Chapter Three: You're The Only One Who Shares My Pain
Brightpaw crouched behind some bushes. She kept glancing up at trees and looking into shadows, hoping to catch a glimpse of orange eyes or the black tabby pelt of her mentor. A few pawsteps in front of her, was her prey; a mouse. It was nibbling on a leaf, completely unaware of her presence.
Focus she reminded herself This assessment is important.
The mouse suddenly tensed and sniffed the air. Before it had the chance to run, Brightpaw jumped and killed it easily with a nip to the spine. She heard a rustle of leaves and scented the air to detected what it was. Rabbit. She quickly buried her mouse and began to stalk her next target. The rabbit was healthy and young. It was also huge. It crouched near a clump of grass, completely unaware of her.
Brightpaw got ready to spring when a loud noise startled it. Determined not to let it get away, she raced after it, the border with WindClan coming into sight. A WindClan patrol also came into sight. Brightpaw put on a burst of speed, swerving to cut off the rabbit before it could hop over the border.
It panicked. Brightpaw didn't. She sunk her claws into its hide and killed it with almost the same quickness that she had, the mouse.
Meanwhile, the WindClan patrol came racing up. An apprentice ran across the border, causing Brightpaw to hiss in anger.
"THAT WAS WINDCLAN PREY, YOU PREY-STEALER!" The WindClan apprentice yowled.
"Was not! I caught this rabbit on ThunderClan territory. Which makes it ThunderClan prey, you blind badger." Brightpaw shot back, pleased that she could finally use one of Owlpaw's insults.
"Nonsense! Everyone knows that ThunderClan hunts woodland creatures. Not moor creatures!"
"Maybe you should get your eyes checked, you miserable kit!"
"BRIGHTPAW!" A blur of darkness materialized into Darkmoon. "You didn't cross the border, did you?"
"No, Darkmoon." Brightpaw replied. "I caught this on our territory. And then he came on to our territory to falsely accuse me of prey-stealing."
"FALCONPAW!" A WindClan warrior roared. The patrol stepped to the edge of the border. "GET OVER HERE THIS INSTANT! Can't you clearly see that ThunderClan has better things to do, than chase off a new apprentice?"
Falconpaw muttered something Brightpaw couldn't make out, then went over to the WindClan side of the border.
"I am so sorry, Darkmoon." The WindClan warrior who had yowled at Falconpaw said. "Falconpaw just got apprenticed a few sunrises ago. He is an inexperienced apprentice, and I apologize for him causing trouble with you and your apprentice."
Darkmoon dipped his head. "It's okay, Gatorpelt. Just please teach him to keep his paws on his own territory and leave ThunderClan apprentice's alone when they have assessments to complete."
"Don't worry, Darkmoon. He will be properly punished." Gatorpelt's light green eyes betrayed the anger that his voice hid.
Darkmoon nodded towards Brightpaw, signaling she could pick up her rabbit. Brightpaw picked up her catch and followed her mentor into the trees again. Once they were out of earshot of the WindClan patrol, Darkmoon allowed his anger to run freely. He cursed Falconpaw heavily and when he was finally calm, he looked at Brightpaw.
"That's a good catch. How did you ever manage to catch it?"
Brightpaw dropped the rabbit. Ever since their first lesson, Darkmoon had taken her out to run nearly every day. And when they weren't running, Darkmoon was filling her with the stories of the clans. He told her about his ancestor; Bramblestar, about Tigerstar and about Squirrelflight. He also told her of Bluestar and Yellowfang. She had to literally bite down on her tongue whenever he mentioned them. Another thing he had taught her was how to fight. But mostly they focused on speed. Due to their many runs, she had built up her endurance and speed greatly.
"I scented it, waited, then ran after it. When it approached the WindClan border, I began to cut it off. When I killed it, Falconpaw accused me of stealing prey." Brightpaw explained.
"So you have improved with your speed." Darkmoon nodded thoughtfully. "Good, good. Let's gather up your prey and head back to the camp. No use continuing the assessment after that little scene."
Brightpaw flattened her ears. "I sort of...buried it in a bunch of places."
Darkmoon raised an eyebrow. "How much did you exactly catch?"
"Two squirrels, a thrush, three mice and a vole."
Darkmoon sighed. "I'll carry half of your prey. But just this once."
"Okay. Thanks, Darkmoon!" Brightpaw gave a quick and small lick on her mentors shoulder.
Darkmoon smiled wearily. "No problem."
…
When the two cat's walked back into camp, several warriors gathered to congratulate Darkmoon on catching the rabbit. When Darkmoon dropped his load, he shook his head.
"No, I didn't catch any of this. This was all caught by Brightpaw."
"No way did she catch that much!" Hawkpaw said from the front. His best friend; a black she-cat with leaf green eyes, named Venompaw, nodded.
"She did though." Darkmoon replied. "Don't you have to get back to Birchear?"
Hawkpaw flattened his ears, and muttered something Brightpaw couldn't make out. He walked over to where a tall, lithe, white with black markings, tom was waiting.
Brightpaw felt the presence of another cat approaching. It was just Graylegs, who looked at the fresh-kill with wide eyes.
"So you caught all this?" He asked Brightpaw.
"Yes."
Graylegs nodded respectfully. "I don't think you're that same helpless kit that Darkmoon found and Dappleheart took to Stormstar to receive a name."
"Brightpaw, put the rest of the prey down and grab yourself some fresh-kill. Come with me, I want to introduce you to some cats. And could you please get my squirrel brained sister?" Darkmoon said, his voice muffled because of the thrush he was carrying.
"Okay, Darkmoon." Brightpaw pushed the prey she'd dropped on the ground into the fresh-kill pile, selected a vole and walked to the apprentice den.
Owlpaw was sitting next to Nettlepaw and Silverpaw. Silverpaw was sharing her robin with Nettlepaw.
Robinkit… A flood of memories threatened to sweep Brightpaw off her paws, like a fierce river. She swallowed hard, approaching the apprentices.
"Are you kidding me? I'm still trying to figure out why The Pure Ones didn't take her. Or why they didn't just kill her. If you think about it, they took Robinkit and killed Voiletkit and Daisykit. If they did that, so easily, why didn't they finish her off, or take her?" Nettlepaw was saying.
"I don't know." Silverpaw said in her sweet, gentle tone. "Maybe Flowerwing put up a fight against her. Or maybe they just didn't notice her."
"How could they not notice her? She's got golden fur, for StarClan's sake!" Nettlepaw argued.
"I still don't know why my brother, out of all the cats here, keeps on saving her." Owlpaw said, shaking her head. "I don't know how he knows when she needs help, nor do I know why Stormstar chose him to be her mentor."
"Seems long ago, but really it's only been a couple of moons since he was was an apprentice and was sleeping in the apprentice den." Nettlepaw sighed.
"This is a terrible time to be having kits." Silverpaw sighed. "If The Pure Ones weren't around, I'd consider having them once I'm a warrior, but...there's no guarantee they'd be safe."
Nettlepaw drapped his tail over Silverpaw's back. "Don't worry, I'll protect you."
"Please do not make promises that you cannot keep."Silverpaw said, leaning against him.
The apprentices finally seemed to notice that Brightpaw was standing right in front of them. Owlpaw rose to her paws, her ears flattened in embarrassment.
"Hey, uh...When'd you get here?" She asked.
"Oh, only a few minutes ago." Brightpaw lied.
Owlpaw relaxed, just a bit. "Oh, okay. So are you gonna sit down or what?"
"No. Um, actually, Darkmoon wanted you and I to meet him to...meet some cats." Brightpaw replied.
Owlpaw flicked an ear, clearly irritated. "Okay. Let me know when my brother stops sending his apprentice as a messenger."
"C'mon. Please?"
Owlpaw shrugged. "If I don't come back, assume my brother has fed me to a badger."
"Will do." Nettlepaw replied.
Owlpaw picked up her mouse and followed Brightpaw to Darkmoon. Darkmoon was sitting with three cats; an Elder who had a brown pelt with white markings and aqua blue eyes. She waited with kind eyes. A tom with orange-green eyes and a pelt of black nodded. He bore many scars and his claws were cutting his vole into smaller strips. And the third cat, was a fluffy gray tabby she-cat. She had amber eyes and looked so similar to Darkmoon and Owlpaw, Brightpaw thought they must be related in some way.
"Brightpaw, I'd like you to meet Riverheart, Shadowfox and Ghostheart." Darkmoon meowed.
Owlpaw rolled her eyes. "I was beginning to wonder when you'd introduce her to our family."
"Owlpaw," Shadowfox said warningly. "It's rude to say things like that."
Owlpaw huffed indignantly. She flopped down and continued eating her mouse.
Darkmoon gestured with his tail to Brightpaw, for her to lay next to him. Brightpaw did as he asked and Riverheart smiled at her.
"So you are the young apprentice that I've heard so much about from Stormstar. Her words have not exaggerated you at all." The brown she-cat said.
"Indeed. It is rather interesting that Stormstar chose you to be the apprentice of my son." Shadowfox said, nodding.
"I wish you both wouldn't say things, as if she isn't here. She's well aware of our presence." Ghostheart said, flicking her tail.
Riverheart flattened her ears in apology. "I'm so sorry. It's been awhile since I've taken interest in a particular apprentice."
"Riverheart?" An old gray tom padded towards the group. "Why are you over here?"
"Darkmoon requested that I meet his apprentice." Riverheart explained. "If you'd like, you can join us, Stoneclaw."
Stoneclaw nodded and laid next to Riverheart.
Darkmoon cleared his voice. "My...uh...my parents are Shadowfox and Ghostheart. Ghostheart is actually the daughter of Riverheart and Stoneclaw, making them my grandparents. Ghostheart lived with Twolegs for awhile, so she knows a lot of Twoleg words and taught the words to Owlpaw and I. Shadowfox is the descendant of Bramblestar. That's where we think my tabby stripes come from; the blood of Bramblestar himself. There hasn't been a tabby tom in the family for many, many moons. And I'm sure you met Nettlepaw and Hawkpaw. Those two are the sons of Dawnclaw; another daughter of Riverheart and Stoneclaw. For some strange reason though, Hawkpaw has the tabby coat and Nettlepaw doesn't. It makes no sense, but then again, life doesn't make sense. Do you know anything about your own parents?"
Brightpaw blinked, then took a mouthful of her vole, swallowed and then began to talk. "No, I don't remember anything about my mother or my father. Whether or not I had littermates, remains to be seen. Why are you interested?"
Darkmoon looked at the ground, embarrassed. "I'm kind of interest in bloodlines and such. Whenever I find out a certain cat was related to another cat, then I find it extremely fascinating."
Owlpaw swallowed her last piece of mouse. "Yeah. As you can see, my badger of a brother, has brain. Although, I do think he loses it when he's around you sometimes." While Owlpaw rose to her paws, Shadowfox gave an annoyed snort and Darkmoon glared at her.
"Well, I'm off to bed. Pineclaw said I'd need plenty of sleep for tomorrow's Gathering. I guess you'll be in later." Owlpaw announced.
Brightpaw nodded as the fluffy gray apprentice headed to the apprentice den.
"That reminds me," Darkmoon said, getting to his paws as well.
Brightpaw decided to follow his example, just in case.
"You need your sleep as well. I've decided that because you brought in so much fresh-kill, not to mention caught that rabbit, that you can go to the Gathering tomorrow."
Brightpaw nearly jumped up in the air, out of excitement. Lakepaw had told her all about Gatherings. They were a time when all the clans went to the island, under the truce of the full moon and shared news. The older apprentices had all been at least once, and Hawkpaw was forever taunting her for never going because she was 'an outsider', and therefore, Stormstar didn't trust her.
"Really?" she asked excitedly.
Darkmoon rolled his eyes. "I thought you had good hearing. Now go to the apprentices den."
Brightpaw raced over to it, the sun setting, making the shadows of the camp walls cover large patches of ground in their shadows.
When she burst into the den, Hawkpaw hissed. "I was sleeping, you shrew-head! Until your stench came through."
"Oh, shut your muzzle, Hawkpaw. Did something get into that shrew you were eating or something?" Lakepaw came up behind Brightpaw.
"Oh, everyone knows why you defend her." Hawkpaw sneered.
"Go to sleep, you old fox-hearted, shrew-brained, idiot!" Owlpaw's voice rang out clearly. "You complained about be awakened. Just go to sleep!"
Hawkpaw muttered something, but eventually dozed off.
Brightpaw and Lakepaw padded to their nests. Owlpaw opened one eye and smiled. She mouthed the word "You're welcome."
Brightpaw blinked appreately. Owlpaw closed her eye and her breathing deepened.
Once Brightpaw laid down, she felt a tail go around her back. She opened one eye, and looked at Lakepaw questioningly. He didn't reply, but simply moved a bit closer to her. Brightpaw found she didn't have the energy to argue.
…
"OWLPAW, GET BACK HERE THIS INSTANT!" Brightpaw winced at the yowling of Pineclaw; Owlpaw's mentor. Brightpaw had been respectfully walking next to her mentor, who was talking to Shadowfox; who not only was his father, but was Lakepaw's mentor and deputy of ThunderClan, when a flash of a furry dark gray tail had shot past her, racing to where Stormstar led the group of ThunderClan cats who had been chosen for the Gathering.
Owlpaw materialized, a few fox lengths ahead of Stormstar. She looked at Pineclaw with annoyed eyes. Then she ran back, just a blur of dark gray fur and once again, solidified into Owlpaw. Pineclaw cuffed her on her ears.
"How many times," he growled. "Do I have to tell you to stay by my side?"
"I don't know." Owlpaw replied. "When do I get to become a warrior?"
"The day you listen to me, then maybe I'll suggest it to Stormstar."
Lakepaw rolled his eyes and darted over to Brightpaw's side. "She's been asking that for moons."
"How long have you been an apprentice?" Brightpaw asked curiously.
"About three moons." he replied. "I got apprenticed the day before you were found. Owlpaw and Darkmoon were considered senior apprentices, having been apprenticed four moons before that."
Brightpaw nodded. A sudden thought came to her mind. She remembered the discussion that Nettlepaw, Silverpaw and Owlpaw had. There was only one apprentice who'd probably give her the information she seeked without prying questions.
"Hey, Lakepaw?" she asked quietly. Darkmoon and Shadowfox weren't paying any attention to the two apprentices conversation.
Lakepaw pricked his ears. "What is it, Brightpaw?"
"Can you tell me anything about," Brightpaw lowered her voice to a whisper. "The Pure Ones?"
Lakepaw looked around, making sure no one was listening. Then he leaned in closer to her.
"The Pure Ones are the cats who kitnapped Robinkit and killed his siblings. They've been kitnapping kits for several moons now, and even killing apprentices. I heard Darkmoon got attacked by them once, but beat them off. I heard he even lost his brother to them. He was too young to remember it, but the Elders are the most gossipy cats in camp. No one knows why they do it, although Riverheart speculates that The Pure Ones are some cats left over from this group called The Legion. All we know is, they don't follow the warrior code, and they despise the clans."
Brightpaw shuddered at the memory of Violetkit's and Daisykit's torn-up bodies. The memory of Robinkit's terrified eyes seemed fresh in her mind. And she remembered Robinkit's screaming; urging her to run. She wished she could reply those events. Now, she could properly defend her adopted brother, with the fighting skills that Darkmoon had taught her.
Lakepaw looked at her apologetically. "Sorry, I didn't mean to stir up bad memories."
"It's fine." Brightpaw murmured.
"If it makes you feel better, pretty much everyone in the clan has lost someone dear to them. I think that The Pure Ones are trying to spread grief throughout the clan, by targeting cats who have a lot of meaning. That way, when they want to wipe us out completely, we'll be so burdened with grief that-"
"LAKEPAW, YOU VERY WELL KNOW THAT IS A FORBIDDEN TOPIC!" Shadowfox yowled angrily. "When we get back, you will be taking care of the Elders for two moons!"
Lakepaw looked at the ground, ashamed. To Brightpaw's surprise, he took the blame, not pointing out that she was the one who asked him.
"We're approaching the island." Darkmoon murmured to her.
And sure enough, up ahead was a island, with the silhouette of a fallen tree connecting the island to the mainland. Stormstar easily leaped onto the tree trunk and crossed it, the rest of the group following her.
It's just like our daily runs. Brightpaw thought to herself. Just focus on speed more than balance.
Once, during an assessment to see how well she could balance on tree branches, it was proved that she could not balance at all and that speed was the one thing that allowed her to catch squirrels.
Soon, it was Brightpaws turn. She backed up, hearing a murmur of confusion from the cats behind her, but she heard nothing from Darkmoon. She sprinted up the tree trunk, running across it easily and landing on her paws lightly. A couple of skinny cats that smelled of the moor; WindClan, do doubt, looked at her strangely.
Darkmoon was beside her, a few mousebeats later. He glared at the WindClan warriors, who disappeared into the cats that had gathered. Once the rest of the group had crossed on to the island, they merged into the group of cats assembled.
Darkmoon knelt down. "A Gathering is a perfect opportunity to meet other apprentices. Why don't you do that?" he suggested.
Brightpaw nodded. As Darkmoon disappeared into the crowd, his sister took his place.
"C'mon, I wanna find Lakepaw and go see the apprentices from the other clans." she meowed.
Brightpaw and Owlpaw found Lakepaw speaking to a RiverClan apprentice, who must have been new, because she acted as nervous as Brightpaw felt.
"And there she is now." Lakepaw said, glancing warmly in her direction.
"Were you talking about Brightpaw again, you old furball?" Owlpaw asked.
"NO" Lakepaw said loudly. His ears flattened in embarrassment. "Well...maybe a little bit."
"Oh, please." Owlpaw rolled her eyes. "I think every cat in the apprentice den knows it by now. You should just come out and say that you lik-"
There was a horrible wailing noise and a warrior near the apprentices fell down; dead. All chaos broke through. A huge dark tiger striped tom leaped at the RiverClan apprentice that Lakepaw had been speaking to, only moments before.
He was knocked aside, by a dark gray blur, that hummed through the air faster than any cat could move. Except maybe Darkmoon. It solidified into a snarling Owlpaw, who had her claws at the toms throat. The two began to fight, although Brightpaw couldn't watch for long, because a young cat leaped at her. He looked to be the same age as her, and his blackish eyes glowed with hate.
Brightpaw put her training to good use. She darted under his belly and tore at it, then darted out just as fast. He yowled in pain, his black-gray pelt staining with scarlet blood. He swiped with his left paw, cutting a notch in Brightpaw's right ear. She gritted her teeth, not wanting to cry out in pain, the same way the young tom had. Instead, she swiped with her right paw, tearing a large cut on the toms left flank.
Lakepaw tackled the tom, his larger size being an advantage, mainly because of his greater weight. The tom underneath his claws tried to get loose, but then went limp. Brightpaw suspected a trick, and sure enough, when Lakepaw loosened his grip, the tom attacked, overthrowing Lakepaw. Now it was time for Brightpaw to attack. She darted under the toms paws, nipping them, causing him to fall down. She darted out from underneath him, just as he fell. Lakepaw resumed his position on top of the tom, who coughed up blood.
"ROBIN!" A black tom with cruel yellow eyes called to the tom underneath Lakepaw's claws. "GET YOURSELF OUT OF THERE! PROVE YOU HAVE NO LOVE FOR THESE CATS ANYMORE! AFTER ALL, THEY LEFT YOU OUT IN THE COLD!"
Brightpaw scented something, underneath all the blood and Lakepaw's scent. Not to mention, Twoleg crowfood. She scented something she hadn't smelled for some time. The scent of her adopted brother; Robinkit, who had been kitnapped, all those moons ago.
"Robinkit?" she whispered.
Robinkit turned his head slowly to her. There was no recognition in his, only anger. "You left me to die." He snarled. "You didn't care if I lived or died!"
Tears leaked into Brightpaw's eyes. "I didn't, Robinkit! I swear! I wanted to help you, but they were just too fast…"
A dark shape hurled at her. It seemed like her life was slowing down, allowing her to see her killer. The same black tom with cruel yellow eyes was leaping at her, claws outstretched to kill her.
But then another dark shape blurred past her, one that she'd grown accustomed to seeing every day: Darkmoon. He brought down the tom, and racked his claws across his throat. The tom coughed, splattering more blood on Darkmoon's crimson stained pelt. Blood gurgled out of his neck wound and his eyes lost their light.
"RETREAT!" A toms voice yowled. Robinkit tried to escape Lakepaw's clutches, but Lakepaw only tightened his grip.
"Give him to me." Darkmoon instructed.
Lakepaw looked at him a if he was crazy.
"Just do it." Darkmoon insisted.
Lakepaw reluctantly got off of Robinkit, who tried to make a break for it. Darkmoon turned into a dark streak for just a second, then materialized, with Robinkit firmly in his jaws.
"Follow me, you two." Darkmoon said, his voice muffled.
Darkmoon padded over to where several cats were being treated by the medicine cats, who were frantic. Darkmoon looked at Brightpaw. "Go to Dappleheart. Get those wounds tended to. Lakepaw, you go find Shadowfox."
"Why is it important that I get my wounds tended to, and not you?" Brightpaw asked.
"JUST DO IT!" Darkmoon roared, his voice still quite loud, despite Robinkit's scruff in his mouth.
Brightpaw decided to run, if her mentor was making it sound so vital.
Dappleheart took one look at her, and rushed over to who, Brightpaw suspected, was the WindClan medicine cat. She took some leaves from her, then placed them at Brightpaws, paws.
"Eat those quickly." She instructed.
Brightpaw did, suddenly feeling the headache she'd been developing, evaporate. "What was that?" she asked, watching her attach cobwebs on a RiverClan warriors shoulder wound.
"We call it, moonflower. Its the only thing we've found that stops the poison."
"What poison?"
"Ask Darkmoon. He knows its effects better than anyone." Dappleheart said with a patient voice, as she took some more cobwebs from an apprentice.
Brightpaw went to look for her mentor, who was at the place where the leaders spoke at Gatherings. At the roots of the tree, the leaders, the deputies and a medicine cat sat and talked. She saw Stormstar and Shadowfox easily. The others were unknown to her.
Darkmoon noticed her right away. He gestured with his tail for her to join him. As she padded over to his side, she noticed that Robinkit appeared to be unconscious and the the medicine cat appeared to be tending to him.
"Are you alright?" he murmured, his orange gaze, for once gentle.
"I did as you instructed."she replied, glancing at Robinkit. "Is he alright?"
"He's fine." The medicine cat snapped. "But the rest of us, not so much."
Darkmoon glared at the medicine cat. "Spitfire, leave her alone. It's been rather emotional for her. She was his adopted sister, after all."
"Oh, don't we all feel a bit closer now." Spitfire growled. "In case ye haven't noticed, he attacked us!"
"Spitfire," A tall, elegant she-cat with forest green eyes and a coat of black looked at the medicine cat with a warning in her eyes. "It is the full moon. We must maintain the peace."
"May I remind you, Nightstar," Spitfire snarled. "That the peace has been broken by those rogues!"
"Spitfire," The leader now spat out the name. "Why don't you help the other medicine cats with their patients and take your temper with you?"
Spitfire muttered something, but then walked off, though not escaping the gaze of Nightstar. She turned to Brightpaw, her green eyes apologetic.
"My sincerest of apologies. Spitfire used to be a warrior, before StarClan told him he had to lead a different path. He was a senior warrior when they told him that. He was a good representation of what ShadowClan is, when he was a warrior. Now? Not so much."
Brightpaw nodded, unsure of what to say.
A few moments later, the ShadowClan leader turned her attention back to who must have been the WindClan leader. His name pushed to the surface of Brightpaw's mind. Breezestar. He had long white fur and a streak of tan fur that looked similar to dirt, smudged on a cats pelt. He had pale blue eyes and was also long-legged.
Brightpaw suddenly remembered the question Dappleheart had told her to ask Darkmoon.
"Hey Darkmoon?" she whispered.
He looked at her with curious eyes. "What is it?"
"Dappleheart mentioned that the herbs she gave me stopped some sort of poison."She began slowly, watching to see his reaction. "She said to ask you, since you know the effects better than anyone else."
Darkmoon took a deep breath. "The Pure Ones put this toxic stuff on their claws and teeth. When they inflict a wound, the poison goes into it. The poison itself targets the brain...causing the cat who received the wound to experience an extreme headache, and then their memories become loose. The...host of the poison...could have their entire past rewritten. Their loyalties can be altered and their friendships cut off. It's believed that they feed their stolen kits this, so they can alter them perfectly for the life as a pawn of The Pure Ones. But it hasn't yet be proven."
Brightpaw scooted closer to him, sensing his sadness. Their pelts faintly brushed, and when they did, sparks seemed to come off of Darkmoon's. Her menor looked at her, confused.
"So why do you know the effects better than anyone else?" she asked softly.
Darkmoons eyes hardened and became distant, as if he was remembering something that angered him. "Because I, myself, had a large dose of it when I was an apprentice. This was before we discovered moonflower, as a cure. For days, I wasn't sure who was friend or foe. It, permanently, changed me. Hence the reason Owlpaw calls me a grumpy, old badger."
"Speaking of Owlpaw," Brightpaw said, drawing Darkmoon's attention back to her, where his eyes softened. "I haven't seen her since before the attack. I wonder where she is."
Darkmoon shrugged. "I have no idea. She wasn't there when I arrived.
Brightpaw's ears pricked when she heard the sound of a cat panting. She was immediately on guard, claws unsheathed, ready to fight.
But it was only Lakepaw, who was breathing heavily as he tried to speak.
"What is it, Lakepaw?" Darkmoon asked.
Lakepaw took a deep breath. "Come...quickly….It's...Darkmoon, it's your sister."
All the calmness in Darkmoon's posture disappeared, instead, he had a horrified look on his face. He rose to his paws and followed Lakepaw. Brightpaw raced to catch up, hoping, praying...that Owlpaw would be okay. She heard pawsteps behind her, and turned her head to see Stormstar following as well. With an expression of sorrow.
…
Owlpaw was laying on a hastily made nest of moss and grass. Dappleheart and Spitfire hovered over her, trying to stop the bleeding from all the cuts on her. One of her eyes was swollen shut and her right paw was so bloody and mangled, it didn't even look like a paw.
Owlpaw's good eye fixed itself on Darkmoon and Brightpaw. "Guys," she croaked, her voice hoarse. Blood dripped out of her mouth. Dappleheart appeared instantly, with a piece of moss, soaking up the blood. She stepped away and continued helping Spitfire with the cobweb bandages.
"Guys, come here. Please." Owlpaw croaked again, this time, without blood dripping from her mouth.
Darkmoon crept closer, Brightpaw following. The two cats laid in front of her face, Brightpaw's eyes beginning to water and Darkmoon's eyes, holding a sadness that didn't look natural on his face.
"You're listening, right? I don't have much time, so please listen."
Brightpaw nodded slowly. Darkmoon just continued to look at his sister.
"Okay then. Darkmoon? Brother, you've gotta trust someone in this world. I know you don't fully trust me...and don't you dare try to deny it...but I want you to trust her. You've saved her life three times now...Stop regretting what you feel. Trust your heart...follow your instincts. You got that?"
A silent tear went down Darkmoon's face. "I...I understand, Owlpaw."
"And you. Brightpaw...you've got a future...a bright one at that...A destiny that must be fulfilled. You gotta guide my badger-headed brother along as well...make sure he doesn't fall to the darkness, okay?"
Brightpaw nodded, still holding back the tears. "I will, Owlpaw."
"And one more thing," the light in Owlpaw's eyes was becoming dimmer. "You'll face some difficult choices in this life...nothing that you can't handle,as long as you continue to be strong. You'll find out things that'll shape you and make you stronger...even if others think that you're broken...remember...you're a warrior...no matter...your...heritage."
The last words, were the words that surely every cat that had known the sharp eyed apprentice...even for just a few moments, would've remembered forever.
"And tell...Lakepaw...I'll see him in StarClan...Tell him...Tell him I love him." finally, the light disappeared completely. Brightpaw's tears erupted, making her feel ashamed. She buried her face in Darkmoon's shoulder. He leaned his head against hers and though she couldn't see it, she knew he was crying. When she finally looked up, her eyes not dry, not in the slightest, she noticed that many cats had come and surrounded them. Many, she didn't even know. But a few, she did.
Stormstar, had tears in her own eyes. Dappleheart looked at Spitfire, who had his grouchy face in an expression of sadness as well. Lakepaw, who had been there the whole time, had tears in his eyes, most likely realizing that he'd just lost his best friend...and the cat who'd loved him the most. Nettlepaw and Silverpaw were there, tears fresh in their eyes, though their painting suggested they'd ran all the way here. Starkpaw, too, looked as if someone had racked their claws across her heart. Shadowfox had some tears in his eyes...though it was Ghostheart who may have been the most vocal. Riverheart and Stoneclaw looked at her sadly, occasionally sniffling themselves. And most astonishing of all, Flowerwing, who had clear, bright eyes, wept as well. Nightstar and Breezestar met each other's gazes.
Stormstar stepped forward, her sorrow was easy to see if you just looked into her eyes. You could hear cats crying everywhere.
"Everyone, I'd like to make an announcement." Stormstar announced. Several eyes focused on her, questioningly. Darkmoon looked as well, silent tears still trickling down his face.
The ThunderClan leader walked right over to where Owlpaws cold body laid. "As we've all seen, one of our apprentices; Owlpaw, has given her life to protect us, from The Pure Ones. And in her parting, I know that my clan will never be able to get over not hearing her yowling everyday. Her complaining, her gentle teasing of her brother and her odd humor will be greatly missed. But what will be most saddening to most of us, is that she was to be apprenticed tomorrow...but never will be, because of her death."
Several cats murmured, clearly upset. Darkmoon as well, murmured something Brightpaw couldn't make out.
"But I wish to name her, a warrior. So that she can be remembered as a warrior, and not an apprentice." Stormstar looked directly at the still glowing moon, though when the attack had occurred, Brightpaw briefly remembered it being covered by clouds. "May StarClan hear my decision and approve. I name Owlpaw, Owleyes, for she had such keen eyes, and was able to spot her enemy, several fox-lengths away. I hope that StarClan will welcome her as a warrior who has served her clan well...and has died in protecting it."
A soft breeze stirred the trees. Three starry shapes appeared. One was a brown tabby tom with amber eyes and powerful looking shoulders. The other, was a blue she-cat with blue eyes; Bluestar, who had warned Brightpaw of something...but what was it? And the final cat, an orange tom. He had leaf-green eyes and seemed to shine brighter than the other two.
Several cats murmured in shock. Darkmoon, started at the tabby. Brightpaw realized they looked exactly alike, except Darkmoon's eyes were orange and he was a black tabby.
"Bluestar," Stormstar greeted the StarClan cat with no fear in her eyes or voice. "Bramblestar, Firestar. May I inquire as to why three of the most famous ThunderClan leaders have come to visit us?"
"Many moons ago," Bluestar said, looking at Brightpaw. "I warned a young kit of her destiny. Her story has just begun, and we have a message to give."
Bluestar nodded to Bramblestar. The large tabby tom stood and stepped forward. "A few moons ago, we sent a prophecy to all of the medicine cats, telling them of a Dragonborn. I bring a new one, one that will foretell the fate of all the clans."
He looked directly at Stormstar. "This is our prophecy:
In a time of darkness, the bright one will get him through,
A spark lights the fire, that still burns through,
The river will run, the sun and moon will shine brighter than StarClan itself,
The eagle will fly over the river,
The sunset is not the end,
These cats will all learn
They must return in the end"
Several cats looked confused at the new prophecy.
Dappleheart stepped forward. "What do you mean? Is this the new prophecy?"
Bramblestar looked at her, his eyes bright. "This is the true prophecy. Find your Dragonborn...and she will find her home."
Both Bluestar and Bramblestar raced back towards the stars, going back to StarClan. The final StarClan cat; Firestar, padded over to Brightpaw.
"You have a long bloodline, that dates back to when I was living. Your ancestor; Blazestar, had the power of controlling a deadly element: fire. It's said that the gift is only passed on to those, of important destiny. Whether or not you possess such a trait remains to be seen. But know this; Blazestar was not a leader of ThunderClan, RiverClan, WindClan or ShadowClan. She was the very first leader of FireClan, reborn. Your family has traveled a long way, to come here. You will bring a full circle to them...and bring their StarClan back to us. And you will discover your parents, on your journey. Know this, and take comfort in it."
"Thank you, for telling me, Firestar." Brightpaw said hoarsely.
Firestar turned to Stormstar. "Owleyes has been accepted as a warrior, and is thrilled to finally have her warrior name, even in death."
Though many cats still had tears in their eyes, a few chuckled. Brightpaw felt Darkmoon purr a little.
"Your apprentices deserve to be warriors. All of them, especially Lakepaw and Brightpaw." Before Firestar turned to leave, he took one last glance at the other leaders. "And one more thing. Make your senior apprentices warriors. They deserve to be, after waiting so long. Do not wait until they die, and then hope that StarClan will accept them as warriors. Learn from this mistake. And do not do it again."
The StarClan tom bounded back up into the starry skies above, disappearing. Cats disbanded, except for ThunderClan, who would say their goodbyes to Owleyes. Brightpaw left, feeling out of place, from all the others. She eventually found a quiet spot, by the lake. She looked at her reflection, seeing her bright blue eyes looking back at her.
A few moments later, a set of orange eyes joined in her reflection. She turned to see Darkmoon, looking concerned.
"Why didn't you stay?" he asked.
"Because I didn't feel like I belonged there. I mean, she's your sister." Brightpaw replied
"You're part of my family, if I have any say in it." he growled. "You were one of Owleyes best friends. She was the first cat to have seen you, all alone in Dappleheart's den, aside from me. She adored you like the little sister she never 're...You're the only one who shares my pain."
Brightpaw looked back at her reflection. Darkmoon laid down next to her. Brightpaw could feel his pelt next to her, warming her. He put his head next to hers, his orange eyes looking perfect next to Brightpaw's blue ones.
"What about you?" Brightpaw asked softly.
Darkmoon stiffened. He got up and started to walk away.
Brightpaw rose to her paws as well, racing after him.
"What about you?" she asked, more forcefully.
The old, reserved and careful look had crept back into his eyes, once again, his face stoney. His reply seemed to echo throughout the island.
"I'll let you know when I figure it out."