Chapter 8
After a long day of caring for the elders, Maggotpaw finished his prey and moodily stomped towards his den. Ignoring Daisypaw's meow of greeting, he plopped himself into his nest with an angry huff. It just wasn't fair. Deerstar messed up, and yet he was being punished for it? Why? Was it because he was right? How hard was it to give a little kit a family? Then maybe he wouldn't be such an outcast.
"Hey Maggotpaw," Lightningpaw mocked made sure to draw out the prefix of his name, "How was training with your dear old father?"
Maggotpaw chose to ignore him. He curled into his nest and closed his eyes, hoping Lightningpaw would shut up. He didn't.
"It's no wonder Sparrowclaw never comes around," Lightningpaw jeered, "Who would ever want a son like you? You're a freak and worthless!"
Maggotpaw's eyes shot open wide. He was sick of Lightningpaw talking. With an angry yowl, he lunged at the light ginger tom and barreled him over. Lightningpaw quickly flipped him over onto the moss and pinned him there. Maggotpaw angrily spat and squirmed throwing profanities at the older tom. "Ooooh," Lightningpaw taunted, "Little Maggot has a mouth! Too bad he doesn't have the muscles to back up his words!"
In response, Maggotpaw spat in his face. Lightningpaw narrowed his eyes in rage and lifted one paw off of Maggotpaw and wiped the spit from his face.
"You're pathetic," Lightningpaw hissed, releasing Maggotpaw.
Maggotpaw did not say anything, but slunk to his nest in humiliation. Lightningpaw would pay for humiliating him. With a grunt, Lightningpaw made his way back to his nest. When Daisypaw and Eaglepaw came in, both toms appeared to be asleep. Maggotpaw was not and he knew that Lightningpaw wasn't either. Neither would forget this. The toms hadn't liked each other before, but Maggotpaw now knew that he had made a lifelong enemy.
It took Maggotpaw a while to get to sleep that night, but when he did, he awoke in a dark forest. Maggotpaw looked around. It was unlike a place he had ever seen. The sky was pitch black with not a star in sight. The only light came from a full moon, which cast a strange light that seemed to turned the forest a dark, murky color. Maggotpaw was currently in a clearing and the trees around him seemed to be endless and sinister looking. The forest was silent and there were no sounds or smells of prey. Maggotpaw was immediately on edge.
"Greetings, Maggotpaw," a deep, unfamiliar voice said.
Maggotpaw whipped his head around. The cat that had spoken was huge, even bigger than Sparrowclaw. He was clearly a seasoned warrior, for he was missing huge chunks of fur and scars were littered across his body and both his ears were torn. What little fur he did have left was a golden ginger. His eyes were a fierce yellow.
"How do you know my name?!" Maggotpaw demanded.
"There's no need for that," the tom said smoothly, flicking his tail, "You can trust me."
But Maggotpaw did not relax. "I said, how do you know my name?!" he demanded, his muscles remaining tense.
Approval shone in the tom's eyes. "Good, good," he replied approvingly, "A good warrior is not so quick to trust a cat he just met."
Maggotpaw noticed that the tom did not answer his question of how he had known Maggotpaw's name, but he decided to drop it for now. "What is your name, then?" Maggotpaw questioned.
The tom paused for a moment before replying. "One-eye."
Maggotpaw let out a cold laugh. "It seems that both of our mothers had a sick sense of humor when naming us. You don't appear to be missing an eye," he said.
"That I am not," One-eye's laugh was more of a growl.
"I'm clearly dreaming still, but why have you brought me here?" Maggotpaw asked, his gaze sweeping around the clearing once more.
"I see great potential in you, young one," One-eye rumbled in reply.
Maggotpaw blinked in surprise. Why, out of all the cats in the clans, would he be chosen? "Don't look so surprised," One-eye laughed coldly.
Maggotpaw blinked rapidly. "In sorry," he said quickly, "I'm not really used to that many cats saying I have potential."
"I know. I have watched you since birth," One-eye replied.
"Creepy much?" Maggotpaw thought.
"You have been treated unfairly and cast to the side. Your father," One-eye said, "Will never help you reach your full potential."
Maggotpaw snorted. "I know that," he replied, "Sparrowclaw is a weak fool."
One-eye looked pleased. "That he is."
"But not so much as Deerstar," Maggotpaw added, "She's the worst of all. It's a wonder the clan still functions properly under her leadership."
"She is as weak as she is mouse-brained," One-eye growled, "And the clan would fare much better without her."
Maggotpaw was finally pleased to see that someone agreed with his sentiments over Deerstar's leadership. "That brings me to the reason that I brought you here," One-eye said.
Maggotpaw pricked his ears to listen. "You will never reach your full potential under that fool Sparrowclaw's tutelage. So, I am offering to teach you how to fight, to be a true warrior," One-eye growled.
Maggotpaw considered One-eye's words. It was true that Sparrowclaw probably was not going to do a good job training him. He was either going to be negligent or very hard on him. Maggotpaw needed to prove himself worthy to the clan. And he wasn't going to be able to do that if he only remained Sparrowclaw's apprentice.
"I will take up your offer," Maggotpaw said finally.
"Good," One-eye hissed sinisterly.
"Will we start now?" Maggotpaw asked.
"Not fighting, but basic hunting," One-eye growled, "Now, what has your useless father taught you?"
"If you say you've been watching me, wouldn't you already know?" Maggotpaw asked.
Quick as lightning, One-eye's paw shot out and his claws take Maggotpaw's face. Maggotpaw felt blood drip down his face and he fell back in surprise. "Ow! What was that for?!"
"When I ask you a question, answer it!" One-eye snarled.
"He somewhat taught me the hunting crouch," Maggotpaw replied, his face still stinging.
One-eye narrowed his eyes. "Somewhat? Show me."
Maggotpaw fell into the crouch that he had learned. "You call that a hunting crouch?!" One-eye hissed angrily.
Maggotpaw was angry. "That's what I was taught! Don't blame me!" he growled.
One-eye closed his eyes and took a deep breath. "We have a lot of work to do. Sparrowclaw has taught you practically nothing."
"I have been only apprenticed for barely a day," Maggotpaw pointed out.
"True, but a good mentor should have at least taught their apprentice the basic crouch," One-eye replied.
"What was wrong with my crouch?" Maggotpaw asked.
"Not out of insolence but so I can learn," Maggotpaw added quickly when he saw One-eye begin to get angry.
One-eye relaxed. "You were putting all of your weight on your right side and your hunches are not positioned right. Here."
He showed Maggotpaw the right way which Maggotpaw copied. "Good," One-eye said, "Now show me how you would forward crawl."
Maggotpaw crawled forward, trying to keep his tail down. "Stop, stop!" One-eye called loudly.
One-eye came over and whacked Maggotpaw's tail with an unsheathed forepaw. "This is waving around. The prey will see you, mouse-brain!"
"And you're moving too fast! Moving fast will cause you more of a chance to not look where you're going and misstep!" One-eye continued angrily.
Maggotpaw flattened his ears. "Try again!" One-eye hissed.
Maggotpaw tried his crouch and movement again. "Better," One-eye growled, "Practice."
"Of course," Maggotpaw nodded.
One-eye glanced over his shoulder for a moment. "It is almost time for you to wake up. I will see you tonight."
Then he began to fade. Maggotpaw's vision went black and he woke up to find himself in his den. The bit of sunlight in the den told him it was dawn and time to get up.
With a tiny groan, Maggotpaw hauled himself up. The events of last night came flooding back to him. He was going to train with One-eye. He as going to become strong, strong enough to beat any warrior, including Lightningpaw. And speaking of that horrible tom, he was still asleep. His mouth was gaped open as he snored. Maggotpaw felt disgust as he looked at his denmate.
Maggotpaw tore his gaze away and padded out of the den where he was greeted by the sunrise. Surprisingly, many cats were awake and many seemed to be surrounding... Lavendersong?
The gray she-cat had several cats (mostly she-cats although Maggotpaw could see Sparrowclaw there too) surrounding her. Maggotpaw just caught snippets of their conversation.
"Oh, that's wonderful!"
"Two moons you say?"
"Have you thought of any names yet?"
"The clan needs new warriors!"
Names? New warriors? Maggotpaw looked to Lavendersong and then to Sparrowclaw, neither of whom had noticed him yet. "Oh no, oh no..."
Maggotpaw knew what that meant. Kits. He felt nauseous and as though the camp was spinning. They were expecting kits. "My father is expecting kits with another she-cat..."
Yes, Maggotpaw had basically said that Sparrowclaw wasn't his father, but it didn't mean that it didn't hurt him at all. He felt a sense of betrayal. Sparrowclaw was supposed to be his father, not the father of kits that never should have even have been born. It just wasn't fair.
Maggotpaw tried to think fairly. It wasn't these kits' fault they were going to be born. But he couldn't. And they would also be his kin, in a way. The thought of that repulsed him. He hated these kits so much already. They were going to have everything he should have had. Parents that loved them, a whole group of other kits to play with, and a clan to adore them.
Yes, Maggotpaw had Burrfoot and Meadowstep and Daisypaw, but somehow, it just felt different. These kits would never know what it felt like to be rejected by their mother, taunted and teased for their names, or talked about behind their back. They would never know what it felt like to have their own father betray them and their mother, all for another she-cat.
Maggotpaw was bitter, but he had to hide it. Training was due to start soon but it didn't look like Sparrowclaw was leaving Lavendersong any time soon. That meant Maggotpaw was going to have to get him and face his clanmates. Starclan help him.
Maggotpaw took a deep breath and made his way over. No cat paid him any mind. Maggotpaw wasn't sure if they hadn't noticed him or if they were blatantly ignoring him as many in the clan often did. Whatever the case, he knew he had to get Sparrowclaw's attention somehow. It wouldn't do for him to be the only apprentice who was not out training. Maggotpaw cleared his throat. Still no cat acknowledged him. He cleared his throat again, but louder.
Quickbreeze, Hollyfeather, Shimmerdust, Lavendersong, and Sparrowclaw turned their heads. "Um, hi," Maggotpaw said uncertainly, "Sparrowclaw, it's dawn, time to train."
"Lavendersong is expecting kits! Aren't you going to congratulate her?" Shimmerdust asked.
"That's the last thing I'd like to say to her," Maggotpaw thought, "Those kits should never be born."
Maggotpaw eyed her carefully. Oh, Shimmerdust knew exactly what she had asked him. She knew how much it was hurting him, seeing his father start a family with another she-cat. Cruel fox-heart. He opened his mouth, planning on saying something along the lines of, "Why would I ever congratulate a she-cat who literally stole my father from my mother?"
But before he could answer, he heard a familiar voice hiss in his mind. "No, don't, you fool! You have to pretend you are excited for these kits!"
It was One-eye. Maggotpaw wasn't sure how the tom had gained access to his mind but he wasn't going to question it. He was also going to do as One-eye said and be enthusiastic about the kits. Or at least somewhat enthusiastic even if it really killed him to do so. "Oh, um, g-good for you guys," Maggotpaw stammered.
Lavendersong searched his gaze with her blue eyes. "So you're not upset?" she asked, her voice sounding a mixture of hopeful and relieved.
"Of course I am!" Maggotpaw internally screeched. But instead he said, "Um, no. Sparrowclaw moved on. It's not my business what he does."
Lavendersong looked relieved while Quickbreeze, Shimmerdust, Hollyfeather, and most especially, Sparrowclaw, looked surprised. "So, um, training?" Maggotpaw said, bringing the topic back to what he originally came for.
"You're really going to ask a tom to leave his mate when he just learned that he's going to be a father? How selfish," Shimmerdust scoffed.
Maggotpaw had to resist rolling his eyes. What he had asked was not selfish at all. He is an apprentice and Sparrowclaw is his mentor. It's dawn. Time to train. Simple as that. Besides, it's not like Lavendersong would be going anywhere anyhow.
"Shimmerdust," Lavendersong said quietly, "Sparrowclaw is already a father. I'm just making him one twice over. And he has duties. He has an apprentice to train. I'll still be here waiting."
Maggotpaw's jaws fell open. Lavendersong, sticking up for him? He wasn't the only one that looked surprised. Sparrowclaw was too. Sparrowclaw looked back from Maggotpaw and Lavendersong, a look of pure shock on his face that was almost comical.
"Yeah but who do you think Sparrowclaw would rather spend time with? You or him?" Shimmerdust snickered, referring to Maggotpaw.
Maggotpaw narrowed his eyes. He was really getting tired of this. "Shimmerdust, I believe I was talking to my mentor, not you."
Shimmerdust narrowed her eyes. "You better watch your mouth, Maggot," she growled, "I heard you have elders duty for four whole moons. Wanna make it longer?"
"If you keep your abnormally large muzzle out of places where it doesn't belong, gladly," Maggotpaw retorted.
Then he snorted, "And honestly, I've heard my name so many times by now that it has lost its sting. Now, haven't you have anything better to do than pick on an apprentice?"
Shimmerdust drew back and brought a paw to her muzzle and narrowed her eyes dangerously again. Maggotpaw turned to his mentor. "Sparrowclaw?"
Sparrowclaw avoided his gaze. "Yeah, I think I'm going to stay here for today. Go find Rooktail or some cat to take you out."
Maggotpaw just nodded and walked away. He could hear Shimmerdust cackling behind him. Maggotpaw resented Lavendersong and he resented her unborn kits. Yes, Maggotpaw had basically disowned Sparrowclaw, but seeing him move on and start a family with the she-cat that had destroyed Maggotpaw's family was almost more than Maggotpaw could bear. Well, if Sparrowclaw was going to have the day off, then so was he. Maggotpaw decided he would go for a walk in the forest. Perhaps it would help him sort his thoughts out. Starclan knows it would be better than sticking around camp. At least in the forest there would be no Deerstar putting him to work with the elders and no cats fawning over Lavendersong's pregnancy.
