Giving you what you're begging for
Giving you what you say I need
I don't want any settled scores
I just want you to set me free

｡ﾟ•┈୨♡୧┈•ﾟ｡

"I'm scared. I'm scared all the time." Her voice was quiet; delicate. Leopardlune's dim copper eyes stared down at the two sleeping kittens beside her stomach, gaze a mixture of fear and love.

"I wish I could comfort you." Dawnstar whispered from where she lay beside her friend, her head placed gently on her paws.

"You just being here is comforting." Leopardlune soothed, looking at the white molly beside her momentarily before back to the sleeping kits. "I wasn't scared before, because it was just me. But now it's not, and I have these two precious lives that mean everything to me. I had no idea love this strong even existed."

"I'm happy for you." Dawnstar murmured as she offered the golden bengal a weak smile, however her friend just looked at her sadly.

"You deserved this, too."

"Maybe." Dawnstar replied softly as she sighed. "But I'll be okay, and so will you."

The leader spent a few more moments with her friend until giving her a soft nudge and leaving the nursery to be met by bright starlight, the full moon cascading pale moonlight throughout camp.

The white she-cat's coat was coated in a silvery glow as she padded outside of camp, her paws falling into ground she was so familiar with. Although she'd never admit it, she was scared too. She felt like she had so many threats breathing down her neck and she could slowly feel everything falling out of her control.

She so desperately craved control.

Dawnstar continue to let her paws guide her, her eyes drifting over every part of her home, a place which had inflicted so much pain and trial over her. Yet through it all, she still felt this intense loyalty for it. She could never leave, no matter how much she wanted to.

She couldn't tell if that made her strong or weak.

Dawnstar had made it to the ledge where she and Doveflutter had always met at, enjoying the view as she looked down into the valley, exhaling softly until her peace was interrupted.

"It's a little late."

Dawnstar instantly recognized the voice as she curled her lips in a snarl, fur bristling as she met hostile blue eyes.

"I like it. It's calm." The FallClan leader muttered gently, her claws flexing.

"I must say I agree." Creamlily replied, her tail swaying slowly behind her as Harvestleaf and Cicadasong appeared from behind her.

"You've got to be kidding me." Dawnstar nearly whispered under her breath as she eyed all three of them, ears pinning.

"Just wanted to remind you who the real enemy is, Dawnstar." Harvestleaf spoke, his voice hoarse as his claws dug into the ground beneath him.

Dawnstar nearly laughed to herself as her gaze settled with Creamlily's once more, blue burning into blue as she tilted her head to speak, not even hiding the condescending tone which tainted her words. "Too weak to take me on alone so you had to bring the two sidekicks. I'm a little embarrassed for you."

"We both know I could take you down easily all on my own." Creamlily hummed, her voice nonchalant.

"Really?" Dawnstar scoffed. "Just like you took me down so easily when I was just an apprentice." She mocked, a nearly challenging smirk crossing her face. This was enough to illicit an immediate reaction out of Creamlily as she released a deafening yowl, and Dawnstar quickly darted out of the way as the SpringClan warrior flung herself towards the FallClan leader.

Control.

Dawnstar watched as the three warriors began to circle her, head constantly turning to face a different opponent as she dipped her head, teeth bared and tail lashing.

"This is real honorable." She nearly whispered, her words nothing but satire.

Control.

As Harvestleaf swiped his claws against her shoulder, the white she-cat let out a small wince before giving his cheek a quick scratch, instantly relishing in the warm liquid which stained her paw after.

Dawnstar quickly twisted around to dodge a blow from Cicadasong before her teeth made contact with his neck. The white she-cat used all of her energy to shake her head and rip out his flesh, and though successful, she wasn't able to send another attack as Creamlily leaped on top of her, sending Dawnstar's legs to buckle as she fell to the ground, unable to breathe.

Dawnstar struggled for a moment, her mind seeming to be aflame- no, her whole body felt as though it was aflame.

She began to let herself feel everything she had been containing; all the pain, the memories, the grief. Death. All of it. Her mother. Father. Mate.

She could feel herself growing enraged.

Control.

But the rage was growing stronger, the pain and the heartache was begging for her to just let go. To release every single emotion she kept bottled up.

Control.

Dawnstar could feel herself growing lightheaded, her vision going in and out as she was still unable to breathe.

Screw control.

Dawnstar finally let everything she kept bottled up out, releasing her own inner strength which she had kept at bay for so long. The white she-cat pushed all of her pain into strength as she freed herself from Creamlily's grasp, not even letting herself breathe as she sent deadly claws to her ear, digging in as deep as she could before ripping out and backing away, finally letting herself even her breathing.

Creamlily's strained screams were music to her ears and Dawnstar was able to dodge another attack from Harvestleaf, her eyes shining brighter than they ever had before.

Cicadasong was able to rake his claws over her muzzle however her anger and adrenaline had completely numbed her pain, though she could taste the copper tang of blood in her mouth and that was enough to tell her it was a deep cut.

As Creamlily had composed herself, the three of them had her corned, her back completely facing the ledge. Dawnstar looked behind her before looking at the three of them, her eyes closed to slits.

"Take this as a reminder, Dawnstar." Creamlily heaved, a nearly crooked smile crossing her face. "We have something you don't."

"And what's that?" She snickered as she spit out the blood in her mouth.

"Allies." She hissed, and before Dawnstar could react, all three were hurling themselves towards her. As they made contact, she desperately tried to defend herself, sending calculated blows to each of them but she was simply outnumbered.

As they neared the edge, Dawnstar went over every solution. She was in no way going to win this.

Unless...

Dawnstar was hesitant for a few moments, taking every beating from the three of them until she released an angered-powered yowl and dug her claws into Cicadasong's back. The two rolled around in a fury of tooth and claw, and it wasn't until she heard Harvestleaf screaming for them to stop that a satisfied grin crossed her face.

Dawnstar soon felt her body leave the ground as she fell from the ledge; just like she had planned. I have nine lives, he only has one.

Dawnstar opened her eyes, gaze instantly meeting Cicadasong's horrified stare as the realization of his fate dawned on him.

She felt as though everything in her was slowed and she let herself relax, drowning out Cicadasong's useless pleas for help as she let herself fall.

Then suddenly, everything went black.

~~~

All her pain had subsided. Her anger was numbed. She felt weightless.

Dawnstar's vision finally began to return to her and she found herself in a starry expanse, lit by warm light yet she couldn't see the sun or moon. The ground below her was soft and the smell of pine was strong.

"Welcome, Dawnstar. You've lost your first life."

The pale white she-cat felt herself melt in the newcomer's voice as she turned to face him, her blue eyes meeting blazing copper.

"Sunstar," she greeted, "it's nice to see you."

"I wish it was under better circumstances." He murmured softly as he gave her a sad smile. Sunstar then turned tail and began walking, motioning for her to follow.

"You see Dawnstar, there is something very dark which has hosted itself into your world." He spoke, and she just watched him intently. "Something that is filled with unexplainable corruption."

"Please don't be vague. I can't handle the pretty-worded prophecies the medicine cats always talk about. Just tell what it is, Sunstar. Please."

"This is no prophecy, Dawnstar." He spoke as he halted by a beautiful pool of glimmering water. "This is a warning."

"A prophecy is a prediction; it entails knowledge of the future. This darkness I speak of is already here in the present, and it's already tainted your clan." Sunstar went on to explain, and she didn't miss the flicker of pain beneath his gaze.

"Sunstar, what is this darkness?"

"I really do wish I could tell you, but not even StarClan knows what this dark entity is, or where it came from or what it wants." He went on to explain, and Dawnstar couldn't help but grow annoyed by his uselessness.

"Then why bring me here if you're no help to me?" She hissed, though her eyes were pleading.

"To confirm the suspicions you already had about the murders going on within your clan."

"But they were killed by Tealpool." Dawnstar spoke, though her voice held uncertainty.

"Physically, yes. But you and I both know there is more to it." Sunstar sighed as he dipped his paw into the gelid water. "Tealpool was a good cat."

"Is," Dawnstar paused hesitantly, "is he here?"

Sunstar nodded. "Yes. StarClan will not hold him accountable for actions we do not believe he had full involuntary control over."

Dawnstar nodded solemnly before she looked at Sunstar, unsure to ask her next question but she did anyways.

"Is Doveflutter here?"

"Yes." Sunstar replied, offering her a small smile. "Though this was a conversation only you and me could have."

"Can I see her?"

"I'm sorry, but it's about time I sent you back home." He replied quietly, and Dawnstar just nodded reluctantly. The two held a small stare until he motioned her to the pool, explaining to her the procedure which would send her back to the living.

"Dawnstar." Sunstar said one last time as she was about to dip her nose in. The white she-cat slowly faced him, head tilting in a silent question.

"Just wanted to let you know," he paused as he gave her a weak smile, "it's okay to ask for help."