Into The Darkness, As You Wish
Ravenpaw frowned as she peeked out from the apprentice den. The sky was clear and blue, a perfect sunny day. There wasn't a trace of rain scent on the soft breeze. The sun glared down on Ravenpaw's coal black pelt, and Ravenpaw squeezed her eyes half-shut. Her slitted eyes could only just make out the barren, rocky camp. The shallow caves that held sleeping cats seemed tiny compared the vast meadows surrounding them. Ravenpaw sighed, wishing she was Nightclan cat. Nightclan lived in a dark forest, and their dens were also caves, but deeper, darker, and more hidden.
Ravenpaw has been born and raised in Sunclan, the clan of open fields, but Ravenpaw had always felt exposed underneath the burning hot sun and empty blue sky. She wanted to feel moisture beneath her paws as she walked down a leaf-strewn path in the forest. Not sharp stones that cut her pads and harsh winds that blew back her dark fur.
Ravenpaw's mentor, Shyfawn was nowhere in sight. Ravenpaw searched the camp for her pale tawny pelt and understanding amber eyes, but she was not found. A broad gray head stuck out of the nursery. It was Gravelfur.
"Looking for Shyfawn? She's just moved into the nursery, sorry. I'm sure Ryestar will appoint your new mentor soon." He said. Ravenpaw guessed he was the father.
"Congratulations! I can't wait to see the kits. I just hope you're right about Ryestar giving me a new mentor!" Ravenpaw exclaimed, anxious to keep training. At that moment Ryestar, a fluffy golden she-cat strode over to Ravenpaw.
"Oh, don't worry! I've told Glistenheart to take over your training. She wants you to meet her and Mousefang at the training grounds. Mousefang has his apprentice too. You will be doing battle training. Now, go!" Ryestar told the quivering Ravenpaw.
Ravenpaw nodded, and set off towards the windy moors. When she found the dry stream-bed, used for training, a flash of white fur bounded towards her and bowled her over. Ravenpaw was pinned down by the Mousefang's apprentice.
"Hey! Not fair. I wasn't ready." Ravenpaw growled, though a playful glint showed in her eyes. She went limp, letting Snowpaw think he'd won. Then Ravenpaw pushed up with all her might and threw him out of the dip. Snowpaw hit the ground with a gasp.
"Oops!" Ravepaw meowed, laughing. Snowpaw rolled his eyes, and pushed her over, until he realized his mentor was standing over them. Snowpaw got up, shook himself off, and sat down. Ravenpaw sat down next to him.
"This is battle training. Not kit-play! Now, we need to practice a few moves. Glistenheart, you can teach them the leap-and-twist. I'll teach them a surprise move." Mousefang ordered, sneering. Mousefang had been made a warrior only a quarter moon ago. Ravenpaw, Snowpaw, Icepaw, Whitepaw, and Grousepaw, Ravenpaw's sister, would be warriors too, if they hadn't tried to run away. Whisperpaw was a moon younger, she still had training to do. Of course, Mousefang took that as a chance to prove he was ready to be a warrior, while they were not. Soon after, Snowpaw's mentor died due to Graybreath, a terrible lung sickness. Mousefang had been chosen to mentor Snowpaw.
Snowpaw and Ravenpaw easily beat Mousefang in the battle practice, and Mousefang grudgingly agreed with Glistenheart that they could choose fresh-kill first.
"Hey, Snowpaw! Want to eat with me?" Whisperpaw asked. She was a moon younger then Snowpaw, but it was obvious she liked Snowpaw. Ravenpaw snarled under breath when Snowpaw agreed. Snowpaw looked at her quizzically, he had heard her quiet sulking.
"What's up with you, Ravenpaw? I'll keep eating with you if you like... but Whisperpaw wants me to-"
Ravenpaw cut Snowpaw off with an angry lash of her tail.
"Great Starclan! Just go eat with the stupid crowfood eater! See if I care. I didn't ask you to start sharing tongues with idiots!" Ravenpaw grumbled. Snowpaw looked uncomfortable.
"Er... Ravenpaw, how about you go for a walk?" Snowpaw asked. Whisperpaw sneered and Ravenpaw rolled her eyes.
Ravenpaw stopped eating and finally nodded, rushing over to the camp entrance. Her sparrow she had been eating was quickly taken by Grousepaw, who devoured it in a few quick bites.
-In the moors-
Ravenpaw stumbled through the moors, blind to everything. How could Snowpaw like Whisperpaw? What was so great about her? She was just an arrogant apprentice, seeking praise! Ravenpaw growled as she thought of the annoying little gray she-cat. Her huge blue eyes seemed to mock her wherever she went, and the voice of Whisperpaw seemed to echo through her thoughts like a mocking jay.
Ravenpaw cursed as a blade of grass slit open a wound on her shoulder. A drop of blood connected with the ground and seeped into the dry earth. Another splashed down and Ravenpaw licked the tiny scratch. There was no need to go back to camp and get herbs for the cut. Sunclan cats got grass-cuts all the time, and learned to deal with them. At that moment a loud rustling cut through the sound of wind, and Snowpaw burst out, followed by a huge fox.
"Run Ravenpaw! Quickly!" He shouted, tearing through the grass. Ravenpaw dashed after him, making sure not to trip over anything or let the russet predator behind her grasp her tail. Soon they reached the cliff, and scrambled down the steep overhang. The fox looked around, unsure of where they went. Snowpaw panted beside her, tired out after the long run.
"Thanks a lot, Snowpaw. What were you doing out of camp anyway?" Ravenpaw hissed.
"What did I ever do? I was coming to get you, I didn't mean to annoy you when I sent you out of camp, I just thought you needed to cool down. I don't know why you acted like that..." Snowpaw trailed off, and noticed that their pelts were brushing. He moved awkwardly away, and looked up at the fox, who still had no idea where they were.
Ravenpaw flicked her ear, to show she understood. Then she stood up and began climbing slowly back up, taking care to make a wide loop around the hungry fox. She could feel Snowpaw's warm breath and quivering whiskers on her tail.
"Quit that shivering would you? Gosh, we're almost warriors, so start acting like one. Scaredy mouse!" Ravenpaw grumbled. Snowpaw's trembling subsided a bit, but Ravenpaw could still feel his breath on her tail.
"Okay, Snowpaw. We are almost back at camp, I'm going to go and hunt for a while, but you can go and eat with worm-breath over there." Ravenpaw smirked. Snowpaw flattened his ears.
"Her name is Whisperpaw. And why do you care so much anyway?" He snarled.
"I don't care! I'm just teasing you." Ravenpaw sniffed, raising her head proudly. Snowpaw growled something under his breath that sounded remarkably like "who's the arrogant fur-ball now?!"
Ravenpaw cursed and turned around.
"Go crawl back to Whisperpaw, you obviously like hanging out with her better than me!" Ravenpaw growled.
"Yeah, I do! She's not grumpy all the time and she doesn't tease me! I'm sure that Whisperpaw is a better cat to hang out with." Whitepaw shot back, stomping away to Whisperpaw.
Ravenpaw stalked out of camp, but began to walk with heavy steps the rest of the way to her secret place. It was a circle of verdant bushes with a dip in the earth. It was sheltered, and Ravenpaw and Grousepaw would go there if they were having a bad day. They would talk, then sleep there for the night, and go back to camp the next day. It was good to get away for a bit.
Ravenpaw slid through the entrance. Tiny thorns scraped her back, but she took no notice. Her best friend didn't even think of her as a good cat to hang out with! His new best friend was stupid Whisperpaw.
Ravenpaw was surprised to find her sister, Grousepaw, in the small clearing. A few minutes ago Grousepaw was in camp! She must have snuck off while Ravenpaw was walking around in the moor, trying to forget about Whisperpaw and Snowpaw.
Grousepaw looked up at Ravenpaw, and gestured for her to sit down.
"I knew that you would come here, so I ran over as soon as you left. We need to talk about Snowpaw. I have the strangest suspicion that you're angry with him. Probably for a stupid reason." Grousepaw said, lashing her tail.
"He's been taking a liking to Whisperpaw," Ravenpaw started, saying Whisperpaw's name like she had just eaten a piece of crowfood. "And as you already know, I have also done that. And I got sort of grumpy about it, and I guess I teased him too much, because he said that Whisperpaw is a better friend. He said that Whisperpaw doesn't tease him and isn't grumpy all the time. But I'm not grumpy all the time! I mean, I can get grumpy, but I'm not always grumpy. And I was just angry when I teased him. I don't get why he's all angry at me. Besides, I saved his worthless life." Ravenpaw finished, growling softly. Grousepaw looked thoughtful for a moment.
"Why don't you just tell him that then?" Grousepaw said, blinking. Ravenpaw nearly clawed Grousepaw's ears off.
"I can't tell him that I like him! That would be crazy! You might as well tell me to jump off a cliff." Ravenpaw said stubbornly. Grousepaw rolled her eyes.
"I didn't say you had to tell him that part! Just tell him that you were in a bad mood because... I don't know! Make up some random reason about why you're so grumpy. And then say that when he said that Whisperpaw is a way better friend or whatever, that made you feel, blah blah blah. Just tell him how you feel. I'm sure that he will understand then." Grousepaw said helpfully. Ravenpaw smiled. Grousepaw was the best sister she could have ever had, there was no reason to wish for a different one. Then she got up, nodded to Grousepaw, and walked back to camp.
Ravenpaw looked into the moonlit apprentice den, and thought wistfully of the warm days in the nursery, cuddled up with her mother and Grousepaw. Things had been so easy then. No training to worry about, no way to annoy the elders, and everyone expected nothing of you. And you weren't allowed out of camp anyway, so you wouldn't have to go out into the hot sun or get your fur stuck in your eyes from the wind. Then Ravenpaw looked around for Snowpaw. She wouldn't see him...
An idea bolted through Ravenpaw's head like a lightning bolt. Ravenpaw scanned the den for Whisperpaw. Of course Frostpaw wouldn't be there. Frostpaw had died a few moons ago, falling off the cliff. He had been about to warn the clan about an approaching battle patrol from a different clan, but had slipped and fallen. It had happened right in front of Ravenpaw's eyes. She had reached out to help him, but had only ended up almost falling down herself. If Snowpaw hadn't came in time, she would be buried with Frostpaw. Ravenpaw had always liked Frostpaw. He was the only other tom in Stormflight's litter besides Snowpaw. The litter was two she cats, Whitepaw and Icepaw, and two toms, Snowpaw and Frostpaw. Ravenpaw had actually been Frostpaw's best friend. But after Snowpaw saved her life, Ravenpaw had chosen Snowpaw to be her new best friend. Obviously Snowpaw didn't care about that anymore, he had Whisperpaw to talk to.
Ravenpaw sighed. If Frostpaw was still alive, she might still have a friend. She would never have even thought about Snowpaw! She would probably be mooning over Frostpaw right now, while he slept peacefully in his nest, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. He was in the ranks of Starclan now. Ravenpaw would have to wait for her turn before she saw Frostpaw... And Ravenpaw hoped that would take a long time before she had to die. Then Ravenpaw sniffed around and figured out that Snowpaw had taken Whisperpaw to Skycliff, the place where Frostpaw had fallen. Ravenpaw got up and slinked out of camp, the guard didn't even notice her.
Ravenpaw could hear someone laughing. Then there was a slight pause, and the stir of a tail whipping through the air. More laughing. A small thump as someone was pushed over. And then she heard two cats doing a mock battle, pretending to be in a fight with another clan. Ravenpaw waited for the two cats to quiet down and sit. Then Ravenpaw leaped out of the bushes, and pinned one of the cats down. It was Snowpaw. Whisperpaw was obviously terrified for a moment, until she saw that it was Ravenpaw. Then she hissed softly, and whispered so quietly that only Ravenpaw could hear, "jealous yet?" Ravenpaw glared at her, and Whisperpaw took a step back.
"Ravenpaw! Get off me! Gosh, you don't have to trail matter me like a kit with its mother. I'm sure that you'll be fine without a bulky cat like me to protect you. Besides, I've got my paws full with Whisperpaw here." Snowpaw said, looking at Whisperpaw with amusement in his eyes. Ravenpaw had to have a lot of self control to stop herself from shredding Whisperpaw then and there. But all that would do was ensure that Snowpaw would hate her for the rest of her life. So Ravenpaw simply bared her teeth and let Snowpaw sit up.
"Ravenpaw, this isn't really the best time. As you can-" Snowpaw was silenced by Ravenpaw.
"I don't care if you're busy or not. We need to talk. And in private." Ravenpaw added, when she saw Whisperpaw stand up to follow. Snowpaw grumbled.
"Fine, but if you come back to camp with a scratch or two, know it's your own fault." Snowpaw agreed. Ravenpaw shrugged, and led the way to her secret place.
"Why haven't you ever shown me this place?" Snowpaw said, the second they went inside.
"Because you're too busy tagging after Whisperpaw to hang out with me anymore." Ravenpaw growled.
"I don't get what's wrong with me having more then one friend." Snowpaw said.
"I think you think of her as more of a friend. And I don't like it." Ravenpaw replied. She realized she had basically just admitted she liked him, but didn't say anything to cover it up. She had to get him to know that some how anyway. Snowpaw's eyes widened.
"Ok... I think I get it now. I have more then one she-cat padding after me, if I'm correct?" Snowpaw said. Ravenpaw looked away. She knew that Whisperpaw didn't actually like Snowpaw. She was just trying to get Ravenpaw jealous.
"No. There's only one. Me and Whisperpaw have been enemies for moons. She's probably just trying to get me jealous!" Ravenpaw exclaimed. Snowpaw didn't look convinced.
"I'm not trying to be mean or anything..." Snowpaw began. Ravenpaw knew what he was going to say. He was going to say how he hated her and how much he absolutely loved Whisperpaw and that she was so much nicer then her. But what he said instead was much more surprising then that.
"But I like you, not Whisperpaw. To tell you the truth, I just thought Whisperpaw at least deserved a chance." Snowpaw finished awkwardly. Ravenpaw leaped up, nearly as high as the bushes around them, and pushed Snowpaw over. She pinned him down, but a second later Snowpaw slithered out beneath her, and pounced, smashing her into a furry head. It yowled and burst through the leaves, meowing triumphantly. Of course, it was Whisperpaw.
"I knew it! I knew you didn't love me! I..." Whisperpaw stopped. "Hmph. I'm going back to camp." Whisperpaw growled. Then she ran off in a direction that was not to camp. Ravenpaw laughed. Whisperpaw had known all along that Snowpaw didn't like her. How could she think anything differently? Besides, Snowpaw had just admitted that he didn't like Whisperpaw. Whisperpaw didn't need her sympathy. Ravenpaw purred and licked Snowpaw's ear.
"We should get back to camp." Ravenpaw told him Snowpaw nodded, and twined his tail with hers as they walked to camp. Ravenpaw was very tired by the time they got back to camp, and fell asleep very quickly, listening to Snowpaw's steady breathing.
Chapter two
Ravenpaw was dreaming. A tawny cat stepped forward, and said something. It sounded fuzzy, and the scene around her was blurry. Ravenpaw looked t the cat in confusion. It spoke again, and this is time Ravenpaw caught most of what he said.
"I am Gors..f...ng I wa..t to give y... a wish. Wh...t is so...thi...g you wa...t?" Ravenpaw thought he was asking her to make a wish, but she wasn't sure. She thought long about this. One wish... and then she knew! She had been wanting this one thing to happen for years! And here it was!
"I want the sun to go away! I want it to be dark!" Ravenpaw exclaimed. The tawny cat nodded, and then was enveloped in a wreath of mist. The edges of the clearing seemed to be eaten away by the minute, and the trees were closing in on Ravenpaw, pressing, squeezing, suffocating, and then the sky vanished. It was gone. Everything was darker. She couldn't see! She was lost! And then the voice came back. "Are you sure you sure about this wish?" It asked, and now it was loud and clear, so it echoed around. Ravenpaw shivered. She was getting scared. "Yes! I am sure!" She said quickly, huddling into the roots of the trees. Then there was a loud snap, and the dream was gone. She opened her eyes, and for the first time in her life, she was happy to be in her den, tucked away in the fields.
Snowpaw was looking down anxiously at her, while Whisperpaw was making faces at the back of his head. Ravenpaw shot a look meaning "go away already if you're just going to be annoying" and Whisperpaw knew not to get into any fights with Ravenpaw, so she backed away. Ravenpaw grinned at Snowpaw and then stood up. She could hear Glistenheart calling for them to come.
"Come on apprentices!" She said. The apprentices shot out of the den, only to be stopped by Birdflash, the deputy.
"Since you are doing an assessment, I don't think Whisperpaw needs to come. She will not become a warrior at the same time as the others. But she will not be alone...before you go, listen. Ryestar is adding some new apprentices!" Birdflash told them. Whisperpaw drooped at first, but perked up when she heard about new apprentices. The apprentices turned around and sat down in front of Sky Rock. Ryestar stood there, her golden fur shining in the early morning sun and her chest puffed out with pride. Ravenpaw wanted that to be her. She wanted to be leader. But not yet.
"Let all cat gather beneath Sky Rock!" She yowled. Warriors, elders, queens, kits and the medicine cat walked out of their dens and sat down.
"Larkkit, come forward. You too Kestrelkit." Ryestar said. The two kits stumbled forward, their clumsy paws tripping them.
"Larkkit, from now in until you become a warrior, you will be known as Larkpaw. Because of the shortages in warriors, I feel the need to name our apprentices, minus Whisperpaw, as warriors. Snowpaw, Ravenpaw, Grousepaw, Icepaw and Whitepaw. Come forward. Do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend the clan with the cost of your life?" The apprentices nodded and said "I do". "Then I pronounce you warriors in turn. Mousefang, do you think that Snowpaw is ready to be a warrior?" Mousefang nodded reluctantly. "Then Snowpaw, you will now be known as Snowfrost, in honer of your brother. You have shown great courage and perseverance, and Larkpaw will now be your apprentice. Teach him well."
"Glistenheart, Shyfawn, do you both think that Ravenpaw is ready to be a warrior?" They nodded. "Then Ravenpaw, you will now be known as Ravenfrost. I hope you can pass in your battle skills and sharp senses to Kestrelpaw." This went on until Grousepaw was Grousewing, Icepaw was Icerunner, and Whitepaw was Whitemist. Ravenfrost looked over at Snowpaw-frost, and nearly gasped ith shock. His fur was ragged and coarse, his eyes were dull and watery, and his ears were shredded. He was a senior warrior, old, battle-scarred, and tired. Ravenfrost rushed over to him, before realizing she was already there. She was standing on Sky Rock, addressing the clan, saying the ancient words to send Snowfrost to the elders den. He nodded, and stumbled over to the old den, his limbs creaking painfully. Ravenfrost looked at him sadly. This couldn't be true. He looked so... Sad. And then Ravenfrost realized something. The Ravenfrost on Sky Rock was staring coldly after him, and Whisperpaw(now an elder too) pushed her muzzle into his fur. They walked together to the den, their tails twined. Ravenfrost was back to the present, and glared at Whisperpaw. She nearly did the same to Snowpaw, but at that moment, the sky turned dark. Her dream was true! She could live in peace! But her clan was rushing around in chaos, the elders crouching in corners, the queens, pulling their kits closer, the warriors running to comfort the new apprentices. Ravenfrost looked anxiously for Snowfrost in the near pitch darkness. There he was, his bright white pelt shining in the shadows. A voice echoed in her head.
Snow will fall to the wind if you aren't careful. Watch closely. Listen to your clan. Listen to your elders. And most of all, listen to your heart. You will need courage in your journey to save the clans...
And the voice vanished, and Ravenfrost shook her head in confusion. Snowfrost was racing over to her, mewing words of comfort, and asking if she was well. She nodded impatiently, and called for Kestrelpaw. She came racing to her, purring with glee.
"Will we practice night hunting then? We might as well use the dark to our advantage!" She said excitedly. Ravenfrost nodded, pulling away from Snowfrost.
-on the moors, five moons later-
"Okay, what do you smell?" Ravenfrost asked, feeling awkward. Kestrelpaw waved her orangish tail, and sniffed the air.
"I smell... Rabbit near camp. There is some stale badger. And... A mouse that strayed from Nightclan territory. Ooh! Lets go get that rabbit!" Kestrelpaw said, licking her muzzle. Ravenfrost nodded. "You get the rabbit, I'll get the mouse." Ravenfrost said, relishing the cool darkness on her fur. Yet she longed for green grass beneath her paws, instead of crinkled dead grass. The sun obviously gave nutrients to the plants, and some were dying out. Ravenfrost was getting worried. But she was busy now, she could worry later. Kestrelpaw was racing away, nearing the edge of the gorge.
"Wait Kestrelpaw! You have to wait for me, it's too dark!" Ravenfrost yowled. She heard a sharp shriek, and a splash. Kestrelpaw had fallen. Ravenfrost rushed over, and after a fearful pause, she dived in. The water rushed past her, tossing her and filling her mouth with ice cold water. Something furry swept past her, and Ravenfrost looked through the gloom to glimpse a ginger tail. Ravenfrost attempted to swim after her, but the current was to strong. A wave passed over her head, and for a terrifying moment Ravenfrost was pushed and held under the water by a huge paw. A few heartbeats later she was released, and Ravenfrost was staring into two bright amber eyes, and a sleek golden pelt. The cat grasped her scruff and dragged her to the bank where she crawled up. She managed to gasp Kestrelpaw's name, and that she was in the water, before her world went completely black.
Ravenfrost could hear a few voices faintly, and listened hard.
"They are both Sunclan cats, maybe we could keep them hostage and force the Sunclan cats to share the sun!" There was an exasperated sigh, and another, older sounding voice, answered.
"Lionpelt, Sunclan did not steal the sun. It is some natural thing. We will return these cats once they are well enough." Ravenfrost struggled to sit up, and opened her eyes. She was inside a densely woven den of willow branches and reeds, (or that was what she thought she could see in the darkness) and a few cats sat inside talking. Ravenfrost recognized the handsome golden tom who had saved her and Kestrelpaw, and nodded a quick thanks to him. He took no notice, and shook his broad head arrogantly, his thick fur swishing back. Ravenfrost snorted, and turned her back on him to smooth down Kestrelpaw's ruffled fur. Kestrelpaw relaxed under Ravenfrost's familiar tongue, and lay down peacefully.
"What is your name?" Asked one of the cats. Ravenfrost growled.
"I'm not so sure you need to know. And I'm planning on leaving now, because me and Kestrelpaw aren't completely weak." Ravenfrost spat. The other cats looked taken aback, but soon answered her.
"No, I'm sorry to say, but you aren't fine. You might never be fine. I'm suprised you haven't noticed. One of your eyes has a wound going over it. It will be a scar." One of the cats said. At that moment, Ravenfrost realized the emptiness of sight in her left side. Ravenfrost used her paw to feel over her eye, and flinched back when she felt the wound. Kestrelpaw looked at Ravenfrost anxiously.
"You will be okay, right? You will still be a warrior? Will you still be my mentor? I couldn't imagine learning from any other cat." Kestrelpaw murmured. Ravenfrost looked down at her. She looked deep into Kestrelpaw's eyes, and could see real worry.
"I'm not sure. I hope I can still be a warrior. I think I will be fine." She whispered. The golden tom was snorting.
"Hah! A one-eyed warrior! In your dreams! That won't ever happen. Your dreams of staying as a warrior will be crushed! One-eyed cats should be placed in the elders den." He sneered. Ravenfrost felt her claws unsheathing. She leaped up, and landed a blow on his face. He reeled backward, and then stood into to his hind legs. He showered over Kestrelpaw, but Ravenfrost was even more muscular and strong then him. She was a claw scratch taller. He leaped forward, and tore one of her ears. Ravenfrost felt hot blood drip into her eyes. Someone said something, and tried to pull them apart, but Ravenfrost could hardly hear them because of the blood roaring in her ears.
"One-eyed warrior! You're worse then a mole! You have no sight! Hah ha ha!" He taunted. This only made Ravenfrost more angry, and she scratched her claws down his flank, leaving a deep blood welling wound. He screeched in pain, and writhed on thi ground in shear agony. Kestrelpaw was watching in horror, but soon understood The reason. Ravenfrost pulled Kestrelpaw out of the den, and they both began to run. Dust and leaves kicked up behind them, and they tripped several times, but soon they were racing across the twoleg "bridge" over the gorge.
A few pelts flashed through the grass nearby, hardly visible in the darkness.
"Ravenfr-" The cat stopped saying her name, and stared at her eye. It was Birdflash, the deputy.
"What happened?" She asked quietly. Ravenfrost shook her head.
"I will explain at camp. Everyone can hear." She replied. Snowfrost came out of the grasses a few moments later, and was licking her face in moments. In between strokes he would ask short questions, which Ravenfrost would try to answer. Soon they had reached camp, and all of the clan was rushing out to greet them. A few stopped and stared unsurely at Ravenfrost, but soon joined in.
Whisperpaw looked terrified. She ran to Ravenfrost, and against all odds, helped Snowfrost clean her wound. What had happened? Why was she so nice?
Sorry I haven't updated in a while! I sort of forgot that I was even writing this... I know, that sounds really stupid. I will try to update more often!
Ravenfrost touched her nose to Whisperpaw's ear, and shook her head. Their rivalries forgotten, Ravenfrost and her mate Snowfrost were accompanied by Whisperpaw to the medicine cat den.
The medicine cat cleaned Ravenfrost up, and a clan meeting was called quickly afterwards. Ryestar sat in the clearing, her fluffy golden tail twitching impatiently.
"Ravenfrost has been found, along with Kestrelpaw. I have reached my decision. We must bring the sun back, for it is our only hope. Ravenfrost's loss of her eye has shown us our future. With this darkness we cannot see, and with this darkness more troubles and injuries could occur. Does anyone have any idea of how this could have happened?" Ryestar said, staring across her clan. Ravenfrost's shoulders drooped. This was her fault. She must tell her leader.
"Ryestar... I had a dream. A tawny cat asked me to make one wish. One. I asked... I asked for this to happen. I belong in Sunclan, I really do! I just don't belong in the light. So this is my fault. I'm sorry. I will do anything I can to fix it." The clan gasped in horror, and Snowfrost pressed against Ravenfrost's side. Ryestar took a deep breath.
"Thank you Ravenfrost. That was brave for you to tell us. Go to your nest and rest, if we are lucky maybe the tawny cat will come again." Ryestar ordered. Ravenfrost flicked her tail, and looked away. Then she padded slowly across the dry ground, sniffing for the warm scent of the warriors den. She soon found it, and curled up on her nest with Snowfrost on one side, and Grousewing on the other. Whisperpaw poked her head inside the den and groomed Ravenfrost's fur quietly, before returning to her own den. Ravenfrost almost wished that Whisperpaw could sleep beside her, for her skin felt cold even with her two companions beside her.
Chapter three
Ravenfrost looked in confusion at the open moors around her. The sun shined down on her pelt, and a humid breeze swept across her fur, dampening her flank. "Ravenfrost, come here." A voice said. Ravenfrost darted towards the voice, and soon saw a black long-furred she-cat with a white muzzle and paws. Her green eyes flashed with annoyance as Ravenfrost spewed dirt on her when stopping.
"Ravenfrost, I have something important to tell you. A prophecy in fact. Shadows will linger forever, unless the raven finds the tawny one. With the raven will come another, one favored by the tawny one. And with a wish, the light of the sky will return." The dark pelted she-cat told her, twitching her whiskers. Ravenfrost stared in shock at the Starclan cat.
"Oh, wait. I forgot something..." The Starclan warrior shuffled her paws in embarrassment, and continued. "You must follow the trail of the light of the sky. The trail of the icy light of the sky. Do not forget..." The Starclan warrior began to fade, and so did her surroundings. Ravenfrost almost called out for a clearer answer, but shook her head. Starclan would never give more then they thought she needed. Now if only she could find this other cat, her companion for her journey. Ravenfrost woke with a jolt, and blinked. The den was empty, and sunbeams trailed through the brambles of her den. They glanced on her dark pelt, and flickered away. Ravenfrost got up slowly, and was surprised to find her legs aching.
Her dream must be important, even if the Starclan warrior had been slightly confused on her own prophecy. The "tawny one" must be the tawny cat who had granted her wish. The icy light in the sky could be the moon... but the other cat favored by the "tawny one"? Who could that be? Had some other cat been granted a wish too? Maybe they just hadn't- Ravenfrost stopped and stared in amazement at the creature infront of her. A pale outline of a golden tom shimmered in her view before vanishing. A lion? No, it looked too small, and yet so familiar. Another sign from Starclan? Maybe this tom was the other cat. Ravenfrost shot out the den, excitement in her eyes. Ryestar looked up hopefully, but Ravenfrost was already out of camp, speeding towards the border with Rushclan, the clan of which had saved her from the gorge. A patrol was hurrying down the border, marking and sniffing quickly.
Ravenfrost called a greeting, and the patrol scampered quickly over, stumbling slightly since they could not see where they were stepping.
"You, you're that cat we fished from the gorge!" One of the cats exclaimed. Ravenfrost squinted her one good eye, and looked closely at each cat, hoping to see the same golden tom she cat visioned. She drew her gaze across each one... and, yes! There he was. Lionpelt.
"I need to speak with your leader. My clan has received a message from Starclan, and it related to our sun problem." Ravenfrost waved her tail. The leader of the patrol tilted his head slightly, and finally nodded. The patrol surrounded Ravenfrost, and Lionpelt kept glaring at Ravenfrost.
Finally they reached the camp, which was surrounded by a thick barrier of reeds and willow trees. The cats wove their way through, and broke into a small clearing, ringed with reed dens.
"Pondstar, we have a visitor. She claims to have a message from Starclan!" The patrol leader meowed. A slim blue-gray tom padded into the clearing, his dark eyes shifting from Ravenfrost to the leading cat.
"Moonfall, thank you for bringing her here. I have realized that this is the cat we saved earlier." The leader's voice was quickly matched with the older cat's voice Ravenfrost had heard the day before, and she let her shoulders sag with relief.
"Pondstar, this is urgent. I must take one of your cats with me. Starclan has asked that a certain cat goes with me." She replied. Pondstar nodded slowly.
"Well, who?"
"Lionpelt."
There was an anxious murmuring in the clearing, and Lionpelt hissed in anger.
"I refuse to go with a one-eyed cat on a mission that may not be true! How can we trust a Sunclan cat? She might be lying!" Lionpelt grumbled. Pondstar narrowed his eyes at his warrior, and silenced him quickly. Then he turned to Ravenfrost.
"You may have him. He is a nuisance to the clan anyway!" He joked. The clan laughed slightly, and retreated to their dens once more. Lionpelt was visibly seething with fury. He bristled, and stood up.
"Fine." He agreed through gritted teeth. Ravenfrost flicked her tail, and thought happily about how easy this had been to gain the prophecied cat.
They quickly reached the Sunclan camp, and Ravenfrost explained her dream, and what she had just done to Ryestar. The golden flicked her tail, unhappy that Ravenfrost hadn't asked her permission first, but young warriors will be young warriors!
"Ravenfrost! Share this robin with me before you go. Do you... Do you think I could come with you?" Snowfrost asked, shuffling his paws. Ravenfrost twitched her whiskers and nodded signaling that he cold come. Then she crouched down and nibbled the prey hurriedly, excitement buzzing in her mind. Meanwhile, Lionpelt was looking around the camp through slitted eyes, thinking of ways his clan could lead an attack and force the Sunclan cats to give up territory. Whisperpaw came up beside him, and watched him with annoyance. She pushed him over with her muzzle and growled him his ear.
"Don't even try to remember our camp. Attacking it isn't as easy at it looks." Lionpelt looked at her, stunned. Then Whisperpaw let him up and led him to the fresh kill pile, where he tore through a plump wren like it was the first meal he had eaten in moons.
