Fading Fires - Flameclan
Jun 1, 2018 13:26:12 GMT -5
Post by π Sunsetstone β on Jun 1, 2018 13:26:12 GMT -5
Flameclan. The toughest felines around these parts, Flameclan is a very large group of cats. Living inside a very dense and old forest, this Clan prides itself on the lush greenery and abundance of prey - and plants. Times are changing, and the other five Clans - Waterclan, Darkclan, Cloudclan, Brightclan, Hollyclan - are starting to act very strange. Cloudclan's number of cats is slowly decreasing, and a sickness bigger than any the 6 Clans have ever faced ravages through the lands. Can Cloudclan survive? And what of the other Clans?
- - - - -
Chapter 1
"Marshpaw! Get over here right now!" Dewleap called her apprentice as he and Fawnpaw were getting ready to go out on a patrol. Thornstar decided to send them out on this patrol to see if they can meet Waterclan cats that could tell them what was wrong with Cloudclan. The biggest worry for them right now was to survive through the nightmare that some called 'life'. On the way out, after Marshpaw had caught up with them, they passed the two guarding cats, Goldenwhisker and Hollyskip, explaining their mission. The two let them go, and they began their journey.
The large trees towered above, the patrol seeming very tiny compared to the environment around them. Birds were chirping, with the occasional crow screeching and the sound of flapping wings. A breeze rustled the leaves, and some ferns made a very loud noise. The Flameclan patrol even saw a mouse or two scuttle out from they were hiding. "This place seems so peaceful, and yet.. there's death at every corner." Fawnpaw quietly meowed at one point once she saw the trees slowly thinning out. They were nearing Cloudclan territory. The brown apprentice gulped at the thought of meeting another Clan. It was a scary though, but they had to do it. It was for the better of all the Clans..right?
As the large trees thinned out, a different scent could be smelled. It smelled like pine sap - the sign that this was Cloudclan's territory. The smell was fresh, and the rather small patrol followed it to where it was the strongest. Sure enough, on the gleaming evening sunlight, five pairs of eyes gleamed from the bushes that grew here. A moment later five cats stepped out, and stopped as soon as they saw Flameclan's small patrol of a warrior and two apprentices. One of them, a dark gray tom with black paws, bristled, but the rest of them looked rather calm.
"Dewpaw? Who are these? Other Flameclan cats?" a battle-scarred warrior asked Dewleap. The warrior puffed out his chest and looked at the border patrol. "It's Dewleap now. And these are two of our apprentices, Marshpaw and Fawnpaw." he said, seriousness in his eyes and voice. The patrol nodded to them with respect, and the one with the black paws calmed down and nodded too. "Well congrats then, Dewleap! Marshpaw, Fawnpaw, this is your first time in our territory, isn't it? I'm Acornear, and these two are Cricketpaw and Leafpaw, our apprentices that will be warriors very soon. Oh, and then we have Snowfoot and Nightfoot over there." the leader of the patrol, a ginger tabby with tan ears introduced everyone.
"So now that introductions are over, what brings you to our territory?" Snowfoot asked Dewleap. The warrior sat down, gesturing for all others to do the same. "We have been sent here by Thornstar to ask you if you have any idea what's happening with Waterclan. The status they were in last Gathering worried him so much he wants to know more." Dewleap meowed.
Almost immediately after he finished speaking Nightfoot shot up as if he had sat on a thorn. His eyes narrowed, but then he just whipped around and ran back in the direction of the camp. Snowfoot's ears perked up at the sudden move. She also stood up but more slowly. "As a matter of fact, we do know what's wrong with Waterclan. However, Dawnstar wants us to keep quiet. Dewleap, you're the warrior here. Come. I will tell you but you must tell no one else other than Thornstar." she meowed, gesturing for the Flameclan warrior to follow her. They walked away from the rest, and Leafpaw lowered her shoulders.
The two warriors walked for a bit before Snowfoot stopped. "Listen up. I hate to say this, but, if Thornstar must know.." she began but then stopped. Dewleap leaned closer to hear. Time seemed to freeze before Snowfoot finally spoke.
"Waterclan carries a disease, too strong for any herbs to be healed."
- N-O-T-E-S -
If you hadn't guessed already, Flameclan and Cloudclan are allies
yes these clans make allies with some and wars with others
blame me for that one
Can you suggest warrior names for Marshpaw, Rowanpaw, Patchpaw, Silverpaw, Wolfpaw, Jaypaw, Quickpaw, Quietpaw, Amberpaw, Blackpaw Ravenpaw, Meadowpaw, Lightpaw, Spottedpaw, Wildpaw, Brackenpaw, Pricklepaw, Lynxpaw, Sparkpaw and mentors for Owlkit, Softkit, Sandkit, Thistlekit, Pinekit, Heronkit and Dustkit? (all come from Flameclan except for Heronkit and Amberpaw, they're from Cloudclan) Best ones will get into the story!
(BTW most cats above will come later so have a small teaser)
- - - - -
Chapter 2
It has been a few weeks since the visit to Cloudclan. The cats were tired more and more, for after Thornstar had received the answer he kept sending out patrols to make sure their borders are safe and haven't been crossed by wild animals. As he had learnt from their medicine cat, Eagletail, wild animals could carry infectious diseases, so he was extra careful with them and secured his borders from them. They also watched the Waterclan border carefully, and, if any of their cats were spotted, they were scared away as fast as possible with the occasional gift of juniper berries and sometimes even a mouse thrown after them.
Today everyone could rest, though, as three apprentices and three kits had a ceremony. "Fawnpaw, Marshpaw and Patchpaw, do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code; to fight for Flameclan and defend it with the very cost of your own lives?" Thornstar's voice rang through the clearing as he spoke the words the previous leaders had said for generations - and will for many more to come. The three apprentices nodded, stepping forward, eager to get their names. "I do." they said in a chorus. "Then," their leader continued, "by the power Starclan has given me, I give you your warrior names. Fawnpaw, from this day on, you shall be known as Fawnpelt. Marshpaw, you shall be Marshstorm. And Patchpaw, you shall be known as Patchstream. Starclan honors all three of you with what you've done to help the Clan, and we welcome you as full warriors of Flameclan!" the leader finished with a yowl of pride. The cats of Flameclan cheered the new warriors' names before Thornstar raised her tail for silence.
"Next, we have two new apprentices. Dustkit and Pinekit, do you think you are ready to move on and learn everything about your Clan?" the gray leader continued, now turning on a pale brown she-kit and a dark ginger tom. "Yes." the two replied, unable to hide the excitement inside them. "Then, by the power of Starclan, I give you your apprentice names. Dustkit, from this day on you shall be known as Dustpaw. Your mentor will be Dovetail, and I expect she'll pass down all she knows to you. Pinekit, you shall be Pinepaw and your mentor will be Emberfern, and I expect he too will pass down all he knows to you." Thornstar finished the ceremony, and all cats cheered for the two new apprentices and their mentors.
"Now that that's done, I have some sad news, too. Dawnstream has kitted, however, she..didn't make it. Yesterday a fox killed Brambleflight and badly injured Vinepaw. Both died. On a patrol, Darkclan attacked. They kidnapped Owlcloud, almost killed Brackenberry and injured Frostpaw very badly. One of Dawnstream's kits was stillborn." Thornstar meowed, his gaze hardening. "The other kit, Mothkit, is fine, but everything else isn't. We have to be on our best guard. From now on, patrols of five will go out to never repeat this. Meeting dismissed." he finished and jumped down from the rock. The leader went to Eagletail's den to speak with her.
All the cats scattered wherever after the meeting. The new apprentices and their mentors went together to talk. Lynxpaw soon joined them. Everyone was talking about the sad news. Fawnpelt and Marshstorm looked at each other. And only a few weeks ago they and Dewleap found out what truly happened with Waterclan. Things had changed too quickly for the two. Dewleap soon found them and sat down by them. "Look how quickly everything changed. It's unbelievable." Dewleap meowed to the two, but Marshstorm's thoughts were elsewhere. "I actually don't understand this. Did Starclan ever tell us destruction was heading the Clan's way? Was there a prophecy or an omen about this? No. No there wasn't. Could it be that.." she paused for a bit before continuing.
"..Starclan no longer cares about the Clans?"
- N-O-T-E-S -
Warrior names still needed for Rowanpaw, Silverpaw, Wolfpaw, Jaypaw, Quickpaw, Quietpaw, Blackpaw Ravenpaw, Meadowpaw, Lightpaw, Spottedpaw, Wildpaw, Brackenpaw, Pricklepaw, Lynxpaw, Sparkpaw and mentors for Owlkit, Softkit, Sandkit, Thistlekit, Mothkit and Heronkit!
- - - - -
Chapter 3
Marshstorm ran. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her, running away from the darkness that followed her. The young warrior was slowly running out of breath, but she had to keep running. Else..The warrior didn't even want to think about what could possibly happen if she stopped. She kept running, jumping over rocks, twigs and tiny streams in her way. The darkness followed her all this way and continued to chase Marshstorm. Eventually the warrior ran out of breath and came to a dead end by a large cliffside, with nowhere to run. The warrior turned around to face the darkness, her claws outstretched. Two cats jumped down from the top of the cliff and landed by her. They yowled, and the darkness faded, along with the scene. Now they were in Starclan's hunting grounds where Marshstorm could see clearly the two that came. They were her parents!
"Darkshine? Leafclaw? What are you doing here? And where was I?" Marshstorm started with questions. Darkshine, a once black she-cat with white front legs, closed her light blue eyes and let her mate speak. "You were in the Dark Forest. The darkness was them. They want you to train with them. Don't accept anything from them, they'll just trick you. Marshstorm, there's something we want to tell you." he meowed and looked at Darkshine. The black she-cat nodded and rose to her paws. Her tail swooshed across the ground, and 6 cats appeared behind Marshstorm. The leaders of the 6 Clans. A ring of fire encircled each one of them. Suddenly, the one by Splashstar, Waterclan's leader, disappeared, and the leader faded. The ones around the rest of them slowly died out too, with the last one being Flameclan's. "Fires are fading, and only flames can bring them back." the words echoed in Marshstorm's mind. She yowled out, and woke.
She was back in her nest, with her sister Fawnpelt looking very worried at her. Marshstorm realized she was breathing very fast. "Marshstorm! Are you okay?" a voice from deeper in the den called, and soon another head appeared. A ginger tom, one of the oldest cats in the whole Clan. Marshstorm looked at him. "Mousefang.." she murmured. The tom looked at her. "Yes?" he asked. He was worried that something was wrong with her. "Do you know where Eagletail and Thornstar are? I-I need to speak to them." Marshstorm mewed. Fawnpelt stepped back, and at that very moment Eagletail poked her head inside. "Marshstorm! You woke up like half the Clan with that yowl!" she scolded her, but the medicine cat's eyes were clouded with worry.
Marshstorm stood up and walked out of the den. "Eagletail, where's Thornstar? I need to speak to both of you." she asked the medicine cat as the pale brown warrior walked past her. Outside, Marshstorm could see it was the middle of the night, and Thornstar soon came to her. "Marshstorm, by the sound of your yowl, you saw something terrifying." he meowed. For some reason, Marshstorm didn't answer but just went out of the camp. Eagletail and Thornstar followed her out.
"I have something to say to both of you. I..I was visited by my parents. In Starclan." the warrior started. "I was chased by a darkness..the Dark Forest, I think it was called." she continued but was cut off by Thornstar's hiss. "Dark Forest. Wouldn't be surprised if they're helping with the disease." Eagletail looked at Thornstar, then at Marshstorm before telling her to continue. "My parents got me out of there..they gave me a prophecy." she mewed.
"Fires are fading, and only flames can bring them back"
- N-O-T-E-S -
Apologies for the shorter chapter, but I just wanted to get the prophecy out of my head. Next one'll be longer, I promise.
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Chapter 4
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here for a Clan meeting!" Thornstar's voice rang clearly through the clearing the next morning. Flameclan cats gathered, some with more excited murmurs, some with worried faces. "One of our warriors received a sign from Starclan last night. Or rather, a prophecy. Fires are fading, and only flames can bring them back." he started. "If the fading fires are the other Clans, then how can we save 5 other Clans?" someone from the crowd asked. Murmurs of agreement spread around.
"Meet Starclan. They always bring these mysterious prophecies and omens for us to understand and fulfill. I'm just more confused why they didn't give it earlier." Eagletail snorted. She was about to say something more, but the leader's gaze stopped from. "This warrior was also chased by the Dark Forest before the prophecy was given. This can mean only one thing - the Dark Forest is trying to take over, and they have definitely put their paws on helping the disease." Thornstar finished. Angry and shocked whispers spread around.
"On a slightly happier note, the Gathering is tonight. Marshstorm, Eagletail, Dewleap, Silverpaw, Quietpaw, Dovetail, Hollyskip, Hailstorm and Minnowtail will be attending the Gathering with me. Oh and before I let you go - I want to make a new apprentice. Softkit, from this day you'll be Softpaw. You have chosen the path of a medicine cat, so Eagletail is your mentor. Meeting dismissed." Thornstar finished, jumping down from his place and going off somewhere. Those chosen for the Gathering didn't scatter too far away apart from the apprentices who went out to hunt near the camp.
At dusk, the 'patrol' set out to the Gathering Field, or the Riverstones, as they knew it. They weren't far, but on the journey they were always joined by Cloudclan so they had to make a little loop to their borders until the Firestream started. Cloudclan was already there by the time Flameclan had reached the Stream. They greeted each other, and continued onward to the Riverstones where the Gathering would be held. Owls hooted in the distance. Nature fell silent - and dark. The calm gurgle of the stream was the only thing the two Clans could hear apart from their own footsteps.
When they arrived to the Riverstones, Darkclan and Hollyclan were already waiting. Now it was just Brightclan and Waterclan. Dawnstar and Thornstar jumped up to their stones, and the Flameclan leader started talking to Hollyclan's leader, Berrystar. Blackstar and Thornstar only glanced at each other but didn't speak. Soon Snowstar came with her warriors and took her spot on the stones. "Only Splashstar left." Thornstar meowed, and Berrystar ended her conversation with Dawnstar to sit still on his rock and wait until Waterclan arrives. The sun set, and the cats below all were chatting and gossiping, or just sharing tongues with each other. The moon was up high before Splashstar appeared with a few cats. Everyone went silent at the sight of them.
"My apologies..for the..wait." Splashstar managed in between coughing. The few cats that came along sat at one edge away from the others. "Splashstar, don't tell me Waterclan is dying!" Dawnstar meowed to the sick leader. He shook his head, coughed and said, "I bring..a few." he simply meowed. The other leaders started with their reports. Thornstar waited until after everyone had spoken before she rose up and kindly asked Blackstar to let her on his rock since it was the highest one. Blackstar did, confused at what's happening.
"Cats of the Clans, we have something to say." he started. "Just this night, one of our warriors received a prophecy from Starclan. This is a sign that Starclan has not abandoned us..but it still brings bad news. Marshstorm, you tell them." Thornstar beckoned the warrior to come take his spot, and she did. "It's true. I was chased by the Dark Forest before two Starclan cats - Darkshine and Leafclaw - came to help. We took it as a sign the Dark Forest is up to something. These two cats delivered the prophecy to me. Fires are fading, and only flames can bring them back." she meowed to everyone. Most cats would be scared and stammer, but Marshstorm said this with confidence and no surprise or some kind of fear in her voice. The pale warrior returned back to her spot, and Thornstar let Blackstar go back to his original spot.
"So Starclan sends us another very mysterious prophecy while some of us here are dying." Snowstar meowed, glancing at Splashstar. "My Clan thought the Fading Fires are the Clans, but we don't feel like we could save another 5 Clans. Our territory is, however, full of different herbs and plants. So maybe we'll find something there to help you." Thornstar meowed. Just then, one of the wisest cats in all the Clans, Flintheart, stepped out from the crowd. "This is not the last we'll see of the Dark Forest, is it?" he meowed to the leaders and turned to the cats below. "You see.." he took a dramatic pause.
"They're after Marshstorm, and will not rest until they get her on their side."
- N-O-T-E-S -
I promised it would be longer, didn't I? Well, just..enjoy the drama XD
- - - - -
Chapter 5
It has been a few days since the Gathering. Darkclan has already attacked their border, causing Flameclan to become more aggressive. Waterclan has been getting weaker and weaker, and some fear they may not survive. Some Cloudclan cats have been visiting their territory to gather up some plants and try to make some herb mixtures that could possibly help Waterclan - they may not have been the nicest cats, but no one could bear to lose them. In a way, each Clan depended on others.
Thornstar was pacing tho and fro in his den, anxious about everything. Since Marshstorm had delivered Starclan's message the Flameclan leader could not have gotten some rest. Questions were clouding his mind, and he's been so lost in thought he's missed a lot, like three of his Clan's apprentices getting injured or that someone found a big deathberry bush near camp. Or the fact he should've made two litters apprentices a day ago. Which he hadn't. Thornstar hadn't even left the den, let alone cared for his Clan.
Eagletail, however, was bombarded with questions about the leader's safety. Every cat was worried, especially Barknose. The brown deputy tried visiting Thornstar, but each time the leader had sent him away.
Marshstorm was laying down in her nest, trying to sleep as moonlight filled the camp with it's cold, light gleam. Confused mews could be heard outside, and Eagletail's groans mixed in with others. Marshstorm was sick of this, and she rose to her paws and padded outside. Many heads turned to her, following her as she padded to the leader's den. When she got near, Fawnpelt raced to her.
"Marshstorm! I just tried to visit Thornstar, but he sent me to get you before I could get inside." she mewed to her sister. Marshstorm nodded and padded to the entrance, mewing a quiet greeting. "Marshstorm..come in." a raspy voice responded, and Marshstorm squeezed in.
Thornstar had stopped pacing around and was now sitting down. His fur was ruffled up, and when the tan she-cat sat down in front of him, she could see how frail the leader looked from not eating anything in some days. "Marshstorm, I'm glad you came." he mewed to her.
"Thornstar, the Clan is worried about you. You have missed a lot. Seven kits are still waiting for their apprentice names which they deserved yesterday!" Marshstorm meowed, a low growl rising in her throat. If the leader had forgotten about it, someone had to remind him of it! Thornstar trembled at her words. "Marshstorm, what you said right before the Gathering has been troubling me. While I believe Flintheart is right, I can't help but wonder why did Starclan send the message to you." he mewed.
"Well it's done now. Whatever they had in mind is not our problem. Thornstar, there's a Clan waiting for you to do something. To make them feel safer. You can't hide in your den forever, especially with the duties you have!" Marshstorm snapped at the leader, and he trembled even more, a slight fear scent rising from his shaggy fur. Marshstorm turned and left the den, not giving the frail leader a chance to say anything.
Once she appeared from behind the Highrock, cats streamed towards her, asking about their leader. "He's fine. Leave him alone!" she hissed at them, which was enough to stop the incoming sea of questions. Barknose padded to her, signalling with his tail for the she-cat to follow. They padded to a quiet corner and sat down. "Marshstorm, did you speak to Thornstar?" he softly asked. Marshstorm nodded.
"He's been so worried about the prophecy he hasn't even talked to anyone." she growled. Barknose nodded slowly. "Did..did you tell about the events?" he meowed, moving a bit closer to her. Marshstorm nodded again. "Didn't seem like he even car--" she started but was cut off by a yowl coming from the entrance. Many cats came in at once, their claws outstretched. They all reeked of Darkclan. One of them yowled something, and the enemy Clan scattered, attacking the far larger Clan. They had been attacked right in their camp, with a leader not ready for it.
A black cat leapt at Marshstorm, their claws gleaming in the moonlight. Marshstorm ducked, then ran forward underneath the Darkclanner and clawed at their belly. The cat yowled in pain and landed heavily, unable to get back up quickly. Barknose leapt at them, and Marshstorm attacked from the other side. The black cat wriggled under their weight, paws thrashing around wildly. One hit Marshstorm's ear, and the tan cat hissed and raked their side with her claws. "Leave and never return!" Barknose yowled and bit the Darkclanner in the shoulder. Both cats let go, and the black Darkclan cat turned and ran out, two of his Clanmates following out of the camp.
"That was amazing!" Barknose meowed to her. For a response Marshstorm purred and turned to him, her amber gaze locking in with his green one. They nodded at each other, but then something barreled into the tan she-cat. She yowled, and the Flameclan deputy leapt at the attacker. "You! You're the one who delivered the message!" she growled, raking her claws at Marshstorm. Barknose ran forward and sunk his teeth in the dark she-cat's leg. At that moment Marshstorm raked her hind claws at the attacker's soft belly while aiming with her front ones to go for her eyes. This surprised the attacker, and she yowled out in pain and collapsed, getting half-blinded in the process. A shriek let the two Flameclan cats know their leader was out, but attacked by a mass of cats. Barknose quickly nudged the enemy up and bit them, sending her running for the camp entrance.
Marshstorm got up. "Thanks." she gasped, turning to where Thornstar shrieked again. "We have to help him!" they both meowed at each other, then turned and ran, shoulder to shoulder, to help their leader. They found him, struggling to fend off five attackers. With a vicious yowl, Barknose jumped on the back of the closest one, a ginger tabby. He turned, surprised, while Marshstorm ran at them on the other side. She felt her claws in their fur while Barknose pounded his back. The tabby fell and rolled onto his back, squishing Barknose and exposing a gray belly which Marshstorm quickly took advantage of by leaping on it and swiping at it. The tabby rolled over, and Marshstorm jumped back to not get squished. Barknose released them, and the ginger tabby turned tail and fled, many cats following. The camp was clearer now, and some could run to help their deputy and Marshstorm drive off the last cats. The battle had been won, but clearly their leader was clinging onto his life until his struggles faded. Thornstar had lost another life. Soon he started breathing again, and Eagletail ran to help him. Then he looked up at Barknose, his scared face saying it all.
Thornstar was now on his last life.
- N-O-T-E-S -
Woo I finally got around to post this update haha. Sorry for the long wait.
- - - - -
Chapter 1
"Marshpaw! Get over here right now!" Dewleap called her apprentice as he and Fawnpaw were getting ready to go out on a patrol. Thornstar decided to send them out on this patrol to see if they can meet Waterclan cats that could tell them what was wrong with Cloudclan. The biggest worry for them right now was to survive through the nightmare that some called 'life'. On the way out, after Marshpaw had caught up with them, they passed the two guarding cats, Goldenwhisker and Hollyskip, explaining their mission. The two let them go, and they began their journey.
The large trees towered above, the patrol seeming very tiny compared to the environment around them. Birds were chirping, with the occasional crow screeching and the sound of flapping wings. A breeze rustled the leaves, and some ferns made a very loud noise. The Flameclan patrol even saw a mouse or two scuttle out from they were hiding. "This place seems so peaceful, and yet.. there's death at every corner." Fawnpaw quietly meowed at one point once she saw the trees slowly thinning out. They were nearing Cloudclan territory. The brown apprentice gulped at the thought of meeting another Clan. It was a scary though, but they had to do it. It was for the better of all the Clans..right?
As the large trees thinned out, a different scent could be smelled. It smelled like pine sap - the sign that this was Cloudclan's territory. The smell was fresh, and the rather small patrol followed it to where it was the strongest. Sure enough, on the gleaming evening sunlight, five pairs of eyes gleamed from the bushes that grew here. A moment later five cats stepped out, and stopped as soon as they saw Flameclan's small patrol of a warrior and two apprentices. One of them, a dark gray tom with black paws, bristled, but the rest of them looked rather calm.
"Dewpaw? Who are these? Other Flameclan cats?" a battle-scarred warrior asked Dewleap. The warrior puffed out his chest and looked at the border patrol. "It's Dewleap now. And these are two of our apprentices, Marshpaw and Fawnpaw." he said, seriousness in his eyes and voice. The patrol nodded to them with respect, and the one with the black paws calmed down and nodded too. "Well congrats then, Dewleap! Marshpaw, Fawnpaw, this is your first time in our territory, isn't it? I'm Acornear, and these two are Cricketpaw and Leafpaw, our apprentices that will be warriors very soon. Oh, and then we have Snowfoot and Nightfoot over there." the leader of the patrol, a ginger tabby with tan ears introduced everyone.
"So now that introductions are over, what brings you to our territory?" Snowfoot asked Dewleap. The warrior sat down, gesturing for all others to do the same. "We have been sent here by Thornstar to ask you if you have any idea what's happening with Waterclan. The status they were in last Gathering worried him so much he wants to know more." Dewleap meowed.
Almost immediately after he finished speaking Nightfoot shot up as if he had sat on a thorn. His eyes narrowed, but then he just whipped around and ran back in the direction of the camp. Snowfoot's ears perked up at the sudden move. She also stood up but more slowly. "As a matter of fact, we do know what's wrong with Waterclan. However, Dawnstar wants us to keep quiet. Dewleap, you're the warrior here. Come. I will tell you but you must tell no one else other than Thornstar." she meowed, gesturing for the Flameclan warrior to follow her. They walked away from the rest, and Leafpaw lowered her shoulders.
The two warriors walked for a bit before Snowfoot stopped. "Listen up. I hate to say this, but, if Thornstar must know.." she began but then stopped. Dewleap leaned closer to hear. Time seemed to freeze before Snowfoot finally spoke.
"Waterclan carries a disease, too strong for any herbs to be healed."
- N-O-T-E-S -
If you hadn't guessed already, Flameclan and Cloudclan are allies
yes these clans make allies with some and wars with others
blame me for that one
Can you suggest warrior names for Marshpaw, Rowanpaw, Patchpaw, Silverpaw, Wolfpaw, Jaypaw, Quickpaw, Quietpaw, Amberpaw, Blackpaw Ravenpaw, Meadowpaw, Lightpaw, Spottedpaw, Wildpaw, Brackenpaw, Pricklepaw, Lynxpaw, Sparkpaw and mentors for Owlkit, Softkit, Sandkit, Thistlekit, Pinekit, Heronkit and Dustkit? (all come from Flameclan except for Heronkit and Amberpaw, they're from Cloudclan) Best ones will get into the story!
(BTW most cats above will come later so have a small teaser
)- - - - -
Chapter 2
It has been a few weeks since the visit to Cloudclan. The cats were tired more and more, for after Thornstar had received the answer he kept sending out patrols to make sure their borders are safe and haven't been crossed by wild animals. As he had learnt from their medicine cat, Eagletail, wild animals could carry infectious diseases, so he was extra careful with them and secured his borders from them. They also watched the Waterclan border carefully, and, if any of their cats were spotted, they were scared away as fast as possible with the occasional gift of juniper berries and sometimes even a mouse thrown after them.
Today everyone could rest, though, as three apprentices and three kits had a ceremony. "Fawnpaw, Marshpaw and Patchpaw, do you promise to uphold the Warrior Code; to fight for Flameclan and defend it with the very cost of your own lives?" Thornstar's voice rang through the clearing as he spoke the words the previous leaders had said for generations - and will for many more to come. The three apprentices nodded, stepping forward, eager to get their names. "I do." they said in a chorus. "Then," their leader continued, "by the power Starclan has given me, I give you your warrior names. Fawnpaw, from this day on, you shall be known as Fawnpelt. Marshpaw, you shall be Marshstorm. And Patchpaw, you shall be known as Patchstream. Starclan honors all three of you with what you've done to help the Clan, and we welcome you as full warriors of Flameclan!" the leader finished with a yowl of pride. The cats of Flameclan cheered the new warriors' names before Thornstar raised her tail for silence.
"Next, we have two new apprentices. Dustkit and Pinekit, do you think you are ready to move on and learn everything about your Clan?" the gray leader continued, now turning on a pale brown she-kit and a dark ginger tom. "Yes." the two replied, unable to hide the excitement inside them. "Then, by the power of Starclan, I give you your apprentice names. Dustkit, from this day on you shall be known as Dustpaw. Your mentor will be Dovetail, and I expect she'll pass down all she knows to you. Pinekit, you shall be Pinepaw and your mentor will be Emberfern, and I expect he too will pass down all he knows to you." Thornstar finished the ceremony, and all cats cheered for the two new apprentices and their mentors.
"Now that that's done, I have some sad news, too. Dawnstream has kitted, however, she..didn't make it. Yesterday a fox killed Brambleflight and badly injured Vinepaw. Both died. On a patrol, Darkclan attacked. They kidnapped Owlcloud, almost killed Brackenberry and injured Frostpaw very badly. One of Dawnstream's kits was stillborn." Thornstar meowed, his gaze hardening. "The other kit, Mothkit, is fine, but everything else isn't. We have to be on our best guard. From now on, patrols of five will go out to never repeat this. Meeting dismissed." he finished and jumped down from the rock. The leader went to Eagletail's den to speak with her.
All the cats scattered wherever after the meeting. The new apprentices and their mentors went together to talk. Lynxpaw soon joined them. Everyone was talking about the sad news. Fawnpelt and Marshstorm looked at each other. And only a few weeks ago they and Dewleap found out what truly happened with Waterclan. Things had changed too quickly for the two. Dewleap soon found them and sat down by them. "Look how quickly everything changed. It's unbelievable." Dewleap meowed to the two, but Marshstorm's thoughts were elsewhere. "I actually don't understand this. Did Starclan ever tell us destruction was heading the Clan's way? Was there a prophecy or an omen about this? No. No there wasn't. Could it be that.." she paused for a bit before continuing.
"..Starclan no longer cares about the Clans?"
- N-O-T-E-S -
Warrior names still needed for Rowanpaw, Silverpaw, Wolfpaw, Jaypaw, Quickpaw, Quietpaw, Blackpaw Ravenpaw, Meadowpaw, Lightpaw, Spottedpaw, Wildpaw, Brackenpaw, Pricklepaw, Lynxpaw, Sparkpaw and mentors for Owlkit, Softkit, Sandkit, Thistlekit, Mothkit and Heronkit!
- - - - -
Chapter 3
Marshstorm ran. She ran as fast as her legs could carry her, running away from the darkness that followed her. The young warrior was slowly running out of breath, but she had to keep running. Else..The warrior didn't even want to think about what could possibly happen if she stopped. She kept running, jumping over rocks, twigs and tiny streams in her way. The darkness followed her all this way and continued to chase Marshstorm. Eventually the warrior ran out of breath and came to a dead end by a large cliffside, with nowhere to run. The warrior turned around to face the darkness, her claws outstretched. Two cats jumped down from the top of the cliff and landed by her. They yowled, and the darkness faded, along with the scene. Now they were in Starclan's hunting grounds where Marshstorm could see clearly the two that came. They were her parents!
"Darkshine? Leafclaw? What are you doing here? And where was I?" Marshstorm started with questions. Darkshine, a once black she-cat with white front legs, closed her light blue eyes and let her mate speak. "You were in the Dark Forest. The darkness was them. They want you to train with them. Don't accept anything from them, they'll just trick you. Marshstorm, there's something we want to tell you." he meowed and looked at Darkshine. The black she-cat nodded and rose to her paws. Her tail swooshed across the ground, and 6 cats appeared behind Marshstorm. The leaders of the 6 Clans. A ring of fire encircled each one of them. Suddenly, the one by Splashstar, Waterclan's leader, disappeared, and the leader faded. The ones around the rest of them slowly died out too, with the last one being Flameclan's. "Fires are fading, and only flames can bring them back." the words echoed in Marshstorm's mind. She yowled out, and woke.
She was back in her nest, with her sister Fawnpelt looking very worried at her. Marshstorm realized she was breathing very fast. "Marshstorm! Are you okay?" a voice from deeper in the den called, and soon another head appeared. A ginger tom, one of the oldest cats in the whole Clan. Marshstorm looked at him. "Mousefang.." she murmured. The tom looked at her. "Yes?" he asked. He was worried that something was wrong with her. "Do you know where Eagletail and Thornstar are? I-I need to speak to them." Marshstorm mewed. Fawnpelt stepped back, and at that very moment Eagletail poked her head inside. "Marshstorm! You woke up like half the Clan with that yowl!" she scolded her, but the medicine cat's eyes were clouded with worry.
Marshstorm stood up and walked out of the den. "Eagletail, where's Thornstar? I need to speak to both of you." she asked the medicine cat as the pale brown warrior walked past her. Outside, Marshstorm could see it was the middle of the night, and Thornstar soon came to her. "Marshstorm, by the sound of your yowl, you saw something terrifying." he meowed. For some reason, Marshstorm didn't answer but just went out of the camp. Eagletail and Thornstar followed her out.
"I have something to say to both of you. I..I was visited by my parents. In Starclan." the warrior started. "I was chased by a darkness..the Dark Forest, I think it was called." she continued but was cut off by Thornstar's hiss. "Dark Forest. Wouldn't be surprised if they're helping with the disease." Eagletail looked at Thornstar, then at Marshstorm before telling her to continue. "My parents got me out of there..they gave me a prophecy." she mewed.
"Fires are fading, and only flames can bring them back"
- N-O-T-E-S -
Apologies for the shorter chapter, but I just wanted to get the prophecy out of my head. Next one'll be longer, I promise.
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Chapter 4
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here for a Clan meeting!" Thornstar's voice rang clearly through the clearing the next morning. Flameclan cats gathered, some with more excited murmurs, some with worried faces. "One of our warriors received a sign from Starclan last night. Or rather, a prophecy. Fires are fading, and only flames can bring them back." he started. "If the fading fires are the other Clans, then how can we save 5 other Clans?" someone from the crowd asked. Murmurs of agreement spread around.
"Meet Starclan. They always bring these mysterious prophecies and omens for us to understand and fulfill. I'm just more confused why they didn't give it earlier." Eagletail snorted. She was about to say something more, but the leader's gaze stopped from. "This warrior was also chased by the Dark Forest before the prophecy was given. This can mean only one thing - the Dark Forest is trying to take over, and they have definitely put their paws on helping the disease." Thornstar finished. Angry and shocked whispers spread around.
"On a slightly happier note, the Gathering is tonight. Marshstorm, Eagletail, Dewleap, Silverpaw, Quietpaw, Dovetail, Hollyskip, Hailstorm and Minnowtail will be attending the Gathering with me. Oh and before I let you go - I want to make a new apprentice. Softkit, from this day you'll be Softpaw. You have chosen the path of a medicine cat, so Eagletail is your mentor. Meeting dismissed." Thornstar finished, jumping down from his place and going off somewhere. Those chosen for the Gathering didn't scatter too far away apart from the apprentices who went out to hunt near the camp.
At dusk, the 'patrol' set out to the Gathering Field, or the Riverstones, as they knew it. They weren't far, but on the journey they were always joined by Cloudclan so they had to make a little loop to their borders until the Firestream started. Cloudclan was already there by the time Flameclan had reached the Stream. They greeted each other, and continued onward to the Riverstones where the Gathering would be held. Owls hooted in the distance. Nature fell silent - and dark. The calm gurgle of the stream was the only thing the two Clans could hear apart from their own footsteps.
When they arrived to the Riverstones, Darkclan and Hollyclan were already waiting. Now it was just Brightclan and Waterclan. Dawnstar and Thornstar jumped up to their stones, and the Flameclan leader started talking to Hollyclan's leader, Berrystar. Blackstar and Thornstar only glanced at each other but didn't speak. Soon Snowstar came with her warriors and took her spot on the stones. "Only Splashstar left." Thornstar meowed, and Berrystar ended her conversation with Dawnstar to sit still on his rock and wait until Waterclan arrives. The sun set, and the cats below all were chatting and gossiping, or just sharing tongues with each other. The moon was up high before Splashstar appeared with a few cats. Everyone went silent at the sight of them.
"My apologies..for the..wait." Splashstar managed in between coughing. The few cats that came along sat at one edge away from the others. "Splashstar, don't tell me Waterclan is dying!" Dawnstar meowed to the sick leader. He shook his head, coughed and said, "I bring..a few." he simply meowed. The other leaders started with their reports. Thornstar waited until after everyone had spoken before she rose up and kindly asked Blackstar to let her on his rock since it was the highest one. Blackstar did, confused at what's happening.
"Cats of the Clans, we have something to say." he started. "Just this night, one of our warriors received a prophecy from Starclan. This is a sign that Starclan has not abandoned us..but it still brings bad news. Marshstorm, you tell them." Thornstar beckoned the warrior to come take his spot, and she did. "It's true. I was chased by the Dark Forest before two Starclan cats - Darkshine and Leafclaw - came to help. We took it as a sign the Dark Forest is up to something. These two cats delivered the prophecy to me. Fires are fading, and only flames can bring them back." she meowed to everyone. Most cats would be scared and stammer, but Marshstorm said this with confidence and no surprise or some kind of fear in her voice. The pale warrior returned back to her spot, and Thornstar let Blackstar go back to his original spot.
"So Starclan sends us another very mysterious prophecy while some of us here are dying." Snowstar meowed, glancing at Splashstar. "My Clan thought the Fading Fires are the Clans, but we don't feel like we could save another 5 Clans. Our territory is, however, full of different herbs and plants. So maybe we'll find something there to help you." Thornstar meowed. Just then, one of the wisest cats in all the Clans, Flintheart, stepped out from the crowd. "This is not the last we'll see of the Dark Forest, is it?" he meowed to the leaders and turned to the cats below. "You see.." he took a dramatic pause.
"They're after Marshstorm, and will not rest until they get her on their side."
- N-O-T-E-S -
I promised it would be longer, didn't I? Well, just..enjoy the drama XD
- - - - -
Chapter 5
It has been a few days since the Gathering. Darkclan has already attacked their border, causing Flameclan to become more aggressive. Waterclan has been getting weaker and weaker, and some fear they may not survive. Some Cloudclan cats have been visiting their territory to gather up some plants and try to make some herb mixtures that could possibly help Waterclan - they may not have been the nicest cats, but no one could bear to lose them. In a way, each Clan depended on others.
Thornstar was pacing tho and fro in his den, anxious about everything. Since Marshstorm had delivered Starclan's message the Flameclan leader could not have gotten some rest. Questions were clouding his mind, and he's been so lost in thought he's missed a lot, like three of his Clan's apprentices getting injured or that someone found a big deathberry bush near camp. Or the fact he should've made two litters apprentices a day ago. Which he hadn't. Thornstar hadn't even left the den, let alone cared for his Clan.
Eagletail, however, was bombarded with questions about the leader's safety. Every cat was worried, especially Barknose. The brown deputy tried visiting Thornstar, but each time the leader had sent him away.
Marshstorm was laying down in her nest, trying to sleep as moonlight filled the camp with it's cold, light gleam. Confused mews could be heard outside, and Eagletail's groans mixed in with others. Marshstorm was sick of this, and she rose to her paws and padded outside. Many heads turned to her, following her as she padded to the leader's den. When she got near, Fawnpelt raced to her.
"Marshstorm! I just tried to visit Thornstar, but he sent me to get you before I could get inside." she mewed to her sister. Marshstorm nodded and padded to the entrance, mewing a quiet greeting. "Marshstorm..come in." a raspy voice responded, and Marshstorm squeezed in.
Thornstar had stopped pacing around and was now sitting down. His fur was ruffled up, and when the tan she-cat sat down in front of him, she could see how frail the leader looked from not eating anything in some days. "Marshstorm, I'm glad you came." he mewed to her.
"Thornstar, the Clan is worried about you. You have missed a lot. Seven kits are still waiting for their apprentice names which they deserved yesterday!" Marshstorm meowed, a low growl rising in her throat. If the leader had forgotten about it, someone had to remind him of it! Thornstar trembled at her words. "Marshstorm, what you said right before the Gathering has been troubling me. While I believe Flintheart is right, I can't help but wonder why did Starclan send the message to you." he mewed.
"Well it's done now. Whatever they had in mind is not our problem. Thornstar, there's a Clan waiting for you to do something. To make them feel safer. You can't hide in your den forever, especially with the duties you have!" Marshstorm snapped at the leader, and he trembled even more, a slight fear scent rising from his shaggy fur. Marshstorm turned and left the den, not giving the frail leader a chance to say anything.
Once she appeared from behind the Highrock, cats streamed towards her, asking about their leader. "He's fine. Leave him alone!" she hissed at them, which was enough to stop the incoming sea of questions. Barknose padded to her, signalling with his tail for the she-cat to follow. They padded to a quiet corner and sat down. "Marshstorm, did you speak to Thornstar?" he softly asked. Marshstorm nodded.
"He's been so worried about the prophecy he hasn't even talked to anyone." she growled. Barknose nodded slowly. "Did..did you tell about the events?" he meowed, moving a bit closer to her. Marshstorm nodded again. "Didn't seem like he even car--" she started but was cut off by a yowl coming from the entrance. Many cats came in at once, their claws outstretched. They all reeked of Darkclan. One of them yowled something, and the enemy Clan scattered, attacking the far larger Clan. They had been attacked right in their camp, with a leader not ready for it.
A black cat leapt at Marshstorm, their claws gleaming in the moonlight. Marshstorm ducked, then ran forward underneath the Darkclanner and clawed at their belly. The cat yowled in pain and landed heavily, unable to get back up quickly. Barknose leapt at them, and Marshstorm attacked from the other side. The black cat wriggled under their weight, paws thrashing around wildly. One hit Marshstorm's ear, and the tan cat hissed and raked their side with her claws. "Leave and never return!" Barknose yowled and bit the Darkclanner in the shoulder. Both cats let go, and the black Darkclan cat turned and ran out, two of his Clanmates following out of the camp.
"That was amazing!" Barknose meowed to her. For a response Marshstorm purred and turned to him, her amber gaze locking in with his green one. They nodded at each other, but then something barreled into the tan she-cat. She yowled, and the Flameclan deputy leapt at the attacker. "You! You're the one who delivered the message!" she growled, raking her claws at Marshstorm. Barknose ran forward and sunk his teeth in the dark she-cat's leg. At that moment Marshstorm raked her hind claws at the attacker's soft belly while aiming with her front ones to go for her eyes. This surprised the attacker, and she yowled out in pain and collapsed, getting half-blinded in the process. A shriek let the two Flameclan cats know their leader was out, but attacked by a mass of cats. Barknose quickly nudged the enemy up and bit them, sending her running for the camp entrance.
Marshstorm got up. "Thanks." she gasped, turning to where Thornstar shrieked again. "We have to help him!" they both meowed at each other, then turned and ran, shoulder to shoulder, to help their leader. They found him, struggling to fend off five attackers. With a vicious yowl, Barknose jumped on the back of the closest one, a ginger tabby. He turned, surprised, while Marshstorm ran at them on the other side. She felt her claws in their fur while Barknose pounded his back. The tabby fell and rolled onto his back, squishing Barknose and exposing a gray belly which Marshstorm quickly took advantage of by leaping on it and swiping at it. The tabby rolled over, and Marshstorm jumped back to not get squished. Barknose released them, and the ginger tabby turned tail and fled, many cats following. The camp was clearer now, and some could run to help their deputy and Marshstorm drive off the last cats. The battle had been won, but clearly their leader was clinging onto his life until his struggles faded. Thornstar had lost another life. Soon he started breathing again, and Eagletail ran to help him. Then he looked up at Barknose, his scared face saying it all.
Thornstar was now on his last life.
- N-O-T-E-S -
Woo I finally got around to post this update haha. Sorry for the long wait.
