Nightpaw was just padding into the apprentices den when she realized, she hasn't checked on zapkit! She waited until all of the eevees were asleep before slinking out of the den. She was padding towards the dirtplace when a paw on her shoulder made her jump. She twisted around to see Starstep looking at her, concern in her eyes.

"Oh, it's just you Starstep." Nightpaw purred, relieved.

"Where are you going?" Starstep asked kindly.

"I just need a breath of night air." Nightpaw lied. Starstep looked uncertain, but she nodded slowly and padded towards the warrior den, leaving Nightpaw alone. Nightpaw took to the air. It felt good to be flying in the night, the breeze ruffling her feathers. Nightpaw located the hollow tree easily, and fluttered down. She looked around the dark space and shuddered. A murkrow cawed somewhere close by. Nightpaw lit up her wings, revealing a small figure at the back of the room. Nightpaw rushed forward scooping it up. "Zapkit!" She gasped, tears blurring her vision. 

"Mama!" Squeaked zapkit weakly, "you came back.." He licked her cheek. Nightpaw spread out one of her wings for him to step on, and he climbed up onto her back. 

"You've been working on speaking.." Nightpaw whispered. Zapkit looked so grown up.

"I'm so hungry..." Zapkit moaned.

"Hold on!" Zapkit grabbed Nightpaw's neck fur as she took a flying leap out of the hollow tree, spreading her wings and gliding. Zapkit gasped. 

"F-flying!" He looked around timidly, clutching Nightpaw's fur tight in his paws. Nightpaw laughed and tried to say something, but her words were ripped away by the wind. She slowed down, scanning the forest, but she was above the trees, so she couldn't see the understory. 

"I'm going down under the canopy." Nightpaw told Zapkit. He nodded, and Nightpaw began her descent. Zapkit squeaked in fear as they picked up speed, pulling on her fur roughly. Nightpaw winced but continued. They burst through the treetops in an explosion of leaves, and Nightpaw pulled out of her dive, scanning the forest floor. She spotted some pecha berries and slowly glided down, landing on all fours. Zapkit remained clutching her scruff. "Zapkit we landed," Nightpaw swung her head around to look at him. Dazed, he let go and slid off her back.

"V-very fast." He breathed, standing up and leaning on Nightpaw for support. Nightpaw laughed and guided him over to the pink berries. 

"Good?" She asked, testing him. Zapkit sniffed the bush.

"Good." He agreed, before plucking one off and popping it in his mouth. Nightpaw smiled, and licked the top of his head. Nightpaw waited until he was finished eating before speaking.

"Are you ready to go back?" she asked  kindly. Zapkit nodded sleepily.

"But mama?" he asked as she started to lower her wing to him.

"hmm?" she turned towards him.

"on foot..?" he asked, looking at the sky nervously. Nightpaw looked at the sky too, and noticed it was lightening, but by the way Zapkit was clutching her leg, Nightpaw reluctantly agreed. They started into the dark wilderness. Nightpaw looked around nervously as a dark mist settled over the woods, hiding the sky from her sight. Zapkit clutched her leg fearfully.

"We'd be home by now if we'd have flown." Nightpaw grumbled. Zapkit sniffled, and Nightpaw realized she'd spoken out loud. "Sorry Zapkit.. I know you hate flying. We've got to be close now..." She lit up her rings, pushing back the haze. She looked at the trees looming out of the fog and shivered. Her rings flickered out, and she hit her side on a boulder. Zapkit walked on two legs, a paw clutching Nightpaw's leg fur. She shivered, and spread her wings out for guidance. 

"where's the mist coming from?" Zapkit asked nervously.

"I-I don't know Zapkit.." Nightpaw confessed, "It's not normal.." suddenly Zapkit's paw yanked away from her fur. She heard him squeak in fear somewhere to her right. "Zapkit!" Nightpaw yelled, flaring up her rings so much it made her dizzy. She looked around the shadows, the fog obscuring her vision. "Zapkit!" there were no more cries. The woods were eerily silent. "Zapkit.." Nightpaw collapsed, panting from the effort of keeping her rings that light for that long. The light shut off, and darkness swamped her. Her night vision kicked in, but the mist made it hard to see where she was. Nightpaw struggled to her feet. She stopped, and scented the air. There was nothing of interest, but suddenly she faintly scented Lightclan. Nightpaw blindly stumbled in the direction of the scent. She sliced her paw open on a rock, the scent of blood masking the faint scent of her clan. Nightpaw cursed and continued to limp forward.

"give up nightpaw.." hissed a familiar voice. It sounded like it was all around her. "There's no hope." Nightpaw flared up her rings again, trembling at the effort.

"Show yourself coward!" snapped Nightpaw. The voice laughed.

"So fierce. Nightpaw, you may have beaten me once, but you cannot defeat me again. I'm stronger now prophesied one. Stronger then ever before. Even starclan shall fall beneath my paws." Nightpaw flared up her rings even more, the effort making her see spots. 

"W-who are you?" she managed, staring into the gloom. The mist pressed back, instead of dispersing, it seemed to be growing. 

"silly Nightpaw. You know who I am." Nightpaw shuddered. Yes she did know, or had a pretty good guess. "I shall take control of my clan again fool. You've found your spirit fool." Nightpaw gasped, her rings flickering out again.

"Dead warriors shouldn't be able to come into the world of the living, at least not for very long.." Nightpaw challenged.

"like i said my dear, I'm a lot stronger then before." Lightstar growled. "and I will get my clan back." Then she was silent. The mist cleared, revealing a gruesome sight to Nightpaw. Right in front of her, was Clamfur's body.

Hey awesome fans! OMG Umbreon Unleashed has 289 views? Somebody pinch me, because I must be dreaming! I never imagined i'd come this far! It'd be impossible without all your help and support, and I thank you. Hope you like the cliffhanger lol. I'll try to update as frequently as possible, I don't want to leave you guys hanging for too long. Thanks again for all the support! 

-Nightsong