"Applepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Applefall. StarClan honors your strength and patience, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ShadowClan."

"Applefall! Heatstorm! Foxflower!"

As the Clan called out their new names, the golden yellow tabby she-cat dipped her head before she stepped back to join her siblings. A warrior ceremony was often the happiest moment of a young cat's life. But their eyes lacked the light of excitement and pride that was supposed to come with it.

As Mistybreeze watched from the outskirts of the crowd, she knew solemnly that their special day had been shadowed by the loss of Cardinalpaw. It had been one moon since his death. After Depthstar touched his nose to each of the new warriors, Flameheart and Bloomfire stepped forward to congratulate their kits. Though they certainly looked proud, Mistybreeze knew they wished Cardinalpaw had been named a warrior among their other kits.

Echoing Mistybreeze's thoughts, Applefall exchanged a sad look with Foxflower. "I wish Cardinalpaw were here." She murmured.

As her sister nodded agreement, Creamheart took a step toward them. "Cardinalpaw is watching over you from StarClan." She meowed gently. "I'm sure he's very proud of you."

"He'd be here if it weren't for Bloodfur." Heatstorm grumbled, flexing his claws.

"Hmmph. I still can't believe Bloodfur messed up so badly." Revengeheart growled to Foxshadow not far from Mistybreeze.

The dark furred tom scoffed. "Deserve should have known better than to trust him with the task. I guess at least there's one less cat in ShadowClan we have to worry about, even if he wasn't important."

Mistybreeze flattened her ears, disgusted as she listened to the toms talk about Cardinalpaw's death so dismissively.

"Speaking of unimportant..." Foxshadow muttered as Ebonypaw bounded across the camp toward them.

"Revengeheart?" Ebonypaw prompted rather hesitantly, her tail low as she approached her mentor. "Can we go for a training session today?"

"No." Revengeheart growled dismissively. "Get back to clearing the elder's bedding."

The dark tabby she-cat shuffled her paws. "B-but I've been doing it for days." She pointed out. "Swiftstalker is out with Flintpaw right now. Why can't we-"

"I said, no!" The white tom hissed, startling her. "Get back to work. Do the warriors' den next or the nursery."

He doesn't care one bit about mentoring her! Mistybreeze glared at him. He just wants to send her off to do tasks to look like he's mentoring when he actually isn't. She rose to her paws. "I can take you out, Ebony-"

"I'm sorry? Are you her mentor?" Revengeheart shot Mistybreeze a hot glare, which she returned crossly. "Do your work, Ebonypaw. Or do you want me to tell Depthstar you're not listening to me?"

Ebonypaw's tail drooped, and a look of mingled sadness and frustration crossed her face. Mistybreeze felt terribly sorry for the apprentice and watched as she turned away, head low as she headed for the warriors' den.

"She's so annoying!" Revengeheart groaned. "I can't wait to get rid of her." He grew quiet, his eyes slowly narrowing. He was thinking. That look made Mistybreeze nervous. Then he let out a purr. "I'd like to make a trip to see Deserve tonight."

***

That night, Mistybreeze padded beside Swiftstalker behind Blackstorm and Revengeheart, making the long trek to Deserve's camp. She felt sick to her stomach as she wondered what Revengeheart could be planning to do with Ebonypaw. Unfortunately they had slipped away so quickly, she hadn't had time to tell Swiftstalker her concerns, and she didn't dare whisper to him now in case the others heard.

As they ventured deeper into Deserve's territory, a black tom emerged from the bushes. It was Crow. "What do you want?" He demanded. "We weren't expecting a visit tonight."

Revengeheart paused and gave him a nod. "I have matters to discuss with Deserve."

Crow's amber eyes narrowed. "Fine." He lashed his tail and led the ShadowClan cats toward the camp.

When they entered the camp, several cats glanced toward them in surprise.

"Revengeheart, good to see you!" Bonfire purred.

"Welcome." Sunset, who Mistybreeze realized was heavily pregnant, gave the cats a nod.

Revengeheart gave each of them a curt nod before Deserve reached them. "I wasn't expecting Clan visitors tonight." He commented, studying them. "Do you have news?"

"No, but I'd like to ask for your help." Revengeheart replied, twitching an ear. "Can we talk privately?"

Deserve's green eyes flickered with curiosity. He nodded and turned, leading the black legged tom to his den.

Suddenly out of the corner of her eye, Mistybreeze saw a familiar dark red pelt. She turned her head and her heart leapt. She could hardly believe her eyes. "Bloodfur!"

To her astonishment, her former Clanmate was padding toward her from across the clearing. He looked much thinner than when she had last seen him, and his yellow eyes were dull with depression.

She stepped forward to meet him and purred as she bumped her head against his. "What are you doing here?" Has the army taken him prisoner? He looks so unkept!

Bloodfur purred back. "I couldn't live as a rogue. I had to stay in a group, and Deserve welcomed me." He looked at Swiftstalker. "How is the Clan?"

"They're well." Swiftstalker replied hesitantly. "Bloomfire's kits have become warriors."

Bloodfur seemed to brighten at that news. "That's great! What are their names?"

"Heatstorm, Foxflower, and Applefall," The black and white tom responded.

"Those are great names." Sadness glazed over his expression. "I miss them."

Mistybreeze gazed at him sympathetically. "Why are you here?" She asked quietly. "You should be with the Clan."

Bloodfur shook his head. "No," He rasped, though his voice was rich with longing and regret. "I'm a soldier now."

"No, you're not," Mistybreeze protested. "You're a warrior of ShadowClan!" He doesn't belong here, with these vengeful cats.

Bloodfur dropped his gaze. "They exiled me, and they all think I'm a horrible cat."

"Do you think everything you've done since Revengeheart recruited you is making them think differently?" Mistybreeze demanded, being as honest with him as she could. "You've been doing a lot of terrible things. But you were just blinded by anger and grief, and Revengeheart brought out the worst in you. You're a good cat, Bloodfur. You just need to show the Clan that."

Bloodfur didn't respond and changed the subject. "Why are you here?"

Before she or Swiftstalker could respond, Deserve emerged from his den with Revengeheart. "Very well," The rogue leader meowed. "I'll send a patrol tonight."

Beside Mistybreeze, Swiftstalker swallowed nervously. "What did you do?"

Revengeheart purred. "I found a solution to getting rid of our apprentices."

As Mistybreeze's heart dropped like a rock, Swiftstalker's eyes widened. "What? B-but Flintpaw and Ebonypaw could be useful to us!" He argued desperately. "We could recruit them and-"

"Don't be ridiculous!" Revengeheart spat at his brother. "Those apprentices are a waste of our time, and they're weak! The sooner they're dead, the better."

"No!" Swiftstalker stared in dismay.

Deserve had turned to his soldiers. Clearly there was no changing any cat's mind. "Castiel, you can lead the patrol to the burnt sycamore just across the thunderpath. Revengeheart has arranged for the apprentices to be there tonight for a training session."

"Yes, Deserve." Castiel replied. "Papercut, Bonfire, Patch, come with me." He looked at Revengeheart. "Lead the way."

As Revengeheart and Blackstorm exited the camp with the soldiers following, Mistybreeze exchanged a distressed look with Swiftstalker. There was nothing they could do. The black and white tom let out a sigh as he followed the group.

Mistybreeze looked back at Bloodfur, meeting his sad yellow gaze. Please come back. She silently willed him. You're not like these cats. Pulling her gaze away, she followed the others.

***

When they reached the edge of ShadowClan territory, Castiel and his soldiers looked eager for bloodshed. "You say the apprentices are already there at the burnt sycamore?" The silver tabby asked.

Revengeheart nodded, looking amused. "They think Swiftstalker and I are coming to train them."

Beside him, Bonfire chuckled. "They're in for a nice surprise then!"

"Right. Let's go." With a wave of his tail, Castiel ran into the forest, Blackstorm, Bonfire, and Papercut following.

Revengeheart glared back at Mistybreeze and Swiftstalker. "You two can go back to camp if you want." He growled. "And don't even think about doing anything." He ran off into the shadows after the others.

Immediately, Swiftstalker took off toward the ShadowClan camp. "Come on." He meowed as Mistybreeze hurried after him. "We're going to do something."

***

When they reached the camp, most cats were already asleep. Song and Cliffshade were guarding the camp and looked surprised as Mistybreeze and Swiftstalker sprinted past them. 

"Where have you two b-" Song stopped, her eyes widening as she scented them. Mistybreeze didn't stop to think about it.

They rushed to the centre of the camp, and Swiftstalker's gaze flashed around. "Where's Cobratail?"

"Cobratail is sleeping." Timberstorm yawned as he emerged from the dirtplace. "I know because he's snoring like a badger and I haven't gotten a wink of-"

"We need a patrol to check out the burnt sycamore immediately." Swiftstalker meowed urgently.

Timberstorm blinked. "Now? What for?"

"There's... Uh-" Swiftstalker's eyes darted as he thought.

"ThunderClan!" Mistybreeze jumped in urgently. "We've scented ThunderClan on our side of the border and heard rustling in the bushes. We might be under attack!"

The brown tabby bristled. "Why didn't you start with that?" He exclaimed. He ran toward the thorn tunnel. "Cliffshade, Song! We need to check the border for signs of ThunderClan right now."

As the three cats hurried through the forest, Swiftstalker sighed in relief. "Quick thinking." He meowed. Anxiety lit his blue eyes. "I only hope they can stop them."

***

It felt like moons as Mistybreeze and Swiftstalker waited near the warriors' den. What could be happening? She wondered anxiously. Did they find them? Were they too late? Are the warriors dead too?

At last, Timberstorm entered the camp. His eyes were lit with grief and anger. The scent of blood filled the air as Song followed, dragging Flintpaw by the scruff. The apprentice was limp and lifeless, his neck soaked in blood. Next came Cliffshade, who carried Ebonypaw across his shoulders. She had a horrible belly wound, leaving his back streaked in crimson.

They were too late... Mistybreeze's heart sank in defeat. They're both dead!

But as Cliffshade carefully lowered Ebonypaw's body to the ground, she let out a moan. She's alive! "Creamheart!" The gray and brown warrior yowled as he pressed close to his daughter. "Hurry, we need help!"

Song touched her nose to Flintpaw as she lay him near his sister. Beside Mistybreeze, Swiftstalker let out a cry of grief and left her to see his apprentice. "I'm sorry..." He whispered as he crouched beside Flintpaw.

The rest of the Clan was quickly awakening, startled and horrified to see what was happening. Creamheart had rushed to Ebonypaw's side, pressing cobwebs along her long belly wound. "It's alright, Ebonypaw!" She meowed, panic edging her voice. "Relax and keep still."

"Ebonypaw? Flintpaw?" Greenpine's fur bristled with terror as she saw her kits laying bloody in the camp. She raced to Flintpaw and desperately prodded him with her paws and muzzle. "No, no!" She shrieked. She swung her head toward Cliffshade. "He's-"

"I know." Cliffshade choked, his amber eyes lit with distress. Mistybreeze could tell he hadn't taken a moment to process or grieve for Flintpaw yet. "There's no time right now, Greenpine. Ebonypaw is still alive, and she still needs us."

The brown tabby she-cat stumbled away from her son to join him, crying out when she saw Ebonypaw's wound. "Oh, Ebonypaw!" She gently licked her daughter's head as Creamheart worked to stop the bleeding. "Stay strong, my brave warrior."

Mistybreeze trembled with anger as Revengeheart entered the camp carrying a mouse. He dropped it, staring in fake shock at the scene. "What happened?" He demanded anxiously, hurrying toward Ebonypaw. "Who killed my apprentice?"

"She isn't dead!" Cliffshade glared at him, his voice trembling. "She's going to be fine."

Revengeheart frowned, faking a look of deep sympathy as he bowed his head. "I know it's hard, but not even StarClan can heal everyone sometimes."

"I can heal her, Revengeheart." Creamheart replied as she focused her attention on plastering Ebonypaw's belly with cobwebs. "It's bad, but she'll pull through."

Mistybreeze felt satisfied by the look of disbelief and anger on Revengeheart's face. He was silent for a moment before he forced a purr. "I'm glad to hear that."

Depthstar's voice rose among the anxious murmuring and cries among the Clan. Mistybreeze looked up to see he had taken his place on the meeting rock. "What has happened?" He demanded. "Who attacked these apprentices?"

"Isn't it obvious?" Crowmask rose his voice. "Bloodfur! He must still be lurking around our territory, taking his vengeance on us!"

Cliffshade bristled. "I'll flay that piece of fox dung!"

"It wasn't Bloodfur!" Timberstorm spoke up. Every cat went silent to hear him. "When we reached the burnt sycamore, three rogues were retreating. There was only rogue scent."

"Bloodfur is a rogue now," Ashcloud pointed out.

"Right, but there were no red tabbies among them." Timberstorm added. "He wasn't responsible for this attack."

Boost exchanged a look with Tinylark. "Could we have been wrong before?"

"It's obvious Bloodfur is still responsible." Poisonedsap spoke from outside the nursery. "It seems he's made some rogue friends to do his dirty work."

"Hold on a moment." Cobratail was sitting beside the meeting rock, looking thoughtful. "Maplefur was killed when Bloodfur was just a kit. He couldn't have been responsible for that. We all figured a rogue killed him after the battle with ThunderClan. Why couldn't this have been rogues too? Or... Even some of the other killings."

The camp was quiet for a while. Mistybreeze exchanged a look with Swiftstalker, wondering if the Clan was truely starting to realize Bloodfur's innocence.

"He confessed to killing Cardinalpaw," Crowmask argued, but even he looked conflicted. "Surely he must have killed before then?"

"Of course he did!" Foxshadow hissed.

"Yeah, he's a murderer!" Blackstorm added.

"That's enough." Depthstar meowed. The Clan leader looked deep in thought, considering Cobratail's words. After a moment, he spoke again. "Cobratail, please send out a patrol to make sure the rogues have left our territory. We will hold a vigil for Flintpaw tonight." He looked down at Ebonypaw, whose bleeding had stopped now. Creamheart was doing a great job managing the wound. "Ebonypaw is in Creamheart's care, and I'm confident she will survive this."

As the Clan slowly calmed, many conversed quietly, wondering about rogues and Bloodfur, and murmuring their grief for Flintpaw.

Mistybreeze looked at Swiftstalker. "Do you think they'll realize Bloodfur isn't responsible for the other deaths?" She asked hopefully. "And maybe he'll be allowed back into the Clan?"

Her friend shook his head. "I hope so... But he still did kill Cardinalpaw. That might be enough to keep him in exile."

That was true. Mistybreeze looked up sadly. A few dull stars hung in the dark sky above. She wondered if the warriors of StarClan were watching over them. Did they know how this would end? Would she and Swiftstalker be free of Poisonedsap's plot? Would Bloodfur return to ShadowClan?

"If we ever get out of this mess..." Mistybreeze murmured. "I'd like to be closer with Bloodfur. I'd like to hunt for fun and for my Clan, not for Revengeheart, and I want to spend more time with Coldpebble."

Swiftstalker followed her gaze. "I'd like to hunt for my Clan too. I've always wanted to be a regular loyal Clan warrior." He paused. "I want to be a better friend to Bloodfur if he can come back." He let out a purr. "I like kits. Who knows, maybe I'll have a mate and kits someday? I've never had the chance to think about those things."

She leaned against him reassuringly. "Hopefully we both have a better path ahead of us."

It was quiet for a long moment. Suddenly, a white she-cat stepped in front of them. "Mistybreeze, Swiftstalker?" Song murmured, glancing around to make sure no cat heard.

"Yes?" Mistybreeze blinked.

Song's blue eyes were worried. "I could scent it when you returned to camp." She whispered. "You've been visiting my brother, haven't you?"

"I-I-" Swiftstalker looked alarmed.

"Tomorrow, please take me with you to see him." Song's eyes glistened. "I want to speak with Deserve."