A Misty Moonhigh

Chapter Four

The moon shone white through the blasting blizzard. The first snow swirled dramatically through the trees, a loud howl piercing the air. A streak of darkness dashed through the freezing forest, there one second gone the next.

No, it wasn't the final phase. But it was getting closer, soon the forest would wake up from the trance they were in and have to peer over their shoulders at every moment. Soon she would be feared, remembered as the plague of the forest. Her named would strike fear into the hearts of the pathetic warriors. They didn't notice when she slunk into camp that night. Nor did they notice her leave, a cat with an x across his throat to mark her appearance. No one noticed at all.

-=+=-

The leaves were a deep green color, very unlike the leaf-bare season. Meadowcreek wasn't complaining. The sooner new-leaf arrived the better. The cold morning air kissed her pelt and face and she strode into the snowless camp. The cats around her seemed happier, as if a weight had lifted from their shoulders. Was the Shadow-cat dead? Meadowcreek shrugged, padding out of camp into the fresh forest.

The leaves above her darkened, preventing much light from getting through the trees. Meadowcreek padded through the forest, alert and searching for prey. She flicked her tail, wondering if there were any mice in the area, when a dark shadow entered her vision. She started, leaping back a step. It was the Shadow-cat, so close to camp. She snarled, leaping at the strange cat, but it dodged, spinning and placing it's claws across Meadowcreek's neck.
"Pathetic clan kit, you'll die just like Lightnose." It hissed, applying more pressure to her neck. Almost gently, the Shadow-cat traced her claws down Meadowcreek's neck, drawing small rivulets of blood. The cat smiled sadistically, before finally squeezing hard enough. Meadowcreek's choked, feeling lightheaded. Was that someone calling her name?

-=+=-

"Meadowcreek! Get up!" Scarredheart screeched, pushing at Meadowcreek. Another cat, Shadepelt, stood at her side. Meadowcreek coughed, flailing her paws.
"H-help! Help! Th-the Sha- oh, thank StarClan it's just you..." she meowed, breathing quickly. Scarredheart nodded, licking her friend's cheek. Shadepelt dipped his head, glancing behind himself.
"Look, Meadowcreek, we've got bad news. Everyone's really worried. Frostfall has been... claimed." Scarredheart whispered, eyes widened in fear. Meadowcreek shivered.
"When you didn't come into the clearing after the dawn-patrol returned, we got really worried you were taken out too." Shadepelt added. Meadowcreek nodded, standing up shakily and padding past her clan mates. She pushed through the thinning bush that was the Warriors den and stared into the clearing. Clumps of two or three cats were dotted around it, all of them, looking afraid and chilly. Snow blanketed everything, painting the camp white. The was an ominous air hanging over the camp. Moonstar leapt out of his den, onto the high-ledge.
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, join here beneath the high-ledge for a clan meeting!" He yowled, voice stretching out across the clearing. Meadowcreek's clan mates muttered to themselves, quickly walking towards the high-ledge.
"It is with great sadness that I call this clan meeting. As you know, one of our dearest clan mates, Frostfall, was struck down by the Shadow-cat. He will be remembered and loved for the rest of ThunderClan's existence. However, I must have a new deputy before the moon peaks." Moonstar lowered his head, staring at the ground. Glaring up at the sky defiantly, he yowled, "I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirit of Frostfall may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of ThunderClan is Echodream!" The pretty white, Maine Coon shecat looked up in surprise, then rose to her feet, leaping up onto the high-ledge beside Moonstar. She stood taller than him, and puffed out her chest fur.
"It is my honor to serve as clan deputy in Frostfall's place, may StarClan light his path." She meowed, emerald green eyes blazing in the snow-magnified sunlight. Moonstar smiled, a new hope (roll Star Wars credits 😊) burning in his eyes.
"The gathering is tonight, you know who is going. Clan dismissed!"
The two cats turned, padding into the leader's den to plan. Meadowcreek smiled. Echodream would do good things for the clan, even though she was a bit of a disciplinarian. Shaking her pelt, Meadowcreek turned towards the forest, prepared to have another round with Ink. She didn't notice Sunshine, the young rogue, coming up behind her.
"Hiiiiii! Sunshine meowed, eyes bright. Meadowcreek rolled her eyes before turning around, a fake smile on her face.
"Uh... Hi Sunshine. Are you- are you feeling better?"
"You bet I am! Your medicine cat, Berrymist, is amazing! And guess what? I'm joining ThunderClan!" The cat meowed excitedly." Meadowcreek shuddered, her mind clawing herself.
"Y-yeah, that's totally great. Uh, welcome to ThunderClan... I have to go somewhere, bye!" She meowed awkwardly, running off into the woods. She shook her head, reaching out for Ink. You there old piece of fox-dung? Come on out Ink, she thought, unsheathing her claws.
The small black cat shimmered into existence beside her, a frown on his face.
"Yes, yes, I know Ink. I know what you're going to say... 'Why in the name of StarClan did you let the Shadow-cat beat you?!' I know, I know." She meowed, rolling her eyes. He nodded before suddenly lashing out, clawing her chest, drawing blood. She hissed, but didn't attack. Meadowcreek knew better than that.
"You disgrace me. You let Defiance, Defiance, of all cats, defeat you, my prodigy." He snarled, glaring knives at her.
"Defiance? Is-is that the name of the Shadow-cat?"
"Yes, you bumbling idiot. Daughter of Cursed, son of Peril and Broken. How dare you let her beat you?" Ink lashed out again, only to have his paw caught mid strike by Meadowcreek. She sunk her claws into his paw, then released and spat at his feet.
"You don't control me. You can't attack me randomly. You might train me, but that doesn't matter. Ink, we are done. I'm not letting you rule my life anymore." Meadowcreek glared hatefully at him before turning away and strutting back to camp.

-=+=-

OH MY ONIONS! Sorry this took so long, I hate myself. Seriously.
I hope you like it so far, make sure to leave reviews, and thanks for reading this. I'll try to get another one out today or tomorrow to make up for it, and there will probably be on on Saturday too. Again, I'm sorry.
-😘 Sage