~StoneClan's Curse~ ((Chapter 5 is up))

~~Chapters 1-5~~


~Chapter 1~

    The den was warm and dark, although cool air gently flowed from the opening. It must be just before dawn patrol. A few faint sounds of paws padding against dusty solid stone could be heard from outside. I snuggled against my clan-mate, my best friend Acornpaw. There are only two of us apprentices in StoneClan.


    At the age of eight moons old, I'm the youngest in the clan. I can see the worried glances of everyone of when the next litter will be born. We're small as it is, and our enemies are ruthless and large in number. Especially LeafClan. We have more elders than we do warriors. There are five warriors and seven elders.


    I heard quiet paw-steps heading towards the apprentice den. I shut my eyes tighter. 'Please be for someone else, just let me sleep in this time.' I desperately thought. But of course StarClan doesn't answer a StoneClan cat's prayer. I heard the voice of my mentor as he calls my name, "Dawnpaw."


    I hesitantly lifted my head. "Yes?" I spoke, still hopeful that he wasn't going to ask me to go on dawn patrol.


    "Come, or you'll be late for dawn patrol." He spoke with quiet firmness.


    "There could be worse things than being late to dawn patrol. I mean, why would LeafClan or ReedClan wake up so fox-haired early to invade us?" I tried to reason, but my mentor's face told me otherwise. "Fine." I mewed.


    I rose to my paws, I almost stumbled, but I didn't this time. I hobbled away from my beloved nest. Acornpaw snickered quietly apparently pretending to be asleep and my ears grew warm. "Oh laugh now, but tomorrow your next." I growled. My den-mate's snicker turned into laughter as I finished staggering out of the den. Now outside the den, I could see the blurry dark sky the edges were starting to glow as if they were being burned by the rising sun. It was the only light that trickled into the cave. The mouth of the cave faced the eastern sky, making sure that we all knew when it was time to wake up. Stupid cave entrance! Why couldn't you face west? I squinted at my mentor, in the fuzzy image I could see his light gray fur, I can barely see his dark stripes in the blur not only that's but he's a tiny warrior. He turned and walked towards the deputy who was waiting for us. My mentor padded over with ease despite his condition, although he did sway back and forth on the way.


    I shook my fur out in the almost nonexistent sunlight. Which just caused more chills to go up my spine. I glared at my mentor as he patiently waited for me by the camp exist with our deputy. As much as I wanted to drag on the getting ready process, I'd rather not face the wrath of the deputy. Most of the time she's as laid back as my mentor, Palemouse. Must be why they're mates, but do anything that might disrupt her sense of duty and her claws come out. Despite her size she's one of our fiercest fighters. I just don't understand what dawn patrol has to do with duty.


    I began to limp towards them wishing my dark cream-colored fur would be longer and thicker to keep me more warmer in the mornings. Before I fully got there the deputy started us off and headed the patrol. "I don't remember you being this slow. Is your leg bothering you?" My mentor, Palemouse, asked as he too got to his paws and followed our deputy.


    "Nah, I think it just doesn't like mornings as much I as do. Besides even if there is trouble the three of us..." I started.


    Palemouse opened his mouth to began the lecture again. "We're tight on numbers right now. We need every one to pitch in and most of our efforts should be on hunting. And.." His speeches go on forever. When he notices I'm not listening anymore he gave a sigh. "Besides I thought you said last time that you can take on a LeafClan warrior single-pawed."


    I smirked, "No, I said I can take the whole LeafClan single-pawed. And with my bad paw too." I raised my front paw, which was bent at an awkward angle.


    We traveled in dim light of the chilly morning. "The sun isn't awake yet. Why should we wake earlier than the sun?" I murmured. We barely went a few fox lengths from camp.


    "Oh look on the bright side, the sky is beautiful right now." My mentor spoke. He swayed and staggered along the rocky terrain of our territory. Our is the rocky hills and a base of a mountain. It used to cover a small moor too, but LeafClan stole it. Our territory is shrinking like a rotting berry.


    I gave a small groan, "No, the bright side is that tomorrow it won't be my turn to do dawn patrol."


    "If waking up earlier is too hard for you we'll think of something else for you. Like the elders always need extra attention. You can help rid them of ticks, all seven of them." The deputy spoke.


    I flattened my ears in embarrassment, "I'm good, Dappleshade."


    Dappleshade stopped suddenly. Even my mentor seem to freeze as well. At first I thought it was just him, since his condition causes his limbs not to work so well, but hey join the clan. Then deputy turned her head towards me. "What do you smell?"


    I sniffed the parched dusty ground and a growl rose in my throat. "LeafClan thieves!" I couldn't believe I almost missed it! The scent was strong and horrid, it wasn't a simple crossing the bordering they marked and claimed another part of our territory!


    Dappleshade nodded calmly. "From the scent, it smells like they're probably still here nearby, waiting."


    "Let's go after them then!" I exclaimed. Excitement flowed into my veins. Finally I can show the clan what I'm made of, and more importantly show LeafClan scum that they can no longer bully StoneClan anymore.


    My mentor and the deputy looked at one another. Palemouse softly spoke, "Should we get Deadstar?"


    Dappelshade thought for a quiet moment. I was ready to charge, but my mentor put his light gray tail on my shoulders. I honestly don't know how Palemouse can be so calm! I dug my claws in the dirt as our deputy turned her gaze towards the direction of where LeafClan placed the new borders. "If we get our leader and reinforcements that in of its self could give LeafClan a reason to fight..."


    I interrupted, "Too late! We have a reason to fight!"


    "Not now." Palemouse meowed quietly.


    "As I was saying," Dappleshade continued, "it could cause a fight. But if we go alone to clear things up, us three will get the brunt, but it might end things a little more peaceful."


    "Peaceful not a word LeafClan knows." I muttered.


After a moment of thought Dappleshade finally spoke, "Our best option is to go in just us three as the dawn patrol. Find out the whole situation before jumping into action."



~Chapter 2~


"We investigate and talk, don't attack unless there's no other way." Dappleshade reminded us again, but this time looking at me.


I nodded, holding back a snort. LeafClan took another chuck of our territory, those thieves! There's only one thing to do with rogues like them. I thought bitterly.


Dappleshade, the dark russet colored marbled tabby she-cat, lead the way with Palemouse close behind her. My mentor tripped only once, but was right back on his paws. I secretly admire him, he trips and falls more than I do and he looks physically fine, but he never complains. I gave my twisted leg a quick lick as I hoppled after them.


When we came around a boulder, which Palemouse pretty much ran into, and came upon the dry riverbed the scent of LeafClan was overbearing. Not only that, but those cheeky dung-eaters didn't bother to hide. My dark cream-colored fur stood on end. I tried to walk straighter, putting more weight on my bend leg. I couldn't make out all the LeafClan cats that were there, but there was at least five blurs that I spotted.


"Ah, look who finally showed up. I starting to think you cowardly cursed cats were just going to keep give us your land." A cold voice greeted us. Even with my bad eyesight I could tell from the voice that it was Blazingfire, a popular warrior in LeafClan.
 Apparently to be well liked in a gang of twisted thieves is to be one who most resembles crow-food. My eyes couldn't quite make his build or face out, but I saw his bright reddish brown and white fur lighting up with the rising sun.


Dappleshade stepped forward facing all the them. The sun decided to wake up enough to give a soft reddish glow on the dry riverbed. "What is the meaning of this? LeafClan hunts in the forest, not in the open hills or rocky slopes." Our deputy responded calmly ignoring the LeafClan's taunts. "There's nothing to be gained for LeafClan to take the dry riverbed."


"Our clan is growing daily, something you freaks have no clue about." The piece of fox dung meowed, even this comment rose a few hairs on Palemouse. But the LeafClan scum wasn't done, "Leaf-bare is going to come early, even you can smell that. Or do your noses work?"


"Enough." Dappleshade hissed. "How is this part of the warrior code? Expanding borders to the point of driving another clan out? I'm starting to think LeafClan has no honor. Where's your leader Maplestar? Does she approve this?"


"They never had any honor in the first place!" I growled. Palemouse gave a soft swat with his light gray tail for my outburst. But I can see his own claws digging in the earth.


Blazingfire let out a cold growl. "You filthily rats have no right to preach about honor. My grandfather, Goldenblaze, fought in that bloody war that your ancestors caused!"


A LeafClan she-cat warrior sneered along side him in a sing-song voice. "There just kits of savages. Besides what are they going to do? A lame apprentice, an over-clumsiy warrior, and a kit-sized deputy are going to take us on?" She lifted her golden paw to give it a lick. "Pathetic."


I bared fangs, no one calls me lame or pathetic and gets away with it. Palemouse took a stumbling step in front of me and quickly glance at our deputy. With a few flicks of whiskers and ears from the both of them, my fur stood straighter than it already was. Since StoneClan's had both deaf cats in the past and today we all fluently signing in code. And the code they just said to each other was, 'Get the young out of here.'  Problem was I was NOT going to be treated like kit, I had my honor and my clan to defend.


I bunched back on my back paws and sprung forward nearly knocking into Dappleshade. Landing on my strong front paw, I once again bunched my back legs to give me another good spring. "Dawnpaw!" My mentor called me back, but I had to do this.


I was now just a few whiskers away from the LeafClan she-cat who called me lame, landing on my good paw again but this time I twisted my body so my bent leg was going to be swinging right at her muzzle.


But before my claws could connect to her scrawny whiskers, another LeafClan scum rocketed into my side. Claws ranked down my frank. The thieving LeafClan was only just a little bigger than I was. "Fangpaw, this will be good battle training for you." His mentor, the long-furred golden brown marble tabby, purred darkly.


I felt my side starting to burn from my enemy's claw marks. "How can you even fight with that leg." Fangpaw scoffed, his warm breath in my face. From this close, I could clearly see his face. His face and the rest of his body was a smoky gray, expect his ears which were darker in color. His dark amber eyes met mine.


I narrowed my eyes, "Like this." Twisting my body getting my back to the earth, I gave a hard kick with my back paws to his soft underside. The LeafClan rat in-training gave a yelp of pain and jumped back. Quickly I turned back to my paws and swung my twisted leg to claw his muzzle.


Battle cries erupted. There might have only been three of us, but we sure are keeping LeafClan busy. Dappleshade, was taking Blazingfire head on, despite that he was three-times her size. My mentor, Palemouse, was trying to come towards me but two LeafClan scum blocked him. They looked similar to each other, at least that's what my poor eyes are telling me, they're probably littermates.


Suddenly a weight crashed down on me and sharp teeth dug into my shoulder. "Keep your eyes on your own battle." Fangpaw hissed. My twisted leg gave under the weight and we both landed hard on our sides. The rotten LeafClan apprentice attempted to curl his body so that he could claw my neck and face with his back paws. Unfortunately for him when we fell I used my hind legs to boast me forward just enough to bite the underside of his front leg. He let out a startled hiss and released me.


"You're grip was weak, Fangpaw." His mentor criticized, "You should have gone for her bad leg, not the shoulder."


I snarled at her. She was the one who called me lame. The flea-bitten LeafClan warrior sat on her hindquarters a few tail-lengths away from the fight. She stared at us coolly, almost as if she was bored. My dark cream-colored fur stood on my spine.


"Afraid to get your paws dirty, spoiled kittypet!? Or does your apprentice always fight your..." Before I could finish my remark, her apprentice delivered a hard blow to my forehead. I was dazed for a moment, but that was all Fangpaw needed to have me pinned to the ground. The muscular smoky gray tom seemed to block out entirely the early morning sky as he towered over me. I grit my teeth as I hissed, "Your mentor is a piece of work."


"At least mine doesn't fall on his face every other moment." Fangpaw snorted, curling his lips revealing sharp teeth.


"Fangpaw, once you quickly have someone pinned, you put your claws..." His mentor causally meowed, but it was too late. I let out another hard kick to his underside and once again he staggered back.


"Never learn do you?" I growled as I got back on my paws.


"He's a slow learner." His mentor chided. She licked her front paw, and began to wash her ears with it. I dug my claws into the dry riverbed. She's not taking this serious!?


"This is not just some battle training!" I growled at her, "You, LeafClan rats, are taking our land for what?! Your flea-bitten clan is well fed! No, its for a stupid grudge that's been going on for three generations? You're full of fox-dung! All of you!"


"A stupid grudge?" She mewed, Fangpaw looked like he was going to attack again but his mentor raised her golden tail to tell him wait. "If it were some stupid grudge, why is StarClan still cursing your pathetic clan?"


I snarled, but I didn't have an answer. No one in StoneClan does. Every kit born into StoneClan has asked that question.
 And have asked it more than once.


The twisted fur-ball continued, "It's simple really. StarClan has abandoned the decedents of vile warriors of your clan. You really can't be called warriors anymore can you? More like wounded shadows."


"If we're not warriors, then you must the scarred vermin feeding on past glory." I snarled.


That was when her cold eyes went frozen. My heart barely took another beat when she sprung from her paws and I was pinned faster than one could say mouse. Her claws were against my throat and my back legs were too short so they couldn't reach her belly. "This how you pin down sniveling rouges." Her voice laced with malice both directed at me and her apprentice.


Fangpaw gave a stiff nod, "Yes, Honeydapple."
 The smoky gray tom looked smaller and took one step back.


"Good." She mewed, but that darkness didn't leave her voice. "Now while she's defenseless, kill her."


My blood rang in my ears, I couldn't get out of her grip. I gazed at Fangpaw. He gave her a bewildered look, "That's not the plan. We're just here to take land..."


 Honeydapple gave her apprentice an icy glare. "I thought you wanted to drive these savages out of the land for good."


His dark amber eyes narrowed, "Yes, but not like this. That's just mur..."


His mentor's voice was as frozen as her eyes, "My dear apprentice, I didn't know I was training a spineless fool."


He flinched, but stood his ground. "No. There's-there's no honor in this." Honydapple let out a nasty snarl.


As I racked my brain in trying to figure out how to get out of this mess a voice rang out in the chilly air. "Blazingfire! What on StarClan's name is going on?" I knew that voice. I'm not sure if I should feel dread or relief. The leader of LeafClan and few of her warriors came into view.


As soon as they did the fighting stopped, the LeafClan rat released me. I immeditly looked for my clan-mates. Dappleshade had a nasty wound on her shoulder and leg, but Blazingfire's fur was coated in blood, I hope it was his own blood. My eyes found my mentor, his light gray tabby fur was covered in blood but so were his two opponents. I hobbled towards him, away from the crazy LeafClan fur-balls. As soon as I got to his side, he gave me a quick lick on the forehead where Fangpaw struck me.


Blazingfire padded up to his leader in confidence, his pale reddish brown and white tabby fur shone in the golden sun that's almost off the ground in the distance. "Greetings Maplestar."


His leader narrowed her eyes. "We need to talk, Blazingfire. You had no authority to start this attack."


Blazingfire flicked his tail, "No, we need to act. Our medicine cats..."


"That's not how its interpreted." Maplestar growled with warning.


"How is this interrupted?" A deep voice seemed to whisper through the tension. I couldn't help but to perk my reddish brown ears along with my mentor's as we turned to see our leader, Deadstar, and two of our warriors and one of our elders padding down the rocky slope; Fernstalker, Barepelt, and Silentbird. Deadstar stepped on to the dry riverbed facing Blazingfire and the LeafClan leader. Dappleshade took her place at his side. "Well, what's your excuse this time?" Deadstar causally, yet commanding, asked.


~Chapter 3~


"Well, what's your excuse this time?" Deadstar growled.


At first silence was the only reply. It made my dark cream fur rise to feel the stillness. The dry riverbed that just a few short moments ago was a battlefield, now became still water that was quickly coming to a boil.


Maplestar, the leader of LeafClan, muttered, "That's what I liked to know." Her snide comment wasn't directed at Deadstar, although she didn't seem very pleased that he was here either, but to her own warrior; Blazingfire. All the LeafClan warriors that both started this fight and came with Maplestar held their breath waiting for Blazingfire's answer.
 Eagerly waiting his response.


Blazingfire stood tall only gave a brief lick to his blood stained pelt, "Our clan is growing, Maplestar. And within a half moon leaf-bare should start. As a father myself, I know this was the right choice."


"Not your call." Maplestar hissed her calico fur on end. Most of the LeafClan warriors found other apparently more important things to look at besides Maplestar and Blazingfire. The expectations were the two identical cats that Palemouse faced off, pale brown spotted she-cat and tom, and of course Honeydapple. She sat calmly without a single scratch. I flicked my tail in irritation. She stared with hungry interest in this power struggle between the two LeafClan scum. Her eyes were at of a fox's taking everything and everyone in account for her next move. Still keeping an eye of what was going she turned to give her long golden brown marble tabby fur a lick.


Fangpaw sat somewhat away from his mentor. And I couldn't blame the pest. With mentor like her who needs parasites. Although if he didn't stood up to her, at the last moment, I might have not been here before Deadstar showed up. So maybe, I'll say thanks for not being complete bully, you LeafClan scum.


For a moment he looked torn as his eyes went to Honeydapple and back to Blazingfire's and Maplestar's ridiculous conversation. When our eyes met, he gave a quick glare and then kept his attention on Maplestar and Blazingfire. His dark gray ears drooped just a tad. I snorted as I rubbed the nasty wound that was on my forehead. LeafClan rat. I thought.


Focusing my self I saw Blazingfire giving a small sigh, looking like a queen who was about to her kit a lecture. "Someone has to be leader if you don't."


Before Maplestar could claw this arrogant reddish brown furball, Deadstar cleared his throat. "LeafClan should have this talk later, but for now I expect you to leave at once."


"This is our land now. Why should we give this land to you, savages? Our brave warriors fought and won this land fair and square." Blazingfire meowed boldly. Many of the LeafClan warriors nodded in agreement.


"Enough, Blazingfire!" Maplestar hissed. "This land has little of what we want." She spoke with coldness, for the first time sense she arrived she finally looked Deadstar in the eye. "You may keep this land."


Hisses and growls broke, including mine. Her warriors didn't look happy and we didn't like her word choice-ing. Both Blazingfire and Honeydapple were quiet, Blazingfire's eyes narrowed yet he still looked confident. While Honeydapple had no emotion on her face.


I wanted to run and scratch their ugly muzzles, I could feel Palemouse's light gray tail rest of my shoulders. "This is our land," Deadstar growled, "It's not something for you to give." My dark cream colored fur settled with his comment. The large solid black tom always seemed to know when and how to talk back to our enemies. The rotten LeafClan rats hissed, but Maplestar gave them the signal to leave.


"Kits of savages!"


"Cursed kittypets!"


The slimy hairballs hissed as they slowly began to sulk back into their territory. "Good ridden's." Cedarpath who came with Deadstar meowed, since we only have five warriors in the clan the elders often pitch in. Although they don't have to do dawn patrol, lucky me...


Deadstar started to give orders. The large black tom glanced at his deputy. "Dappleshade can you stand on that leg?"


The tiny deputy nodded, "Blazingfire is all fur no claw, I'll be fine."


"He's also a lot of talk and that does worry me." Deadstar muttered. "Alright, take a few of our warriors to remark the borders. Palemouse and Dawnpaw, come back to camp and rest."


Dappelshade nodded, and quietly began to work. I opened my mouth to protest, but Palemouse shook his head. Then I heard the LeafClan rat, Blazingfire, snort loudly as he was leaving, "You are the worse at of all of them, Deadstar, sired by the tyrant himself!"


All the StoneClan cats stopped at that comment. We didn't care who his father was, he was our leader. And no one gives him mouse-dung about it and gets away with their whiskers. "That's it I gotta..." I hissed I was about to jump to my paws, but once again Palemouse stopped me by grabbing my scruff.


He quietly whispered in my ear, "Deadstar can defend for himself."


Deadstar faced the half eaten crow-food and meowed, "You're right, I should be the most cursed of all." His paw was splayed, but his face was badly burned leaving behind a permanent toothy grin and warped face. Our leader continued, "You're right, I should be the most cursed of all. But the real cursed one isn't the one who has a hard past, it's the one who's stuck there."


Blazingfire unexpectantly flinched and let out a hiss and finally left.


"Told you." Palemouse mewed, "Now come Dawnpaw, let's get our wounds cleaned." nudging me up.


"Not those bitter herbs again! I'd rather go into battle again than that." I protested as I rose on my paws, my shoulder ached but not bad. "Oh and by the way, I pretty much clawed that rat in-training! If his mentor didn't mess with my head, I so would have won!"


"That's nice, Dawnpaw." Palemouse purred in amusement. He had to lean against Fernstalker as we all began to travel. Although I think leaning just made it worse, that fact that Palemouse can't go three steps without falling flat on his face on a good day and added to the fact that Fernstalker's balance isn't so good either without a tail. He tripped over his own paws and fell on her. Luckily though Palemouse isn't very big.


"You got it?" The white she-cat with dark gray patches asked.


"Yea, sorry about that, Fernstalker."


~Chapter 4~


My muscles might as well be on fire by the time I hobbled back to camp. A rush of fussing voices and gestures asked if I was okay. Standing straighter and putting more weight on my twisted front leg, my shoulder murmured in complainant. "Of course! I send a LeafClan rat in-training packing with my bad paw." I boasted.


"Not exactly true, but you fought like a member of TigerClan." My mentor meowed beside me. He leaned against Fernstalker, but somehow tripped and fell over on his other side. "Oof." Escaped his mouth.


"Come on, almost there." Fernstalker meowed kindly as she helped him back on his paws. "Just a few more steps to Yellowberry's den."


Yellowberry was our medicine cat, and I dragged all four my paws along the way. Bitter herbs and uncomfortable stretches, not my idea of fun. The camp was a shallow cave where it sloped down where the dens were. Being in camp caused me to relax a little. But when my mind drifts back to the battle my fur rises again. Stupid Blazingfire and LeafClan rats trying to take our land! And what size fur-ball got stuck in that crazy rouge, Honeydapple. If I never see her or LeafClan in general it will be too soon! I angrily thought to myself.


 I glanced up seeing that we were almost at the medicine cat den. I tried to sweet talk myself out of it, "Dappleshade and Palemouse need his attention more than I do. I'll wait in the apprentice den..." Sadly I was cut off, but not by my mentor who was still struggling to get to his paws despite Fernstalker's help, but by another warrior.


Wrencloud didn't use his words, since he's deaf. He simply gave a kind smile and licked my poor aching shoulder and gave the gash in my forehead a sniff. After he done so he raised his eyebrow. Signing with the movement with my ears telling him that my shoulder and forehead was fine, but he sadly saw through that lie. He shook his head and pointed to the medicine cat den with his tail. I gave a clear pout. He got a big wide smile and amused purred but still didn't change his answer.


"You better do as he says. No one's more stubborn than my mentor, even you." A familiar voice spoke behind him. My spirits rose as my best friend, Acornpaw, came into view.


"I can be just as stubborn." I snorted, signing this as well with tail and my good paw. She was just four moons older than I am. Although if you ask he its over four and a half almost five moons, but no one's asking.


"Like how you were stubborn enough not to go on dawn patrol. Besides now I think you might actually like waking up early for some action." She teased, signing as well.


Wrencloud signed with his paws and whiskers, 'Nothing could ever make badger who just woke up happy.' My friend rolled on her side laughing while I snorted. I butted into his shoulder with the side of my head, and quickly signed that at least someone understands.


"Dawnpaw, quit stalling! You need some herbs for your wounds." Palemouse called from the medicine cat den. Fernstalker finally helped him up to his paws and in the herb-smelling den.


I sighed and answered him sarcastically, "Yes, mom." I hobbled toward the den, hearing Acornpaw still laughing.


Palemouse practically fell into one of the nests in the medicine cat den. He tried to squirm back on his paws, but Yellowberry stopped him. "Hold still for a bit." He started to place cobwebs and herbs all over his scratches.


"We should call you stickypelt." I meowed.


Our medicine cat turned toward me rolling his eyes. "You know your next, right Dawnpaw?"


"My wounds aren't that bad." I protested.


"You have blood all over your face. Palemouse, how do you put up with an apprentice?" Yellowberry chided.


Palemouse let out a purr of amusement. "You get used to them I guess. It makes life more entertaining. You'll just have to found out."


I snorted. I couldn't imagine the medicine cat taking on an apprentice. He is too grumpy and no fun. His whole muzzle was now completely white, he and Grayleaf were the oldest in the clan. Even though the conversation light-hearted and can see the worried looks in both of their eyes. It's been eight moons since a queen has brought forth kits. My mother was the last and I never really got to know her. She was a LeafClan warrior. She fell in love with my dad, but the curse still followed StoneClan blood. When her clan saw me and my sibling with the curse all of the dark-forest broke loose...


A sudden sharp sting interrupted my thoughts. "Ow!" The uncaring fur-ball placed a wad of disgusting half chewed herbs right on my forehead and attempted to spread it to my other scratches. "Can't I just lick them?! How are leaves suppose to heal wounds!?" I growled out the word leaves, stupid LeafClan!


"That's why you're not the medicine cat. Now are you an apprentice or a kit?" Yellowberry snorted. I could hear Palemouse purring in amusement. As he cleaned our wounds, Palemouse and I told him about the battle. Of course I only mentioned me fighting off the flea-bitten Fangpaw. I left out the part where the half eaten crow-food, Honeydapple, had me pinned in moments flat. I flicked my dark cream-colored tail in frustration at the memory. And of course left out the part where Fangpaw did stand up for me at the last screeching moment, possibly but only possibly saved my life, I will not be in debited to LeafClan scum! Palemouse mentioned how he had to fight off Cheetahflight and Leopardleap.


"Isn't Dappleshade going to come and get her wounds checked?" Palemouse asked concern filled his voice. Our deputy had to face the twisted furball, Blazingfire, alone. Her leg looked bad the last time I saw her.


Our medicine cat let out a heavy sigh, "She's with Deadstar and some of the elders. I'm suppose to check up on her wounds after you two. You of all cats should know that your mate can handle herself. I'll be joining them to discuss another plan to keep us safe... Stubbornness must be part of the genetic curse too."


"Nah, must be just a StoneClan thing." I smirked. "We're all kin." Which is true, most of us are all very closely related. Small clan growing smaller doesn't help with the gene-pool.


"Since you're healthy enough to a smart-fur-ball, I'll go join them." Yellowberry rose and headed out the den, but was stopped by Fernstalker who sat quietly outside the den the whole time.


"May I have a quick word with you first?" Fernstalker asked. Her voice trembled a bit. Her white with small dark gray patched fur shone in the sunlight.


Yellowberry muttered "A fast one."


It felt like a moon after Yellowberry left to talk with Fernstalker, he only poked his head back in once to tell us that he was going to check on Dappleshade and join the meeting. Palemouse said it must have only been a few moments. We hear our leader cry out, "All those who are old enough to catch your own prey gather at Camp's Tooth."


I wanted to leap to my paws, but Palemouse's light gray tail rested on my shoulders. "Easy." He told me. "You can get up, but do it slowly. You wouldn't want Yellowberry to get on your tail again."


"He's always on someone's tail." I muttered. I stood on three of my legs, my twisted leg ached along with the shoulder it was attached to. "You coming?" I asked.


He let out a purr of amusement. "Might as well. I just might take me a moment to find my paws, go on. Acornpaw would love to hear your war story." He slowed moved his paws awkwardly as if he was trying to swim through the air sideways.


"Alright, Airfish." I smirked as a hobbled out of the medicine cat den.


"Someone needs to teach you about name calling." I heard him meow after me.


I laughed, "Don't worry, that's my main talent." I limped out into the camp. The rush of the wind that came from the cave's opening felt so good on my dark cream-colored fur. StoneClan cats were already gathered around Camp's Tooth. It was a large pointed rock that stuck out of the ground in the back of the camp deeper in the cave. It was also said that the cave was much deeper till it collapsed so now we live in the base of the mouth of the cave.


Loud voices could be heard from the crowd. I saw Acornpaw sitting next to her mentor. I limped over to the bright ginger tabby she-cat with white back paws. "How was the herbs?" Acornpaw snickered playfully.


"I don't know, Yellowberry smeared them all over my pelt so I didn't even get to try any. Expect for poppyseeds, I sure someday I'm going to chock those..." Our conversation stopped when Acornpaw's mentor gently slapped his tail over both our mouths. We stayed quiet for only a few seconds till I leaned over and whispered, "How did he know we were talking?"


"Viberations, furball." Acornpaw whispered back. While I sat next to her, I made sure not to get herb goop on her. Most herbs make Acornpaw sick. Her throat will swell and her pelt will become bumpy and sore. I turned to look at her mentor, Wrencloud, his attention was forward towards Deadstar who perched on top of Camp's Tooth.


Deadstar began, he also used his paws, ears, and tail to sign for those of us who were deaf like Acornpaw's mentor and Silentbird.
 His deep voice carried through the camp, "Cats of StoneClan, we were able to defend our territory today. Our clan-mates have fought with honor."


"For how long?" A voice rang out. It was Heronsight who spoke out. He was a big tom and his nervous eyes gazed over all of us, "How long do we have to keep fighting for our land, and for our lives?"


Silence filled the camp. The cats next to the deaf signed what he had said. We all turned towards Deadstar for an answer, his expression unwavering. "Till there's nothing left to fight for. And we have plenty to fight for, we have each other to look after. Battle after battle has made us stronger."


"Might it be better for us to find a new home?" An elder asked, it was Deadstar's sister, Darkfern.


Murmurs and loud whispers sprung from the crowd. This wasn't the first time someone has brought this up. "This is our home and we'll fight for it!" I exclaimed loudly. Letting LeafClan bullies to win, I don' think so!


"We'll never be reaccepted as a clan anyway!" Yellowberry muttered from upfront. He was beside Dappleshade, our deputy, putting herbs on her wounds. She sat there quietly as usually thinking before acting.


'We're warriors and we fight for our home!' Acornpaw's mentor signed with his paws extending his claws for warrior and fight.


"What if it's the only way for us to have peace?" Palemouse quietly spoke from behind us. It took him forever to lumber out of the medicine cat den.


"Enough!" Deadstar called our attention once again. We all fell silent. His burnt face twisted in concern for moment but then once again held confidence. "Yellowberry, you were saying you had a sign?"


Yellowberry nodded, and hushed voices murmured for a few short moments before Deadstar raised his tail for silence. I couldn't help but snort. StarClan help us?! They put us in this mess! I wanted to shout it but I could feel my friend, Acornpaw beside me and Palemouse's tail on my shoulders. They both helped me to calm down, but I still wasn't happy about it.


The cream-colored and white tabby tom gazed over the crowd of StoneClan cats. "I believe I have been a prophecy." Now their was roar of angry and confusion, my own voice joining in.


"Now StarClan wishes to speak with us!?"


"Let me guess, it says we'll be given another curse!"


Deadstar raised his black tail for silence. Our voices settled, but not our fur. "We are StoneClan, a clan full of honorable and loyal warriors. Since when do we act this way?" When no one answered his question he turned back to our medicine cat. "Go on, Yellowberry."


Yellowberry nodded to his leader and shared, "On the night of the new moon, I went to seek council from them." Most medicine cats go during the half moon, but LeafClan wont let our medicine cat go with the other medicine cats. So in order for Yellowberry to still go to the Star-sight Cliff he has to go during the new moon when it is dark and he can go in secret from both LeafClan and ReedClan.
 "During the vision I caught a huge and gorgeous rabbit. When I tried to bring it back to camp, I noticed that it was starting to rot on one side. It didn't take it long for the whole rabbit to get infested with maggots and mold. Then I heard the words, 'Corruption with spread, cut it out before there's nothing left. Only in peace and forgiveness will it end.'"


We were all silent for a long. Then one of the elders, Twistedbriar, mewed with a lisp, "Doeth it mean we're leaving?"


Deadstar held all our gazes for a moment then he spoke with his deep voice, "No, for that would be admitting that we are the corruption. We are good and faithful warriors and we will finally prove that to StarClan itself if we have to."


I'm sure we're all feeling the same doubts and worries. But before we could all be thrown into an another argument about it. Fernstalker stepped forward, the small white she-cat with dark gray patches raised her quiet voice. "If I may be able to speak?" Deadstar nodded to his daughter. Fernstalker nodded back to our clan-leader and continued, "I know this is a bit off-topic. But I'd like to give the clan some happy news, I'm expecting kits." The tension dispersed as the attention went to Fernstalker. She stood in the back of the clan gathering.


"That's wonderful!" Darkfern meowed loudly. Her graying face shone with pride towards her niece.


"This is great news!" mewed another elder to another.


Silentbird signed with her small frail paws and long tail, 'Is this true?' she asked. The older she-cat was towards the front near where Deadstar, Yellowberry and Dappleshade sat. Her eyes were going bad so it's getting harder for her to see what they are signing.


Yellowberry nodded towards her. He signed to her as well as spoke out loud, "She came to see me to check earlier before the clan meeting. StoneClan's going to have another litter of kits." With this confirmation, StoneClan cats swarmed her to congratulate her. The white she-cat looked startled with all this attention. Fernstalker has never been one to really speak out, much less have the whole clan fuss over her.


Even I was on my paws, well three of them, excited. StoneClan's going to have more kits! I was the last born into the clan but now I'll finally no longer be the youngest. No more fussing over me! I thought happily. More StoneClan cats gathered around Fernstalker, completely have forgotten the topic for the meeting. Which in all reality might be good thing.


The furless warrior, Barepelt, meowed towards Yellowberry who sat a little bit back from the crowd around Fernstalker. "Hey, maybe you'll get an apprentice soon."


The old cream-colored and white tabby tom grumbled, "Too noisy."


We all just purred in amusement over the thought of our grumpy medicine cat having to care for an apprentice. "Let's not wish the poor fate of Fernstalker's kits being Yellowberry's apprentice." I whispered to Acornpaw.


She gently nudged my shoulder, which she accidently had forgotten that it was injured in the battle earlier. Ouch. "We know that doesn't work, since we all tried to doing that to you." She teased.


Wrencloud specially proud, Fernstalker's mate. StoneClan cats also padded up to him to send their congrates as well. As I was about to slip into the wall of cats to congratulation Fernstalker also, a thought struck. Glancing around the happy and energy scene I couldn't help but wonder what the clan's reaction was when I was brought it. Till then I had always concerted myself as full on StoneClan, but some half breed. I couldn't help but to ask Acornpaw, "Was the clan this fuzzy excited when I was born?'


Acornpaw paused to think, "I can't remember all too much, I was young then."


"You are young, mousebrain" I muttered cuffing her, still trying to get back for her nudging my hurt shoulder.


"I mean younger, fur-ball. I'm four and a half moons older than you!" She meowed.


"You always have to add the half, don't you?" I muttered.


A new voice joined in our conversation. "It was different, but not a bad different." My mentor, Palemouse meowed. He was so quiet I had almost forgot he was there.


I turned towards the light gray tabby warrior, "I know I heard the story from my dad before he..." I paused. It was almost two moons ago before StarClan stole him away from me. As if the curse on StoneClan wasn't enough they took away StoneClan's heroic deputy, my dad.


"Duskfall was a great deputy." Palemouse consoled. "That the time when you were brought in we were all very surprised that he had even fallen in love with a LeafClan cat. But after your mother was murdered and your brothers perished along with her, we gladly took you in. You are very much a welcomed member of StoneClan." Palemouse spoke. In spite of myself I smiled, even though it still angers me of what happened to my mother and brothers. I don' remember them at all. All I know is their names from what my dad told me. My mother, Morninglight; and my brothers Twilightkit, Nightkit, and Duskkit.


"This a happy occasion for StoneClan." Deadstar's deep voice interrupted my thoughts as well as the crowd that is gathered around Fernstalker. Although Fernstalker blinked gratefully towards our leader, for the attention diversion. Deadstar continued, "This must be sign that we will stay in our territory or at least we will stay till the young ones arrive and are well enough to travel." The clan purred in agreement. I wanted to shout in rejoice over this. No slimy rats of LeafClan are going to kick us out of our territory! We are going nowhere!


 "Now then, it is nearly sun-high and very little hunting has been done. Dappleshade, if you would please organize patrols to get this all started that would be much appreciated." Deadstar closed the meeting with a nod from Dappleshade.


It took us awhile to get organized again, most of us wanted to chat with one another than go out. We were all too excited for these new arrivals to notice how hungry we were. Even patient Dappleshade look slightly frustrated with us as we slowly got ready for patrols and hunting parties. Of course me, Palemouse, and Dappleshade herself weren't aloud to go out due to the stupid attempt on stealing of our land by crow-food-filled LeafClan.


I glanced at Fernstalker and her mate, as her father, Deadstar, happily talked with them. This litter will be their first
. And I jealously watch as both warriors and elders head off to hunt. Since there is only five warrior in the clan, one now injured and one probably not going to be let out often due to her going to have kits soon, that leaves us with about three warriors. Elders often pitch in, expect for the oldest Hawkgaze and Grayleaf. They are old enough to have been born before the curse. Even Yellowberry was born before the curse, just that the scars of the war make these ancient cats look like they've been cursed.


I happily hobbled towards the exit of camp, not to leave of course, but that was where most of the warm sunlight came into to the shallow cave of our camp. I laid down in the heated sand and started to purr. Finally something good happens to StoneClan. We'll show StarClan we're a powerful and a proud clan of true warriors. I proudly thought. Before sleep could take me a dark cloud sliding in the horizon appeared as I closed my eyes.


~Chapter 5~

~~Fangpaw of LeafClan~~
The days that went by was ridged with contention. Our warriors have been bickering since the day we won the land by the dry riverbed, but Maplestar gave it back to those cursed rouges. I wasn't sure what to think of it.


"I still don't see why Maplestar gave the land back to them!" A voice grumped right beside me.


I shrugged. Three of us apprentices were preparing to carry moss drench in mouse-bile for the elder's ticks. Luckily me and my grumpy clan-mate, Sagepaw, didn't actually have to dip them into the bile, just carry. Which is bad enough. Although this would have been a perfect distraction from skirmish days before. I've been trying to forget about, but all this quiet arguing among us, it was hard to put it aside.


A small cat huffed on the other side of me. My sister, the medicine cat apprentice, sniffed my wounds from the battle checking for infection. "Blazingfire tried to take their land without Maplestar's permission." She reminded us.


We both knew that it was done healing by now, but for the time being I've been trying hard not be able to go out and hunt or battle train with my mentor. I shuddered at the memory. Honeydapple wanted me to kill that StoneClan apprentice... Have I just gotten soft? I thought as I gave my smoky gray pelt a shake.


"Maplestar is in the wrong! Blazingfire is the best warrior in all the clans. He knows that rouges and vermin don't own land." Sagepaw hissed. She was even smaller than both of my sisters, Aspenpaw and Shadedpaw. Sagepaw barely turned six moons old, and thinks she's all that and some mouse meat. She's Blazingfire's only kit.


Aspenpaw rolled her eyes at our snappy clan-mate's comment. "We don't need their land. This grudge has gone on long enough don't you think."


Air caught in my throat with my sister's comment. I quickly turned my head to see if any senior warriors hear it. All of our elders and senior warriors still bear nasty scars and war stories from the war. Deep in our forest, the trees also bore the burnt scars of when StoneClan tried to raise fire in our hunting territory. Near where the old camp used to lie.


"They're evil, Aspenpaw!" Sagepaw hissed, "Besides even you and your mentors, Juniperthorn and Ivypath, had been warned by StarClan that they are corruption and are needed to get rid of." Our first medicine cat is ready to retire to the position of elder, but is too stubborn to give up yet. And since Aspenpaw had no guts for fighting even just battle training it was decided that the second medicine cat would take her as an apprentice.


"We're not sure that's what the prophecy means." My sister hissed back. It must have been a moon ago since our medicine cat received the prophecy, 'Corruption will spread, cut it out before there's nothing left. Only in peace and forgiveness will it end.'


I took a step to separate the two. "In any case, I don't think it's smart for any of our warrior's to hear you say that." I cautioned Aspenpaw. "StoneClan has deeply wronged us..." I tried to remind her.


"And the score isn't even." The six moon old apprentice growled, trying to sound like her father. She dug her claws in the dry soil.


My sister let out an exasperating sigh, "Just go and get rid of the ticks off the elders, you punks." She nudged my shoulder to get me off my paws. "They'll be ticked if you don't go." Her tone lighted up.


"Very funny." I muttered.



As I and Blazingfire's daughter padded towards the elder's den. She complained about how I went to the battle and she didn't. I couldn't help but let my smoky gray fur rise, but I kept silent. Sagepaw wouldn't be whining if she was there. Was I wrong in letting an enemy go? Or was sparing that annoying StoneClan apprentice right? Our warrior code says one thing, but my clan-mates say another. Doubt tumbled in my mind.


"Fangpaw!" The voice I feared the most mewed right behind me. I froze in mid step. As I turned I saw Honeydapple, her golden brown tabby fur glowing in the falling sun. "Come, it's been awhile since you've had battle training, my dear apprentice."


"But..." I stammered but was quickly interrupted.


"Our senior medicine cat says your healed by now." Her voice empathized on 'senior'. Aspenpaw kept trying to make excuses, but it seems Juniperthorn's word carries more. "And I think your den-mate can finish helping the elder by herself."


"I want to come too!" Sagepaw hollered.


Honeydapple stared at her for a quiet moment before a smirk grew on her face. She mewed, "Fine, go find another apprentice to take your place and come with us." I shuddered as Sagepaw ran to go and find Owlpaw to do our chores for us. I never liked it when my mentor smirked like that.


When Sagepaw returned we headed our way towards the camp's exist, my eyes glazed over to the nursery. A single she-cat laid there near the mouth of the nursery with her belly slightly protruding. I twitched my ears to get Mottledfeather's attention, hoping that she'll call me over to help her with something. But to no avail. My hopes were dashed as we quietly past by my mother.


We picked up speed as soon as we left camp. Camp was hidden securely in the thick brambles and briars. LeafClan has lived there for about three generations, since the end of the war. I turned my gaze forward trying hard not to run into anything. The leafs on the top of the trees bleed red from the setting sun. Although it was getting closer to leaf-fall so it was hard to tell what was a trick of the light and reality.


A dead mouse must have kick me in the gut as I noticed we weren't heading for the normal battle training area. Dusty ashes tickled my nose as we entered deep into the Scars of War. Long ago, according to the elders and senior warriors, StoneClan stole things from twolegs that create fire. They took these things and set our old camp in ablaze. It consumed much of our hunting territory and still today we have to hunt around the area to help it grow back.


The farther we went the tree became black logs being held up by some unknown force. A dense undergrowth returned climbing the skeleton of the forest, but it couldn't keep the stench of musky smoke from entering your nose. The ground underneath couldn't be call soil, more like a nest of soot mingled with earth.


Suddenly voices could be heard. Cheetahflight's and Leopardleap's voices for sure could be heard. As we entered into the old site of the burned down camp, Blazingfire's eyes turned towards us. He was sitting on a withering blacken branch. The huge maple tree was told by elders that it was the center of LeafClan's old camp. Our clan leader's den was in the tree. Blazingfire's pale reddish brown fur turned into a bright ginger in the color of the dying sun. His eyes met Honeydapple's for a moment before she padded into the small crowd gathered around the tree that Blazingfire was sitting in. With one bound she leaped into the tree and sat in the base of the branch near where Blazingfire sat.


Leopardleap and Cheetahflight sat near the tree together. The brother and sister never were ever too far apart from each other. There were other warriors as well, for the first time to a meeting like this like Brookfur and Elkfoot. "Glad you could make it." Blazingfire greeted coldly. For a half a moment I thought he was talking to Honeydapple. But no one talks to Honeydapple that way and still has whiskers, no his hard gaze was at me. I nodded to him in respect hoping to get him off my tail. "I heard you had ruined an opportunity to rid the forest of at least one of it's vermin that crawl around here." He hissed.


The group went silent as it turned it's attention on me. Cheetahflight exclaimed first breaking the stillness, "What!? What you mouse-brained!"


"StoneClan has never shown mercy before, why should we show them some?!" Leopardleap agreed with his sister.


Swallowing my words as I tried to defend myself, "She was defeated, the warrior code says..."


"Exactly so you should have finished her off!" Cheetahflight growled.


One of the newcomers pointed out, "They are a threat to all us. The warrior code says to defend our boarders."


"We were just trying to get more hunting ground, not going out to kill..." I spoke out but was once again ignored.


Leopardleap hissed, "And that land should have been ours!"


"Maplestar is a fool." Brookfur agreed quietly.


Honeydapple joined in with a calm presence. Since she hopped on the branch she had began to casually groom her face with her paws. But I knew better, she was observing every detail of this conversation. She meowed. "The prophecy said we needed to cut out the corruption 'before there's nothing left'."


"How much more could StoneClan ruin?" Elkfoot asked.


Cheetahflight growled, "Everything they touch! We have to get rid of them soon!"


Blazingfire spoke, drawing the attention back to him. "We can't get rid of StoneClan by ourselves. It has to be done with a whole clan's effort."


"Maplestar would never..." Leopardleap complained but was interrupted as Honeydapple stopped washing her paws and once again joined the conversation.


"Don't worry about that part." Honeydapple mewed her voice still sounding calm but was now sharpen with an edge of darkness, her cold eyes met mine. "Since my dear apprentice decided to side with vermin, it will be his job to personally end all the apprentices and kits in StoneClan. Much like what StarClan did to stop the war long ago."


I stood there dumbfounded. The eerie silent of Scar of Wars increased. Like the silence and the smell of smoke were working together to choke me out. Everyone's eyes were on me. I didn't dare take my dark amber eyes off of Honeydapple. She sat calmly on her hindquarters high in the burnt tree next to Blazingfire, but her eyes had a death grip on mine. "But that's... I can't..." I forced the words out but then the noise came rushing back.


"That's a brilliant idea!" Cheered Cheetahflight. Her own cold eyes on me, "You can defeat a crippled and a scrawny kit, right?'


"Wait, there's only one apprentice in StoneClan?" Sagepaw's voice pierced through the small and gathered crowd. She had only been an apprentice a few days. Doubt creep in my gut about her. She shouldn't have been here, I wanted to glare at Honeydapple for bringing her along but I didn't dare. And I could tell the look Blazingfire gave her, he wasn't happy that his daughter was here either.


"No, there's two. One's very skinny and the other has a leg that's as twisted as a bramble." Elkfoot huffed. "That vile clan hasn't had kits in a long time. I mean it has been almost a full four seasons since Morninglight's..."


"Enough!" Honeydapple snapped loudly, for the first time in a long while she actually raised her voice. I swallowed, it was an unspoken rule that no one mentions Honeydapple's other sister Morninglight, especially in front of Honeydapple.


"The point being, is that if we can take out the rising generation of these cursed cats StoneClan will be no more." Blazingfire growled. He was on his paws now, high in the tree. The light of the setting sun grew cold and the light dimmed. I felt Sagepaw shift her weight beside me. Glancing at her I could see that she look just as disturbed as I felt.


"Blazingfire, you can't be serious in just sending one apprentice to kill off all the apprentices in StoneClan? And if there is kits, they'll be tucked away in their camp. " Brookfur questioned.


Blazingfire nodded, "It will be simply, we'll..."


"Also send Sagepaw." Honeydapple mewed interrupting him.


Now our two leaders of the small group stared hard at each other. Blazingfire's pale reddish brown and white tabby fur rose. "My daughter barely earned her apprentice name. She shouldn't even be here..."


"It's far too dangerous?" Honeydapple sickly sweet voice finished his sentence. "Is the daughter of the great Blazingfire, the grandson of Goldenblaze, himself, too weak and helpless to save our clan from the puny insects of StoneClan?"


"I'm not weak! Nor helpless!" Sagepaw yowled at Honeydapple.


Blazingfire's turned his head towards his daughter, "Sagepaw." He growled in warning.


In the dying light I saw Sagepaw's dark golden brown and white fur rise. "I'm not a kit anymore!"


"You haven't had a single battle training session yet!" Blazingfire hissed.


Honeydapple mewed, "Then it would be a perfect time for practice for her, wont it. I'm sure Fangpaw will show her how it's done." Her cold eyes fell on me. I fought back a snarl, keeping the best straight face as I could.


The other cats in the small crowd cheered at this conclusion. "Fangpaw and Sagepaw!" They shouted. I secretly hoped that other LeafClan warriors were on patrol or hunting near here so they could hear and find out what was going on. Then this whole thing would be a bust and Maplestar would end this. But I was just holding my breath. The Scars of War had little prey so there would be no hunting parties, and the night patrol would be at this time be on the other side of our territory.


"But what about Maplestar?" Cheetahflight hissed. "She'll just try to compromise with those foul creatures."


A small twisted smile appeared on Honeydapple's golden brown face. "Soon my dear sister will have no choice in the matter."

~~~

The air was finally now cool, yet on the inside I still felt comfortably warm. After the meeting, we separately disbursed. So not to all come into camp at the same time to rouse suspicion. Sadly this meant I had to follow directly behind my mentor, Honeydapple. My heart hammered with all the news from the meeting. I finally hissed under my breath, somewhat hoping Honeydapple wouldn't hear it, "What if I refuse to do as you say?"


To my horror, Honeydapple paused in mid step. I froze. I cursed in my head for the slip of my tongue. She glanced over her shoulder to look at me. Her body language was calm and causal, but her golden amber eyes were sharped into narrow claws. "If you fail your assignment, well. Then who knows what will happen to your sisters, Aspenpaw and Shadedpaw, and of course your unborn siblings.


"You leave them out of this!" I growled. "Or I'll..."


"Go tell Maplestar? So you'll tell her what, that you have been going to a secret meeting behind everyone's tails for moons that is for helping our clan get rid of vermin and that you're too scared or too weak to finish a job I told you to do days ago?" She mewed. "Think about it, Fangpaw. We're just trying to follow what our own medicine cats have prophesied. We're getting rid of the corruption of StoneClan."


I fell silent, but my smoky gray fur rose. Honeydapple took my non-response as an agreement. "Good, now prepare yourself. You have an important mission up head."