"Are you really sure this is her destiny?" A pained voice meowed, and two figures moved across a silvery forest.
"I am sorry to admit it," The other meowed, though whoever it was did not sound sorry at all. "But Silverpaw is strong. She will survive, as will the other three."
Cries echo across the small hallow up ahead. The first flinched, green eyes flicking away from the sound. "He's doing it tonight?" The tom asked, horror evident in his voice.
"What better night, Ashstar?" The other one hid a wicked smile as he climbed over the rise, watching eagerly as a large tom assaulted a small, silver she-cat.
"You are a sick, sick cat, Pikestar." Ashstar meowed, turning away from the horrid scene. "I will have no part in this dark and twisted fate you have planned for this young she-cat." The gray tom hissed, leaving Pikestar alone on the ridge, not even giving the tom a second glance.
The larger tom finally got off the small she-cat who was now whimpering loudly. The tom had a wicked grin on his face as he licked his lips. Pikestar gave a small nod of approval, gesturing the large tom over.
"You have done a great deed for us, we will not forget it," Pikestar meowed, glancing swiftly to the younger she-cat. "Leave me now, I need to speak with her alone."
The large tom nodded, fading away into the darkness. Pikestar padded forward, harsh amber eyes softening ever-so-slightly at the quivering apprentice. "Oh, Silverpaw," The tom's voice sounded as if laced with honey. "For your great destiny, this is only one of the many terrible things you will face."
She whimpers again as he traces his tail across her back. "Shall I tell you a prophecy? Will that ease your damaged mind?" Silverpaw shrunk away, but did not answer. "I'll take that as a 'yes'."
Grabbing the trembling she-cat roughly by her scruff, Pikestar pulled her into a sitting position. "Look at me," He meowed softly. She does not. "LOOK AT ME!" He yells, and shakingly, the silver tabby raised her head.
The sick smile returned to Pikestar's face. "See? Was that too hard?" He smirks. "The echo will carry across the silver water, muddy pines, swift weasel, and climbing squirrel." He recites the prophecy, and Silverpaw shivers.
"Now, it is time for you to go back." He started tracing her back again, but Silverpaw does not flinch anymore. "You have to deliver the clan the good news! You will be a fine mother, don't you think?"
Silverpaw wants to scream to StarClan, but this is StarClan. She wakes up in a cold sweat and an ache in her chest, curled up next to her snoring sister.
And that was the day the destined hero gave up on her ancestors.