"Snap, crackle, pop," Moonpaw suddenly awoke hearing the sound of something big pushing through brambles. Casting out her senses, she realised that they were coming from outside in the forest, near the Windclan border. But what would be out there on a night like this? She wondered. Deciding to investigate, she crept out of the den and slunk across the clearing towards the dirtplace tunnel.
Getting closer to the Windclan border, Moonpaw's suddenly jerked her head up. The big thing was a fox! Terror ripped through her, as the stench moved closer but something deep within drew her forward. Determined to protect her clan, Moonpaw dropped into an attack crouch, just as darkness wafted over her vision.
Moonpaw, the darkness stands before you in a cloak of russet fur, a Thunderclan cat showed this fiend kindness once upon a moon but no kindness will be repaid. The seed of darkness was planted by the heart of a black cat was passed to this fox, and nurtured when you defeated it, and it seeks revenge on the whole of Thunderclan. Be brave for your destiny is upon you.
The darkness cleared as the voice faded, Moonpaw stood up dazed, she was shaking her head to clear just as the fox pounced. Moonpaw looked up to see the red shadow leap and she dropped and rolled away just in time, narrowly avoiding the sharp claws. As she whipped around, she noticed another shape charging towards the battle, with the lean body and legs of the Windclan warriors. Did I cross the border? But she had no time to look around as the fox flew at her. It hit her side, knocking her to the ground. Where have my battle skills I had as a kit go? Moonpaw thought as she clawed at the fox, her paws not making more than a few scratches. Suddenly the Windclan cat heaved the fox off of Moonpaw and she gratefully heaved in a few gulps of air.
She watched in horror as the fox flung the Windclan cat across the clearing, Moonpaw suddenly realised that it was Bloodpaw who had come to her rescue. But the fox was upon her once again, this time she felt it rip a whole in her throat and she fell to the ground choking with blood. At this time, Thunderclan warriors burst out of the fronds and killed the fox with a few group manoeuvres. Squirrelfight sank down at her kit's side and watched as Moonpaw's life ebbed away. With her last few breathes, Moonpaw said, "Mother, I have saved…" but death took her too quickly and Squirrelflight threw back her head and howled with grief.
Epilogue
T'was the night after Moonpaw's death and the full moon. Squirelflight looked upwards to see the brightest star shining next to the moon. The sight filling her with sadness, Squirrelflight looked away, thinking of her kit as that shining star and the conflict that took her life, Moonstar's fight.