Chapter 2

"Lightpaw's Ambition."

8/20/16

Lightpaw's hunt was a success. He found two squirrels and two rabbits.

Rainstorm helped him bring back the prey to camp, and cats admired the catches. Lightpaw puffed his chest with pride at the compliments.

Rainstorm turned to him.

"That was very good out there. You've caught a lot of prey."

"Thanks-."

"Although," Rainstorm puts in. "I'm beginning to notice that your stance stalking the rabbit was a bit...shaky. Are you getting enough sleep? Or eating well?"

"... Sometimes."

Rainstorm shook his head.

"It's irresponsible to skip sleep and food. You need it to keep your strength up.

Try and eat some before we head out again."

Lightpaw dips his head and quickly goes to the fresh kill pile. The gold tom sees Eaglecry addressing the cats on hunting parties and border marks.

Lightpaw envisions himself, older, and giving cats orders to follow.

Yeah… That'll be me one day.

That's all Lightpaw ever wanted: to be leader. He knew his mother is a hero, but never understood why she never shows interest in being a deputy and leader.

So when she told him what a leader was, he knew that was his calling.

But in order to become the next deputy, Eaglecry would have to retire or die. Lightpaw likes the she cat too much for death to happen, and retirement will be a very long time. The elders told him that when Thornstar became the new deputy, Eaglecry was still a fresh new apprentice, Eaglepaw.

Lightpaw finishes his squirrel and returned to Rainstorm.

"Just in time," he said. "Eaglecry put us on border marks."

Lightpaw sees the patrol consists of Foxflame, Brightpool and Spottedpaw…

And his mother and her apprentice, Tigerpaw.


Foxflame leads his patrol near the ShadowClan border. Lightpaw was acutely aware of Tigerpaw being next to him.

Lightpaw was told by the elders of the battle between LionClan and TigerClan, led by the battle hungry tyrant Lionstar.

They told him that Lionstar was also Tigerpaw and Goldpaw's father.

Tigerpaw doesn't share the same pelt he had as a kit, but he had the same build as Lionstar was said to have, and the same amber eyes.

Lightpaw just felt uncomfortable around Tigerpaw.

"Hey, Thunder scum!"

Lightpaw saw a ShadowClan patrol sneering in their direction, lead by a brown tabby she cat with white paws, who didn't share their confidence. She hissed at her patrol, and they easily fell silent.

She dips her head to Foxflame.

"I'm sorry. We're not trying to cause trouble."

Foxflame swept his gaze on the patrol behind the she cat.

"That's difficult to believe… You are?"

"Heathershade." She said. "I'm ShadowClan's deputy."

Foxflame narrowed his eyes, Lightpaw can feel hatred radiating from the bright ginger tom in front.

"I see… So Stormstar's leader now?"

"Yes," she says. "Stormstar is...an improvement from Crowstar."

Foxflame snorted. "Doubt it… We'll be on our way."

Foxflame's patrol pads from ShadowClan.

"ShadowClan for the win!"

Lightpaw glared at the voice belonging to a dark brown tabby she cat. Rainstorm blocks Lightpaw's view with his tail.

"Keep walking and don't look back."


Foxflame reports to Thornstar about ShadowClan's new leader. The golden brown tom nods thoughtfully.

"I see… We'll have to keep an eye on ShadowClan for the time being."

"That's it?" Foxflame asked. "You don't actually believe that Stormstar is different from Crowstar, do you? They're practically the same cat!"

Thornstar laid his tail on Foxflame's shoulder.

"What Stormstar did to you was reprehensible, but it's up to StarClan to judge him now."

Foxflame nods sullenly. Lightpaw watches his leader with admiration until he feels a tail flick his ear. Ravenpaw, Thornstar's daughter, was staring at him.

"I saw that."

"Saw what?"

Ravenpaw scoffs and nudges him playfully.

"The look of hunger. Even if you become warrior in a short moon, Eaglecry will still be deputy."

"So what?" Lightpaw challenged her. "There's still time for her to retire."

Ravenpaw tilts her head.

"What's wrong with being a warrior? You care for and fight for your Clan all the same, being a leader is a big responsibility. My father said that, he also says that not every cat is qualified for the job."

Ravenpaw pads away to meet her mentor, Jaystripe. Lightpaw heard what she said, and in his mind he believes that he's the right cat for the job.


Lightpaw, no, Lightstar looked down at his cats in a calm, commanding presence.

It was short lived when shadows engulfed everyone and the entire camp, and Lightpaw shrinks down to his normal size.

He was in a black, murky forest. Green fungus grew on the trees and provides the only sources of light.

"You've got big potential for such a small cat."

Lightpaw bristles his fur and looks around the darkened area.

"Who's there?!"

"Peace, young one." A dark gold tom appeared from the mist and stop in front of Lightpaw. "I mean you no harm. I'm here to help you with your problem."

Lightpaw lashed his tail.

"I don't have any problems!"

The tom smirks.

"There's your problem. You think you're perfect and invincible, but you have weaknesses just like any other cat."

"But I can help you with that. I can teach you how to not be weak, and then you'll be a fine deputy that ThunderClan will be proud of."

Lightpaw felt like he was flying.

I have a chance! I'm gonna be a leader!

"What is it? I'll do anything!"

The tom nods. "Good… Oh, and my name is… Lionfur."


HOLY COW! Lionstar's back!

Lightpaw is an ambitious cat for his age, and he fell right into Lionstar's paws because of his willingness to do anything to achieve his goal.

Now, he's only heard of Lionstar's leader name, he never heard his warrior name, Lionfur.

The next chapter, we'll see more Dark versus Gold. And Cloudpaw's medicine cat ceremony.

Reviews are appreciated, but flames will be doused with Hydro Pump by my Milotic, Breezie. ~ Kyubi