Sage: World Dying

WindClan
Leader: Sparrowstar-dark tabby tom with yellow eyes, white socks and a graying muzzle.

Deputy: Gorsepelt-large pale-brown tabby tom with a white-tipped fur on his tail-tip.

Medicine Cat: Mousefoot-dusty brown tom with pale yellow eyes and darker brown paws.

Warriors: Meadowpelt-pale dusty-brown tabby tom with yellow eyes.

Sedgefur-pale brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes. Apprentice-Pouncepaw.

Crowtalon-dark gray tom with icy blue eyes, white paws and muzzle.

Beetlefang-large dark brown-and-white tom with yellow eyes.

Firewind-ginger tabby she-cat with bright green eyes.

Oakfire-pale brown tom with amber eyes.

Thornflame-ginger tabby tom with green eyes.

Sandclaw-pale ginger tabby tom with amber eyes.

Foxspring-bright ginger tom with white legs, tail-tip and shining green eyes.

Jaystone-gray tabby tom with ice-blue eyes and a white underbelly. Apprentice-Sandypaw.

Featherbreeze-small, light-framed gray tabby she-cat with long, feather-like fur.

Rabbitclaw-light brown tabby tom with pale paws and blue eyes. Apprentice-Blossompaw.

Breezetalon-large, jet-black tom with long claws and bright amber eyes.

Hazelfeather-gray she-cat with white paws, tail-tip, and blue eyes.

Dapplecloud-white she-cat with tortoiseshell patches and green eyes.

Hawkflight-large dark tabby tom with gleaming amber eyes and long claws.

Apprentices: Pouncepaw-ginger tom with a white dash on his chest and pale-green eyes (SandclawXDawnberry)

Sandypaw-pale ginger tabby she-cat with bright green eyes and pale-ginger paws (SandclawXDawnberry)

Blossompaw-white she-cat with pale cream-furred patches and blue eyes (SandclawXDawnberry)

Queens: Ryefrost-small brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes. Mothe rof Badgerclaw's kit, Sagekit (gray-and-white she-kit)

Dawnberry-pale cream-furred she-cat with blue eyes. Mother of Sandclaw's second litter, Thistlekit (dark ginger tabby tom) Emberkit (reddish-ginger tom) and Falconkit (brown tom with lighter-colored tabby stripes).

Nightheather-black she-cat with ocean-blue eyes. Mother of Breezetalon's kits, Ebonykit (black she-kit) and Ravenkit (black she-kit).

Heatherwhisper-brown and white she-cat with yellow eyes. Expecting Oakfire's kits.

Elders: Sunsplash-ginger and white she-cat with green eyes.

Gingerbreeze-pale ginger tabby she-cat with green eyes.

Boulderclaw-large gray tom with pale-blue eyes.

Rabbitspring-pale brown tom with darker tabby stripes and amber eyes.

Hareleap-tawny furred tom with amber eyes.

ThunderClan
Leader: Lionstar-dark ginger tom with yellow eyes.

Deputy: Stoneclaw-large dark gray tom with blue eyes.

Medicine Cat: Flowerpelt-gray she-cat with blue eyes. Apprentice-Graypaw.

Warriors: Ivysplash-calico she-cat with green eyes.

Icepool-white she-cat with black tabby-rings on her legs, tail and blue eyes.

Tigerfang-dark tabby tom with a white tail-tip, paws and yellow eyes.

Blacktalon-black tom with green eyes.

Stormwhisker-dark gray tabby tom with blue eyes.

Rainsong-blue gray she-cat with dark blue eyes.

Mistfeather-gray she-cat with darker tabby rings on her legs and tail. Apprentice-Cloudpaw.

Hailfang-dark gray tabby tom with pale-blue eyes.

Nightstorm-black tom with white paws, tail-tip and green eyes. Apprentice-Fernpaw.

Wolfsong-dark gray-and-white she-cat with ice-blue eyes.

Finchflight-dark ginger tabby tom with amber eyes.

Streakflame-red tom with green eyes and a darker red streak down his spine.

Cherryfrost-ginger tabby she-cat with forest-green eyes.

Cedarfur-black tom with blue eyes.

Owlpelt-pale ginger tabby tom with yellow eyes.

Robinfeather-black and ginger she-cat with dark amber eyes.

Apprentices: Graypaw-small gray tom with blue eyes (StormwhiskerXIcepool)

Cloudpaw-white tom with gray splashes and blue eyes (StormwhiskerXIcepool)

Fernpaw-pale gray tabby she-cat with blue eyes (StormwhiskerXIcepool)

Queens: Leopardheart-black she-cat with amber eyes. Mother of Blacktalon's kit, Darkkit (black she-kit)

Briarshade-dark tabby she-cat with yellow eyes. Mother of Hailfang's kits, Hollykit (black-and-gray she-kit) and Cinderkit (very dark gray she-kit)

Snowfern-white she-cat with gray ear-tips and blue eyes. Mother of Cedarfur's kits, Vinekit (dark tabby tom) Shrewkit (dark brown tom with white socks) Bramblekit (dark tabby she-cat with white tail-tip) and Eaglekit (black-and-white tom).

Elders: Ashclaw-gray tabby tom with darker paws and smoky-blue eyes.

Frostwing-white she-cat with silver paws and ice-blue eyes.

Birchshade-brown tabby tom with amber eyes.

Adderstorm-dark tabby tom with amber eyes.

Blossomlight-dark tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes.

ShadowClan
Leader: Marshstar-dark gray tom with blue eyes.

Deputy: Spiderfang-large black tom with long legs and ice-blue eyes.

Medicine Cat: Dawndapple-white she-cat with dark cream patches and blue eyes.

Warriors: Crowflight-black she-cat with blue eyes.

Bramblepelt-dark tabby tom with amber eyes.

Scorchpelt-ginger tom with gray eyes.

Falconwing-dark tabby tom with amber eyes.

Rowanfang-dark ginger tom with green eyes.

Lionclaw-dark ginger tabby tom with green eyes.

Darkwhisper-large dark brown tom with amber eyes.

Shadepool-black she-cat with gray tabby stripes and blue eyes. Apprentice-Nettlepaw.

Specklefrost-dark gray she-cat with white flecks and blue eyes.

Flywing-black tom with amber eyes. Apprentice-Pinepaw.

Buzzardflight-dark tabby tom with ice-blue eyes.

Ashcloud-pale gray she-cat with blue eyes. Apprentice-Webpaw.

Grayfeather-gray tabby she-cat with white socks and pale-green eyes.

Apprentices: Webpaw-dark gray tabby tom with blue eyes (MarshstarXSpecklefrost)

Nettlepaw-gray tom with black tabby stripes, a white muzzle, and blue eyes (MarshstarXSpecklefrost)

Pinepaw-black she-cat with amber eyes (DarkwhisperXHollyshade)

Queens: Hollyshade-black she-cat with yellow eyes. Mother of Darkwhisper's second kit, Stormkit (very dark tabby she-kit)

Thornflower-she-cat with sleek, thick, flame-colored fur and bright green eyes. Mother of Rowanfang's kits, Starlingkit (dark ginger tom) Foxkit (bright ginger tabby tom) Redkit (dark ginger tabby tom) and Rosekit (dark ginger she-kit)

Embershade-dark golden she-cat with a black stripe down her spine, black paws, ear-tips, tail-tip and dark amber eyes. Mother of Scorchpelt's kits, Seedkit (dark ginger tabby she-kit) and Mothkit (dark golden tabby she-kit).

Morningfrost-dark cream-furred she-cat with pale-cream socks and underbelly. Expecting Flywing's kits.

Elders: Eaglepelt-black and white tom with ice-blue eyes.

Hawkeye-dark tabby tom with piercing amber eyes.

Stormshadow-gray tabby tom with blue eyes.

Fireleaf-ginger she-cat with bright green eyes.

Dawnstripe-dark golden she-cat with black tabby stripes.

RiverClan
Leader: Froststar-aged, small white she-cat with frost-blue eyes.

Deputy: Waterwhisper-large very pale-gray tom with blue eyes.

Medicine Cat: Softwater-pale gray tabby she-cat with blue eyes. Apprentice-Sunnypaw.

Warriors: Hailclaw-large pale gray tom with black tabby stripes and blue eyes.

Stormflower-light gray tabby she-cat with blue eyes. Apprentice-Pikepaw.

Mistpelt-pale gray she-cat with ice-blue eyes.

Redspring-tortoiseshell-and-white tom with bright green eyes.

Mossleap-dark tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat with green eyes.

Ripplefur-dark gray tabby tom. Apprentice-Heronpaw.

Maplefire-very dark tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes.

Sootstorm-black mottled tom with bright blue eyes.

Minnowpool-dark gray tabby she-cat with blue eyes. Apprentice-Reedpaw.

Pebbletooth-gray tabby tom with pale-green eyes. Apprentice-Rushpaw.

Dewsplash-large white tom with dark gray splashes and blue eyes.

Icefall-large, thick-furred white tom with icy blue eyes and a nicked ear.

Weaselfoot-pale ginger tom with darker paws and green eyes.

Talonstrike-dark tabby tom with yellow eyes. Apprentice-Petalpaw.

Waspflight-black tabby tom with dark amber eyes.

Apprentices: Heronpaw-white tom with gray paws and blue eyes (DewsplashXMistpelt)

Pikepaw-pale gray tabby tom with blue eyes (DewsplashXMistpelt)

Reedpaw-dark tabby tom with amber eyes (RedspringXMossleap)

Rushpaw-dark brown tom with yellow eyes (RedspringXMossleap)

Petalpaw-dark tabby she-cat with amber eyes (RedspringXMossleap)

Queens: Frostheart-dark brown she-cat with a snow-white underbelly, chest and ice-blue eyes. Mother of Talonstrike's kits, Timberkit (large dark brown tom) and Duskkit (dark brown she-kit with a white splash on chest)

Vixenfur-bright ginger she-cat with black paws, a white tail-tip, underbelly and green eyes. Mother of Waspflight's kits, Larkkit (dark tabby she-kit) and Creekkit (dark gray, almost black, she-kit with white chest and underbelly)

Shellwing-gray she-cat with blue eyes and long fur. Mother of Icefall's kits, Slatekit (dark gray tom) Smokekit (pale-gray tom) and Lakekit (white tom with pale blue-gray patches)

Dustflower-pale brown and white she-cat. Expecting Weaselfoot's kits.

Elders: Hawkpelt-dark tabby tom with a white chest, underbelly, tail-tip and amber eyes.

Graystorm-large dark gray tabby tom with blue eyes.

Mossystone-dark tortoiseshell she-cat with gray socks and green eyes.

Reedfang-dark brown tom with amber eyes.

Streamflower-silver and white she-cat with green eyes.

Chapter 1
‘’’Ryefrost's POV. ‘’’ Impatience and worry took place as I watched the battle-party return and that there was no sign of Badgerclaw. I glanced at Sagekit, who was curled up in a sleeping ball, then quickly darted out and met up with Jaystone.

"Where is he?" I asked, trying not to make myself seem too worried. "Where's who?" The gray tabby tom looked at me like I was crazy. Must've been some wild light in my eyes I guess.

"Badgerclaw! Who else would I ask for?"

"Maybe Foxspring, he was your apprentice after all," Jaystone shrugged. "And about Badgerclaw...." His eyes searched the camp for something. "Go ask Hawkflight about him, he was there."

‘’He was there?’’ Okay, I was confused, as well as having a bad feeling in my gut. I think I already knew what happened, but I didn't want to believe it, not for a moment. I trotted over to the large dark tabby tom, and flicked his ear with my tail. "Hey, tell me about Badgerclaw," I mewed quickly.

Hawkflight's amber eyes widened, then he sighed and rolled his eyes. "Badgerclaw...Your mate-he's...Gone."

"Gone? You mean he's dead?" My breathing quickened, and I tried not to wail out to the world.

"I'm sorry-" Hawkflight started.

"Sorry? What would you know?" I snapped, "You hardly even know Badgerclaw! You just barely became a warrior and never knew nothing about his past!" These new young WindClan warriors, they get on my nerves sometimes. "Actually, he was my mentor..." Hawkflight mewed.

"Oh, right..." My pelt burned in embarrassment. "Sorry. But who killed him?"

"Darkwhisper. Shoved him right off the gorge. He was with another tom, I don't know his name though--and since he was laughing, I pushed him off as well when the two weren't looking." Hawkflight seemed proud of himself for at least trying to avenge Badgerclaw, and I'll admit--he's not a bad cat.

"Well, thanks for killing that other cat," I muttered. "Even though the warrior code says not to kill another, Darkwhisper did pretty much lead Badgerclaw to his death. It was only fair that his little friend got what he deserved." I sulked over to the nursery, tail and ears drooping.

What about Sagekit? Badgerclaw will never see his daughter become an apprentice and a warrior. None of his kits know him that well. He abandoned his ThunderClan kits and even though he spent every day with Sagekit and I, she's only two moons old, and won't know him that well when she's older.

I sighed, casting my gaze over to the small gray-and-white fluff. I hid it well, but I wanted to claw and bite every cat in sight--except for Sagekit of course. The rustling of a heather nest distracted me and I turned to see Nightheather getting to her paws.

I felt bad for the black she-cat's kits, her and Breezetalon's--Ebonykit and Ravenkit. They were just born as the battle between WindClan and ShadowClan began. Not only that, but Nightheather had no patience for sitting around in a den for six moons, and Breezetalon gave some hints that he was a Dark Forest warrior.

I gave a small nod as Nightheather stretched and then padded out of the gorse nursery. Once she was out, I dug my claws into the moss that made up mine and Sagekit's nest. ‘’How am I ever going to live without you, Badgerclaw?’’

Chapter 2
Sagekit's POV.

Why was my mother acting so down lately? For two days straight, she'd done nothing but fetch me fresh-kill and then flop into her nest with a heavy sigh. Another strange thing, where was my father? Badgerclaw always came in to see me literally every day!

"Mama, can I go play outside with Dawnberry's kits?" I asked, tugging at Ryefrost's brown tabby pelt.

Her ear twitched. "Sure," was all she said without even looking up at me. I stared at her for one moment, then bounded out of the gorse nursery. I spotted Thistlekit, Emberkit and Falconkit wrestling with each other near Sandclaw's paws. Their older sister Blossompaw, sat nearby, watching in amusement.

"Hi!" I greeted, "Can I join?"

Thistlekit shot up from where he was pinned under Falconkit's larger brown paw. "Huh, no!" He growled, shaking out his dark ginger tabby fur. "She-cats can't fight, right Emberkit and Falconkit?" Thistlekit looked to his brothers for back-up.

"Right!" Emberkit yowled.

"No," Falconkit muttered.

"What was that?" Thistlekit's tail lashed, and he scooted closer to the brown tom.

"Thistlekit!" Sandclaw snapped, "Stop harassing Sagekit. I will not have my sons be known as the ones who can never get along with their clanmates."

Thistlekit's tail drooped ."Fine," he muttered. "You can join."

My ice-blue eyes gleamed as I dodged a sudden attack from Falconkit. I swiped at his shoulder as he flew by, knocking the larger kit to the ground.

"If only Daddy could see me now!" I purred out-loud.

"Daddy?" Thistlekit sneered. "Who calls their father Daddy?" Emberkit covered his face with a reddish-ginger paw, trying to conceal his laughter.

"There's nothing wrong with it," Blossompaw put in. "You guys called our father that when you were Sagekit's age."

Thistlekit's fur fluffed in embarrassment, and Emberkit stopped snickering. Falconkit seemed to be the only normal one around here.

I glanced at Sandclaw. The large pale ginger tabby tom's amber eyes were shadowed. And without a word, he got up and padded away with a whisk of his tail. Blossompaw followed, giving a quick nod to me before trotting off.

"Why does everyone always get so down when I mention my father?" I asked to no one in particular.

"Don't you know?" Thistlekit growled, circling me. "Your father is dead!"

Chapter 3
"Dead?" I echoed, eyes widened.

"Yeah, he wasn't strong enough to survive the fight with ShadowClan, unlike Sandclaw!" Thistlekit teased. Fueled by anger, I slammed into the older kit with unsheathed claws. Thistlekit let out a squeak of surprise, followed by him batting at my ears.

"What are you doing?" Dawnberry's yowl interrupted us as she emerged from the nursery.

"Thistlekit said Badgerclaw is dead!" I wailed.

"Did not!" Thistlekit lied. Dawnberry's tail lashed, and she grabbed her son by the scruff, hauling him inside the nursery.

"Looks like he's in trouble!" Falconkit mewed, bounding in after his mother and brother. Emberkit glared at me before following. I decided to stay outside, it's best I didn't intrude on other family's problems. Instead, I padded to the elder's den, which was near the nursery and under the gorse wall that lined our camp.

"Hi, Sagekit!" Rabbitspring greeted. He's my favorite elder, not just because he's my grandfather, but because he's not cranky and doesn't treat me like a little kit.

"Hi," I replied.

"What's up?" Boulderclaw mewed.

"Do you know where Badgerclaw is?" I was trying to get answers, to see if Thistlekit really is lying or not. The five elders exchanged worried and looks that said--I don't know what to say.

"Why don't you ask your mother about that, okay?" Gingerbreeze put in.

I grumbled under my breath, but didn't say anything. I just wanted to know the truth! Why does everybody think I'm just a kit that doesn't know what looks mean or that I don't know about life and death...Of course I know! "Okay..." I sighed.

"Go on now." Sunsplash flicked my ear with her ginger-and-white tail. I left the elders to do their chatting, and padded out into the bright sunshine that filled camp. I dropped onto the dry, wind-blowing grass and let out a wail.

I could feel all eyes on me, and Firewind went to fetch Ryefrost.

"What's wrong?" A large, black tom with piercing amber eyes padded up to me. Breezetalon. I didn't answer, I just wanted Badgerclaw here--and I'll never see him again.

"Sagekit?" Ryefrost bounded up to me, concern in her amber eyes. "What happened?"

"Dad's gone!" I wailed once more. Ryefrost had a look of sorrow on her face, and she curled up next to me.

"You'll see him again someday," she reassured.

"No I won't..." I buried my face into her soft, thick fur, wanting to just disappear--or at least have Badgerclaw still alive.

"Yes you will," Ryefrost promised. "You'll see him in StarClan one day." I ignored her statement, and allowed her to carry me back to the nursery. Once there, I felt rather embarrassed about my little outbreak.

"We all lose someone someday," Ryefrost mewed as she settled down next to me.

"I know. But I wish everybody could stay alive," I mewled.

"Well then we'd have a lot of mouths to feed! Go to sleep now, try to forget what's already happened and focus on upcoming or good things." I shut my eyes and curled my little tail over my nose. My mother waited a few moments before getting up and out of the nursery, leaving me to sleep in peace.

Chapter 4
I sat at the back of the crowd, pouting. If Thistlekit, Emberkit, and Falconkit could become apprentices today, then why couldn't I? I'm almost six moons old now! I sat next to Hawkflight, one of the warriors my father mentored. I swallowed back my frustration, remembering three moons ago when all about Badgerclaw had been revealed--his death, his life in ThunderClan, even his other kits! Which made me a little bit jealous...Okay a lot jealous.

I was snapped back into reality as Sparrowstar summoned up the three young toms. "Thistlekit, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Thistlepaw. Dapplecloud--you are ready for your first apprentice, I hope you will welcome Thistlepaw." The tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat stepped forward to touch noses with the smaller dark ginger tabby tom.

"Emberkit-" Sparrowstar called. "Until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Emberpaw. Featherbreeze, you too are ready for your first apprentice, remember the training that Beetlefang taught you." The small, feathery gray tabby she-cat padded forward to greet her new apprentice.

"Hawkflight-" the dark tabby's ears perked at the sound of Sparrowstar calling his name. "Your apprentice will be Falconpaw. You had an excellent mentor and I hope you pass on the skills that Badgerclaw taught you." Hawkflight bounded forward and touched noses with the smaller brown tabby tom.

"Thistlepaw! Emberpaw! Falconpaw!" The clan cheered. I joined, but I only did it for Falconpaw. Thistlepaw and Emberpaw didn't deserve it--at least, in my mind I thought they didn't deserve it. Their three older siblings--Pouncepaw, Sandypaw, and Blossompaw--were looking on happily that they could all now train together.

Why can't I have any siblings? I thought sarcastically, ''Oh right I do. But Badgerclaw had them with a ThunderClan she-cat!'' I tried not to think much about it--I resented those three cats, but at the same time, I wanted to meet them. Though they probably won't think very highly of me because I'm WindClan and much younger than they are.

Sparrowstar leaped off the TallRock, and oddly enough--he went to speak with Ryefrost. Curious, I bounded over to the two. "Hi!" I mewed.

"Go play, this is warrior's business," Ryefrost ordered. I was a bit surprised by her tone of voice--normally my mother was a spunky, friendly cat. My eyes narrowed, and with a flick of my tail, I left to find the newest apprentices. I eventually found them talking to their brother and sisters.

"--We won't be able to train together very long, but it'll be fun while it lasts!" I heard Pouncepaw say.

"Hello!" I greeted.

"What's up, Sagekit?" Sandypaw mewed cheerfully.

"What are you all doing?" I asked.

"Nothing, we're about to go mess with the warriors!" Sandypaw purred in amusement, "We're planning to place ants in their nests!"

"Really?" My blue eyes gleamed. "Can I come?"

"No!" Thistlepaw growled firmly. "No kits allowed."

"Um, Thistlepaw--Unless I'm losing track of time, you were just a kit a few minutes ago," Blossompaw mewed.

"That doesn't matter!" Thistlepaw shot back. "I'm an apprentice now is what matters." His neck fur bristled. Does this cat hate me that much? Impressive.

"You know, Thistlepaw-" Sandypaw began. "You've become a real bully lately."

"See if I care," Thistlepaw snapped. He whirled around and stormed off.

"Wow..." I breathed.

"He has a few issues of his own." Sandypaw winked, then turned to Pouncepaw, "So--about those ants?"

Chapter 5
''Yes! Finally! It's my turn to have an apprentice ceremony!'' I faced Sparrowstar, who was reaching the TallRock. Ryefrost sat beside me, finishing my grooming. I tried not to squirm or do anything that set her off, because I learned that she has a short-temper. The hard way.

Flashback.

''"Come on, let's get out! I hear Oakfire's pawsteps!" Pouncepaw warned. I flung the remaining ants off of my paw. Thank StarClan they weren't fire ants or else the burn of the stings right now would be as worse as a fox bite! I scrambled out of the warrior's den behind Falconpaw.

''Luckily Oakfire wasn't exactly near the den yet, because he was still quite a distance away when we erupted into the sunlight.

''"Pouncepaw, I think you forgot to mask our scent!" Sandypaw mewed.

''"What do you mea-" Pouncepaw's expression dropped. "Great StarClan..."

''"Apprentices!" Oakfire's angry yowl cut through the camp. -

''"Why were you putting ants in the warrior's nest?" Ryefrost growled at me.

''"I just wanted to have fun!" I complained.

''"There's other ways to have fun than giving the defenders of our clan ant stings!" Ryefrost let out a sigh. "You and Badgerclaw. There must be something that runs through his kits--from what he's said, his other three are troublemakers as well. No going out of the nursery for two more weeks!"''

End of Flashback.

"--Your mentor will be Breezetalon." Through all my thinking back, I hadn't realized Sparrowstar began my ceremony.

''Breezetalon? So I get a dark-hearted warrior as my mentor and all the others get cheery, fun ones? Whatever you say, Sparrowstar.'' I stepped forward to greet the large black tom. For whatever reason, I felt no emotion about my ceremony at all. All the thoughts I once had, were gone. Instead, I still felt empty inside, the same feeling I had every day for the past four moons.

“Sagepaw! Sagepaw!” The clan cheered. I flattened my ears and trotted to beside Ryefrost. Pride glowed in my mother’s eyes, but what was in mine? Nothing, probably.

“Come on, Sagepaw. I’ll waste no time in your training!” Breezetalon mewed. The black tom was with Sedgefur, Pouncepaw, Jaystone and Sandypaw. So I get to train with older apprentices today, huh?

“Be sure to give Pouncepaw the surprise of his life when you first train together!” Ryefrost called after me as I padded away after the mentors and apprentices.

“I promise I will!” I yowled back over my shoulder. ‘’I’ll train my hardest, and soon—I will avenge Father’s death! Watch out Darkwhisper!’’ I grinned as I imagined me cornering the large dark brown tom, slashing his throat. I could already feel the blo—What am I thinking?

My paws began moving faster as the surrounded camp gave way into an open, vast moorland. The golden grass in front of us looked like waves in a river as the strong wind blew, and the scent of rabbits was strong. It wasn’t long until my breath was heavy—I hadn’t ever run this far ever. But it seemed Pouncepaw and Sandypaw had absolutely no trouble at all.

“Are we almost there?” I asked Breezetalon, panting.

“Almost. But don’t you want to build your strength and endurance from running? Or do you want to be a lazy warrior who does nothing but eat everyone’s fresh-kill?” Breezetalon’s mew was clear, like he wasn’t even tired.

Pretty soon, we reached a space where the grass was naturally short, and boulders surrounded the clearing. Only a few clumps of heather was all that we could hide behind.

“Okay. Sagepaw—“ Breezetalon turned to me, where I had flopped onto the grass, gasping for breath. “Since you are a new apprentice, I want to see how your skills currently are. You will go against Pouncepaw.” I looked to the ginger tom, who was looking at Breezetalon like he had just lost his head.

“What?” Pouncepaw mewed. “I can’t fight her! She’s too small! I’d crush her with one blow!”

“Then go easy,” His mentor, Sedgefur, put in. Pouncepaw let out a huff of air, but nodded in agreement. Out of instinct, I crouched low, tail sweeping the ground and ears flattened.

Sandypaw let out a burst of laughter. “Sagepaw looks as if she thinks Pouncepaw is a mouse and that she’s a ThunderClan cat!”

“Quite, Sandypaw!” Jaystone snapped.

“She’s actually doing it right—ears are flattened. But Sagepaw, don’t swish your tail, you’re only giving away your position,” Breezetalon mewed. I gave a curt nod, and stilled my gray tail. “Go.” Breezetalon slammed his paw onto the ground.

Pouncepaw leapt at me, paws extended from his body. I hit the ground and rolled away from his large ginger paws—but only to feel paws slam onto my flank. I squeaked and pummeled the older apprentice away, leaving his ears ringing and blurry vision. I scurried away to a better position while I had time, Pouncepaw shaking his head to clear his vision. Once he was ready, the ginger tom raced my direction.

I tensed and dug my claws into the soft ground. ‘’What am I doing?’’ I asked myself. ‘’Fight back!’’ I hurled myself in Pouncepaw’s direction, hitting him directly in the chest. The breath was knocked out of Pouncepaw upon impact, and I looked on proudly as he fell to the ground.

“Good, Sagepaw,” Breezetalon purred. “See Sedgefur? I told you Sagepaw would beat Pouncepaw.” The black tom turned to look at the pale-brown tabby she-cat. Sedgefur sniffed and looked on as her apprentice trotted back towards her, fur ruffled.

I padded back to Breezetalon, tail high. “That wasn’t bad at all,” Breezetalon mewed. “Just a few things wrong—Your crouch, don’t ever turn your back on your enemy, and never just plant yourself into the ground. That doesn’t work. But don’t worry, I’ll teach you how to be the most feared warrior!”

Chapter 6
The midnight moon shone over the patrol’s pelts as we bounded through the moor. Unfortunately for me, I had been put on the midnight patrol with my mentor Breezetalon, Thistlepaw, Dapplecloud, and Ryefrost. I remember when I first became an apprentice I had wanted to go on a midnight patrol, and Sparrowstar wouldn’t allow it until I had been an apprentice for at least three moons.

“It sure is cold tonight,” Thistlepaw mewed, his pelt fluffing up to protect against the chilling winds.

“Because it’s leaf-bare, rabbit-brain!” I growled at him.

“Sagepaw—“ Ryefrost began. “I would really appreciate it if my only daughter would sto—hey what’s that?” Ryefrost ran ahead of the patrol and stopped at the top of a hill.

“Yeah, what is that?” Dapplecloud echoed. I followed Ryefrost to where she was standing at the top of the hill. She was staring in shock at what lay below. I followed her gaze, and my jaw dropped. What was that? - '''okay, chapter 6 was short, but I’m on a plane and I have to get off now. So…There you have it! Part 2! Well…Whoever reads…'''