Missing

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Challenge for StellarClan

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"Swallowflight, it is time for you to proceed to the Moonpool. StarClan is waiting for you," I mewed, my eyes not daring to look into the deputy's. Swallowflight merely nodded his head before he dipped his head and whispered into Stormstar's ear, "rest in peace, foolish old leader. The clan will be better under my rule." After that, the deputy got up and followed me. I staggered to the entrance, giving one last glance at the dead leader in the den. I am so sorry, Stormstar. I knew everything but I could not do anything to help you. The others are blinded by Swallowflight's lies, I can only follow whatever he instructs me, for the sake of my life. I know I am a coward, I am so sorry, StarClan, but I am just a medicine cat, newly named before my mentor passed away under the claws of Swallowflight. I witnessed the whole murder. I saw how my mentor was killed because of his stubbornness. Please save us from Swallowflight's rule, please. While I was sending apologies to StarClan, Swallowflight padded past me, his tail twitching in annoyance. "We can go now." I murmured, keeping a distance from Swallowflight. Before we left, Swallowflight sent a glance at Birdfoot, his best friend and brother, who returned him with a smile that sent shivers down my spine.

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"You better keep your mouth shut. Be grateful that you can still breath; I would have iended your life long ago. Tomorrow, when I return back to camp with my nine lives, I will rename Poppykit as Lamekit, and she will be your apprentice. I expect you to teach her everything you know," Swallowflight spat in disgust when he mentioned StarClan. Lamekit? That is such a horrible name! What will Poppykit ever think of herself, and most importantly how will others treat her? It will be such a big impact on her, she will live her whole life in shame! Just because she has a broken leg does not mean that she deserves that kind of treatment.

"Swallowfli-"

"Swallowstar," he corrected. He puffed out his chest, as if he had already received his nine lives from StarClan. You traitor, I bet StarClan would not give you any lives. Then you will just be an ordinary cat who can be killed with just one claw at your belly. Keep dreaming if you think that you will ever be as great as Stormstar. Stormstar had helped the clans to unite, led WindClan to victory and was there for WindClan when Greencough struck. You just want to change the clans for the worse, by turning your back at StarClan and murdering your own leader. Now you are acting proud about it? Swallowflight, you will never be a leader in my heart, you flea-bag.

I heaved in a deep breath, trying to control the anger that was burning in my stomach. I hoped that I could be braver, I hoped that I wasn't the coward who dare not stand up to Swallowflight. I even hoped that I could be as strong as Swallowflight, so that I can kill him and Birdfoot with one swipe. Sadly, I am just a medicine cat who knows nothing but herbs, herbs and herbs. If I had trained to be a warrior, perhaps I could at least have a chance to win a fight against Swallowflight. "Swallowstar," I forced myself to address the traitor with that name. "Lamekit is too much for Poppykit to handle." When I finished my sentence, I earned a nip on my ear and a stern glare from Swallowflight I winced as blood dripped out of the wound.

"You obey all instructions given by me, or do you prefer to end up like your pathetic mentor?" Swallowflight growled, his eyes boring into me as I shivered and shook my head weakly. Great, I can use this chance to my advantage. I bet cats like Poppykit's family will be unhappy and they are bound to start an argument with you. They will not relent until you let Poppykit keep her name, for I saw how ferocious their love is for their kin. One wrong move you make, and everyone will see your true colors. Then I will stand out to reveal all your plans and lies and others will fight you. You and Birdfoot will be exiled and WindClan will be save again. The rest of the journey were silence, other than an occasional warning and growling.

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"Ah, the Moonpool. It is even more beautiful than what I have , no wonder StarClan wants this place so much. Snowfrost, how about expanding WindClan's territory so that this beautiful pool can be ours?" I stood there, rooted to the ground. How could he? The Moonpool is a sacred place. It's a pity that you are stepping on these grounds; you will only dirty it with your deadly sins. "What should I do, Snowfrost? When will those dead cats come out to meet me? Will receiving the lives be painful?" Swallowflight continued, excitement clearly shown in his eyes. He shuffled his paws in anticipation, waiting for my reply. I ignored him, just kept my eyes focused on the stars blinking before me. Of course, I earned another cut on my face for being disrespectful to my leader.

"I do not know! I have never been to the Moonpool to help a deputy earn his nine lives, moreover, Stormstar and my mentor never mention to me what am I supposed to do!" I retorted, angry at the treatment I am receiving. StarClan, please punish this traitor, and let him learn his mistakes. I avoided Swallowflight's glare and told him to lie down and sleep. "StarClan will come to your dream." I laid down, far from him. I closed my eyes, imagining the future in fear. StarClan... Are you really there?

...

Slowly, I blinked my eyes. Before me was my mentor, looking at me with his sad, wide eyes. It pained me to see his fur still covered with wounds, his tail still bleeding non-stop. The blood dripped onto the green grass, which immediately wilted at the touch of the crimson liquid. What's left was a patch of soil. "Sunheart..." I whispered, wishing that my mentor will hear the guilt when I said his name. My mentor jerked a little, before collapsing on the ground, his flank stopped moving as his eyes went dull. His claws were unsheathed, his pelt was messed up, sticky with blood. The scene before me was just like how I saw him when he died. "Sunheart!" I sailed, letting out the scream that I have kept hidden in my heart. Sunheart disappeared, being replaced with Stormstar. "Snowfrost," his eyes were warm and soft, and Sunheart came back to join the wise old leader, his wounds now healed, his pelt neatly groomed and his eyes bright with spirit. "We do not blame you, not at all." My eyes watered as Stormstar reached forward to lick my forehead. "Please, please punish him for all he had done. And punish me, for I am a lowly coward who dare not stand up to injustice." I paused for awhile, clearing my throat. "Take me and him, to StarClan. The clan doesn't need traitors or cowards."

Stormstar shook his head, his eyes filled with encouragements. Sunheart rasped, "Snowfrost, oh Snowfrost, what will happen to WindClan if you, their only medicine cat, is gone?" I hung my head low. What I just said reflected my charcater: cowardly, inconsiderate, irresponsible. "Do not blame yourself, Smowfrost. Everything is planned by StarClan. Our future are already set, nothing will ever change, for StarClan has already predicted your every moves and impacts with its wisdom. Do not worry, we will not let Swallowflight take over the camp just like that. He killed me and Stormstar, and he is going to pay for it." Hope lit up in my heart as I nodded my head in agreement. "Is it alright, Sunheart? We haven't discuss our plan with the others in StarClan, and what we are doing is clearly disrupting the course of nature. We are not supposed to interfere the matters of the living world, it's in the rules when we joined, Sunheart." Sunheart ignored his leader, clearly determined to carry out his plan. "Remember, Snowfrost, everything is what StarClan plans. You can help by listening to your heart. Swallowflight is sleeping soon, Snowfrost. Get ready and do not be surprised with the surpirises in stock for you two!" He chuckled, and with a wave of his paw, Swallowflight appeared, his eyes still closed.

Sunheart padded over to the murderer, his eyes filled with fury as he prodded the body with his paw. Swallowflight shivered, slowly opening his eyes. "Am I in StarClan?" He mumbled, looking around. He got a shock when he saw Sunheart and Stormstar, the victims under his claws. After awhile, he recovered his composure and muttered, "Are you here to give me my nine lives?" Sunheart and Stormstar put on a forced smile. Swallowflight relaxed and let his tensed haunches fall. I looked on with curiosity. Swallowflight looked around once more, admiring the place that was surrounded by mist. The spider webs on the trees looked even more beautiful when covered with water droplets. The grass felt softer than ever when wet. Fortunately, the soil was not wet enough to cling onto the cats' fur, or it would be an unpleasant trip.

"Come on, follow me! The cats are all waiting for you, Swallowflight, they are eager to give you your nine lives!" Swallowflight was so happy that the cats were eager to give him his lives, for that meant that StarClan has accepted him full-heartedly as the leader of WindClan. Sunheart and Stormstar ran off, disappearing into the trees. Swallowflight followed immediately, his eyes covered with the lust for power. He was hooked on like a cat meeting a dead prey.

"Just go into the tree hole, and you will receive your nine lives!" Swallowflight obeyed and stepped into the hole hesitantly, obviously scared about what will happen next. After three seconds, Swallowflight stepped out, confusion written all over his face. "There's nothing inside." He grumbled, disappointment in his eyes. Of course you will be disappointed. An actual ceremony is supposed to be the most magical feeling a cat has ever imagined. "There, you have your nine lives! Time is running out, you can go home now!" Swallowflight shrugged, padding towards the WindClan camp, his tail flicked to signal me to follow him.

"Is that really all? Are the two old fools tricking me?" Swallowflight asked, wanting to confirm whatever that had happened with his medicine cat. I merely nodded, not daring to reveal anything in case she spoils the whole plan. Sunheart's and Stormstar's efforts would be in vain! I reminded myself to be more cautious with her words. When we reached WindClan's camp, there was no one inside. We stood there in astonishment. "Is this some kind of joke? Come out now, all of you, your leader is back!" This must be what StarClan has planned. I fought to suppress the laughter that was going to escape from her mouth and tried to keep on a straight face. In the corner of my eyes, I caught Sunheart and Stormstar hiding behind a tree, giggling. Stormstar mouthed to me to lead Swallowflight to the nursery, where he will be trapped forever. I did what I was told, and soon enough Swallowflight was yelling his head off behind a big stone that blocked the nursery entrance.

"Now Snowfrost, you can wake up and choose a better leader! Sunheart and I got some explaining to do!" They waved their tails as I flopped onto the ground, closing my eyes as my frown turned into a smile.

Word Count: 1,993

I'm sorry if the ending is too abrupt, but the maximum number of words is 2,000.

Stuffed Watermelon.