“JewelKit, please step forward,” SmokeStar's voice rang out across the gathering of cats. The tiny grey stepped forward, taking a seat by another small cat, this one ginger. “StrawberryKit, JewelKit,” The leader acknowledged each kit, “StrawberryKit, 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 StrawberryPaw. Your mentor will be” SmokeStar swept her gaze across the gathering “ClusterWeb. I hope ClusterWeb will pass down all they know on to you.” The ginger she padded over to ClusterWeb and the two touched noses, and every cat saw the proud glint in ClusterWeb’s eyes. “And JewelKit, 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 JewelPaw. Your mentor will be TigerFang. I hope TigerFang will pass down all they know on to you, too.” JewelPaw padded her way over to the huge tom, who was easily three times her size. She twitched her tail as she gazed up at her mentor, the large cat gently touched her nose with his own and a spark of adrenaline shot up JewelPaw’s spine. “Clan dismissed,” SmokeStar mewed and retreated to the end of the rock.

CHAPTER ONE

“So when do we start training?” JewelPaw mewed eagerly. TigerFang gazed up at the sky, it wasn’t even sun high yet. “We could go for a lesson now,” Tom stretched as he stood up, whereas JewelPaw just shot right to her paws. “Can StrawberryPaw and ClusterWeb come with?” JewelPaw asked, “We’d have to ask ClusterWeb,” came the reply. JewelPaw bounded towards the duo, “TigerFang and I were wondering if you’d like to join us for some training?” Her voice had hints of excitement dotted every word. “Why sure,” ClusterWebs reply came in a gentle tone. The group of cats exited the camp and went into the dense forest. “TigerFang doesn’t look too happy,” StrawberryPaw whispered to JewelPaw. “What do you mean?” JewelPaw glanced at the tom; he looked perfectly content to her. “Oh, never mind,” StrawberryPaw sighed. “It may be a bit early to hunt. Why don’t we start with the sandy hollow?” TigerFang mewed to the two apprentices. Both nodded eagerly as the large pit came into view.

   “It's huge!” Marveled StrawberryPaw, JewelPaw giggled “Did you think it was tiny?” her mews came in a teasing tone. The duo raced into the training area. “What are we doing first?” JewelPaw turned towards TigerFang. “Why don’t we start with pinning?” TigerFang offered. “Oh, I know how to do that!” JewelPaw sprang onto StrawberryPaw, and with a playful mew, she pinned her sister to the ground. “That might be a good playpin, but look how easily StrawberryPaw can get up.” ClusterWeb padded over to the duo. “Here, let me show you ClusterWeb.” TigerFang lowered himself into a pouncing stance, and then she nodded. TigerFang sprang, and ClusterWeb’s ears pricked. “Wait!” she mewed urgently, and TigerFang twisted himself midair, landing just barely to the side of ClusterWeb. “I smell something.” ClusterWeb’s eyes darted around, eventually stopping to stare at a shadowy brush. “Fox!” she hissed in alarm as the flaming orange animal darted out of the bush. “I got it!” JewelPaw started sprinting towards the creature. “JewelPaw, wait!” StrawberryPaw tried to stop her sister. JewelPaw sprang at the fox only to be knocked out of the air by a powerful blow. She yowled in pain as the fox’s claw raked across her eye. “I’ll go get help!” ClusterWeb bounded out of the hollow. JewelPaw stood and faced the orange fox, and she hissed as the fox closed the gap to only a few tails length away. The fox lunged, and JewelPaw braced herself, but the fox only got a small wound onto her torso before it was flung away.

The fox, looking even angrier now, turned its sights towards StrawberryPaw. The tom sprung forward and threw StrawberryPaw out of the way, and the apprentice slammed against the wall. “Why’d I get assigned a mousebrain?” TigerFang hissed as the fox scurried out of the hollow. At that unfortunate moment, the next band of cats swarmed into the sandy hollow. “Wait, EuphoriaBound, it's not what it looks like,” The fear in TigerFangs voice was unmistakable, “Oh I think it's exactly what it looks like,” hissed EuphoriaBound. The deputy's eyes flicked between the bleeding apprentice and the half-unconscious apprentice. Another cat appeared from behind EuphoriaBound. BluePelt scrambled towards StrawberryPaw, and the medicine cat’s eyes filled with sadness. “Her spine,” she mewed sadly towards JewelPaw, who was limping her way towards her sister.

~One moon later~ “Why can’t I go out yet?” Complained JewelPaw. “Because,” sighed BluePelt, “we’ve been over this before. Your eye is still healing, and you can’t continue training as a warrior.” “But you still haven’t told me why,” Mewed JewelPaw. The medicine cat sighed, “Your left ear and your left eye were badly damaged; they no longer work,” BluePelt explained. “What?!” screeched JewelPaw. BluePelt sighed, “You can no longer hear out of your left ear or see out of your left eye,” “I know that,” JewelPaw was exasperated, “I want to know why I can’t continue training as a warrior,” “Have you heard of any warriors that can’t use the left side of their head?” BluePelt asked, “If something tried to sneak up on you, you wouldn’t even know it was coming.” BluePelt tried to calm the small apprentice. “But,” JewelPaw paused for a second, “Then what can I be?” JewelPaw was utterly confused. “I’ve already talked to SmokeStar about it,” BluePelt started. “You can train to be my apprentice if you’d like. I’ve seen how much you’ve paid attention to me while I sort my herbs,” JewelPaw paused to think for a moment, “I guess if it’s the only thing I can be, sure.”

CHAPTER TWO

    “When will we start?” JewelPaw asked. “You’re still recovering; you’ll have to wait,” BluePelt mewed. “But I’ve already waited an entire moon, though!” JewelPaw complained, “Can’t we start now?” BluePelt took a glance at her herb storage. “I guess we could look for some catmint. Leaf fall is nearing, and we don’t want to be caught with low storage. We also must take you to the moonstone." "Let’s go now!” JewelPaw shot to her paws, and she winced as pain flew through her torso. “Take it slow,” BluePelt mewed as she slowly padded out of the den. JewelPaw would’ve wanted to go faster, but her torso was telling her otherwise. The two cats slowly made their way across the forest floor, BluePelt nosing around the already partially dead foliage. “Might be hard to get catmint around here,” Mused BluePelt. “Why?” Asked JewelPelt, padding up beside her. “Going anywhere with your injuries is risky, not to mention that at the kittypet place, there are dogs, the CarrionPlace is full of infected rats, and the barn is infested with rouges. That’s probably where TigerFang is now,” BluePelt spat at TigerFang’s name. “What? Why?” Asked JewelPaw. Curiosity suddenly sparked inside of her. “You haven’t heard?” BluePelt looked confused, and JewelPaw shook her head.

“Oh, well, we all know what he did, and it was unforgivable,” BluePelt sighed. “What? He didn’t do anything, well, other than protect us from that fox.” JewelPaw was confused. Where had TigerFang gone? What had he done? Was there something she didn’t know? “It’s sweet that you’re trying to protect your mentor, but he killed StrawberryPaw and injured you,” BluePelt looked concerned. “Is your head ok? You didn’t suffer a head injury, did you?” JewelPaw violently shook her head. “No, you have it all wrong!” She mewed defiantly. “TigerFang saved us from the fox!” At that moment, JewelPaw felt her fur bristle. “Watch out!” Screeched BluePelt as she shoved JewelPaw away from the worst of the blow. JewelPaw was oblivious to what was happening before the claw raked across her hind leg. “You,” the voice from the bush growled. The creature sprang, and BluePelt knocked the apprentice down, shielding JewelPaw from the worst of the hit. 

BluePelt gasped as TigerFang’s claws raked across her back, leaving a deep, long wound. “Useless medicine cat,” hissed the tom as his teeth snapped down on BluePelt’s neck, and TigerFang flung the blueish grey cat into a tree.  “BluePelt!” Yowled JewelPaw as she attempted to rush over. TigerFang reared onto his hind legs and sunk his claws into JewelPelt's shoulder and back leg. The tom launched the small she, but instead of slamming into a tree, JewelPaw was caught midair by BirchHeart, the only other cat who was even close to the size of TigerFang. Three other cats appeared behind BirchHeart: RustBlight, OakMelt, and BearPaw. BirchHeart gently put the apprentice down behind him, and JewelPaw immediately sank to the forest floor, unable to stand. “BearPaw, stay out of this,” BirchHeart told the brown apprentice. BirchHeart and OakMelt began circling TigerFang. “Why are you still here,” Hissed RustedBlight, who was lowering himself into a fighting position. TigerFang, knowing he was outnumbered, leaped over the unconscious medicine cat and disappeared into the trees. “Don’t follow him,” OakMelt mewed. “We must report this to SmokeStar.” JewelPaw dragged herself towards BluePelt. “BluePelt?” The apprentice shook the medicine cat, “BluePelt?!” JewelPaw shook the cat harder. BluePelt’s eyes snapped open and widened. “You’re o-” JewelPaw was cut off by the medicine cat, who was vigorously coughing up blood. After only a few seconds, the cat went limp once more.  The next few days were a blur to the apprentice, she was vaguely aware of the harsh treatment of her wounds, the funeral of BluePelt, and her venturing to the moonstone. 

TigerFang, knowing he was outnumbered, leaped over the unconscious medicine cat and disappeared into the trees. “Don’t follow him,” OakMelt mewed. “We must report this to SmokeStar.” JewelPaw dragged herself towards BluePelt. “BluePelt?” The apprentice shook the medicine cat, “BluePelt?!” JewelPaw shook the cat harder. BluePelt’s eyes snapped open and widened. “You’re o-” JewelPaw was cut off by the medicine cat, who was vigorously coughing up blood. After only a few seconds, the cat went limp once more.  The next few days were a blur to the apprentice, she was vaguely aware of the harsh treatment of her wounds, the funeral of BluePelt, and her venturing to the moonstone. 

    On the third day, JewelPaw was finally aware of what was happening. She dragged herself out of the medicine den and towards the clearing, where SmokeStar was arranging a small band of cats. “What's happening?” She mewed quietly to SquirrelVocals. “We’re going to ask for the help of WhiteKelp,” The brown tabby told her. “I want to come!” JewelPaw declared, “Look at you.” SquirrelVocals laughed, “You can barely stand.” “I’ll be fine!” JewelPaw insisted. “You can hardly deny her,” EuphoriaBound padded over. “She’s been an apprentice for over a moon, and she’s only been in the forest twice.” “Thank you, EuphoriaBound!” JewelPaw squealed. Only a few hours later, the band of cats entered the forest. The group of cats consisted of CremePelt, LeopardLeap, SmokeStar, and JewelPaw. As the group edged up on the border between ThunderClan and RiverClan, JewelPaw noticed CremePelt and LeopardLeap hesitate. JewelPaw almost hesitated as well before remembering that she was a medicine apprentice, and an injured one at that. It was very unlikely that any cat would attack her. JewelPaw followed close behind SmokeStar as the group of cats ventured into RiverClan. It was very unusual, she thought, that no patrols met them on the way to the RiverClan camp. JewelPaw struggled her way across the rocks that led to the island that was the camp. As the group of cats landed on the main island, they were met by six cats, all bearing mad or determined expressions.

“And what, may I ask, are you doing here, SmokeStar?” A sleek, pelted silver cat addressed SmokeStar. “I must speak with MothStar and WhiteKelp as soon as I can,” SmokeStar replied in a calm mew. “Let them in,” came the gentle voice from inside the camp. JewelPaw craned her neck, to her discomfort, to see that the voice came from a brown and tan cat. “CremePelt, LeopardLeap, you stay here,” SmokeStar told the two warriors. JewelPaw assumed that meant she was to stay with the leader. JewelPaw followed SmokeStar through the unfamiliar camp. “Hello there, MothStar,” SmokeStar dipped her head in greeting to the RiverClan leader. JewelPaw followed SmokeStar’s example as best as she could. The RiverClan leader’s eyes widened as she saw JewelPaw. “May I ask what was so urgent you couldn’t wait till the gathering?” MothStar mewed in her calm voice. “I must speak to you and WhiteKelp, please,” SmokeStar had the same calm mew as MothStar. “Please follow me,” MothStar led the two ThunderClan cats through the camp, towards what JewelPaw assumed was the medicine den. Inside was empty, except for a ginger tabby and a white cat. 

“Hello there, MothStar,” Both cats responded without looking up from their herb sorting. “WhiteKelp, can I speak to you, please?” 

    The ginger tabby exited the medicine den, looking shocked at the ThunderClan cats. “Yes, MothStar?” The white cat was now on his feet, wide-eyed and staring at JewelPaw. “Oh my, this wasn’t done by BluePelt who…” WhiteKelp was looking at JewelPaw’s wounds as his voice trailed off. SmokeStar nodded solemnly. “Indeed, BluePelt has passed onto StarClan.” Both MothStar and WhiteKelp dipped their heads in respect; no matter what clan, medicine cats were respected by all. “I came to ask MothStar’s permission and if WhiteKelp would possibly come to mentor JewelPaw,” SmokeStar mewed, sadness still hinted at her words. “I didn’t know BluePelt had an apprentice,” WhiteKelp was confused. “She wasn’t officially an apprentice till just a few days ago,” SmokeStar explained. MothStar looked like she had finally put two and two together inside her head. “No warrior of any clan would kill BluePelt or do this to any apprentice," MothStar said, asking a question at the same time. “Recent exile TigerFang,” SmokeStar began. MothStar and WhiteKelp both gasped, “That huge cat?” MothStar was concerned. SmokeStar nodded and continued, “He was recently found after murdering just apprenticed StrawberryPaw and injuring JewelPaw. TigerFang was also found just a few days ago, after killing BluePelt and doing this to JewelPaw.” 

    SmokeStar finished, and both MothStar and WhiteKelp looked completely shocked. “You have my permission, WhiteKelp, if you wish to go mentor this apprentice,” MothStar’s calm voice had concern dotting the words. The white cat nodded. “I shall go to ThunderClan for a few moons and train this apprentice into a fine medicine cat,” WhiteKelp decided. “But for now,” WhiteKelp glanced up at the sky, “We must get going. If we don’t leave soon, we’ll miss the half-moon gathering.” He picked up the bundle of herbs he and the ginger tabby had been sorting and walked out of the medicine den. JewelPaw glanced at SmokeStar and the grey she nodded. JewelPaw limped after the white cat, and the two met the ginger tabby outside of the camp. “JuniperStream,” WhiteKelp nodded towards the ginger she, “This is JewelPaw. I will be mentoring her for a few moons,” WhiteKelp gave a quick summary.

    JuniperStream said nothing as the three cats began the journey. It took them more time than JewelPaw remembered. As the trio reached the mothermouth, they were met by HeatherBranch and BerryPaw, the WindClan medicine cat and apprentice. “Hello HeatherBranch, BerryPaw,” JuniperStream finally spoke to address the two cats. “Hello, JuniperStream, WhiteKelp, and who may this be?” HeatherBranch greeted the two RiverClan cats. “I’d rather only explain it once,” WhiteKelp sighed. JewelPaw could tell this triggered an emotional struggle for the RiverClan cat as well. The five cats entered the large cavern of the moonstone just a few minutes after entering the mothermouth. The ShadowClan cats were already there waiting. “Hello, DarkRise, LionPaw,” WhiteKelp greeted the ShadowClan cats. “Now we just have to wait on BluePelt,” DarkRise mewed. WhiteKelp’s eyes dimmed. “BluePelt has,” He sighed, “Gone to StarClan. JewelPaw is all that remains of ThunderClan’s medicine cats,” WhiteKelp seemed to be fighting back tears. “Oh my, I assume this means you will be mentoring JewelPaw?” DarkRise had less of a connection to BluePelt, the two had tolerated each other. WhiteKelp nodded and took a seat by the moonstone, and gently touched her nose to the glowing blue rock, and JewelPaw followed her example.

CHAPTER THREE

    The bluish-grey cat was in the middle of the dream. “BluePelt?” JewelPaw’s voice seemed to go on forever, echoing off thin air. The illusion of the cat rippled as if it was the still water on a lake. When the ripples died down, she saw the white cat leaving ThunderClan camp. After a few seconds, the image changed again, and the ThunderClan camp appeared again. JewelPaw scanned the cats; everyone she knew was there, but where was SmokeStar? The image rippled, and almost every cat started to cough, some even dropping dead. 

    “Is she ok?” LionPaw stared at the tiny apprentice, who was writhing in her sleep. Both LionPaw and BerryPaw looked at their mentors, and WhiteKelp looked concerned. “Isn’t she a bit young to have a prophecy?” WhiteKelp asked in worry. “She is a full-fledged medicine apprentice, isn’t she? StarClan has fickle ways of sending prophecies,” JuniperStream attempted to calm the white tom. “We must wait till she wakes; only then will we know what has happened,” HeatherBranch sighed, and every cat turned back to watching the sleeping apprentice.

Another ripple of the image and the entire thing looked as if it was made of Jewels. JewelPaw saw her reflection staring back at her, except it looked older and much sicker than she was now. Then her reflection faded away to a fully healthy camp. The first thing JewelPaw noticed was that SmokeStar still wasn’t there. “JewelPaw, you must trust yourself,” JewelPaw turned to see StrawberryPaw. JewelPaw’s eyes brightened, and then the image faded away into BluePelt, “You must believe,”. The image faded again. “BluePelt! StrawberryPaw!”

    JewelPaw yowled in her sleep, “Should we wake her?!” BerryPaw shot to her paws after almost dozing off again. “Let her be; this must be important,” HeatherBranch calmed her apprentice. “What is it that must take this long? It’s nearly sunrise,” DarkRise sighed.

    JewelPaw saw the image of the shimmering camp once more, then the image became distorted, and she saw herself, half dying on the medicine den floor. Tending to her was a cat that she didn’t recognize. Then the camp clearing appeared again. She saw something much larger than the average cat, but it was very blurry. Then JewelPaw shot awake.

“JewelPaw! You’re awake!” WhiteKelp was audibly relieved. “Hm? Oh yeah I am,’’ JewelPaw was still concentrating on what she had just seen. “What did you see?” HeatherBranch asked eagerly. JewelPaw recoiled at the thought of having to explain it to other cats. “Oh, leave her alone,” DarkRise sighed. “If it’s anything important, which it is, ThunderClan can tell us next moon. This is all too much for JewelPaw,”. The group of cats all ventured to the other side of the Thunderpath, and then they all went their separate ways. “So what did you see?” WhiteKelp mewed softly once he and JewelPaw were alone. “Well,” JewelPaw hesitated. “First I saw BluePelt,” She sighed, “Then I saw ThunderClan. SmokeStar was gone. Then the entire camp became sick,” JewelPaw shuddered at her dream. WhiteKelp looked very concerned. “Then the entire camp became all sparkly, even prettier than the moonstone. Then suddenly all the cats stopped coughing, except for a few that…” JewelPaw had to force herself to continue, “That had died.” The duo of cats was now at ThunderClan's entrance. “We should probably tell SmokeStar,” WhiteKelp admitted after a second. The white tom hesitated before entering the ThunderClan camp.

“SmokeStar?” JewelPaw padded up to the grey, WhiteKelp encouraging her from behind. WhiteKelp got a few weird looks from some of the other cats, but that didn’t seem to bother the tom. “Can I talk to you about something?” JewelPaw finally asked. SmokeStar glanced over at WhiteKelp, and the tom nodded, “Sure.” SmokeStar padded into her den, and JewelPaw followed. After recapping her dream to her leader, she paused for a moment. SmokeStar seemed unfazed to know that she was going to seemingly disappear. “Indeed this is concerning, I shall ponder this for many moons. I do not believe that the rest of the clan needs to know this information for now,” SmokeStar finished. JewelPaw saw this as an opportunity for her to leave, and she did.

Chapter Four

~Seven moons later~

    “What is this?” Asked WhiteKelp, holding up a leafy plant. “Dock!” JewelPaw blurted. This was too easy. And its uses?” WhiteKelp quizzed. “Use the Poultice for wounds and broken legs. It treats scratches and rat bites. I believe it strengthens cats, especially queens. Doesn’t it soothe sore pads and ease pain? Soothes sprains. If a cat needs to vomit, it can do it on a dock leaf to prevent a mess,” JewelPaw recited from memory. “Very good!” WhiteKelp exclaimed, “Location?” “Damp grassy areas,” JewelPaw wanted to be done. “That was the last question. I’ve taught you everything I know.” WhiteKelp stood slowly. “I shall leave you for a moon, this will be your final test, I will check in with you at the next half moon,” WhiteKelp padded out of the medicine den, “Good luck JewelPaw,” A rush of adrenaline shook JewelPaw to her paws, the prophecy was still nagging at the back of her mind, she still hadn’t figured out what it meant. WhiteKelp was long gone by the time JewelPaw realized her prophecy had started with WhiteKelp leaving.

    JewelPaw had been panicking the last few days, stocking well up on herbs. She made rounds of the camp multiple times a day. Almost every cat seemed confused about her sudden panic; only the kits, who were too young to understand, and SmokeStar seemed unfazed. JewelPaw was in her den when SmokeStar came in. “It’s staring,” JewelPaw mewed softly as she turned to face her leader. “I’m aware,” SmokeStar sighed. As SmokeStar spoke, JewelPaw could see small patches of white in the leader's throat. “Oh my,” JewelPaw breathed, and SmokeStar fell into a coughing fit, “Why didn’t you tell me sooner!” JewelPaw was worried. “You seemed so stressed. I didn’t want to worry you,” SmokeStar admitted and faked a small smile. JewelPaw was now glad for her overstock of herbs. She gathered two herbs, catmint and borage, and placed them in front of SmokeStar. “You should’ve told me,” JewelPaw sighed as SmokeStar ate the herbs. 

“You must stay in the medicine den for a while. I’m worried this may be something worse,” JewelPaw said as SmokeStar dragged herself towards one of the nests, but paused halfway and started to vomit. “SMOKESTAR!” JewelPaw hurried towards the leader, closing the gap in a few seconds. After the vomit subsided, SmokeStar was thrown into a coughing fit. Only a few minutes later did the coughing stop. “I-i’m fine,” the she’s grey fur was now matted down. “You’re not fine!” JewelPaw was panicking. What could this be? This wasn’t just Greencough anymore, could it be? No, it was too rare! What happened next confirmed her suspicions. EuphoriaBound padded into the den. “Is everything alri-” SmokeStar started violently coughing again, and this time, blood came up, too. “Oh shoot, shoot, shoot,” JewelPaw was about to have a panic attack. Blackcough, SmokeStar had Blackcough. “Out,” she ordered, as calmly as she could. There were now at least four cats in the entryway, none of them budged. “OUT!” She ordered, but everycat but EuphoriaBound left. 

“I’m not leaving,” The deputy declared. “I have to help.” “Staying is a death sentence,” JewelPaw shrugged. “If you wanna die, then stay.”

JewelPaw turned back to the sick leader, and she nudged one more catmint stalk in front of her. “This is all I can give you to help, any more and you might die from that,” JewelPaw sighed, calming down, “There is nothing more I can do to help, it is in the paws of Starclan now,” SmokeStar dragged herself over to an empty nest, and almost immediately fell asleep. JewelPaw wondered how many lives the poor she had left, the apprentice turned to EuphoriaBound. “How many lives does SmokeStar have left?” JewelPaw asked, in complete control of her panic. The pale, tan deputy sighed, “This is her last one.” EuphoriaBound’s voice was almost as depressed as it could get. JewelPaw was shocked, “Then this is very bad, be prepared EuphoriaBound, you may see the moonstone rather soon,’ Without directly saying it, JewelPaw had just told EuphoriaBound that SmokeStar was going to die. “What does she have?” The deputy asked. JewelPaw hesitated, “Blackcough.” “But that's just a myth!” EuphoriaBound protested. “It is indeed real, and SmokeStar has the first case in dozens of moons.

“Euphoria,” SmokeStar croaked, and both JewelPaw and EuphoriaBound. “I wa-want this clan to be prepared,” SmokeStar stopped to cough, a little blood also coming out, “I resign.” SmokeStar paused, and EuphoriaBound’s eyes went wide. “I accept the fate Starclan has decided for me. I-i want you to become leader, so the clan isn’t caught off guard,” SmokeStar finished in a coughing fit. “Y-yes, SmokeS-” EuphoriaBound stopped himself, “SmokeHaze.” EuphoriaBound padded out of the den and onto the HighRock. “Let all cats old enough to hunt for themselves gather under the HighRock for a clan meeting!” EuphoriaBound’s mew echoed across the camp, and cats came slowly trudging to the clearing. JewelPaw supported most of SmokeHaze’s weight as they made their way to the camp clearing. As soon as the former leader arrived, EuphoriaBound started. “SmokeHaze,” EuphoriaBound paused for a second, and many faces lit up with confusion. “Has resigned.” EuphoriaBound attempted to continue but was met with many questions. “I can confirm,” JewelPaw mewed, drawing attention to her and SmokeHaze, and the former leader nodded; it was the most she could do.

“I will travel to the moonstone later, but for now, I must choose the next deputy,” EuphoriaBound continued when the unrest settled, and the tom scanned the crowd. “LeopardLeap,” EuphoriaBound picked a cat with a leopard print pelt. “Let Starclan hear and approve my decision. I choose LeopardLeap.” The congratulations could be heard all around. “Please join me on the HighRock, and you shall look over the camp while I am gone. Clan dismissed,” EuphoriaBound finished, and LeopardLeap hopped up on the HighRock. As JewelPaw was leading SmokeHaze back into the medicine den, the warrior doubled over in a coughing fit, vomiting blood at the same time. Many cats rushed over to try and help. “Away,” JewelPaw hissed to all of them, and most of them obeyed. EuphoriaBound once more stayed behind. JewelPaw shook her head as EuphoriaBound gave her a hopeful glance.