Hello, and welcome to Part Two of Lucky c: I hope you're prepared, stuff is going to happen pretty fast.
In this part, there's going to be an italics section somewhere within the chapter. It might be in the beginning, it might be in the middle, or it might be in the end. Today's chapter has it in the beginning! What's happening there, is out of context things that don't mention any characters, but tie in with the plot.
This one is also pretty obvious. But then again, I make everything obvious…. Aaaa, let me just move on to the review replies xD
badguthrie: Thanks! Here's your update c:
Lightningstar-of-NightClan: Yeah, the parts are actually an idea I got from my friend. xD And, yes, you got a QOTD right c: ...However, I'm not entitled to tell you what it was. Sorry, hehe
Nightpaw: Oh, hello Sapphire :0 Yes, I'm here to tell you about the carrying herbs thing. Y'see, I have this… obsession with carrying herbs. When I wake up, you'll see me doing it a lot too. And that's all~ Thank you for asking. ;)
Huh, I won't talk about the Timberpaw one, but yeah, you have to love Dewpaw c:
Yeah, a lot did happen… oh well, I'm glad you liked it! :D
spirithealerstar1122: This is an after The Last Hope story. I made it before Bramblestar's Storm came out xD Of course, I know that those cats are dead now, but before, it was impossible to tell.
Leafy: Aaaa yeah, Timber/Fire is the true OTP c: /shot
But yes, I also do worry about Snowwhisper, even though he's my character… D: Gotta say, I don't know what'll happen with him.
Yeah, Dewpaw coming to tell Firepaw the prophecy is actually my favorite part of the last chapter :D I love him.
And yeah, Nightpaw's a pretty cool guy. xD He's just pretty nonchalant about everything.
Yeah, burning timber! :0 And Fire/Snow can be like melting snow or something… haha
Anyways, glad you liked last chapter, I hope you love this one too!
Lunastar of InfinityClan: Thank you c: And I wouldn't really think of it as a love triangle… but, think whatever you'd like! About Timber/Fire, we'll see. ;)
Okay, that's the end of those! So, here we go, Part Two and chapter eighteen!
Part Two: A Murderer in the Shadows
Chapter Eighteen
"I summoned those clouds over the moon."
"What?!" The cat stepped back in disbelief, their eyes wide with alarm. "Why would you—why would you do that?"
"Those StarClan cats are tenacious all right—they couldn't bare to let you slip through their claws," the other cat hissed. "So they stuck right to the warrior code. They were going to let you get banished!"
The cat hesitated, before meowing, "N-no…. There are StarClan cats who have faith in me! Like—"
"Oh, please," the other cat snarled. "Your precious ancestors have abandoned you. Now, you're officially on our side, the side of the Dark Forest."
The cat took a step back, their expression one of absolute horror.
.
..
…
Sunlight peeked through the branches of the apprentices den, hitting Firepaw's pelt. The ginger tabby muttered in annoyance, rolling over so that the sun beam was hitting her back instead of her face. After a few moments, she sighed in content, ready to go back to sleep, when suddenly a paw prodded her side.
"Firepaw… Firepaw!" a voice hissed.
The ginger tabby groaned in annoyance, rolling over again. But then suddenly, a paw poked her side repeatedly. Scowling, Firepaw opened her eyes, looking up at her offender.
"What do you want, Toadstep?" she muttered, lashing her tail in irritation. "Can't you see I'm trying to sleep?"
The black and white tom growled at her, narrowing his eyes. "Foxleap is looking for you," he hissed. "So you'd better get off your lazy tail and get training."
"Alright, alright, I'm moving," Firepaw hissed, stretching her limbs. The black and white warrior seemed unconvinced, but he left the apprentices den anyway with a lash of his tail.
Thank StarClan that he's gone, the ginger tabby she-cat thought, narrowing her eyes. Toadstep may be Blossomfall's mate, and a soon-to-be father, but outside of the relationship, he was irritating and rude. Sometimes Firepaw thought he didn't deserve someone like Blossomfall—even if she had tried to drown her before.
With that, the ginger tabby she-cat finally made her way outside the apprentice's den. She looked around, the sunlight blinding her vision for a moment. Blinking, Firepaw finally spotted Foxleap sitting patiently by the exit of camp.
If Foxleap is so patient, then why was Toadstep so annoyed? she thought in slight irritation.
The ginger tom looked up, spotting Firepaw in an instant. "Oh! Hey, Firepaw, we're going training soon, so you should eat something."
"Okay," the ginger tabby meowed, startled by his personality. She had never actually talked to Foxleap before—she had assumed he was just like Blossomfall. Firepaw turned and headed towards the fresh-kill pile, and then picked out a nice-sized sparrow.
Just as she lowered her head to eat it, she was suddenly reminded of something. Firepaw looked around, but couldn't spot Snowwhisper's white pelt anywhere. She sighed in annoyance. Maybe he's on a patrol...
"Hey Firepaw," a voice meowed quietly. Firepaw looked up to see Seedcloud, her green eyes lit up in the sunlight.
"Hi Seedcloud," the ginger tabby meowed carefully, glancing at her a bit nervously. Even though Dewpaw's death had been a few moons ago, the ginger warrior was still grieving. Even Cloudtail and Brightheart had tried to move on already, but Seedcloud seemed to be just too sad.
"Is it okay if I sit with you?" Seedcloud asked, her expression suddenly turning wary.
"Uh, sure," Firepaw meowed, staring at her curiously. The ginger warrior immediately sat down beside her, her green eyes suddenly dark.
She started talking immediately, too. "Firepaw... I don't know what's wrong with me," she murmured. "I didn't like Dewpaw, I know I didn't. So then now... why do I miss him so much? Why do I want to love him so much?"
"I..." The ginger tabby apprentice fumbled for words. Firepaw most certainly wasn't an expert with love.
But Seedcloud was patient. She stared at her, her gaze unblinking, just waiting for her to say something.
"I-I... think you should ask someone who's experienced love before," the tabby finally meowed, her ears flat on her head. For a moment, a familiar silver tabby and white cat flashed through her mind before she shook her head. "Maybe try Dustpelt or Sandstorm."
"Okay." Seedcloud looked dejected for a moment before gazing back at Firepaw. There was something troubling in her green gaze, and her claws were digging into the ground.
The ginger tabby apprentice blinked. "Is... there something else?"
"Actually," Seedcloud frowned, "yeah. I tried to talk to Snowwhisper earlier, but... he seemed distracted. He was scared too, and acted like a frightened mouse at every little noise. Do you know what's up with him?"
"I wouldn't know, sorry," Firepaw meowed apologetically. "He was acting like that after the Gathering... I tried to ask him what was wrong, but he wouldn't tell me."
Seedcloud got to her paws, her expression still upset. "Oh... well, I'm going to leave you alone now. I'm assuming you have training to do, right?"
"You don't have to—"
But the ginger she-cat had already disappeared inside the warriors den.
"—leave…." Firepaw trailed off, her golden eyes downcast. Oh, Seedcloud... whatever's happening with you, and with Snowwhisper, I hope it all turns out okay in the end...
"Ready to go?" Foxleap asked, his eyes shining in pride. Firepaw and her new mentor had trained until the sun had started to dip behind the hills. The sky glowed a pinkish orange color, giving the clouds a wonderful pastel look.
Firepaw dipped her head, smiling tiredly at Foxleap. She couldn't wait to eventually show Blossomfall all the moves she had learned from him. But then again, she probably already knew them...
Foxleap gave her a small grin back, and then started padding off towards camp, flicking his tail for her to follow.
When they returned back to camp, Firepaw was immediately confused by the lack of noise. She looked around, and saw Bramblestar and Squirrelflight with their heads together, whispering quietly. There were only a few cats there, which was odd.
Where is everyone?
Bramblestar suddenly looked up, spotting Firepaw and Foxleap. "Oh, there you two are!" he exclaimed in relief, running up to them. Squirrelflight appeared by his side a moment later. "Are you okay?"
"What's the problem?" Foxleap asked, his eyes wide in confusion. "Where is everyone?"
Bramblestar hesitated, so Squirrelflight responded instead. "We sent Brackenfur, Molewhisker, and Snowwhisper on patrol this morning. But..."
"But?" Firepaw asked, her eyes huge.
"...They haven't returned," her mother finished, her green eyes darkening. "I sent a few search patrols—that's why no one's here—and they didn't find them at all. It's as if they've disappeared out of thin air."
"D-Disappeared?" the ginger tabby repeated, a chill running down her spine.
"We tried to follow their scent trail, but it vanished near the Twolegplace," Bramblestar meowed, his amber gaze downcast. "Amberheart and Cherryfeather were devastated... they went to look first, but now they're in the warriors den..."
Firepaw and Foxleap shared a glance, and then the tabby she-cat smiled slightly. "...Foxleap can go cheer up Amberheart and Cherryfeather. I'm... going to look for Snowwhisper and the others."
"It isn't wise to go alone," Squirrelflight meowed, her expression wary. "And besides, you must be tired after all that training. You need to rest."
"No, Squirrelflight, I..." Firepaw paused. Wait a minute... she's right. I'm supposed to be meeting Timberpaw tonight, so I can't be tired. But...! "Please," the ginger tabby meowed. I can't just sit here while they're missing! I can just bring a warrior with me!"
Her dark ginger mother sighed, blinking at Firepaw. Finally, Squirrelflight meowed, "Okay Firepaw, you may go. Bring Toadstep with you."
Toadstep? The ginger tabby she-cat snorted disdainfully, but didn't say anything. Firepaw flashed her mother her greatest smile and then dashed off to find that annoying black and white warrior.
Toadstep was talking to Cloudtail and Brightheart quietly, his expression worried. The ginger tabby frowned, remembering they were Snowwhisper's parents. Why weren't they searching for him?
"Excuse me," Firepaw meowed politely, "but can I talk to Toadstep please?"
"Sure," Cloudtail meowed softly, stepping back. Brightheart followed suit, dipping her head respectfully before the two walked off towards the warriors den.
"What do you want?" Toadstep snapped, his amber eyes dark.
"Squirrelflight said she wanted you to come with me," the ginger tabby hissed back. "To look for Brackenfur, Molewhisker, and Snowwhisper. You don't have to be so ridiculous about it."
"Oh… well if Squirrelflight ordered it." He still sounded annoyed, but he toned it down a bit. "We should probably bring a bit more warriors, though. Hmm…." Toadstep looked around the almost empty clearing for a moment. "We could bring Berrynose and Ivypool," he meowed, pointing out the two warriors with his tail.
"I guess so," Firepaw agreed, not really minding. Anything to get away from having to go with Toadstep alone.
The black and white warrior nodded, padding off to the other two cats. After talking to them for a moment, they padded back over to Firepaw. "Ready to go," Berrynose meowed, his expression worried. The ginger tabby had to remember for a moment that Molewhisker was Berrynose's son.
Firepaw nodded, and the group of four headed out into the forest, the setting sun painting their fur a beautiful orange.
"Guys! Come look at this!"
Firepaw looked up from examining a patch of grass and saw Ivypool standing near a bush. She bounded over, her golden gaze curious.
Once everyone had gathered around her, Ivypool dug through the leaves of the bush. Firepaw's eyes widened when the silver tabby warrior pulled her paw out of the bush. Creamy brown fur was stuck in between her claws.
"That looks like Molewhisker's..." Berrynose whispered, his amber eyes wide in horror. "Why was he here...?"
Suddenly, there was a yowl in the distance. The four cats jumped in surprise. Firepaw felt an air of unease settle upon her, and she frowned.
"...Let's go check it out," Toadstep meowed, padding off towards the sound. He flicked his tail for the three cats to follow him.
As the four cats bounded through the forest, Firepaw felt her unease increase with every paw step. Whatever was happening, it couldn't have been good.
When the cats arrived at the scene, Firepaw opened her eyes in horror. The dark brown rogue from earlier was back, and he was attacking her Clanmates. She spotted Lionblaze, Poppyfrost, and Leafpool trying to defend, but they were ultimately being beaten.
But how can that be? He's only one cat!
But Firepaw shook her head, letting out a low hiss. If this rogue had come back, again, and was attacking, they had to fight back. With a yowl, she sprang out of the bushes, landing squarely on the tom's back.
The dark brown rogue snarled in surprise, turning his head. Firepaw dug her claws into his shoulders, narrowing her eyes as he hissed in pain.
For a moment, she thought he couldn't possibly win if he didn't get her off, but suddenly the rogue jumped backwards. Firepaw gasped as she hit the ground forcefully, which successfully knocked the air out of her.
Suddenly the rogue was above her, his amber eyes narrowed. "You came back, pretty kitty?" he snarled. "I thought you'd run off with your warrior buddies."
Firepaw hissed back at him, her tail lashing furiously.
"Wait, you know him, Firepaw?" she heard Lionblaze ask.
"This isn't the time for that!" Toadstep hissed. "We have to help her!"
That was when the warriors finally jumped into action. The dark brown rogue was knocked over by Ivypool and Poppyfrost, who meowed in surprise. They fought faithfully, the rogue fighting back as best as he could.
But it was in vain.
Firepaw found herself staring at the dark brown rogue, his pelt stained with blood once again. "...You lost," the tabby she-cat meowed. "Again."
The rogue narrowed his eyes, sweeping his amber gaze over the cats in front of him. "...You may have won this time, but next time won't be so easy." He turned to walk away, but then stopped. "...My name is Qatil," he growled, his tail bristling. "Don't forget it."
And with that, Qatil disappeared into the bushes.
"So, his name's Qatil..." Bramblestar murmured, looking at the seven cats in front of him. They had returned from looking for Brackenfur, Molewhisker, and Snowwhisper and were now telling him what had happened.
Firepaw blinked tiredly, the moonlight making her pelt shine silver. "Yeah... he's attacked me and Blossomfall before," she meowed quietly. "I didn't think he'd come back."
"Well, now we just have another enemy to deal with," Squirrelflight meowed, shrugging her shoulders slightly. "And he's just one cat. He can't really do anything by himself, can he?"
"Tigerstar was just one cat too," Bramblestar said grimly, his fur bristling. "He gathered a group to help him, and even though he was defeated by Scourge, he became stronger by association."
Firepaw felt a shiver run through her. She remembered Tigerstar from stories she had heard. She couldn't believe she was related to such a monster.
"But this Qatil character doesn't seem smart," Lionblaze meowed, his tail lashing. "If he was looking to stir up trouble, surely he should've waited a bit longer?"
"No, he was very smart," Leafpool meowed suddenly, startling Firepaw. She had forgotten the brown tabby she-cat was even there. "Of course. Didn't you notice, Bramblestar? He didn't just attack randomly—he attacked when Brackenfur, Molewhisker, and Snowwhisper went missing. That can't just be a coincidence."
Firepaw's blood turned icy. "...What are you saying?" she asked, her gaze wide with horror.
"Do you think maybe Qatil has something to do with their disappearance?"
The cats in the circle immediately started in surprise, their eyes wide with realization. Firepaw shivered, suddenly feeling feverish. There's no way... no way that that happened. I...
Bramblestar looked shocked, and meowed, "...Wow, Leafpool. I never even thought of that."
"Neither did I," Lionblaze added, his tail twitching nervously. "You don't think Qatil... did something to them, do you?"
"It's very possible." Squirrelflight frowned slightly, her gaze sweeping over the group before they landed on Firepaw. "...Firepaw, you should get some sleep. You do know the moon is high, right?"
For a moment, the ginger tabby she-cat paused. Then, she was filled with a sense of horror. Oh no! Timberpaw!
"Yeah, I'll get some sleep," she meowed hurriedly, racing over to the apprentices den. I can't believe it! I can't believe I forgot!
Firepaw settled on her nest, gazing outside of the den nervously. It took a moment for the last of the warriors, and the circle group, to go to their dens. The tabby she-cat shakily got to her paws, drowsiness weighing her down. She padded out of the apprentices den and headed towards the dirt-place.
Firepaw squeezed inside, wrinkling her nose at the awful smell. She hoped she never had to pull a stunt like this again.
She breathed in relief when she emerged on the other side of the tunnel. Crickets chirped in the distance and a cool breeze swept through the forest, chilling Firepaw's fur. For a moment, she just stood there, admiring the night sounds, but then she shook her head, remembering what she was doing.
Breaking the warrior code is what I'm doing, Firepaw thought quietly, her tail quivering.
She padded towards the ShadowClan border, suddenly feeling the sense of foreboding again. But she shook it off, narrowing her eyes.
It only seemed like a moment had passed when Firepaw arrived at the ShadowClan border, the breeze brushing through her fur. This was it. The moment that would change the future of her life forever.
Opening her jaws, Firepaw meowed, "Timberpaw?"
Well, that's it for this chapter! Hehe, you'll have to wait for the next one for the fateful Timber/Fire meeting c:
But, wow… Brackenfur, Molewhisker, and Snowwhisper are missing… ;-; And Qatil came back. I clearly didn't waste time starting Part Two off pretty strong. (And the next chapter… holy StarClan, the next chapter.)
That's all I'm going to say! I hope you enjoyed this chapter guys :3 It's one of the longer ones hehe ~
See you next time!
;; Orangeflight of ShadowClan