Chapter 2
Shatter
Shatter stood up, sunlight shining brightly outside. "Shatter, what are you doing up so early?" Shatter's grey brother rolled over groaning. "Oh come on, Ember! It's past sun-high." Shatter retorted, flicking her tail at her younger brother. "Oh is it? Well then..." Ember shot out of the cardboard box they were in. "Race you!" He cried.
"Not fair." Shatter muttered after him, but bounded towards the fresh-kill pile. With a burst of speed Shatter dashed past Ember, smirking at his face. "No way." Ember said as he caught up. "Way." Shatter replied, tossing a vole at him and taking a shrew for herself.
"This must be forest prey!" Ember remarked as he took a bite out of the shrew."It is." Came a cold voice behind them. Shatter and Ember spun around and faced a grey and black she-cat. "Oh, it's you Shard." Ember sighed in relief, giving his chest fur a couple of licks."You startled us." Shatter said as Shard settled down between them to eat."Did I?" Shard turned to the silver tabby, her blue eyes sparkling.
"Shard!" Shard spun around to face her father. "Stop dawdling and come. We have lots of training to do if you are to be Bloodclan's leader one day." Scourge beckoned Shard with his tail.
As Shard padded away she sent a apologetic glance behind her at Shatter and Ember.
"It seems like forever until we'll get our collars!" Ember complained."Oh be quiet." Cloud snarled, snatching a crow from the pile."What's gotten into her fur?" Shatter murmured to Ember and he shrugged."No idea." He whispered back.
"Come on, Cloud! Lighten up." Thunder trotted over, his bushy tail raised excitedly. "We're becoming apprentices earlier, at least that's what Bone says!" Thunder meowed to them."Seriously? Wow..." Ember's eyes filled with joy.
"I can't wait until Shard is old enough to replace Bone." Cloud remarked. "Are you kidding me!?" Shatter turned to the white she-cat. Cloud sniffed and padded away, her tail flicking.
-Time skip to dusk-
"I am pleased to announce that Shatter, Ember, and Thunder will be getting their collars today." Scourge's gaze raked across the cats assembled below.
"What about me?!" A sharp meow wounded from a white she-cat in the clearing. "We cannot have a broken cat amongst our ranks, now can we?" Scourge's cold voice replied. "What do you mean broken?!" Cloud yowled.
"To prove you loyalty and get your first teeth," Scourge started, gazing at Shatter, Ember, and Thunder.
"Kill her."
No cat moved. Shatter felt shock run through her like electricity and she glanced at her litter-mates. Shatter felt cold determination in her heart. A wanting to prove herself and her loyalty. Shatter dashed towards Cloud, her claws unsheathed. "I'm sorry, Cloud." She snarled.
"Shatter!" Cloud's shocked wail echoed around the camp, but it was quickly cut off as Shatter dug her claws into Cloud's throat. Cloud's eyes widened, but then closed. Her paws flew out at Shatter, but it was too late. The gasping breaths soon faded away and Cloud's flank stopped rising.
"Shatter! You will get your collar today, and only you." Scourge flicked his tail at Cloud's dead body. "Snipe, Cliff. Take her body away." Scourge ordered quietly. The two cats sprang to their paws and started to haul the bloody white she-cat away.
"Shatter." Scourge snapped his gaze back to the silver tabby. Shatter's ears perked up. "Your mentor will be Ash." Shatter padded over to the pale grey tom and sat down beside him.
"Meeting dismissed."