So I decided to get bcd into writing one-shots. This one is really short, and I'm sorry for that, but I got to where I wanted to a lot quicker than I anticipated. I still hope it is a good story though. This is for LeafClan's Pick-A-Letter Challenge, my first for this forum.
The snow falling around the ShadowClan camp made Frogpaw uneasy. He had never seen the cold, white, wet substance before. It made his fur stand on end. He was crouching in the apprentice den when his mentor came to get him. Frogpaw hoped the snow would get him out of a day of training with Marshfang. Frogpaw had been so excited to become an apprentice, receiving freedom from the nursery the day before, but had not wanted Marshfang to be his mentor. "Frogpaw!" the older warrior called, "Get out here!"
Frogpaw took a breath and slowly revealed himself to his mentor. Frogpaw had heard the older apprentices talk about Marshfang. It was said he received his warrior name when he ripped out a SkyClan warrior's throat, and lost his eye when he got into a fight with a ThunderClan patrol without any help. Supposedly the patrol ran away seeing how vicious he was, though everyone knew ThunderClan was filled with mouse-hearts. "Marshfang," he slowly ventured, "can we not train today? Isn't it dangerous with the snow?"
Mashfang shook his giant brown and white head, his blue eye and empty socket landing on Frogpaw's trembling figure. "It's better to train with the snow, in my opinion. There are fewer monsters on the Thunderpath and it's easier to keep warm by walking."
Frogpaw nodded and walked behind his mentor tentatively, making each pawstep light in case he needed to run away, quickly. "Why don't I go show you the border? Your siblings, Dawnpaw and Shadedpaw went to see them yesterday. I'm sorry you weren't feeling well enough to come with us."
Frogpaw gulped. "It's alright, Marshfang. I'll work hard to get caught up in my training. I- I don't want to get too far behind."
Marshfang bent down to give the young apprentice an affectionate lick on the head. Marshfang was aware of his appearance and how much it scared the younger cats of the Clans. Even some warriors of the other Clans avoided him at gatherings based off his appearance. Marshfang received his warrior name after a battle, but only because the leader was afraid the young cat would die. He was heavily wounded in the battle, losing his eye and much of his fur, but by some miracle, he managed to survive. "Come on, Frogpaw. Thunderpath is this way."
They walked until they reached the edge of the path, the edge of the Thunderpath not visible with the snow. Frogpaw had no idea when to stop. Frogpaw had no idea what to do when the eyes of the monster identified him as his prey. "Frogpaw!" Marshfang ran onto the Thunderpath and grabbed the young apprentice and shoved him off the path, becoming the monster's prey in the process.
When Frogpaw became a warrior moons later he did not forget how his first mentor gave his life to save the trembling little apprentice who was afraid of him. "I have a request, Fallowstar. I would like to be called Frogfang, in remembrance of Marshfang."
The Clan cheered him and his siblings new names, "Shadedclaw! Dawnwish! Frogfang! Shadedclaw! Dawnwish! Frogfang!" Frogfang could have sworn he saw Marshfang sitting among the Clan with stars in his pelt.
Well, that's it for the story. It's super short, once again. My cat keeps trying to cuddle making typing really difficult (go away Eloise…).
TTFN! Ta-ta for now!
-Juliet (Mosskit of LeafClan)
