THE blue sky burned bright with the sun. The clouds that lingered at dawn had all but evaporated in the heat of day. Sedgepaw was waiting beside the Fallen Cypress, where the roots gathered, her pelt itching with anticipation. As Whitestar instructed, the apprentices and their mentors gathered for their test beside the Fallen Cypress at sunhigh to await their test. Surrounding her, she could see the other apprentices hosting a mix of emotions on their faces. Excitement. Wonder. Fear. Determination. While their mentors sat studiously, talking amongst themselves about the trials to come.

Turning to Batface, Sedgepaw followed his intense stare to Blackpaw and wrinkled her nose in confusion. "What's eating you?" she asked lightly, smiling.

Batface blinked, clearing his throat and shaking his head. "Nothing… nothing. I was just checking out your competition is all."

Sedgepaw snorted. "Competition?"

"You will not only have your skills tested, you will also be ranked against the other apprentices testing with you." Batface nodded to the pairs of apprentices in the small crowd. "Toadpaw, Mudpaw. Blackpaw, Yewpaw. You will be facing off against these rival pairs in competition for the title: honor graduate."

The term "honor graduate" did ring a bell. Sedgepaw's ears flicked. The last honor graduates were Snakefang and Juniperheart, having bested Vinestripe and Minnowtail as well as Littlebrook and Blueflower during their test. Sedgepaw never imagined being an honor graduate, but once Batface spoke of it, her soul thirsted for the title. To be the greatest? Who would not want that victory?

"Blackpaw is a more than capable apprentice." Sedgepaw was taken back by the wistfulness in Batface's voice. "He could very well overcome you, if you're not careful."

She snorted, raising her chin. "I'm bigger and stronger than him. It doesn't matter who his ancestors are. The only reason anyone cares about bloodlines is so we don't lay in bed with our cousins."

"You need more than brute strength to win," Batface grumbled, eyeing her sternly. "Keep your head on straight."

Sedgepaw sobered her expression, regarding her mentor with a nod. She would heed his warning, if that would mute the manner. Blackpaw did not scare her, he could not even intimidate her. Sedgepaw's gaze fell on rhe apprentice, watching as he laughed with Shaleheart. Envy speared her heart, staining it green. Digging her claws into the earth, she bit her lip and forced her eyes to leave the sight of Shaleheart smiling so brightly; she was left wanting the twinkle in her father's yellow eyes to be on her.

Locusts trilled their song, and it rung in Sedgepaw's ears like a siren, alerting her to Whitestar as she crossed the clearing from the medicine den with Redleaf by her side. They were discussing something, talking in hurried sentences as they approached. Sedgepaw narrowed her eyes, trying to decipher their words, but the ripples of heat in the air distorted their faces. Sucking her teeth, she averted her eyes as they arrived

"I see you're all gathered," Whitestar observed. Her narrow smile tightened. "Let us not burn daylight any longer. The sun is at its brightest; the test will commence now!"

The mentors rose to their paws, bowing their heads to Whitestar. She bowed her head in return. Redleaf kept his chin high, and Sedgepaw felt his gaze fall on her. She locked eyes with him for a heartbeat, feeling her blood chill. He offered a curt smile, but Sedgepaw looked away, pretending not to see.

"The first test, a test of scholarship," Redleaf began. His golden eyes were brimming with anticipation. The stocky medicine cat shook with laughter. "I hope you all remember the leaders you intend to present to the elders. Your knowledge of their history will be your bane or your boon."

"The apprentices will enter the elders den with their partners. Mentors remain outside with the rest of us. Apprentices will recount their leader to the elders, and should they be succinct and accurate, will pass their first test," Whitestar explained. "Blackpaw, Yewpaw, you two will go first."

Without hesitation, Blackpaw padded toward the elders den with Yewpaw scurrying behind him. Sedgepaw leaned forward, wanting to offer a "good luck" or kind words, but Yewpaw passed too fast for her to manage anything. Cypressfang and Russetnose waited outside the den, sagely nodding to the apprentices as they entered. When their tails were swallowed by the shadows, all went quiet.

Sedgepaw shuffled eagerly, going through and through her memories of Lightningstar's past, not wanting to miss so much as a mouse's tail of information. Ospreypaw sidled up beside her, sighing. Her presence broke Sedgepaw's concentration, and she glared at her friend.

"Quit giving me that look," Ospreypaw mewed. "I'm only sitting."

"I'm trying to recall what I know about Lightningstar, but I keep drawing up blanks." Sedgepaw groaned. She heard Batface growl with displeasure; he was eyeing her from the group of mentors that stood off beside the elders den. "I don't do well under pressure," she whispered so her mentor wouldn't hear.

Ospreypaw laughed. "You'll be fine. Lightningstar had a short reign; you won't have to cover much."

"Lightningstar," Redleaf echoed, meandering over to the two. "A peculiar choice." His eyes fell on Sedgepaw. "Would that be yours?"

Sedgepaw shifted in her seat, eyeing Redleaf defensively. "Yes… uhm… how is it peculiar, exactly?"

"Well, some historians within our Clan argue that he was never truly a leader at all." Redleaf seemed to stare through Sedgepaw as he spoke. She felt oddly exposed by his eyes. "After all, he was never blessed with nine lives."

"I hope I am not hearing you speak ill of our ancestors," Whitestar warned, coming to stand beside the husky medicine cat. "Anyone blessed with a star in their name is a leader and should be remembered as much."

"Of course," Redleaf blubbered, ears flicking. He bowed his head apologetically. "I was only making observations."

"Lightningstar is remembered as a hero for good reason, Redleaf." Whitestar's glare was venomous. "His only vice was his one virtue… mercy."

"Mercy?" Sedgepaw peeped.

"Those that show mercy are destined to be overcome." Whitestar stared down at Sedgepaw with a deep frown. "Lightningstar would've served long and well had he not shown mercy… but such is fate for any revolutionary. Those that incite change, whether it's needed or not, are doomed to a short life and a shorter rule-like the waves on the shore, for every push the pull comes back twofold."

Sedgepaw met her leader's stare, feeling an unspoken challenge between them. The air turned to ice, but their stares burned like fire. A revolutionary? Sedgepaw had the sneaking suspicion that her leader knew the prophecy. She felt like prey being held at bay. A mouse in a viper's path. She started to bristle as Yewpaw and Blackpaw returned from the elders den.

"They asked for Ospreypaw and Sedgepaw next," Yewpaw murmured, head bowed to Whitestar.

The leader flicked her long tail. "Very well." She nodded to Sedgepaw and her partner. "Good luck you two."

As the hurried to the elders den, Ospreypaw pressed against Sedgepaw. "Why did Whitestar look at you like that?" Her voice lowered. "Does she know?"

Sedgepaw shrugged her broad shoulders. "Not sure…" She shook her head as they stepped into the musty entryway of the elders den. "Let's not think about that for right now. We need to focus on our test."

Ospreypaw's eyes glowed with determination. "Right!"

As they entered the center of the elders den, sunlight filtered through to shine light on their grizzled faces. Cypressfang sat at the heart of the den, where the sun was at its brightest, and his green eyes regarded the apprentices with a sagacious glint. "Welcome to the first step of your test, senior apprentices," he greeted formally. "I, Cypressfang, will be proctoring the examination of your scholarship. Russetnose and Owleyes will be assisting me." He gestured to the elders by his side with his bushy tail, and they nodded in tandem, murmuring their welcomes.

Sedgepaw's heart fluttered as she registered the gravity of her ordeal. Her first step!

"You two were ordered to pick your leader for presentation before today," Cypressfang went on. "You reviewed your leader with us for approval prior to, and henceforth will recount them to us."

"Be blunt but thorough," Owleyes added, her voice warm and sweet like amber. "Time is your enemy; the longer you take to present, the less likely you are to pass."

"But most of all, have fun!" Russetnose added, whiskers twitching. Upon receiving a glare from Cypressfang, the shaggy elder laughed. "I jest! I jest!" He righted his jovial expression, becoming solemn. "This is serious…" His eyes still held laughter.

"I'll be going first," Sedgepaw rasped, clearing her throat so her voice became clearer. "I will be presenting Lightningstar. He was the tenth leader of MarshClan."

The three elders were watching her intently, Cypressfang most of all. Sedgepaw glared at her grandfather, not allowing her eyes to flicker elsewhere despite the judgment in his eyes. She rose her chin, wanting to appear strong though she felt anxious under their eyes. Ospreypaw's tail twined with hers encouragingly as she spoke, and it soothed her thoughts from a rushing river to a gentle stream.

"He was… a hero. A revolutionary." Sedgepaw scoured her thoughts for the right words. "He… drove out Smallstar, the ninth leader of MarshClan. Lightningstar and his supporters thought she was too soft on the raiders. He let her live though; she fled to the land beyond the river and kept her nine lives. Lightningstar was recognized by Twistedshadow, the medicine cat, but because Smallstar lived, he did not receive his nine lives from StarClan." Sedgepaw's voice dropped an octave. "He died in battle, slain by raiders that grew close to Smallstar and defended her. He was succeeded by Murkstorm."

Once Sedgepaw finished a pause ensued. She glanced at the elders, finding their expressions unreadable. Shuffling her paws, she felt her anxiety climb through the roof of the den when the elders leaned in to speak to one another, her pelt prickled. Just tell me how I did!

"Well done, Sedgepaw," Owleyes purred. "You'll have your results after Ospreypaw finishes." The elderly she-cat's eyes flickered to Ospreypaw, and she gave a nod.

"I will be presenting Hemlockstar, the twelfth leader of MarshClan," Ospreypaw mewed.

"Very well," Cypressfang rumbled. "Go ahead."

"Mentored and preceded by Murkstar, Hemlockstar looked up to and was inspired by his former." Ospreypaw spoke mechanically, her eyes downcast as she recited what she was supposed to. The elders were nodding and smiling appreciatively, clearly impressed with Sedgepaw's articulate counterpart. Sedgepaw smirked, knowing Ospreypaw was easily one of the smartest cats in the Clan. Who wouldn't admire her? "He made MarshClan stronger and better…"

A sudden pause made the air thicken. Sedgepaw tilted her head at Ospreypaw when she seemed to hesitate. Her friend had her eyes shut, and she was frowning deeply. Sedgepaw tugged her tail with her own, eyes narrowing. Did she draw a blank?

"Stronger and better by his standards," Ospreypaw continued, prompting the elders' eyes to widen. "Hemlockstar was cruel and prejudiced." Her voice was calm but curt, she spoke with a quickness, like the words would escape her if she did not speak fast enough. "He believed his Clan was dirtied by kits born from mixed blood and saw his ranks divided by sympathizers for the raiders. So, he initiated a 'purification' that he believed would make MarshClan return to divinity… He ordered kits that had raider blood to be killed, apprentices too, and the parents that stood against him were to face slaughter as well."

Sedgepaw felt like her eyes were about to pop out of her skull. Ospreypaw's chin was raised as she spoke, and her eyes glowed fearlessly. The elders mirrored Sedgepaw's expression, save for Cypressfang. His face was twisted in a scowl so frigid, it exposed his fangs, and his eyes burned straight through Ospreypaw.

"Under Hemlockstar, bloodlines were severed and families were destroyed. He is, without a doubt, the worst leader of MarshClan… put into power by Crowtalon. He was succeeded by Bleaksky."

Finishing her presentation with a soft sigh, Sedgepaw felt her anxiety swell. The murmurings between the elders were hushed but intense, their words hissing through their yellowed, cracked teeth, and their eyes were fervid. Stealing a glance at Ospreypaw's face, Sedgepaw noticed that she was resigned.

"What are you doing?" she whispered through her teeth. "The elders told you not to talk about Hemlockstar in such a way…"

"It didn't feel right," Ospreypaw muttered. "Our past deserves to be known for what it is, not what we want it to be."

"Thank you, apprentices," Russetnose mewed stiffly, casting a wary glance at Cypressfang. "We've reviewed your results, and they are as follows…"

"Sedgepaw, you've passed," Owleyes purred, smiling softly. "You did well explaining how Lightningstar came to power and how he died. Very professional."

Sedgepaw sat a little straighter after receiving the praise. Though she knew her friend may not be so lucky. Ospreypaw remained still, staring at the elders without the slightest hint of fear in her face. Sedgepaw found herself growing jealous of her bravery. If Sedgepaw was presenting Hemlockstar, she was not sure she would have the guts to put her final test on the line in the name of truth.

"Ospreypaw," Cypressfang rasped, "you did yourself a disservice by disobeying us. Though what you spoke may be the truth in your eyes, as keepers of our Clan's history, we cannot give you a passing grade for your presentation. Hemlockstar is to be remembered as our leader commands."

Ospreypaw nodded once, turning to leave for the clearing where the others sat. Sedgepaw watched her go, feeling sympathy for her partner. She only just started the test and failed… Sedgepaw sighed softly. One more failure and Ospreypaw would not become an apprentice, which meant Sedgepaw would not become one either.

"You may go now, honey," Owleyes mewed, her expression sorrowful. She too was watching Ospreypaw storm out of the den. "We wish you good fortune on the rest of your test."

Sedgepaw bowed her head respectfully, stiffening when she looked up to see Cypressfang approaching her. "I'll be following you out," he rumbled.

As they exited the elders den, Sedgepaw promptly found Ospreypaw sitting to the side of the elders den beside Blackpaw and Yewpaw. Her eyes were downcast as a dragonfly danced around her ears, hovering. She shook her head, flicking it away, and it darted over to Toadpaw, landing on his supple rump as he lounged out in the shade of the Fallen Cypress while Mudpaw was sleeping beside him.

"Hey, are you okay?" Sedgepaw asked gently.

"I'm fine." Ospreypaw glanced up at Sedgepaw and offered a small smile. "I'm sorry… I screwed everything up being stubborn…"

"Yeah, what gives? That's my job." Sedgepaw snickered. When Ospreypaw failed to laugh, she sat beside her and nudged her gently. "You did what you thought was right. Who cares what those grumpy lumps of fur think?"

Ospreypaw nodded, eyes flashing sadly, and she leaned against Sedgepaw.

Sedgepaw sighed and allowed her friend to press close. While they sat in silence, she noticed Cypressfang was approaching Whitestar and Redleaf. Eyes narrowing, Sedgepaw noticed the elderly tom muttering to the leader and medicine cat, his brows furrowed. Whatever he said caused them to prick up their ears and glare daggers at the group of mentors. Sedgepaw followed their stares to Molefoot, heart sinking. Could it be they blamed them for Ospreypaw's failure?

"I'll be taking Toadpaw and Mudpaw now," Cypressfang announced, leaving Whitestar and Redleaf to continue glaring at Molefoot.

Mudpaw and Toadpaw started at the sound of their names being called. Sedgepaw giggled, seeing her brother's bungled attempt to jump over Toadpaw, for the hefty apprentice sat up right as Mudpaw was over him. Toadpaw chortled, blatantly dragging himself over Mudpaw as he lay on the ground, chin implanted in the dust. Mudpaw hissed a slur and nipped at Toadpaw's mottled brown tail, dragging him back with a tug so he could run ahead of him and passed Cypressfang. The elder rolled his eyes and ushered Toadpaw in after him with a growl.

"Do you think Mudpaw will forgive me?" Sedgepaw asked suddenly, feeling longing in her heart for her brother to laugh with her rather than Toadpaw.

"He'll come around," Ospreypaw assured her. "You guys were thick as thieves when you were kits. I don't think a prophecy could change that."

Sedgepaw smiled and nodded. "Yeah, remember how much we'd annoy Kiteclaw?"

"You annoyed me too." Ospreypaw side-eyed her sardonically. "Like when you would shove mouse bones in Kiteclaw's nest and tell her that you ate me? She would end up getting mad at me!"

"Hey, I remember that!" Blackpaw chimed in, chuckling. "Shellshine was so distraught at the idea of kits conjuring up such tales." He eyed Sedgepaw with laughter in his eyes. "She insisted on calling you cretins after that."

"Yeah, and Fernstream nearly ripped her ears off," Yewpaw added, giggling softly.

"Oh! And remember when Yewpaw was convinced there were ghosts in the nursery?" Blackpaw added, ears perking up. "Shellshine was ready to line everyone's bedding with sage."

"That's not funny…" Yewpaw mumbled, eyes downcast.

"Yeah, and Kiteclaw banned nursery tales before bed." Sedgepaw laughed, nudging Ospreypaw playfully.

"Look at us, swapping stories of our kithood like elders," Ospreypaw scoffed, snorting. "We'll be sprouting gray hairs before we know it!"

"Wait, really?" Yewpaw sat, pressing her paw to her cheek with a frightened expression.

They all shared a laugh once more. Sedgepaw relished the feeling. She felt light. For once, the chatter in her skull was replaced with peach fuzz and pink clouds; sweet, soft, featherweight. If only she could suspend moments like these and live in them a little longer, for it ended too soon. Toadpaw and Mudpaw both pranced out of the elders den with smiles on their faces.

"Well, that was fast," Ospreypaw mused.

Cypressfang followed the two tomcats out of the den, giving Whitestar a nod. The leader approached the elder and they swapped a few words before he returned to the shadows and she moved to face the apprentices and their mentors.

"Congratulations, apprentices, you've completed the first step in your test." The leader dipped her head to the gathered cats appreciatively. "Cypressfang gave me the results, and I will keep them in mind to tally at the end."

Redleaf moved to stand beside Whitestar, bowing his head to the cats. "Next, will be the test of strength. Apprentices, come forth."

Sedgepaw scrambled to her paws and obeyed the command, hurrying before Redleaf and her leader. She tried to keep her expression flat though she was bubbling with excitement. Strength! She rolled her shoulders. This was her specialty. Ospreypaw sighed as she stood beside her, looking cool and collected.

As the other apprentices took their place, Redleaf scanned them thoughtfully. "Those feeling ill or injured should speak now before the test begins. No one will shame you for yielding a match that cannot be fought." The silence was Redleaf's answer, and the medicine cat nodded in turn. "Very well. Heronpaw and I will be standing by with herbs for injuries at the end." He craned his head to the leader. "Whitestar…"

"The matches are as follows: Mudpaw and Ospreypaw. Yewpaw and Toadpaw. Blackpaw and Sedgepaw!" Whitestar proclaimed the matches proudly, a smile on her face.

Sedgepaw felt her muscles come alive when her opponent was announced. Blackpaw. Perhaps Batface was hinting at their match earlier when he mentioned not to underestimate the apprentice? They both excelled in their training and were similar in size. Their battle was inevitable in hindsight.

As the apprentices took their positions before one another in the center of MarshClan camp's clearing, Whitestar jumped for the Fallen Cypress. She sat on her perch with her chest held high and chin raised. Redleaf and the mentors sat at the base of her pedestal, and Sedgepaw smirked when she saw Batface give her a nod of encouragement. Before, he would have been gritting his teeth and berating Sedgepaw for mistakes she had not even made yet. Now, there was a silent agreement between them, and it said "I know you'll do your best."

A crowd quietly gathered around the paired up apprentices as they began to circle one another. Cats that were not occupied with patrols or hunting parties soon came to witness the duels to ensue. Excitement and wonder were in their eyes as they hissed to one another eagerly, likely waging bets and picking favorites. Sedgepaw glanced to see if Blueflower was among them, and sure enough, she sat beside Littlebrook, smiling her way with light in her blue eyes. Reinvigorated, Sedgepaw's blood roared to life, pulsing through her body, feeding her nerves and muscles with energy to fight.

"May the best apprentice win," Blackpaw mewed to Sedgepaw as they continued their cycloidal dance. "By best, I mean me, of course."

His jab only stirred Sedgepaw's determination more. "I'll make you eat those words," she spat.

Sedgepaw could only hear her heartbeat as time slowly passed. Sunlight gleamed onto the grass, bright and strong, heating the air and shedding enough light to chase all shadows from existance. Her thick fur soaked in the warmth, bringing her blood from a simmer to a boil.

"Unsheathe your claws" Whitestar yowled.

Sedgepaw dug her claws into the grass, breathing steadily. The muscles in her shoulders were twitching with anticipation.

"And, begin!" Whitestar's command shook the earth.

Blackpaw did not hesitate. He lunged forward, aiming for Sedgepaw's sore shoulder. Though Batface had her best interest in mind during their final lesson, it potentially endangered her in this battle. Sedgepaw rolled out of the way, but Blackpaw quickly change direction, hovering over her for a heartbeat before lunging at her neck with his fangs. Sedgepaw hissed at his advance, raking her claws against his muzzle, making the first blow.

Blood spattered against her face as his drizzled from his snout and dripped off his long whiskers. Blackpaw bellowed, rearing back, and she seized the opportunity to tackle him. With a thud, she pinned the apprentice to the ground, ensnaring her claws in his thick black fur. Hissing in frustration, she tore at his chest, leaving rivulets of red. Blackpaw howled, but his green eyes glinted with satisfaction. Before Sedgepaw could surmise his intentions, she felt his hind claws rake against her belly.

Sedgepaw tilted her head back and screeched. She was tethered to his pelt by the tangles in his fur, which clung to her claws like roots to the earth. Sedgepaw's eyes darted wildly as she began to panic. Yanking her claws back, she felt them begin to tear as Blackpaw repeatedly scored his claws against her soft belly. She could feel her warm blood begin to trickle down her legs.

Across the clearing, she saw her siblings were also struggling against their opponents. Toadpaw was crushing Yewpaw into the earth under his weight. Mudpaw was trapped with Ospreypaw's jaws clenching his tail. Sedgepaw's heart hammered against her chest. Maybe Batface was right? She underestimated Blackpaw.

No.

Sedgepaw ripped her claws away, tearing one in the process, causing more blood to spurt. She hissed as Blackpaw rose to his paws, blood dripping from his face and chest. She rushed him, a mass of dark brown fur and fury. He dodged her, as she suspected, and Sedgepaw kicked her hind legs out to where he stood, striking his shoulder. He growled and sprung, landing on Sedgepaw's back to sink his teeth in her wounded shoulder. Sedgepaw snarled, bucking and shaking as she attempted to throw him off, but he only sunk his claws in deeper.

As Blackpaw went to sink her teeth into Sedgepaw's shoulder again, she rolled, slamming him into the ground. Hearing her opponent gasp as the wind got knocked out of him, she turned and raked her claws across his face again. Blackpaw spat, rising to return the swipe, scoring across her cheek with a firm strike. Sedgepaw returned the blow, and soon they were both on their hind legs, forearms outstretched, trading scratches across one another's face. Sedgepaw felt blood begin to pool in her eye from a torn ear, but she could see how Blackpaw's face was marred with scratches across his muzzle and ears.

Circling one another again, the apprentices let their blood flow. The grass that once shone with sunlight now twinkled with red dew drops. The clearing was consumed by raucous cheers and jeers as the gathered MarshClan cats continued to rally for their favorites. She could hear the hisses and screams from the other pairs locked in battle, Yewpaw's in particular was shrill with fear.

Sure enough, Blackpaw's eyes shifted, looking for Yewpaw. Sedgepaw stole her chance, lunging for the side of his face. She sunk her teeth into the base of his jaw, scrabbling at his shoulders with her paws. Blackpaw yowled in surprise, his claws blindly searching for Sedgepaw as she kept his jaw locked in her teeth. She pushed him back and pulled him forward, prompting shocked gasps and murmurs from the gathered cats that were paying attention to their fight.

A haze of red consumed Sedgepaw's vision. The taste of Blackpaw's blood stung like acid on her tongue, but her throat thirsted for more. She tried to blink away the shroud, but it only grew deeper and darker. Her eyes sought for the sun as her teeth seemed to grate Blackpaw's jawbone. She felt herself slipping. What was happening?

She heard screams.

Who did they belong to?

Her ears started ringing, and Blackpaw felt limp as she dragged him.

"I yield!"

Sedgepaw growled, eyes narrowing. The haze would come and go, like clouds over the sun, and when the sky became a bright blue once more, she was able to hear the voice again.

"I yield!"

It was Blackpaw. He was hanging limp in her jaws, coughing and spitting as Sedgepaw maintained her grip. She blinked quickly, feeling her surroundings sharpen once more. She dropped Blackpaw, and he collapsed onto the ground with a gasp. He shakily stood, his eyes rolling up to glare at Sedgepaw.

"What is wrong with you?" he snapped. He began shifting his jaw as blood pooled within the puncture wounds.

Sedgepaw backed away, noticing Jasminefur shooing her kits back into the nursery. Hawthornkit in particular was staring at Sedgepaw with wide blue eyes. As Sedgepaw glanced around, it seemed as if everyone was staring at her. She could see Gingerstep's look of horror, and the oddly eager gleam in Claytooth's eyes. Juniperheart and Shellshine were murmuring to one another with looks of concern on their faces. When Sedgepaw saw Blueflower, her eyes were lowered, and she felt a tug in her chest. What have I done? The other apprentices had already finished their fight, and were having their wounds tended to by Heronpaw and Redleaf. It seemed their battles were long over. Sedgepaw and Blackpaw were the center of attention.

Blackpaw rose shakily to his paws, spitting at her. "Are you deaf or just crazy? Yield means I give. You won." The grudge in his voice was evident, and Sedgepaw met his glare with her chin raised.

"I'm sorry. I didn't hear you." Her apology was stiff as she tried to put into words what came over her. Nothing came to mind.

"Damn you," Blackpaw muttered.

As Blackpaw approached Redleaf and Heronpaw, he was greeted with apologetic and sympathetic mews from the gathered cats. Sedgepaw could feel her eye swelling as she began to limp towards the medicine cat and his apprentice, head low. She won, but it didn't feel like it.

"The test of strength has ended!" Whitestar announced. Sedgepaw was surprised to hear joy in her voice. "Our winners: Sedgepaw, Ospreypaw, and Toadpaw, shall be rewarded for their victory by having a head start in the speed competition!"

Coming down from the Fallen Cypress, Whitestar snaked towards the apprentices with an odd light in her eyes. Despite the shock and awe from the MarshClan body, Whitestar seemed deeply satisfied. There was a smile on her snout and a purr in her throat.

Her amber eyes were zoned in on Sedgepaw. "I have not seen fighting like that in many moons. Well done."

Sedgepaw was sitting beside Heronpaw, wincing as he catered to the scratches on her face. "Thank you, Whitestar."

The leader smiled, nodding. She glanced at the sky, noticing the sun beginning to make its descent toward the horizon. "I'll allow your bodies some time to recover before the next step in your test. You will all be chasing the sunset, making a race for the Starlit Springs. I will be waiting for you all by the wall of sawgrass."

As Whitestar left for the wall, she was joined by the mentors, and they grouped together in a semicircle. Sedgepaw assumed they were mulling over the apprentices' performances thus far. She growled when Heronpaw applied a poultice to her shoulder that stung, and the medicine cat apprentice hissed in response.

"Sit still," he ordered.

Grumbling, she returned her gaze to the wall, and her eyes narrowed as she struggled to focus on a peculiar form within the swaying grasses. The tabby fur was dark, blending with the reeds as they twirled around its broad shoulders. Sedgepaw's fur began to prickle when she saw the glint of golden eyes. The figure stood behind Whitestar, and Sedgepaw opened her mouth to warn her, but words failed her when she recognized the face. It was her own. The hollow, empty eyes resembled that of the entity in her dream. The blood on her face was fresh, dripping from her jaws. A warm breeze filtered through the clearing once more, shifting the sawgrass and cane to reveal the figure's small, satisfied grin. Sedgepaw's blood ran cold, and she flinched back from the sight, causing Heronpaw to hiss again.

"What's got you fidgeting?" he growled. "I'm trying to help you out."

"Sorry, I…" Sedgepaw glanced at the wall. The figure of herself was gone. "I thought I saw something."

"You didn't lose enough blood to be hallucinating," Heronpaw murmured. "It's probably just leftover nerves from the fight… Simmer down, you'll be okay."

"Right…" Sedgepaw lowered her gaze, staring at her bloody paws. Her nerves were frayed, and they sparked in her mind like tiny bolts of lightning, forcing her to relive the fight in bloody snapshots. Did I lose myself back there? she wondered. Her heart sank. The haze that blinded her… it made her feel invincible. She glanced over to Blackpaw, watching as Yewpaw and Toadpaw were talking to him softly. His jaw was swollen, but bandaged well. Sedgepaw felt sick to her stomach. She could have really hurt him…This guilt that was born inside her was fresh and new, and it made her feel rotten to her core.

Gazing at the sky, Sedgepaw began to wonder. What was she to become?