For some reason, the number "21" is a huge thing. I have no idea why, but it is. So I hope this chapter especially works.

Ivypool

I peeked out from my hiding spot and locked my eyes on the target. Slowly, I shifted silently into a better position. This was my final test before I could move up a level in my training. I could not afford to screw it up. Glancing back, I recognized Hawkfrost's icy blue eyes watching me from the shadows. He would know if I set on foot wrong. I needed to do this perfectly.

Taking a deep breath, I turned back to my target and saw that my chance was almost here. Just one more step. One more... almost... almost... now!

Suddenly, I pushed off from the ground and exploded out from behind the bush. The target whipped around and snarled when he saw me. He tried to dodge but my heel was already extended and slammed him squarely in the jaw. I heard a furious yelp of pain and grinned. Quick as a flash, I landed and thumped him in the gut with my fist. When he doubled over, clutching his stomach, I brought my knee up and stamped him to the ground, my boot planted firmly on his chest.

Smirking, and lightly dusted off my jacket and stepped behind him, turning to face the trees where Hawkfrost was hiding.

His head appeared first, his icy blue eyes pinning me down as a small smile creeped across his lips. He spoke slowly, his usual bone-chilling tone forcing me to hold back shivers. "Well done," he hissed. "You have passed the test." He glanced at my defeated target. "I would have expected you do better, Snowtuft," he growled. "Tigerstar will hear about this."

Snowtuft shot me a furious look but bowed his head to Hawkfrost, remaining silent.

I pressed back a grin. Only a few weeks ago, Snowtuft might have been able to defeat me, but not anymore. I'd trained every day, growing faster, swifter, stronger and more powerful. My goal was to one day achieve elite warrior so I could hear all of the Dark Forest's plans. I'd be the greatest spy ever.

Hawkfrost's voice brought me back to the present as Snowtuft huffed and walked to his place beside him. "We're having a meeting tonight," Hawkfrost said icily. "I want you to be there."

I tipped my head. There were meetings every week and it usually wasn't required to go to them. I hadn't been to one since Breezepelt and I first arrived at the forest. "As you wish," I responded. "What's it for?"

"You will find out when you get there," he offered.

I snorted. "Fine." One thing I'd learned about the elite warriors; all of them were annoyingly vague. They never completed a thought, never answered your questions. They just told you what to do and walked away.

"And tell Nightwhisker to be there. You both need to see this," Hawkfrost added before whipping around and disappearing into the trees with a glowering Snowtuft stalking behind him.

Breezepelt

"Fellow members of the Dark Forest, a special meeting awaits us," Tigerstar's shadowy voice bellowed across the clearing.

I fidgeted beside Ivypool, trying to hide my nerves. It seemed as if the entire forest had gathered here tonight! There were even more people than when Ivypool and I became members.

On Ivypool's other side stood Bristlefrost. I wasn't quite sure what to think of her yet. She seemed to mostly keep to herself and she always had that bag with her. I did my best to avoid her and be super friendly when we did cross paths. All it took was one little sentence from her and Ivypool and I would be shot into next week.

"What's this meeting about?" I hissed into Ivypool's ear.

She glanced at me and rolled her eyes. "Do I look like a psychic?"

"You look like Crowfeather when I sprayed him with mustard," I remarked.

"Shut it."

"Heh."

"Who's Crowfeather?" Bristlefrost asked, surprising me. I suddenly realized I'd let my guard down and mentioned someone from outside the forest.

"One of the jerks that bullied Nightwhisker," Ivypool replied, shrugging. How did she do that? She made it seem so easy!

Bristlefrost smirked. "Ah. Fun."

I stared at the ground uncomfortably. In a way, yes, sure he bullied me. But to be fair, I did nail him with a mustard-filled water gun. Tigerstar's booming voice inturrupted my thoughts and I turned to gaze up at the Darkstone.

"A few days ago, one of our members went into the outside world and visited the Starlake High School," the dark leader began.

I stifled a gasp and snuck a quick glance at Ivypool. Her expression was calm but I could see a faint trace of alarm in her eyes.

"As some of you may know, Starlake High is the largest school on the island and one of the largest secret databases in the industry," Tigerstar continued.

I sucked in a breath. I didn't know it was a secret database. How did he know?

The Dark Forest leader allowed a small smile to escape and gestured toward the shadows with on hand. "We successfully retrieved a student from the school that has read the data and knows many of the island's secrets. He is now our prisoner and we are working on getting information out of him. This information will no doubt assist us in our quest for revenge and vengeance."

My mind whirled as I tried not to show my fear. A student? Who? They'd read the databases? How? Was there some secret selection program we didn't know about? I held my breath as two bulky Dark Forest guards emerged from the trees, each gripping a shoulder of the prisoner. His hands were tied behind his back with strong chains. Shackles were secured around his ankles and were bound together by another chain, long enough for him to walk properly but short enough to prevent his from taking long strides, such as to run and escape.

A cold, heartless glare emitted from his bright gaze as he watched the crowd. He stood perfectly still, his eyes sweeping over the many faces and then up to the Darkstone. I could've sworn his muscles tensed a little more when he saw Brokenstar.

Beside me, Ivypool stiffened. I knew she recognized that prisoner. We both did. And although it had only been for a snippet of a second, I knew he'd recognized us too. That cool, smooth bravery. That dark ruffled hair. Those cold blue eyes that were forever unblinking.

Now we were in even more danger than before, however impossible that may seem. He knew exactly who we were. He knew everything about us. He knew why we were here. He had all the information. All of it.

And now he was here, in the Dark Forest. He was in the clutches of people who wanted information. People who would stop at nothing to get what they wanted. All it would take was one little line. One little sentence. Maybe even one little word, and we'd all be dead.

"You know him?" Bristlefrost whispered to us.

"...Yeah," I admitted. "Yeah, we do." No point in hiding it now. She probably saw it on our faces. She'd know we were lying.

Ivypool nodded, apparently thinking the same thing. "Bristlefrost, meet Crowfeather."