Author's Note: Let's go to TigerClan now, and see how Darkpaw is settling in after appearing in a strange new world...
"So, Darkpaw." Darkstar said as his clan was walking to their camp.
"Yes?" Darkpaw said.
"What was your old clan like?"
"It was very peaceful, actually. There was no enemies, and there was a huge amount of territory."
"A land with no enemies?" Badgerstar said, "There is always enemies!"
"Not for my clan. My sister found a way of peace for our clan. It was so peaceful, dogs were in our clan."
"Dogs?"
Several clanmates cried out.
"In your clan?"
"Impossible!"
"That's not a real clan!"
"Silence!" Darkpaw said.
All the cats fell silent. Nightclaw shaked nervously.
"You." She pointed her tail at him.
"My clan may be improper, but to my sister, it was a clan. But now, it seems that my loyalty is once again being questioned."
She looked at her claws. She had never once used them in a true battle. How was she to prove her loyalty without using her claws?
She would figure out a way right now.
"Nightclaw, it is time to prove your loyalty. You will battle against me, without using your claws."
Yowls of objections cried out from several cats.
"Darkstar, do something." Mollystep said.
"The battle is reasonable. We must be sure Nightclaw is loyal to his clan. Not using his claws means he will have to use his smarts to outwit her."
"She's an apprentice." Mollystep said.
"It will be easy to see how along Darkpaw is in her old training and skills."
"No! You can't let this happen, Darkstar! I'm loyal to this clan! I've patrolled countless times, and hunted down lots of prey. Isn't that enough to prove I'm loyal?"
"Let the battle begin." Darkstar said.
At once, Darkpaw leaped on top of Nightclaw. She was right near his neck.
A dog tooth from Darkpaw's collar stuck Nightclaw's neck, and he fell to the ground, motionless.
Darkpaw stood up and looked at Nightclaw's motionless body.
"He died proving his loyalty, but was a warrior indeed if I ever saw one."
Darkstar stood next to Darkpaw.
"You have much to learn, young one. But to be a warrior, you must learn to use your claws."
She nodded. "I understand."
She followed Tigerberry back to DarkClan's camp.
"Tomorrow, I will begin my training to be a warrior. But don't forget where all of your loyalties lie."
That night, Darkpaw began to dream, and saw a forest.
A brown tom walked toward her.
"Who are you?" She asked.
"My name is Tigerstar. I have an offer for you...I will have someone train you. For a kittypet, you have a future of leadership. But only if you want to be a leader."
"I want to be a leader. My sister doesn't want me to be."
Brokenstar appeared. "Yes, indeed. She was only jealous of your power and ambition. Such ambition is indeed powerful."
"Let my training begin." Darkpaw said.
"Good choice." Tigerstar said.
Brokenstar walked back into the shadows of the Dark Forest.
"Hawkfrost!" Tigerstar said, "You shall train our new trainee, Darkpaw."
Hawkfrost stepped forward and stood beside Tigerstar.
"You shall be known as Maplestar someday." Hawkfrost said, "And you shall lead TigerClan to the final battle for the forest.
Tigerstar and Hawkfrost said, "And you shall win."
The two cats walked back into the Dark Forest as the voices of other Dark Forest residents echoed.
The next few moons were peaceful for Darkpaw, and soon it was leaf-bare. She learned how to use her claws like any warrior. Today, she would become a warrior herself.
The clan meeting began, and Darkpaw waited for her name to be called.
"Darkpaw, please step forward."
Darkpaw walked over to Darkstar.
"I, Darkstar, leader of TigerClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend her to you as a warrior in her turn. Darkpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
She nodded. "I do."
"Your training has been quite a journey for you and your clan. By the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Or, would you like to choose this too?"
"I'll choose. My apprentice name no longer suits me. I will now be known as Maplepounce."
"Very well. StarClan honors your strength and determination, and we honor you as a full warrior of TigerClan."
"Maplepounce! Maplepounce!"
Their voices faded away. Maplepounce looked at Mollystep. Her entire mind was focused on her. She began to hunt her.
"Maplepounce!" Shadowclaw said, "What are you doing?"
"What's going on?"
"Stop her!"
Maplepounce ignored their cries, and continued the crouch, and the long forgotten words echoed in her mind.
Pack, pack. Kill, kill.
"Yes! Go and hunt down your prey!" Tigerstar's voice echoed in her mind.
She was so close to pouncing on Mollystep.
Must hunt...kill prey...
Badgerstar stood in front of her.
"Don't you lay a paw on her!"
Maplepounce leaped on top of Badgerstar. Within moments, she was fighting to kill.
Darkstar stood up. He had to do something.
"Stop!"
Maplepounce stared at Darkstar.
"If you're looking for prey, I'm the cat you're looking for. I've lived for almost ten entire season cycles. I don't have that much longer to live, anyway. The forest is harsh sometimes."
Maplepounce began to hunt him instead.
"I only have three lives left. I've been counting for a long time."
Maplepounce was right in front of Darkstar.
"I've lived my life. If I'm lucky, I'll live a bit longer after you hunt me down. I don't regret training you. You are a wonderful warrior. I hope you know that."
She did know, and leaped on top of Darkstar with her claws out.
Darkstar did his best not to struggle or even fight back, but he did cry in pain.
"What are you doing?" Shadowclaw said, "She's trying to kill you!"
"It's okay, Shadowclaw. TigerClan needed a new leader anyway. A Dark Forest cat told me so."
Darkstar closed his eyes, and fell to the ground.
Everyone sat there and didn't say a word for a long time.
It was nearly moonhigh when Darkstar opened his eyes again. A few cats holding a vigil for his death were shocked.
Maplepounce was one of the cats sitting beside him. She hadn't left his side since he fell.
"Darkstar!" Shadowclaw said, "You're alive."
"Yes, but I am not leader anymore."
"What do you mean?"
Darkstar stood up.
"TigerClan needs a new leader. But it's not me, it's not you. I will lead the clan a while longer, but I shall begin to train Crowbreeze on how to lead TigerClan. But don't worry. You will still be a loyal deputy of TigerClan."
"Wait! Where's Maplepounce?" Shadowclaw asked.
Darkstar looked around. She was gone.
Suddenly a cry came from the medicine cat den.
"Brightpelt is dead!" Fiery said, "Maplepounce killed her."
"Tigerhawk and Hawkclaw are dead, too." Hollynose added. "They died while protecing him."
"Maplepounce is truly a Dark Forest warrior." Darkstar said, "We must be sure to watch our backs. The forest is no longer safe."
"Who said anywhere was safe?" Hollynose said, "That's why I want to be a medicine cat. I want to be able to heal broken bones and wounds."
Fiery nodded.
"You shall begin your training tomorrow." She said.
"As for Maplepounce, we must be careful. She has Dark Forest warriors on her side."
