Warriors: Uprising (Book 1)

Chapter 25

Shredpaw wasn't happy, nor was he completely sad, either. He just wanted to get revenge for his mother, Dustshine. Shredpaw didn't think he would have the capability of killing Blacksting at first, but now he realizes it is possible. He just needs to wait for the right moment when the time comes. Today he would become a warrior of Vertexclan. He doesn't care about that though, all he wants to do is kill his father. "Why can't we do it right after I'm a warrior?" Shredpaw meowed to himself, but it was to Shred.

Because if we do it right after that, it would be the wrong time! Shred replied.

"Alright, I guess..." Shredpaw sighed and sat in the Apprentices' den alone. He heard pawsteps enter the den, and he looked up to see Nova. She had a delightful smile on her face as she padded over to Shredpaw.

"Hey, Shredpaw... I heard about Dustshine. I'm very sorry because I know you cared about her a lot. I hope you know she cared for you a lot, too. Even if it didn't seem like it.." She meowed and placed her tail over her paws as she sat down.

Shredpaw frowned a little. "It's okay. I know she cared a lot about me, but if I ever see that fox again, I will kill it," Shredpaw growled lowly, he knew he was lying about how Dustshine had died, but he wanted to keep that away from Nova to prevent her from getting hurt by Blacksting too.

"You don't have to do that!" Nova exclaimed. "That's too dangerous!"

"I think I'll be okay," Shredpaw replied and sighed. I'm glad she's not asking if Blacksting did it... He thought.

"Did Blacksting have anything to do with Dustshine's death?" Nova questioned.

They both were silent for a few heartbeats.

"No, of course not!" Shredpaw meowed, "Blacksting may seem terrible, but he loved Dustshine too much. Why would you think that?" Shredpaw wanted to spill out everything to Nova, but he knew he couldn't.

"May seem terrible? He never came to check on you two when you were just a kit! He's the reason your brother Sootkit got killed during Dustshine's kitting!" Nova then slapped her tail over her mouth, realizing what she just said.

"What...?"

"Please, don't mind what I just said..." Nova pleaded.

"I had a brother?"

Nova gave a heavy sigh, "Y-Yes, you did... When Dustshine was having you, there was another kit, and he... Wasn't breathing..." Her mew shook a little.

"How was Blacksting involved with this?" Shredpaw was getting furious, but he didn't let it show.

"When I came back to the Nursery that day, Blacksting was standing there watching Dustshine kit you both. Sootkit wasn't moving at all and you were perfectly fine." she meowed.

Shredpaw had no words.

"Look, Shredpaw, I'm sorry I-"

"My fellow clanmates of Vertexclan, gather around the Sharp Stone for a clan meeting!" It was the voice of Birdstar coming from outside the apprentices' den.

Shredpaw got up and padded out of the den silently. Nova watched with a look of worry in her eyes.

Shredpaw watched as all of Vertexclan gathered by the Sharp Stone. He looked around for Blacksting; he was sitting by the Warriors' den with a blank face. Then he yawned. Shredpaw padded over to the Sharp Stone.

"I will appoint a new warrior today, Shredpaw. Please step forward." Birdstar meowed.

Shredpaw did as he was told and stepped forward.

"Shredpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?" Birdstar asked.

"I do."

"Then, by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior name. Shredpaw, from this moment you will be known as Shredflash. Starclan honors your strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Vertexclan."

"Shredflash! Shredflash! Shredflash!" Vertexclan cheered his name.

Shredflash looked behind him to see Blacksting only smirk and head back into the warriors' den.

Time to plan... Shredflash thought and gained an ominous look on his face.