Dawnstar's Legacy

Chapter 1: The Rogues

Dawnstar padded around the corner of camp. Looking up, she saw that it was nearly time to announce who would be going to the gathering. Dawnstar quickened her stride and leaped up onto High Rock.

"Let all cats who are old enough to catch their own prey join beneath High Rock for a clan meeting!"

Thornpetal trotted over towards Dawnstar and sat beneath the large stone, looking up at the dark brown tabby.

"Tonight is the gathering! The cats I want to come with us are Foxtail, Snowstorm, Thornpetal, Frostfang, Amberpaw, Mistypaw, Nightshade, Honeydew, and Waspheart. Nova, if you want to, you can join us."

Nova shook her head and stared back up at Dawnstar.

"I think we all agree that it would be better if I stay here, that way I won't scare any apprentices, or warriors for that matter."

Dawnstar nodded and looked up at the scarlet sky.

"We will leave soon, everyone rest up and prepare for the gathering. Clan dissismed!" Dawnstar leapt off of High Rock and towards Thornpetal.

"Let's make sure that Amberpaw doesn't make any rash decisions again."

Thornpetal flicked her tail and walked over to Dawnstar's kit. Dawnstar padded into her den to wait for the full moon.

* * * * *

Dawnstar trotted ahead of the group, Thornpetal right on her heals.

Holding her tail up, Dawnstar signaled the patrol to stop. Dawnstar glanced around, looking for a sign that Darkclan, Treeclan, or Lightningclan had arrived.

"Thornpetal," Dawnstar whispered quietly but sharply.

"Yes Dawnstar?"

"Where in Starclan is everyone?"

Thornpetal rotated her ears, trying to listen for any sounds.

"Over there."

Dawnstar looked in the direction Thornpetal's tail pointed, nodded, and continued for Four Stones. After sitting on her stone, Dawnstar began growing inpatient.

"The other three clan better hurry up or else this was a complete waste of time.

Out in the crowd of Fireclan cats, Mistypaw's voice arose, "They're here!"

Dawnstar sighed in relief and looked down at the approaching clans.

"Greetings Breezestar, Clearstar." Dawnstar meowed, dipping her head in respect, "Do either of you know where Stormstar is?"

Both of the leader exchanged worried glances before looking back at Dawnstar.

"No, we thought she was here with you..."

Breezestar leapt up onto the stone for Darkclan and yowled, "We were both late and can wait no longer, LET THE GATHERING BEGIN!"

Dawnstar and Clearstar leapt up into position and waited for Breezestar to begin.

"Darkclan has been doing well this season, despite the cold Leafbare weather. Morningsun has had three healthy kits. Maplekit, Oakkit, and Sunkit! That is all"

Clearstar stood up.

"Treeclan has been doing well also and prey is plentiful, that is all." Dawnstar looked over at the pale grey tom and cocked her head.

He's so skinny, I feel bad that they have to lie about their own health. I won't lie, Fireclan may be going through tough times, but I won't let the other clan think I'm a liar.

Dawnstar looked at the gathered clans. Standing, she prepared herself for the coming announcements.

"Fireclan has also been doing well, though prey is becoming more and more scarce as the days go on. Also-"

Suddenly, a wail of pain came up from behind the gathered clans.

In unison, the cats all turned their heads to see Stormstar rushing through the area. Thornpetal gasped in horror when she looked at the terrified leader. Stormstar's pelt was matted in blood, her spotted black and grey pelt now stained red.

"Stormstar, what happened!" Dawnstar yowled, trying not to panic herself.

"We-we were on our way here wh-when a small group of ro-rogues attacked us. E-even though it was a small gr-group, they fo-fought like all of Lionclan."

Breezestar opened his mouth to say something but nothing came out. Clearstar, the deputies, and Dawnstar all stared at each other in shock.

"Where is the rest of your clan?"

Stormstar looked up and whimpered softly.

"The patrol that joined me, th-they're almost all dead..."

Dawnstar shook her head in disbelief and leaped down from her position.

"Show us where they are!"

Stormstar nodded, turned around, and padded of to find her clanmates.

* * * * *

Dawnstar trotted behind the bleeding leader, waiting for the horrible moment when she would see all of the dead cats. Stormstar stopped suddenly and gasped. Dawnstar stood still, mouth gaping.

All around, the cats of Lightningclan lay motionless. Dawnstar padded through the small clearing, wondering who in their right mind would do this.

Hearing a twig snap, Dawnstar whirled around to see a light grey tom staring at her.

"Who are you?! Are you one of the cats who did this?!"

The grey cat laughed, his green eyes flashing in the shadows.

"You think that I did all of this by myself, I'm flattered, but no, I had some help."

Flicking his tail tip, the intruder signaled the cats behind him to come forward.

Dawnstar looked behind the grey tom to see the shadow literally moving. One by one, the patrol behind the rogue stepped forward.

"We all did this, we are..... The Rogues!" The grey tom yowled.

All around, the cats behind him yowled in triumph and pride, shouting. Dawnstar yowled in fury and leaped for the grey tom.

Moving to the side, the grey tom dodged the attack, but not before one of Dawnstar's outstretched claw caught his face.

"You BRAT!" he hissed, his lips curling into a snarl.

Dawnstar smirked and slashed again, missing. The tom jumped back towards the shadows.

"You will remember me, this isn't the last time you've seen the Rogues!"

Then, just as quickly as they appeared, the group of rogues disappeared.

Thornpetal and Amberpaw pelted forward, running after the rogue cats. Dawnstar jumped in their way, becoming slightly trampled.

"Stop, let them go. There has been enough bloodshed tonight, come Fireclan, let us return home!"