The Last Hope
Dec 16, 2015 21:58:06 GMT -5
Post by Willowisp🍃 on Dec 16, 2015 21:58:06 GMT -5
I worked on this for some time, but just now decided to upload it. I will be putting up another story as I continue working on it.
The clans have been destroyed, and few survived.
As the few survivors ran out of camp after being driven away by a band of ferocious rogues, one of them cried out. The small figure fell over, and two of the others ran to pick it up. One grasped the little ones neck and picked it up. They ran to catch up with the others.
"It's okay Nettlekit," the other reassured the tiny one. "We'll be fine. We are just moving away. Here, give him to me Rabbitpace." The first figure set Nettlekit down gently and the other picked him up quickly. Then ran again. "You know, he is my son Dappledfoot," Rabbitpace reproved the one carrying Nettlekit. Dappledfoot grimaced, and said with her eyes; Yes, but I'm a queen. And you know who I am to him. He glared at her. "Yes, but he doesn't know that. He thought he was normal! Then you had to show up at my camp with your friends." Dappledfoot looked hurt. They finally caught up with the others.
One, with a pelt that looked silver in the moonlight, glanced back. "Problems?" Rabbitpace answered. "Nettlekit fell. We far enough yet?" A ginger tabby bounded over. "For one night, yes. We found a couple of shallow dips we could use as dens." He and Rabbitpace walked a couple steps away. Rabbitpace leapt onto a low boulder. "Survivors of the battle! Gather here for a meeting of how to proceed." The rest of the group gathered below him. They numbered nineteen, the only remainder of the great four clans. "There are four makeshift dens here. In Den One, will be: Dappledfoot and the kits. Den Two will be the apprentices. Den Three will be Mintpaw, Moonsky, and Streamsong. Den Four will be me, Sunstrike, and Pebblemoor. Get settled and rest up. Tomorrow is another day of travel, though we won't have to run."
Moonsky awoke to sunlight streaming into the warriors den in Shadowclan. She wondered why it was so small. Then she remembered their flight from Windclan. She held back tears as she remembered her mother Alderhope's brutal slaughter before her eyes. The Shadowclan and Thunderclan survivors had seen it. Pinetail, Alderhope's brother, had murdered her. She heard Rabbitpace, the former Windclan deputy call to move on. She got up groaning. Moonsky padded out. The deputy looked at her. "Ah Moonsky. You stick with Streamsong and Echopaw. We are leaving immediately." "We haven't had breakfast yet!" She protested. He glared. "Do you want to get away from those rogues or not? We'll hunt on the way."
As the sun set on their third day of travel, they reached a river. It was surrounded by moor and forest. Sunstrike sighed beside Moonsky. "It looks like home," he sighed. "Yeah," she agreed. They were littermates from Shadowclan. Rabbitpace called to the cats. "This will be our new home!" Nightpaw, a little apprentice from Thunderclan, frowned. "But it's so close to the lake!" She exclaimed. Rabbitpace nodded. "It is safe here. We will be fine."
They saw a shape dart into the shadows. "Who is there?" Pebblemoor called. A thin reddish she-cat stepped into the moonlight. "Hello. What are you doing here?" A small brown tabby leapt beside her. "Cherry, who are these cats?" She asked the red cat, who was apparently named Cherry. "Hello Fern. Anyways, who are you, and why are you at our pond?" She turned to the clan cats. Dappledfoot dipped her head in respect. "I'm sorry. We had no idea anyone lived here. We are from the lake three days from here." Cherry nodded. "Are you from the clans? We have a small camp just the two of us, but we should have some room for a few nights."
"That would be wonderful," Moonsky cut in. Rabbitpace looked at the rogues. "Alright," he agreed. Fern waved her tail energetically. "Follow me!" And she streaked off. Streamsong and Moonsky hung behind with Cherry. "We were hoping to make a new clan here, since the old clans were destroyed, but we didn't know you lived here. What we get grouped together we can move on again," Streamsong explained to the rogue.
"You know, Fern and I have been pretty lonely. We could join your new clan. And I know some loners...." Cherry said thoughtfully. "Really?" Moonsky asked incredulously. They hadn't even know the rogue for a day, and she was asking to join them. "Yeah, I mean, I know Fern is over enthusiastic, but she's good." They reached the camp as Cherry finished talking. "Well, if it's okay with the others." Streamsong said cheerfully. "Hey guys! Cherry and Fern want to join us."
Sunstrike nodded thoughtfully. Dappledfoot and Mintpaw agreed also. Finally, only Rabbitpace was left. He hesitated, then gave in. "Alright," he said. "Should we have the ceremony now? And who will be the leader?" Streamsong poked her head up. "You should be leader Rabbitpace. You have the most experience," she suggested. The other warriors agreed. Moonsky nodded. "Oh. Alright," he stuttered. "Rabbitstar. Sounds good!" Dappledfoot said. Rabbitpace stood up. "Then I say this before my warrior ancestors. I appoint Streamsong as my deputy since she has been a warrior for many moons and is very responsible."
Streamsong perked her ears. "I accept this position," She meowed. "Then by Starclan, I name you the deputy of this clan. Cherry, step forward." The red rogue complied. "Do you wish to join this clan?" He asked her. "Yes," she said firmly. "Then from now until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Cherrypaw. And Fern, do you wish to join?" "Yes," she said solemn for the first time. "You will be called Fernpaw. May Starclan light your paths. One more thing. Nightpaw, gave you gotten far in your training?" She nodded. "All I had to do was be assessed." Rabbitpace looked thoughtful. "Then, Nightpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code?"
"I do," she said.
"Then, from now on you shall be known as Nightbreeze." The cats cheered. "Cherrypaw! Fernpaw! Nightbreeze! Cherrypaw! Fernpaw! Nightbreeze!" Rabbitpace held his paw up. "I have forgotten something. I must assign mentors. Stripepaw, you will be mentored by Sunstrike. Littlepaw will be my apprentice. Echopaw will stay with Streamsong. Cherrypaw will be with Pebblemoor, and Fernpaw will be with Moonsky." Moonsky was pleased to be a mentor, but slightly worried about having the energetic Fernpaw as her apprentice.
Cherrypaw spoke up. "We know some loners who might want to join! Their names are strange though." "What are they named?" Pebblemoor asked warily. "KELLIE, NELLIE, MELLIE!" Fernpaw sang loudly. "Oh, and Charlie." She attacked a moss ball. Sunstrike rolled his eyes. Moonsky groaned. Rabbitpace spoke up again. "We need a new moonpool!" Fernpaw looked up from shredding the moss. "I know a place where sparkly cats shine from the water when the moon is high," she announced. Cherrypaw hushed her. "Shush Fernpaw. I told you that wasn't real." Rabbitpace frowned at the red apprentice. "Where is it, Fernpaw?" Cherrypaw snorted. "Don't tell me you believe her!" Streamsong looked at her. "Actually, we do!"
Cherrypaw gasped. "WHAT-" Streamsong cut her off. "Where we come from, there is a place called the moonpool, where starry versions of our ancestors speak to us," she explained. Cherrypaw looked offended. "No, THAT!!!" She cried, pointing past Streamsong.
Moonsky whirled around to see a badger crashing through the trees. "Badger!" Pebblemoor cried. "Everyone grab a kit!" The warriors, Dappledfoot, and Mintpaw each grabbed a kit. Rabbitpace gave Nettlekit to Cherrypaw, who backed away from the badger slowly. "I have a plan!" He called. " Streamsong, Pebblemoor. Hand your kits off to Littlepaw and Echopaw! Go for it's left flank. Nightbreeze, protect the kits with Dappledfoot. Moonsky, Sunstrike, give your kits to the apprentices also. You go for the right flank. I'll go for it's throat!" They launched into action.
Nightbreeze growled and stood before the kits. The others went for it's flanks, and Rabbitpace launched at it's head.
Just then a fox ran into the clearing and ran at the kits. Dappledfoot raked her claws along it's sides. The fox snapped at her, and attacked. As she battled the fox, the apprentices protected the kits in case there was another fox. Nightbreeze pounced on the fox, and they wrestled together on the ground.
Dappledfoot stepped back to take a breath and a second fox jumped on her from behind. They fought together, until the fox went for her neck. Dappledfoot gasped and batted the fox away weakly. Nightbreeze chased the first away and turned on the one Dappledfoot had been fighting. The elderly queen had collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath. Nightbreeze fought hard against the fox, and eventually drove it away. By that time the others had defeated the badger.
They all rushed to the injured queen. The kits and apprentices followed immediately. Leapordkit shrieked. "Mama!" She cried out. Tigerkit and Lionkit ran up to her. Dappledfoot coughed weakly, blood pouring from the wound in her neck. "Take care of my kits..." she whispered. Leapordkit screeched. "NO!" Dappledfoot's eyes glazed over. "Goodbye my kits."
Mintpaw checked her breathing. "Oh Starclan," she paled. "Leapordkit. Tigerkit, Lionkit. She is gone." Leapordkit screamed again. "NO NO NO!!!" Nightbreeze licked her head. "It's okay. She is with Starclan now." Leapordkit wailed. "I want her HERE!!"
Nightbreeze licked her again. Moonsky looked at Rabbitpace desperately. "We don't have a queen. These kits need milk." She whispered. He looked sorrowful and nodded.
Cherrypaw overheard them. "I know two queens," she mewed softly. Sunstrike heard her and shook his head. "We have many kits already." Cherrypaw shuffled her paws. "They don't have kits anymore. The kits were taken by greencough." Sunstrike lowered his head in grief for the poor queens. Cherrypaw looked to Rabbitpace.
He nodded. "Fernpaw, take me to the starry cats. Cherrypaw, take Moonsky to find the cats you told me about." Fernpaw motioned to the leader and bounded off. Moonsky followed Cherrypaw.
It seemed like only a few minutes had passed when they reached an abandoned twoleg den. Cherrypaw made a weird sound and banged her left front paw against the side of the den. A burly brown tom stepped out. "Cherry," he meowed in a deep voice. "What are you doing here?" Cherrypaw glanced at Moonsky. "Fern and I joined a clan. They have many kits, but the only queen was killed by a fox. I was thinking Nellie and Mellie might like a second chance."
The tom hesitated. "You would have to talk to them. I don't know how they would feel." He looked at Moonsky as if he had just noticed her. "Who are you?" He asked. She shrugged. "I'm Fernpaw's mentor." He smiled. "I'll give you some tips." He waved his tail for them to follow.
Inside the den there were three she-cats. The older two looked very tired, and the younger one had fallen asleep in a hay nest. The tom whispered in the ear of one of the cats awake. She was a pretty blue-gray she-cat with gray eyes. She twitched her ear, then nodded slowly. She flicked the other cat, who was a brown tabby. Her amber eyes were sorrowful, and she looked at the sleeping one.
Her eyes took on a mischievous glint. "Kellie!" The younger cat awoke and jumped sky-high when she heard her name yelled. "Yikes!! Where's the fire?! Who died?! Was it Nellie?! Or Charlie?! Or Bob the Fish?!"
The first cat screeched in surprise at the outburst. "I'm not dead! Neither is Charlie! But who is Bob?!" She cried out as soon as she got over her shock. Mellie, the tabby, Moonsky supposed, purred. "Her pet fish in the pond outside. And yes, he is dead. I needed a midnight snack." The third one cried out with anguish. "How could you eat Bob the Fish?! He was my friend!"
Nellie shot a glare at Mellie, and said soothingly, "It's okay. Bob was a good friend." Mellie rolled her eyes. "I didn't actually eat him. I was joking." Moonsky just stood there awkwardly.
Cherrypaw spoke up. "Um, Fern and I were wondering if the four of you wanted to join a new clan. Nellie, Mellie, there are four motherless kits that we were hoping you could care for." Moonsky nodded, and continued the story. "The lake clans were destroyed by traitors, who killed many. The survivors came here. Just as we began preparing, a badger attacked, along with two foxes, who had taken the advantage of the warriors being preoccupied to attack the kits. The mother tried to save them, but was killed. Cherrypaw and Fernpaw told us how you had lost kits, and we came to ask for help."
The clans have been destroyed, and few survived.
As the few survivors ran out of camp after being driven away by a band of ferocious rogues, one of them cried out. The small figure fell over, and two of the others ran to pick it up. One grasped the little ones neck and picked it up. They ran to catch up with the others.
"It's okay Nettlekit," the other reassured the tiny one. "We'll be fine. We are just moving away. Here, give him to me Rabbitpace." The first figure set Nettlekit down gently and the other picked him up quickly. Then ran again. "You know, he is my son Dappledfoot," Rabbitpace reproved the one carrying Nettlekit. Dappledfoot grimaced, and said with her eyes; Yes, but I'm a queen. And you know who I am to him. He glared at her. "Yes, but he doesn't know that. He thought he was normal! Then you had to show up at my camp with your friends." Dappledfoot looked hurt. They finally caught up with the others.
One, with a pelt that looked silver in the moonlight, glanced back. "Problems?" Rabbitpace answered. "Nettlekit fell. We far enough yet?" A ginger tabby bounded over. "For one night, yes. We found a couple of shallow dips we could use as dens." He and Rabbitpace walked a couple steps away. Rabbitpace leapt onto a low boulder. "Survivors of the battle! Gather here for a meeting of how to proceed." The rest of the group gathered below him. They numbered nineteen, the only remainder of the great four clans. "There are four makeshift dens here. In Den One, will be: Dappledfoot and the kits. Den Two will be the apprentices. Den Three will be Mintpaw, Moonsky, and Streamsong. Den Four will be me, Sunstrike, and Pebblemoor. Get settled and rest up. Tomorrow is another day of travel, though we won't have to run."
Moonsky awoke to sunlight streaming into the warriors den in Shadowclan. She wondered why it was so small. Then she remembered their flight from Windclan. She held back tears as she remembered her mother Alderhope's brutal slaughter before her eyes. The Shadowclan and Thunderclan survivors had seen it. Pinetail, Alderhope's brother, had murdered her. She heard Rabbitpace, the former Windclan deputy call to move on. She got up groaning. Moonsky padded out. The deputy looked at her. "Ah Moonsky. You stick with Streamsong and Echopaw. We are leaving immediately." "We haven't had breakfast yet!" She protested. He glared. "Do you want to get away from those rogues or not? We'll hunt on the way."
As the sun set on their third day of travel, they reached a river. It was surrounded by moor and forest. Sunstrike sighed beside Moonsky. "It looks like home," he sighed. "Yeah," she agreed. They were littermates from Shadowclan. Rabbitpace called to the cats. "This will be our new home!" Nightpaw, a little apprentice from Thunderclan, frowned. "But it's so close to the lake!" She exclaimed. Rabbitpace nodded. "It is safe here. We will be fine."
They saw a shape dart into the shadows. "Who is there?" Pebblemoor called. A thin reddish she-cat stepped into the moonlight. "Hello. What are you doing here?" A small brown tabby leapt beside her. "Cherry, who are these cats?" She asked the red cat, who was apparently named Cherry. "Hello Fern. Anyways, who are you, and why are you at our pond?" She turned to the clan cats. Dappledfoot dipped her head in respect. "I'm sorry. We had no idea anyone lived here. We are from the lake three days from here." Cherry nodded. "Are you from the clans? We have a small camp just the two of us, but we should have some room for a few nights."
"That would be wonderful," Moonsky cut in. Rabbitpace looked at the rogues. "Alright," he agreed. Fern waved her tail energetically. "Follow me!" And she streaked off. Streamsong and Moonsky hung behind with Cherry. "We were hoping to make a new clan here, since the old clans were destroyed, but we didn't know you lived here. What we get grouped together we can move on again," Streamsong explained to the rogue.
"You know, Fern and I have been pretty lonely. We could join your new clan. And I know some loners...." Cherry said thoughtfully. "Really?" Moonsky asked incredulously. They hadn't even know the rogue for a day, and she was asking to join them. "Yeah, I mean, I know Fern is over enthusiastic, but she's good." They reached the camp as Cherry finished talking. "Well, if it's okay with the others." Streamsong said cheerfully. "Hey guys! Cherry and Fern want to join us."
Sunstrike nodded thoughtfully. Dappledfoot and Mintpaw agreed also. Finally, only Rabbitpace was left. He hesitated, then gave in. "Alright," he said. "Should we have the ceremony now? And who will be the leader?" Streamsong poked her head up. "You should be leader Rabbitpace. You have the most experience," she suggested. The other warriors agreed. Moonsky nodded. "Oh. Alright," he stuttered. "Rabbitstar. Sounds good!" Dappledfoot said. Rabbitpace stood up. "Then I say this before my warrior ancestors. I appoint Streamsong as my deputy since she has been a warrior for many moons and is very responsible."
Streamsong perked her ears. "I accept this position," She meowed. "Then by Starclan, I name you the deputy of this clan. Cherry, step forward." The red rogue complied. "Do you wish to join this clan?" He asked her. "Yes," she said firmly. "Then from now until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Cherrypaw. And Fern, do you wish to join?" "Yes," she said solemn for the first time. "You will be called Fernpaw. May Starclan light your paths. One more thing. Nightpaw, gave you gotten far in your training?" She nodded. "All I had to do was be assessed." Rabbitpace looked thoughtful. "Then, Nightpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code?"
"I do," she said.
"Then, from now on you shall be known as Nightbreeze." The cats cheered. "Cherrypaw! Fernpaw! Nightbreeze! Cherrypaw! Fernpaw! Nightbreeze!" Rabbitpace held his paw up. "I have forgotten something. I must assign mentors. Stripepaw, you will be mentored by Sunstrike. Littlepaw will be my apprentice. Echopaw will stay with Streamsong. Cherrypaw will be with Pebblemoor, and Fernpaw will be with Moonsky." Moonsky was pleased to be a mentor, but slightly worried about having the energetic Fernpaw as her apprentice.
Cherrypaw spoke up. "We know some loners who might want to join! Their names are strange though." "What are they named?" Pebblemoor asked warily. "KELLIE, NELLIE, MELLIE!" Fernpaw sang loudly. "Oh, and Charlie." She attacked a moss ball. Sunstrike rolled his eyes. Moonsky groaned. Rabbitpace spoke up again. "We need a new moonpool!" Fernpaw looked up from shredding the moss. "I know a place where sparkly cats shine from the water when the moon is high," she announced. Cherrypaw hushed her. "Shush Fernpaw. I told you that wasn't real." Rabbitpace frowned at the red apprentice. "Where is it, Fernpaw?" Cherrypaw snorted. "Don't tell me you believe her!" Streamsong looked at her. "Actually, we do!"
Cherrypaw gasped. "WHAT-" Streamsong cut her off. "Where we come from, there is a place called the moonpool, where starry versions of our ancestors speak to us," she explained. Cherrypaw looked offended. "No, THAT!!!" She cried, pointing past Streamsong.
Moonsky whirled around to see a badger crashing through the trees. "Badger!" Pebblemoor cried. "Everyone grab a kit!" The warriors, Dappledfoot, and Mintpaw each grabbed a kit. Rabbitpace gave Nettlekit to Cherrypaw, who backed away from the badger slowly. "I have a plan!" He called. " Streamsong, Pebblemoor. Hand your kits off to Littlepaw and Echopaw! Go for it's left flank. Nightbreeze, protect the kits with Dappledfoot. Moonsky, Sunstrike, give your kits to the apprentices also. You go for the right flank. I'll go for it's throat!" They launched into action.
Nightbreeze growled and stood before the kits. The others went for it's flanks, and Rabbitpace launched at it's head.
Just then a fox ran into the clearing and ran at the kits. Dappledfoot raked her claws along it's sides. The fox snapped at her, and attacked. As she battled the fox, the apprentices protected the kits in case there was another fox. Nightbreeze pounced on the fox, and they wrestled together on the ground.
Dappledfoot stepped back to take a breath and a second fox jumped on her from behind. They fought together, until the fox went for her neck. Dappledfoot gasped and batted the fox away weakly. Nightbreeze chased the first away and turned on the one Dappledfoot had been fighting. The elderly queen had collapsed on the ground, gasping for breath. Nightbreeze fought hard against the fox, and eventually drove it away. By that time the others had defeated the badger.
They all rushed to the injured queen. The kits and apprentices followed immediately. Leapordkit shrieked. "Mama!" She cried out. Tigerkit and Lionkit ran up to her. Dappledfoot coughed weakly, blood pouring from the wound in her neck. "Take care of my kits..." she whispered. Leapordkit screeched. "NO!" Dappledfoot's eyes glazed over. "Goodbye my kits."
Mintpaw checked her breathing. "Oh Starclan," she paled. "Leapordkit. Tigerkit, Lionkit. She is gone." Leapordkit screamed again. "NO NO NO!!!" Nightbreeze licked her head. "It's okay. She is with Starclan now." Leapordkit wailed. "I want her HERE!!"
Nightbreeze licked her again. Moonsky looked at Rabbitpace desperately. "We don't have a queen. These kits need milk." She whispered. He looked sorrowful and nodded.
Cherrypaw overheard them. "I know two queens," she mewed softly. Sunstrike heard her and shook his head. "We have many kits already." Cherrypaw shuffled her paws. "They don't have kits anymore. The kits were taken by greencough." Sunstrike lowered his head in grief for the poor queens. Cherrypaw looked to Rabbitpace.
He nodded. "Fernpaw, take me to the starry cats. Cherrypaw, take Moonsky to find the cats you told me about." Fernpaw motioned to the leader and bounded off. Moonsky followed Cherrypaw.
It seemed like only a few minutes had passed when they reached an abandoned twoleg den. Cherrypaw made a weird sound and banged her left front paw against the side of the den. A burly brown tom stepped out. "Cherry," he meowed in a deep voice. "What are you doing here?" Cherrypaw glanced at Moonsky. "Fern and I joined a clan. They have many kits, but the only queen was killed by a fox. I was thinking Nellie and Mellie might like a second chance."
The tom hesitated. "You would have to talk to them. I don't know how they would feel." He looked at Moonsky as if he had just noticed her. "Who are you?" He asked. She shrugged. "I'm Fernpaw's mentor." He smiled. "I'll give you some tips." He waved his tail for them to follow.
Inside the den there were three she-cats. The older two looked very tired, and the younger one had fallen asleep in a hay nest. The tom whispered in the ear of one of the cats awake. She was a pretty blue-gray she-cat with gray eyes. She twitched her ear, then nodded slowly. She flicked the other cat, who was a brown tabby. Her amber eyes were sorrowful, and she looked at the sleeping one.
Her eyes took on a mischievous glint. "Kellie!" The younger cat awoke and jumped sky-high when she heard her name yelled. "Yikes!! Where's the fire?! Who died?! Was it Nellie?! Or Charlie?! Or Bob the Fish?!"
The first cat screeched in surprise at the outburst. "I'm not dead! Neither is Charlie! But who is Bob?!" She cried out as soon as she got over her shock. Mellie, the tabby, Moonsky supposed, purred. "Her pet fish in the pond outside. And yes, he is dead. I needed a midnight snack." The third one cried out with anguish. "How could you eat Bob the Fish?! He was my friend!"
Nellie shot a glare at Mellie, and said soothingly, "It's okay. Bob was a good friend." Mellie rolled her eyes. "I didn't actually eat him. I was joking." Moonsky just stood there awkwardly.
Cherrypaw spoke up. "Um, Fern and I were wondering if the four of you wanted to join a new clan. Nellie, Mellie, there are four motherless kits that we were hoping you could care for." Moonsky nodded, and continued the story. "The lake clans were destroyed by traitors, who killed many. The survivors came here. Just as we began preparing, a badger attacked, along with two foxes, who had taken the advantage of the warriors being preoccupied to attack the kits. The mother tried to save them, but was killed. Cherrypaw and Fernpaw told us how you had lost kits, and we came to ask for help."