Ignorance

Anything relating to Warrior Cats: Ignorance AU, a fanfic rewrite based on The Broken Code.

[wc-ignorance-au]

Hello! Are you into Warrior Cats? Finished The Broken Code? Curious to see how it could have ended differently? Look no further!

This blog is everything Ignorance related. What if Rootpaw didn’t help Bramblestar’s ghost? What if moons had passed with no change? What if the author decides “screw it” and writes an entire arc based on this terrible decision? Welcome, warriors and apprentices, to a new era that awaits us…

[wc-ignorance-au]

The Freezing Ice (Warriors: Ignorance AU) - Chapter 1 - Epic_Suicune - Warriors - Erin Hunter [Archive of Our Own]

Ch. 16:

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?

Chapter 15

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.

[wc-ignorance-au]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Ch. 15: 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?

Chapter 14 - Chapter 16

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 Brambleclaw, 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.

[wc-ignorance-au]

https://archiveofourown.org/works/64997029/chapters/167108185

Ch. 14: 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. Shadowpaw could do nothing but watch it grow.

Chapter 13 - Chapter 15

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.” She 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.

[wc-ignorance-au]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Ch. 13: “I don’t want to be evil,” Snowtuft had said, “that’s just the way things have to be.”

Chapter 12 - Chapter 14

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.

[wc-ignorance-au]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Ch. 12: Is ShadowClan going to join the rebels in the attack? Repeatedly, Squirrelflight echoed Lionblaze’s words to herself, reassuring herself that they wouldn’t do it. Not yet. Lionblaze had promised her.

She knew better than anyone that cats can break promises.

Chapter 11 - Chapter 13

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.

[wc-ignorance-au]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Ch. 10: 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 he’d seen with Squirrelflight often. Who’d replaced him, then, too. A warrior who matched Shadowpaw’s description… It was…

Chapter 9 - Chapter 11

“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! Eager. The apprentices would love them. Then, once we have enough, we’d turn on the Clans. Those we deem capable will receive their nine lives, 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 possessed. 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.”

[wc-ignorance-au]

A little something from chapter 13

I tried to make Ashfur look smug. Does he look smug? I hope he looks smug.

[wc-ignorance-au]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Ch. 9: Squirrelflight looked at her paws the entire time. The sound of conversation continued long after they left camp. Stemleaf was the one who convinced Cloverfoot they’d be fine trekking through SkyClan after a 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. Let alone go to other territories.

Chapter 8 - Chapter 10

“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.

[wc-ignorance-au]

The chapter 3 talk between Alderheart and Squirrelflight! Took me 4 hours just for one page :’)

[wc-ignorance-au]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Ch. 8: Shadowpaw couldn’t help but imagine the Dark Forest trees, the ghost-quiet atmosphere, everything... It felt like he belonged there, trapped eternally in darkness, drowning and leaving nothing behind… He wondered, perhaps, if that would be his punishment for not telling the Clans sooner.

Chapter 7 - Chapter 9

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.

[wc-ignorance-au]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Ch. 7: Shadowpaw seemed hesitant to speak, thinking back. “Blue eyes.” He said, looking up into Bramblestar’s warm amber eyes. “The imposter has blue eyes.”

Chapter 6 - Chapter 8

“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.”

[wc-ignorance-au]

The chapter 3 talk between Alderheart and Squirrelflight! Took me 4 hours just for one page :’)

[wc-ignorance-au]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Ch. 6: StarClan, give me a sign! All Squirrelflight got… was the sound of battle.

Chapter 5 - Chapter 7

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.

[wc-ignorance-au]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Chapters: 12/21

Words: 46k

Ch. 12: The imposter continued walking closer, his pelt shifting from brown to a solid black, creeping in like a mist. Two, dark blue eyes twinkled with a menacing gleam. “You are the darkness, Shadowpaw.”

Summary:

Following The Broken Code: Lost Stars, Bramblestar is kicked out of his body. With no way to contact the clans, everyone assumed the Clan leader had lost his mind. The only cat who is able to see him, Rootpaw, does nothing. Wandering around as a ghost as he's forced to watch cats suffer beneath his own claws, he begins to wonder if this was what StarClan wanted. Is all hope lost?

Shadowpaw knows something is wrong. The voice that had been talking to him for moons has suddenly vanished, and visions of darkness and death are all he sees. As Clanmates turn against Clanmates regarding Bramblestar's new point of view about StarClan's silence, Shadowpaw must discover what caused the ThunderClan leader to change. And hopefully not die trying...

Squirrelflight had been grateful for Bramblestar's revival. But upon his sudden change of attitude, has second thoughts. Is he truly not the cat Squirrelflight thought he was? How long must she listen and obey him before he takes things too far? And when that happens, would she be able to stand against the cat she had once loved for moons?

[wc-ignorance-au]

New chapter out now! :D

[wc-ignorance-au]

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Ch. 11: The imposter continued walking closer, his pelt shifting from brown to a solid black, creeping in like a mist. Two, dark blue eyes twinkled with a menacing gleam. “You are the darkness, Shadowpaw.”

Chapter 10 - Chapter 12

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.”

The last thing he saw were two, pale blue eyes blinking from the shadows.

And then he was gone.

[wc-ignorance-au]

Basically the main character of this AU

The light in his eyes has died at this point.

He gets properly introduced in Book 2 (Book 3 since Lost Stars is still considered Book 1 for this AU) but if you look closely, you might already know who he is… 👀