, eyes still trailing over Squirrelflight in disbelief. “You’re here.” He paused, looking directly into her eyes. “You see me.”

Does this cat have bees in his brain? Squirrelflight became genuinely concerned. Of course I can see him! Why couldn’t I?

After a moment of tense silence, Squirrelflight spoke.

“You followed me,” her voice was an accusation. “You should still be in camp.” Awaiting death, she wanted to add, but didn’t. “You should be imprisoned, not free.” Squirrelflight dragged her paws as she warily approached Bramblestar, making sure his eyes stayed on her own. Realization made her falter. “Someone freed you,” she concluded, bile rising in her throat. Bristlefrost couldn’t have…

“No, no!” Bramblestar smiled. “I’m not imprisoned! I never was!”

Squirrelflight frowned. This cat has definitely lost it.

“Squirrelflight, it’s me ! Bramblestar! It’s me! The real me!” Bramblestar practically pranced forward, Squirrelflight backing up to avoid him. When the tom realized what he was doing, he paused, vibrating in place, his eyes glowing with joy. “Squirrelflight, you have to listen to me,” his voice grew more serious, his smile fading as what seemed like moons of despair finally caught up with him.

“That cat? The one imprisoned?” He shook his head. “That’s not me. That’s an imposter. It’s Ashfur , pretending to be me to get close to you and destroy the Clans!”

The nonsense he was spouting made Squirrelflight reconsider her point of view, recoiling as the tom once again tried to approach her. Mistaking her hesitation for understanding, Bramblestar continued, his words coming out in a rushed exclamation, “Ever since you used Shadowpaw’s method to resurrect me, it wasn’t me that came back. It was Ashfur! He pretended to be me for moons and… it took awhile, but now you see me! Now we can be together again and defeat him.”

Squirrelflight took another step back, refusing to believe that this spirit could be her mate. She now saw how the trees and bracken were visible through his fur. How his expression looked borderline obsessed.

She didn’t move this time as Bramblestar approached her, the sound of his paws touching the bare ground as quiet as a mouse, far too soft to carry the weight of a full-grown cat.

She felt him touch her face, her flinch making his eyes soften and look on in wonder. “Squirrelflight,” he meowed, and for a brief moment she wondered if he was crying. When her eyes met his, her heart thumped to find the same tom she had cherished for moons, finally back.

No. His body was back at camp. He must have travelled to the Dark Forest by dreaming his way here. Just because it felt real didn’t make it so.

She felt his claws, even if they weren’t there.

Despite his soft gaze, as warm as it was moons prior, he didn’t seem regretful. Didn’t seem truly sympathetic at all, overjoyed at being ‘seen’, sure, but has yet to say the two words she desperately needed to hear.

He only repeated the same three that felt numbing.

On top of his not-apology, he was accusing Ashfur of replacing him? Ashfur, a cat long dead?

Her throat felt tight as she swallowed, backing up away from him. Bramblestar looked hurt, his eyes drifting from her face to the water beside her.

“That’s your excuse, isn’t it? That some cat took over your body?” Her voice was quiet. Regardless of all the emotions swirling within her, she stayed steady. Despite the hollowness in her heart, she continued.

“After everything you’ve done, you’re just going to excuse it as Ashfur taking over you?”

Squirrelflight tried to make it make sense. Ashfur was obsessed with her, yes, but that was only when he was alive. And he had spared her, in the end. Ashfur had earned his way to StarClan. What would he gain by controlling Bramblestar? Being with me, she thought.

Against her will, she began to see logic in his declaration. But by now, it was hard to determine hope from truth.

“You think that Ashfur wants to destroy the Clans.”

This, Squirrelflight didn’t believe. Ashfur had no reason to destroy the Clans. His only motivation was Squirrelflight. Even if Ashfur controlled Bramblestar to act the way he did around her, that didn’t explain his harsh rules or obsession with the Code.

“And yet, you continue to beg and beg for forgiveness instead of actually earning it!”

Squirrelflight’s voice grew harsher, her eyes hardening.

Now it was her turn for control.

“For moons I have put up with this. With you . For you , not me! I loved you then, and by StarClan, I hate that I still do!” With each sentence, she stepped forward, Bramblestar forced to back away, eyes wide with surprise. Surprise . As if he thought she’d just smile and agree with his idiotic words without proof!

Scowling, she moved forward. “I loved you from the bottom of my heart. All that love’s done for me is destroy me, over and over again.” Her voice felt like a cry. But she wasn’t scared. Not anymore. “I always came back! I always forgave but time and time again you show me how wrong I was to trust you.”

The black water lapped the ground. Bramblestar’s eyes widened in terror.

“Was this you the entire time? Was I so blind that I didn’t realize what kind of monster you were from the beginning?” Her vision blurred. “You’re just like your father, Bramblestar.”

The large tom recoiled. “Squirrelflight–”

“Enough!” She exclaimed, her voice a high shriek. The drooping leaves of the nearby trees seemed to rise, once again desperately reaching for stars that no longer shined.

“You cut me off time and time again!” She moved faster.

“Only leaders can speak, Squirrelflight.”

“Deputies aren’t supposed to talk at Gatherings.”

“Well I'm the leader of ThunderClan now, and I’m done being your prey.”

A large squirrel ran to her from the lush undergrowth. It looked up at Squirrelflight, tilting its head, unafraid.

“I’m done shedding tears for you. Done existing just for you!”

Squirrelflight was curled up in the old twoleg den, thinking. I fought death for him and he tried to kill me. The memory of claws dragging her down was too much to bear. She leaned on Sparkpelt for comfort . He’s my mate. Her eyes looked over at her daughter, softening at the concern and love that was shown there. But these are my friends, she thought, my family.

“ThunderClan needs me,” she shouted. She still recalled the disarray of the camp after ShadowClan’s attack with terrifying clarity. “And this isn’t a battle I have to fight.”

The Clan leaders gathered, discussing him… the squirrel that continued to search with unshaking determination, even in the face of a looming cat. To find the acorn it needed.

The pawprints that led her here gave off their faint glow, the black water that lapped at her paws now filling with stardust.

This is it, she realized, This is where StarClan is.

Bramblestar’s eyes somehow widened even further, his mouth opening to pull her back.

Ashfur’s not trying to destroy the Clans. Squirrelflight narrowed her eyes. Fury filled her chest like a flame and she couldn’t help but wonder if StarClan encouraged her forward.

It’s Bramblestar. Bramblestar’s been the enemy all along.

It made so much sense now. The way he acted, the way he spoke of StarClan. He seemed to know far more than he should.

When in death, he must have trapped them here. Expecting them to rot while he took over the Clans, one by one, until not a single warrior knew the difference between StarClan’s will and Bramblestar’s.

The original Tigerstar would have grinned.

“Squirrelflight!” Bramblestar called out.

Right when he was about to snatch her by the scruff of her neck like a kit , she leapt back, claws raking his muzzle for daring to touch her.

She blinked, surprised by her own actions as well as his. Too distracted by Bramblestar’s yowl, she didn’t feel the water until she was drowning, once again, feeling the water hold her close.

Terror grasped at her like claws. Holding her breath, she tried to swim up, whispering in her head encouraging her to go deeper, pleading with her, bargaining with her...

Stars twinkled below, getting brighter the further she sank. Bramblestar’s silhouette appeared above her and she couldn’t tell whether he was laughing at her fate or drowning, too, but in shame.

Bramblestar’s cry became quiet, the water gently encasing Squirrelflight’s body, seeking its entrance through her closed mouth.

Let go, it whispered, I’ll take care of you.

Another voice joined it, this one far more quiet and faint.

Like a droplet to water she was drawn to it, her lungs aching for air but mind set on one thing.

It wasn’t rain to water she swam down for. It wasn’t for the voice, either, that carried her below. It wasn’t Bramblestar she was trying to sink for. It wasn’t StarClan she was trying to find.