Better Than That

by WAS HALFSUN MOVING ACCOUNTS

Ever since the prophecy passed down by some long-forgotten ThunderClan warrior that says a kit born on the darkest night will turn to the light and the other kit to darkness, everyone in the clan believes that Ashpaw is pure evil. But Ashpaw is determined to rise above all that, and to prove that she is better than a prophecy given by a crazy StarClan warrior.

Prologue

Pale moonlight filtered through the leaves, leaving stripes of darkness on the ground. A she-cat padded through the shadowy forest, her gray fur turning silver in the moon's soft glow as she weaved around the trees.

"Cinderstar."

The she-cat ignored the low raspy voice, like a claw scraping over harsh cold stone.

"Cinderstar." The voice was more urgent this time, throaty and harsh, ringing through the night. "Cinderstar, you must listen to me."

The gray she-cat hurried on through the forest, paws making only the slightest whisper as they touched against the ground, her long tail swishing against the tall grasses that sprung up here or there, blue eyes narrowed and filled with distrust.

"Cinderstar! Cinderstar, you must hear what I have to say!"

At this Cinderstar stopped. Slowly she turned around, catching the faintest glimpse of a misty shadow, only the palest gleam of a pair of amber eyes.

The ghostlike shadow stepped forward. Cinderstar could make out the basic features of a cat, with a pale head and short fur, and large ears, and amber eyes that were rimmed with darker fur. But beyond that the cat was only a shadow. Forgotten. Left behind.

"Dustfang." Cinderstar's voice was laced with hostility. "What insane prophecy do you have for me tonight? Or has StarClan given up on you and cast you out, where you come crawling to me, yet again?"

"Cinderstar, this is important." The shadow slunk forward, until moonlight hit its fur, where the shadow flinched. Slowly it began to retreat into the darkness.

"Stop."

Cinderstar's voice was cold. "Dustfang, why have you come?"

"A prophecy." Dustfang came forward again, and this time the silvery-gray leader could see that Dustfang had white fur with faint brown patches, and brown rimming his gleaming, dark amber eyes. A short tail bobbed in the air as Dustfang ran forward. "A prophecy of the utmost importance."

Cinderstar let out a faint growl, and pearly white claws slid out of their sheaths, scraping against the ground.

Dustfang eyed the claws nervously, before continuing quickly, "Cinderstar, you have to hear me out."

"Get on with it, then," Cinderstar hissed.

Dustfang flinched. "Two kits will be..." he broke off as he caught a glimpse of Cinderstar's claws raking over the ground, scoring deep marks into the dirt. He let out a whimper, then saw the leader's harsh gaze.

"Two kits will be born on the darkest night," Dustfang continued, more confidently this time, though on the inside he was quaking with fear. "They will have unimaginable power. One will turn to light, the other to darkness."

Cinderstar harrumphed. "No queen in ThunderClan is expecting, Dustfang."

"The kits might not be from ThunderClan, Cinderstar," Dustfang said smoothly.

"Then why give the prophecy to me?"

"To warn you." For a moment, Dustfang's eyes gleamed with worry. Worry for Cinderstar. "I know that we're not mates anymore, but..."

"But what!" Cinderstar laughed. "I do not, for one instant, regret that you died from that badger attack." Dustfang flinched, hurt in his eyes, but Cinderstar ignored him. "Goodbye, Dustfang."

Cinderstar shut her clear blue eyes, and began to fade from the forest of StarClan.