Storm_Ro.kit_.png

Here are Chapters 1-5 for Shyspirit’s Plea, including the Chapter 3 BC (Bonus Chapter) and Prologue!

Prologue
A kit let out a wail of terror as a flurry of vicious barking sounded outside of where she hid. Suddenly, silence. Terrifying silence. The kit trembled, pressing herself against the wall of the den. Her littermates crouched, shaking, beside her.
“W-What… what do we do?” A tom-kit whispered, voice cracking with terror.
“We hide,” a she-kit whispered. “We have to. The dogs w-will… get us too, if we d-don’t…” clearly her littermates were still in shock from their mother’s death. Their mother had lunged for the dogs in a vain attempt to save them, but she was ripped savegely to pieces as she realized how vicious the dogs were.
“We will survive,” the kit murmured. “We have to. The camp was torn apart… and MorningClan has faded. We are the only ones left. Clearly the dogs still have a taste for cat blood.”
“What about the patrols?” The she-kit growled under her breath. “Surely Alderstar is alive?”
“Maybe,” the tom-kit conceded. “But he may be dead. The dogs have most likely ripped him to shreds, or gave him a wound too big to heal.” The dogs erupted into more barking. The kits fell silent. Suddenly, heavy paws crashed against the edge of the den, rattling it. The tom-kit opened his mouth to wail, but the she-kit covered his mouth with her tail. Another hard shove. Suddenly the den was ripped apart by sharp teeth. The kits dove to hide in the debris. The dogs sniffed, but it started to rain. Pounding rain. The dogs whimpered and ran away. The kits peered out from their hiding spots. They were huge; and they would surely be dead by now if it hadn’t started raining when it had.
“Fiercekit?” The kit whispered. “Stonekit?”
“I’m here,” Stonekit whispered. Fiercekit poked her head out.
“What do we do now, Lunakit?” Fiercekit asked, blue eyes wide with terror.
“We abandon MorningClan,” Lunakit growled. “And we start our lives again. When we are older, MorningClan will begin once more.”

Chapter One
“Shypaw! Pay attention!” Her mentor, Sweetleaf, snapped. She had been drifting off. Her apprentice ceremony had been a quarter-moon ago. “Leafypaw, Songpaw, and Creekpaw will get ahead of you. Don’t make an embarrassment of yourself.”
“Since when were you so rude?” Shypaw queried. Sweetleaf sighed, muttered under her breath, ‘You’re just like your father,’ then spoke.
“Just please pay attention. Like I was saying, let me show you the hunter’s crouch…”
Sweetleaf crouched, tucking her hind legs in and tensing, letting her tail lie still. She sat up.
“Now you try.” Shypaw tried to copy her mentor’s crouch.
“Ah. Tuck your hind legs in a bit more; great! Now try pouncing on that cluster of wildflowers.” Shypaw tensed, then pounced, landing directly on the wildflowers.
“Perfect!” Sweetleaf said approvingly. “Seems like you’re just like your mother, perfect at training.” Shypaw shuffled her paws with embarrassment.
“I hope we don’t meet any badgers.” Sweetleaf snorted.
“Of course we won’t! History doesn’t repeat itself.”
“Or will it?” Shypaw breathed. Sweetleaf rolled her eyes.
“Let’s get back to camp.”
“Okay!” Shypaw said, racing towards the camp.
“Slow down!” Sweetleaf called after her. Shypaw slowed down and ducked through the entrance. It was pretty lively; her mother was gone, as usual, leading a patrol, and her father might also have been leading a patrol. She tasted the air. Spiritsong’s and Ashcloud’s scents were faint.
“Hey, Shypaw!” A familiar annoying voice sounded. It was Adderpaw, the most smug and obnoxious cat she’d ever seen.
“Are you back from training? Got some dirt on your pelt?” Adderpaw’s eyes gleamed with triumph. “You’re so squeamish!”
“First off, I never said I got dirt on my pelt,” Shypaw said. “And second off, you’re the one who false alarms the camp every single day.”
“N-No I don’t!” Adderpaw spluttered. “Prove it!” Shypaw thought for a moment.
“That time you thought you were being chased by a fox, but it was actually a squirrel,” Shypaw said. “And also that time you were so panicked because a LightClan patrol ‘crossed’ our border, but didn’t actually and it were their scent marks… and also that time-”
“Just, just… shut up!” Adderpaw snapped. Shypaw purred with amusement.
“Flustered, aren’t you?” Adderpaw turned his back on her.
“Stop being rude to me!”
“Stop being rude to 𝘮𝘦 !” Shypaw flashed back.
“Now, now,” Swoopshard chided. The pale grey she-cat was watching them. “Don’t fight. You’re clanmates, after all.” Shypaw’s gaze met her gaze apologetically.
“I’m sorry, Swoopshard. Adderpaw was just being a complete mouse-brain.”
“Yeah, I’m- wait, what?” Adderpaw was confused for a moment but his ginger and white tabby fur bushed up when he realized. “You’re the mouse-brain!” Swoopshard rolled her eyes.
“Apprentices.” Leafwing flicked her denmate’s ear with her tail. “We were all like that once, Swoopshard.” Shypaw pricked her ears as a patrol entered the camp. Spiritsong had been leading it, and Darktuft, Icefrost, and Stormpuddle had accompanied her.
“No sign of LightClan crossing the border,” Spiritsong reported to Willowstar, who had been grooming herself.
“Good,” Willowstar mewed. “Do you think the hunting patrols will find prey?” 𝘐𝘵’𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘧-𝘧𝘢𝘭𝘭, 𝘴𝘰 𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩, Shypaw thought to herself. Spiritsong dipped her head and headed for the scarce fresh-kill pile.
“I was starving,” Spiritsong complained as she settled by her sister and began to eat a scrawny mouse. Shypaw scurried over.
“Hi,” she mewed. Spiritsong turned around.
“Oh! Shypaw, how’s your training going?”
“It’s fun,” she said enthusiastically. “And I like being challenged.”
“Good,” Spiritsong purred. “You’ll be a warrior soon.”
“I want to be a leader,” she said, lifting her muzzle.
“That depends if you get to be a deputy,” Spiritsong said. Her eyes darkened with sorrow. “Even then, you can’t be guaranteed to be a leader.” 𝘚𝘩𝘦’𝘴 𝘵𝘢𝘭𝘬𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘎𝘰𝘰𝘴𝘦𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸, Shypaw realized.
“That doesn’t happen often, does it? I mean, a deputy dying before becoming a leader.” Spiritsong sighed.
“It doesn’t, but it does occur at some point.” Then her mother’s eyes brightened. “There are your littermates! Go talk to them.” Leafypaw, Songpaw, and Creekpaw had darted into camp.
“Hey, Shypaw!” Leafypaw called. Leafypaw’s eyes were bright.
“Yes?” Shypaw asked, bounding over.
“How was your training?”
“Just the hunter’s crouch, and pouncing,” Shypaw muttered. Leafypaw gave her a sympathetic look.
“Front-paw slash.” Shypaw tasted the air, and suddenly she caught a faint whiff of rogue. Her eyes widened.
“I need to go,” she mewed quickly, and slipped out of camp through the dirtplace tunnel. She emerged into the forest and saw three full-grown toms. One was pure white, scarred and ragged with yellow eyes, another was ginger and black with amber eyes and a scratch along his eye; and the final one was a reddish tom with green eyes and a scarred muzzle.
“Why, hello,” the ginger tom hissed mockingly. “Another cat for us to take? How great.” Shypaw backed away, stuttering,
“W-Who are you guys?” The white tom rolled his eyes.
“Are you serious? Alder, tell her.” The reddish tom stared down at her. His eyes were distressed, then he turned to the other two cats.
“We’re not taking her. I don’t want to ever see you guys again.” And with that, Alder leaped for the white tom.
“Alder, what are you doing?” The white tom screeched.
“What is right, Fang,” Alder hissed. Fang flailed his paws helplessly as Alder closed his eyes, turned away, and sliced open Fang’s belly. Shypaw felt sick. What had she just witnessed?
“Do you want to perish too, Tiger?” Alder growled. Tiger shook his head wildly and fled.
“I’m so sorry for that,” Alder apologized. “I used to be a clan leader with the name of Alderstar.” Shypaw gaped with astonishment.
“O-Of which clan?”
“MorningClan,” Alder said sadly. “My camp was attacked by dogs. At least, I think that’s what happened. The dogs ambushed my patrol and ripped every cat to shreds. All except me. I still had one life to spare, and when I woke up, the dogs were gone. It was pouring, and I scoured the camp for survivors. There were none. Then Fang and Tiger came along, and invited me to journey with them. I had to accept since I had no more home, no more clan.” Shypaw was shocked.
“What’s your name?” Alder asked. “Are you an apprentice of a clan?” His eyes shone with hope. Shypaw was still wary of him.
“Er- my names, uh… Shy.” Shypaw said. Alder looked confused. “Shy? Oh, well, see you around, I guess.” Alder left and Shypaw ducked in through the dirtplace into the camp. Creekpaw was sitting, waiting with a somber expression on his face.
“The medicine cats just had a sign from StarClan. Willowstar is calling a clan meeting.” Shypaw darted forward and sat between Leafypaw and Songpaw.
“Smokestrike had a sign from StarClan, as you all know,” Willowstar began. “But I will not share it just yet.” Annoyed mutters sounded from the gathered cats. “But, when he and the other medicine cats decipher it, I will inform you.” The medicine cats padded to their den along with Willowstar. Luckily, though, the apprentice’s den was near the medicine cat den. Shypaw casually sat down and groomed herself while swiveling her ears to eavesdrop on the conversation in the medicine cat den.
“What was it, again?” Willowstar asked.
“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯,” Smokestrike repeated. Shypaw’s tail stilled. Her paws froze. 𝘋𝘪𝘥 𝘐 𝘩𝘦𝘢𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 ? She thought, heart pounding.
“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯?” Willowstar echoed. “What?”
“That’s exactly what me and Oakwing thought, too,” Smokestrike muttered. Shypaw’s eyes widened, and a chill ran down her spine. ‘𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦’ 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘍𝘭𝘢𝘮𝘦𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘯, ‘𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵’ 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘓𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘯, ‘𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴’ 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯 𝘏𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘯, ‘𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵’ 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘛𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘯, ‘𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯 𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘢𝘨𝘢𝘪𝘯’ 𝘮𝘦𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘔𝘰𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘊𝘭𝘢𝘯! Shypaw swallowed nervously. 𝘈𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳 was 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘩𝘦𝘤𝘺 ! When Smokestrike padded out of the den, Shypaw stepped in his path.
“What do you need, Shypaw?” Smokestrike asked.
“Have you ever wondered that the prophecy details sound familiar? ‘Flame?’ ‘Light?’ ‘Heights?’ ‘Start?’ Flame for FlameClan, light for LightClan, heights for HighClan, and start for TreeClan! And morning for Morningclan.” Smokestrike looked confused.
“MorningClan?”
“I scented a rogue a little before the clan meeting,” Shypaw admitted. “His name was Alder. He was talking nonsense about ‘MorningClan.’ I just told him to go away, but now he seems to be part of the prophecy.” Smokestrike’s eyes narrowed.
“You shouldn’t have been listening to us, Shypaw,” he said. Then his eyes brightened. “But, what you’re saying makes sense… can you find this ‘Alder?’ I’ll tell Willowstar.” Shypaw nodded and raced out of camp.
“Alder! Alder! Are you here?” She called. Alder poked his head out from inside a hollow of a tree.
“Shy?”
“I’m from TreeClan.. and you’re part of a prophecy! I’ll explain everything soon enough, follow me.” Alder stood frozen for a moment, shocked, then shook his head and raced after her, and they both slowed and emerged into camp. A bunch of cats awaited them, curiosity sparking in their gazes. Alder glanced around uneasily before taking a deep breath and speaking.
“I’m sorry to be interrupting you,” he said, dipping his head. Shypaw’s ears pricked. He spoke with a clan leader’s authority! Willowstar pushed her way to the front of the crowd of cats.
“Greetings. I am Willowstar,” she said respectfully, dipping her head. Alder nodded. “I am curious as to what MorningClan was,” Willowstar said. She sat down. “Would you like to discuss this?”
“Of course,” Alder said. “Lead the way.” He followed Willowstar up the tree into her den. Shypaw glanced at the cats around her; their fur was prickling with tension, and quiet murmurs were exchanged.
“Hey! Shypaw!” Adderpaw said, pushing his way through the crowd. “Want to be the center of attention? You’re not, you know.”
“Want to be the most annoying furball that has ever existed? You already are,” she shot back. Adderpaw growled with annoyance stalked away. Suddenly Willowstar came out of her den and slid down the tree.
“Everyone, there’s no need to be gathered like this,” Willowstar said, sighing. The cats split up and began doing patrols, hunting, and leaving the camp.
“Shypaw, I’d like to speak with you,” Willowstar called. Shypaw padded over to Willowstar.
“Yes?”
“Since you found Alder,” Willowstar said, “You’re going to go on a journey with him to find the remnants of MorningClan. Do your job well.” Shypaw gaped with astonishment. Her mother, Spiritsong, who had been listening, bounded over, wrapping her tail protectively over Shypaw.
“She’s too young!” Spiritsong snapped.
“She’ll have Alder to protect her,” Willowstar said, clearly trying to convince her deputy. “And I’ll send a couple of warriors.” Shypaw looked at her mother pleadingly.
“Please? This may be my only chance!” Spiritsong looked at Willowstar sternly.
“Let her have more training first.”
“Very well,” Willowstar said at last. “Sweetleaf!” She called. Her mentor pricked her ears and hurried over.
“Yes, Willowstar?”
“Train Shypaw as much as you can. She needs it.” Sweetleaf looked confused.
“But-”
“She has an important journey she has to do,” Willowstar explained. “She needs to know at least some battle and hunting moves.” Sweetleaf nodded slowly.
“Let’s go, Shypaw,” Sweetleaf called over her shoulder as she padded towards the camp entrance. Shypaw sighed. The journey seemed moons away.

Chapter Two
“Shypaw, actually try to catch the prey instead of missing it,” Sweetleaf said, meaning the feathers caught in between Shypaw’s claws. Shypaw sniffed and opened her mouth to let the forest scents surround her. She picked out a thrush trail. That’ll show her! She thought triumphantly. She crept closer and finally saw the thrush. It was unaware, pecking at the berries that it wanted to eat. As Shypaw came threateningly close, she leaped, the thrush squawking in surprise as it got ambushed. Shypaw gave it a quick bite to the neck and it fell limp. Sweetleaf came out of the bushes, looking impressed.
“Good job,” Her mentor praised. “Let’s try to get some more prey.” Shypaw nodded eagerly, dropping her thrush and hastily scraping earth over it. Sweetleaf glanced at her.
“What else do you scent?” Sweetleaf asked. Shypaw tasted the air once more.
“Mouse,” she said, surprised. “It’s very prey-rich here for leaf-fall.” Sweetleaf nodded, her eyes clouding. Shypaw tipped her head. “What’s wrong, Sweetleaf?”
“I had a sister named Snowpaw,” Sweetleaf said sorrowfully. “She said the exact same thing you said before she died.” Shypaw’s eyes widened. I never knew Sweetleaf had a sister! Shypaw tipped her head.
“What’s happened?” Sweetleaf sighed.
“You’ve done enough training. Let me explain.” Sweetleaf’s eyes clouded with thought before clearing. “Snowpaw was born alongside Ashcloud, your father. I was from an older litter, so I enjoyed watching them grow up. When they became apprentices, Snowpaw was apprenticed under Thornbranch and Ashcloud was apprenticed under Ferntail. Snowpaw was an amazing apprentice; even though I’d just got my warrior name, she fought and hunted just as good as an average warrior. Then came her and Ashcloud’s final assessment. They were just needed to complete their hunting assessment before becoming official warriors. Snowpaw scented fresh blackbird. She followed it, and saw the blackbird lying dead. Snowpaw eagerly went after it, and then she got trapped in the Twoleg den.” Sweetleaf growled.
“The Twoleg-made den was too strong. Snowpaw had the blackbird in her jaws. She collapsed unexpectedly, and Thornbranch and I along Ashcloud desperately tried to get her out. But the Twolegs had drugged the prey with poison, and Snowpaw died. What made it even more devastating was that the Twolegs took her, so we couldn’t bury her.” Sweetleaf sighed. She glanced at the sun. It was mid-day.
“Let’s practice battle moves, shall we?” Shypaw was shocked at how much explanation her mentor had just thrown at her.
“Wait, what-”
“For this move, let’s practice this,” Sweetleaf said. She let her gaze rest on a tree. “Ah. This one’s good.” Shypaw was confused.
“What do I have to learn from a tree?”
“A battle move,” Sweetleaf said. “Back me up against the tree.” Shypaw was confused but obeyed. As Sweetleaf was backed up against the tree, Sweetleaf tensed her muscles and used the tree as a support to leap over Shypaw’s head. Shypaw’s eyes widened with awe.
“How’d you do that?” She demanded. Sweetleaf flicked Shypaw’s ear with her tail.
“Patience. And now, for how to do it, you have to have enough momentum, or strength. Since you’re learning, aim for something to focus your timing and leap better.” Sweetleaf began trying to push her back into the tree. Shypaw backed against the tree, and focused her gaze on a patch of wildflowers. Suddenly, a movement in the bushes caught her eye, and she tensed and leaped, and landed on a squirming Songpaw.
“Really?” Songpaw snorted, shoving Shypaw off. “I admit that was good, but how’d you see me?” Sweetleaf had pushed her way through the bushes and her eyes glittered with amusement before turning serious.
“That was very good, Shypaw. But please focus your attention on something else other than… an actual living cat.” Shypaw sighed and padded towards the clearing to try again. Will anything ever be normal with MorningClan’s sudden appearance?

Chapter Three
Shypaw slumped into her nest. Adderpaw and Poolpaw chatted with each other softly while the rest were asleep. Adderpaw turned to look at Shypaw and narrowed his eyes.
“You’re too young for the journey, you know?” Adderpaw growled. Poolpaw nodded, his fur ruffled. He glared at her, and Shypaw curled her lip into a snarl.
“You’re just jealous. Stop being kits and let me knock some sense into you.” She unsheathed her claws threateningly. Poolpaw snorted.
“You really think that you could beat me in a battle? Wow, so brave!” Poolpaw’s grey fur was rising, his blue eyes flashing challengingly in the darkness of the den. Shypaw quickly realized that Poolpaw had been an apprentice for three moons. Her heart thumped beneath her pelt, but she knew she shouldn’t back down. She took a deep breath and responded,
“I accept your challenge.”

Shypaw poked her head out of the apprentice’s den. Thistleflame was keeping guard, ears pricked. Her ears flattened, and she slid into the shadows, heading for the dirtplace. StarClan save me now. Poolpaw stepped on a twig, and Thistleflame jerked his head around, searching the camp. Poolpaw and Shypaw shut their eyes tight, and luckily Thistleflame sighed and muttered something inaudiable from where they were crouched and turned back. Shypaw slid silently through the dirtplace tunnel, leaping over the dug up soil and sprinting into the forest. Poolpaw followed, and they stood in a clearing beside the crystal-clear Flowerpool. The flowers were wilted, though. Poolpaw and Shypaw circled each other, fur bristling, claws unsheathed. Shypaw strained to remember the front-paw slash her sister had taught her. Suddenly Poolpaw leapt, and Shypaw shot under him. A sudden move she remembered using to play-fight made her use it, and she pounced on him, trying to flatten him to the ground. Poolpaw flipped her over and slashed at her belly. Shypaw extended her hind paws and pushed him away with unexpected strength.
“When did you become so good?” Poolpaw spluttered. “I thought you only knew the hunter’s crouch!” Poolpaw’s eyes flashed with triumph as he began backing her into a tree. When she was finally backed against it, he stopped.
“Surrender?” He asked. But Shypaw used momentum to leap over him and land perfectly, whirling around. Poolpaw was dazed, looking around widly, and Shypaw pressed a paw to his throat, pinning him down. She had just beat an older apprentice! But Poolpaw flung her off, and sent her reeling into a tree, hitting her head. Hard. Through the darkness gathering at the edges of her vision she saw Poolpaw padding up to her. He held out a paw and slashed at her exposed belly, pain flooding her body. The last thing she heard before she fell unconscious was Poolpaw’s pawsteps retreating.

“Shypaw. Shypaw, wake up.” She opened her eyes to see a brilliant light flash before her eyes. An unfamiliar cat was looking down at her, eyes wide with worry. But then she recognized the mottled tom. Jaytuft.
“What am I doing here? You’re dead, right? Then where am I?” Shypaw gasped, scrambling to her paws. Jaytuft glared at her.
“Why did you fight a battle you knew you could not win? There are consequences.” Shypaw’s heart seemed to stop.
“A-Am I dead? Did Poolpaw kill me?” Jaytuft’s eyes were suddenly full of sorrow.
“He injured you severely. You were left in the forest, wounded, on one of the coldest leaf-fall nights. I do not know what else happened. But I don’t know if you’ll be found and healed or not.” A chill ran down Shypaw’s spine.
“I’m in StarClan, then?” Jaytuft nodded.
“You do not need to earn your keep. You made a mistake that will be paid for in time, but for now you can do as you please.” Jaytuft padded away, and Shypaw was dazed. What will I do now?
“New here?” A voice asked. It was a young black and white spotted tom with sky-blue eyes.
“I’m Springpaw,” the tom said politely. “How’d you die?”
“I don’t know if I’m dead or not,” Shypaw retorted. Springpaw looked surprised, then asked,
“What’s your name, then?”
“Shypaw of TreeClan,” Shypaw said warily. Springpaw’s eyes lit up.
“Ooh! I’m also from TreeClan!” Shypaw forced a purr. Springpaw’s gaze dimmed.
“What’s wrong?”
“The way I got here, well… was pretty brutal,” Shypaw admitted. Springpaw snorted.
“Brutal? I got here by being killed by Deathstar, for StarClan’s sake!” Shypaw squared up her shoulders and glared at Springpaw.
“Wanna bet? I was severely injured in a battle with an older, savage, jealous apprentice!” Springpaw winced.
“Oh, that must’ve hurt…” Shypaw nodded stiffly. Springpaw sighed.
“I died because Deathstar shoved me off a cliff. I was dead before I could feel anything. To make things worse, I was going to have a warrior ceremony that evening.”
“What would be your choice of a warrior name, then?” Shypaw asked. Springpaw thought for a moment.
“Springfire, I guess.” His eyes shone. “Springfire…” Shypaw felt sympathetic.
“Well, do you have littermates or parents here?” Springpaw’s eyes lit up immediately.
“Of course! I have two others littermates and my parents here.” He raced through the starry forest, Shypaw following. In a sunny clearing Shypaw saw a full grown she-cat with dark-grey fur and a tom with a brown and white flecked pelt, with two other younger cats chasing each other. The she-cat opened sharp amber eyes, and tom stretched, yawning, blinking open leaf-green eyes.
“Who’s this, Springpaw?” The she-cat asked. She studied Shypaw curiously. “She seems young.”
“This is Shypaw, Darkbranch,” Springpaw said. The tom sat down and groomed himself.
“Ah, another friend, it seems?”
“Hey” Springpaw snapped. “She’s nice, Owlwing!” The younger cats leaped on Springpaw.
“Springpaw!” One of the two toms squeaked, who had an orange and white pelt with wide, dark green eyes. “Teach us some battle moves!”
“Yeah!” The other tom squealed. He had a dark grey pelt and amber eyes, just like Darkbranch.
“Calm down, Quickkit and Ashkit,” Springpaw said, purring. Shypaw felt lonely and out of place. She desperately wanted to go home. Suddenly a white, grey and black silk-furred she-cat stepped into the clearing. Shypaw tipped her head. The she-cat’s gaze rested on Shypaw.
“I need to talk to you, in private, Shypaw,” The she-cat said, glaring mockingly at Springpaw. Then her gaze became serious. Shypaw followed the she-cat into a sheltered area when the she-cat spoke.
“I’m Pinesong. And I assume you’re Shypaw?” The she-cat asked. Shypaw nodded.
“Yes, I am. And who are you, exactly?”
“I’m Dovefur’s littermate. I died due to a fox.” Her eyes glistened. “And I am in pure disappointment for my sister. She joined an evil force that almost destroyed the clans.” Shypaw was shocked.
“Hey! It wasn’t your fault!” Shypaw protested. “She made her own choice!” Pinesong blinked at her gratefully.
“Thank you, Shypaw, but it’s more complicated than that. I… despised her, when we were young. Our mother, Kestrelpool, was very kind, yet our father died when we were just kits. She… changed. She favored me because I looked more like him, since he was a white & grey tom with black ear-tips and a black tail tip, and Dovefur was just pale grey.” Pinesong dropped her gaze, looking ashamed. Her ears flattened and her tail drooped.
“I didn’t like her because Kestrelpool didn’t like her. I regret it dearly.” Shypaw felt sadness flood her. Then she straightened, blinking away grief.
“Pinesong, what was the real reason you brought me here? You couldn’t have just brought me here to apologize.” Pinesong nodded.
“You were destined to be part of the journey. Yet Poolpaw carried on with his actions… would you trigger them again?”
“I don’t know…” Shypaw murmured. “Never, if I could help it.” Pinesong sighed.
“Now you’re lying wounded and in the cold, the lines between life and death that had been blurring, are now becoming clear.” Shypaw was confused.
“What do you mean?”
“What I’m trying to say is that… you may die.” Shypaw felt the words hit her. Cold.
“What?” Shypaw gasped. Pinesong gazed sorrowfully at her.
“It’s the truth. Now… why don’t you hunt with Springpaw?” Pinesong suggested, trying to cover up her grief. Shypaw nodded bleakly and padded over to Springpaw, who let Ashkit and Quickkit scramble over him. He glanced at her, getting to his paws, nudging the kits off.
“What’s wrong?” He asked.
“Nothing. I was wondering if you’d like to go hunting,” she responded.
“Sure!” Springpaw purred. Both of them headed off, tasting the air. Shypaw detected a mouse trail. She lightly put her paws down, nearing it, then leaping and giving it a killing bite to the neck. Springpaw reappeared with a vole.
“Let’s talk,” Springpaw suggested. Shypaw shrugged and sat down.
“How was your life like?” He asked. “Before the… incident.”
“Uh, good,” she responded. She bit off a morsel of mouse.
“Who was your mentor? Your parents?” He asked. Suddenly she felt a chill run down her spine.
“Who was your mentor?” She asked hoarsely. Something felt… wrong.
“Deathstar,” Springpaw sneered. He towered over her, and she crouched down, trembling. Then Springpaw snorted with laughter.
“Of course he’s not! I’m just curious. Besides, if he was my mentor, he wouldn’t have killed me.” Shypaw glared at him, sitting up.
“Not funny. Seriously.” Springpaw’s whiskers twitched, eyes shining.
“Alright, so now wanna get some more prey?” Shypaw shrugged.
“I guess.”

Chapter Three (BC)
Poolpaw stared in shock at Shypaw’s limp body. He was sort of rooted to the ground. Had he just… killed her? Poolpaw sniffed her warily. Blood pooled from her wounds, staining the ground around her. I’ve got to run. Run back, and pretend this never happened, he thought. He dashed back to camp, breathing hard, slipping in through the dirtplace tunnel and collapsing in his nest. Adderpaw lifted his head drowsily.
“Poolpaw…?”
“Shh… go back to sleep,” Poolpaw said, forcing his voice to stay steady. Adderpaw shrugged sleepily and closed his eyes, asleep once more.

Poolpaw woke up, a commotion in the camp. Adderpaw, Leafypaw, Songpaw, Creekpaw, and Fallenpaw were not in their nests. He darted out of the den and froze when he saw all of them gathered outside the medicine cat den. Adderpaw glanced at him as he rushed over.
“Thistleflame found her in the middle of the night,” he explained, his voice cracking. “She was badly wounded. He suspected it was a fox, but the frost killed the scent.” Poolpaw felt even worse. What if she died, all because of me? I shouldn’t have challenged her! Yet a strange feeling was making his fur prick. But he suddenly enjoyed it. Vengeance is mine. The voice that spoke in his head was strange. He was scared. Who…are you? He asked, using his thoughts. At least, he thought it was what he had to do. He felt silly. I’m just imagining things. Yet the voice spoke again. Do you want… power? Fame? Let me take over, Poolpaw… and the clans will be whole again. Poolpaw backed away, trying to shake the voice off. It repeated the question. Do you want… power? Fame? Let me take over, Poolpaw… and the clans will be whole again. Poolpaw raced out of camp, dismayed. The voice became louder and louder until he froze, and fell to one side. He seemed to lose control, and as he was separated from his body, he saw a shadowy figure looking triumphantly at him.
“I am the one who controlled you throughout the last of the battle, Poolpaw. You were reckless because of me. Now I am able to take my vengeance…but before I go, I shall give you a gift. Just for letting me use your body.” With a flick of his tail, Poolpaw stood up. He felt somewhat… brighter. He had a more important purpose.
“You’ll be able to speak with certain living cats. Two are in each clan. Remember… what you find will seek in the shadows.” And just like that, Poolpaw’s body stood up and headed back to camp. Poolpaw’s spirit stood there, all alone. He had done actions that resulted with major consequences. What do I do now…?

Poolpaw started to head towards HighClan first, but the forest blurred around him to find himself in the lush pine forests of HighClan’s territory. He looked around in the camp. He saw Swiftshallow, and he felt a rush of hope. Swiftshallow was a medicine cat, so maybe he could see Poolpaw. As Poolpaw stepped in front of him, Swiftshallow stared straight through him. Oh well. That didn’t work, He thought, disappointed. Then a cat looked straight at him, eyes widened slightly with surprise.
“Tawnyspirit!” He whispered. The mentor was with her apprentice, Mossypaw. Mossypaw looked up at Dawnrunner.
“Can I play with Shortpaw and Sunpaw?” She pleaded. Tawnyspirit nodded stiffly, then turned to Poolpaw.
“Who are you?” She hissed under her breath.
“Poolpaw of TreeClan. Listen, I need to tell you something… urgent. This will help save the clans if you alert everyone.” Tawnyspirit looked curious.
“What is it?”
“A cat has taken over my real body. He’s planning to ‘take vengeance’ on the clans.” Tawnyspirit narrowed her eyes.
“It seems important. Let’s go into the forest to talk where no cat can hear us.” Poolpaw followed Tawnyspirit into a sheltered clearing. She sat down, wrapping her tail around her paws.
“Please continue.”
“This cat’s voice.. was sort of scratchy, or damaged,” Poolpaw explained. “He was a brown and white tom with piercing amber eyes. He was filled with scars and had a menacing gleam in his eyes.” Tawnyspirit gaped.
“Y-You’re describing… Cliffstar!” Poolpaw backed away.
“No, no, no… how’d he survive? I thought he was gone forever!”
“He wasn’t,” Tawnyspirit said quietly. “He retreated. Now he’s back and the clans will have to deal with him… again.” Suddenly Tawnyspirit sighed, then asked,
“Am I the only cat you can talk to?” Poolpaw shook his head.
“I can talk to seven more cats, two in each clan. Cliffstar gave me a.. ‘gift.’” Tawnyspirit’s eyes brightened.
“If one of them is a medicine cat, you’ve lucked out. Speak to them. Now go and see.” Poolpaw closed his eyes, wishing to be in the middle of LightClan’s camp. He glanced around to try and see where the medicine cats were. He heard voices in the medicine cat den, so he entered it and saw Firecloud training Bouncepaw.
“And this herb is borage. It’s good for…” Firecloud’s voice trailed off as he caught sight of Poolpaw. Bouncepaw turned around, gasping as he too saw Poolpaw. What luck do I have? The both of the cats who can see me are medicine cats! Poolpaw thought excitedly.
“Are you… a StarClan cat?” Bouncepaw asked, his voice trembling with excitement. But Firecloud’s gaze was still fixed on Poolpaw.
“How’d you die? A quarter moon ago you were just fine…”
“I didn’t die,” Poolpaw said, keeping calm. Then, as he explained, Firecloud became more and more distressed.
“So what do you want me to do?” Firecloud demanded. Poolpaw’s ears twitched.
“Tell Mottlestar you had a sign from StarClan. Tell him Cliffstar is planning his revenge.” He rounded his eyes pleadingly. “This might save the clans.” Firecloud glared at him.
“Lie to my leader? How do you expect me to believe-” a commotion broke out, and Firecloud and Poolpaw padded out the den. There Poolpaw’s body stood, his eyes gleaming with triumph.
“Why are you here?” Mottlestar demanded. Poolpaw’s body sagged.
“Willowstar wanted me to spy. I can’t go against her wishes.” Before Mottlestar could speak, Firecloud darted forward, fur bristling with fury.
“You’re a liar. You’re not the real Poolpaw. StarClan does not lie, and you are an imposter.” Mottlestar looked baffled.
“Bouncepaw? Is he telling the truth?” Bouncepaw nodded, eyes wide.
“He woke up, distressed. He told me what he’d seen. He saw Beestar and-” Mottlestar glared at Poolpaw’s body.
“Take him in and guard him. Explain what happened to Willowstar, and I’ll consult with my medicine cat. Not you, Bouncepaw,” Mottlestar said apologetically. Bouncepaw sighed and went to the fresh-kill pile. His littermate, Wolfpaw, hurried over to him. Poolpaw sighed. He closed his eyes, appearing in the TreeClan camp. There Swoopshard was looking puzzled.
“Do you know where Poolpaw is?” She called to Vinefoot, Poolpaw’s father. Poolpaw cringed inwardly. This is terrible, he thought angrily. Why am I chosen to suffer like this? Ugh. Poolpaw sat down, looking at his paws. He went to the medicine cat den and waited beside Shypaw’s nest. Wake up. Please wake up. Shypaw’s eyes opened blearily. Adderpaw emerged into the den. They can’t see me, He thought sadly. Adderpaw was talking softly, and Poolpaw couldn’t make out the words. Unexpectedly Shypaw looked at him, eyes widening.
“Shypaw!” He gasped. Adderpaw looked around frantically.
“Was that Poolpaw?” He demanded.
“Yes,” Poolpaw said. “The real one.” Adderpaw looked baffled.
“What do you mean?”
Shypaw had gotten to her paws immediately, seeming to force herself to stay standing.
“Did something happen…?”
“Yes,” Poolpaw growled. “Cliffstar has taken over my body.” Adderpaw purred with amusement.
“That’s a bunch of thistle-fluff, Poolpaw. Just calm down on the aggressive side and come out.” Poolpaw growled and swiped Adderpaw’s ear. He was slightly surprised as his ear fur was ruffled.
“Listen to me,” He snapped. “If we don’t figure out a way to stop this, the clans will die off and it’ll be your fault.” Shypaw seemed shocked by how furious he sounded. Poolpaw was deadly serious. Even Adderpaw looked more interested.
“Poolpaw, where’s your-” Poolpaw’s image began to fade. Stars sparkled on his pelt briefly. His eyes widened.
“I need to get back to my body,” he said quickly. “Before I die.” He faded and emerged into the TreeClan camp.
Suddenly a she-cat emerged from the bushes. A ghostly she-cat. Poolpaw gaped as he realized who it was. Her eyes glinted.
“We meet again, Poolpaw.”

Chapter Four
Shypaw glanced around, confused. Where did that mouse go? She thought, frustrated. A sudden pain in her flank made her stagger. Springpaw rushed over to her.
“What happened? You.. faded for a moment,” he said, shocked. Pinesong emerged from the bushes.
“Springpaw, she’s waking up. Shypaw, close your eyes.” Shypaw shut them and jolted awake in the medicine cat den. Smokestrike was sorting herbs. She tried to move but she was too sore, so she just spoke in a raspy voice.
“Hi.” Smokestrike pricked his ears, eyes widening as he saw Shypaw awake. He hurried over.
“Do you feel any pain?”
“Just my stomach, and the other scratches just ache,” Shypaw responded, trying to prop herself up, succeeding. A cat poked their head in. Adderpaw, she thought, biting back a threatening snarl. Yet his eyes were wide with concern.
“Thank StarClan you’re awake!” He breathed. Then he sat by her as Smokestrike exited the den.
“There’s something I need to tell you,” he said softly. He swallowed nervously. “Poolpaw’s… not himself. I’m serious. He disappeared, before dawn. They’re tracking him right now. He’s been acting more savagely and viciously recently, using battle moves that Swoopshard had told him not to use. He even ripped off half of one of Fallenpaw’s ears by ‘accident.’” Adderpaw growled. Shypaw was dismayed.
“He was just the usual, now he’s…” then her eyes widened as Poolpaw’s spirit was sitting down beside her. His pelt wasn’t filled with stars; it was ghostly. His eyes lit up.
“Shypaw!” He gasped. Adderpaw looked around frantically.
“Was that Poolpaw?” He demanded.
“Yes,” Poolpaw said. “The real one.” Adderpaw looked baffled.
“What do you mean?” Shypaw got to her paws immediately, forcing herself to stay standing.
“Did something happen…?”
“Yes,” Poolpaw growled. “Cliffstar has taken over my body.” Adderpaw purred with amusement.
“That’s a bunch of thistle-fluff, Poolpaw. Just calm down on the aggressive side.” Poolpaw growled and swiped Adderpaw’s ear. Shypaw was slightly surprised as his ear fur was ruffled.
“Listen to me,” Poolpaw snapped. “If we don’t figure out a way to stop this, the clans will die off and it’ll be your fault.” Shypaw was shocked by how furious Poolpaw sounded. He was serious. Even Adderpaw looked more interested.
“Poolpaw, where’s your-” Poolpaw’s image began to fade. Stars sparkled on his pelt briefly. His eyes widened.
“I need to get back to my body,” he said quickly. “Before I die.” He faded, and Shypaw padded shakily out of the den. What did I just see and hear? She thought, dismayed. Her littermate, Songpaw, was waiting outside the medicine cat den, eyes round with worry. Her eyes lit up as she saw Shypaw.
“You’re awake!” Songpaw purred, rubbing against her. Shypaw nuzzled her sister before seeing a ghostly she-cat staring menacingly at Poolpaw. She blinked it off. I’m imagining things. I’m seeing things. It’s not real. Yet the scene played, both Poolpaw and the she-cat growling fiercely. Vinefoot was confused as he stared directly at the spot were Poolpaw and the she-cat were arguing. He padded towards there, and he patched a loose line of bramble along that wall. The she-cat and Poolpaw kept arguing and growling. Suddenly the she-cat and Poolpaw leapt on each other, screeching and clawing. Spiritsong popped her head out of the warrior’s den, eyes wide. She stared straight at Poolpaw and the strange she-cat. She ignored it, and hurried over to Shypaw.
“What are you doing out here?” She scolded. “You should be resting.”
“I had to get some fresh air!” Shypaw protested. She turned back to where Poolpaw and the she-cat had been fighting to see them gone. What in the name of StarClan is really happening?

Shypaw crouched down, her gaze locked on the blackbird. She narrowed her eyes, knowing she could make the jump. She leaped, the blackbird unable to call out an alarm as Shypaw snapped its neck. She buried it quickly and scented the air. Her mentor padded towards her.
“Calm down,” Sweetleaf purred. “You already caught a squirrel. I’m very impressed, Shypaw.” It was Shypaw’s warrior assessment. It had been six moons, and Poolpaw’s spirit had constantly bugged her. His body, though, was now named Poolwhisker. Adderpaw, two moons older, was now Adderclaw. Fallenpaw was now Fallenfeather. Flowerkit and Violetkit became Flowerpaw and Violetpaw with Cloudjaw and Appleflight as their mentors. Shypaw was excited.
“Is my battle assessment next?”
“Yes, it is,” Sweetleaf responded. “You’ll be doing it with Poolwhisker.” A lump formed in her throat. Her mouth went dry.
“Poolwhisker?” She asked, swallowing the fear in her throat. Sweetleaf tipped her head.
“Is anything wrong, Shypaw?”
“Nothing,” Shypaw lied. Of course it had to be the possessed Poolwhisker. Oh, StarClan, he’ll rip me to shreds! Poolwhisker emerged behind Sweetleaf.
“Should we start?” He asked smoothly. Sweetleaf nodded, backing away to watch. Both cats circled each other.
“Remember to keep your claws sheathed!” Sweetleaf called. Poolwhisker heard her, but his claws flashed in the sunlight. He’s not going to fight fairly, Shypaw realized. He’s trying to kill me. She unsheathed her claws as well. Two can play at that game. Poolwhisker lunged, and she ducked under his belly, heaving upwards and flipping him over. Poolwhisker kicked out, but Shypaw jumped upwards, and placed a paw on his throat, digging her claws in. He exploded upwards, and she flattened herself to the ground, Poolwhisker missing and banging against a tree. He shook his head and growled softly, shooting towards her, claws out. Time seemed to slow as he came closer. Her paws were rooted to the ground. Suddenly, she felt her paws move on her own. She dived out of the way without even meaning to. The blood roared in her ears. He went for the throat. I would’ve been dead if I hadn’t moved in time. Poolwhisker got to his paws and glanced at Sweetleaf. She looked impressed.
“Great job, both of you. Let’s get back to camp.” As they were padding alongside each other, Poolwhisker leaned over and whispered in her ear;
“You were lucky this time. The next time, you’ll be lying dead.” She stopped dead, her tail stilled. Her mentor glanced at her.
“Hurry up! Do you want to miss your own ceremony?” Her littermates were waiting in camp. Along the way, they had picked up Shypaw’s catch.
“You passed, Shypaw,” Sweetleaf purred. Shypaw’s eyes widened.
“I did?” Songpaw barrelled into her.
“We all did! Congrats!” Creekpaw and Leafypaw were chatting excitedly with each other. Willowstar emerged from her den, skidding down the tree and landing gracefully, padding to her littermates’ mentors, Stormpuddle, Jayfire, and Skyleaf, along with Sweetleaf. They murmured a few words together before Willowstar scrambled up the tree and onto the branch where she made her announcements.
“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather around Highbranch for a clan meeting!” Cats gathered around. Willowstar leapt down once more, her eyes shining.
“Leafypaw, Creekpaw, Songpaw, and Shypaw, come forward,” she commanded. their eyes widened excitedly and they hurried forward.
“I, Willowstar, leader of TreeClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn. Leafypaw, Creekpaw, Songpaw, and Shypaw, you shall now be known as Leafydapple, Creekspring, Songbreeze, and Shyspirit.”
“Leafydapple! Creekspring! Songbreeze! Shyspirit!” The clan cheered. Shyspirit lifted her head, pelt warm with pride. Adderclaw and Fallenfeather hurried over to her.
“You finally made it,” Adderclaw purred. Shyspirit rolled her eyes.
“You had to go through six moons of an apprenticeship, too.” Fallenfather flicked her ear with his tail.
“Don’t remind me. Come on, let’s eat!” Shyspirit saw Poolpaw’s spirit sitting close to Poolwhisker. He has to for a short period of time before adventuring again to gain his strength back. Shyspirit took a plump mouse and settled down to eat it. As she leaned towards it to take a bite, she saw something weird sticking out of its mouth. She ripped in half and found it stuffed with deathberry seeds.
“Someone tried to poison the fresh-kill pile!” She gasped. Then the memory rushed back to her. Not too long ago, Poolwhisker had leaned suspiciously over the fresh-kill pile, and done something with the prey. Yet she knew she shouldn’t give him away. Poolpaw’s spirit had to have a body to get back to. Yet Poolpaw’s spirit’s eyes gleamed. He hurried over to Shyspirit and whispered in her ear.
“I’m strong enough to take my body back. Expose him, and I’ll take over.” Cats were gasping and stared horrified at the prey. Poolwhisker was sitting up triumphantly. Shyspirit leaped up to Highbranch.
“It is a shocker,” she said loudly. Cats turned towards her, curious. “Yet I know who did it.” She rested her cold gaze on Poolwhisker.
“Poolwhisker did something suspicious to the prey earlier. He tried to kill us off.” Yowls and screeches sounded. Cats pushed Poolwhisker forward. Willowstar padded in front of him.
“What do you have to say for yourself, Poolwhisker?” Willowstar growled.
“Wait!” Shyspirit cried. She leapt down. “That was not the whole story. Cliffstar possessed his body. He’s here as a spirit, watching, right now.”
“That’s true. I can see him too,” Spiritsong announced, letting her gaze rest on Poolpaw’s ghostly appearance. Willowstar was confused, then nodded slowly.
“Cliffstar,” she growled. “We should’ve killed you when we had the chance. She lifted a paw, unsheathing her claws. Suddenly Poolpaw’s imposter choked, and something ghostly was visible to everyone for a moment, then disappeared. Poolpaw’s eyes were dull; his body unbreathing. Suddenly his head jolted up, eyes wide.
“I’m finally back!” He gasped. He got to his paws.
“What did that mange-pelt-” Willowstar stopped him with a paw.
“Wait. So you’re telling me… Cliffstar could possess any one of us?” Poolpaw nodded seriously. Cats gasped in horror.
“He strikes when you’re alone,” Poolpaw said. “When there’s nobody to save you.” Pinestripe stepped forward, her eyes wide with dismay.
“You’re saying… never be alone?”
“Cliffstar has waited this long,” Poolpaw conceded. “He’d wait even longer. Just for revenge.”
“That means some cat has to stop him,” Alder said. Shyspirit had completely forgotten about the quest. So had Willowstar, it seemed. Alder’s eyes were narrowed, his lip curled back into a snarl.
“If those dogs hadn’t come…” Willowstar’s eyes widened with understanding.
“That’s it! We need to find MorningClan.” Alder’s gaze clouded with sadness.
“I don’t think-” Suddenly, Violetpaw burst through the entrance of the camp, fur bushed.
“There’s a bunch of rogues fighting beside the border!” She panted. Shyspirit’s ears pricked.
“I’ll go,” she said.
“I’ll go as well,” Alder added.
“Creekspring, Beetletuft, Blazeheart, Tansyflower, go with them,” Willowstar ordered. The battle patrol raced through the forest. Shyspirit pulled ahead, hearing screeching. She burst into a clearing where four rogues tussled on the ground, clawing and snarling, except one, who had four kits trembling at her belly.
“Stop!” She yowled. Each cat jumped up.
“Who are you to tell us what to do?” One of them growled.
“Shut up, Sapphirepaw!” One of them hissed to the one who just spoke.
“How about you, Perchfoot?” The other cat hissed back. Shyspirit unsheathed her claws.
“Stop arguing! Why are you fighting?”
“We’re trying to find the ‘other clans’ Cherryheart talked about,” Sapphirepaw said. “Now, out of our way, rogue.”
“It’s Shyspirit to you,” she retorted. “You just found these ‘clans’,” She added. The rogue’s eyes brightened immediately.
“We’re what’s left of MorningClan,” a cat said sadly. “I’m Pineblossom, MorningClan’s previous deputy.”
“I’m Brightspark,” Another she-cat added.
“And I’m Perchfoot,” the tom cat said.
“I’m Meadowleaf,” the she-cat with the four kits said quietly. Alder emerged from the bushes.
“Alderstar?” Sapphirepaw gasped. Alder’s eyes widened.
“Perchfoot! Pineblossom! Brightspark! Sapphirepaw, and Meadowleaf…” his mew trailed off.
“Where are the rest?”
“Cherryheart died,” Perchfoot whispered. “She came on the journey. She died when she got attacked by a badger and couldn’t heal her wounds before she bled out. Right before she died, she spoke of a prophecy… The flame needs a light, the heights need a start, and the morning shall start once again. She then said, ‘Find the other clans…’ and she bled out.” Alder sighed.
“Come with us. We’ll go to the TreeClan camp.” Shyspirit felt her heart soar. We found MorningClan’s remnants! It truly will start once again…but how will the other clans cope?

Chapter Five
Shyspirit wrapped her tail around her paws as Poolpaw’s warrior ceremony continued. Earlier that day, he passed his assessments, and was becoming a warrior. MorningClan, however, was only known by TreeClan.
“…Poolpaw, you shall now be known as Poolfur.” Poolfur’s eyes shone, and the clan cheered.
“Poolfur! Poolfur!” His mother, Scorchstorm, hurried over to him and nuzzled him, purring. Shyspirit let out a quiet purr. He deserves it.
“Let’s train,” Pineblossom called to her apprentice, Sapphirepaw. They both hurried out of camp, and while Shyspirit was distracted, pawsteps sounded, heading towards the other side of the clearing.
“Attack!” A kit squealed. Mistykit launched herself into Blazeheart, her littermates Eaglekit, Swiftkit, and Pearkit following.
“Woah!” Blazeheart gasped.
“Give us a badger ride,” Pearkit demanded. Blazeheart lumbered around the clearing, the kits squealing as they clung on. Meadowleaf watched, eyes glistening. Shyspirit hurried over to the MorningClan queen.
“What’s wrong?” She asked. Meadowleaf turned towards her.
“Their father, Emberfrost, died to the dogs.” Shyspirit dipped her head and padded away. The kits were actually five moons old. Close to being able to become apprentices, she thought. Wonder who’ll be their mentors. Not too long ago, Willowstar had announced that MorningClan was not to be told to the other clans until it had revived itself.
“Shyspirit!” A cat called. Blazeheart hurried towards her.
“The kits want me to teach them battle moves. Will you do it? I have to go on patrol.” Shyspirit nodded, letting out a purr of amusement. Pearkit watched Blazeheart hurry out of camp, his eyes wide.
“Why’d he go?” Pearkit whimpered. Shyspirit flicked the kit’s esr with her tail.
“I’m teaching you battle moves!” Pearkit’s eyes brightened.
“What will we learn?” Eaglekit demanded, Swiftkit nodding excitedly. Yet Mistykit stared forlornly at the medicine cat den.
“Why can’t we learn about herbs instead?” Mistykit complained. Her littermates stared at her in surprise.
“Herbs? That’s boring!” Swiftkit exclaimed. Shyspirit felt sympathy for the young kit.
“Why don’t you go and help Smokestrike?” She suggested. “He’d love the help.” Junipertail had recently moved to the elder’s den, leaving only two medicine cats.
“Okay!” Mistykit responded excitedly, hurrying towards the den. She turned to the three kits.
“Alright. What I’m going to teach you is very simple; the basic attack crouch.” She crouched down, tucking her hind legs in, tensing her muscles, ready to leap. Pearkit and Swiftkit succeeded, but Eaglekit was leaning towards one side. She nudged the kit into balance, and he shifted himself to make the stance more comfortable.
“Now, leap!” She commanded. “Onto this patch of wildflowers.” Pearkit went first, successfully landing on them, hurrying away so that his littermates could go as well. Swiftkit and Eaglekit pounced at the same time, both shredding the wildflowers.
“Good job,” Shyspirit praised. “You’ll be quick learners. Now stay here while I check on Mistykit.” She poked her head into the den, seeing Mistykit sort herbs. She watched the kit, ears twitching with amusement.
“You’re doing great,” Smokestrike said encouragingly. “Remember, that’s fennel.” He lifted his head to see Shyspirit. He padded towards her and murmured,
“She just may be the next MorningClan medicine cat. If so, I’d love to mentor her.” Shyspirit purred softly.
“That’d be nice.” She padded out of the den and towards the kits to see them practicing the crouch. Pearkit looked up.
“Teach us more! Teach us more!” He pleaded. Shyspirit shook her head.
“I’m sorry. I think Meadowleaf would like you to go to the nursery.” Pearkit looked disappointed.
“Alright…” he and his littermates entered the nursery.
“Where’s Mistykit?” Meadowleaf called.
“Helping Smokestrike,” Shyspirit responded. Meadowleaf looked unsurprised.
“She loved to learn about herbs from Cherryheart. Tell her to come here, please!” But Mistykit was already padding towards the nursery. Meadowleaf ushered her inside, and Shyspirit watched the busy camp.
“Shyspirit! You can join the next hunting patrol,” Spiritsong called. Shyspirit nodded as her mother led a border patrol out of camp.
“Come on, Shyspirit. What are you waiting for?” Poolfur asked. Shyspirit fluffed out her fur and hurried after Poolfur to join Thrushsong’s hunting patrol with Nutpelt and Icefrost. The five of them padded out of camp, emerging into the chilly forest of leaf-bare.
“Do you scent anything?” Thrushsong asked after they stopped to sniff around the area.
“No,” Poolfur responded, Nutpelt and Icefrost nodding as well. Shyspirit detected a faint scent of a mouse.
“Mouse,” She murmured to Thrushsong. He nodded, and Shyspirit ducked down, sliding forward over the icy ground easily. The scent became stronger, and she saw a scrawny mouse nibbling on something. She tensed her muscles and leaped, the mouse not having enough time to squeal as she scooped it up and gave it a swift bite to the neck.
“Good job,” Thrushsong praised. “Let’s see if we can find anything else. Shyspirit, I suggest you take your catch back to camp.” Shyspirit hurried back to the camp entrance, her mouth watering at the mouse in her jaws. She dropped it on the fresh-kill pile, or what was the fresh-kill pile. A few scrawny pieces of prey lay there, and Shyspirit was mildly surprised. Oh well. Hope the hunting patrol comes back with more prey. We really need it. The camp seemed almost empty, some warriors from the dawn patrol sleeping and the elders tucked in their nests, probably trying to keep warm, and Meadowleaf with her kits in the warmth of the nursery. Willowstar and the rest of the camp along with MorningClan were probably hunting or patrolling borders. Skyleaf stretched and yawned, shivering at the frosty air.
“Why does leaf-bare have to be so cold?” She complained. She padded over to Shyspirit.
“How’s the hunting?”
“Not that great,” Shyspirit responded. “I only caught a scrawny mouse. Thrushsong told me to go back to camp.” Skyleaf tipped her head.
“And he didn’t tell you to come back?” Shyspirit shrugged.
“Oh well. How was the dawn patrol?”
“Cold and miserable, as well as boring,” Skyleaf said. She rolled her eyes. “Unfortunate, right?”
“Just wait until new-leaf.” Thornbranch was grooming himself outside the elder’s den. Junipertail slid out as well and sat beside his denmate.
“There’s lots of good herbs, you know.” Shyspirit sighed.
“We’re warriors, not medicine cats!” Thornbranch’s amber eyes glinted.
“Are you, though? Your mother is an example of a true warrior.” Shyspirit yawned, but padded towards him with Skyleaf.
“Yeah, yeah. The story of how she got picked by StarClan…”
“But did you hear the whole story?” Junipertail asked. “What do you know about it?”
“She was in a prophecy. She fought against her enemy in the Dark Meadow. She fulfilled her prophecy.” Thornbranch shook his head.
“That was too brief. Let me tell you-”
“She was a warrior,” Junipertail began. “She was beside the Flowerpool. There, a StarClan cat called Frostwillow gave her a prophecy. Her destined prophecy. When the sun dies, a new dawn shall come, letting the sky light the way. Her sister, Swoopshard, actually trained with the Dark Meadow cats. Dovefur died by a cat at a Gathering. Then, Dovefur trained Swoopshard. Spiritsong, though, never fell for it. After going into the Dark Meadow in her dreams, she fought her mother, also becoming deputy. Then, while Cliffstar fought Maplefern, she lost the sight of one eye, taking a severe blow that would’ve been fatal to Maplefern.” Junipertail finished, waiting for a comment. Shyspirit still thought it was vague.
“Oh, uhm… cool?” Shyspirit stammered. Thornbranch rolled his eyes.
“Great StarClan.” Shyspirit padded away, Skyleaf following. Her eyes were wide with awe.
“Shyspirit, your mother is so cool!”
“Why, thank you, Skyleaf.” Spiritsong’s voice sounded suddenly. Her eyes sparkled with amusement, her patrol either going to their dens to rest or sit in the clearing to talk.
“O-Oh, u-uh… hi, Spiritsong!” Skyleaf finally managed to say. But Shyspirit just nuzzled her mother.
“No border disputes?” She asked. Spiritsong shook her head.
“None. But I do expect there will be a bunch of them after we reveal MorningClan.” Shyspirit nodded grimly. Then she got an idea.
“I’ll just hunt, to get more prey,” she said. Spiritsong’s eyes rounded with worry.
“What about Cliffstar?” She fretted. “You’ll be alone, and-”
“I’ll be fine,” Shyspirit reassured her mother. “If something does happen, and I’m not back by sundown, send a rescue patrol.” She shivered. “I’ve already been to StarClan. I wouldn’t enjoy being a ghost either.” Sundown was a while from now. She had plenty of time to hunt. Spiritsong touched her nose to Shyspirit’s ear.
“Be safe.” Shyspirit pulled away and hurried out of camp. She scented the air and detected rogue, eyes widening with outrage. What in the name of StarClan is- Suddenly, something hit her in the back of the head, she went flying, but she balanced herself and glanced up after she scrambled to her paws. It was a rogue. It was a brown and white tom with piercing amber eyes.
“Why, hello there,” the tom sneered. Shyspirit almost immediately detected something wrong with him. He had too many scars to have lived through the pain, and he had a nasty scratch along his throat that was healed cleanly but left a scar. The tom crouched down, muscles rippling. Shyspirit crouched down as well, but then noticed that… she could see through him. It was a ghost, or spirit. Shyspirit immediately recognized him when he spoke again.
“I think you’re ready to die again, aren’t you?” Shyspirit tensed her muscled before leaping, letting out a screech. Cliffstar rolled out of the way, jumping to his paws as Shyspirit landed where he was a moment before. She jumped up, Cliffstar pouncing on where she had leapt. She had jumped onto a tree’s trunk, and Cliffstar stared at her, eyes glittering reluctantly before hauling himself up after Shyspirit. She quickly pulled herself up onto a sturdy branch, camouflaging in between the twisted branches.
“Where’d you go?” Cliffstar growled. “You mouse-heart…” he leapt down, scanning the trees. Shyspirit leapt down on him with a terrifying snarl from her perch. Cliffstar’s eyes were wide with shock as he was dazed. She lifted her paw, ready to slice her throat. Cliffstar then exploded upwards, Shyspirit reeling into a tree. Don’t let me go to StarClan, she pleaded through a haze of pain. Cliffstar took hold of her by the scruff, throwing her against the tree again. He raked her flank, but she didn’t react, too weak to yowl, screech, or meow at all. He raked her flank again, gushing blood. He grabbed her once more by the scruff, banging her against the tree once more. As her eyes began to close, he dragged her somewhere as she fought to keep the darkness away. He threw her somewhere, and she seemed to be falling into an endless abyss. As she hit something, everything went completely black.