//Prologue//
//-:-:-//

I can do this. I can do this. You love fighting. You love it.

I flailed into her, leaping off my hind legs. She yowled in shock as my claws struck home, pricing skin and flesh. Her dark blue eyes had a wild light in them, not that it'd do her any good. With every swift wrench of my forelegs she let out a screech and her blood spurted onto the solid walls of Dead Roots. The felines up in the branches of the great oak let out chirping cries of excitement. I gave them my trademark smirk and wink, and grabbed my spotted opponent by her neck and effortlessly hauled her into the center of the field. If they wanted a show, I'd give them a show. If I didn't, I'd the one bleeding out in the leaves for every cat and the stars to see. I crept toward the tortoiseshell, eyes full of malice.

My placed my paw on the trembling she-cat's matted chest and sent a cocky glance at the crowd above me,"How should this disgraceful creature die?"

"Gouge out her eyes!" Suggested a tabby tomcat with shining eyes.

"Slice her belly open!" A young tabby she-cat hissed from the shadows of the leaves.

"Rip off her fur!" Cried a elderly tom," It was marked by the Stars!"

I purred loudly, and danced around the mutilated cat before me. I pummeled her face and her stomach as I spun around her in a flashy manner.

They're loving it, I think as the audience's cheers intensify.

"Shush!" The icy voice from the highest branch in the oak silenced the crowd instantly.

"As much as I like your crude fighting," a new voice sounds off," I must urge you to end this now. Have you forgotten how BrightClan audaciously attacked our camp last moon?"

I meet the speaker's cold gaze, unflinching. I would've climbed up that tree to end him if it hadn't been for the dark furred cat's lackeys behind him. That, and the fact that he's my father, and I'm supposed to be thankful he let me live.

'That wasn't a rhetorical question, foolish cat," He snarled, eyes blazing.

My pelt was burning, and I was seething,"Yes, I remember, Foxstar, but what does BrightClan's attack have to do with me having a little fun?"

A large, battle scared she-cat stepped out of the shadows behind my father menacingly, but Foxstar flicked his tail nonchalantly at her, and she sat down,"If we don't attack BrightClan's camp before the next claw-moon, those petal munchers will think we're weak and try to attack us again. I need to prepare battle plans, and I can't do that while you're frolicking around and splashing blood everywhere. Now I'll say it again,"He started to mew in a tone reserved for naïve kits,"Kill her now."

I hate you. I hate you so much. You love these little executions, I can see it in your eyes. You don't really care about sacrificing the marked to appease the Stars, you just love fighting. The only reason I obey you is because I . . . I crave the feeling of being feared, too, but at least I don't watch like some sicko. I participate.

I let my claws slip into her neck, my gaze never leaving his. I slit her throat, and the look in my eyes was clear, I wish this was you.

Foxstar smirked, and as the disappointed cats began to leap down from their seats, I felt a sudden stab in my stomach. I doubled over in pain, and Ivyclaw, the she-cat who was about to rip my face off for getting smart with Foxstar, approached me.

"What's the matter with you?" She asked, amber eyes narrowed.

No! Not now! It's early!

I felt as if I had swallowed a thousand porcupine needles," I-I think the kits are coming."

//

Foxstar pacedback and forth in front of me, russet tail puffy. He stopped and turned to me. My mixed emotions are making me feel nauseous. I'm overjoyed and overwhelmed with fear at the same time.

"What,"My 'father' asked quietly,"is that?"

His claws were directed at a single bundle of wet fur snuggled up against his littermates,"It's a kit, Foxstar, the future of the Clan. Where's Applebreeze? He must want to see our kits."

Foxstar's scowl deepened,"Applebreeze wouldn't want the whole Clan knowing he produced a marred cat!"

I flinched inwardly, but I hold his gaze,"My mate loves me, and he will stay by my side,"

The reddy brown tabby cackled,"My poor, little, naive Lightdapple. Applebreeze doesn't love you! The only reason he agreed to mate with you is because I told him you'd make the most exemplary warriors. A cat with your fighting abilities and his hunting skills would surely lead the Clan one day. What a loyal cat the young tom is, making such a bold sacrifice. If I were him, I might have refused."

I snapped,"Why do you hate me?" I screeched at his startled face,"I've done nothing all my life but serve you, and you treat me like shrew dung!" My claws, still covered in dry specks of blood, unsheathe.

In a blur of movement, the four Council Cats, Foxstar's bodyguards, zoomed into the nursery. I felt claws penetrate my tail and legs, preventing me from slashing Foxstar's face off. A gasp slips through my mouth, and Foxstar chuckles.

He leans forward and shoves his muzzle into my face,"Watch your tongue. The only reason I keep you around is to ensure my blood runs through the Clan. Now that you have given birth, I don't need you anymore."

His last sentence was cold, and I felt my spine fur rise. I lowered my head submissively and pulled my kits closer to my belly.

Foxstar leaned back, eyes hard,"You can keep the other two, but that white one needs to die-"

"No!" I blurt out, earning myself a ruthless cuff from Oakfur, Foxstar's brother and loyal puppet, that causes me to nearly bite my tongue in half.

"Do not open your wretched mouth when your leader is speaking!"The dark brown tabby spat into my face.

"Pl-Please don't do this Foxstar," I beg, beads of salty tears start to flow down my face. Not because of pounding head or my heartbreak over Applebreeze, but the fact that my own father is forcing me to murder my kit.

"The Stars have warned us. We must take action now." He replies indifferently.

I gently smoothed the white kit's fur,"You let me live, and I became one of the Clan's best fighters. I'm not evil, so this kit won't be bad, either."

Foxstar opens his mouth to speak, but he suddenly stops. He bends over, his eyes so wide that I could see the whites.

"Foxstar!" Mossstorm, a fluffy tom, yelped and ran to him, placing a paw on his back.

The russet tom pressed his paw into his chest as if he was trying to force air into his lungs,"Eck!"

I did nothing but watch, mesmerized with horror.

He inhales sharply, and rights himself. His fur is spiked all over, and he looks as if he just ran all the way the the stars and back.

Then something remarkable happens,"What did you name them?"

I'm so shocked by his random question that it takes me a moment to reply,"Uh-the black tom is Hollykit, and the gray tabby is Featherkit. He's Skykit."

Foxstar snorted, and got up to leave, his lackeys behind him,"His name will not be Skykit. You have three choices: Strangekit, Uglykit, or Totalpaininmysidekit."

//-:-:-//

Yay! The prologue is finished!

Anyway this is my first real fanfiction on Wattpad, and I have really high hopes for it!

So, how was it? ELA has never been my strong suit, so I might mess up things like spelling . . . And grammar . . . And everything else that has to do with writing. . .

Senpais, if any of you are reading this, stop right now. Please.

//VOTES, COMMENTS, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED//

Stay foxy my ChatterFoxes!