Author's Note: I need some more OCs to fill the Unseen Stars. If you have an idea for a character you want added, please leave a review with a name, description, why they're in the Darkforest, defining traits, whether they're an amalgamation, and what power they'll decide when they're trusted. Please remember that some OCs will be purely supporting characters. They need to be imperfect. Give them flaws to overcome, and I'll give them time to learn from their flaws.

Chapter 18: The Potent North

The two apprentice age cats awoke once we entered the camp. I knew because the one I was carrying fell off my back with a panicked squeak. It was the minion who I still had yet to acquire the name of. His companion seemed to have woken at the same time. That one freed himself from Splitpelt's presence and with false bravado stood protecting the other young tom. This instantly told me the story of how one became the leader while the other became a hanger on. The braver of the two spoke with a hiss.

"Who are you?! Where are we?!"

I suppressed an amused huff before staring at the kit. I lowered myself to be on his level and with the careful calm of a mother, I replied.

"I'm sorry dearies. This is the Darkforest. I'm going to give it to you straight because I believe you two are brave enough and smart enough to know the truth. You both died after a life that was against the code. This wasn't entirely your fault because you both were hurt in life and were reacting to what happened. I, after meeting your adult and past evil selves, decided to give you both a second chance. I rolled back your lives to when you were just apprentices."

I apparently broke the two kits because they immediately froze. They stayed that way before the minion spoke.

"We were evil? I don't want to be evil!"

Tears were streaming down his face. I approached and started comforting him by grooming him.

"You don't have to be. This is your new start. We want to give you two the chance to be good."

Despite his bravado, the leader of the two pushed himself into my side wanting comforted as well. I of course obliged. The two were oddly sweet for cats who were previously coldblooded killers. Not like I am one to talk.

Splitpelt decided to pose his question softly. "Say, we never got your names? It doesn't have to be your original name. This is your new beginning after all."

At that moment, Frecklewish made her way in with Sunpaw. She came bounding over after spotting the two new cats.

"Hey Mapleshade. Who are these two?"

I responded gently, "new recruits if they're willing. They were somewhat like Foampaw in terms that I had to change them, but this time I just rolled them back to apprentices. They haven't named themselves yet."

"Don't you mean give their names?" Replied Frecklewish.

"No. This is a new start for them. They deserve the chance to name themselves. I see great potential in the two."

The braver of the two must have heard me speaking because he immediately came to his decision. "Call me Potentpaw for my potential."

I don't think the apprentice realized potent is its own word, but it strangely described him perfectly. Even though I wouldn't call that cat a genius or a leader, he had the looks and charisma to fill in the gaps. His pelt was a striking silver with stripes outlining his features making the apprentice seem older than he was. They also made the kit distinct and quite the looker. In life, the cat had been a poison killing those who disagreed, but here he could be a medicine, the kind that saves lives in the direst of circumstances.

The other of the two looked nervous now that he was alone without a name. He fidgeted quietly before he gestured for me to come closer.

"Mapleshade? Can you give me a name? I don't think I'll be able to make something as special as Potentpaw."

I had to ponder for a second before deciding. The apprentice had all the traits to be a future leader. He knew when to listen and despite what he said, I knew he had ideas in his mind. I just wanted to give him a response fitting for who he was.

"I think I have a special one just for you. I think Northpaw would fit you perfectly."

The apprentice tilted his head. "Northpaw?"

I chuckled before responding. "Do you remember the North Star from when you were alive? It's the brightest star in the sky and it is always due North. Many cats call it the guiding star. What makes that star special over all others is that it is a quiet guide. Some stars make constellations to declare their brilliance. Some stars hide themselves until the perfect moment. The North Star is consistent. It stands alone to allow others to seek its guidance. That's what I see in you. You know the strength of being quiet and listening. I just hope to teach you how to speak your mind. Your timidness hides your brilliance."

The apprentice looked taken aback. He'd never been complemented for who he was in life. He'd only ever been recognized for his ability to follow orders. He was the well-behaved kit, so he was the most heavily chastised when he stepped out of line. Now a cat was telling him he could think for himself and even expected him to become a guide. It was like everything that had held him back suddenly snapped. Tears ran down his face as he saw this really was a second chance.

"Yes. Northpaw. Call me Northpaw." He happily sobbed.

I wrapped myself around the cat, letting his breathing steady. Before I knew it, the apprentice had fallen into rest. I guessed all the emotions he'd gone through had taxed him enough for now. I carefully lifted the cat by his scruff to bring him to the apprentice den. Potentpaw must have seen this because he came trotting over.

"What happened to him? Is he ok?"

I softly nuzzled the apprentice before responding. "Northpaw is alright. He just is exhausted. I told him that I thought he could be a potential leader. He's smart and most importantly knows how to listen."

Potentpaw just looked inquisitive. "How is listening a leader skill? I mean I know he's good at it. He always listened to my problems and he used to give me suggestions, but then my mom became mean to him. I was a leader's son, so she said I shouldn't listen to a child of a cat who became a medicine cat. I still don't get what that means."

I shook my head. "Some mothers think they know best. I can tell you from experience they can be wrong. You didn't do anything wrong asking your friend for advice. If you want a why for the reason your mom was upset, I'd say the problem is an old stigma associated to the Warrior's Code. Medicine cats aren't allowed to have kits, but your friend's parent became a medicine cat after having him. They didn't break the code outright, but your mother saw it as him being the result of codebreaking. This isn't your friend's fault. He is innocent. There is a reason many of us here say the Warrior's Code is flawed."

Potentpaw froze to ponder my words before responding. "Is this what you mean by listening being a leader skill?"

I gave the apprentice an affectionate lick before responding. "Look at you, figuring it out all on your own. You're right. A leader must know how to listen. Every story has at least two sides. Sometimes one side feels like it's obviously in the right, but a leader must always listen to both. Sometimes things are far more complex than right and wrong. I hope you and Northpaw learn to listen to both before making your decisions. It's hard to do since you must be a master of your emotions, but it'll make you wiser. Now. I think you two have gone through and learned a lot today. Why don't you get yourself and Northpaw something to eat before retiring for now."

Potentpaw bound off as a grumble reminded him of his hunger. I saw him fish out a vole before seeming puzzled. I faintly heard him mutter, "I like voles, but I never asked what Northpaw likes. I never bothered to listen."

His ears flattened in shame before they perked up in his own resolution. "That just means I'll have to ask. I'll listen this time."

I smiled after the apprentice. Maybe he had more potential than I thought. He actually took my lesson to heart. I'd expected him to blow it off given his reckless personality.