Dawnstar's Legacy

Chapter 20: Secret

Dawnstar opened her eyes and smiled. She was in the Dark Forest, Suntail before her.

“Greetings Dawnstar,” she meowed.

Dawnstar nodded in respect and lifted her gaze. Beyond Suntail was a group of cats, including Ambermoon. Flicking her tail, Dawnstar padded before the group and lifted her chin.

The five warriors before her lifted their chins as well and smiled. Darkshade and Suntail stepped toward the slightly bloody leader and nodded.

“Come Dawnstar. Come lead us and help us take over the Clans!”

Dawnstar’s gaze dropped to her paws. “I killed him. I killed Breezestar.”

Suntail smiled and laughed maniacally and gave Dawnstar a crazy grin afterwards.

“I know, I was there!” she howled.

Darkshade, Icegaze, and Whitefang started yowling in approval and stamped their paws.

“Dawnstar is the new leader of the Dark Forest!” they roared.

Dawnstar smiled and lifted her head. She nodded, unsheathed her claws, and let out a loud, echoing battle cry.

* * * * *

Thornpetal trotted ahead of the patrol. She entered camp, and quickly padded toward Fiercefang and Mistyrain.

“Can I speak with you two?”

The pair nodded and walked into Dawnstar’s den.

Mistyrain flicked her ear and whispered, ”What do you need?”

Thornpetal sighed and glanced at Fiercefang.

“Can we tell her?”

Fiercefang nodded and stared at the grey tabby she-cat. “Yes, she needs to know.”

Thornpetal flicked her tail and turned her gaze toward the worried she-cat.

“A few moons ago, Snowstorm and Dawnstar were visited by Fallenpaw in Starclan. He delivered a prophecy. I believe that the events of that prophecy are beginning to unfold.”

Mistyrain stepped back and gave the two cats a confused look.

“What do you mean? What does this have to do with me?”

Thornpetal sighed and sat down.

“The prophecy states that in an age of strife, shadows will mingle with the light. Dawn will become dusk and day will become night. I believe that our age of strife is what’s been happening so often lately. Dappleheart was attacked by Hoshi less than a moon ago and Dawnstar killed Breezestar tonight. Thanks to Snowstorm, we also know that Dawnstar has been receiving visits from Suntail, a very evil warrior. If my guess is correct, I think that Ambermoon has been joining her. She’s always making excuses for these seemingly random injuries.” Thornpetal hissed.

Mistyrain nodded in agreement. “That actually makes sense. Dawnstar has been acting very rudely lately as well as frustrated and aggressive. I asked her if I could lead a hunting patrol, and she almost clawed my ear off. I think she said that I woke her up from a good dream and that I should go ask you.”

Fiercefang growled and looked out of the den.

“I wish you told me this sooner. I would have clawed some sense into her!”

Thornpetal jumped at the warrior’s angry tone.

“Don’t say that. She’s your mate and leader.”

Fiercefang only growled again and padded out of the den to his own. Thornpetal shrugged and her gaze returned to the scared tabby.

“I need you to tell Snowstorm what I’m going to do. I’m going to try to dream myself into the Dark Forest. If it works, I need her to be able to help me if things go wrong. If I get there and I’m spotted, she needs to wake me up. She’ll know when.” Thornpetal whispered.

Mistyrain tried to hide her shocked expression but failed. Instead, she nodded and quickly trotted for Snowstorm and Nova. Thornpetal swallowed and laid down in Dawnstar’s nest. Closing her eyes, she prepared herself if things went horribly wrong.

* * * * *

Thornpetal opened her eyes to find herself surrounded by shadows and trees.

“Looks like I made it.”

Shaking her head, Thornpetal perked her ears and listened for any sign of noise. A faint whisper reached her ears and she followed it.

Tasting the air, Thornpetal almost gagged when she smelled tremendous amounts of blood.

This is disgusting! How does Dawnstar and Ambermoon put up with this?

She padded forward, keeping her tail low. Thornpetal stopped when she heard a loud laugh.

Peeking through the brown ferns, Thornpetal gasped when she saw a cat resembling Suntal standing in front of Dawnstar with a wild grin.

Growling under her breath, Thornpetal angrily watched Suntail and another four warriors howling and stamping their paws.

“Dawnstar is the new leader of the Dark Forest!” they roared.

Thornpetal let out a cry of anger when Dawnstar smiled and lifted her head.

Dawnstar’s head whipped around and she stalked over toward Thornpetal. Thornpetal stayed as still as possible. Dawnstar slowly made her way through the ferns.

Thornpetal, not wanting to betray her friend’s trust, fled from the ferns and across the nearby clearing. Dawnstar launched herself forward, Suntail, Ambermoon, and Darkshade all close behind. Dawnstar ran after the strange cat, her eyes blazing with determination.

Thornpetal never slowed down. She continued to run until a cliffside emerged. Gasping, Thornpetal leaped into a nearby mud pit and stayed still.

Dawnstar stopped running when she reached the wall. Sniffing the air, she pointed her tail towards the pit and Ambermoon leaped after Thornpetal.

Thornpetal gasped as Ambermoon’s sharp claws tugged at her pelt. She threw herself at the warrior and ran out of the mud. She crashed into Dawnstar and gasped.

Her vision suddenly went blurry and the world faded from view.

The last thing she saw was Dawnstar’s face of pure shock.