[Enjoy! ( || = thoughts )] CHAPTER 1 ------------------------------------------- Mapleshade’s gaze swept around what remained of the Dark Forest. It was barren; most of her fellow evil cats had died. Tigerstar, Hawkfrost, Brokenstar… Only the goody four-paws were left. The ones who longed for a place in StarClan. Mapleshade narrowed her eyes. || There are no good cats here anymore, || Mapleshade thought. || I can’t start anything, can I? They’ll be telling on me to StarClan now! || Mapleshade paused. She couldn’t believe what she had just thought. || But why do I even care? I have never liked StarClan. I won’t listen to what they say, no matter what! || Mapleshade looked over her shoulder and hissed in frustration as a cat approached her. It was Thistleclaw, his spiky fur bristling as usual. “Leave me alone!” Mapleshade hissed, full of fury. But Thistleclaw lifted his chin in defiance. “Mapleshade. Listen, StarClan is at the border!” He narrowed his eyes at Mapleshade as he continued. “They’re asking for you. But whatever, I’ll go and leave you alone since I can tell you clearly don’t care about anything anymore.” “Why would any cat from StarClan want to speak to me?” Mapleshade yowled, frustrated. “Go!” Thistleclaw paused for a moment, obviously ruffled. He held his ground. “Those StarClan cats are your kits.” He then turned away and disappeared into the dark canopy of trees. Something just clicked in Mapleshade’s mind. Memories flooded over her. The happy times with Larchkit, Petalkit, and Patchkit. She remembered when she had watched her kits play, and Patchkit wanted to stay with her forever. || Oh, I just couldn't. It would bring me so much more sorrow for my kits, and anger for all the cats who betrayed me. || But it wouldn’t be any use dwelling on it. || Okay, I’ll check out why they came to see me, || Mapleshade decided. Even though she was still raw with vengeance and grief, she was going to try. Mapleshade silently cursed as she set her paw on a thorn. She should know where everything is in this forest. It had been her home for seasons upon seasons. She neared the StarClan entrance, and there, to her surprise, were her kits. Alone. But they were not kits. Three warriors stood strong, their eyes glowing like the stars. “Who are you?” Mapleshade asked them in a fake hiss. The cat who looked like Patchkit stepped forward. “I am Patchfall. That’s Larchspring,” he mewed, beckoning to his brother. “And this is Petalshine. I thought you knew who we are. We’re your kits!” Mapleshade let out a deep purr. “Look at you, you’ve grown!” Her heart felt like it was bulging out of her chest. A great feeling, surely. Patchfall shook his head. “We truly are kits in StarClan,” he explained, “We’re the warriors who could’ve been.” His ears twitched. Mapleshade nodded, sorrow in her eyes. “Can I do anything..?” She hoped she looked as embarrassed as she felt inside. She knew the answer. || No, it’s too late. There’s absolutely nothing you can do. || “Yes, you can,” Petalshine answered hesitantly, which surprised Mapleshade. Larchspring hissed something inaudible into her ear. “What can I do? What can I do?” Mapleshade demanded. What would they want her to do? “You could’ve come to StarClan to be with us. Then we would’ve become warriors.” Larchspring growled. “But remember, you killed a cat. No, three. It’s too late, Mapleshade. You’ve had plenty of time to make it up. But no! You just lurked around in the Dark Forest for seasons upon end- a cowardly thing really- and doing nothing but supporting foul leaders as they rose and fell.” || They’re right, || Mapleshade realized. || But did he have to put it like that? || As if he could read her thoughts, Patchfall meowed, “We have been watching you, Mapleshade. I’m sorry about what Larchspring said. That was a bad way to put it. But it’s true, unfortunately.” “I’m really sorry, Mapleshade. I wanted you to be with us,” Petalshine mewed quietly. Her eyes hardened as she continued. “I also wanted to have a good mother. And a real father. I wanted to have a good life!” She then turned away, unable to contain her grief. “I’m sorry!” Mapleshade cried. “I heard your voices in my head- mewling: ‘Save me! Save me!’ I thought that meant avenging your deaths… I’m so sorry.” She shook her head. “Sorry, sorry, sorry.” “It’s okay, Mapleshade,” Patchfall murmured reassuringly. “We’ll be okay. Appledusk!” he yowled. || No, no, no! || Mapleshade thought, full of despair. || Appledusk, do not show yourself, please! || *End of Chapter 1* CREDITS -------------------------------------------------------- Cover art by Story by (aka me) Some edits used from Credit to YOU for reading! SUMMARY------------------------------------------------------- NEXT CHAPTER ---------------------------------------------- Chapter 2:
