Shadekit's POV:

Shadekit pounded across the main clearing, the thundering of the other kits' paws racing behind him. They'll never catch me!

The dark furred kit grinned as he veered sideways around the back of the leader's den. He could hear voices inside the den, arguing. He slowed ever so slightly to listen, pricking his ears when he heard his name being spoken.

"-Shadekit as my apprentice." It was NoName's cold voice.

Slowing to a complete stop, Shadekit continued to listen intently.

Dime spoke after, uncertain. "Are you sure? He's spending an awful lot of time with the Prisoners, and rumors have been saying he's a sympathiser."

"Exactly why I must teach him as my apprentice. As his mother, I can sway his beliefs with ease and make him become the next controller of the Shadows." NoName replied, her glowing white eyes visible through the dense leaves of the den wall.

"Are you sure Shadekit is the one? There are other kits." Mountain's gruff voice growled from the den entrance. "I believe one of those three rogue kits would do nicely as your apprentice, NoName."

"Darkkit, Stormkit and Bluekit?" The red she cat scoffed. "They're soft furballs, I'd be surprised if they made it to the age of an apprentice without being trampled on by the others first."

There was a low growl from Mountain, quickly followed by a warning snarl from Dime.

"Keep your jaws shut." Shadekit's father snarled, his green eyes narrowed.

Shadekit didn't get to see Mountain's reply, because Stormkit suddenly burst from the bushes behind him and pinned him down. "Got you!" He grinned, pummelling Shadekit's muzzle with his paws.

Shadekit hissed. "Let me go!"

"Never! We've got you now!" Bluekit emerged behind Stormkit, her blue-grey pelt ruffled from hiding in the thick twigs and leaves.

Darkkit followed her sister more slowly, her green eyes rolling in amusement. "C'mon you two, don't drop the roles."

The two kits immediately straightened, serious expressions falling onto their faces. "Yes sir!" They squeaked.

Darkkit sighed and flattened her ears. "Just take the captured rogue to the prison."

Stormkit nodded and started dragging Shadekit out from behind the leader's den and towards the prison, where the clan cats were confined. Shadekit let them drag him, genuinely curious to see what really was inside that den. He had never been allowed him- his usual charms hadn't fooled these guards. One time he was even sent back with a sharp nip in his tail.

The nipper had been executed the day after.

They made it to the prison entrance to see two cats sitting guard. They looked down at the four kits, stern looks on their faces. "What do you want?"

"We wish to deliver a captured rogue to the prison." Stormkit announced, his voice as gruff as he could make it. Shadekit looked up innocently at the guards.

Claynose scoffed. "No way. Scram, you kits."

"But we're playing a game!" Stormkit wailed.

"No one is allowed in here. End of story." The Dark Forest warrior hissed, waving his paw. "Now leave."

Stormkit opened his mouth to argue but Tigerstripe's hiss sounded from inside and the brown tom poked his head out. "Let'em in, it won't hurt for them to see." The Enforcer went back into the Prison, disappearing into the choking darkness beyond.

Stormkit grinned and started dragging Shadekit again. "Yay!"

The four kits entered the dark den, their noses immediately attacked by a strong scent of sickness. "Ugh!" Darkkit hissed. "What's wrong in here?"

Tigerstripe glanced at them from where he was sitting by the den wall. "A few of the warriors have grown sick. NoName has forbidden treatment of the illness until Shinewing can get off her lazy rump and find some herbs."

"But there aren't any herbs left in the forest." Blackleap hissed from where he lay in an old nest, his ice blue eyes narrowed in annoyance.

"Nonsense, there are plenty." Tigerstripe growled.

Shadekit looked around at the clan warriors, all bunched together in old, stale nests. Some cats' eyes were dull with hunger, others from sickness. One cat- a Smallclan she cat- was muttering incoherent words under her breath, her green eyes wide and staring into space.

Stormkit murmured. "Whoa..."

"This is terrible." Shadekit whispered, stepping away from Stormkit to walk around the cats.

"They're prisoners. This is how they must live." Tigerstripe growled, his tail flicking as he watched the kits, his green gaze flickering to Shadekit often. "You must not feel sympathy for them. They did this to themselves."

Shadekit ignored Tigerstripe. How did the former Lightclan warrior turn to become one of the Dark Forest's best Enforcers? Did he have no loyalty at all to his clan?

Bluekit murmured. "I don't wanna be in here anymore..."

"Good, because this'll be your future if you mess about too much." Tigerstripe swept his tail along the ground, herding the four small kits back out of the prison den. "Now run along. Don't try to get back in here."

Shadekit frowned as he walked back into the warm sunlight of the main clearing. One day, I'll free the prisoners from their cage. He vowed, his eyes narrowed. Even if it means hurting my parents.

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