Chapter 1

Firepaw awoke. Sunlight was already streaming into the apprentices den. Oh no she thought its already light out, I better get going. The other apprentices had already left but she figured if she quietly slipped out, Darkclaw wouldn't notice. When she exited the den, she could see most of the cats in the clan were already up and moving. She looked around good she thought Darkclaw must be out. So she hurried of to the exit of the camp that happened to be a hollowed out wooden log. She slipped through and battled through the brush. Once out into the snow forest, she looked up to see it was still early out. Ok I can relax now she thought it isn't sun high yet, so she should have plenty of time to catch prey. She just hoped there would be prey out during this time of the season. It was long and arduous but she evenly caught the required amount of prey. Five of any kind. She looked up to see that it was almost sun high. She better hurry in time for inspection. She grabbed her three mouse, sparrow, and vole in her teeth and put them in a highwalkers cloth. She then made it into a bundle, grabbed it by her teeth and hurried back to camp. When she entered, all the other apprentices were beginning to line up for inspection. She sighed a breath of relief that was close she thought. "Firepaw!" she turned to see a small gray tom running to her "Pebblepaw" she said, "what's the matter?" "Do you have any extra prey?" he said in a anxious voice "you mean you didn't get enough?" she asked "no!" he replied, desperation in his voice "I couldn't find any in time and I hoped the others had any extra but they gave me the same answer! Please, please I need it! If Darkclaw caught-" however he was interrupted by a loud yowl. Inspection time. "Oh no" said Pebblepaw "oh no oh no oh no" Firepaw got in line. She couldn't bare to see Pebblepaw like this. Then a huge black cat came striding over to them, his piercing green eyes scanning them. The apprentices dropped their bundles. Slowly the huge black cat looked at their catch, one by one. He then came to Firepaw, nodded his head, then he came to Pebblepaw. His whiskers twitched "Pebblepaw, you haven't brought in the required amount" "I I'm sorry Darkclaw" he stammered "this is the third time this moon you have failed to bring in the required amount" "I know and I'm sorry!" Pebblepaw was now hysterical "please, give me one more chance, I promise I'll do better! Please!" Darkclaw looked at him coldly "you said that the last time you came with a low amount" Pebblepaw seemed to be on the verge of insanity "I'm afraid you have failed Treeclan one to many times already" "wait please! I can do better!" Pebblepaw shrieked "take him to the Clearing" Firepaw felt her heart shatter "no, no, no no no no please not the Clearing, I swear I'll do better" two huge toms grabbed him by the scruff and began to drag him to a gab in the camps tree-line protection "no please! I swear I'll do better!" Firepaw just couldn't watch. Even the smallest kit new about the Clearing. The name alone could make you shiver. Because, any cat then was sent to the Clearing...never came back.

Chapter 2

it hadn't always been like this. There was once a time when the three clans, Treeclan, Mountainclan, and Lakeclan all lived in peace. But then, everything changes once The Clan took over. A family of three cats, they were power-hungry, blinded by lust, and felt their leaders were doing a poor job at leading their clans. So they plotted, together in secret, for moons on how they would come to power.
In a single night, they snuck into their leaders den and killed them in there sleep. A fatal blow that even nine lives couldn't save. Then everything changed.
A new rule began, one were all three clans be united as one, each one ruled by one of the three powers. And each ruled with an iron paw. As soon as a kit was born, they were immediately put into training. They were taught the Code and the motto of The Clan "the weak must perish for the strong to survive" when a kit reached six moons old, they were sent into apprenticship. They weren't assigned mentors; all the warriors were there mentors. Apprentices main job was to supply prey for the clan, each at a required amount. When the snow fell on the lands, five pieces of prey. When the leaves sprouted and the air warmed, ten pieces of prey. An apprentice was given only a limited amount of warnings. If they get to many, they were taken to the Clearing. After eight moons of training, they were then made warriors. It was then there responsibility to protect their clan...at any cost. There were no elders or medicine cats. If a warrior reached an age when they couldn't serve their clan they were taken to the Clearing. As for medicine cats "a cat is responsible for his own wounds" so there were no need of medicine cats. The leaders and deputies were always sibling, each a descendant of the original Clan. It is required for a leader to have at least two kits in there lifetime. One would become leader, the other the deputy. Since leaders and deputies never took part in battle (they let there warriors do there work), they usually always lived out there life. Only leaders and deputies could live to old age. Once they died, there kits would take over and then the cycle repeats itself. That is how it has been since that fateful night and as far as Firepaw could see, that was how it would remain. Sometimes she laid awake at night, thinking about that one day when it would be her time to be taken to the Clearing.

Chapter 3

tonight was the night of the Council. The three leaders and deputy's were to meet and discuss their current affairs. Firepaw was padding along with her clan mates to the Spire, the sight were the council gathered. "Hello Firepaw" a muscular tabby padded up to the orange she-cat "hello Stripepelt" "how's my favorite apprentice doing?" "Not so well after..." "Pebblepaw" he finished. She nodded "I'm sorry for your brother" he continued "its not your fault" she said, "He just couldn't make the requirement. It should have given him extra prey; at least it would have gotten of with a beating. Instead, my cowardice got him sent to the Clearing" "don't be so hard on yourself" he said "did he know he'd been slacking on his duties?" "No, he didn't" she said "then you couldn't have known, things like this just happen" "it wouldn't happen if They were in charge" "shh!" he hushed her "if Shadestar heard you-" "it know" Firepaw said "it know" they then climbed up a slope and arrived at the Spire. The Spire was a huge, pointed, solitary rock located in the middle of a large clearing. Already Mountainclan and Lakeclan had arrived. The warriors took their places and their leader Shadestar padded to the rock. Shadestar was the biggest cat you would ever meet, his fur was the blackest of nights and his eyes were an unnatural icy blue. The Spire had small cleft located at it base and it was here the leaders and deputies gathered. A yowl rang out. The Council was to begin "Oakstar, my brother" said Shadestar in a sinister voice "it is good to see you again" "as am it" said a large brown cat "and Boulderstar, it is good to see you to" "as am it brother" replied a stone colored tom "how are things in Mountainclan?" asked Shadestar "things are well brother" Boulderstar replied "we have made three of our apprentices warriors and one of our queens have given birth" "very nice" said Oakstar "and what of you my brother?" said Shadestar "unfortunately, we had to rid of two of our warriors. Old age, you understand" "naturally" said Boulderstar "and what of you Shadestar?" "We to had to let one of our apprentices go" he replied "but other then that, Treeclan flourishes" the Council went on like they're for a while until it was disbanded. As Treeclan began there trek back to the camp, Firepaw saw Stripepelt was lagging behind. She dropped back to him "are you okay?" she asked, "Ya I'm fine," he said, "Just these bones aren't what they used to be" he smiled and headed up to the front. This caused Firepaw to worry. Stripepelt was like the father she never had, he had always looked after her and she knew very well he was the most senior of the warriors. Though still as fierce as a young warrior, she knew it wouldn't be long before his weariness would interfere with his duties. And it wouldn't be long before he shares the same fate as Pebblepaw.

Chapter 4

Firepaw was out hunting the next morning. She had already got herself a mouse and thrush and it would be a while before sun-high and inspection. She decided to venture further out into the territory until she arrived at a small stream. She was very thirsty, so she started lapping at the cool waters. When she was full, she lifted her head. Another cat was standing next to her, a tortoiseshell cat with a sweet scent. Caught by surprise, she turned but there was no cat there. Who was that? She thought. Maybe it was just her imagination. She shrugged it of and picked up her bundle. She arrived back at the camp, her requirement met. She had time to spare, so she headed over to Stripepelt who was talking to Lightwing and Ambereye. "Hello Firepaw" said Ambereye "already done with hunting?" "Yes" she said sitting down "I'm sorry about Pebblepaw" Ambereye continued "thank you" she replied "you've been training for seven moons now right?" asked Lightwing "its only a matter of time until you become a warrior. Then you wont have that constant threat of the Clearing over your head" "Lightwing!" Ambereye said. Firepaw just shrugged it of "you better get going," said Stripepelt "it's nearly sun high". She got into line with the other apprentices with her catch. Next to her stood Granitepaw. He was very jittery; Firepaw looked down and saw he didn't have enough prey. She instantly flashed back to Pebblepaw. Granitepaw was so young, barley into his first moon of apprenticeship. He didn't deserve to be punished. Darkclaw was still looking at Heatherpaw, who was right next to Granitepaw. While he wasn't looking, she passed one of her mice onto Granitepaw's pile. When Darkclaw then inspected him, he nodded and went to her. His whiskers twitched "Firepaw. It isn't like you to not meet the requirement" "I'm sorry Darkclaw" she said evenly "it wont happen again" "I'm sure you won't" he said "but still you have to be punished. Treelimb, Mousepelt" two huge toms came forward. The same ones who took Pebblepaw away "you know what to do" Darkclaw said. They then grabbed Firepaw by her scruff and began to drag her out of the camp. She saw Granitepaw looking at her, he then mouthed to her "thank you".

FIrepaw dragged herself back into the camp. Clumps of fur were missing from her pelt, scratches raked her side, her ear was torn, and her nose was bleeding badly. Stripepelt came up to her "are you all right? What happened? I thought you had enough prey" "I gave one up to Granitepaw" she replied "he's still to young to get that kind of punishment" Stripepelt looked at her "what you did was good intention but-" "but what?" she snapped "that it should look out for myself? What now you support the Clan?" "I never said," he said "its just that you shouldn't take the blame for another cats actions" Firepaw didn't even respond, "those cuts look serious" he continued "do you need any help?" "Oh now you want to help another cat?" snapped Firepaw. She just stalked of to the apprentice den without even looked back at Stripepelt. Once inside, she began to lick her wounds. A small bush of dock grew in den. She bite of a few stalks, mashed it in her teeth, and applied the stinging juice to her. Did she do the right thing? Taking the blame for Granitepaw? After all her wounds were treated she curled into a ball. Prey requirement, strict laws, oppressive leaders...this was no life she thought. I got to get out of here she thought. But she knew well that there was no place for her to go and if she did try to escape and got caught, it would be a sentence to the Clearing. If anyone cans here me she thought help us.

Chapter 5

it had been a few days since Firepaw's punishment. Her wounds were healing nicely, no infection, and Granitepaw was able to get his requirement the next few days. Firepaw awoke again and headed out to hunt. When she exited the camp, she was smelled a sweet scent. It was very familiar. She looked over and saw through the bush the same cat she saw by the river "hey! You!" then the cat disappeared "wait, don't run! I want to talk with you!" she leaped over the brush and landed right on top of Flowertail. "H-hey! Get of me!" the she-cat hauled Firepaw off her "I'm sorry Flowertail" said Firepaw. Flowertail got up and began to lick her rumpled fur "did you happen to see that cat go anywhere?" "What cat?" she asked "that tortoiseshell cat, with the sweet smell" Flowertail looked at her "uh, I didn't see any cat...until you jumped on me" "again, I'm sorry," said Firepaw. Flowertail just shrugged "well, you better get going. Don't want to be caught again without enough prey" then the warrior slipped through the bush. Who was the cat? Thought Firepaw and why was it she could only see her? For the rest of the morning, she hunted for prey. A few inches of snow had fallen and it was tough finding prey. It was close to sun high and she still only had three pieces of prey. Come on she thought not today. Then the same sweet scent crossed her nose. She looked up and saw the same cat again. "Wait!" she said and once again the cat took off. Firepaw took chase, following the cat's scent. She took the apprentice on a twisting path through the woods leading her all the way to the Lakeclan border. She then burst out of the woods and the large sparkling lake stood before her. And the she cat was waiting for her by the lake. Firepaw slowly padded forward "who are you?" she asked, "why are you following me?" the cat pushed something towards her. She looked down and saw it was two dead mouse's "oh uh, thanks" she said in a awkward voice. She took the mice and put them in her highwalker cloth. "Firepaw" spoke the tortoiseshell "you don't know me but for some time, I've been watching you" Firepaw still looked at her "who are you?" the tortoiseshell looked at her with kind eyes "my name is Spottedleaf and I am a member of Starclan. I have come to help you"

Chapter 6

at first, Firepaw thought she had heard her wrong. Starclan? She had never heard that clan before. "I'm sorry," said Spottedleaf "I almost forgot, you don't know about Starclan" Firepaw kept looking at her. Spottedleaf continued, "Starclan is the name of the warrior ancestors of the four clans I and my other clan mates watch over" now Firepaw was very confused. Warrior ancestors? Did this mean that this cat is...dead? No, it cant be, it wasn't logical. Cats don't simply come back from the dead. And four clans? Didn't she mean three? "I-im sorry...Spottedleaf, its just your talking nonsense" Spottedleaf nodded "your right, it might sound strange to you, seeing as the way your clan is treated" Spottedleaf's eyes filled with sorrow. Firepaw walked over to try and comfort her...and then her face went through her body. She jumped back in surprise, she extended her paw and sure enough it passed through the cat like smoke "now do you believe?" said Spottedleaf. Firepaw looked at her again "why are you here" the cat gave her a concerned look "I am here to help you. A few moons ago, I caught wind of your clan and the dire circumstance they were in. I saw the way those leaders treated each of the clans. It is absolutely unacceptable. I wanted to help but no one believed anymore, no one in any of the clans believed in him or herself or had hope...except for you. You are different; unlike the other cats you had hope. You still clung to those old beliefs and wanted desperately to change. You have endured so much...and yet, you still believe" the cat stopped. Firepaw just sat there, contemplating what she had heard. "What do you ask of me?" Firepaw said. Spottedleaf looked at her "I want to take you out of this life. I want you to join my old clan, Thunderclan. There, you will not be suppressed, pushed around, or your people riddled with fear. If there was a way to save your entire clan and the others, I could but your leaders have forsaken there code for so long there ancestors are now lost and cannot help" "what about your clan?" asked Firepaw "can't you..?" Spottedleaf shook her head "Starclan can only extend its reach for so far. it took me a great deal to reach out to you, to great. now, my time runs short before I to will become lost to my own clan. now I must ask...do you want a better life?"

Chapter 7

Firepaw thought about this. a better life? was this dead cat telling the truth? it seemed impossible. it seemed perfect but...what about Stripepelt? she couldn't just leave him to be sent to the Clearing "if I agreed" said Firepaw "can my friend Stripepelt come?" "of course" said Spottedleaf "you can bring another but...if your friend comes, you must bring two others. one from Mountainclan and one from Lakeclan" Firepaw thought. it seemed a good trade of "okay" said Firepaw "were exactly am I going?" Spottedleaf smiled "my clan, Thundercan, live on a lake much like yours along with three others. Windclan, Shadowclan, and Riverclan. to reach it, you must past over that mountain range" she flicked her tail and Firepaw felt her heart drop. Spottedleaf was pointing to the Divide. the Divide was the name of the mountains that encircled the forest and lake. it was at the foothills that Mountainclan made there home but venture any higher and you'll enter a treacherous place filled with huge birds, deep gorges, and even a rumored mountain lion. no cat had ever gone into the Divide and come out alive. it was foolish to even consider it "I sense you are afraid" said Spottedleaf "but do not worry. when you go there, someone will be waiting for you to take you through the mountains and lead you to the lake. I will give you four days to find your other companions. on the dawn of the fifth day, that someone will be waiting at the entrance to the Divide to take you. now, I must go" Spottedleaf began to fade. then when she disappeared, Firepaw heard her voice "be safe young one. go with eyes unclouded, I will watch over you"

Firepaw trotted back into the camp, already her mind working on how she and Stripepelt would escape the camp and head to the mountains. but first she needs to get a cat from each of the other clans before she could go. then, she saw Treelimb pad out of the pathway that lead to the Clearing. oh no she thought did someone get sent there today? however, the clan didn't seem to upset. but after all, it wasn't exactly new for someone to be sent to the Clearing. maybe there just used to it. then, Firepaw was over come with curiosity. exactly what was it that was in the Clearing? she had always believed that it was Treelimb and Mousepelt killing the cats in cold blood. but there was always that theory it wasn't them. she looked around. everyone seemed to be busy to notice and she could spot Shadestar was busy with Darkclaw. so quietly, she slipped to the path and followed it. the path was very thin and at first, it didn't seem different from the other paths in the camp. but as she went deeper, it began to grow darker and the trees more close together. this strange sense of dread crept into her. this was a bad place she thought many cats have died here. then, she entered into a small clearing of rust colored sand. very faint light poke through the leaves gaps from up above. there was someone in the middle. a hunched figure who seemed to not notice her, breathing heavily. Firepaw took a few tentative steps forward "h-hello?" the thing slowly lifted its head which made rapid jerky motions. it began to breath even heavier. then, it slowly began to turn making jerky movements. a snarl came out from its throat. then it faced her and Firepaw almost screamed in horror. it looked like a deranged cat. it had a rough uneven pelt that had tuffs of fur missing. it was so skinny, all its ribs extremely prominent but it was the face. its eyes were blood red and its teeth were bared, black gums exposed and a strange liquid dripping from its mouth. it suddenly seemed to go berserk and gave a huge screech. then it began to spit and growl and yowl. then huge yellowed claws came out and it lunged at her.

Chapter 8

Firepaw reeled back in shock. suddenly, the beast stopped in mid air and was yanked to the ground. a highwalker collar was strapped around its neck, buried so deep the skin was starting to grow over it. it quickly got up and tried for Firepaw again but the collar held strong. she saw a chain was hooked to the collar and it wrapped around one of the trees. the thing kept on hissing and spitting, trying desperately to get to its prey. Firepaw slowly began to back up and her legs touched something. she looked down and to her horror saw bones, hundreds of them, scattered around the edge of the clearing. then her eyes spotted something else and this time she did scream. it was the rotting head of Pebblepaw. she quickly turned and ran out of the horrid place.

she immediately went to Stripepelt and told him everything. "no, that can't be" he said "why would Shadestar keep something so dangerous so close to the camp?" "it had a highwalker collar on it. the thing seemed to be made of that shiny stuff the highwalkers use for there demons, so it looks like its not going any ware" Stripepelt shook his head "what a horrible way to die" he said "but then again, we all will be sent there one day..." Firepaw felt herself shiver. she could feel herself being ripped to shreds by that beast. then she remembered Spottedleaf "there may be a way we can escape it" she said. Stripepelt looked at her "how?". then Firepaw told him about the Starclan cat and her promise. at first, Stripepelt found it hard to believe but as Firepaw pressed harder he finally realized she was telling the truth. when it was done, he looked at her "so, we have to be ready in four days and leave on the fifth?" Firepaw nodded "and we need to bring one other from each clan?" Firepaw nodded "do you have anyone in mind?" she didn't have many close associations with any cats from the other clans but Stripepelt must have a few friends. Stripepelt nodded "I believe I do. Waterpelt, she's a queen in Lakeclan who's already lost her two kits to the Bog" the Bog, that was Lakeclan's version of the Clearing. a deep marsh that ensnared any cat it caught and dragged them down to a watery grave. as for Mountainclan, it was a place called the Pit. a deep gorge that at the bottom held sharp pointed rocks were cats were pushed to there death "as for Mountainclan...Rockclaw, he and I have always been good friends" "so that's the two?" she said "yes" he replied "I'll go to talk to them in the next four days" "what about Shadestar?" she asked "he might grow suspicious" "don't worry" he said "I'll simply volunteer myself to patrol duty. I'll be able to slip into Lakeclan and Mountainclan and he wont even know" Firepaw looked at him "I hope your right"

Chapter 9

the days went by, slowly fading into the background of Firepaw's mind. the plan had been made. she and Stripepelt would meet Waterpelt near the Lakeclan border. then they would meet with Rockclaw on the mountain foothills. he would then lead them to the Divide's entrance and hopefully find this guide that Spottedleaf said. the fifth day arrived. Firepaw met with Stripepelt and they slipped out of the camp. trotting to through the woods they made there way east until they reached the lake. after another moment or two walking, they saw a solitary figure waiting for them. it was a small, blue cat with water colored eyes. she turned to them "hello Stripepelt" she said in a friendly voice "you must be Firepaw, I'm Waterpelt" "nice to meet you" said Firepaw "I wish it could be on better circumstances" "as do I" she said "are you two ready?" "yes, lead the way Waterpelt" said Stripepelt. the she-cat turned and they started of again. Firepaw looked up, it was still a ways to go till sun high. once Darkclaw saw she wasn't there will the alarm be sounded but hopefully they would be into the Divide by then. they then left eh lakeshore and began to tread on grassy land. slowly, more rocks began to dot the area and soon they were on solid rock heading up to the mountains. they kept on traveling through the rocky area. Firepaw just hoped they didn't run into a patroller. then Stripepelt stopped them and pricked his ears. then from out of the rock stepped a large and muscular rock colored tom. "Rockclaw" said Stripepelt "you seem to have found us okay" "yes, reluctantly" he replied in a gruff voice "your sure about this?" the tome continued "how do we know that apprentice isn't leading us down a false trail?" that stung, Firepaw felt her fur prickle "she tells the truth" he replied "otherwise, why would you be here?" Rockclaw grunted "come on, the entrance is a ways up" the tom lead them higher up the mountain. soon travel became more treacherous and the ground became craggier. Waterpelt was lagging behind, Firepaw jumped to wear she was "are you okay?" the she-cat smiled "don't worry, I'm fine. I'm just not used to this type of terrain, its not like the rocks in the lake" "come on you two" growled Rockclaw "hurry up" Waterpelt nodded and she began to climb again. than, by the time sun high approached they had reached the entrance to the Divide. it was a large crack in the rock face were the end was hidden by mist. "this is it" said Rockclaw "the entrance to the Divide" Waterpelt looked around "so were is this stranger?" just then, they heard rocks tumble. Firepaw turned around and raised her hackles as a badge came lumbering into view. the others followed, ready to pounce on the attacker "no" it said in a gruff voice. Firepaw felt her mouth drop. did that badger just talk? "please, no attack. I am friend to your kind. my name Twilight, I've been sent by cat ancestors to help"

Chapter 10

"don't trust it" said Rockclaw "give a badger a kitten step and it will take a whole leap' right into your throat" "no, please, I friend" said the badger Twilight "cat with the sweet smell come to me, say I help you" Firepaw began to relax. Maybe this badger was telling the truth, how else would she know Spottedleaf? "I know, it seem hard," said the badger "you must not meet cat speaking badgers like I" Stripepelt came forward "okay, Twilight is it? We'll trust you to take use through but waver a bit and we'll take you down" Rockclaw shot Stripepelt a fierce look and Waterpelt seemed anxious "good then" said Twilight "follow I then, ways to go now" the badger began to lumber into the pass and reluctantly, Firepaw began to follow her. The others soon followed. They made their way through the small pass until it began to widen far enough that they didn't have to travel in single file. "So Twilight, how is it you can speak to us?" the badger chuckled "I know other languages beside cat. I learn from my sister, Midnight, she lives in cave near sun-drown place" Firepaw gave a confused look. Sun-drown place? "Oh, it place were the sun is swallowed whole by a huge body of water. Me and sister have since learned other animal languages like rabbits, mice, squirrel, and many others" "sounds hard" said Firepaw "not till you get used to it" replied the badger. For the rest of the day, they traversed rocky cliffs; more narrow cracks, and even scaled the side of a cliff all the while why Twilight leads the way. By the time it was almost dark, they arrived at a huge yawning cave the insides lost to darkness. "We stop her for night" said Twilight. They rested in a small dip in the earth. Rockclaw volunteered to go hunting; he would be most familiar with this type of territory. "So what did this Spottedleaf tell you Twilight?" asked Waterpelt. "Many things" said the badger "all bad. By the way your lives are told, it seem constant struggle. She even told me of cat punishments. The sinking ground, the wide crevice, and….the thing in wooded area" "what exactly is that thing?" asked Firepaw "do you know?" the badger nodded "it was a cat once until leader take it from mother when it was youngling. Raised it to obey simple orders and subject it to constant abuse. Make it into...perfect killer" Firepaw shuddered. How could Shadestar be anymore heartless? Rockclaw appeared with some fresh kill. They all ate in silence and soon began to sleep. Firepaw stayed awake a bit longer, she began to think. Shadestar by now must know were gone she thought, I wonder what he's doing to find us? She just hoped he didn't other wise it would be the beasts teeth in her flesh.

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