Darkstorm's Code✔️

Chapter Twelve

We have to find a way to change Shadeflight's name, we have to figure out what the prophecy means, and we have to find the apprentice, Darkpaw was going over what needed to be done, as she was stuck in the medicine den. Her gaze flicked to Fernstar, who was barely breathing on the ground beside her. Shadeflight and Tallmeadow were muttering what they could do- not that Darkpaw could understand their medicine cat talk. Wait a minute... "Who's the deputy now?"

"Treepool. It was announced when you were asleep." Tallmeadow sighed. "There's so few of us left. You and Orangepaw must be queens, or it will be the end of ShadowClan." Darkpaw blinked.

"Sure, when I'm a warrior. Speaking of that, do you know when Orangepaw's assessment is? Or who her mentor is?" Shadeflight answered this time, not lifting his head from Fernstar. Tallmeadow padded out of the den, murmuring about getting cobwebs.

"Yowltail is her mentor, and her assessment will be in two moons. Yours will be in four." Yours. It's not ours anymore. It's so different. She sat up, surprised that her muscles didn't ache.

"When can I get back on my feet?" She stared wistfully out of the den.

"A half-moon, probably," her littermate answered. "Fernstar?" Tallmeadow froze. Darkpaw copied her, fur bristling. "Fernstar!" Her eyes were closed, and her flanks barely rising. She stiffened, glancing at Darkstorm and Shadeflight with her brilliant green gaze.

"I know," she whispered, her eyes beautiful, finally staring att them with understanding. "I always loved Thinfur... But he never loved... me. Tell him... tell him I forgive him," she managed, her mew clear instead of raspy. "I sense StarClan around me... It's my time. But now," her muscles  slowly loosened. "Now, I can think again. I was never meant for Thinfur. Tell him that I get it now. Rabbitear was better than me. More than just a mousetail better. She was more important than the Clans to him... Because he loved her. I understand now. He never felt that way for me.

"You are destined for great things. Promise me- promise me..." She shivered, her scent weakening. "Promise me that you'll get to the end. You'll save the Clans..."

"I promise," Darkpaw mewed, nudging the ShadowClan leader.

"Me, too," Shadeflight whispered. "Don't die; ShadowClan needs you-"

"ShadowClan never, and will never, need me," Fernstar closed her eyes. "You will save the Clans. You..." She let out a long, rattly breath, and went limp on the moss.

"Tallmeadow," Shadeflight whispered hoarsely, his voice rising in panic."Tallemadow! It's Fernstar!" Tallmeadow rushed into the den, cobwebs in her mouth. "She's..." He shivered. "She's dead..." 

"Treepool!" Tallmeadow yowled. "Fernstar is dead." Treepool looked much sadder than Shadeflight, Tallmeadow and Darkpaw, who were only scared for the clan. Ever since I've known her, Fernstar has been... Was... Kinda crazy. But I guess she must've used to be better, if she was once appointed deputy. Darkpaw sighed.

"Treestar," she mewed blankly. "I guess you'll have to recieve your ni- Wait! You can change Shadeflight's name!" Shadeflight blinked at her in horror.

"No! Maybe an evil cat once had my name, but I like it. It will help the others remember Fernstar." Tallmeadow heaved herself up.

"Treepool. I'll go with you to the Moonpool, but Shadeflight will stay here to take care of Darkpaw."

"Okay. I'll announce the news to the clan." He ran out and supposedly leaped onto the Pinebranch. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather at the Pinebranch!" The summoned ShadowClan started murmuring, flummoxed. "Fernstar died during the night." The clan's mews rose in horror. Darkpaw curled up into a ball. I have to stop pretending I have a normal life. I have a hard one. But I can't let that stop me; I need to solve the prophecy.

...

Darkpaw shook her pelt as Treestar summoned the clan. "As you all know, we have gotten rid of that otter," he began. "I lost one of my lives, but luckily no one else died. StarClan sent me back here, but they sent me no warning or advice; they didn't speak to me at all. If anyone knows something we can do, please say it." The prophecy! The prophecy! "Well, then. The meeting is over. Orangepaw, your assessment will be in a moon. Yowltail, have you ordered the patrols for the day?" As the deputy nodded, Orangepaw grinned excitedly, and Darkpaw smiled. 

"You deserve it!" We've gotten no closer to solving the prophecy, but for the past moon that's all I've thought about. StarClan, please help us! She padded into the apprentice's den. Orangepaw was practicing her fighting skills, so she was alone to think. Beware the lake and beware the moon, for despair is coming. Only shadows can save you now. Destruction is coming. The lake will die. But what could that mean?  She paced around in a circle. Why would we beware the lake and moon? Who are the shadows? And how could the lake die?

The shadows could be ShadowClan, but we're so weak... We're in no state to save the clans. Maybe just one of us. She paused. Yes. Maybe two or three. But it's probably ShadowClan. I think that's all I can guess for now, so what about the apprentice who could destroy us?

"There are so many," she mewed aloud. StarClan... Please send a sign... 

"Darkpaw?" Shadeflight cut in. "What are you..."

"The prophecy. What could it mean?" Darkpaw wailed. "And which cat is dangerous for us all?" Shadeflight looked at her.

"Don't go crazy thinking about the prophecy. In time, it will reveal itself. But I think we should focus on which apprentice is the danger- you were given a clue. Work with that clue." Darkpaw nodded, understanding.

"Okay. By next moon, I want to figure this out. I don't want my life being wasted. If I can't find the apprentice by then, I'm ignoring what Tree said."

So Shadepaw is permanently Shadeflight, and Darkpaw is going to give up soon. Orangepaw's assessment is a moon. Things are changing... But for good or for worse?