A/N: So, there was a review from LukaRamos and it made me want to update :) so here's an update. Thanks for your review! (and anyone else who followed/favourited!)

NOTE: Post-Outcast; so they know about the Three and think Hollypaw is still one.

I was listening to 'Nillili Mambo' by Block B (Because SOMEONE I know DRAGGED me into a particular fandom … it's not that bad, actually. There was a fan video with this song, and I found I liked it). For some reason, I was imagining/seeing flashes of gray fur, darkened by gloom… Ah, inspiration, thou art random.

DISCLAIMER: I'm not an Erin …

Training

It had been a few moons, and Jaypaw was getting used to the rigorous training of the dark forest. He was still a skinny - and somewhat undersized - apprentice, but he had developed smooth, lean muscle under his gray pelt, and his stamina had greatly improved.

He didn't know how he would fare in the waking world, where darkness would consume his vision, but here at least he was a competent fighter. He mayn't have Lionpaw's unusual strength, nor Hollypaw's tactical brain and leadership, but he was cunning and quick, like an adder or a fox, vicious enough without being deadly.

It still unnerved Jaypaw how Brokenstar watched his every training session, purring with delight at his falls and hits. He didn't know what the dark cat's gain was - did he want to see Jaypaw destroyed, or become one of them? He wasn't sure.

Today was a particularly ruthless day - er, night. Darkstripe had gotten bolder through their training, the false bravery of a bully overcoming him. Yellow eyes gleamed, and lips were drawn back in a mocking smile as he said, "I think today should be a … surprise practice. No reviewing moves; I'll attack you, and you'll figure out how to get the upper hand."

As soon as the sentence had finished, the dark tabby sprung, claws out. Jay-blue eyes widened, then narrowed, as Jaypaw twisted under him and landed awkwardly. Dust was kicked up as Darkstripe spun around. His eyes widened as a blur of gray fur and claws struck across his muzzle, slicing though flesh and fur. Ignoring the pain, Darkstripe leapt on top of Jaypaw before he could leap back, pinning the smaller cat beneath him, and ripped into his ear with his teeth.

Pain exploded from Jaypaw's left, and he knew he needed to get Darkstripe off him before his ear was gone. Luckily, Darkstripe was a bit of an idiot. Okay - a lot of an idiot. Jaypaw was able to get his hind paws tucked in, and he neatly clawed Darkstripe's stomach. With a yowl he let go of Jaypaw's ear, and the small gray tabby quickly slid out of his grasp, then, bristling and snarling, hopped on Darkstripe's back, biting him in the neck just under a dark-furred ear. Darkstripe tried to shake him off, yowling all the while, not even thinking of dropping down to roll Jaypaw off.

"Stop!" A voice growled out.

The two figures gave no heed, Jaypaw holding on furiously. Suddenly, Jaypaw was knocked off, smacking into the ground and bruising his shoulder. That's going to need Comfrey, he thought dazedly.

He glanced up, vision spinning a little, to see Brokenstar growl something at Darkstripe. The black-striped tabby flinched, tailtip twitching nervously. Jaypaw pricked his ears to listen, tipping them back at one point where Brokenstar turned his vile gaze towards him.

"-idiot. It outwitted and outpowered you. Maybe you need another lesson or two. Who was your mentor before? Thistleclaw?" A nod. Then a scornful scoff, continuing, "No use sending you back to that useless buffoon. But I expect better next time; we don't want it getting soft now, do we?" Brokenstar questioned with a velvety purr that made Jaypaw feel like he was drowning in the lake. Yellow glowing eyes looked into his Jay-bright ones, before he stalked off and disappeared into the surrounding gloom, like a shroud of shadows.

Picking himself up, Darkstripe tried to stop quivering and meowed, "L-let's go again. This time we'll be practicing the crippling manuver…"

A/N: I was tired … do I even want to post this… ?