Dawnstar's Legacy

Chapter 15: The Truth

Dawnstar awoke in the Dark Forest.

“Why am I here again!”

A silhouette moved amongst the shadows in front of Dawnstar. She flattened her ears and bared her teeth.

“What do you want!”

The silhouette moved before answering.

“I want to show you how to be strong. I want to teach you how to be stronger than any warrior who ever set their paws in the forest. If you allow me to help you, I will answer any questions you have?”

Dawnstar continued to stare into the trees as she considered the offer.

“Fine, it can’t hurt to practice.”

The silhouette stepped out of the shadows and closer toward Dawnstar.

“No, it can’t hurt to have some extra practice and learn some new skills. Now, what would you like to know?”

Dawnstar thought carefully about her questions and prepared herself for the truth.

“First of all, I think I deserve to know your name, second, who was the cat behind you the last time I was here, and third, what the truth about Flintstar?”

The orange she-cat padded closer to Dawnstar but stopped a fox-length away.

“My name is Suntail. I’ve been stuck here ever since I was killed by my own brother. As for your second question, that is not my secret to tell. For the final question you asked, I must know, are you sure you’re strong enough to know the truth?"

Dawnstar hissed at Suntail and flattened her ears. Suntail laughed and moved back into the shadows.

“Good, I figured you were, but I’m not sure I should tell you. I think Flintstar himself, should explain to you his own lies.”

Dawnstar cocked her head at the she-cat and noticed a small movement next to Suntail. Suntail quickly shoved a grey tom toward Dawnstar and hissed.

“Go on now Flintstar, tell Dawnstar what you did and made all of her clanmates keep it a secret!”

Dawnstar stared at Flintstar in disbelief.

“What have you been keeping a secret from me!”

Flintstar looked down at his paws but Suntail smacked him, causing him to look back up at Dawnstar.

“Dawnstar, I’m so sorry.” he whispered.

Suntail hissed and shoved him again.

“Tell her the truth!” Suntail growled.

Flintstar nodded and looked back up at Dawnstar.

“I’m glad that you’ve looked up to me Dawnstar, and I’m glad I helped you become a strong warrior, but...”

Dawnstar cocked her head as Flintstar trailed off.

Flintstar took in a deep breath and continued.

“But your clanmates haven’t been honest with you. A while ago, when Suntail was still a warrior, she fell in love with a Treeclan tom called Wolfsong. They had two kits together. Unfortunately, Wolfsong wanted his kits in Treeclan and attacked our camp. When the attack was still going, Clearstar, well Clearfur, killed one of her kits. Wavestar called for a retreat and the battle ended. However, Suntail ran into the forest and killed him, his new mate, and took one of Wavestar’s lives away. Clearfur chased her back and I exiled her from the clan. A few days later, she attacked me, Nightshade, and Riverstone. Riverstone was killed and I was knocked to the ground after she attacked. Nightshade ended up doing what was necessary and killed her.”