THE LEADER'S DEN
Fanfiction: Prologue
Panic filled me as I watched my kits being torn from my gasp. I tried to yowl for help but it was useless. Nobody could hear me. The ice cold water made forelegs weak, so weak that the raging river tore Lionpaw from my grasp. It went against my every instinct to watch the little scrap of golden fur float away. Suddenly, a large log dislogded Lilypaw from my grasp. I wanted to save them, but I had only the strength to hold on to Foxpaw and before that gave out, I said to him,
"Remember the lake is your home. Your mother is Goldenlight." Foxpaw looked like he heard her which is rare because he is derpy. Then a log knocked me on the head and everthing went dark, but she knew that her kits would survive. Maybe not Foxpaw, but she knew the other two would protect him.
Fanfiction: Chapter One
Lilypaw couldn't breathe. Her paws churned uselessly at the raging water. Mom? Her lungs burned as she forced her way to the surface. Suddenly, the current forced her to sail through the air and land with a thump on rock hard ground.
"Lionpaw! Foxpaw! Mom?" Lilypaw yowled desperately. Lilypaw, drenched and helpless, did the only thing she could think to do. Walk. The rock she had landed on was part of a ridge overlooking the river. Past the ridge was a forest. She continued toward it, each step an effort. As soon as she reached the dense knot of pines, a voice came from the forest.
"Who is it?" It mewed.
Lilypaw narrowed her eyes in supicion. She couldn't recognize her brother or sister's voice. It was someone else. Tail twitching, she lowered herself to the ground and headed tentatively towards the voice.
"My name is Shell... I think I'm lost. Sort of." Shell appeared from the shadows, his pale orange stripes bright against the darness of the trees. He was about Lilypaw's age, she saw.
"I'm Lilypaw. Have you seen a dark gray tom and a golden she cat? They're my littermates."
"I haven't seen them." His expression brightened. "But I'll help you look!"
"Ok," Lilypaw shuffled her paws. "We were all brought down the river in the flood. I don't know where they are."
Shell scanned the landscape. "If they were in the river too, they can't be in that forest. Maybe they're downstream?"
"I guess you're right." Lilypaw mused.
She padded downstream, calling out to her littermates. Shell joined in, but didn't really know their names so it was pointless.
As they walked, the ridge sloped downwards until they were walking on the riverbank. The river was filled with logs and twoleg debris. It would be really hard to swim in. As the river rushed by, Lilypaw pricked one ear. She heard a splashing noise coming from the river!
"#drowning!" A cat yowled. Foxpaw!
"That's him!" Lilypaw whirled to face Shell. "We have to save him!"
Drawing in a breath, she dove into the river.
Fanfiction: Chapter Two
Lionpaw first tried fighting the current, her paws flailing and bouncing against rocks and debris. Before long she just floated along with the river, now more easy to paddle against. Lionpaw then paddled to the rocky shore and collapsed onto the rocks. Quickly, Lionpaw got up and assessed the situation. Hmmm...I came from that direction so camp must be that way -and my littermates. So Lionpaw started walking.
Lionpaw had been walking for what felt like forever. Passing all sorts of branches, bushes and twoleg things washed up by the flood. Every little sound made Lionpaw stop and scan the forest and stream to see if it was either Lilypaw or Foxpaw. Then Lionpaw thought heard footsteps in a group of young birches. Cautious, but almost excited to know that her brothers and sisters were close, she was disappointed when she sniffed the wind could only smell prey. Lionpaw could hear her belly rumble at just the thought of food. She licked her lips and soundlessly started stalking the scent of a mouse.
Before long Lionpaw had located the mouse and was about to leap when a gold and grey tom launched himself at the mouse. For a moment Lionpaw was so surpised she stood there speechless, and then, even if he was more than twice as big as her, Lionpaw hissed and attacked. When the loner looked up to see what had attacked he grinned and said" Do you want some? You can have some as long as you get off of me."
Lionpaw got off of him but, still was suspicious of this strange cat. Then the loner whispered "Don't be scared, I won't hurt you. I'm Bee by the way."
Lionpaw hissed. "I don't need any help from anyone." and started to walk away.
Bee called after her, "Wait, don't worry, I'll help you."
"I said, I don't need help!" shouted Lionpaw has she gave a swipe to Bee's exposed chest and stalked quickly away.
Bee just stood there, blood trickling from his wounds and his eyes full of hurt. Not from the cut but from Lionpaw.
Lionpaw kept on walking, trying to get Bee's hurt expression out of her head. Soon Lionpaw passed a ridge and then started to pick up her sister's scent. Relief flooded her has Lionpaw raced to meet her, but, soon picked up a strange cat's scent. Who is this? wondered Lionpaw. She continued streaking along and then stopped when she saw Lilypaw and a strange cat gaping at a gray shape in the river and when she heard someone yell "#drowning!" It was Foxpaw.
Lionpaw then saw Lilypaw dive in and for Foxpaw, she took a breath and dove in too.
Fanfiction: Chapter Three
Foxpaw saw his whole twitter account flash before his eyes. He was going under! The the other cats were not close enough to help. Just as he was going under he saw a butterfly. So awesome and golden color of it. He had to have it. Nothing else but that.
With sudden strength, he jumped out of the water on top of the cats, trying to get to that awesome butterfly. He jumped on one and then another. The sound of the protest of the cats he stepped on were a murmur to the rushing water that was still coming on and on. When he was done with jumping on people's heads he had landed on a floating log.The other cats were slowly swimming to the log were he was sitting.
''Wait. I have to check my twitter account,'' he said to no one important.
The log was drifting and the cats were starting to get annoyed that it was taking too long. Lionpaw was annoyed that she just got saved by the biggest derp ever. Foxpaw was just in the background sitting on the log that they were on.
''Do you by any chance know if you have any wifi near by?''Foxpaw asked Shell.
''And why would I have wifi near me?''Shell replied.
''Well because I thought that you were named after Shell the gas station. And I also thought that they had wifi at the shell station for FREE!''Foxpaw said in a very happy tone.
''I have no idea what you just said but probably a no.''Shell said in confusion.
The cats were all just about to explode because of the wait except Foxpaw (of course). But then, a thought crossed Foxpaw's mind: How do we get off?
Fanfiction: Chapter Four
Lilypaw heaved herself onto the log, soaked to the bone. She sat down next to Lionpaw, digging her claws into the spongey wood as the current rocked them side to side. As she prepared to lay down for the night, she realized that the water up ahead had disapeared. They were heading for a waterfall! Glancing wildly around, a boulder in the middle of the river caught her eye. "JUMP ONTO THAT!" She cried out.
She tucked her legs under her, preparing to spring for the boulder. 3...2...1! She pushed off the log, feeling the rush of air on her paws. But the unstableness of the log made her jump short, and her back legs plunged into the icy water. Her claws scrabbled across the smooth surface, and she couldn't pull herself up. The current started to pull her away from the boulder. Thankfuly, Lionpaw fastened her teeth into Lilypaw's scruff and pulled her onto the boulder. Huddled together, all four cats watched as the log they had been riding flew off the water and spiraled downward into the mist of the waterfall. Glancing towards the riverbank, there was around two fox-lengths of choppy water between them and the shore. Lilypaw glanced at the other cats. None of them seemed to have enough energy to swim to the shore. Lilypaw, herself, was exhausted too. The sun was setting behind them. It was time to sleep.
"I think this boulder is big enough to sleep on." Lilypaw anounced. With a glance at Shell, she added, "Shell, I guess you can stay with us, unless you want to go home?"
Shell shook his head. "Trust me, I don't think I have a home to go to anymore."
Lilypaw noticed Lionpaw giving Shell a hostile glare, but she ignored it. Shell had to stay with them. Or else he would die! Lilypaw's belly grumbled. She wished there was prey on the boulder! Put she pushed he thought down and curled up on the very top of the boulder. I just wish we were back home!
Lilypaw blinked open her eyes, expecting to see her friends, back at the... camp. But they were all vauge, floating in the back of her mind. But she thought she felt warm moss below her. Instead, she felt a hard surface below her and the harsh glint off the river down below. Then the memories cam flooding back. Shaking her head in despair, she prodded Lionpaw to wake her up.
"Lilypaw... we're going to swim today, aren't we?" Lionpaw's eyes were tired and dull.
Lilypaw nodded gravely and proceeded to wake up Shell and Foxpaw. Her belly hollow with hunger, she parted her jaws, hoping for prey scent. None came (They were on a rock in the middle of a river, so that's to be expected).
"We're swimming for shore today." Lilypaw said, glancing towards the violently tossing waves.
A few heartbeats later, Lilypaw found herself struggling against the current, when Shell called out,
"Swim to the side! Fight the current!"
Lilypaw obeyed, and swam sideways, nearly bumping into Shell. A big wave suddenly engulfed her, and she struck out desperately for the shore beneath her. Her claws dug into soft sand, and she dragged herself out of the river.
Fanfiction: Chapter Five
After swimming against the the strong current Lionpaw plopped on the sandy shore with everyone else, exhausted and sore from traveling and sleeping on a rock. And it didn't help that she hadn't eaten in about 2 days. But, she know there was no time to rest. So, almost immediately Lionpaw got back up and started barking out orders. "Strange cat and Foxpaw, go hunting."
"His name is Shell!" Lilypaw mewed defiantely. "Not strange cat,"
"Whatever I still don't like the likes of him," Lionpaw muttered under her breath.
Shell tried not to notice but, Lionpaw could tell he was hurt by the remark.
"Lilypaw and me will look for shelter. I think a storm is brewing." Lionpaw said has she looked up at the angry looking gray clouds.
Then Shell and and Foxpaw headed to the forest with Foxpaw squealing"#Hunting!"
"Okay, let's see if there is shelter on that ridge. It's close to the river so we can find are way home easily and if the river floods then we would be safe 'cause it's on high ground" meowed Lilypaw, pointing to a ridge close by.
"Works for me."said Lionpaw as she began walk to the ridge.
Once they got there Lilypaw asked "How do we get up?"
"Well, we climb." replied Lionpaw has she experimentally placed her paw on the craggy surface some of the rock eroded away, but most of it held fast.
"I was hoping you wouldn't say that" sighed Lilypaw.
Lionfang started scaling the ridge, fitting her paws in cracks and tugging on weeds and grasses rooted to the sides of the rigde. Before long Lionpaw was half way up the the perilous slope."Hey, wait up, not everyone is as good as you" said Lilypaw, huffing and puffing.
"Sorry, I'll slow down"said Lionpaw huffing and puffing too.
Just like that Lionpaw stuck her paw into a crack but, then it suddenly crumbled benath her wieght. This unblanced her making her hind leg slip on a patch of wet moss. Lionpaw tried to regain balance, but, it was useless. She was going to fall! So this is how it ends thought Lionpaw as she tumbled head over tail geting closer to the ever raging river. That was when Lilypaw looked up to see what was going on. Lionfang was surpised to see any cat's jaw drop like what Lilypaw's did. Then Lionpaw spotted a lone bush juting out from the craggy surface of of the ridge right above Lilypaw. Yes! Lionpaw thought has she reached out to grab the bush. When she was clutching the brush tightly with her hindlegs dangling above the river Lionpaw realized the bush was full of thorns."Ooowwwwwww!"yowled Lionpaw.
Lilypaw rushed up the cliff face to relieve Lionpaw of her pain and get her back on the cliff face."Thanks."says Lionpaw checking her paws which was bright red and full of thorns.
"Can you climb?" Lilypaw asked inspecting her paws.
"Yeah, I can what makes you think I can't?!" Lionpaw scoffed, annoyed.
"Nothing" Mumbles Lilypaw, surpised and then louder Lilypaw meowed, "Well, let's keep going"
After scaling the ridge even if Lionpaw didn't amit it, her paws feel like they are on fire. As Lionpaw gazes around at the top of the ridge she sees a patch of grass, a couple bushes and trees and caves. "Look Lilypaw caves!" Lionpaw says pointing.
"And look a trail down waaaay easier way to get up here."says Lilypaw pointing too.
'Whatever."mumbles Lionpaw and louder she says"What we need is a Medicine cat" while looking at her paws.
'Let's wait for Foxpaw and Shell to get back to explore more of this place" suggests Lilypaw.
"Ok, fine."said Lionpaw reluctantly.
Fanfiction: Chapter Six
Foxpaw was thinking Yes I am going to go hunting.... for WIFI!
The forest that the cats were going into was a dense oak forest. Foxpaw was having a pretty hard time finding wifi.
''Hmmmm, I think that I smell something?'' was all that Shell said when he smelled another sent in the forest.
''Maybe the animal knows where some wifi is.'' Foxpaw said to Shell. With growing happiness to it.
As they got closer to the animal it just kept getting more intense by the minute. When finally they got to it Shell decided to stick with the mission and really hunt. When Foxpaw got closer he saw that the animal was really a fox.
''Hello there, do you have any wifi or know where I can get some. Because I'm #lost.'' Was what Foxpaw said to the fox with a hopeful tone to his voice.
''GGGRRRRRR'', is what the fox said back, launching at Foxpaw with a powerful leap.
''HHHEEEELLLLLLPPPPP! I'm #dying here.''was the sound that Foxpaw made in an atempt to call for help.
The fox going for the kill, attacking Foxpaw with tons of blows. He took blows to the chest, head, belly and legs. The fox got an atempt of an attack. But Foxpaw was able to dodge the blow that the fox made. Because of the dodge that Foxpaw was able to get the fox off balance. Foxpaw took the opportunity and leaped on top of the fox. Though the fox was much stronger and shock off the cat.
Foxpaw was able to get one more yell of help.''HHHEEELLLPPPP''though the sound getting weaker by the heartbeat.
Luckily Shell was close enough to hear the yell of help from Foxpaw.When he got there it was pretty bad. Shell did the best that he could to beat off the fox and get the fox off of Foxpaw. When Shell was done he could see the fox running from him.
It was difficult for Shell but he managed to carry Foxpaw to the ridge but, it looked pretty bad for the young aprentice.
Fanfiction: Chapter Seven
Lilypaw crouched next to the river, careful to not let her shadow fall on the water. She could make out a silver glimmer in the depths of the water. Quick as a flash, her paw lashed out and she scooped the fish out of the water, killing it with a quick bite to the neck. She picked up the two fish she had caught and started to climb the ridge. She was a terrible climber, but she had learned jump from ledge to ledge, using her weirdly powerful hind legs to push her up. When she got to the top of the ridge, she prepared herself for the long trail to the caves, where Lionpaw was resting. But suddenly, Shell burst out of the woods, dragging Foxpaw in his mouth. Lilypaw rushed to meet them. Foxpaw was covered with scratches; blood trickled from his mouth. Lilypaw gaped in horror, then after a few seconds came to her senses.
“Lionpaw! Get down here! Find some cobwebs in the caves and then I want you and Shell to go get marigold and bedding STAT!”
Lionpaw raced up the slope and brought back cobwebs, and then her and Shell ran into the forest, tails streaming behind them.
When Lionpaw and Shellpaw disappeared, Lilypaw pressed the cobwebs desperately into Foxpaw's wounds. She put all her faith into the days she had been apprenticed as a medicine cat, before she had switched to become a warrior. Foxpaw's breathing was fast and shallow. This can't get any worse. Lilypaw thought. Then, it started to rain. Hard. Lilypaw took Foxpaw up the slope and into the caves, setting him down in a cave with a pool of water so he could drink when he woke up. If he did wake up. She pressed more cobweb into his wounds, sniffing them for infection. The deep cut in his belly was sour smelling. She hoped Lionpaw and Shell were coming back with marigold soon. HIs fate was in the paws of Starclan now. She plopped down beside him and gazed around the cave. She had never been in this one before. The walls seemed to have little engravings on them, but it must've been her imagination. This cave had one open wall, overlooking the river. The moon glittered on its shining surface, rain plopping peacefully onto it. This is a nice place. Lilypaw curled her paws beneath her, and glanced towards Foxpaw. He wasn't there! She sprang to her feet.
"Foxpaw!" She yowled. The derpy cat must've rambled off, feverish from infection.
Lilypaw put her nose to the ground, detecting a scent trail with her sharp nose. Not bothering to look up, she ran, her senses focused on the floor. Suddenly, the floor disapeared from beneath her.
Letting out a startled yowl, she fell a few tail-lengths and landed hard on the stone floor of a cave. The cave She had fallen into had a hollow birch tree trunk in the middle. Lilypaw watched breathlessly as light filtered in from the open top of the cave and filled the tree trunk with orange light, which sent beams out to Lilypaw. She pressed her nose against the tree. It seemed like a natural thing to do. Then, she uncontrollably fell asleep.
Lilypaw was standing in a lush forest, greenery all around. Glittering cats that seemed to be made of stardust walked toward her. Lilypaw had never seen so many cats in her life!
"Starclan?" She murmured. She vaguely remembered nursery stories about her ancestors.
One cat stepped gingerly out of the starry ranks; a gray-blue she cat.
"Lilypaw." She mewed gently, bending to touch noses with her.
"My name is Bluestar. Remember my words carefully. In the golden light the lily and the lion will blossom and roar, ending the reign of the bear. The fox carries the key to connect them to the past."
Lilypaw let out a frustrated mew. "What does that mean? How do we get home?"
Bluestar just calmly smiled. "Do not chase after other Clans, build up your own."
The mysterious she-cat started to fade into the forest.
"WAIT!" Lilypaw yowled.
And then she was back at the tree stump, the orange light no longer gleaming. Lilypaw knew she had to tell her littermates. But where was Foxpaw? She had to find him before anything else. Then, he suddenly appeared on the other side of the stump.
"The twitter gods... they were calling me..." He mewed.
"C'mon, Foxpaw. Let's get you back up before you open up you wounds." Lilyspark nudged him towards a spiraling pathway that led to the first cavern. She laid him down and then stepped out into the night, calling for Lionpaw and Shell.
"We're over here!" Called Shell. He was carrying stalks of marigold in his jaws. Lilypaw took them and hurried down to Foxpaw, leaving Lionpaw and Shell to bring in the bedding.
"As soon as I treat Foxpaw, I need to show you something."
Lilypaw expertly created the marigold poultice and turned to face Lionpaw.
"You'd make a good medicine cat." Lionpaw murmured to Lilypaw.
Lilypaw smiled. "I think my paws are set on another path."
Fanfiction: Chapter Eight
I can'T work with Shell! He is too untrustworthy. Lionpaw thought as she and Shell raced though the forest looking for marigold and moss.we stopped and then Shell said "Let's split up, I will look for moss and you can look for marigold."
"Fine. We meet back here." Lionpaw said suspiciously, looking at Shell.
"Ok but, really what's with the glares?" asked Shell almost playfully.
"Nothing. Let's just go, the longer this takes the less time Foxpaw has." snarled Lionpaw coldly.
"Um... well, I guess I should probably tell you a bit about myself so, you can stop giving me my cold shoulder," said Shell.
"Ok but, make it quick," Lionpaw said grumbling although she understood the subject was touchy and said no more.
"Well, I guess this will be more of a warning. There's another group of cats in this area they don't have a name but, they are lead by a powerful, brown cat named Bearclaw. The name sounds like a name that one of you guys would have but, trust me. He is pure evil. Bearclaw will do anything to get power. He would even kill his family and if any one should know this then it has to be me because I... I'm his son." Shell said and Lionpaw could see the terrible sadness in his eyes has he spoke.
"Well, thank you for sharing that." Lionpaw said awkwardly, resting her tail and Shell's back.
"Let's get going now," Lionpaw mewed, acting like her usual self.
"Ok," Shell said has it started to rain, hard.
They split up to look for moss and marigold. Lionpaw searched for marigold all over but, with the rain it was hard to see more than a couple tail lengths ahead. Lionpaw looked everywhere, doing her best to do it quickly but, throughly knowing that time was something Foxpaw didn't have. Despite Lionpaw's best efforts she could only find about 8 stalks of marigold. I don't think that this is enough for Foxpaw. Lionpaw thought has she raced back to the meeting spot on the edge of the enbankment leading to the river. Suddenly, the ground gave way underneath her and with a yowl, she started sliding down the cliff. It was all Lionpaw could do to hold on to the marigold as she tried to reach up to group a footholds, but the ground just gave way more. Luckily, soon Shell appeared and with him, he had a large stick to get her back up.
"Here, get a good grip on the stick then I will pull you up. Got it?"yelled Shell over the wind.
"Ok, got it." Lionpaw grunted through gritted teeth, trying not to slide into the raging river.
Shell did his best to postition the stick next to Lionpaw but, Lionpaw could tell that the ground beneath Shell was sliding. Well, I better do this quickly. Lionpaw told herself has she grasped the stick with her paws. Then, slowly ever so slowly, Shell tried to help her out dragging the stick and her with it to higher ground. Pretty soon Lionpaw was on solid ground again."Thanks." Lionpaw said once she dropped the marigold.
"Your welcome." Shell said, out of breath as he collected the moss he got.
"Come on, let's go deliver the marigold and moss to Foxpaw and Lilypaw" Lionpaw said.
"Ok." Shell mumbled through his moss, racing ahead.
Lionpaw then picked up the marigold and followed suit.
Soon they skidded to a halt in front of the ridge where they have made camp. "Do you hear that?" Lionpaw asked.
"Yes I do." Shell said to Lionpaw and louder he said "We're over here."
"Let me help you with that moss. it's a hard climb up." Lionpaw said.
"Only if I can help you with the marigold." said Shell teasingly.
*snort* "Fine." Lionpaw said as they traded piles.
It didn't take long to climb up the ridge. Once they were at the top Lionpaw and Shell gave Lilypaw the marigold and moss. "As soon as I treat Foxpaw, I need to show you something." Lilypaw said to Lionpaw
Lionpaw watched has Lilypaw chewed up the marigold to make the poultice for Foxpaw. "You'd make a good medicine cat." Lionpaw murmured to Lilypaw.
"I think my paws are set on another path." Lilypaw answered smiling.
"Shell can you please arrange the moss into 4 nests?" Lilypaw said as she beckoned to Lionpaw.
"Now, what did you want show me?" Lionpaw asked.
"Well, it's long story but, basically Foxpaw became feverish and wandered off and fell into a hole. Where I found this glowing stump." Lilypaw said has she walked down a tunnel leading to the stump.
"Ok, that isn't weird at all." Lionpaw said sarcastically but stopped when she looked around the room.
There was stone steps leading to the center of the room. Pictures and designs covered the walls showed starry images of cats. Then at the center of the room there was a stump. The glow of the full moon bounced off the stump and made the room glow with an unearthly light.
"Speechless?" asked Lilypaw.
It was all Lionpaw could do was nod yes. "Let's head back." Lilypaw said turning around.
"Ok" Lionpaw said as she followed Lilypaw, thinking, this place the most pretty place I have ever seen.
Soon they where back in the main room of the cave. As Lionpaw settled down to sleep she heard Foxpaw say in his sleep "#lake" and then "#Goldenlight".
Fanfiction: Chapter Nine
Foxpaw was a having a weird dream as usual. Yes I want to join the Twitterclan. The anscestors of Twitterclan get free WIFI! I want to join you, let me in!
''NNNNOOOOOOOO!'' screamed Foxpaw as he was waking from the nightmare.
''What is wrong with you?!'' Was what Lilypaw had to say to the weird yell. The confusion on the cats face was growing more and more strong with each heartbeat.
Foxpaw could tell right away what he had done to cause that.
''Do you need some marigold for your wound? Well of course you need it, so here you go.'' Lilypaw said without missing a beat.
As Lilypaw was putting on the marigold, Foxpaw started to feel wide awake. Maybe I should go and hunt. When the thought crossed his mind, it even surprised himself.
Foxpaw did as he thought. But as he was about to walk out the door, Lilypaw stopped him.''Where do you think you're going, Foxpaw?'
''Out hunting.'' Foxpaw said, the thought still confusing himself.
''Not now you aren't. You're not healed all the way yet.''Lilypaw said with a stern voice to it.
''But I feel wide awake.'' Foxpaw said back just as stern.
''Then you can have some poppy seeds and wash it down with water.''Lilypaw exclaimed, pointing towards a puddle.
The poppy seeds really worked well. He was asleep in no time. Where am I? He was in his dream, he could see a lake. And then another image appeared it was in the shape of a cat but besides a shadow it was made of a golden light. And then he heard the words Lake and Goldenlight. As he was waking up the words rang in his ears, #lake #goldenlight.
The words started to get louder and louder in his head and as he was saying it. #Lake #Goldenlight. After he said those words he woke up.
''What was that Foxpaw.'' Is what all of them said.
''I don't know. And how many days have I been asleep for?"The worry starting to creep up in his voice.
''You have been out for two days.''Lilypaw replied.''And you're all healed up.''
''This is not good not at all. I havn't checked my twitter account in like forever.''Foxpaw said with extreme worry.
''Are you hungry? You must be.''Lionpaw said proud of herself to have caught some prey.
Foxpaw was going to say no, but the thought of food was to great. He found a shrewm the mouth watering scent made him gobble down the shrew, leaving nothing left.
Fanfiction: Chapter Ten
Lilypaw watched Foxpaw eat the shrew, a sense of urgency tugging at her belly. Something was telling her to dash down into the Tree Stump Cave and press her nose to the trunk.
"Lionpaw, Foxpaw? Can you come with me?" Lilypaw ignored a curious look from Shell and padded down the spiral staircase towards the stump.
"Touch your nose to the tree. I think we have to do it right now." Lilypaw mewed, leaning towards the tree.
As soon as she touched it, the world drop down and she was engulfed in blackness. Then she was standing in a dense oak forest, which felt wierdly natural. Foxpaw and Lionpaw sat beside her.
"Where are we?" Lionpaw glanced around frantically.
Then, ranks and ranks of starry cats moved toward them. A well-muscled she-cat padded out from the shadows.
"Greetings. My name is Birchstar. I was the second leader of Skyclan. To answer your question, young Lionpaw, you are in the ancient Skyclan forest." She meowed, an amused glint in her eyes. "Today, Starclan believes you have earned your warrior names." She gave Foxpaw a sceptical glance, but said nothing.
She moved gracefully toward Lilypaw.
"Lilypaw. One day you will use your corageous spirit and outgoing personality to guide the pawsteps of a new clan. From this day on, you shall be known as Lilyspark. Remeber your Skyclan ancenstors, and maybe one day they will come to your aid."
Lilypaw-Lilyspark nodded, pride swelling in her chest.
Birchstar moved on to Lionpaw, dipping her head to the apprentice.
"Lionpaw, your fierce nature has never failed to protect you. But you must let your guard down to the ones you love. From this day forth, you will be called Lionfang. Starclan honors your courage."
Lionfang gave her chest fur an embarrased lick, but Lilyspark could see she was delighted.
"And last but not least, Foxpaw. You may act... Strangley. But in the end, your true skill will show itself. Your warrior name is Foxclaw. Be strong, small warrior."
The cats of Starclan echoed the new names.
"Lilyspark! Lionfang! Foxclaw!"
Lilyspark woke with a jolt. It had been a day since they had recieved their warrior names. The sunlight glowed in from the open wall of the cave. They had moved from the one with the pool in it to another one lower towards the ridge. It had lots of space, and Lilyspark slept soundly in the soft mossy nests Lionpaw and Foxpaw had made. Lilypark rose from her nest and poked Shell in the belly.
"OW!" He yowled, swiping at her playfully.
Lilyspark dodged the blow and leaped in a mock attack.
"You two aren't kits!" Lionpaw had been woken up by the ruckus.
"Sorry." Shell mewed. "Do you two want to come hunt with me? I can already smell prey!" Shell licked his lips.
Lilyspark nodded and dashed out of the cave, followed closely by Lionfang. They burst out into the open air, and Lilyspark relished the breeze in her fur.
"We should hunt in the oak forest today! It's not far from here." Lilyspark jumped happily at the thought of hunting in the sturdy old trees.
"Sure." Lionfang stepped forward eagerly.
"Whatever you say, O great leader!" Shellfur dipped his head in a sarcastic bow.
Lilyspark gently cuffed him over the ears and sprinted in the direction of the oak forest. They had to be quick, or else Foxclaw would think they were dead. (Or as he called the deceased, snapchat ghosts)
Right away Lilyspark found a squirrel munching acorns in the fork of a tall oak, branches cracked with age. She crept up on it, making sure she was downwind. Nimbly she bounded into the tree. But the squirrel noticed her and leapt from the fork of the tree into the branches of the next tree. Lilyspark gave chase, easily making the jump into the next tree, the leaves shaking furiously under the impact. Just as she caught up with the terrified squirrel, a white paw flashed out and killed it with a single blow, then dragged it into the fork of the tree.
"Hey!" Lilyspark mewed indignatly.
She jumped to the fork of the tree, where she found a gray she-cat with petal shaped white splotches across her pelt.
"That was my catch! Why did you-" Lilyspark broke off when she saw the she-cat's rounded belly. She was pregnate!
"Please, I am so sorry! I'm really hungry and I can't hunt well with kits!"
"Its alright!" Lilyspark was worried for the desprate she-cat. "Me and my friends have a camp. Would you like to stay with us?" The rouge nodded.
"My name's Petal. What's yours?" Petal looked overjoyed, and she heaved herself out of the tree onto the ground.
Lilyspark dropped down beside her. "I'm Lilyspark. Let's get you back to camp."
Lilyspark was awakened by a paw in her ear. Petal.
"Oops! Sorry Lilyspark! I just wanted to ask you something."
"What is it, Petal?" Lilyspark sat up and gave herself a quick groom.
"Can I have a name like yours?" She burst out. "I know this is the second day I've lived here, but it would help me feel more at home."
Lilyspark smiled. "Sure. You can wait in the room with the pool. I'll wake everyone."
Lilyspark settled herself onto the overhang of rock, racking her brain for the words Birchstar had used to give Lilyspark her name.
"Petal. Ever since the day you came here, you have helped us, even with your kits on the way, and we honor your joyful personality, even through times of hardship. From this day forth, you will be known as Petalcloud."
She touched noses with Petalcloud and stood back to let everyone yowl her name.
Thank you Bluestar. Our clan is begining.
After the ceremony, Shell came up to Lilyspark.
"I... I think I like it here. I think I'm going to stay here. Can I be given a name?" He shuffled his paws with embarassment.
"Ok." Lilyspark mewed happily. "Tommorow. Two ceremonies in one day... that would be to much."
Lilyspark heard him go 'yass!' under his breath, and she shook her head at his immaturity.
She needed to go to the stump soon. She had a feeling that Starclan had something to tell her.
Fanfiction: Chapter Eleven
The sun shone through the mouth of the cave as Lionfang got up and luxuriously streched. Then she carefully padded to the mouth of the cave, doing her best not to step on anybody in the overcrowded cave. As she sat and watched the sun rise she felt happy and content (which is rare). Lionfang turned to the cave to see Lilyspark pad quietly over to sit by Lionfang. Lionfang then said "We need to explore this camp more. This cave is too small to fit everyone."
"Yes, we should go explore the camp today."Lilyspark said nodding.
"Ok, can I organize it?" asked Lionfang already planning how where and how they would go about exploring the camp.
"Why not?"answered Lilyspark, an amused look on her face.
Once everyone was awake and ready to explore the camp Lionfang started barking out orders. "Petalcloud, can you and Shell go explore and clean out those two caves?" Lionfang said as she pointed to 2 caves to the right of the cave with the pool that the they had been sleeping in."Foxpaw you will fetch some more moss for our nests but, don't go too far." Lionfang said, shuddering at the thought of Foxclaw dying."Me and Lilyspark will go explore and clean out those 3 caves over there near that outcrop."
Murmurs of okay and got it came from the cats as they settled to do their tasks."Let's do that one last." Lionfang suggested as she pointed to the den at the top of an outcrop.
"Ok, then let's start with this one." Lilyspark said heading to the cave closes to them.
When Lionfang walked into the cave she noticed how the floor was littered with animal droppings, abandoned bird nests and cobwebs. The air smelled musty and they disturbed a layer of dust. "Well with all these cobwebs we would basically never run out of them...?" Lilyspark said.
My sister the optimist! Lionfang thought with a sneeze. And then she said "Look how big this place is! We need to clean it out."
"Yeah, like warriors den." Lilyspark said softly.
"Whatever, let's just get started." Lionfang mewed impatiently as she sarted to swipe away the cobwebs covering everything.
After they shoved debris in the cave to the corner and wrapped up the cobwebs, "I think this cave is good for now. Let's move on to the next den." Lilyspark said as she started to head to the next cave.
"Yeah." Lionpaw said, giving the cave one final glance and then following Lilyspark.
The next cave was the same as the last one but, this one was smaller and it had less debris and cobwebs in it. "It's an apprentice den" Lilyspark said as they got to work.
Before long they had scooted the debris aside and bundled up the cobwebs. When they had returned outside it was sunhigh and the sun beat down, scorching the rock underneath. "Let's take a break." suggested Lionfang, squinting at the sudden brightness of the sun.
"Yeah, and I promised Shell I would give him a name like ours." Lilyspark said and then called "Everyone meet below the outcrop!"
Before long Petalcloud, Foxclaw and Shell had joined her under the outcropping. Lionfang listened intently as Lilyspark, now on top of the rock, began her speech. "Shell, you are a good friend and all though you can be a little too happy you still keep everyone in the bests spirits. From this day forth, you will be know as Shellfur.'' and then Lionfang watched as Lilyspark jumped down and touched noses with Shellfur.
Lionfang than got to her feet and with everyone else yowled Shellfur's new name"Shellfur! Shellfur! Shellfur!"
After that, Lionfang climbed up to the top of the ridge and looked around the the area surrounding their camp. Lionfang saw the deep blue river, and the emerald green forest. That's when she noticed a brown and whitish cat like blur, staring at the cats busily working. Lionfang didn't think twice as she raced down the slope and streaked toward the strange cat, ingoring the cries and yowls of her clanmates. That was when the cat started to race deeper into the woods. But, that didn't stop Lionfang. She chased the cat, undergrowth whipping her face has the rigde disappeared behind her.
Fanfiction: Chapter Twelve
"Lionfang, wait!" Lilyspark called. It was no use. Lionfang would come back soon enough.
Lilyspark glanced at the other cats. None of them seemed to be glancing in her direction. Fur buffeted by the wind, she scrambled into the caves and practically fell into the stump cave. Urgently, she pressed her nose to the stump and the floor dissapeared. This time, no landscape came out of the darkness. just blackness. Bluestar bounded out of the shadows.
"Lilyspark," She huffed breathlessy. "You are destinied to become a clan leader. When you wake up, go to your sister. She will have something you need. By the full moon, you shall have two more cats under your care. Come to me then, and you will recieve your leader name. All cats will look up to you, Lilyspark."
"Thank you, Bluestar! We will find cats immeadiately!" Lilyspark pulled away from the stump and was back in the cave. Suddenly, Shell appeared in front of her face.
"AAUGH!" Lilyspark jumped back, startled.
"Sorry. I followed you down here. I just wanted to see where you were going!"
"Umm...That's where Starclan talks to me."
"Oh. They're real?!" Shell put his nose towards the stump.
Lilyspark figured one random cat talking to Starclan wouldn't harm anything.
She rushed up to the surface, where a strange cat sat, guarded by Lionfang.
"Who's this?" She asked, sniffing the stranger suspiciously.
"I found him watching the ceremony. His name's Oak. He wants to join us." Lionfang growled.
The next cat! Just one more and they would become a real clan!
"Then let's let him! He doesn't smell like poop or anything!" Foxclaw added helpfully.
"It pains me to say this, but I agree with Foxclaw. He can join." Lilyspark noticed hostile glares from Lionfang, which made her want to sink into the rock below her.
Lilyspark wished she could explain to her littermate about the task Bluestar had given her. That would explain it all. But she had a feeling Bluestar wouldn't like that at all.
Fanfiction: Chapter Thirteen
Lionfang ran full out, dodging trees and bushes, slowly geting closer until she could almost reach out and grab the cat's tail. Lionfang soon followed the cat into the part of the forest that she had never explored because of the dense underbrush and giant old oak trees blocking every rabbit trail leading to it. Wait, didn't I explore part of it but, the trail ended in a hollow too high to climb out of. I should cornor this cat in that hollow. Lionfang thought as she began to steer the cat in the direction of the hollow. Soon, Lionfang could see the walls of the hollow looming above them. Once Lionfang saw the hollow, she gave a final burst of speed to catch up the strange cat. Then they burst out in to the open, the cat looking stunned at the fact that he was trapped. Lionfang took that moment of surprise to jump on top of the cat and pin him down against the wall of the hollow. "Hey, get off!" the strange cat said as he surged upwards, unbalancing Lionfang.
"You won't get away that easily." Lionfang snarled, pinning the cat down again.
"Why were you watching us and who are you?" Lionfang growled as she tightened her grip on the cat.
" Fine, my name is Oak and I was watching you because I'm interested in joining your little group of cats. So, can I join?" Oak said as Lionfang got off of him but, still watching Oak closely.
"That's not up to me to decide but, I can take you to our camp so we can decide if you can stay with us but, you have to do what I say." Lionfang said, eyes narrowed.
"Okay, take me to your camp." Oak said, pacing.
"Then, let's go." Lionfang said as she started to walk deeper into the undergrowth.
As they we walking back to camp Lionfang asked "Why do you want to join us?"
"Well, I was to be part of a group of cats lead by cat named Bearclaw but, once I knew how bad they were, I quit and I have been looking for another group to join and I found you guys a couple sunrises ago." Oak said looking away.
"Wait, you have been stalking us for the last couple of days?!" Lionfang said, alarmed at this fact.
"Whatever." Oak said mildly.
"Why didn't you just ask us instead of stalking us?"lionfang asked.
"I have had too many unfriendly welcomes from other groups that I wanted to join to just come walking in." Oak said.
Soon they reached the river. "Can you climb up that ridge?" Lionfang asked as she pivoted to the small path running up the slope.
"Yeah ,yeah I can." Oak said as he started up the path.
"Hey wait that isn't-" Lionfang started but, she was cut off when Oak fell when the path gave way underneath him in a weak spot.
"Fine, you go first." Oak said as he got up and dusted himself off.
Toms! Lionfang thought as she said "Okay." and she started up the path.
Lionfang had no trouble geting up and Oak suprisingly kept up with her, but, still struggled up the slope. When they got up to the camp, Lionfang saw Lilyspark emerge from one of the dens and walked over to her and Oak. Soon everyone gathered around Oak as Lilyspark said "Who is this?""
''I found him watching the ceremony. His name is Oak. He wants to join us." Lionfang growled.
"Then let's let him! He doesn't smell poop or anything!" Foxclaw added.
"It pains me to say this but, I agree with Foxclaw. He can join." Lilyspark said.
My sister needs to be more careful. At this rate she would even let a Badger or a Fox join us! Lionfang thought, shooting a look at Lilyspark.
Fanfiction: Chapter Fourteen
I can't believe that I have to do this. I have to go and clean out some caves.
Foxclaw and Petalcloud were waiting for Shell to be done and then they would go to the first cave.
''Okay, is everyone ready?'' Shell said, rushing into the clearing where the other cats were standing.
Foxpaw tried to come up with ideas for exuses. Once he had started they just kept coming. Like, I have an inportant phone call that I need to attend to. And a lot of others. Though before he could use one of the excuses they had already made it to the very first cave that they were going to clean out.
The very first cave was about medium sized and had a lot of small grass in it.
''This looks easy!'' Petalcloud exclaimed.
A little bit later, when the cats had made it out of the cave, they looked like they had done three caves not just one. There was a lot more dust and dirt than they had planned for there to be.
As they were going to the next cave, Foxclaw started to drift to the end of the group to check his twitter acount. Though when he was looking at his account he say a strange looking blur out of the side of his eye. But he just thought that it was nothing and went into the final cave.
This cave was rather large and had a lot of small rocks inside the cave.
When they had finally had done all the cleaning Lionfang had made it to the clearing with some weird cat.
''I found him watching the ceremony. His name is Oak. He wants to join us." Lionfang growled.
"Then let's let him! He doesn't smell poop or anything!" Foxclaw added.
"It pains me to say this but, I agree with Foxclaw. He can join." Lilyspark said.
Fanfiction: Chapter Fifteen
Lilyspark bounded down into the caverns, darting into the first cavern, a big one where Lilyspark had planned for everyone to sleep in, unless they needed special care. She recalled a vague image of a bush, a sturdy, thick one under which cats slept. It was going to be like that. But... stabler. Shaking her head to clear her mind, she turned to Shellfur.
"Did you clear all the caves?"
"Yes. But... I think I smelled another cat." Shellfur tasted the air.
"Ok. I'll go check it out." Lilyspark was excited to find the cat. Maybe they would join! They only had one day until the full moon.
Lilyspark stepped confidently towards the next cave.
"Wait!" Shellfur bounded forward. "You should bring a cat with you. Just in case." He added grimly.
She hated to admit it, but this cat could be dangerous. She scanned the other cats.
Lionfang was too hostile towards new cats, she could attack the cat before they had a chance to speak; Petalcloud was a queen, she would be easy prey for an angry cat; Foxclaw... He could get hurt. That left Shellfur.
"Shellfur. Come with me." She dipped her head toward him.
He nodded and they padded into the next cave. No scent trace.
"C'mon, slowpoke! This isn't even the cave near the one we smelled it in!" he nudged her playfully.
"Who are you calling slowpoke?" She sped down into the next cave, this one open to the air. Suddenly, she slipped across the floor and found herself dangling off the ledge directly above the river. Which was a few mouselengths from her hind paws! The river had flooded.
"Shellfur! Help!"
Teeth fastened themselves into her scruff and pulled her into the cave again. "Thanks," Expecting to see Shellfur, she gasped when she saw a brightish orange yellow she-cat.
"Hello!" The she-cat mewed brightly. "My name is Sky. I have lived in these caves for many moon-circles. I was wondering if I could join your group."
Lilyspark exchanged glances with Shellfur. He shrugged.
"I guess we could always need new members! Welcome. My name is Lilyspark. I will lead you to the cave we are going to sleep in."
"Don't worry, I know where everything is." Sky blinked and gave an excited bounce. "You have a very interesting name. Is it from your group?"
"Yes, but it isn't a group. It's a Clan."
Lilyspark and Sky peered over the ledge. The river still surged close to the caverns. The cats couldn't go out to hunt - the forests were belly-deep with water. Sky smiled.
"The river does this a couple days after every storm. We'll have to get used to it if we want to live here."
The full moon was tonight. What if the Stump-cave was flooded? The cave was even lower than this one! Bluestar wouldn't be able to speak to her!
"Of course," Sky's mew distracted her from her thoughts. "You could learn to swim!"
Sky dove into the churning water.
"SKY!" Lilyspark searched wildly for Sky's bobbing head in the water.
Sky popped up from the water right next to her. "Come on in! I'll help you! Don't worry, the waterfall is too far from here."
Lilypaw stepped tentativley towards the water, took a deep breath, and slid into the water. She started to sink quickly, her paws flailing uselessly in the angry river.
Sky dragged her to the surface. "It's like running through the forest! Just remember, when you go under, don't panic. Let yourself float to the surface."
Lilyspark gasped out a breathless "Ok" and then Sky let her go.
You are running through the forest. Her long fur felt like it was dragging her under, but she paddled strongly and kept her head up, and she plunged her face under the water, opening her eyes to make out the bump in the wall where the stump cave was. It was completely underwater. She rose to the surface and kicked out toward the ledge. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Sky swimming behind her with a...swimcap?! Whatever. She pulled herself out of the water.
"Sky. Do you think you could teach Lionfang, Foxclaw, Shellfur, and Oak to swim?"
"I'd be delighted to!"
Lilyspark shook herself and padded proudly out into the den where they slept.
Only then did she peer out and realize it was dark.
Sighing, she padded to her nest and plopped down onto the soft moss. She watched golden paws pad toward her. Lionfang.
"Hi... I'm really sorry that I didn't trust you about our new members. You were right about needing new cats."
"Thank you, Lionfang." She touched noses with her sister.
She realized Shellfur and Sky were missing.
Then they appeared from the next cave, rolling something in between them.
"Thank you! I... have to do the stump thing now."
Shellfur nodded and they all went to their nests, leaving Lilyspark to stare at the stump. Moonlight glinted in from the hole/wall.
The stump started to glow. Lilyspark stepped towards it.
This is it. This is my destiny. She pressed her nose to the stump and landed abruptly in Starclan. Nine starry cats sat before her.
"Lilyspark. Starclan has confidence that you will lead this clan through times of hardship. You are here to receive your nine lives. "
Bluestar stepped forward and touched noses with Lilyspark. "With this life I give you sacrifice. Put your clanmates in front of yourself." A jolt of pain shot through Lilyspark, but it left her feeling stronger than before.
Birchstar padded up to her. "With this life I give you friendship. Do not be afraid to join with others. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." Lilyspark jerked with pain as Birchstar touched her nose.
A ginger tom with a flame orange coat broke out of the crowd. "I am Firestar. With this life I give you endurance. Never give up."
He lightly tapped her nose, but a flood of pain came down on her, yet she felt like she could run forever.
A huge white tom came forward. "My name is Whitestorm. With this life I give you strength. Fight to the death for your clan. With nine lives, you can afford it." Then there was pain again, and a fierce sensation in her claws; she would kill for her new clan.
A light gray she cat with darker flecks bounded from behind Firestar. "The name's Ferncloud. With this life I give you a mother's love. Protect your clan like they are your own kits." Lilyspark gasped at the pain and she knew she would die for her clan as if they were her children.
Sandstorm stepped forward, giving her a life for respect, and then three more cats after her. Then the entire Starclan began to chant.
"Lilystar! Lilystar! Lilystar!" The chants faded and she awoke. She was a leader.
Fanfiction: Chapter Sixteen
Lionfang felt rage boil up inside herself. She still couldn't believe her sister let another cat join the clan. Lionfang headed to the the top of the ridge, hoping that some time alone would help clear her thoughts. She gazed out at the setting sun, which was making the sky look like it was on fire, when she heard footsteps coming towards her. "What is it?" Lionfang demanded, still angry.
"Oh, it's me Sky, and Shellfur. We were wondering if you would like to help us get something for Lilyspark? She looked like she was really worried about this stump that was in one of the flooded caves." Sky said.
Lilyspark must need to speak to Starclan! Lionfang thought, sighing. She could never be angry at her sister for long. "I will help you get the stump."
"Thanks!" Shellfur said as they made their way to the cave.
Before they entered the cave Oak raced to meet them. "Could I join you?" he asked.
Shellfur answered "Sure, why not?
They entered the half flooded cave where the stump was. Sky mewed, "Ok, everybody, swimming is like running though the forest. Got it?"
Everyone nodded and then Sky jumped into the water. Slowly, Shellfur and Oak followed. Lionfang hung back, she had tried to stay away from water since the flood that had washed her away from her home. And now she was going to swim in it. Lionfang took a breath, remembering she was doing it for Lilyspark, and jumped in. The ice cold water hit her like a solid wall. Lionfang struggled to the surface, her long fur dragging her down. Lionfang's head burst out of the water as she took great gulps of air. She paddled along the surface, getting use to the feel of the water and remembering what Sky said about swimming.
Then Lionfang dived underwater to find Shellfur, Sky and Oak tugging at the stump, trying to loosen it from the stone. Lionfang swam down and started to tug it with all her might, hooking her claws underneath the stump and heaving upwards. Then when she tried to swim up for air, her claw got stuck on a root. Lionfang's lungs started to burn and she didn't have any strength, when a pale brown tabby shape swam past her and started to tug at the root that was keeping Lionfang down. Oak! Lionfang thought as relief flooded through her. With a final burst of energy, Lionfang heaved upward and both her and the stump floated to the surface. Lionfang grabbed the stump once she had got to the surface and then she pushed the stump to the side of the cave. Then Lionfang climbed up on to the part of the cave that wasn't flooded.
Shellfur and Sky got the stump as Lionfang said, "Thanks, you saved me." to Oak.
Oak mewed "You're welcome." as he padded off.
"Come on, we have to get this to Lilyspark." Lionfang said to Shellfur and Sky as Lionfang shook herself.
Lionfang padded over to Lilyspark and then she whispered to her "Hi... I'm really sorry that I didn't trust you about our new members. You were right about needing new cats."
Lilyspark mewed "Thank you, Lionfang." and they touched noses.
Then Lionfang stepped backwards as Shellfur and Sky rolled the stump in to the cave. "We had a feeling you'd need this tonight." Lionfang said.
"Thank you! I... have to do the stump thing." Lilyspark said.
Shellfur nodded and then Lionfang and the others went to their nests. Lionfang closed her eyes, realizing how tired she was after the swim, and she slowly drifted to sleep.
Fanfiction: Chapter Seventeen
Lilystar drew in a deep breath. She felt her claws scrape across the gritty ground of the Tall Rock.
"Everyone... old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the tall rock." She was surprised at how clearly her voice rang out.
The cats warily padded out of the caverns, the new morning sunlight glinting across their pelts.
Lionfang blinked happily at her sister from the bottom of the rock. Lilystar blinked back. She was happy that she and her sister had made up. Once the cats had settled in, Lilystar began her... Speech.
"Starclan... Came to me last night. They have given me many messages in the past."
She felt her shoulder fur bristle when Petalcloud snorted and Shellfur curled his tail, his gaze pointed at his feet. Oakshade and Sky just stared up at her blankly, their expressions unreadable. She knew the past rouges might not believe yet, but a tiny part of her had hoped they had started to believe.
"Anyway," Her voice was lowering along with her confidence."They gave me nine lives. They... I... I'm your leader. My new name is Lilystar."
Lilystar flinched. She expected an outrage, after all, if they didn't believe in Starclan, so they had no reason to believe her.
Instead, Petalcloud nodded mutely, as if she thouht it was fine... Shellfur looked up at her happily. Sky gave an eager little bounce, but Oakshade didn't show any expression. Lilystar's gaze flicked to her sister, and she thought she saw a flash of jealousy.
"And, now I must choose the person who will take over when I die."
"I say these words before StarClan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The first deputy of our Clan is Lionfang."
Oakshade grinned and nudged Lionfang happily, and Lionfang smiled embarassedly.
Alright. It was done. The cats milled off into the caves, murmuring excitedly to each other.
"Wait!' Lilystar barked. "The meeting isn't over."
"Lionfang, go hunting, bring one cat with you. Sky, Shellfur, I want you to go check the water levels in the river. End of meeting."
Lilystar leapt down as the cats dispersed, Oakshade streaking off after Lionfang into the woods behind the ridge.
Petalcloud was left in the clearing, along with Foxclaw. Lilystar trotted up to Petalcloud, flicking her tail at Foxclaw, a gesture to go away.
"How are you doing?" Sympathy flooded through Lilystar. The queen hadn't been eating much, and her stomach was huge and round.
"I'm alright, but my kits are coming soon and I'm not sure they'll be... safe unless we find someone who knows medicine stuff."
Lilystar didn't let the comment hurt her. After all, she only knew some medicine cat procedures. She wouldn't be able to help with a kitting.
"Well, for now we'll just have to hope it goes well. Tell me if you need anything."
Lilystar left Petalcloud and padded into the caves. Her paws led her up into a small cave, perfect for a single cat. Ivy hung over the open wall, and it was high enough to be protected from the flood.
"Leader's Den..." Lilystar murmured.
She padded back to the clearing next to the caves. Just because she led them didn't mean she couldn't do anything. She waved her tail to Petalcloud and headed for the ridge. She saw Sky and Shellfur walking toward her. She met them halfway to the ridge.
"How's the river?" She questioned.
"The levels gone down, but it's still choppy. It will be maybe a quarter-moon before we'll be able to hunt again." Shellfur made little motions with his tail when he spoke.
Sky nodded curtly and bounded up the cliff and into the caves. Shellfur hung back, complimenting her leadership, then he followed Sky back to the caves.
Lilystar picked her way down to the ridge to the river, wanting to see the water for herself.
But suddenly, paws skidded to a halt beside her. Foxclaw.
"Petalcloud... Baby cats..." He huffed breathlessly.
Lilystar gasped, and sped up the ridge, to the clearing, but no one was there. Foxclaw came up behind her.
"They moved her to the sick-den."
Lilystar's paws flew over the stone tunnels and stopped in the medicine den. Sky, Shellfur, and Oakshade crowded around Petalcloud.
"Where's Lionfang?"
"Getting a stick for her to bite down on."
Lilystar rushed to Petalcloud's side, bile rising in her throat. She needed a real medicine cat.
Lionfang burst through the door, a huge stick clutched in her jaws, which she passed to Petalcloud.
"Oakshade, I need poppy seeds. I haven't gathered any, but a three fox-lengths from the river there a couple poppies. Bring them to me." Lilystar hissed, without looking up from Petalcloud.
A strange cat scent filled the cave.
"I... I thought I heard a cat in pain?"
Lilystar whirled around to see a blue-gray tabby she-cat standing at the door.
"Do you know medicine stuff? She's kitting!" Lilystar let desperation fill her words.
"Yes." The she-cat mewed confidently. "Now, everyone get out of the cave except anyone who can help."
Lilystar did not leave. She was grateful, but she didn't trust this cat.
"We need poppy-" The cat glanced around the cave.
"One of our cats is getting some."
"Does the cat know how?"
"No. I'll go help him." Lilyspark was reluctant, but it would be faster with two cats gathering the seeds.
She ran out into the darkness, sending out a silent prayer to Starclan. Petalcloud had to be okay.
NOTICE: We changed Shell's warrior name in an editing spree. Sorry 'bout that.
Foxclaw was waiting outside of the cave. The brisk morning was amazingly cold, there was frost even on the grass. Foxclaw could also see a few of the early rays of sunshine peak over the top of the trees.
I still can't believe that this is happening the cats should know that this is not a good idea. Though its not my problem so I do not care. Better find something to do.
As Foxclaw walked over towards the other side of the camp it gave him some time think about what to do will he waited.
That looks like a good place to start to look for something to do. Foxclaw thought to himself.
The part of the camp that Foxclaw was on a rock. As he walked over towards it the ground made crunching noises from the frost on the ground.
The thing that was on the ground was also green.
''Hello Mossy, do you come here often.''Foxclaw asked eagerly wanting for an answer.
''Whats that you always come here. And you also never leave. The could you take a selfie. I haven't taken a selfie for like 20 minutes.'' As Foxclaw was already starting to pull out his selfie stick.
''Come on Mossy, smile.''
Now I'll just go onto Twitter and post it there. Let me think about what the # should be...... oh I know what I will do.
'' justgotmysecondfriendever.
The thing was Foxclaw's only other friend was his Twitter account.
When he was done chatting with his new friend that Foxclaw was thinking was not the best idea. That would be for the fact that Mossy wasn't really a chatter. Mossy just liked to sit around.
When Foxclaw finally got up he walked over towards the cave.
The sun was getting more and more closer towards sun high.
When he had made it there he checked his Twitter account because he thought that he might as well. He had all the time in the world. Then though he saw the words #Petalcloudjusthadherkits it was from Mist.
Though to make it more correct he saw Lilystar rush out of the cave. She had a face with a look of happiness.
''Petalcloud just had her kits.'' Lilystar said.
Fanfiction: Chapter Eighteen
Fanfiction: Chapter Nineteen
What was that? Whipping around Mist saw a female cat lying on the ground, groaning, realizing what situation she was in Mist rushed to her side. She knew better than to rush over to an unknown cat, but seeing her like this made it impossible for Mist to turn away. She checked to see if anyone else was attending to her. Grabbing the nearest stick Mist gently pried open the grey and white she-cats jaw, provoking a hiss, and inserted the brach. Scanning her surrounding Mist looked for any sign of some plants to help her care for the she cat. Realizing that the only plants were a little ways away, she retreated into the cave not wanting to leave the she-cat alone. Suddenly a the scent of an unfamiliar cat ambushed her senses.
"We need poppy-"
"One of our cats is getting one"
The unfamiliar she-cat had an air of confidence that made Mist feel small. Mustering her courage Mist quietly padded over to her.
"Who are you?" Mist questioned
"Who are you?" The she-cat challenged.
"I'm Mist, I'm a medicine cat of sorts."
"What clan are you from?"
"I'm not in a clan"
The unfamiliar she-cat turned to the another she-cat a few paces away. I busied myself with caring for the new mother, but listened in to the other cats conversation.
"Who's that?" the new cat asked, skeptical
"A clan-less medicine cat"
"She's not new clan member is she?"
"We'll see..."
Fanfiction: Chapter Twenty
Lionfang looked behind her at the strange new cat now tending to Petalcloud and her newborn kits. Lionfang then turned back to face Lilystar.
"So, I'm guessing I'm looking at the newest addition to the clan." Lionfang said dryly.
"Well, no, I mean... I guess so... Well, what do you think?" Lilystar stuttering.
"I think that we should be much more careful about how we let in." Lionfang.
"Well, she knows medicine and we need someone to fill the medicine cat position so, I think we should let her in." Lilystar meowed.
That was when Petalcloud called them over. With a look at Lilystar Lionfang went to Petalcloud's side.
"I going to name them Bumble, Fire, and Clover." Petalcloud said as she pointed to a tortoiseshell tom, a ginger she-cat and a gray and white she-cat.
"Well, actually whenever we name our kits we add kit to the end of their name. So, instead it would be Bumblekit, Firekit, and Cloverkit." Lilystar said.
"Oh, well, okay that sounds good." Petalcloud said sounding a little embarrassed.
"You would if you lived in a clan before." Lionfang muttered angrily.
Lilystar must of heard her because she motion for Lionfang to follow her outside of the cave.
Once outside, Lionfang momentarily cringed under the infuriated gaze of her sister, but she quickly straighten up thinking to herself You are the deputy. Lilystar can't do much to you,
Lilyspark said angrily " If you have a problem with my decisions and leadership then you can leave!" clearly on her last straw.
Lionfang opened her mouth to say something when Lilystar continued "In fact, I would want you to go, you are always going against all of my ideas!"
Lionfang backed away slowly as she felt her dark green eyes fill with tears. " Well, I... I never liked this place any way."
Then Oakshade emerged from the cave he took one look at the two sisters and was about to ask what was going on, but before Lionfang could hear Lilystar or Oakshade say anything else Lionfang run away from camp. She looked back to see Oakshade and Lilystar with almost identical expressions of shock, also, joined by Foxclaw who looked madly alarmed.
Lionfang numbly climbed down the ridge to the riverbank were she ran blindly away from the camp. Lionfang keeper on muttering what her sister said to her I would want you to go.
She didn't run far when fat drops of water stared to rain down, Lionfang slowed but, kept going. Then the wind picked up and the river started to hungrily tug on her paws. Lionfang slowed to a walk and looked behind her to see if she could still see the ridge, but what she say wasn't the ridge but a looming, grey wave that then crashed on top of her sweeping her off of her feet.
Lionfang struggled to keep her head above the water trying to avoid all the debris floating with her. Lionfang then tried to swim to the riverbank. She eventually got to the riverbank and that us were she lay tired from the swim. All of a sudden, 4 rogues came out of the bushes. Lionfang jumped up and got in a battle position expecting a fight. The large, scarred brown tom walked up to her and said "Why hello, there what are you doing on my territory." He said.
"I was just resting for a moment and I will go but, I'm curious who are you and your group?" Lionfang said.
"Well, I'm Bearclaw and me and my group of rogues live." Bearclaw said.
"Would you let me join your group?" Lionfang asked.
"Hmm... well I guess so, come on follow me." Bearclaw answered as he began to walk into the woods with Lionfang and the other rogues close behind him.
Fanfiction: Chapter Twenty - One
Lilystar watched her sister stream down the hill, her golden fur pelted by the rain.
“Lionfang, wait!” her words were drowned out by the wind.
Lilystar’s tail lashed when Lionfang ran away in a direction they hadn’t explored. Sky brushed her tail against Lilystar’s shoulder.
“Sometimes the closest of siblings can be the farthest apart.”
What does that even mean? Last Lilystar checked Sky wasn’t Yoda.
Sky continued. “She needs time, Lilystar. She will understand in time.”
“Well, time better go fast! She’s heading into starclan- forsaken territory just because I said something I didn’t mean.” The sadness at the pit of Lilystar’s belly rose into anger.
She whipped around with a hiss at sky and bounded into the caves. Shellfur was standing at the entrance to the medicine den, talking with Mist.
“Mist, stay here for the night. There are floods coming in.”
Shellfur whipped around. “Where’s Lionfang?”
“She ran off. She’ll come back in the morning. She’s smart.”
Shellfur shifted on his paws. “Lilystar, with all due respect-”
“I don’t want to hear it! My word is final. I will send a search in the morning.”
Shellfur burst. “Lilystar, you’re being irrational. I’m going to lead a search party in the direction she left.”
“I DON’T WANT TO HEAR IT.” Lilystar cuffed Shellfur over the ear with a harsh swipe.
Mist looked horrified. “I think I’m gonna go..”
“No!” Lilystar took a deep breath. “Shellfur, I am so sorry! I didn’t mean to hurt you. My sister running away has taken quite a toll on me in the past five minutes.”
Shellfur looked wary, but nodded. “It’s OK. But I do think we need to search.”
Lilystar kinked her tail in agreement, and felt calm spread through her bones.
“Mist, stay here with Petalcloud. Sky, you’re a good tracker and you know the territory. Come with me. Shellfur, guard the camp.”
Lilystar whirled out of the cave. Sky loped behind her as they followed the river, always a few fox-lengths away. The flood started and water tore through the sand. Lilystar leaped up onto the ridge, with Sky right next to her. They continued trekking, but Lilystar’s mind cooked up horrible things that could’ve happened to Lionfang.
Lilystar sniffed at the rotting leaves on the forest floor. She thought she could smell Lionfang, but maybe it was just her imagination.
“Find anything?” She called to Sky, who was a few tail-lengths away.
“Maybe. I might’ve caught a whiff that way.”
She pointed west with her tail.
Lilystar followed. She stared into the tree branches, squinting through the occasional drop of rain that squeezed its way under the trees. Her paws sunk into the mush covering the floor. THis wasn’t the sort of forest Lilystar would like to make her home in. Instead of leafy aspen, dark, tall trees littered the floor with their rot. Fungi branched out of fallen trees, beetles squiggled over crowfood. A sound in the underbrush startled Lilystar. And then there were deep voices.
“So this is where we keep the kill mound.” growled one voice.
“Like a fresh kill pile?” Lilystar recognized that voice. Something deep inside her clicked and she felt rage crash into her like a wall.
“LIONFANG! YOU TRAITOR! I TRUSTED YOU. AND NOW YOU LIVE HERE?!” Lilystar felt tears, a mixture of sadness a betrayal, pour out onto the mulch.
Lionfang’s face popped out of the underbrush along with a scarred brown face (slightly resembling a beat-up potato).
“You didn’t want me, so I left. And now I’m part of Bearclaw’s group.” Lionfang sneered.
The potato cat stepped out of the brush and flicked his tail.
“Well, well well. I’ve heard some stuff about you. You’re close to ‘Lionfang’, aren’t you? Lion, this is a chance to prove yourself.”
Lion? They gave her a new name?! They stripped her of her title as a warrior!
Potato Cat continued. “To prove yourself, Lion, you can kill your ‘sister’. We are your family now.”
Foxclaw woke up. The clouds above were gray as if they were going to attack someone. It had rained the day before and the ground of the camp was still moist from the access water. Foxclaw checked his twitter page. Then someone texted him as he was on the twitter page.
It was from Mossy. He wanted Foxclaw to come over to meet his family.
Finally, Mossy has not texted since I meet him.
Foxclaw rose up with more excitement now that he was going to meet a friend and their family. This was something that he didn't get to do a lot of the time. Or really ever being able to do what he was about to do today.
As he was stepping outside of the den he saw the exact place that he had seen Mossy for the first time that had in the end had started him meeting his family.
Even with the dampness in the air the sun was still shining. Foxclaw even was starting to squint a little bit from the sudden change in the light.
While Foxclaw was walking over to his friends house he noticed that the camp was not as full as it usually was. It was almost as if most of Foxclaws clan mates had been invited to a party and that he was not invited. Then Foxclaw was thinking of the worst possible thing that he was not socially popular.
At least I have one friend, Foxclaw thought.
When Foxclaw got to the other side of the clearing he found Mossy's house and their family. Or were the family and Mossy had been in because to Foxclaw it looked like something had sliced the moss away. It was a crime scene Foxclaw thought to himself.
Then something caught the corner of his eye. What ever it was it was only a few tail lengths away. Foxclaw jerked his head as quick as he could. He say just a clan mate walking past nothing to fear.
The cat didn't even seem that they cared that Mossy had been taken away or his family. This frustrated Foxclaw because he didn't want Mossys death to be in vain. He was going to go over to that cat and force to at least acknowledge what had happened.
Though right before he could do that Lilystar rushed into the clearing. She had a expression on her face that looked like someone had tried to kill her.
''Lionfang tried to kill me.'' She exclaimed struggling to put out those few words. Though yet those worlds could change the whole survival for the clan.
Fanfiction: Chapter Twenty - Two
Still shaking from the recent turn of events, Mist went to the she-cat and her kits. The kits lay near Petalcloud who was lying on the ground looking anxious.
"Need anything?" Mist questioned, needing a distraction
"Hmm?" She replied drowsily
"Do you need anything?" Mist repeated
"Oh, no." Petalcloud seemed distracted.
"How long have you been in this clan?" Mist inquired suddenly
"Not long, were you ever part of a clan?"
Mist looked at the ground, words forming and dissolving on her tongue, then finally spoke.
"I was part of a clan of sorts, I don't remember much. They had ranks, like watcher and hunter. I was useless to the clan, I couldn't fight and that was all they cared about. So I ran away."
Mist looked to Petalcloud, who was forcing her eyes to stay open, but other than that seemed to be paying attention.
"You should get some rest" Mist said
"Yeah, I should, I'm sorry that I can't hear the rest of your story."
"Oh, that's okay." Mist replied looking somewhat defeated.
Mist walked softly over to a corner and settled down. Her mind was racing despite her tired expression. What will I do once I leave, where do I go next? Do they want me to stay? Do I want to stay? What happened to Lionfang? What happened to Lilystar? What about Shellfur? He was a mystery. Petalcloud, where was she before this clan? Mist longed for the one thing in life she'd never had. A place where she felt like she belonged. Life on the run could be exciting, but also lonely. She was always anxious because she turn the corner and come face to face with danger, or starve. Mist couldn't hunt or fight. She never caught any meat so she mostly scavenged for edible plants. Over time Mist had gathered extensive knowledge of plants and there uses. It had been a very, very, long time since she had come across a plant she didn't know. Maybe this clan will find my knowledge helpful! Mist thought to herself. Something gave Mist the feeling this just might be the place where she wasn't useless.
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Lion looked around Bearclaw’s camp making sure that cats did their job. Bearclaw took a liking to her and he almost immediately promoted her to the Watcher, so she had to make sure that all the cats did what they were told to do even if that meant harming them. Lion leaped down from her perch on a tree trunk when her saw that Bearclaw had entered the camp.
“I had to make Twig and Tooth hunt some more because they eat some of the prey before they were aloud to, but I made sure that well never be problem again.” Lion reported though they are basically half starved she thought.
“Good Lion, I see that you have settled in well with the way of life here.” Bearclaw said.
Lion didn’t want to
Then, Bearclaw announced to the whole camp, “Time to eat! Marty, I see you and don’t you dare eat before the Hunters!”
Lion watched as she saw all the cats stampeded to the prey pile swiping at each other to get prey. Lion tried to ignore it just like Bearclaw was doing but horror filled her at the brutal chaos before her. Bearclaw strutted forward with Lion trailing behind. “We have to prove that we are worthy for our food by fighting the unworthy. Here, you see that scrawny cat over there fight her to get her food which soon will be yours.” Bearclaw said has he pointed to a skinny she-cat chewing on a sparrow. Lion padded over and softly growled, “Give me your prey.”
“Not on your life.” the she-cat snarled.
“Well, then.” Lion said barring her teeth and pouncing on the she-cat.
They rolled over in a tumble, the she-cat yowling and clawing and Lionfang using her warrior training as an advantage and quickly pinned her down. The she-cat wiggled free and launched herself on top of Lion. Lion twisted around and pinned her opponent down again. Then Lion heard Bearclaw calling “Go for the throat!” Lion looked down at the she-cat struggling beneath her. Would I really kill for my new life? Lion thought not sure of the answer. Lion heard Bearclaw calling “Do it!”
Lion raised one paw and brought it down on the she-cats throat but not hard enough to kill her. Lion couldn’t bear to kill this she-cat but at less the display would please Bearclaw. Lion walked over to Bearclaw licking her bloodstained paw. “Good job” Bearclaw said “Now eat your prey, I have some business to discuss with some of my advisors.”
Lion nodded as she bit into the sparrow, watching the other cats go about their daily business. Although they all act… scared Lion thought noticing how the cat’s eyes would dart around the place, their muscles tensed at every new sound. Lion shook her head, it didn’t matter what they were afraid of what ever it was, she was a higher rank and wouldn’t be as much as a concern.
Later that night, Lion watched the camp making sure that all the cats were in their nest. She like the other two watchers, Bearclaw’s three advisors, and Bearclaw all slept in the best den with the Hunters and Patrollers sleeping in the second best dens and everyone else, like Healer, queens and other lowly cats finding places all over camp. Once every one was in their places Lion settled into her nest. Looking up at the stars she wondered if Starclan could see her and slowly Lion closed her eyes.
Lion opened her eyes she was in a clearing next to Bearclaw’s camp. Lion saw Lilystar yowling at her Lion heard herself sneer at Lilystar. Lion could hear Bearclaw ordering her to kill her sister. Lion closed her eyes trying to stop the memories from filling her head, but it was no use.
Lion leapt forward on top of Lilystar, slashing and clawing at Lilystar and then Lion leapt off knowing that Lilystar would soon react. Lion and Lilystar exchanged a couple of swipes when Lilystar launched herself on top of Lion and landed a couple of blows on her belly. Lion tried to wiggle free but couldn’t, so she went limp and Lilystar fell for it. Lion escaped and managed to land a couple blows along Lilystar’s ears, nose and chest. This went on for quite awhile in till Lion had Lilystar pinned down. Lion raised on paw ready to deliver the deathblow. Then something in Lilystar’s eyes made Lion hesitate, Lion’s paw fell to the ground unable to do it. Lion heard Bearclaw calling to her but Lion ignored him. With a quick slash Lion cut Lilystar’s belly just enough to send her back with something. Lilystar wriggled out and without a look behind her, ran off.
Lion woke up with a start, looking around the den moonlight filtering through the ceiling of the den. Lion got up and quietly went outside. There Lion stared up at the stars, thinking. How dare Lilystar! She told me to leave and then she gets angry. Lion felt hate bubble up in till she felt like she could ran all the way to Lilystar and finish the job.
Chapter 25
Lilystar took in a shaking breath as Mist bandaged her wounds. The deep cut in her belly had been bleeding heavily for the past couple days. Mist winced when she sniffed the wound.
"It isn't infected, but it could take a while to heal. I-I think you should rest here for maybe half a moon..?" Mist mewed with a nervous glance at Lilystar.
"Oh." Lilystar needed to try to be calmer. Mist didn't know her that well, and Lilystar could sense that she thought Lilystar was always on the brink of an outburst. Which she wasn't. Most of the time.
"I just need to make a couple announcements to the clan and then I will rest." Lilystar heaved herself from the mossy nest Mist had made in the medicine den.
She slowly walked outside, wincing at the glaring sunlight. Petalcloud's kit immediately pounced on her.
"OH MY STARCLAN ITS AN EVIL TREE" Howled Cloverkit, batting at Lilystar's ears with her tiny claws.
Lilystar shook her off with a smile and made her way to the announcement rock.
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather under the rock thingy for an announcement."
Petalcloud swept up her kits and trotted to the base of the rock, with Shellfur, Sky, Mist, Foxclaw, and Oakshade in pursuit.
"Everyone." Lilystar began. "Lionfang is a traitor. A quarter moon ago she left our clan join another group."
Lilystar noticed Mist's ears prick. Shellfur lashed his tail, his nervous eyes fixed on Lilystar. Everyone was hanging on her every word as she recounted how Lionfang had tried to kill her.
"Now... I will need a deputy to replace her."
Lilystar hadn't necessarily thought this through.
Petalcloud hadn't shown outstanding leadership, Foxclaw was just... derpy. Oakshade also was too shy to be in a position of power. Mist was a medicine cat. This left Shellfur or Sky. Shellfur had been able to calm her down with reason the first day without Lionfang. Sky was a level headed she-cat. She couldn't decide in the thick of the moment.
"My new deputy will be a pointed by moonhigh. But I have something more important to do now. Sky, please step forward."
"Sky, is it your wish to perform the duties of a warrior, risking your life for our clan?"
Sky drew in a sharp breath.
"It is."
"Then by StarClan's will, from this day on, you will be known as Skyshine."
Skyshine grinned and did a happy little hop. "Thank you so much, Lilystar!" She breathed.
"You're welcome. Keep up the good work, Lionfang - I mean Skyshine." Lilystar smiled sadly. If only Lionfang could've been here to understand how much the clan means to these cats, former rouges! Maybe she would've stayed. Lilystar shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. Lionfang had tried to kill her. That wasn't the sister she wanted back. Maybe Skyshine was the sister she never had.... As soon as the ceremony was over, Mist rushed over and led Lilystar into the caves toward the medicine den. But Lilystar had a different plan. She led Mist down the spiraling steps of stone to the MoonStump. Wow, that name is really bad.
Mist gasped.
"I... feel like I've seen this before. In a dream!"
Lilystar barked a question. "Mist, do you believe in StarClan?"
"I... suppose I do-I mean, I've heard the stories, but I've never seen anything happen..."
"Well then. It's a full moon tonight, isn't it?'
"Yes..." Mist cocked her head.
"Tonight, as the moon rises, you will touch your nose to the stump, and then go to sleep. StarClan will come to your dreams."
Mist bounced eagerly. "Of course. That means I am a medicine cat? A real one?!"
"Yes." Lilystar brushed her tail against the floor and left Mist alone with the room.
Lilystar curled up in the medicine den. She watched the river flow over rocks and breezes sway leafy ferns. A bat circled the sky, swooping and diving.
Who should be my new deputy?
Mist eagerly darted outside. It was almost moonrise! Mist scampered down the spiraling steps that led to a secluded cave. Tentatively stepping inside Mist approached the MoonStump apprehensively. It was finally moonrise! Mist softly touched her nose to the edge of the stump. Mist waited a second hoping to catch a glimpse of something, anything! Nothing happened. Mist climbed down the stone steps somewhat hopeful but partially dejected. Soon Mist reached the medicine den where she had taken to sleeping. Settling down eager for her expected meet with Starclan, Mist drifted into a deep sleep.
"Mist, I am Micah the former Skyclan medicine cat." A stranger tomcat with yellowish fur appeared before her.
"Um... Hello" Mist replied a little unsurely.
"You are Mist correct?" Micah questioned
"Yes" Mist answered
"I am here to teach you medicine" Micah announced
"I've already picked up some medicine skills" responded unsurely
"Yes but you must learn how to practice medicine from what surrounds you"
Noticing the confusion clouding over Mist's face Micah explained,
"You know much about plants you have seen, but what about those you have not?"
At this Mist grew even more confused, it seemed like the more Micah said the less Mist knew.
"I will teach you the signs of medicinal qualities, but first you must know what you know"
Mist was sure now that this tomcat was making utterly no sense whatsoever. How was she supposed to know what she knew? She already had to think about where she was, this clan, and so much else, now more on top of it all! Mist was definitely feeling a little overwhelmed. There were benefits to formally learning medicine though. She could join a clan as a trained medicine cats. Formal training would prove that she wasn't useless. Mist was done being useless.
Chapter 27
Chapter 26
Foxclaw was suddenly jolted awake by a thundering noise that it made his ears fell like popping out of his head. The noise came from all around him and then he heard chanting it got louder and louder and then one word came crystal clear it was, “Skyshine, Skyshine.”
He then decided if he was going to accomplish his total goal of becoming popular he would have to do what everyone else was doing.
I thought that this time of the day was suppose to be set aside for nap time. Is what Foxclaw thought the time of day was but then it all came back to him. Like how Lilystar was giving Skyshine her warriors ceremony today and how he had fallen asleep when he was there. Luckily no one found that I had been sleeping.
That reminded Foxclaw that he needed to do some important business about a certain murder. It was for the murder of mossy. It might have happened a while ago but that was growing the matter even more than any other clan matters that there might be.
Now it’s time to eliminate all of the possible suspects, Foxclaw was thinking so the first cat that he went to was Skyshine but it would be hard to get to her for the fact that practically the entire clan was around her. Though there was one cat that was slinking away from the group. It was Shellfur and so he decided, Skyshine can wait but I must avenge Missy's death.
Foxclaw slinked his way over to Shellfur how was already at the warriors den. When he got to Shellfur Foxclaw said, “ so where were you when you about seven nights agin at about sun high.”
“Oh ahh I was taking a nap after a mouse I had. Why do you ask?” Shellfur replied with question all over his voice.
“Well then you were not by any chance killing anybody or anything?” Foxclaw said back to Shellfur to make sure that he had all of the facts correct.
“No, unless you mean when I went out on a hunting patrol,” Shellfur said it so coolly that Foxclaw was about to blow but he didn't.
So all Foxclaw said was “ well then I will go talk to my sister.”
As Foxclaw was walking away Shellfur yield in question, “wait you have a family.”Foxclaw didn't hear him and didn't really care in the first place.
When Foxclaw got to his sister Lillystar he was about to ask where she was when she said, “ cats that are old enough to catch your own prey gather around the high rock for a clan meeting. "I say these words before star clan, so that the spirits of our warrior ancestors may hear and approve of my choice. The second deputy of our Clan is Skyshine."
“No I was fouled again, though eventually I will avenge the death of the fallen.”
Chapter 28
Lion shivered in the cold breeze, watching the cats hurried about preparing for the incoming Leafbare. Lion flinched as she adjusted herself on the stump although she tried not to show it, all the recent fights had taken a toll on her and she had claw marks all over she had to take a day off of Watcher because she had a cut sliced down one of her eyes. The work was hard, but Lion felt pride in the new strength that filled her along with the knowledge of a well protected home
It wasn’t in till sundown did Lion get a chance to relax. She had asked permission to go hunting for herself and she had managed to catch a mouse and a vole and Lion was now munching on them after everyone else was settling in for bed. After that Lion stalked into the den and curled up on to her bed of moss. Lion then closed her eyes hoping for a dreamless sleep.
She didn’t get it. Lion’s sleep was filled with images of the she-cat and her bloody sister each with the same sad expression. Lion woke up with a start, shaking away the dreams and got ready for another day of being Watcher. She sensed a nip in the wind and yellowish clouds hung over head suggesting a snowstorm coming very soon. Lion glumly watched the other cats, making sure every thing went smoothly. Then she noticed a group of cats forming, happy for something to do Lion quickly jumped down from the stump and found two cats quarreling with each other. “What’s going on here?” Lion asked trying to be commanding.
“This youngster stole my food!” exclaimed the larger, brown tabby cat with more than a few scars crisscrossing his pelt.
“Are you part of the group?” Lion asked the smaller, grey spotted cat.
No more then a apprentice Lion thought has she inspected further.
“I am I loyal member of Bearclaw’s group and I know that the rules are only the strongest cats get the food and I took it form him, fair and square.” the spotted cat said trying to make himself appear bigger than he really was.
“Is that right?” Lion asked trying not to favor the clearly hungry spotted cat.
“Yes, but I'm one of Bearclaw’s advisors and so I get first pick.” the tabby cat said with a growl.
“You are? I don't recognize you.” Lion said skeptical of this for she knew most of the cats but this cat wasn't one of the usual advisors. Although, he could be new here.
“I am one of his advisors and I will speak badly of this when, uh, when I talk to him again, in fact I'm, uh, one of his closest friends.” The tabby cat said splattering.
“Well, I'm going to take both of you to Bearclaw and suggest perhaps he has a liar in his mists.” Lion said in final decision, knowing well that Bearclaw gets to decide what to do with them.
Lion waved her tail to signal the two cats to follow her, and stalked to Bearclaw’s den where his is talking with is advisors. Lion barged in with the two cats in tow.
“Bearclaw, sorry to interrupt. But I found a liar in the camp.” Lion meowed, bowing deeply.
“That’s okay, Lion. Which one is the little liar.” Bearclaw said baring his teeth.
“Well, the spotted one stole a piece of food form the other one and the tabby claims to be your advisor.” Lion said pointing to each of the two cats in turn.
“Hmmm, that's funny because all my advisors our with me now.” Bearclaw said with a faint chuckle to the tabby. “Lion, we need to teach this cat a lesson. Cut his side and ears to match mine.”
“Yes sir, what should I do about the other one?” Lio inquired half dreading the answer.
“After you deal with the tabby, give him a piece of prey, what he did took guts and we are all about that.” Bearclaw said has he waved her off to do it.
Lion stalked off with the two cats behind. Then she turned behind her grasped the tabby and with an almost effortless motion cut the scars into the tabby’s side. Next Lion cut the tabby’s ears to ribbons and without a thought of what she had done for if she thought of it would have made her stop in her tracks, walked off.
“So, what's your name, mine’s Lion.” Lion asked after a pause.
“My name is Jay and I came here after my mother left and my siblings died in a storm.” Jay said his voice sounding restrained.
“Oh, well are you planning to stay here?” Lion asked quickly changing the subject.
“I don’t know, I mean it's nice here but, it's kind of brutal and it's the only place I think that will take me in.” Jay answered truthfully.
“What if I told you about a group of cats that would be willing to take you in?” Lion said uncertain about where she was headed with this bit, she charged on. “I can get you there they're nice and kind and if you want I think I can get you there by tomorrow.”
“If they are so great why aren't you there?” Jay asked skeptical.
“I had a disagreement with the leader and any way it’s to late for me.” Lion said trying to control the sadness in her voice.
“Well, ummm, okay that sounds great!” Jay exclaimed.
The next night Lion and Jay were creeping soundlessly down the river bank, earlier Lion made them roll in mud to disguise their scent. It was dark and it seemed that no one was awake except them in till the cat on guard moved to check the camp. Just has she had hoped the guard was Oakshade and hopefully he would help her once again.
“Hello.” Lion called softly not wanting to wake up the camp.
“Lionfang is that you?” Oakshade asked coming closer to Lion and Jay.
“Yes, it is me, but I'm not staying for long. This cat's name is Jay he wants to live with the clan.” Lion said hastily.
“Okay, but don't you want to came back? I bet the whole thing will blow over.” Oakshade said his voice hopeful in the darkness.
“I-I can't it's to late for me but, this cat deserves better so, I brought him here.” Lion said trying to stop the second thoughts on living with Bearclaw bubble up again.
“Wait, I have to talk to Lion for a quick moment.” Jay said leading me out of Oakshade’s earshot.
“I want to thank you for what you did, how can I repay you?” Jay asked.
“Well, everything’s for a price.” Lion said.
Chapter 28
Lilystar stretched. The leader’s den could get lonely at night, and the walls felt like they were pressing down on her. She stood. A little evening walk won’t hurt. She thought. She pushed her way out of her cave and into the dim tunnel. She felt her paws carry her through the darkness into the warriors den. It felt more like home here. She gazed over her followers, the moonlight highlighting the tips of their pelt. She realized with a sickening jolt that one of the pelts was unfamiliar. She crept over to the sleeping cat, a spotted young tom. She heard her voice echo across the cave.
“Who are you?”
The cat blinked awake, his bright green eyes glowing with fear. “My-my name is Jay. The guard, Oakshade, said I could stay here tonight and a cat named Lilystar would decide what to do with me in the morning.”
Lilystar’s gaze softened when she realized that this cat was as young as she had been when the flood had taken her from her mother, her home.
“I am Lilystar. If you don’t mind me asking, why do you want to join our group?”
“My family is dead. I have no where else to go.”Lilystar tried to keep the sympathy out of her voice. “You can stay here. Oakshade will teach you the ways of the clan and soon you will become a warrior. But for now, rest.”
“Thank you so much, Lilystar! I will serve this group - I mean clan - for the rest of my life!” He beamed.
“Jaypaw! Jawpaw! Jaypaw!” the cries rang out as Jaypaw stood proudly with his new name. He blinked gratefully at Lilystar as he touched noses with his new mentor, Shellfur. Shellfur was uncontrollably excited, and he exchanged a delighted glance with his new apprentice. The cats started to move away from the clearing and back to their respective jobs. Shellfur beckoned Jaypaw with his tail, but the new apprentice lingered.
“I have to talk to Lilystar. I’ll be over in a second!” He bounded up to Lilystar’s perch on the highrock.
“I… I think I know where you can get more clan members. You see, when my family disappeared, I met some loners. A couple of them are young cats who want a secure life in a nice group, like this one. And I know where to find them”
Lilystar hesitated, surprised at the level of confidence Jaypaw had. It did seem like a good idea…
Jaypaw crept silently yet swiftly through the shadows. Lilystar stalked behind him, her tail poised to flash a signal at the rest of the patrol. Jaypaw beckoned Lilystar to come next to him, and she did, flattening her ears and peeking above the undergrowth to see what he wanted her to look at. A clearing spread out before them, and two cats were play-fighting. One of them was jet-black, and the other was tan with faint stripes. The tabby seemed younger than the other, and Lilystar noticed their fighting skills were quite advanced for loners.
She breathed deeply, gathering her courage. The leafbare chill filled her lungs. More recruits means more paws at work…
“Greetings!” Lilystar said in her proper voice (she had been practicing).
The two cats broke up their fight. The black tom cocked his head in a curious yet not hostile fashion. The tabby, perhaps apprentice age, leaped forward with a growl.
“THIS IS OUR TERRITORY YOU SCUMBAG POOP NUGGET IMMA SLICE YOU-”
The black cat slid in front of the furious cat and wrapped his tail around the tabby’s mouth.
“What brings you to this territory?”
“I am Lilystar, leader of a group. The newest addition to my group, Jaypaw, said you may be interested in joining my group.”
Jawpaw emerged from the undergrowth along with Oakshade and Skyshine, and Lilystar noticed a light in the tom’s eyes when he saw Jaypaw.
“Jay I haven’t seen you in while! I suppose this is a good group, if you have decided to join it…”
“Yes! Today is my first day of training to become a WARRIOR!!!”
The black cat smiled kindly, but Lilystar could see him studying the other cats with an intelligent eye. “You all seem very nice, and me and Talon here would love to check out your group.”
Talon lashed her tail and mumbled something.
The tom gave her a warning look. “My name is Night. Mind if we stay in your camp for a couple nights, just to look around?”
“Sure thing, Night. Pleased to meet you.”
I will become king of the world someday. Soon the twitter of conquest will give me all I need.
“Wait, what was I dreaming again about taking over the world. Dang it I woke up right before was terrorizing everyone,” Foxclaw thought. “Well if I’m already up I might as well go on Twitter. The connection inside the cave is really bad I only get 1 bar, now outside that’s a ton better.
When Foxclaw went outside he could hear the slightest amount of wind in this cloudless night. With the moon being practically full. Unfortunately for Foxclaw it wasn’t a lightning storm, which are some of the only times to get a charge for his device even if it is risky to do. And besides this there was a slight noise in the bushes that made it seem like Foxclaw was not alone out in the night.
Foxclaw knew that he had to be quiet so he turned to notifications of and the ringer to. As he was creeping over he say a bluish-grey tabby that looked to be spying on the clan. It was Jay! Though right after that Jay went a little farther in the forest and then told a cat that looked just like Lionfang what he had seen.
I have to tell someone, though who. I know I’ll tell Lilystar she’ll want to here this, Foxclaw thought as he quickly and quietly ran to to her. By he time that Foxclaw got to Lilystar it was dawn.
“There’s something that I have to tell you, it’s Jay I found him at the edge of camp, I say him there with Lionfang as well. I think that he is trying to spy for Bearclaw,” exclaimed Foxclaw to Lilystar.
After Lilystar heard what Foxclaw had to say she climbed on the high and announced, “The time for attack has come!”