A/N: Hello again everybody and welcome to another chapter of Nothing but a Monster. After this, there will only be 4 more chapters of this story. I still can't believe that this story is almost at an end. I already know which story I am going to start after this, but it is still upsetting.

Thanks to IzDaSilverWolf, Zombie oshawott, Rowanflame, Wolfclaw of Moonclan, balto-baldo, and epicbalto123 for following and adding this story as a favorite.

Reviews

Guest- Aww, thank you, and here is an update :3

Gingersplash and Feathermist- Thanks for the kit name, I will definitely take those into consideration

Rowanflame- Thanks for the kit names, I have so many to choose from now

Thanks to everybody who reviewed/followed/favorited (?)

ON WITH THE CHAPTER

…

Toadstar's Pov

"Do you think it is time for the apprentices to become warriors?" I asked Icestar as we sat silently in the den. She flicked her grey tipped tail and looked at me. "We will have to speak with their mentors, I believe my apprentice is ready," she spoke and licked one of her paws, drawing it behind her ear. This may be the last time we get to name new warriors, if Fang's father manages to succeed in the battle. I shook that thought from my head and stood up. "I am going to visit my kits, the events from yesterday have made me concerned," I murmured quickly before padding outside, shaking out my fur.

I made my way over to the nursery, occasionally glancing up at the ascending sun in the sky. I jumped slightly when Mudstorm came up to me. "Good afternoon Toadstar," he said jokingly and nudged me off balance. I stumbled slightly and shot him a glare. "I couldn't sleep much last night," I grumbled an excuse and continued my way over to the nursery. He followed me with a small chuckle, his tail swaying.

He stopped outside the nursery when I entered, his gaze slightly narrowing. I purred in greeting to Duskcloud, nuzzling her gently. Fogkit and Swampkit jumped onto me, pulling me off balance. I chuckled slightly and picked them off one a time. I glanced around the nursery, seeing Bluestorm playing with his kits. Palestone was watching her kits, Ashkit and Brightkit, play with a mossball. I flicked my ear and tilted my head slightly. Maybe it was time for them to become apprentices as well.

"Could we go play outside dad?" Fogkit asked, his eyes bright with enthusiasm. I flicked my ear in worry and looked up at Duskcloud. She was staring at our kits with a frown. "Just for a little bit, and I want you to come back inside before dusk," I finally answered and stepped aside for them. At this, all of the kits ran outside excitedly. Palestone, Whiteheart, and Bluestorm padded out after them. Duskcloud stood up and began grooming down her fur. I purred quietly, but stopped when I noticed that Fang was staring at us. His amber eyes blinked at me and he raised his head slightly, as if in a challenge. I cleared my throat and turned away, padding outside after the kits.

I saw them racing around as always, each of them chasing after the mossball that they had Glacierstone throw. I smiled slightly when Swampkit grabbed the mossball in his mouth and began running away from all the others, being tackled aside soon after by Ashkit. I turned my attention away from the playing kits when I saw Icestar gathering those who had an apprentice. I shook out my pelt and quickly began making my way over there.

"About time, I'm pretty sure they have been ready for quite a while now," Cloudshadow grumbled, earning a chuckle from some of the other mentors. "Alright, then go give them their assessment now if you're so positive," Mudstorm said jokingly, nudging the Hailclan warrior. Cloudshadow huffed and stood up, "okay, whenever we're ready."

"I don't want you to stray too far into the forest, and make it difficult for them by having them hunt near the Owl Tree. As for fighting, if they can stay on their paws without being pinned for ten minutes by a different warrior, they pass. I want you to gather volunteers since I want you to observe them instead of being the ones who fight them," I said once I was close enough, sitting beside Icestar. The mentors nodded along and then glanced at each other.

"How about Glacierstone and Shadestone?" Sootear spoke up, looking over at the tom that was still playing with the kits. "What about Fang?" I frowned at Cloudshadow, who was the one who suggested it. "If you said that he is part of the clan now, can't we trust him?" he said it bitterly and leaned back slightly. Bluestorm and the others shuffled their paws. I glanced at Icestar and she sighed. "You would have to ask them first, but I believe that it is okay," she said and cleared her throat.

"Go get the apprentices Goldenhawk, Sootear go ask Glacierstone and Shadestone if they can assist us," Specklefrost said and then looked at Bluestorm. The tom sighed and stood up. "Fine, I'll go ask Fang if he can help," he sighed before padding over towards the nursery again. I swayed my tail and then turned to Icestar. "I will go observe your apprentice, you could stay here," I volunteered and she nodded slightly.

I stood up and began following the other mentors, looking in the direction of the apprentice den. Goldenhawk was nearly run over by the apprentices, who ran out just as excitedly as the kits had. I stifled a laugh and began padding through the thorn barrier and towards the Training Meadow.

…

Fang's Pov

"You want me to help?" I asked in surprise, looking at Bluestorm. "I'm sure the apprentices are curios to how you fight," Duskcloud said and glanced at me. It was nice to speak with her again. I had one of my sisters back. I looked over at Snow, who was eating a shrew that I had brought her. I sighed and then turned back to Bluestorm, who seemed reluctant to talk to me. "Fine, I'll help," I said and stood up, stretching out my legs before padding up to Snow.

"I'll be back later, they want me to help with the assessment for the apprentices," I sighed and smiled before nuzzling her and following Bluestorm. The apprentices and other mentors had already left. "We'll go to the Meadow, I'm sure they already have enough mentors looking over their hunting skills," he said, padding in the direction of the camp entrance. I stepped over some of the playing kits on my way out and purred quietly at them.

Bluestorm and I were quiet on the way out of camp. "This way," he simply said, padding in a different direction. It looked like a pathway, the bushes trampled down by multiple cats that came through here. I looked around the area the same way that Wolfkit had when he was out in the forest. I had never been through this way before, even if it was close to the camp. The trees were slightly bent inward, creating shade with its leaves and branches. The pathway opened up to a meadow with a small pond near the center of it.

The meadow itself was shrouded in the shade from the trees above; only small rays of sunlight entering through the leaves illuminated the place. I found myself staring at the pond, where fallen leaves were floating around. I flicked my ear and looked around, seeing some of the mentors still here. Mudstorm and Stripesky were sitting close to each other near the pond, and Cloudshadow was pawing at the flowers that were splayed around the meadow.

"They're out hunting already," Goldenhawk spoke up from his spot, where he was laying down on his back and staring up at the leaves above. Bluestorm nodded and glanced at me. "Glacierstone and Shadestone volunteered to observe them hunting, so you don't have to go," Cloudshadow said, looking up from the flower that he pounced on. I padded ahead of Bluestorm until I was next to the pond. I looked down at my reflection and flicked my ear, tilting my head slightly. I heard Bluestone, Goldenhawk, and Cloudshadow talking behind me, but I zoned them out. I continued starring at my reflection and frowned slightly.

A small gasp escaped my lips when I saw the eyes of my reflection turn red. My reflection slowly changed until I was staring, not at myself, but at Shard. My body began shaking, but I didn't feel myself become blinded. I was grounded in fear, my claws unsheathed and I stood up, my fur bristling. I growled and swiped my claws at the reflection of my father, sending droplets flying to the side. My breaths came in shakily and I backed away from the water, turning around and seeing Mudstorm and Stripesky looking at me with weary expressions.

I padded away from the pond and stood in the center of the meadow where the grass was cool underneath my paws. I heard the distant sound of movement and looked forward when I heard a small thump. Specklefrost was padding into the meadow, her head held high. I met the deputy's icy blue gaze and flattened my ears when she narrowed them at me. "The apprentices are finished, they did decent," she shrugged and padded past me, bumping into my shoulder purposely.

I held in a growl and settled for sitting down, sinking my claws into the ground and covering them with my tail. I wasn't going to lose my temper just because of that. I took in a deep breath and blew it out shakily, the image of my father still in my mind. Moments later, Toadstar, Sootear, Shadestone, and Glacierstone padded out of the trees, joining our small group soon after. "I sent them to return the prey to camp and to report here after," Toadstar informed us and gave a single nod.

"Now, for fighting, they will have to stay standing for up to ten minutes, or at least put up a challenge," Toadstar glanced at me and then away. "Cloudshadow, you will be fighting with Rainpaw, Specklefrost with Mosspaw, Goldenhawk with Leopardpaw, Glacierstone with Cloverpaw, Sootear with Dovepaw, Stripesky with Echopaw, Bluestorm with Silverpaw, Mudstorm with Midnightpaw, and Fang, you could fight with Stonepaw," I hid a smirk and nodded slightly. We sat in a line in front of the pond. I sat in between Cloudshadow and Bluestorm.

Cloudshadow glanced at me with slightly narrowed eyes before looking forward and raising his head. We waited a few moments before I saw Rainpaw arrive, followed by Leopardpaw and then the others. They stood a few feet in front of us and looked at Toadstar. "Now, for your second part of your assessment, we will evaluate what you have learned in terms of battle training. Which one of you will like to go first?" Toadstar said, standing off to the side and leaving the center between us and the apprentices open.

I curled my tail around my paws and shook out my pelt, looking at the determined gazes of the apprentices. Rainpaw looked at the others before deciding to step forward, standing in the center of the space. Toadstar turned to us and nodded. Cloudshadow snorted and stood up, padding up to the center as well and nodding to the younger cat. "The goal is to stay standing for as long as you can, if you are able to do this for ten minutes, then you are done," Toadstar said and Rainpaw nodded, getting into a crouch.

Cloudshadow took in a deep breath before flicking his ear and raising his head higher. I saw his shoulders tighten slightly and his back paws dug into the ground slightly. He was prepared to leap. "Go!" Toadstar yowled and Cloudshadow immediately dove at the apprentice. Rainpaw managed to jump to the side on time and ducked underneath Cloudshadow's paw. Rainpaw stood on his hind legs slightly, swiping up and hitting Cloudshadow underneath his jaw, causing him to stumble backwards.

Rainpaw was a good fighter. He was quick to dodge and quick to recover from an attack from Cloudshadow that connected. And by the way he was fighting, he was using his smaller size to his advantage and keeping enough distance between them to dodge and issue an attack. By the time the ten minutes were up, they were both panting heavily, with Cloudshadow having an annoyed, yet impressed expression.

"Time, good job Rainpaw, you two may go back to camp now and rest," Toadstar said. Cloudshadow and Rainpaw both bowed their heads and turned around, walking through the path that Bluestorm and I had come from. "So," Toadstar turned to the remaining apprentices, "whose next?"

…

After Rainpaw went, Leopardpaw stepped up, followed by Mosspaw, Silverpaw, Midnightpaw, and Cloverpaw. Glacierstone almost succeeded in pinning down Cloverpaw, but the apprentice had surprisingly knocked him aside. "Alright, good job Cloverpaw, you may go now," Toadstar nodded to Glacierstone and Cloverpaw. Dovepaw, Echopaw, and Stonepaw were the last three remaining.

"Who will like to go next?" Toadstar said, curling and uncurling his tail from around his paws. Dovepaw and Echopaw glanced at each other, but Stonepaw stepped forward. I inwardly groaned and sighed softly when he stood in the center. Toadstar looked towards me and I shrugged slightly before standing up. Stonepaw's yellow eyes flashed in both anger and shock. He raised his head higher and flattened his ears, but I could tell that he was frightened.

"Same rules apply, go!" Toadstar said loudly and I stood where I was. Most of the other mentors had made the first move, but I wanted Stonepaw to go first. He stood their hesitantly, as if waiting for me to leap at him. He shook his head soon after and leapt at me. I easily ducked underneath him, taking a couple of steps forward before whirling around. He had turned around to, and now he was swiping his paw at me. I hit his paw with one of my own, knocking it away. I growled and shoved him, causing him to reel backwards before he stopped himself. I leapt at him now, my paws outstretched but my claws sheathed.

Stonepaw let out a huff of breath as he dove to the side, barely dodging my paws. I turned around from where I was standing and lashed my tail before leaping at him again. I managed to knock him aside, and he instantly struggled to put some space between us. He swiped his paw at my head again, and I held in a growl when he hit my ears, nicking them with his half-sheathed claws. I backed up just in time so his claws wouldn't connect with my cheek and I swiped my paw at his jaw, causing it to hit against the ground.

He looked momentarily dazed before he scrambled to his paws and growled at me, launching himself at me. I took a couple of steps back and leapt at him as well, the impact causing both of us to collapse side-by-side. It felt as if I had rammed into a tree. Stonepaw shook himself before standing up and attempting to pin me. I grabbed his shoulders with my paws and rolled around, bringing him with me until I was above him. He tried pushing himself up, but I brought my paws down on his shoulders roughly, causing him to hit the back of his head against the ground roughly. I didn't even realize we were both panting until I was breathing normally again.

"Time," Toadstar said and I stepped away from Stonepaw. He sat up with a huff and lowered his gaze to his paws in shame. "You may go back to camp and rest up," Toadstar said and I frowned at the disappointed look that crossed Stonepaw's yellow eyes. He blinked his eyes multiple times before standing up and walking to the pathway, his head still lowered. I cleared my throat and looked towards Dovepaw and Echopaw before following the apprentice.

I quickly caught up with Stonepaw, who was stumbling along the undergrowth carelessly. I cleared my throat and glanced at him again. I felt pity for the irritating tom. "Hey," I murmured and his head shot up. "You ruin everything!" He snapped and stopped walking, his fur bristling, "I was supposed to become a warrior with everyone else, but now because of you, I won't."

"I was just doing as they told me, what good will come if I was fighting weaker just because it is an assessment. That won't help you in any way, because in a real battle, your enemy is not going to take pity on you," I snapped back at him, my ears flattening immediately. "Look, you gave it your all and that's what matters. If you'd like, I will talk with the leaders," I said and his ears perked up. He sighed before shaking his head and continuing on ahead of me.

I watched him pad away for a few moments before I followed him back to camp.

…

Stonepaw went with the awaiting group of apprentices who had already gone. They instantly began asking him questions, in which he ignored them and sat down with his head lowered. I frowned slightly at him before padding over to the nursery. I saw Palestone and Duskcloud grooming Ashkit and Brightkit, more than their usual excitement sparking in their eyes.

"Fang! Today we are becoming apprentices!" they squealed and looked about to burst in happiness. I smiled and crouched down in front of them. "That's great, I'm sure you will be excellent warriors someday," I said and they giggled slightly. I stood up and glanced at Palestone before nodding to Duskcloud and padding over to Snow.

She was sitting near Whiteheart; both of them watching Wolfkit, Mistkit, and Snowkit make patterns in the ground. "How did it go?" Snow turned to me with a purr and nuzzled me once I was close enough. "Pretty good," I said with a shrug and smiled. She lifted her head slightly and licked my ear, the one that was nicked because of Stonepaw. "Who did that to you?" she asked and looked at me. "Just the apprentice I fought, no big deal," I said and nuzzled her again. She purred quietly and glanced towards the kits again.

We sat quietly, just watching at the kits serious faces as they etched patterns with their claws. It seemed like forever until I heard the meeting call. "Stormclan, gather around for a clan meeting," I heard Toadstar's yowl and Brightkit and Ashkit smiled excitedly. Snow stood up and I followed her as we padded outside. It was almost dusk, so the kits had to stay near the entrance of the nursery.

I saw the apprentices lined up underneath the Leader's Tree. Palestone sat near the nursery with Brightkit and Ashkit, their excitement shown by their eyes and shuffling paws. "We have survived and thrived in this forest as Stormclan, and these will be the first newly-named warriors of our clan!" Toadstar said loudly, earning cheers from the warriors and apprentices. Once it had quieted down, Toadstar nodded to Icestar before they both leapt down and landed in front of the soon-to-be warriors.

Icestar stepped forward and raised her head slightly. "Do you all promise to uphold the warrior code and protect this clan, even at the cost of your life?" Icestar said to the apprentices and they bowed their heads in respect. "I do," they each said in unison and they glanced at each other in amusement.

"Cloverpaw, come forward," Icestar began and flicked her ear slightly. Cloverpaw stood up after taking in a deep breath and walked forward until she was right in front of Icestar. "From this day on, you shall be known as Cloverwing, may Starclan lighten your way forever," Icestar said and placed her muzzle on the warrior. Cloverwing licked her shoulder before going over to sit beside Goldenhawk.

"Midnightpaw, come forward," Toadstar stood where Icestar was and smiled. With a nervous shake of her pelt, Midnightpaw walked forward and stood in front of Toadstar. "From this day on, you shall be known as Midnightglimmer, may Starclan lighten your way forever," Toadstar said, placing his muzzle on the new warrior. She sat beside Bluestorm and smiled up at him.

"Dovepaw, come forward," Icestar took Toadstar's place. "From this day on, you shall be known as Dovefeather," Icestar announced, "may Starclan lighten your way forever." Dovefeather licked her shoulder before sitting beside Mudstorm.

This went on for the other apprentices. Leopardpaw became Leopardclaw, Echopaw became Echoheart, Mosspaw became Mossfire, Rainpaw became Raindew, and Silverpaw became Silverstreak. Icestar took Toadstar's place once more and shared a look with him before nodding and raising her head. "Stonepaw, come forward," I flicked my ear in shock and looked towards the grey tabby tom. He looked just as surprised as I felt. It only lasted a second before he stood up quickly and padded forward.

"From this day on," Icestar continued, "you shall be known as Stonestrike." She placed her muzzle on his head and I saw her murmuring something in his ear. He licked her shoulder and smiled at the leader before trotting over to Specklefrost, excitement shining in his yellow eyes. I found myself smiling for the new warrior and began cheering their names once everyone else did.

The leaders waited for a few moments, letting the cheers die down. "Now, along with these new warriors, we also have some kits that are ready to become apprentices," Toadstar said and raised his head with a smile, looking towards Palestone. Brightkit and Ashkit padded behind my sister, glancing around at the warriors as they made their way down the pathway and up to the leaders. Palestone looked at them with a warm smile before padding over to Sootear.

"You two have reached the age of six moons and are ready to begin serving our clan," Toadstar said and swayed his tail, "Brightkit, come forward." The light grey kit bounded forward, looking up at Toadstar with her bright green eyes. "From this day forward, you shall be known as Brightpaw. Your mentor will be Shadestone," Toadstar announced and looked towards his deputy. Shadestone stood up and padded over to the kit, a smile spread across his face. He touched his nose to the apprentice before bowing his head and walking to the side with her.

Icestar took Toadstar's place and flicked her ear, looking down at Ashkit. "From this day forward, you shall be known as Ashpaw. Your mentor will be Silversnow," the Hailclan leader spoke and nodded towards the warrior. Silversnow padded forward and touched noses with the kit. I smiled to myself, but found myself slightly disappointed. Helping with the assessment of the apprentices made me want to have one of my own. I shook that thought from my head and cheered for the new apprentices. I was becoming more and more like a clan cat than I expected.

After the ceremonies, the queens and kits had to go back into the den, since it was already past dusk. I sat in the back of the den with Snow, grooming down her pelt. Palestone already said that she would resume warrior duties. Duskcloud curled around her kits after telling them multiple times that they would become apprentices soon as well. I curled around Snow and let out a soft sigh. Maybe one day I would accept becoming a warrior, and maybe one day I would have an apprentice to train on my own.

…

Spottedstar's POV (Shard)

"From this day on, you shall be known as Otterflash," I announced, swaying my tail and resting my muzzle against his forehead. He licked my shoulder in respect before backing up and padding over to Redwing. Marshpaw stepped forward, excitement flaring in his blackish-green eyes.

"From this day on, you shall be known as Marshmud," I said, doing the same thing to him as I did to Otterflash. He licked my shoulder before raising his head, meeting my gaze momentarily, and padding over to Stormrain.

I turned to Silverpaw, who was quieter than the others. "From this day on, you shall be known as Silverwave," I said and placed my muzzle on her head. She licked my shoulder and didn't even glance at me before padding over to her mentor, Silverspot. I grumbled underneath my breath and turned to Emberpaw.

"From this day on, you shall be known as Emberlily," I said loudly, resting my muzzle on her head and glancing up at my clan. Emberlily licked my shoulder before standing up and padding over to Pebblewing. I cleared my throat and raised my head slightly, looking out at everyone. I clenched my teeth slightly and my ears flattened a little.

"Congratulations new warriors, may Starclan lighten your way forever," I said with bitter reluctance, but nobody took notice. Everyone began cheering the new names and crowding over the newly-made warriors. I snorted slightly and rolled my eyes before standing up and going back to my den. It was only a matter of time before I could drop this act.

My tail lashed as I collapsed onto my nest, yawning widely. "Very soon Fang," I growled underneath my breath as I laid my head on my paws, "very soon, I will teach you not to defy me again."

…

Fang's POV

I woke up near the middle of the night when I heard Snow gasp in pain. I quickly raised my head, blinking the sleep away from my eyes. "Snow, are you okay?" I asked and slowly sat up. She groaned slightly and I saw her tense up. "Go get the medicine cats," she breathed out. Duskcloud and Whiteheart had also woken up.

"Go Fang," Duskcloud said to me when I didn't move, and I stepped over Snow and rushed outside. I blast of cold air greeted me outside the den, but I ignored it as I ran over to the medicine cat den. I padded inside and cleared my throat slightly, going over to Leafstone, who was curled up neatly in her nest.

"Leafstone," I said and nudged her shoulder slightly. She immediately lifted her head and blinked at me in surprise. "Something is wrong with Snow," I said and she stood up quickly. Leafstone padded over to the other medicine cat; Redflower. "Her kits are early, come on," I heard her say before they immediately went into action.

Leafstone padded past me while Redflower was going over some herbs, grabbing them into a bundle. It only took a few moments before I heard Snow yowl out in pain. I flattened my ears and turned around, padding out of the den. The new warriors were sitting a vigil at the entrance to camp, and they turned to look towards me with curiosity. Some of the other warriors padded outside in confusion. Duskcloud and Whiteheart had gone outside, bringing their kits out as well.

I was about to go inside before Duskcloud stepped in front of me. "Leafstone said nobody is allowed in there while she is kitting," she said and flicked her ear, "she'll be okay. The medicine cats know what they're doing." I growled slightly when I heard Snow yowl again. Redflower arrived moments later, rushing into the nursery with a bundle of herbs in her mouth. Snow's pain-filled yowls continued and I wanted nothing more than to go in there and somehow stop the pain.

By now, the entire clan was huddled outside the nursery, sitting close to each other to keep themselves warm. I lashed my tail and kept my ears flattened. Toadstar was awake as well, sitting beside Duskcloud and his kits. I met my sister's gaze and she gave me an encouraging smile. I grunted again and shook out my pelt.

I finally settled to sitting down, continuously shuffling my paws. "Don't worry Fang, your mate and kits will be fine, just try to relax," Shadestone said and sat beside me, giving me a warm smile. I glanced at him before looking at the entrance of the nursery. I doubted his words when Snow whimpered in pain.

How could I relax when my kits are coming? How could I relax when I know there is nothing I can do to stop Snow's pain? I shook my head and let out a heavy sigh, wincing slightly whenever Snow cried out.

I was more scared than nervous at this point. Leafstone said that they are early. I heard that some she-cats don't survive through kitting, losing too much blood in the process. I shuffled my paws and stared at the den entrance, my fur bristling.

I could only hope that they would all be okay.

…

A/N: So many things happening this chapter; new warriors, new apprentices (for both clans), and now Snow is having kits and soon there will be mini versions of Fang's and Snow's running around XD. It's going to take a while for me to decide on the kits, since there are like a billion suggestions (not that many but it feels like that) so I sincerely apologize if you kit is not chosen. Anyways, sadly, this story is almost over, so might as well let them have kits before it ends :3.

QOTD: I don't know what to write here… hmm. Umm, what was the first ever Oc you have created?

My first ever Oc was named Silvermist (a silver furred she-cat with bluish-grey eyes), and she was a medicine cat. Never wrote a story based on her and idk if I plan too.

*Countdown to final chapter: 4 more chapters to go*

If you have time: it would mean a lot to me if you can check out my other stories as well.

Stolen: s/10699119/1/Stolen

A Silver curse: s/11181428/1/A-Silver-Curse

Please review, favorite and/or follow.

Thank you and peace out.

~Wolfcreations16

#TheAlpha