Ghosts of the Clans (COMPLETED)

Epilogue

Redwillow watched as Bristlefrost exchanged words with Needletail."Can you help me?" The pale gray she-cat looked at them. Maggottail stared at her, while Sparrowfeather eyed the gap in the barrier nevously. He didn't know whether to feel relieved that some cat wanted to stop Ashfur, or be angry that a living Clan cat was in the Dark Forest.

"Please!" Bristlefrost was tugging harder than ever, desperation sharpening her gaze. "With a StarClan warrior on our side, Ashfur won't be able to hurt you. And you heard Needletail said. StarClan's disappearing too now. If we don't get her through, both StarClan and the Dark Forest might be gone before we have a chance to defeat him."

"If we can get rid of Ashfur, maybe you can take his place. Imagine ruling the Dark Forest. You could be the Clan leader you always wanted to be." She was addressing Maggottail, obviously. According to Sparrowfeather, the gray tabby tom wanted to be ShadowClan's leader. Redwillow, on the other paw, only wanted revenge in his... life.

Maggottail had joined Bristlefrost. His mind made up, Redwillow hurried to join him, wrapping his paws around a thick vine. Fur brushed his as Sparrowfeather began tugging at the barrier as well.

Soon, Needletail slithered to the ground, shaking out her silver fur. She glanced at the Dark Forest cats, evidently puzzled. "These aren't Clan cats." "I persuaded some Dark Forest cats to help," Bristlefrost explained, and Maggottail snorted. "We decided to help."

Redwillow nodded. "We wanted to save our territory as much as you want to save yours." "Really?" Needletail looked doubtfully at the forest. But just as Redwillow's fur began to bush up, she dipped her head. "Thank you. It takes bravery to stand up against a cat like Ashfur."

"We can be brave," Maggottail huffed. Needletail blinked at Bristlefrost. "Where's Rootspring? Leafpool said that he was here with you."

"I don't know. We split up to confuse Ashfur's patrol. We were going to meet back here, but he hasn't arrived yet. I hope he's okay." Redwillow smelt fear-scent on Bristlefrost as she glanced toward the trees.

Needletail swished her thick tail. "I'm an old friend of his mother's. Any kit of Violetshine must be as tough as old bark. I'm sure he can take care of himself."

But suddenly, Bristlefrost's blue-green eyes rounded in panic. "Ashfur's coming!" Upon hearing those words, Redwillow's pelt bushed, and Maggottail scanned the forest, ears flattening. "We have to get away from here!" Needletail nosed Sparrowfeather, but the brown tabby she-cat was frozen with fear. "Where is he?" Her amber gaze flashed with terror.

Needletail and Bristlefrost exchanged more hurried words, and Redwillow caught Needletail's words: "Thank you for bringing these cats here, for giving them hope. Whatever they've done in life, their courage proves that the spirit of a warrior can never entirely be lost." Those words made him puff out his chest, pride thrilling through him. StarClan cats don't understand the Dark Forest ones, but I see that there can still be a mutual allegiances.

Sparrowfeather's tail bushed. "I can hear him!" "Quick!" Bristlefrost nudged Needletail back to the barrier, but the gap was too small- the silver she-cat's hind paws scrabbled against the earth. "Make the gap wider," Bristlefrost told them.

Panic exploding in his chest, Redwillow grabbed a bramble and pulled at it. Maggottail tugged at a vine with his teeth, while Sparrowfeather slid her paws beside Needletail and tore savagely at the gap.

The sound of paw steps thundered closer, and Ashfur padded out, flanked by numerous recruits- all under his control. Bristlefrost unsheathed her claws, and the Dark Forest warriors let go of the warriors, fear pressing against Redwillow's chest as he turned to face Ashfur. "Traitors." the flecked pale gray tom snarled.

As soon as Needletail slid out, Ashfur's hackles lifted. "Ignore the traitors. I'll deal with those cowards later. Kill the StarClan intruder."

Redwillow drew back with Maggottail and Sparrowfeather, narrowing his yellow eyes. I'll see how this plays out, then act accordingly. In his heart, though, he was hoping that Bristlefrost would win, one way or the other.

He watched, tense, as the spirit cats closed in on Needletail. Then Stemleaf slipped, and Redwillow realised that Bristlefrost had flung herself onto Ashfur, breaking his control. "You'll pay for that." Ashfur's gaze flitted to Redwillow, and he saw Bristlefrost back away before catching Maggottail's eye.

He darted to the pale gray she-cat's side. "We can do this," he snarled, and Redwillow joined him eagerly, with Sparrowfeather. "Thank you!" Gratitude glowed in Bristlefrost's blue-green eyes.

Redwillow unsheathed his claws. "He's outnumbered."

"Let's kill him." Sparrowfeather growled.

But right now, defeating Ashfur didn't seem to matter- at all. What actually mattered... was the unity that connected the four of them.

Because somehow, without realising it, Redwillow was standing with the Clans again.

Revenge didn't matter that much after all.