Forest in Shadows (Book One of the Prophecy of Darkness Series)

Chapter 18

I awoke in the Dark Forest with Brokenstar standing over me. 

¨Welcome, Brokenshadow. Well done.¨ he meowed. I dipped my head and padded over to a clearing as I waited for my sister to awaken.

¨Welcome, Moonleaf,¨ I heard Brokenstar meow.

¨Hello, Brokenstar,¨ I heard Moonleaf reply in fear. 

¨Glad to see you still remember me,¨ he meowed smoothly.

¨Where's Brokenshadow?¨ I heard her ask. Then: ¨Is this StarClan?¨

¨No,¨ Brokenstar chuckled. ¨This is the Place of No Stars, where the best cats in history go.¨

¨Must not be that great, as you're here." Moonleaf hissed. Then they walked into the clearing. Everyone dipped their heads to Brokenstar.

¨Great, now we can begin,¨ Brokenstar said. ¨Brokenshadow, step forward.¨ I stepped towards him. ¨You are ready to become a great leader and rule the forest. I grant you a life of power. Protect what is yours.¨ I touched noses with Brokenstar and felt a great pain run through my body. I jumped as if I was shocked, and then stood still as Brokenstar backed away. A different cat padded up.

"I am Thistleclaw. I was deputy of ThunderClan before Bluestar killed me. I give you a life of blood and battle. Fight for control of anything you know you can control." Thistleclaw placed his paw on my shoulder. Another pain shot through me, but this time I relished it, smiling. Then he backed away and a she-cat came up to me.

"I am Mapleshade. I was a cat who had everything taken from them. I give you a life for vengeance. Make the cats who harmed you pay for what they did." she touched noses with me, and a shooting pain like fire shot through me. This was strong vengeance. Then Mapleshade stepped away and a familiar cat stepped forward.

"Tigerstar..." I whispered as I stared at him.

"My kit, I give you a life of fear. Make the cats you rule over afraid of you." My father touched noses with me, and the familiar pain swept over me. Tigerstar glanced at me before stepping back into the shadows. A cat covered in scars stepped forward.

"I am Shredtail. I was a cat from the forest long before you were born," he said. "I give you a life for courage. Never give up if what you do is what you think is right." He placed his paw on my shoulder, and I shuddered from the pain. He stepped away and another cat emerged from the gloom.

"I am Darkstripe. I was in ThunderClan with your father long ago. I give you a life of strength. Use it to place control over your Clanmates." He touched noses with me, and I convulsed from the strength of the pain. Then, he went back and a very old, faded cat stepped forward.

"My name is Maggottail. I give you a life for hunger of fighting. Use it to control the entire forest." he placed his paw on my shoulder, and I almost collapsed from the intense pain. Then, another very old cat took his place.

"I am Houndleap. Although no one remembers me, I was a very strong warrior. I give you a life for cunning. Use it to outwit your opponents." He touched my nose, and I shivered in pain. Then the final cat stepped forward. It was also very faded.

"I am Rushtooth, and I am even older than Houndleap, but just as strong. I give you a life for justice. Use it for taking revenge on those who do you wrong." Rushtooth touched my nose and I stood strong as the final wave of pain crashed over me. Rushtooth stepped back and Brokenstar stepped forward again.

"I hail you by your new name, my old one, Brokenstar. Your old life is no more. You have now recieved the nine lives of a leader, and the Dark Forest grants you the guardianship of ShadowClan. Defend it well, care for young and strong, honor your ancestors and our code, live each life with power and strength." He stepped away and every cat from the Dark Forest began calling my new name from the shadows.

"Brokenstar! Brokenstar! Brokenstar!" The old Brokenstar turned to Moonleaf. She tried to escape, but I used my powers to make her stay still. 

"I give you a life for weakness of love," Brokenstar hissed as he touched noses with her. She yowled in pain. Then, a starry furred blue-gray she-cat padded down from the sky.

"STOP!" she yelled. "Moonleaf! Come with me!" Bluestar and Moonleaf padded away.