𝑺𝒊𝒏𝒊𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝑭𝒆𝒆𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒔: 𝑨 𝒘𝒂𝒓𝒓𝒊𝒐𝒓 𝒄𝒂𝒕 𝑭𝒂𝒏𝒇𝒊𝒄

Chapter 14

Beware the dark pool at the bottom of our hearts. In its icy, black depths dwell strange and twisted creatures it is best not to disturb.

━─┉┈┈◈❖◈┈┈┉─━

NO!!!! Maplepaw screamed internally. It couldn't be! If Blackcloud left, the only warrior she would be able to spar with was...Waspsting. She wanted to drag Blackcloud back with her very own claws. Based on the devious look on both Blackcloud and her father's face, she was certain the three of them devised this together.

Biting on her tongue, she steeled her nerves and looked squarely into her father's eyes. She had repeatedly told herself that her emotions would not mix with her performance again and she would not let this trivial incident be the key to losing her battles. She definitely must've picked up the trait of complete scrutiny from both her parents because Waspsting must definitely have seen her training and how often her emotions got a hold of her. But today was not the day and she was determined to prove them all wrong.

"Coming back from that incident, Maplepaw will be combatting Waspsting. I wish you the best of luck and you may begin," Cinderstar meowed, voice dripping with false sincerity. Cinderstar must still be holding a grudge against her after she'd accidentally killed her daughter.

Maplepaw hesitantly placed a paw forward, but with so many pairs of eyes on her, she could allow any points of weakness to be shown.

"Well, my daughter," Waspsting spoke, breaking the silence as none of them moved from their positions. "I'm glad you've turned out to become such a great apprentice. You're doing well and I hope you will pass your assessments this time around."

Maplepaw's jaw tightened, seeing red and from the smug expression on her father's face, she knew he thought he succeeded and that he would expect her launch towards him in a split second. However, Maplepaw kept her ground, unsheathing her claws and burying them into the ground as she responded with her own insults, her voice calm and steady,

"Well, dear father. Thank you so very much for the compliments, however, this is indeed getting quite boring with the two of us standing here. Why aren't you attacking? Perhaps you've forgotten how to fight and need to return back to your days of apprenticehood?"

Waspsting's muzzle curled and Maplepaw stood, now alert, knowing that he should strike soon, but to her surprise, he merely replied, with a cool mask of serenity,

"Well, since you're the apprentice here who's about to become a warrior, perhaps you could demonstrate?"

Maplepaw fought back, not willing to back down,

"Well, clearly I wouldn't be as skilled as the powerful, great deputy of MistClan, so I believe, out of respect and humbleness, you should strike the first blow."

Waspsting shot forward, a blur of gold and black as Maplepaw stumbled over herself to get out of the way.

Move, you idiot! She cursed herself.

She was fast enough to escape, but tripped over her own paws and a smack by Waspsting's paw sent her entire vision spinning. As he caught her with his paws whilst she was still trying to regain her vision, he screeched in her face,

"How dare you insult your father like this! I have been so kind to you throughout your life! Granting you apprenticehood on time-"

Maplepaw bit down on the joints of his paws, not hard enough to draw blood or cause pain, but enough to let an opponent let go of her, exactly as she'd been told by her mother, for it was a reflexive move almost no one could control.

Sure enough, Waspsting let go of her and Maplepaw twisted around, facing her father, his golden eyes blazing with pure hatred and malice.

"Where did you learn that?" he snarled.