Goldenpaw couldn't get the image of Luckypaw's expression out of her head. Guilt kept piercing through her fur, and she couldn't get rid of it.

"Still thinking about that mouse-brain?" Duskpaw, who was sitting next to her, muttered sympathetically. "Same here." She added after a pause.

"Yeah. She thinks I betrayed her. And to be honest, I think I did." Goldenpaw started to groom herself, trying to act casual.

After they had brought Luckypaw to the abandoned tunnels, Duskpaw had aimed a kick at the roof of the exit. She had been amazing, leaping up with a quick twist and stretching out her legs gracefully. Stones had fallen down and sealed up the tunnel. "I hope she's okay."

They were yet again in the Dark Forest, training.

"Hurry up," Tigerstar called irritably. They were following the dark tabby into a different part of the forest. Suddenly, he stopped. "Goldenpaw. Is what I'm hearing true? Did you kill your sister?"

Goldenpaw knew immediately she couldn't say no. If she did, she would be revealing pity and compassion, and everyone knew Tigerstar hated both.

"Yes. She tried to flee but I killed her." Goldenpaw muttered. She heard Duskpaw's quick intake of breath and willed her not to tell.

"Good job. And Duskpaw, you helped didn't you?" Tigerstar sneered.

"Correct. I spied her trying to creep up on us. We took her down easily. I don't know what ThunderClan's training it's apprentices these days. I didn't even get any serious injuries. She just...gave up." Duskpaw reported.

"Congrats. Training will be post-poned. I need to make a meeting." He drawled dryly.

The apprentices followed Tigerstar back to the Tigereye.

"Let all cats strong enough to kill an enemy meet here beneath the Tigereye for a Clan message!" he yowled. "Two apprentices are ready to become warriors. They have worked together to kill a ThunderClan cat. Our other senior apprentices should start killing, as you all know you must kill a cat to become a warrior." He sneered down at Moonshadow and Pinepaw. They shuffled their paws embarrassedly. Goldenpaw and Duskpaw exchanged glances.

"Duskpaw. You have trained well under my guidance. I came to you in a dream three moons ago, and you have proved yourself worthy to become a warrior. Come beneath the Tigereye and look up to the Silverpelt. I ask my Dark Forest ancestors to look down at this warrior. She has trained hard to understand our Dark Code and is ready to serve you. This apprentice has finally killed a pesky Clan cat and is a ferocious killing machine. Duskpaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Duskpelt. May you honor your clan forever."

Duskpelt stepped forward in front of the cheering cats.

"Goldenpaw. You have trained well under my guidance. I came to you in a dream one moon ago, and you have proved yourself worthy to become a warrior. Come beneath the Tigereye and look up to the Silverpelt. I ask my Dark Forest ancestors to look down at this warrior. She has trained hard to understand our Dark Code and is ready to serve you. This apprentice has finally killed a pesky Clan cat and is a ferocious killing machine. Goldenpaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Goldenperch. May you honor your clan forever."

Goldenperch joined Duskpelt.

"And now for a special Dark Forest ceremony, our new warriors must fight a senior warrior together. It is a fight until surrender point. Mapleshade! You'll fight them. Bad luck to all!" Tigerstar yowled.

Goldenperch crouched down as a ghostly she-cat shimmered into existence. She lunged at her and Mapleshade ducked. Duskpelt aimed a bite at her leg but missed, stumbling. Goldenperch dodged a blow-

"Wake up!" Ivypool was shaking her. "It's nearly sunhigh, and we're going to the Gathering tonight. I bet Firestar will say something to Onestar."

"What? Sunhigh? How long was I out for?" Waking up, Goldenperch- no, she was only a warrior in DarkClan, Goldenpaw murmured groggily.

"Almost a full day." Ivypool sounded worried. "We didn't have time to wake you, we've been busy looking for Luckypaw." At this point, Goldenpaw thought she detected scorn and hate in her mentor's mew. "We found symbols of a battle near the WindClan border. Then, we followed her scent trail to a wall. I think someone kidnapped her." Ivypool's eyes bored into Goldenpaw's.

She knows! Goldenpaw fought to keep calm. "You know, don't you?" she mewed quietly.

"I do. I followed Luckypaw out of camp and she led me to you. I saw everything except for where you put her. Your friend Duskpaw was the reason for that." Ivypool growled. She jabbed at a belly wound that was very deep. "Duskpaw did that."

"She's not Duskpaw anymore, she's Duskpelt!" Goldenpaw stood up for her friend. But it was the wrong thing to say.

"Duskpelt you say? And did Onestar name her? No. He didn't," Ivypool said shortly. "I presume she was named in the Dark Forest, eh?"

"How do you know about that?" Goldenpaw snarled.

"I was a spy for the Dark Forest. Of course, I knew where your battle moves were coming from. Then I saw you in the battle with WindClan. It confirmed my suspicions. I can't believe you'd betray the Clan. Goldenpaw, I'm reporting this to Firestar. He'll decide your punishment." Ivypool hissed before storming away.

Goldenpaw thought about her actions. It was true, she'd betrayed her Clan and her kin. A ripple of sadness washed over her. She had to make a decision. She couldn't belong to both Clans. Could she?

"Goldenpaw, we're going to the Gathering. Come on." Firestar thrust his head into the apprentices' den.

"Fine," Goldenpaw slipped out and followed the warriors and apprentices going to the Gathering down to the lakeshore. The blue water splashed, and she scented WindClan. Soon enough, a WindClan party moved forward. Firestar dipped his head to the WindClan party, then bounded across the fallen tree trunk that led to the island in the middle of the lake. Blossomfall crossed and finally it was Goldenpaw's turn.

"Be careful, it's slippery," That was Cinderheart, her mother, waiting for her to cross.

Goldenpaw shut her eyes and made a leap of faith. So this was it was like to fly. She landed on all four paws and crossed the tree bridge successfully. Cinderheart followed, licking her ears happily.

"My kit is going to a Gathering again!" Lionblaze rumbled next to them. Then a look of grief washed over him. "My other kit should be here too."

Goldenpaw's heart clenched. It was her fault that Luckypaw wasn't here. Regret pierced her heart deeply. Maybe she really shouldn't have done what she had done. Loyalty to kin and Clan was important. Even though Tigerstar was formidable, strong and smart.

"The Gathering's starting. Shush." Duskpelt, no, Duskpaw, slipped in beside her.

"Are you feeling-?" Goldenpaw started.

"Shh! But yes, I'm feeling...sad. Sad about what we did. But we can't set her free. I'm sorry Goldenpaw." Duskpaw murmured. "Oh! There's good news. Why don't you wait for Onestar to tell it, though?" Duskpaw disappeared among the cats again.

Firestar, Onestar, Blackstar and Mistystar stepped onto the tree.

"Welcome, cats!" Firestar yowled. "ThunderClan is thriving. Dovewing has kitted again to three healthy kits. We welcome Thunderkit, Flowerkit and Swiftkit. We have two new apprentices since the last Gathering. Goldenpaw, and Luckypaw, who went missing shortly after the battle with WindClan. We believe WindClan have captured her and we give WindClan until next Gathering to give us Luckypaw back."

"We don't have your foolish apprentice!" Onestar hissed. "She must have wandered off herself."

"This is not the time to argue, Onestar." Firestar's voice was level. "Prey is running very well in ThunderClan. We are strong, but what about the battle you led against us, Onestar? With no reason as well!" Firestar spat.

"One of our apprentices had a vision. It said if we attacked ThunderClan, our rival Clan would lose an apprentice. And that happened exactly." Onestar snarled. "And for that reason, I have decided to make that apprentice a warrior. They have recevied prophetic dreams from StarClan and have fought bravely in battle. Duskpaw is now Duskpelt!"

"Duskpelt! Duskpelt!" Goldenpaw noticed that most of the cries were only from WindClan and RiverClan.

"Duskpelt!" she added her own voice to the chorus, even though none of the ThunderClan cats were cheering.

"ThunderClan is strong. That is all ThunderClan has to share. Onestar? Would you like to share next?" Firestar reported.

"WindClan has no news to share." Onestar replied curtly. He nodded to Blackstar.

"Tawnypelt is expecting kits soon. One of our kits has become an apprentice. We welcome Pinepaw to the apprentice den."

"Pinepaw! Pinepaw!" the cats called.

"RiverClan has no news to share." Mistystar yowled.

"Then the Gathering is at an end," Firestar dipped his head.

The ThunderClan cats crossed the tree and padded back to camp carefully. Goldenpaw's thoughts were troubled as she thought about her sister. She had to do something.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!" Firestar yowled as soon as they entered the camp.

He recounted what had happened at the Gathering.

"So, we think WindClan is looking for a fight." Firestar finished.

"Mouse-brained mange-pelts!" Mousefur spat. "Have they forgotten what they owe to us? ThunderClan found WindClan and brought them home. We've fought countless battles for them. We lost our warriors for them!"

Hisses of agreement met her statement.

"There is more," Firestar continued. "Four kits have reached 6 moons age. Snowkit, Lovekit, Heartkit and Larkkit, please come out to the Highledge."

Dovewing and Bumblestripe purred with delight as they nudged their kits forward. Thunderkit, Swiftkit and Flowerkit stood in the shadows, waiting patiently for their parents.

"Snowkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Snowpaw. Your mentor will be Cloudtail. I hope Cloudtail will pass down all he knows on to you. Both of you have snow-white fur which will make it easier for you to learn how to survive with a pale pelt."

Firestar finished naming Lovekit, Heartkit and Larkkit as Lovepaw, Heartpaw and Larkpaw and assigned Brambleclaw to Lovepaw, Spiderleg to Heartpaw and Sandstorm to Larkpaw.

"Snowpaw! Lovepaw! Heartpaw! Larkpaw! Snowpaw! Lovepaw! Heartpaw! Larkpaw!" The Clan raised their voices, Dovewing and Bumblestripe the loudest.

Goldenpaw looked on jealously as she remembered the day she was apprenticed. She had been young and eager that day, but now she was corrupted by the Dark Forest. With a sinking feeling, she realized Ivypool was right. Speaking of her mentor, she spied her talking to Firestar in his den. Ivypool was probably reporting her treachery. Firestar muttered something she didn't hear, then came out of his den with Ivypool in tow.

"We have one more announcement!" Firestar yowled. The Clan milled around nervously. They had thought the meeting was over.

"One of our apprentices has trained hard and is ready to become a warrior. I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn.

Goldenpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend the Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Goldenpaw felt happiness bubbling inside her. Then, she thought about how she betrayed her Clan every night and the bubble popped immediately.

"I do," she breathed.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Goldenpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Goldenleaf. StarClan honors your determination and protection and we welcome you as a full warrior of the Clan!

And let us give honor to an apprentice who should have been here. Luckypaw." Firestar finished.

Goldenperch couldn't help feeling disappointed that she wasn't going to be known for her loyalty, but she wasn't really loyal, was she?

"Goldenleaf! Goldenleaf!" The Clan caterwauled.

"Wait!" Goldenleaf stood up, her legs shaking.

Firestar's eyes pierced her. "What is it, Goldenleaf?"

"I want to be named differently. I want to be known as a warrior. -leaf is not a suitable suffix for me. I want to be called Goldenperch." Goldenleaf made her case strongly.

"Alright," Firestar agreed, but any cat could hear the reluctance in his voice. "I name you Goldenperch."

Whispers spread among the cats. "She dares...?"

"How...?"

"So unfair..."

Firestar leaped down from the Highledge after most of the cats had left. "Goldenperch, how about we go for a walk together," he asked casually but his green eyes flashed with horror, betrayal and interest.

"Fine." Goldenperch replied coolly, but her mind fragmented into a million pieces. Who would she betray, her Clan, her leader and her family, or her new Clan and her best friend?

"Ivypool told me everything. Do you have anything to say in your defense? Crimes: Prisoning a Clanmate, lying to the Clan, breaking the warrior code and more." Firestar listed coldly. "I don't usually punish my warriors, but this is extreme. Cats have trained in the Dark Forest before, but they haven't imprisoned a Clanmate before."

"I don't deny them. But when Tigerstar first approached me, all I wanted was to be a loyal warrior. I thought he'd just teach me some new moves. Then it escalated too quickly." Goldenperch stared at the ground nervously.

"I suspected at first. But I thought Luckypaw would try convincing you to be good, like Dovewing did to Ivypool. I thought wrong. It seems that you have gone fully evil. I'll give you one more chance. If you can leave DarkClan within the next moon, I will let you stay in ThunderClan. If you can't, then I have no choice but to exile you, not just from ThunderClan, but from the whole territory of all Clans." Firestar warned. He flicked his tail then strode back into the camp.

Goldenperch considered her options. Her Clan was the most important thing in her life. However, there was Duskpelt to consider. She was her best friend. She couldn't abandon either. Goldenperch sat up straight and tucked her tail between her paws. Thinking hard, she licked her paws carefully. Her appearance was so similar to Luckypaw's, anyone could think they were related. It was a shame that she didn't have her warrior ceremony. And that's my fault, she realized.

Goldenperch couldn't stand this. She turned tail and bolted out of the camp. Unknowingly, she had bolted straight to the tunnels where Luckypaw was hidden. Her paws pounded on the scratch that had sealed the tunnels shut.

"Open up!" she yowled, but it was no use.

"Goldenpaw?" a voice replied from inside. It echoed strangely.

"Luckypaw! Luckypaw...I'm so sorry." Goldenperch rasped.

"How do I get out?" Luckypaw hissed. "I'll deal with you later."

"Push on the wall," Goldenperch instructed. "And I'll pull."

Goldenperch pulled on the wall with all her might and she heard it creak. She felt Luckypaw pushing it from inside and felt a surge of hope as a part of it cracked.

Finally, the wall of stones fell over, stones falling to the floor.

"Luckypaw!" Goldenperch was shocked to see how thin her sister was. Her pelt hung in ragged folds around her. Even her eye color was affected by the dark tunnels. Her blue eyes were already dark enough, but now they were close to black.

"Goldenpaw..." Luckypaw murmured, before fleeing back into the tunnel. "I hate you!" she yowled as she fled.