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Talk[]
*Warning: This talk will contain spoilers for the book! If you are a reader, then you might not want to read this talk.*
Because of the comment glitch, some of us, including myself, cannot leave comments, so we will use this section for discussion instead.
- Livvy
Example prophecy:
'
(number of cats gonna be killed by villans) shall fall,'
(number of cats who transform into villans ir gain power as a villan) shall rise.
(number of cats whose life has been majorly changedt) shall find new skies
While none grow wise.
(total villan number) shall rule over all.
Only one will get the prize.
All the numbers should be different. (So if we go with this prophecy then several villans will arise and then will be joined by other villans already in power and they will conquer all the Clans together before their ultimate defeat. All the rest is up to the people writing.)
- Tilan
I'm not yet sure if peope who can comment can write in this, but I think the thing that I may be rather sure of is that teverything in here should be about the plot. Sorry, I deleted Ginger's and Shaek's messages. No offense to those two users. :D
Actually, I'm not much of a prophecy type of person…I'm just saying that prophecies that are flexible (ie can be about any cat) are more friendly to people who join at a later point in the book, and less obvious prophecies will be more exciting for readers and might even entice readers to join. I was just giving an example above.
- Tilan
Hey, by the way, you can use Nightpaw in your chapter, just please don't mess up her personality :)
Per: Nightpaw, to strangers, can seem quiet and introverted. However, that it quite the opposite. She is very witty and extroverted, and can ever be a bit cocky sometimes. However, in the face of danger, she'll become quickly frightened and flee. She is also lesbian.
-- Ginger
Basically, a really big groups of rogues, kittypets, and loners started a horrible war with the Clans. The group even sent in dogs and foxes to try and destroy the Clans. So, all five Clans decided to merge with eachother to defeat the group. The Clan cats won the war, but decided that they should stick together from now on, so that they would be able to defeat enemies easier, and to hunt more prey. They named this new Clan BlossomClan in honor of their blossoming friendship.
- Livvy
Sure. I might add a scroll box, so that it's easier to get past all the messages.
- Livvy
Okay! Should we start filling in the prophecy? For instance, I believe there should be three main antagonists; Waspheart, and possibly two others.
-- Ginger
So perhaps there remnents of the huge group of cats? Their leader can be one.
- Tilan
That'd be neat. There was also that Grass-snake character, which I believe is yours. He doesn't seem to care too much for the code.
-- Ginger
I was planning for Grasssnake to be one of Waspheart's supportors. Her personality doesn't make it possible for her to become a villan…she is loyal to the Clan, it is only that her sense of being "loyal" is different from the majority…hard to explain.
Oh, I know, how about we get Waspheart an app? Character arc: normal - twisted - evil - henchcat - assistant - second-in-command - full-power villan. So basically they start out as normal, then their views change and start helping Waspheart, moving on to planning their next move at times, and then, finally, independent. So that would be two villans rising and three ruling over all. The story would be like the first series but Tigerstar and Lepordstar are equals and join forces with a Scrouge who doesn't break his promise. BlossomClan would be temporarily defeated and what happenes next we shall see.
- Tilan
Sounds interesting! Do you have any other characters that could be Waspheart's apprentice?
-- Ginger
I was going to make Lakepaw Bumbleflight's apprentice, but her being Waspheart's app would be cool.
- Livvy
Okay then! Hey, how about Nightpaw and Lakepaw are friends?
-- Ginger
Sounds good!
- Livvy
We need to think of a prophecy soon, because I'm planning on Reedshadow getting the prophecy fairly soon.
- Livvy
So...uh...maybe...
(?five?) shall fall,
(Two) shall rise.
(?four?) shall find new skies
While none grow wise.
(Three) shall rule over all.
Only one will get the prize.
not sure about the two "?" s. -Tilan
I'll use that one. If the numbers change later on, then I can just edit the prophecy.
- Livvy
Hewo! I was wondering if I could join, and if I could be one of the major villans/heroes (One of hero suggestion: Soulpaw. I think he would be intresting because of how different he is and misfit. Wy think?) of the prophecy.
FOR GINGER: For Soulpaw's part, may I put Swift like attacks him and like basically almost kills him, but Waspheart "attacks" him and "rescues" Soulpaw??
Hopefox: Anyone can join! Soulpaw's a great name, but currently the villans gap is full, so a hero maybe? If you want your character to me a major one then you've got to write a LOT of chapters about them. Personally I'm content with all my characters being sides/half-majors, but I think you'll have to seek approval from the other authors for your character to be one of the protagonists. Good luck!
What Tilan said.
- Livvy
Ty Tilan and Livvy! I will and if its alright with you (talking to everyone), he could be one of the heros? I was planning on him being one of my main focuses in this book anyway-
Sure, Swift can attack him!
Here's the protagonists so far (I believe);
Nightpaw
Soulpaw
And antagonists;
Waspheart
Lakepaw
(Possibly the rogue group who attacked the four clans before?)
-- Ginger
I'd say the protagonists are
Nightpaw
Soulpaw
Rubystar
And Reedshadow
Also, I thought of how Lakepaw becomes an antagonist. Since she wants BlossomClan to do really well, she teams up with Waspheart because she believes that Rubystar will cause BlossomClan to go down. Plus, she really wants Waspheart to be leader.
- Livvy
So, I was thinking one of the two rogues from Swift's latest chapter werethe last antagonist. If anyone wanted to adopt them, I'd be fine with that.
-- Ginger
Sure, I'll adopt them.
-HopeFox (Link has died)
Okay! I'm thinking the one on the left from Swift's chapter was the leader, and the right one was the second-in-command.
-- Ginger
Oki! I'll add them to rouges/loners. Are they apart of bloodclan or what...?
-HopeFox (HAHA I HAVE TAMED THE LINKS ONCE AGAIN!)
Above Tilan suggested that the leader of some remmenants of the rogue group who tried to kill the clans could be one of the antagonists, so I assumed that would be them.
-- Ginger
Oh! Alright, Ill lable them as Bloodclan then. OH! And maybe Beeclaw, out of grief of Birdtweet, turns to an antoganist/villian, working with wasp and swift and the fangs???
We could call them The Fangs.
- Livvy
Btw, the group that was at war with the BlossomClan wasn't BloodClan.
- Livvy
Aight, but my question? (Its alr if you have too many tho- just thought that at his stage it would be a good part- he could even be like a background/side protagonist.)
-Hope
Yeah, I think he'd be really cool as a antagonist!
-- Ginger
^W^ Great! Ty!
GUYS- AM I THE ONLY ONE THAT HAD THAT SCARE- I tried all my bookmarks of this wiki (which is a LOT) and all of them said "bad gateway" or like "gateway timeout" or "500 Internal Server error" I FREAKED OUT XD it lasted for bout 2hrs I think
-HopeFox
I kept getting that message last night too. I think there might've just been something wrong with the wiki's severs.
- Livvy
Hi, so I think that I have an idea for another villain, or at least a follower to Waspheart. So, basically, one of my characters is named Deepripples, and she adopted her kits (but no one knows it because she's pulling a Squilf) and basically, I'm thinking to make it so that she's always had a crush on Waspheart if that's okay Ginger, but just says that her mate is Snowripple. Anyhow, I think that she could get around to telling Waspheart, and Waspheart tricking her into thinking that she returns her feelings to get a new minion.
Hey, Hope, just wondering, are you done with Beeclaw's chapter?
- Livvy
Yep! Sorry bout that. I had editing problems and had to re-write his ch like 3 times. xD
-Hope
Alright. No worries!
- Livvy
I have another suggestion- what if Fawnpaw's a protagonist too? I'm already writing a lot of ch with her and I think since she's on the "brink of death" it would be cool. Thoughts?...
-Hope
That's fine by me if it's fine with the other authors. Also, I moved Fawnpaw and Rubystar's chapters, so that the times made more sense.
- Livvy
Alr. And understanable bout the move. I'm move Fernpaw's right before Fawnpaw's.
-Hope
- The Deepripples thing sounds really interesting, so I'd be okay with it.
- Yeah, i think Fawnpaw would be an interesting protagonist. what if she becomes a spirit (but she's still alive- like Leafpool and Squilf), and finds out about Waspheart's plans and/or the Fangs?
- Do you think we should start introducing ships? I feel like shipping Nightpaw with another apprentice :D
-- Ginger
I think that we could put Fernpaw with Nightpaw, I've been thinking about making Fernpaw a Lesbian, also, can we have Nightpaw telling Fernpaw that she saw Waspheart tell another cat to kill Rubystar.
Ooh, I like FernxNight. Yes, we should do that.
-- Ginger
Hi, can I make Fernpaw a protag? I'm planning on her finding Nightpaw
Agreed. And im changing it a bit bout Fawnpaw. I added a bit to her ch and she dies, i feel like it would make it more intresting for soulpaw, since he was super protective over her, etc.
And, I was actually thinking of making soulpaw pan (And having affections for webpaw, if your alright with that Livvy??). xD and falconpaw fighting for nightpaw but never quite getting her??
--Hope(NUUUU THE LINK HAS DIED ONCE AGAIINNNNNN)
Yeah, I'm fine with that! Also, here's a little list of personalities for my characters for when people need to put my characters in their chapters.
Rubystar: She's a very anxious and nervous she-cat. She worries about almost everything, and is rarely able to relax. When she's not worrying, however, she is a kind, honest, and loyal cat. She is very good friends with Reedshadow.
Reedshadow: He is a kind-hearted and devoted tom. He cares a lot for his Clanmates and patients, and always tries his best to heal his patients. He is hard working and faithful. He sees the good in every cat, and tries his best to understand the motivations behind what other cats do. He's basically like a therapist.
I'll add more character personalities later.
- Livvy
Can I have permission to kill off a few kits?
-- Ginger
- You can kill of Whitekit if you want
- HopeFox, why was Fernpaw thinking in Falconpaw's chapter? Can you maybe fix that?
- My character Deepripple going to talk to Waspheart soon
- @Hope, I have tamed your link, maybe you should copy and paste from now on
You can kill off a few of my kit ocs, Ginger. Also, can I make Waspheart interact with Lakepaw for one of my upcoming chapters?
- Livvy
Yeah, I'm fine with that. Waspheart could start putting some seeds of doubt into the innocent child's mind xD
-- Ginger
xD Sry bout that Otter! I'll fix that. And I guess I'll put some main ocs personalities too.
Soulpaw - Snappy, and clever. Skillful fighter and hunter and can be suspious. He's very cranky in mornings and likes Webpaw (though he doesn't show that he does.).
Fawnpaw (If you want a cat to visit her in Starclan) - Thoughtful and kind. Very patient and yet skillful. She is very loyal though.
Falconpaw - Very mellow and can be hangry. He's a okay fighter but VERY skillful hunter. He likes Nightpaw and does nothing to hide it.
Beeclaw - Ambitionous and aggresive. He was very strict to the warrior code and still is (ik its confusion but-). Will kill for self defense and is in no rush to help anyone.
Oak - Fiercely loyal and stubborn. Pretty fair (despise..everything...). Will mindlessly follow Reaper.
Reaper - Cool, quiet cat. Kills for nothing and tends to play with things (ex: he'll take time killing things to make them suffer). Make MANY threats he ALWAYS sticks too. Never breaks promises.
--Hope
I just realized I should put in my main oc's personalities
Fernpaw- She is a kind, but also rather snappy she-cat. She is level-headed in a crisis, and can see the truth about some things others can't (not the Waspheart thing, until Ginger feels that they are ready for Nightpaw to tell her of the Waspheart thing.) and is a very trusting, and trustworthy, cat. She is about 11 moons old, and when it is felt time for her to get her medicine cat name, it will be Fernsky or Ferntuft, haven't really decided yet, and she has a crush on Nightpaw.
Deepripples- She is a caring nursery queen who takes care of kittens she finds, and adopted hers (although no one knows because she is pulling a Squilf) and has a crush on Waspheart
Hey guys! I have an idea. What if, when Rubystar announces what Waspheart did the clan doesn't believe her at first, but then the Fangs attack the camp along with Swift, and maybe Waspheart bribes Lakepaw too??
-Hope
Maybe we could wait a bit before a big attack. I was thinking Waspheart would start to undermine Rubystar's leadership, before ultimately getting the clan to exile her, or something like that.
-- Ginger
Deepripples (Otter's character) still needs to confess her love to Waspheart, and Lakepaw needs to fully join Waspheart's side, so I say we should wait. Also, it would be out of character for Rubystar not to believe Soulpaw, so maybe something happens that causes him not to tell her?
- Livvy
Sure!
-hope (too lazy to link xd)
@Hope Not to be rude or anything, but you said Reaper always keeps his promises, and chapter thirty-seven directly contradicts that. Just letting you know!
-- Ginger
Oop! Sry Ginger I'll fix le that xD My brain hasnt been work the last (Insert however old I am) years. Ill fix that, ty!!
-Hope
Hey Ginger, do you think that Nightpaw should tell Fernpaw the thing about Waspheart? Just asking.
I would like to wait until Nightpaw is more healed, and her relationship with Fernpaw develops a bit more.
-- Ginger
I need opinions: is Crooked's ch too much? I did put some unnerving things for the action of it. Should I remove it? Lets take a vote. Say "totally" if you want to keep the ch like it is, and "no way" if you want to remove it.
I think the chapter is fine.
- Livvy
Hey, just wondering, does anyone edit this anymore? I'd love to make the story continue.
- Livvy
Introduction[]
Hello, my name is Livvy (Happynyss), and this is Everyone's Story, a fanfic that anyone can contribute to. This is inspired by Sleepysky's Book That Every User Can Write.
Rules[]
- You don't need permission to start writing in this.
- Do not use canon characters. Only ocs.
- You can interact with other people's characters, but you cannot make other people's characters do stuff without the user's permission.
- Make sure to add your characters to the allegiances section.
- There isn't much of a plot to this story yet, so go ahead and start driving this boat any direction you want!
Allegiances[]
BLOSSOMCLAN
- Leader:
- Rubystar (Livvy) - a dark ginger she-cat with a long very dark ginger stripe across her back, cream feet, cream muzzle, and very dark ginger ears; she has green eyes
- Deputy:
- Waspheart (Ginger) - A golden-brown spotted tabby she-cat with bright amber eyes and shredded ears. Apprentice, Lakepaw
- Medicine Cats:
- Reedshadow (Livvy) - a small, fluffy black tom with ginger patches, folded ears, and pale yellow eyes.
- Medicine Cat Apprentices:
- Fernpaw (Otterfeather) - small black and gray she-cat with amber eyes and white face stripes, and black tufts on her feet
- Warriors:
- Bumbleflight (Livvy) - a small, chubby tom with brown fur, and black stripes; he has dark yellow eyes
- Riverlick (Otterfeather) - gray she-cat with mint green eyes and black spots;
- Honeyflick- (Otterfeather) Golden she-cat with blue eyes and white spots
- Blackfern- (Otterfeather) Jet black tom with white paws and a white spot on his face, and green eyes
- Shadeburr- (Otterfeather) Dark gray tom with deep blue eyes and a black tail-tip
- Snowripple- (Otterfeather) White tom with tufts of gray on his cheeks and legs
- Crimson- (Otterfeather) Red tom with green eyes, former rouge
- Hawkstreak- (Otterfeather) Dark brown tom with amber eyes and a white chest, loves squirrels more than any other cat
- Lightfire- (Otterfeather) Cream she-cat with ginger streaks across her face, back, and tail, and white tufts of fur on her ankles
- Softspirit- (Otterfeather) Almost white light-gray she-cat with golden eyes and black tufts on her cheeks
- Icestep- (Otterfeather) White tom with light blue eyes
- Treefrost- (Otterfeather) Brown and white flecked tom with warm green eyes, apprentice Goldpaw
- Larktide - (Tilan) Big, muscular pale-gray tom with long hair and yellow eyes
- Leafblade - (Tilan) tea-coloured tabby she-cat with amber eyes
- Grasssnake - (Tilan) dark tea-coloured tabby she-cat with dark amber eyes. Apprentice, Ghostpaw
- Mosspelt - (Tilan) light tea-coloured she-cat with pale yellow eyes
- Mistfur - (HopeFox) Black she-cat with tinged edges of fur of silver. Apprentice, Soulpaw
- Toadleap - (HopeFox) Very long legged tom with a tan-ish colored fur and gold tabby stripes
- Vixenpelt - (HopeFox) Red colored she-cat with a speckled white face and redish-brown tuft on chest, paws, tail, and ears
- Beeclaw - (HopeFox) Large black tom with mango-colored stripes. Apprentice, Fawnpaw
- Birdtweet - (HopeFox) Small, long furred, caramel colored she-cat with black dapples
- Bearclaw - (HopeFox) Long furred tom with pelt all shades of brown in different patterns. Apprentice, Falconpaw
- Dawnflower - (HopeFox) Short she-cat with a cream colored pelt with darker spangles
- Whorlflight - (Ginger) Tall gray-blue tom with white patches and dark amber eyes
- Warrior Apprentices:
- Name (Username) - description
- Goldpaw (Otterfeather) - smart bright golden tom that is recently out of the nursery, and deep green eyes
- Ghostpaw -(Tilan) - pale-gray tom with darker gray eyes.
- Nightpaw (Ginger) - Small black she-cat with white patches dark gray eyes.
- Lakepaw (Livvy) - A small silver tabby she-cat with dark markings and a white underbelly; she has blue eyes and white tufts of fur on the tips of her ears; she is also missing a hind leg
- Snowpaw (Shaek) - a white fluffy tom with black splotches and a yellow missing eye.
- Soulpaw (HopeFox) - Very soft and fluffy silver tom with swirls of black, and is blind, and deaf.
- Fawnpaw (HopeFox) - Light brown molly with darker back and tail-tip. White speckles all over
- Falconpaw (HopeFox) - Mustard yellow pelted tom with rust colored ripples
- Webpaw (Livvy) - a small white tom with brown eyes
- Volturepaw (Livvy) - a large black and gray she-cat with a fluffy neck; she has dark amber eyes
- Queens:
- Softmurmur (Livvy) - a white she-cat with crystal blue eyes and a gray muzzle (expecting Bumbleflight's kits)
- Deepripples- (Otterfeather) Close to jet black queen with deep blue eyes, and light gray ripple-like markings spread across her body (kits, Whitekit, Gingerkit, Hollowkit)
- Crystalfeather -(Crystalfeather xoxo) - blue-grey she-cat with green eyes (kits : starkit, downykit)
- Littlebrook - (HopeFox) Small coffee brown pelt with lighter splotches here and there. (Expecting Toadleap's kits)
- Violetleap (Livvy) - A black, white, and ginger she-cat (mother of Northkit, Specklekit, Rosekit, and Mumblekit) (DEAD)
- Kits:
- Name (Username) - description
- Whitekit- White tom-kit with gray flecks and blue eyes
- Gingerkit- light ginger she-kit with green eyes and almost jet black flecks
- Hollowkit- Gray and black she-kit with copper eyes
- Featherkit (Shaek) - a black tortoiseshell tom with orange eyes.
- Shinekit (Crystalfeather xoxo) - silver-grey she-kit with blue eyes and white fur shaped like a four-pointed star on forehead.
- Downykit （Crystalfeather xoxo) - white and grey she-kit with amber eyes.
- Northkit (Livvy) - A white she-cat with blue eyes and specks of silver (DEAD)
- Specklekit (Livvy) - A white she-cat with black specks (DEAD)
- Rosekit (Livvy) - A black and white she-cat with a big ginger patch over one eye (DEAD)
- Mumblekit (Livvy) - A mute tom with ginger and black fur, and folded ears (DEAD)
- Elders:
- Hickorynut (Livvy) - tan and cream tom with ragged ears and several scars; he has dark green eyes
- Mapleshine (Happynyss) - ginger tabby she-cat with yellow eyes
- Petaltail (Livvy) - a pale ginger she-cat with a white muzzle, and a stubby tail; she has green eyes
- Goldfrost (Crystalfeather xoxo) - Golden brown tom with dark blue eyes.
- Chestnutear - (HopeFox) Small tom with a undersized/tiny ear that is a bit darker brown than the rest of his body
CATS OUTSIDE THE CLAN
- Swift (Ginger) - Light gray tom with white patches and large copper eyes
- Nightflash (Tilan) - Small, pure-black she-cat with leaf-green eyes. 7.5 moons old. Excels at stalking but has horrible stamina.
- Lark - (HopeFox) Pure white she-cat with bright orange eyes
- Reaper - (HopeFox) Massive black tom with the faintest, smallest white dots, leader of the remnants of the Fangs
- (Poison) Oak - (HopeFox) Darkest of browns tom, with light tabby stripes, co-leader of the remnants of the Fangs *Poison Oak (Or Poison) is another name he is known as*
- Wyvern (Otterfeather) - Yellow, almost gold colored she-cat with mint-green eyes, formerly a kittypet, member of the remnants of the Fangs
- Cobweb (Livvy) - A white and cream tom, member of the remants of The Fangs.
- Pounce (Livvy) - A light brown she-cat, member of the remants of The Fangs.
- Olivia (Ginger) - Dark brown classic tabby she-cat with white spots and large amber eyes.
Prologue - Swift (Ginger)[]
Swift dug his claws further into the ground, hissing. "I swear, if she's late again," He muttered angrily, his gray tail lashing back and forth.
"Relax, I'm here." A cold voice made Swift jump. Eyes flashing to the rustling bushes, he sighed as he watched a familiar yellow she-cat step out to face him. The she-cat mewed pleasantly, "So, brother, how've you been?"
"What do you think?" Swift shot back, his fur rising. "You made me kill an innocent cat- Willowfly or whatever- because you got into a small argument with them."
"It was not a small argument, I've already told you." The yellow cat's mew hardened. She took a deep breath and said calmly, "But that doesn't matter. I have another job for you."
'Job', meaning she's going to blackmail me again, Swift snarled to himself. Aloud, he sneered, "Who do you want me to go after this time? Smallkit of Buzzardclan?"
"It's Blossomclan," The cat corrected rather fiercely, narrowing her eyes. "And, no. Her name is Rubystar- she's a weak leader who's aloud too many mistakes to happen. Blossomclan is in need of a new ruler."
Swift sniffed, considering his options. "Oh, fine, but this is the last cat," He growled firmly.
The she-cat shrugged. "Fair enough." She smirked. "Soon, there will be a leader strong enough to pull my dying clan out of it's darkness."
Swift snorted. "Who, you?" He said. "That's laughable, dear sister."
The yellow she-cat hissed, hackles rising. "Yes, me, dear brother." She replied mockingly. She quickly turned, saying, "Well, that's it for tonight. See you tomorrow!" The cat disappeared into the bushes, leaving Swift with his thoughts and the moonlit night.
Swift sighed and turned as well, facing the moor. As he walked to the abandoned fox den he called home, he thought about what his sister has said.
Waspstar? Pfft, that sounds stupid.
I almost wish someone would stop her before she hastens her clan's impending doom.
Chapter One - Rubystar[]
Rubystar lied in her den, her paws folded underneath her chest. She watched as golden and brown leaves fell slowly from the trees outside. Leaf-fall had arrived, which meant that soon Leaf-bare would come, and the whole forest would be covered in deep white snow.
Rubystar licked her shoulder anxiously. Last Leaf-bare, Softmurmur's whole litter had died of green-cough. It was a dreadful time, and Rubystar worried that something like that would happen again.
To add more to the nervous leader's worry, one of BlossomClan's cats - Willowfly - had mysteriously died. Most of the Clan assumed it was a rogue, or maybe some foxes, but Rubystar, being the overthinker she was, thought that Willowfly's death was deeper and more meaningful than just a random attack.
Rubystar's eyes darted around, searching the camp from her den. Nobody looked suspicious. Of course nobody looks suspicious! Rubystar reminded herself. Killers are the cats you least expect.
The she-cat fur rose as a cat padded into her den. It was the small black and ginger medicine cat, Reedshadow.
"Hello, Rubystar," the short tom mewed. "Worrying in your den again?"
Rubystar frowned. "Yes," she murmured slowly.
"What is it this time?" Reedshadow continued. "Dogs? Fat kittypets?"
It was obvious that the good-hearted medicine cat was just joking around, but Rubystar scowled at him, her eyes narrowing. "I am worrying about Leaf-bare. You remember what happened last time, don't you?" she replied, leaving out her worries of Willowfly's demise.
Reedshadow looked sad for a second, his bushy tail lowering. "Yes, I do," he said. "I remember I tried so hard to save those kits." A look of guilt struck his face, and Rubystar felt a pang of sympathy for him.
The medicine cat then raised his head, meeting his leader's gaze. "But maybe this coming Leaf-bare will be different," he meowed. Rubystar was about to tell him that he doesn't know that for sure, but the tom went on, "If it makes you feel better, I'll get extra catmint. And, maybe you could get your warriors to do extra hunting, so that we have plenty of prey."
Rubystar still felt unsure, but she didn't want to spread her negativity to Reedshadow. "Yeah, that's a good idea," she meowed.
It was obvious that Reedshadow could look right past the shell that Rubystar was putting over her words, but he gave the leader a quick nod before leaving the den.
Rubystar let her chin press against the ground, wrapping her tail around her haunches. I hate that I worry so much about things, but I can't help it. I just care about my Clan. That's all.
Isn't that a good thing?
Chapter Two - Nightpaw (Ginger)[]
Nightpaw watched in horror as she saw Waspheart talk about murdering Rubystar with a ROGUE. She let out a small gasp, never letting her eyes stray from the yellow tabby deputy. One thought was racing through her mind as Waspheart dove through the bushes and back into Blossomclan territory.
I need to tell someone. Now.
Nightpaw ignored the branches that raked across her silky black pelt as she hurried to reach camp before Waspheart did. She could already tell the sun was rising above the mountains ahead, turning the sky to a pale pink. As if she had wings, Nightpaw frightenedly flew into camp, earning meows of surprise from her fellow apprentices and warriors.
Nightpaw was panting hard, her heart speeding up faster and faster. She leaped into the leader's den at lightning speed, shouting out, "Rubystar! I need to tell you something!"
Rubystar looked at the wild eyed apprentice, an expression of worry and concern on her face.
"What is it, Nightpaw?" the redish she-cat asked anxiously.
Nightpaw let out a sigh of relief. After this, Waspheart will be banished from the clan, and I don't have to worry anymore!
"I-It's about Waspheart!" Nightpaw stumbled over her words, hurriedly trying to get them out. "She's planning-"
"I'm planning what now?"
Nightpaw's heart stopped. Out of the darkness of the den, Waspheart's eyes gleamed. Her mew was calm, but there was a hint of menace behind it.
When Nightpaw didn't say anything, Waspheart got up and stretched. "Come on, little apprentice. No need to be scared." She smiled sweetly.
Nightpaw still stood there, frozen in shock. Rubystar stared at her and Waspheart, a look of confusion across her face.
Nightpaw slowly turned around, the blood pounding in her ears drowning out the whispers Waspheart said to Rubystar about her.
"Th-The deputy's a murderer," She whispered slowly to herself as she padded to the apprentices' den. "I need to stop her."
But you're still an apprentice. you can't do it alone. The reasonable little voice in her head whispered to her.
Right. Nightpaw sighed. I'll need some help.
Her head turned to the two other apprentices in the den.
If only I could find a way to convince them...
Chapter Three - Reedshadow[]
Reedshadow was about to go into the forest to collect some herbs when he saw a black shape dart into camp. The short tom stopped mid-step, watching as the black shape - which appeared to be an apprentice - went to the leader's den.
Why is she in such a rush? he wondered, though he decided not to follow, since his mother had always taught him that eavesdropping is bad.
Purring at the memory of his mother, Reedshadow began padding toward the forest, but then another cat came out. It was Waspheart, the deputy of BlossomClan.
He blinked as she too went into the leader's den. Huh, that's strange, Reedshadow thought, tilting his head a bit.
He decided to sit down and wait, in case any other cats came out of the forest. And, he also was curious on why two cats had gone into Rubystar's den near the same time, so he wanted to see what would happen next. Without spying on Rubystar, of course.
Only a little while later, the apprentice - who Reedshadow finally recognized as Nightpaw - came out of Rubystar's den, looking disappointed. Reedshadow was going to talk to her, but she had already dissappeared into the apprentice den.
Soon after, Waspheart left the den as well, with Rubystar close behind her. After Waspheart walked away, Rubystar went toward Redshadow. She had a nervous look on her face, though this wasn't much of a surprise.
"Hello, Rubystar," Reedshadow meowed, nodding.
"Hey," the leader replied, her mew unfocused.
Reedshadow tilted his head at her, a gesture for Rubystar to tell him why she was unhappy.
"I'm worried, Reedshadow," Rubystar began.
"About what?" the medicine cat asked.
"Well, Nightpaw ran into my den, looking as if she had just witnessed something horrible," the she-cat murmured. "She was... trying to tell me something about Waspheart."
Reedshadow nodded, letting her know he was listening.
"But then, Waspheart came into my den, and Nightpaw wasn't able to finish what she was saying."
Rubystar's dark green eyes widened as she stared fearfully at Reedshadow.
"What if it was something important?" she said, her voice sounding panicked.
"Well-" Reedshadow tried to say, only to be interrupted by the scared she-cat.
"Waspheart could've ben doing something bad!" Rubystar whimpered.
"Ruby-"
"OH MY STARCLAN!" Rubystar shrieked, her voice becoming shrill. "What if she murdered someone?!"
Several cats turned their heads to look at Rubystar, concern on their faces. Reedshadow quickly slapped his tail over Rubystar's mouth, causing her to immediately go quiet.
Reedshadow knew that it wasn't Rubystar's fault that she overthought things so much, but with a leader that worried so much, BlossomClan as a whole could become a bunch of worriers. And Reedshadow would say that she only worried because she wanted to protect her Clan, but the medicine cat knew the she-cat since she was a young kit, and she had always been like this. Though, her worrying had gotten worse once she became a leader.
"Rubystar, clam down," Reedshadow snapped, a bit meaner than he had meant.
The red she-cat's ears lowered, and a guilty look came upon her slender face.
Reedshadow moved his tail away from her mouth, looking at his Clanmates. "It is alright, everyone!" he called. "Rubystar was just having some anxiety. There are no murderers."
The cats all let out murmurs of understanding, and then went back to doing their things.
"But, Reedshadow," Rubystar continued quietly. "What if Waspheart really is..." Her voice trailed off.
"Remember a few seasons ago when Bumbleflight had blood all over his paws and mouth?" Reedshadow asked.
Rubystar blinked for a second, trying to remember, but then she nodded, the memory seeming to come back to her.
"Well, you freaked out, thinking he had killed someone, but what did it end up being?" Reedshadow meowed.
"He killed a rabbit, and accidentally got blood on him," Rubystar said slowly.
Reedshadow gave her a small smile. "You see?" he said warmly. "There is always an explanation for things. And sometimes, that explanation is as simple as killing a rabbit. I'm sure if you ask Nightpaw about what she was going to say, she'll tell you that it was something unimportant, and not super bad like Waspheart being a murderer."
Rubystar for once looked reassured, which made Reedshadow happy. "Yeah, I suppose you're right," she said.
"Well, I was going to get some herbs. Would you like to come with me?" he asked.
Rubystar glanced at the apprentice's den, probably wanting to ask Nightpaw about Waspheart, but she looked back at Reedshadow, and replied, "Yeah, Nightpaw is probably tired right now anyways. I could always ask her later."
"That's the spirit!" Reedshadow purred, rubbing against the tall she-cat.
Pulling away from Rubystar, Reedshadow went into the forest, and the she-cat followed close behind him.
Chapter Four - Ghostpaw[]
Ghostpaw stretched in his sleep.
Any moment now…
"Ghostpaaaaaaw!" A shrill call sounded across the camp.
He shrugged and opened his eyes. He was already standing up and half out of the apprentices' den. The others seemed unperturturbed by the noise, as always. Strange how he seemed to be the only one who doesn't drop out like a log every night.
"Ghooostpaaaaaaw!!" Grasssnake called again.
Oh, well.
"Coming," he said in a hoarse whisper, padding out of the den.
Grasssnake was standing in the middle of the clearing, right next to the prey-pile, her slim body outlined against the sky and her tail whipping back and forth with impatience. Ghostpaw glanced up. The moon had yet to fall, and trees loomed like shadows overhead. The morning was a long way off.
"Eat up," said Grasssnake, nodding towards a piece of rabbit.
"But-" Ghostpaw stammered.
"But what?" said Grasssnake, fixing her sharp gaze upon him.
"It-It's against the warrior code."
"The code doesn't matter. As long as you don't do anything outrageous."
"But the code-"
"Is nothing but a set of restrictions. Listen, I know about these things. The code is wrong, got it? Now eat up, you've got a long day ahead."
Ghostpaw gave in and started to munch. The rabbit was rough and going a bit on the sour side.
"Come on. With this eating speed the sun'll be up when you've finished."
He grunted softly and picked up his pace just a little, swallowing half of a leg as he finished. Grasssnake was looking out into the forest to notice. She snapped her head around at the last crunch and signaled for him to follow.
They had trotted out into the forest for some time before she turned towards him again. Shadows interwove amongst the trees, and the moon shed her eerie light down on the branches, dancing pale-white on the ground below. He shivered. Grasssnake, however, seem not to notice. She didn't seem to notice anything, ever.
"Four pieces of prey and you'll have the rest of the time free for the morning. I'll give you the plans for the rest of the day when you're ready. And," she shifted so that she was directly facing him,"Don't let it all be mice this time."
"But you've only taught me how to hunt mice -"
"Same principal. Once you know how to hunt mice, you know how to hunt anything. Even fish."
"Fish and mice?"
"All the same,"she answered as she disappeared into the undergrowth.
He stood alone in the forest. He tried to listen for a while to see if she's still there, but no, nothing. After a few more moments of silence,he went off in search of squirrels. They look like mice...Only longer tails and able to climb trees. At least I can try.
Behind him, Grasssnake dropped down onto the ground sofly and watched him go, her amber eyes shining.
Chapter Five - Waspheart (Ginger)[]
Waspheart watched the black-pelted apprentice as she scurried out of the den. She must've seen me, She hissed to herself, angry that she hadn't even thought to check for spies.
I'll have to take care of her somehow.
"That Nightpaw seems to be disruptive." Waspheart commented to Rubystar. She flicked her ear and said, "Well, I'd better organize some hunting patrols."
"Mhm." Rubystar replied, an odd look on her face. Waspheart smiled and padded out of the den. I'll need to have a meeting with Swift soon, She noted in her head.
Waspheart stood on top of a stone ledge. "Larktide! Crimson! Snowripple! Hunting patrol!" She called out, her claws pricking the surface of the stone. Meanwhile, her mind wandered.
Blood. Blood is everywhere. Snapping jaws and screeching cats fill the deafening silence. Young Wasppaw is scared. Cats are dying to her left and right and she can't think and all there is is blood.
Waspaw's gaze whirled around. The rogues have invaded, with their cunning foxes and savage dogs and gleaming teeth and eyes. They've come to destroy the clans.
But the clans knew. Wasppaw's Windclan joined with the other clans to fight the rogues and protect their home. To give themselves a chance.
But all Waspaw was thinking as she faced a pointed muzzle and cat-like eyes full of dark blue hatred was that it may not be enough.
Waspheart shook her head. Now was not the time to dwell on the past.
Now was the time to focus on the future.
Specifically the one with her saving the clan from the destructive cowardice Rubystar had inflicted upon them.
She would lead the clan into prosperity, finally becoming the hero that she couldn't've been when it was needed most.
"I'm sorry, Beetlepaw," She whispered under her breath, leading her hunting patrol out.
Chapter Six - Lakepaw[]
Lakepaw hopped into the elder's den, an excited gleam in her eyes, despite the fact that she was carrying mouse bile.
An old, scarred tom turned his gaze to the three-legged she-cat. "Hello, Lakepaw," he rasped.
"Hi, Hickorynut!" Lakepaw murmured through the bile.
"You know that apprentice is an optimist when she's happy about getting our ticks out," Mapleshine purred, humor twinkling in her eyes.
"It's because..." Lakepaw said, putting a chunk of mouse bile on Mapleshine's shoulder where a large tick was hanging. "while I get your ticks off, Hickorynut will tell me a story!"
Hickorynut let out a raspy laugh. "I will?" he chuckled.
"Mhm!" Lakepaw replied as she removed the big tick from Mapleshine. "You're gonna tell me the story of how BlossomClan began."
"You mean the one I tell you every time?" Hickorynut said, rolling his eyes.
"That's the one!" Lakepaw mewed, setting the tick down, and then smooshing it with a rock.
"Alright, alright," Hickorynut began. "There once were five Clans that lived by our lake. ThunderClan, ShadowClan, SkyClan, WindClan, and RiverClan. The Clans hated eachother, and only cared about their own Clanmates.
But one day, a giant group of rogues, loners, and even kittypets, came. They were called The Fangs. They wanted to take over the forest, and so they began fighting the Clans, leaving many cats bleeding and tired by the end of each day. This war only got worse and worse as more cats died. The Fangs even brought in foxes and badgers to ambush the Clans.
The five Clans were desperate now, and so, they did something that they hadn't done in a long time. They united as one, and worked together to defeat the villains. They taught those cats a lesson that they'd never forget.
After The Fangs left, the Clans decided that they wanted to stay merged, so that they would be stronger. They named this Clan BlossomClan, as a reminder of how they were able to blossom into a new Clan, where all the cats trusted and respected eachother. They also chose a tom named Goathuff as their leader. Goatstar served BlossomClan for many moons before losing his life to an unusual lump that had been growing on his leg.
But his deputy - Rubygleam - was there to become BlossomClan's new leader, and she is still our leader to this day."
By now, Lakepaw had gotten several ticks off of Mapleshine. Dropping one of the little bugs on the ground, she purred, "I love that story!"
"I know you do," Hickorynut said, licking Lakepaw on the nose.
"Hickorynut, is it true that leaders used to have nine lives?" Lakepaw asked.
"Yes, it is. When we were still five Clans, the leaders would get nine lives from StarClan. But, when BlossomClan was made, we decided to not depend on StarClan as much, so our leaders stopped getting nine lives. StarClan still gives us prophecies and other messages, though."
"I hope BlossomClan lasts forever," Lakepaw murmured.
"Me too," Hickorynut purred.
Chapter Seven - Snowpaw[]
the mouse sprinted next to a bush, nibbling on their seed, a white tom crouched watching the mouse getting ready to pounce.
it looked at the bush and it ran away "Not again." he then stood up and got out of the bush.
"How am I supposed to hunt with just one eye?"
he then looked back in frustration
"I'm useless." he then walked away going back to camp
when he was at camp he ate from the fresh-kill pile, but then he looked at the exit of camp and decided.
"Maybe I could try again."
he then got out of camp and he stretched, he then stopped and he sighed, snowpaw then finds a mouse eating a berry, but it ran away "I didn't even get near it-" he then saw a shadow and he would sweat "Wh-who's there?" he backed away slowly and then the shadow jumped out of the bush
a gray tom pinned him down, and he threw the gray tom and snowpaw hissed
"Leave blossomclan territory, now!" he unsheathed his claws
the tom then leaped to the rogue and they dodged
"You are very terrible at fighting." he then sprang to snowpaw and he'd pin him down, snowpaw struggled to get up and the tom scratched his cheek, then snowpaw scratched his eye and the tom backed away
he'd then leave and snowpaw panted.
Chapter Eight - Swift (Ginger)[]
Swift shook his pelt out as he walked. Stupid clan kit, He growled as the area around him became darker and denser. He stopped and tasted the air.
He sighed tiredly when when he tasted the familiar scent. "I swear, you two are just as bad as my sister," He called out.
Two dark figures suddenly melted out of the shadows in front of him. "Hello, Swift." The one on the right smirked.
Swift yawned. "Hey, rogues."
The left one narrowed his eyes. "Swift, you know not to refer to us as just 'rogues'." He said.
"Oh, right!" Swift said, his voice mocking. "I'm so sorry, oh great and almighty rulers." When the left one snarled, Swift added, "Look, I'm sorry, but I left your group a long time ago. The only reason I'm helping you is because I can."
"Oh," The right one snorted. "That's not true, and you know it."
Swift's pelt began to prickle with unease. He forced a laugh. "Yeah, you totally are forcing me to work for you. What do you have over my head? My half-eaten mouse?"
"Olivia."
Swift's breath hitched slightly. The left one seemed to notice this, and flicked their ear. Traces of a smile were faint upon their face. "Yes, we have her. And you know this, don't you?"
"I-I don't care about her anymore." Swift forced out, glancing around.
"Ah, I see." The left one dipped their head in understanding and looked at the right one. "Give the order to kill her."
"Wait!" Swift's eyes widened, taking a step forward. "We-We don't need to do that-"
The right one smiled even wider. "So you'll help us?"
Swift nodded weakly, his stomach churning.
The left one finally smiled, which gave Swift chills. He mewed, "Now, here's the thing. The difference between your sister and us, we don't like to go for the roots."
Swift swallowed the bile rising in his throat, already knowing where this was going. For a moment, he felt a prick of an unfamiliar emotion.
Fear.
Swift replied, trying to sound calm and collected, "So, I kill the kits and apprentices first?"
The right one nodded. "Finally, something smart comes out of your mouth!" He exclaims. He turns to the left one. "I believe that's all?" He asked.
The left one nodded. "See you later, Swift." He mewed coldly, melting back into the shadows with their associate.
Swift waited until they were gone, and groaned.
"Mouse-dung, why does everything have to be so hard?" He complained to himself, his mind frantically jumping from one place to the next, trying to come up with away to comprehend everything.
Fine. I'll take out the kits first. Then the apprentices, and finally Rubystar.
Olivia is the most important thing at the moment.
Sighing again, Swift turned to trudge back to his home, feeling very defeated.
Chapter 9 - Fernpaw[]
Fernpaw was resorting herbs in the medicine den, grumbling to herself. While Reedshadow was off collecting herbs, she was stuck cleaning up the mess the kits made. The two had just organized them as well, so Fernpaw was going to ask Rubystar give the kit or kits, the terrible punishment of helping the medicine cats organize the herbs, and not become apprentices until they do. She paused to stretch, and a kit slowly padded in from the entrance groaning, probably Hollowkit.
Without pausing to look, Fernpaw groaned, "Hollowkit, what did you do?"
"I'm not Hollowkit!" the kit squeaked, "I'm Gingerkit!"
Fernpaw turned her head, she couldn't believe what she had heard, "Gingerkit, why are you here, and did you get into my herbs? I have to fix them if you kits play in them."
Fernpaw yowled back, "WELL YOU SHOULD HAVE KNOWN NOT TO GET INTO THEM!"
Gah, what am I doing? Yelling at a kit? That's low. Fernpaw regretted saying those words as she said them, and tried to amend it.
"I mean,"
She was cut off by Gingerkit crying, "You meanie!"
"Gingerkit, wait! I DIDN'T MEAN IT!" Fernpaw ran to Gingerkit and asked, "Are you sick?"
"Y-yes, my stomach hurts."
"Did you eat anything like crowfood or my herbs?"
"I ate an herb, but i-it was an accident."
"Hold on, I think I know what to do," Fernpaw mewed, already making her way to the pile of herbs.
Please let me have at least one leaf left. Her mind pleaded, and, luckily, the plant she needed was sitting on the pile.
"Gingerkit! Eat this!" she mewed.
Gingerkit padded up to the yellow plant and mewed, "O-okay." She ate one of the leaves, and shortly after, started vomiting. Fernpaw could see chewed up pieces of a holly berry grazing the outsides, and when the flow stopped, spat, "Ugh, what is that stuff?"
"Oh, a plant called yarrow, the leaves can be used to expel poison."
"What did I eat that made me sick?"
"Holly berries before that, they can cause a stomach ache, or kill."
"Ok, also, sorry I messed up your herbs, I'll make it up to you!" she shouted as she ran out of the den.
"No problem!" Fernpaw mewed, than she started muttering to herself, "Now to get back to sorting these herbs."
Chapter Ten - Reedshadow[]
Reedshadow sniffed at a poppy sticking out of the ground. Rubystar walked over to him, a look of curiosity on her face.
"What are you doing?" she asked.
"I'm smelling it to see how fresh it is," Reedshadow replied.
Unsheathing his claws, he began raking out the tiny black seeds from the flower, and then collecting them in his leaf bag, which he proudly made himself.
"Alright I've gotten cobwebs, marigold, and poppy seeds. Now, I just need-"
A prickly sensation surged through Reedshadow's body. He trembled without really meaning to, and pain throbbed in his head. He fell onto his side, and Rubystar's eyes widened.
"Reedshadow? Are you okay?" she asked, panic lining her voice.
"I-" the tom tried to say, but then everything became blurry, and it seemed as though the world was spinning. Then, suddenly, everything turned white.
After a painfully long moment, the white faded, but Reedshadow was no longer in the forest with Rubystar. He was in a forest that was covered in twinkling stars.
Reedshadow felt a sudden realization hit him. I'm in StarClan!
Suddenly, a large, fluffy, gray and white tom walked up to Reedshadow. He had stars that shined in his thick fur.
"Goatstar?" Reedshadow breathed, staring at the former leader of BlossomClan.
"Greetings, Reedshadow," the starry tom replied. "It's been a long time since I last saw you."
Reedshadow nodded, and then meowed, "Did you come here to deliver a message?"
The friendly twinkle in Goatstar's eyes vanished, and his face became stern and serious. "Yes, I did."
"Five shall fall,
Three shall rise,
Four shall find new skies,
While none grow wise.
Five shall rule over all.
Only one will get the prize."
Reedshadow felt dread sink into his stomach. This was obviously a prophecy, but what did it mean?
Suddenly, everything around Reedshadow began to fade. "Goatstar!" he yowled, trying to run to the dead leader, but it was too late. Reedshadow was already back in the forest.
Rubystar was standing over him, her green eyes as wide as moons. "Are you okay?" she asked, her voice high with fear.
"Yeah... I'm fine," Reedshadow murmured.
"What happened?" Rubystar asked nervously.
Reedshadow was about to tell her about the prophecy, but then he realized that if he told her, she would become hysterical, and would spiral out of control.
"I think I'm just dehydrated," he replied instead.
"Are you sure?" Rubystar mewed.
"Yes, I'm sure," the tom assured, getting slowly to his feet.
He picked up his leaf bag of herbs, and handed it to Rubystar. "Take this back to camp. I'm going to get some water from the river."
"Well, if you’re sure that you're alright on your own..."
"I'm fine, really."
"Alright," Rubystar sighed, taking the leaf bag, and walking back toward camp.
Reedshadow let out a sigh. I know that it's important for a leader to know about the prophecy, but I know what Rubystar would do if I told her.
I can't let BlossomClan fall apart.
Chapter Eleven - Soulpaw (Hope)[]
Soulpaw woke with a start, opening his pale lavender eyes to darkness. He shifted in his feather-lined nest, pressing all four pads to the ground, feeling for vibrations. Sure enough, Soulpaw felt the two swift taps, and three long thuds of his mentor's, Mistfur, paw taps the ground, beckoning him to come for training. "Coming..." He mewed drowsily.
Soulpaw sniffed the air, and stood only to trip on Nightpaw's tail. "Ow! Watch where you're stepping!" She swept her tail closer to her, shifting in her moss nest.
"Sorry." Soulpaw mummbled, and stopped at the entrance of the den to sniff the air in confusion, turning his head in her general direction. Fear-scent?...But why?...
He padded over to Mistfur, tilting his head for her to go. Soulpaw pressed his paws to the ground as she was saying something to him, using the taps, knocks, and scratched in the ground they'd adapted instead of words, in which he wouldn't be able to hear.
'Today is you first assesment.' Mistfur was telling him. 'You shall catch as much prey as possible and report back by Maple-sun.' Maple-sun was the term the developed for "sunhigh", because at sunhigh is when the forest smells of maple for some reason. 'I cannot watch you because Rubystar needed me for something.' She licked his head and he closed his eyes before padding away. 'Good-bye, Soulpaw.' Soulpaw felt the last tap as he padded away. Good-bye?
..:~:..
Soulpaw had caught two mice and a dove in a few minutes, scraping what he thought was dirt but smelled rather odd. Shrugging he padded away, opening his mouth to drink in the scents of the forest with his very highly developed sense of smell. Soulpaw froze, drinking in the scent of a rouge, that lingered with the faintest scent of Waspheart. He followed the rouge-scent as best he could- where at some point he would bump into things- and stopped when the scent was mixed in with 2 other rouges. His fur pricked in unease, and whipped around, barley feeling the vibrations of what might have been the softest pawsteps ever.
Soulpaw ducked, and the rouge missed his ear by a whisker as he pounced. He charged forward once he had pinpointed the tom's location by scent and vibrations, raking his claws he thought he would miss, but effectively gave his shoulder a deep clawing.
They tussled together, clawing, biting, and scratching, claws unsheathed. Soulpaw did get scratched a bit, but not nearly as much as the rouge, he could tell but the smell and limp of his vibrations. He leapt away and glared in the general direction of the tom, "You give in?" Soulpaw felt the vibrations in his paws as the cat crouched in submission. "Then leave. And stay away from my territory!" He gave the tom a hard nip on his leg, though aiming for his flank.
Soulpaw waited till the cat left until he took a step forward, only to freeze at the feeling some cat was watching him. His fur prickled along his spine in unease. He felt heavy but quiet pawsteps pad away and he took a deep breath, trying to catch the scent. And he did. Waspheart.
Chapter Twelve - Beeclaw (Hope)[]
Beeclaw bristled at his apprentice, he knew this was training, and Fawnpaw was an excellent fighter, but sometimes, Beeclaw would let his claws slip out, just for her to have a real taste of the world. He narrowed his eyes at the light brown she-cat, "Attack! And try not to do something so...predictable." Beeclaw snaled as she flinched. Fawnpaw seemed to be desperately looking around, and he lunged, only to rake his unsheathed claws on nothing. He looked up to see that she had leapt into a tree, and only too late to see she dropped onto his back.
Beeclaw hissed and flipped over, exposing his rough with dried mud under belly. Fawnpaw thudded his belly with a sheathed forepaw, and was lanuched into a tree as he kicked her away. Beeclaw seized the moment and pinned her, claws digging into her brown and white fur. She yowled with pain and thrashed, he drew blood and was about to bite into her throat when he heard a familiar voice, "Beeclaw! What in the name of Starclan!" Beeclaw looked up and saw a flash of caramel and black fur and Birdtweet rammed into him, pushing him off his apprentice.
Beeclaw snarled at her, only to realise who she was. "Birdtweet!" He padded up to his mate, purring, but she swiped her sheathed paw at his muzzle, bristling she leapt away to stand in front of his beaten apprentice.
He flinched away, fighting the urge and instict to fight back. "W-what? Birdtweet i-its me, Beeclaw!" Beeclaw stuttered, genienly confused with the molly.
"I now know exactly what you are!" She snapped, looking now 3 times her size with her fluffy, bristling fur. "You're a monster!" Birdtweet turned sharply and nudged the stunned apprentice forward, and together they race back towards camp.
Beeclaw's heart seemed to have shattered in a million pieces. A monster?... Is that how she saw him? What did he do? I was only training Fawnpaw... He was broken from his thoughts at a yowl. A familiar yowl. Birdtweet.
Beeclaw raced away toward the sound, and the closer he got, the louder the noise of a battle was. He entered the clearing to see Birdtweet, pinned by a massive black tom, that reeked of blood. Across the clearing, trying to reach Birdtweet, was Fawnpaw, struggling with another big tom, a very dark brown tabby one.
Beeclaw didn't do anything. He just stood there. Watching his mate and apprentice get brutally killed.
The black tom gave his mate a hard thud on her head, and she stopped struggling, letting Starclan take her.
That's it. Beeclaw has had enough, he screeched with fury and launched himself onto the cat. The rouge growled with surprise but easily pinned him. The tom studied Beeclaw as he struggled. "Yes..." The black cat let him go and sat down a few rabbit-hops away.
He stood there in confusion. What does this rouge want? NO. Beeclaw ENOUGH! He killed Birdtweet!...Do you care?...Yes. Even though he cared, very much deeply, he didn't attack. Instead, Beeclaw tilted his head, voiding emtionlessly the mew of Fawnpaw begging for help. "What do you want?" He asked coolly.
The rouge didn't say anything for a heartbeat, then he mewed in a deep voice, "I want you to join The Fangs. Your fit and have energy. We could train you up to be unstoppable...Think about it. Meet here tomorrow at moonhigh with your answer." Beeclaw noticed the beggings of his apprentice had stopped, and that the brown rouge had join the black one. They started to slink away to the shadows, but he strained his ears to hear the one that seemed like the leader (the black one) growled, "Remember, if you refuse, your life shall end then and there..." And he was gone.
Beeclaw buried his mate, kicking dirt over her so the animals wouldn't eat her body. He then walked away, eyes dark and emtionless, not once looking at his apprentice.
Chapter Thirteen - Nightpaw (Ginger)[]
Nightpaw sighed as she trudged out of the apprentices den.
What to do, what to do, what to do?
She looked around, when suddenly a voice called out to her. "Nightpaw! Stop standing there and come training!" Nightpaw jerked her head to the left to see her bubbly mentor padding towards her.
"Nightpaw!" Whorlflight repeated. "Come on, you slow furball." He nudged Nightpaw. "I'll race you!"
Maybe his will take my mind off of Waspheart. Nightpaw smirked at him. "You're on, you snail."
Whorlflight's eyes widened in mock surprise. Nightpaw let out a small laugh and took off.
---
Nightpaw smiled as she reached the clearing. She turned her head back, and shouted, "Beat you!"
Whorlpelt smirked. "Well, it looked like you did. I'll have to..." He trailed off, staqring at the clearing ahead.
Nightpaw tiled her head in confusion. "What?" Whorlpelt said nothing, instead pushing past her. "Hey!" She exclaimed, watching as he stepped into the clearing. "What are you-"
Suddenly, she saw it. Blood covered the ground in the clearing. the stench of rogues filled the air
And at the center was Reedshadow and Soulpaw, crouching over a small, motionless body.
Nightpaw's eyes widened. "Fawnpaw!" She screeched in horror. She ran over as fast as she could, her stomach tightening when the fawn body came into view.
"What happened to her?" She whispered as her mind raced for a solution.
What attacked her? Was it Waspheart?
Nightpaw said nothing, just watching blankly as Reedshadow sighed and Whorlflight looked at the ground in despair.
Chapter Fourteen - Reedshadow[]
Reedshadow brushed off the drops of water clinging to the fur around his jaws. While he wasn't actually dehydrated, of course, the water was still refreshing.
Turning his head, he noticed some yarrow growing near the river. Too bad I gave my bag to Rubystar. I could've gotten the yarrow.
Shrugging, he decided to take the yarrow anyway. He bent down, and grasped his jaws around the plant, then yanked it out of the ground.
Just as he was about to head back to camp, a shrieking yowl split through the air, causing Reedshadow to freeze.
That was a cat in pain! he thought, turning his head toward where the sound was coming from.
He began sprinting toward the direction of the yowl, his flanks heaving as he hurried through the undergrowth. The smell of blood filled his nostrils, and he knew he was getting closer. Then, soon enough, he reached an area in the forest where blood was splattered on the ground. He felt his heart stop for a moment as he saw who was laying in the stained grass.
A small, light brown she-cat with white and black specks on her fur was on the ground, her fur stained with blood. Reedshadow immediately recognized her. Fawnpaw.
He slowly walked over to her, his eyes wide. What could've done this? And where was Beeclaw, Fawnpaw's mentor?
Oh, StarClan, please protect this poor young she-cat now that she's with you, he thought with a sad sigh.
He was about to pick her up, to bring the body back camp, but then, he heard a faint "help" coming from her mouth. She was still alive!
Chapter Fifteen - Fawnpaw (Hope)[]
Fawnpaw's body felt dead. But she was alive. She faintly heard a cat coming through the undergrowth and she let out a faint mew. "Help...Help.." It was Reedshadow, Fawnpaw was on the brink of death and the medicine cat could help her! Fawnpaw's breath became more and more shallow, and, using almost all of her breath, she yowled, "HELP!"
..:~:..
Fawnpaw opened her eyes slightly, she groaned and saw Reedshadow, Nightpaw, Whorlflight, and Soulpaw above her. Good. He's here. She saw Reedshadow's eyes widen and sprint away towards his den. Fawnpaw barely heard her brother's mew, "Fawnpaw?" She mangaged to lift her tail to respond, saying dear Soulpaw's name. "...Reedshadow's coming..." Great. Don't worry brother, I'm here. Then the world around her faded to black.
..:~:..
Fawnpaw's eyes opened slowly, and she heard two voices, Reedshadow's and...She shivered, Waspheart. Soulpaw had before told her about his suspisions. But she liked Waspheart. She was nice to her and helped her with training every once in a while...Well, so much for that...
Chapter Sixteen - Soulpaw (Hope)[]
Soulpaw had reported what had happened to Rubystar, and instead of seeming proud, the crease of worry between her eyes seemed to get bigger. He sighed, and opening his jaws, drank the air. Squirell. River. Yarrow. Blood. Soulpaw jerked his head up. Blood? He raced toward the smell and crouched under a gorse bush, the branches poking him. Soulpaw opened his mouth again and could smell Reedshadow a few fox-lengths away. And in front of him, was Fawnpaw. He stifled a gasp, and felt the faintest vibration of Fawnpaw move as Reedshadow started to pad away. He leapt out of the bush, and sprinted to Fawnpaw.
"Fawnpaw!...Fawnpaw!" Soulpaw nudged the she-cat's head, and felt Reedshadow join him. 'She's still alive...Quick! Help me carry her back to camp!' He felt the medicine cat's tap. The silver tom nodded.
They struggled to carry her body, she was unconsious, her limp body hanging between their jaws.
..:~:..
Soulpaw nudged the she-cat again in despair, Nightpaw and Whorlflight had joined them, and he took a step back. NO. She's alive. I feel her breathing. The tom whipped his head in the direction of Reedshadow, "She's alive! What are you doing!? Help her!" Soulpaw's fur was bristling in panic for his foster sister.
He nudged her again and she moved. At once, he felt Reedshadow sprinting away. "Fawnpaw?" Soulpaw mewed softly. 'Soulpaw...' Fawnpaw's tail thumped the ground softly. "Just hang on, Fawnpaw, Reedshadow's coming...Just hang on." And he could tell she was fighting for her life.
Chapter Seventeen - Reedshadow[]
Reedshadow ran as fast as he could to the medicine cat den, his eyes wide with panic and desperation. He looked at Fernpaw who was sitting in the den.
"Get me marigold, cobwebs, and poppy seeds!" he hissed. "And hurry!"
His apprentice nodded, giving him the herbs that he requested. He immediately grabbed the plants from her, and sprinted out of the den, not having time to thank Fernpaw.
He rushed over to Fawnpaw, immediately feeling her chest. Her heart thudded barely against Reedshadow's cheek, and her breathing was shallow.
Please, StarClan, please, spare this young cat's life. She still has so much to live for, he thought as he began covering Fawnpaw's deep wounds with the herbs he had gotten.
Reedshadow remembered when Softmurmur's previous litter became seriously ill with green-cough. He had tried so hard to save the young kits, even staying awake all night to monitor them. But, despite his desperate attempts, they slipped away one chilly night, and Reedshadow was never able to fully forgive himself. I can't let that happen to Fawnpaw, he thought, trying to hold back the tears that were forming in his eyes.
Stepping back from the apprentice, who's wounds were now covered with healing herbs, Reedshadow announced to his Clanmates, who were gathered in a crowd near Fawnpaw, "I've done everything I can. All we can do now, is pray that she'll make it."
With that, Reedshadow picked up the apprentice, his jaws closed gently around her scruff, and brought her to his den, setting her down in the nest that was settled in the medicine cat den.
Bending down, he nuzzled Fawnpaw gingerly, trying to keep himself from crying. He didn't want another young cat to die, not when all of BlossomClan was depending on him. Fawnpaw's fate was in Reedshadow's paws, and by StarClan, he would do everything he could to make sure she lived.
Chapter Eighteen - Waspheart (Ginger)[]
Waspheart peered into the medicine den, spotting Reedshadow. "I heard Fawnpaw was injured," She mewed, stepping in.
Reedshadow stepped away from the motionless body of Fawnpaw. "She is not receiving visitors at the moment," He replied, his voice a slight growl.
"Relax," Waspheart reassured him. "I'm just checking on her. She's doing okay, right?"
Reedshadow glanced at Fawnpaw. "I'm not sure at the moment." He sighed. "Why do you want to know, anyways?"
"I found rogue scent and fur at the scene. I'm about to report it to Rubystar." Waspheart flicked her tail. "Well, that's all. Maybe Starclan light yours and Fawnpaw's paths."
Waspheart stepped out of the den, and padded towards the leader's den. Swift must've finally done his job, She thought as she walked, slightly relieved. She wasn't happy that Fawnpaw had gotten hurt, but at least she was one step closer to becoming leader.
"Rubystar!" She called out, reaching the stone den. "Rubystar, Fawnpaw-"
"Yes, I heard about Fawnpaw!" Waspheart's eyes widened as she saw Rubystar pacing back and forth, fur fluffed out. "I knew there was a rogue or something planning to attack us! What if they go for someone else next? What if-"
"Rubystar, calm down!" Washeart snarled. Rubystar froze in place. "Worrying isn't going to do anything, now is it? You need to tell the clan what happened."
"But they'll just freak out! And I can't have that happened!" Rubystar retorted.
"They'll understand," Washeart replied calmly. "You know, I could do it instead."
Rubystar took a deep breath, and shook her head. "No, it's fine, I can do this." She padded past Waspheart and said, "Thank you."
Waspheart smiled kindly. "I'm your deputy."
Rubystar smiled back, and walked out. Immediately, Waspheart thought, Okay, looks like I'm getting somewhere.
Only two things I need to worry about now.
First, the pesky little Nightpaw. Maybe Swift can attack her as well, and she can spend some time with Fawnpaw in the medicine den.
Second, and probably more difficult.
The Fangs.
Chapter Nineteen - Beeclaw (Hope)[]
Beeclaw exited the warriors' den, yawning. His ears pricked when he saw almost all of Blossomclan in the clearing, surrounding the medicine cat's den. He padded over just as Reedshadow went back inside, looking defeated. "What's going on?" He mewed gruffly, turning to the nearest cat, which happened to be Waspheart, who seemed to be lost in thought.
"Huh? Oh, Fawnpaw's very hurt." She shrugged like it was nothing. Fawnpaw?...Oh right, her. Beeclaw knew he had to go check on her, to not get any cat suspious.
As he padded up to the medicine cat's den, he heard a dark voice behind him, "Where have you been?" Beeclaw whipped around to face the bristling apprentice. He rolled his eyes. 'Asleep.' He scratched, and at once he knew he had underestimated the blind and deaf apprentice.
Soulpaw leapt, yowling, claws unsheathed he raked his claws down Beeclaw's neck. He hissed furiously, kicking the silver tom away, and the crowd of cats parted as Soulpaw pounced again, this time catching his tail, yanking Beeclaw into the gorse bush of the warriors' den. He yowled as the thorns dug into his pelt. "ENOUGH!" 'ENOUGH' The apprentice jumped away from the tabby as he felt his leader's yowl. 'SOULPAW WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR DOING, ATTACKING A WARRIOR- NO, YOUR CLANMATE LIKE THAT!?'
Soulpaw didn't look sorry at all, in fact, he looked dignified. "He doesn't care at all about Fawnpaw. I bet he watched her get beaten to near death. In fact, I bet this fox-brained excuse of a cat didn't care when Birdtweet disappeared. I bet he didn't care then, you don't care now!" The apprentice spat, Beeclaw had never seen this cat so...fierce... The warrior looked taken aback, and took a menacing step forward, 'Don't you dare talk about Birdtweet like that, I couldn't do anything! The rouges were too strong, I couldn't help her and Fawnpaw.'
This just made Soulpaw madder, "So you were there!" The fuming apprentice was bout to attack again when he was dragged away by Nightpaw, who was glaring at Beeclaw. He watched her pull him into Reedshadow's den.
Beeclaw watched emotionless as he scanned the faces of his clan. Most look scared, as if they couldn't believe he would do such a thing. Waspheart looked plain curious, and Rubystar's...Her reaction was priceless. She was terrified, shivering like a kit who has just been told about the famed "Tigerstar."
He turned to face his leader nose-to-nose and felt a flash of satisfaction when she flinched away. "I'm leaving Blossomclan." Beeclaw announced, turning to face the whole clan. He waited until the shocked murmurs died down. "Someone...Offered me a better life. I expect to see you again..." He turned to faced his leader once again. "And next time...you may not see the world again." Just like that, Beeclaw stalked out of camp.
Chapter Twenty - Ghostpaw[]
Ghostpaw half-limped, half dragged himself towards camp.
wip
Chapter Twenty'one - Rubystar[]
The red she-cat stayed crouched against the ground as Beeclaw walked out of camp. Her green eyes were wide with terror, and she was aware of her Clan all staring at her, their gazes almost asking, "what now?"
But, Rubystar didn't move. Beeclaw's words kept echoing in her mind. I expect to see you again. And next time… you may not see the world again.
He was going to come back. And he was going to… he was going to kill her. Rubystar whimpered, covering her paws over her muzzle. She didn't know what to do.
A gentle paw tapped her on the shoulder, and Rubystar looked up, moving her paws away from her face. Reedshadow stood there, a sympathetic look on his face. He had strands of cobwebs hanging from his jaws, and a petal of marigold was settled on his nose. "Rubystar, are you okay?" he murmured.
The she-cat got shakily to her paws. "How's Fawnpaw?" she asked quietly, aware of her trembling voice.
"I've healed her the best I can," the small medicine cat replied. "I pray to StarClan that she'll make it through the night."
Rubystar nodded before climbing onto the high-rock. "I want there to be extra border patrols from now on. I also want to have at least five cats guarding our camp every night." She looked at the golden-brown deputy. "Waspheart will decide who goes on patrols, and who guards the camp."
With that, she leapt off of the high-rock, and then went straight into her den, collapsing into her bedding.
The sun was setting below the horizon, sending an orange glare across the clearing. Rubystar could hear Waspheart assigning the guards from outside of the leader's den. A ripple of fear made the red she-cat's fur prickle. She was terrified of what would come next. Beeclaw could be plotting his revenge right this very second. He was planning on killing Rubystar, and there was nothing she knew to do about it, except for sending out extra patrols, and assigning more guards.
"Goatstar would know what to do," she murmured before closing her eyes in an attempt to fall asleep.
Chapter Twenty'two - Fernpaw[]
Fernpaw had her back to Fawnpaw, as she couldn't bear to look at her mangled, almost lifeless body. She felt a tear roll down her face. Who would do that to such an amazing young cat? Fernpaw turned around to do another check, and saw Reedshadow continuing to dress the young she-cats wounds.
"Reedshadow?" Fernpaw asked, "How is she doing?"
Reedshadw continued his work, not even bothering to look up as he murmured, "Don't let her die, she's too young, StarClan don't let her die." The black tom didn't seem to hear her.
"Okay Reedshadow, I'll go get you the herbs you need for that herb polituce," she sighed with false enthusiasm, grabbing a beech leaf pouch that the medicine cats had created together.
Okay, we need calendine, chervil, coltsfoot, comfrey, daisy leaves, dandelions, dock, goldenrod, heathers, honey, horsetail, juniper, marigold, oak leaves, poppy seeds, raspberry leaves, snakeroot, stinging nettles, tansy, tormentil, thyme, wild garlic, willow bark, cobwebs, wintergreen, and yarrow.
She knew where to find some of these herbs, but half of these items she and her mentor had just discovered (or probably rediscovered) half of these herb's uses, and still needed to figure out where they commonly grow. She padded out side of camp to the closest tree, where she knew there would be poppies and rasberry bushes, and gingerly took out the parts she needed, and placed them in her bag, also grabbing some raspberries for her and Reedshadow to eat. She padded to the small creek, and grabbed a little wild garlic from the muddy bank.
Padding back to camp after a few hours, she braced herself for any possible rogue attacks, but there wasn't any way she could prepare herself for what was next.
Chapter Twenty'three Nightpaw (Ginger)[]
"Is Fawnpaw doing okay?" Nightpaw asked, her tail-tip flicking anxiously from side to side.
"Yes." Reedshadow nodded his head. He smiled softly at the apprentice. "She's just resting at the moment. Why? Are you worried?" He asked.
"A bit," Nightpaw confessed. "I'm a bit worried that whatever attacked Fawnpaw may come for me next."
"You don't need to worry about anything. Your clanmates will protect you, remember?"
Nightpaw replied, still a bit unsure, "Yeah, I guess." she stood. "I guess I'd better go."
"Have a nice day, Nightpaw." Reedshadow said.
"You too," Nightpaw replied as she walked out. Almost immediately, she felt bright amber eyes burn into the back of her neck. She forced herself not to turn around. Waspheart. Her stomach did a flip. Waspheart was probably planning to kill her at that very moment.
The black apprentice padded towards the apprentice den, where she found Falconpaw eating a small mouse. I need to tell someone, She thought. Maybe him!
Nightpaw took a deep breath and padded towards Falconpaw. She mewed, "Hey, Falconpaw!" She flashed a grin.
"Hello," Falconpaw said, his voice muffled by a mouthful of mouse. "How are you?"
"Well," Nightpaw trailed off, glancing down. "I... need to tell you something important. Now."
"Really?" Falconpaw's ears perked up. "What is it?"
Nightpaw looked around, catching a quick glimpse of Waspheart. "Not here," She said. "Inside."
Falcongpaw grumbled something, but reluctantly swallowed and picked up his mouse, taking it into the apprentices' den.
"So, what do you want to tell me?" He asked, looking around the dark, leafy area.
"Well," Nightpaw glanced over her shoulder a final time before saying, "I overheard Waspheart making plans to kill Rubystar."
Falconpaw said nothing. He stared at Nightpaw. Moments of agonizing silence passed, before he said, "Really?"
Nightpaw nodded. He believes me! She thought excitedly. Her heart soared.
Though it sank just as quickly when Falconpaw said, "That doesn't sound true at all."
Nightpaw's eyes widened. "It is true!" She exclaimed. "Come on, you have to believe me. She was talking with this strange gray rogue, and-"
"Alright, alright." Falconpaw sniffed. "If I go along with what you're saying, will you let me finish my mouse?"
Nightpaw smiled. "Of course!"
"Then yes. Waspheart is allegedly planning to kill Rubystar."
Nightpaw grinned even wider. "I'm so glad you believe me!" She told him.
"Yeah, yeah." Falconpaw sat down, taking another large bite of his mouse. Nightpaw took this as a sign to leave, and padded out. She ignored Waspheart's piercing gaze as she thought.
I have one cat on my side! Only... a bunch more, and Rubystar may actually exile Waspheart!
Nightpaw was so excited, she almost forgot about her surroundings when she padded into the forest.
She didn't even notice the pawsteps of a golden cat following closely behind her, claws unsheathed and posied for attack.
She barely even felt the jolt of pain before all went dark.
Chapter Twenty'four - Fawnpaw (Hope)[]
Fawnpaw groaned. She felt dizzy and her body ached. She opened her eyes a bit, and saw Soulpaw curled up next to her moss nest on the dusty ground, Reedshadow and Fernpaw were mixing some sort of herb poltice. "Fangs..." She croaked, and her eyes widened, frightened as Reedshadow turned to face her. He had the face of the brown cat that brutally this this to her body, except, this cat had blank eyes...Souless eyes. Fawnpaw pushed herself up, but collasped straight away, gasping with pain.
Her chest heaved with the effort to breath, she looked up again and saw Reedshadow's black, worried face, his pale yellow eyes glazed with exhastion. "Fawnpaw? Fawnpaw? Are you alright?" She heard her brother's worried mew. '...no...'
Once again, searing pain flashed through her, but stronger, Fernpaw had just gone out to gather herbs, which they were extremely low on because of her. Fawnpaw fought for her life, and then heard a soft, welcoming mew, "Let go, Fawnpaw. Starclan is waiting for you. Let go. Its your time." Mother. The thought of joining her mother soothed her, and Fawnpaw stopped fighting, and she lay with her brother's sightless eyes softening, seeming to know she was leaving to somewhere better.
Chapter Twenty'five - Lakepaw[]
Lakepaw limped out of the apprentice's den, wincing as the sun shined brightly in her face. She looked around, hoping to see Waspheart, but the golden-brown deputy was nowhere to be seen.
"How am I supposed to train if my mentor isn't here?" she muttered, sitting on her haunches.
A tail touched her on the shoulder, and she turned her head to see Softmurmur, a white she-cat with a gray muzzle. "Waspheart is probably just busy right now. Rubystar did order her to assign extra patrols last night."
"This isn't the first time she's shown up late, though," Lakepaw replied. "And every time she's always coming from the forest. Like, what does she do in there?"
The small apprentice rolled onto her side. "I hate waiting."
Softmurmur sat down, nuzzling Lakepaw. "Be patient, young one."
Lakepaw purred quietly at the touch of her mother. Though, Softmurmur wasn't exactly her mother. When the apprentice was a tiny kit, she was found in the forest, all alone. Some warriors brought her back to camp, and Softmurmur, who had recently lost her kits to green-cough, took Lakepaw in, giving her milk and sharing her nest. Softmurmur always made sure that Lakepaw understood that she was adopted, but still loved as much as any other kit.
Lakepaw licked Softmurmur on the nose, but then she paused, looking over at Rubystar's den. She hadn't come out at all this morning. She really is terrified of Beeclaw, she thought, and then looked up at her mother.
"Why is Rubystar so scared all the time?" Lakepaw asked.
Softmurmur's smile disappeared. "Rubystar is just a bit different than most cats," she replied quietly. "Besides, she only worries because she cares ahout her Clan. Being leader is hard work, you know."
"If she keeps acting like this... What if she causes BlossomClan to fall?" Lakepaw asked, for once not being an optimist.
"That won't happen, sweetie," Softmurmur said, licking Lakepaw's ear. Though, there was a look of uncertainty on the queen's face.
"Yeah, you're right. BlossomClan is strong!" Lakepaw purred, putting on a smile as she pretended to trust her mother.
Lakepaw had always been very good at deceiving cats. As a kit, she would often make a mess of Reedshadow's herbs, but was able to escape punishment by making everyone believe she was innocent.
Softmurmur purred, believing Lakepaw's fake optimism.
Suddenly, a wail of sadness came from the medicine cat's den. Softmurmur's ears pricked, Lakepaw shuddered, turning her gaze to the medicine cat den.
"Stay here, Lakepaw," Softmurmur said before hurrying off toward the den.
Not able to hold back her curiosity, Lakepaw crept after Softmurmur. She silently poked her head through the medicine cat den entrance and watched the scene unfold.
Reedshadow and Soulpaw were crouched over Fawnpaw, looks of utter despair on their faces. The small she-cat wasn't moving, and it barely took any time for Lakepaw to realize that Fawnpaw was dead.
Chapter Twenty'six - Fernpaw[]
She was almost back to camp when she saw it, Nightpaw, bleeding heavily.
NO! Her brain screeched, tears starting to stream down her face. She ran to Nightpaw's side, praying to StarClan that she was safe,
So soon after Fawnpaw, what happened? She paused by Nightpaw's side, and saw clawmarks raked across her back, and smelled a smell she felt she should know, but it was mixed with the scent of blood.
"Nightpaw, please be alright," she quietly mewed, not letting her emotions get the best of her. If Nightpaw died, she didn't know what she would do. She set down her pouch of the herbs she had gathered and checked for anything that would help.
Cobwebs, goldenrod, horsetail, and marigold. She thought, remembering what Reedshadow had taught her, Goldenrod, horsetail, and marigold are chewed into poulituces, mixed together and applied to wounds. Thank StarClan I have them! Then apply the cobwebs on top.
"Nightpaw, this might sting a bit," she mewed in Nightpaw's ear, unsure of whether Nightpaw could hear her. The black and gray she-cat chewed the herbs and put them on Nightpaw's wounds.
Fernpaw sat down and put the cobwebs on top of the mixture after a few minutes, hoping whatever, Or whoever. the rational part of her brain whispered attacked Nightpaw didn't come for her. She heard the pawsteps of another cat, and started to work faster. She felt herself quiver with fear as the pawsteps got closer. A mustard yellow cat burst from the trees, and she felt her chest slightly relax, but still felt a little scared.
"I-i don't know what happened here, Falconpaw, I found her like this,"
Chapter Twenty'seven - Falconpaw (Hope)[]
Falconpaw's belly rumbled. Again. He licked his mustard-colored muzzle and started toward the fresh-kill-pile, only to stop aruptly. Mouse-dung. If I take another mouse Bearclaw'll rip my fur off! Sighing, the tom padded towards the entrance.
Almost as soon as he exited camp he smelled blood. And another scent mingled with a fresher one. Nightpaw! And...Fernpaw?...
The yellow tom dashed away, and froze in horror when he saw Nightpaw's limp body, and appling poltuce to the wounded she-cat. "What happened?" Falconpaw snarled, thinking of sinking his claws into her attacker.
Fernpaw was staring at his in horror. "I-I don't know..." She stuttered. He snarled and stalked away.
Chapter Twenty'eight - Swift (Ginger)[]
Swift crouched by the entrance to Blossomclan camp, ignoring the faint, burning scent of blood. You really need to do this quickly, Swift. He hissed to himself. Or else Olivia will die and it'll be your fault.
He sighed, and turned around. What was he thinking? the entrance is the worst place to enter. He should find a spot closer to the nursery.
As Swift brushed past the leafy ferns, he was suddenly faced with a small bramble structure. Prickles of anxiety rippleed through his body.
He shook his head. Focus, Swift!
Swift opened his mouth, tasting the air. His eyes widened as he scented milk-scent. Found it! He thought, scraping his recently sharpened claws against the ground. The gray cat quickly got into a stalking position, slowly and silently making his way around the nursery to the entrance. As he did, a sudden shriek filled the air.
Swift froze. Was he caught? Gah, how could he have been so stupid? He-
"Reedshadow, come quick! Nightpaw was attacked!"
Ah, so he wasn't caught. it was just another stupid clan apprentice. Swift shrugged of the fleeting fear and continued. Plus, this would mean the warriors will be distracted. He thought.
He slowly crept into the medicine den. He glanced around. The queens were snoring softly in their nests, while the kits were either spread out or sleeping in small piles.
Swift let a faint smile cross his face. He stalked to the first group of snoring kittens- a ginger tom, and two white kits, one with gray speckles and one with black. As they mewled in their sleep he raised his claws, quickly and silently slashing each of their throats. Blood quickly stained his paws.
Suddenly, something shifted to his right. He whirled around in fear, ears flattened, only to find a black she-cat shifting restlessly in her sleep. He breathed a small sigh of relief, and thought, I should leave while I still can. I'll take care of more later.
The gray tom moved quickly out as the blood quickly dried on his paws. When he was safe and padding through the forest, he looked down and sighed again.
A small voice whispered in the back of his head. Is this what Olivia would've wanted? Swift froze.
Olivia won't care once she's free. He shook his head, a small feeling of uneasiness overtaking him.
"Stupid emotions," He muttered. "Always making everything so difficult." Swift lashed his tail as to silence something, and continued on to the frustrating black tom.
Chapter Twenty'nine - Reedshadow[]
Reedshadow stared at Fawnpaw's body. No... she's dead! he thought, his paws trembling. I wasn't able to save her.
Soulpaw began to lick the small she-cat's mangled and lifeless body. As he watched the blind tom mourn, Reedshadow could feel his own tears spilling out.
I promised Fawnpaw that I would save her! his mind cried.
He bit his lip, trying to hold back a wail, but before he could stop himself, his head threw back, and he let out a yowl of grief and shame.
It barely took any time for cats to begin gathering at the scene. At first, there were looks of confusion on their faces, but as they saw Fawnpaw's frozen sides, their expression became sorrowful.
Softmurmur - who had been one of the first cats to come see what happened - walked over to Reedshadow, her blue eyes clouded with sadness.
"Is she dead?" she murmured.
Wiping away his tears, the medicine cat nodded. He sat on his haunches, feeling like a failure. He had let Fawnpaw down.
Softmurmur layed her paw on the fluffy tom's shoulder. "Hey, it wasn't your fault," she told him. "You tried your best."
Reedshadow looked at her, blinking away tears. He opened his mouth to say something, but then a yowl came from the forest, and the scent of blood drifted into the medicine cat den.
The black and ginger tom froze, feeling his blood go cold.
"Reedshadow, come quick! Nightpaw was attacked!" a voice shrieked.
Reedshadow immediately got to his feet and ran toward the forest. No, no, no! he thought, afraid of what he would see.
He stopped as he almost skidded right into Fernpaw, who was crouched over a bleeding black body.
Luckily, Nightpaw didn't look as mangled as Fawnpaw had, but the spotted apprentice had a large wound on the back of her neck, and a few other scratches on several different parts of her body.
Reedshadow stared at the wound. Whoever did this was trying to kill her, he realized. They were trying to break her neck.
Pushing away the grief of Fawnpaw, Reedshadow faced Fernpaw. "What happened to her?" he asked.
"I don't know, but it looks like another cat attacked her," his apprentice replied sadly. "I already applied some herbs onto the wounds."
Reedshadow bent down to sniff at the poultices that had been applied to the cuts on Nightpaw. All the right herbs had been used for the wounds.
"Good job, Fernpaw," Reedshadow meowed. "Now, we just need to get her back to camp."
Nodding, the small she-cat began helping Reedshadow to carry Nightpaw back to camp.
Soon, they reached the medicine cat's den. They both set Nightpaw down in a nest, and then stepped back.
"I hope she'll live," Fernpaw mewed, her ears flattening.
"Me too," Reedshadow sighed.
Rubystar padded into the den, her ears lowered. She looked exhausted, despite being in her nest for most of the day.
"I heard Fawnpaw went to join Starclan," she murmured.
"Yes, she did," Reedshadow replied, feeling another pang of guilt.
"Nightpaw was also attacked just a little while ago," Fernpaw added, her tail wrapped around the wounded apprentice.
"By who?" Rubystar asked anxiously.
"We don't know," Reedshadow replied.
Rubystar sniffed Nightpaw's limp, but breathing body, and then sighed, "We'll hold a vigil for Nightpaw tonight."
She was about to leave the den, but Reedshadow stepped in front of her. "Wait. I need to give you some herbs."
Noticing that the she-cat seemed confused, Reedshadow explained, "I noticed that you looked tired. If I give you some poppy seeds, that might help you sleep."
"Are you sure?" Rubystar asked. "Shouldn't you save them for Nightpaw if she wakes up?"
Reedshadow noticed that she said "if", though he didn't question it. "We have plenty of poppy seeds. Don't worry."
Turning around, he scooped up some of the tiny black seeds, and then gave them to Rubystar, who slowly lapped them up. "Thanks, Reedshadow," she murmured before leaving the den.
"You're welcome," the tom replied.
He then turned to look down at Fawnpaw and Nightpaw's bodies. One alive, the other dead. He remembered the prophecy that Goatstar had delivered to him just the day before.
Are these attacks part of the prophecy? he wondered. And if so, how many more cats will be wounded? How many more cats will die?
Chapter Thirty - Violetleap[]
Violetleap opened her eyes, her mouth opening into a wide yawn. She purred, feeling the bodies of her kits beside her.
Wait. Violetleap froze. Something isn't right.
She felt warm liquid flowing against her belly, and the scent of blood mingled in the air. The queen looked down at her kits, and then let out a horrific shriek.
Cats immediately began to flood the nursery, letting out murmurs of shock and confusion. Softmurmur - who was Violetleap's closest friend - hurried into the den.
"Violetleap! Violetleap! What's wrong?!" Softmurmur asked urgently, crouching down beside the calico.
The she-cat uncovered her kits with her tail, and all the gathered cats let out horrified gasps.
"THEY'RE DEAD!" Violetleap wailed, tears streaming from her eyes. "THEY'RE DEAD!"
Reedshadow rushed to the kits, feeling for heartbeats while Softmurmur and a few other queens tried to calm the hysterical she-cat.
"I'm so sorry, Violetleap," Reedshadow sighed, glints of sadness in his pale yellow gaze. "They're with StarClan now."
"NO! WHY!" the devasted queen screeched. "OH, STARCLAN, WHY! WHY WOULD THEY TAKE MY KITS AWAY!"
Deep down, she knew that this was beyond StarClan's control, but in her heartbroken state, the kit-less mother would blame anyone.
Volturepaw, a big gray and black apprentice, sniffed where the kits had been brutally murdered. "I think a rogue did this," she declared.
Rubystar spun around to face Bumbleflight and the other cats who had been guarding the camp. "You were supposed to be guarding the camp entrance!" she snarled. "How could you let this happen?!"
"I'm so, so sorry!" Bumbleflight mewed apologetically. "With Fawnpaw dying, and Nightpaw getting attacked, we were just distracted."
The other guards nodded in agreement.
"Just go," Rubystar muttered coldly. "And this time, do your job."
Violetleap continued to wail and sob, not allowing anyone to take away the broken bodies of her four kits.
Reedshadow pushed some berries and a plant to the she-cat. "These are juniper berries and goatweed," he explained gently. "They will calm you and help with the grief."
"NO!" Violetleap sobbed, shoving the herbs away. "Nothing can help my sadness!"
Reedshadow backed a few steps away, looking distraught. Seeing that the queen was too upset to eat at the moment, he dipped his head and sighed, "I'll get you to take them later."
With that, he gently picked up his herbs, and padded out of the den, the other cats following after him. Only Softmurmur and Violetleap were left in the nursery.
The white she-cat gently licked at the grieving queen's face. "I'm so sorry this happened, Violetleap," she murmured. "I know that it's hard losing your whole litter. I lost my first litter to green-cough several moons ago, so I understand you're pain. But it does get better, I promise."
-*-*-
The moon was shining in the sky, and stars were scattered across the blackness. Violetleap padded into the nursery, her paws feeling as heavy as stones. Her chest was aching, and it was hard to breathe.
The vigil for Fawnpaw and Violetleap's kits had just ended, and Violetleap was exhausted, mentally and physically.
The calico collapsed into her bedding. Turning her gaze, she saw that there were still brown stains of old blood splatters on the ground. Tears welled up in Violetleap's eyes, and she began to weep silently. She shut her eyes tightly as she cried. Her kits were gone now, and she could never be happy again.
"Mama?" an innocent voice mewed.
Violetleap jerked up her head immediately. She knew that voice!
Sure enough, in front of her stood four little kits, stars glittering in their soft coats. There were no traces of wounds on their fragile bodies.
"Northkit, Specklekit, Rosekit, Mumblekit!" Violetleap cried, happiness swelling up inside of her.
Her kits ran to her, burying their faces in her fur.
"Oh, my darlings!" Violetleap sobbed. "I'm so sorry this happened to you all!'
"It's okay, Mama," Rosekit squeaked.
"It wasn't your fault," Northkit mewed, licking at her mother's chest.
"Mama!" Mumblekit squealed. "I can talk now!"
Violetleap hugged her son, keeping him close to her. "Oh, sweetie! I'm so happy for you!"
"Mama," Specklekit said quietly. "It's time to go."
"You're... you're leaving?" Violetleap whispered.
"No!" Mumblekit laughed. "You're coming with us!"
Violetleap's green eyes widened as she saw a starry forest glowing right outside of the nursery. StarClan...
She looked down at her paws, realizing that stars were glitterng in her fur. She had died.
"Come on!" Rosekit mewed, bounding toward the forest.
Smiling, Violetleap got to her feet, and ran after kits. She dissappeared into StarClan's forest, leaving only her body, which was still curled up in her nest.
Chapter Thirty'one - Soulpaw (Hope)[]
Soulpaw entered the camp again, sadly, his tail drooping. He had just come back from burying Fawnpaw, the kits, and Violetleap.
Nightkit, Rosekit, Mumblekit, Specklekit, Violetleap...Fawnpaw...Oh Starclan, do you have to take everyone?
He wanting to curl up in his nest and cry until his eyes were completely dry. The silver tom sniffed the air, and turned to the direction of herbs, hoping to catch Nightpaw awake.
As Soulpaw entered, he could still smell blood. So. We know its rouges that have been attacking...Could it be the one I chased off? Or are there more?
He padded silenty to Nightpaw's body, which was laid out, splayed on a newly lined moss nest. The apprentice drank the air again, and felt the shifting of Reedshadow, fidgeting in his sleep. Fernpaw must be out...Wait...What's that?
Soulpaw gently pushed his nose into the she-cat's black fur, and took a deep breath. What? He sniffed all over her, finding wiffs of another cat. Her attaker?
When he got to her fore-leg, and onto her paw, his nose brushed something soft. Soulpaw drank in the scent, it was fur.
The silver tom stumbled back, realising who it was. He grabbed the all the fur he found caught between her claws and raced out.
"Rubystar!" Soulpaw was about to enter when he a scent flooded over him, right outside, was Waspheart, with Lakepaw. No! Why's she here? She's supposed to be on the dawn patrol!
The apprentice froze. 'I can't tell her now. Because she might enter camp and find me. That's it! I bet Nightpaw knew somehow, and was gonna tell Rubystar but Waspheart got to her first.'
He turned around and sprinted to the forest, and followed his nose around to find his way to a holly bush. Soulpaw squeezed underneath and ducked into the rabbit hole (that was there), he knew it was unstable but he dug a hole in the side and put the fur there saftley, wrapping it with a leaf. The tom turned a sprinted back to camp, and as he past the graves of his dearly loved clanmates, and couldv'e sworn he heard Waspheart whisper, "I'll be waiting for you..."
Chapter Thirty'two - Lakepaw[]
Lakepaw sat at the graves of Fawnpaw, Mumblekit, Rosekit, Specklekit, and Northkit, who had all been murdered by rogues, and Violetleap, the mother of the kits, who had sadly died from the heartbreak of losing her whole litter.
Lakepaw couldn't understand how StarClan could allow so many deaths to happen so soon, so close together. She slammed her paw on the ground. Is isn't fair!
"Lakepaw?" a voice spoke.
The small she-cat turned her head, fur prickling. However, she relaxed, seeing it was only her mentor.
"Hi, Waspheart," Lakepaw mewed. "I thought you were going on dawn patrol."
"I was," the deputy replied, "but while I was patrolling, I saw you sitting at the graves."
"Oh," Lakepaw mumbled.
The two she-cats were silent for a moment, but then Lakepaw looked up at Waspheart, grief in her gaze. "Waspheart, why are so many cats dying?"
Waspheart frowned as she stared into the apprentice's wide blue gaze. "It's because of Rubystar," she murmured.
"Rubystar?" Lakepaw echoed, confused. "How is it because of her?"
"Rubystar is a very scared cat, as I'm sure you've noticed," Waspheart sighed. "Because of this, she is failing as a leader. Her fear is causing her to not think properly, and she isn't able to handle situations well." The she-cat moved a bit closer to Lakepaw. "You noticed how Rubystar acted when Beeclaw confronted her," she said quietly, her voice almost a growl.
Lakepaw blinked, trying to comprehend all of this. She thought of how Rubystar had acted during challenging situations. She shuts down, she thought to herself, her claws unconsiously sliding out. For most of her life, Lakepaw had some doubt about her anxious leader, but now that she was realizing that someone else noticed Rubystar's troubling habits, and that it was a possibility that Rubystar was causing her Clan's doom. I don't want BlossomClan to fall apart! Lakepaw thought, feeling a twinge of fear blossoming in her mind.
"What do we do?" she mewed, staring at Waspheart.
For a moment, she thought that there was a glint of maiciousness in her mentor's gaze, but it seemed to disappear before she could be sure. "I have an idea of what we could do," Waspheart said slowly.
"What?" Lakepaw asked. Kill Rubystar? she wondered. No, Waspheart would never suggest such a thing!
"Lakepaw, if you really want to save BlossomClan, meet me tonight in the forest while everyone is asleep," Waspheart explained.
Lakepaw stared at her mentor. In the stories that Hickorynut had always told her, anyone who asked to meet you in the middle of the night wasn't good news. But I do want to save BlossomClan, she reminded herself. And I don't want Waspheart to think I don't trust her.
"Okay," Lakepaw said.
Waspheart smiled. "I'll be waiting for you."
With that, she padded away, leaving Lakepaw sitting alone with seeds of doubt beginning to sprout in her young mind.
Chapter Thirty'three - Nightpaw (Ginger)[]
Nightpaw's body was on fire. She could barely move. Not that she wanted to. Her mind was clouded and fuzzy, with a bit of throbbing pain to top it off.
Nightpaw groaned. She tried to open her eyes to see where she was. Was she dead? Was she in Starclan?
She opened her eyes a bit, and found herself facing a stone stone. A very familiar stone den.
Wait.
Why am I in the medicine den?
"Hey, Reedshadow!"
Nightpaw drew a sharp breath as she heard the medicine cat apprentice's voice, immediately regretting it as a wave of pain passed through her body.
"I think I saw Nightpaw move a bit. Do you think she's waking up?"
Nightpaw glanced to her right. Fernpaw was standing by a separate cave to the right, looking over at her every so often.
Nightpaw soon caught a glimpse of Reedshadow as he shuffled over to check up on her. She closed her eye.
"Possibly. Give her some poppy seeds if she does, and in the meantime, refresh the poultices on her wounds."
Wounds?
Nightpaw was so confused. she tried to think back to when she was last awake. As she did, she felt her body slowly slip into unconsciousness.
Did Waspheart attack me? She wondered as she fought to stay awake. I need to tell someone! She probably knows I'm alive, and is going to come finish me off when Reedshadow is gone!
Nightpaw sighed. She could barely stay awake. Plus, she couldn't even move. She took a shaky, shallow breath.
Falconpaw, please tell Reedshadow.
Chapter Thirty'four - Falconpaw (Hope)[]
Falconpaw shuffled outside the medicine cat's den. Reedshadow had basically pushed him out because of his pacing, but then went immediatley back in when he heard Fernpaw's call. "...Do you think she's waking up?" She had said.
I need to tell someone about Waspheart, I bet all my moon's dinner that's who did this to Nightpaw. But who would I tell?... Rubystar? No... Reedshadow?... Yes.
The yellow cat pushed his way into the den and padded straight to Reedshadow. "Reedshadow I need to tell you something urgent. But not here." Falconpaw padded into the medicine cat's storage and into a corner. The black cat hesitated for a moment then followed.
"Its about Nightpaw. A few days ago she told me something...And.." He hesitated, but when Reedshadow nodded he went on. "And she told me she had overheard Waspheart planning to kill Rubystar with a rouge. I bet thats who's been doing all this. That rouge and her! Maybe the fox-heart has more rouges somewhere!" He snarled, but then calmed down and looked into the medicine cat's face.
It was...thoughtful. "Aren't you surprised?" Falconpaw asked, unsure now.
Reedshadow shook his head. "I was suspcious of her before...Thank you Falconpaw." He nodded to the yellow apprentice and walked out.
Chapter Thirty'five - Reedshadow[]
Reedshadow padded out of the medicine cat den, heading toward the forest to collect some herbs. With so many cats injured lately, the herb stock was low.
As he walked, Reedshadow thought of what Falconpaw had told him. He acted like he believed the apprentice, but in reality, he was a bit unsure. Would Waspheart really try to kill Nightpaw?
Reedshadow jumped as twigs snapped behind him, his fur bristling. He let his claws slide out, something he normally wouldn't do, but with so many cats getting mysteriously killed or injured, he had to be prepared.
He froze in surprise as Lakepaw came forward. She yelped as she saw Reedshadow's hostile position.
Letting his fur go flat, the medicine cat meowed, "Sorry, Lakepaw. You spooked me."
"That's alright," the silver apprentice replied.
"What are you doing in the forest?" Reedshadow asked curiously.
"I was visiting the graves," Lakepaw replied, looking away.
Reedshadow felt a pang of sympathy for her. She was still so young. No cat her age should have to witness so much death.
"Hey, would you like to help me gather herbs?" he asked kindly.
"Sure!" Lakepaw replied happily, trotting over to the tom.
"Alright, you see this plant?" Reedshadow asked, pointing to a green plant with bright leaves.
Lakepaw nodded.
"This is yarrow. I need you to help me pick the leaves off of any yarrow plant you see," the medicine cat explained. "They're going to start dying soon, so I need as much as you can find."
"Okay!" Lakepaw mewed before hurrying off to find some more yarrow.
Chuckling with amusement of the young she-cat's optimism, Reedshadow crouched down, and began picking leaves from yarrow.
As he did, he thought of Falconpaw and Waspheart again, Why would she try to kill Nightpaw? But then again, why would Falconpaw lie about something like this?
Well, I'm not going to immediately assume anything. At least, not until I have proof. He dropped the yarrow leaves into his leaf bag, and then glanced at the sky, which was getting close to sunset. But, until then, I'm going to keep an eye on Waspheart.
Chapter Thirty'six - Swift (Ginger)[]
Swift growled as the black leader came into view, their pelt sleek and dark, making them blend into the shadows almost perfectly.
"Hello, Swift." The black cat's tone was cold and calculating.
Swift gritted his teeth. "Hello, King Reaper." He growled.
Reaper showed a please smile. He sat down. "Now, let's begin the meeting." He paused. "What of the kits?"
"Half are dead, along with their mother," Swift hissed back, looking at the ground. Every time he looked back at that memory, he felt regret.
"Good." Reaper flicked his tail tip. "Anything else?"
"The clan is in chaos at the moment. Their leader is worried and incapable of leading, which is desperately needed because of all the deaths." Swift mewed, swallowing the bile in hsi throat. It took all of his willpower on the dash out of there. "Okay, my turn. Where is Olivia?"
"She's safe, don't worry." Reaper's smile dropped. "We agreed that I'd release her after you killed all the kits and apprentices."
"I-"Swift stopped himself before he said anything else. He dipped his head and hissed, "Fine."
"Things don't work here the same as they do in the clans." Reaper told him. "You of all cats should know that."
At this sentence, Swift subconsciously touched the oddly-shaped scar on his back foreleg. He replied with silence, before turning and stalking off to wash the dried blood on his paws, his mind deep in thought.
Chapter Thirty'seven - Reaper (Hope)[]
Reaper watched as Swift walked away, and as soon as his scent faded, the black cat sat down. Without turning around, he mewed in a deep voice, "You see that? Swift should be one of us. But he chose not to be. I'm glad you chose otherwise."
Another cat stepped out of the shadows. "You said you'd kill me if I didn't join...What about him?" The cat's mew was cool, eyes glaring.
"Oh, don't worry about Swift. We'll deal with him. His precious Olivia will returning to him if he completes his task. I never said she'll be in perfect condition though." The massive cat lashed his tail satisfyingly. "Besides, you have your own things to worry about. You still need to earn your collar." Finally, Reaper turned around to face Beeclaw. "And, you need to earn your name. Beeclaw," He spat the name like venom. "What a horrible name."
Beeclaw didn't respond to this. Hm. "Poison: run ahead and tell Cobweb he'll be in charge while we're gone." The dark brown cat nodded, stepped away, but hesitated.
"Where are we going?" He mewed gruffly, flexing his claws.
"The twolegplace, Beeclaw has a dog to kill." And with that, Oak turned and sprinted away.
"Dog?" The tabby stepped forward, obviously demanding an answer.
Reaper narrowed his eyes. He needs to be taught a thing or two. "Yes," He mewed coolly, "To offically join and become a Sharp Fang, you need to kill a dog, rip out one of its teeth and put it on your collar. You'll then earn your name."
The former clan cat nodded, and followed the leader of the Fangs as they headed towards the twolegplace.
..:~:..
Reaper sat down on the twoleg fence with Poison, watching as Beeclaw climbed a wired fence, and jump down. A massive brown and black dog was asleep further away, enclosed by the fence. The leader of the Fangs crouched down, longing to slice his claws through the dog's throat.
Beeclaw yowled and the dog's head snapped up. It started barking and launched itself towards the tabby. The tom hurtled himself forward, but when he reached the dog/the dog reached him, he whirled around, raking his short, but very sharp claws down the side of the dog's neck. The dog barked highpitched and growled, and grabbing Beeclaw by the tail, started shaking his head, swinging him around.
Reaper hissed, flexing his reinforced claws, ripping the branch he was perched on.
The former clan cat, with massive effort, pulled himself up to claw the dog's muzzle.
This is taking forever. Reaper jumped down, restlessly, and sat on the other side of the fence. His attention was drawn away as Oak leapt down to join him. "This is taking long." His gruff mew was a growl. Reaper narrowed his eyes in agreement. Just then, heard a howl of pain, and turned to see Beeclaw pinning the massive dog, who was covered with deep clawmarks.
The tabby lunged down with the killing bite, ending the dog.
Reaper stood, and followed by Poison, they leapt up and over the fence. Poison carried a blood red collar. Beeclaw padded over proudly, took the collar and padded back to the dog.
The leader's green eyes gleamed as the tabby ripped out the canine tooth, and embedded it onto his collar.
Oak then padded over and put the collar on Beeclaw.
The black cat stalked forward, until he was nose-to-nose with him. "You have earned your name. You are no longer Beeclaw. From now on, your name is Crooked."
Chapter Thirty'eight - Lakepaw[]
The sun was gone, the only trace of light being the moon, and the stars that were scattered across the inky black sky.
Lakepaw was lying awake in her nest, her eyes drooping as she tried to stay conscious. She was tired, but she had to wait for Waspheart.
Her heartbeat quickened as the familiar yellow she-cat came into the apprentice's den, her pawsteps silent. "Come on," she whispered.
Lakepaw got to her feet, and quietly followed Waspheart out of the den. They had to crouch low to the ground as they snuck carefully around the guards. Lakepaw held her breath as Grass-snake's tail almost brushed her flank, but luckily, Waspheart clamped her jaws around the small she-cat's scruff, and dragged her out of reach just as Grass-snake's tail swept over the ground. Lakepaw gave Waspheart a grateful smile, but her mentor only showed her a warning glare, causing the smile to disappear.
After a little while, the two she-cats reached the middle of the forest, and Waspheart finally stopped, sitting down with her tail curled neatly over her paws.
"Lakepaw, check around to make sure no one followed us," she murmured.
Nodding, the apprentice checked around the area, sniffing the air, and peeking in the undergrowth.
"Nope," she mewed, sitting down with Waspheart. "No one followed us."
"Good," the she-cat said calmly.
She looked at Lakepaw sternly, and began to speak, "Lakepaw, I have a proposition for you."
Lakepaw met Waspheart's gaze, hiding her fear and putting on a serious expression as she asked, "What is it?"
"I need you to help me become leader," Waspheart said simply.
"What?" Lakepaw mewed, a squeak to her voice. "You don't mean... killing Rubystar, do you?"
"No, no," Waspheart replied. "My brother, Swift, will be the one doing that."
"I just need you to be on my side," she continued.
"Like a team?" Lakepaw murmured.
"Yes," Waspheart replied, looking pleased. "You can save me from getting caught when I'm doing 'important' stuff, you can be my spy, and if I ever need to murder someone, you could help me cover it up. You'd be very useful."
Seeing that Lakepaw looked unsure, Waspheart added, "You're very skilled, Lakepaw, and not just at hunting and fighting. You can make up believable lies on the spot, and could trick anyone."
"Yeah, but I don't use those skills for stuff that bad," Lakepaw objected.
"Don't you want to help BlossomClan?" Waspheart asked, a glint of malice in her gaze. Crouching down slightly, so that she was the same size as Lakepaw, she said quietly, "You would make a good deputy someday, you know."
Lakepaw blinked at her in surprise. She wondered if Waspheart really believed that, or if she was just saying that to make her join her side.
I do want to help BlossomClan... but is this really the right way? she wondered. If I help Waspheart, I'll be able to save my Clan from doom. I might even get to become deputy someday, and then leader. But that also means I'm supporting Rubystar's demise.
Lakepaw stared at her feet for a moment before lifting her head to look at Waspheart. "Okay. I'll help you."
-*-*-
Lakepaw curled up in her nest back at camp. It's not like I'm murdering anyone, she thought. I'm just Waspheart's backup. Besides, if Waspheart becomes leader, then BlossomClan will be saved from Rubystar's cowardice.
She glanced outside at the glittering stars, lowering her ears slightly. StarClan will thank me when it's all over.
Chapter 39- Fernpaw[]
Fernpaw started to clean Nightpaw's wounds again, clearing any dirt, moss, or moisture from the wound. She licked Nightpaw's foreleg, and put some dock on the re-opened wound. She and Nightpaw were an odd sight, Fernpaw's close to dark gray head, over Nightpaw's body, to a cat just walking in from the den, it would have looked like Nightpaw was either stirring, or her spirit was rising out of her body. She stepped back and accidentally crushed a cob nut. Well that's one way to make an ointment. she thought as she felt her pad crack a tiny bit. Ow, I'm going to need coltsfoot later. she thought, and she started to limp back to the herbs stock. Nightpaw stirred a little behind her, and Fernpaw turned around to face her. "Hi Nightpaw," she whispered, "do you feel alright?"
Nightpaw slightly groaned and it sounded like no, so Fernpaw mewed, "Okay, I'll get you some poppy seeds,"
Fernpaw dipped her paw into one of the flowers, slid it out, and gave Nightpaw a few of the seeds, and flicked the rest off her paw. She shook her fur, and grabbed the coltsfoot for her pad. She chewed the leaves, and rubbed the pulp on her pad with the tip of her nose.
"Okay, Nightpaw," she whispered as Reedshadow walked in, "I'm going out to the river for a bit, I'll be right back," and she padded out of the den, hoping Nightpaw was safe.
Chapter Forty - Soulpaw[]
Soulpaw nosed his way into the medicine cats' den, imediately smelling blood. Grief flooded over him and he shut his blind eyes as he padded over next to Nightpaw, sitting down, slouched.
'Trouble sleeping?' He lifted his head, Reedshadow's scent flooding over him. The silvery tom nodded, laying down with his head on his paws, pressing his fur against Nightpaw's slightly shivering body.
Soulpaw felt Reedshadow's mood shift to amusement, and felt his eyes on him and Nightpaw.
Stubbornly, the apprentice didn't move, grinning at himself in satisfaction. Your wrong Reedshadow...I don't like Nightpaw... He inwardly laughed at himself. I'm don't like she-cats...In fact, I'm gay! Silently wishing he could say that out loud, Soulpaw closed his eyes once again, begging sleep to come.
~...~.~...~
Soulpaw's eyes fluttered open, to see bright blinding light, and loud, deafening noises. He stumbled backward, overwhemled, and blinked several times to realise there was a beautiful shimmering silver she-cat standing in front of him.
"Soulpaw, my precious kit!" The she-cat gracefully padded forward and nuzzled him. Soulpaw was shocked, not knowing who this starry cat was, but couldn't seem to pull away.
"Who are you?..." He breathed, looking at her when she pulled away.
The she-cat laughed, "Dear Soulpaw, I'm your mother, Silverwhisper!" Silverwhisper made a soft hushing noise when he opened his mouth, "Yes, Fawnpaw is here." Her eyes suddenly grew dark. "Soulpaw..." Silverwhisper turned away, her fur bristling slightly.
"Five shall fall,Three shall rise,Four shall find new skies,While none grow wise.Five shall rule over all.Only one will get the prize."
At the last few words she started to fade and the starry, lush forest around him melted into a dark, coarse forest, and there seemed to be endless screams.
Chapter Forty-One - Waspheart (Ginger)[]
Waspheart stared as Rubystar disappeared once more into her den, her eyes burning with fury. Once again, terrible events had struck again, and Rubystar could do nothing but complain and worry! Waspheart had to act fast.
I need to get more cats on my side, and fast.
I also need to kill Nightpaw. How could I have been so careless?
Waspheart tensed as Whorlflight, Dawnflower, and Hawkstreak padded by, chatting away as if nothing was wrong. Waspheart let herself a small smile and walked in front of them. All three stopped immediately, giving her confused looks.
"Somethin you need?" Whorlflight spoke up first politely, eyes Waspheart.
"Yes, actually." Waspheart mewed innocently. "Have you seen Rubystar, by any chance? I haven't seen at all since the- the murder of the kits." She stumbled on that last part with a pang of grief, remembering the small, innocent kits. She had a strong suspicion that it had been her brother's fault. She would definitely talk to him about it. It wasn't ever a part of the plan!
"No, sorry." Hawkstreak responded gruffly. "She's been in her den the whole time, I think."
Waspheart's eyes widened. "Really?" She said in fake disbelief. "But, shouldn't she be consoling the clan after these diasterous few weeks?"
"Hey, you tell us." Dawnflower jumped in, her eyes narrowed every so slightly. "You're the deputy."
Whorlflight quickly calmed Dawnflower down. "Hey, just because she's the deputy doesn't mean she knows exactly everything Rubystar does." He paused, thinking. "Plus, she does have a point."
"True..." Dawnflower looked uneasily at the ground.
"I'm sorry, Dawnflower. You three are smart cats, though." Compliments should help sway them. "Don't you think Rubystar should be more active and helpful to the clan in these tough times? She is the leader after all!"
"Exactly!" Hawkstreak exclaimed. He shot a glance at the other two. "This is what I've been telling you guys."
Waspheart smiled internally. Hawkstreak was probably on her side, and Whorlpelt and Dawnflower were close. That would mean three new cats on her side!
Whorlpelt flicked his hear at Hawkstreak. "And I agree with you. To a degree."
"Well, I don't." Dawnflower stated. "Rubystar is an amazing leader who has brought nothing but good to the clan. I don't even know why I'm talking to you!" She hissed and whipped around, stalking off.
Ah, well. There goes one. Waspheart frowned. She looked to the toms. "You two agree with me, right?" She questioned.
Both toms nodded. Waspheart smirked. "That's great! I've been meaning to have a talk with Rubystar about it, and it's nice you two support me. Well, I'd better go find her. Bye!"
Waspheart turned and padded towards the leader's den. It wasn't originally her plan, but what the heck? Perhaps she could begin to get Rubystar question her own qualifications for leadership.
Perhaps she didn't even need to kill anyone. If only she could get Rubystar to willingly step down.
With the clan's support, that would surely happen.
Add another thing to my ever-growing list, Waspheart sighed, stepping into the stone-cold room, her seeds of doubt ready to be planted.
Chapter 42 - Deepripples[]
Deepripples watched as Waspheart spoke to Hawkstreak, Whorlpelt, and Dawnflower. It was odd to Deepripples to see them interacting. Even in this close clan, she had never seen Waspheart talk to these cats as much. She walked closer, and heard what seemed to be the last part of the conversation.
Waspheart frowned. She looked to the toms. "You two agree with me, right?" Waspheart questioned.
Both toms nodded. Waspheart smiled. "That's great! I've been meaning to have a talk with Rubystar about it, and it's nice you two support me. Well, I'd better go find her. Bye!"
Waspheart padded away, toward the leader's den. Probably to ask Rubystar to apprentice some of the moons-old kits. Yeah, that might be what she was saying, that Rubystar should apprentice the kits. No need to worry.
She smiled, and padded up to the three cats. "Hey, Dawnflower, Whorlpelt, Hawkstreak, what was Waspheart talking about?'
Dawnflower opened her mouth to speak, but Hawkstreak mewed, "She wanted to say that Rubystar should be involved more in-"
Deepripples interrupted him, "Oh, um, okay, I was actually looking for Waspheart, I needed to tell her someting important, but if she's talking to Rubystar, I'll wait,"
(WIP)
Chapter Forty-three - Crooked (Hope)[]
*WARNING: THIS CHAPTER HAS A LOT OF BLOOD, UNNERVING THINGS, AND BROKEN BODIES, SO SKIP THIS CH IF YOUR UNCOMFORTABLE WITH ANY OF THOSE*
Crooked slunk throught the shaded forest, creeping within the shadows. Reaper had told him to kill the apprentices, and to do it silently. Apparently he didn't trust Swift to do the job, and he has to kill at least one to become a fully member of the Fangs.
Which one...? Ah. Yes. That one has always been useless, I shall start with someone worthless. That ugly mustard cat. Purr-fect.
Crooked opened his jaws and drank in the scent of crispy air. Ah-ha. He's alone, this should be easy.
The tabby stalked out of the shadows, snarling visiously. "Wha-" Falconpaw's yelp was cut short as Crooked pounced on the apprentice, smushing him to the ground like a bug.
"Mmph!" The mustard cat thrashed as the rouge sank his claws into his shoulders.
"Stop struggling your making this more difficult than it has to be!" Crooked hissed triumphantly as Falconpaw stopped moving, tucking all four paws under him submissively. "Thats a good kit." He didn't slacken his grip, instead he hauled the apprentice upward, and sat down as the tom landed with a loud crack.
There were very feeble whimpers and whines escaping from Falconpaw's mouth, and he whispered some mummbled words to form a shaky sentence, "Please...just do it already...it hurts-" He coughed blood, he seemed to have a dislocated bone in his neck and broken a couple of ribs. "-too much..."
Crooked felt no pity, and brought down an unsheathed fore-paw onto the apprentice's head, crushing his skull and killing him, causing more pain than not ending him quickly.
The apprentice yowled loudly and pain when his skull cracked, but it was silenced when Crooked clawed his tounge out of his mouth, tossing it on the ground next to the beaten body. The tabby took a pace back, eyes flashing with satisfaction, triumph, and hunger for more. He slid his tounge around his muzzle, tasting cat blood, and suddenly had a thrist for more.
Chapter Forty'four - Reedshadow[]
Reedshadow walked out of camp to gather some herbs. The sun was still rising over the horizon, making the medicine cat's black and ginger fur glow an orange color.
He sniffed at the air, smelling prey and... blood? Reedshadow paused, and sniffed again. There was no mistaking it, that scent was definitely blood. Fresh, too.
Reedshadow ran deeper into the forest, following the smell until he reached a large puddle of bright red blood. There were streaks of blood all across the clearing, and right in the center of the scene was a small mustard colored cat. He was sprawled out in the red stained grass, his fur covered in blood.
"Falconpaw!" Reedshadow gasped out loud, crouching down in front of the mangled apprentice.
Several parts of his body were twisted in strange angles, and Reedshadow couldn't even tell which injury had led to his demise.
"What... what would've done this?" Reedshadow whispered, horrified.
He lifted his head, mouth open, and scented for the aroma of any predator. He smelled blood and prey and herbs, but nothing else. Whatever did this to Falconpaw covered their scent.
Foxes and badgers aren't smart enough to cover their scents, Reedshadow thought nervously. Which means... a cat must've done this.
He looked back down at Falconpaw. His face was full of terror. He had to of been terrified when he got attacked. He had to of died in complete fear and pain, with only his attacker around with him.
Reedshadow bit back a cry. "I'm so sorry, Falconpaw," he whimpered. "At least your safe in StarClan. No one will hurt you there."
I should get him back to camp, he thought. But first...
Gently, the tom put his paw over Falconpaw's eyes, closing them. He also shut the apprentice's jaw, so that he wasn't screaming in silent terror. There. Rest in peace, little one.
Reedshadow then picked up the beaten tom by the scruff and carried him back to camp. As soon as he stepped into camp, the scent of blood flowed from Falconpaw's body, alerting the warriors. Several cats ran to Reedshadow, panic on their faces.
(WIP)