Igniteflare was dead. Her mother was dead. They told her she had been found near the cliffs. Leopardsnarl stood in her den, her back hunched and unmoving. She hadn’t left her nest since she heard the news; she didn’t even attend Igniteflare’s vigil. How could she, when her body was nothing but a blur of flesh and fur from the scuffle and seawater? She couldn’t bear seeing her in such state for the last time. Oh, how she wished to rush over and nuzzle her face into her fur like she always used to. To call her “mom” and hear “darling” in response. And now, that would never happen again. Because they took mom, she thought. They took mom. Heartbreakhaven took mom. Seaclan took mom. The war took mom. That *dratted* snake took mom. She clenched her teeth. How dare they? How dare they take her beloved mother? The one who had taken care of her since forever? Who would take care of her now? How could she continue being the ignorant, lazy leopardess when there were beings whose paws were stained with Igniteflare’s blood? But her limbs felt like stone and refused to move as she sat beside her nest, shivering. They’ve probably buried mom by now, she thought miserably. Her gaze fell upon two items that were huddled into a heap beside her nest. A frilly, black dress, and a collar whose studded spikes glinted with promise. A promise of revenge. Yes. Revenge. Leopardsnarl turned slowly and hooked up the collar with a singular claw. She studied it, feeling her paw over each of its smooth yet terrifyingly sharp spikes. Then, after moments of contemplation, she slipped her head through it. How curious. A collar was a symbol of submission, yet this one also radiated danger and power. From now, Leopardsnarl promised to herself, she would be a servant of revenge, and revenge only would be her sole goal. And now, she would train.
image from google idk
