Chapter Text
The gentle murmurs weren't enough to drown out the blood that roared in his ears as he stared into the boaring eyes of him.
Images of blood gushing out of the bone hill flashed, and another image flashed again, this time being when he had killed Redtail. The way he would glare with nothing but malice and the pure hunger to kill deeply haunted him, and it was only then that he realized that Fireheart was trying to snap him out of the trance.
Tigerstar was back.
"I can't believe it," Darkstripe breathed, his yellow eyes wide with what Ravenwing guessed was fear and shock. Longtail remained wordless, his ears pressed against his head as he stared up at the Great Rock.
The air hung heavy, as if StarClan themselves were holding their breath, as if they were waiting for what he would say.
Tigerclaw stood frozen, his deep amber gaze not leaving "Redtail" until the tom met his with a stare twice as powerful. Crookedstar and Tallstar exchanged glances before the Riverclan leader cleared his throat.
"Well then, the gathering has begun."
Before Tigerclaw could get a word out, Redtail stepped foward, the motion making Ravenwing's heart still, the memories still trickling in his mind like a stream.
"I am honored to stand up on this rock tonight," the tom began, and Ravenwing shivered as the words oozed into his mind. Tigerstar had always spoken like this, smooth like a snake.
"I stand before you as the new leader of Shadowclan. Nightstar died of a sickness that wiped out so many of my clan..."
Its not your clan, he wanted to scream, forcing his body to tense uncomfortably. You’re wearing the skin of someone good, and turning it into a mask for your lies.
"...I have received my nine lives after Starclan chose me as the next leader, and I will now be referred to as Redstar."
No no no no!
The word repeated in his mind like a fever dream. A silent prayer to a faith that was beginning to crumble beneath his paws. How could StarClan allow this? Were they blind? Or had they simply abandoned them all to the darkness?
Or worse—maybe StarClan didn’t know.
The thought chilled him more than the coldest wind. If they could grant him nine lives, then what did that say about their wisdom? About fate? About everything?
If StarClan didn’t see the truth, then who would? If they were watching, and still allowed this, what hope was there?
Tallstar dipped his head, the gray hairs on his muzzle flinging in the moonlight, a clear sign of his age. "Welcome, Redstar," he greeted respectfully, "I hope Starclan leads you through your leadership."
Crookedstar only grunted agreement, but nevertheless bowed his head. Ravenwing squirmed at the triumphant look that gleaned in Tigerstar's–or, as everyone knew him, Redstar's– eyes.
Tallstar's gaze then drifted to Tigerclaw, who had somehow contained his anger the entire time. "Where's Bluestar?" He questioned, his voice hoarse.
"She is unwell at the moment," Tigerclaw meowed, "but she should return by the next moon."
"Good," Crookedstar growled, "now let's actually start. Redstar, seeing as your the new leader, please go first."
Redstar responded with a courteous nod, and took another step foward. "As mentioned earlier, I stand here because of the will of Starclan. Nightstar was a noble leader, but he was old, and sadly did not have the strength to stand against the sickness. His deputy, Cinderfur, was lost as well."
Ravenwing grimaced; the sickness had been horrible, but was it necessary to have a cat in position of leader who was worse than any sickness, and could wipe out a clan faster?
Fireheart nudged him, "Poor Runningnose," he murmured into his ear, and when he looked over to where the medicine cats were gathered, he spotted the Shadowclan medicine cat sitting over with his shoulders hunched. Although Ravenwing couldn't see his face in the shadows, he could tell he was absolutely miserable.
"Starclan sent an omen to Shadowclan that promised that a great leader would arise, one of strength and ambition," Redstar rambled, "I promise to become that leader as much as I possibly can."
Ravenwing’s faith cracked like ice under paw. If StarClan truly sent omens in Tigerstar’s favor… Then maybe StarClan is as broken as we are.
Out of the corner of his eyes, he spotted Runningnose shift uncomfortably at the mention of the omen. He squinted, had Starclan really wanted Tigerstar as leader?
"I have also found cats that are willing to fight for their new clan," Redstar meowed.
Found cats?
Wait, Brokenstar's old allies!
His fur began to rise along his spine, why was he so keen to bring in dangerous cats?
Because he's dangerous, mouse brain! He needs cats who are like him!
"Is this a good choice?" Tallstar questioned, "Brokenstar's allies were cruel and bloodthirsty, just as he was. Is it wise to let them back into the clan?"
For him, its a good choice, for us, it will get most of us killed, he thought grimly, wondering what Redstar had to say now, although it felt wrong using that name for him, knowing who he truly was.
He tuned out the ramblings of Redstar, knowing it was mostly lies and broken promises. Tigerclaw sat stiffly up above, and when Ravenwing caught his eye, his former mentor offered an awkward smile.
He grinned back, and watched as his former mentor stepped foward, ready to speak. "Thunderclan accepts that Shadowclan has accepted your leadership," he began. "As rogues, your followers caused trouble for all Clans in the forest, so it is a pleasure to hear that they have their own clan again, and we trust that you will keep them bound to the warrior code."
"However, we will not tolerate any invasions into Thunderclan territory. In spite of the fire that scorched our forest, we still remain strong enough to drive out any potential invaders. We have no fear of Shadowclan."
Ravenwing joined in with Fireheart and Willowpelt as they yowled in agreement. But Redstar didn't look moved, and he knew why. The tom had been through the same gathering before, he had expected these words.
"Of course, Tigerclaw, Shadowclan has nothing but fear for you."
Thats another lie, he hissed to himself, don't believe him, Tigerclaw.
The rest of the Gathering droned on, and he had spent most of it glaring at Redstar, who sat and washed himself like nothing was wrong.
But something was wrong. Redtail's body was being controlled by a bloodthirsty tyrant who wanted nothing but power and gain from the clans, and he had no doubt that he would do the same here.
Finally, it ended, and Tigerclaw bounded down the rock, not bothering to bid the other leaders goodbye.
He doesn't have to, they are all corrupted anyway.
"Lets go," was all he said, and Thunderclan streamed out of the clearing.
As Ravenwing left, he could feeling those eyes burning holes into his pelt, a silent reminder of the fate that hung over his head.
Whatever this was, it wasn’t just a return.
It was a reckoning.
It was a promise of his purpose.
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