PROLOUGE
Batpaw padded into camp after a long, much needed walk. A small vole hung from his teeth, blood still stained the fur surrounding his mouth. Once The abnormally small apprentice had entered the camp of Mud clan he immediately ran to his mentor leader and father, Spiderstar. The leader was sunbathing on the high rock. “Father look! I got you some fresh kill!” Batpaw’s tail flicked in excitement. Spiderstar sat up, his long fur brushing against the rough stone. “Yes very nice Batpaw, have you cleaned your nest yet?” Batpaw set the vole at his father’s feet. “No…” He grumbled. Spiderstar sighed. “Please, go do that now. A young heir needs to stay clean and presentable. Understand?” Batpaw nodded before scampering off. He padded towards the leaders den, switching directions to a smaller den next to it with four large nests he and his litter mates slept in. But, Batpaw wasn’t like his brothers or sisters. He was the eldest, meaning he was the future deputy and soon to be leader.
Batpaw, though, never did appeal to the idea of being either of those, it seemed like so much work. He would rather be free and away from responsibilities. But of course, thats not how the world works. His brother, Duckpaw, would do anything for the role of leader. Batpaw walked over to his nest, it was scattered with dirt and some twigs had fallen off of it. He picked up all the stray twigs and set them back into place, rearranging the leaved and moss that made up the nest and swiping away the unneeded dirt. “Perfect!” Batpaw mewled quietly. Suddenly, Batpaw felt someone brush past him. He looked to his right and was met with the pale green eyes and short dark calico fur of his younger brother, Duckpaw.
Suddenly, Batpaw felt someone brush past him. He looked to his right and was met with the pale green eyes and short dark calico fur of his younger brother, Duckpaw. “Tell me, Batpaw, how long are you going to put up with father making you do all his dirty work.” Batpaw glared at his brother. “Dirty work? All he asked me to do was clean my nest.” Duckpaw didn’t even dare to make eye contact. “And that ‘gift’ you gave him? What was it a vole? He didn’t even bat an eye. Not even a thank you.” Batpaw looked down at his talons. “He doesn’t actually care, he never did. All he cares about is making you leader.” The older cat scoffed. “Then why don’t you take my place—” Suddenly, Duckpaw got close to Batpaw’s face, almost inches away, “Oh, I would, trust me I would.” Duckpaw let out a snarl before walking away. For a while, Batpaw wasn't sure why his younger brother hated him so much, but now it was clear. He was jealous. But so was Batpaw, he would do anything to at least be a normal warrior. But, everything has changed since the original clans. Now there was Mud clan, Storm clan, Sun clan, and Moon clan. Oh how Batpaw wished he could have been born 90 years earlier, maybe then all this monarchy stuff wouldn't exist, he could live out his days free, with the occasional warrior duties of course.
