Horizons

Prologue Wind hissed and swirled the mist of the forest. A cold moon shed a little light that was mostly blocked by the thick canopy of the treetops. With a rustle, a dark silhouette of a sturdy cat emerged like a ghost from a tree. “It’s about time, Flameflower.” Snarled the tom as he padded up to the slender she-cat who was waiting for him a few tail lengths from where he appeared. “I say the same to you, Heronclaw.” She replied icily, starlight reflecting anger from her amber eyes. “Why did you call me here? We aren’t even supposed to be here.” Heronclaw questioned while glancing warily around the clearing as though he feared they would overheard or ambushed at any moment. He glared at Flameflower with equal anger. The light ginger she-cat softened her snarl. “It’s about Larkwing.” Flameflower murmured, flinching as she caught the she-cat’s sweet scent. “She shouldn’t be here.” “You know it wasn’t my fault in case you think it is…” Heronclaw began indignantly but Flameflower cut him off. “You let her die!” She spat, all her fury returning. “You let her die without even trying to protect her!” She glowered mutinously at Heronclaw. “It wasn’t my fault!” Heronclaw insisted. “Look, Flameflower. I understand how you feel, Larkwing was my sister too, but you can’t say I didn’t try to protect her! If I didn’t try, I wouldn’t even be in Starclan right now! It wasn’t my fault that the rogue killed her!” For a moment, Flameflower looked taken aback. Her bristling pelt smoothed and she moaned as if she was in great pain. “But what about her kits, Heronclaw? You know as well as I do that Snakefang wouldn’t be a suitable foster mother for them!” Flameflower gazed at Heronclaw miserably. Heronclaw’s gray and black dappled pelt also relaxed and he gazed at Flameflower with regret. “I knew all too well.” He murmured, lifting a massive paw to gingerly touch a scar on his left ear. “But what can we do?” he continued. “We can’t jump out of Silverpelt and take them to Starclan with us!” “Maybe Snakefang will be our only chance.” Flameflower mewed thoughtfully, flicking her ear to dislodge a dew drop that fell on it. “Maybe I should visit her and tell her what she is to do?” Flameflower glanced expectantly at Heronclaw. “I’ll bet you a moon’s worth of dawn patrols that she’d ignore them. Did you SEE her shoving Beetlekit away from the fresh-kill pile so that her kit can get first pick? I even saw her steal fresh bedding from the elders for that cursed kit!” Grunted Heronclaw, ripping pawfuls of grass; roots and all, from the ground. “But what else can we do?” protested Flameflower. “We can’t just leave them with that she-cat! She’ll, she’ll…” Flameflower trailed off and looked at the ground below her. “We’ll watch over them,” Promised Heronclaw. “I’m willing to die a second time if it means being able to save them, Snakefang can’t hurt them when Starclan is watching over them.” He stroked his tail-tip over Flameflower’s trembling pelt. “I’ll pray it be so.” Flameflower mewed, turning her fiery amber eyes to the sky above the two grieving cats. “I’ll pray it be so.” She repeated. Heronclaw gave her ear an affectionate lick before turning to leave. “Wait!” Flameflower bounded to stand in front of him. “What is it?” Heronclaw asked, sitting down and wrapping his tail around his paws. “I’ve had a sign.” Mewed Flameflower quietly, “Along with it came a prophecy.” She continued and her whiskers twitched with amusement as she saw Heronclaw’s eyes stretch wide with excitement and anticipation. “The first part has been fulfilled. The first part was ‘At first snow lark will fall’” recited Flameflower. “They must’ve meant Larkwing,” whimpered Heronclaw almost inaudibly. “The second part is very puzzling’” Flameflower said. “The second part is ‘Dark heart will shadow stars and kin must kill kin before light can shine.’” Flameflower said thoughtfully. “Oh, I also got a third part.” She added when she saw Heronclaw open his jaws to reply. “As I heard the words of the prophecy, I saw a blinding silver flash illuminate the shadow of a blazing sun before the vision ended.” Flameflower looked sideways at Heronclaw. “Wow, Flameflower. You really are a great medicine cat.” Heronclaw meowed admiringly, looking at his sister with deepest pride. Flameflower ducked her head with embarrassment. “It’s nothing, really,” she mumbled, licking her white chest fur and avoiding Heronclaw’s proud gaze. “But I’ve an ominous feeling that they mean Silverkit and Sunkit.” Flameflower murmured, straightening up. “Well, they probably do, but we must follow the path laid out. After all, the clans aren’t our playthings.” Heronclaw stood up. “Now I’d like to go to my nest, so good night.” He said briskly. “Bye.” Flameflower mewed, brushing her muzzle along his pelt. “See you.” Murmured Heronclaw. He licked her ear and padded off. After a few tail-lengths, he stopped and looked over his shoulder. As his gaze held Flameflower’s, he disintegrated into star dust and was blown away by the wind. “May Starclan be with them,” She mewed, gazing at the stars before vanishing herself.

Chapter 1 “Wake up, Silverkit!” Called the excited voice of her littermate, Silverkit screwed her eyes shut and huddled closer into the middle of her warm nest and… WHAM! Strong hind paws shoved Silverkit out of the nest. She scrambled out of the nest and crouched trembling, staring at the queen lying in the middle of the nest. “Watch it!” She snarled. “You could’ve hurt Mossykit!” The queen glared at Silverkit for a moment more before turning to the little wailing scrap of white and black splotched fur huddled close to her belly. “Hush, Mossykit. You’re safe, little one. That evil kit is out of the nest now.” She cooed at the kit. The little kit kept wailing. “You’re lucky I didn’t throw you out after Cedarstar gave you to me to care for!” She turned to Silverkit again. “Now you hurt my kit! Get out of here, you piece of vermin! I shall report this to Cedarstar. Maybe then she’d let me shoo you out of my nest for good!” Silverkit turned tail and fled out of the nursery. “Sunkit!” She wailed as she charged into the clearing. “Where are you?” She yowled, zigzagging blindly around the clearing until she charged into a small white she-cat. “Careful, little one.” The she-cat mewed gently, smoothing her tail over Silverkit’s bristling pelt before crossing the clearing to go to the fresh-kill pile. Pawsteps sounded behind Silverkit “I see you’ve met Moonfall.” Meowed a very amused voice from behind Silverkit. She turned around, startled, and stared at the pale-gold and white blotched kit standing behind her. “Sunkit! Where WERE you? I was looking for you everywhere!” Silverkit rounded on Sunkit. “You only looked for me in the clearing.” Sunkit pointed out, licking white paw and wiped it over her ears. “I was in the elders’ den.” She sat down calmly on her haunches. Silverkit wilted. “Snakefang shoved me out of the nest!” She wailed again. Pressing her belly to the ground, she looked up at Sunkit. “Too bad,” Her sister mewed sympathetically. “Snakefang was never nice to us. She spoiled her own kit and never cared for us. At least Cherryflower is nice enough.” “Who’s Cherryflower?” Silverkit questioned, ears pricked with interest at getting to know a new cat. “Seriously? I mean, seriously?” Sunkit scoffed, rolling her eyes with exasperation. Silverkit bristled. It wasn’t her fault that she didn’t know everyone in the clan! Sunkit must’ve noticed her bristling pelt. “Do you want to go visit Mistfur? He’s very nice.” Sunkit mewed tentatively. “Not before I get fresh-kill.” Silverkit looked over her shoulder at the teetering fresh-kill pile in the middle of their camp. “Sure.” Sunkit bounded forward towards the fresh-kill pile. “Wait up!” Silverkit called after her sister. Sunkit skidded and swerved around the grown warriors. Silverkit did her best to keep up, but before long, she began to lag. As she neared the fresh-kill pile, she skidded to a stop, but wasn’t fast enough; she fell on her muzzle and skidded further, tumbling head-over-heels into the side of a pile of brambles. A terrified wail from behind Silverkit made her struggle to get free. She finally managed to tear her head free from the snagging branches; Sunkit had charged into the boulder that sheltered the fresh-kill pile! Feeling her ear tip grow hot and sticky, she wiped her paw over it; blood! Sunkit stirred. “Sunkit!” Silverkit cried, struggling free and dashing over to her sister as fast as her little legs could carry her. “Silverkit?” Sunkit murmured feebly, trying to lift her head. A small trickle of blood rolled down Sunkit’s cheek. “Wait here while I get the medicine cat!” Silverkit licked Sunkit’s cheek and dashed as fast as she could to the center of the clearing. As Silverkit skidded to a stop, she gazed around the clearing while trying her best to find the medicine cat’s den. Silverkit had no idea where and who the medicine cat was, but there was one thing she could do. A huge white tom passed her and she jumped at him, clinging on to his long, snowy, pelt. Eyes flashing, the tom turned around and flicked her off his pelt with a huge white paw. “Please help me!” Silverkit pleaded as the tom began to pad away. “Where’s the medicine cat’s den?” The tom turned around to stare at Silverkit. He snatched her up in his jaws and padded over to a shady overhang. “Is something wrong? If you need help, you can ask me.” He dropped Silverkit in front of him. “But do you know anything about medicine?” Silverkit asked, scrambling to her paws, wincing from her bleeding ear. “I AM the medicine cat.” The white tom arched his back in a leisurely stretch. “Sunkit’s hurt!” Silverkit blurted out, struggling to peer around the tom’s huge body. “I knew I scented blood!” replied the tom nonchalantly, flicking his tongue out to lick his nose. “Now where is she?” He turned around and glanced the clearing. “Just follow the scent of blood,” Silverkit gasped, heart beating faster as she thought of what could’ve happened to her sister while she was talking. The tom stuck his nose in the air and took a deep sniff. Without a word, he bounded across the camp where a small dappled patch of sunshine lay. Silverkit followed, having to go twice as fast to be able to catch up to him. The tom sniffed the bundle of golden and white dappled fur that Silverkit had mistaken for a patch of sun. “She’s lucky her neck wasn’t broken.” He remarked, gently pulling her closer to him with a paw. Silverkit’s legs began to tremble. “I should get you some thyme for shock.” The white tom ran an expert glance up and down her body with narrowed eyes. Silverkit abruptly collapsed on the spot.

Chapter 2 Silverkit blinked open her eyes when she felt a tongue rasp over her bloodied ear. Silverkit looked up and saw a worried tabby face looking back at her. “Snowtail, I think these two will be fine.” The brown tabby turned her face to the white tom Silverkit had met earlier. “Good.” Snowtail mewed. “Now can you chew up these herbs for me? Sunkit will need a marigold poultice for that wound.” The brown tabby straightened up and padded to the pile of pungent leaves Snowtail had laid out. As the she-cat began to chew, Silverkit lifted her head and gazed around the clearing. A scrap of golden and white fur was huddled in a pile in the mossy nest beside hers. A small rustle behind Silverkit alerted her and… “Good that you two are awake.” A light, melodic voice mewed from behind Silverkit and she turned around. A white she-cat with rippled patches of brindled chasing each other through her fur was sitting with her red-tipped tail wrapped gracefully around her snowy paws. She stood up delicately and padded closer. “How are you, little one?” the beautiful she-cat touched her muzzle to Silverkit’s head and licked her ears. “Who are you?” mewed Silverkit fuzzily, staring into those sky-blue eyes that gazed concernedly back at her. “Why, I am Cedarstar, leader of Thunderclan.” She murmured, gently sitting back on her haunches. “Cedarstar!” Silverkit gasped, ending in a rasping cough that shook her little body. “Rest,” Cedarstar ordered, gently laying her tailtip on Silverkit’s head and Silverkit settled back down. “Cedarstar? Are these two all right?” The same brown tabby that had woken Silverkit up earlier squeezed through a rock. She padded over to stand beside Cedarstar, looking down at Silverkit. Silverkit was soothed by the soft amber gaze. “They’ll live,” Snowtail grunted, following her through the crack. He gave a paw a vigorous shake and plucked out a burr with his teeth. “Hawkfeather?” A small voice mewed indistinctly from where Sunkit was lying. The stocky she-cat purred. “Yes, I’m here.” She turned around and licked Sunkit’s cheek gently. Sunkit began to struggle to get up. “I’m sorry!” She wailed, “I should’ve thought before I charged towards the highrock!” She stood on shaky legs in her nest. Silverkit felt a ripple of sympathy for her terrified looking sister. Snowtail turned from his conversation with Cedarstar to glare thistles at Sunkit, who crouched and tried to back away in her nest. “Glad that you know, you should’ve remembered of that earlier.” He growled, flicking his tail angrily. “Now, now,” Cedarstar warned, looking very annoyed at Snowtail’s blunt attitude. “Come, young ones,” Hawkfeather murmured, sweeping her tail around Sunkit. She reached over a paw and scooped Silverkit closer to her until she was pressed against her soft fur. Silverkit noticed that she was only a little shorter than the young cat herself. “I hope you can walk,” Hawkfeather mewed. “I was thinking we could go and get the snack you two wanted but didn’t get the chance to get.” She rose to her paws and watched as Silverkit stood up, a little shaky but otherwise okay. Sunkit was a bit worse off and had to lean heavily on Silverkit for balance. Hawkfeather gave them one last glance to check that they were okay. The brown tabby narrowed her eyes at Sunkit. Following her gaze, Silverkit twisted her head to look at her sister; Sunkit looked so exhausted just from the effort of keeping upright. Hawkfeather padded over and gently picked Sunkit up by the scruff. Beckoning for Silverkit to follow, she bounded over to the nursery. Silverkit followed reluctantly, wondering what type of scolding they’ll receive from Snakefang. By the time Silverkit reached the tightly woven bramble den, Hawkfeather was sitting at the entrance with Sunkit laid at her paws. Without a word, she pushed into the den with Sunkit in her mouth and Silverkit in tow. Inside, Mossykit lay in the curve of Snakefang’s belly, quietly sleeping. Snakefang had a paw over her kit as she slept and Snakefang herself was squinty-eyed with sleep. Hawkfeather set Sunkit down in a deep, mossy, nest beside Snakefang and Mossykit’s. “I came a little while ago and made this nest,” She explained. “You two are almost apprentices; if you still sleep in Snakefang’s nest, you’ll take up all the space.” Silverkit felt her neck fur bristle at the mention ‘apprentice’. “When will our ceremony be?” She demanded, struggling to refrain from sounding too excited. Hawkfeather sighed, “It was meant to be tomorrow, but it looks like it’s going to be postponed because of Sunkit’s injury.” Silverkit felt like a cloud had sunk over her, heavy and black. Her paws moved instinctively toward Sunkit’s nest, but before she could climb in, a gentle paw pinned her tail to the ground. She turned around, annoyed. “Sorry Silverkit,” Hawkfeather apologized, releasing her tail. “You’ll need to get used to sleeping alone if you are to be apprentices tomorrow.” Hawkfeather rose to her paws and ushered Silverkit to another deeply lined nest beside Sunkit’s. As Silverkit settled down inside, she felt her eyelids droop and everything grow fuzzy. A gentle tongue rasped over her ear. “I’ll get you two a snack when you wake.” Hawkfeather’s voice promised quietly before brambles rustled and Hawkfeather’s scent faded. Silverkit surrendered to the darkness of sleep.

Chapter 3 “May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the highledge for a clan meeting!” Cedarstar’s yowl jolted Silverkit out of her deep sleep. Silverkit twitched her ears to dislodge a loose piece of moss from her black-tipped ears. It has been a quarter-moon since Sunpaw’s little incident, and Silverpaw felt like that it has been eternity until today. She stretched her tail and purposely brushed it against Sunkit’s nose. Her sister lifted her head and hissed, annoyed, at Silverkit. “Wake up! I think it’s our naming ceremony!” Silverkit hissed at her sister before she could make a sharp comment. Two amber eyes suddenly opened wide with wonder. There was a rustle as Sunkit twisted to give her back a wash. Silverkit licked a paw and wiped it over her face and whiskers. The she turned and licked her smoky fur until it looked as soft as thistledown and chick fluff before standing up. Her paws felt as light as air. Sunkit had finished as well; her orange and ginger blotches looked like patches of sunshine on the little kit’s white pelt. Sunkit looked Silverkit up and down. “You look like a small puff of smoke,” She remarked over her shoulder while heading toward the nursery exit. Silverkit followed her sister’s twitching tailtip through the loose curtain of brambles. As Silverkit stepped out, the clearing was bathed in golden sunlight. Tall, smooth stone walls surrounded a sandy clearing. At the front of the Thunderclan camp, a big bramble wall had a small tunnel through it, time-worn and smooth. Cedarstar stood majestically upon the highledge, gazing down proudly at Sunkit and Silverkit. Her sky-blue gaze was piercing and looked like two little chips of the sky above them. A crowd had surrounded the highledge, but the cats had left a small space in their midst. Silverkit spotted Hawkfeather and Snowtail by the medicine cat’s den entrance. Moonfall was sitting beside a big gray and white tom that was obviously Mistfur, her mate. The elders had settled themselves in the shady patches near their den where they could watch and listen to the ceremony out of the baking sun. As Silverkit stepped forward, the cats parted to leave a wide path into the small space. Silverkit noticed that Mossykit was already standing there; her short black and white patched pelt was glossy and smooth. The little kit had also spotted and Silverkit and Sunkit and let out a small mew of greeting. As Sunkit started forward, Silverkit followed. Every cat gazed warmly as the two kits made their way to the front. Cedarstar looked happily at the three kits as they stood under the highledge. “It is now newleaf, a season for new beginnings,” Cedarstar started. Mossykit had pressed herself, shivering, against Silverkit and Silverkit glanced down reassuringly at the little kit. “And I would like to start this beautiful time with one of the most important tasks of a clan leader.” Cedarstar looked back at the kits. “Sunkit!” She called. Hearing her name, Sunkit stepped forward, head held high and determination sparking in her eyes. “From this day on, you will be known as Sunpaw.” Cedarstar paused and swept her eyes over her clan. “Rippleshine!” She called. An elegant gray she-cat with rippling black stripes looked up. Her green eyes gleaming with excitement. “Despite your Riverclan origins, you’ve proved your loyalty to Thunderclan many times over. Please pass your determination, strength, and wisdom on to this young apprentice.” Rippleshine nodded and stepped up to stand beside Sunpaw. Sunpaw looked up at the slender she-cat and Rippleshine blinked gently down at her. “Silverkit,” Cedarstar continued. Silverkit tried to walk forward with the same calm composure as her sister had, but her paws felt like jelly and every step felt awkward. “You’ll now be known as Silverpaw.” As she waited in the shadow of the highledge, Cedarstar spoke again. “Mistfur,” She called. The big tom stood up and with utmost dignity stepped forward. The only sign of excitement was how agitatedly his tail twitched. He stopped next to Silverpaw and looked down at her. His sharp blue eyes didn’t miss a thing as he looked her over. “Your strength and skill goes unmatched by any cat around the lake.” Cedarstar meowed. “Please pass on all you can to this young cat.” Mistfur nodded then turned and led Silverpaw to sit beside Rippleshine and Sunpaw. Her sister nodded slightly, just enough so Silverpaw could see her acknowledgement. “Mossykit,” Cedarstar called the name of the last kit, who had sat down with her tail over her paws. “From this day on, you will be known as Mossypaw.” Cedarstar stepped more to the edge of the highledge. “Sharpclaw, you’re my faithful mate and I entrust to you this apprentice. Teach her your honorable ways all you can.” A small but heavily built black tom stepped forward and Mossypaw twitched nervously as he could’ve squashed her with one misstep. Sharpclaw gave Mossypaw’s head fur a rub with his tail and looked down at her with easygoing eyes. Mossypaw relaxed at that, assured that she hadn’t gotten a big bully of a mentor. “Sunpaw! Silverpaw! Mossypaw!” The clan chanted while they circled the three new apprentices to congratulate them. By the time they’d subsided, it was close to sunhigh and Silverpaw felt so tired. “Are you ready for your first lesson?” A deep voice sounded behind her and she whirled around. Mistfur loomed over her. Rippleshine and Sunpaw were already heading out. Mossypaw and Sharpclaw followed. Silverpaw looked on as Mossypaw’s black and white striped tail disappear into the darkness. Mistfur let out a small purr of amusement behind her and she turned on him. “We can go with them if you’d like.” He mewed, rising to his paws. I was just hoping for something to eat before going out.” He set off for the camp exit and Silverpaw bound after him, having to go twice as fast to catch up. He swished through the tunnel and Silverpaw followed. Mistfur was waiting for her outside. Without a word, he swept into the immense, lush forest with long strides. Silverpaw struggled to catch up to the big tom, but finally he stopped. He padded slowly up to a very moss covered tree. “Your first lesson is how to collect moss.” He sat down on the soft forest floor. “What?” Silverpaw asked unbelievingly, staring at the tree trunk. “Whatever happened to hunting and fighting and patrolling?” She looked questioningly at Mistfur. Mistfur narrowed his eyes at her, “And what happened to taking care of your clanmates and bringing them fresh bedding? What happened to bringing the medicine cat moss to heal cats? What happened to bringing the kits things to play with?” He countered. “There are many ways of taking care of your clan, Silverpaw.” Silverpaw felt a whine in her throat and immediately swallowed it back down; she wasn’t going to behave like a kit! Sulkily, she padded up to the trunk and began to tear off pawfuls of moss. “Something tells me that the elders won’t like that,” Mistfur warned. He slipped off the root he was sitting on with a sigh. “Try arching your paw. Then extend your claws as far as they would go.” He sliced off a piece of thick, green moss. The muddy roots were left on the tree trunk, the fuzzy moss on top cleanly sheared off. Mistfur dropped the clump of moss dangling from his claws and shook himself. “Try it yourself,” He suggested, returning to his spot on the tree root. Silverpaw did her best to copy her mentor; she arched her paw as much as she could and extended her claws as far as she could until they hurt. Then she slashed at the moss. She had sliced off a thin and small piece of moss; but the roots, and most of the moss, were still clinging to the tree trunk. She glanced, pleased, at Mistfur. He nodded and gestured with his tail to keep on going. Silverpaw turned back towards the tree and sliced at the moss again and again. Soon, she found that she could shear down bigger and thicker pieces in one slice. There was now rhythm in her movement and her claws and strength felt more controlled. She turned towards Mistfur and saw that his tail was flicking in a happy way but that his face was expressionless. “Good, I see that you can now control your movements.” Mistfur slid off his root. “We’ll get this pile back to camp and then come back here; I want you to learn the hunter’s crouch today too.” Eager to get started on some REAL training for once, Silverpaw instinctively stretched her jaws wide around as moss as she could fit inside her mouth and lifted the earthy-tasting strands. “You have a pretty big mouth,” Mistfur purred, but he flicked his tail at the remainders of the pile; Silverpaw had only gotten the tip of the pile in her mouth. “You sure you want to come back here more than once?” Silverpaw spat out the moss and flicked her tail, annoyed. Mistfur divided the moss into four parts. He pounded two balls into small balls. He clamped one ball under his chin and grasped another in his jaws and beckoning with his tail, he vanished into the trees. Alarmed, Silverpaw immediately pounded the remaining balls into little balls and grasped a bundle under her chin and one in her mouth. She struggled to keep the ball clamped under her chin so it wouldn’t fall. Her silvery chest fur had turned green and brown from the water in the moss and she gasped as a gust of wind tried to tear the bundle in her mouth away. Silverpaw charged into the forest, feeling foolish after imagining what she looked like with moss spilling from either side of her face and with her chin clamped to her chest. Mistfur’s scent was stale, but strong enough for her to follow it. Doing her best to raise her nose so the wind can carry her mentor’s scent to her nose without dropping the bundle under her chin, Silverpaw caught the scent trail and charged after it. After a small while, the scent trail led up a tree trunk. Silverpaw stared at the huge and tall oak before her. She silently cursed her mentor for running off. So far, she had been able to keep the bundles together, but she wasn’t so sure she could climb with them. Silverpaw dropped the moss under her chin and in her jaws. Using all her strength, she pounded the two bundles together and grasped both in her jaws. Her jaws hurt from opening so far, but the moss fit just enough for her to climb. Remembering her rock-climbing contests with Sunpaw as a kit, she leapt at the tree. The soft, thick bark held her weight easily, but Silverpaw felt her claws slipping. Growling with frustration, she let herself fall and leapt again. This time, she was able to cling on for enough time to propel herself up a little. Feeling her claws slipping again, she twitched her tail nervously and stretched a paw to knot. Feeling her claws dig in securely, she got ready to scoot upwards. Suddenly, her hindpaws struck something slippery and lost their grip. With a muffled yowl, a forepaw slipped as well and now she was dangling by one forepaw to the tree knot. Feeling that paw begin to slip as well, Silverpaw lashed out with her other paws, but struck only air. Suddenly, her last forepaw slipped free and Silverpaw tumbled into free air. Flailing frantically, she managed to score a few deep gouges in the bark that weren’t strong enough to hold her weight. Finally, a crashing pain shot through her back; she had hit the ground. As Silverpaw struggled to get up, crippling agony shot through her leg and she crumpled in a heap. Panic shot through Silverpaw at the thought that she might never find her way home and she launched herself back at the tree. This time, she was get high enough to be able to get to the tree branch that held her mentor’s scent. The scent trail led into open air, and then another branch; her mentor had leapt two trees! Bunching her muscles, Silverpaw shut her eyes and bravely hurled herself at the branch. Her front paws struck the branch and her hind paws were left dangling in midair. Swinging from momentum and clawing with all her might, she was able to get herself safely onto the branch, but not without paying the cost of losing almost half of the bundle to a snarly branch-tip. Trying to taste the air without dropping her mouthful, the scent led her in several leaps across the treetop. Silverpaw finally huffed to a stop at the topmost branch of a cedar. Looking down at the spinning ground far below her, she groaned inwardly. How was she going to get down? Mistfur’s scent went in a long drop to the forest floor, smelled like he had just jumped off the tree. Shutting her eyes, Silverpaw leapt off the tree to follow the trail. Air whooshed in her ears and her stomach felt like it had flipped inside out. She opened her eyes and she saw the earth rush up to meet her. She immediately stretched her forepaws down and felt the hard impact of landing. She crashed painfully on her side; she had made it without breaking her neck! Climbing painfully to her paws, Silverpaw limped after the scent trail. It wound in circles, through bramble bushes, over logs and boulders, into tunnels, back onto trees, all the obstacles in the forest. By the time Silverpaw got to the end of trail, she was already bruised and cut and exhausted. As she dragged herself through the thorn tunnel, she was only clutching a small mouthful of moss as compared to the original huge ball. Mistfur was waiting for her by the elders’ den. “Hard work, eh?” He teased. “That was your first assessment, now I think you can start official training tomorrow.” Mistfur took her moss and whisked back into the elder’s den. “Go get some rest and food,” He called over shoulders before he disappeared into the shadows. Silverpaw growled; it would’ve been nice if Mistfur actually showed some care or understanding! This was her first day and he hurls some assessment at her that was meant for an experienced apprentice? “Looks like you had a bit of trouble,” Sunpaw’s amused voice sounded behind her and Silverpaw whirled around. There stood her sister, looking calm and rested. Silverpaw sighed, “Mistfur gave me an assignment already; I had to follow his scent trail all over the forest to find my way back to camp. Silverpaw flopped down at her sisters paws, feeling suddenly overcome by weariness. Sunpaw nudged her gently. “Go get something to eat. It’ll help a lot. Mossypaw will be coming back soon with Sharpclaw; we should claim that hollow tree stump before some other cat takes it!” Silverpaw sat up with a groan. Sunpaw looked at her sister with narrowed eyes. “I’ll go get a spot, you can fetch the prey.” Silverpaw mumbled muffled complaints as she rose to her paws. As she walked toward the fresh-kill pile, Sunpaw called out to her. “Get me a wren and Mossypaw like voles the best!” Silverpaw waved her tail to show that she’d heard and bent over the fresh-kill pile. A plump starling lay on top and Silverpaw took it in her jaws. A wren and a few plump voles also laid buried in the pile and Silverpaw quickly grabbed one of each as well before a hopeful-looking Beetlepaw could get them. Padding back to Sunpaw with her mouthful, she settled down beside her sister. “Thanks,” Sunpaw drew the wren closer to her and licked her lips expectantly. “Haven’t you noticed Starfur has been acting all weird around Clawtail lately?” Silverpaw tried to suggest to Sunpaw. Her sister’s whiskers twitched in amusement. “There will be more kits come leaf-fall,” She predicted, looking across the clearing to where Starfur and Clawtail were murmuring in each other’s ears, giggling. “Briarlight’s also starting to get pretty chubby,” Sunpaw suddenly looked up from plucking her wren. Silverpaw tore off another feather on her starling. “AND Mintclaw looks pretty proud. Want to bet that Briarlight is going to bear Mintclaw’s kits?” Silverpaw bared her teeth in a toothy grin at her sister. Sunpaw twitched her whiskers again and let out a quiet purr. “I’ll bet a piece of favourite prey.” Sunpaw mewed, gently nudging Silverpaw’s shoulder. “What IS your favourite prey?” Silverpaw asked, as her sister loves every piece of prey, from the plumpest squirrel to the boniest lizard; Sunpaw even enjoyed beetles and dragonflies, claiming that they were crunchy and delicious. “Maybe a snake?” Sunpaw purred, rubbing her ear with a paw. Silverpaw stared at her sister incredulously. “Snake? Are you Shadowclan or something? Only those flea-bitten pelts will eat those.” Sunpaw looked very hurt at her comment, but before she could utter a word in defense, Mossypaw bounced in with an extremely exhausted-looking Sharpclaw in tow. Spotting Sunpaw and Silverpaw, she trotted up to them, coughing and making faces like she was squashing a laugh. “Here,” Silverpaw nudged the vole towards Mossypaw. “Thank you! I love voles!” Mossypaw sprawled down and began tearing mouthfuls out of it, making purring noises as she ate. Silverpaw and Sunpaw looked at each other, amused, as the little apprentice gulped down the rest of her meal ravenously. Sighing happily, Mossypaw brushed away the bones that were left and rubbed her belly with a paw. “So what happened to Sharpclaw?” Sunpaw asked through a mouthful of wren. “Hmm?” Mossypaw looked over at the two sisters. Sunpaw shoved her half-eaten wren at Silverpaw. Silverpaw quietly chewed her starling and gulped it down before shoving HER half-eaten prey at Sunpaw. Sunpaw grabbed it and took a bite. Silverpaw pawed the wren closer. “Sharpclaw looked like he was more exhausted than you when you two entered camp.” Silverpaw explained through a mouthful of wren to a confused Mossypaw. “Oh, him,” Mossypaw meowed, dissolving in giggles that she had to muffle by clamping her tail over her mouth. “I dared him to catch a minnow,” She mewed. “He fell in the water and accidentally SWALLOWED a minnow and once he was back on land, he choked it right back up with mouthfuls of riverwater back up on land. He was a bit tired after his ordeal.” Sunpaw had finished Silverpaw’s starling and was stretched out next to Mossypaw, licking her ears. Silverpaw licked her whiskers clean and settled down beside her sister and Mossypaw to watch the clan slowly fade into their nests. Mossypaw yawned and stretched. “Good night,” She mewed, before turning and padding towards the apprentices’ den. Silverpaw and Sunpaw followed suit. The apprentices’ den was dark and cozy, but there wasn’t enough space, and Silverpaw found herself sandwiched between a snoring and twitching Beetlepaw and his brother Splashpaw. Sunpaw and Mossypaw had tucked themselves; one on each brother’s side and were asleep as well. There were too many apprentices! Silverpaw wiggled until she was a little farther from arrogant little Splashpaw. AT LEAST DEADPAW AND LEAFPAW ARE GOING TO BE WARRIORS SOON, She thought sleepily to herself before falling asleep.

Chapter 4

“Hey, Wake up sister, Mistfur is waiting for you,” Silverpaw blinked open her eyes and peered around. A set of moss-green eyes met hers. Mossypaw was nudging her with a paw. “It’s close to sunhigh and Sunpaw and I were getting tired of waiting for you; Mistfur, Rippleshine and Sharpclaw said that they would bring all three of us out together and teach us how to hunt. Rippleshine actually told Sunpaw and me that when we all got the hang of the hunter’s crouch, we could have a hunting contest.” Mossypaw turned and padded out of the den. Silverpaw yawned and stretched before climbing out of her nest and gave herself a quick groom. Then she bound out of the den, feeling refreshed by sleep after her adventure in the forest. Sunpaw was standing beside a tired-looking Rippleshine and Sharpclaw was sprawled on the ground next to Mossypaw, looking like a woeful black puddle of fur. Only Mistfur looked fit and ready to hunt. Beckoning with his tail, he whisked out the entrance tunnel. Rippleshine dashed after him and after a groan, Sharpclaw picked himself up and followed. Silverpaw took the lead as the three apprentices charged into the forest. After a while, Silverpaw realized that she was actually the fastest of the apprentices. She was pretty small and compact, with broad shoulders, face, and strong legs. Sunpaw, on the other hand was tall and graceful, her white paws small and dainty. Mossypaw was slender, and so frail-looking that it felt like the gentlest breeze could blow her away. She was so small that if you had to get into apprentices by height, she would surely be still a kit. Sunpaw was lagging, tired after barely a few heartbeats run. Mossypaw had fallen behind to urge Sunpaw along. Silverpaw slowed down to let Sunpaw and Mossypaw catch up. Rippleshine’s pale gray tabby tail flicked and disappeared into a bush. Bracing herself, Silverpaw pushed through the brambles as if they were reeds and showed up at the other side. Rippleshine, Mistfur, and Sharpclaw were sitting with their tails around their paws waiting for them at the other side. Sunpaw broke through the thorns with a gasp, her dappled orange and white fur left in clumps on the bush while Mossypaw had squeezed through a small gap at the bottom. With a yelp, Sunpaw’s tail suddenly snagged on the bush. Sighing, Rippleshine stepped forward to free her apprentice. Mistfur twitched his whiskers at the thrashing Sunpaw and turned towards Silverpaw. “Alright, show me your hunting crouch.” He ordered commandingly. Silverpaw immediately dropped so low on her paws that her belly-fur just cleared the ground. She silently lifted up a paw and stepped forward, careful not to step of crackling leaves or twigs. Creeping closed to her target, she bunched her hind legs, ready to pounce. Flattening her ears and stilling her tail, she leapt, catching a leaf squarely in her paws. Bending her neck, she pretended to give it a killing bite and sat up with the leaf in her jaws. Mistfur and Sharpclaw’s eyes widened with wonder. “That was perfect,” Mistfur stuttered, finally looking amazed or even a little surprised for once. “Where’d you learn that?” Sharpclaw gasped. “Well,” Silverpaw shuffled her feet. “Snakefang was teaching Mossypaw the hunter’s crouch outside the nursery when we were still kits and I listened in and practiced on dead leaves in camp,” She muttered, feeling even more embarrassed as Mossypaw, Rippleshine, and Sunpaw all turned to stare at her as well. “Well, Mossypaw and Sunpaw,” Sharpclaw and Rippleshine both addressed their apprentices. “You should’ve either been with Silverpaw or learning. Go and try.” Mossypaw performed a perfect hunter’s crouch exactly like Silverpaw had, but her smaller weight was a great benefit. Sunpaw struggled a bit, but managed to be able to get a small nod out of the three mentors. “Good,” Sharpclaw mewed. “As we promised, we would have a hunting contest today. Bring back as much prey as you can before moonrise.” He turned and began to walk away. “We will be watching you three and help in case of danger.” Rippleshine added before turning to follow Sharpclaw. Mistfur rested his muzzle on Silverpaw’s head. “Good luck.” He mewed before padding after Rippleshine’s flicking striped tail. Casting one last glance at Mossypaw and Sunpaw, Silverpaw leapt into a tree. Sighing, she had to admit that yesterday’s obstacle course had helped her a lot. Very close to where she’d landed, a chaffinch raised its head in surprise. Praying that her gray pelt was enough camouflaged against the bark, Silverpaw waited for her branch to still and crept towards the bird. It turned and stared at her for one second, but didn’t move. Silverpaw felt a snort rise in her throat; the chaffinch was obviously too young to know the threat that a cat can pose. After the bird went back to banging a snail out of its shell, Silverpaw bunched the muscles in her hind leg, she leapt. The chaffinch let out one last shrill chirp of terror before Silverpaw landed on top of it and leaned down to snap its neck. Straightening up with her catch, she felt her chest swell with pride; her first kill! The bird was still warm and smelled so tempting, but Silverpaw knew she couldn’t eat it; it’d go against the warrior code. Leaping back down the tree again, Silverpaw picked a shrub and scraped earth over her catch under it so she could retrieve it later. Opening her mouth to taste the air, a strong, delicious scent wafted to Silverpaw on the wind. Following the trail, she soon stopped. A white tail was bobbing in bush; the rabbit still had no idea she was there. Remembering her late mother’s tales about how fast and wily they were, Silverpaw decided to creep into the bush and quickly make the kill. Stalking slowly closer to the rabbit, she got ready to leap. The rabbit bobbed deeper in to the bush. Bunching her muscles again, she leapt at the rabbit. It dashed away, with Silverpaw clinging relentlessly to its body. Struggling to keep a grip, Silverpaw felt her strength falter from fighting to grab a tiny tuft fur in high speed. She lowered her head and, eyes closed, plunged her teeth into flesh and bone. The rabbit let out a pained squeal and crumpled, twitching. Silverpaw opened her eyes. She had bitten the rabbit’s neck through; bones, tendons and all. Stepping away from the dead rabbit, she stared in horror as she watched the blood pool from the rabbit, now dead. She turned and tried to flee from the horrible sight, but she couldn’t; something held her back. She turned around nervously, in case it was Mistfur, about to scold her from running away from her fresh-kill. Instead, there was no one there, but the rabbit had taken on a curiously cat-looking shape, with orange and white dappled patterns and paws. Padding curiously closer, Silverpaw felt her heart race with terror. There lay her sister, her sunburst of a pelt still and covered with blood. Silverpaw yowled in surprise and dashed to Sunpaw’s side, but found the rabbit in her place again. Shuddering and breathless, Silverpaw prodded the carcass, fearing that it would change into her sister again, but white fur didn’t turn golden and Silverpaw let out a sigh of relief. Grabbing the rabbit’s scruff, Silverpaw padded back to her bush and buried the rabbit with her chaffinch. After she finished, she was tired and hungry. Temptation to dig that rabbit back up and feast washed her over in waves as she padded away from her catches. Her paws brought her to a river, and she peered into its depths. Little silver fish flickered among the waving strands of waterweed. Silverpaw sat back and watched the minnows flutter about. Feeling suddenly determined, she scooped her paw into the river; the small fish all swam away into hiding. Snorting in annoyance, she shook her paw dry and walked along the stream towards the lake. Suddenly scenting water voles, mice, moorhen, pheasants, and many other warm prey animals, she crouched and crept forward. The small patch of grassy shore around the lake was teeming with life, lush and green. Picking a small hole filled with chattering noises as a target, she slowly prowled up to it. Sticking her muzzle inside, a chorus of panicked squeaking greeted her. There was suddenly a swarm of activity inside and all Silverpaw had to do to catch the mice was to open her mouth and let them run close and deal a killing bite. After keeping her muzzle in so long, Silverpaw felt her neck ache. Withdrawing her nose out of the hole, she watched amusedly as the remaining live mice scatter out of the hole and disappear into the grass. Sticking her paw in to scoop out her kill, her paws had to reach in numerous times to pull out her catches. Looking at the pile of mice, Silverpaw felt glee run through her; this victory was hers to take! Gathering the rodents in her jaws, she looked for her bush again. Burying her catch, she sat there for a moment, gazing at the mound. Turning, in the mood for trying to catch a moorhen, she scraped the earth back over. Suddenly thinking she had forgotten something, she uncovered them again. Crouching, she prayed to Starclan in thanks for her catches, she covered them again and headed back to the lake shore. Leaning down for a quick look in the grass by the lake, two snake’s eyes surprised her. A grass snake was staring at her, like it was saying ‘What is a furry animal doing in my territory?’ Annoyed, Silverpaw killed it with a swipe of her paw. Thanking Starclan again for her catch, she crouched and took it back to her other prey. Setting the snake down in the hole and recovering it with the rest of her catches, Silverpaw crouched and let pleasure wash over her. It was only her first hunt and she brought in so much prey! Checking the sun above her, it was already a few tail-lengths away from the horizon line and painted the sky red like spilled blood. Silverpaw shivered as she recalled the vision, no closer whatsoever on what it could’ve meant. Stifling a small sigh, she rose to her paws. A moorhen or two would be pleasant to hunt right now, but… Silverpaw leapt into the nearest tree; a hard-to-catch bird will work just as well. Crouching on the tree-branch, she soon spotted a wagtail. Creeping closer, she watched it carefully. Suddenly the bird flared its black and white wings and with a twitch of its stick of a tail, took flight, obviously spooked by one thing or another. Sitting down with a disgruntled huff, she scolded herself viciously on the inside. A terrified yelp sounded from behind Silverpaw and she whisked around. Splashpaw clung to the shaking branch by his forepaws. Spotting Silverpaw, he hissed “Help me!” As he clawed ineffectively at the thin, papery, bark of the birch they had both perched on. Silverpaw pawed precariously along the branch and leaned down to take hold of Splashpaw’s scruff. Hauling the incredibly heavy apprentice up, she scrambled back until they were both just able to stand on the branch, facing each other. “You great lump! When you sat down, you made the branch shake so much that I slipped!” He exclaimed arrogantly, twitching his umber-furred tail like it was a reed in the wind. Silverpaw contemplated him coldly for a second (Splashpaw twitched nervously at her freezing blue eyes) before leaping over his head showering the conceited young tom in leaves and bark-dust. Ignoring his protest of “Hey!” she padded off along the branch with her tail held high. Jumping off of the tree, Silverpaw padded back to her prey-bush. The sun was already dipping towards the lake and Silverpaw watched it fall, slowly and slowly, into the lake. The rest of the hunt passed blurrily. Constant searches punctuated by the occasional kill or miss. By the time moonhigh had arrived, Silverpaw had gotten a good haul of prey to take back. Not at all looking forward to the long trek back to camp, Silverpaw filled her mouth with her catches and clasped the extras under her chin like Mistfur had taught her. Leaping and following Rippleshine, Mistfur, and Sharpclaw’s now faint scent trail, she padded slowly back to the stone hollow. There, a tired looking Sharpclaw was crouched, nodding off, in the centre of the clearing. Rippleshine and Mistfur both sat tall and elegantly and all three heads swiveled around to stare at Silverpaw as she stepped into camp, slightly staggering from the weight of her catches. Moonlight turned Mistfur and Rippleshine’s pelts to a ghostly silver and Sharpclaw’s black pelt rendered him almost invisible in the darkness. Mistfur rose to his paws and padded over to examine Silverpaw’s catches. As he moved, Silverpaw was able to catch some white patches and moss-green eyes. Mossypaw had also returned with her earnings, before Silverpaw. Mistfur’s gentle nudge on Silverpaw’s flank turned her around. He mouthed silently ‘You brought back a lot of prey, more than Mossypaw had, good job,’ before slowly and quietly padding back to his post. “Bring your pile beside that one.” He hissed over his shoulder, flicking his tail at a small pile of prey, obviously Mossypaw’s, which was pretty much half of Silverpaw’s. Picking up her catches again, she tiptoed across the clearing to deposit her catch, careful not awaken a snoring Splashpaw, sleeping by the fresh-kill pile and Mossypaw’s pile. Returning back to the little black-and-white she-cat, Silverpaw settled down beside Mossypaw, who immediately pressed closer to Silverpaw with a small purr. She smiled up at Silverpaw and Silverpaw smiled back, happy to be with the little apprentice. The moon had moved a claw-length since Silverpaw had arrived in camp when a loud rustle sounded from the tunnel and Silverpaw and Mossypaw looked up from where they were crouched, quietly sharing some juicy gossip. A tiny, dusky, tom, only probably a whisker-length taller than Silverpaw, raced into camp with his patrol in tow. Rippleshine leapt up to greet the tom anxiously. “Robinwing,” She mewed hopefully. “No sign of her.” Robinwing replied sadly. A stocky she-cat almost twice his size stepped forwards with her apprentice Leafpaw. “Leafpaw said that she thinks she had caught a wisp of her scent,” The she-cat offered. Leafpaw ducked her head in embarrassment at her mentioning. Rippleshine sat down with a thump, her eyes blank with terror. “What am I going to do?” She whimpered quietly. “My first apprentice and I lose her in just one day!” Rippleshine lowered her head, moaning slightly and sorrowfully. Mistfur drew his tail along her flank, gently smoothing her bristling pelt and the stocky she-cat padded forward again until she was standing right in front of the depressed she-cat. “There’s still a chance, believe in Leafpaw,” She encouraged, nudging her denmate with a gentle paw. Rippleshine’s only response were low moans of what sounded like ‘she’s gone, gone forever,’ Mistfur turned from looking at Rippleshine. “Sweetleaf,” he ordered to the she-cat that was relentlessly trying to recommend Leafpaw for the job, and who looked quite pleased with herself. “Take Swallowfeather, Dawnsky, Duskwater, and these two, no, three, no four too.” As he counted, every cat named stepped forwards, along with Silverpaw, Mossypaw, Deadpaw (who’d just emerged from the apprentices’ den), and Splashpaw, whom Silverpaw awoke with a nudge. Charging back into the still dark forest surrounded, Silverpaw felt energy racing through her paws. Mistfur ran at her heels with Sharpclaw right beside him, looking as refreshed as ever. “I sent Moonfall to go and take Rippleshine to Snowtail and Hawkfeather,” He breathlessly explained to Silverpaw as he ran beside her. Silverpaw nodded in acknowledgement and Mistfur, satisfied, raced ahead of her into the forest. As they hurtled to a stop in a clearing, Silverpaw scented the air. She could hear Mossypaw, Deadpaw, Splashpaw, and Leafpaw doing the same beside her. “Wait up!” A loud yell broke the silence and Beetlepaw charged into the clearing, skidding on the slippery forest floor and bowling Splashpaw and Deadpaw over. Splashpaw let out a snarl of surprise and shoved Beetlepaw off of him while Deadpaw scrambled to his paws, flicking debris off of his ripped and scarred ears. Beetlepaw lay outstretched on a pile of leaves beside his brother panting. “Sorry,” He mewed, looking at his shaken and annoyed brother. “Moonfall ordered that I join you guys to find Sunpaw.” He continued, jumping to his paws. The she-cat who Mistfur had named as Dawnsky let out a quiet snort and muttered into her companion who Mistfur had named as Duskwater’s ear. “Useless kits like that, he’ll do us a fat lot of good,” She whispered. Then she puffed out her chest proudly before whispering again. “But Deadpaw will be so much better because I mothered him!” She murmured proudly. Dawnsky gave her a disapproving glance before looking back at Mistfur as he barked orders at everyone in the group. “Partner up, warrior and apprentice per group, and make it snappy or I’ll nip off your tails!” He snarled. After he finished his sentence, he padded over to Silverpaw and sat down beside her. Leafpaw naturally joined her mentor Sweetleaf, while Dawnsky nudged Deadpaw away from Beetlepaw with dark looks flashing across her face. Sharpclaw and Mossypaw were already setting off, way ahead of the other groups as they had dashed off as soon as they heard the order to partner up. Silverpaw hurried to catch up and after one last commanding snarl at the remaining groups, her mentor followed suit. Sharpclaw and Mossypaw had stopped a little distance ahead to let the duo catch up and hared off again. Racing over the soft forest floor in the cool night air with her foster-sister felt wonderful, but after a while, Mossypaw was struggling to catch up. The tiny apprentice’s strides got shorter and shorter until they came to a total stop and she flopped over, panting from exhaustion. Luckily, the mentors had also skidded to stop a short distance from where Silverpaw and Mossypaw had stopped to scent the air. Grabbing Mossypaw by the scruff (“Lemmigo!”), Silverpaw trudged through the suddenly slippery debris towards the two toms. Sharpclaw and Mistfur didn’t seem in the least surprised when Silverpaw arrived with her burden. Mistfur nudged Mossypaw and she stirred weakly. Silverpaw carefully dragged her to her paws. Slowly but surely, Mossypaw caught her breath again and regained the strength enough to run. Mistfur mewed sympathetically as he gazed at the wobbly little scrap of black and white dappled fur. “We think we smelled Sunpaw over the Shadowclan border, there were also lots of Shadowclan scent mixed in with hers and Sharpclaw and I think we saw signs of a skirmish.” Silverpaw felt her throat tighten as she imagined her sister fighting off a patrol of strong, fit, and bloodthirsty Shadowclan warriors. “What do you think they did to her then?” She asked in a small voice, fearing the answer when it comes. Sharpclaw unsheathed claws that trademarked his name and raked it across the earth, cutting deep gouges in the debris. “I remember hearing in the last gathering that their leader, Mudstar, has caught a grave sickness and Shadowclan is short of the right herbs,” His amber eyes flashed dangerously and even Mistfur took a wary step back. “Herbs that Thunderclan has aplenty.” Sharpclaw’s eyes now had a wild, violent, glow to them as he snarled “I’ll bet that they took Sunpaw hostage to get the herbs!”Now he stood among a pile of shredded leaves, tail lashing, claws twitching, and teeth bared as though he was imagining himself shredding the Shadowclan cat that stole Sunpaw. Amazed at his anger, Silverpaw looked at Mossypaw, who had whisked behind her in fear of Sharpclaw’s wrath. Even Mistfur looked surprised; Silverpaw guessed that even he had not ever seen the normally gentle tom angered to this state. “Right,” He mewed awkwardly. “Let’s patrol the Shadowclan border then,” He turned and pulled Silverpaw and Mossypaw ahead of him so they don’t have to stay near a raging Sharpclaw. Glad to the point of speechlessness that Mistfur had given them an excuse to race ahead, Silverpaw and Mossypaw pelted forward towards the Shadowclan border. Suddenly a paw swatted Mossypaw and she flew into the air, to land with a thud on Silverpaw. The mentors’ thundering pawsteps charged closer and closer to where the two apprentices lay in a heap on the ground. “Do you think this one will also make a good sacrifice?” Silverpaw’s ears twitched and turned towards the ghostly whisper and saw to faint shadows in the mist and trees. “Take the black-and-white one and let’s get out of here!” Another voice hissed, obviously a tom by the sound of it. Her fur rising into spikes, Silverpaw struggled to look around and check if the mentors are coming. All of a sudden the weight of Mossypaw left her shoulders and there was a small wail, abruptly muffled by one thing or another. Just then, Mistfur skidded into the clearing, fur spiked and eyes narrowed at the two trespassers and jaws open in a snarl for reinforcement. Both shadows turned to look at the newcomer and without a word, disappeared into the trees; Mossypaw in their jaws. Mistfur leapt after them and a shriek tore through the still night air. Slipping and tumbling in the leaves, she scrambled to her mentor. He had managed to pin a vigorously thrashing she-cat to the forest floor. The trapped warrior writhed and snarled, snapping at Mistfur’s legs and paws, but Mistfur overpowered her by strength, size, and wit, by the looks of it. Feeling her fur rise again, she padded towards the she-cat, growling menacingly; ready to deal a blow whenever her mentor orders it. “We meet again, Starshadow,” Mistfur hissed. Silverpaw padded even closer, and Starshadow eyed her warily. “Good job on your apprentice,” She mewed sweetly, obviously trying to appease Mistfur into letting her go. Silverpaw waited silently for her mentor’s response. And then again, with a loud rustle and plenty of panting, Sharpclaw blundered into sight, covered in debris and dirt. He narrowed his eyes at Starshadow, who was by now shrinking fearfully under Mistfur, now hopelessly outnumbered against two of the best warriors in the forest and his apprentice. Sharpclaw looked around, and the wild light returned to his eyes after he noticed that Mossypaw was gone. He snarled something furiously and Starshadow began saying something soothingly again, but Mistfur snarled and twisted his claws into Starshadow’s shoulders, making her gasp in pain and struggle. “Don’t, know,” She mewed with the most dignity she could manage between thrashing and gasping furiously. “Don’t. Lie.” Sharpclaw growled threateningly, prowling ever closer to a tiny-looking Starshadow. Even though she knew that Sharpclaw wasn’t going to harm her, Silverpaw felt like she had turned to stone and rooted to the ground in fear. Raising his paw and pressing it to Starshadow’s neck hard, Sharpclaw leaned in. “Where is she?” He hissed in Starshadow’s face. There were chokes and sputters of words followed by more gasps and yelps of pain. Silverpaw shut her eyes tight and buried her face into her tail, anticipating a dying shriek of agony from the pinned she-cat. “WHAT”S GOING ON?” A sharp, shocked, demand came from behind and Silverpaw whirled around, to face a startled looking Swallowfeather. Duskwater, Splashpaw, and Beetlepaw crashed in after her. Not taking his eyes off a petrified Starshadow, Mistfur growled menacingly the word “Interrogating,” “Stop!” Swallowfeather leapt forward and knocked Mistfur off Starshadow, who scrambled to her paws with a wince and fled into the mist. “Silverpaw, Splashpaw, Beetlepaw, after her!” Swallowfeather yowled, holding Sharpclaw from charging after the she-cat. Silverpaw sprinted into the forest along Starshadow’s scent trail. Spotting a tree, she jumped into it and leapt from branch to branch so she could have an air advantage over the terrified Shadowclan she-cat. Beetlepaw’s brown tabby pelt proved invisible among the brambles and briars and Splashpaw, fastest of all of them, had no trouble whatsoever charging through the thick undergrowth. Envying his broad shoulders that made it easy to plow through branches, Silverpaw had to leap twigs and moss patches to avoid slipping on her branch. Eventually Starshadow’s mottled gray and white pelt came into view not far ahead, struggling through a blackberry bush. Tearing herself free with the sound of ripping fur, Starshadow tore across the clearing that separated the Thunderclan and Shadowclan borders. Silverpaw picked up pace, speeding over Splashpaw, and leapt clear of her branch, landing squarely in front of the Starshadow, who squawked in surprise and terror and turned tail back towards the edge of the clearing. Just then, Splashpaw burst out of the undergrowth in front of her and Starshadow tried to swat him back with a swipe, but Splashpaw had already retaliated and kicked her away. Silverpaw hurried to intercept the she-cat as she made another mad sprint for Shadowclan territory and grappled furiously with the desperate Starshadow. In the midst of the fight, Silverpaw barely noticed a liquid-like brown shadow slide out of the trees and she barely had time to swerve away before a hard, front paw blow landed on Starshadow’s face. The she-cat crumpled, knocked out cold as Silverpaw backed free to lick her numerous scratches and bites. Wincing, she made a note to self that never again should she charge into a fight against a seasoned warrior without battle training in advance. Beetlepaw stood over the pile of mottled fur triumphantly, paw raised in the blow that had knocked out Starshadow. “Come on,” A voice mewed from beside Silverpaw and she looked around. An ominous shadow twice her size loomed over Silverpaw and she let out a scared shriek. “It’s just me, Splashpaw.” The voice continued impatiently. “Oh,” Silverpaw reoriented herself with a shake before smoothing her fur and retracting her claws. Splashpaw and Beetlepaw took Starshadow and Silverpaw parted the branches for them in front as it isn’t easy for them to do so with their burden. Suddenly, there was a loud yell of pain and rustling of leaves and branches. Beetlepaw lay splayed on the ground, unconscious, and a mottled shadow sprinted away with Splashpaw right on her tail. “Beetlepaw?” Silverpaw mewed, alarmed, and gave the big pile of fur a sharp poke. Nothing happened. “Beetlepaw!” She yowled into his ear. Still nothing happened. Resignation washed over her in waves; she knew that Beetlepaw wasn’t dead, but how was she going to carry him back to the mentors? He was twice her size and weight and Silverpaw wasn’t looking forward to staggering through the forest dragging HIM around. Second after second passed, but Splashpaw finally came back. He had lost quite a lot of fur from his shoulders and one eye was closed with a scratch on top. He took one look at the horrified gasp on Silverpaw’s face then smiled reassuringly at her. “It’s okay,” He mewed soothingly. “These aren’t serious, they’ll heal very quickly,” Silverpaw stared at his injured eye. “Will you eye even WORK after this?” She mewed worriedly, stifling a gasp a spurt blood oozed out slowly. Splashpaw smiled again, then grimaced when he walked, but he still grabbed Beetlepaw by his scruff and began to drag him back. Silverpaw hurried forward to part the branches for him. They inched slowly back to the clearing, where the mentors were waiting. Swallowfeather took one look at the shabby trio that just emerged from the trees and kinked her tail over her head. Mistfur made a quick detour to grab Beetlepaw before swerving after Duskwater and filed obediently past her out of the clearing. Sharpclaw looked like he wanted to interrogate the still conscious pair but Swallowfeather stopped him mid-sentence. “Go find the rest of us,” She ordered unsympathetically. Sharpclaw shot her a glare but disappeared into the mist and trees. Swallowfeather stared after his almost invisible black tail until it disappeared. Then she turned around and spotted Silverpaw. She padded over and gently swiped her tongue over Silverpaw’s ear. Silverpaw felt her tongue catch on her ear wound from when she and Sunpaw had been kits and decided to charge at the fresh-kill pile. Flinching, Silverpaw realized that even such a recent memory had already almost completely faded away. Silverpaw looked around; Splashpaw had probably dashed out of the clearing the moment Sharpclaw shot a glare at Swallowfeather. Silverpaw sighed and followed the older she-cat toward camp. The moment the camp came into sight, Silverpaw felt Swallowfeather pick up speed and watched her tortoiseshell pelt disappear into the tunnel. Before she was able to pass through fully, she was rammed back out by a determined and scared looking Hawkfeather. Snowtail appeared right on his apprentice’s tail. While Snowtail stopped to ask Swallowfeather what had happened, Hawkfeather made a beeline straight for Silverpaw. Her dark-brown tabby pelt was bristling with fear and a shade lighter than normal as she skidded to stop only whisker-lengths in front of Silverpaw. Wasting nary a moment, she sniffed Silverpaw all over. Silverpaw ducked away from her twitching nose. “I’m fine!” She protested as she felt her feet rise above the ground and whisk over it speedily. “Nmmph ymmph mnpht!” Hawkfeather scolded through a mouthful of scruff-fur. Silverpaw scowled as much as she could with her neck being pulled up. Being stared at as she was rushed across camp looking virtually unharmed was rather embarrassing and she curled into a tight ball so she didn’t have to look at the heavy-eyed, yawning, crowd. After what felt like another hour of dangling in midair, Silverpaw felt her tail thump onto soft moss and realized that Hawkfeather had dropped her in a thick, mossy nest. Splashpaw was crouched in the nest in beside her and he turned around slightly to make a face and point at Hawkfeather with his tail. He was covered with ointments that smelled awful and looked like they would sting. Beetlepaw was still flopped limply in the next nest beside Splashpaw’s, but before Silverpaw could let out a sympathetic mew, a loud spit sound made both apprentices turn around and a most unpleasant sight greeted them; Hawkfeather staggered towards Silverpaw, laden with ointments of all shades of green and smells. Silverpaw filled her lungs to yowl out a warning, but she wasn’t given the chance. Hawkfeather held Silverpaw’s head down with a paw while her tongue slurped and stuck ointments on Silverpaw’s various wounds. Silverpaw tried wiggle and mew a complaint but a brown tabby paw was clamped over her mouth and all she could utter was “Letf gomph,” She heard Splashpaw’s purr splutter with amusement as he watched and she lashed her tail in his direction. Hawkfeather growled angrily and pinned her tail with a hind paw. Now the heavy-set she-cat was completely standing on her; a front paw on her head, the other one on her back, a hind paw on her tail and the other clamped on Silverpaw’s hind leg. Suddenly, all the weight lifted and Silverpaw finally felt the actual, slimy, goop on her scratches. Shuddering slightly, she covered her head with her paws and sneakily wiped a bit of the poultice off her ear. Opening one green eye tentatively, she saw Splashpaw slip something into her nest.”Hey!” She yelped, squirming away front whatever he had placed in the mossy clump. “It’s only a morsel of mouse,” Splashpaw said exasperatedly, looking at her from he was crouching. Silverpaw edged towards the small morsel again and smelled the tasty aroma of mice wafting around the lump of flesh. She snapped it all up in a heartbeat and gulped it down. “Oh dear, that was fast,” A worried mew came from somewhere to the left of Silverpaw and she whipped around. Leafpaw crouched in another nest, watching her worriedly, her white pelt not quite as smooth as usual. “I’m fine,” Silverpaw replied while licking her lips wistfully to catch any last bits and pieces of her snack. “Would you like some more?” Leafpaw asked, getting her paws with a small groan. “I’m fine,” Silverpaw repeated and rose to her paws as well. Splashpaw’s eyes widened and he mouthed; “Hawkfeather will kill you if she finds out you left your nest!” Silverpaw looked over her shoulder; “Then you’d better not tell her or I’ll personally pluck your whiskers until you’re bald as a bird!” Silverpaw mouthed back and trotted, downy gray pelt invisible in the light mist except for the goopy patches, to the fresh-kill pile. Snatching up a wagtail, she trotted back and quickly curled down and smoothed her pelt in her nest so it’d look as if she had gone nowhere. She tore into her wagtail, careful to hide it whenever Hawkfeather hurried by, whether carrying another disgruntled apprentice or shooing a harassed-looking warrior that kept insisting they were fine. Splashpaw had fallen asleep out of boredom and Beetlepaw still lay in his nest like a limp, floppy, leaf. Sweeping the remains of her meal behind her nest, Silverpaw began to feel very sleepy. Blinking quickly to stay awake, she just had time to register a snarl of anger before what sounded like a full-out fight had erupted. Hawkfeather scurried out of the den to see what was making such a commotion. “Whazzgoin’ on?” Two fuzzy voices said from beside Silverpaw at the same time. Beetlepaw and Splashpaw were both awake. Splashpaw leapt out of his nest and helped Beetlepaw up. Silverpaw led the way to the mouth of the den and crouched beside a trembling Hawkfeather to watch in terror the unfurling scene. Chapter 5 Snakefang had Sharpclaw pinned under her and was viciously scrabbling on his spine. As they watched, Sharpclaw writhed free and turned on Snakefang with a snarl. Snakefang hissed back, her eyes smoldering with a wild, unearthly, glow that was strangely depressed and no longer cat. Her leader lay in a limp bloody pile a small distance from the fighting cats. The clan was in turmoil and Silverpaw quickly turned and pounced on a red tabby as she scrabbled furiously to get into the safety of the medicine den. “Stop them,” She ordered the terrified she-cat. The panicked she-cat nodded and charged back into the fray at the terrified cats. Silverpaw felt smooth fur brush past her and Mistfur, Dawnsky, Snowtail, and Duskwater slid past her to join the fight, their eyes determined and strong. Splashpaw and Beetlepaw followed and Hawkfeather crouched at the mouth of the medicine den to stop any cat from getting in and possibly harming the paralysed Rippleshine. She nodded at Silverpaw to show that she had the guarding under control and that she should go and help the calm cats cool the others down. Silverpaw promptly turned and plunged into the tangle. The same red she-cat that Silverpaw had pounced on fled past her, howling in pain and bleeding all over. OH SNAKEFANG, Silverpaw thought sadly. She had never liked the she-cat, but she had never thought she’d be the type to murder her own leader. She crashed into Snowtail and bounced off. He twisted his head and said “We need the other clans’ help! Go find Windclan and bring them to us!” before leaping away quickly to intercept and mew quickly into the cat’s ear some soothing words. Silverpaw turned and charged out of camp as fast as her legs could carry her. The forest blurred and sound was muffled as she plunged the undergrowth and tumbled over the border into Windclan territory, gasping wildly. Scrambling to her paws, she dashed deeper in and after what felt like a second of running, she fell again. This time she fell through air before landing in a thicket of brambles. Popping her head out, she looked around. Something picked her up and dropped her heavily on the ground. “What are YOU doing here?” A deep voice growled above her ear. Silverpaw didn’t bother with turning around. “Thunderclan needs help, PLEASE!” She wailed, struggling. The weight lifted and two green eyes looked into hers. “What’s wrong?” The cat asked unhurriedly. “It’s in the middle of the night,” “PLEASE!” Silverpaw wailed even louder. “Shadowclan cats are stealing our apprentices and now our camp is in turmoil! And one of the queens has slaughtered Cedarstar!” Silverpaw continued, panicking. “Shadowclan has been stealing from us too.” The voice growled. “Hold on,” Silverpaw shut up and scrunched her eyes shut, trying not to think of what might’ve been happening in camp while she was gone. Seconds later, she felt her feet leave the ground but she still kept her eyes shut as hard they can go. Then she saw darkness that wasn’t from her closed eyes and she opened them, but it seemed as if she hadn’t opened them at all. After what felt like a season of black, she was dropped into the light. A frail-looking, battle-scarred, tom was crouched in his nest under a small, ragged, hole in the top of the cave. A stronger looking tom and a slender, sandy she-cat sat beside him. The she-cat smelled a lot like herbs and plants while the tom held the authority of a leader, OR DEPUTY. Silverpaw thought. “What is it, Rabbitnose? Why’ve you brought a Thunderclan kit into our camp?” The tom demanded. Rabbitnose padded closer began to meow into his clanmate’s ear. The other tom nodded and mew quietly to the leader, who simply grunted a reply before curling his tail over his head. The tom passed a message to the she-cat who whisked away into the tunnel to do whatever the tom had ordered her to do. “I’ve sent Clearsong to notify the clan that we are going to gather our strongest warriors and remaining apprentices.” The tom explained to Silverpaw. “We are first going to help your clan and then both our clans will gather our warriors, hopefully recruit Riverclan, and reclaim our lost apprentices.” After finishing his sentence, he immediately dashed out the tunnel and Rabbitnose followed. The aged leader in his nest blinked benevolently at Silverpaw. “I am sorry for what is happening in your clan,” He rasped. “The only reason I am so frail is that I lost a life earlier this quarter moon in a Shadowclan raid in camp. I would’ve come to fight with my warriors; Cedarstar and I were good friends in our apprenticeships.” He mewed wistfully then let out a series of hacking coughs. The old cat curled up again, breathing faster as if the effort to talk was already too much.” Silverpaw nodded at the elderly Windclan leader and dashed out the tunnel as fast as she could go. A big clump of the leanest, speedy-looking, warriors Silverpaw had ever seen were standing by the Windclan camp entrance. A few smaller cats stood in their ranks which she guessed were the remaining apprentices. The big tom stood at the front and he flicked his tail at the assemblage before whisking out the tunnel. A warrior snatched Silverpaw’s scruff and pelted along in the crowd. Wind whooshed past Silverpaw’s face and she shut her eyes as icy breezes bit through her skin painfully. As they arrived in Thunderclan camp, every cat was calmer and Cedarstar was wobbly, but back on her feet. Snakefang was also calmed down, but looked about as paralysed as Rippleshine. Cedarstar hobbled forwards to greet them enthusiastically. “Where’s Nightstar?” She asked Clearsong faintly, leaning on another she-cat as she padded forwards with as much dignity as she could muster. “In camp,” The tom mewed tartly. Cedarstar finally noticed the tom. “Greetings, Windpelt.” She mewed, dipping her head. “And to you too,” Windpelt replied, dipping his head as well. “How many of your cats are fit for battle?” A cat that looked like Clearsong’s apprentice demanded from she stood near the back of the crowd, jaws stuffed with herbs. “Everyone except for Snakefang and Rippleshine,” The other she-cat spoke up. Cedarstar seemed to have regained her strength again and stood up straight without leaning. Windpelt narrowed his eyes. “Then come. We’re going take back our lost apprentices.” Mistfur shoved forward. “What about my apprentice?” he demanded. “She hasn’t any battle training,” “She’ll just have to make do with what she knows.” Windpelt said over his shoulder. Mistfur glowered at him and swept his tail protectively around Silverpaw. Silverpaw turned to look at her mentor. She never thought that he’d be so protective of her and it made her feel warm from ear-tip to tail-tip. Silverpaw wrinkled her nose as huge, fishy, stink washed over them and some Riverclan cats swept into Thunderclan camp. The leader of the group bounded to Cedarstar and mewed quietly into her ear. Cedarstar nodded and cried “Clans, to me!” before disappearing through the entrance tunnel. Silverpaw whisked after her leader, all tiredness and fear gone in eagerness to retrieve her sisters and punish the Shadowclan cats who dared to steal them. Windclan, Riverclan, and Thunderclan scents mingled around the young apprentice, reminding her of the legendary Great Journey, led by four powerful, mythical, young cats of prophecy; Brambleclaw, the future Bramblestar of Thunderclan and leader of the four, Feathertail of Riverclan, who gave her life to kill the mountain lion who threatened to kill her friends. Crowfeather of Windclan, who watched the cat he loved plummet to her death on the rock that killed Sharptooth and last of all, Tawnypelt of Shadowclan, who fought against her half-blood origins and brought honor to her often misunderstood clan. IF TAWNYPELT SAW WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HER CLAN, WOULD SHE FEEL ASHAMED? Silverpaw wondered as she galloped along in the sweeping crowd. The elders tell of her courage, determination and pure-heartedness as she was of Lionclan; Silverpaw wasn’t even sure if the also legendary great Fleetfoot of Leopardclan, who slew a wild boar, single-pawed, could match her. The forest blurred by quickly and soon, they’d crossed into Shadowclan territory. All thought of Leopardclan left Silverpaw’s mind and instead filled with nervousness and fear as she ran over her self-taught battle moves in case she forgot them. Not far into the territory, all three clan representatives stopped and dropped and rolled in the pine needles on the forest floor vigorously as if they were trying to rub out some fleas. All but a few warriors mewed in agreement and lowered themselves and began to roll with them, leaving all the apprentices to blink at each other in confusion. Then an earthy-smelling apprentice shrugged and began to roll himself along with the warriors. After that, all of the other apprentices shrugged and began rolling as well. The Riverclan leader climbed to his paws and shook off the pine-needles lodged in his pelt. The warriors that haven’t rolled yet padded up to him and mewed into his ear. He nodded and the non-rolling cats split into four groups, each consisting of 2 cats of each clan and disappeared in three different directions. Silverpaw leapt up and clung to Mistfur’s tail as he was about to leave. “Where are you going?” She asked, looking up at her mentor. Mistfur looked down at her and then flicked her paws off his tail. “We’re going to create a diversion,” He said before racing to catch up with his departing group. Silverpaw clambered to her paws and watched her mentor’s big, gray, shape disappear. A gentle tail flicked her ear and Splashpaw’s voice mewed into her ear. “It’s time to go.” He murmured. Silverpaw fluffed up her fur and shook herself. “Go on. I’ll be right behind you.” She meowed briskly to him and he nodded and left to join Deadpaw, Leafpaw, Beetlepaw, and a congregation of all the other apprentices from the other clans. Silverpaw bounded up to them and Beetlepaw greeted her with a small nod. “Cloverpaw, Blizzardpaw, Bravepaw, Firepaw, Aspenpaw, Daisypaw, Echopaw, Finchpaw, Galepaw, Spiritpaw, and Hailpaw,” All the apprentices nodded in turn when Beetlepaw named them. Aspenpaw blinked sympathetically as if she knew of Sunpaw’s disappearance. “Leafpaw told me what had happened,” She mewed gently. “I was equally crushed when I lost Starpaw.” All the other apprentices lowered their heads in mourning. Silverpaw quickly lowered her as well. “Come on,” Windpelt’s order rang quietly yet commandingly through the crowd and all the warriors hared off immediately and the apprentices quickly followed. Galepaw and Daisypaw fell in beside Silverpaw as she ran. Daisypaw smelled like grass and the earthy moor while Galepaw was sleek and thick-furred. “We can fight beside you if you’d like,” Daisypaw offered gently. “We heard Windpelt, what he’d said to Mistfur, that you would have to make do without any battle training.” “You can fight with us and we’ll watch your back.” Galepaw added. Silverpaw blinked gratefully and the two older apprentices nodded and ran beside her for the rest of the journey. Chapter 6 Silverpaw’s blood pounded in her ears as they neared the Shadowclan camp. Suddenly, a cry rent the air and Windpelt picked up speed, to which Daisypaw caught up easily but left Silverpaw and Galepaw scrabbling. Looking through the curtain of willow that shielded her sight from Shadowclan camp, Silverpaw pushed through and peered into the hollow ahead, and her blood turned cold and a lump as painful as any thorn rose into her throat. The entire patrol of which Mistfur was in lay in the center of the camp. As she watched, a brown Windclan tabby stirred and a Shadowclan cat immediately pounced on him and slashed and bit until the tabby fell still again in a pool of blood. Silverpaw narrowed her eyes, searching for her mentor Mistfur’s body. Strangely, it wasn’t there. Then she heard a familiar snarl. A sunburst of a cat was being dragged into the clearing. Sunpaw screeched and slashed as a horde of Shadowclan elders dragged her towards another den and chucked her in. Then they went in and dragged out the previously residing cat, a terrified looking orange tabby and towed him towards a much larger den which held a sinister air. Before Silverpaw could register what was going on, a large shadow burst out of the dark den and grabbed the apprentice in its jaws and there and then began to eat him alive. The elders looked on coldly as the apprentice begged and pleaded for their mercy, but they just sat watched on as the creature tore and bit and finally finished its gruesome meal before retreating back into its den. A faintly Riverclan smelling she-cat tensed and relaxed with a moan; “Oh Copperpaw,” She sighed sadly. Windpelt looked as if he was about to snarl. “Clans, ATTACK!” He howled, bursting through the wall of willows. Immediately the creature flashed from its den and lunged towards Windpelt. Windpelt barely had the chance to scream before there a chilling crack as it broke his neck and fell limp. This time Silverpaw was finally able to register what it was. It was huge, with black sleek fur and tall strong, muscular, legs. It towered above the cats with two yellow spots above its dark, evil eyes. The creature’s floppy ears and long muzzle looked oddly familiar. “A Doberman!” A Riverclan cat shrieked in fear before tearing out of the camp. The Doberman turned to chase the she-cat but suddenly a black and white patched cat lunged out of their den and slashed at the dog’s nose. Mossypaw snarled at the dog, fur fluffed to twice her size. A bigger gray-and-white patched cat padded calmly out of his den and watched amusedly, as the young apprentice battled the Doberman. After what felt like a season of watching Mossypaw repeatedly brush death a warrior of Shadowclan leapt forward and yanked her backwards before dragging a smoldering Mossypaw back to the den in which the apprentices were imprisoned. The gray-and-white tom let out an odd noise, like a snarl mixed with a growl at the dog, and it bared its teeth but retreated back into its den, eyes gleaming maliciously. “So, how do you think of our new weapon of battle?” The tom said smoothly. Cedarstar and the Riverclan representative snarled angrily. “This is a violation of the warrior code, Mudstar.” Cedarstar growled and the Riverclan representative growled in agreement. Mudstar sat and wrapped his tail around is paws. “Rules are made to be broken, aren’t they, Cedarstar? You’d said so yourself when we were apprentices.” He meowed peaceably. Cedarstar swished her tail and let out a low snarl but kept silent. “Hey, tell you what,” The Shadowclan leader said suddenly, got up and padded over to Cedarstar, brushing aside Windpelt’s body to a collective wince from the watching Windclan cats. Mudstar stopped in front of Cedarstar. “We’ll make a deal. You surrender right now and forfeit Thunderclan leadership and I’ll let you keep your pretty neck and get in on our weapon or I’ll break your neck as well as all your clanmates here and now.” He offered smoothly. There was a tense moment of waiting as Cedarstar glared at Mudstar both disbelievingly and in surprise, finally a look of anger settled in her eyes. “Never,” She snarled. “Attack!” The cats surged forward on the Shadowclan cats. The Doberman lunged forward and began snapping randomly at the fray. Galepaw and Daisypaw followed Silverpaw as she leapt at the dog, clearing its snout and onto its back. The Doberman snapped in anger and spun in circles trying to throw Silverpaw off. Daisypaw and Galepaw wove through its legs, snapping and slashing furiously. Spiritpaw and Aspenpaw also joined the group and after a while, all the apprentices, captured or otherwise leapt into battle against the dog. Out of the blue, a paw began swiping the apprentices off the Doberman. Mudstar was furiously clearing the load off of his weapon. Bravepaw and Cloverpaw turned around and jumped on him; the three disappeared from sight. “Silverpaw!” Silverpaw looked over the dog’s broad shoulders and saw Sunpaw perched precariously on the dog’s snout, clamping it shut. Silverpaw flicked her tail in acknowledgement and went back to chomping on the dog’s ears. Soon the dog began to give way and finally pelted out of the entrance tunnel, howling. Silverpaw quickly leapt off its back, and landed on Starshadow. The she-cat screamed in surprise and rolled onto her back, with Silverpaw clinging on determinedly even though she is now being crushed. Starshadow writhed and squirmed furiously in an attempt to dislodge the young apprentice but Silverpaw held fast, snapping at her neck and ears and plucking her whiskers. Starshadow yowled in agony and thrashed harder than ever and Silverpaw was forced to let go. As Starshadow scrambled to her paws to face her, Silverpaw bunched her hindquarters and crouched, looking up at Starshadow. Starshadow, thinking that Silverpaw was defeated, snarled in triumph and pounced. Silverpaw immediately rolled forward and uncurled, slicing Starshadow’s belly and leaving blossoms of red trailing through the Shadowclan cat’s underbelly. Starshadow crashed face-first into the place where Silverpaw last crouched with a shriek. Silverpaw watched as the she-cat lay on the ground twitching. The she-cat slowly pushed herself up and hobbled over to Silverpaw. Silverpaw tensed, ready to fight again, but Starshadow tumbled down before she could reach Silverpaw. Silverpaw padded closer tentatively, claw unsheathed and just as she reached the she-cat Starshadow sprang up and hurled herself onto Silverpaw. “Want to learn about neck biting?” Starshadow hissed into Silverpaw’s face. “Gawp,” Silverpaw squawked, prying at the she-cat’s hold on her neck. Starshadow leaned forward and bared her teeth. “Well, you’ll are just about to find…OW!” Silverpaw looked up, to see Daisypaw clinging onto the back of Silverpaw‘s almost-murderer. Daisypaw was angrily churning her hind paws on Starshadow’s spine and snarled into her ear. “Go pick on someone your own size!” She growled, giving Starshadow a chomp on the ear that made Silverpaw wince. Starshadow began to buck around like crazy and Daisypaw gave her one last slash to the cheek before letting the defeated she-cat disappear, wailing, into the fray. Silverpaw turned around to mew her thanks to Daisypaw, but found her already wrangling a Shadowclan apprentice. Silverpaw sighed and bunched herself again to leap. Mudstar shot out of the crowd ahead of her and Silverpaw jumped onto his head but fell a bit short; her hind paws churning at his eyes and front paws grabbing at his scruff. The Shadowclan leader howled with surprise and stopped dead, trying to figure out what had landed upon his head. Silverpaw grabbed on as hard as she could to avoid being thrown off with a yelp and scrabbled over his head in a rather undignified manner, feeling her claws dig into something unnatural along the way. Such pained yowls came from Mudstar made her leap off and crouch fearfully where she’d landed where she’d landed. Mudstar slowly turned around to face her and Silverpaw had to stifle a terrified scream. Mudstar’s eyes were clawed out of their sockets and the holes were gaping and bloody. His nose was reduced to nothing, clawed off by Silverpaw’s frantic clawing to reach his back and his muzzle was ripped and torn. “Silverpaw…” He said weakly. Silverpaw crouched and did her best to look like a small clump of fog. Mudstar edged towards her jaws open to reveal broken teeth and a half a stump of a tongue. Silverpaw whimpered softly and pressed closer to the wall of willows that surrounded Shadowclan camp. She was faintly aware that the fighting had ceased and every cat was watching, either in horror or triumph at the unfolding scene. Mudstar opened his jaws wider as if he was about to say something, but a stronger voice interrupted him. “Enough,” Cedarstar mewed commandingly. Mudstar turned around; “Cedarstar,” He begged hoarsely. “Enough! You have been defeated.” Cedarstar growled again. Mudstar opened his jaws even wider; nearly unhinging it, and then he became quiet, crouched down in a tight huddle. Silverpaw stood up and was immediately rammed back down by what looked like a glowing shooting star and a flurry of white patches. Sunpaw and Mossypaw were piled on her panting happily. Silverpaw gasped vigorously, trying her best to shake her sisters off of her. There was a loud scream from Sunpaw and she sprang off quickly. Galepaw and Daisypaw had landed right where Sunpaw had lain. “Good job, furry!” Galepaw purred. “You did very great,” Daisypaw mewed gently from where she was sandwiched under Galepaw. “Thank… OOMPH!!!” Silverpaw yelped. Splashpaw and Beetlepaw had also added themselves into the pile along with a horde of other apprentices. Cedarstar watched, amused, as a pile of joyful apprentices wobbled slightly at the edge the clearing. Mossypaw rolled off of Silverpaw with a happy sigh, bringing the rest of the toppling pile with her. Daisypaw and Galepaw yelped in surprise as they fell off to land right on top of Mossypaw again and a very startled Sunpaw. “Watch it!” Sunpaw squealed, struggling to get free. Silverpaw climbed to her feet and looked around, spotting Mistfur. “Mistfur!” She cried, lunging forward to greet him, but it was too late. Mistfur’s once powerful body was torn with scars and somehow looked small, weak and sickly. Sharpclaw padded from the crowd to touch noses with his mate Cedarstar, purring. Moonfall crouched sadly beside Mistfur, her head lowered until her nose was buried into his pelt and her sleek white fur looked like the leaf-bare snow that her mother had often described to a curious Sunpaw and herself. Silverpaw looked up into the sky, where sun had spilled a milky white dawn, a promising of a new day. A loud cry of “May all four clans gather at the tree for an announcement please!” jolted Silverpaw awake from her thoughts and told her that she had company. Sunpaw and, strangely, Splashpaw, sat beside her, facing a tree where Cedarstar stood. “Thank you,” She began. “I believe that this is a horrible crime and that Shadowclan should she punished.” She said. There was a collective hiss from the Shadowclan cats and much louder mews of agreement from the other three clans. As Cedarstar continued, Silverpaw sighed and rested her head on Sunpaw’s or Splashpaw’s shoulder, she didn’t know or care who, and closed her eyes. Justice was finally being dealt. Epilogue “So, is she the right one?” A voice hissed in the darkness and light respectively. “Oh yes,” The voice in the darkness boomed. The same place where Heronclaw and Flameflower had spoken hadn’t changed a whisker. Broad shoulders and amber eyes appeared in the darkness with brown tabby stripes. The tom padded forward and his whole appearance revealed. His eyes gleamed evilly and coldly despite his yellow amber eyes. “We shall meet again, Firestar.”