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Children of the Shadows

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Challenge - Our Past

Words - 500 minimum

Words Used in Story - 758

Description - Write about the history of your NightClan OC!


Quailberry padded through the forest far outside the the borders. Spotting a small stream, the calico she-cat walked towards it. She gently lowered herself on the bank. Quailberry dipped her forepaw into the stream, feeling the water lapping at it. Mother and I used to swim together. She sighed as memories raced through her mind.

The ferns rustled behind her and she spun around. Annysa clumsily stepped out and untangled herself from the tendrils. She glanced at Quailberry and limped towards her nest.

"How are you, Quailpaw?" The ginger-patched she-cat queried.

"Quailberry," the Nightclanner corrected. She shook her pelt and added, "I'm fine. Long time, no see, Annysa."

The loner nodded. "Now what brings you here?"

"I...just need to clear my mind," Quailberry shrugged.

"What's on your mind anyway?"

"It's nothing."

"But I insist."

The calico she-cat sighed, giving in. "My mother - she died when I was a kit."

Annysa leaned in, urging her to say more. "If I can, may I hear the full story?"


Quail's eyelids flew open as she felt teeth roughly grabbing onto her scruff. In a heartbeat, she was lifted out of her nest and heading out of the forest. She looked up to see who was carrying her; it was her mother River. Quail caught a glimpse of fear shining in her piercing blue eyes. She could hear thundering footsteps behind them. Yowls of anger erupted from beyond their backs.

Just then, a dark tabby tom pulled up beside them. His poison green eyes shone with anger. His lust for blood was strong. He slammed his body against River's, causing her to stumble. He saw his chance and sprang on her. Quail flew out from River's jaws and landed on a holly bush. Trembling with fear, she looked up at my mother. A gang of muscular toms showed up.

One of them stepped forward and ordered, "Vlad, hold her down. Sullivan, you too."

Sullivan dipped his head and stalked towards River. "Yes, Inferno." The ginger tom hesitantly pressed his paw against River's neck.

Inferno circled Riven slowly, narrowing his eyes at his former mate. "Now," he snarled, "where's the kit?"

"Get your filthy paws off Quail!" River retorted.

Inferno grinned and flicked his tail. At that second, Sullivan dug his claws into the tortoiseshell queen's neck. River gasped in pain and writhe underneath the two toms. "If you don't tell us where my kit is," Inferno unsheathed his claw and drew them along the ground, "pretty-face will be rid of this world."

Quail peered out from under the brush with wide eyes. That cat is my father? she bitterly thought.

"I told you," she heard River rasped, "you'll never get Quail! She has nothing to do with you. You may be her father, but you'll never be thought as one -." Quail grimaced as her mew was cut off by an agonizing wail. She heard a loud thump near her and blood trickled down to her paw, staining it crimson.

"Come on, guys. That kit's not worth it," Inferno growled at last. As the pawsteps grew fainter, Quail slipped out of her bush. She gasped in horror at the sight in front of her. "Mother?" she choked. River's neck was slashed opened and blood bubbled out from the wound. Tears fell from Quail's eyes as she curled up against her mother's belly. She quivered as something brushed against her. Don't worry, little one. I'll be watching over you.

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Quail blinked open her eyes and shook the sleepiness off her. She tensed as voices sounded close to her.

"I'm telling you, Ravenstar. I heard some cats fighting," Quail heard. She swiveled her ears to the mews. "Mistyshadow, it's probably one of those rogue cat fights," the other cat replied. They broke through the undergrowth and appeared in front of Quail. One of them was a pitch black she-cat with a long scar along her muzzle. The other was grey and had burning amber eyes.

The black cat turned to Quail. "What happened here?" She sounded flustered. Despite her loathe for the event, she told Ravenstar the story.

"So you have no one to care for you?"

"No one."

Ravenstar and Mistyshadow exchanged glances. It was Mistyshadow who spoke. "Say, we need a few more kits in Nightclan. Would you like to join?"

Quail was skeptical at first, but eventually agreed. "Great! You won't regret it," Ravenstar cheered. Mistyshadow picked the kit up by the scruff and headed towards camp.

A familiar scent wrapped around Quail. Your destiny lies with these cats, Quailkit.