Sorry this is late :( It was 12 am when we got back from the movies, and then I had a really bad episode today and was unable to do stuff in the morning. But I'm here now, so here's the review replies!
(Also, the QOTD last chapter? It was about Pokemon Mystery Dungeon xD)
Sapphire-of-NightClan: Well, not necessarily. Snowwhisper may or may not go to the Dark Forest. It's kind of explained some this chapter, but not really. It will be fully explained later c:
Oh man, I don't think Firepaw would actually kill him xD She cares too much about everyone in the Clan to do that.
And I don't really know. I like talking about earthquakes so I guess that's why xD Apparently everyone else does too. Anyway, hope you enjoy the chapter! :3
Cloudedhazeleyes: Hey, thanks for following and favoriting this story c:
Nah. There's no way My Little Pony is that cool. I was talking about Pokemon. xD
Oh, that sounds pretty bad :( Good luck to you! Hope everything gets better.
Let's get to the chapter!
Chapter Twenty-Four
"No."
"...No?"
The sun peeked from behind the hills, basking the flower field in a deep orange glow. Firepaw and Snowwhisper's forms shined in the small light, making them stand out against the pink flowers.
"No," Firepaw meowed once again, a set look of determination on her face. "I could never do that, Snowwhisper. I could never kill you."
The white warrior's tail flicked around rapidly. "Why not?" he asked. "Isn't it better than seeing other Clanmates die? You said it yourself, Firepaw. I know you don't really like me."
"My feelings have nothing to do with it!" she hissed. "Killing a Clanmate is unacceptable, even if it would save all the Clans! Don't be so egotistical. Mapleshade can manipulate other cats just like you to see through her goals."
"You don't understand, Firepaw!" Snowwhisper spat, drawing himself up. "You'd rather see all of our Clanmates die? You'd rather see Squirrelflight, Bramblestar, Amberheart—"
"Don't you dare make this about me!" Firepaw's fur bristled dangerously. "Killing you wouldn't have an affect on anything. You probably just want to die so you don't have to see Mapleshade's reign of darkness."
Snowwhisper narrowed his eyes. "Firepaw, you don't get it. Of course I don't, but that isn't why! There's something special about me that Mapleshade wants to destroy, no matter what the cost."
Firepaw, who hadn't remembered sitting down, stood up abruptly. "That sounds like a lie," she hissed. "Because I surely don't believe it."
The dim sunlight hit Snowwhisper spot on in that moment, and he turned his head. His expression brightened immensely, a smile curving on his lips.
Annoyance shot through her, but despite that, Firepaw turned to see what the snow-colored warrior was looking at. Her golden eyes widened in wonder.
The sunrise lit up the distant mountains, covering them in a white sheen. Golden clouds dotted the sky, giving it a beautiful luminous glow.
"The sunrise can't lie," Snowwhisper spoke up. Firepaw turned to him, startled to see him already looking at her.
"Yeah, of course not. It can't even talk," the tabby meowed matter-of-factly.
"No, I mean no matter what… the sunrise will still bring a new day. A new day in which you can change your ways." Snowwhisper turned around suddenly, shadows crossing his face. "Mapleshade always says I'm like the sunrise and that she's never met another cat like me. That's why she wants to break my spirit so much."
Firepaw could only watch as the white warrior padded off, sunlight brightening his pelt.
He truly did look like the sunrise.
.
..
…
"Hey, Firepaw?"
Firepaw looked up from her temporary nest, wincing. When she had been on her way back from the flower field, she snagged her wounds on a low hanging branch. Now they pulsed with pain every time she moved.
"You're okay, right?" Amberheart sat in front of her, orange eyes dim with worry. "Branches are pretty sharp."
"The branch was nothing compared to the owl," Firepaw muttered, clenching her teeth. Why couldn't she just pay attention for once?
"But your injury isn't really why I came in here," the white and gray warrior stated, suddenly lowering her voice. "It's Snowwhisper."
How did I guess? Firepaw thought, but didn't feel that usual pang of irritation. Maybe her feelings about Snowwhisper had changed more than she thought.
"He's a little gloomy today… and even worse, he went off somewhere!" Amberheart flattened her ears. "A search patrol was sent off, but they didn't have any luck."
He's missing again?! Firepaw jumped to her paws, ignoring the stars of pain showering her vision. "What was he thinking?" she spat to no one in particular.
"I don't know, but we'll find him." Amberheart narrowed her eyes, a determined look crossing her face. "You can count on that." And with that, the warrior stalked briskly out of the den.
Firepaw had no choice but to believe her. With a huff, she collapsed onto the springy moss. Even she wasn't dumb enough to go back into the forest after reopening her wounds.
If only I had realized the trap sooner….
Timberpaw had made everything seem so magical. He made it feel as if they really belonged together, and nothing could stand in their way. And the tree he had showed her… it just seemed so special.
Firepaw flattened her ears. I should've known. I got blinded by his charm, but I should've known he was just too perfect.
She couldn't ever see Timberpaw eye to eye ever again. It wasn't as if she ever liked ShadowClan.
As Firepaw stared off into the shadows, she felt her thoughts being drawn towards Snowwhisper. Where had he gone? He couldn't have just disappeared purposefully.
Is it something to do with the Dark Forest? Firepaw's breath caught. What if Mapleshade kidnapped him? Can she do that?
"Firepaw?" Seedcloud and Cherryfeather poked their heads into the medicine den.
"Hey," the tabby apprentice muttered, trying to steady her breathing.
"You'll be okay," Seedcloud meowed, stepping forward. "Who I'm worried about is Snowwhisper. I know Amberheart already talked to you about this, but Cherryfeather and I think you might have a clue of where he is."
"I don't have a clue," Firepaw responded, placing her chin on her paws. "Did you check the flower field? It's a little northwest of camp. He loves to go there."
"We've checked everywhere," Cherryfeather meowed, her ginger pelt fluffing up. "He's nowhere to be found. Honestly, Bramblestar's thinking that he might have left ThunderClan for good."
The ginger tabby shook her head a bit angrily. "No way. Snowwhisper wouldn't have just up and left. He wouldn't ever leave Amberheart or the Clan behind."
He wouldn't, Firepaw reaffirmed in her head. So then where is he?
"Well, wherever he is, I'm a little worried that we won't find him." Seedcloud looked nervous for a moment, biting her lip apprehensively. "What if he's dead, like Dewpaw?"
"Don't worry, Seedcloud!" Cherryfeather meowed immediately, glancing at the pale orange warrior with a smile. "No one's going to die, I promise you."
"Yeah, Snowwhisper's going to be fine." He gets in enough trouble as is, Firepaw added silently.
"Well, okay…" Seedcloud looked gloomy for another moment before flashing a smile. "Come on Cherryfeather, let's go search some more."
"Right! See you later, Firepaw," the ginger warrior meowed, turning and padding out of the medicine den. Seedcloud followed, waving her tail in farewell.
Firepaw sighed once again when they left. She never really liked being alone. It made her feel as if no one wanted to be with her. She wished she could talk to Dewpaw again, but she knew StarClan wouldn't talk to her unless it was dire. And needing a friend was nothing compared to what was happening behind the scenes.
I wish I could help search for Snowwhisper, Firepaw thought, getting into a sleeping position. But I have to just stay here for now.
With that thought, she fell into a troubled sleep.
.
..
…
"So where were we?" Mapleshade leaned forward, digging her claws into Dewpaw's shoulders.
"Mapleshade, you won't win," Dewpaw spat, struggling in her grip. "Firepaw and I won't let you!"
"What a shame that it's just you two," Mapleshade sneered, smirking cruelly. "I've heard that StarClan is rather fond of Snowwhisper."
"It doesn't matter," the dark gray StarClan cat growled, glaring at her. "What they think doesn't matter. Snowwhisper is important to me, and I'll help him, even if I die trying."
"Those are big words from a dead apprentice." Mapleshade eyed Dewpaw before suddenly bringing one of her unsheathed paws dangerously close to his exposed neck. "Listen well," she hissed. "Snowwhisper's my deputy, so I can make him do whatever I want. If you so much as appear to him in his dreams…." Mapleshade pressed her paw down.
Dewpaw stared, dark amber eyes wide. He knew that if StarClan cats were killed again, they disappeared forever.
"I'm glad you agree," Mapleshade purred, taking her paw away. Just before she disappeared into the shadows, she meowed, "Oh, Dewpaw, was it?"
The dark gray tom scrambled to his paws. "Yeah," he muttered.
"Relay the message to Firepaw as well." Mapleshade smirked. "My claws are feeling a bit lucky today."
Dewpaw flinched at the implication, but nodded nonetheless.
And with that, the Dark Forest leader was gone.
.
..
…
"Firepaw!"
The ginger tabby slowly opened her eyes, sleepiness dragging at her. She blinked slowly, finally recognizing her father's dark tabby pelt.
"What is it?" she murmured.
Bramblestar stared at her grimly, his lips in a thin line. "We found Snowwhisper… but there's a problem."
"A problem…?"
"Half of ThunderClan is going into battle. Qatil's cats are attacking WindClan."
That got Firepaw's attention immediately. "Another battle I can't go to? Can't Qatil just lay low for once?!" she hissed, digging her claws into the ground.
"I wish." Bramblestar looked outside the den. "We should be back by sun-high. We've left Thornclaw, Cherryfeather, and Berrynose here to stand guard, so you should be fine."
"I want to help," Firepaw meowed.
"Sorry Firepaw, but you can't." The dark brown tabby turned and leaned down, touching his nose against hers. "See you soon."
The ginger tabby was left to wonder just how this had happened. And why was Snowwhisper there? Had he known?
Well... Dewpaw had said that Mapleshade and Qatil's goals were connected. But Firepaw had never thought about how close they could be. Was Snowwhisper working under him as well?
Oh, Snowwhisper, why can't you just stay out of trouble?
And… end! This chapter was a little all over the place, but I hope you all liked it regardless! I'll get to the QOTD's!
QOTD #1: How closely related do you think Mapleshade and Qatil's goals are?
QOTD #2: Why do you think Snowwhisper was near the WindClan battle?
That's it! I hope you all enjoyed my little birthday gifts, and see you next chapter! :D
;; Orangeflight of ShadowClan