Lightning crackled overhead, followed by the low rumble of thunder as the ShadowClan cats headed through the dark woods. Mistybreeze shivered, her drenched fur plastered to her thin body and darkened by heavy rain. Now and then she tried to move closer to Revengeheart for warmth, but a low growl rumbled in his throat whenever she did so. He just wants his space. She told herself, though she felt unsure.

Ahead of her, Mottledface and Foxshadow walked near Blackstorm, speaking excitedly, though their words were drowned out by the rain. Swiftstalker trailed behind Blackstorm.

Poisonedsap was in the lead, her ragged tail dragging in the mud behind her. She suddenly glared over her shoulder, amber eyes glinting in the night. "Keep up, you three!" She spat. "We have to get there and back before we're missed."

Mistybreeze glanced over her shoulder, squinting as rain pattered at her face. The three apprentices were lagging behind, especially Falconpaw, who dragged his paws in the mud. "I'm tired from battle training!" The orange tabby protested, twitching his ear as a raindrop struck it. "Where are we going, anyway? What is this army?"

His mother looked ahead and didn't respond. Mistybreeze too shared Falconpaw's curiosity. Deserve's Army? Why do I need to be introduced to them? Who are they? She looked aside at Revengeheart and hesitantly spoke. "Revengeheart? Where exactly are we going?"

The black legged warrior flicked his amber gaze to her. "Deserve's Army." He said as if it were a simple fact.

"I-I know, but-"

"You'll find out soon enough." A smile spread across his face. Though it should have been a comforting sign, it sent unease prickling her fur.

The ShadowClan cats continued moving through the trees as heavy rain battered around them. Mistybreeze grew more and more nervous as they ventured deeper into unfamiliar territory. We're so far from the forest now... 

Suddenly, Poisonedsap stopped, her tail swishing slowly. The other cats did so as well, studying their surroundings. Mistybreeze raised her chin and sniffed the air. Through the damp smell of the forest, she could pick up the scent of other cats. But it was not that of any clan she knew, or of a rogue or kittypet. This is a different scent...

The bushes rustled ahead of Poisonedsap, and Mistybreeze tensed, instinctively shifting closer to Revengeheart. Two cats slunk out of the undergrowth; one a young white pawed black tom, the other a ginger tabby she-cat.

"Poisonedsap," The tom grunted, twitching his black tail. "Good to see you."

The golden she-cat purred. "We have some cats to introduce to your father, Crow."

Crow's amber eyes flicked as he surveyed the others. Mistybreeze's heart pounded nervously as he caught her eye. "I can see that. We'll escort you to the camp." He jerked his head to his companion. "Sunset, follow us."

As Crow turned away and led the ShadowClan cats onward through the forest, Sunset took up the rear of the group, eyes narrowed. As they moved, Spiderpaw and Falconpaw cast a few nervous looks over their shoulders at the she-cat.

Mistybreeze's heartbeat quickened with unease as she followed the others through a small gap in a wall of bushes. The strange scent was stronger here. I guess I'm about to get some answers... As she emerged at the other side, her eyes widened.

She and the others had entered a clearing, very similar to a clan camp. There were cats everywhere, some sitting about in discussion, while others shared prey. I thought an army would be bigger... She relaxed a little. These cats seem just like a clan. Perhaps they're friends?

"Deserve!" Crow called, drawing the group to a halt in the center of the clearing, glancing over his shoulder at his followers. "The clan cats are here."

A heartbeat later, a broad shouldered black tom emerged from a leafy den. His white paws seemed to glow in the darkness as he headed forward to meet them. "Crow?" He sounded confused. "Why did you lead them here? That's Castiel's job."

The young tom's eyes narrowed. "Castiel was out leading a hunting party." He reminded his father. "Me and Sunset were out on patrol and-"

"Then you should have stayed out on patrol." A growl rumbled in the older cat's throat. "Castiel is in charge of everything involving the clans. Is that understood?"

Crow's amber eyes flared with anger, and for a moment Mistybreeze worried he might attack this green eyed cat. But instead, he hissed through gritted teeth. "Yes, Deserve." He whipped around, stalking angrily out of the camp. Sunset hesitated before following.

So that's Deserve. Mistybreeze thought, watching the tom curiously. He must be the leader.

"Welcome, Poisonedsap," Deserve nodded to the she-cat. "How are things?"

The golden brown she-cat sat down, her amber eyes glittering as she gazed at him. "Oh, wonderful. Hawkfeather is dead."

Mistybreeze shot the she-cat a startled look. Why is she saying that like it's good news? She remembered the horrible day she and Revengeheart had discovered the medicine cat's body. There's nothing wonderful about it!

Deserve's green eyes gleamed. "So I've heard." He looked over his shoulder, nodding as a black tom emerged from the same den Deserve had. Mistybreeze's blood froze with shock as she recognized him. That's Ravenfeather! The RiverClan deputy! What's he doing here?

"Hello, Poisonedsap." Ravenfeather spoke as he reached them, sitting near the army leader. "I was just telling Deserve about our latest accomplishments."

Accomplishments? Mistybreeze's heart pounded heavily in her chest. She looked around the camp and noticed the army members watching them with interest. Blackstorm flexed his claws while Foxshadow's eyes glittered with ambition. Something's wrong here... Something is very wrong here.

She turned questioningly to Revengeheart, hoping he would explain. The white tom glanced at her, his ears perking up. "Oh, yes." Mistybreeze let out a surprised gasp as he shouldered her aside and herded her forward until she was directly in front of Deserve.

Mistybreeze lowered her head anxiously, freezing under Deserve's gleaming emerald gaze as Revengeheart went on. "This is Mistybreeze. She's a new recruit." N-new recruit?? Her mind whirled anxiously. I don't understand! Recruit for what?

"And these are my new kits." Poisonedsap waved her tail to the apprentices, who stared at Deserve curiously.

Deserve gave a nod of approval. "The more claws to help us in battle, the better."

Revengeheart scoffed. "Oh, Mistybreeze won't be much use in battle." His eyes narrowed. "She'll be helping us in other ways."

Battle?? What?? Help?? Mistybreeze was taken back by Revengeheart's words. She dared to speak up. "Wait- I don't understand! What battle? What's happening?" What have I gotten myself into??

Deserve's eyes narrowed. "She doesn't know?" When Revengeheart shook his head, the army leader went on. "This is Deserve's Army, Mistybreeze. We share an allegiance with some of your clanmates."

"They helped us get rid of Hawkfeather and Starfaith," Foxshadow sneered. "It's just a shame they failed with Dewstorm."

What?? Cold dread shot through Mistybreeze's veins like lightning. They did it! They attacked Starfaith and Dewstorm at highstones! Suddenly, she understood everything. ShadowClan had been losing warriors for moons. After Depthstar decided that ThunderClan was not to blame, he decided it must be rogues committing the crime. Only they aren't rogues... This is an army! A group of killers!

"Milkblaze... Hawkfeather... Rosebreeze..." Mistybreeze staggered backwards, her eyes rounded with fear. "T-that was you!"

"I took care of Milkblaze." Poisonedsap raised a black paw and studied her claws. "He was... interfering."

Mistybreeze trembled as she turned to Revengeheart, whose expression was unreadable. "Revengeheart..." She rasped, daring to meet his cold gaze. "Please, tell me this isn't true." He didn't respond, an answer in itself. "I don't understand... Maplefur! They killed your father! How can you-"

"Maplefur was weak!" Revengeheart growled, his white fur bristling. "He was worthless and deserved to die." As he spoke, Swiftstalker swallowed, his blue eyes flashing with pain.

Mistybreeze gaped at him in astonishment. "But your name! You changed it in his honor. All you've wanted is to avenge his death!"

She stared in disbelief as Revengeheart let out an amused chuckle. "That's what the clan thinks! It was Poisonedsap's idea. She wanted me to have a fierce name, just like hers."

"Giving into clan ways meant that I needed to give my kits stupid names, like Stone and Swift," Poisonedsap grunted in disgust. "Maplefur's death gave us the perfect opportunity to change that without any cat being too suspicious." She flashed a glare at Swiftstalker. "That one was never worthy of a new name."

"I'm not named in honor of Maplefur." Revengeheart's eyes glittered. "I'm named in honor of my mother's plot for vengeance on the clans."

No... Mistybreeze stared at her mate, trembling around her pounding heart as she processed everything she'd just learned. My clanmates are cold hearted killers... Plotting with a group of murderers! Revengeheart is nothing I ever thought he was...

"We'll be having kits soon." Revengeheart's tone suddenly softened as she stared at him. "Won't we, Mistybreeze?"

The other cats turned to her, and Mistybreeze's pelt grew hot under their fierce gazes. "I-I don't know..." She stammered.

Ravenfeather studied her. "Having a family is pointless, Revengeheart. Take it from me." His eyes narrowed to amber slits. "She-cats who don't want kits aren't worth wasting time on."

His words struck Mistybreeze like sharp stones. She looked at Revengeheart, but he only returned Ravenfeather's gaze. "She'll be worth it."

Mistybreeze swayed a little on her paws, shivering in the cold damp night. Every hair on her pelt prickled with terror. She suddenly became aware of every cat watching her. Studying her. Waiting for her to protest. Blackstorm whispered something to Foxshadow,  while Deserve narrowed his green eyes at her, his claws unsheathing and piercing the earth.

They would kill me... She quickly understood the horrifying reality of the situation she was in. I know too much. I'm involved in this now. There's no escape. Oh, StarClan, what have I done?

Revengeheart, the cat she once loved, but now feared, studied her closely. "The clans deserve to suffer for all the pain they've caused my mother. Deserve. All rogues." He narrowed his eyes. "Together, we will destroy them."