Chapter 15: The Star
Scourge paced outside the den. What was taking so long?
Finally, Mapleshade padded out of the den with a handsome apprentice-aged black tom. He had bright golden eyes, and his left front paw and right black paw were mottled golden and white. Golden stars were scattered across his pelt. Scourge grinned. "Perfect."
Mapleshade turned to the tom. "Tell your master what you name is."
"I am known as Star." The tom replied.
"And what do you do, Star?" Scourge asked with a sly grin.
Star closed his eyes. Soon, white flames flickered on his pelt, and when he opened them, his eyes looked replaced by stars themselves, as they glowed so brightly. The ones on his pelt grew brighter as well. He leapt, leaving a fiery trail behind him.
"The living cat with a pelt of stars. Our shooting star." murmured Mapleshade. They watched the tom leap and bend, executing a series of graceful slashes and kicks.
The cat landed, turning as black as the shadows once more. His amber eyes had returned, and he set them on his master, hopeful.
"Did I do well, master?" he asked shyly.
"You did excellent, and I think you're ready for your assignment."
The tom dipped his head. "What is my mission, master?"
"Keep that Thunderclan furball away from the Obscurity. That Stone must not keep the Obscurity from her destiny."
Star beamed with pride. "Anything you wish, master. I'm ready."
"Then go!" growled the black tom. Star raced away, feeling his pelt heat up. White flames danced and swirled across his pelt, lighting up the dark forest. He sprang, diving into a black, murky pool. He left a ripple in the pool as he fell from the Dark Forest; a shooting star sped across the night sky.
Scourge smiled. "I have faith in you, Star. Say hello to your sister for me." With a lash of his tail, he padded away.
…
Star hit the ground harder than expected. He grunted, getting to his paws. One was at a slight angle, and it hurt badly as he put weight on it. Growling, he looked around. His location looked like the Dark Forest, but cheerier. He sighed, looking at his bent paw. Then he noticed something on his claws. Frowning, he looked closer.
He had forgotten to wash the blood off his claws. Baring his teeth at them, he limped to a puddle and swished his paw around in it. The puddle turned a dark red. He took a deep breath, trying to silence the memories of whose blood it was.
He had little memories and experiences. Despite his age, he was a newly-created cat. His mother was Goldensky. She had been a Starclan cat caught and held-hostage by the Dark Forest. He had no pity for her. His master was superior, and Star didn't like having worthless family ties. His brief training was with Mapleshade, and his final task to become presentable to his master was to break his family ties. Yes, the blood on his claws was the blood of his mother. He had slashed her the same way Mapleshade told him Tigerclaw was killed. He watched his mother gasp and shake with an expressionless face. But it was for the good of his master, for the good of himself.
He shook his head. Now is not the time for memories. Now is the time to start your mission. With a determined yowl, he raced off toward his target, ignoring the screams from his paw. He wasn't going to let anything stop him. Anything.
Wow. What a monster Scourge has created! This is the brother of Lunaclaw?! What'll happen next!? Find out in the next installment of 'Shatter'! :D (Sorry for the really short chapters! I'll try to make the next one longer!)
