Warrior Cats: Shademist's Destiny

Chapter 19

So here's the thing. I originally wrote this in like 2011, then revised it for Wattpad in 2014, and took it down like 2018-ish because I was embarrassed and thought the fandom was dead. I haven't been part of this fandom in a long  time. But it is 2020, I'm reading off of the 2014 outline, and I require serotonin. Hopefully my writing style has improved in the past 6 years. 

-Shadestar 

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I'm woken up by voices. "First get the leader, then the deputy!" 

Blinking away sleep, I bat Silverpaw until she wakes up. "Get the others! I heard something!" I hiss quietly, poking my head out of the den. To my horror, I see a group of cats slinking over to the Highrocks where Bramblestar lays asleep. Without thinking, I leap out and pounce on the closest one, digging my claws into their back and jumping off as they roll over. I make eye contact with a possessed Shadowclan cat, his black eyes gleaming in the moonlight. I slash my crystal across his head and yowl to warn the rest of the clan. Where is everyone?! 

My stomach drops as I hear fighting in Bramblestar's den. As the others finally catch up to me, I lead them up to the cave, batting away the Shadowclan warriors. One of them is standing atop our leader's unmoving body. "He's losing a life! Get them out of here!" I shout, throwing myself between them and Bramblestar, fighting for my life. Silverpaw and I work on chasing all of them out while Emberpaw and Lightningpaw keep more from entering the den. Eventually, he stirs. 

"What happened?" He croaks. 

"We're being invaded!" I help him up and everyone leaps back into the battle. As the fighting rages on, I can't help but feel afraid. The Shaydes are getting bolder, and we still have no idea who the Fifth cat in the prophecy is. In my distraction, one of them slams into me and knocks me over. 

"Heh, your head isn't in it, eh, savior?" she laughs, taunting me. I roll away and slash at her with the crystal. As she falls, the fighting begins to break up. The Shadowclan cats get ahold of themselves and seem rightly confused as to why they're in our camp. Bramblestar walks over to where Blackstar is struggling to stand up. 

"I'll have Lionblaze and Bumblestripe lead you back to the border. Come on, here you go. From now on, I'd appreciate it if you stopped letting your warriors get possessed. If their eyes are black, it's a bad sign." he helps the other leader up and I can see him actively trying not to laugh. Honestly, how do you let your whole clan get invaded by weird shadow cats and not notice?

"Right. I hope no one was seriously injured. And, ah..." he looks around and locks eyes with Sootpaw, who shrinks back. "I see you've taken care of young Sootpaw for us. I'm sure he's eager to return to his clan." 

"I recall you banishing him, actually. But if he truly wishes to leave, that's up to him." Bramblestar motions with his tail for him to step forward. Sootpaw hesitates.

"I, uh, I want to stay here." 

I feel him press up against me, trying to hide behind me. I fluff up my fur to try and look more intimidating. Anger flashes in Blackstar's eyes for a brief moment, then he turns. "Very well. We'll be off, then. You said we'd have an escort?" 

"Of course. Can't have you getting lost now." Bramblestar's words are curt, signaling the conversation is over. Bumblestripe and Lionblaze lead the Shadowclan warriors out of camp without another word. After they're gone, Bramblestar's gaze softens. "Now. I believe we have some very special cats with us tonight." 

He leaps up onto Highrocks and calls a clan meeting. The other apprentices and I look around. "What's going on? Did you know something was happening?" Silverpaw asks excitedly.

"No idea! Shh!" 

"Without the quick thinking of our four oldest apprentices, many cats could have been lost tonight. I think they've had enough training to take the next step in their journey to serve their clan. Shadepaw, step forward." 

My fur bristling with excitement, I step up. "For your continued bravery, loyalty to your clan, and leadership, Shadepaw, from this day forth you will be known as Shademist. I wish you well in your journey, wherever it may lead you." 

My heart soars as I go to sit with the warriors. Finally! I never thought the day would come! Honestly, I thought I'd end up dying before I became a warrior. Graystripe bumps into me with a wink. "You remind me of a certain someone, kid." 

As the ceremony continues, I'm joined by Silverclaw, Emberstorm, and Lightningstreak. The three of them all look near tears. "We did it, guys. We made it." I head bump each of them in turn. 

"Stormclan forever, right?" Emberstorm laughs. 

"Oh for sure. Now lets go get some sleep before the sun rises." 

**********

I'm walking down a path worn down by paw-steps from many many moons ago. To the left, the trees are bare, their gnarled branches blocking out the sky. To the right, the full moon shines brightly, giving the lush plants a soft glow. I'm looking forward. I can't turn my head, but I can sense a cat padding alongside my left. 

"You finally made it, Shademist. You're a warrior. We've set the plans in motion for you. Soon, you'll be deputy. Then leader. The whole lake, from the moors to the pines, is yours for the taking. Thunderclan will never go hungry again. Never run out of herbs, never lose another cat during leaf-bare. Think about it." 

I can feel another cat, to my right. "You wouldn't be happy. Deep down, I think you know that. You could have the whole world in your paws, but you'd be haunted by what you did to get there."

"They're just emotions. You can push them aside."

"Are you really willing to put everyone you love on the line for power?" 

"It's not the power. You just want your clan to be safe. It's all you've ever wanted, isn't it? Since you were a kit, you've been breaking rules just to keep others safe." 

I stop walking. I'm in some kind of cave. Moonlight shines through a giant hole in the roof onto a huge stone. It sparkles and shines, reflecting the light onto the walls of the cave. "It's time to choose. Where do your loyalties lie, Shademist?" The cat from the right sits next to the moonstone. The cat from the left sits near the entrance of the cave. I recognize the first as Spottedleaf and the second as Flashclaw. 

Oh, stars. I have to choose. I... I could be in the Dark Forest and not want power? I could just want Thunderclan to be safe? I take a step towards him when it hits me. He was lying. Of course he was lying. If I gave in to him, there wouldn't be a forest left to live in. I walk over and sit next to Spottedleaf. 

Flashclaw laughs. He's not supposed to be laughing. Why is he laughing? 

"You'll come back sooner or later. Something's going to happen very, very soon that might change your mind." he growls in my ear.

I wake up in a cold sweat. 

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Stay tuned for more. I had to brush up on names of who was actually alive after the last book lol. And of course I have to figure out where the rest of my old draft is. Most of this chapter is what I remember off the top of my head. Hope the 6 year difference in writing styles isn't too jarring. 

-Shadestar