"The beauty about time is that we're always promised the future and as long as you draw breath, you will hold all the power which will guide you to better days. What happened yesterday does not decide what happens today. I want you to remember that Dawnkit, and I want you to appreciate the beauty of every morning, because every morning we wake up to, is another day where we can turn it around and make it better than before. Dawn is truly such a beautiful thing."

Dawnpaw continued to let Swanflutter's words roam her mind, however no matter how tightly she clung to them, this morning brought her nothing but pain as she stared down at her dead leader.

Sunstar was laying on the ground, eyes now glazed over and fur a mixture of golden brown and matted blood. He was unrecognizable. It made her stomach flip and she struggled to keep her food down at the abhorring sight. Meadowlark and Goldenfell hadn't left his side since they had returned from the battle, their eyes red-stained and completely void. They seemed so numb.

Dawnpaw's mind was all over the place because simply, she found it too painful to focus on one thing.

She couldn't clear Bluepaw's widened cerulean eyes from her thoughts, the death of her leader or the unsettling stare which remained in Tigertaunt's slanted gaze.

The sky was spotless and soft gales soared throughout the camp, the gentle whistling of morning birdsong traveling into her ears. The day felt far too beautiful despite the dour mood of her clan.

She was forced to visit Graypetal by her mother, and she just sat in silence as her former mentor patched up her wounds, however she wasn't sure what to say. She was sure Graypetal didn't have anything to say, either.

One of Silverpool's kits, Hiddenkit, was by his side. It seemed to lighten her mood a little and she was glad the medicine cat had set his eyes on someone more qualified to be his apprentice.

Somewhere along the way Dawnpaw had fallen asleep, and it seemed to be a gift from StarClan that her dreams were pleasant.

Maybe she was already dreaming. Maybe she'd wake up and Sunstar would still be alive.

She wasn't dreaming.

~~~

Rounded blue eyes fluttered open to meet a soft shade of green accompanied by a rather eager calico.

"Come on sleepyhead, you've been out all day." Dovepaw spoke softly, and Dawnpaw felt her body shiver as the other apprentice nudged her cheek before groaning in annoyance and sitting up to groom her matted fur, sending the mottled she-cat a death glare for waking her up in the process before she finally spoke.

"Tell me I was dreaming," Dawnpaw sighed, "tell me Sunstar is okay."

Dovepaw grew uncomfortably quiet, the excitement vanishing from her gaze as she shook her head. Then why is she so excited?

"While you were asleep, Frozenlily finally managed to get Goldenfell and Meadowlark away from Sunstar so he could be prepared. You missed the vigil too, but tonight is really important." Dovepaw explained, her voice quiet but it was obvious she was struggling to hide her excitement.

"What's so important?"

"Your dad just arrived from Hallowed Cavern with Graypetal, he's officially FallClan's leader."

"Already?" Dawnpaw spoke, her jaw gapped as she stared at her newfound friend who only nodded solemnly.

"But not just that," Dovepaw started again, her green gaze bright, "the clan feels like it's in ruins so when Tigerstar elects his deputy tonight, he's decided to move our warrior ceremony a little earlier in an attempt to give cats hope."

Dovepaw then paused again, sage gaze shining brilliantly.

"Dawnpaw, we're becoming warriors."

~~~

Dawnpaw almost felt selfish for the excitement she was feeling, her mind constantly apologizing to Sunstar for being so tactless.

The white she-cat was situated at the bottom of the Highledge where Tigertaunt— now Tigerstar— stood. While her mother relentlessly lapped at her fur, she watched as her friends became warriors.

Tealpool, Blossomfall and Doveflutter.

Tigerstar then called upon Hiddenkit and Fernkit, the two kits padding up eagerly with lopsided grins. Fernpaw was then appointed to Duskfur and as she had guessed, Hiddenpaw became the new medicine cat apprentice under Graypetal.

"I try not to be biased, but these next two have made me extremely proud; not only as a mentor, but as a father as well. Brinepaw, Dawnpaw, please step forward."

Dawnpaw felt everything in her rush, her nerves seeming to suffocate her in the best way possible as she glanced back to Swanflutter who gave her an encouraging smile. The pale she-cat then made her way towards her father with Brinepaw, who despite the circumstances, seemed excited too.

"I, Tigerstar, leader of FallClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn," Tigerstar spoke as he then stared down at the pale bengal, "Brinepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?

"I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Brinepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Brinebloom. StarClan honors your loyalty and chivalry, and we welcome you as a full warrior of FallClan," Tigerstar spoke, pride swelling in his gaze as he touched his son's nose, "Sunstar would be proud of you." He whispered, which Brinebloom nodded to before stepping back.

"I, Tigerstar, leader of FallClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as a warrior in their turn," the newly-announced leader spoke as his gaze fell upon her, "Dawnpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your clan, even at the cost of your life?

"I do." It took everything in her to remain calm, but she succeeded nonetheless.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Dawnpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Dawncurl. StarClan honors your strength and composure, and we welcome you as a full warrior of FallClan." Her father spoke and as they touched noses, Dawncurl felt something in her click. She wasn't sure what it was, but she felt oddly empowered.

As she padded down to the assembled cats below her, she was immediately swarmed by her mother who embraced her instantly, and Dawncurl felt like a kit all over again.

"I'm so incredibly proud of you both." Swanflutter purred as she looked at both of her kits, green gaze soft as ever, however they almost seemed desolate as well. Dawncurl didn't question it.

"I need you guys to make me a promise." The light gray she-cat spoke, her voice rushed as Tigerstar still hadn't called the meeting off. Brinebloom and Dawncurl looked at each other briefly before looking back to Swanflutter.

"I want you guys to live life to the fullest," Swanflutter spoke with upmost feeling, "it may sound cheesy, but just know that I will love you both forever so I need you to both promise me you'll experience everything life has to offer you."

Dawncurl found her mother's words odd, but the two siblings murmured their promises before embracing Swanflutter once last time before Tigerstar spoke up.

"Before I call this meeting off, there is one more final announcement to be made. As I've succeeded Sunstar, we are left without a deputy."

The murmuring clan fell quiet, their eyes instantly falling on the leader before them before he spoke again.

"I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The new deputy of FallClan is Flowerbee."

The mottled gray-white she-cat grew quiet, her gaze soon shining brilliantly in the light as her clanmates congratulated the new deputy. Lakelily and Hawkhowl both seemed annoyed, however the rest of the clan seemed to approve of the choice. Flowerbee was already heavily respected by the clan, so Dawncurl wasn't shocked by her father's choice.

~~~

"I bet I'll beat you!"

"In your dreams!" Dawncurl purred as she kicked off her hind legs, the forest passing her in the blur.

Doveflutter had been the one to greet her as she woke up from her first night in the warriors' den, wanting to take her first steps outside of camp with the white-cat and Dawncurl was happy to tag along.

The calico had challenged her to a race, which Dawncurl stubbornly accepted despite knowing the other warrior was annoyingly fast. She didn't mind, though. Even if Doveflutter was beating her by an embarrassing amount, she relished in the first time she was out as a fully fledged warrior.

As she reached their end marking, she was instantly being taunted by a gloating Doveflutter, however lightheartedly.

"I just beat miss prodigy over here by six mouse-lengths! Dawncurl, what do you have to say about yourself?"

"That you're still egotistical as always." Dawncurl smirked, however she didn't miss the challenging grin which crossed her friend's face and the next thing she knew, Doveflutter bad playfully leapt on top of her, the two rolling down a small hill before Doveflutter managed to have her pinned, sage gaze smug as she grinned down at her.

"You made that too easy."

"Just decided to be nice and let you win, no need to thank me. You're already welcome." Dawncurl purred, her whiskers twitching with amusement before Doveflutter rolled her eyes and got off of her. The two then padded over to a small ledge which overlooked the mountainside, both sitting in a comfortable silence before Doveflutter spoke up.

"How big do you think the world is?"

Dawncurl just looked at her, however the calico didn't meet her gaze. Instead she continued to gaze out into the vast expanse, and Dawncurl felt something in her flutter.

"I don't know. Big." She shrugged before looking out as well, her tail wrapping around her paws.

"Do you ever wonder, even for just a second, what all could be out there? All the different cultures that exist? All the beautiful places to visit?" Doveflutter spoke, her tone growing continuously gentle.

"It crosses my mind sometimes," Dawncurl sighed, "but my loyalty will always remain with FallClan."

"Yeah, mine too." Doveflutter spoke again as another silence swallowed the two, but yet again, it wasn't overbearing. Dawncurl hated silence, it made her uncomfortable, but with Doveflutter, she felt at ease. Simply being in her presence was enough.

"Have you forgiven me yet?"

Dawncurl flicked an ear as she glanced at the calico, her head tilting until Doveflutter's sage gaze finally met her own, and Dawncurl just smiled at her.

"If I didn't forgive you, I wouldn't be here with you right now."

However the two were interrupted as gentle foliage rustled in their ears, and the two warriors were met by a familiar golden molly.

Leopardpaw.

"See it didn't take you long to replace me, and with her." The bengal hissed, deep amber gaze rounded with pain and hate. Doveflutter shuffled nervously as she glanced between the both of them.

"I'm gonna," she paused awkwardly, "let you two talk."

As Doveflutter disappeared into the brush, Dawncurl sent her friend a questioning glare.

"Don't play dumb Dawnpa- Dawncurl, she tormented you since you were little and it was me who always defended you, even when she had you sobbing. Now here you are, being total best friends with the enemy."

Dawncurl just stared at her in bewilderment before she shook her head.

"Leopardpaw, she isn't the enemy. She's one of our clanmates and the petty kit drama needs to end. She's sorry, she's proven it countless times."

"But what about me?" Leopardpaw hissed, however Dawncurl heard the strain in her voice. "How could you replace me with her?"

"I never replaced you, you're my best friend." Dawncurl spoke softly as she nudged her friend's cheek, but Leopardpaw only swatted her away.

"No," she snickered, "you're a fancy little warrior now, and you've forgotten about the rest of us."

"Leo-"

"Don't call me that," Leopardpaw interrupted, "just listen here Dawncurl, when she hurts you— and she will— don't you dare coming crawling back to me."

Dawncurl didn't get to respond before Leopardpaw vanished, however the bengal's final sentence only peeved her off. I did nothing wrong, she thought, her ear flicking in frustration as she made her way home.

However Dawncurl's frustrations instantly vanished as she entered her clan's camp only to be met by a frenzy. She noticed most of the clan surrounding something and she slowly made her way over only to be met by an anxious Blossomfall who stood in her way.

"Dawncurl," she murmured, "you're not going to want to see this."

Dawncurl met the sable warrior's icy depth for a few longing seconds before she pushed past her and the other gathered cats, her gaze instantly looking down to see light gray fur curled up, however she swiftly noticed the distorted angle of the cat's neck and the x-shaped wound which laced the light gray coat.

It may sound cheesy, but just know that I will love you both forever so I need you to both promise me you'll experience everything life has to offer you.

The words kept replaying in her head as the realization finally dawned on her and Dawncurl felt her muscles grow rigid, her blue gaze growing dizzy and disoriented as she stared down at the dead she-cat.

Her mother was dead.

Not just dead, Swanflutter was murdered.

｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈•ﾟ｡

Been in a bit of a writer's block recently so this chapter probably wasn't as good as others! Also, before I began writing this, I already had everyone's warrior name picked out and I completely forgot there was a canon Blossomfall. I thought about changing it, but ultimately went against it because she's not that prominent in the canon books. <3

When I say things get messy from here, they do. Also noticed someone mention they weren't quite sure who the villain is, but something great about a morally gray area is there are no true villains. However, the main antagonist in this story has been introduced. Everything will make sense in the end, I promise. ;)

However, the "villain" in this fic can also be completely subjective! I wrote the story to be like that. c: