Chapter 10: Destiny
Was Chapter 9 a filler? o.o I can't help thinking that it is.
Announcements: None? For now?
Key
Normal
Thoughts
"LOL" = Change of voice tone (usually deeper)
[ : ] = Camera movement
" : " = Quotations... Duh.
blah = Author's note
* * * = TIME WARP
- ~*~ - = Flashback Start/Stop
[*InsertStrangeSymbolHere] = Mid-note, see matching symbol in description for explanation. Recommended that upon sight, scroll down to description.

"Regarding my eyes..." Rockpaw started.
Tonight was the second night of training. Rockpaw wasn't sure on what's on the schedule, but she hopes it's not as tiring as the last one.
"Yes." Nightflower waved her paw around, "I forgot to inform you. I said that your eyes are special, correct?"
Rockpaw nodded.
"Well... Let me put it all into one sentence. Your eyes can abduct souls."
"...Souls?" Rockpaw echoed, confused.
"Yes. All kinds of souls. Animal souls, nature souls, even godly souls." Nightflower's eyes grew wide, "And that's how we will gain our goal."
"...We?" Rockpaw was getting worried.
"Yes." Nightflower leaned closer, "Unless you don't want my assistance?"
Rockpaw didn't reply.
"Now, back to our topic before I was interrupted." Nightflower looked to the black abyss, "Your eyes hold a tremendous power. My God, the Underlord, granted you that. He feels the same as you do. Neglected... Shamed upon... Why, he's almost just like you."
Just like... me?
"Precisely." Nightflower sighed, "His family hated him. Just like your family hates you. He knows what you're going through, darling."
Nightflower extended a paw and dragged Rockpaw next to her, comforting the poor gray apprentice, "That's why he granted that power to you. So you won't feel powerless... like he was.
"Every God in this world despises him. Because he's the bringer of death and misfortune. It's his background that brought him that... But the others won't accept the story. They insult him and criticize him and wished he never existed.
"And... another reason he blessed this power upon you... was because he wants to make someone happy for once."
Rockpaw found this hard to take in. But all of it makes sense...
"It is sense, Rockpaw." Nightflower replied, sadly, "The Underlord only wants you to be happy. Because none other than you can understand his situation."
"But... you were the one explaining this to me." Rockpaw looked up.
Nightflower leaned closer, and prodded a paw on Rockpaw's nose, "But you're living it."
Rockpaw remained silent.
"Now... do you have a new motivation to fight and train harder?" Nightflower asked.
"Yeah." Rockpaw stood, more confidently, "I will live up to the Underlord's power... to learn to harness it and use it properly... to make him, too, happy."
"That's a warrior." Nightflower smiled.

Angella choked on her drink. Her coughs echoed the hallway, loud and clear.
"What..." She said, still choking a bit, "What in the world..."
"So... Darkius also gave it another talent..." The General said, licking hers, "...Lying."
"Wow. That is the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard." Angella scoffed.
"It makes the story seem so real. I might even believe in it." The General sighed.
"The Underlord... having parents." Angella continued, "It's... I can't..."
The General blinked, "...Fire can turn to Ice... Ice can turn to Fire..." She murmured.
"...The fourth line of the prophecy..." Angella looked at the General, "Is this exactly it?"
"...A lie turning to truth... and the truth..."
"To a lie." The two said in unison.
"This isn't good." The General shook her head.
"But keep in mind... That may or may not be the meaning." Angella noted.
"You're right..." The General sighed, "It's up to the future to determine that."

"...Why did you..." A gruff voice echoed the hell fire hall.
Behind Darkius was a huge black mass, its eyes were as red as rubies, glinting and set on flames. Its horns stretch far out to the hot atmosphere.
"To make it more believable, brother." Darkius grinned slyly, "After all, lies are as deadly as any weapon."
The black mass grunted, not replying.
Darkius knew his statement was correct. The Underlord is so focused on the trophy... Darkius chuckled silently,That he doesn't even know who's competing anymore.
"So... I can't make the dead live again, huh?" Darkius looked up, his purple eyes glinted with a passion of hatred, "...Destiny?"

Rockpaw was on patrol that sunhigh with Swiftpaw, Rosefur, and Stoneshadow. She was glad to patrol with her new friend, Swiftpaw. But she had suspicions of Rosefur.
Rockpaw had sensed that Rosefur had a very aggressive aura, and tried her best to do whatever it is to evade her. Rosefur was the white and yellow dappled cat from one of the first recruiting sessions, the one that was pregnant.
Rosefur had a miscarriage. Rockpaw found it hard to persuade Rosefur into eating when she gave her her mouse. Rosefur was that sad. But Rockpaw can't stop thinking that Rosefur wants to kill someone.
But today, Willowstream called Rosefur into the patrol, and Rosefur gave no sign of rejection. Maybe she needed time to walk out into the wilderness...
After they were done marking the borders, Stoneshadow suggested they hunt for while. Everyone agreed, and split up.
Nightflower and the Underlord's watching over me... Surely they'll see me in action and be impressed! Rockpaw smiled, and trusted her nose to lead her to her victim.
And it did. Rockpaw found a mouse busy nibbling on its food. Rockpaw remembered the advice that Blackclaw gave her.
Make sure the wind is blowing against you. And check that there are no obstacles in your way like sticks and stones. Do that, and you'll be successful. His husky voice echoed through Rockpaw's head.
Rockpaw took a step forward, with all the caution she can muster. Until she was a couple of mouse-lengths away, she pounced.
Before Rockpaw could catch it, she crashed into another cat. Rockpaw withdrew and covered her forehead with a paw. She opened one eye to look at the cat.
"What-" Rockpaw stopped midway and stared wide-eyed at the cat.
It was Rosefur.
Rosefur caught the mouse, but didn't execute the final blow. Instead, she just released her paw and let the mouse go.
Rockpaw watched it escape in mixed emotions, and whipped her head to face Rosefur's.
When she faced around, Rosefur's face was almost touching hers.
"What..." Rockpaw whispered, still astonished by Rosefur's actions.
Rosefur chuckled and struck Rockpaw across the face with her paw, claws unsheathed. Rockpaw landed on the ground, three red marks running across her left side of her face. Rockpaw steadied herself, and blinked her right eye at Rosefur.
"What... What do you want from me?" Rockpaw hissed, knowing her senses were right.
Rosefur said nothing, but lunged at Rockpaw again.
Rockpaw dodged to the side, and scratched Rosefur across her face with her own claws.
If that's how you want to play... Bring it!
Rosefur ignored the attack and leapt on top of Rockpaw, pinning her down. Rosefur opened her jaws and went directly for Rockpaw's neck, but Rockpaw sunk her teeth into Rosefur's paw first.
Rosefur withdrew in agony, blood streaming out of the marks Rockpaw left. Rockpaw charged for Rosefur while she was in her vulnerable state. But Rosefur struck across Rockpaw for the second time, sending Rockpaw skidding across the dusty ground, disturbing the sleeping sand.
After the dust cleared, Rosefur padded over and put a paw on Rockpaw's neck, rolled Rockpaw over so she can whisper in the apprentice's ear.
"Stay out of my way." She said, venomously. Then she chuckled and left, leaving Rockpaw having to stare at her tail, lashing in victory.

Angella was about to make a comment when the sounds of pawsteps heading their way with urgency echoed the halls.
The General stood up, "Yuuka!"
The white snow leopard padded up to the golden lioness, "I have bad news."
Angella yawned, "Tell me in the morning, Jenny. I need to go rest." She stood up to go.
The General flinched at the nickname, but kept her eyes on Yuuka, "What is it?"
"The descendant... is attached to me... literally!" Yuuka said freakishly.
"...How?" The General asked.
"If I move... then she moves. If I stop... then she stops." Yuuka explained.
"...The voodoo function..." The General looked to be side, "I guess I gave you the price too generally."
"I'm not a God, General." Yuuka reminded her.
The General sighed, "I really am sorry, Yuuka..."
"No, it's okay." Yuuka smiled, "I am kind of glad I have some other role to play..."
"Does the descendant talk if you talk?" The General asked.
"...Yes..." Yuuka admitted, slowly.
"Yuuka, about Keigo..." The General sighed again.
"Yeah... I know. He is also Frostpaw."
"And you two being twin siblings..."
"The rules apply to him, too."
Like if it was a command, Keigo started padding in.
"General, the Guilds are very unhappy." Keigo said, urgently.
"...How unhappy?" The General asked.
"The Chaos and even Order is demanding to know about what's going on... Neutral is the only one with no certain side." Keigo explained.
"Even Order, huh?" The General shook her head, "We must keep this a secret as low as possible. If we let them know, the whole planet will be searching for Rockpaw."
"Precisely. That's why I gave them nothing." Keigo looked to Yuuka with an understanding gaze.
"Keigo... you didn't tell me you were connected to Frostpaw." Yuuka said.
Keigo smiled casually, "I didn't want to worry my sister."
"You two will meet, won't you?" The General guessed.
Yuuka and Keigo nodded.

"Rosefur is a fine apprentice, sire." Nightflower said.
"You tested her against the Creator." Darkius replied, void of expression.
"...I did." Nightflower hesitated before she answered.
"I have no comment about that action." Darkius continued, "But Rosefur is capable of things, isn't she?"
"Yes. She has power inside her, I am certain." Nightflower didn't dare looking at his purple eyes.
"...That's what I made you for after all." Darkius grinned, and placed a paw under Nightflower's chin and lifted her head up to meet his eyes, "And you're doing a fine job."

"Rockpaw, are you okay?" Swiftpaw padded next to Rockpaw at the fresh kill pile, bringing her own prey to eat with Rockpaw, "Want to share?"
Rockpaw nodded, "Yeah, I'm okay. It's just thorns, don't worry."
Swiftpaw narrowed her eyes, "Whatever thorn it was, it's pretty mean."
Rockpaw giggled, "Yeah... I'm glad Rosefur helped out though, even though she had some brutal markings herself.
Swiftpaw nibbled at the rabbit, and Rockpaw joined in.
Why does she want to hurt me? Why did she hurt me? And what did she mean by... 'Stay out of my way'?
All the questions Rockpaw want answered so badly must wait until nighttime. Maybe Nightflower knows... She knows everything!
"Aurorastar!" Tigerstep shouted from the entrance of the camp.
"She's not here. Out on hunting patrol." Willowstream swiftly landed down seemingly from nowhere, but she just... was there.
Tigerstep sighed, "We've got two kittypets."
"What do they want with us?" Willowstream immediately replied.
"They said they wanted to meet up..." Tigerstep looked at Rockpaw, "...With Talia."
Rockpaw widened her eyes as all attention turned to her.
Whoever it is... I hope it's not Uncle Ben...
Rockpaw gulped and stood up, not sure how she should react.
"...Come in." Tigerstep meowed, not glancing back.
A kit about Rockpaw's size appeared first. Her pelt was all white, with russet eartips and gentle amber eyes.
Second to come was...
Tony?!
"Tony?" Rockpaw tilted her head, "Echo? What... What are you doing here?"
"Talia!" The white cat faced Rockpaw, "My mother passed away..."
"Echo?" A new voice joined the conversation.
"Haydi!" Echo exclaimed.
Rockpaw turned around to see Rainfoot, staring in disbelief at Echo, "Where's your mother?"
Echo gave no reply, but turned back to Tony, as if begging him to answer because she couldn't.
"...Uncle Ben came a few quarter-moons ago..." Tony started, his ears drooped, "...and brought a few friends. They... They completely obliterated Coconut Groove."
Rainfoot continued to stare in shock, as if she couldn't believe what was happening, and this was all a lie.
But Rockpaw could tell from the urgency in Echo's voice that this wasn't a lie. This was real. Coconut Groove no longer existed.
"What about..." Rockpaw didn't need to complete the question.
"They... all died... in Ben's paws." Tony looked to the side and closed his eyes tightly.
Echo couldn't take it anymore as she bursted into tears, sobbing like she didn't care where she was. Rockpaw quickly sat next to her and tried to comfort the poor cat.
Swiftpaw padded over and did the same, casting a helpful smile to Rockpaw. Rockpaw returned the smile back as she licked Echo's ear.
"Are you hurt?" Berrywhisker pushed his way through the crowd that had assembled, and started sniffing Tony.
"Yes... A little." He turned his right flank toward Berrywhisker. What Rockpaw saw wanted to make her mouse go out the way it came in.
Three long, wretched scars ran across his flank, red, but healing steadily.
Berrywhisker shook his head, "Come, come. This... 'Ben' did a really mean job." He then led Tony to the medicine cat den, where Cloudpaw helped him get Tony fixed up.
"You're not hurt, are you?" Swiftpaw asked Echo.
"...No... and thanks for being there by me." Echo blinked at Swiftpaw, then looked at Rockpaw, "Thank goodness you're still alive, Talia... Everyone thought you got lost and... died..."
"Well, I am pretty much in flesh." Rockpaw answered, "And the name's Rockpaw... Not Talia."
"Rockpaw... That's..." Echo didn't have to finish the sentence.
"Yeah, I know." Rockpaw chuckled, "This is Swiftpaw. She's my new friend."
Swiftpaw smiled sweetly at Echo, and Echo returned the smile.
"So... are you staying here now? Since your mother... passed away?" Rockpaw asked.
"I guess so. There's no place else to go." Echo shrugged solemnly.
"Echo." Rainfoot interrupted, "I need to talk to you."
Echo reluctantly stood up and said good-bye to Rockpaw and Swiftpaw to follow Rainfoot.
"It must be really sad..." Swiftpaw murmured, "...to lose a mother..."

That night, Rockpaw was looking forward to talking to Nightflower again. She had to find out about Rosefur... and now!
The black abyss stretched before her, but there was no Nightflower.
"Nightflower?" Rockpaw called, "Where are you? We need to talk!"
No reply.
Rockpaw sighed and looked around. As if that helped...
"Over here." A voice echoed behind Rockpaw.
"Nightflower, there you a-" Rockpaw stopped as she turned around.
It wasn't Nightflower.
It was a gigantic cat with golden fur and pale wings against her sides, rivers of sky blue streaming across its fur. Its blue eyes connected with Rockpaw's intensely.
"Who..." Rockpaw began, but she had no courage to finish the rest.
"Rockpaw... How I've long to see you..." The big cat said, taking a pawstep toward Rockpaw, but immediately jerked back, as if something prevented her from doing so.
"What do you want with me?" Rockpaw said, defensively.
The big cat said nothing, only staring at Rockpaw with a sad gaze.
"Who are you?" Rockpaw took a step forward, more stern with her voice.
"Just call me..." The big cat smiled, "...Destiny."

The link for chapter 10 side-story: art/Chapter-10-5-The-Gemini-Omen-394674835?ga_subm it_new=10%253A1377022487