Warriors Fanfiction
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(Who ever knew there was cats living in the deep forests and tundras in the land of Skyrim? What happens to them when the dragons start reappearing?)
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==Chapter 1==
 
==Chapter 1==
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'''Sunkit's POV.'''
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I shifted my paws at Morningstar's announcement. The dark tortoiseshell she-cat had ordered every member of the clan to attend the meeting, as it was important. My mother, Honeyflight, stood beside me as I trembled at Morningstar's words.
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"Every border patrol must consist of seven cats, and hunting patrols must have four--just to be safe in case this creature ever decides to show itself," Morningstar ordered. She glanced down at the medicine cat, Whitelily, who was sitting below the Fallen Tree--where Morningstar made her announcements. "Whitelily has suggested the Companions to go to for help. Within two moons, if the shadow hasn't revealed itself--I will choose a cat to journey to the Companion's cave and seek their help."
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My heart pounded. My apprentice ceremony would be in less than a moon--in one week to be exact, would Morningstar choose an apprentice? I would be the most joyful cat in the clans if she chose me to go.
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"Yes, Morningstar," Boulderfall, the deputy, meowed. Morningstar gave a quick flick of her tail to signal the ending of the meeting, then leaped off the Fallen Tree and padded to her cave.
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"I bet Morningstar will choose me!" I heard an apprentice boast. It was Sparrowpaw, Eaglewing and Lilyheart's son. The dark brown-and-white tom was with the other apprentices--his sister Hollypaw, and the others--Mosspaw, Russetpaw and Brackenpaw.
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I snorted. Obviously Morninstar would choose me once I was an apprentice. ''No she won't,'' a voice said in the back of my mind. ''What have I ever done to be recognized by her?'' Nothing.
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"Hey, Sunkit!" My brother bounded up to me, his pale-golden tabby fur bristled with excitement.
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"Hi, Flamekit," I greeted back. "What's up?"
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"Who do you think Morningstar will choose to go to the Companions? That's an awfully huge honor!" Flamekit meowed.
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"I don't know. I highly doubt it'll be an apprentice though." My gaze traveled to Nightclaw. The large black tom was sitting with his mate, Darkwing. His shredded ears swiveled, trying to pick up the gossip around camp. "I'm guessing Nightclaw though. He's probably the strongest warrior in LakeClan."
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Flamekit snorted. "Next to Firestorm, maybe." 
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I rolled my dark amber eyes. "You know our father isn't the strongest warrior. He may be ''strong'' but he's not the ''strongest''."
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"Are you talking about me behind my back?" A mock-growl sounded behind me.
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I turned and faced a large autumn-colored tom. "Firestorm!" I yowled happily. Flamekit and I bowled into him, purring.
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"I have great news," Firestorm meowed, shaking out his pelt as we got off.
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"What is it?" Flamekit asked, his green eyes bright with curiousity.
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"You know the next Gathering is in two weeks right?" Firestorm checked. "I asked Morningstar, and she said you two and Mothkit can go!"
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"Yay!" I mewed cheerfully. "Wait, where is Mothkit?"
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Flamekit shrugged. "Beats me. She's weird."
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Firestorm's yellow eyes darkened. "That's your sister, Flamekit. You shouldn't talk about her that way."
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Flamekit shuffled his paws. "I know, but it's true!"
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Firestorm rolled his yellow eyes, then flicked Flamekit's ear and gave me a quick lick on the head. "I've got to go. Tigershade's wanting me on border patrol." He bounded off quickly, approaching a dark tabby tom.
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''Be careful,'' I thought, thinking of the possible new threat that patrolled both the skies and ground below.
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==Chapter 2==
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I paced restlessly across the front of the nursery, waiting for tomorrow--my apprentice ceremony. A pale-golden tabby she-cat came out from the nursery, yellow eyes dark.
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"Hey, Mothkit," I meowed.
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Mothkit just nodded to me, then padded away. ''Like usual,'' I thought coldly. ''If she's acting like she resents everything about Flamekit and I, then I know there's no problem with her.'' I watched her small shape get smaller as she went to the far side of camp.
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I flicked an autumn-colored leaf the floated next to my ear. The trees around LakeClan's territory always seemed to be the same color, with a few exceptions. Not that I minded it--it was beautiful, like it's always leaf-fall.
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Then my mind got me onto the subject of the menace that lurked, but never showed its true form. I'd never seen the shadow myself, but from what the warriors had been chatting about--it seemed to be gigantic and a danger. Whatever it was, I tried to reassure myself that it was just a misunderstanding about maybe a large skeever or wolf. Those were common around the lake and forest nearby.
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"Having fun?" A voice interrupted my thoughts.
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"Hi, Skykit." I turned to see my friend, a white she-kit with a black-tipped tail and black paws.
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"Whatcha doing?" Skykit asked, sitting down beside a pile of fallen leaves.
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"Waiting." I gritted my teeth. I'd been waiting for my apprentice ceremony, and here I am so close to it!
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"Well you're a lot closer to your ceremony than I am," Skykit meowed, as if reading my thoughts.
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I grunted, then my whiskers twitched in amusement. "I guess you're right."
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Then, feeling bored, I leaped onto Skykit. I pinned her under my larger paws, and nipped at her forepaw.
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"Hey! That's unfair!" Skykit mewled, batting at my face in an effort to get me off.
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"A warrior is always ready!" I meowed, rolling off. I shook my autumn-colored pelt off of dust and dirt.
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"Fine, fine," Skykit grumbled. "You have a point."
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I stood triumphant, chest puffed out proudly--like I had just won the greatest battle between kits ever. I gazed up at the pinkish-gray sky. Nighttime was not far off, then I'd wake to my ceremony! My sight traveled over the mountain-tops in the distance, then the opposite direction to the pine forest that was home to MarshClan.
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Honeyflight padded out of the nursery. "Hi, Sunkit." She flicked my ear with her tail. "Are you hungry?"
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My amber eyes brightened. "Yeah!" I left Skykit, and followed my mother to the fresh-kill pile.
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She tossed me a small mouse, big enough to only fill me up. "You need to be ready for your ceremony tomorrow!" She meowed.
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"I know," I said, taking a big mouthful of the mouse. "It seems so far away!"
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Honeyflight purred, her whiskers twitching. "It's not. I was the same way when I was an apprentice not too long ago."
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"Who was your mentor?" I asked, curious.
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"Rockfur," Honeyflight replied.
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"Really?" I swallowed my food. "But he's an elder."
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"He wasn't that young when I became an apprentice!" Honeyflight joked.
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Then Mothkit joined us, which was odd. She only approached Honeyflight and Firestorm--or any other cat--when Flamekit and I weren't around.
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"Hi, Mothkit," Honeyflight purred. "How are you?"
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"Fine," Mothkit mumbled. She sat down and curled her tail over her paws.
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I became silent after her approach, and so did Honeyflight. Mothkit seemed to ruin everybody's mood. I was almost positive she would get Nightclaw as her mentor, he was short-tempered and grumpy just like her.
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"Well," I meowed, shoving the remains of my mouse over to Honeyflight. "I'm going to sleep. The faster I get to sleep, the quicker my ceremony will come."
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"Okay." Honeyflight nodded goodnight to me. "I'll be there in a minute."
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I left the fresh-kill pile, and went into the nursery. I located my nest--which was Honeyflight's as well, and my siblings--and flopped down inside the bracken. I gave off a sigh of relief as I closed my eyes, welcoming the darkness of my dreams.
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==Chapter 3==
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"Sunkit, Mothkit, and Flamekit--you have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to be apprenticed." Morningstar drew her gaze over the three of us as she stalked along the Fallen Tree. "Your names will now be Sunpaw, Mothpaw, and Flamepaw."
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Then the dark tortoiseshell made a motion with her tail, beckoning to three warriors. Only two approached. Morningstar looked down at Boulderfall, who stood at the bottom of the Fallen Tree. My heart began to race. "Boulderfall, you are ready for your second apprentice. You received excellent training from Molenose and you have shown yourself to be brave and strong. Your apprentice will be Sunpaw, I expect you to pass on all you know to her."
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My eyes brightened as the LakeClan deputy was announced as my mentor. I padded forward and had to stretch up on my paws to rub noses with him, then took my place back in the crowd. I watched as Mothpaw received Nightclaw--as guessed--and Flamepaw received Frostpool.
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I rushed forward to ask Boulderfall the plans for today. "What are you taking me to do today?" I asked excitedly.
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Boulderfall's whiskers twitched in amusement. His smoky-blue eyes were shining with pride. "First, let me sort out the patrols for today, then how about I take you on a trip around the territory?"
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"Okay!" It didn't beat battle-training, but it would be my first time out of camp. I waited impatiently by the camp exit--a very low-set tunnel of bramble and thorn bushes--as Boulderfall took Morningstar's place on the Fallen Tree and sorted out patrols.
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He didn't take long though, as he soon followed the patrols to the camp exit and no further, stopping beside me. "Ready?" He asked.
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"Yep!" I was quivering with excitement. I would actually see the forest beyond camp, and the lake--for which my clan was named for--for the first time.
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I stalked underneath the tunnel, then emerged into a beautiful, autumn-colored forest, free of camp walls. "Whoa..." I breathed. Birds chirped, and the prey was so plentiful that I could hear mice and squirrels scuttling around the dirt.
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"What are those?" I asked, seeing a small, stone path in the distance.
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Boulderfall's eyes darkened. "Those are twoleg paths." He thrust his nose into the air, pointing in another direction. "There's a whole bunch of them living somewhere that way. They have large stone walls that hide their dens, and wooden paths that expand out onto the water. You never see many coming down this way, but you must be careful in the future."
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"Why?" My eyes widened. "Are they dangerous?"
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"Some can be. Some twolegs hunt down our prey, some hunt our enemies like the fox, and some come riding through the forest on their horses." Boulderfall began leading me down deep into the forest. 
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It wasn't a thick forest--thank StarClan--as the bright, sun-high sky was very much visible through the yellow-orange tree-tops. "Where are we going?" I asked.
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"The Hill where apprentices train," Boulderfall answered over his shoulder.
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I didn't answer, but I followed as my mentor--and deputy--broke out into a run. Eventually, the grassy ground began to slope slightly upwards, until there was a medium-sized clearing atop a large hill, surrounded by trees. A few of the apprentices were training here with their mentors.
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"Let's not disturb them," Boulderfall whispered. "But tomorrow I'll bring you here for battle-training."
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I nodded, then we took off back down the hill. "Where to now?"
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"The lake." Boulderfall led me through a maze in the forest, and I spotted a few of the stone paths on the way. Then the large dark gray tom slowed as the ground underpaw slowly changed to sand and pebbles. I nudged my way under a bramble bush and emerged on the other side. The sun's rays shined on the lake, and the waves gently lapped at the shore.
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"See that?" Boulderfall motioned at the other side towards a large stone structure. Odd wooden hollowed-tree looking objects were outside of it, wooden paths leading to them ''on'' the water. Strange, I thought.
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"Yeah." I gazed at the walls. I could barely see the movement of a bunch of twolegs as they mingled with each other and carried things in their paws.
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"Beyond that wall are their dens. Be wary of that place, and never stray too far from here," Boulderfall warned.
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"Okay. I would never go near twolegs anyway!" I meowed.
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"I know, I'm just telling you." Boulderfall pulled away from the lake, going back into the cover of the forest. "Now, are you ready to see the borders?"
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"Ready as ever," I said. ''This is going to be a long tour.''
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==Chapter 4==

Revision as of 03:25, 16 September 2013

Essay
This page contains a fanfiction written by AvengedSevenfoldGirl.
This page contains the opinions of the original author(s), and is not patrolled for factual accuracy.
Remember that this story is non-canon. It may contain false characters, plots, or locations.
Responses, comments & other feedback should be made on the comments section below.


This story will be somewhat based off of Skyrim so if you've never played Skyrim before, you might be confused, and also why there will be so many cats in the allegiances. Also, because this is based off of Skyrim, there will be no monsters (cars), and other twoleg stuff besides the cities and etc. And yes, the allegiances will have names contained Bear-, Deer-, *sigh* Skeever- and the random animal names because once again--this is based off of Skyrim. So without me being boring anymore, read on and I hope you enjoy. Oh and these are very long allegiances, feel free to skip :)

LakeClan

Leader: Morningstar-slender, dappled dark tortoiseshell she-cat with dark amber eyes and a snow-white underbelly.

Deputy: Boulderfall-large dark gray tom with smoky-blue eyes.

Medicine Cat: Whitelily-pure white she-cat with icy blue eyes and small, delicate paws.

Warriors: Firestorm-tom with a pelt the color of autumn leaves, bright yellow eyes and a sleek, thick pelt.

Frostpool-pale gray tabby she-cat with blue eyes.

Lionfang-large dark ginger tom with amber eyes and large paws. Apprentice-Hollypaw.

Rainfall-mottled gray tom with dark blue eyes.

Shrewfur-dark brown tom with long fur and yellow eyes. Apprentice-Sparrowpaw.

Leopardsong-dark golden tabby she-cat with green eyes.

Beetletail-dark gray tom with a black tail tipped with white and blue eyes.

Nightclaw-black tom with shredded ears and amber eyes.

Duskstream-dark tortoiseshell she-cat with green eyes.

Icestorm-white tom with ice-blue eyes. Apprentice-Deerpaw.

Featherflight-small, long-furred gray she-cat with darker tabby stripes and blue eyes.

Thornfoot-brown tabby tom with amber eyes and long, sharp claws. Apprentice-Russetpaw.

Pinewhisker-golden-brown tom with bright amber eyes.

Dawnfur-pale ginger she-cat with forest-green eyes. Apprentice-Brackenpaw.

Eaglewing-dark brown tom with black tabby stripes, white paws and amber eyes.

Whiteflame-white tom with bright amber eyes.

Lilyheart-white and gray she-cat with blue eyes.

Foxwhisper-bright ginger tom with yellow eyes and white paws, chest and underbelly.

Perchtail-pale-gray tom with blue eyes.

Tigershade-black tom with dark brown paws, tail-tip and amber eyes.

Apprentices: Mosspaw-small, brown she-cat with darker tabby stripes and yellow eyes (PinewhiskerXLeopardsong)

Russetpaw-reddish-brown tom with amber eyes (PinewhiskerXLeopardsong)

Brackenpaw-golden-brown tabby tom with dark amber eyes and a white-tipped tail (PinewhiskerXLeopardsong)

Hollypaw-dark brown she-cat with white legs and amber eyes (EaglewingXLilyheart)

Sparrowpaw-dark brown-and-white tom with yellow eyes (EaglewingXLilyheart)

Queens: Smokefeather-dark gray tabby she-cat with blue eyes. Expecting Perchtail's kits.

Honeyflight-dark golden she-cat with amber eyes. Mother of Firestorm's kits, Sunkit (dark autumn-colored she-kit) Mothkit (pale golden tabby she-kit) and Flamekit (pale golden tabby tom with lighter stripes)

Ivystep-tortoiseshell-and-white she-cat with green eyes. Mother of Whiteflame's kits, Badgerkit (black and white tom) and Skykit (white she-kit with black paws and black-tipped tail)

Darkwing-black she-cat with blue eyes. Expecting Nightclaw's kits.

Leafsong-dark tabby she-cat with amber eyes. Expecting Tigershade's kits.

Elders: Petalfoot-gray she-cat with black feet and blue eyes.

Fernpelt-gray tabby she-cat with blue eyes.

Rockfur-dark gray tom with green eyes.

Molenose-black tom with a brown muzzle and amber eyes.

Rushstripe-white tom with brown tabby stripes and yellow eyes.

MarshClan

Leader: Hollowstar-dark tabby tom with amber eyes.

Deputy: Flintpelt-black tom with green eyes and a white tail-tip.

Medicine Cat: Emberspots-ginger tom with darker ginger patches and green eyes.

Warriors: Hawkface-large dark tabby tom with yellow eyes.

Cindercloud-gray tabby she-cat with thick fur and smoky-blue eyes. Apprentice-Goldenpaw.

Lightningfrost-black tom with white tabby stripes and amber eyes.

Sunpool-ginger and white she-cat with bright green eyes.

Icefeather-pure white she-cat with icy blue eyes. Apprentice-Mousepaw.

Voleclaw-black tom with blue eyes. Apprentice-Dovepaw.

Firepelt-pale ginger tom with green eyes.

Mudstorm-dark brown tom with amber eyes. Apprentice-Skeeverpaw.

Petalshine-pale gray she-cat with dark blue eyes.

Ashpelt-dark gray mottled tom with blue eyes.

Nettleclaw-gray tom with black tabby stripes.

Graystorm-large dark gray tom with amber eyes.

Hawkfire-dark tabby tom with yellowish-orange eyes.

Flamewhisper-bright ginger tom with green eyes.

Adderstripe-brown tabby tom with yellow eyes.

Honeywhisker-ginger tabby she-cat with green eyes and long, sleek fur.

Wolfclaw-large black tabby tom with amber eyes.

Cedarfrost-black tom with ice-blue eyes.

Apprentices: Goldenpaw-golden tabby she-cat with amber eyes (FlamewhisperXPetalshine)

Mousepaw-pale grayish-ginger tom with white socks and blue eyes (FlamewhisperXPetalshine)

Skeeverpaw-dark gray, ragged-pelted tom with amber eyes (WolfclawXCindercloud)

Dovepaw-dark gray tabby she-cat with blue eyes (WolfclawXCindercloud)

Queens: Frostsong-white she-cat with dark blue eyes. Mother of Ashpelt's kits, Thistlekit (light gray tabby tom) and Stormkit (dark gray-and-white tom)

Cherryfrost-ginger tortoiseshell she-cat with green eyes. Mother of Voleclaw's kits, Forestkit (large gray tom) Swallowkit (gray she-kit) and Ferretkit (gray-and-ginger tom)

Skyhawk-dark brown she-cat with white tail-tip, paws, underbelly and green eyes. Expecting Hawkfire's kits.

Elders: Snowdapple-gray and white dappled she-cat with blue eyes.

Poppyshade-white she-cat with dark tortoiseshell patches and amber eyes.

Flowertail-very pale-gray she-cat with a white tail and blue eyes.

Blackpelt-black tom with yellow eyes.

Whitestone-sturdy white tom with ice-blue eyes, retired early due to tail being bitten off by a skeever.

TundraClan

Leader: Snowstar-small, thick-furred white she-cat with blue eyes.

Deputy: Shadefur-gray tom with a pale-gray chest and underbelly.

Medicine Cat: Berrysplash-cream-furred she-cat with blue eyes. Apprentice-Dawnpaw.

Warriors: Nightshade-black tom with dark gray ear-tips and amber eyes.

Cloudflight-white tom with a pale-gray chest and blue eyes.

Tigerlight-light brown tabby she-cat with yellow eyes.

Silvermist-white she-cat with silver tabby stripes and green eyes.

Jayfrost-gray tabby tom with ice-blue eyes.

Hailfall-dark gray tabby tom with amber eyes.

Oakstep-large brown tom with yellow eyes. Apprentice-Amberpaw.

Rowanfang-dark tabby tom with amber eyes.

Brindlefur-golden-brown tabby tom with dark yellow eyes.

Rainbreeze-mottled gray she-cat with blue eyes. Apprentice-Bearpaw.

Pebbleclaw-gray tabby tom with blue eyes.

Duskstorm-dark tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes.

Flameheart-ginger tabby tom with green eyes. Apprentice-Owlpaw.

Ravenwing-black tom with dark green eyes.

Dewsplash-dark gray, almost black tom with blue eyes.

Blizzardstorm-large white tom with shredded ears and blue eyes.

Fireleap-bright ginger tom with barely-visible darker stripes of fur and green eyes.

Aspenwhisker-dark golden tom with forest-green eyes.

Apprentices: Dawnpaw-dark golden tabby she-cat with yellow eyes (RowanfangXTigerlight)

Bearpaw-large dark brown tom with amber eyes(RowanfangXTigerlight)

Owlpaw-brown tabby tom with yellow eyes (RowanfangXTigerlight)

Amberpaw-dark golden she-cat with black patches and green eyes (RowanfangXTigerlight)

Queens: Littleflower-small, light brown tabby she-cat with amber eyes. Expecting Fireleap's kits.

Willowfrost-black she-cat with pale-gray patches and ice-blue eyes. Mother of Blizzardstorm's kit, Skykit (white she-kit with black ear-tips)

Darkfern-black she-cat with amber eyes. Mother of Ravenwing's kits, Nightkit (black tom) Shadowkit (black tom with gray-tipped fur) and Shadekit (black she-kit)

Blueflame-grayish-blue she-cat with bright amber eyes. Expecting Jayfrost's kits.

Elders: Thrushpelt-sandy-brown tom with yellow eyes.

Blacksky-black tom with blue eyes.

Pinefur-dark golden-brown tom with amber eyes.

Goldenleaf-golden tabby she-cat with yellow eyes.

Whiteflower-white she-cat with pale-gray chest and stomach.

StormClan

Leader: Sleetstar-large white-and-gray tom with yellow eyes.

Deputy: Whiteblaze-pure-white tom with icy blue eyes and long claws.

Medicine Cat: Rainsplash-small, pale-gray tabby she-cat with blue eyes.

Warriors: Russetpelt-russet-colored she-cat with amber eyes.

Falconwing-dark tabby tom with amber eyes.

Crowtalon-black tom with green eyes.

Foxwhisker-ginger tabby tom with green eyes.

Darkpool-black she-cat with a gray chest and amber eyes.

Ashflower-gray she-cat with darker gray spots and blue eyes.

Birchheart-light brown tabby tom with yellow eyes.

Driftcloud-very pale-gray, almost white tom with blue eyes.

Flywing-black tom with gray paws and blue eyes.

Kestrelwing-dark tabby tom with amber eyes.

Dappledcreek-blue-gray dappled she-cat with yellow eyes.

Mapleleaf-dark tortoiseshell she-cat with amber eyes.

Patchstorm-black and white tom with green eyes.

Reedfur-dark brown tom with long fur and amber eyes.

Stoneclaw-dark gray tom with blue eyes.

Stormshadow-gray tabby tom with smoky-blue eyes.

Timberpelt-large dark tabby tom with green eyes.

Vinestripe-dark tabby tom with a white-tipped tail and amber eyes.

Apprentices: Wolfpaw-dark gray-and-black tom with blue eyes (FlywingXAshflower)

Thistlepaw-black tabby tom with amber eyes (FlywingXAshflower)

Hawkpaw-dark tabby she-cat with amber eyes (TimberpeltXMapleleaf)

Larchpaw-tortoiseshell she-cat with green eyes (TimberpeltXMapleleaf)

Starlingpaw-dark brown tom with lighter brown tabby stripes (TimberpeltXMapleleaf)

Queens: Vixenfur-ginger she-cat with green eyes. Mother of Stormshadow's kits, Larkkit (brown tabby she-kit) and Willowkit (gray she-kit)

Squirreltail-ginger tabby she-cat with white paws and green eyes. Mother of Birchheart's kits, Bramblekit (light brown tabby tom) Sagekit (dark gray tabby tom) Sunkit (dark ginger tabby tom) and Birdkit (brown tabby she-kit)

Sandfoot-very pale-brown she-cat with ginger-brown paws. Expecting Kestrelwing's kits.

Snowfeather-white she-cat with blue eyes. Expecting Driftcloud's kits.

Elders: Cloudsong-silver she-cat with light blue eyes.

Lichenpelt-black tom with a thick, matted pelt and yellow eyes.

Speckleface-pale-brown she-cat with white spots on her muzzle.

Pounceclaw-ginger and white tom with green eyes.

Prologue

Large talons grasped a dark tortoiseshell she-cat, flapping it's dark wings and taking off, carrying her off into the distance. The cat wailed, looking down and seeing the snowy realm of the clans. Now, it was only a tiny white speck in view. The beast carrying the she-cat higher and higher, until it finally clenched it's talons. A dark tortoiseshell she-cat woke with a piercing yowl.

"Morningstar?" A pure-white she-cat poked her head into the small, dim-lit cave. "Are you okay? I heard yowling."

Morningstar scrambled to her paws, shaking the moss off of her dark, sleek pelt. "Yes I'm fine, thanks, Whitelily," She grumbled.

"Good. May I speak to you?" Whitelily asked, her ice-blue eyes curious yet darkened with concern.

"Yes," Morningstar sighed, embarrassed her medicine cat had seen her yowling.

"The patrols have been reporting sightings of large shadows crossing the land. Should we do something about it?" Whitelily took a spot near Morningstar's nest, sitting down and wrapping her tail over her small, delicate paws.

Morningstar gazed off seemingly nowhere, recalling the shadow with wings that lifted her in its talons in her dream. "I don't know. I don't even know what it is, I've never seen it." She snapped back to reality, forgetting her dream-death. "But if it's huge, our warriors may not be able to handle it."

Whitelily blinked. "What are you saying? I think our warriors are plenty strong."

"They are strong, I've seen even Mosspaw take down a skeever and she's the smallest apprentice we've got. But what I'm saying is--if this isn't just a regular sighting of a hawk or some kind of bird, our cats may not be able to handle it," Morningstar explained.

"So you mean we need the Companions?" Whitelily asked.

Morningstar let out a sigh, fruststrated--today wasn't going to be a good day. "Yes, Whitelily. If the warriors actually see the shadow's true form, and it's something we've never seen, then yes--we need the Companions." The Companions were a large group of the strongest cats of the clans, picked and trained by StarClan. They lived in the middle of the territories, near TundraClan, secluded in a large cave.

"But won't we need to send a cat there?" Whitelily shifted her paws, trying not to make it seem like she was arguing with her leader.

Morningstar changed the subject. "Isn't this supposed to be a report Boulderfall makes?"

"Sorry." Whitelily flattened her eyes and padded out of the cave.

You better be. Coming in my cave and watching my yowl my head off! Morningstar thought angrily, scraping at the sandy floor with her claws.

Then she gave Whitelily's words a thought. What was this shadow thing? Surely it was just some shadow a hawk or falcon was casting off, confusing the warriors.

No, my warriors aren't that stupid. Morningstar gave a flick of her tail. I need to think about this though. If we need the Companions, I'll have to prepare for a long journey.

Then a loud roar split the air, and a huge shadow was cast over LakeClan's camp.

Chapter 1

Sunkit's POV.

I shifted my paws at Morningstar's announcement. The dark tortoiseshell she-cat had ordered every member of the clan to attend the meeting, as it was important. My mother, Honeyflight, stood beside me as I trembled at Morningstar's words.

"Every border patrol must consist of seven cats, and hunting patrols must have four--just to be safe in case this creature ever decides to show itself," Morningstar ordered. She glanced down at the medicine cat, Whitelily, who was sitting below the Fallen Tree--where Morningstar made her announcements. "Whitelily has suggested the Companions to go to for help. Within two moons, if the shadow hasn't revealed itself--I will choose a cat to journey to the Companion's cave and seek their help."

My heart pounded. My apprentice ceremony would be in less than a moon--in one week to be exact, would Morningstar choose an apprentice? I would be the most joyful cat in the clans if she chose me to go.

"Yes, Morningstar," Boulderfall, the deputy, meowed. Morningstar gave a quick flick of her tail to signal the ending of the meeting, then leaped off the Fallen Tree and padded to her cave.

"I bet Morningstar will choose me!" I heard an apprentice boast. It was Sparrowpaw, Eaglewing and Lilyheart's son. The dark brown-and-white tom was with the other apprentices--his sister Hollypaw, and the others--Mosspaw, Russetpaw and Brackenpaw.

I snorted. Obviously Morninstar would choose me once I was an apprentice. No she won't, a voice said in the back of my mind. What have I ever done to be recognized by her? Nothing.

"Hey, Sunkit!" My brother bounded up to me, his pale-golden tabby fur bristled with excitement.

"Hi, Flamekit," I greeted back. "What's up?"

"Who do you think Morningstar will choose to go to the Companions? That's an awfully huge honor!" Flamekit meowed.

"I don't know. I highly doubt it'll be an apprentice though." My gaze traveled to Nightclaw. The large black tom was sitting with his mate, Darkwing. His shredded ears swiveled, trying to pick up the gossip around camp. "I'm guessing Nightclaw though. He's probably the strongest warrior in LakeClan."

Flamekit snorted. "Next to Firestorm, maybe." 

I rolled my dark amber eyes. "You know our father isn't the strongest warrior. He may be strong but he's not the strongest."

"Are you talking about me behind my back?" A mock-growl sounded behind me.

I turned and faced a large autumn-colored tom. "Firestorm!" I yowled happily. Flamekit and I bowled into him, purring.

"I have great news," Firestorm meowed, shaking out his pelt as we got off.

"What is it?" Flamekit asked, his green eyes bright with curiousity.

"You know the next Gathering is in two weeks right?" Firestorm checked. "I asked Morningstar, and she said you two and Mothkit can go!"

"Yay!" I mewed cheerfully. "Wait, where is Mothkit?"

Flamekit shrugged. "Beats me. She's weird."

Firestorm's yellow eyes darkened. "That's your sister, Flamekit. You shouldn't talk about her that way."

Flamekit shuffled his paws. "I know, but it's true!"

Firestorm rolled his yellow eyes, then flicked Flamekit's ear and gave me a quick lick on the head. "I've got to go. Tigershade's wanting me on border patrol." He bounded off quickly, approaching a dark tabby tom.

Be careful, I thought, thinking of the possible new threat that patrolled both the skies and ground below.

Chapter 2

I paced restlessly across the front of the nursery, waiting for tomorrow--my apprentice ceremony. A pale-golden tabby she-cat came out from the nursery, yellow eyes dark.

"Hey, Mothkit," I meowed.

Mothkit just nodded to me, then padded away. Like usual, I thought coldly. If she's acting like she resents everything about Flamekit and I, then I know there's no problem with her. I watched her small shape get smaller as she went to the far side of camp.

I flicked an autumn-colored leaf the floated next to my ear. The trees around LakeClan's territory always seemed to be the same color, with a few exceptions. Not that I minded it--it was beautiful, like it's always leaf-fall.

Then my mind got me onto the subject of the menace that lurked, but never showed its true form. I'd never seen the shadow myself, but from what the warriors had been chatting about--it seemed to be gigantic and a danger. Whatever it was, I tried to reassure myself that it was just a misunderstanding about maybe a large skeever or wolf. Those were common around the lake and forest nearby.

"Having fun?" A voice interrupted my thoughts.

"Hi, Skykit." I turned to see my friend, a white she-kit with a black-tipped tail and black paws.

"Whatcha doing?" Skykit asked, sitting down beside a pile of fallen leaves.

"Waiting." I gritted my teeth. I'd been waiting for my apprentice ceremony, and here I am so close to it!

"Well you're a lot closer to your ceremony than I am," Skykit meowed, as if reading my thoughts.

I grunted, then my whiskers twitched in amusement. "I guess you're right."

Then, feeling bored, I leaped onto Skykit. I pinned her under my larger paws, and nipped at her forepaw.

"Hey! That's unfair!" Skykit mewled, batting at my face in an effort to get me off.

"A warrior is always ready!" I meowed, rolling off. I shook my autumn-colored pelt off of dust and dirt.

"Fine, fine," Skykit grumbled. "You have a point."

I stood triumphant, chest puffed out proudly--like I had just won the greatest battle between kits ever. I gazed up at the pinkish-gray sky. Nighttime was not far off, then I'd wake to my ceremony! My sight traveled over the mountain-tops in the distance, then the opposite direction to the pine forest that was home to MarshClan.

Honeyflight padded out of the nursery. "Hi, Sunkit." She flicked my ear with her tail. "Are you hungry?"

My amber eyes brightened. "Yeah!" I left Skykit, and followed my mother to the fresh-kill pile.

She tossed me a small mouse, big enough to only fill me up. "You need to be ready for your ceremony tomorrow!" She meowed.

"I know," I said, taking a big mouthful of the mouse. "It seems so far away!"

Honeyflight purred, her whiskers twitching. "It's not. I was the same way when I was an apprentice not too long ago."

"Who was your mentor?" I asked, curious.

"Rockfur," Honeyflight replied.

"Really?" I swallowed my food. "But he's an elder."

"He wasn't that young when I became an apprentice!" Honeyflight joked.

Then Mothkit joined us, which was odd. She only approached Honeyflight and Firestorm--or any other cat--when Flamekit and I weren't around.

"Hi, Mothkit," Honeyflight purred. "How are you?"

"Fine," Mothkit mumbled. She sat down and curled her tail over her paws.

I became silent after her approach, and so did Honeyflight. Mothkit seemed to ruin everybody's mood. I was almost positive she would get Nightclaw as her mentor, he was short-tempered and grumpy just like her.

"Well," I meowed, shoving the remains of my mouse over to Honeyflight. "I'm going to sleep. The faster I get to sleep, the quicker my ceremony will come."

"Okay." Honeyflight nodded goodnight to me. "I'll be there in a minute."

I left the fresh-kill pile, and went into the nursery. I located my nest--which was Honeyflight's as well, and my siblings--and flopped down inside the bracken. I gave off a sigh of relief as I closed my eyes, welcoming the darkness of my dreams.

Chapter 3

"Sunkit, Mothkit, and Flamekit--you have reached the age of six moons and it is time for you to be apprenticed." Morningstar drew her gaze over the three of us as she stalked along the Fallen Tree. "Your names will now be Sunpaw, Mothpaw, and Flamepaw."

Then the dark tortoiseshell made a motion with her tail, beckoning to three warriors. Only two approached. Morningstar looked down at Boulderfall, who stood at the bottom of the Fallen Tree. My heart began to race. "Boulderfall, you are ready for your second apprentice. You received excellent training from Molenose and you have shown yourself to be brave and strong. Your apprentice will be Sunpaw, I expect you to pass on all you know to her."

My eyes brightened as the LakeClan deputy was announced as my mentor. I padded forward and had to stretch up on my paws to rub noses with him, then took my place back in the crowd. I watched as Mothpaw received Nightclaw--as guessed--and Flamepaw received Frostpool.

I rushed forward to ask Boulderfall the plans for today. "What are you taking me to do today?" I asked excitedly.

Boulderfall's whiskers twitched in amusement. His smoky-blue eyes were shining with pride. "First, let me sort out the patrols for today, then how about I take you on a trip around the territory?"

"Okay!" It didn't beat battle-training, but it would be my first time out of camp. I waited impatiently by the camp exit--a very low-set tunnel of bramble and thorn bushes--as Boulderfall took Morningstar's place on the Fallen Tree and sorted out patrols.

He didn't take long though, as he soon followed the patrols to the camp exit and no further, stopping beside me. "Ready?" He asked.

"Yep!" I was quivering with excitement. I would actually see the forest beyond camp, and the lake--for which my clan was named for--for the first time.

I stalked underneath the tunnel, then emerged into a beautiful, autumn-colored forest, free of camp walls. "Whoa..." I breathed. Birds chirped, and the prey was so plentiful that I could hear mice and squirrels scuttling around the dirt.

"What are those?" I asked, seeing a small, stone path in the distance.

Boulderfall's eyes darkened. "Those are twoleg paths." He thrust his nose into the air, pointing in another direction. "There's a whole bunch of them living somewhere that way. They have large stone walls that hide their dens, and wooden paths that expand out onto the water. You never see many coming down this way, but you must be careful in the future."

"Why?" My eyes widened. "Are they dangerous?"

"Some can be. Some twolegs hunt down our prey, some hunt our enemies like the fox, and some come riding through the forest on their horses." Boulderfall began leading me down deep into the forest. 

It wasn't a thick forest--thank StarClan--as the bright, sun-high sky was very much visible through the yellow-orange tree-tops. "Where are we going?" I asked.

"The Hill where apprentices train," Boulderfall answered over his shoulder.

I didn't answer, but I followed as my mentor--and deputy--broke out into a run. Eventually, the grassy ground began to slope slightly upwards, until there was a medium-sized clearing atop a large hill, surrounded by trees. A few of the apprentices were training here with their mentors.

"Let's not disturb them," Boulderfall whispered. "But tomorrow I'll bring you here for battle-training."

I nodded, then we took off back down the hill. "Where to now?"

"The lake." Boulderfall led me through a maze in the forest, and I spotted a few of the stone paths on the way. Then the large dark gray tom slowed as the ground underpaw slowly changed to sand and pebbles. I nudged my way under a bramble bush and emerged on the other side. The sun's rays shined on the lake, and the waves gently lapped at the shore.

"See that?" Boulderfall motioned at the other side towards a large stone structure. Odd wooden hollowed-tree looking objects were outside of it, wooden paths leading to them on the water. Strange, I thought.

"Yeah." I gazed at the walls. I could barely see the movement of a bunch of twolegs as they mingled with each other and carried things in their paws.

"Beyond that wall are their dens. Be wary of that place, and never stray too far from here," Boulderfall warned.

"Okay. I would never go near twolegs anyway!" I meowed.

"I know, I'm just telling you." Boulderfall pulled away from the lake, going back into the cover of the forest. "Now, are you ready to see the borders?"

"Ready as ever," I said. This is going to be a long tour.

Chapter 4