“Nice to meet you…” Snowstars lava eyes burned into his eyes. Brisknose folded his ears back and flinched. The blind leader laughed hoarsely, and wrapped herself around him, “What brings you here?” “We uh- Me and Quartzfur came down to the Starclan Crystal.” “Well, Quartzfur is with Wonderbird. So you’re alone.” “Who are you?” “Snowstar. You’re great great great aunt, plus more great.” Brisknose blinked. “Really?” “Yes. Me and your fellow Starclan family have been watching each step you took, ever since you were born.” Snowstar licked him, “We’re proud of you… However…” “However what?” “Vixenkit is the descendent of Fireclaw, the tom who pushed me into the lava…” Snowstar blinked, “But… If you raise him incorrectly… Vixenkit will bring terror and bloodshed into the clan… By Shadowleg’s blood…” The tom folded his ears back. “I knew there was something wrong with him!” Snowstar cuffed his ears and hissed, “Right… And it’s your destiny to RAISE him correctly and stopt the evilness in Vixen

“But how can I if I’m too scared?” “Then grow up. You’re going to be the leader ONE day.” The deputy perked his ears. “Really?” “Yup. Quartzfur isn’t going to get exactly 9 lives.” He blinked, then whispered, “Why not?” Snowstar sighed, “Rubystar is alive, and coming home… Starclan is guiding her back to Crystalclan as we speak.” Brisknose perked his ears. “Who will be the leader?” “Quartzfur. Rubystar has spoken to me and says that she's going to retire.” Brisknose sat down and looked at Quartzfur. He looked back at Snowstar. “Is there anything else?” The blizzard striked harsher. Snowstar sighed, “A battle is coming.” “Who’s involved?” “Everyone. Even rouges.” “What rogues?” “I can’t say anymore.”

Brisknose huffed. Starclan was always so complicated. “Goodbye.” Snowstar turned into snow. Meanwhile, with Quartzfur and Wonderbird… “I’m shocked this isn’t the first albino kit.” “It’s been a long time.” Wonderbird said, nodded. “But there’s something about Safekit…” “What?” Quartzfur cocked her head. “He’s blind.” Quartzfur blinked, “What? How? Why?!” Wonderbird shrugged. “He just is.” “How can we deal with it?” “You can’t. He’ll choose his own path.” “But, I don’t know how he can go around everywhere with so many tunnels, twist and turns without sight.” “He won’t have to. He’ll grow up in Meadowclan, with his mother.” “Oh yeah…” She sighed. “You should get going back.” “Right now? I have to find Brisknose first.” Wonderbird signalled with his tail. “He’s over there.” Quartzfur nodded, and walked over towards him. Her yellow eyes pierced into his. “Er- Yes?” “It’s time to leave.” He nodded. “Yes Quartzfur.” Before they knew it, they were at the pool of water again.

Brisknose gasped and scrambled out of the water. Quartzfur scowled out and ran onto a rock. Suddenly, she screamed with pain as she got off- The rock was cracked with veins of lava. Brisknose yowled in pain as he pushed Quartzfur onto a solid rock. He soon followed after. The whole Clan heard their cries of pain. Dangerkit winced. “Amberface. What was that?” The gray queen perked her ears. “I’m not sure.” “That sounded like dad.” Vixenkit pointed out. “NO! It was Quartzfur!” “I bet it was a ghost.” Snakekit said, creeping up on Vixenkit. Vixenkit winced, “Ghosts aren’t real!” “But they are.” Webtail pointed out. “Sometimes the dead don't make it to Starclan.” Vixenkit gasped, “Really?” The queen nodded. “It’s true.” “How do the dead not make it to Starclan?” “Sometimes they don’t want to go to Starclan, or they couldn’t find their way.” Vixenkit frowned, “That’s just sad.” “You don’t need to worry,” she said, licking the kit’s head.

Vixenkit sighed, and rested his head on top of the queen's paws. *** Flutterstar opened her eyes. She was resting in the warrior’s den. It was dark. The yellow she-cat got up and walked out of the den. Shadowleg was on the Highrock, adoring the moonlight that glistened brightly on his black, glossy pelt. “*Ahem*. Shadowleg.” Flutterstar demanded, padding over to the rock. “It’s Shadowstar…” She huffed. “Don’t start calling yourself that without Starclan.” She boldly jumped onto the Highrock. Shadowleg hissed. “The dark forest gave me that name.” “I demand that you let me make Lionkit an apprentice and Applepaw a warrior.” “Fine…. Only under two conditions.” Flutterstar’s tail twitched. “And that it…?” “None of the Rougeclan cats mentor Lionkit, and I name Applepaw.” “Fine.” She spat. “But I’ll be watching over them.” Flutterstar stood up and shoved Shadowleg out of the way. Shadowleg nodded, and bellowed out a cry for every cat to come forward to the highrock.

Willowdusk looked over her shoulder. Her fur became matted over the time from being stuck in the camp. “What now.” She spat. “Applepaw shall now be a warrior, and Lionkit an apprentice.” “Applepaw, do you promise to behave the Warrior Code and promise to do anything for your Clan, even at the cost of your life?” “I do.” The tom said quietly. “Then Applepaw, your new name is….” Shadowleg smirked, “Applestar.” The Meadowclan cats gasped. “You can’t do that!” Flutterstar shouted. “I just did!” The Meadowclan leader’s fur bristled. “That’s not his new name.” “It is now. Say otherwise and one of you slimeballs will get a stomach full of death berries…” He smirked evilly. Robin felt bold today, even if it was almost over. “No.” “Hm? Why so?” “It’s against Meadowclan to name a new warrior a leader. Change Applepaw’s name.” “This is Rougeclan now!” Robin stood up and puffed out his fur. “It’s not Rogueclan.” “Oh? How so?” “This is still Meadowclan, no matter what you or Ice say.”

“If this was Meadowclan, then why do we have full control?” “Because you’re just a bunch of bullies who want to boss other cats around!” “Tch,” Shadowleg looked at Ice, twitching for backup. The big black tom got up and walked out of the leader’s den. “Yes?” “Robin, tell him what you think…” Robin folded his ears back in fear as he told Ice what he told Shadowleg. Bearflinch shook her head. “Slimeball. Are you really siding with Clan cats?” Willowdusk whipped her head behind her. “No cat asked for your opinion.” “No one asked for you.” “Both of you sush.” Sunfur growled. “I’m trying to listen.” “Ice, what do you say about Robin’s unloyalty?”

REEEE