WCF Fanfiction Contest!

-Chapter 1-
She stepped on the faded grey line that separated the two worlds. The young cat kept walking along and following it thinking deeply about her troubles. A fern leaf that stuck out tickled her nose. The white-and-grey she-cat tried to hold back a sneeze but it just came out in a monstrous noise. The power of the sneeze blasted fern spores into the air. The cat swiped one off her nose and cautiously gazed around. She caught a glimpse of shining amber eyes, looking at her hungrily and seeming to have a thirst for blood. Ivypaw's heart quickened and her stomach shot into her throat. A tabby cat casually padded over to her. "What are you doing here, Ivypaw?" her white chin looked like a moss ball being thrown around.

The apprentice giggled. The tabby cat's eyes darted around. "What's so funny? A tree? A boulder?" Ivypaw just stared at her. Apparently, the warrior was unaware that she was laughing at her.

"Nothing, sir..." she mewed to her. The amber-eyed cat gently cuffed her ear. Her eyes seem to say, 'I'm not a tom cat. You silly goose.' Ivypaw nodded.

"So what are you doing here? So close to the Dark Forest border." Ivypaw shivered at the word but couldn't help but look over her shoulder at the dark kingdom. She turn back to Tigerpetal and fixed her gaze on her.

"I followed your scent, Tigerpetal," she replied shakily. Tigerpetal's ear flicked and her whiskers twitched. Her eyes slowly narrowed.

"Well, you better be getting home to WindClan." Tigerpetal bounded off into the starry white sea of trees. When she was out of an earshot, Ivypaw spoke.

"StarClan. That place makes me sick!" she hissed softly. She looked over her shoulder again. "Hey, Silentstep." A small, thin white tom padded out of the brambles from Dark Forest's side of the border. His silver paws left a grey color where he stepped.

"Greetings, Ivypaw. Those StarClan cats are so STUPID, aren't they?!" Silentstep meowed coldly.

Ivypaw tried not to make eye contact. "They aren't so bad..."

"ARE YOU ON THEIR SIDE??! Who are you going to trust a THUNDERCLAN cat or a cat from your own clan?!" Silentstep hissed, getting in her face. She was nearly as tall as him but she knew he was more experienced. Ivypaw shook her head quickly. She didn't really know. Dark Forest was evil and StarClan was good. But there was something she didn't like about StarClan. Was it the perfectness of everything? Or how boring it was? Anyhow, she was stuck in the middle of the two enemy realms. "Good. Now, go and rest." Ivypaw was surprised, usually the tom would train her in her dreams.

"Um. Okay?" She slowly felt herself wake up. The soft breeze of the moor ruffled her fur. It made her shiver a little. She light sunk her claws into the earth. She pulled up a few blades of short grass and dirt. She opened her eyes. 'Still midnight,' she thought sleepily. Ivypaw got up. The air smelled of rabbit and strong grass. She lumbered across camp. Water was her only thought. She padded on the short, spiky grass to the RiverClan border. Ivypaw stepped along the bank of the river. She let the water touch her pads and swell up to her toes. Ivypaw took a deep breath and looked down. The river now came up to her dew claw and her white fur was light grey under the water. She wanted to collapse in the water right then and take a swim and let the water cradle her. It's sweet and flowing tickled her scent glands. She laid down on the river bank with her head between her paws. She dozed away into a light sleep. She did not remember how long she was there but she awoke to the sunlight shining through her eyelids.

-Chapter 2-

Webpaw was the oddest cat in all of WindClan history. He always tapped his rabbit all around before eating it and seemed to love spiders, he even caught a fly for one a few times. "They're living things, too," he had always said. But the worst thing was his snoring. Well, you wouldn't call it a snore. It was more of a mix between a snort, a cough, and a wheeze. And that was what Ivypaw awoke to that morning. It was two sunrises so from her night walk. Ivypaw was twisting and turning on the wet short grass. She heard the loud snores of Webpaw. She flattened her ears with her paws and looked over. Webpaw, sleeping soundly, was back-to-back with her. Ivypaw was disgusted at the drowsy smile on his face. She sat up. Webpaw's ear flicked. "Ivypaw?" meowed the black cat.

Ivypaw stood completely still. Webpaw shifted his paws and slowly got up from his spot. The two cats were standing shoulder-to-shoulder. Ivypaw scooted over an inch before saying, "Hello?" The tom cat purred.

"At least you're here. All the apprentices left because they think my snoring is cursed! Ha!" Ivypaw flinched with guilt. She had started that rumor. "So, how are you?"

Ivypaw was unprepared for this. A few moments passed before she mewed. "Okay, I guess." Webpaw purred again.

"Did you see Moonpaw's catch yesterday? That rabbit was HUGE!" Ivypaw giggled a bit. She didn't know why.

"Yep. But you should've seen what I caught last night! I caught that big vole at the top of the pile." She stood up and started to walk out. Ivypaw wasn't surprised when she heard paw steps from behind.

"Well," Webpaw started. "It was impressive... but..."

"But what? What was wrong, Webpaw?" Ivypaw was eager to know her flaw. Even if it came from WindClan's top geek. Her and Webpaw kept walking until he said,

"Well, the technique you used was effective, but the pieces of leaf showed that you kicked up leaves during the kill. That could scare prey..." Soon the two cats found themselves wound up in an interesting conversation about hunting techniques.

Further in the day, the two were closing up the topic with the conclusion that rabbits were easier to catch than mice. "Webpaw, shouldn't we be training?" Ivypaw finally realized they had been talking for a while and were near ThunderClan border.

Webpaw laughed. "Didn't you know? We have a day off of training!" Ivypaw nodded.

"So how you spend your free time?" she asked. Webpaw shrugged his shoulders.

"Not much. I help spiders and did you know-" He was interrupted yet again by the she-cat.

"They're living things, too? Yes, Webpaw I did," she sweetly answered.

"You?" Webpaw meowed. Both of Ivypaw's ears went back 40 degrees.

"What?" she replied, puzzled.

"What do you do in your free time?"

"Oh, I don't know....." Ivypaw lied.

-Chapter 3 -

Ravenstar’s eyes pierced Snowshine’s skin as she walked to join the patrol with Ivypaw, Juniperfoot, Sparrowtail and Nightpaw. She shivered at his emotionless, glazed gaze. He still didn’t trust her. After all she had proven he still doubted her. Snowshine shook it off and started a conversation with Sparrowtail as the five cats went out into the open moor.

“We better check the ThunderClan border,” suggested Sparrowtail. “Goldenstar has been tricky lately. “ Nightpaw and Juniperfoot nodded. So did Snowshine. Ivypaw was the only one who said, “Yes.” Sparrowtail lead the way to the small piece of forest an ancient cat named Firestar gave to a WindClan leader, Onestar, long ago. Snowshine never understood why Firestar would give up such great land. They caught many mice there. As well as birds. Maybe Onestar helped Firestar and it was a gift. Her mind slowly ceased giving possible reasons and answers about the small forest’s past to her. Her senses flickered back to the border patrol. Juniperfoot was marking the borders. Ivypaw was showing Nightpaw how to track and were sniffing for ThunderClan cats. Sparrowtail sat on a small rock. All his paws were tucked tightly in the middle. His tail wrapped around his paws half way before drooping to the side. He stared off into the forest. Snowshine circled around the rock to face him. The warrior’s eyes obliviously showed that he was in deep thought.

Soon, Juniperfoot and the apprentices came over. Sparrowtail was still staring off. “Ahem,” Nightpaw spoke up. “Mister Sparrowtail, it’s time to move along now.” Juniperfoot was about to cuff Nightpaw’s ears before Sparrowtail responded.

“Yes. Time to move on.” The tomcat quickly twisted his head from the direction he was looking at. He hopped from the small rock and joined the others. Snowshine was walking in the middle, with the apprentices. She saw a rabbit nibbling on the grass a few fox lengths away. Before she could dart after it, Ivypaw was hot on its trail. The rabbit and cat twisted and turned, swerving closer to the forest. Snowshine held her breath. Ivypaw was slowing down. Suddenly, she collapsed onto her side. The rabbit sped into the trees. Ivypaw slowly got up. “Do you have it, Nightpaw?” Nightpaw emerged from the trees. She had the rabbit in her jaws. It was still alive and struggling. The black cat bit hard into its neck. It went limp. “See! I told you it would work! Great catch!” It WAS a good-sized rabbit. It was too big but it wasn’t too small either.

Juniperfoot praised the two and Snowshine looked over at Sparrowtail. He was looking into the trees again. Towards ThunderClan. At that moment Snowshine knew what was bothering Sparrowtail.

-Chapter 4-

It was Tigerpetal who greeted Ivypaw on the warm summer night. She sighed. The weather was perfect in StarClan. Too perfect. Though it did relieve her to be away from the itching heat. Tigerpetal helped her up from the soft grass. "We are having a meeting, Ivypaw. All apprentices are to come. Let us go," she meowed in a cold tone. Ivypaw nodded. Tigerpetal blinked and turned. The starry cat started walking north, towards the slight breeze that blew along StarClan territory. Ivypaw followed. She tried to stay at her side the whole time, matching paw for paw. Tigerpetal walked until they reached a bare clearing lined with dark red sorrel. Ivypaw looked around. There was no one there.

While Ivypaw was standing in the clearing, searching for a sign of life, Tigerpetal snuck behind her. She used her head to push Ivypaw's hindquarters. "Not here," she mewed. Ivypaw nodded. Tigerpetal gave her a look. "And no more nodding. You shall yes and no. Not 'maybe.'" Ivypaw was taken aback. She was about to nod but stopped herself.

"Yes," she meowed nervously. She had never seen Tigerpetal like this. Of course, there was only one time. When she had first seen Tigerpetal. Ivypaw had winced at the hideous black scar running down her chest to her belly. Tigerpetal scolded her and told her never to flinch when she looked at a warrior's wound and Ivypaw never did.

Tigerpetal pushed her again, breaking her from her thoughts. "Go," she ordered. Ivypaw sighed and walked slowly across the clearing. She pushed past crimson sorrel leaves which tickled her nose. The apprentice grunted as a bright light blinded her. Her eyes had gotten used to the dim light of the clearing and she sharpened her senses but now they were shattered. Until she got used to the light, she felt vulnerable.

A young tabby greeted them with a quaint nod. She lead them to a circle of cats. "Go join the other apprentices," she meowed in her surprisingly raspy voice. Ivypaw blinked. She had thought Tigerpetal meant apprentices as in clan cats in training but here in the circle were cats of all sizes. She saw plenty of warriors, old and new, but most of the cats were apprentices. She took a deep breath before strolling over to them. On her way she saw Violetclaw, a middle aged warrior from her own clan. The she-cat's sleek black paws shuffled, showing their purplish tint. Ivypaw focused on the apprentices. "Hey!" she greeted the group of turned heads. Then, one after the other, they turned. Some glared coldly at her. Other gazes were nervous and some were happy and gleeful. "Hello!" one of the apprentices replied and soon all of them were speaking to the newcomer. Ivypaw guess she was one of the older apprentices, seeing that most were small than her. Ivypaw talked with the older of the group and hissed when the younger cats pounced on her tail like kits.

Then she felt a tap on her shoulder. "Hey." It was the tabby that was the first to speak to her. "It's starting. The meeting." She turned her head towards a large flat rock the was jutting out of the smooth clearing. Tigerpetal, the silver tabby, a white cat with ginger spots, and a pale golden tabby sat on the edge, scanning all of the cats anxiously.

"Attention!" the pale tabby cat yowled. Her voice lingered a while after everyone was silenced. "Dark Forest is about to launch their second attack!" The silver grey growled and pulled her to the side of the rock.

Second attack? Ivypaw had no idea there was a first one. She remembered tales of three legendary cats, each with a unique power. Once, with the help of clanmates, they defeated a terrible evil. Maybe the evil was Dark Forest. Had Ivypaw been training with the killers of THAT many cats? The silver cat's raspy voice brought her back to reality.

"Sorry, everyone! I told Dawnstripe that was NOT the way to start a meeting," she announced, glaring Dawnstripe from over her shoulder. "I am Ivypool, for those who do not know. We are here to discuss Dark Forest's plans. I, like many others here, was killed in the first battle. Luckily, we won, but lost many of our kind. Such as Bluestar, Smokepaw, and Riverstar." A few cats sniffled but it stopped just as soon as it started. "Now. Ivypaw, will you come up." Ivypaw froze. Her fur stood on it's end and stiffened. Her eyes glazed over and all the cats in front of her were blurred. Her pelt felt hot as a few apprentices nudged her. She gulped with she hopped up on the rock.

"Yes, Ivypool, M'am." The white and ginger cat chuckled. Her good eye was squeezed to stop her watery eye from showing.

"Looks like we have two Ivy-'s here. Maybe Ravenstar will name you Ivypool too." Ivypool rolled her eyes.

"Grow up, Brightheart." The scarred she-cat stiffened and held her head up high. Finally she said, "Ivypaw, do you know Dark Forest's plans and who they are training?" Ivypaw felt like she would have died there on the spot. She probably wouldn't have been there though. Maybe Dark Forest. Or banished from the after-life.

Ivypool leaned close. Under great pressure, Ivypaw opened her mouth to speak.

-Chapter 5-

Nothing came out. "Ivypaw. Tell us what Dark Forest's plans are and who are the members of Dark Forest," Ivypool demanded. Ivypaw turned and stared at Tigerpetal with pleading eyes. Tigerpetal gave her a stare back but with the cold trance she had had all night. Ivypaw shivered.

"Ya' know.... Tigerstar... Darkstripe.. Hawkfrost..?" she answered. Though it was more of a question than an answer.

Dawnstripe gave her a questioning glance. "Tigerstar and Hawkfrost are gone. And Darkstripe was sent down to the clans or a second chance. I'll tell you who's in Dark Forest, because you clearly can't tell us."

"Lionblaze, Heathertail, Mapleshade, Tigerheart, Berrynose, Blossomfall, Briarlight-"

"But half of those are ThunderClan! There should be more of those dirty pine dwellers!" a cat in the crowd shouted. Crystalnose of ShadowClan heard this remark and let out a great hiss.

"Exactly. Tigerstar realized who were the troubled cats in ThunderClan and nearly destroyed them. Half of them were unhappy and he made them feel welcome. Now do you want me to start with the trainees?" Ivypool hissed. She did it anyway. "Blackfur, Snowflight, Applefall, Sweetclaw, Sorrel-" Next to the rock, Violetclaw gasped.

"NO! Not her! Sorrelsoul's a good cat! She would never do anything wrong!" Violetclaw screeched.

"Violetclaw," Brightheart started to reassure. " Dark Forest has convinced her that she will be killed, that she will die unless she learns the necessary battle moves and defense moves from them. I know she is your friend...." As she continued to speak to the shocked she-cat, Ivypool started to speak again.

"Willoweye, Pigtail, Halfears, Fallenpaw, Cactuspaw, Birdpaw.... and-" She took a deep breath. Ivypool struggled to meow the next words in her speech. "I-i-i.." Ivypaw gulped. She knew the word the starry, see-through she-cat was about to say. She stepped in front of Ivypool. The grey tabby blinked when the apprentice lashed her tail out at her.

"Me," Ivypaw finished. She had tried to keep her voice steady but any cat could have seen through her trembling mew. And before she knew it, growls rose from the startled crowd. Cats of all sizes stalked towards the rock from all directions.

"Traitor!", "Spy!", and "Dark Forest filth!" were some of the retorts that were spat out. Ivypaw turned and spotted Tigerpetal talking with the other two cats. Her white chin slowly moved up and down as she whispered.

Ivypaw scrunched in a tight ball. Now the cats were at the foot at the rock. Brightheart and Dawnstripe's desperate directions were drowned in the yowls. "Wake up.. Wake up, Ivypaw... Ivypaw, wake up!" she shouted quietly to herself. Then the chaos stopped and Tigerpetal was staring down at her. Ivypaw blinked at the StarClan cats. The stars in her pelt shone brighter than ever before.

"We need to talk," she ordered. Tigerpetal grabbed Ivypaw by the scruff and hopped from the rock. The crowd parted silently and the dark tabby carried her through the isle.

As Shinypaw entered the dirtplace, the rotten stench was overpowering. Ugh, she thought in disgust,wrinkling her nose, what is that? She decided to check it out. Opening her jaws slightly, she scented around for a bit, then finally pinpointed the source from a few fox-lengths away from the dirtplace. She made her way through thebushes, and peered around a tree. Behind the tree, Shinypaw found the corpse of Nightgale.
The apprentice laid her ears back in horror at the maggot-infested pelt, the eyeless sockets, the slack-jawed mouth with the half-chewed tongue dangling to the side. Shinypaw took a step back, two, then bolted out of there as fast as she could as if she had seen the ghost of a Dark Forest warrior.
Back in the camp, she screeched and cried uncontrollably in the center of the clearing, huddled in a tiny ball. Cats from every den came streaming out frantically, battle-ready and wary eyes shifting about, to see what was the matter. Hailstorm, the medicine cat, padded up to Shinypaw, pawing at her cheek. “What's wrong, little one?” he mewed softly. “Did you have a bad dream? Why are you so upset? Please tell me.”
Shinypaw sobbed once and uncurled stiffly out of her ball. “It... It's Nightgale,” she whispered hoarsely. “She's...dead.”The crowd of cats around the two gasped collectively.
Hailstorm's eyes glittered with shock and grief. “Where is her body?” he whispered to the small she-cat. “How..did she die?”
Shinypaw shook her head. “She's behind the dirtplace. Oh, StarClan help me!” she wailed, rocking back and forth, her gaze haunted as she stared off into the distance. “I don't want to live anymore...”
Hailstorm called over a brown tabby and ordered him to go get some herbs from his den. “Unless she is treated for shock, Shinypaw may be mentally scarred for life,” the medicine cat explained calmly. The tom nodded and raced off to follow orders.
Acornstar, the Clan leader, padded up to the center of the camp and took over from there. “Somecat go retrieve Nightgale's body and bring her back here for our night vigil.”
Shinypaw shook her head vigorously. “No, don't bring her in here. She's tainted!” she cried.
“Where are those poppy seeds!” Hailstorm yelled to the cat still in his den.
“Coming, coming!” the cat called back around the poppy head in his mouth.“Right here,” he mewed, setting it down.
“I want you to give her some seeds, but don't give her too much,” the medicine cat advised.
“Right.”
“Hailstorm,” Acornstar wearily groaned.
“Yes, Acornstar?”
“Come to my den, we need to talk about what to do.”
“Yes, Acornstar.”
The two padded away to the leader's den, while the brown tom struggled to get the seeds into Shinypaw's mouth. “Eat them!” he screamed.
“No!” Shinypaw screamed back, thrashing around and smacking his ears multiple times. None of his Clanmates offered to help. They were too busy looking busy and talking to each other in hushed tones.

Meanwhile, the leader and the medicine cat settled down side by side in the dark den. “So, what shall we do about...this,” Acornstar asked Hailstorm.
“Um...well, I actually have something to tell you, Acornstar,” Hailstorm murmured, looking down at his paws in embarrassment.
Acornstar looked taken aback. “But...Hailstorm? Surely this isn't more important than the problem we have at paw here?” he asked, haltingly.
“Er, well,” the icy-furred tom began, nudging himself closer to Acornstar. “I...kinda like you.”
Acornstar stared at him in amazement. “You...what?” he spluttered.
Hailstorm looked up at him more confidently now. “I really like you. I always have.”
Acornstar blushed. “Well, you know, that's really nice and all, but I have a mate, remember? And we're both toms, it could never work.”
Hailstorm sighed in defeat. “I know, and that's just what I was worried about, that you wouldn't admit that you like me too.”
The chestnut leader started to protest but Hailstorm held up a paw. “Don't lie to me, I've seen the way you look at me, the same way you used to look at your mate when we were younger. And I get that you feel an obligation towards your mate, that you could never dump her for a tom because you think it would make the Clan look weak. I understand, I really do. So I want to ask you... if we could just be together...in secret. Nobody would have to know, just you and me.”
Acornstar's jaw was hanging slack in astonishment. “I...I...don't know what to say, Hailstorm,” he stammered. “I feel honored, I do, that you chose to speak to me about this, but... I don't know if I could let go of my mate to be with you. I'm sorry.”
Hailstorm hung his head. “I knew this would happen,” he sighed, defeated.He got up and turned to leave, adding, “I really hope you keep this secret for me, because nobody else knows but you.”
He started to exit the den, but then Acornstar called out softly, “Wait. How about...just this one night, Hailstorm. I at least owe you that much.”
Hailstorm turned around, joy seeping into his eyes, and Acornstar smiled too, his eyes lighting the dark softly. “I would be honored...” he whispered.
As Acornstar and Hailstorm stood there staring at each other, they never noticed a sleek black cat prowling up to them from behind, blue eyes glittering with malice.

Poppyclaw wandered around the forest, sniffing curiously at fronds of grass.“Poppyclaw!” called a voice. “Come here, something happened at the camp!”
The black she-cat turned around, her eyes glittering with excitement.“Coming!” she called happily, a bloodred rose catching her eye in the sunlight. “Pretty flower,” she mused, noting the color red. So many things were red here in the forest, and red was Poppyclaw's favorite color. She pranced through the grass and ducked through the entrance. Poppyclaw glanced around. The cats were all huddled together in the center of the camp and a thin wailing sound came fromthe middle. Her ears pricked up and she trotted over to see what was going on. “What happened?” she asked a cat at the edge of the crowd. The tabby didn't answer and only looked straight ahead into nothing.
“Huh, no one will answer me, might as well go ask Acornstar,” she mewed to herself. She padded over to the leader's den and looked inside. “Acornstar?” Poppyclaw froze in shock, for there on the ground lay two dead bodies: Acornstar and Hailstorm. “H-Hailstorm? Brother?” she whispered, her eyes widening in shock. Then she became angry. “This wasn't supposed to happen,” she muttered angrily, whipping around, and racing out of the camp.

Shinypaw woke up inside the medicine den, feeling groggy and not very well-rested. She looked around, wondering why she was there, then all of a sudden, her memories flooded back to her: Nightgale, calm Hailstorm standing over her, that dumb brown tom forcing poppy seeds down her throat, then black. She slowly got to her feet, thinking murderous thoughts about that tom, and wandered out of the medicine den. Everycat was in the clearing still, huddling around something. She stumbled closer to see what it was and saw three bodies lying on the ground as if sleeping: Nightgale, Hailstorm, and Acornstar.
Shinypaw reeled back in shock. “Acorn-?” she gasped. “Hailsto...” A dull pain went up her stomach, her eyelids fluttered closed and everything went black again, except this time not in unconsciousness.

“Why is everyone dying?”
“Is it murder or just plain coincidence?”
“It's the zombie apocalypse, we're all gonna die!”
“Relax, people,” snarled Poppyclaw. “We're not all gonna die.”
“How do you know?” asked a different cat snidely.
Poppyclaw gazed down at the Clan from her perch on the Halfrock. “Because, I know things that you don't,” she explained smugly, her mouth stretching across her teeth in a sly grin. “And I know that we must choose a leader and deputy before moonrise tonight, or StarClan willbe angry. So, any nominations?”
No one said anything.
“Then I nominate myself. Anyone agree? Disagree?”
Still, no one said anything.
“Then it's settled, I am the new leader of this Clan, and I will go to the Moonstone this morning to receive my new name and my nine lives. I choose my deputy to be Hawktooth, my little brother. Come here, brother.” The black she-cat leaped down from the rock and the black tom stepped forward to accept his new position. Poppyclaw laid her chin on his forehead and he licked her shoulder in return. She glared at him, her eyes glittering coldly. “Don't mess this up for me, little brother,” she hissed quietly to him.
Hawktooth hummed and rolled his eyes. “Now,” Poppyclaw shouted, not taking notice that no cat had cheered for their new deputy or even stepped forward to congratulate him. “We need these bodies to get buried everyone, don't want a stench lingering in this clearing! Take them out and bury them, I said!” Several cats slowly got to their feet and dragged the four bodies out of the clearing, taking them through the camp entrance to be buried somewhere.
“I want today's patrols to be organized, little brother,” Poppyclaw said to Hawktooth, “and you're just the cat to do that, 'kay?”
“'Kay,” Hawktooth muttered, his blue eyes flashing.
“Oh, and keep an eye on the camp for me too, li'l bro. I need to hurry to the Moonstone now.” Poppyclaw winked at him and swiftly exited the camp.
Hawktooth stood there for a few minutes, gazing at the cats starting to gather around him, waiting for him to give orders about that day's patrols. Deputy, huh, he thought in wonder. Good thing my sis took over when she did. That just makes everything so much easier...

Poppyclaw trotted along, deliriously happy about her new position, not even noticing the cluster of bloodred roses sitting at periodic intervals along the road. Why would she, when she had a whole Clan to worry about instead? She didn't even feel guilty about what had to happen before she finally took over. Anyway, it wasn't even her fault. Those cats were meant to die; they were to die for the greater good. She, Poppyclaw, would make her Clan the greatest there ever was! Better than the other clans by a long shot. Heck, even better than the ancient Clans, TigerClan, LionClan, and LeopardClan! Poppyclaw knew just what she had to do to make that happen. And it would all start with a trip to the Moonstone...
A while later, the moon was about to rise, and Poppyclaw had finally made it to Mothermouth, the entrance to the Moonstone's cave. She entered just as the stars began to stand out in the sky, spelling out a deadly fate for one cat in particular.

Crouching, the black cat with blue eyes huddled behind a bush, waiting for one cat to exit Mothermouth. Several heartbeats passed, and then, there she was, Poppyclaw. Or no, Poppystar. Just the cat that the black cat wanted to see. The tom crept out of his hiding place and followed along behind Poppystar, just several pawsteps behind. Poppystar yawned and nearly nodded off while she was walking, but immediately woke up again after a nudge from the other cat. “Must... keep...walking,” the she-cat muttered to herself.
“Oh, Poppystar,” whispered the black tom.
“Li'l bro? That you?” Poppystar slurred drowsily. “I thought...thought you were back at the camp. Why are you here?”
“Oh, I'm not 'Li'l Bro',” the tom chuckled menacingly. “Don't you know my name? Must you always call me little brother?”
Poppystar opened her eyes more, an icy fear running down her spine like a river. “H-Hawktooth?” she stammered, now wide awake.
“That's right,” the black tom sneered, his blue eyes glittering, stepping in front of her, “Some advice: My name is Hawktooth, in case you never knew that, big sister, and it soon will be Hawkstar!” And those were the last words Poppystar heard before her throat was ripped out and she lost all nine of her lives, and she finally fell to the ground.
Dead.

Another victim, another day, was always Hawkstar's motto, as he worked to slowly take over the whole forest. He had only managed to take over RiverClan and WindClan, though, before he was overthrown by a single she-cat, Glitteryfeather. As Hawkstar lost his last life, his victims from several Clans, and a few from his own: Nightgale, Acornstar, Hailstorm, Shinypaw, and Poppystar, rejoiced in his final death, and celebrated briefly among the living cats, before vanishing and making their way at last into StarClan.
And this story will be told to kits in the nursery and by the elders in every Clan, for generations and seasons to come.

Prologue:

"No!" Bluestar yowled from Starclan, "The three have failed! We have only one chance left to save the clans." It was midnight and down at the lake, all the dark forest cats were standing over the lifeless bodies of Lionblaze, Jayfeather and Dovewing at the center of the gathering island. "What can we do Bluestar?" Spottedleaf meowed. "The only ones who can save us now are Life's kits." Bluestar meowed grimly. "We must get to them before the dark forest cats do." Near moonpool, a black and white she-cat was about to have her kits. She yowled in pain, and then, two kits lay next to her, one black, one white. The mother lay cold on the ground. "We shall give them all the power of Starclan, Spottedleaf, and you will stay here and be their guardian." All the other Starclan cats rushed down from the stars, their pelts sparkling with starlight, but at the same time, dark cats were rushing down. They reached the two kits at the same time, one had the power and wisdom of all of Starclan, while the other had all the power of the place of no stars. "The time of Day and Night has begun." Spottedleaf whispered fearfully. ~When Starclan and the Darkforest gave all their power to the two kits, they also gained any feelings Starclan and the Darkforest, and a little of the pesonalitys and instincts of the cats. The ones who gave them power are now longer in the Dark Forest/ Starclan, but are now inside the kit. If a darkforest cat wanted to get revenge against a starclan cat, Night would feel that way about Day.

Chapter 1:
Day blinked open her eyes. She had suddenly felt power flowing through her, almost to much to handel. She looked around next and saw her sister, Night, blinking open her eyes as well. "Hi Night!" the little white kit mewed cheerfully to her sister. Night glared at her and hissed and Day took a step back. "Night, are you okay? Whats wrong?" Suddenly, Night sprang onto Day and Day pushed her off with her hindlegs. A starry cat appeared in front of her and meowed, "Run Day! Run!" and Day took off with out looking back, not knowing why she felt so close to the strange cat. As she began to cross the moorland, she wanted to stop, but it felt like something was telling her to continue. Once she left the moorland, she stopped and sat down behind a bush. She peeked out from behind it to find a patrol of cats stopping and sniffing around at the edge of the moorland. "At smells like a cat just ran by here, Breezepelt." one of them meowed. "Keep looking for it" the one that Day thought was Breezepelt growled. When no one was looking at her hiding spot, Day ran off farther into the woods. Soon, Day's tiny kit legs couldn't carry her any further, and Day plopped onto a clump of moss and fell asleep. She opened her eyes and saw a beautiful meadow and saw the starry cat from before. "Hello, little one." she meowed, "I am Spottedleaf.".

Chapter 2:
Day stared in wonder at the starry she-cat. Before she could say a word, Spottedleaf continued, "I have been watching you from Starclan little one. You have a great desiny ahead of you, greater than of any before you." Day looked around at the meadow and beautiful forest, and guessed that she was at Starclan. "Why did Night attack me?" Day asked, "And what do I need to do? Whe-" she was cut off when Spottedleaf continued, saying "The Dark Forest has taken over the four forest clans and you must save them. Your sister cannot be trusted, as well as many of the clan cats." Why does it have to be Night Day thought, but then she felt brave and ready to save the forest clans, forgetting what she was going to ask Spottedleaf next. "Well what are we waiting for?" Day mewed, "I feel like I can do anything."
"You have much to learn Day." Spottedleaf meowed, "You must learn from Midnight." Spottedleaf and everything else around her started to fade away and soon Day awoke in the nest she had made the previous night. She realized how hungry she was and she sniffed the air, smelling rabbit near by. She followed the scent to the moorland, and carefully crossed the scent marker. "Rabbit!" she squeaked as she spotted the prey and began to chase after it. "Hold it right there! You're tresspassing on Windclan territory!" Day froze and turned around to see a black tom standing behind her. The tom hissed and Day backed away in fear meowing, "I was just so hungry! Last night a cat named Spottedleaf said I have to learn from Midnight and I just don't know what to do!" The tom stopped and meowed, "Did you say Midnight?"
"Y-yes" Day replied. "I can help you. By the way, my name is Crowfeather."

Stonestar and the Rogue

Important cats
Stonestar- A large pitch black she-cat with small gray spots on her paws and brilliant fern green eyes.

Lioneyes- A light tan tom with thick dark tan fur around his neck, and deep brown eyes. (Stonestep’s deputy)

Dawnwhisker- A light tan she-cat with a brown paws, muzzle, and tip of her tail, with blue-gray eyes. (medicat)

Meadowbliss- A pure white she-cat with pale brown spots and gentle pale green eyes. (medi cat apprentice)
Rockshade- A sturdy very dark gray tom with grayish blue eyes and a light gray nose. (Panthersoul’s son)

Panthersoul- A muscular pitch black tom with soulful midnight blue eyes.(Stonestep’s brother)


(Stonestar’s kits that have been made apprentices)
Shadepaw- A gray she-cat with dark amber eyes.
Rainpaw- A blue she-cat with dark blue eyes and shorty, soft fur.
Cats outside of the Clan- Phoenix- A large reddish brown tom with distinct black stripes , a white belly, and chin. His eyes are a beautiful turquoise. (rogue)
Dead cats- Lightningstar- A massive dark gray tom with intense golden eyes.


Stonestar awoke in her large den. Lightningstar…Why did you have to leave me? She thought sadly. Her mate and also former leader had died a few moons ago after a large battle against the rogue group, Rage of the Lion’s Roar. Stonestar remembered the battle with a shiver as she padded out into the main cavern of EarthClan’s camp. Lioneyes, her deputy padded up to her nervously. His tan fur was ruffled and his brown eyes were troubled. “Yes, Lioneyes?” Stonestar mewed, curious as to why her deputy was so uncharacteristically nervous. “Panther soul, Rockshade,Rainpaw, and Shadepaw found a badly injured rogue near the entrance of the forest. Dawnwhisker and Meadowbliss took care of his wounds. I wanted to know what to do with him because he’s awake.” Lioneyes mewed. “Why didn’t you wake me up?” Stonestar asked incredulously. “You stayed up late last night, I thought I’d let you slee-“ “It doesn’t matter, lead me to the rogue.” Stonestar interrupted. Lioneyes nodded and lead his leader into Dawnwhisker’s den.

Once inside the medicine cat den, Lightningstar saw a large reddish brown tabby tom wrapped in blood soaked cobwebs. “Oh my StarClan! What happened to him?” Stonestar asked after seeing how bloody and dirty the rogue was. “He stinks of RainClan. I’m guessing they fought him into our territory and he dragged himself to the forest.” Lioneyes mewed, resentment for the enemy Clan clear in his voice. “Hmm, that does sound like something RainClan would do. We will care for him until he is healed and well.” Stonestar decided. Right before she stepped out of the medicine cat’s den, the rogue spoke. “Thanks. My name is Phoenix.” He rasped. Phoenix’s voice sent chills down Stonestar’s back. No voice had made her shiver except Lightningstar’s. However, this was different. It was more...natural. Stonestar slowly turned to see the rogue painfully sit up to talk to her. She looked into his striking turquoise eyes and got lost in them. “Um, are you there?” Phoenix asked after a while. “Yes.” Was all that Stonestar managed. What am I, crazy? Why am I staring at him? He’s nothing compared to Lightningstar! Stonestar thought to herself. “I’m guessing you’re Stonestar?” Phoenix mewed. Stonestar nodded, unable to force words out of her mouth. “I’ll be going…I have lots of work to attend to.” Stonestar lied and rushed out of the den.

That night, Stonestar dreamed of Lightningstar. “Lightningstar! What should I do about this rogue? He makes me feel weird.” She asked . “Get to know him. You are destined to be together.” Lightningstar replied in his calm and deep voice. “I thought I was destined to be with you, Lightningstar.” Stonestar mewed, confused. “You were, but my time with you is now over. It is his turn now. I have to go now. Tell our kits that I love them.” Lightningstar said, licking her forhead and disappearing. Stonestar awoke, tears streaming down her face. “I don’t want to forget you, Lightningstar..” Stonestar murmured.
Later that night, Stonestar was still awake. I guess I’ll go on a walk since can’t sleep. Stonestar thought to herself. Just as she exited her den, she slammed into a mass of soft reddish brown fur. “Woah, watch out there!” it said. Stonestar looked up to see Phoenix. “Sorry, did I reopen your wounds?” Stonestar asked worriedly. “No. What’re you doing awake so late at night?” Phoenix asked, his turquoise eyes mysterious in the soft moonlight that flooded in from the opening at the top of the cave. “I could ask you the same thing.” Stonestar replied. Phoenix chuckled. “Yeah, but I asked first.” He said. Stonestar sighed and shrugged. “I couldn’t sleep…your turn.” She said quickly, unable to hide her curiosity. “Hmm, well, I couldn’t stop thinking about some cat.” Phoenix mewed in fake deep thought. “Who?” Stonestar asked, not even trying to hide that she was curious anymore. “Oh, she’s gorgeous! Her eyes are like luscious ferns. They give away everything. She has a soft black pelt that resembles a starless night sky and small gray spots on her paws that shine like stars in the sky.” Phoenix mewed casually with a shrug. Stonestar thought for a moment and looked at her paws. “Me?” she guessed hopefully. Why am I hoping it’s me?! She thought, bewildered. “Yes.” Phoenix smiled. “Why?” Stonestar asked, wondering why her thought about her so much that he couldn’t sleep. Phoenix’s smile faded into a serious frown. “I was lead here by a starry bray tom with golden eyes….Lightningstar was it?” he mewed thoughtfully. “He’s sent me dreams of you and said to follow him if I wanted to meet you. He also said that I was destined to meet you.” Phoenix continued. “Then I guess we can’t argue with destiny.” Stonestar smiled and sheepishly licked Phoenix’s cheek. I guess it couldn’t be too bad to fall in love with Phoenix. At least I have Lightningstar’s blessing. Stonestar thought with a shrug.

Destinies Reborn
Many moons ago, there was a tribe of mighty tigers who were led by a fearsome leader named Ignios. He was fair and generous, and under his rule the Clan prospered. Ignios was known to all enemies, for he was the most feared predator in the area. His mate, Gemini, was also the most beautiful tigress to be seen. She could be easily distinguished by the skull-shaped black patch of fur on her right paw. Unlike the other tigers, she was a beautiful snow-white colour.
Then one day, a band of rogue cats entered the area. They all smelled of blood and wore dog teeth around their necks. The rogues were tiny, but they were also swift and sneaky. The tigers could not hold them off, for they were only used to fighting big predators like the mountain lions. Ignios was continually swarmed with cats who clawed and scratched him. His mate was killed before his eyes. Distressed and distraught, Ignios died during the first battle he had ever lost.
The cats took over the land as the tigers fled. Life became easygoing and there was never the need to fight, for rumours had spread the the mighty tigers had been driven off by these cats. The generations and generations of cats gradually grew calm and lazy as the group populated. They called themselves TigerClan, to show their pride. But little did they know that the trouble with tigers was just beginning...
• 3•
“Hurry up, mama!” mewed Pearlgaze. “I can't wait to be on an official warrior patrol with my new name! I'm now a proud warrior of TigerClan!”
Pearlgaze's mother and mentor, Fallenwing, slowly crept out of the bracken.
“Steady there, my little dandelion fluff,” she replied, cuffing her only kit across her left ear. Pearlgaze had always been called a dandelion fluff because of her fluffy white fur. True, it was short, but it gained definition over time and stuck up. Her amber eyes still shone through though; bright as fire. The two met up with the deputy's son for the patrol. He was a handsome orange tom with dark stripes; however, those weren't tabby stripes. He was around two moons older than Pearlgaze but the fire in his eyes matched hers.
“Have a nice night?” he mewed politely. Then, loosening up at the shy she-cat's gaze, he added, “I'm Flamestripe. Let's hunt by the falls, shall we? Prey's 'a plenty, there.”
Pealgaze's eyes shone, her pools of amber reflecting the luminscent glow of the morning sun. She licked her mother's shoulder before saying, “I'm going solo this time.”
She was so excited to hunt and be alone with Flamestripe when suddenly, a small, troubled white tom skidded to a halt between them.
“Mama said to join you,” he mewed, his amber eyes clouding over.
“No problem, young fellow,” Flamestripe replied kindly. “We're heading to the falls right now.”
He looks like me, thought Pearlgaze. But he ruined my perfect day!
• 3•
The sun was up the whole morning, making the butterflies fidget and the beetles scurry. Pealgaze had trouble finding active prey, and it didn't help that the strange white tom was staring at her, his face hiding something unsaid. Finally, she padded over and asked, “What's your name? I'm Pearlgaze.”
The tom's eyes didn't change. He only muttered. “P.. Pe... Run! Run! They're here! Save yourself!” Then, glancing at Pearlgaze, he yowled “StarClan!”
Stunned by the sudden outburst of the stranger, Pearlgaze shrank back in fear and annoyance. “Sorry to disturb you,” she huffed, flicking her tail at his muzzle.
“No, I'm sorry. What?” came a reply. “I-I'm Cloudbird.”
Pearlgaze turned back. The hue of the tom's eyes had darkened. She noticed they were almost red.
Suddenly, the sky darkened and the rain began to fall. Flamestripe appeared. “We're heading back.”
But on the way, they met Fallenwing. She was wounded across her flank and muzzle with huge claw marks.
“My... little... dandelion.. fluff,” she rasped. “Get away...”
Pearlgaze crouched, feeling scared and worried. “Mama?”
Her mother's eyes suddenly widened. “P.. Pe... Run! Run! They're here! Save yourself!”
With that, her mother coughed up a great deal of blood before yowling “StarClan!” and falling dead. Pearlgaze stiffened, a sob building up. Then she remembered. Haven't I heard those words before?
“...okay?” came Flamestripe's voice. “Are you okay?”
“Fine,” Pearlgaze choked. Then a strong smell hit her from behind. She turned around to see a large tiger sprinting their way. Its voice was painful and full of emotion.
“TigerClan!” it boomed. “I have come to seek revenge... I replace a comrade with love, I replace my mother with hope, but I cannot replace my Clan with shame.”
The tiger chased the three through the woods. The storm raged on above. Suddenly, a strike of lightning hit the ground. It burned the tiger to a mighty pile of ashes and seared the fur off the three cat's muzzles.
“Ouch...” came Pearlgaze's voice. The lightning had burned her paw, leaving a black patch of skin.
“Let me look at that,” Flamestripe mewed.
The snow white fur had been singed off to leave an everlasting scar, a black skull.
• 3•
The rain poured for a long time. There was no shelter in the open plains the three had run to. Now they were resting.
“We need to keep going,” Flamestripe said after the downpour had stopped.
Pearlgaze said nothing. “I've lost everything.”
“'Everything' is a concept that is simple, but not so easy to define and explain. Let's pretend that was a metaphor.”
Pearlgaze looked up, meeting Flamestripe's eyes. He was the littermate she never had. “Okay... then... let's go. Now. Come on, Cloudbird.”
But Cloudbird was making weird noises. Flamestripe and Pearlgaze exchanged confused glances. He was singing, although singing is an unknown concept to cats.
“Today I gave up love.
I'll fly away tomorrow.
Oh, my lovely white dove
I leave you all my sorrow....”
• 3•
Flamestripe managegd to nudge Cloudbird up to walk. He was still humming, though. Pearlgaze smelled cats, so they knew they were headed towards some shelter. The treeline grew thicker here, and the air was almost humid. They reached a large clearing. The cats were immediately welcomed by a strange grey tom.
“Greetings, strangers,” said the tom. He had red and white markings on his forehead; no doubt a spiritual tribe. “Welcome to the Tribe of Dry Tears. Please make yourselves at home.”
At first the three were skeptical, but eventually Pearlgaze and Flamestripe warmed up. The place was luxurious; canopy leaves, crystal clear streams running through, the scent of prey everywhere. Pearlgaze almost forgot about her mother and their journey. But Cloudbird acted nervous.
“We need to get out,” he hissed.
But before he could drag Pearlgaze away, Flamestripe stopped him. “Enjoy yourself, young one. This is our new home. It's absolutely - ”
Just then, a pretty silver she-cat came over to them. Pearlgaze felt a pang of jealousy when Flamestripe went speechless.
“Eat these berries,” the she-cat mewed. “They give you strength.”
Pearlgaze and Flamestripe began to eat them willingly, for they were starving. Only Cloudbird stayed back. He was fidgetting and mumbling. Swallowing the berries, Pearlgaze felt contented. Then she felt a little drowsy... The world was turning into rain. Pearlgaze looked over at Flamestripe, who collapsed a moment before she did.
• 3•
When the two cats awoke, they were being held back by two other cats, suspended over a bottomless pit. The grey cat who greeted them stepped up.
“Sorry travellers,” he mewed. “It's a ritual we must keep. We must sacrifice one tom and one she-cat to the gods every moon in exchange for peace and prosperity.”
Having never experienced sacrifices before, the TigerClan cats were not amused.
“What?!” Pearlgaze howled, furious. “There are no gods! There is only StarClan! Let us go!”
“Let you go?” the tom smirked. “Alright, release them.”
The cats holding them up loosened their grip. Pearlgaze braced herself for a fall, but instead, she felt small but firm jaws on the scruff of her neck. Cloudbird was dragging her away from the chaos. Flamestripe, also freed by Cloudbird, was sprinting next to them. Pearlgaze released herself from Cloudbird's grip and ran alongside Flamestripe instead. The three raced on, towards a direction they trusted. Watching the pale freesia sky turn a deep shade of crimson, streaking the sky with the blood of night.
The sound of the tribe cats could be heard behind them. Cloudbird led the way, until they reached a dead end. The path had been blocked by a mass of thick vines.
“Great job!” Flamestripe spat, his voice oozing pain and sarcasm. “Those are poisonous vines!”
“This was the only way!” Cloudbird meowed quietly but angrily. “The others were all blocked.”
Pearlgaze shivered nervously. She could smell the strong scent of the tribe cats gettting closer.
“Save yourselves!” she told them. “I'll chew the vines.”
“No! You'll die! I can't let you die,” Flamestripe mewed.
“You two have done everything for me,” Pearlgaze replied edgily. “You've been wonderful friends, but the path ends at this crossroad.”
She began to chew the vines. They tasted horrible. As the vines gave way, Pearlgaze coughed up a little blood. The deep red dripped down the vines. Flamestripe could not watch. Finally, the blockage was cleared and Cloudbird leaped through, just as the tribe cats came.
“Fool!” Flamestripe spat. He licked Pearlgaze's muzzle just as she collapsed, leaving trails of blood that would not stop following the toms as they ran off.
• 3•
Flamestripe chased Cloudbird for a long time, holding back the tears. Distressed, distraught and disappointed, the two toms settled down to rest.
“Pearlgaze...” Cloudbird moaned. “I'm sorry.”
Flamestripe chorused with him, their cries filling the late evening air with deep sorrow and growing shame.
“I loved her,” Flamestripe whispered.
“I did too,” Cloudbird agreed.
The two toms sat side by side. As the sky grew dark, only a few stars were visible.
“StarClan has left us,” Cloudbird whispered. “We let her die.”
“But we must move on,” Flamestripe mewed in a mellow tone. “How about... PearlClan of the Starry Mountains?”
“Perfect.”
Just then, a pure white dove flew overhead.
“What..?” Flamestripe asked. “A dove shouldn't be here... not at this time.”
“Beautiful isn't she?” Cloudbird sighed.
Flamestripe nodded, although the toms didn't notice the black skull on the otherwise white dove's right wing.
“Oh, my lovely white dove. I leave you all my sorrow.”

Epilogue
PearlClan of the Starry Mountains was made, led by Flamestripe. Cloudbird died a few moons after the establishment of their Clan, although no one knew how. They could not find his body the next day, either. Flamestripe said it was a fox, but only he knew his friend had moved on, for their was no scent. Flamestripe lived to a great age, naming his first litter of kits Pearlbird and Cloudgaze in honour of his friends. Then, on one fateful day, he passed on, too. Flamestripe never woke up again. Instead, he was carried off by a white butterfly with a black skull on its right wing. It turned into Pearlgaze, who transformed into a white tiger along with himself. And so, Ignios and Gemini pranced off together, followed by a single cloud bird, deep into the great expanse that is an unknown concept to any living thing.

Hollyleaf's Story


The sun slowly disappeared down the horizon. A blackbird sang sweetly through the darkening woods while a mouse scuttled beneath the roots of a tree, searching for a nut. A black she-cat crept under the undergrowth, her dark pelt blending into the evening forest. She stalked forward silently, her steps soundless.
She paused by an oak tree, opening her mouth to scent the air. Her target had gone towards the WindClan border. She followed his trail.
The scent was growing stronger now. She was closer to where he was.
There! There was her target! He was stalking a rabbit, not knowing of the danger around him.
Hollyleaf spat, cursing Ashfur silently. If he was going to live this night, then he would destroy the whole clan! Her hate for him blazed so much; she was surprised he couldn’t feel it.
Ashfur didn’t deserve to stalk that rabbit. He didn’t deserve to catch it. He had tried to kill her and her littermates! He had made them suffer enough already. He had gotten his revenge, hadn’t he? She and her littermates hated Squirrelflight more than ever. Wasn’t that enough for him?
Announcing the truth at the Gathering would not only cause Thunderclan to hate Squirrelflight and her kits, it would also shame the clan in front of the Gathering! She knew Squirrelflight deserved to suffer, but it was unfair to make the clan suffer too.
Ashfur didn’t deserve to be born. He didn’t deserve to live. He didn’t deserve to be happy when she and her littermates were going to suffer.It wasn’t fair that they were born half-clan! I couldn’t change what my parents did! She wailed inwardly.
She narrowed her eyes on Ashfur’s gray pelt. Back to business. There was no point in hoping that he wasn’t going to announce it or warning him. Hollyleaf knew that that would be useless. No, there was only one way to solve this problem. She dug her claws into the ground, ready to pounce…
Ashfur had caught the rabbit. He had killed it with a swift bite to the neck. He purred, pleased with himself.
Now was Hollyleaf’s chance. She narrowed her eyes and unsheathed her claws. But then she hesitated. For a moment she felt doubt and sorrows.
Was this really right? Was it really right to kill a fellow warrior? To break the warrior code?
If she killed Ashfur, all her clanmates would grieve. Ashfur’s kin and friends would be so upset. They would be set on finding his murderer.
And what if they found out it was her? What would they do? They would definitely exile her. Was stopping Ashfur from admitting the truth worth being exiled? Could she just hope that Firestar would pity her?
No, she pushed the foolish thought away. Even if Firestar took pity on her and her littermates, the whole clan would treat them differently. They wouldn’t treat her like a clanmate any longer. They would think she wasn’t worth anything, that she couldn’t be trusted. They would treat her like a warrior from another clan. All her loyalty, all the times she tried her best, would be worthless if the truth was revealed.
A movement from the corner of her eye distracted her train of thought. Ashfur had picked up the squirrel. He was starting to leave, walking toward her.
***
Ashfur was having a great day. He had caught a nice plump squirrel. And he was going to the Gathering tonight.
He purred at the thought of Squirrelflight suffering. She would pay for what she did to him. He walked on, unaware of the fact that there was a cat in the undergrowth who was wondering whether she should kill him or not.
***
Hollyleaf had made her decision. She once again narrowed her eyes and unsheathed her claws. She wasn’t getting another opportunity like this. If she didn’t do it, her life would be ruined. And not only mine, she thought.
This time she didn’t hesitate. She leaped through the air, her claws outstretched and unsheathed, aiming for Ashfur’s throat, dispatching him like he was a piece of prey.
He paused and turned around. He knew something was wrong. He could feel it. But he was too late. When he saw her, her claws were already digging into his throat.
Ashfur’s eyes were filled with disbelief. He clawed at Hollyleaf weakly, but he didn’t have enough strength to hurt her. He made a strange gurgling sound with his throat. Hollyleaf thought he said “Help”.
But Hollyleaf didn’t help him. She sat and watched until Ashfur died.
But she couldn’t leave his body there. Someone would find him. He would be given a proper warrior ceremony to Starclan, which he didn’t deserve. And somebody would find out the truth. Somebody always did.
Hollyleaf dragged Ashfur to the nearest stream and dumped him in it. She watched with a satisfied look on her face as he drifted away. Watching it until it disappeared from sight.
Then the black she-cat washed her paws and padded away, picking up Ashfur’s rabbit on her way home.
Her job was done. Ashfur wouldn’t hurt anyone again.

Hollyleaf ran through the tunnels like the wind. She ran to try and escape all those painful memories running through her head; killing Ashfur, admitting the truth at the Gathering, attempting to kill Leafpool. Now that her mind was clear and not filled with rage, she couldn’t believe she had done any of those things.
Why had she killed Ashfur? Now she realized it was such a stupid thing to do. Did she actually once think that after Ashfur was out of the way, everything would be peaceful?
And why had she announced the truth out at the Gathering? Even though it couldn’t hurt Hollyleaf now - no one could sneer at her for being half-clan if they thought she was dead – why had she said those terrible things?
She knew why.
The truth was like a burden she was holding on her back. It weighed down on her, whatever she did. Finally, she had decided she couldn’t hold it any longer and she had told everyone, thinking that would let her drop the weight.
Instead, it gave her a heavier burden. Now she was running while everyone thought she was dead. And Jayfeather and Lionblaze! Cats wouldn’t sneer at her, but what if they did to her littermates! Would they stop Jayfeather from being the medicine cat because he was half-clan? No, he was their only medicine cat now because Leafpool wasn’t going to be one any longer.
And why was she the one who had told the truth? She was the one who had to drop the burden, to reveal the truth. Jayfeather and Lionblaze managed to hold onto it, but she couldn’t.
More thoughts ran through her head.
She had actually attempted to kill Leafpool! Why had she done that? She knew she had been angry, but how could she have even thought of killing a cat again? After murdering Ashfur, after she had gotten over the delight that he was dead, she had retched as she realized the truth of what she had done. His face now haunted her dreams, leaving her awake shivering and afraid, of Ashfur’s spirit and herself. If she had actually murdered Leafpool, would her face be one of those that would haunt her sleep? Would she see her dead body stretched out before her bleeding a river of blood like Ashfur’s? She shivered and felt a chill down her back at the thought of thought.
And why was she escaping from her clan? Why was she escaping her kin and friends? What would they think? What would the clan think? What would Starclan think? Would think they were better off without her?
And what was she now? Was she going to live the rest of her life as a loner or a rogue? Well, she definitely wasn’t a warrior and there was no way she could or would return to her clan now.
Her mind flashed back to her Jayfeather and Lionblaze.
She could still hear their yowls echoing in her mind. She almost wished that she could turn back. I’m sorry! She wailed silently.
A falling rock distracted her. As it flew past her, she realized that she couldn’t think about her littermates right now. More rocks were collapsing behind her and she had to get our quickly.
She ran faster and faster, the fastest she had ever run. But as she quickened, the rocks did too. They were falling faster now. Hollyleaf willed herself to run faster than she already as.
I can’t run like this much longer, she realized, If I don’t get our soon, I’ll die.
Ow! A falling rock had crushed her leg. It blazed with pain.
Hollyleaf painfully got up and limped ahead. She had to keep going.
Starclan help me! She prayed. Just as she thought she was doomed, the rocks stopped falling behind her. She breathed a sigh of relief. Then she took in her surroundings.
She was in a small cave. There was a tiny pool in the middle, and it sparkled with moonlight. She wondered why.
As she padded nearer, she discovered there was a tiny hole in the cave which moonlight shone down from.
She collapsed with relief. Her injured leg stung, but fortunately, it wasn’t broken, just bruised badly.
Then exhaustion came over her and her eyes closed

Hollyleaf blinked sleepy eyes awake. First she couldn’t take in her surroundings. Where was she? Where was the warm Warriors den with all her clanmates around her? Why was lying on an uncomfortable stone ground?
Then it all came back to her. She wasn’t a warrior anymore. She was now a loner, doomed to wander around alone until she died.
Hollyleaf sighed. Now she terribly regretted running down into the tunnels. ThunderClan would think she was dead; her best friend Cinderheart, her former mentor Brackenfur, and especially Jayfeather and Lionblaze. They would all grieve for her. So if she returned and they found out she was alive, they would be so angry at her for letting them think that she was dead. So now she could only make the best of what she had.
Hollyleaf made herself think positive. She wasn’t going to go back to the Clans so there was no use thinking about her clanmates. She had made her choice, and she was keeping it.
Now first things first, she had to find her way out of these tunnels, and she had to be up and ready to do that. She tried to get up.
Ow! Her muscles and joints were still sore from yesterday. She probably wouldn’t get very far with her aching legs, especially her bruised one.
Hollyleaf sighed. She couldn’t stay in the tunnels. Even though more rest would do her good, being underground was creepy and she wanted to be in the fresh air, feeling soft earth beneath her paws as soon as possible.
She attempted to rise again. Her body still hurt, but she managed to achieve standing up on shaky paws. She took an unsteady step forward, wobbling a bit. Fortunately, she was getting steadier by the moment. She stepped toward a dark tunnel, taking each step with care. When she reached her destination, she looked into the tunnel she had chosen. It was extremely dark and there was no way of seeing if the way was safe or not. Should she take a chance?
Hollyleaf sighed; she had to try. But it was going to take a long, long time for her to get out of the tunnels.

Hollyleaf groaned after stumbling again for the fourth time. She had been walking for a very long time. She wondered if she was ever going to escape the cursed tunnels.
Then she saw light. It was shining through the tunnel, from behind a rock.
Strengthened and energized with new hope, she ran faster than before, forgetting her limp. When she reached the rock, she tasted the air and looked around her, carefully inspecting the area around her. There was indeed an opening in the tunnel!
Hollyleaf ran down the tunnel, her feet pounding on the stone. Her paws beat down faster than ever, the moonlight glowing on her fur.
Soon, the light was growing brighter. Hollyleaf felt a thrill of exhilaration run through her. Soon she was going to be sleeping under a bramble bush in a warm nest, catching a plump mouse, breathing in the fresh air. She could smell it right now; a warm new-leaf breeze.
Hollyleaf’s paws flew through the air as she surged out of the tunnels, then skidded to a halt when she realized that she was out.
She lifted her head and just stood there for a moment, breathing in the air, feeling so thankful for things that she had never appreciated about before. The night sky roamed over her head, filled with glittering, shining stars that sparkled with the spirits of Starclan. Hollyleaf wondered if they were watching her.. She hoped that they were. Even if they didn’t approve of her choice, she wanted her warriors ancestors watch down upon her. She wouldn’t feel safe without them.
The moon rose above her, a curved crescent moon. About a quarter-moon had passed since Hollyleaf had run down the tunnels. She had been in the tunnels for longer than she realized. For a brief moment, she wondered what was happening in her home - no, former home.
Hollyleaf quickly forgot about that thought as she looked around and took in her surroundings. A lush, unfamiliar, forest stretched before her. It seemed a little bit like ThunderClan territory, though it would never be the same. She could feel soft earth beneath her paws, soothing in contrast of the hard stone in the tunnels. The air was fresh and filled with the scent of prey, so unlike the dull, gloomy, air she had breathed in before.
Once Hollyleaf was excitement diminished, she realized just how exhausted and hungry she was. She decided to catch a mouse or two before finding a nice place to sleep.
Hollyleaf tasted the air, remembering her lectures as an apprentice. She could hear a mouse scuttling beneath a nearby tree root. She arched her back and stalked carefully until she was a few tail-lengths near it. Then she pounced, killing it in a swift bite to the neck.
Hollyleaf triumphantly carried her prey to a small bramble bush with soft ferns growing inside of it. She ate her mouse; gulping it down rapidly, she hadn’t eaten for two whole sunrises!
Then she squeezed into the bramble bush and lay down on the soft ferns for a nap. Before she knew it, she was deep asleep.

“Hollyleaf! Hollyleaf!”
Hollyleaf stood in a forest shrouded with mist. Voices called to her, familiar voices, voices of her clanmates. They whispered through the hazy veil covering them, hiding them from her view. They watched her every move, invisible eyes fixed on her.
“Hollyleaf!”
That was Cinderheart’s voice. Hollyleaf felt a pang of grief as she remembered her former best friend.
“Hollyleaf! Why?”
Now it was Jayfeather. His desperate voice broke Hollyleaf’s heart.
“Hollyleaf! Don’t leave us!”
Lionblaze was calling now. Then Firestar, Brambleclaw, Brackenfur…
Soon the air was filled with voices, all calling to Hollyleaf.
“What do you want?” Hollyleaf called back. Instantly, the voices became more mysterious, more accusing, no longer familiar. They were the same voices she remembered, but changed, as if there was a whole new perspective that Hollyleaf hadn’t noticed before. She could also feel the eyes glowering at her now.
“How could you?”
“Telling the whole Gathering! Do you have any idea what state ThunderClan is in…”
“… now you run away!”
The voices echoed in Hollyleaf’s head, filling her with guilt. They were right. She had failed her duty as a warrior. She had run away from the clan after shaming it. How could she have done that?
Hollyleaf steeled herself. “I made my choice. I’m not changing it!” she snarled, daring the voices to argue with her. They did.
“You shouldn’t have made that choice.”
“What are you now?”
“A loner?”
“A rogue?”
“A half clan cat wandering alone, alone, alone…”
Mocking laughter now could be heard.
Alone The word echoed through Hollyleaf’s mind, driving her insane. She leaped into the mist, clawing at her invisible enemies, wanting them to die.
“I don’t care what you think!” Hollyleaf yowled, snarling into the mist. “I don’t care what anyone thinks!”
No, that wasn’t true. She did care. But she wasn’t going to show them that she did.
“Hollyleaf!”
Hollyleaf spun around, started to hear a voice that wasn’t accusing, echoing, mysterious. She saw a beautiful tortoiseshell she-cat with stars in her fur.
“What do you want?” Hollyleaf growled.
“I am Spottedleaf, I know you have heard about me. I am from Starclan. And I am here to tell you that you must go back.”
Hollyleaf almost screeched with frustration. She didn’t want to go back! Not to those accusing voices, those glaring eyes! Couldn’t Spottedleaf see that?
“I’m not going back! Not ever!” Hollyleaf yowled, and she ran off blindly through the mist, not caring where she was going.
Prickly brambles that seemed to appear from nowhere slapped her in the face, forming small cuts and scratches.
Hollyleaf kept running. She didn’t care where she was going, didn’t care where she was anymore. She just wanted to get out of this terrible place.
As she ran, she took all her memories of her family, friends, and clanmates, and stored them to the very back of her mind. She built a wall to prevent her from ever thinking of them.
She locked up her past, all of it. Now she was Holly, a normal she-cat who had never heard of the clans, who had never lived with them.

Return of the foxes
"Keep walking you worthless cat!" An ugly fox spat. The creamy pelt she-cat trudged onwards limping and glaring at the fox. Worthless? At least I'm not a crow-food eating fox! She let out a small hiss of annoyance and continued walking. "Where are you taking me? If you're going to kill me, do it now." She challenged. None of the foxes replied, instead they kept walking.

Up ahead she could see what looked like a camp. That must be their fresh kill pile.She glanced over at a pile of Twoleg trash and dead rats. Disgusting. They all stopped walking and formed a circle around her. A bigger than usual fox stepped up. His face was covered in scars and his pelt had spots of missing fur. That must be their pack leader.

"What were you doing on Fox territory?" The leader growled at her.

"Fox territory? It's not yours it's our territory! When Eaglestar finds this camp she'll rip you all to shreds!" She meowed bravely. The pack leader didn't even flinch.

"Eaglestar? Oh no! A puny cat is gonna kill us all! Everyone run for your lives!" The leader mocked and laughed at her. "What kind of stupid name is Eaglestar? You cats clearly have small brains!"

Oh Starclan, can I just kill them all now? "It's not a stupid name. My name is Icepelt and I'm proud of it. It you don't like it go ahead and say it!" She hissed.

The fox was silent. Icepelt stood there staring into his fiery amber eyes. "I've heard enough. We'll let you live...But just barely. Go back to your camp and tell them we'll kill them all. Oh don't worry. We'll be sure to have you alive when we kill your kit!"

"Don't you dare ever touch Cloudkit!" Icepelt lunged forward and clung on to him with her claws while biting at his shoulder.

"Don't just stand there, attack her!" The pack leader snarled at the other foxes. The scar-face fox slammed her against the rock wall. The air filled will vile fox breath as the foxes pilled on to her.

"Starclan help m-" Her voice was cut short by a fox biting deep into her throat. She struggled to keep her eyes open. Blood was dripping from her wounds and staining the ground red.

"Since of you pathetic attempt to kill me I'll change my plans. We'll drop off your body by your camp. We'll watch your kit grow up and have a family of his own. Then we'll kill him and any remaining kin. Your clan will be no more and we foxes will dominate. The battle had just begun."

The pack leader gave an evil smile. "Oh and one more thing, say hello to Eaglestar for me." He bit deep into her neck until she went limp. Icepelt closed her eyes for the last time.

Cloudkit forgive me....
* * *


Blackwhisper sighed and stared at her two squirming new-born kits.
"They're beautiful" Cloudheart whispered. "Thinking of naming them yet?"
"Well I'll name that one Ravenkit." Blackwhisper flicked her tail to one of the she-kits. "And that one, after your mother Icepelt."
Icepelt. The name echoed in Cloudheart's head. He'll never forget it. The day Icepelt died, Cloudheart was furious. A gang of foxes took her and murdered her. Leaving Cloudheart with no more kin. He never knew his father so his mother was the most important to him. His brother was taken away by Twolegs. Revenge. I will never forget until I get my revenge.

* * *


Many moons later...

"Icekit get up!" Cloudheart hissed.

"Will you stop calling me that? It's Icepaw now!" Icepaw hissed back.

"Well what do you expect me to call you when you never listen to your mentor?" Cloudheart mewed playfully. Icepaw could tell he wasn't so mad anymore. Will a long stretch and a swift lick to her fur, Icepaw slowly got out of her nest and padded towards Cloudheart.

"Now was that so hard?" Cloudheart purred and licked her on the head. "You look silly with your fur sticking up!"
Embarrassed, Icepaw quickly fixed her fur and padded along side with Cloudheart.

"Today, we will do some exploring. I want you to memorize our territory so much you can even navigate around it with your eyes closed!" Cloudheart meowed.

Icepaw groaned. I want to learn how to fight! I already know the territory. Rainpaw probably gets to do all the cool stuff with her mentor! Icepaw glanced over at Rainpaw. She reeked of mouse bile and was cleaning ticks of the elders. Never mind. I guess I'd rather explore...

"Now close your eyes, do you scent anything?" Cloudheart asked in a whisper.

"Yes. I smell mouse. Over there in the bushes."

"Good, show me what you have learned."

Finally! A chance to show off my skills! Icepaw sneaked over to where the mouse was. Her paws silently padded on the ground. She was so close to her prey that she could hear the mouse nibble at a nut. In a split second she swiped at the mouse. The hit had landed and the mouse dropped dead.

"Great job!" Cloudheart congratulated her. "You learn fast. Well done. Hunt some more and we'll come back to camp.

Dropping her prey by the fresh kill pile, Icepaw sprinted over to Rainpaw. "Rainpaw! Rainpaw! Look what I caught!" She jumped up and down excitedly.

Rainpaw sniffed at the mouse. "Mmmm you caught this all by yourself? Good job! I can't wait until I catch something. Then maybe we could hunt together!" Rainpaw picked up a squirrel. "After that I'll eat with you." Rainpaw padded away into the elders den.

"You're lucky, Icepaw." She heard a voice say.

"What?" Icepaw questioned confused. The voice came from inside the apprentice den. "Oh hi, Desertpaw! I didn't see you there!" she mrrowed with laughter. "Lucky with what?"

"That you mentor is your father! I wished my mentor was nicer with me. I like Cloudheart. He's nice and fun to be around and he's your father. So yeah you’re lucky." Desertpaw meowed.

"Oh. Well thanks." Icepaw wasn't sure what to say. She didn't realize that other cats envied her mentor. I guess I am lucky. She padded inside the den with a smile on her face.

"Good night." Rainpaw meowed to her friend. "Don't let the Twolegs bite!" She giggled and closed her eyes. It's supposed to be "Don't let the ticks bite!" Silly Rainpaw. Icepaw yawned and closed her heavy eyes.

"...You...worthless...cat...” Icepaw heard a voice say. "Who is that?" She demanded. "We'll...kill...You...” The same voice said. "Watch...your kit...grow...up." What kit? Are they talking to me?
"Icepaw run!" She heard a she-cat yowl. Icepaw did as she was told and sprinted away. She didn't know where she was or where she was going. All she scented was a hot breath catching up to her. The ground cracked open and he fell through. Pairs of glowing blood-thirsty red eyes were watching her. Shadows formed around her. The shapes turned more creature-like. Foxes? Icepaw remembered the way Cloudheart had described their scent. A fox came face to face will her.

"You clan will fall to ruins!" The fox snarled. It gaped open its jaws. Her heart beat so fast it was the only thing she could hear.

"Help me!" She yowled.

"Icepaw! Calm down! You wake up the whole forest thrashing around like that!" A voice laughed.

"Had a bad dream?" Rainpaw asked.

"Yes. I think I should tell someone about it." Icepaw's face felt wet with sweat and her pelt was hot and sticky.

"Alright. I'll go get us something to eat once you’re done."

Icepaw walked into the medicine cats den. "Hello? Snowberry?"

"Oh hey, Icepaw!" It's good to see you. Anything wrong?" Snowberry came out of her nest and sat in front of her. Snowberry is the same age as Icepaw, but she got her full medicine cat name after her mentor died of a Twoleg monster. She respected that her friend was strong enough to continue to be a medicine cat.

"Yes. I had a strange dream. I think it meant something." She meowed and explained her dream to her.
"On my, that is quite a strange dream. You may have a fear of foxes. Don't you remember when you were a kit?" Oh yeah. Rainpaw and I ran into some foxes when we were kits. Their size was extremely frightening. Now that I'm bigger they shouldn’t seem so scary, right? "Your dream probably means nothing, just a fear of foxes it seems." Snowberry licked Icepaw on the head. "Don't worry. Starclan will keep you safe. Those foxes you met when you were a kit are probably dead now." I hope so... Icepaw thanked her and padded away.

* * *

"So today I'll teach you some fighting moves." Cloudheart said excitedly. Icepaw could tell he would like to show off all his moves to her. "Okay. So I learned this move fighting foxes!"

Icepaw rolled her eyes. Now he's gonna rant all about how he was a hero of the clan. She heard this story many times before. A couple of foxes wandered too close to camp and Cloudheart just happened to be nearby. Without think he fought all three foxes. Almost killing one of them and sending the other two whimpering and fleeing. Cloudheart got a scar on his muzzle from that fight. He was only Cloudpaw back then. The moment he came back and was treated for his wounds he was named a warrior.

"So first you...." His voice trailed off.

"What's wrong?" Icepaw worried.

"Hush! I scent something...No it can't be! Foxes!" Cloudheart turned to her. "Go run! Go back to camp and tell the others before it's too late!" His voice was panicked.
Before Icepaw could rush back, a growl emerged from a nearby bush.

"They smell of her! They must be kin!" A raspy old voice growled. "Kill them!"

"Icepaw run!" Cloudheart yowled. "I'll fight them myself..." She could see a tear form in his eyes. Was he the one that yowled at me in my dream? No...That was a she-cat.

Icepaw ran as fast as she could. The foxes blocked her way to the camp so she had no choice but to run away. Sprinting, dodging tree roots she paused to catch her breath. She could still smell fox so she hid in from bushes so she could rest.

"Where did she go?" She heard a young fox ask.

"I don't know. I also don't care. Let her die by herself so that we don't have waste our breath." A she-fox sneered.
"She probably doesn't even know how to hunt!" They both laughed.

How dare they? I wish I could jump out and show them how much of a real hunter I am! She held back. If I attacking them now then they would alert the others...Icepaw held her breath. The two foxes were too busy talking they didn't even notice her.

She stumbled onwards, glancing around making sure it was safe, and sprinted away. I can't be lost! There's no way! Heavily breathing she rested at the root of a tree. After she caught her breath she took a great leap into the air and caught on to a branch. She carefully climbed upwards on the bark of the tree. One of her back legs lost grip of the tree. She gasped as she stumbled down, but luckily she caught on to a branch. Being even more careful than before, she made her way to the top of the tree.

She took a deep breath. Scanning her surrounding her couldn't recognize any Skyclan territory. The sky turned bright orange with a highlight of pink. The sun was going to set soon so she leaped down to a sturdier branch and closed her tired eyes.

Icepaw was awakened by the sound of bird calls. It was still dark, but she needed to make haste if she ever wanted to see her clan again. It must have rained last night because the ground was moist and covered in puddles. The sun was just beginning to rise, but storm clouds were covering it.
Icepaw sighed at the beauty around her. The dew filled leaves sparkled in the sunrise. The silhouette of her shadow danced in and out of the trees as she scampered along the forest floor. She lifted her nose up to the sky hoping the breeze would carry to scent of home to her. Sadly, all she scented was prey. Her stomach growled. Well I guess stopping to eat won't hurt.

After eating a squirrel, she continued her search. After a few moments she would stop to whiff the air for any familiar scents. Hours passed, still no sign of home. Icepaw started to lose hope. Tears began to run down her face. Lost, hungry, and tried, hope was one of the last things to help her.

Icepaw rested for a while. She was tried, but sleep wouldn't easy for her. The moon blazed in the sky, glowing all around her, making the dew look like stars. She missed her warm nest back home, her mentor and his humor, her friends. Most importantly, she missed her clan. Lifting her head one more time, she closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. A scent! It was very brief and stale but it was Skyclan! Am I imagining this?

She stepped forwards. The scent was slightly stronger. I blast of hope cam soaring trough her as she sprinted pursuing the trail. By morning the scent of Skyclan was all around her. She could now trace out the scent she was following. Owlpelt? What was he doing so far away from camp?Was he looking for me?

"Owlpelt!" She yowled as loud as she could. She heard a faint reply in the distance. She sprinted even faster until his brown pelt came into view.

"Icepaw!" Owlpelt bounded after her. He was clearly happy to see her. "You can tell me everything later; let’s just get back to camp!" He slowly caught his breath then both of them came into the camp clearing.

"Icepaw! Is that really you?" She heard a voice say. Cloudheart's voice was filled with joy. He rubbed her muzzle on hers. Eaglestar, hearing all the commotion outside, came out of her den.

"It's good to see you’re back safe. Here, eat something first, then you can tell us what happened" Eaglestar meowed.

Icepaw nodded. Cats all around the camp couldn't stop glancing over at her. She could tell they could wait until she told them what happened. After explaining everything she sighed. It's good to be back.

"I want to tell you what happened after you got lost." Icepaw turned around and saw Cloudheart's icy eyes locked on hers. The tone of his voice was serious, which is abnormal for him. They both padded away from the rest of the cats to where they could talk.

"After you ran, more foxes came. I think these foxes were to ones that killed my mother...” He took a deep breath and continued. "One of them had scars on his muzzle. He told me that he once killed a cat. He said that cat smelled like me. After he said that, I snapped. I was furious and instead of calling for help I fought them alone. I managed to claw him in the eyes, leaving him blind. Owlpelt over heard my yowls of pain and helped me fight. The other foxes escaped, leaving the pack leader behind."

"What happened next?" Icepaw interrupted.

"I killed him. When we came back to camp I got my wounds treated. Later we took the pack leader's body, found the foxes territory, and left it there. I don't think they'll her bother us again." His eyes gleamed with victory. So he finally got his revenge!

"But that’s the good news. After the fight I realized that I wasn't a responsible mentor. I was more determined to kill foxes than to look after you! I'm sorry; I'm such a horrible mentor." Cloudheart said, with pain in his voice.

"You’re the greatest mentor! Everyone envies you! Can't you see that?" Icepaw begged. "Please believe me."

Cloudheart shook his head. "It's already too late. I'm not your mentor anymore." He padded away with his head down and his tail low.

"Icepaw, what's wrong? Your back, you be happy!" Owlpelt meowed.

"No, it's not that. It's just Cloudheart says he's not my mentor. I don't know why he thinks that he's a bad mentor. I think it's because I went missing. He probably thought I was dead!" Icepaw imagined how much pain Cloudheart would have been in.

"Yeah. He told me about it. He also said he wanted me to be your mentor. I don't think I should. I'm barely even a warrior myself!" Owlpelt shook his head. "He's a hero. I'll never be like that." what does he mean by that? Icepaw sensed Owlpelt was talking about something more than just being a hero.

"Well I think you can." Icepaw's eyes were filled with hope. "I mean, you’re the reason I'm here. I found your scent and I followed it back to camp. You deserve to be a mentor."

"Fine, if you really think so, but if I make any mistakes I as immediately quitting as a mentor!" He laughed. Owlpelt started to walk away but paused. "I guess I'll see you later, Soon-to-be apprentice" He awkwardly said and padded away.
* * *
Moons later

Skyclan finally chased out the last of the foxes. Icepaw received her warrior name for acting brave while fighting off the foxes. She received her warrior name, Icetail. Also fighting bravely Rainpaw got her warrior name, Rainfeather. Cloudheart decided that he believes in himself and would like to mentor again.

Cloudheart padded into the warriors den and sat in his nest next to Blackwhisper. After sharing tongues with her he slowly purred to sleep.

"Cloudheart, you did well." A voice surrounded him.
He was standing in front of a beautiful cream colored pelt she-cat.

"Mother?" Tears filled his eyes and he tried to make words but they kept getting stuck in his throat. Icepelt's neck was wound-free and her fur was nice and soft. He rubbed his muzzle against hers and wrapped his tail around her.

"Thank you." She whispered, and licked him on the head. Cloudheart opened his eyes. She was gone.

Cloudheart...