Sandclan's Destiny Book 3: Blackout

Chapter 7: Dream of a Disaster

It has been a few sunrises since Snowybreeze had reported her dream to Coalspots. They had both come up with a plan to coerce Birchstar into stepping down from leadership, and it involved Coalspots persuading Birchstar to hold a meeting with him. He was surprised when his leader accepted the offer.

"So you really think that a dream of darkness means my death?" Birchstar wrapped his tail around his unsheathed claws, his voice edged with curiosity.

"Sure of it." Coalspots lied. "You need to retire before your legacy comes to an end."

Birchstar looked straight into Coalspot's eyes, his green on his deputy's blue. "A legacy never ends." He chuckled, "My dear deputy, a legacy lives on forever. That's why they call it a legacy. And a legacy only lives longer when you die great. I plan to die in battle, next to Wolfstar, with my Clan behind me. That's all I ever wanted." He stood and looked at Coalspots with gratitude, "I thank you."

What is this opening up inside him? Did he finally reach an epiphany? No, he still remains loyal to Wolfstar. "So you'll.."

"I won't be retiring. Besides, I've got lives. A good four lives left." He straightened himself before padding from his den. Coalspots knew to follow-- he could not remain in a leader's den if the owner has padded out. He stepped into the warm air.

He scrambled down from the tree, feeling confused, and swerved to Snowybreeze's den. "Snowybreeze." He saw her white pelt curled up like a cloud in her nest. She lifted her head and gazed at him.

"Oh." She muttered, sitting up to receive his words.

"I failed. He won't retire, no matter the dream. It might not be about him, but he needs to let me lead. He'll lead us into disaster as I have told you many times." He felt his claws scratch at the wood.

"We'll just have to try harder. I had a dream and it meant something. And..." She looked at him and her voice was hushed, "Even if it doesn't concern him... we can use the dream against him. We'll just have to try harder."

*~*~*

Dustkit wandered closer to the darkness. The dead trees loomed above her, sharp teeth-like branches biting at others. "Really? I have to enter?"

"You've been dreaming here for quite a while. Go in with small steps, warily, and do not wander too far." The kit told her, "And tell me what you hear." The kit, whose name was Pondkit, she urged her in with her muzzle.

Dustkit stepped in with caution among the dead grass, the dead ferns and the dead brambles. Everything was dead here. It even smelled like it, the stench almost palpable.
Dustkit heard voices from beyond, and as she crept to them with as much bravery as she could muster, she could begin to piece sentences together. Dustkit looked back at where Pondkit once stood before straining her ears to listen, ignoring the loud pounding of her nervous heart.

"Yes, leader." Many cats chanted in quiet grumbles, agreeing with whatever their leader must have ordered. Dustkit heard many pawsteps thud and pound the dirt beyond her hiding spot. Dustkit peeked through the brambles twining before her. She could only see legs, moving frantically.

"Scarstar, I can't believe even Skullcrush has better aim than you! And you were a leader-- and of VenomClan?" A sneering voice gibed. Dustkit thought she saw the legs that belonged to the voice, because they swayed as she spoke. On further inspection, she realized the cat was quivering and not simply swaying, and was not involved in the prior conversation. She heard its mew:

"Yes, Ravenstar." The voice was scratchy. Another pair of legs said something, "Wolfstar, Wolfstar, you coward. Care to dance alone, or do you fear duets?"