The entire Clan had woken up at dawn.
The apprentices buzzed with excitement; the elders prepared their own war stories for Oakkit, who was a little disappointed that he wasn't going; the medicine cats stocked up with Pinefur going out to find more cobwebs.
Ivystar was going to announce who she planned to take, but neither she or Smokestripe had left the den. A group of cats waited in the clearing of camp, anxiously waiting for the news. Snowpaw was one of them.
Her entire body shook with adrenaline and she could not sit still— thrashing her tail around and scratching at the dirt.
"This is so exciting!" Snowpaw breathed, breaking the silence. "Do you think she'll come out soon?"
Eagletalon turned back to face her. "She won't if you keep bouncing around like a kit."
As the senior warrior turned back around, Snowpaw stuck her tongue out at him. She forced herself to sit still and she waited.
And waited.
And waited.
"I'm so bored," she groaned.
"You've only been sitting there for a few minutes," Eagletalon hissed softly. "Go and do something if you're bored and let us warriors wait in peace!"
"Fine! I will!"
Lifting herself to her feet, she started to trot in the direction of the apprentice den. A collective sigh came from the small group of warriors.
She found her denmates sitting in a big cluster, excitedly discussing the battle.
Snowpaw ran up to them and squeezed herself in between Emberpaw and Hailpaw.
"Who do you think will be picked out of us to go?" Hawkpaw asked.
"Me, definitely," Rosepaw answered almost instantly.
"Me!" Foxpaw gasped.
"I hope I'm not chosen," Robinpaw meowed. "What about you, Emberpaw?"
"I hope not as well. I don't think I'm ready," Emberpaw agreed. "You'll definitely be chosen, Hailpaw," she added. "You're the best fighter out of us all."
Every apprentice nodded in agreement, and Hailpaw licked his chest in embarrassment. "Thanks Emberpaw..." He looked at Snowpaw and the white apprentice thought that she would melt the minute his green eyes met her own. "But have you seen how many warriors have been training Snowpaw? She's obviously the best."
Snowpaw felt as though she would drown as she stared into his eyes, her own filled with gratitude.
"Ha! Snowpaw isn't that good at fighting!"
Hailpaw broke the eye contact first as he looked towards the source of the voice.
Rosepaw.
Snowpaw blinked and gave her head a little shake as she fell from the clouds, hitting the ground of reality.
"Says who?" she challenged.
"Says me," the tabby she-cat retorted. "Obviously, the warriors are only teaching you because they're embarrassed by your lack of skill."
Snowpaw growled. "We'll see who'll be laughing when I'm chosen to fight and you have to stay and watch the elders."
"It'll be me." Rosepaw puffed her chest out. "Because you'll be the one cleaning dirty moss from the nursery."
"I know that I'll be chosen and If I'm right, you'll have to do all of my duties for a moon!" Snowpaw challenged.
"Well, when I'm right, you'll have to sneak into Ivystar's den and cover her in moss as she sleeps!" Rosepaw answered.
"That's not fair!"
"So you're admitting that I was right?"
"... No. It's a deal."
Rosepaw sent her a smug smile. "Well, have fun. There's no way you'd be chosen. Only FrostClan cats can fight."
Snowpaw's ears pinned back but before she had a chance to retaliate, Hailpaw held her back, while Hawkpaw stood in front of Rosepaw in case she decided to attack as well.
"Guys, don't," Hailpaw meowed firmly.
"There's going to be a battle soon; we don't need two good fighters in the medicine cat den before it has even started," Hawkpaw added.
Snowpaw lashed her tail, but said nothing.
"Here she comes!"
"Ivystar!"
"Who's going?"
Every apprentice lifted their head as their leader called for them to gather around her. Snowpaw's siblings and friends all gasped and started streaming into the middle of camp.
All except Hawkpaw.
"Well, I think I might be chosen," she heard him mutter under his breath, "Thanks for asking, guys."
Snowpaw pinned her ears back and glanced at her paws as she walked out of the den. I'm sorry Hawkpaw...
She watched as the brown tabby apprentice stalked to the back of the group behind his father. She tried to make eye contact with him— to apologise, but he kept staring at his paws. Hawkpaw... please! I'm sorry!
Ivystar cleared her throat and the buzz of excitement slowly died down. Snowpaw forced herself to look away from Hawkpaw and towards her leader.
"Smokestripe and I have been talking," she meowed, with a slight glare sent over to the deputy. "Our job will just be to mark new borders and get out as soon as possible. Since it is leaf-bare, we don't need any unnecessary injuries..."
Half of the Clan groaned. Everyone was itching for a fight.
"But!" she continued. "I will choose a patrol to mark the borders—Smokestripe and I have chosen the cats we want on that patrol. If things start to get out of control, there will be a second group waiting."
A few warriors nodded their heads in support.
"The cats on the patrol will be: myself, Nightstorm, Eagletalon, Goldenwhisker, Sandpelt, Adderfang, Hailpaw and Rosepaw," Ivystar meowed.
Snowpaw's heart sunk. She closed her eyes and bowed her head. Pictures of Rosepaw taunting her flew around, making smart remarks and laughing. The white apprentice knew that if she wasn't chosen for the second group, she would never hear the end of it. I'd probably never hear anything ever again if Ivystar caught me.
"The cats in the second group will be: Smokestripe, Pinefur, Fallenpaw, Flamefoot, Jaysong, Thunderwing, Dovefeather, Greyleaf, Foxpaw, Emberpaw, Snowpaw and Hawkpaw."
Snowpaw's ears pricked at the mention of her name. She almost didn't believe that she had heard it, until she heard the distinct sound of Rosepaw growling. Her eyes burst open and she instantly she met Rosepaw's glare. Before she could stop herself, she cheekily stuck her tongue out, which was met with a haughty huff from the tabby she-cat.
"My patrol will follow me," Ivystar yowled. "The rest of you will wait for Smokestripe's instructions." The seven cats chosen by Ivystar crowded around her. "Okay, let's go!"
Suddenly, as if on cue, a high-pitched yowl came from the nursery.
Both Thunderwing and Pinefur glanced at each other knowingly, and with a dip of her head, the medicine cat raced into her den. Thunderwing began to follow.
"Where do you think you're going?"
Thunderwing looked back pleadingly, "Willowstep is kitting!" he cried. "I need to be with her!"
"Last I checked, queens were able to kit by themselves," Ivystar retorted icily. Her eyes suddenly widened and her fur stood on end. "You just don't want to fight, do you? You're a coward! A traitor! Who has corrupted you? Tell me now and I'll personally kill them myself."
Thunderwing looked horrified. "I-I'm not a traitor," he stammered. Snowpaw felt pity for the tom—but at least he would understand how she felt now. Another wail echoed around the camp and Thunderwing tried to leave again, but was stopped by a growl, coming from the leader.
"Please."
Pinefur rushed from her den just as Oakkit was being led out of the nursery. Ivystar lifted her nose in the air, refusing to back down.
"Just let him be with his mate, Ivystar."
A couple of cats gasped and everyone turned to face Lilyfeather, who stood tall, tail lashing. "There's nothing a queen wants more than to know her loved ones are close by." Sadness flashed in her eyes. "One cat will not make much of a difference."
"One cat could be the difference between winning and losing," Ivystar spat.
"And five cats might grow up without knowing their father if we fail," Lilyfeather responded calmly. "You don't know what it's like—I don't know what it's like—so, don't force these kits to be the first to find out how hard it is to learn that their father died the day they were born."
Ivystar growled. "...Fine. You will take Thunderwing's place."
Lilyfeather's stern gaze faltered. "M-Me?"
"One cat could be the difference between winning and losing, Lilyfeather." Ivystar smiled smugly. "And you are one cat that I don't mind losing."
She let out a small laugh at her wordplay, then order her first patrol to follow her.
Snowpaw raced over to her mother. "How exciting is this?" she gasped. "You and I will be fighting together!"
Her mother nodded her head blankly, her eyes widened in shock. Thunderwing looked over to the nursery, then to Lilyfeather, then back again. He quickly ran over to Lilyfeather.
"Thank you so much!" he purred.
Lilyfeather blinked as Thunderwing brought her out of her shock. "Um... n-no problem."
"But did you call me a bad fighter?" Thunderwing laughed.
"It worked, didn't it? Now go; Willowstep needs you."
Thunderwing dipped his head in thanks, before making his way over to the nursery. Snowpaw laughed as the eager tom was pushed out of the nursery. He paced by the entrance, and every time Willowstep cried out in pain, he responded, to make sure she knew he was there.
"Everyone in the second group! Over here!" Smokestripe called.
Snowpaw made her way over to the deputy and sat herself next to Emberpaw. The tortoiseshell she-cat gave her a small, nervous smile.
"We are going to be the backup, in case things get a little messy," he explained. "If Ivystar calls for us, it means that a MistClan patrol has spotted them and that we'll need to be ready—" a yowl from the nursery cut him off. "—ready for a fight. Fallenpaw will be there to look after cats who need immediate care. If you have a torn claw or a scratch on your shoulder, wait until we get back to camp."
Smokestripe waited for any responses, before signalling every to follow him. As soon as they left the camp, Smokestripe led them all over towards the Stepping Stones, where the Gathering took place.
Snowpaw's eyes widened and she turned to Jaysong. "We're not going to steal the Stepping Stones back, are we? It's a special place of peace!"
Jaysong's body rumbled as he purred. "No, we're not. Do you know the small stream that runs through MistClan's territory?"
Snowpaw paused to think before nodding her head.
"Ivystar wants to take the land between our border and the stream so that the stream itself will become the border—we get one side, and MistClan gets the other side," he explained.
"Oh okay."
Snowpaw looked back for her friends and noticed they were at the back of the group. She stopped walking and decided to wait for them to catch up to her, so she could talk.
Hawkpaw passed her as she started walking. He was dragging his paws but there was a glimmer of determination in his green eyes. Foxpaw bounced in excitement, ready for her first major battle. Emberpaw, however, stayed silent.
"What's wrong?" Snowpaw asked her friend.
"I don't think I'm ready..." she answered quietly. "What if I die because I forget a move or take on someone more skilled than me?"
Foxpaw stopped bouncing and laid her tail on Emberpaw's back, comfortingly. "Don't worry," she meowed. "I'll watch your back. We'll fight together and we'll die together."
Emberpaw smiled at her sister.
"But I'd rather not die, if that's okay with you," Foxpaw added quickly.
The three she-cats burst into fits of giggles, and Snowpaw heard Hawkpaw stifle a laugh.
The cats in front of them began slowing down. Snowpaw heard someone give them all an order to crouch down, and as she did, snow tickled her stomach. Sitting behind a large bush, she couldn't see anything, but she could hear Ivystar snapping silent orders to her group.
Suddenly a voice pierced through the silence.
"What do you think you're doing?" a MistClan tom hissed.
"Cloudfur!" a she-cat yowled, her voice getting softer as she ran further away.
"We want this side of the stream," Ivystar meowed simply. "We're actually saving you having to swim across it to mark your borders. You should be thanking us."
"The only one thanking you will be Owlstar when we line his nest with your fur!"
Snowpaw's heart raced as she heard splashing, then silence. What's happening? I want to see what's happening!
After a few seconds of quiet, a battle cry scared the birds out of the trees nearby. Snowpaw could hear growling and the sound of claws meeting claws, followed by a series of splashes.
Are there more cats already? Lifting her nose, she couldn't smell any more cats, which could only mean one thing. Snowpaw stifled a laugh as she imagined Ivystar and the others just picking up the MistClan cats and throwing them back into the water.
Within a few seconds, the overpowering scent of more MistClan cats wafted around her nose. The battle was about to begin. Everyone stiffened, ears pricked, ready to pounce at the sound of Ivystar's call.
"Get out of MistClan territory, Ivystar!"
Snowpaw felt a dull pain in her chest as her father's voice rang over the sound of the fighting cats. Will I have to fight him to protect my Clan?
She caught Jaysong's eye as she glanced around nervously. He gave her a brief nod, looking as though he wanted to tell her something. She thought about what he might want to say to her, but before she had a chance to ask him, she heard MistClan jump into the water.
Adrenaline pumped through her veins as she crouched down further, ready to pounce.
"FrostClan, attack!"
Snowpaw leapt.
Beside her, her Clanmates jumped through the bushes, teeth bared. Snowpaw looked towards the battlefield, noticing her father first. He was half-swimming, half-running through the water and was looking up towards her. Horror flashed through his blue eyes as they locked gazes. I don't want to fight him as much as he doesn't want to fight me...
As soon as her paws hit the ground, Snowpaw mumbled a silent apology before rushing into battle. Seeing a brown tabby tom emerging from the water, she unsheathed her claws and ran straight towards him. I will show Ivystar that she is wrong about me! I am a loyal FrostClan warrior!
She jumped, aiming for his eyes, but before she even had a chance to touch him, he swatted her away like a fly buzzing around someone's fresh-kill. His claws came in contact with her side and she instantly felt a pain she had never felt before. Blood dripped from the wound near her stomach, staining the snow beneath her and the tom jumped over her to attack Goldenwhisker. Come back, you flea-bitten coward!
Snowpaw's vision became hazy and she began to feel light-headed as the smell of her blood attacked her senses. The cats around her turned to coloured blurs, but suddenly she felt claws in her back. She let out a yowl of pain and frustration and began jumping to get the cat off her. Snowpaw could tell it was an apprentice by the size and once she caught the scent, she realised it was Stormpaw.
No matter what Snowpaw tried, she couldn't shake the tom off her. His claws were digging into her skin and everything she did only made matters worse. In a final moment of desperation, she stood up on her hind legs and fell back onto him, crushing him under her body weight.
Stormpaw hissed as he struggled to get out from under him and as soon as she stood up, he ran away. She scanned around for someone to fight and she noticed her mother losing to a large black and silver tom. She ran towards them as quickly as her legs would let her. The MistClan warrior was still standing by the bank, being kept there by Lilyfeather.
"Cloudfur can't protect you anymore," he taunted.
"I don't need Cloudfur!" she hissed.
Lilyfeather swiped at the tom, but he ducked and tripped Lilyfeather. Snowpaw's mother fell face-first into the water just as Snowpaw jumped on the tom's back, using the same technique Stormpaw used on her. To her dismay, the warrior rolled almost instantly, crushing her. Snowpaw sat, gasping for air as he stood back up and grabbed her by the scruff.
Snowpaw growled and swiped at him, but he only laughed.
"Lucky for you, you're Cloudfur's daughter," he commented. "Otherwise I'd do something much worse than this."
He sent her flying through the air just as Lilyfeather leapt at him, hissing. She slashed at his face, drawing blood. He retaliated by pouncing on her and the two rolled down the small slope on the bank of the stream. He got up first, but she swiped at him, drawing more blood. In anger, he slashed her face and Lilyfeather fell into the freezing water with a splash. The water slowly tinted red as Lilyfeather lifted her head, with just enough energy to growl, before her head fell back into the water.
Meanwhile, Snowpaw landed on the ground, bumping into her mentor, who had just sent a MistClan cat running.
"Snowpaw, are you okay?" he asked, noticing the blood tangled in her fur.
Snowpaw groaned a "yes" groggily as she stood up to face Jaysong.
"You need to hide in the snow," he meowed urgently. "Use the snow to your advantage. Just like in our lessons."
Snowpaw could have hit herself. I completely forgot! I could've died because I forgot about the first thing I learned! Dipping her head in thanks, Snowpaw watched as the battle continued around her. I need to be smart about this. I need to observe my enemies before rushing into battle like a headless badger.
Her Clan was hopelessly outnumbered and she could see Ivystar laying still, covered head to tail in blood. Her friends were all spread out, except for Emberpaw and Foxpaw who watched each other's backs. Hawkpaw was fighting Stormpaw, looking particularly determined to beat him while Hailpaw and Rosepaw were both fighting two young warriors.
Crouching down, Snowpaw hid, waiting for an unsuspecting MistClan warrior to pass her. Her heart skipped a beat when she saw two dark blue eyes staring at her. The cat had also hidden themselves in the snow and Snowpaw thought that she would surely be killed, until she realised who it was.
"Cloudfur," she breathed in relief.
"You're injured," he meowed, worriedly.
"I'll be fine."
"Are you sure? I can get Tawnyleaf to look over your wounds if you want, my dear."
Snowpaw shook her head. She stood up and turned to the side, showing her father her wounds. "It's just a scratch. It hurt before, but I'm fine now."
"Snowpaw, look out!"
Before she had a chance to blink, a grey blur leapt in front of her, attacking Cloudfur.
"Hailpaw, no!" Snowpaw cried.
He and Cloudfur rolled around for a few seconds, swiping at each other, before they both stopped with Snowpaw's father pinning Hailpaw. The grey tabby apprentice struggled to escape from Cloudfur's grip.
"You don't know who you're dealing with, kit," the white warrior growled. "I could slit your throat with one flick of my paw."
"I'd like to see you try!" Hailpaw retorted.
Hailpaw pushed Cloudfur off with his back legs, sending the latter into the snow. Cloudfur stood up, sending a hiss towards Hailpaw, but Hailpaw had already raced back to the safety of the rest of the Clan. He was brave, but he wasn't stupid— he knew that Cloudfur would kill him if he stayed there any longer.
"Retreat, FrostClan!"
Ivystar's yowl was filled with annoyance, but urgency. The MistClan cats jeered at the FrostClan cats as they retreated into their own territory. Snowpaw turned to say goodbye to her father, but as she did, she noticed something in the water.
"Lilyfeather!"
Snowpaw raced to the water's edge, fighting back tears. She can't be dead! Please be alright! Please!
She grabbed her mother's scruff and struggled to drag her out of the water. She felt water splash over her as both Jaysong and Cloudfur raced to her side. Cloudfur took over for her and pulled Lilyfeather out.
"Lilyfeather?" he whispered.
Jaysong snapped at Cloudfur and the white tom backed off. "Stay away from her!" Jaysong growled as he grabbed Lilyfeather's scruff to pull her up the bank.
Cloudfur tilted his head in confusion at the other tom, until a flash of pain crossed his eyes. He dipped his head and let Jaysong pass.
Snowpaw sat in shock as both MistClan and FrostClan stalked back to their own territories. Ivystar rolled her eyes, calling for everyone else to follow her, leaving Snowpaw, Jaysong, Lilyfeather and Fallenpaw sitting nervously to the side. Whimpering, Snowpaw crawled over to her mother and put her nose into Lilyfeather's neck fur. From this spot, she could hear soft rasping breaths and she jumped up.
"She's still breathing!" she gasped. "She's okay!"
Jaysong relaxed at the news and Cloudfur perked up a little. Lilyfeather's green eyes flickered open and she gave a brief smile, before she closed her eyes again and coughed violently.
"I need to get her to camp!" Jaysong meowed instantly.
Cloudfur stepped forwards. "Let me help."
Jaysong looked as though he was going to say yes, but then he shook his head. "I—Y-you can't. Ivystar would kill us both."
He picked the she-cat up and swung her over his back with Fallenpaw's help. Together the two of them slowly walked back to their camp.
"This was all Ivystar's fault."
Snowpaw looked at her father as he growled, glaring towards the FrostClan territory.
"I know, but there's nothing either of us can do about it," Snowpaw replied, sadly.
"But there is!"
"Wha—?"
Cloudfur suddenly jumped up like a kit. "What if I trained you in secret? I could teach you everything I know and you could get rid of Ivystar!"
Kill Ivystar? Me?
Snowpaw shook her head. "No... I couldn't do that. I couldn't murder someone— even if it is Ivystar."
"But you'd be free from her tyranny," Cloudfur insisted.
"But I'd be killed."
Cloudfur sighed. "You're right... I-I'm sorry."
Snowpaw nuzzled her father. "It's okay; we'll think of something."
"Snowpaw!" Jaysong called.
"Coming!"
After she gave her father a lick on the cheek, Snowpaw turned around and began racing off towards her own territory.
"Think about it though, won't you?"
She nodded her head, then disappeared into the trees.
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When Snowpaw entered the camp after Jaysong, she noticed that everyone was sitting around Ivystar. Although she wanted to be with Lilyfeather, she knew that Pinefur would probably just kick her out of her den anyway. Curiosity got the better of her and she sat down at the back of the group.
"Hailpaw, come forwards," Ivystar yowled.
Hailpaw's having his warrior ceremony! Already? But he hasn't even had any assessments and he still needs to sleep in the apprentice den! He can't leave the apprentice den so soon!
The tabby apprentice made his way over to Ivystar, grinning proudly.
"Hailpaw has shown himself to be brave and strong during the battle," Ivystar continued. "He fought like he had StarClan fighting behind him and even took on Cloudfur by himself. And so, I, Ivystar of FrostClan call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your code and I commend him to you as a warrior."
Snowpaw noticed Hawkpaw look to his paws. They should be made warriors together... she thought to herself, sadly.
"Hailpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even if it means death?"
Hailpaw nodded. "I do."
"Then, by the powers of StarClan, from this moment on, you will be known as Hailstep. StarClan honours your skill in battle and your bravery and we welcome you as a full warrior of FrostClan!"
"Hailstep! Hailstep! Hailstep!"
"Tonight, you will guard the camp," Ivystar meowed. "It will be particularly important that you stay awake in case MistClan decides to retaliate."
"I will," Hailstep promised.
As soon as Ivystar stalked back to her den, Snowpaw raced over to Pinefur's den. I'm sorry Hailp—Hailstep. I'll congratulate you later, but right now, my mother is more important.
"How is she?"
Pinefur almost jumped as Snowpaw's voice cut through the eerie silence of the medicine cat den. Wolfclaw, Maplestorm and Mudfang laid in separate nests as Fallenpaw fed them chickweed. Lilyfeather had not been made a nest yet, so she was laying on the grass, her raspy breaths barely audible.
"Can we talk outside?"
Snowpaw's stomach dropped, but she stepped out into the camp. Pinefur followed and took in a deep breath before exhaling.
"So, how is she?"
"It seems as though she spent a long time in the freezing water," Pinefur answered. "She's already got the chills and I've given her feverfew which will help her fever. But, it could easily develop into greencough since she's surrounded by so many sick cats."
"...But you can help her... right?"
"I'm afraid that I've already run out of catmint," Pinefur meowed. "I've been using chickweed as a substitution for a few days, but it's not as effective and I'm about to run out of that as well..."
"Well, I can go searching for more catmint!" Snowpaw insisted. "I'll help you and Fallenpaw! We'll find more! I know we will! Just tell me where to look."
"We've already looked, Snowpaw."
"But there's got to be more!"
"Snowpaw, there isn't. Fallenpaw checked yesterday."
"Then look again!"
After her short outburst, Snowpaw felt her pelt prickle with embarrassment as a few cats turned to look at her. She inhaled softly.
"Will she be okay?"
"I'm sorry Snowpaw, but I don't think that Lilyfeather will make it through leaf-bare..."
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A/N: I'm such a mean person. I'm sorry.
Anyway, this was a massive chapter and I wrote the entire fight scene in about an hour or so and I'm proud of myself. I'm also on holidays now, so I should have more time to write more over the next two weeks. But let's be honest, I'm also a huge procrastinator. I had an extra two days off school thanks to Cyclone Debbie, but I still did nothing :)
Beauty and the Beast was fantastic, by the way, and I highly recommend you watch it if you haven't already! My favourite character was Gaston; what about you?
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Replies to Reviews
Starrysong Likes Spring: Maybe, maybe not ;) And don't kill me, but I've never watched an Emma Watson movie and thought that she was a really great Belle. Also, thank you so much for all of those name ideas. I've actually used three of them, but you'll see which three next chapter :3
Willow Likes Cats: Lin is honestly the best thing in this world
DarkPitchBlack: Well, you're half-right
Mistleaf (Guest): Thank you so much for reviewing! I love the names so thank you for giving me some! I've used one of them and I was going to use a second one, but I ended up changing my mind. And I'd be willing to accept an OC for MistClan if you want to submit one. I only really need to know their name, appearance and a basic personality. Thanks again :)
iDragonSpyro: I hope this is soon enough!
Snarksadoodle: YES! There aren't many people who know about Hamilton where I live (as far as I'm aware) and it's always nice to have someone else to fangirl with. I'm glad you still liked the chapter even though it wasn't jam-packed with drama. And this is my first major battle I've ever written, so I hope it was alright.
Fernsky72: Haha, so true. I know you've been excited for this chapter, so here you go :3
Night of Cloudy Sky: So I do, actually ;)
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QOTC: Hailstep's a warrior! What do you think will happen now?
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95 reviews! Five more until 100! You guys are the best! Let's see who sends the 100th review :3
Till next chapter,
~ Kat