Chapter Text
Chapter Text
》 SCENE 1. NASTYCLAN CAMP. DAY, SPRING.
Breadheart, Deadpaw, Wormpaw, Furpelt, and Darkfang are sitting at the entrance. Quickspring enters the camp.
QUICKSPRING
Everything is ready.
Darkfang nods.
DARKFANG
Is there anything you need to do before the assessment begins, Wormpaw?
WORMPAW
Just a moment!
Wormpaw turns to Deadpaw.
WORMPAW
You'll have yours soon, and then we'll both be warriors!
Deadpaw looks away subtly, just quick enough that the audience can see.
DEADPAW
Yeah. Warriors.
Wormpaw smiles. He, Furpelt, Quickspring, and Darkfang head out the entrance. Deadpaw sighs.
BREADHEART
Wormpaw is a fine cat.
Deadpaw stares at him for a moment, blinking.
DEADPAW
It's not like that.
BREADHEART
Then what's it like?
DEADPAW
I don't want to be a warrior. I've been thinking about it since we left ShiningClan.
BREADHEART
(carefully)
Then what do you want to be?
DEADPAW
A medicine cat.
BREADHEART
That's fine! That's great! I mean it! I just, uh... didn't expect it.
Deadpaw makes a face at him.
BREADHEART
We can talk to Tailfur. I'm sure he'd love to have an apprentice.
Cut to Wormpaw and the others (Darkfang, Quickspring, Furpelt) returning. Wormpaw runs through the entrance, immediately heading for Deadpaw, while Furpelt and Darkfang head toward the leader's den. Quickspring settles near Breadheart.
WORMPAW
Deadpaw, Deadpaw, Deadpaw!
Wormpaw nuzzles Deadpaw.
WORMPAW
I passed! I passed!
DEADPAW
...congratulations.
Wormpaw grins. He takes a breath to speak, but is interrupted by Sharpstar's yowl.
SHARPSTAR
Cats of NastyClan, meet me here!
Wormpaw squees and races ahead. Breadheart, Deadpaw, and Quickspring follow at a more typical pace.
Sharpstar smiles down at the crowd.
SHARPSTAR
Today is a special day. Wormpaw, step forward.
Wormpaw hops forward.
SHARPSTAR
Wormpaw has completed his training. He is ready to reveal his warrior name. Speak it, Wormpaw, so we may speak it as well.
WORMPAW
Wormbite!
The Clan cheers his name.
Wormbite grins. His eyes meet Deadpaw's. She smiles weakly.
The cheers die down.
SHARPSTAR
Congratulations, Wormbite! May your name serve you well.
Sharpstar's words dismiss the crowd. They disperse, leaving Wormbite, Sharpstar, Darkfang, and Tailfur at their places. Breadheart and Deadpaw stand still as the crowd moves.
When the crowd is fully dispersed, they head toward the meetingplace. Wormbite is bouncing in place.
DARKFANG
(lightheartedly)
Are you sure you can sit vigil tonight, Wormbite? I can hear you fidgeting from here.
WORMBITE
I can do it!
Deadpaw and Breadheart's shadows fall on Wormbite. He turns toward them and gets even more joyful—if that's even possible.
WORMBITE
Deadpaw!
Deadpaw sits in front of him. Breadheart heads toward Tailfur.
DEADPAW
Congratulations. Again.
WORMBITE
Yeah! I'm gonna have to sleep in the warriors' den after tonight. I'll miss you, but we won't be separated for long!
Deadpaw is silent. Wormbite isn't off-put.
WORMBITE
Have you thought about your name?
DEADPAW
I have.
WORMBITE
What's it gonna be?
Deadpaw looks toward Breadheart, who is speaking with Tailfur, Darkfang, and Sharpstar.
DEADPAW
(quietly)
I think I'll pick a family name.
WORMBITE
Dead... heart?
Deadpaw smiles at him.
WORMBITE
It's nice.
Give the two a moment to be happy. Then, it's crushed like a bug when Breadheart and Tailfur approach.
TAILFUR
Congrats, Wormbite.
WORMBITE
Thanks!
Tailfur makes eye contact with Deadpaw.
TAILFUR
And you too, Deadpaw.
Wormbite looks at Deadpaw, confused. Deadpaw dips her head and closes her eyes. Tailfur touches his nose to it.
TAILFUR
It'll be nice to finally have an apprentice.
Wormbite's eyes widen.
WORMBITE
(shocked)
Why didn't you tell me?
Deadpaw opens her eyes. Tailfur pulls his nose away.
WORMBITE
I've been saying all this stuff to you about becoming warriors together! Aw, foxdung! I must've sounded so silly!
DEADPAW
This was recent. I wasn't sure what I wanted to do until now.
WORMBITE
Well, I'm glad you figured it out. I'll miss having my nest next to yours, but I'll get to visit you next time I have a thorn in my paw!
DEADPAW
Sure.
Wormbite laughs.
》 SCENE 2. NASTYCLAN MEDICINE DEN. DAY, SUMMER.
Sharpstar is laying on his side in a nest. Darkfang sits in front of him (rostral). Deadpaw and Tailfur sit behind him (dorsal). Deadpaw picks up a stiffened leaf and tips it over, letting water drip onto a wound on Sharpstar's leg. Sharpstar flinches.
SHARPSTAR
Cold.
DEADPAW
It reduces the redness.
SHARPSTAR
Still cold.
Tailfur snorts.
DARKFANG
(lightheartedly)
Our mighty leader, defeated by cold water.
SHARPSTAR
(in mock irritation)
I will take your portion of the nest out of the den.
Deadpaw chews a small bundle of herbs into a paste and spits it onto a leaf.
DARKFANG
But then you'd be cold!
SHARPSTAR
I'm not the one who'll be sleeping outside.
Deadpaw slaps the leaf onto Sharpstar's wound. Sharpstar barely twitches. Darkfang leans down until his nose touches Sharpstar's forehead. Then, he gives it a lick.
DARKFANG
Better?
Sharpstar touches his nose to Darkfang's.
DEADPAW
We're done. Avoid going on patrols or engaging in other strenuous activity until our next check-in.
Darkfang holds back a laugh at 'other strenuous activity.'
Sharpstar stretches carefully and stands up.
SHARPSTAR
Alright. Thank you.
Sharpstar and Darkfang exit the medicine den. They lean against each other, with Sharpstar's tail along Darkfang's back. When they're out of earshot, Tailfur speaks.
TAILFUR
Good work. You're almost ready to become a full medicine cat.
DEADPAW
So soon?
TAILFUR
You're a quick learner, and I'll still be around. Besides, it feels weird to still call you an apprentice when you and Wormbite are almost the same age, and he's had his name for moons.
DEADPAW
Are you really giving me my name just because you don't like calling an adult-sized cat paw?
TAILFUR
(nervously)
No.
Deadpaw squints at him.
TAILFUR
Maybe.
Deadpaw continues to stare.
TAILFUR
There's still one more thing we need to do. Every medicine cat has to visit the Starpool before they can receive their name.
While speaking, he makes his way toward the herb stash. He reaches it when he finishes, and hesitates for a moment, as if he didn't realize he was there.
TAILFUR
But first, it's finally warm enough for us to collect some fresh herbs. We definitely need some.
NASTYCLAN TERRITORY, near the NastyClan-ShiningClan border.
Tailfur and Deadpaw walk along the border. Deadpaw is carrying herbs in her mouth while Tailfur has his mouth open as he searches for more.
TAILFUR
This close to ShiningClan territory, starleaf should be able to grow. Last newleaf, they were right around here...
He trails off as he spots the starleaf just across the border. Deadpaw looks at him.
TAILFUR
We're gonna have to cross.
They make their way across the border cautiously. Build some tension. When they reach the starleaf, release it.
[Note: Starleaf is a fictional herb. It should resemble Indian Cucumber.]
Tailfur digs up the roots of the starleaf. Just as he finishes, a twig snaps. He and Deadpaw jump. Tailfur picks up the starleaf root and they prepare to run back across the border when Clevertail emerges from the ferns nearby.
Clevertail blinks.
CLEVERTAIL
Tailfur! And... is that Deadpaw?
Tailfur places the starleaf root back on the ground and steps forward.
TAILFUR
Clevertail! I'm glad it's you.
CLEVERTAIL
I'm glad to see you, too. But we can't talk for long. Strongclaw is leading a patrol near here soon.
The mention of Strongclaw irritates Deadpaw, making her tail flick and her ears flatten. Clevertail and Tailfur take note of it but don't comment.
TAILFUR
They're always leading patrols now.
CLEVERTAIL
Strongclaw is convinced she smelled Breadheart here. She must have, if Deadpaw's here. Loyalstar hasn't ordered her to send out any patrols, but she's been sending extra anyway. He's barely left his den since the day Deadpaw and Breadheart were exiled, so I don't think he even knows.
TAILFUR
Yeah, Breadheart is with us. Why is she so obsessed with him?
Clevertail shakes her head.
CLEVERTAIL
She's the one responsible for their exile. I had a dream that seemed like such a clear omen she'd be a good deputy, but I'm starting to wonder if I misinterpreted it. If it was a warning, I don't know what will happen now.
TAILFUR
You did your best.
CLEVERTAIL
Right...
There's a brief pause.
CLEVERTAIL
Is there anything you need before you leave?
Tailfur is about to answer when pawsteps come from nearby. He, Deadpaw, and Clevertail exchange glances before he grabs the starleaf root. Then, he and Deadpaw run across the border.
CLEVERTAIL
(intentionally loud)
Oh! Hello, Strongclaw!
Deadpaw looks over her shoulder. Strongclaw is staring straight at her. Deadpaw's expression intensifies into a glare. She breaks eye contact and catches up with Tailfur.
》 SCENE 3. NASTYCLAN TERRITORY, near the NastyClan-Clanless border. SUNSET, SUMMER.
Deadpaw and Tailfur walk across the border. Tailfur turns his head toward the sky. It's sunset.
TAILFUR
We'll be there just after nightfall.
Deadpaw nods.
Insert a brief compilation of them walking. The journey needs to feel like it actually existed, but it can't be fully fleshed out. Make it change from sunset to night as the shots progress.
Cut to them standing before the Starpool. The stars are reflected in its waters, hence the name. Deadpaw and Tailfur approach slowly. Looking around, Deadpaw sees her face reflected in the water.
DEADPAW
What do I do?
Tailfur crouches beside the pool.
TAILFUR
You take a drink and a nap.
DEADPAW
That's it?
TAILFUR
That's it.
Tailfur leans down and laps up the water. Deadpaw hesitantly copies him, starting off with a single lick and then actually starting to drink. She licks her lips when she finishes, trying to get the taste out of her mouth.
She looks to Tailfur, who is already lying down with his eyes closed. She tries to do the same, but the taste is still there. She licks her lips again.
She closes her eyes, then opens them. Again, she licks her lips. Blood drips from her nose. She watches it fall into her reflection.
Cut to Tailfur waking up. He turns to see Deadpaw curled in front of the starpool, blood dripping from her nose and mouth. She blinks at him.
DEADPAW
Finally.
TAILFUR
Are you okay?
Deadpaw licks her lips, attempting to get the blood underneath her nose.
DEADPAW
I didn't see StarClan.
TAILFUR
What happened?
DEADPAW
I drank the water.
TAILFUR
I've never seen them refuse entry so violently.
Deadpaw looks away, dismayed. Tailfur comes closer.
TAILFUR
I can't even guess why, but that doesn't matter. You're a good healer. That's more important than a connection to StarClan.
DEADPAW
(surprised)
It is?
TAILFUR
If they're really desperate to send a message, they can just send it to someone else. If a cat really needs to be healed, StarClan warriors don't descend from the sky to save them.
Deadpaw laughs.
TAILFUR
Now, speak your new name, Deadpaw. Even if StarClan doesn't want to hear it, they'll have to.
DEADPAW
Deadheart.
TAILFUR
A beautiful name.
There's no shock or hesitance—Tailfur accepts her and her name fully. He smiles, then looks her over again.
TAILFUR
C'mon, let's go get you cleaned up.
He and Deadheart head away from the starpool.