You did great.” 

 

Starpaw strolled up the mossy stones with Snowslip at her side. She knew her mentor was impressed. When they finally reached the cave, Snowslip told her to sit.

 

“Today you stood up to yourself. That's good. But you must learn that power comes from respect. And respect comes from patience. You must learn to wait.” Snowslip whispered with a sweet tone. 

 

“Now, always remember, you are our special star. But stars must rise alone. Respect and power isn’t a thing you can pick up from the fresh-kill pile- it's meant to be taken. All stars someday burn out. But you can be the one that lasts forever.” 

 

“I will Snowslip. I promise.”

 

“Good. I must leave you to your own thoughts now. Come back when you are ready.” Snowslip confidently spoke, leaving the cave. 

 

Starpaw sat infront of the lake, staring at her reflection. For some reason, it didnt look like her. The reflection looked.. Evil. With its glowing eyes and smirk, it looked truly terrifying. 

 

That's not me! I wanted Whiterose gone but not.. Not like this! Suddenly, memories flashed through her mind. The look on Sageleafs face, the cliff, The bone-chilling scream.. Starpaw couldn’t take it anymore. Something was pulling toward the dark water. She took one step and.. Slipped. Starpaws head began to pull underwater. Instantly, everything went dark.

 

 

        Starpaw slowly opened her eyes, seeing bright light. I am dead. Great. Maybe now I can truly apoligize to whiterose, she thought, shaking her pent as she stood up. But no.. this was not the Fallen ancistores. Starpaw was in a deep, dark forest. Huge marshlands were everywhere, waiting for an uncareful victim to fall in their trap. Suddenly, she noticed a light grey cat standing behind her. 

 

“ Exuse me, where are we?” She whispered to them. The cat slowly turned their head, and made no sound. Their eyes.. We're black. Shivers took over Starpaws body. The cat was dead. 

 

        “Save.. youself. Leave.. Place. Follow sun. Save cat.” The cat mound, but Starpaw couldnt feel her whole body. On the other side was light. She dashed there, but stopped just before entering the meadow. In the middle was.. Snowslip. With vines in her paws, she played with little cat dolls. But they werent regular dolls. One of them was Starpaw. The young cat was terrified. 

 

        Does that mean.. None of this was real? I.. I dont believe it! Starpaw could feel an unseen power pulling her back up. This time, she let it take her.

 

        Starpaw came back from her senses, gasping for breath. She was shivering, but that didnt matter. None of this is real. That's all Starpaw could think about as she dashed out of the cave, hoping that all of this was just a bad dream.

 

 

Starpaw ran until her soft pads were fully covered with small, sharp thorns. Her thin legs were shaking from exation, so all Starpaw could do was fall onto the solf moss of the forest. She stopped, gasping for breath, trying to calm down. This can't be real. I couldn’t have been real. 

 

But the memory of Snowslips voice still echoed in her head:

 

Stars must rise alone. 

 

All stars someday burn out.

 

You can be the first one to last forever.

 

Again, countless memories flushed back. But this time.. It was different. This time, Starpaw leaped from the cliff with Whiterose. As they both flew down, Whiterose’s eyes turned black, and she livelessly splatered in the air. 

 

“Stars dont rise. They fall.” 

 

 Starpaw flattered her ears, hearing a cracking voice. Well, here it is, Starpaw thought with sadness. Death came to me herself. 

 

Neverless, Starpaw decided to find out what it is. She crouched down, inching toward the Elderberry bush. At a tail-lengh from the thing, Starpaw saw a glimpse of grey cat fur. She sprang forward, flying over the high leaves. In the air, she saw a bluish cat staring at her with sky blue eyes. They are.. Really strange. The look he had on his face was mysterious and at the same time homey. Like.. she saw him before. 

 

“Too much energy, huh?” he asked her with a smirk on his face. “I am Jaypaw.”

 

“Starpaw. Anyways, you should leave. I am not a safe person to be around.”

 

“Well, you certainly won't cut me open, will you? Otherwise, I am staying.”

 

Starpaw rolled her eyes, looking over the horizon. “Fine,” she quickly responded. “You can follow me under one rule: No questions. Got it?” 

 

“Sounds fine with me. I always prefer keeping my business to myself. Less drama.” The tom stated, staring at the tall tree. 

 

        “So where are we camping, Captain? It's getting late.”

 

        “Over there,” Starpaw nervously pointed toward the old cave. 

 

        As both of the cats got themselves comfortable, Starpaw wondered about her future. But sadly, all she could see were dark clouds.