Before I begin, I would like to thank all my readers and reviewers. I know my chapters can be long, so I appreciate you coming this far. I read everything you guys post, and it continues to motivate and inspire me to write more. This story is in its final stretch now! So, I thought it would be a good time to show my appreciation for all of you and THANK YOU for all that you do for me. Stay safe and take care. - Gray

SCARLET painted the sky as the sun began its descent toward the horizon. The crown of the clouds that gathered was golden, their fluffy bellies blue-gray. What remained of the pale blue sky was chased by pastel orange that ran from the rays of sunshine. Soon, sunset would arrive… then twilight.

"Apprentices, you've had your time to heal," Redleaf began. He was sitting beside Whitestar with his back to the vast wall of sawgrass. The grasses and reeds hissed and rustled behind him, whispering inaudibly between their blades. "This is the final half of your test, and the hardest. Your third challenge is speed."

Whitestar picked up where Redleaf left off. Her voice was clear and sharp, cutting through the humid air like a claw. "During this challenge, you will be racing alongside your fellow apprentices to the Starlit Springs. It is there you will meet Redleaf and I, and we will travel to the Lunar Cavern together for the final challenge."

With the first half of the final test over, Sedgepaw already felt like her mind and body were beaten to a pulp. As she sat alongside the other apprentices, she felt an unspoken coldness emerging between them. They all seemed to sit decidedly further from her and Ospreypaw, purposefully avoiding her stare. Clearly, her assault on Blackpaw unsettled them, and Sedgepaw could hardly blame them. Her whiskers drooped; the only one that seemed impressed by her ferocity during the test of strength was Whitestar, for she stared at Sedgepaw with a gleam of pride in her amber eyes since Blackpaw's surrender.

She shuddered as a warm breeze ruffled her long fur, carrying with it the scent of fresh herbs and blood. All the apprentices were slathered in poultices and gauze of cobwebs, knowing very well the remedies would be peeled and ripped from their fur during the mad dash that was about to ensue.

"However," Whitestar continued, "you cannot run through the territory on a whim. There is a set path you must take that will also display your knowledge of our territory. First, you will cross through the marsh, taking the route to the palmetto field, from there you will travel to the rim of pine trees that flank the cypress forest, passing under Oakbridge and through the training gully until you reach the Great Cypress, from there, you will make your way to the Starlit Springs where we will be waiting." She paused for a breath. "The last apprentice to arrive… will lose this challenge; everyone else will claim victory."

Sedgepaw scrambled to remember each landmark spoken by her leader. It became painfully obvious that the route was long and arduous as she mulled over the distance.

"When you return to camp, you will either be warriors… or failures," Whitestar promised, amber eyes alite. "Do keep in mind that we have warriors scattered along the route to ensure you are taking the proper path. Though Redleaf and I are relying on your integrity, if we return to camp and are told by one of the warriors standing by that you failed to pass their benchmark—you will fail this entire test."

Sedgepaw rose to her paws, meeting her leader's stare. The other apprentices stood as well, readying for the impending race. Just two more challenges. She only had to overcome two more challenges! She shoved her guilt over her battle with Blackpaw to the back of her mind. If she let him cloud her thoughts, she could lose focus and fail. I will not fail, she told herself.

"The apprentices that won their battles will have a head start in the race," Whitestar mewed. A smile cracked on her muzzle. "Sedgepaw, Ospreypaw, and Toadpaw."

Sedgepaw stepped forward with her partner. Toadpaw, at the end of the row of apprentices, also took a pace forward. With the victors awaiting the signal to begin, Redleaf pushed through the wall of sawgrass, likely beginning his venture to the Starlit Springs. Sedgepaw watched him go, mistrust coloring her features. Their eventual journey into the Lunar Cavern hung heavy over her head. Within the holy cave was the plinth on which the medicine cat or leader convened with the stars. Only cats of the highest ranking were allowed within its depths unescorted, for the cosmic energy within the cavern was said to be too overpowering for the common cat. Sedgepaw knew setting foot in the cavern could unveil her ancestors' true intentions; butterflies flooded her stomach at the thought of it. The Starlit Springs were sacred enough, but to be in the Lunar Cavern… it meant Sedgepaw would finally come face to face with StarClan.

All she had to do was complete this race, and she would meet Them.

"Ready!" Whitestar called out.

Shaken from her reverie, Sedgepaw's muscles wound tight. Her eyes honed in on the narrow pathway hidden within the wall of grass. She could feel Ospreypaw tense up beside her, and she licked her lips with anticipation. She knew her sure-footed partner would smoke the competition. Their victory was imminent! She gave a snort as Toadpaw rolled forward, his hefty body shaking in preparation to bolt.

"Begin!"

Launching forward, Sedgepaw scrambled into the sawgrass. A rush of black and white fur overtook her, and Sedgepaw watched as Ospreypaw assumed to lead only a heartbeat into the race. Following close behind the apprentice, Sedgepaw crashed into the cane and grass, burrowing into the blades that combed through her thick fur and scratched at her face. Wincing, she refused to slow her charge, for behind her she heard the bustle of Toadpaw at her heels. The stocky apprentice was breathing heavily, and when Sedgepaw glanced back, she could see a twinge of fatigue on his broad face.

By the time Sedgepaw broke into the marsh, she could hear the three other apprentices crashing through the sawgrass in a mad dash to catch up. Sedgepaw took a moment to breathe, scanning the marsh for the clearest route to the palmetto field. Debris clouded the murky water. Driftwood and pondgrass floated just below the surface, lying in wait to trip her up if she was not observant. Long swathes of eelgrass also lurked; Sedgepaw knew if she got tangled in their long, spongy blades, that she would be weighed down until she escaped the water. She could see Ospreypaw prancing far ahead, her serpentine motions kept her clear from the peat and mud, and her tail wove high in the air with confidence.

Loud splashing sounded as Toadpaw entered the marsh. Sedgepaw gritted her teeth. Her time to assess her surroundings ended as soon as he arrived. To her surprise, he was joined shortly after by Blackpaw and Mudpaw; the two toms were neck and neck, matched in speed and determination with their green eyes pining for victory. Blackpaw's long fur was slicked back with all manners of poultice, and his swollen jaw was encapsulated by reddened cobwebs. And yet, he sped passed Sedgepaw without so much as a glance in her direction. Mudpaw followed shortly after, hampered by a wound on his hindleg from Ospreypaw.

Hissing, Sedgepaw launched after them, determined not to fall too far behind. However, the paw that harbored her torn claw was slowly being set aflame by pain. It pulsated up her paw and into her leg with each step, but if she let it hinder her too much, she would fall into last place.

Suddenly, Yewpaw seemed to manifest from across the marsh, springing like a startled rabbit over reeds and lily pads. The shallow water she disturbed splashed across her tawny pelt, sparkling with the fading sunlight. Before long, she disappeared far ahead, catching up to Blackpaw.

Mudpaw a little ahead of Sedgepaw, flopping into the water as he stumbled into a mud paddy. She eyed his hind leg, noticing blood begin to trickle from the cobwebs as it reopened. As he rose to his paws again, his legs began to shake. It would not be long before she overtook him.

Charging forward, her eyes gleamed with anticipation as she came close to Mudpaw. He was just starting to run again, and Sedgepaw could see the blood dripping from his wound turn into a steady trickle. Sedgepaw slowed as she got a tail-length away from him, feeling sympathetic for Mudpaw as he lumbered ahead. Though she wanted to succeed, she felt bad passing her brother so callously.

"Are you okay, Mudpaw?" Sedgepaw called out to him, panting.

Her brother started before glancing back at her with a scowl. Mud was splashed across his chest and face, darkening his features, and his eyes seemed to glow. "Don't worry about me!" he snapped. "I'm fine." He began to push ahead, forcing his legs to run faster.

Sedgepaw was able to keep close to him with ease, for has leg labored each movement. "Mudpaw, let me help you! Once you get out of the mud, it won't be as hard."

"Get away from me!" Mudpaw hissed. "I can do this on my own."

Rolling her eyes, she knew her brother remain set in his ways. She was already walking on thin ice around him after last night, but she refused to let him struggle. "Just because you can do this on your own doesn't mean you have to," she reasoned, falling into step beside him. She nudged him forward as his paws fought against a slimy patch of pondweed, and he growled.

"Stop!" he protested, shrugging her off. "I don't want your help."

Before Sedgepaw could counter, Mudpaw sprang away, kicking up weeds and mud into her face. She hissed at him. "Why are you so stubborn?!" She pushed through the shallow marsh, her long fur collecting more peat with each step. "I'm your sister! I want to be there for you!"

Though she called after him in desperation, Mudpaw did not slow as he drug himself towards the shore. Sedgepaw could see Gingerstep waiting patiently on the sandy bank that flanked the palmetto field. They were almost out of the marsh! As Sedgepaw raced ahead, she caught up with Mudpaw again in no time. However, she froze when she noticed movement in her periphery. Craning her neck to a cluster of dead reeds that slouched in the marsh, she spotted two beady eyes hovering at the surface of the water. Submerged was a long, thin body that wriggled through the shallow mud pools with ease. Its scales gleamed in the burning sunlight, a warning to all that dared cross it.

"Mudpaw," Sedgepaw hissed, her breath caught in her throat. "Don't... move."

Her brother hesitated, turning on her with a curled lip. "What? You're playing tricks on me now?" He chuckled humorlessly. "You realize I'm not so helpless, so you're trying to trip me up?" He shook his head, taking a step forward. As the bog rippled from his movement, the viper stilled in the water, its tongue flickering to taste the air.

"Mudpaw… listen to me… there's a viper…" Sedgepaw whispered, her entire body trembling as she stared ahead at the amber, unblinking eyes of the water moccasin.

Scoffing, Mudpaw turned from her, and Sedgepaw could see the muscles in his back legs coil as he prepared to spring away from her. In a panic, she lunged for Mudpaw, sinking her claws into his back legs. With a snarl, he began to splash and flail at the water, and she whined in response when the viper coiled back, its lips parting to reveal an alabaster mouth.

"Mudpaw! Stop!" she begged.

"Let go of me!"

Mudpaw took a swipe at her face, slicing across her nose. Though her eyes watered with pain, she refused to release him to the waiting jaws of the startled viper. In their struggle, loud splashing sounded from behind. Sedgepaw glanced back to see Toadpaw bungling through the marsh. Upon seeing Sedgepaw shackling Mudpaw, he chortled and shook his head.

"What's got you guys tangled up?" He laughed, passing them by with his nose turned up. "I'll be sure to let Whitestar know you both are playing dirty!" His jest was followed by loud splashing as he flopped passed them sloppily.

Sedgepaw tensed, digging her claws into Mudpaw even deeper as he tried to yank away, screeching after his partner. "You mousebrain!" he snapped. "Help me!"

"Toadpaw! Stop!" Sedgepaw called after Toadpaw, but her cries were silenced when Mudpaw landed a kick against her face. Toadpaw only chuckled, overtaking them as they remained entwined in their struggle. Sedgepaw's shoulders screamed as she maintained her grip on Mudpaw. She opened her mouth to warn Toadpaw once more, but was silenced by his blood curdling wail.

As he jumped near the patch of reeds, the viper struck like lightning. Its fangs dug into his neck as it launched itself at Toadpaw. As he careened into the mud, the snake slithered off briskly, hiding far off in the deep marsh away from them. The apprentice's wail was shrill enough to startle a flock of snowy egrets. White feathers fell to the marsh in their wake, for they flew far into the heavens, becoming one with the clouds. Below, they left a tragedy. Sedgepaw released her brother, and he limped to his friend, eyes wide in terror. Sedgepaw followed him, speechless.

Toadpaw was writhing in the marsh, his jaw locked as spit foamed from his lips. His eyes darted wildly, and his head jerked back. Mud slathered his body as he seized and convulsed, darkening his fur. Sedgepaw saw blood beading at his neck, dripping into the bog relentlessly.

"Toadpaw!" Mudpaw shrieked, pressing his paws into his chest. "Toadpaw!"

Sedgepaw shut her eyes and bowed her head. "He got bit, Mudpaw," she murmured somberly.

"Shut up!" Mudpaw spat, squeezing his eyes shut. "This is my fault… Why didn't you just let me go?" He turned on her. "I could've… I could've killed that snake!"

Sedgepaw shook her head, knowing her brother was going mad with pain. "Mudpaw… it couldn't be helped-"

"You let him go! You saw it, and you let him go!"

"I tried to stop him!" Sedgepaw protested, taken back by her brother's rage.

"Just shut up!" Mudpaw cried, burying his face into Toadpaw's flank.

Sedgepaw glanced up when she saw Gingerstep racing into the marsh. Her golden eyes were full of fear when she came upon the wailing, convulsing Toadpaw. Her ginger fur began to prickle as she realized the gravity of what occurred.

"Calm down," she urged the apprentices, voice shaking. "We need to get him back to camp as soon as possible." She turned to Mudpaw. "Help me drag him."

Sedgepaw leaned forward, but Gingerstep shook her head. "No, the only other apprentice that can help Toadpaw is his partner. You need to continue."

"But-"

Gingerstep's eyes softened, but her mew was firm. "No, Sedgepaw. You must go."

Sedgepaw turned from them, taking a step toward the palmetto field. Hesitating, she glanced back as Mudpaw helped hoist Toadpaw onto Gingerstep's back. The ginger she-cat noticed Sedgepaw's misgivings and hissed. "I said go, Sedgepaw!" The warrior was adamant. "Run! Keep running! You must finish your test."

Shutting her eyes, Sedgepaw shot forward. Though her body felt numb, her heart came alive. Dread and determination and fear flooded her senses. Before long, she was crashing through the palm fronds of palmettos, kicking up dust onto her damp, muddy fur. Daylight waned, staining the territory red as she pressed on. Sunset arrived against the blood red horizon, and the further Sedgepaw ran, the more the conclusion became clear… Toadpaw was dead…

Toadpaw was dead. Mudpaw failed.