Warriors: Bound To Stars

Chapter 30 || The Stars Won't Save You

"You think Doestar will let me rip this stupid rogue to shreds?"

⠀⠀"For the last time, I'm not a rogue," Batchaser grumbled, long tail flicking behind them. They were still making their way back to ThunderClan's camp, and the tom couldn't help but feel anticipation. Birdchirp seemed extraordinarily calm, but the rest of these misfits hardly seemed to fit in with the ThunderClan stereotype. Surely this is not how the war had made them? Because if so... Batchaser had messed up more than he'd intended.

⠀⠀"Right, a ShadowClanner. Just about the same in my opinion," Bramblevine snorted, taunting Batchaser who couldn't be bothered to snap back. Instead, he continued to drift far into his thoughts, blinking slowly. The ThunderClan I once knew is gone. If Bramblevine was being serious and they're killing cats for no reason... I have to try and do something. We all do. This cannot continue for any longer.

⠀⠀He wondered if proving to them he was a StarClan cat would convince them to listen to his words. But how do I even do that? I can bleed here — I keep my wounds. There's nothing I could do that would sway them in my favor. He sighed, ears flicking back. There's nothing I can do except find out what in the stars is about to happen.

⠀⠀The trek continued on until the trees towered far overhead. Batchaser could faintly hear the buzzing clearing and his blood ran cold. This will be the first time I'm returning to a Clan camp after dying... and it's not even ShadowClan. How disappointing.

⠀⠀The cats were getting closer and Batchaser could now make out the camp walls. He dug his claws into the ground, ignoring Aloethistle's hostile glare and padding into the clearing with the warriors. He twitched his tail, looking around curiously. He'd never actually seen ThunderClan's camp except for the time he'd visited.... Paleheart's dream. Where I ruined everything... Pushing down his guilt, Batchaser turned his head in the direction of a falling shadow. A pale cream she-cat was making her way towards them, soft blue eyes reflecting in the sunlight. If he hadn't ever met Jackalstar, Batchaser would've said this she-cat was the prettiest one he'd ever seen.

⠀⠀"What is the meaning of this?" the molly asked, eyes flicking to the patrol cats and then to Batchaser. "Is this a rogue?"

⠀⠀Birdchirp dipped her head respectfully. "Doestar-"

⠀⠀"No. He's from ShadowClan," Bramblevine snorted, cutting in. "Can you believe it? He must be an idiot to come near-"

⠀⠀"He doesn't smell of it," Doestar commented. Batchaser found it hard to believe this was ThunderClan's leader. She was much more soft-spoken than the one Batchaser had briefly met at a gathering one time. Perhaps she's not terrible. Maybe it's just that a few cats are annoying and blood-thirsty...

⠀⠀"But if he truly is, then I'm afraid we will have to kill him. Shame. He's so handsome." Doestar pouted for a moment and waved her tail. "Russetwind, you may do the honors."

⠀⠀"NO!" Batchaser struggled, muscles stiffening. "No! No! I-I'm not from ShadowClan!"

⠀⠀Doestar's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm confused."

⠀⠀"As am I," Bramblevine snapped. "You insisted that you'd come from there! Stop lying! Doestar, he must be killed immediately!"

⠀⠀"NO! I-I didn't lie! Well...not exactly, but..." He sighed, watching more ThunderClanners gather around curiously. "Look, I was from ShadowClan, under Fallenstar's rule. Rippletail was deputy— I'm not sure if either of them are still around." Doestar stayed silent. "But- I died. I went to StarClan, died again, the Forgotten Eternity.... look, all I'm saying is that I'm hardly from here! I-I was sent back here with my friends and I have no idea what's even going on!"