The Last Hope

Chapter 14

“Are we all here?” Brokenstar’s eyes gleamed in the darkness as he scanned the circle of cats.

Ivypool lifted her chin. Hawkfrost had told her about the Dark Forest Gathering the moment she’d woken into the Place of No Stars. She had to represent ThunderClan. Applefur, who had proved herself worthy of full warrior status here, stood for ShadowClan, while Breezepelt—WindClan’s representative—shifted from one paw to another, eyeing Brokenstar warily.

“Beetlewhisker.” Brokenstar greeted the RiverClan cat with a voice like ice as Beetlewhisker padded from the trees. “Did you have trouble finding your way?”

Ivypool tucked her tail tighter over her paws.

“I was at the Gathering.” Beetlewhisker took his place beside Applefur. “I didn’t get to my nest till well after moonhigh.”

Tigerstar padded around the edge of the circle. “You can’t be in two Clans at once,” he murmured, pausing in front of Beetlewhisker before sliding in between Mapleshade and Hawkfrost.

Thistleclaw dug his claws into the ground and tore out a pawful of slimy grass. “Can we start now?”

Sparrowfeather sat down, ears twitching. “What’s this meeting about?”

Darkstripe flashed him a warning look, then dipped his head to Brokenstar. “Sparrowfeather asks questions like a kit.” He crossed the circle, blocking Brokenstar’s view of the mottled tom. “I’ve told him already we’ve come to praise our brave recruits.”

Brokenstar curled his lip.

“Our young warriors have practiced hard.” Mapleshade took the center of the circle, shoving Darkstripe back to his place. “I’ve watched their training carefully. They can climb, run, swim, and fight.” Her gaze slid toward Beetlewhisker. “Though not enough of them have learned to deal the killing blow.”

Applefur frowned. “Warriors don’t kill.”

Mapleshade whipped around. “Clan cats don’t kill but they’re not real warriors,” she hissed. “If they were, why weren’t you satisfied with their training? Why did you seek us out?”

“I thought you sought me out.” There was a note of uncertainty in Applefur’s voice.

Shut up! Ivypool glared at her. Why creep into a fox’s den, then complain about the smell?

Hawkfrost’s blue eyes glinted in the half-light. “We recognized your need for better training. It led us to you.”

Mapleshade’s whiskers twitched. “That’s right,” she purred. “And you’ve learned a lot.” Her gaze flitted from Applefur to Breezepelt, then Beetlewhisker and Ivypool.

Ivypool met it, forcing her legs not to tremble. “You taught us well,” she meowed with what she hoped was the right note of gratitude.

“You had more courage and strength than I imagined,” Mapleshade conceded. “I’m proud of your progress.”

Ivypool’s heart quickened as Brokenstar padded forward. Muscles flexed like waves beneath his pelt, as though he was ready for battle. “Pride is not important.” He waved Mapleshade away with a sweep of his tail. “Power is important, and the willingness to use it.”

Breezepelt puffed out his chest. “I’m ready for anything!”

“Good.” Brokenstar’s whiskers twitched. “There are difficult times ahead but loyalty to the Dark Forest and hunger for victory will carry you through.”

Ivypool swallowed. “Victory over what?” She had to find out exactly what these cats were planning.

Brokenstar jerked his head around and stared at her. His amber gaze blazed like a scorching sun. Ivypool narrowed her eyes against it.

“Our enemies,” Brokenstar growled. “Our courage will be tested but we will be ready.”

“Enemies?” Beetlewhisker stretched his muzzle forward, eyes puzzled. “What enemies?”

Mapleshade blinked at him. “Don’t you know yet?” She flicked her tail. “Have your Clanmates never doubted you even though you were right? Has Mistystar never acted like a mouse-heart, siding with weaker cats while punishing the strong? Have your denmates never treated you like a kit when you are more skillful and dangerous than they could even imagine? I don’t know how you can bear returning every sunrise to feed and protect such feeble creatures!”

Beetlewhisker bristled. “My Clanmates are not feeble or mouse-brained! Mistystar is noble. If she sides with the weak, it’s because the weak need our protection!”

Tigerstar’s eyes flashed. “The weak should be left to fend for themselves.”

Beetlewhisker blinked. “But that’s the opposite of everything the warrior code teaches us!”

Brokenstar lowered his head and spoke quietly. “The warrior code teaches you how to be weak.”

“It teaches us how to be strong!” Beetlewhisker snapped. “I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but you’ll never make me despise the warrior code, or my Clan!” He took a step toward Brokenstar. “My Clan thinks it’s being targeted by rogues because of you. They’re frightened by our nighttime visits to their territory. I don’t want to be part of that.” His voice softened. “I appreciate everything you’ve taught me, I really do. You’ve made me a stronger warrior than I could have ever dreamed of being, but I can’t stay here. I must leave and protect my Clan. I won’t be coming here again.” He turned and padded away.

Ivypool’s paws trembled as she watched Beetlewhisker shoulder his way past Hawkfrost and Applefur.

Brokenstar’s ears flattened. “No cat leaves the Dark Forest unless I say so.” He unsheathed his claws. “Your loyalty is to us now.”

Run! Ivypool silently begged Beetlewhisker. Run and don’t look back!

Beetlewhisker paused and glanced over his shoulder. “My loyalty is to RiverClan, just as it has always been,” he meowed. “You promised me that coming here would make me stronger for my Clanmates. It has, and I’m grateful, but you must have known that I’d leave eventually.”

Brokenstar’s eyes glinted menacingly. “You really are dumb, aren’t you?”

Beetlewhisker lashed his tail. “Not as dumb as you hoped! I’m going, and you can’t stop me.”

In a flash, Brokenstar shot from the circle and blocked Beetlewhisker’s path. Ivypool started to move, but Thistleclaw’s tail whipped her backward.

“Stay out of this,” the dark tabby warned.

Applefur’s tail trembled. “Don’t go, Beetlewhisker. You’ve got friends here.” Her mew was straining to be cheerful but Ivypool could see fear darkening her gaze.

“Thanks, Applefur.” Beetlewhisker nodded to the ShadowClan she-cat. “But I have to go. This is the right time for me to leave.”

“Really?” Brokenstar’s growl started low and grew louder, sharpening into a screech. The Dark Forest warrior reared up until his shadow stretched right across the clearing. Then he dived toward Beetlewhisker with his forepaws stretched out and his teeth bared.

Beetlewhisker’s eyes widened in horror. He put up his paws to fend off the vicious tom, but Brokenstar knocked him backward with a fierce swipe. Beetlewhisker staggered to his paws, blood spurting from his nose. “StarClan help me!”

“You think StarClan listens to what happens here?” Brokenstar hissed. He lunged again and clamped his jaws around Beetlewhisker’s neck as though he were prey. Eyes shining, Brokenstar lifted his head, hauling Beetlewhisker by his throat until a crack split the air.

Ivypool felt sick as Beetlewhisker fell limp in Brokenstar’s jaws. His body thumped to the ground as the Dark Forest warrior opened his mouth and let it fall.

“Would anyone else like to leave? Applefur?” Brokenstar challenged the ShadowClan she-cat. “Do you want to return to your Clan?”

“N-no.” Applefur shifted her paws.

Ivypool could see her thoughts racing as she met Brokenstar’s gaze. Ivypool pressed against her reassuringly. Every Clan cat must understand now. This place was evil. They had to get out!

“Breezepelt?” Brokenstar turned to the WindClan warrior, who was peering at Beetlewhisker’s body through narrowed eyes.

“Did you hear me?” Brokenstar growled quietly.

“Why would I leave the strongest Clan?” Breezepelt lifted his head. “My Clan wastes too much time looking after the sick and old. If you led us, we’d never have to beg another Clan for help again.”

Ivypool’s chest tightened. How could he sympathize with these murderers?

Brokenstar stepped over Beetlewhisker’s body. Ivypool held her ground as he strode back into the circle, though every muscle begged her to run. “You will all stay here,” Brokenstar told them. “You will all be loyal to me. Or I will kill every one of you.” He thrust his muzzle into Applefur’s face. “Starting with you.”

Applefur swallowed.

“Say nothing to any cat,” Brokenstar ordered. “You will fight alongside us. And if I hear of any one of you spreading rumors and lies among your Dark Forest Clanmates, you will suffer beyond anything you have ever known.” He turned his back and pushed his way between Tigerstar and Hawkfrost. “Go,” he growled, disappearing into the shadow. “Train my warriors. The final battle is near.”

Ivypool felt Tigerstar’s questioning gaze pierce her through the gloom. Forcing herself to breathe steadily, she met his eyes. “My recruits will be ready when the battle comes,” she vowed. “We’re ready to kill every lake cat we meet.” She ignored Applefur’s wince of alarm beside her. I promise I’m not evil! I’m doing this to save all of us. Tigerstar watched her for a moment then turned away.

Hawkfrost nodded at Ivypool, his eyes glowing, before following his father. As he passed Beetlewhisker’s blood-streaked body, he kicked it viciously. “I never trusted him anyway.”