Badseed's POV

The next afternoon, after the vigil sitters had gotten some sleep, was my first day as a mentor.

I had no clue what to do, but that was not a bad thing. Because of Ironstar, I did know what not to do with an apprentice. I was farther along then other first time mentors because of that.

I found Mistpaw at sunhigh. He was with Harrierpaw, listening to the elders complain about the weather.

Timberfur growled anxiously, "I can smell it already, we're going to get a blizzard."

Sharpclaw agreed, "I'd guess it will hit tonight. Just look at how black the sky is!"

Harrierpaw scoffed, "It is just snow! Small-leaf says we've managed fine every other year."

My boldest son was expected to brush aside something this big. He has not yet experienced the harsh leaf-bares. He had too much pride and courage to admit he was afraid of the idea, if he even was.

I padded up behind him and looked at the two elders. I purred soothingly, "Don't worry about the snow. We've reinforced the dens and started a stockpile of fresh kill."

I glanced at Harrierpaw, "Don't you have work to be doing? That bedding does not look fresh to me."

My son's ears perked. "I'm on it!" He bounced out of the camp and the two tomcats purred in laughter.

I turned my attention to Mistpaw. "Are you ready for some training?"

He shrugged, and plodded off towards the camp entrance. I felt my ears lower a little. Poor creature was hurting, and I had no clue how to help him.

Timberfur offered his advice. "Just give him some time, Badseed. Why don't you ask Bogfoot to take Sunpaw with you? It might help him."

Sunpaw was his sister, and the two young cats had always been close. Just as close as Toadleap had been to Littlewing.

I nodded, "I will. Thanks Timberfur."

My paws carried me steadily across the camp. Bogfoot and Sunpaw were weaving some thick fern fronds through the nursery wall to make it warmer on the inside. Bogfoot listed her head when she saw me and smiled.

I smiled back, "Are you two ready to stretch your muscles? I was just taking Mistpaw out of a hunt and wanted to invite you both."

Bogfoot laughed, "Sure. Go find him, Sunpaw." The pale golden she-cat bounded out of the camp in search of her brother.

We joined up a while later and began the journey to one of our richest hunting spots. I observed Mistpaw's skill. He had a strike that was deadly accurate, and he was patient when planning when to pounce. In short, he was an efficient hunter.

I was stalking a rabbit through the undergrowth when I heard Mistpaw snarl from a few yards away. Abandoning my hunt I darted under a large swathe of holly. Stepping into the open I found Mistpaw face to face with Frostpool.

She was crouched down, and his fur was fluffed out. I reacted naturally and sprang, bowling my sister off her feet.

Frostpool hissed and dug her claws into me. She didn't fight back, however, she just fought to get me off of her. She hissed, "Wait you idiot, I'm not here to fight!"

I scrambled to my feet after he dislodged me. My hackles rose and I pulled my lips back, baring my teeth as a fierce snarl bubbled out of my throat.

She pinned her ears back and returned my growl. Her eyes were cold and hard. For one fleeting second I felt fear coarse through me. The totally emotionless look in her eyes reminded me of what she was.

She was not a clan-trained cat. She was harsher, and darker hearted. She was raised a street cat, and I had no idea how to fight someone with no code to live by.

I forced myself not to back down, though. I held my ground as I asked, "Mistpaw, did she hurt you?"

Mistpaw answered weakly, "No, she just startled me. I didn't smell her through the holly."

Frostpool relaxed suddenly, lifting her head. She announced, "I came to speak with Phantomstar, not waste my time on you."

The bushes rustled as Bogfoot and Sunpaw slipped out of the shadows, flanking me aggressively.

My sister looked unfazed. If anything she only jerked her chin higher. I saw defiance sparkle in her eyes. She was not afraid of being out numbered.

Learning that made me grudgingly respect her a little. A sensible warrior would realize when the odds were too bad and they would flee. It took a confident, bold warrior to stare possible death right in the face fearlessly.

I forced the fur on my shoulders to lay flat and spat, distrusting her, "You will not come a single step farther into this territory. Deliver your message now."

My sister's chest rumbled with a growl. She lifted a paw to take a step forward, to test my boundaries. I crouched down and unsheathed my claws, ready to fight.

Changing her mind she instead stepped back a few inches. She announced, "Frostclan will be at Rock Field this upcoming full moon. I look forward to seeing Swampclan there. Starclan can not be pleased we have put it off for so very long."

I was startled by her words. She wanted to resume the gatherings?

Was she really attempting to become a real warrior like she keeps insisting?

Frostpool smirked, "I hope I can trust my own sister to make sure Phantomstar gets the message." She turned and disappeared under the brambles. Bogfoot and Sunpaw carefully slipped after her, probably to make sure she left the territory.

Mistpaw asked suddenly, "That rogue is your sister, Badseed?"

I answered coldly, "No. We were kin once, but that was a lifetime ago. She is no sister of mine."

My sister would not have left the clan. She would not murder cats and cause needless trouble. No matter what genetics say, Frostpool will never be related to me. In my eyes, she is nothing but an enemy cat.

A threat to my clan that I will, one day, dispose of.

The snow hit us hard and swiftly. Our patrol was on the way back when it struck. There was so much we barely found out way home!

I stumbled through the entrance first.

When he saw us, Rushwind yowled over the whistling wind, "Phantomstar, they're back!"

I could see only her piercing green eyes as my leader made her way over to us. Her white pelt was like a shimmered outline. A ghost.

Her name certainly fit her well.

She asked, "Was everything alright? It took a long time for you four to return."

Bogfoot reported, "We were held up by Frostpool."

Sunfire came to join us. His outstanding ginger coat was as noticeable as ever. He growled, "What did that witch want?"

Mistpaw took the two mice I had caught and carried them over to the hollow tree we storied the fresh kill in.

I reported, "She says that on the full moon she will be waiting for our clan in the Rock Field. She wants to participate in the gatherings."

Phantomstar's eyes narrowed. "That doesn't sound like something she would usually do."

I agreed, "I know it doesn't. Um.. I need to tell you something about that."

She measured me for a moment before deciding, "We will speak in my den. My fur is freezing to my skin, anyway."

I followed her across the camp and we ducked into her den. I shook myself off, but she had to lick some clumps away from herself. Her thicker fur would keep her warmer, but it also trapped in the evil white power.

I explained awkwardly, "Many seasons ago, when I was first an apprentice, I had a prophecy from Starclan."

My leaders head snapped up instantly and she asked, "Really?"

I nodded. She invited, "Tell me about it."

"I had no idea what it meant at first. I asked Littlewing, but she was just an apprentice too, and she couldn't really help me." I frowned. "She did know it was something bad for the clan, though. I… I would have told someone, but Ironstar wouldn't have reacted well."

There wasn't a chance in Starclan that I would have told Ironstar I thought the clan was in danger. He'd have chased me away for certain.

I continued, "I forgot about it for a while. After Flamekit died he walked through my dreams and warned me to be mindful of it. Yesterday I figured it out."

Phantomstar was watching me quite intensely now. She ordered, "Continue."

I skipped over what lead me to my conclusion, because that wasn't the important part. "I think Frostpool is up to something big. Littlewing says that I have to find a way to stop her, but I have no idea what she's planning!"

After a few long seconds Phantomstar asked, "What makes you think its Frostpool?"

I felt my eyes widen and I whispered, "When I mentioned her name, Toadspore said something to me."

My throat tightened and Phantomstar intervened gently, "You don't have to go on. I believe you."

I nodded gratefully. It has been almost three seasons, but I still ached whenever I spoke about my lost mate. My beloved Toadspore. The reason I was still alive, the reason I was still a clan cat and not a loner.

Starclan, I missed him so dearly.

Phantomstar nudged my shoulder once, a gesture of comfort. Her eyes were wide and worried. She has been worrying about me ever since we brought his body home. At first I didn't take it to well. There was barely a day I didn't feel like I was being ripped apart from the inside out from the weight of my loss.

I forced a smile and promised, "I'm okay, Phantomstar."

My Toadspore wounds were finally healed over into scars. They scars would always be there, but the seeping infection that hurt so terribly was gone.

Phantomstar nodded once before announcing, "I will alert Sunfire of what you have told me. You'd be smart to pick some trustworthy friends and let them know, too. The clan needs eyes, but we can not trust everyone."

I understood the gravity of her words and promised, "I'll be careful, Phantomstar."

She answered solemnly, "Good."