[X] Symphony in the Rain

[mysteryfaith]

Title: Symphony in the Rain
Chapters: Unknown.
Author: Mysteryfaith.
Pairing: Wait and find out! x3
Summary: After a harsh and merciless Leaf-bare, Firestar is dead, leaving Brambleclaw to lead ThunderClan through what should be a warm and bountiful New-leaf. But trouble is brewing around the lake, and in the midst of it all is a strange loner who can make or break the Clans forever...
Editor: Unknown.
Cover: Coming soon!

Author's Notes: My keyboard is now FIXED, so I shall be writing a lot more on this story, WIRF and TS. I hope you like it!

[mysteryfaith]

Preface

A swarm of ravens circled hungrily in the sky as dusk crept in, eagerly lapping at the fluffy clouds that lingered above the lake. Lush, dense trees guarded plump, ripe berries and newly-sprouting daffodils. Tall pines and watchful oaks shook gently as a breeze swept through empty dens and deserted, sandy clearings.

Shallow breathing broke the peaceful silence of the area, bouncing off of rock and trunk haphazardly. In a quiet, pebble-strewn clearing, a ginger tom lay awkwardly, flexing his long claws over a few tufts of springy grass below him. Several cats were gathered round him, muttering anxiously and twitching their tails in distress.

A brown tabby tom gingerly stepped forwards, glancing down at the ginger cat before him. "Firestar?" he whispered gently, examining the tom's wide green eyes. "Firestar, I know this is hard for you, but please, stay with us - stay with your Clan..."

The ginger tom's flank rose and fell steadily, but it was clear he was not well. His mouth was too moist, his eyes too dry; his time was nearly up, and this he knew only too well.

A fearful brown she-cat trotted forwards, leaning and pressing her muzzle against the sick tom's ear. "Firestar, it's Leafpool - we can save you. I just need Jayfeather to hurry up and bring me those -"

A grey tom burst through the nearby bushes, carrying a sack made of leaves that held a precious bundle of aromatic herbs. "Here, Leafpool - I got some cobwebs too, to patch any wounds..."

Leafpool nodded silently, and took the sack from her apprentice. She set them down carefully, and watched as the leaf unfurled to reveal four neatly-stacked piles of shredded plants. She nodded her thanks to the grey tom, who bounded off again, tail flicking as he concentrated on his mission.

The brown tabby tom glanced at the she-cat doubtfully. "Leafpool, I don't think you can save him now. He's nearly ready to go - it is StarClan's wish to take him now." He glanced at his paws. "Don't waste your herbs."

Leafpool's eyes flashed with anger, her tail swishing with rage. "This is my father, Brambleclaw - I have a right to try to save him!" She carefully picked a mouthful of the herbs up, and began to chew them into a poultice. Keeping her eyes on the tom, she let the herbs mingle in her mouth.

A ginger tom stepped out of the crowd, followed by a black she-cat. The tom looked up at Leafpool, his eyes glittering with worry. "Leafpool," he said softly, "let him go. It's time."

The brown she-cat raised her head as if to snap at the two younger warriors, but held her tongue. Instead she spat out the poultice, now a deep green colour, and nudged it towards the ginger tom on the ground, who was now shaking violently. "Here, eat this - it'll help."

The brown tom put a paw on the dying tom's flank, and sighed. "It's no use." He withdrew his paw, and bowed his head. "StarClan are coming for him now. I can feel it in his chest - it's light, like a feather."

Leafpool instantly lunged forwards, resting her paw immediately on the ginger tom's chest. She grimaced; she could feel it too - as if the dying leader was going to sprout wings at any second and fly up into the clouds.

The brown tom nodded as he saw the she-cat's expression. "Goodbye, Firestar - I will lead your Clan well." He whispered his farewell, and buried his nose in the leader's fur. It was hot and sweaty - he would barely last until the end of dusk.

Leafpool did the same, murmuring, "May your journey to StarClan be sweet, Firestar."

The ginger tom who had spoken before stepped forwards, and licked tenderly at Firestar's muzzle. "May your hunting be endless in the clouds, Firestar."

The other cats slowly patrolled forwards to say their final goodbyes to the leader they'd known and loved. It was a great loss for ThunderClan - and one that would change their lives forever.

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[mysteryfaith]

Chapter One

Dawn settled easily over the forest, slipping comfortably into its familiar place as sleepy cats rose from their dens to carry out their daily duties. Hidden between leaves and bowed branches, Brambleclaw stretched, shaking the sleep from his limbs.

Beside him, Squirrelflight shuddered. Her fur felt cold and limp; she was still recovering from the sickness that had stolen some of ThunderClan's warriors and Firestar after the latest vicious Leaf-bare. Brambleclaw felt a wave of pity for his mate, and leaned forwards to lovingly lick her pelt.

The ginger she-cat shivered at the tom's hot tongue. "You should leave," she muttered, her voice sounding strained and weak. "StarClan will be waiting."

Brambleclaw snorted. "StarClan can always wait." He buried his nose in his mate's fur, letting his worries drip away. "I just want to know that you'll be alright whilst I'm gone."

Squirrelflight rolled over so she was facing the new leader. Her eyes sparkled with humour. "Oh, I'm sure the illness can bide its time until you come back."

Brambleclaw purred, and got up, casting one final glance of farewell to the she-cat before trotting into the bright New-leaf sun. Around him, drowsy warriors were organising themselves, some still pressing their noses faithfully to Firestar's stiff body, which lay in the centre of the camp.

Brambleclaw padded to the top of the rocks, clearing his throat. A soft breeze tickled his fur, and in his head he pictured himself, fearlessly leading ThunderClan to endless victory.

He shook the daydream away, but remnants of it still lingered; this rock must have delivered the same fantasies to Firestar. It makes a leader feel welcome, he thought happily as his paws fitted into the shallow imprints that Firestar had made from countless announcements before.

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey must gather beneath the rocks for a Clan meeting!" Brambleclaw repeated the words that had slipped past Firestar's tongue just the dawn previous. He remembered that announcement as the most terrifying of his time: a rasping Firestar could barely meow loud enough for his own deputy to hear him. The announcement had been a morbid reminder that the sickness was nearly over, and that they would all pull through.

Yes, Brambleclaw thought with a tinge of sadness, all but Firestar. The tom had died at dusk, his final life stolen by the chilling sickness that had spread through the Clans throughout Leaf-bare.

Noticing that the Clan had gathered and was waiting patiently for him to begin, he surveyed them carefully. Leafpool and Jayfeather sat outside their den, whilst the warriors were all sat relatively close to Firestar, obviously still feeling unsure about their new leader's capability. I can do this, he told himself bravely. I am their new leader, and I can handle it.

"We are all grieving for Firestar at the moment, but his memory can only be honoured by the announcement I am about to make." He glanced down at the dead leader, feeling a pang of sorrow. He used to be guided by the wise tom, but now he was alone - maybe for a good reason. "I must now choose the new deputy of ThunderClan."

A few murmurs rose from the crowd; some of encouragement for other warriors, some of doubt. Was it too soon to be announcing a new deputy? Only one night had passed since Firestar's death, and Brambleclaw didn't have his leader name or lives yet. This is the right decision, he assured himself. Let them think what they will of it.

"I have thought long and hard about this decision," Brambleclaw began, "and I know now who should be the new deputy." He took a deep breath, savouring the moment; he might only do this once, and he had to do it well.

"I say these words before Firestar so that his spirit may hear and approve of my choice. Lionblaze will be the new deputy of ThunderClan!"

Yowls of confusion rang through the air. Lionblaze, a young ginger tom who was the best fighter in the Clan, sat looking bemused and pensive at the edge of the clearing, whilst his sister Hollyleaf tried to nudge him encouragingly. The murmurs died down, leaving Brambleclaw staring expectantly at Lionblaze.

"I don't understand." The young tom's voice carried through the air to reach the new leader's ears. "There are more sensible choices than I - Greystripe, or Dustpelt."

Brambleclaw shook his head. "StarClan has told me who should be the deputy." He stayed calm as whispers of surprise rippled through the gathered cats; StarClan had never before interfered with a leader's choice of deputy. "Come to my den, Lionblaze."

With that, the brown tabby turned and disappeared. Hollyleaf leapt to her feet, hackles rising; Sandstorm furrowed her brow and shook her head; Leafpool hurried into her den, muttering something about recieving no sign from StarClan about this.

Lionblaze slowly got to his paws, shaking the dust from his fur. His amber eyes sparkled with worry; what was his father thinking, choosing him as the deputy? The senior warriors of the Clan were thoughtful, clever and perfectly able to lead, whereas he had so much to learn before even thinking about becoming a leader.

He began to pad towards Brambleclaw's den, but before he could reach the rocks he was pushed to the ground by a furious brown tabby tom.

"Dustpelt!" he breathed, feeling the wind being pushed from his chest. He scrambled from his footing, but his fellow warrior pinned him down, furiously growling in the younger tom's face.

"If you think you're the right choice for this, kit," he sneered threateningly, "you're wrong. Turn down his offers - make him beg for you - and turn away. This position belongs to a warrior, not some nursery-fresh fool!"

Dustpelt backed away, howls of agreement echoing behind him. Lionblaze hurriedly scrambled to his feet, and shook the dust from his pelt defensively. I'll have to turn it down, he thought, already planning his refusal speech. I can't have the other warriors turning on me like this.

He reached the top of the rocks, and glanced behind him. Jayfeather and Hollyleaf were muttering furiously together, occasionally glancing up at him with confused expressions. Dustpelt was still bristling, flanked by Ferncloud and Berrynose, whose eyes were alive with fury.

He quickly slipped into the den, suddenly thankful for its protective darkness. If he had to hide from his own Clanmates... this wasn't a good oppurtunity. Lionblaze knew what the consequences would be if he took Brambleclaw up, and it was only fair that someone else was the deputy before him.

"Lionblaze." Brambleclaw was sat protectively in front of Squirrelflight, who still looked as if she was sick. His broad shoulders almost blocked the she-cat from view; he wasn't letting anyone near her, not even his 'new deputy.'

"I can't be your deputy, Brambleclaw." Lionblaze blurted out the words suddenly and without hesitation; it's best if he knows first, he thought carefully.

Brambleclaw shook his head. "You have to be my deputy, Lionblaze." His expression made Lionblaze think that he wasn't worried at all - as if he didn't know what would happen if he wouldn't let his son go. "StarClan has told me."

Lionblaze's eyes widened. "Brambleclaw, you don't understand." He shuffled his paws anxiously, wondering if he should be telling his leader about what just happened. "I was threatened."

The new leader shrugged. "Shake it off, Lionblaze - don't let them get to you." He was acting as if it were that simple. "You have to be my deputy, like you have to lead this Clan when I die." He had no fear of saying those words; he didn't care about when his time came, only that his son led after him.

"Brambleclaw, I can't do this!" Lionblaze winced, feeling an almost physical pain as he refused his father's convincing answers. "There are so many other cats who deserve this more than -"

"I have no time for this, Lionblaze." Brambleclaw's mew was short and curt, clearly showing the end of the conversation. "I have to go to the Moonpool and be back before dawn tomorrow." He shuffled past his son, and cast a reassuring glance back at the miserable golden tom. "You can organise the patrols for today."

As the leader left, Lionblaze felt a familiar sinking feeling in his stomach. Organise the patrols? He was sure to get more than a warning from Dustpelt now; the Clan would hate him, and there was nothing he could do about it.

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[mysteryfaith]

Chapter Two

Blood spurted from the long, thin wound in the mouse's neck as Bramblestar pounced on it, letting his unsheathed claws dig into its delicate flesh. It was as if StarClan had wanted him to eat well today - like he had something important ahead of him.

He tucked in to the soft mouse, enjoying its warm, tasty blood on his tongue. As he ate, he thought about his meeting with StarClan. He had returned at dusk, and since then he had not slept - only thought about the future of ThunderClan.

They've never before told me about anything like this, he thought, a pensive expression on his muzzle. It was true; StarClan had only ever wished him well, and left him be. But now - now he had a prophecy on his shoulders, the weight of which was dragging him down.

Follow the stars to where your savior lies. One will help you, one will hate you, and one will never return.

That was what a shadowy tom had told him, hiding within the deepest branches of a starry oak. He'd tried to find the tom, tried to ask him what he meant - but before he could, he'd woken up by the Moonpool, with Foxpaw and Icepaw waiting patiently for him. Together they'd traveled back to the ThunderClan camp, but now he couldn't be happy: now that prophecy was the only important thing in his life.

Squirrelflight. The ginger she-cat had to know - after all, maybe she could offer him some comfort. She was always looking on the positive side of things - ever since they'd traveled to the mountains together.

Bramblestar got to his paws, finishing off the last of his mouse. He licked his lips, washing away the blood, and pelted into the bushes, letting his nose guide him back to the camp. With every step his paw fell into the print of another warrior - these paths had been patrolled so many times, faithfully marked by countless cats who had all given their courage and loyalty to his Clan...

He pushed through the tunnel that guarded the camp, and burst into the clearing. He expected to be faced with the usual sights: bustling kits, excitable apprentices, relaxing warriors and irritable elders. Instead, he found silence: no sign of anyone - or anything - in the camp.

He gingerly took a step forward, whiskers twitching with confusion and fear. He had only been gone since moonhigh - all the cats had been asleep then, resting in their dens to await the rising sun.

He nudged past the entrance to the warriors' den, hoping to see the usual cramped cats who barely fit inside. Instead, he saw empty nests, looking as if their owners had just hurried out of them - most of them were strewn haphazardly across the floor.

He saw the same thing as he entered the other dens. Just messy nests and empty crevices. The whole Clan couldn't have gone out hunting - nor could they all have gone to some strange daylight Gathering without his permission. It was just too strange - there was no explanation for it...

Suddenly a large shape darted through the entrance tunnel, and Bramblestar saw Lionblaze pelt up to him, pelt scuffed and eyes wide with fear. "Bramblestar!" he cried, grinding to a halt just beside his leader. "Hide!"

"Why should I hide?" the broad-shouldered tom asked, immediately worried by the tom's appearance. "Where is everyone?"

Lionblaze pushed him forward, making him stumble toward his den. "Hide in there!" the golden tom urged, pushing with all of his strength. "Trust me, it's for the best!"

"I just want to know where everyone is!" Bramblestar dug his claws into the sand, and whipped around, glaring angrily at his deputy. "Just tell me where they are, and I'll go and 'hide.'"

Lionblaze sighed, and kept pushing. "There's no time to explain - you just have to-"

"Halt!" A strong, deep voice echoed around the clearing, and Lionblaze stared up in terror. Leaning over the camp sides was a dark shape, blotting out the bright sun. "Who goes there?"

"Lionblaze of ThunderClan," the golden tom mewed, his eyes wide and paws shuffling anxiously. "I just came back to - um - collect something that the elders forgot."

"No cat leaves without my permission. You know this," the figure sneered, glaring at the young tom. Lionblaze started to quiver, and Bramblestar noticed a long, thin scratch stretching from the base of his tail to his neck. But he's never been hurt by another cat so brutally! Whatever was going on, it wasn't good...

"I'm sorry, Eaglestar. It won't happen again." Lionblaze shot an apologetic meow up at the tom, apparently hoping furiously that the rage he knew the tom could release would stay cooped up inside him. "Please, just let me return to the camp."

"No." The cold meow chilled Bramblestar to his bones. "Who are you with? The large tabby tom - who is he?"

"L-large tabby?" Lionblaze slowly turned, clearly trying to hide his fear. "Oh, this large tabby?" He set his gaze upon Bramblestar, almost pleading with his eyes that his leader would suddenly disappear. "This... this is Bramblestar of ThunderClan."

"Bramblestar!" Eaglestar's triumphant howl was followed by many more, erupting from cats who were apparently hiding in the bushes all around the clearing. "We have found you at last. You've been hiding from us, Bramblestar - we don't like cats who hide from us..."

Lionblaze stood upright, and stared up at Eaglestar. "Please, leave him be! He doesn't know... doesn't know about HorrorClan yet."

HorrorClan? Bramblestar felt as if he'd fallen asleep for three moons, and missed thousands of vitally important snippets of information. He had a few broken pieces of the puzzle, but there was no way he could fit them in together without the help of his Clanmates - wherever they were...

Eaglestar grinned. "He doesn't know?" From what Bramblestar could see, the tom shifted his weight, proudly relaxing his muscles. "Well, let me be the first to tell him!"

Bramblestar gasped in horror as the tom leapt from the edge of the camp walls, flying down toward them. He shut his eyes, expecting to hear a sickening thump and a low, agony-filled wail... but instead, he heard nothing.

When he cracked open an eyelid, Eaglestar was stood perfectly just a few paces away. Now that he could see the tom, Bramblestar recognised that he was broad-shouldered and muscular, with a sleek golden pelt scarred only by a long, wide black stripe that went from between his eyes to the tip of his tail. One paw was white, and the claws that were unsheathed on it were stained red.

"So you are the infamous Bramblestar..." Eaglestar licked his lips, as if staring at a plump vole before him. "Your deputy here has been a very good warrior for me - he shall make a fine HorrorClan trainer."

Lionblaze winced at the thought. Bramblestar didn't know what HorrorClan was, let alone a trainer, but he assumed it was too terrifying to think about now.

"So, let me explain to you what this whole operation is about." Eaglestar stepped forward, so there was only a mouse-length between them. "I am Eaglestar, and I am the leader of HorrorClan. The other Clans - all three of them - have bowed under my power, and have joined me in my camp on the island. Now, your Clan have joined me too - you're the last cat to become one of us."

Bramblestar frowned, unsheathing his claws. "What have you done with my Clan?" he hissed angrily, bearing his fangs. "I want them back here, now. This is wrong!"

Eaglestar laughed - a cold, shrill howl. "Of course you do, you strange, incapable fool!" He grinned - now revealing a shimmering set of bloodstained fangs. "But they are all a part of my Clan, like you shall be, when you join us." He winked persuasively. "Don't worry - the leaders will be getting the specialist treatment, so there's no need to worry about your safety."

"Where are the queens and kits? The elders?" Bramblestar sucked in a breath. "Squirrelflight?"

Eaglestar laughed once more. "They're all with me - Squirrelflight was particularly eager to join us." He cast a glance back at Lionblaze. "You! Go back to camp, now! The guards will deal with you."

The golden tom looked back at Bramblestar. "Forgive me for so rudely turning away - your deputy must be punished for leaving the camp without permission."

Bramblestar could only watch in horror as two huge black cats leapt from the edges of the camp, landing as impossibly perfect as their leader, and stalked toward his deputy. He lunged forward, but was stopped by a sharp claw digging into his chest. He glanced round to see Eaglestar, paw lazily lingering in midair to stop the tabby tom.

"Follow me." Eaglestar swirled around, and began to trot calmly toward the entrance tunnel. His guards swept Lionblaze through the tunnel, and Bramblestar felt a sudden steely determination not to let his Clan sink to this mouse-brain's level.

"No!" Bramblestar's defiant howl echoed around the clearing loudly. "ThunderClan is ruled by only StarClan - no HorrorClan warriors shall touch me or my warriors!"

"Well, then." Eaglestar's smile disappeared, and his once-calm blue eyes hardened a little. "There's only one thing for this kind of rebellion; guards, take him to the lake. It's time he learnt a little lesson about love."

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[mysteryfaith]

Chapter Three

A cold, heartless moon shone above the crumbling dens which housed too many wailing warriors, all clutching to their Clan loyalty by their clawtips. It seemed like a mockery - a mockery of all things warrior, of every faith and bravery they'd ever delivered to their leaders with the devout thought that they would get something back.

Bramblestar crouched in his den, barely awake, barely breathing for fear of disturbing Squirrelflight. Her sopping wet pelt meant water was creeping into his own, but he didn't care - not after the suffering she'd faced for him. Struggle after struggle, the merciless guards always pushing her head under the rippling water of the lake, Eaglestar's chilling laugh echoing all around them...

Bramblestar winced as he recalled the black cats stalking away when dusk set, followed by their vicious leader. How could I have let this happen? His Clan had been secretly transported to the island and kept in horrible conditions under a cruel leader, all while he thought about that stupid prophecy!

Why didn't StarClan warn me? he thought, the poisonous theories sinking into his mind almost automatically. Instead of delivering that pointless, mean prophecy, they could've told him about Eaglestar and his HorrorClan. They might've let him know - the Clans could've been saved...

Squirrelflight shivered in her sleep, and Bramblestar inched closer, his mind filled with hatred and confusion. In his mind, he replayed all of the day's events: StarClan's prophecy, finding the camp empty, Lionblaze being dragged away, Squirrelflight's tumultuous force-drowning in the lake... it was all too much for him.

He rose, stealthily stretching his limbs, and crept from the den. He knew it was dangerous - the black cats guarded every den flawlessly, forcing anyone who tried to escape back into their cramped nest without hesitation. He just had to get away, if only for the night.

He rippled like a wave through the darkness, pausing to hide behind dens if ever he caught a flash of dark fur or a glint of a metallic-looking eye. He reached the log simply be keeping watch, and crept along it, using his claws to hold him steady above the quiet water.

On the pebbles of the shore, he held his breath and plunged into the lake - if anything, it would hide him and his scent for a little. Careful to keep his head above the water, he pushed himself along with one paw on the slimy floor, keeping watch for the eagle-eyed guards on the island.

He was in the middle of WindClan's side of the lake when he felt a difference in the air - that strange scent the black cats carried was closer than before, and as he turned his head he noticed they were gathering along the edge of the island, peering out into the darkness at him.

Please don't let them know it's me! he pleaded StarClan. Quickly thinking up a plan, he fluffed out his fur, trying and failing to let his panic drift away. If I can appear to be a fox of some sort, maybe they'll leave me be... He tried to imitate the sleek movements of the beast, sneaking out of the water and stealing up the edge of the moor without a sound.

He shut his eyes as he trotted, letting just his nose guide him to the security of the WindClan camp. The guards didn't go further than the borders of every Clan - they were too busy patrolling their own camp, on the island, so no one escaped from HorrorClan.

He opened his eyes once he felt the springy grass that grew on the top of the moors, and let out a long sigh of relief when the ground began to recess, letting him pad out of sight of any prying guards and into the safety of the dark ditch that was the WindClan camp.

In the dark, it looked so different - plenty of visits had told him that the camp was normally sunlit and smelled of fresh rabbit meat. Now, it just looked...

TO BE CONTINUED...

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