Lizardfur (Fanfic)

Clan:
BayClan

= Dedicated to Storm, my cat, for letting me pet him. = ''Also dedicated to Skitty, the real Leafstar. May you hunt happily in StarClan.''

= Prologue = “Antfur? I would like to talk to you.”

Leafstar’s voice woke up the sleepy med cat.

“Yes, Leafstar?” Antfur mewed.

Antfur was in the Clan leader’s den, atop a boulder. He wondered what was going on.

“I have heard some... rumors. Rumors that break the warrior code. Antfur, I know you're not the type of cat to do that, but I wanted you to confirm they are not true.” Leafstar said.

“What are they?” asked Antfur, looking uncertain. Leafstar then meowed, “Some cats think you are mates with Lizard.” “What?” cried Antfur, trying to cover up that it was true. “But a med cat can’t have a mate!”

“That's why I asked, to confirm that you weren’t breaking the warrior code. Anyway, if you were, then you might be exiled. It was silly of me to even think about this. Good day.”

“Bye, Leafstar,” Antfur said, trying to cover up his nervousness. “Goodbye.”

= Chapter One = Lizard crept around her den. It was early in the morning and Lizard was tired. She spotted Antfur coming out of the leader’s den. “What’s going on?” she asked the sturdy brown cat. Antfur shivered with nervousness. “Cats have started to suspect us.” he said. “Oh no!”  Leafstar snuck out from her den. “What is going on?” she asked.

“Nothing.” Antfur and Lizard said at the same time. “Pickle jinx!” they called out, at the same time.” “Um… I’m gonna go now…” Leafstar meowed.

Antfur looked at Lizard. Lizard looked at Antfur. Their look said it all. Antfur leaped into a sunny clearing. “People say we shouldn't be together

We're too young, to know about forever

But I say, they don't know what they're talk-talk-talking about” Lizard looked at him. “'Cause this love is only getting stronger

So I don't wanna wait any longer

I just wanna tell the world that you're mine girl!” Antfur added. Lizard hugged Antfur. “I also just wanna tell the world that you're mine, Antfur!” “But it’s against the warrior code!” Antfur meowed. “Who cares about the code… I wasn’t Clanborn…” Lizard said indignantly. “Firestar wasn’t Clanborn… Thunderstar was half clan! And even Leafstar was once a Kittypet!” Antfur mewed. “And they follow the warrior code!”

Jaykit stretched into the open clearing. “Hello, mom.” He said to Lizard. “Hello, Jaykit.” Lizard replied. “What are you doing?” Asked the kit. “Talking.” Antfur said. “Okay. Can I talk with you?” Jaykit mewed. “I’m sorry, but this is about adult stuff.” Lizard said. “Then can I talk about adult stuff?” Jaykit mewed. “Jaykit!” Bluepaw called from the med den. “Put back every single one of this dock you messed up!” Leaves were spread all over the ground. Jaykit laughed, and said, “Worth it. Coming!”

= Chapter Two = Antfur leapt out of the clearing. “We are almost out of marigold,” he explained to Lizard. “Do you have to go?” Lizard asked. “Yes, he does.” Bluepaw called from the med den. “THEN WHY CAN'T YOU GO!?” Lizard screamed. “Well, I have elder du—“ “SHE DOES NOT!” Jaykit meowed. “She says that I have to do the elders so she has an excuse not to do it!” Bluepaw shot Jaykit a look, and then sighed. “Fine, I’ll do it… but what does marigold look like?” This time, it was Spottedkit’s turn to scream. “I KNOW SHE KNOWS! SHE TAUGHT ME HOW IT LOOKS!” She yowled. “Also, I can recall teaching her,” Antfur added. Mewmoon leaped down. “Is something wrong?” He asked. “No…” Lizard meowed cautiously.

“Then good.” Mewmoon padded away.

“Bluepaw, you go and get that marigold right away.” Antfur muttered. “What was that?” Bluepaw asked. He repeated the same sentence much louder, and she scrambled away.

Crystalshard stepped down from a boulder she was on. “Wait!” yowled Mewmoon, who was running after her. “You’re expecting kittens! You shouldn’t climb stuff!” he yowled, as Crystalshard was climbing a tree. “I’m expecting kits, not bowling balls!” Crystalshard snapped. Lizard sighed. Sometimes, it seemed like she was invisible. At least Jaykit and Spottedkit are wanted here. She glanced at Antfur. ''I think i might keep this one. ''

Antfur looked back at Lizard, and meowed something only Lizard could hear: “They don't know about the things we do

They don't know about the "I love yous"

But I bet you if they only knew

They would just be jealous of us,

They don't know about the up all nights

They don't know I've waited all my life

Just to find a love that feels this right

Baby they don't know about

They don't know about us”

That might be a little much, Lizard thought. Leafstar then climbed up onto the highrock. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey come gather for a clan meeting!” she yowled. “Can it be?” Spottedkit mewed excitedly. “It is,” Jaykit meowed, pretending to be Mewmoon. “Antfur, step forward.” called Leafstar. ''What? Is he retiring?'' Lizard thought, until she saw that Antfur was as confused as she was. “Crystalshard says she’s expecting kits very soon. As you have never helped a queen with kits before…” ''He has. He helped me with my kits. '' Lizard added in her head. “We will have to hope that—“ “THEY ARE COMING!” yowled Crystalshard.

“Oh no!” Antfur dragged her over to his den.

= Chapter Three = Antfur dragged Crystalshard into his den. “Here, bite this when you feel pain.” he said, handing her a stick. She bit down, and a kit slid out. She licked it ferociously. “It’s a boy!” Antfur meowed. The kit clawed the ground with its powerful back claws. “He looks like he could run a mile and back without tiring,”

Mewmoon said admiringly. The kit’s fur was like sand, with jet black stripes running throughout his fur. “We’ll call him Quailkit.” Mewmoon mewed. “That’s a good name.” Crystalshard agreed. She bit some more and a tuxedo kit that looked just like Mewmoon, but with some white spots that looked like feathers from a dove came out. “It’s a girl!” Antfur meowed. “Let’s give them a bird theme and we’ll call this one Pidgeonkit.” Crystalshard meowed. “Ok, I’m fine with that.” Mewmoon replied. “Only one more,” Antfur said. Crystalshard bit the stick, and the last kit came out. Antfur gasped. “She’s beautiful!” She was a glowing white, with bright blue eyes and a little pink nose. “She looks a lot like you, Crystalshard.” Mewmoon said. “This one should be Dovekit.” Mewmoon and Crystalshard meowed at the same time. “I guess her name”s Dovekit!” Laughed Solarpaw, who just came in the den. “It sure is!” Crystalshard giggled. Then, a mystery scent drifted from beyond the camp…

= Chapter Four = “Well, what do you know, there’s a cat group over there.” Chuckled a white cat with black stripes. “Looks good, I might stay there for a while. There’s kits, a nice den, good place to stay!”

= Chapter Five = “Intruder in the camp!” Jaykit called out. “Who is it?” Asked Leafstar. Jaykit showed Leafstar a white cat with black stripes. Odd looking cat… thought Lizard. “What’s your name? Asked Leafstar. The cat scratched some words into the ground. My name is Fonty, He wrote. And I’m here to look for a good place to stay. “Then why didn’t you just say so?” Asked Antfur. I don’t speak Clan cat, or Kittypet, where I come from we speak a different language. He wrote. I have a magic power that allows me to speak any language, but only in writing. “That must be neat!” Solarpaw meowed. “Though, it’s gonna be hard to teach the kits to read now that we know we are gonna need to. We taught each other how to read when we started out, but we didn’t teach Jaykit and Spottedkit. Or Bluepaw, or Lizard, for that matter.” “Oh, don’t worry, I can already read.” Lizard mewed. “Then what did he say?” Asked Jaykit. “He said ‘My name is Fonty, and I’m here to look for a good place to stay.’ And then Antfur asked, ‘Why didn’t you just say so?’ And then he said ‘ I don’t speak Clan cat, or Kittypet, where I come from, we speak a different language. I have a magic power that allows me to speak any language, but only in writing.’  Then Solarpaw meowed, ‘that must be hard!’” “Okay.” Jaykit mewed. “That was a lot of talking.” “Also, Fonty is an odd name.” Added Bluepaw. Spottedkit cringed at Bluepaw’s harsh words. Lizard studied Fonty’s writing. She then scratched out words of her own. Well, Fonty, I’m surprised you can even understand them. They are not speaking your language. You can’t speak their language. How can you understand them? Fonty meowed something that no one could understand. Lizard nodded, and then scratched out some more words. I understand. But why don’t you remember me? Fonty didn’t say or write anything. Lizard stepped up and strutted away.

= Chapter Six = “Bet you can’t catch me!”

It had been a moon since the kits were born and Fonty had moved in with the clans. Quailkit was running around Fonty, mewling “Let’s play! Let’s play!” For some reason, he had become a favorite with the kits, and learned how to speak Cat. He preferred to write, though. Antfur liked to see the kittens running around with Fonty, but it was clear to the Clan that Lizard hated the black-striped-tomcat. Fonty swiped at Quailkit, chuckling. “Missed me! Missed me!” The little kit mewed. “Oh I know.” Replies Fonty. He spoke with an accent. Antfur then spotted Bluepaw pad over to Fonty. She whispered something in his ear. “Oh kits, I have to go,” Fonty mewed to them. Then both Bluepaw and Fonty padded away.

“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey come gather for a Clan Meeting!” Leafstar yowled. “Is it us? Is it us?” Jaykit and Spottedkit meowed. “Oh, we should go, it probably is!” Jaykit meowed. “Nope, not you, not ever.” Teased Fonty. “I have something to do,” Lizard meowed. “Nope, Clan meeting.” Fonty replied.”Jaykit, Spottedkit, Fonty, and Bluepaw, step forward.” Leafstar meowed. All the cats mentioned scrambled forward, with the exception of Bluepaw who just climbed onto highrock. “With the bad news, Bluepaw is not gonna be a med cat anymore.” “Wait, what?” Asked Bluepaw. “You’ve been rude, Bluepaw.” Leafstar meowed. “And, you also stole prey from PepClan, was mean to kits, demanded Jaykit to do your cho—“ “that’s enough of that.” Bluepaw broke in. “Well, some of the Clan thinks you should be exiled. “ Leafstar meows. “Bluepaw, I agree with them, and you officially are not a member of this clan anymore. You will have to wander far and wide for a new clan, or make one of your own. Bluepaw, goodbye.” “What?” Bluepaw said indignantly. “Why should I be exiled?” Bluepaw stared at Fonty for a second. “I’m gonna miss the clan…” she meowed in a soft tone. Fonty stared at Bluepaw for a bit, and then looked away when Antfur saw him. “Goodbye.” Leafstar said somberly. “Alright. I don’t need you anyway.” Bluepaw huffed. She padded away, leaving camp for the last time.

= Chapter Seven = “On much happier news, we have three new apprentices.” Leafstar said. “Fonty, Jaykit. Do you promise to learn the warrior code and listen to your mentors, and train to fight for your Clan?” “I do.” Jaykit mewed excitedly. Fonty didn’t look sure for a second, and then replied, “I do.” “Then, by the power of StarClan, I give you your apprentice names. Fonty, from this moment on, until you earn your warrior name, you shall be known as Fontpaw. Fontpaw, I will mentor you.” Leafstar flicked her tail. “Jaykit, from this moment on, until you earn your warrior name, you shall be known as Jaypaw. Jaypaw, Lizard will be your mentor.” Jaypaw looked at Lizard, as if deciding if she was a worthy mentor or not. Leafstar then looked at Antfur. “Now that your rude furrball of an excuse for a cat is gone,” Fontpaw winced. Was that necessary? “You can have a new apprentice. Spottedkit, do you promise to obey the medicine cat code and train in it, to learn the herbs of healing, and deliver the omens of StarClan?” “I do.” It was clear Spottedkit meant it. “Then, by the power of StarClan,” Leafstar continued, “Until you earn your full medicine cat name, you shall be known as Spottedpaw.” “Spottedpaw! Jaypaw! Fontpaw! Spottedpaw! Jaypaw! Fontpaw! Spottedpaw! Jaypaw! Fontpaw!” The Clan cheered. “Meeting dismissed.” Leafstar meowed, as she padded into her den.

= Chapter Eight = Lizard felt it. She had been feeling it for a long time. The kits… are ready. She thought. It must be annoying to have another litter this soon to leaf-fall. Lizard called Antfur. “Come over!” She called. “Why?” Spottedpaw answered. Spottedpaw had been a little bit of a pain in the tail sometimes. But her wisdom that seemed to come from StarClan made up for it. “Kits!” Lizard replied. “What?” Antfur meowed. “But… they don’t look like they are due for another moon!” “They have decided.” Lizard said simply. “Just like Jaypaw decided to scream!” Called out Solarpaw. “Why did he scream?” Asked Spottedpaw. “Good question, except that I don’t have an answer!” Solarpaw snapped. “Solarpaw! Control yourself.” Mewmoon reprimanded his apprentice. “Kits!” Lizard repeated. “We’re coming, we’re coming.” Spottedpaw mewed. Antfur scooped up Lizard onto his back.

“Oof!” Lizard said as she fell off Antfur’s back into the medicine den. “They are coming already!” Spottedpaw mewed. A brown tomcat with jet-black stripes and piercing amber eyes fell onto the ground. Jaypaw then padded into the den. “Is this a good time to mention that my claw got broken off?” He said. “Oh!” Jaypaw looked at the newborn in surprise. “You should call him Clawkit.” Jaypaw suggested. “Perfect.” Lizard mewed. His stripes even look like huge claw marks from a tiger. Next, a gray tomkit with brown patches came. The patches looked like mud splatters, as if he was playing in a mud puddle. “Mudkit.” Antfur said, as Spottedpaw meowed, “Patchkit.” “Patchkit sounds good.” Jaypaw meowed. “Then Patchkit.” Lizard said. Antfur looked at Lizard. “Aren’t you gonna name your own kits?” It was always this way. Lizard thought. ''The kits belong to the Clan. Not me.'' With a bolt of pain, one mud-colored tomkit with gray paws and a gray she-kit with mud-colored paws came at the same time. “Mudkit and Silverkit.” Jaypaw meowed. “Yes, those are good names.” Lizard mewed. “Clawkit, the oldest and a tomkit. Patchkit, the second oldest and a tomkit. Last but not least, are the twins Mudkit, a tomkit, and Silverkit, the only she-kit in the litter.” She added. I will make sure they are safe, forever. She shook the thought from her head. ''No, the time will come. I will have to leave one day. When I have a smaller litter, that I can take with me. Cats take in other cats more if they have kits.'' “Lizard, would you meet me in the clearing?” Antfur asked, shaking her from her thoughts. “Sure.” Lizard meowed.

“So, are the kits mine?”

Antfur and Lizard were in a clearing. Here, they could talk. “Yes.” “But…—“ “against the warrior code!? I thought you knew I didn’t care about that.” “But—“ she shushed him by saying “They don't know how special you are

They don't know what you've done to my heart

They can say anything they want 'cause they don't know about us

They don't know what we do best, that's between me and you, our little secret,” Antfur then caterwauled, “But I wanna tell 'em

I wanna tell the world that you're mine girl!”

= Chapter Nine = Antfur hummed a tune as he mixed some herbs. He was alone, with only Quailkit with him. “Antfur!” Quailkit mewed, as Antfur gathered a big pile of herbs. “Yes?” Antfur replied, not even looking at the kit. “I’m gonna run away and live in PepClan!” Quailkit meowed. “Good for you,” Antfur said. The tomkit ran on top of the pile of herbs Antfur just made. “I’m the Clan leader! Quailstar!” Quailkit said.  When’s the day ever gonna come when Quailkit’s are finally gonna just be a good little kitten… Antfur asked himself. “Sure you are.” He meowed to Quailkit. Quailkit seemed annoyed that there was no reaction. “Hey, Antfur.” He mewed.

“Yes?”

“Catch!” Quailkit grabbed a pawful of herbs, and threw them out of the den, practically across the camp. Pidgeonkit noticed the herbs and ran towards them. “Okay?” Quailkit asked her. “Okay!” Pidgeonkit mewed. She then buried the herbs, and grabbed some sticks. Dovekit ran over with two pieces of flint. Pidgeonkit put the sticks on top of the place where the herbs were buried, and stuck them into the ground. Quailkit got more sticks and put them on top of the first sticks. Then, the kits all worked together to put a bunch of sticks where the herbs were buried. They backed away as Dovekit banged her pieces of flint together, and before Antfur knew it, the sticks caught on fire. Quailkit grabbed more of the herbs, and ran to the fire. Every step he took, another herb like a root or a leaf dropped down. When he put them on the fire, the herbs caught on fire and then followed the trail of leaves and roots. Then, all of Antfur’s herbs burst into flames. I have to get Leafstar! He thought. Then, he ran away from his den as it too, burst into flames.

= Chapter Ten = “Clan meeting!”

Leafstar’s yowl broke through the camp. What’s going on? Lizard asked herself. “THE MEDICINE DEN IS ON FIRE!!” Antfur screeched, as soon as everyone gathered. “Gee, Antfur, I didn’t know that, thanks for telling us,” Mewmoon said sarcastically. Solarpaw gave both of them a look, and Leafstar continued “Cats of BayClan, you know that we cannot go to our bay, for the water is too salty for cats to drink. We’ll have to go to the river in PepClan territory.” “What?” Cried Jaypaw. “But they are a different Clan!” “Oh, Jaypaw, for Cherrypaw’s sake, let the Clan leader talk!” Lizard grumbled. Antfur and Spottedpaw looked at each other, as if thinking, Who’s Cherrypaw? “Fine.” Jaypaw meowed. “Now, Cats of BayClan, follow me!” Cried Leafstar. She padded off of the highrock, which was the only den not on fire.

The Clan was at the PepClan River, the border between BayClan territory and PepClan’s. ''Now, we are safe. Though I feel as if we’ve forgotten something...''

“The kits!” Lizard remembered Clawkit, Patchkit, Mudkit, and Silverkit, still in the nursery. “We forgot about the kits!” “Oh no!” Leafstar rushed back into the forest that the Clan lived in.

When Leafstar returned with the kits, she was weak and dizzy. She fell over once she reached where the Clan was camping out. She dropped the kits. “Oh, no!” Antfur meowed. “She’s on her last life… she can’t die…” Spottedpaw meowed. “DON’T DIE, LEAFSTAR!!!” Wailed Jaypaw. “What makes you so sure she’s gonna die, Spottedpaw?” Asked Lizard, trying to reassure everyone. ''Oh no… what if she’s right! What will we ever do without Leafstar? 𝘔𝘺 𝘬𝘪𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘰 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘢𝘵𝘩…'' she thought. “Mewmoon…” Leafstar meowed. “Yes, Leafstar?” Mewmoon replied. “Take good care of my Clan.”

And then she fell still.

= Chapter Eleven = “No… Leafstar!” Mewmoon called into the gathering darkness. “She died in the best way: saving lives, just like she would have wanted.” Lizard meowed. “We shouldn’t just grovel around for her. She wouldn’t have liked that. Time doesn’t stop for you. We have to move on.” Mewmoon blinked. “You are the wisest cat in all the Clans, Lizard. “Thanks.” Lizard replied. “Well, Leafstar is dead now.” Antfur meows. “You know what that means.”

Antfur and Mewmoon traveled to go to the Moonflower. They had left Spottedpaw behind, just in case. They traveled through the territories of WildClan. “Who goes there?” A ginger fox with one green eye and one blue eye met them at the border. “Antfur and Mewmoon. You?” The fox blinked for a second. “Greenstar.” “Well, Greenstar,” Antfur mewed, “We need to go to the Moonflower.” “Oh?” Greenstar replied. “Is something wrong?” It seemed like then she had a quick thought. “Oh! Mewmoon is the deputy of BayClan! Did something happen to Leafstar?” “Yes, she breathed too much smoke rescuing kits from a fire that destroyed our camp.” Mewmoon said. Greenstar nodded. “A hero’s death. Well, come along then. You don’t have all night.” Antfur and Mewmoon padded onto a trail that had the paw prints of many who had walked the same path. Antfur noticed the nervous look on Mewmoon’s face. ''Poor thing. Never even been here before.'' Mewmoon then mewed, “What’s gonna happen?” “Well, cats from your past and beyond are gonna give you a life and an ability to go with it. It will hurt, but it is a test for endurance.” Antfur replies. “Oh, wow.” Mewmoon meowed. “There it is.” “There is what?” Antfur pointed towards a blue flower that seemed to be glowing like the moon, with petals that looked as soft as heather, and a middle that looked exactly like a full moon. It was near a river that was sparkling like crystal. “Drink some of the water.” Antfur told Mewmoon. They both drank some, and fell asleep.

“Hello, Mewmoon.” A gray spotted she-cat welcomed him. “Mom!” Mewmoon says. “That’s right.” She replied. “Are you gonna give me a life?” She simply booped noses with him. “With this life I give you a gift for healing wounds made from words. Use it well.” Mewmoon cringed, as if in pain. Antfur felt sorry for him. I have no idea how much pain his future lives will have. A small white vixen came forward. ''I know her. But he doesn’t know her.'' “I am Fox’tail.” She said. “I give you a life for courage and knowing when to use it.” Another cat stepped forward. I never saw him before. But Mewmoon seemed to know. “Jeffrey!” Mewmoon called. Jeffrey chuckled. “I guess you did end up with the Wildcats, did you? Now, you are the leader of them! Some white fox said that if I gave you some sorta gift, I can see you again. I told them to stuff it in a sock, but hey, I wanted to see my old friend! So I came.” Jeffrey then licked Mewmoon. “The gift I give you is an eagle’s eye. You will not miss anything, except which is not important.” Next, a purple spotted she-cat stepped forward. “Who are you?” Asked Mewmoon. “Baystar, first leader of BayClan.” She replied. “I give you strength for your forth life.” With this life, Mewmoon flinched a little. A blue cat with green eyes gave him a life for kindness. Leopardstar gave him a life for “what else? Life.” No one had any idea what this meant. Leafstar gave him a life for loyalty. “You will always be loyal to what’s right. Not what’s easy, what’s right.” She said. Another cat stepped forward. “Wait what?” Mewmoon asked. “Yes, I’m still alive, genius.” The she-cat meowed. “B-b-but your Pepstar!” Mewmoon said confused. “So?” Pepstar then said. “I give you a life for nonsense. Always know the right time to be silly.” Next, an old and weary cat came forward. “I am Eldertree, as old as an oak, but still giving out my fruits. I give you a life for respect. Always respect then small cats, Mewmoon.” “But I am a small cat!” Mewmoon meowed. “That was your ninth life, now we cheer your new name.” Antfur meowed. “Mewstar! Mewstar! Mewstar!”

= Chapter Twelve = Lizard heard Mewstar and Antfur return. “You’re Mewstar now?” Solarpaw asked. “Yes, I guess so.” Mewstar replied. “Who will be my mentor now?” Asked Jaypaw. He glared at Lizard’s kits, as if they were the ones who caused Leafstar’s death. “It wasn't their fault!” Lizard yowled, defending her newborns. “Clan meeting!” Mewstar called. Everyone rushed to a craggily rock that the Clan was using as a highstone, for theirs had fallen over in the fire. “What now?” Asked Fontpaw. “I have come to announce that Crystalshard’s kits are four moons old, and that Lizard’s are three. This means that they finally are considered old enough to help they're clan. Crystalshard’s kits can help with the elders, finally, if a warrior asks of them, and Lizard’s kits can gather herbs and stuff if it is needed.” Mewstar says. “I think that each kit should have a job that they can carry out, to get used to at least one of the responsibilities that being an apprentice has. They will first all be assigned to gather moss for bedding, so they can get used to doing tasks for their clan. Next, when they have mastered the basics of this skill, I will be consulted to teach them games to test what skills they are good at. When it is shown, I will give that kit duties in the specific skill area.” Jaypaw raised his paw. “Yes, Jaypaw?” Mewstar asked. “Well, what about me, Spottedpaw, and Fontpaw? What will we do while the kits do the duties?” “Well,”. Mewstar began. “You will still do these duties, as the kits, being kits, will probably not finish the work, and they don’t have to.” “That makes sense,” Spottedpaw replied. “It makes sure us apprentices have enough to do, and uses up just enough of the kit’s time where they can both play and work, instead of bothering the older warriors.” “I suppose it does,” Jaypaw meowed. Something jolted inside of Lizard. Wait what? She padded away. “Wait! The meeting’s not over yet!” Antfur called.”it can’t be… how… why…” she said to herself. ''More kits! I somehow am expecting kits a moon after the kits were born!'' She realized that she had been expecting kits when the kits were just one moon old. ''Impossible. Just impossible.'' She realized that next moon, she would have her kits. A vision flashed in her mind.

She was running away from a brown cat with gray paws that had claws stained blood red. He looked only seven moons old, but ready for a big fight. He had Mewstar dead at his feet. “How could you do this to me, Mudpaw?” She asked. Mudpaw just laughed and leapt on Lizard, reading to kill her… “this is what will happen if you stay in the clan for longer then when the kits are born!”a booming voice from above called. “Who are you?” She asked the voice. “And why are you showing me this?” “To protect you,” it boomed. '''“I am Leopardstar. And this is the Turtleleap takeover.”''' “Turtleleap takeover? For Cherrypaw’s sake, who’s Turtleleap?” “Here, I will show you more.” She brought in Antfur, to watch. A litter of kits were playing in some mud. The oldest one said, “Hey! Parliamentkit! I bet you couldn’t catch me!” Parliamentkit replied, “Oh, sure, Sedgekit, imma getcha!” As they ran together, one little kit with markings that looked like a turtle’s shell watched. “Can I join?” He asked. “No, this is only for cats who are named after birds!” Sedgekit mewed. “A sedge is a type of plant! And who even knows what a parliament is!” The kit replied. Parliamentkit then said, “for your information, a parliament is a group of owls. A sedge is a group of herons. So there, Turtlekit!” Turtlekit’s eyes filled with hatred. A ghostly cat with amber eyes and jet-black striped then padded up to Turtlekit. “Who are you?” Aske the kit. “I am Tigerstar.” Replied the cat. “Tigerstar, of LightningClan, who was a good leader? Or Tigerstar, maker of DarkClan, the bad one?” “The maker of DarkClan, sweet kit. But don’t worry, all my evilness is just, misunderstood. I am put into darkness by the cats who rule the kits. Join me, and we can make a Clan to take revenge against them, and all other cats who have ever been mean to you!” Turtlekit’s eye shone, and he said “Okay.” Lizard turned to Leopardstar, as she took Antfur away. “So, Turtleleap was his warrior self? And he made DarkClan, and brought cats in it?” '''“Yes, and Mudkit is in it. Turtleleap will not try to take over BayClan until his three only members, Charykit, Sharpkit, and Mudkit, are all seven moons old. That is in only four moons. Ready yourself, Lizard.”''' And then she faded away.

= Chapter Thirteen = Antfur wondered what his strange dream was. A purple spotted cat and Lizard were watching some kit get made fun of. He tried to remember his name. I think it was Turtlekit. He looked at Lizard. She seemed unfocused, distracted. Then, Antfur wondered what every cat had wondered whenever they got to know Lizard. Who is Cherrypaw? He padded over to Mewstar, who was still having the Clan meeting. “And then, we must protect our Clan!” Mewstar finished the meeting. ''Oh. I’ve missed his speech.'' He then meowed to Spottedpaw, “I was gathering herbs. What did I miss?” He did have some goldenrod in his paw. “Oh, nothing. He was just meowing about how there weren't any warriors.” She replied. “Poor Jaypaw. There’s no one to mentor him.” “Yes, true, Spottedpaw.” Mewstar overheard this conversation and put his thoughts into it. “That’s why we need to have an assessment for them. Antfur, would you mind assessing them?” “Sure, Mewstar.” Antfur mewed. Lizard cringed. “I’m having another litter right now!” She announced. “Wait what the BayClan?” Spottedpaw meows confused. “Why?” Antfur then just dragged her into his hollow.

While the rest of the Clan was at the meeting, Antfur asked Lizard “Why?” She sighed. “What do you mean, ‘why?’?” “Why do you keep having litters? Why do you keep just staying inside while others fight? Why? Why? Why?” She sighed. “When I was a kit, my mother, her name was Leaf, didn’t want me, but didn’t want to cause a bad example in front of the kits that she babysat a lot, River and Sky. She was a guardian of StarClan, and trained the cats who needed learning. I never felt like I truly belonged among them. It was a school, and they were the Class Of The Wise. I felt like I belonged among the Class Of The Loyal, instead. But, one day, news broke out that Swiftstar, leader of SharpClan, was murdered. The day before she was murdered, a cat named Sharpkit stayed in the clan temporarily. I was friends with one of the cats in the Class Of The Fighters, which is where Sharpkit actually lives. His name was Charypaw, and he said that Turtleleap said for Sharpkit to spy on them. He somehow knew that they would trust Sharpkit completely, and didn’t hesitate to tell him any secrets. They didn’t even believe their medicine cat, Beehivestinger, when she told them Sharpkit murdered Swiftstar. The next day, the Class Of The Loyal went missing for a while. The Class Of The Wise was sent after them. I followed, and then I got lost, and I never saw them again. I wanted to keep having kits who knew they had a mother who loved them, instead of a furball who pretends he or she isn’t even their daughter.” “Oh.” Antfur meowed. No wonder she’s the way she is. He found himself thinking, and that’s just the way I like it.

= Chapter Fourteen = Well, I’m glad that I won’t have to experience them together. Them meaning Fontpaw and Antfur. She thought, remembering the time she had in the mountains.

= Chapter Fifteen = “Hold still, I have to get that tick off of you!” Spottedpaw meowed as she tugged at Lizard’s fur. “What do you think I am, an elder?” Lizard teased. “Well, you’ve experienced more than some elders.” Spottedpaw replied. She pulled it off, and then Lizard started having her kits. “Hold on, I’ll get Antfur!” Spottedpaw rushed off into the medicine hollow, which the clan was using as a med den. A few minutes later, Antfur ran by Lizard. “It’s head is poking out!” Cried Spottedpaw. Somehow, by a strange stroke of luck, a rabbit ran right by the kit’s head, and after the kit’s head yawned, the mouth closed on the rabbit’s neck and killed it. When the kit came out and recognized Lizard as it’s mother, it claimed the rabbit’s skin and wore it.

All the meat fell out from the rabbit. It all happened too fast for them to even see what fur color it had. The kit slid through the hole in the neck, and it was wearing the rabbit as if it was it’s own fur. The rabbit’s tail was as long as a kitten’s tail, because the kit failed to make that look like a rabbit’s tail and had to stretch it. The rabbit teeth fell out and were replaced by a cat’s teeth. “Let’s call it Dittokit!” Mewstar suggested from across the makeshift camp. What’s a ditto? Antfur wanted to ask. “A ditto is a legendary creature that can transform into different creatures.” Mewstar explained. “Then Dittokit it is.” Lizard meowed. Another kit slid out, this time a calico with bright colors, neon orange, yellow that seemed to be glowing, white as bright as snow, and black as shiny as a gemstone. “How about Brightkit?” Spottedpaw meowed. “Yes! Brightkit.” Lizard replied. Antfur looked at his two new kits. “That’s all.” He said.

''Kits, you will never know your father. But I will always know that I love you.''

= Chapter Sixteen = Lizard grasped her two kits and dropped them in a clearing. She dug a hole as big as a fox, and two smaller ones the size of cubs into the nursery. It was moonhigh, and everyone was asleep. She finished the last hole. ''There. Now the clan will think foxes have taken me and my kits.'' She thought. ''I will miss everyone here. But it’s for my own good.'' A voice rang in her ear. “Kill the kit.” She ignored it. ''“Kill the brown kit with gray paws. It’s for your own good.”'' The voice spat out “Your own good” like they tasted bad in his mouth. “No,” Lizard said. “He is my kit.” She walked away from the makeshift camp with Dittokit and Brightkit in her mouth, sad at how she would never see her other litter of kits again.

= Chapter Seventeen = “Lizard and her newborns are missing!”

This call woke up the clan as they saw that it was true. Lizard, Brightkit, and Dittokit were gone! It was like they just disappeared! Antfur paced around, wondering what happened to her. Then, he noticed the nursery. “There are holes in the side of the nursery!” He called. “Foxes must’ve taken them!” “Oh no!” Mewstar cried. He sighed. Another call came from the camp. “We are being attacked by foxes!” Jaypaw meowed. A team of foxes ran into the camp.Jaypaw leapt onto a young fox. He dug his claws into it, and it died. Surprisingly, A rabbit was hiding in a tree nearby. The rabbit leapt onto the biggest fox in the group. It dug its claws into the back of the fox. It took out the fox, and when the fox was dead, a tiny white fox crawled out of the dead fox’s belly. “The fox was expecting.” The rabbit murmured. “Wait, a talking rabbit?” Antfur asked, confused. The white fox jumped onto the rabbit, and memorized the rabbit’s scent. “It’s a girl.” The rabbit said. “Hey, that rabbit kinda looks like Dittokit’s rabbit form!” Jaypaw called out. The rabbit shrugged, and took Jaypaw’s fox cub’s hide. The rabbit leapt away, along with its new newborn white fox cub, and the orange fox hide.

= Chapter Eighteen = Lizard watched as Dittokit climbed onto her back, with the new she-fox cub Dittokit adopted. No one was sure about Dittokit’s gender, so Lizard just called Dittokit a they. That way, if they were a boy, they wouldn’t be mad, and if they were a girl, they also wouldn’t be mad. Lizard was deep into WildClan territory, and she was nervous. No cat ever knew what WildClan was like, as they never saw them, and they were always late for gatherings. She stepped into a rocky clearing. The fox kit mewed, imitating the noise Dittokit made when they were hungry. “We really need a name for the vixen,” Dittokit muttered. “Yes,” Lizard agreed. “Let’s call her Vixenkit. We will act like she’s your sister. Anyway, you're about the same age.” Dittokit nodded. “We should rest here. It’s a good place.” Lizard was tired, so she just fell asleep, with Vixenkit, Dittokit, and Brightkit curled up at her side.

Lizard woke up to see feathers in her face. “Who are you?” Asked the rainbow feathery thing. She then replied, “Lizard, and these are my kits, Dittokit, Brightkit, and Vixenkit.” She pointed to each of them in turn. “Ok.” The feathery thing said. “What animals are you?” “We’re all cats,” Lizard meowed, and then whispered in a much quieter tone, “Vixenkit is really a fox, but we are raising her as a cat, because she was orphaned from her mother.” “Got it. I’m Rainbow Catmint, leader of the parrot group. My deputy is Sky Raspberry.” She nodded towards a blue— what did she call it again? Parrot. “You can stay with us if you want,” Offered Sky Raspberry. “Ever since the Riverwings, or as you might know them as, Pelicans, started to kill our she-parrots. It’s really odd, every cat in the Wild Territories knows that the parrots are the healers.” Lizard nodded. “Yes, I would like to join. My kits, they are only a few weeks old.” “Oh! You can join.” Rainbow Catmint chirped. “Come.” They padded over to an ancient tree, with a huge hollow big enough to hold the whole of BayClan. “These are the remainders.” There was only a black cat, who introduced himself as Shadow Catnip, but “you can call me Shadowpaw”, a small gray bird who called herself Rockworm, and of course Sky Raspberry and Rainbow Catmint. “Rockworm has some eggs, and they were due to hatch a week ago.” Rainbow Catmint tweeted. “Um, they are hatching RIGHT NOW!” Rockworm screamed. She walked off of them, to reveal some green feathers poking out of an egg. When it popped out, it was revealed to be a neon green she-parrot. “Did you know that female parrots are called hens?” The neon parrot asked. “Her name should be Smartchick.” Shadowpaw meowed, as a joke.”I was thinking Neonchick?” Rockworm said it more like a question. Another egg hatched, this time it was a gray cock, and he chirped with delight. “I’d call it Sleetkit, if it were mine.” Lizard giggled. “Yes! Sleekchick. I like that!” Rockworm tweeted. The last egg cracked slowly, but it was worth the wait, for when it cracked open, it revealed a small rainbow hen, with a pink beak, green eyes, orange feet, white wings, black stripes, and a redhead. “It’s a hen!” Cried Shadowpaw. “Flowerchick.” Rockworm said. “Okay, that’s all of them. Now let’s go to bed.” Dittokit meowed. Brightkit seemed disappointed when everyone agreed with them. Lizard curled up into a ball, and fell asleep with her two kits.

= Chapter Nineteen = Antfur missed his old mate. He felt as if he’d do anything just to get closer to her. He stepped into the camp. ''Ah. I missed you, camp!'' They had repaired the damage, and the kits were told that they were being held back by a moon. “Clan meeting!” Mewstar called. When all were gathered, he said, “well, I have some good news. Jaypaw and Fontpaw have passed their assessments. Do you promise to fight and protect the clan, teach younger ones, and honour your elders, even at the cost of your own life?” “I do!” They both meowed. “Then, by the power of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. In other news, Lizard’s kits are old enough to catch their own prey. Clawkit, Patchkit, Mudkit, and Silverkit are ready to be apprenticed. Kits, do you promise to protect the clan and learn its rules, respect your mentors and more, even at the cost of your own life?” “We do.” Mudkit meowed. “Then, by the power of StarClan, you shall be known as Clawpaw, Patchpaw, Mudpaw, and Silverpaw. Fontpaw I want you to mentor them. No, I want Fontclaw!” The clan cheered both Clawpaw and Fontclaw’s new names. “Patchpaw, your mentor will be me, Mewstar.” Mewstar continued. “Mudpaw, I want Jaypaw to mentor you. No, I want Jayleaf! Silverpaw, you are wise in the ways of StarClan. We have no cat to mentor you. So, you will become a medicine cat. This is only until we get more warriors, as we have a shortage of them.” “Jayleaf! Fontclaw! Clawpaw! Patchpaw! Mudpaw! Silverpaw!”

= Chapter Twenty = Lizard missed Antfur. She hoped that he was okay. A moon had passed from when Lizard first met the parrots. Mudkit is now seven moons old, she realized with a shiver. She padded off into the Parrot Tree. “Oh, hello, Lizard.” Shadowpaw greeted her. “Hello, Shadowpaw.” Lizard replied. “Shadowpaw.” She said suddenly. “Yes?” “I could give you a warrior name.” Lizard meowed. Shadowpaw looked as if trying to hide the excitement in his eyes. “No thanks. I have no use for it.” “But you have more than earned it.” “Oh, all right, if you insist.” Shadowpaw stood up and followed Lizard.

“I call upon the powers of StarClan, to give this cat from far away a warrior name, as he has more than earned it. He shall be known as Shadowthorn, from this moment on.” Lizard called up into the stars. “Shadowthorn! Shadowthorn! Shadowthorn!” The sky echoed. Lizard got a piece of clay, and scratched a message into it. She signed it with the sap of a maple tree. It looked very pretty. Suddenly a huge pelican with fire-colored eyes attacked Shadowthorn!

= Chapter Twenty-One = Antfur noticed a piece of clay floating in the river. He picked it up. Rather odd thing to see in a river. Then he noticed it had words on it.

Dear whoever has gotten this letter,

''A cat called Mudkit will destroy the Clans. I have received this prophecy many times. I hope that BayClan is well. I found the oddest thing. A black cat was living with a lot of parrots. I have nothing against parrots, it just seems weird to me. I gave him his warrior name, his earlier name was Shadowpaw, and the warrior name was Shadowthorn. I hope you are okay, and say hi to Antfur for me.''

Lizard

Lizard is still alive! Antfur felt a rush of hope. Maybe she was stolen by this Shadowthorn and needs rescuing! He padded into the camp. “Mewstar?” He asked. “Yes?” Mewstar replied, coming out of his den. “I have something that I wish I could speak to the Clan about.” “Alright.” Then, Mewstar climbed onto the Highrock. “Clan meeting!” He yowled. The whole Clan gathered beneath it. “Antfur has something to say.” Antfur climbed onto the highrock. “I am going on a journey.” “So you're abandoning us?” Sneered Mudpaw. “I thought that you were loyal. So you end up disloyal. What a nice way to disappoint your clan.” “I am loyal,” snapped Antfur. “Loyal enough to go looking for my ma— Clanmate.” He finished. Mudpaw still wasn’t convinced, but he stopped talking. Antfur padded out of the camp, for what might be the last time.

= Chapter 22 = Lizard quickly clawed the huge pelican. It poked Lizard with its razor-sharp beak. Lizard winced, but quickly clawed the pelican on it’s eye. Blood gushed out in what was clear that it was going to be a scar. The pelican started swooping towards Lizard, then paused. “If we are gonna be enemies, we should know each other’s names. I’m Nettlebeak. What’s yours?” While readying to pounce, she replied, “Lizard.” “I thought you cats had quality names,” The pelican pounced on Lizard, and just missed her by an inch. “The others do, but I don’t.” Lizard said simply, then clawed off one of his feet. “Hey!” Nettlebeak turned around, and poked his beak into Shadowthorn’s eyes, who was watching the fight. “Missed! Stupid aim,” Nettlebeak squawked. Shadowthorn yelped, and ran to the Parrot Tree. Lizard clawed Nettlebeak so hard,  that he flew off. “You haven’t seen the last of me!” He called, and he ran off to who-knows where.

= Chapter Twenty-Three = ''It was growing dark. Antfur'' looked around, to find a suitable shelter. He noticed a group of trees, that were covering up a cave. He went into the cave, and fell asleep.

“How dare they!”

Antfur woke up to the noise of a wolf growling. He shrunk down to the size of a mouse. “Please don’t hurt me,” he said feebly. “Depends. Who are you? And what do you want?” The wolf replied. “Antfur, medicine cat of BayClan.” Antfur said. “I came here to sleep.” “I haven’t heard of no cat called Ant Fur!” He chattered. “What’s your name?” Antfur attempted to be polite. “Alpha of this flea-ridden pack.” He growled. “Alpha can’t be your name. No cat is called Starkit. It just doesn’t make sense for a kit to be a leader the moment he or she was born.” “Alright, alright, I’m Chatic.” He said. “But I am the alpha.” “Of what?” “The wolves. The Moon-claw pack, you FOXHEARTED MOUSE-BRAINED IDIOT!!!” Then, another wolf piped up. “It takes one to know one!” “WHAT WAS THAT, CHARLIEPUP?” Chatic howled. “Nothing.” Well, it’s clear that wolves aren’t friendly. Antfur thought. Oh, but we are. Who are you? Antfur asked the voice in his head. 'Never mind that. We aren’t cruel, not until he showed up. But I need something to call you… 'is it really that important? ''Yes. I am Wofee, also known as First Alpha, and in my reborn form that can apparently talk in cat’s minds, Wofeepup.''

= Chapter Twenty-Four  = Antfur padded out of the wolves den. He ran into a strange forest, with a huge hollowed out tree in the center. He went inside, to find a rainbow bird! “Oh, hello, Shadowpaw,” the rainbow bird said, glancing at a gray-black Tom who had just entered the tree. “Actually, it’s Shadowthorn now.” The cat replied. “Oh. Alright.” Antfur froze, remembering Lizard’s letter:

''A black cat was living with a lot of parrots. I have nothing against parrots, it just seems weird to me. I gave him his warrior name, his earlier name was Shadowpaw, and the warrior name was Shadowthorn.''

Was this Shadowthorn from the letter?

= Chapter Twenty-Five = Lizard hated that her chapters were always odd numbers.

= Chapter Twenty-Six = Lizard padded into a rocky clearing. She was tired. Then, she heard a howl. “Aroooo!” Wolves! She thought. “We have found the cat!” A big wolf growled. “I don’t think so. This one is gray.” Another woofed. “You’re right, Beta.” The first wolf growled, as if he hated to admit it. The second wolf, who Lizard guessed to be Beta, then smiled at a smaller wolf. “Almondpaw, you are getting great at tracking cats!” Almondpaw jumped up and down. “Lusada— I mean Beta, thank you!” ''This beta is clearly newly appointed. It seems kinda like when the leader gets his or her new name and cats by mistake keep calling him or her by his or her warrior name. “Anyway, can we be sure that this Gray Cat'' isn’t a member of WildClan or RuntClan?” The biggest one growled. “I don’t know, Alpha.” Another smaller wolf spat the word Alpha as if it tasted bad in his mouth. “Charliepup, you do know you are one insult away from exile?” Beta mouthed at him. “Yes, Lusadawn.” Charliepup mouthed back. “How do you know my pack name?” Beta mouthed. “I became beta before you were even born.” “No,” Charliepup mouthed. “I was born before you.” “Impossible.” Almondpaw said. “''How could a pup be born before the beta? Just impossible.” “I am'' impossible.” Charliepup grinned. Lizard was confused by this. 'Oh, hello. Didn’t see you there.' Somehow, Charliepup could whisper thoughts into her ear even from far away. How is this possible? Lizard asked herself. 'Oh, you are taking this better than that Antfur fellow. My Alpha, er, brother told me about him.''' Antfur!? Is he alright? Yes, I believe so. I better get back to him!''

= Chapter Twenty-Seven = I can’t believe my eyes!

Antfur saw Lizardrunning towards her in the distance! “Lizard!” He called. “Antfur!” Lizard replied. Brightkit, Dittokit and Vixenkit came running towards him. “Is he our dad?” Vixenkit asked. “Yes,” Antfur replied. “And I have come to take you home.”

= Epilogue = Mewstar worried what happened to his trusted medicine cat. Then, he saw some shapes in the distance. “Lizard! Antfur! Brightkit! Dittokit!” He called. “Don’t forget Vixenkit!” A small fox cub… meowed? “Where have you been?” He asked them. “That doesn’t matter.” Said Antfur. “All that matters is that we’re home.”