Chapter Text
Chapter Text
》 SCENE 1. NASTYCLAN CAMP. DAY, WINTER.
Tailfur leads Breadheart and Deadpaw into camp. They walk through the center to the leader's den. Some of the cats in the camp look up. Their gazes are purely curious; there is no hostility behind them.
The group reaches the leader's den. Tailfur sticks his head in.
TAILFUR
(in a singsong voice)
Sharpstar!
Sharpstar emerges with Darkfang at his side.
SHARPSTAR
Yes?
He sees Breadheart and Deadpaw.
SHARPSTAR
If they're here to 'negotiate'—
TAILFUR
They're here to join!
Sharpstar blinks at him.
SHARPSTAR
Alright. You're welcome in NastyClan. That's Breadheart, but... what is your name?
As he speaks, he leans into Darkfang as he says Breadheart's name, then gestures to Deadpaw when he asks for her name.
DEADPAW
Deadpaw.
SHARPSTAR
How far along are you in your training?
BREADHEART
She was exiled less than a pawful of moons after she started. We were living in twolegplace.
SHARPSTAR
Ah. Would you like to complete her training, then?
BREADHEART
Me?
SHARPSTAR
You'll get help from the other warriors, but you know what she needs to learn best.
BREADHEART
Um, sure.
SHARPSTAR
Good. Furpelt will be back with the midday patrol soon, so you can feel free to make yourselves comfortable.
Breadheart dips his head.
BREADHEART
Thank you.
Breadheart and Deadpaw settle in the corner of the camp.
》 SCENE 2. NASTYCLAN TERRITORY, TRAININGHILL. DAY, WINTER.
Breadheart and Deadpaw face each other. Then, Deadpaw launches herself at Breadheart. The two grapple for a short while before Breadheart pins Deadpaw.
BREADHEART
Good job. You're getting quicker. Do you know how to escape from this?
Deadpaw kicks at his belly, but she isn't strong enough to dislodge him.
BREADHEART
That's a good gue—
Deadpaw bites his paw and he lets out a startled yell. He picks it up, giving her just enough space to slip out.
BREADHEART
(licking his leg)
Smart.
He notices that he's bleeding and makes a displeased noise.
BREADHEART
But maybe bite a little softer in a practice battle.
Deadpaw laughs and comes closer. She watches the blood drip from his paw as he licks it. He gives her a confused look.
DEADPAW
Should we head back?
BREADHEART
Sure.
NASTYCLAN CAMP.
Cut to Breadheart and Deadpaw entering the medicine den. Tailfur, who was cuddling Fuzz, Flick, and Flare, looks up at them.
TAILFUR
What happened?
DEADPAW
I bit him.
Tailfur laughs.
TAILFUR
Alright, c'mere.
Breadheart obeys. Tailfur examines the injury and tsks.
TAILFUR
That's pretty deep!
He turns to Deadpaw.
TAILFUR
You did this?
Deadpaw nods.
TAILFUR
You absolute gremlin!
He gives it one last look before heading toward the herb store.
TAILFUR
(muttering to himself)
I should have some dried marigold... aha!
He pulls the dried marigold out and chews on it. Then, he spits it onto a leaf, picks up the leaf, and slaps it onto Breadheart's wound. Deadpaw watches him with immense interest the entire time.
TAILFUR
That should be it for now. Come back tomorrow and I'll check it.
Breadheart dips his head.
BREADHEART
Thank you.
They exit the den.
》 SCENE 3. NASTYCLAN CAMP. SUNRISE, SPRING.
Another one of the thousand time skips that occur throughout this script. Deadpaw is sleeping in her nest. Breadheart's paw taps her nose. She grumbles and stirs.
DEADPAW
(muttering)
Too early...
BREADHEART
(whispering)
Dawn patrol, Deadpaw.
Deadpaw gets to her feet groggily and follows him out. As they meet up with the rest of the patrol—Furpelt, Quickspring, and Wormpaw—Deadpaw squints at the rising sun.
NASTYCLAN TERRITORY.
Furpelt walks at the head of the patrol. As they step into a beam of sunlight, she pauses and lets out a sigh.
FURPELT
Where do you want to start?
QUICKSPRING
How about near the shadetree?
FURPELT
Good idea. That'll keep us moving. Are you alright with that, Breadheart?
BREADHEART
Uh, yeah. I'm okay with it.
Furpelt smiles.
FURPELT
Then let's head out.
SHADETREE.
Cut to them approaching the shadetree. Furpelt approaches a tree, sniffs it, makes a face, and marks it. The other members of the patrol do the same with other plants, with the warriors ending up near each other and the apprentices ending up close to one another.
Deadpaw sighs and marks a dead tree stump.
WORMPAW
(quietly)
I'm almost done with my training.
There's a brief pause.
DEADPAW
Cool.
WORMPAW
I can't wait for the Clan to hear the new name I picked. If I tell you, will you keep it secret?
Deadpaw tilts her head.
DEADPAW
Sure. You get to choose your own warrior name?
WORMPAW
Yeah! Mine's gonna be Wormbite! Do ShiningClan cats not pick theirs?
DEADPAW
They don't.
WORMPAW
That's so weird. Your name is you. Why would some other cat pick it for you?
DEADPAW
Your parents picked the first half of it.
WORMPAW
But I still get the second half. And if I really wanted, I could get it changed.
Deadpaw looks away.
WORMPAW
What will your name be?
DEADPAW
I don't know.
WORMPAW
You should at least change the first half. I'm surprised you haven't already.
Deadpaw is fully facing away from Wormpaw now.
DEADPAW
I like my name.
WORMPAW
Well, I just thought it seemed a little mean. Who names a kit Deadkit?
DEADPAW
My dad—my real one—calls me Deadpaw, and when I was a kit, he called me Deadkit. He never said it with malice. It's just my name. When my mom died giving birth to me, Loyalstar thought I wouldn't survive. I was named Deadkit because he thought I was one. He was wrong, and every time they say my name, it's a reminder.
WORMPAW
So, you want other cats to call Dead because you're... alive?
Deadpaw laughs.
DEADPAW
It sounds silly when you say it like that, but yeah. I'm Deadpaw because I'm alive.
Shift focus to the other portion of the patrol. Breadheart, Furpelt, and Quickspring are marking territory, not paying attention to the apprentices' conversation. Breadheart sniffs a rock to see whether it needs to be marked when he's interrupted.
QUICKSPRING
So, what's ShiningClan like?
BREADHEART
Huh?
Quickspring comes closer to him. Her question finally registers.
BREADHEART
Oh. Well... it was...
Quickspring sits in front of him.
BREADHEART
Cold? Not physically, but socially? Cats like Tailfur, Sharpstar, or Darkfang wouldn't be where they are if they were born in ShiningClan. They'd probably be in the elders' den at best.
FURPELT
Elders' den?
Furpelt comes closer.
FURPELT
Darkfang is so good at commanding cats, and they would've put him in the elders' den? He still has a working nose and ears!
BREADHEART
I'm not saying I agree with it. It's just what they would've done.
FURPELT
I'm not accusing you of agreeing. I'm surprised. But should I have been? Every time there's an attack, ShiningClan targets Darkfang.
BREADHEART
I'm sorry.
FURPELT
You don't need to apologize.
BREADHEART
But I do. I've always been there—during the attacks—and I never said anything.
QUICKSPRING
In a Clan of cats who fight dirty and look at others with disdain, it's hard to speak up.
The other two warriors turn toward her.
QUICKSPRING
I'm sure you would have if you could. You were Loyalstar's friend, right?
Breadheart nods, his face falling.
QUICKSPRING
What happened?
BREADHEART
(voice breaking)
I don't know.
Quickspring and Furpelt look at each other.
FURPELT
How about we continue this later?
She looks toward Deadpaw and Wormpaw, who are also talking rather than marking territory.
FURPELT
We should probably remind Deadpaw and Wormpaw that we're on patrol.
》 SCENE 4. SUNSPOT. DAY, SPRING.
Loyalstar [Loyaleye], Breadheart, Blankspots, and Lambpaw are on patrol. Lambpaw pounces on a butterfly.
LOYALEYE
Stay focused, Lambpaw. Birds, not bugs.
Lambpaw frowns, but releases the butterfly.
BLANKSPOTS
Let him play, Loyaleye. Prey is plentiful this season.
LOYALEYE
He needs to learn discipline or he won't be able to sit vigil.
BLANKSPOTS
Breadheart agrees with me.
Breadheart, who was facing a completely different direction, turns toward them.
BREADHEART
I do? Um, I mean yes! Whatever it was…
Blankspots laughs.
BLANKSPOTS
(amused)
Your head is always in the stars.
Breadheart blushes and stares at his paws.
BREADHEART
I just have a lot to think about…
Lambpaw starts to wander off again, this time chasing after a fly. As the other characters continue to talk, he comes closer to the cliff edge.
LOYALEYE
And what has you so distracted today?
BREADHEART
It's nothing interesting. It's a little silly, actually-
LOYALEYE
Just say it.
BREADHEART
Well, um-remember when you told me about how Palefur-
Lambpaw slips on mud and falls over the edge. The others hear him slipping and turn.
LOYALEYE
(yelling)
Lambpaw!
Cut to black.