Teaser: Dark Legacy
I'd been tailing a peculiar pair of scents that crossed into our territory from the Windclan side. It appeared to be a rogue queen and kit based off the scent, but there was no scent of prey upon them. They also weren't wandering, implying that they were looking to settle into the territory. It seemed they had had business in Windclan. The faint scent of anger told a story. Whatever they sought, they had not found.
I soon caught up to them when the queen laid down to give the kit a moment to rest. The queen still seemed angry at whatever happened, but she was composed enough to not let it out at the moment. Seeing as the two hadn't done anything warranting aggression, I decided to approach. The queen spotted me pretty quick and rose into an aggressive stance.
"Easy there. I'm not here to drive you off. You haven't done anything to drive me and my clan to aggression. My name is Smudgefoot, and you're on Thunderclan territory. I noticed you two just came back from Windclan. Mind if I get the story?" I querried, ensuring I kept myself from looking either submissive or aggressive.
"You cursed clan cats!" The queen spat, but the kit stopped her.
"Mom wait! I've heard this cat before. He said he didn't want me to feel cold." The kit begged, drawing confusion upon the queens face, but what he said. It rung a bell. I'd only ever used that phrase upon one cat, one who was dying. Things suddenly came into clarity. This kit, this innocent tiny thing was the reincarnation of Scourge, even if he didn't know it yet.
The queen seemed to have made up her mind to appease her kit. "Fine. I'll humor you Clan cat. My name is Smoke. I am, or rather was, the mate of that no good rotten coward of a cat Onewhisker. He promised me to take his kits into his clan only to turn us away now. He didn't even need to take me in. My kit is all I care for. I don't want them living in the parts of the city I frequent."
I thought on her words a moment before my infamous plotting smile began to creep up my face. "Say, how do you feel about some petty revenge? Onewhisker is a part of one of Thunderclan's rivals. I will personally take it upon myself to raise your kit, and won't that just kill Onewhisker to see one of his rivals raising his own kit to fight against him?"
The queen let out a vicious laugh at my proposal. "Really? You can guarantee that? If you can guarantee my kit's safety and stick it to my worthless ex, I'll gladly take up your deal."
"So, what do I call my new son anyways?" I teased, settling the tension.
"His name is Darkkit." I named him to your clans' traditions.
"Darkkit huh? I had a friend named Darkstripe once. Strange how someone new can dredge up old memories. I'll take good care of Darkkit. I'm sure Ravenfeather will be thrilled to find out we have a son. He'll be so spoiled. Anyways, if you're headed to the city, look for the Pulse and ask for Hattie. Tell her Smudge sent you. She'll set you up somewhere nice and might give you some work." I answered, nuzzling the kit who looked up at me with confusion and excitement.
The queen turned away from me before saying one last thing. "You aren't bad Clan cat. Maybe we'll meet again." She then trotted off towards the city, leaving me with my new son Darkkit, the reincarnation of Scourge, someone I would ensure would never fall to the temptations of the cold again. I gently picked him up by the scruff before breaking into a brisk trot towards camp. I couldn't keep Ravenfeather waiting. We had a new son, and Firestar's kits would have a new playmate.
