Post by Snowfeather on Sept 12, 2015 23:15:09 GMT -5
So I'm big about the "What ifs" of my favorite books or Tv shows. I don't care for warriors anymore but Shadowstalkers contest inspired me to make this, a Fanmade story of a "What if" of Warriors. What if Smudge went with Rusty to the Clans ? What if the three actually belonged to who they were supposed to?
This story is still in the editing stage so its not done and uncorrected so there will be mistakes, but id LOVE to here your thoughts and reviews c; enjoy the cliff hanger!
WARNING IF YOU HAVE NOT READ UP INTO POWER OF THREE I DO NOT RECOMMEND CONTINUING. SPOILERS .
A year after Firestars death.
"Reeks of Shadowclan.." Reedwhisker murmered coming to a halt by the clans border, just before the two leg summer place, Mistystar trotted up and paused beside him.
"Of course, it is the Shadowclan border." she purred.
Both cats were silent for a few moments, letting the wind run through their fur, the refreshing breeze blew from the mountains, dotting the sky with clouds.
"I can go with you, we both know what Shadowclan can be like when you tread on their territory unwelcomed." Reedwhisker cautiously mewed, whiskers twitching.
Mistystar scanned Shadowclans forest, hoping a patrol would save her from wondering through their territory.
Nothing. Only wind bringing in the scent of prey from the forest.
"No." Mistystar mewed, her eyes still scanning the forest. "I need to speak with him alone."
"We've only recently had a battle with Shadowclan, are you sure you want to provoke them again?" Reedwhisker pushed.
A few moons ago Shadowclan attacked Riverclan over their fishing at the bridge near the Greenleaf Twoleg place, twolegs were avoiding the bridge when Riverclan fished there, causing them to wonder around near Shadowclan territory, scaring off the prey. Blackstar had ordered an attack on Riverclan and forced them to replace all the prey Shadowclan had lost by Riverclan giving half of their catches to Shadowclan for a moon, and a complete withdraw of the fishing spot. Since then border patrols could not pass each other by without insults.
Mistystar met her deputies eyes. "Leaders are allowed to speak with one another in times of need, Its not like I have a patrol behind me ready to pounce on command." her tail twitched.
Blackstar knows better than to mess with Riverclan
"Whats troubling between you and Blackstar? I thought the battle was resolved by us not fishing at the bridge anymore?"
Mistystar broke her gaze. "I..its not that..I just need to resolve something with him." great way to keep secrets from your deputy. "I don't want to burden you." She mewed
Surprisingly, Reedwhisker dipped his head in acknowledgment. "Very well Mistystar, I wish you good luck."
"Thank you." Mistystar tenderly mewed. "I promise to return before sunset." she nodded to her deputy and padded over the border and across the clearing.
Her nose twitched with the overwhelming scent of pine and cats as she took first paw steps onto the needle littered ground.
Mistystar stole a quick glance over her shoulder , Reedwhsikers eyes followed her pelt, sitting in the same spot she left him in.
She quickly turned her head back to the forest and padded on, the forest consuming her like it did the sun.
Only walking a few foxlengths she became overwhelmed with uneasiness, anxiously trotting on, trying to resist looking up.
Riverclans trees were scarce and scattered in clumps, sunlight illuminated almost every grass blade and reflected across their beautiful flowing river .
Shadowclans territory barely allowed sun to touch the ground. Trees were so close to each other Mistystar felt she they would try to grab and suffocate her. With every paw step she felt dead pine needles lodge between her toes , every little speck of sun that made it to the ground was swallowed back up by the wavering shadows of the wind rustling through the trees.
I always thought Shadowclan for the ruthless and fierce cats it sheltered, the clan lives in the shadows , when do they ever feel the sun?
As Mistystar padded on she felt the north wind blow through her pelt. She shivered and gritted her teeth, holding her head down. "Starclan please see me through..." she mumbled.
Mistystar tried to remember where the clans camp was, hoping she was heading the right direction, she had been their a few time but the towering pines felt endless, consuming.
How could a clan live in an endless dark forest ? She thought.
Suddenly she spotted a twoleg house appear above her head, half hidden by the small hill above her. With a swift jump she made the leap over cautiously trotting towards the house. It peaked her curiosity . It looked abandoned . Shiny cracked shards a few foxlengths above the forest floor shimmered in the sun, she could see a glimpse of the inside of the twolegs den, the den itself was a mangled torn sight, moss clung to the bottom of it.
Why do twolegs insist on staying in a little den? Don't they ever stretch their legs?
She studied the den, both mesmerized and uneasy .
"I knew I smelled fish!" a voice hissed behind her. Mistystar almost flipped backwards, whipping her body around.
Before her, was a patrol of Shadowclan cats. The warriors Tawnypelt, Pinenose and Ferretclaw.
Mistystar stammered with her words. "I-I- "
Did I go to far into their territory ?
"Mistystar sneaking around our territory ! Did you think we wouldn't catch you?" Pinenose hissed and dug her claws into the ground . The brown warrior bared her teeth.
Tawnypelt turned and glared at Pinenose . "If I was leader and a cat said that to me i would of clawed their ears off. How dare you offend a leader! Not a single cat is behind her." The tawny warrior growled.
"Perhaps their hidden." Ferretclaw murmured with a quick glance around.
"I don't have my clanmates with me. I came alone. I need to speak to Blackstar. " Mistystar quickly put in stepping forward slowly trying not to start a fight.
"Why didn't you wait at the border, instead of trotting through our territory?" Pinenose challenged ignoring Tawnypelt's warning and stepped within a few pawsteps of Mistystar, her eyes flaring.
Tawnypelt said nothing and turned her attention to the Riverclan leader. Her gaze was soft but extremely attentive .
Mistystar gathered herself before responding. "I waited for the patrol but they must of marked earlier than usual. I needed to speak to Blackstar as possible so I came through your territory alone, hoping to find a patrol or come close to camp for a warrior to find me.
"Well you found them." Tawnypelt mewed padding in front of Pinenose and nudged her away with her tail. "Im glad we caught you before you decided to investigate that den. Nine life's or not Mistystar the kittypets there are nothing of smalltalk. They would of ripped your pelt off in seconds."
Mistystar felt embarrassment prickle through her fur. So that's the troubling kittypet den Shadowclan mentions at gatherings.
"I wasn't going to stray into the den! I suppose.. I just got lost trying to find my way through your territory ." She turned her head and glanced at the den.
Tawnypelt smirked and erupted in laughter. Ferretclaw gave Mistystar an amused look. "Our camp is at the opposite end of the territory, your almost at Thunderclan border." the gray-creamy warrior snickered under his breath.
Im no Shadowclan cat.
Mistystar glared at Ferretclaw, wishing the dark ground could swallow her whole.
Tawnypelt recovered and dipped her head apologetically . "Of course Mistystar. We will lead you to camp. Leaders are always allowed to visit each other. Please follow us." The warrior turned and with a quick glare at Pinenose beckoned her to follow with her tail.
Mistystar nodded, looking at the abandon den before turning and padding after Tawnypelt. Ferretclaw and Pinenose follow along either side of her.
Any cat would think I had an army behind me.. Mistystar thought to herself.
Ferretclaw trotted beside her, eying the leader down, seeming to search every hair on her fur anxiously.
Mistystar couldn't help a laugh, facing Ferretclaw "Not enough she-cats in your own clan to be eying an old she cat, eh? "
Ferretclaw flung himself back, surprised , ears flushing red. "O-of COURSE NOT, your an intruder! I was just checking for other scents."
Pinenose nearly fell over laughing, almost tripping over the ground , ahead of them Tawnypelt snickered and looked back at them with gleaming eyes. The tension seemed to disappear, Ferretclaw averted his eyes angerly.
Im happy we don't have to walk in silence. Mistystar thought to herself , she contained a snicker. Ha!!! I embarrassed a Shadowclan warrior. He'll never live that one down !! Mistystar smiled to herself feeling like a young warrior again while Pinenose made a snarky comment to Ferretclaw and the two argued.
We truly are alike.. Mistystar mused to herself.
The feeling didn't last long. The group suddenly arrived at a torn tunnel seemingly appearing out of nowhere , with brambles bordering either side.
"This way." Tawnypelt mewed and disappeared. Mistystar followed , Ferretclaw and Pinenose behind her.
Exiting the tunnel the cats had to squeeze past a boulder to enter camp. Shadowclans camp was in a large encircled tangle of brambles with a clearing in the middle. By the entrance was a small pool of water and low hanging branches all around the camp from the many pine trees scattered around the camp, filling her nose with a refreshing scent. Mistystar could spot a few warriors laying on the branches of the trees above her, they pricked their ears in her direction.
Crowfrost padded up to the group.
"Why did you decide to bring the Riverclan leader into our camp, Tawnypelt?" He snapped and bared his teeth, glaring at Mistystar.
Mistystar stood tall and straight while Tawnypelt explained to Crowfrost her situation. She looked around, and , to her surprise , most of Shadowclan watched her silently without remarks or icy glares.
Four kits pounded out of a den behind Mistystar, she turned watching them tumble across the clearing towards them, all of them suddenly came to a stop noticing Mistystar. One of the darker kits backed up in fear. Mistystars heart clenched.
Pinenose padded towards the kits purring and wrapping herself around them. "Its alright kits. She won't hurt you. She's just visiting ." Mistystar blinked , surprised .
That's right! Pinenose had kits! They look old enough to be apprenticed. What a fiery of a mother they have. Mistystar wondered to herself remembering earlier and twitched her whiskers.
She met eyes with the darker kit of the group, his green eyes open wide with fear.She suddenly found herself bowing. "My name is Mistystar. I am the leader of Riverclan, I wanted to see your leader Blackstar." she purred.
The kits face radiated with excitement and he bounded over Pinenose tail."Im Slatekit! Wow!!! Another leader! I heard about Riverclan! Don't you swim under the lake?"
Pinenose said something to her kit but Mistystars attention was averted by Tawnypelt motioning her away towards a larger den with a low branch hanging over it like unsheathed claws reaching out.
Entering beside Tawnypelt Mistystar quickly met the eyes of Rowanclaw and Blackstar himself laying on the dens floor while Rowanclaw stood above him.
Mistystar dipped her head. "Greetings Blackstar, Rowanclaw."
Rowanclaw nodded towards Mistystar. "And their she is. I'll leave you alone." with a bow to Blackstar he and Tawnypelt padded out of the den leaving the two leaders alone.
Blackstar looked old and frail. His snow white pelt twisted, matted in areas . The leaders muzzle had grayed over time, old scars edged across his whole body in different sizes and length, but, as the leader stood , and even as his bones popped, Mistystar could feel the sting of Blackstars bright yellow eyes meeting hers, they were filled with determination and strength .
Mistystar expected a challenge from the leader, demanding why she was there. Rowanclaw hopefully told him she was alone .
"Ah. Mistystar" Blackstar rasped and nodded. "Its good to see you. Please, have some prey, Im not hungry." he motioned towards a blackbird she hadn't noticed laying a tails length away from him.
Mistystar was taken aback.
What? No demands ? And he offered prey?
"Who are you and what have you done with Blackstar? " Mistystar mewed. Completely serious.
Blackstar bowed his head. "Did you expect a fight?. Of course not. Not you Mistystar. Did you want to talk to me about fishing at the bridge?" The leader spoke so softly Mistystar strained to hear.
Mistystar hadn't thought of what to say once she got this far.
Can I really do this?
"No, Blackstar. I wanted to talk about..something else." She mewed softly.
Blackstar sat down slowly, his bones creaking with every twitch. "What is it you need to talk to me about?" he asked quietly, eyes meeting hers curiously .
Mistystar sighed and closed her eyes . She could barely say the word let along talk about it. The Riverclan leader swallowed and slowly rolled out the word.
"Stonefur."
~
"Tigerclan has no room for divided loyalties, Stonefur. I will give you once chance and one chance only." Tigerstar lowered himself from the pile of prey bones in the middle of the clearing. "Kill these half clan apprentices!"
Stonefur stood blocking the path to Featherpaw and Stormpaw, Foxlegths away he was circled around his former clanmates and Shadowclan cats, he had been starved, kept as prisoner along with Mistyfoot, Stormpaw, and Featherpaw. His ribs were poking out of his skin and his muzzle had been torn, blood dripping in a small puddle below him at his paws, but the warrior stood tall and strong, teeth glittering in the moonlight.
"I am no warrior to Lionclan! I am loyal to Riverclan! I will not lay a claw on these apprentices!" Stonefur snarled .
The clan cats encircling him gasped and began to clatter
Blackfoot stepped up from his spot below Tigerstar and raised his voice to howl throughout the clearing. "SILENCE!"
The camp went silent.
Blackfoot turned to Stonefur. "You see what happens when you listen? Now no cat else is in your position."
Stonefur arched his back and spat at the Shadowclan deputy. "Id die in this spot a warrior before id die in yours a servant."
Leopardstar narrowed her eyes at Stonefur from her perch next to Tigerstar .
"Leopardstar you must know this is wrong. I take orders from you. What do you want me to do?" Stonefur called up To the former Riverclan leader, eyes still locked on Blackfoot.
Leopardstar remained silent for a few moments, Everycat watched her intensely.
Are you really going to let the half clan cat live Leopardstar? Blackfoot hissed to himself waiting for an answer.
"You have your orders Stonefur. Kill them." Leopardstar nodded towards the apprentices.
Stonefur didn't budge from his position.
"I'll fight him." mewed a small voice behind Stonefur. "I won't let him kill us."
Stormpaw.
Stonefur tilted his head up.
"I will not hurt these apprentices."
"Very well." Tigerclan nodded towards Darkstripe, who sat next to Blackfoot . "Kill him."
Darkstripe leaped up from his spot on command, grinning and unsheathed his claws, and advanced on Stonefur.
"Im going to make your death slow and painful, you halfclan filth."
"Do you promise on your life?" replied Stonefur padding slowly to meet Darkstripe, fur bristling.
From behind Snaggletooth and the rest of the prisoner gaurds Mistyfoot voice ran out. "NO! STONEFUR!" she attempted to run out into the clearing but was brought down by Tigerstars followers.
Darkstripe lunged at Stonefur, easily knocking him over, the two cats ripped eachothers fur out wrestling on the ground, within seconds the forest floor had been littered with blood, Stonefur landed a hard blow on Darkstripe's jaw, knocking him over.
Blackfoot watched the fight unamused. Darkstripe was already panting and bleeding heavily on the muzzle from a starved warrior. He watched as Stonefur pinned Darkstripe to the ground.
"You're fighting like a kittypet Darkstripe!" Blackfoot yowled at the beaten warrior. "Kill him!"
Darkstripe at been pinned to the ground, his backlegs held down by Stonefur, Darkstripes front paws clawed his side but Stonefur was unflinching, the grey warrior hesitated to make the kill.
"Warriors always fight with their hearts, not their claws. Makes them weak" sneered Tigerstar, then waved his tail towards the two. "Finish it Blackfoot ."
In the blink of an eye Blackfoot had made it across the clearing and knocked Stonefur off Darkstripe, sending him flying a few Foxlegths, the warrior tumbled into the ground and lay still.
Darkstripe raised slowly and joined Blackfoot.
"Hold his hindlegs down." Blackfoot commanded, roughly pushing the warrior to expose his belly. Stonefur weakly raised a bloodied paw, Blackfoot quickly sent a large spatter of blood from Stonefurs boney chest and pinned down both of his front legs while Darkstripe held down his hind legs. Making Stonefur completely vulnerable.
"BLACKFOOT!" Mistystar yowled, pinned against the ground helplessly by various guards. "PLEASE! No!!!"
Blackfoot smirked and locked eyes with stonefurs sister. She looked so helpless, about to witness her brothers death, right in front her. Blackfoot turned his head to look at the two apprentices.
Featherpaw looked away yowling in agony, next to her, Stormpaw watched with wide eyed fear, mouth open, visibly trembling .
All around him clan cats watched with horror, some looking away or stuck in a state of shock, twisted with fear.
He loved it.
He loved being feared. The power course through his body, and he was about to make them fear him even more.
He looked down at Stonefur, he towered over him. The warrior met his gaze unflinching, eyes burning fiercely.
Blackfoot looked up at Mistyfoot. "Are you watching? Remember me. Remember this moment." the deputies eyes were wide with murderous rage, his teeth calling for blood. Mistyfoot clawed the ground and yowled in agony . "NO!!!! Stonefur !!! NOOOOOO!!! Please no!!!!!!"
Blackfoot slowly reared up . Stonefur locked eyes with Blackfoot, burning with determination, not a hint of fear as the deputies large paw came down across this throat.
Mistyfoot drowned the clans gasp with her ear piercing cries. She managed to throw all of the guards off of her and make it within a foxlenth of her brother before being tackled and dragged off once more along with the two apprentices, leaving Stonefur and Blackfoot bathed in blood.
~
Blackstar let the flashback consume him whole, he remembered how it felt, how he felt. He had loved the feeling of every cat in the clearing looking at him with fear or respect. He remembered the sound his claws made slicing through Stonefurs throat, Mistystars curses and cries, how she fought to make it to Blackstar. Moons later Tigerclan had fallen, Blackstar had become the leader of Shadowclan, and Clan life returned to normal, as life went on the nightmares started. Everytime Blackstar entered battle and pinned down a foe he could never pull himself to make another move, he remembered Stonefur, helpless, knowing he was going to die and all of the clan was going to see it.
Though it happens seasons upon seasons ago, in a different home, Blackstar could remember the little things hed hear cats say about him when he would pass by at gatherings, he remembered their names, voices, the look in their eyes. He had become a story to scare kits. He was mentioned along with Brokenstars murderous reign, Tigerstars attempted destruction of the clans, Sols demolishing of Shadowclan, he had been the right hand man of each event.
All of it haunted him. As the seasons went on the stories and cats to remember them faded away, but they nevwer died within him, though after every nightmare and restless sleep, he wished it did.
He remembered everything.
~
"Stonefur.." Blackstar breathed out slowly, letting that familiar feeling of pain and disgust wash through his fur. "That name, th..the countless nightmares..." Blackstar dipped his head low in shame, the floors reflected the eyes Mistyfoot, twisted in agony. He closed his eyes tightly.
"Yes.." Mistystar said softly, looking down at her paws.
"I.." Blackstar started, unable to find the words.
The two leaders remained in silence for what seemed like moons.
"Mistystar. Please. Come with me." Blackstar said softly, rising to his feet.
Mistystar looked hesitant but joined him.
Blackstar padded past his curious clanmates, Mistystar following slowly behind him. He stopped in front a thick-trunked tall pine tree.
Mistystar padded next to him, sunlight spottlets poking through the trees dotting her pelt. "Why have you brought me to this tree?" she mumbled watching a bird flutter away from one of the lower branches.
"Please, climb with me, to the forth branch, I have something to show you." Blackstar replied, sounding anxious.
Mistystar nodded and began to climb the tree, digging her claws into its easily grasped barked, the forth branch didn't look so high up. She blinked away the sun shining in her eyes.
The Riverclan leader made it to the branch with ease, and turned her head down towards Blackstar, he had a new revived look to him but was paused a foxlength below her, huffing, looking faint.
Blackstar made it a few paw steps more but gasped and clung to the bark, his energy given out.
Without thinking Mistystar reached down and dragged the leader up by his scruff, awkwardly dropping him next to her.
She expected a smart comment from Blackstar, but he only recovered and dipped his head. "Thank you. Mistystar."
The Riverclan leader opened her mouth to return his words but a white moving blur in the distance caught her eye.
From their perch they could see everything. Over the lake and into Windclan territory. Mistystar saw the things kittypets called "Sailboats", they looked like large swans gliding over the lakes water. She could spot the greenleaf twoleg place.
"I thought you might like it, I haven't been up here in a while." Blackstar softly spoke, sitting close to Mistystar.
The two leaders were engulfed in the lakes watchful eye, silently watching the swam swimming across the lake.
"I've done some horrible things, Mistystar." Blackstar began softly. He just let the words flow. "I've killed...so many cats, among one of the first times i attacked Thunderclan along aside Brokenstar, I killed a Queen. I killed her in cold blood. She was defending the nursery Mistystar, defending helpless kids, Brokenstar ordered me to head for Thunderclans nursery, kill the queens and younger generation, we were going to take Thunderclan whole, kill everycat. ."
Blackstar looked across the lake with a face of grim and eyes cloudy, traveling back in his memories.
"Her name was Rosetail. I killed her, and dragged her from the den. Brokenstar ordered a retreat and I just.. Left her. That was the start.. Start of it all."
Blackstar remembered Rosetail guarding the nursery with fire in her eyes, attacking him without warning. She was small. Weak. He had beaten her easily.
Mistystar remained silent but Blackstar could here a little sigh brush past her whiskers.
"I followed a kit-murderer. When Clawface killed Spottedleaf- I - I saw that too . I was to wait until Clawface brought one of the Queens kits to me and we would take them the rest of the way..stealing kits...we stole kits... Right from their mother ." Blackstar paused hacking , trying to catch his breath, the leaders voice had broken into a cry.
"I heard fighting, when stumbled upon Clawface he had killed Spotteleaf. I felt accomplished. With the Medicine cat dead...kits taken..I thought, maybe we did it. We killed the clan...Firestar had followed us..and- i ...I was s a savage kill-"
Blackstar erupted in a large coughing fit, slumping over the thick trunk where he sat. Finally recovering he stole a glance at Mistystar. She remained still. Watching the swan.
"You were Tigerstars right paw cat." She said softly.
"Yes..yes.. I was..I-" Blackstar broke off, claws digging to the bark of the pine tree.
"You...." Mistystar stopped, unable to choke out the words, she closed her eyes tightly, turning her head low towards the ground.
She didn't need to finish the sentence. Blackstar knew what she meant.
"Mistystar.." He softly prompted, and, for the first time, she met his eyes. The same eyes he watched beg for him not to kill Stonefur. The same eyes hed seen every single moon after that, the same cat hed sit next to went it came to gatherings. Seasons upon seasons he wanted to make amends, and now, as he was slipping from the grasp of his last life, he could confess what he had done."
With a soft sigh Blackstar blinked his eyes at Mistystar.
"You look just like your mother."
Mistystar looked at him in shock, lips slightly parted.
"Im so sorry, I know I can't bring him back, I wish I could redo everything I did- I- I don't know who I was those seasons ago-..all the nightmares... All the things I've done..all the cats and clans I tried to kill.. I helped Brokenstar .. I was Tigerstars follower...I dismembered Shadowclan after sol - I will always be remembered as a cat who anyone can twist around and rule over, the same cat who was used to scare kits at night- a ruthless killer, a-..a-"
Blackstar fell to the ground and closed his eyes, letting another memory play again .
~
"What is WRONG with you Blackstar? Have you gone mad?" Russetfur yowled, eyes full of rage upon entering his den.
Blackstar remained laid out on the ground of his den. "My name is Blackfoot." He said firmly. "I will not take on the name "Starclan" gave me. They have been abandoned."
"Sol has convinced you wrong! Look right in front of your eyes! All of your life's!" Russetfur hissed loudly slamming her claws against the ground.
"I do not believe in Starclan anymore, Red. I am not Leader and you are not the deputy! Starclan has abandon us!" He shouted back, rising from his next and flashing his teeth at his clanmate.
"I am RUSSETFUR, don't you dare call me RED! I am a loner no more and i haven't been for many many seasons! I am Russetfur. Deputy of Shadowclan." Russetfur yowled, boiling in rage.
Blackstar got a whisker length away an snarled in her face. "There is no Shadowclan!"
Russetfurs eyes burned deeply into his. Then. Suddenly sent a hard blow across Blackstars face, sending him to the ground.
"Im not going to live my life as a loner, the rate your going, Blackstar, your grave has already been dug, all nice and pretty, what is this your getting, some SICK satisfaction? Seeing your clanmates afraid of being alone after you disband the clan? You're as easy to trick now as you were in the days of Brokenstar and Tigerstars!" Russetfur screeched as Blackstar rose from the ground.
"I am ..I...I am NOT THE SAME AS I WAS THOSE MANY SEASONS AGO!" Blackstar snarled, his paws feel like they were covered in blood. His blood boiled through his skin as he returned Russetfurs comment with curses and threats, enraged.
She suddenly backed off, glaring at him.
"Im not going to match you because I'll lose my voice completely." Russetfur turned to leave his den. "No. Im not going to watch you burn yourself out-
I'm not the one that's crazy." With that she left Blackstar in his Nightmares.
~
A sudden purr broke Blackstar out of his memories, he felt another cat pressed against his neck below his chin.
"I didn't come her for you to apologize, Blackstar." The cat purred, pressing close to him.
Mistystar.
Blackstar felt shocked, all he had said- all hed done. "Then, why, why did you want to see me?" he whispered softly.
The breeze from atop the tree, along with the warmth of Mistystar, felt so...comforting.
"Clarity." The brilliant blue she-cat mewed softly and raised her head up to meet his eyes.
"I forgive you, Blackstar, I know you're not that same cat you were those many season ago, your a strong and respected leader, not because of your past, but your courageous decisions. I forgive you Blackstar." Mistystar pressed herself against him purring comfortingly.
"I've done so much wrong, Im afraid of judgement, Mistystar, Im on my last life, all those mistakes I've made- it was an accident with me being chosen as leader.
"There is no such thing as accidents, Blackstar, You've been a wonder leader all these moons, Starclan knows you've saved your clan many many times, You're no monster Blackstar you're the best leader Shadowclan as ever chosen." Mistystar purred, intertwining her tail with his.
Blackstar felt like a gaint weight had parted his shoulders, after all these seasons.., he pressed against Mistystar, sharing her affection.
This story is still in the editing stage so its not done and uncorrected so there will be mistakes, but id LOVE to here your thoughts and reviews c; enjoy the cliff hanger!
WARNING IF YOU HAVE NOT READ UP INTO POWER OF THREE I DO NOT RECOMMEND CONTINUING. SPOILERS .
Blackstar's Denial
A year after Firestars death.
"Reeks of Shadowclan.." Reedwhisker murmered coming to a halt by the clans border, just before the two leg summer place, Mistystar trotted up and paused beside him.
"Of course, it is the Shadowclan border." she purred.
Both cats were silent for a few moments, letting the wind run through their fur, the refreshing breeze blew from the mountains, dotting the sky with clouds.
"I can go with you, we both know what Shadowclan can be like when you tread on their territory unwelcomed." Reedwhisker cautiously mewed, whiskers twitching.
Mistystar scanned Shadowclans forest, hoping a patrol would save her from wondering through their territory.
Nothing. Only wind bringing in the scent of prey from the forest.
"No." Mistystar mewed, her eyes still scanning the forest. "I need to speak with him alone."
"We've only recently had a battle with Shadowclan, are you sure you want to provoke them again?" Reedwhisker pushed.
A few moons ago Shadowclan attacked Riverclan over their fishing at the bridge near the Greenleaf Twoleg place, twolegs were avoiding the bridge when Riverclan fished there, causing them to wonder around near Shadowclan territory, scaring off the prey. Blackstar had ordered an attack on Riverclan and forced them to replace all the prey Shadowclan had lost by Riverclan giving half of their catches to Shadowclan for a moon, and a complete withdraw of the fishing spot. Since then border patrols could not pass each other by without insults.
Mistystar met her deputies eyes. "Leaders are allowed to speak with one another in times of need, Its not like I have a patrol behind me ready to pounce on command." her tail twitched.
Blackstar knows better than to mess with Riverclan
"Whats troubling between you and Blackstar? I thought the battle was resolved by us not fishing at the bridge anymore?"
Mistystar broke her gaze. "I..its not that..I just need to resolve something with him." great way to keep secrets from your deputy. "I don't want to burden you." She mewed
Surprisingly, Reedwhisker dipped his head in acknowledgment. "Very well Mistystar, I wish you good luck."
"Thank you." Mistystar tenderly mewed. "I promise to return before sunset." she nodded to her deputy and padded over the border and across the clearing.
Her nose twitched with the overwhelming scent of pine and cats as she took first paw steps onto the needle littered ground.
Mistystar stole a quick glance over her shoulder , Reedwhsikers eyes followed her pelt, sitting in the same spot she left him in.
She quickly turned her head back to the forest and padded on, the forest consuming her like it did the sun.
Only walking a few foxlengths she became overwhelmed with uneasiness, anxiously trotting on, trying to resist looking up.
Riverclans trees were scarce and scattered in clumps, sunlight illuminated almost every grass blade and reflected across their beautiful flowing river .
Shadowclans territory barely allowed sun to touch the ground. Trees were so close to each other Mistystar felt she they would try to grab and suffocate her. With every paw step she felt dead pine needles lodge between her toes , every little speck of sun that made it to the ground was swallowed back up by the wavering shadows of the wind rustling through the trees.
I always thought Shadowclan for the ruthless and fierce cats it sheltered, the clan lives in the shadows , when do they ever feel the sun?
As Mistystar padded on she felt the north wind blow through her pelt. She shivered and gritted her teeth, holding her head down. "Starclan please see me through..." she mumbled.
Mistystar tried to remember where the clans camp was, hoping she was heading the right direction, she had been their a few time but the towering pines felt endless, consuming.
How could a clan live in an endless dark forest ? She thought.
Suddenly she spotted a twoleg house appear above her head, half hidden by the small hill above her. With a swift jump she made the leap over cautiously trotting towards the house. It peaked her curiosity . It looked abandoned . Shiny cracked shards a few foxlengths above the forest floor shimmered in the sun, she could see a glimpse of the inside of the twolegs den, the den itself was a mangled torn sight, moss clung to the bottom of it.
Why do twolegs insist on staying in a little den? Don't they ever stretch their legs?
She studied the den, both mesmerized and uneasy .
"I knew I smelled fish!" a voice hissed behind her. Mistystar almost flipped backwards, whipping her body around.
Before her, was a patrol of Shadowclan cats. The warriors Tawnypelt, Pinenose and Ferretclaw.
Mistystar stammered with her words. "I-I- "
Did I go to far into their territory ?
"Mistystar sneaking around our territory ! Did you think we wouldn't catch you?" Pinenose hissed and dug her claws into the ground . The brown warrior bared her teeth.
Tawnypelt turned and glared at Pinenose . "If I was leader and a cat said that to me i would of clawed their ears off. How dare you offend a leader! Not a single cat is behind her." The tawny warrior growled.
"Perhaps their hidden." Ferretclaw murmured with a quick glance around.
"I don't have my clanmates with me. I came alone. I need to speak to Blackstar. " Mistystar quickly put in stepping forward slowly trying not to start a fight.
"Why didn't you wait at the border, instead of trotting through our territory?" Pinenose challenged ignoring Tawnypelt's warning and stepped within a few pawsteps of Mistystar, her eyes flaring.
Tawnypelt said nothing and turned her attention to the Riverclan leader. Her gaze was soft but extremely attentive .
Mistystar gathered herself before responding. "I waited for the patrol but they must of marked earlier than usual. I needed to speak to Blackstar as possible so I came through your territory alone, hoping to find a patrol or come close to camp for a warrior to find me.
"Well you found them." Tawnypelt mewed padding in front of Pinenose and nudged her away with her tail. "Im glad we caught you before you decided to investigate that den. Nine life's or not Mistystar the kittypets there are nothing of smalltalk. They would of ripped your pelt off in seconds."
Mistystar felt embarrassment prickle through her fur. So that's the troubling kittypet den Shadowclan mentions at gatherings.
"I wasn't going to stray into the den! I suppose.. I just got lost trying to find my way through your territory ." She turned her head and glanced at the den.
Tawnypelt smirked and erupted in laughter. Ferretclaw gave Mistystar an amused look. "Our camp is at the opposite end of the territory, your almost at Thunderclan border." the gray-creamy warrior snickered under his breath.
Im no Shadowclan cat.
Mistystar glared at Ferretclaw, wishing the dark ground could swallow her whole.
Tawnypelt recovered and dipped her head apologetically . "Of course Mistystar. We will lead you to camp. Leaders are always allowed to visit each other. Please follow us." The warrior turned and with a quick glare at Pinenose beckoned her to follow with her tail.
Mistystar nodded, looking at the abandon den before turning and padding after Tawnypelt. Ferretclaw and Pinenose follow along either side of her.
Any cat would think I had an army behind me.. Mistystar thought to herself.
Ferretclaw trotted beside her, eying the leader down, seeming to search every hair on her fur anxiously.
Mistystar couldn't help a laugh, facing Ferretclaw "Not enough she-cats in your own clan to be eying an old she cat, eh? "
Ferretclaw flung himself back, surprised , ears flushing red. "O-of COURSE NOT, your an intruder! I was just checking for other scents."
Pinenose nearly fell over laughing, almost tripping over the ground , ahead of them Tawnypelt snickered and looked back at them with gleaming eyes. The tension seemed to disappear, Ferretclaw averted his eyes angerly.
Im happy we don't have to walk in silence. Mistystar thought to herself , she contained a snicker. Ha!!! I embarrassed a Shadowclan warrior. He'll never live that one down !! Mistystar smiled to herself feeling like a young warrior again while Pinenose made a snarky comment to Ferretclaw and the two argued.
We truly are alike.. Mistystar mused to herself.
The feeling didn't last long. The group suddenly arrived at a torn tunnel seemingly appearing out of nowhere , with brambles bordering either side.
"This way." Tawnypelt mewed and disappeared. Mistystar followed , Ferretclaw and Pinenose behind her.
Exiting the tunnel the cats had to squeeze past a boulder to enter camp. Shadowclans camp was in a large encircled tangle of brambles with a clearing in the middle. By the entrance was a small pool of water and low hanging branches all around the camp from the many pine trees scattered around the camp, filling her nose with a refreshing scent. Mistystar could spot a few warriors laying on the branches of the trees above her, they pricked their ears in her direction.
Crowfrost padded up to the group.
"Why did you decide to bring the Riverclan leader into our camp, Tawnypelt?" He snapped and bared his teeth, glaring at Mistystar.
Mistystar stood tall and straight while Tawnypelt explained to Crowfrost her situation. She looked around, and , to her surprise , most of Shadowclan watched her silently without remarks or icy glares.
Four kits pounded out of a den behind Mistystar, she turned watching them tumble across the clearing towards them, all of them suddenly came to a stop noticing Mistystar. One of the darker kits backed up in fear. Mistystars heart clenched.
Pinenose padded towards the kits purring and wrapping herself around them. "Its alright kits. She won't hurt you. She's just visiting ." Mistystar blinked , surprised .
That's right! Pinenose had kits! They look old enough to be apprenticed. What a fiery of a mother they have. Mistystar wondered to herself remembering earlier and twitched her whiskers.
She met eyes with the darker kit of the group, his green eyes open wide with fear.She suddenly found herself bowing. "My name is Mistystar. I am the leader of Riverclan, I wanted to see your leader Blackstar." she purred.
The kits face radiated with excitement and he bounded over Pinenose tail."Im Slatekit! Wow!!! Another leader! I heard about Riverclan! Don't you swim under the lake?"
Pinenose said something to her kit but Mistystars attention was averted by Tawnypelt motioning her away towards a larger den with a low branch hanging over it like unsheathed claws reaching out.
Entering beside Tawnypelt Mistystar quickly met the eyes of Rowanclaw and Blackstar himself laying on the dens floor while Rowanclaw stood above him.
Mistystar dipped her head. "Greetings Blackstar, Rowanclaw."
Rowanclaw nodded towards Mistystar. "And their she is. I'll leave you alone." with a bow to Blackstar he and Tawnypelt padded out of the den leaving the two leaders alone.
Blackstar looked old and frail. His snow white pelt twisted, matted in areas . The leaders muzzle had grayed over time, old scars edged across his whole body in different sizes and length, but, as the leader stood , and even as his bones popped, Mistystar could feel the sting of Blackstars bright yellow eyes meeting hers, they were filled with determination and strength .
Mistystar expected a challenge from the leader, demanding why she was there. Rowanclaw hopefully told him she was alone .
"Ah. Mistystar" Blackstar rasped and nodded. "Its good to see you. Please, have some prey, Im not hungry." he motioned towards a blackbird she hadn't noticed laying a tails length away from him.
Mistystar was taken aback.
What? No demands ? And he offered prey?
"Who are you and what have you done with Blackstar? " Mistystar mewed. Completely serious.
Blackstar bowed his head. "Did you expect a fight?. Of course not. Not you Mistystar. Did you want to talk to me about fishing at the bridge?" The leader spoke so softly Mistystar strained to hear.
Mistystar hadn't thought of what to say once she got this far.
Can I really do this?
"No, Blackstar. I wanted to talk about..something else." She mewed softly.
Blackstar sat down slowly, his bones creaking with every twitch. "What is it you need to talk to me about?" he asked quietly, eyes meeting hers curiously .
Mistystar sighed and closed her eyes . She could barely say the word let along talk about it. The Riverclan leader swallowed and slowly rolled out the word.
"Stonefur."
~
"Tigerclan has no room for divided loyalties, Stonefur. I will give you once chance and one chance only." Tigerstar lowered himself from the pile of prey bones in the middle of the clearing. "Kill these half clan apprentices!"
Stonefur stood blocking the path to Featherpaw and Stormpaw, Foxlegths away he was circled around his former clanmates and Shadowclan cats, he had been starved, kept as prisoner along with Mistyfoot, Stormpaw, and Featherpaw. His ribs were poking out of his skin and his muzzle had been torn, blood dripping in a small puddle below him at his paws, but the warrior stood tall and strong, teeth glittering in the moonlight.
"I am no warrior to Lionclan! I am loyal to Riverclan! I will not lay a claw on these apprentices!" Stonefur snarled .
The clan cats encircling him gasped and began to clatter
Blackfoot stepped up from his spot below Tigerstar and raised his voice to howl throughout the clearing. "SILENCE!"
The camp went silent.
Blackfoot turned to Stonefur. "You see what happens when you listen? Now no cat else is in your position."
Stonefur arched his back and spat at the Shadowclan deputy. "Id die in this spot a warrior before id die in yours a servant."
Leopardstar narrowed her eyes at Stonefur from her perch next to Tigerstar .
"Leopardstar you must know this is wrong. I take orders from you. What do you want me to do?" Stonefur called up To the former Riverclan leader, eyes still locked on Blackfoot.
Leopardstar remained silent for a few moments, Everycat watched her intensely.
Are you really going to let the half clan cat live Leopardstar? Blackfoot hissed to himself waiting for an answer.
"You have your orders Stonefur. Kill them." Leopardstar nodded towards the apprentices.
Stonefur didn't budge from his position.
"I'll fight him." mewed a small voice behind Stonefur. "I won't let him kill us."
Stormpaw.
Stonefur tilted his head up.
"I will not hurt these apprentices."
"Very well." Tigerclan nodded towards Darkstripe, who sat next to Blackfoot . "Kill him."
Darkstripe leaped up from his spot on command, grinning and unsheathed his claws, and advanced on Stonefur.
"Im going to make your death slow and painful, you halfclan filth."
"Do you promise on your life?" replied Stonefur padding slowly to meet Darkstripe, fur bristling.
From behind Snaggletooth and the rest of the prisoner gaurds Mistyfoot voice ran out. "NO! STONEFUR!" she attempted to run out into the clearing but was brought down by Tigerstars followers.
Darkstripe lunged at Stonefur, easily knocking him over, the two cats ripped eachothers fur out wrestling on the ground, within seconds the forest floor had been littered with blood, Stonefur landed a hard blow on Darkstripe's jaw, knocking him over.
Blackfoot watched the fight unamused. Darkstripe was already panting and bleeding heavily on the muzzle from a starved warrior. He watched as Stonefur pinned Darkstripe to the ground.
"You're fighting like a kittypet Darkstripe!" Blackfoot yowled at the beaten warrior. "Kill him!"
Darkstripe at been pinned to the ground, his backlegs held down by Stonefur, Darkstripes front paws clawed his side but Stonefur was unflinching, the grey warrior hesitated to make the kill.
"Warriors always fight with their hearts, not their claws. Makes them weak" sneered Tigerstar, then waved his tail towards the two. "Finish it Blackfoot ."
In the blink of an eye Blackfoot had made it across the clearing and knocked Stonefur off Darkstripe, sending him flying a few Foxlegths, the warrior tumbled into the ground and lay still.
Darkstripe raised slowly and joined Blackfoot.
"Hold his hindlegs down." Blackfoot commanded, roughly pushing the warrior to expose his belly. Stonefur weakly raised a bloodied paw, Blackfoot quickly sent a large spatter of blood from Stonefurs boney chest and pinned down both of his front legs while Darkstripe held down his hind legs. Making Stonefur completely vulnerable.
"BLACKFOOT!" Mistystar yowled, pinned against the ground helplessly by various guards. "PLEASE! No!!!"
Blackfoot smirked and locked eyes with stonefurs sister. She looked so helpless, about to witness her brothers death, right in front her. Blackfoot turned his head to look at the two apprentices.
Featherpaw looked away yowling in agony, next to her, Stormpaw watched with wide eyed fear, mouth open, visibly trembling .
All around him clan cats watched with horror, some looking away or stuck in a state of shock, twisted with fear.
He loved it.
He loved being feared. The power course through his body, and he was about to make them fear him even more.
He looked down at Stonefur, he towered over him. The warrior met his gaze unflinching, eyes burning fiercely.
Blackfoot looked up at Mistyfoot. "Are you watching? Remember me. Remember this moment." the deputies eyes were wide with murderous rage, his teeth calling for blood. Mistyfoot clawed the ground and yowled in agony . "NO!!!! Stonefur !!! NOOOOOO!!! Please no!!!!!!"
Blackfoot slowly reared up . Stonefur locked eyes with Blackfoot, burning with determination, not a hint of fear as the deputies large paw came down across this throat.
Mistyfoot drowned the clans gasp with her ear piercing cries. She managed to throw all of the guards off of her and make it within a foxlenth of her brother before being tackled and dragged off once more along with the two apprentices, leaving Stonefur and Blackfoot bathed in blood.
~
Blackstar let the flashback consume him whole, he remembered how it felt, how he felt. He had loved the feeling of every cat in the clearing looking at him with fear or respect. He remembered the sound his claws made slicing through Stonefurs throat, Mistystars curses and cries, how she fought to make it to Blackstar. Moons later Tigerclan had fallen, Blackstar had become the leader of Shadowclan, and Clan life returned to normal, as life went on the nightmares started. Everytime Blackstar entered battle and pinned down a foe he could never pull himself to make another move, he remembered Stonefur, helpless, knowing he was going to die and all of the clan was going to see it.
Though it happens seasons upon seasons ago, in a different home, Blackstar could remember the little things hed hear cats say about him when he would pass by at gatherings, he remembered their names, voices, the look in their eyes. He had become a story to scare kits. He was mentioned along with Brokenstars murderous reign, Tigerstars attempted destruction of the clans, Sols demolishing of Shadowclan, he had been the right hand man of each event.
All of it haunted him. As the seasons went on the stories and cats to remember them faded away, but they nevwer died within him, though after every nightmare and restless sleep, he wished it did.
He remembered everything.
~
"Stonefur.." Blackstar breathed out slowly, letting that familiar feeling of pain and disgust wash through his fur. "That name, th..the countless nightmares..." Blackstar dipped his head low in shame, the floors reflected the eyes Mistyfoot, twisted in agony. He closed his eyes tightly.
"Yes.." Mistystar said softly, looking down at her paws.
"I.." Blackstar started, unable to find the words.
The two leaders remained in silence for what seemed like moons.
"Mistystar. Please. Come with me." Blackstar said softly, rising to his feet.
Mistystar looked hesitant but joined him.
Blackstar padded past his curious clanmates, Mistystar following slowly behind him. He stopped in front a thick-trunked tall pine tree.
Mistystar padded next to him, sunlight spottlets poking through the trees dotting her pelt. "Why have you brought me to this tree?" she mumbled watching a bird flutter away from one of the lower branches.
"Please, climb with me, to the forth branch, I have something to show you." Blackstar replied, sounding anxious.
Mistystar nodded and began to climb the tree, digging her claws into its easily grasped barked, the forth branch didn't look so high up. She blinked away the sun shining in her eyes.
The Riverclan leader made it to the branch with ease, and turned her head down towards Blackstar, he had a new revived look to him but was paused a foxlength below her, huffing, looking faint.
Blackstar made it a few paw steps more but gasped and clung to the bark, his energy given out.
Without thinking Mistystar reached down and dragged the leader up by his scruff, awkwardly dropping him next to her.
She expected a smart comment from Blackstar, but he only recovered and dipped his head. "Thank you. Mistystar."
The Riverclan leader opened her mouth to return his words but a white moving blur in the distance caught her eye.
From their perch they could see everything. Over the lake and into Windclan territory. Mistystar saw the things kittypets called "Sailboats", they looked like large swans gliding over the lakes water. She could spot the greenleaf twoleg place.
"I thought you might like it, I haven't been up here in a while." Blackstar softly spoke, sitting close to Mistystar.
The two leaders were engulfed in the lakes watchful eye, silently watching the swam swimming across the lake.
"I've done some horrible things, Mistystar." Blackstar began softly. He just let the words flow. "I've killed...so many cats, among one of the first times i attacked Thunderclan along aside Brokenstar, I killed a Queen. I killed her in cold blood. She was defending the nursery Mistystar, defending helpless kids, Brokenstar ordered me to head for Thunderclans nursery, kill the queens and younger generation, we were going to take Thunderclan whole, kill everycat. ."
Blackstar looked across the lake with a face of grim and eyes cloudy, traveling back in his memories.
"Her name was Rosetail. I killed her, and dragged her from the den. Brokenstar ordered a retreat and I just.. Left her. That was the start.. Start of it all."
Blackstar remembered Rosetail guarding the nursery with fire in her eyes, attacking him without warning. She was small. Weak. He had beaten her easily.
Mistystar remained silent but Blackstar could here a little sigh brush past her whiskers.
"I followed a kit-murderer. When Clawface killed Spottedleaf- I - I saw that too . I was to wait until Clawface brought one of the Queens kits to me and we would take them the rest of the way..stealing kits...we stole kits... Right from their mother ." Blackstar paused hacking , trying to catch his breath, the leaders voice had broken into a cry.
"I heard fighting, when stumbled upon Clawface he had killed Spotteleaf. I felt accomplished. With the Medicine cat dead...kits taken..I thought, maybe we did it. We killed the clan...Firestar had followed us..and- i ...I was s a savage kill-"
Blackstar erupted in a large coughing fit, slumping over the thick trunk where he sat. Finally recovering he stole a glance at Mistystar. She remained still. Watching the swan.
"You were Tigerstars right paw cat." She said softly.
"Yes..yes.. I was..I-" Blackstar broke off, claws digging to the bark of the pine tree.
"You...." Mistystar stopped, unable to choke out the words, she closed her eyes tightly, turning her head low towards the ground.
She didn't need to finish the sentence. Blackstar knew what she meant.
"Mistystar.." He softly prompted, and, for the first time, she met his eyes. The same eyes he watched beg for him not to kill Stonefur. The same eyes hed seen every single moon after that, the same cat hed sit next to went it came to gatherings. Seasons upon seasons he wanted to make amends, and now, as he was slipping from the grasp of his last life, he could confess what he had done."
With a soft sigh Blackstar blinked his eyes at Mistystar.
"You look just like your mother."
Mistystar looked at him in shock, lips slightly parted.
"Im so sorry, I know I can't bring him back, I wish I could redo everything I did- I- I don't know who I was those seasons ago-..all the nightmares... All the things I've done..all the cats and clans I tried to kill.. I helped Brokenstar .. I was Tigerstars follower...I dismembered Shadowclan after sol - I will always be remembered as a cat who anyone can twist around and rule over, the same cat who was used to scare kits at night- a ruthless killer, a-..a-"
Blackstar fell to the ground and closed his eyes, letting another memory play again .
~
"What is WRONG with you Blackstar? Have you gone mad?" Russetfur yowled, eyes full of rage upon entering his den.
Blackstar remained laid out on the ground of his den. "My name is Blackfoot." He said firmly. "I will not take on the name "Starclan" gave me. They have been abandoned."
"Sol has convinced you wrong! Look right in front of your eyes! All of your life's!" Russetfur hissed loudly slamming her claws against the ground.
"I do not believe in Starclan anymore, Red. I am not Leader and you are not the deputy! Starclan has abandon us!" He shouted back, rising from his next and flashing his teeth at his clanmate.
"I am RUSSETFUR, don't you dare call me RED! I am a loner no more and i haven't been for many many seasons! I am Russetfur. Deputy of Shadowclan." Russetfur yowled, boiling in rage.
Blackstar got a whisker length away an snarled in her face. "There is no Shadowclan!"
Russetfurs eyes burned deeply into his. Then. Suddenly sent a hard blow across Blackstars face, sending him to the ground.
"Im not going to live my life as a loner, the rate your going, Blackstar, your grave has already been dug, all nice and pretty, what is this your getting, some SICK satisfaction? Seeing your clanmates afraid of being alone after you disband the clan? You're as easy to trick now as you were in the days of Brokenstar and Tigerstars!" Russetfur screeched as Blackstar rose from the ground.
"I am ..I...I am NOT THE SAME AS I WAS THOSE MANY SEASONS AGO!" Blackstar snarled, his paws feel like they were covered in blood. His blood boiled through his skin as he returned Russetfurs comment with curses and threats, enraged.
She suddenly backed off, glaring at him.
"Im not going to match you because I'll lose my voice completely." Russetfur turned to leave his den. "No. Im not going to watch you burn yourself out-
I'm not the one that's crazy." With that she left Blackstar in his Nightmares.
~
A sudden purr broke Blackstar out of his memories, he felt another cat pressed against his neck below his chin.
"I didn't come her for you to apologize, Blackstar." The cat purred, pressing close to him.
Mistystar.
Blackstar felt shocked, all he had said- all hed done. "Then, why, why did you want to see me?" he whispered softly.
The breeze from atop the tree, along with the warmth of Mistystar, felt so...comforting.
"Clarity." The brilliant blue she-cat mewed softly and raised her head up to meet his eyes.
"I forgive you, Blackstar, I know you're not that same cat you were those many season ago, your a strong and respected leader, not because of your past, but your courageous decisions. I forgive you Blackstar." Mistystar pressed herself against him purring comfortingly.
"I've done so much wrong, Im afraid of judgement, Mistystar, Im on my last life, all those mistakes I've made- it was an accident with me being chosen as leader.
"There is no such thing as accidents, Blackstar, You've been a wonder leader all these moons, Starclan knows you've saved your clan many many times, You're no monster Blackstar you're the best leader Shadowclan as ever chosen." Mistystar purred, intertwining her tail with his.
Blackstar felt like a gaint weight had parted his shoulders, after all these seasons.., he pressed against Mistystar, sharing her affection.