Warriors Fanfiction: Super Edition-Owlflight's Path

Chapter Twenty-Three

Owlflight stepped into a dim, but cool, den. As her eyes adjusted to the lack of light, she saw that the den was a small, but spacious cave made of cool stone and lined with moss. It smelled of sage and dusk, something she was beginning to associate with the cats of EchoClan.

Duskstar sat at the head of the den beside his mate, Amberpelt, and his snarly medicine cat Icepool. Neither she cat looks led particularly pleased, but both waited for their leader to speak. Duskstar beckoned the four warriors to sit around, and settled back as they did.

"My medicine cat," he began, "Has urged me to share with you my past. I'm sure you've all heard rumors of my leaving ShadowClan.. would you mind telling me what it was you heard?" His gaze was urgent, and his manner more calm as he was hidden away from the rest of his Clan. Owlflight exchanges a look with her littermates. She didn't pay as much attention to gossip at the Gatherings. Buzzardwing leaned forward to tell the imposing leader, her blue eyes glittering in the shadows.

"Rowanstar came to the long-awaited Gathering after the Great Storms, and warned every Clan to keep an eye out for three of his banished cats, but it wasn't until some ShadowClan elders began gossiping that your true treachery was revealed!" She spat, and Amberpelt's neck fur bristled with anger, her amber eyes blazing. She leapt to her paws, as did Buzzardwing. Both she cats were glowering, their eyes flashing.

"So you listen to mere elders gossip?" The sturdy tortoiseshell she cat hissed, "Instead of hearing the truth from cats who lived through it?" The she cats amber eyes flashed. Duskstar and Owlflight rose to their feet, both cats holding a paw out to calm their riled friends. Owlflight met Amberpelt's gaze.

"Then what is the truth?" She asked, her gaze cautious but wary. Buzzardwing stood stiff beside her friend, her whiskers twitching angrily. Ravenleaf stepped forward and whispered something soothingly in the white she cats ear, and Buzzardwing stepped back bristling but silent. Duskstar met Owlflight's question with a hard stare.

"The truth is.." He sighed, eyes suddenly tired. "ShadowClan's leadership was under severe questioning before we left. Blackstar was ill and Rowanclaw was deputy at the time, but some cats in the Clan were dubious of his ability to lead the Clan into an era of stability and strength, including my sister." His eyes glittered with pain, and Owlflight sat back warily, listening with more consideration.

"So what happened?" Oakcharge asked, his eyes sharp with curiosity. Clan politics always interested her brother, though she couldn't imagine why.  Duskstar looked at him.

"My sister challenged him, and won. Blackstar named her deputy. She would have been the next leader too, but.. but then she tried to kill Blackstar, and was caught doing it by the one cat she thought would keep her treachery secret. Me." Duskstar's gaze was full of grief. "I threw her off Blackstar, and we fought until she died. It's true, I killed my sister. But I wouldn't stand by and watch her kill my leader." His gaze was firm. Amberpelt touched his cheek with her own, her eyes round with sympathy. Duskstar sighed.

"I was labeled a traitor because the deputy was a traitor, and that would show weakness in leadership to a Clan that needed strength. Rowanclaw was named deputy and I was driven out. Amberpelt and Icepool came with me, because they knew the truth. I was accused of treason against the Clan I saved." His voice was quiet and solemn, but completely ardent. Owlflight felt stunned.

"You saved ShadowClan," she whispered, "And they betrayed you to save face!" Fury lit her tone, and she felt immediate shame. "I'm so sorry I accused you of treason." She dipped her head. The others murmured apologies, the last coming from Buzzardwing. Duskstar sighed.

"Thank you, but you are right to have mistrusted me. I killed a cat I was supposed to love unconditionally. It's not an easy crime to absolve." The broad black tabby said gravely. Amberpelt stiffened, but stayed quiet, awaiting a response. Owlflight stepped forward.

"Your right, taking a life is not an easy crime to see past. But you acted as a warrior doing so. It is our duty to protect our Clan, and our leader, above all else. Taking a cats life is something we all try to avoid. But protecting our Clan is unavoidable; and saving your leaders life far outweighs any crime you've committed. You were wronged, Duskstar. ShadowClan shunned you when they should have honored you. I am glad StarClan has righted the wrongs their Clan made against you," she finished with a respectful dip of her head.

Duskstar was silent for a moment before he, too, bowed his head. His purple gaze held gratitude and respect when his head rose to meet hers.

"Thank you, Owlflight. For one so young, you are wise and gracious. I hope we can work as close allies in the future. But a deal is a deal. I have told you my past, now you must tell us your purpose. What brought you so far from the lake?" His gaze was much more relaxed, and Owlflight felt no resistance as she glanced at Icepool.

"We received a prophecy from StarClan through Leafpool of ThunderClan.." and Owlflight continued to tell them of the prophecy, how they got separated from the ThunderClan medicine cat. How they found themselves in this new land so far from home and met many cats. How RippleClan turned them away and how, with no way for StarClan to guide them further, they made a home in the forest opened to other cats in need of direction. A sanctuary for those who needed it most. Most importantly, they told him how lucky they were that Icepool came to them when she did. Sparrow would've been in bad form otherwise.

"Icepool brought us here when I mentioned WindClan, and you know the rest from there," she added lightly. Duskstar dipped his head and looked at Icepool.

"Well, StarClan and their messages are your domain. What do you think their prophecy means?" Icepool looked troubled.

"I've had many dreams of fallen leaves rising to the treetops, but they've all been very confusing. I suppose I can ask StarClan Come half moon, but the connection isn't always guaranteed. There's no Moonpool here, and it sometimes takes many moons for Yellowfang to make a visit to me. Distance is similar for StarClan, after all..." Icepool looked perturbed. "I'll keep an eye out for further signs, and let you know immediately. Meanwhile, do you have any cat in your group that knows herbs?" Ravenleaf shook her head.

"Only Goose and Cow, but they're herb knowledge is limited, at best," the black she cat replied. Icepool looked irritated.

"That queen and her kits will need better care than that!" She hissed irritably. "I suppose I'll have to drop in now and again, to teach some cat basic herb use." Buzzardwing was about to fire back a sassy response but Owlflight spoke first.

"Thank you, Icepool," she said quickly. "Any help will be very much appreciated!" She purred. Duskstar rose to his feet.

"It sounds like you've made a very honorable little group. Cats who behave like warriors are warriors at heart and deserve to be called by warrior names. If you'll allow me into your camp, I'd be honored to give your friends the names they deserve. You may not be a Clan in the eyes of StarClan, but you carry the spirit of true Clan cats in your heart. So, if you'll accept my offer, we can go at once." His gaze was solemn and kind. Owlflight's eyes watered with deep gratitude.

"Thank you, Duskstar. I can think of no greater honor upon them than that," she exchanged a look with her companions and earned nods of approval from each. Turning back to Duskstar, she purred, "We'd be honored to have you at  our camp."