The Raging Storm

Leafstar snarled beside Bramblestar. “I don’t know why we ever came here! We suffered enough because of Darktail and his rogues. We should have guessed that you were hardly better. The lake Clans are only loyal to their bellies, and their hunger for territory means more to them than any warrior code.” Bramblestar’s ears twitched indignantly, but Leafstar went on. “All of you act as though you’re doing SkyClan a favor by letting us hunt beside the lake. We’ve done nothing but try to help the Clans. We made our camp where you chose and kept to borders you marked. We took in ShadowClan and even offered to let them become SkyClan warriors. Then, without complaint, we let them leave to re-form their own Clan. And now they steal our prey and mark our territory as though it’s their own. And the rest of you don’t object. You are so scared of sharing your own territory, you let ShadowClan treat us like outsiders. And now, after ShadowClan has tried to murder one of our Clanmates, you make excuses. ShadowClan can steal our land and kill us one by one and none of the other Clans will lift a paw.” The SkyClan leader curled her lip in disgust as the gathered cats watched her silently. “That is why we are leaving the lake and returning to the gorge.”

Twigbranch caught her breath. They’re leaving . . . they’re really leaving! She looked across the crowd to Violetshine, grief tugging at her heart.

“You belong beside the lake,” Bramblestar insisted.

“You mustn’t leave.” Harestar got to his paws. “You were driven from the Clans once before, long ago. It must not happen again.”

Mistystar narrowed her eyes. “Why not? Things have been complicated since they came. Wouldn’t it simplify everything if they returned to the gorge?” She blinked apologetically at Leafstar. “Even if you are far away, you’ll still be one of the Clans. You can still follow the warrior code and honor StarClan. And you might be happier there.”

Leafstar stared at her, then dipped her head. “At least you are honest.”

Tigerstar snorted. “ShadowClan has been nothing but honest. We have told you we want our territory back. What is more honest than that? If you must go, then go.”

“But what about the vision?” Jayfeather’s panicked mew sounded from below the oak. He padded forward and stared blindly up at the leaders. “StarClan has told us that the five Clans must stand together. How can we stand together if SkyClan is at the gorge?”

Frecklewish whisked her tail anxiously. “StarClan showed the vision to all of us.”

“They know a storm is coming.” Leafpool stood at the SkyClan medicine cat’s shoulder.

“We must face it together!” Kestrelflight called.

Alderheart stared beseechingly at Bramblestar. “You can’t let SkyClan leave, or we are all lost.”

Twigbranch shivered. She could hardly believe this was happening. How could the Clans allow this? The cats of WindClan and ThunderClan shifted nervously. Fear flashed in their eyes as they exchanged glances. SkyClan moved closer together, like hunted prey, while RiverClan gazed uneasily at Mistystar. ShadowClan watched silently, muscles taut beneath their pelts.

Bramblestar lifted his chin. “ThunderClan will give up territory for SkyClan!”

Squirrelflight jerked her muzzle toward him. Lionblaze’s hackles lifted while his Clanmates blinked at each other in surprise. Hope flared in Twigbranch’s chest. “Do you think he’ll really give up land?” she whispered to Finleap.

“I hope so.” He was watching Bramblestar through narrowed eyes. “SkyClan mustn’t leave.”

Bramblestar looked urgently at Harestar. “Is WindClan willing to sacrifice land to keep SkyClan beside the lake?”

Harestar hesitated. He looked toward his Clanmates who stared back, pelts prickling. “We will give up territory if the other Clans give up territory too. If SkyClan needs land, all must provide it, or none. No one Clan must have an advantage. It’s the only way to keep peace.”

Bramblestar blinked hopefully at Mistystar.

She stared back at him coldly. “I’ve made RiverClan’s position clear. We think it’s better for everyone if SkyClan returns to the gorge.”

“What about the vision?” Bramblestar’s tail flicked.

Tigerstar growled. “We’ve survived prophecies before. We’ll survive this one. ShadowClan is taking back their land. SkyClan can live on it at their own risk or they can leave.”

Leafstar curled her lip. “So, no Clan is willing to make space for SkyClan?”

Around the Great Oak, heads dropped and paws shifted uneasily.

The SkyClan leader’s amber eyes shone like fire. “I see how it is. . . . Every cat wants other cats to be the ones to help. Some of you talk so much about uniting, about your wish for us all to live peacefully side by side, as if you care as much about the other Clans as you do your own. But it’s clear to me now that that is all lies! No wonder StarClan sees storms in your future. We’ve seen and heard enough. We’re not part of the lake Clans, and I think we can all agree on that by now. SkyClan doesn’t belong here. We never will.”