Moon Rising

About this Story!
I'm so excited to share this story with you guys! It's an on-going project so I'll be updating by chapters (hopefully) very steadily. I hope to make update days on Mondays or Saturdays but Idk. Anyway, I don't have allegiances up yet but I hope to soon. Okay, I'll stop babbling and let you read!

(also I haven't read any fanfics yet so I'm very sorry if any of this happens to be related to anyone's story)

Prologue
The night was as cold as the rivers in leaf-bare. The frost and hunger clawing at every cat in Duskclans’ pelts. “Whitepool, Tell me a story!” A young she-kit mewled as she stared admiringly at her elder.

“Alright little one,” he mewed quietly, his whiskers twitching

“A long, long time ago, when the Sky Oak was was nothing more than a meager sapling, five clans were scattered. These clans were Shadowclan, Riverclan, Skyclan, Windcla, and Thunderclan.”

The little she-kit gasped in amazement, “Really? Why? What happened next?”

Whitepool let out a small snort of amusement and playfully cuffed the kit over the ear, adding,

“Well if you stop talking I’d be able to finish!”

The kit lay down, her bright blue gaze fixated on him.

“When the clans broke up, so did their warrior ancestors, and the warrior code was lost for what looked to be an eternity. But-”

Whitepool paused for dramatic effect as he heard the kit’s tiny tail thrumming the floor excitedly.

“Seasons later, Starclan reunited to gather their beloved clans once more.”

“While most cats from the clans had forgotten about their heritage completely, some still carried the spirit of true warriors in their hearts, passing down memories and keeping the clans alive in themselves. So, the cats of Starclan recruited four cats who held close to the warrior beliefs to reunite their clans.” Whitepool mewed, his whitened eyes glittering.

“They met in dreams, even giving these four cats proper warrior names, Frostsky, Leafpetal, Shineheart, and Robinflight. These cats went on to recruit other kittypets and loners to teach them the ways of the warrior code and strengthen their warrior skills.”

“When the clans were restored at last, Starclan bestowed upon the first cats their nine lives, making them leaders, and gave their four clans names. Dawnclan, because of the renewed hope and energy the clans would have like the beginning of a new day. Noonclan, for the peace the clans would hold for a while, but that could vanish in a matter of hours. Eveningclan, for calmness, peace, and security that the cats would feel at camp. And Duskclan, for the realization that everything has an end, but one that only gives way to a new beginning.”

Whitepool sighed in contempt and flicked his ears.

“And that all leads up to the clans we know today.”

He finished, yawning and standing in a luxurious stretch.

“Wow! That’s so cool!” The she-kit said as she bounced around on her paws, tail twitching. Then suddenly sat back down, confused.

“But why did the clans scatter in the first place? And why weren’t there five clans?” She asked dipping her head to one side.

“No cat knows, perhaps Starclan.”

Whitepool added and finished stretching, patting himself down a soft pile of moss.

“Alright Moonkit, run along now back to the nursery before you worry your mother.” He said as he gave her ears an affectionate lick.

Moonkit returned an ear-lick before hurriedly padding out of the elder’s den. Whitepool sat up restlessly for a moment longer before turning to lay in his nest. Before he even got comfortable, he was met by a warm-sweet smell and the presence of someone standing over him. Whitepool looked up to see a she-cat, he was amazed. Being blind, he lived his life in darkness.

But he could actually see her with his own eyes. The she-cat that stood before him was not like his other denmates, She was much younger and her pelt was well-groomed and shone with the stars.

“Ferndream?”

Whitepool whispered, his voice cracking with emotion and awe that he could see her beauty.

“It is I, my beloved Whitepool.” She purred, rubbing her stary gray muzzle against his.

“Why have you come to see me? Have you come to guide me to the ranks of Starclan?” Whitepool whispered as he stared into the depths of her sparkly green eyes. A deep rumble escaped her throat and her whiskers trembled. “No, my love,” Ferndream meowed as she gave his ear an affectionate lick.

“Your time is not for many moons,” She purred, a hint of sorrow in her voice. “Starclan sent me to tell you that must not retire to an elder just yet,” Ferndream whispered, her voice more steady and serious.

“Why?” Whitepool meowed curiously.

“You must mentor young Moonkit. She is on the path to greatness.” She said.

“Greatness she will not achieve unless you are able to be her mentor,”  Whitepool stared off into the darkness as if pondering this. “My dearest Whitepool, I know it will be hard for you, but you are the only one who can teach her all she needs to learn,” Whitepool still stared on.

“Please,” She begged. Whitepool turned around, his eyes gleaming with amusement,

“Who said I wouldn’t?” Whitepool rubbed his pelt on her’s, intertwining their tails.

“I’ll be waiting for you, my beloved,” Ferndream whispered as her shape started to ebb away and her voice became nothing more than an echo on the wind.

Chapter one
Moonpaw was about to leap for a squirrel that was noisily chewing an acorn, too focused on its task to notice the approaching danger.

she tensed up her back legs and sprang, but she overestimated the jump and missed it, sailing over its head. The squirrel lept to the safety of a nearby tree, Moonpaw in pursuit, but of course, it was too fast.

“Mouse dung!”

she spat as she stood clawing at the grass with unsheathed claws.

“Bad luck,” Whitepool, her mentor, meowed as he padded up to stand next to her. “C’mon let’s head back to camp.” He said as he flicked the tip of his tail on her shoulder.

Was it really just bad luck? Moonpaw thought solemnly as she padded empty-jawed back to camp. The camp was made in a clearing of the forest in the heart of Duskclan territory. A barrier of trees, bushes, and brambles lined the very edges of the camp and a cave-like rock was centered at the middle, that was Ivystar’s den and their clan gathering place.

Although she had never actually seen it with her own eyes, Moonpaw had heard enough about what it looked like and had trodden around so much that she knew where everything in the camp was.

As they walked through the camp, Moonpaw felt shame hot under her pelt as she heard the other apprentices eating their meals and sharing tongues. Whitepool headed to the fresh-kill pile. Moonpaw didn’t feel like eating, instead, she found a soft patch of grass to sun herself in.

I could have caught that squirrel! She argued with herself. “Moonpaw!” Someone called.

It was Mistypaw, Moonpaw’s sister.

Mistypaw was padding toward her with fresh-kill in her jaws. “I caught my first fresh-kill!” She meowed triumphantly.

Great for you! She thought sarcastically

“Great.” Moonpaw meowed unenthusiastically as she curled herself up.

“What’s wrong?” Mistypaw mewed as she nuzzled Moonpaw with her paw. “It’s nothing” She lied. Mistypaw saw through her lie and glared at her.

Even though Moonpaw was blind, she could still feel the fire of her stare on her pelt.

“Ugh, you won’t leave me alone, will you?” Moonpaw sighed, a hint of amusement betraying her irritation. Mistypaw just sat in front of her to listen, hungrily chomping down her fresh-kill.

“I missed a squirrel,” She said, ashamed,  as she hung her head low. Mistypaw gave a sort of amused snort.

It’s not funny! She bit back the retort, instead, narrowing her eyes at her.

“Listen, don’t go ruffling your pelt over a missed squirrel. even experienced warriors miss a kill from time to time.” She said sympathetically as she finished the last of her meal. “Plus, you’ve barely had any training.” She added. Neither have you! Moonpaw thought about her apprentice ceremony, it had only happened just over two moons ago.

“Yeah, I guess you’re right.” She mewed, trying to believe it herself.

“Anyway,” Mistypaw meowed at last, “I should be getting on, I have to clean out the elders’ den.” Moonpaw could imagine her sister’s exaggerated eye-roll as she padded across the clearing. “Bye!” She mewed as she raced off. “Bye!” Moonpaw called after her, feeling strangely emptier than she had before.

Maybe I’m not meant to be a warrior after all.

She thought, almost out loud. She decided she’d go talk to Nightfall, the Duskclan medicine cat.

He’ll know what to tell me. She decided.

 

“Nightfall?” Moonpaw called from outside the medicine cat’s den.

The den was made out of a sort of stone hill, like a cave that rose from the ground, but only partly. Lichen and moss hung down in front of the entrance, shielding the medicine cats and their herbs from wind and rain.

She could hear shuffling around inside for a moment, but stayed outside, as it would be rude to barge in on Nightfall if he was doing something important.

“Moonpaw is that you? Come on in.” She heard him meow from inside the stone den. She stepped inside and was immediately hit with the intense aroma of herbs. She coughed a bit from the unexpected smell before speaking, “Thank you, Nightfall.” Moonpaw imagined the black medicine cat dipping his head.

“What is it you’ve come for?” He asked, licking his paw to gently bring it over his face.

“Well,” She started, not sure what to say next.

“I-I’m not sure if I should be a -” She paused.

Would he really know all the answers?

“Your not sure if you should be a warrior, are you?” Nightfall finished for her.

She sighed.

“I don’t know,” She admitted. “It’s been hard. I missed a squirrel that was practically perched on top of my paws!” She mewed, frustratedly sliding her claws in and out. “Hmm,” Nightfall murmured.

“Well, I don’t think I can give you the answers you’re looking for.” He meowed finally. “I’m not Starclan, you know.” He added.

Moonpaw sighed tail drooping, wishing he would just tell her what to do.

“But,” he continued as if sensing her utter misery. “Maybe ask you should Starclan for guidance, your warrior ancestors might be able to put your mind at ease.” He mewed. wisely.

And hedgehogs might fly, she doubted.

“Thanks for all your help.” Moonpaw lied as she padded across the clearing.

How in Starclan am I going to get them to come to me?

 

As Moonpaw curled up in her nest that night, she listened to the creaking of the oaks, the soft snoring of Mistypaw, and the gentle whispering of the breeze through the leaves. She hoped that she would hear some kind of ghostly voice on the breeze, but there was nothing but the gentle sighing of tree limbs.

''Please, Starclan! Send me a sign!'' She pleaded as she laid her head down on the soft moss and bracken of her nest. Please, just show me what to do.

She closed her eyes and listened to the steady, rhythmic breathing of her denmates.

As darkness filled her mind and she fell into a deep sleep and slowly, the noises faded away. When she woke and opened her eyes, Moonpaw expected the usual darkness that greeted her, but instead, she was met by a beautiful lush green forest.

Fronds of ferns and bracken furled and unfurled around her paws. She saw flashes of starry pelts streaming through the undergrowth on the far side of the forest.

Is this Starclan’s hunting grounds? Moonpaw asked herself, so awestruck that she almost uttered the words out loud. This can’t be a dream!

Moonpaw thought in wonder as she felt the sweet-scented breeze ruffle her fur and the fronds tickle her pelt.

“Moonpaw?” A questioning, yet kind voice called from behind her.

She spun around quickly to see a young, strong white tom with a dappled pelt.

He looks just like Ivystar! She thought in amazement. Beside him were two she-cats. One with an orange tabby pelt and another with a white pelt.

“What are you doing here Moonpaw? Your time to hunt with Starclan is not for many seasons.” The large tom said. “I-I came to see if you could help me.” Moonpaw stammered, embarrassed at being confronted like this. The Starclan cats looked at each other with somewhat knowing glances.

It was the white she-cat who broke the silence “Well if you’ve come all this way just to talk, let us introduce ourselves.” an amused purr rumbled deep from within her throat.

“My name is Skycloud,” She meowed affectionately. Moonpaw was confused, she remembered that name but couldn’t quite place who she was.

Next spoke the white, dappled tom, “I’m Whitestar.” He said half-amused, half commanding.

That name!

That was the former leader and Ivystar’s father’s name!

Moonpaw soon remembered who Skycloud was too.

She was Whitestar’s mate and Ivystar’s mother! She hadn’t noticed the connection because she had never met them in person, as they both died long ago when her mother had only been an apprentice.

She turned her head as the smaller, short-legged orange she-cat spoke up, “My name is Tigerflower,” She said in a surprisingly loud and firm voice.

She scared Moonpaw a bit and made her remember not to ruffle her pelt.

“I was the former medicine cat before Nightfall .” She mewed, flicking her tail unconcernedly.

“Now,” Whitestar meowed when she had finished,  staring back at Moonpaw.

“What did you want to talk to us about?”

Moonpaw stared down at her paws, though she could feel the gazes of the three cats bearing down on her. Waiting for an answer.

“I don’t think I can be a warrior…” She began.

She expected the Starclan cats to say something to her, but instead, they just stared at her intently, their expressions unreadable.

“I wanted to ask if you might know what my destiny holds, and maybe you could tell me what I have to do?” She looked away, afraid of what the Starclan cats might say, but all was still silent. The three cats finally gave each other strange looks and spoke in low, hushed voices.

Tigerflower was the one who broke the unnerving silence, “Moonpaw, we talked amongst ourselves,” She said in a firm, but gentler voice than before, sitting up straight and curling her tail delicately over her front paws. Moonpaw turned her head as Skycloud spoke,

“You are on a path destined to greatness,” She said in a very motherly way.

Moonpaw felt hope and joy surge throughout her pelt.

I’ll finally know! She thought cheerfully. No more guessing. “But,” Whitestar interrupted.

“The decision you have is not our’s to bear,” He continued, more serious. Moonpaw’s heart lurched.

He’s not going to tell me, I’ll never know now!

“But it is yours alone to make.” Skycloud finished. Her calm, sweet voice slowly soothed Moonpaw’s worries.

Mine alone to make? She was surprised.

“But remember, Moonpaw. The choice you make will shape the clans for seasons upon seasons.” Tigerflower warned, nearly growling.

Starclan wants me to carve out the clans’ destinies? Moonpaw almost couldn’t believe what she was hearing, fear swarmed beneath her pelt.

Before Moonpaw could ask any questions, Whitestar mewed “Dawn is approaching, you must go back to Duskclan now, Moonpaw.” As he spoke, the Starclan cats and the lush, green forest faded away, giving way to a cold darkness that swept Moonpaw up like the current of a river. The choice is yours alone to make… She heard Skycloud’s soothing mew one last time as she was swept into the dark tide once more. When Moonpaw woke again, it was barely dawn. She could tell by the mass amount of slow breathing and snoring that no cat was awake yet. Good. She sighed in relief. As she slowly remembered the daunting choice she must make, She smelled a sweet and soothing scent wrapping all around her.

Skycloud

She sighed, full of certainty though.

''I know now what I must do. No matter how many moons I must train,''

 I will become a warrior.

Chapter two
Pantherpaw dug his claws deep into the Noonclan warrior’s fur and quickly bit down hard on his shoulder, sending the warrior fleeing for the bushes with an angry screech.

“And don’t think about coming back!” Pantherpaw spat, bleeding from a torn ear and a gash along his side. But he couldn’t feel a single scratch, the fire of the fight for stolen prey still coursing through his veins.

“Good job,” Beechleaf, his mentor, said in her cold, but approving way.

The battle had started when they saw a Noonclan patrol hunting well into Duskclan territory. Their patrol of three warriors and two apprentices easily outmatched the three Noonclan warriors and a scrawny apprentice.

As the patrol started back to the camp, the three warriors held their own conversation ahead while Pantherpaw and Oakpaw, the other apprentice, padded along in silence. “I can’t wait to tell Ivystar about this!” Beechleaf growled, her light brown pelt bristling with anger. “I hope those mange-ridden, crow-food eating, prey stealing, warriors have an excuse for this gathering!” Cedarfur, a large gray tabby tom, snarled. Pantherpaw remembered that this gathering was fast approaching. “Oh, I can’t wait to see the look on Sunstar’s eyes!” Volemouth, a senior warrior with a dappled gray pelt mewed.

As he listened to the warriors discuss the prey stealers, he too wanted to share his disgust and anger, but stayed silent, as he also didn’t want to get his ears clawed off for interrupting the warriors’ conversation. But Oakpaw had barely noticed, yowling out, “Ha! I bet they’re too scared to hunt in their own territory after what happened to Hazelbreeze!” He sneered.

The warriors’ pelts bristled with anger as they halted the patrol, turning to stare at Oakpaw. He shrank back with fear under their intense gazes. Volemouth spoke first, “How dare you speak of the death of a noble warrior like that!?” She spat angrily, her pelt fluffed up to look twice her size and her mew a mix of rage and shock.

Hazelbreeze had been the former Noonclan deputy and mate to Sunstar. She had always been sensible and fair, trying to compel Sunstar to solve conflicts with words rather than tooth and claw and became good friends with many Duskclan cats. She had died only weeks before, during a terrible flood. Noonclan cats had been surprised and most hadn’t been able to flee to the trees in time before the floodwaters rose. Hazelbreeze had died an honorable death, trying to save her clanmates before being drowned in the floodwater.

“Well?”

Cedarfur was meowing. He had been so focused on his thoughts that he hadn’t noticed Cedarfur enraged and looming over Oakpaw, who was crouching so low to the ground that his belly fur brushed the grass. “I-I I’m sorry,” he stammered under the warrior’s angry green gaze.

“Sorry catches no prey,” Cedarfur snarled as he stalked off, leading the patrol once more. Oakpaw brought up the rear, sulkily padding behind Pantherpaw as if his paws were made of stone. As they neared the camp, Pantherpaw tried not to limp as his scratches were starting to burn. Beechleaf had noticed his flinching even with his efforts. “Why don’t you go see and see Nightfall?” She asked, a softer edge to her voice. Pantherpaw’s pelt pricked with irritation.

I don’t need some medicine cat to fuss over some scratches and feed me bitter leaves!

“No, I’m fine,” Pantherpaw replied coldly. Before she could protest, Pantherpaw snatched up a plump vole from the fresh-kill pile and sat, anticipating, under the Gathering Rock.

He watched as Cedarfur and Beechleaf disappeared into the cave underneath the rock. Pantherpaw strained his ears to hear what they were saying, but unfortunately couldn’t. Soon after they entered, they came back out again, their faces unreadable. Shortly after, The lichen hanging from the den swished and Ivystar emerged. She easily jumped onto Gathering Rock in one bound.

“All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather below!” She called.

The hollow erupted into a jumble of pawsteps and voices. Pantherpaw noticed Moonpaw standing, confused, in the middle of the chaos of pelts. She would warily step one direction before recoiling as her paw was stamped on. Mistypaw noticed and jumped up to guide Moonpaw.

Pantherpaw stared on, hatred his only emotion. Pantherpaw padded over to sit next to the other apprentices, keeping well away from Moonpaw and Mistypaw.

As the crowd started to become silent, Ivystar spoke, “As some of you may know, we found Noonclan warriors stealing prey from our territory!”

The crowd broke out in caterwauls of shock and anger. Ivystar waited until the cries faded. “Are we going to attack?” Riverheart called angrily from the crowd. Ivystar stared down at Riverheart and calmly mewed, “We will do none of the such,” Riverheart stood up, fur bristling. “Ivystar, we must teach them a lesson! We’ll look weak otherwise!” Ivystar met her gaze, only speaking when she sat down,

“I understand what you mean Riverheart,” She mewed, Riverheart stared at her, a bit confused, “But the gathering is in two sunrises, and it would be better to confront them there than to shed unnecessary blood,” Riverheart sat down and curled her tail over her paws, “Good then,” She said dipping her head to Ivystar. Pantherpaw watched, disappointed, as the clan dispersed into small groups, sharing prey and gossiping. Pantherpaw, instead, headed off to the apprentice’s den.

“Hey, wait!”

Pantherpaw groaned and stopped, he turned around to see a gray and black she-cat hurrying up to him. She tripped over a rock and tumbled into him before he could move,

“oof,” she yelped as she tried to get up, “Stupid short legs!” she cursed, shaking a paw. Pantherpaw picked himself up, rolling his eyes, “Leave me alone, will you Finchpaw?” He stomped off, agitatedly flicking his tail, leaving Finchpaw to sit alone. As he neared the entrance to the apprentice’s den, he could still feel her sad gaze on his pelt. He shrugged as if trying to shake off a fly. Pantherpaw sighed, turning around, “What do you want?” he said, angrily.

Finchpaw perked up, her eyes lighting up and her ears pricked. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to bump into you,” She started, “I just wanted to ask you to show me some moves,” She mewed her eyes sparkling with anticipation. “Moves?” Pantherpaw repeated, confused. “Yeah! Battle moves!” She was practically bouncing on her paws. Pantherpaw rolled his eyes and sighed, “fine,” Her eyes grew with happiness and she gave tiny little hops. Pantherpaw continued, “But for Starclan’s sake, stop bouncing around like that,”

“Any cat that didn’t know would think you were still a kit,” he added, his face almost a snarl, Finchpaw was a moon older than he was and she still acted like a hyped up kit. Finchpaw stopped, embarrassed and quietly padded next to him out of the tunnel.

 

“No, no! That’s all wrong!”

Pantherpaw meowed angrily, as Finchpaw landed incorrectly on her paws and bowled herself over. She didn’t reply, only grunted and licked a sore paw. Pantherpaw had tried to teach her some simple moves, but she had failed most of them. He stared around the training clearing and sighed. Light filtered through the trees as the sun slowly slid down in the sky.

“C’mon our mentors will claw our pelts off if we don’t come back soon.”

Finchpaw just got up and nodded slowly. Pantherpaw stared at her strangely as she padded slowly passed him. He watched her go, feeling very lonely. Shaking his pelt he raced past her, trying to shake off the strange feeling he had felt. But as he looked back through the bushes, all he could see were her sad eyes peering out at him. He slowed down, suddenly aware of how terrible he had been to her. “I’m sorry, I was a mouse-brain” he mewed as caught up to her and matched his pace with her’s. “Yes you were,” she said, her angry voice betrayed by the sadness in her eyes. Pantherpaw was distracted by the scrabbling of a mouse on a root, he expertly crawled up to it and dispatched it with a fatal blow to the neck.

Pantherpaw, mouse in jaw, nudged Finchpaw playfully, “Come on, lets hunt”