Singularity

First place in Dogfood's contest.

Blurb

When leaders cannot handle their nine lives, they burn within.

Allegiances

ThunderClan

Leader: Brackenstar- massive, golden-brown tabby tom with amber eyes.

Deputy: Birdheart- ginger-and-white tom with almond-shaped, green eyes.

Medicine cat: Silvershine- delicate, silver she-cat with white-tipped paws, long fur, and amber eyes.

Warriors:

Foxsong- ginger tabby she-cat with brown eyes.

Tigerfang- brown tom with brown eyes, old for a warrior.

Sorrelleaf- tortoiseshell she-cat with green eyes. Apprentice, Blackpaw.

Whitefur- white tom with brown eyes.

Talonflight- silver-and-white she-cat with a scarred pelt and blue eyes. Apprentice, Spottedpaw.

Suncloud- yellow-ish she-cat with brown eyes.

Mothshade- golden brown ticked she-cat with brown eyes.

Grasswind- brown tom with green eyes.

Stonefall- gray tom with hazel-green eyes.

Apprentices:

Blackpaw- black-and-white tom with brown eyes.

Spottedpaw- tortoiseshell she-cat with green eyes.

Queens:

Robincall- ginger-and-white she-cat with green eyes. Mother to Dawnkit and Sagekit.

Oakleaf- silver tabby she-cat with brown eyes. Mother to Brackenstar's kits, Gullkit, Hawkkit, and Ravenkit.

Kits:

Dawnkit- black she-cat with blue eyes.

Sagekit- black tom with blue eyes.

Gullkit- pale brown tabby tom with amber eyes.

Hawkkit- brown-and-white tom with amber eyes.

Ravenkit- dark brown she-cat with amber eyes.

RiverClan

Leader: Stormstar- silver-and-white she-cat with dark eyes.

Deputy: Salmonclaw- ginger tom with green eyes.

Medicine: Fernbreeze- tortoiseshell she-cat with brown eyes.

Prologue

The earth rolls on its axis, twisting and whirling at speeds too fast to be felt. With a single flap of its wings, the eagle has moved thousands of miles. Unfathomable distances pass underneath the rabbit's feet in the interlude between his jumps and his landings.

The cat, though he sits motionless, is moving, too. He is moving in sync with the ground underneath his feet, moving together with ghostly breaths of the earth. He synchronizes with the stars as they both turn and turn.

His fur is black and glossy, an upright shadow against the hill of dead grass he sits on. The cat does not lack in grace. As his head tips back to view the sky, he is the very picture of stillness in motion. 

Yet when his eyelids flutter open, the eyes beneath are glassy and lifeless. He has seen too much and felt too much. There may be no blood on his paws, but his heart is split open. He is nothing, he merely shoves breath into his mouth and chokes it out. He is pointless, he only waits for the end he craves. 

The stars are spirits, he knows, and watches them twinkle and dance across the sky. But what are they- do they simply float in the sky? Or are they forever made to burn, just for the pleasure of the cats living below?

He knows this will not be her. Her soul is different, too dark for any flame to ignite.

Instead, he looks at the space between the stars- the darkest sky- and knows she is there. Her soul is the space between the bright ones. She turns and twists in on herself, sucking herself into a vacuum. Fighting to breathe even though she is the asphyxiator. She is the churning darkness that folds in on itself until no part will feel the light of day.

He forces himself to keep looking, to let the stars burn into his eyes. He did this to her, made her the self-destroying soul she is. Because he failed to save her from the gifts she was given, and the gifts others tried to take from her.

He destroyed her, because he did not save her from herself.

He closes his eyes and waits for the singularity to take him.

Chapter One

His name was Sagekit, but he didn't matter. It was his sister they cared about.

At first, both were born equals- to an ordinary mother and an ordinary father. Their mother's pregnancy was overshadowed by that of the leader's mate, and while the Clan rejoiced at the Brackenstar's new arrivals, no one gave a second thought to the two black kits born the same day.

His mother- sweet, gentle Robincall- named the son Sagekit. Her daughter, who was black as night, she named Dawnkit.

Brackenstar's children were loud, rambunctious, and playful. By their third moon, they were already the fond nuisances of the Clan. All the warriors breathed sighs of relief when Robincall's litter was of age to play with them. Sagekit and Dawnkit, curious little kits, were soon fast friends with Gullkit, Hawkkit, and Ravenkit.

Dawnkit did play, at first. But there was always something off about her.

" Grr!" Gullkit cried, jumping onto his sister Ravenkit's back. " I'm a badger! I'm gonna eat you up!"

Ravekit squealed and bucked. " Don't, don't!" while Hawkkit and Sagekit jumped up and down excitedly, telling her to shake him off, beat him, let's have badger blood for dinner!

Only Dawnkit remained silent. She watched with her yellow eyes impassive and grim, tail tucked neatly around her paws. Sagekit saw her, and ever concerned for his sister, called out. " Dawnkit, wanna play? Don't be so lonely!"

She looked almost bashful, staring at him shyly, a deer peering through the tangles of a hedge. " I'd like to play, if you'd let me."

The kits cried out in delight, Gullkit leaping off his sister to pretend to stalk Dawnkit. She giggled, tail-tip waving, as he sniffed and crouched in an exaggerated manner. " What's this yummy meal I smell?" he growled.

" Blood!" Dawnkit cried, practically jumping up and down. " You smell blood!"

Gullkit growled in triumph. " Fresh meat! Arghhhh!" he cried, charging her. They fell in a mess of tails and flailing paws, Dawnkit shrieking in laughter.

The rest of the kits cheered, gathering round the wrestling cats. They could her squeals, giggles, and mock growls- all signs of kits at play. But then another sound joined the mix- a snarl. It was dry and fragile, but the menace made the kits uneasy. This sound, they realized, was coming from Dawnkit.

Before they knew what was happening, the black she-cat had pinned Gullkit down, pressing his face into the earth. He was whimpering, crying out: " You win, you win!" but she wouldn't relent.

" Dawnkit," Sagekit called, wary. " The game's over. You won!"

Reluctantly, Dawnkit stepped away. Gullkit sprang to his feet, eyes wild and ears flattened. He stared at his former tormentor, and she held his gaze... but her lip was curled in contempt. " You are soft," she told him. " You cannot understand that sometimes, the prey kills the hunter."

Sagekit blinked. " It's just a game."

" It's a reflection," Dawnkit snapped, turning around to face him. " And you all are too stupid to realize it."

" Dawnkit!" Sagekit cried, but his sister merely snarled once before stalking away.

~

Dawnkit played no more. She spent her time staring in space, brooding.

Robincall asked Sagekit why she spent her time alone. " I don't know," he replied. " She doesn't like playing with us."

Once, as Dawnkit sat alone by the nursery, a patrol rushed in. Their eyes were wild and panicked, and their tails waved wildly until Brackenstar appeared to calm them down. " What happened?" he called, and they told of a mother fox who had attacked them. Robincall made her children go back inside as the gory details played out- the patrol had been forced to kill her children, as they couldn't let them grow up into bigger threats.

A young, yet sharp voice pierced through the discussion. " At what point," Dawnkit said, head tilted to the side. " Do the actions outweigh the consequence?"

" What-" Robincall cried, but Dawnkit cut her off smoothly.

"- At what point does ambition justify itself?"

Robincall, horrified, shoved her daughter back in the nursery.

Sagekit looked up as his sister came stumbling in. Her eyes were glowing with a deep anger, an expression unsettling on a face that should be innocent. She stormed to her nest, flinging herself down amongst the moss.

" What happened?" he asked her, prodding her with his claw. She remained silent for several moments. Sagekit shifted, wondering if he had said something wrong.

Then Dawnkit lifted her head, fixing him with her unblinking stare. " Why do we have bodies, Sagekit?" she frowned. " They do nothing but restrict the mind."

~

The next few days, she silenced even further, sitting by herself and closing her eyes. While Sagekit and the others grew in size, Dawnkit only seemed to get sicklier and thinner.

When Brackenstar's kits were occupied, Sagekit searched for his sister. The leader's litter had heard about her speech, and were scared. They told him all the warriors were talking. Gullkit spoke of a conversation he had overheard.

" Your mom was talking to Brackenstar," he informed Sagekit, scratching his claw at the dirt. " She's worried about Dawnkit. She didn't want her to be an apprentice."

Sagekit was shocked. " Why? Dawnkit is..." he trailed off. Smarter. Better.

" Because she's so sick, and so odd. My father said the whole Clan was 'watching' her, whatever that means."

" Watching?" Sagekit said in alarm.

" Yeah."

So he went too look for his sister, seeking an answer- going to plead her to make herself healthier. He found her in the dark corner behind the nursery, shaking and trembling. As he was about to call out, her eyes flew open and her jaw stretched in what only could have been a scream.

No sound came from her throat.

" Dawnki-"

His sister gave another one of her silent screams, and then turned and sank her fangs into her own shoulder.

As he was about to shriek- her eyes fixed on his. " Get me out," she cried. " Get me out of here!"

" I can't-"

" Get me out!" she screamed, shaking, contorting, breaking-

" Stop!" he yowled, rushing at her and pinning her down. She fought him savagely, snarling and growling murder in her baby voice while he pressed his claws against her throat. Anything, anything to make her stop.

" I don't know what I'd rather do," she said suddenly, brokenly. " Die, or have my mind forever trapped in this body."

Her words chilled him. " Don't say that," he begged her. " Don't, you don't mean it-"

" I do," she replied softly. " It's just that you cannot understand."

Sagekit shook his head. " If they hear you talking this way, they'll keep you in camp forever. It'll stop you from being bored, won't it, going outside?"

Dawnkit blinked. " I will try."

And thus, Dawnkit surrendered herself, and as Dawnpaw she was born anew.

Chapter Two

Sagepaw was assigned to a lively she-cat, a ginger tabby bursting with energy. Her name was Foxsong, and by the time he'd made it to the camp exit, he could swear she'd already run twenty laps around him. 

" You are going to be fantastic," she chirped, eyes wide. " I just know it!"

Maybe so, he thought. But the whole Clan only cared about one apprentice. A scrawny, black she-cat with electrifying eyes. Throughout the ceremony, he'd been watching. He and the leader's kits sat with their chests puffed out, and Dawnpaw seemed to be swallowed by their mere shadows. But he'd sensed it- the eyes of the cats below drawn to her, and the slight falter in the leader's voice when he named her apprentice.

They were all wondering about the kit who asked questions she shouldn't have. The kit who knew more than she should.

Sagepaw watched her now, walking alongside her mentor. He didn't understand why Brackenstar had chosen Tigerfang- one of the oldest cats in the Clan- to mentor her. But he was pleased to see her eyes shining- and for once, she didn't seem to be boiling over with anger and frustration. 

He sensed it, of course- the unconscious step backwards Gullpaw, Hawkpaw, and Ravenpaw took. She must have known too- there she stood, tiny against Tigerfang's massive brown side, but her stare came up to meet every single of theirs. Sagepaw could have sworn Foxsong flinched. 

" So," Tigerfang rumbled, voice like crackling leaves. " Are you ready to see the territory for the first time?"

Sagepaw's heart sped up. " Yes!" he cried, joined by the other three apprentices as well. He looked down at Dawnpaw and was surprised, and a bit unsettled, to see her eyes closed. 

" Let's get a move on, then!" Foxsong cried, jumping onto all fours, tail raised in excitement. " Follow me, come on, we're going fast!"

Fast, Sagepaw reflected, was an understatement. Foxsong rocketed out of camp, and within moments his legs were burning up. Dawnpaw had been by his side, skinny legs moving fast to keep up, but she'd dropped back. Sagepaw wanted to worry about his sister, but something about running was awakening. He followed his Clanmates until Foxsong slowed down to an abrupt stop. 

" How was that, eh?" she said, panting lightly. " This'll be easy in no time. We'll take it slow for now, but make sure you keep running whenever you get the chance. Now- you see this tree? If you get lost, come back here and I'll find you."

Sagepaw and the apprentices nodded. Foxsong began to walk, but Sagepaw stayed back. " Wait!" he called. " My sister-"

"-she'll catch up," Foxsong replied, though by her tone it was clear she hoped Dawnpaw wouldn't. " Now come on, we won't wait for you."

~

The world was beautiful, and its sheer complexity turned Sagepaw's mind. Gullpaw, Ravenpaw, and Hawkpaw looked a bit overwhelmed as well when they stopped for a rest.

Foxsong stepped forwards, tail waving behind her. " You guys are looking great- ready for the next part?" she barely paused for breath before continuing. " We're going to do a pretest, sort of, in your hunting skills. You're going to be partnered up and we will assess you- just to gain a base for where we should start teaching. Now-"

She paused. The grass to her left flattened, and out stepped Dawnpaw and Tigerfang.

Sagepaw felt a rush of relief- she was such a thin, sickly thing. He had feared something bad had happened to her. His joy was overshadowed by unease as Foxsong's fur rose uncertainly. Next to him, Gullkit took a step away from Dawnpaw.

And his little sister simply stared at them all- blue eyes wide and all-knowing, all-encompassing. She knows, Sagepaw realized. She knows they fear her. And she doesn't mind it at all.

" Well!" Foxsong chirped out, unnecessarily bright. " We have five now, so someone has to go alone. Who is that brave soul?"

Ravenpaw stepped forwards, her amber eyes glinting. " Me!"

" Great!" Foxsong said. " And you four- partner up, quickly now."

It wasn't really a question- Gullpaw and Hawkpaw plastered themselves to each other, and Sagepaw had already turned to his sister. Tigerfang nudged her in his direction- since when did she allow others to touch her?- and she came. Sagepaw purred absently as she approached, aware of Gullpaw and Hawkpaw disappearing into the forest.

"So..." he coughed. Dawnpaw was staring at the sky, eerily still. " Let's head down by Sunningrocks. Across from RiverClan."

In response, she switched her gaze from the sky to him. It was unsettling, and Sagepaw decided to take it as an affirmation. " Right, then. Let's go."

They padded along in silence. Sagepaw didn't mind, as he was concentrated on remembering the way to Sunningrocks. He'd never been one for much concentration anyway... and silence with his sibling was natural. 

" This is good," Dawnpaw announced, and he jumped. She affected not to notice. " Thank you, Sagepaw. This is interesting, and I am bored no longer. My mind has been stimulated."

He frowned, looking up from his tracking. His sister's eyes were sparkling with... happiness? " What?"

" Stimulated. Alive."

" So you're not bored...?"

Dawnpaw nodded. " It's complicated out here- so many systems, so much happening. Lots of layers, not like our stale, stifling camp- there is the bird layer, the mouse layer, the plant layer... all of these threads, woven together. I cannot unravel-"

"- weaving? Unravel?" Sagepaw questioned, thoroughly confused. 

"- I cannot unravel them!" she burst out into a shriek, and he flinched. " If I- no, oh no- my mind must stop. Stop. Stop stop stop stop stop..."

" What's going on?" Sagepaw cried, his mind flashing back to her self-harm last moon. 

Dawnpaw's eyes were wide and anguished. " I am beginning to understand," she whispered hoarsely. She looked upwards. Sagepaw's eyes followed and moments later, a bird took off into the air. " See?"

Sagepaw's stomach was churning. He was beginning to understand what she meant. " Don't worry," he lied. " There is more to the outside than the bird system."

Dawnpaw was quivering, and the hopelessness in her eyes made his heart wrench. " There has to be. For if I unravel all the threads, there is nothing but shapeless string before me." Dawnpaw sighed, looking back up at him. " So- we are supposed to be hunting?"

Sagepaw nodded, glad they were back on a normal subject. " Yeah. I want to hunt on Sunningrocks, you know, near the river. I think it'll be cool." He lowered his head, finally finding the scent from earlier in the day. " This way."

His sister followed, observing him curiously. " I want to see RiverClan," she said.

" Why?" Sagepaw frowned, before his expression cleared again. " Look- look at that!"

Spread before them were gleaming brown stones, glinting in the golden light of the sun. The river stretched past them like the languid tail of a cat. It glittering and shone, surface caught between gray and blue. 

" Beauty," Dawnpaw said softly, and Sagepaw nodded in his agreement. Both apprentices scurried down to the rocks, tails streaming out behind them. The young, black cats darted around excitedly, exploring the new world set before them. Sagepaw darted off to see what he could find to hunt, while Dawnpaw stayed facing RiverClan's island. She didn't move, she became a silent, black shadow. She watched, she saw, and around her moved all the threads she had talked about, all the systems she wanted to (not) figure out.

And then, through the perfect silence of the world, broke out a bloodcurdling scream.

Sagepaw whirled around, and the shrew he'd been stalking bolted away. His heart froze- the scream had been from his sister. He ran as fast as his legs could possible carry him, a thousand unspeakable thoughts running through his head. 

" Dawnpaw!" he shrieked. " Dawnpaw, are you-"

He skidded to a halt. She was standing upright, staring out at RiverClan's islands, appearing fine. But when he looked closer, he could see her shaking like a leaf. Her jaw was stretched wide, another silent scream, and her eyes were popping. 

" I can see..." she croaked, and her words sent chills down his spine. " I know. Sagepaw, they are all going to-!"

Her eyes rolled back in her head and she crumpled to the ground.

It was Sagepaw's turn to scream.

~

There was confusion in camp when they arrived. Robincall had to be restrained from rushing to her daughter's side. Sagepaw sat by his unconscious sister's head, flattening his ears to block out the noise around him. Silvershine, the medicine cat, had to shove her way through.

" Help my sister," he begged her. 

But Silvershine was already at work, white-tipped paws working at a prodigious rate. Sagepaw backed up to give her room, and felt a large body bump into his. 

" You said she spoke?" the body- Brackenstar- demanded. Sagepaw tore his gaze from his sister and looked up. Brackenstar's amber eyes were serious. " And she was facing RiverClan? What did she say?"

Sagepaw forced himself to clear the numb fog around his mind. " S-she, I don't know. All I heard was a scream, and when I came running I found her staring out at RiverClan. She said something about 'understanding', and that we were 'all going to' something."

" All going to what?"

" She didn't finish."

Brackenstar opened his mouth to reply, but a hacking cough distracted him. Dawnpaw was sitting up, thin sides heaving. " Dawnpaw!" Sagepaw cried joyfully. His sister did not return the emotion, however, and her blue eyes were deadly serious. The noise around them dimmed. Brackenstar and Sagepaw leaned in to hear her speak.

" I understand, Sagepaw," she cried, and there was a tremor in her voice. " You all- you all be warned! Something terrible is about to happen. Something unspeakable." 

Sagepaw's breath caught in his throat. " What?"

" They're coming!" suddenly, she broke into a shriek. " RiverClan is coming, Brackenstar! They are going to take Sunningrocks, you need to do something, now!"

Alarmed, Brackenstar leaned closer. " When? How do you know?"

Dawnpaw closed her eyes. " I saw. Their position on the shore. Tomorrow at dawn they will come, take Sunningrocks. And then you all will die, drop dead like flies. Turn the ground red, red with blood, red, red, red..."

Brackenstar looked up at Silvershine, horror apparent in his gaze. " Is this Prophecy?"

" No," the medicine cat said tightly. " StarClan would tell no one this- they do not favour among Clans."

Distressed wailing broke out behind them. ThunderClan cats cried out in confusion, clamoring for Brackenstar to do something... 

" What do I do?" Brackenstar asked.

" Save yourself," Dawnpaw begged. " Save them. Live."

Sagepaw cleared his throat. " She knows this, Brackenstar," he said quietly. " This is not imagination or speculation. She knows."

" Better to be falsehood than murder at dawn," he said finally, calling out to the Clan. " I need five cats to come with me to Sunningrocks. Birdheart, my deputy, watch the Clan. I will return at dawn."

He left. Robincall attempted to calm her agitated daughter, but Dawnpaw would only respond to Sagepaw. They retired for the night, but no one could sleep. ThunderClan was wide, wide awake.

~

At dawn, there were no battle cries. There was no bloodshed. 

Instead, Brackenstar and five cats came in. Their eyes were wide, hearts numb, and minds confused beyond belief.

" She was right," the leader croaked. " The apprentice was right."

~

" I was right," the apprentice breathed. " I was right." 

Sagepaw stared at his sister, unsure of what to think, of what to feel. Who was this creature beside him? 

Dawnpaw turned to him, and her face was lit with a crazy light. He saw in her expression pure joy and awe, emotions he'd never seen her express. " It is done, brother," she laughed. " I have unraveled the cat system."

Chapter Three

It changed her, being right. The transformation was almost instantaneous, and Sagepaw barely recognized his own sister.

She woke that morning, after they'd been allowed to sleep her. Her frantic prodding opened his eyes, and he saw her bright blue ones sparkling with excitement. " Wake up, brother," she hissed. " Your sleep cycle is complete."

Sagepaw felt a flash of annoyance as he was jolted from warm, soft sleep. " What?"

" The day has begun, and I am the hero," Dawnpaw's eyes sparkled. " You see, now? My mind has proved itself worthy- finally, I am no addle-brained kit. They will respect me."

" What- Dawnpaw, stop," he growled. " Some of them might not... like this. Don't be too taken back if they treat you oddly."

Dawnpaw's eyes narrowed. " You mean that they won't appreciate someone younger than them knowing more."

" I'm saying that it's not- normal," Sagepaw sighed. " For you to know all this."

" No, it is not," she hissed back. " Do you realize what I have done? I have outsmarted an entire Clan- I merely looked across the river and I knew. I outsmarted cats who have lived for moons more than me, seasons, even. ThunderClan will respect me. They have to."

A cold chill spread up his spine at her words. Who was this cat- where was his sweet, curious sister? " Just be careful. Have a thick skin, don't be offended if they don't start worshipping the ground at your feet," Sagepaw growled, standing up to leave. He paused before exiting the den, nervous of what he might find outside.

Taking a deep breath, he ducked out of the den exit and found camp to be completely and utterly-

Normal. 

Sagepaw gaped openly. Did they forget about what had happened? Or were they already so accepting of Dawnpaw's intellect?

" Sagepaw!" a sharp voice cut through the gentle murmur of camp. He looked up- Foxsong was approaching. " There you are! I know you probably stayed up late last night, but are you ready to train now?"

He eyed her cautiously. " I'm ready. But I'm still kinda shocked, from, you know..." he said, trying to test her.

Foxsong looked momentarily confused before her eyes brightened. " Oh, you mean your sister's prediction! Don't worry about it. It can be pretty hard to get used to, having an unusual sibling, but she'll be respected. After all, she's being given one of the highest positions in the Clan."

" W-what?" Sagepaw stammered.

Foxsong looked bemused. " You really are tired, aren't you? She has the power of prophecy. She'll be training as the medicine cat's apprentice!"

Oh. Oh my StarClan- " T-that's not-" he began.

"- come on, Sagepaw, let's train," Foxsong was already darting away. He stared at her retreating back and closed his eyes briefly. Sagepaw turned to look back at the den, and let out a heavy sigh.

Suddenly, he was overcome with annoyance. Why did he always have to clean up Dawnpaw's messes? Let her figure this one out on her own, he thought visciously to himself. Filled (guiltily) with spite, the apprentice darted after his mentor.

~  

A new chill laced the air, Sagepaw noted, as he raced alongside Foxsong. His mentor's long, graceful steps caused her to easily outpace him. Sagepaw's smaller legs churned desperately at the earth, the now-familiar burn spreading through his chest.

At last, Foxsong slowed. Sagepaw skidded to a halt, breathing heavily. He felt another cat stop beside him and looked up to find himself staring into Ravenpaw's warm brown eyes.

" You sound like a sheep," she informed him, then shoved him with her shoulder as she breezed by. He stumbled a bit but found himself staring stupidly after her, a strange heat on his flank where she had touched him. I must look like a total idiot. I wonder what Dawnpaw would say if she- 

At once his stomach plummeted. Where was his sister? How would she react to her Clan's new belief about her?

"- we'll be working on battle moves today," Foxsong's voice snapped him back to reality. " The basic stuff! You guys are going to be so good- I'm so excited!" she bounced on her paws a bit. " So go on, partner up! Two per..." she trailed off. 

Dawnpaw and Tigerfang stepped out into the clearing. The young apprentice held her black head high. Her electric stare met Sagepaw's, and he felt a stab of irritation. So she can just waltz in here when she wants? Is she too good for us, now? " Hello." Dawnpaw said softly.

Tigerfang moved to rest his tail on Dawnpaw's shoulders- but she moved imperceptibly so his tail only brushed her flank. " We've come to train," he rumbled. " Aren't you doing battle moves today?"

Sagepaw's eyes narrowed. No one else seemed to have noticed his sister's avoidance of her mentor. Last time she'd seemed so happy to have found someone of her intellect- now she didn't even want Tigerfang near her?

" We are," Foxsong flattened her ears. " She isn't- how many times do I have to explain this? You're her mentor, surely you've been informed."

" Informed about what?" Tigerfang growled. But Dawnpaw wasn't confused. She let out a sharp sound that was half-growl, half-sigh. Foxsong and the other apprentice visibly flinched. 

" Are you all so dense?" she cried out. " What is in your skull- frog intestines? I do not have the power of prophecy!"

Sagepaw could see her shivering and stepped towards her, pressing against her flank. She showed no sign of acknowledging his presence. 

" Yes, you do!" Foxsong growled. " See, you knew what I was going to say before I spoke. You belong in the medicine den, not out here. Stay away from us, stop interrupting my training session- you and your freakish powers!"

Tigerfang opened his mouth to speak, but Dawnpaw cut him off. " You think that." her voice was steely calm, but Sagepaw could still feel her muscles tremble against him. " Convince yourself, but fool none- fool others, convince yourself! Dizzying, dizzy me, from trees to heaven to sky within or below or above- the groundhog's burrow!"

Shocked silence in the clearing. " Dawnpaw-" Sagepaw began.

She tore herself away from him. " You all cannot comprehend- cannot fathom me!" Her fiery gaze swept across the cats. Foxsong curled her lip and determinedly turned her back.

" Pairs, now!" she said, voice only quavering slightly. Galvanized into action, the three apprentices sprung to their feet. Ravenpaw moved towards Sagepaw and nudged his cheek with her nose. 

" You're with me, woolface," she taunted lightly. Sagepaw purred weakly back. 

As the apprentices left the clearing, he risked a glance back at his sister. Her form was taut, eyes narrowed and staring with a bone-chilling coldness at the other cats. Suddenly, her eyes met his, and Sagepaw knew the true meaning of fear.

~

His dark mood soon evaporated as he engrossed himself in training. Sagepaw had never considered himself very tough or strong- he was skinny and slight, just like Dawnpaw. But now he found himself at an advantage. His speed and agility allowed him to outmaneuver Ravenpaw, and soon the dark brown she-cat was pinned under his paws. 

" Looks like I win," he taunted. She growled and shoved him off, sending him stumbling a few paces backwards. He began to worry that he'd offended her, but she turned around with a mischevious twinkle in her eyes.

" Race you back!" she called over her shoulder.

" Hey!" Sagepaw laughed, sprinting after her. Together, they wove through the trees, paws springing off the dappled grass. A few paces ahead of him, Ravenpaw tripped over a fallen log and went tumbling down in the dirt. Sagepaw let out a triumphant yowl as he sailed past her, but the she-cat tackled him down and went racing ahead of him. They kept running until Ravenpaw skidded through the camp entrance, letting out a triumphant whoop. 

" I win!" she crowed. Sagepaw stopped beside her, breathing heavily but with a strange lightness in his chest. He hadn't felt this way for so long, he hadn't been-

Happy. 

His eyes widened. Had he really not felt joy since his kithood?

" Sagepaw." he recognized Gullpaw's voice from behind him. The others must have caught up. " Sagepaw, isn't that your sister?"

" Isn't who my sister- what is..." he looked up, and trailed off. There was a commotion in camp, right outside the leader's den. Now he could hear angry shouting voices, and one he recognized was his sister's. The little black she-cat stood facing Brackenstar. Silvershine and Robincall stood beside both of them, the two she-cats wearing identical looks of confusion on their faces. 

" What's going on?" Foxsong growled, shoving her way forwards. " Oh, her." 

Her. Sagepaw felt his hackles rise at the annoyance in his mentor's tone. He raced away, hearing the others call out to him- but whatever happened to his sister was his business as well. 

All four cats looked up at he reached them. Brackenstar and Silvershine looked faintly annoyed, while Robincall moved closer to him. Dawnpaw gave no indication that she acknowleged his presence. " What's going on?" he panted.

" Your sister is refusing to accept her new destiny," Brackenstar growled. " Dawnpaw, you cannot train with the others any more. You have a different path- your powers of prophecy are unlike any I have ever seen-"

"- that is because they are not prophecy!" Dawnpaw growled. " I have told you this countless times, why can you not understand? I know. My brain proccesses information. I have a two-step thinking process, while you only have one- can you not comprehend this?" The look she gave him was the way a mother looks at a quarrelsome child. 

" It's true, Brackenstar," Sagepaw said, internally quivering under his leader's stare. " Dawnpaw can figure things out you and I can't. She's very inteliigent, more than probably anyone in this forest." 

" Is that so?" Brackenstar growled. " You expect me to believe a six moon old kit knows more than me? More than 'anyone?"

Dawnpaw growled. " Yes I do! Open your eyes, you oaf!" 

A guttural snarl tore from Brackenstar's throat " You know nothing! StarClan has given you powers- you belong in the medicine den, not stumbling around like a rabid badger. Keep your filthy paws out of the apprentice's den, and your disgusting hide away from us, you freak!"

Sagepaw's stomach was frozen with horror. An ugly, twisted silence settled over the fives cats. By now, others had gathered around them and low, anxious murmurs broke out through the crowd. 

The first cat to move was Dawnpaw. She did not shake, and the look in her eyes was of pure, raw contempt. The little back cat rose to her paws and cast her shadow across the entire Clan. 

" How dare you." Dawnpaw growled. Her sharp voice echoed through the trees, through the clearing, and up to the sky. " How dare you put StarClan above me- with my mind I could chart their movements for decades and centuries long after you die! Long after everyone in this clearing is nothing but rotten, maggot-infested bones!" 

No one moved- she had stolen their voices from them with a single freezing look. 

" If it was merely prophecy, Brackenstar, I could tell you that in ten years a tornado will come through and destroy our home. If I just had prophecy, I could tell you one of your children will develop a life-threatening disese before they reach their sixteenth- no, seventeenth- moon. I could tell you that you will lose two of your lives to the same cat, and you will never know who it is. All this I could tell you with prophecy." 

" But I don't have prophecy, I don't have some half-baked story some supposed star-cats give me. I know it all! Every crystal clear detail... I need no riddle to teach me! Look- look up!" she cried, and Sagepaw did. An large bird suddenly swooped across the the tree tops. " Could I know that?" 

" Or this! A snake will slither from the boulders at the edge of camp- and a branch will fall, crushing it. Two pigeons will fly to escape it, and then one of the Twolegs' metal birds will cross our upward field of vision. And then- and then you will hear battle cries, and ShadowClan cat will race through this entrance to tell you RiverClan has declared war. Count to five, now. Five, four, three, two one-"

A sharp scream broke out from behind them. Hawkpaw was frozen in terror, staring at a writhing coil of brown, hissing skin-

- a crack and then a thud as a tree branch came hurling down-

- the sick sound of bones snapping-

-the squawk of frightened birds-

- a loud whirring, and as Sagepaw looked up he saw a grey, metal bird-

- and then a faint caterwauling-

- a pause-

-  is she wrong?-

-  a thunder of pawsteps as a marsh cat came rushing through the entrance, panting wildly-

" We've been attacked, we need your help! RiverClan has declared war!" 

Dead, shocked silence in camp. 

" So you see, Brackenstar," Dawnpaw said, eyes lit with a maniacal glow. " I do not have the power of prophecy. I have so much more."

Then her eyes rolled back into her head and she fell to the floor.

~

If Dawnpaw had not forewarned him, Brackenstar said, he would have wasted precious time asking questions to the ShadowClan warrior. 

Had he wasted that time and not sent aid when he did, countless lives would have been lost. 

She was hero- not only to Brackenstar, but to an entire Clan as well.

So he named her when she woke on her seventh moon- Wisethought. 

Some cheered, others muttered darkly under their breaths, but Sagepaw was the only one that sat in silence. When his mother asked him why he recalled the words she had spoken not too long ago.

How dare you put StarClan above me. 

Chapter Four

The moons began to whirl by, each season flowing into the next. As Sagepaw trained, throwing blow after blow to his practice post, ThunderClan began to prepare for war. They weren't directly involed, per se, but it wasn't long before RiverClan discovered ThunderClan was backing their enemy.

And as Sagepaw trained, he saw less and less of his sister who was reveling in her new warrior's status. She'd come to him the moments after, bright-eyed and so happy his heart warmed to her despite his misgivings. 

" It's happened, Sagepaw," the small cat who came barely to his shoulder said. " I'm where my mind belongs."

And he wanted that for her- happiness. Sometimes they'd pass each other, him with his fellow apprentices, she on patrol predicting the possible movements of their enemies. 

For a while she was content, and so was the Clan- gradually, they adjusted to Wisethought and some even grew proud of her. But this peace was not meant to last long.

~

" Well done, Sagepaw," a voice cut into his frenzied thoughts. Sagepaw looked up from where Ravenpaw was pinned under his claws. It'd been difficult, but he'd finally beaten his main rival. Foxsong's eyes were glowing with approval.    " You've gotten so strong. I'm so proud of you."  

A warm feeling ballooned in Sagepaw's chest. He was about to thank her when Ravenpaw wrenched herself free and sent him sprawling into the dirt. 

" That was one time, little squirt," she taunted. " Savour this moment because it'll never come again."

Sagepaw flicked a handful of dirt into her face. " Whatever." 

As Ravenpaw spluttered, Sagepaw turned his attention to a rustling in the bushes behind them. His heart leapt in joy as two black ears emerged, followed by a pair of sparkling blue eyes.

" Dawn- Wisethought!" he cried, bolting to her side. She purred, stepping aside for the other cats in her patrol to step out of the bushes. Silver-furred Oakleaf who was Brackenstar's mate, along with Mothshade and Suncloud. Sagepaw felt a burst of pride that Dawnpaw was leading such renowned, senior warriors. 

" Hey!" Foxsong greeted Mothshade, her sister. " You guys patrolling the RiverClan border?" 

" We're about to, yeah," Mothshade said in her deep, gravelly voice. The ticked she-cat gestured to the other apprentices with her head. " You done training 'em?" 

" Almost. Why?"

" I think it'd be nice for them to come along on a real patrol. Experience it, you know. They're due for their ceremonies in less than a moon now."

Ravenpaw, Gulllpaw, and Hawkpaw bounced on their feet, standing next to their mother Oakleaf. " Please," Ravenpaw begged. " It'll be fun!"

" Yeah!" Sagepaw chimed in, earning himself a warm look and purr from Ravenpaw. He felt Dawnpaw stiffen next to him and frowned. " C'mon, Foxsong."

The ginger tabby sighed. " Fine," she said, but her voice was drowned out by their delighted squeals. With Sagepaw and Dawnpaw at the head, the patrol took off through the forest. 

Sagepaw looked over at his sister in surprise as they ran. He was hit by a sudden blow of realization. Her skinny frame had filled out with muscle, and now her heart was strong. She could keep up with him effortlessly. He felt another burst of pride and a bit of sadness that he'd been so distant from her he'd missed seeing this change. 

" So..." Sagepaw began, struggling to find something casual to speak to her about. Dawnpaw- she wasn't even Dawnpaw any more, she was a warrior!- looked over, blue eyes as intense and striking as they'd always been." How's... stuff?" 

His sister skirted around a root that was barely visible under a thick tangle of grass. " Enjoyable. Finally, I am where I belong."

" You mean with warriors?"

" I mean with those that rightfully respect me," Dawnpaw said, and Sagepaw detected a hint of smugness in her voice. " So far, I have predicted twenty-three attacks, of which eighteen actually happened. In this eighteen, fifteen were prevented and three could have been but my advice was not taken quickly enough." 

Sagepaw narrowed his eyes. " Oh. That's nice."

His sister did not reply. They reached Sunningrocks in silence, and Dawnpaw nimbly leapt down the tan rocks to stand at the shoreline. Sagepaw and the apprentices hung back as the rest of her patrol followed. 

The three senior warriors lined up behind Dawnpaw and he could hear them, faintly. 

" What do you see?" Oakleaf rumbled. Dawnpaw held up her tail for silence and Oakleaf obeyed. The young black cat peered into the distance, and Sagepaw pictured her blue eyes darkening as she focused. 

" The patrol is thin today," she said. " Few cats- but very alert. See the small brown one? She is still an apprentice and is on patrol, I remember her from the Gathering, so their main warriors must be at camp..."

There was silence. Then, a loud screech from Dawnpaw. " They're coming! And this time, they're bringing WindClan with them!" 

Sagepaw's heart leapt into his chest. He turned around to see Ravenpaw's amber eyes widen in shock. The warriors on Sunningrocks let out hisses of disbelief. 

" What?!" Oakleaf growled. " How can you make that leap in logic?"

Dawnpaw curled her lip right back. " Do you need me to explain it to you? It's so simple- the warriors must be back at camp, and you can pick up the slightest scent-"

" Listen. We've put up with some ridiculous ones before, but this tops it. Mintstar is an ally, there's no way she'd betray us like that. She promised to stay out of the war."

" Listen to me!" Dawnpaw spat. " I know this. I know more than you, any of you! Why can't you admit-"

"- admit what?" Oakleaf snarled right back. " Yes, you're 'smarter'. Yes, Brackenstar trusts you to lead us. But in no way does that make you entitled to special treatement. We question you the same way we'd question any warrior, so grow up, little Wisethought, and deal with it." 

Her words were carefully aimed rocks thrown at Dawnpaw's sensitive spots. Sagepaw could see his sister's now-strong body tense up. Her head rose and her blue eyes crackled with furious lightning. Sagepaw could not help but feel fear in his belly, he was in awe of how Oakleaf stood her ground. The senior warrior did speak the truth, Sagepaw realized. But Dawnpaw wasn't going to accept that. 

He began to pick his way down the rocks. Mothshade looked up and frowned slightly, as he knew he wasn't welcomed here. But he was the only one Dawnpaw would listen to (and mostly speak to) these days. 

" There are flaws in your arguement. You know why Brackenstar trusts me? Because I smarter, better, than all of you! So perhaps you should focus on warning him and saving your Clanmates lives, instead of trying to preserve your fragile ego!" Dawnpaw was trembling with rage. Sagepaw nearly laughed at the ridiculous irony in her words. Save lives? She wanted this for the glory. Ego? That was what fed her. He found himself suddenly filled with contempt for this creature beside him. Where was his sweet, inquisitive sister? Where was Dawnpaw- what had Wisethought done to her?

A tense silence followed. Sagepaw hurriedly cut in despite knowing it was not his place. He could not bear to hear any more. " Why don't you see Brackenstar, Wisethought? If you convince the highest command, we can prevent the attack faster." 

The warriors around her began to nod. Oakleaf merely gave a tense nod, abruptly swinging around and racing back the way they'd come. Dawnpaw, without a second glance at her brother, took off. Suncloud followed and so did the training group. Mothshade, however, hung back with Sagepaw. 

" You gave her a command and she listened," the massive golden warrior commented dryly. " That automatically makes you supreme ruler of the universe." 

That's what she thinks she is, Sagepaw growled to himself, but instead simply remarked " She's my sister."

" Sometimes I forget she's mortal enough to have any kin," Mothshade said, making her way up the rocks. " You'd better come with us- I have feeling she's going to get 'emotional', and you're the only one who can keep her in check."

~

As expected, Dawnpaw drew a lot of attention to herself when she came storming into camp. 

Sagepaw ran in behind, fast enough to see cats scatter before her. Their eyes were mixtures of fear and awe. 

" Is that her?" Robincall's new litter cried. Sagepaw turned to look at his half-siblings. His mother hadn't disclosed the name of the father, but his happiness for her outweighed any jealousy he may have felt. 

" I need to see Brackenstar!" Dawnpaw called out. " Now." Her voice cut through camp and sliced into the leaders den. Within moments, Brackenstar emerged and his ginger-and-white deputy Birdheart followed. Dawnpaw. Sagepaw, and the warrirors of Dawnpaw's patrol came to meet them and ducked back inside the den, shielded from the anxious crowd around them. 

" What happened?" Brackenstar said, eyes fixed worriedly on Dawnpaw. Before she could speak, Birdheart cut in. 

" Oakleaf," he said coldly. " What happened?" 

An uncomfortably silence settled on the room. Sagepaw swore his sister's eyes turned to ice as she met Birdheart's green gaze, seething. They've clashed before.  Oakleaf paid her no notice and began to speak. 

" Our patrol reached Sunningrocks, which is where Wisethought usually makes her observations. Today, she concluded that an attack was coming- a perfectly reasonable thing to say- but then went on to add that WindClan was assisting them. Our allies."

Brackenstar looked at his mate in confusion. " And what was your problem with this? She has rarely been wrong."

" Not rarely- never." Dawnpaw cut in. 

" Silence. Let the warriors talk," Birdheart hissed. Sagepaw flattened his ears, cringing inwardly at the insult. 

Oakleaf's eyes widened in disbelief. " What's wrong? WindClan are our allies- to suggest they have turned on us is horrible. And if we make the wrong move, we could ruin that alliance anyway."

" That's right. ShadowClan has backed out- they can't afford to risk lives over this war, they're neutral territory. But as we all know RiverClan is using them as an ally anyway. If we lost WindClan too, we would be at a serious disadvantage. We would loose." Birdheart's voice was dark as he spoke. 

Instead of agreeing with his deputy, Brackenstar looked torn. Sagepaw watched in astonished as, with a helpless look on his face, Brackenstar turned to Dawnpaw. " What do you think?"

In response, Dawnpaw let out an outraged, strangled noise. " This is war, you fools! The mind is not so one-dimensional, friendships change, loyalties shift, as new benefits are offered and new rewards reaped. What have you promised WindClan? How do you know RiveClan has not given more?"

" Are you saying RiverClan bought them over?" Birdheart sneered. Oakleaf let out a disbelieving snort. Sagepaw, despite his anger at Dawnpaw, was getting ready to defend her. 

Dawnpaw took a deep breath. When she spoke, her voice was quivering with the effort of restraining her temper. " Yes. Allegiances can change. At the Gathering, Mintstar looked weak and thin- did you not notice the bones sticking from her pelt? When Tigerfang and I tried to speak to her, she was so distant and exhausted she couldn't respond coherently. WindClan is likely starving. If RiverClan promised them food, what would you expect them to do?"

Sagepaw nodded. He heard Suncloud murmur something approving in the background, and Brackenstar himself was nodding along. Birdheart observed Brackenstar's approving expression in shock. 

" You're buying this?" he demanded. " Listening to a- a kit instead of your deputy? Instead of Oakleaf, your senior warrior- your mate?" 

Dawnpaw hissed. " I am not a kit."

Brackenstar dropped his head, then raised it again. The fur on his neck rose. " Remember your place! I choose whom I believe to be right- and that is Wisethought. Her intellect has never failed us. Wisethought, what do you propose we do?"

Sagepaw gaped. He's asking her for advice? A dark look crossed Birdheart's face. 

" Well... first, send two patrols. One two WindClan, one to RiverClan, and inquire about each Clan to the other. If you notice discomfort or evasive replies, I am probably correct. If WindClan and RiverClan are planning an attack together, they will likely strike from the east. Position heavy patrols there- the sight is likely to discourage them from attacking," she said, eyes sparkling. 

Brackenstar nodded. " Very well. Birdheart, you lead one, and Oakleaf, you take the other. Mothshade, lead the third patrol. Meeting dismissed."

~

Dawnpaw and Birdheart exchanged dirty looks as they left. Sagepaw hurried to his sister's side. 

" What's happened between you and Birdheart?" he demanded. " And Oakleaf? They're so... aggressive towards you."

Dawnpaw abrutply sat down, causing Sagepaw to nearly trip over her. " I am better and more favoured by Brackenstar. They are jealous and find me to be a threat to their position."

Sagepaw frowned. " Do all senior warriors feel that way towards you?"

" Most." Dawnpaw let out a frustrated sigh. " This is the irony of it all. I am finally able to use my intellect, but I must fight and argue over it constantly. This incident you saw? This happens every day. I constantly. Have. To prove myself. And I- ugh!" she made a grotesque sound with her throat and stabbed her claws into the dirt. 

As she drew in shaky, angry breaths, Sagepaw rested a tail on her shoulder. He looked into her eyes and felt his hardened heart soften a bit. She was still so vulnerable and afraid. " At least you aren't so bored anymore."

Wrong thing to say. Dawnpaw lashed her tail furiously. " I am bored, Sagepaw! So bored. Remember the systems I was telling you about? I have unraveled it- unraveled the cat system. So now there is nothing left to do except spend my time proving myself to lesser beings."

" Lesser beings!"

Dawnpaw narrowed her eyes. " Yes, 'lesser beings'. Incompetent, stupid, lesser beings like Birdheart and Oakleaf. So unintelligent they should be... removed."

Her words settled over Sagepaw like cold water. Before he could speak, however, Ravenpaw's voice interrupted him. 

" Everything okay?" the brown she-cat said, amber eyes flicking worriedly from him to his sister. Dawnpaw turned her cold stare on Ravenpaw but did not reply. Instead, a half-smirk grew on her face. 

" Oh, yeah," Sagepaw assured her. He grinned. " How are you faring after I- how to say this- destroyed you?"

Ravenpaw rolled her eyes. " Destroyed? Did you just add that word to your itty-bitty vocabulary?"

" No, but I just added 'defeat' to yours."

Dawnpaw was watching the exchange in a cold, calculating stare. Sagepaw turned to look at her was startled by her curious expression. She looked as though she were watching something that was highly entertaining, but below her.

" I'm going to get something to eat," Ravenpaw announced. " Come join me, Sagepaw?"

" For sure."

Ravenpaw purred. " Bye, Dawnpaw!" she called, but received no response and left anyway. 

Sagepaw narrowed his eyes in disapproval at his sister. " Why didn't you say something back?"

" I don't speak to lesser beings," she sniffed, before turning her stare on him. " You are attached to her, Sagepaw."

He stared at Ravenpaw's distant figure and felt a warm feeling blossom in his chest. It was this she-cat who truly allowed him to be happy. " Yes," he replied.  " I do."

" I imagine you'd be devastated if you lost her," Dawnpaw said quietly. 

" I would be," Sagepaw replied, standing up and beginning to walk. " Which is I why I never intend to."

" We care about those we love, don't we? We'd do anything for a loved one, if they were hurt. Drastic things, yes?" Dawnpaw called after him. 

Something about her tone unnerved him. Sagepaw pretended not to hear- he know she'd see through the lie, but he didn't care- and went to join Ravenpaw.

~

At night, cold, bone-white words floated into his vision. 

Incompetent. Removed. Lesser beings.

You'd be devasted if they were hurt, drastic things for a loved one if you lost her. 

Chapter Five

The next few days were a whirlwind. Preparations for his assesment, dealing with the war, and fighting. He'd fought his first battle against a small RiverClan patrol, and it was the most terrifying but thrilling moment of his life. 

Sagepaw had been so busy he hadn't been able to see his mother. He took the time to see her new litter, and was shocked to see Dawnpaw in the den as well. 

" Sagepaw!" Robincall purred, licking him on the cheek. He purred back, pressing himself against her. 

" Hello, Mother," he purred back, bending down to look closely at his new siblings. They were both ginger and had beautiful amber eyes, a bit like Ravenpaw's. His heart swelled with love. They were two females, one named Poppykit and the other named Skykit. 

" Beautiful children." Dawnpaw said softly. Robincall nudged her daughter affectionately. Dawnpaw's eyes flashed and she seemed to be restraining herself from flinching. 

Oh, so Robincall is a lesser being to you, now? Our own mother? Sagepaw curled his lip, then hastily corrected his expression so his mother wouldn't notice. 

" So you're busy," Robincall said. Sagepaw looked up, ready to answer, but realized the question had been directed at his sister. 

" Yes, I am very occupied with my duties. Your leader sees me as his advisor- I tell him what I think is best, and he usually goes along with it. Mother, who is the father?" Dawnpaw said abruptly. Sagepaw flattened his ears and saw Robincall's fur begin to rise defensively. 

" I don't have to reveal if I don't wish,' she said, calmly. " It's my choice, although rest assured I haven't broken any code. He and I have agreed that it would be best if I didn't tell, he's not really interested in, well, them." Her eyes clouded over. Sagepaw's heart squeezed in sympathy, but Dawnpaw's stare remained stone cold. 

" Surely it's important to?"

" Only for those in high positions. It's an unwritten code for them," Robincall replied. " The rest of us- who cares?"

An awkward silence settled over them. Poppykit and Skykit continued to play and Robincall turned her head to watch them fondly. She has normal children now. 

" Well, I'd better go. I've got training, my assessment's coming up." Sagepaw dipped his head to his mother, then turned and quickly left the den. He sensed pawsteps behind him and saw Dawnpaw trot out behind him. She retreated to the dark corner behind the den, and signaled for him to follow. 

In the darkness, her blue eyes shone with spectacular clarity. " Robincall has great love for her children."

" All queens do," Sagepaw growled.

" Does she still love me?" Dawnpaw whispered. Sagepaw's eyes widened.

" Of course!"

" What would she do for me- what would she do if I-" Dawnpaw suddenly dug her back leg into the ground and twisted it. With a sickening pop, her leg gave out and Dawnpaw collapsed to the floor with a scream. 

Sagepaw cried out in alarm. He tried to still her frantic thrashing. " What are you doing- what have you done?"

Another frantic screech sounded and Robincall came running, eyes wild. " Oh, my baby, she's hurt! Sagepaw, get the medicine cat. Go!"

Startled by her tone, he began to run- but not before looking back at his sister's expression. Instead of pain, her face was twisted into a cruel mixture of triumph, interest, and some sort of sadistic joy. 

~

Later, Silvershine revealed her injury was a mild sprain. Sagepaw stayed with her, watching her look at everything and see all with her wide, blue eyes. 

" Why would you do this to our mother?" he said finally, voice hoarse. Why hurt her? Why cause her worry and pain?

Dawnpaw fixed him with her gaze. " I wanted to see what would happen."

" What?"

She gave him no response. Instead, her eyes roamed the shelves of leaves, berries, and cobweb and her face twisted into a smirk. " Medicine. So many combinations- some bad, some good, but mostly bad. But you don't know that until you've eaten it, would you? Poison. So harmless until it's within you."

Something inside Sagepaw snapped. " You know what your poison is, Wisethought? Your StarClan- forsaken mind." 

He marched out, leaving a speechless Dawnpaw behind him. 

~

" Gullwing! Hawksky! Ravensong! Sageheart!" the Clan cheered. 

Sageheart puffed out his chest. He locked eyes with Ravensong and both purred. Finally, months of training at end- he was a warrior! 

He looked down at the crowd. He saw his mentors waiting by the edge of camp, cheering proudly. Normally Birdheart would be with them, but the deputy had been taken ill.

There was Robincall, cheering loudly, eyes alight with pride and happiness. Next to her sat Dawnpaw. She didn't cheer, instead was simply looking at him. Uncomfortable, he turned away. 

" Ready for vigil?" Ravensong playfully shoved him as they raced down Highrock. He purred back in response, too happy for words. As the four apprenices made their way through the crowd, something stepped on Sageheart's foot. 

He turned around and found himself entrapped in his sister's icy stare. " What do you want? I need to sit vigil now- not that you'd know, you never did it."

She ignored him and instead leaned her muzzle right next to his ear. " Enjoy these moments, Sagepaw. The real fun is just about to start, and you're not going to like it."

Sageheart stared in astonishment, but like a shadow, she melted away.

~

The morning after the vigil, he and the new warriors decided to go hunt. Sageheart relished the feeling of morning dew under his paws and the delightful sensation of being free. Ravensong raced alongside him, brown fur blending in with the trees around them. 

Gullwing and Hawksky soon went off on their own trail, leaving Sageheart and Ravensong alone. The two of them had managed to catch three squirrels between them and were walking back home. Sageheart kept glancing at her. Words danced on the tip of his tongue, but seemd to daunting to let free. He swallowed them and decided he'd muster his courage to tell her at another time. 

As they stepped into camp, Ravensong allowed her pelt to brush against his. For once, there was nothing teasing or playful about the gesture. When she looked back, he saw genuine affection in her eyes. 

His happiness soon faded as they entered camp. There was an atmosphere of darkness and grimness surrounding the cats, who were all gathered around the medicine den. A sick feeling settled in Sageheart's stomach. Something was very, very wrong.

Heart in his throat, Sageheart raced to the crowd. He shoulders his way through until he reached his former mentor, Foxsong.

" What happening? What's going on?"

The ginger tabby met his gaze. Her eyes were wide and panicked. " Birdheart is dying."

A stone settled in Sageheart's stomach. Dying? What- 

" I'm telling you!" Silvershine screeched, startling Sageheart out of his thoughts. " I don't know what to do!"

" You're the medicine cat!" Suncloud yelled back. " You've got to know what to do, come on! What is it, what's he sick with?"

" I don't know, I've never seen this before!" Silvershine said helplessly. Angry shouts and growls came from the cats around her, and Sageheart began to fear they would actually attack her. 

" Get Wisethought!" Talonflight, the scarred, silver-and-white warrior growled. " She'll know what to do."

Approving shouts rose from around her. Discomfort grew in Sageheart's stomach. Something was odd, something about this whole situation was wrong.

" I am here," Dawnpaw's voice was soft but strong. " What is wrong?"

" Birdheart's sick," Talonflight informed her. " Silvershine doesn't know how to treat it- she says it's like the worst parts of greencough mixed with a raging fever. Can you help?"

Dawnpaw tilted her head to one side. " Let me see." 

The cats parted and allowed her to pass into the den. Sagepaw watched anxiously- could she really invent a cure for an unknown disease? They waited several painful, anxious moments. The clearing was so silent it was filled with the sound of cats breathing, waiting, hoping-

" I've got it!" Dawnpaw yowled. " I think I know what to do- quick, let me pass through, Silvershine says he will soon be dead!" 

Sageheart exchanged an incredulous look with Ravensong. He tried to meet Dawnpaw's gaze, but the wiry black she-cat did not look at him. She broke into a run, dashing through the camp entrance and leaving a string of confused cats behind her. 

" She'll do it," Sageheart said, voice hollow. 

Ravensong nodded and rested her head on his shoulder. " Well, what we can we do except wait? He's not going to get better through us worrying."

" No."

" I'm going to see my father- he must be worried. Will you watch for my siblings when I return and tell them what's happened?"

" Of course," Sageheart said, watching her dash away. He let out a heavy sigh, closing his eyes briefly. Two words swam in his vision, words he hadn't been able to forget since they'd been spoken to him. 

Incompetent. Remove. Incompetent. Remove. 

Sageheart's eyes snapped open.

What was his sister planning?

~

When the sun had reached its zenith, Dawnpaw came charging into camp. Sure enough, a bundle of herbs and berries lay in her mouth as she made a headline towards the medicine den. Silvershine stepped out not too long after and announced that Birdheart's fever was going down- he would be healthy within a moon's time.

Sageheart frowned. What game was his sister playing at? A crowd of cats clustered around her and he snorted. Not too sensitive about talking to others, is she, now? Is she doing this all for the glory? 

His stomach turned nad he felt physically ill. What had his sister become? A power-hungry predator? It was so wrong- hurting others to achieve what she wanted, causing pain to fulfill herself. 

When the crowd had thinned, Sageheart approached her. Dawnpaw had evidently not forgotten his words to her in the medicine den, for she turned a freezing stare on him that was full of contempt. He flattened his ears, but sat so close to her their pelts were nearly touching. Sageheart, mimicking her actions at his warrior ceremony, moved his muzzle close to her ear.

" I know what you're doing."

Dawnpaw glanced at the sky, then at the camp entrance. She sighed. " Hurry up, we don't have much time. What is it I'm doing?" 

" Making Birdheart sick so you could cure him? So you could gain favor in the Clan? I see through you, you're not as brilliant as you think."

Sageheart's paws felt numb as his sister let out a barking laugh. " That's what you think I'm doing? My dearest, beloved brother- your mind cannot compete with mind. So do not even pretend to know my movements because you are the minnow trying to comprehend the river- it is far too large for you to understand!"

Sageheart closed his eyes. " I don't- stop this, Dawnpaw. Please. This isn't you, you were never so vile, never so power hungry!" he begged.

" Power hungry? That's what you think I am? I am simply making sure I am where I belong, where I need to be. My mind is growing hungry, and I must feed it." 

He opened his mouth to speak but she quickly cut him off. " Our time is up. Do not attempt to interfere, Sageheart, or I will burn you to the ground and leave your ashes for the crows."

Sageheart stared at her in disgust. " Your mind is eating you," he growled, spitting at her feet and marching away. He reached Ravensong, who looked up anxiously. 

" What happened?"

" My sister," Sageheart growled, stabbing his claws into the ground. " I don't know what's wrong with her. She's smart, so smart- you know that- but I think she's... too smart."

Ravensong frowned. " Too smart, you don't think she belongs here?"

Sageheart stared into the distance, trying to think of a way to articulate his thoughts. But before he could speak, a loud yowl interrupted him and made him jump in shock.

" Has anyone seen Hawksky?" Gullwing had burst into camp, eyes wild and panicked. Ravensong shot to her feet. 

" No, why?"

" He's missing, I can't find him. We got seperated, but his scent trail led nowhere. I thought he might've made his way back here, but..." Gullwing trailed off helplessly. 

Oakleaf raced forwards. " He could've been taken by RiverClan!"

Shocked yowls rose throughout the Clan. Brackenstar thundered from his den, eyes wild. " Quickly!" he growled. " I need patrols- scour the territory. I hope RiverClan hasn't got him- who knows the horrors they could do."

" I'll lead one!" Ravensong called. Sageheart and five others stepped to join her. " Gullwing, lead the others to where you saw Hawksky last."

With lightning-quick efficiency, the Clan divided and the patrols raced out of camp. Sageheart's heart was pounding and he felt blood roaring in his ears. A dark feeling stirred in his stomach- two disasters on the same day could not be a coincidence, not when Dawnpaw was around.

~

They searched fruitlessly for hours. The sun began to set, and a grey light came down through the trees, but still no sign of Gullwing. The patrol was exhausted, and even Ravensong who had been running around like crazy was now hanging her head in defeat. As Sageheart approached her, she let out a furious growl. 

" We need to find him!" she hissed. " He could be in pain, or- or even..." she couldn't say the terrible word. Sageheart draped his tail over her shoulders.

" Maybe we should head back to camp. Perhaps the other patrol has found him." Sageheart said. The other cats nodded in agreement. Ravensong sighed and dropped her head, utter defeat in her eyes. 

" Very well. Come on, let's go," she croacked, flicking her tail for them to follow. The patrol trudged along somberly, defeat hanging over them like a heavy cloud. 

When they reached camp, they found Gullwing's patrol already there. Sageheart felt cruelly hopeful, and saw Ravensong's eyes brighten. Gullwing's expression looked equally optimistic as both siblings raced towards each other, stopped, and both said:

" Did you find him?"

Horrified groans and yowls rose up around him. Sageheart shook his head, pain pricking his heart. Gullwing, where have you gone? he cried into the sky, though he knew it was beyond foolish to expect an answer. Oakleaf let out a horrible keening sound. " He's dead, my son is dead!" 

More distressed wailing broke out. Someone needs to calm them down. Brackenstar- where was Brackenstar, his own son was missing? And where was-

A hard feeling settled in his stomach. Dawnpaw was nowhere to be found either. She should have been in the thick of the action, but she was gone, and so was their leader. What had she said, that she'd wanted to be where she belonged? That she hated answering to lesser beings?

She's going to hurt him. She has something to do with this- she might kill him! 

He hated himself for thinking so awfully of her, but he turned and sprinted towards the leaders den. Sageheart could hear voices and forced his legs to go faster, who knows what she could be doing-

He burst in and found them talking. 

No- not talking. Dawnpaw was talking, and Brackenstar was... cowering? 

" Sageheart!" Brackenstar's voice came in a ragged sob, causing Sageheart to widen his eyes in disbelief. What has she made him into? " Oh, please, Sageheart-"

" Shut up," Dawnpaw growled. " I knew he was going to be here, nothing can stop this. Remember the fun I told you about, Sagepaw? It's just beginning."

Sageheart growled. " What do you think you're doing? Stop it now!"

" You don't tell me what to do!" Dawnpaw shrieked. " This is it, this is justice, I am ridding the Clan of incompetents. Now, Sagepaw, you listen. Listen closely-"

"- no," Sageheart growled. " I'm getting the Clan. They'll stop what madness you're doing!"

It was Brackenstar's turn to yell. " Do not! Do not get anyone, or she- or she'll..." his voice trailed off into sensless babbles. Sageheart turned around, turning to glare at Dawnpaw. 

" Or what? Or she'll what?" he nearly shook his leader. Brackenstar simply looked at the ground, ears flattened, looking too terrified to reply. 

Dawnpaw's expression turned from frenzied to cold and satisifed in a matter of seconds. " Or I'll make sure Hawkeye suffers an unpleasant, untimely death." 

His heart became ice. " If I bring the whole Clan in here, you won't get to him. We'll stop you."

" Will you? If you do, I'll just kill Brackenstar instead- I know which blows to strike that'll take all three lives at once. If you try and stop me, I'll run. Remember what I told you? A minnow in the stream." 

" Just stop it!" Sageheart begged. " Why are you- what have you become, you monster-"

" Enough!" Dawnpaw growled. " Now listen to me. I will describe to you events I have set in motion, and you will then comply with the events I want to follow."

What is happening? StarClan, help me! He looked at his sister and raw terror coursed through his veins. He could not stop her, he was as helpless as a newborn kit.

" First, Birdheart ate something I had altered. He really only developed greencough, but my concoction disguised it with  added symptoms of a terrible fever. Birdheart was starting to make a recovery- that was the reduced fever Silvershine noticed- and I did not want him to. So the medicine I brought back was poison to ensure his demise."

" You poisoned the deputy," Sageheart croaked. " Who do you think you are?"

" Someone who never got what they deserved," Dawnpaw snapped right back. " While I was out, I seperated Gullwing from Hawkeye, and led the latter to a place no one has dreamed anything could be hidden. He is my bargaining chip. I know how to get there faster than anyone and put an end to his life- if you prevent me from reaching him, he will likely die anyway. I don't think the roof is very stable."

" No," Brackenstar whimpered. " Please, spare my son! He did nothing to you!"

" But you did!" Dawnpaw spat back. " I have studied relationships between loved ones so I could accurately chart the events. Now, Brackenstar, what I need. Birdheart will be dead by the time we finish this conversation. When he dies, I want you... I want you to make me deputy."

Her eyes were dark but full of life as she savored the sound of the word. Sageheart felt like throwing up.

" If you disobey me, you know what'll happen, Brackenstar? Little Hawkeye is going to choke on his own blood. That's going to make you very unhappy, isn't it?" she said sweetly. Brackenstar's expression was of ultimate defeat. He closed his eyes, shoulders trembling, then looked up to stare at the beast he once thought he controlled.

" Anything," the once-proud leader begged. " As long as you return my son to me." 

Dawnpaw crowed in triumph. " Excellent, it is done! Oh, and Sagepaw?" his heart began to pound faster as she looked at him. " If you breathe a word of this to anyone- and I will know- everyone you love is going to turn to dust. Ravensong, Robincall, Foxsong. All dust if your tongue moves too freely."

Her words stole the voice from his throat. " You are a monster," he croaked. Dawnpaw tilted her head to one side and her eyes glittered. 

" I like that term. Come on, dear brother, it is a new age for me."

They left, leaving a broken leader behind them.

~

" Wisethought," Brackenstar said, knowing the dreadful mistake he was about to make. " You are the new deputy of ThunderClan."

Sageheart did not cheer, for he felt the stars fall out of alignment.

~

" I thought you'd be happier for her," Ravensong said after the ceremony. Sageheart looked into her eyes and closed his own, leaning in to rest his head on hers.

" So did I."

" You look so frightened," she told him. " Hawkeye was a shock, but we found him. You don't need to be afraid. You look as though you've seen a ghost!" 

Sageheart shook his head. " It's not that, it's..." he trailed off, so tempted to spill the great burden from his shoulders. But Dawnpaw's horrible promises came to him and he flinched. The thought of this beautiful, intelligent, lively she-cat who had brought him much joy dying was too painful to entertain. The more I love her, the more her loss will hurt. The more leverage Dawnpaw has on me. "... I guess I'm just tired."

Of living. Of dealing with her every day. Of thinking I'll lose you. " I'm sorry, I just need a moment," he said, rising to his paws and walking. His paws led him to the nursery, and he decided to visit his mother. However, he was startled by the ginger-and-white shape hurtling out of it.

" Robincall!" he exclaimed. His mother's eyes were wild and panicked. She shot him a fleeting glance before racing away. Sageheart stared after her, shocked.

Suddenly, loud yowls sounded from the camp entrance. What now? Sageheart growled to himself, but as he turned he nearly fainted. Brackenstar's bloodied body draped over Dawnpaw's now-strong shoulders. 

She's done it, his throat turned dry. She's the leader now. 

" Something attacked us in the woods," Mothshade said as Dawnpaw carried Brackenstar to the medicine den. Her eyes were wide in terror. " Wisethought and Brackenstar chased it, but drew so much blood from him he lost a life. He- he died a second time on the way back," she stammered.

You will loose two lives to the same cat and never know who it was, her words from (what seemed like) lifetimes ago came back to him. He has one life left now. 

I have to stop this. But I can't- she'll kill them. Oh StarClan, what has she done to me? I'm not captured but I am her prisoner. He laughed bitterly to himself. Sageheart saw Brackenstar's three children huddled together with Oakleaf. I should go to Ravensong. But he didn't in fear that Wisethought would see. 

~

Brackenstar had recovered in the space of four days. As soon as he was able, the leader summoned a Clan meeting. Wisethought stayed at the base, and Sageheart noticed she was tense and excited. He was too emotionally strained to feel much, but he knew the next part of her plan was about to happen. 

" I've called you all here for a quick warning. There is a dangerous beast within our borders. In areas you believe are familiar, danger is actually lurking- do not trust strange smells or strange tracks. This beast might be hard for you to recognize, it looks a bit like a fox, but darker. It is colored like the grey sky in the early morning- at dawn," he said.

Sageheart inhaled sharply. He dares to do this? To tell the whole Clan? He looked at Dawnpaw. Her expression was frozen, but he could see true astonishment in her eyes. Fury quickly settled over them and she looked up, a dark scowl on her face. She didn't predict this. Ha! 

" So in short, it's a wolf," Brackenstar finished, prompting a few laughs below him. " Poetic, I know. So, meeting dismissed, unless there are other announcements....?"

Cats shook their heads. Brackenstar opened his mouth to dismiss them when Sageheart heard his mother's voice. " I-I have a quick one," Robincall stammered. 

" Of course," Brackenstar said. Robincall dipped her head and stood up. Sageheart could see that her two daughters were with her.

She cleared her throat. " Well, as you know, I've recently given birth to Poppykit and Skykit. I just feel that... it's best to clear the air. Someone- someone has wronged me," Robincall sounded as though the words were being forcefully pulled from her throat. Sageheart stood up.

" What happened?" he called. Cats joined in, but Brackenstar raised his tail for silence. 

Robincall continued. " The father... he forced me to remain silent about his identity. He said he'd find me and hurt me if I told, but I can't do this. I can't keep living under the threat that one day I will wake up and one of my children will be dead."

Sageheart gasped, as did the cats around him. Robincall kept speaking. " This cat- I want you all to help bring him to justice. The name of the father- the cat who hurt my kits, is- is..." she trailed off. Sageheart looked at Dawnpaw- there was that expression of sadistic joy again. His heart plummetted. She's done it. " The father is Brackenstar."

Outraged yowls broke out. Sageheart sat still, numb, unable to think or feel. " What?" he heard Oakleaf yowl. " You lie!"

" I have no reason to lie!" she screeched back. " He threatened to hurt me. What would you want me to do!"

Oakleaf looked up at her mate. " Is this true?" she said, voice almost a sob. " Did you trick us all? Did you lie to us, threaten to kill kits and hurt her?"

" Yeah!" Suncloud yowled, and so did the cats around him. He's going to deny it, Sageheart thought. Brackenstar tilted his head upwards, then down. His eyes were closed, and when he opened them, they were lit with a sudden clarity.

" Yes," the leader lied. " Yes, I did. I am sorry."

More screams broke out. " Why would you do this?" Ravensong cried. " Hurt us all so badly? For what?"

" I wanted to protect my reputation, so badly that I thought the lives of kits were insignificant. My actions are unforgiveable." 

" Get down from there!" Mothshade howled. " You are a filthy excuse for a leader- get your paws off that rock!" 

But Brackenstar was already halfway down. The crowd looked ready to attack him, but he held his tail up as a signal for them to stop. " Let me go in peace, with the last shred of dignity I have left. I was no longer worthy of this Clan anyways."

He knows it's over, that's why he didn't bother to resist. He did not want to fall at her paws, he did not want her to have the satisifcation of being responsible for his death. 

" Wisethought, this Clan is righfully yours. Lead it well and kindly, with strength and selflessness." The once-noble, once-revered leader was nearly at the camp exit. Before he left, he turned around. " Oakleaf, Robincall... I am sorry."

He left, and took ThunderClan's hope, love, and compassion with him. A new age was coming, a dark one.

~

" I am Wisethought no longer," Dawnpaw announced to the Clan in her first act as leader. " I am your new sunrise, your new horizon, your new dawn. My name is Dawnfire, and when I see you next, I will be Dawnstar."

This is the beginning of the end. Sageheart almost laughed. And I knew it was coming. I should have known from the moment I was born! 

Because she did. She was born hungry for more.