Who Am I? (A Warriors Fan-fiction)

Chapter 17

Not a day passed when Goldenstar didn't think of Darkstripe, Silverfrost, Thorn and her kits. She missed them all with all of her being. But she couldn't let that distract her. The war was coming.

It was a cold and rainy morning. Leaf-bare was here and prey was scarce. Goldenstar padded through the Life Cave and over to the fresh-kill pile. She was soon joined by Dappleflower and Dustfur. 

"Have you seen Shadepelt this morning?" Dappleflower asked.

Goldenstar lifted her head from the mouse she had been eating. 

"No, has he not sent out the dawn patrol?" Goldenstar asked.

Dustfur shook his head.

"I haven't seen him since last night." Dustfur said.

Suddenly, there was a loud yowl at the cave entrance. Appleblossom, a young queen who's kits were just made apprentices, ran into the center of the cave. Her fur was soaked, and she was breathing heavy.

"Appleblossom! What's going on?" Goldenstar said as she bounded over to the warrior.

The whole clan had gathered by then. Appleblossom looked around wildly.

"It's Shadepelt! He's-" "I'm what?" 

All the cats in the clan gasped as Shadepelt emerged from the tunnel. His sleek black fur was plastered to his lean body, making him look smaller than normal. Goldenstar narrowed her eyes and stepped to the front of the clan, facing her deputy.

"What's going on?" She demanded, staring straight into his burning amber eyes.

"What's going on? Why, you know exactly what's going on, don't you dear leader?" He took a step forward. "You've been lying to us this whole time, haven't you?" Another step. "You've betrayed us. Mated with a rouge. Lied to us about Silverfrost's death. And worst of all, you're not even from this clan, or any of the four in these woods." He was just a breath away from her now.

Goldenstar didn't even flinch. 

"And how would you know that?" She hissed.

He smirked and chuckled.

"Because that's what Darkstripe said right before I killed him." Shadepelt meowed.

Goldenstar swatted his muzzle, raking her claws down to his nose. Shadepelt was flung to the side, blood spurting from the wound she created. She looked at her clan.

"What he says is true, I have broken the warrior code. But I did so because that's what StarClan has asked of me." Goldenstar said, still holding her head high.

Dappleflower's eyes were filled with hurt.

"But why would they ask you to break the warrior code? The StarClan I know would never do that!" She exclaimed. Murmurs of agreement spread throughout the clan.

Goldenstar sighed, ignoring the look of triumph on Shadepelt's face.

"There is truth in what you say. But the StarClan you know is only half of the real StarClan. The truth is, there are more than four clans." Goldenstar explained.

Gasps of shock filled the cave. Shadepelt let out a hiss of frustration.

"But how do we know you're not lying to us again?" He demanded.

"You don't. But you'll have to trust me." She turned back to the clan. "I was born to Leopardstar, but you all know her as Leopardfur. She isn't dead. She is the leader of RiverClan. But she gave me back to Nightstar. But when he tried to reason with Leopardstar about keeping me, she refused and he left me on a rock in the river. Firestar, leader of ThunderClan saved me and adopted me as his own daughter. But StarClan sent me away from them, and here to you." Goldenstar said as she looked down and a tear left her eye.

Dappleflower stepped forward.

"I believe you." She meowed.

"I believe you too." Dustfur said, also stepping forward.

One by one the cats of FireClan stepped forward and showed their faith in their leader and in StarClan. Shadepelt hissed once again in frustration.

"Tigerstar said this would work! Fine, have it your way, but you better be ready. Because light is so easily drowned in darkness...." Shadepelt said. 

He flicked his tail once, and cats came pouring in through the tunnel entrance. Goldenstar heard gasps of horror as FireClan began to recognize the scents.

"WaterClan!"

"EarthClan!"

"AirClan!"

Shadepelt laughed wickedly. 

"We are DarkClan! And we will kill the light!" And he jumped at Goldenstar. 

Sounds of battle filled the cave. Goldenstar was surrounded by Shadepelt, Oceanstar, Shadowstar, and Ivystar.

Oceanstar jumped at her, but Goldenstar quickly dodged. Next, Shadowstar jumped on her back. Goldenstar rolled on top of him, flipped over, and raked her claws down his underbelly. He jumped away, back into the circle surrounding her. Then Ivystar reached out and raked her cheek with her claws. Blood splattered on the cave floor, but Goldenstar had already scratched Ivystar across the eye.

Finally, Shadepelt jumped at her. He swept his tail under her legs, kncoking them out from under her. The three leaders jumped on top of her, pinning her down. Goldenstar struggled to get up, but she couldn't move under the weight of the four cats pinning her down. She saw that the other cats of FireClan were facing similar situations.

They were doomed.