Among the Valley

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**Among the Valley**

**Summary**

Behold, a valley so magnificent and beautiful, yet ridden with evil. The sun rises to a new day, and sets to reveal the secrets of the night. As the sun sets, casting a final, amber glow among the valley, darkness lurks. Maplesplash, a determined young warrior, was born in this valley. She, alike others, were oblivious to the dark secrets of this majestic valley. But as she grows older, Maplesplash soon discovers the dreadful mysteries of what she believed was "home".
This story follows Maplesplash's life from kit to warrior, residing in BirchClan. She meets many friends and many foes, and some in which she will embark on an infamous journey with. Will Maplesplash and her band of friends discover the mysteries of the valley and save it from darkness? Or will they put themselves in grave danger... find out in *"Among the Valley"*.

**Contents**

**1.** Prologue - Introduction to the Valley

**Prologue**

The sun awakened from its deep slumber, peeking up over the horizon. The radiance of heat from the great star melted the early morning frost that covered the blades of grass, forming dew. Robins and blackbirds began the dawn chorus, the tweeting of birds a melody against the soothing sway of trees. Soon, the sun reached its rays to an open clearing, located in the midst of the valley forest. The rays gleamed off of dew covered spider webs and tulips. Almost like a wake up call, the brightness of the sun caused squirrels and rodents alike to scurry from their burrows, and out into the now illuminated woodland.

The sunlight reached a deep hollow, branching from the open clearing, that was tunnel-like. Seconds later, a tall, lanky, and cream colored she-cat appeared from the entrance of the hollow, blinking against the radiant sun. She stretched out her abnormally long legs and began to pad into the forest. Following her, was a group of more cats.

"Larkwing, you'd better stay behind and tend to your sister," The slender she-cat spoke to a mottled brown tom that trailed behind her.

"Why me, Tawnyleg? Dappledface has enough people crowded around her," Larkwing scoffed, pawing at the damp forest floor.

"Whatever. I personally would want to see my nieces and nephews be born," Tawnyleg sighed at Larkwing's statement, continuing into the woods, her tail swaying behind her.

Larkwing remained silent, traveling at the rear of the patrol, contemplating his decision to leave his sister. He shrugged the thought off, concentrating on his stride.

"What is that-" Tawnyleg was abruptly cut off mid-sentence, snarls and hissing erupting in the air.

"You're almost done, Dappledface. Just one more," A dark, cinder colored she-cat soothed Dappledface as she gave birth to her last, healthy kit of four.

Dappledface gazed admiringly at her successful litter, exhaling a sigh of relief. She promptly began rasping her tongue on their currently fragile bodies.

"What are you going to name them, dear?" Willowsong, Dappledface's mother, inquired. She was now hovering over her daughter, eyeing each kit intently.

"This one," Dappledface gestured towards a black and brown tabby tom, "will be named Pinekit."

"The gray tabby she-kit will be named Mistkit... this light brown she-kit will be named Poppykit," She continued on, until she stopped at a white she-kit with ginger markings. Dappledface paused, admiring the unique and beautiful coloration of her kit.

"She will be Maplekit," Dappledface decided, her eyes glistening with pure joy.

The majority of the cats from BirchClan were now gathered around the nursery, welcoming the new litter of kits to the Clan. The atmosphere was peaceful, until a yowl sounded.

"Help! We need urgent help!"