Hapy Valentine's Day! Sorry if it's been awhile! I was saving this chapter for today! Please enjoy it and check out the special poems I posted on WARRIORS POETRY for today too! Love you all!

QQA: Reedshine!


Ivypool

Ivypool grumbled as she sat behind a large oak tree that surrounded the clearing. It had been hours since she and Breezepelt had arrived at the Dark Forest and so far, no useful information about Brokenstar had come up. Ivypool had tried asking Hawkfrost about him once, but it hadn't worked. The conversation had gone something like this:

"This Brokenstar, what's he do?"

"What do you mean?"

"Does he train people? Plan stuff? Go on missions? Anything?"

"Missions?"

"I don't know. Does he do anything?"

"Why do you ask?"

"'Cuz so far he just seems like a boring lump of flesh that only sits in the shadows and glares at people, yet he's still a leader."

"Don't let him hear you say that."

"So does he actually do anything then?"

"You'll find out soon enough."

"Fine."

I guess I can't really blame him, Ivypool thought. If someone randomly showed up at Starlake High I probably wouldn't jump up screaming our biggest secrets like a badger-brain. Still, she was eager to find answers and get out of this dump of a forest as soon as possible. Unfortunatly, Dovewing had warned them that she has no idea how long they coud be stuck in the forest. "Days, weeks, months, even," her sister had said. "We might have to get creative with our excuses if you're gone that long."

Ivypool shivered at the thought of spending more than a day in this place. The entire thing was just trees, swamps, mud, grass and more trees. The sky was barely visible through the tree-tops and each tree seemed to be taller than the other. The only thing Firestar had been wrong about was the sun. It filtered through the gaps in the branches, allowing some sort of visibility.

Ivypool did have to admit, the Darkpool was pretty cool. The water was illuminated by the moon as radiantly as the Moonstone and Moonpool. There was a boulder next to the pool that in a way, represented a Darkstone, only it didn't show as brightly. Everyone was eating and laughing and having a good time. For a few minutes, the place almost seemed... normal.

That is, until Ivypool actually listened to their conversations. "Sliced the head right of that stupid man," she heard one woman say.

"They didn't even stand a chance," another person said.

Breezepelt seemed a little shaken too. He was sitting a few fox-lengths away, glancing around nervously every few moments. Ivypool got up and walked over to a group of hunters that were getting ready to leave. "Hey, can my friend tag along? He's pretty good with a gun wants to bring down bigger game."

Surprisingly, the hunters nodded and said he could come. One of them tossed a rifle to Ivypool and she nodded her thanks before taking it to Breezepelt. "They're hunting for food. Thought you could use some fun," she said, cocking a thumb at the group. There's a kid there that looks our age. Go join them."

Breezepelt hesitated, clearly scared. Ivypool rolled her eyes. "I've seen you shoot soda cans fifty yards away at camp. If this doesn't go well for you then Foxleap is Supreme Leader of the island."

After an impatient grumble from the hunters and a shove from Ivypool, Breezepelt joined the hunters and left. Satisfyed, Ivypool sat back down, this time facing the party.

"Hey!" A voice said from beside Ivypool, making her jump.

Turning, she saw a boy about her age leaning against the tree beside hers. "You're new here aren't you?" he said.

Ivypool nodded. The boy had short, ruffled hair the color of ginger. He was dressed in a black hoodie with gray sweatpants and orange sneakers. Huh. He's pretty cute, Ivypool thought. "Wait, how'd you know I was new?" she asked.

"People who're already here know to party when they can," he said, shrugging.

"So why aren't you?"

"My friends are doing other stuff right now."

"What do you mean 'stuff?'"

"I dunno."

Ivypool sighed. "So when's the real point of this gathering start?"

He shrugged again. "Whenever Tigerstar and Brokenstar decide to show up. Sometimes we're here til midnight. Not that it makes much of a difference."

"Not much of a difference."

"Yeah. There's so little light here you can eat or sleep whenever you want. Unless you're an apprentice and you have a training session."

"How old are you?" Ivypool asked.

"Fourteen. You?"

"Same."

Suddenly, everyone started cheering as two dangerous-looking men stepped out of the shadows. Slowly, they approached the boulder and climbed up, staring at the croud like it a leader about to lead an army into battle. Both of them were heavily armed and Ivypool flinched as she recognized Brokenstar.

"Ah. We're starting." The boy observed. You're better get to the front. They always call out new people during these."

"Hey!" Ivypool called out as he started to walk away.

He turned to leave, then stopped and turned his head, his brown eyes piercing hers. "I'm Fernsong by the way. You are?"

Standing up, Ivypool looked at him and replied, "Violetshadow."


Mapleshade

In the shadow of a boulder a figure stood, silent and still as the sky above. Going unnoticed by all as she listened to the welcoming ceremony.

"Tonight is a good night," Tigerstar bellowed. "For while there are no advancement tests to be taken tonight, there are two recruiting tests. Extra credit to Amberpaw for finding them and bringing them to us!"

The shadowy figure stared at the young red-headed girl as she smiled and recieved congratulations and pats on the back from the surrounding Dark Forest members. "Hawkfrost," Tigerstar continued, adressing the young man. "Please call our recruits up."

The dark-haired man stepped forward and gestured to the croud. "Please welcome, Nightwhisker and Violetshadow!"

The croud watched as a young teenage boy emerged from the shadows. He was holding a hunting rifle and had determination in his steps, although the figure in the shadows could see the fear in his eyes. Scoffing, she turned her back and faced the boulder just as a gasp rippled through the croud, causing her to turn back around.

Following the boy was a girl that looked to be about the same age. Only this one had real hostility in her eyes a force in her walk. The figure watched as Tigerstar addressed them and chose two warriors for them to fight. "First, Nightwhisker will battle Hollowflight for a place in the Dark Forest!"

The croud drew back into a circle as a warrior stepped forward and faced the boy. He gave a menacing snarl and lunged, tackling the Nightwhisker to ground and punching him in the chest. Nightwhisker gasped as the air left his lungs and crouched, panting.

Hollowflight started forward again but Tigerstar motioned him back. "Wait. I want to see what he will do."

Nightwhisker glanced around. He seemed to be searching for something the figure didn't know what. Suddenly, he froze and fixed his eyes on a long vine that dangled from a nearby tree. He glanced at Violetshadow who nodded in turn, a small smile playing across her lips. Quick as lightning, Nightwhisker darted to the side and yanked the vine from the tree. Swinging it over his head like a lasso, he whipped it at Hollowflight who collapsed with a grunt as the vine wound tight around him. Nightwhisker ran forward and pinned him down, preventing him from getting up. Hollowflight writhed and growled but it was clear that he was stuck.

"We have a winner!" Tigerstar bellowed. "Nightwhisker, welcome to the Drak Forest!"

The crowd cheered as Nightwhisker beamed proudly at the Darkstone where the two leaders stood. "And now," Tigerstar began, "Violetshadow!"

The crowd cheered again as the hostile-looking girl stepped forward, getting into position to fight. It was clear that she had no intention in using her wits. Rather her feet and fists. "Antpelt will be fighting Violetshadow," Tigerstar announced.

A muscular, brown-haired figure stepped forward and faced Violetshadow, an evil grin spreading across his face. Snarling, he leaped towards Violetshadow and aimed apunch at her gut. She blocked it so easily it was pathetic. Fast as a mouse, she spun and kicked him in the face with her heel. The sound of leather on flesh echoed through the trees as Antpelt fell to the ground, blood gushing from his nose.

He tried to get up but Violetshadow slammed a foot down on his back and pinned him down. Rising, she casually dusted her hands off and said, "So when do I get to do any fun stuff?"

The crowd was silent, shocked by her amazing performance. Suddenly, Brokenstar hissed from the Darkstone, "Yessssssss. This one will do."

"Indeed she will," Tigerstar agreed. "They both will. Congratulations to both of you on passing your tests. Now me must assign you both mentors to teach you all the nessasary skills you will need to become a full warrior of the Dark Forest. Nightwhisker, you like to use your wits in battle. Your mentor will be Thistleclaw. As for you, Violetshadow, you need someone who specializes in combat. Your mentor will be... Hawkfrost."

The two elite warriors stepped up to the Darkstone and bowed to Tigerstar before melting back into the shadows. "And now, for the most important part of the gathering," Tigerstar continued. "The sharing of the ancestors!"

The croud roared as dark mist began to swirl around, weaving their way through the trees and settling by the pool. Nightwhisker stepped back, surprised, while Violetshadow remained expressionless. The mist materialized into the figures of the past, armed with weapons and a bloodthirsty look in their eyes.

"Greetings," they hissed in unison. "We bring a message tonight. We have forseen this in the Darkpool and come to tell you now, great changes await you. Great ones. Listen to these words carefully and do not forget them." With that, the ancestors disappeared one by one until only one remained. She floating her way up to the Darkstone and stood in front of Tigerstar, addressing the croud.

"Greetings,' her voice was icy and cold as the arctic plains. "I am Mapleshade. I was one of the first residents of the Dark Forest, and now I bring you a prophecy. Lissssssssssten and remember these words," she hissed as she began chanting.

When clouds disappear, the sun comes out

When blue turns to black, the stars

Wherever there's darkness there will also be light

But we still can take what is ours

From the shadows, a figure emerges

From the battles, a hero shines bright

Although shimmering silver, she sides with us

And can grant us eternal night

Mapleshade finished with a bone-chilling grin before disappearing into thin air. Beside the boulder, having heard everything, the figure smiled. The outside world stood no chance. They were blind to the traitor that lived among them. Their darkest hour would soon be upon them and there was nothing they could do to stop it.


What do you think Mapleshade was talking about? Why did the mysterious figure mention a traitor? Next chapter coming soon!

-Silver Speaker