To a loner named Sun, life's been hard ever since her mother left her because of a power she didn't understand. On her own for just about three moons, she thinks she's hardened and strong enough to take on any cat who comes at her. Oh, how was she wrong. Soon, she runs into the four Clans: CloudClan, HollyClan, BreezeClan, and FlowerClan. She joins CloudClan, determined to start over and make a new life for herself. She doesn't need her mother. She doesn't need anyone but her new family, her Clanmates. On the night of her official welcoming into the Clan, something changes her mind: a prophecy, from the ancestors of her Clanmates. The prophecy states that the "apple will rise." The daughter of the leader, Applefoot, was never friendly with her. Suddenly, a plot seems to be uncovering itself right in front of Sunpaw's eyes. And with her power, she's the perfect candidate to rise to the top and save everyone. But something is stopping her. Something is tainting her soul, persuading her to use her powers for evil, and not good. Unless she can break free of what's binding her, she won't be able to use her powers for good. All she'll be able to do is cause pain, more pain, and even more pain. But it's not so easy, especially when she's got herself tangled in the ropes of the darkness. Suddenly, she realizes that she's no better than Applefoot. Paired with slowly falling hopelessly in love with a cat who never is clear with her, breaking free of her dark insides is seeming harder and harder. If she can't do it, then she'll never be able to see the face of good again. She'll be another apprentice gone wrong, and all she'll be remembered for is darkness. Sunpaw can't let that happen. But unless she figures out how to cut herself free from the darkness, then it will happen. And there will be nothing she can do it about it.