Stormpaw awoke well before the first rays of sunlight peered through the cracks in the bramble apprentice den. She sat up and faced the opening wall, watching the horizon line for the first sight of orange and gold flames. Her thick silver tail twitched, disturbing twigs along the den flooring. Shadepaw's violet and yellow eyes flickered open.
"Soon," Stormpaw whispered to her sister. Shadepaw nodded in agreement.
"Soon I will get my revenge," she added icily. Mere moments later Nightstar leaped out of his high den and yowled, startling the still camp into alertness. The heads of cats poked out of dens all around, their eyes livid with excitement and nervousness. Stormpaw didn't hesitate to gallop out of her nest, she shot out of the den with Shadepaw on her heels and she skid to a stop in front of the black furred leader. Ravenclan warriors pooled around Nightstar as well, clustering together to hear the battle plan.
Nightstar cleared his throat before naming the warriors who were too attend the battle. Stormpaw let out a hiss as Nightstar didn't name the apprentices, meaning her and her sister were not too attend the battle.
"First he doesn't let us go to the gathering, and now we aren't allowed to fight?" Stormpaw bristled with disbelief. Her comment was only loud enough for Shadepaw to hear however.
Nightstar abruptly stood up and led the warriors to the front of the Ravenclan camp were they would further discuss battle strategies. Stormpaw noticed Larkflight at the head of one of the patrols while the Ravenclan deputy, Pebblestep, looked on angrily from the end. Stormpaw forced down a smile as she approached the deputy.
This ought to be easy...She thought to herself. She could easily play the deputy and bend her to her will.
"Why is Larkflight leading the patrol? You are obviously a senior warrior to him," Stormpaw mewed innocently. Pebblestep frowned and stared at Nightstar's back.
"I don't know why I am back here." she snarled. Stormpaw tittered on.
"Perhaps the leader plans to replace you," Stormpaw sighed. Pebbestep scowled and marched to the front of the patrol, pushing other warriors aside. She forced herself in front of Larkflight much to his dismay. He began to protest but Pebblestep leaned in and whispered a harsh threat in his ear. Stormpaw couldn't make out what she said but Larkflight shut up and feel into step behind the deputy. Stormpaw watched as they slowly trudged out of camp, at the last second Pebblestep stopped and called over her shoulder, "are you coming?"
Stormpaw needed no further prodding and raced to the back of the patrol with Shadepaw by her side. Nightstar didn't object as he watched his two daughters follow the designated patrols out of camp and on towards Seaclan.
The instant the white beaches were in sight the Ravenclan warriors picked up speed and began to charge the unsuspecting Seaclan cats. Stormpaw burst into the camp and located the first cat she could lay eyes on. She lunged forward and snagged a tabbies tail. She wrenched the smaller she cat towards herself and pinned her down, tearing into her fur. Blood welled up from the wounds and the tabby shrieked in pain. Eventually Stormpaw let her up and watched her turn tail and flee. Then she focused her gaze on the next target she could find.
A large tom was battling with two Ravenclan warriors. Muscles rippled beneath his gray fur and it was apparent he was winning.
"Not on my watch," Stormpaw growled and sprang forward. the force of her jump knocked the tom down, but he quickly regained his footing. Together Stormpaw and the two Ravenclan warriors worke team to drive the tom back until he too turned and fled. The other cats were about to thank her when she tore off again in pursuit of another brawl. Stormpaw had no time to waste on futile congratulations. She was about to tackle a tortoiseshell colored cat when SHadepaw caught her attention. She was driving Larkflight back, away from the others. She was going to finish this.
Larkflight looked confused, he wasn't aware of what was going on.
"What are you doing Shadepaw?" he demanded as the shaded cat swiped at him.
"I'm getting my revenge, for everything you did to me." She spat, there was no remorse or pity in her voice. Only pure and untamed hatred. Stormpaw melted into the background so she wouldn't be seen. She watched with wide blue eyes as her sister fought with her tormentor. At points Larkflight gained the upper paw and Stormpaw was about to rush in to help when Shadepaw countered his attacks and gained lead on him again.
"You bullied me! You made me feel like nothing!" Shadepaw shouted as she finally pinned Larkflight down. He squirmed but she held him fast with two paws on his chest.
"I am not nothing. Not anymore," She murmured, her fangs gleamed as she opened her mouth, preparing to deal the killing bite. Stormpaws stomach churned with apprehension.
"I'm sorry," Larkflight said suddenly. Shadepaw hesitated for the slightest second, shock crossed her expression. Then her gaze darkened again.
"That won't change anything." she responded darkly. Larkflight nodded as if he had been expecting this answer.
"Do it," he whispered and craned his neck forward, exposing the soft flesh along with throat.
"Take your revenge."
Shadeaw's head snapped down and bit into his windpipe, killing him almost instantly. She tore her face away and wiped the blood from her muzzle. Then she saw Stormpaw watching. Relief spread across her face and she ran to her sister.
"You saw," she said a little breathlessly. Stormpaw nodded, feeling light headed.
"You did good." she said softly and cuffed her sister over the head. Shadepaw purred affectionately. Then her purr stopped and her multicolored eyes widened in horror.
"Oh no," Shadepaw gasped. Stormpaw turned to see what her sister was staring at. Her heart dropped into the pit of her stomach as she saw her mentor watching them from the thick of the battle field with open mouthed horror.
"Mousedung." Stormpaw hissed. Their entire plan would be foiled if Willowvine repeated what she had just witnessed. They would be exiled from the clan!
Stormpaw found her paws to suddenly start moving again. She lurched forward and tried to catch Willowvine as her mentor disappeared back into the throng of writhering cats. No doubt to find Nightstar. Stormpaw saw flash of white and gray move through the crowd. She narrowed her eyes in concentration and followed the pelt as it maneuvered around. Two fighting cats parted long enough for Stormpaw to pass them unscathed. She hurled herself at Willovine and sent them both tumbling.
"Why Stormpaw?" Why!" Willowvine cried as her apprentice battered her with hard blows. Stormpaw felt guilt gnaw at her.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry but I can't let you tell anyone." Stormpaw whispered. Willovine's green eyes widened as Stormpaw struggled to clamp her jaws around her neck.
"You won't get away with it." Willowvine warned, seeming to give up on the fight.
"I already have." Stormpaw responded softly and snapped her mentors spine with a resounding crack.
She back away from the corpse before anyone else could pin the two murders on her and her sister. Shadepaw was waiting for her behind a rock. Stormpaw adorned her mask and bore her brave face, numbing all of her feelings of self disgust and fear. Not long after Willowvines death did a Ravenclan warrior spot her body. Another cat noticed Larkflight not moving as well. Ravenclan retreated with eh two fallen warriors on their backs. Their threat to Seaclan hung in the air: "You won't get away with this! We'll get vengeance on you all!"
Then Stormpaw really was sick, her stomach heaved as she hid behind beach wood. She shakily caught up to her clan mates and disguised the vomit on her breath with leaves and herbs. She wanted to simply collapse onto her nest and sleep the rest of her life away but Nightstar was calling a clan meeting. She dragged herself to the base of the high tree and watched with exhaustion and fatigue as Nightstar ordered the two bodies to be prepped for vigil. They were both groomed and covered with rosemary, making them look like they were sleeping.
They aren't sleeping. They're dead. Because of you. Stormpaw thought resolutely. Nightstars voice pulled her from her sickening thoughts.
"Two warriors have fallen today, however two new ones shall be made in honor of them."
Stormpaws ears perked up and she pushed Larkflight and WIllowvine to the far corners of her mind.
"Shadepaw, Stormpaw, you both proved yourselves in the battle today. I will commend you as warriors in turn." Nightstar said, turning to face his daughters. Stormpaw saw a flicker of emotion behind his eyes, it was only a flash and then it was gone. But she was sure she had seen it.
Was it admiration? Pride? Respect?
It wasn't any of those things, it was love. Despite everything he still loved his kits. Despite what he had done to protect Ashbreeze's secret he still valued his kin. Stormpaw caught his eye and dipped her head slightly. He nodded swiftly and turned to Shadepaw to begin the ceremony.
"Do you promise to follow the warrior code and protect your clan, even at the cost of your life?" Nightstar demanded.
"I do." Shadepaw said without faltering, but her voice was shy.
"From this moment on you shall be known as Shadelight for your violet and amber eyes. You have shown great courage and progress these past few moons. Starclan welcomes you as a full warrior of Ravenclan."
Nightstar rested his muzzle on her head as she licked his shoulder. And then his attention was turned towards Stormpaw. He allowed himself a small smile as he gazed at the proud young cat before him.
"You received your warrior name once before, yet you turned it down to remain loyal to your sister. Not many cats would have done that, you are truly something special Stormpaw. Yet you too also showed much change in the past moons, the name Stormstrike no longer fits who you are." He murmured more to himself than to the clan. He raised his voice so it was clear to everyone.
"Do you promise to follow the warrior code and protect your clan, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do." Stormpaw said without missing a beat, her mew rang out around the camp. She was sure even the warriors of Starclan could hear her.
"From this moment on you shall be known as Stormheart for your fiery passion and dedication to those you love. Starclan recognizes you as a full warrior of Ravenclan."
Then their names were being cheered.
"Stormheart! Shadelight! Stormheart! Shadelight!"
Stormheart felt her chest flutter slightly. She was a warrior at last, with her sister no less. Her dream of being leader suddenly seemed within reach, like it was right there in front of her and all she had to do was grab it before the chance slipped away.
Then, suddenly, everything around her began to change. The cheers of her clan mates turned to screams. Blood coursed through the camp, drenching everything in its sickly sweet red tang. The smell of iron and salt filled the air as the blood rose until it lapped at Stormhearts paws. A hairless cat appeared in front of her, his eyes were a clouded gray and he looked wise beyond his years, yet he didn't seem to be a Starclan cat. The blind cat faced Stormheart although he couldn't see. She gulped down a lump forming in her throat.
"How many more will fall on your quest to power Stormheart? How many more will you kill?" The cat demanded before vanishing along with the vision. Stormheart was left breathing hard as sweat beads dripped down her face. No one noticed anything amiss.
