Bright Lights – Start Again (Word Count – 985)


Honeyfern stared at Berrynose in bewilderment. Her brain was trying to process what he had just told her.

"So, you're saying I can have another life? Just like Cinderpelt? I mean, Cinderheart had all kinds of problems because of that!" she meowed.

"Well love, back then, StarClan couldn't make it so the new cat had no memories of their past life, but now, it's possible! Honeyfern, I want to give you another shot at happiness, the life you never had." The cream tom's eyes were filled with compassion. "Even if that means you wont be back in StarClan for a long time…"

"Berrynose, I want to stay with you! In StarClan!" she purred, pressing up against the starry tom. He closed his amber eyes, and a warm mist began to close around Honeyfern. She could hear him muttering, and could just make out the words.

"I give you this life for second chances. Use it to live and be happy once more…" When the muttering ceased, blinding light flashed in her eyes, along with all her memories, starting with her death, and going back up to when she was born.

"Honeykit, wake up!" a small voice called. The golden brown tabby kit blinked open big blue eyes, and spotted her brother, Adderkit, standing before her. She had never noticed how much bigger he was than her before, with large white paws, and a short tan pelt. She scrambled to her dainty paws, and stared at her brother.

"What do you want? I was having a nice dream!" she spat, feebly hissing.

"Whoa, calm down! I just wanted to tell you that Applepaw and Bumblepaw are having their warrior ceremonies! Mom's out of the den, and we can sneak out and watch!" he said, eyes bright. Honeykit didn't want to get in trouble, but she wanted to see the ceremony.

"Okay, but if we get caught, it's your fault! Race you!" she called, darting out of the nursery. She spotted a small bush that would make perfect cover as they watched. Adderkit was right on her tail. She dove into the bush, using a paw to clear away some leaves, allowing her to see what was happening. Her brother scrambled in seconds later.

"Then, bye the powers of StarClan, I give you these names. Applepaw, you are now Appleflash, and Bumblepaw is Bumblestrike. We honor your determination and eagerness," a large black tom, Ravenstar, pronounced. He dipped his massive head. "Clan dismissed."

"Quick, we need to get back to the nursery before Hollypelt gets back! Race you!" he meowed. Honeykit took an early lead, but she felt a strong tug on her tail. She tripped over her paws, and as she fell, saw Adderkit racing past, an evil, laughing glint in his green eyes. She let out a weak hiss as she struggled to her paws.

"Honeykit? Why are you out here? You shouldn't be out at night!" meowed a deep voice. She shrunk back when she saw her father, Emberfoot, walking to her. "Go, back to the nursery, now. We will deal with your punishment later," he growled. She trudged back to the den, head hung low in shame. She saw Adderkit being pampered by Hollypelt, and mentally hissed. She felt hot stares burning into her back as she curled up in her nest. As she drifted into a rocky sleep, she heard a rich voice.

"Beware the adder, Honeyfern. It killed you before, it will kill you again." From that day on, she was scared of her brother, Adderkit.


(Many Moons Later)


"Okay Snowpaw, this is your final assessment. To pass, you need to catch three mice, a bird, two hare, two squirrels, and a vole. Go!" the fluffy tom nodded, then ran off into the ThunderClan woods. Honeycloud settled down on a rock, watching her apprentice stalk a robin. He wiggled his furry haunches, but before she could see him make the catch, a tan face appeared in her vision. She jerked back at the face of her brother, Adderscale.

"Hey, Honeycloud, follow me! I found this really cool rock in the forest, and I want to see if you can tell me what it is. I have no clue," he said cheerily, the sweetness in his purr entirely fake, but Honeycloud played along. She followed him into the depths of the forest, where a glistening rock lay. She was truly puzzled, so forgot about her evil brother, and padded up to sniff it. She was snapped back to cruel reality when claws raked down her back. She spun around to face him, and battle properly.

"You always knew I was poison on the inside," he growled. "I know you want to tell someone. I can't let you do that Honeycloud, or should I say, Honeyfern?" he sneered. Images of a foreign life passed by, but one that flashed again and again was the one of a she-cat being killed by a snake. She shook off the memories, and focused on her brother.

"You're the adder the StarClan cat told me about. I need to get rid of you!" she hissed, leaping at her brother, raking her claws down his face. He just chuckled darkly.

"I'll have to exterminate you then," he meowed, leaping for her throat. She clawed his white belly, and he clawed her paws, making her unstable. He pinned her easily, and leaned to clamp his jaws on her throat, but she just kicked at his belly. Teeth hit her throat, claws hit his heart, and they tumbled to the ground, heaving.

"This time, I got rid of the adder… forever…" she rasped. Her soul left her body, making its way to StarClan, and Adderscale's went to the Dark Forest. Honeyfern and Honeycloud split, going there separate ways. Honeyfern reunited with Berrynose, and Honeycloud went to roam. Honeyfern was happy she had gotten a do-over, a chance to start again.