Okay, so this is an entry for Jeffery Dahmer's story, The Challenge. Go check it out, it's a really original plot that I find very interesting.

This short story is about Heronwing and Seedpaw-yes I am aware that she died.
But what happened if she didn't? It's mostly aimed on Heronwing, who has no Fanfiction's in my knowledge.

And who knows? Maybe I'll actually turn this into longer story if it gets enough reviews!

Okay, on with the show!


"Love recognizes no barriers.

It jumps hurdles, leaps fences,

penetrates walls to arrive at

its full destination of hope."

- Maya Angelou


The bright green-leaf day shone on the felines of RiverClan, like it favored them out of all the other groups by the lake. The group was spending time by the shores, for it was the ideal day to swim and hunt for fish in the calm waters. Clouds were vanquished from the azure sky, their wispy shapes unable to cover the light from the forest. For the youngest warrior of the Clan, what could have been a better way to spend their day?

Heronwing stretched out beneath the radiance, his dark gray and black fur glittering from the droplets on his pelt. The sun was just beginning the dip behind the mountains that peered upon the territory. Most of the others had headed back to the camp, carrying fat trouts or minnows to add to the fresh-kill pile. He was still making the trip, wanting to cherish every moment of the dusk, which he found to be extremely beautiful among the treetops. Mistystar was going to announce the cats who would be going to the Gathering later that night, and although he had to go, due to being a new warrior, he halfheartedly took his time to the unconcealed boundaries of his home.

By the time he finally reached the hill to the camp, felines were already leaving in small groups for the meeting of the four Clans. Heronwing flicked his shadow-colored ears, as his leader beckoned him to follow before she faced her foggy blue eyes to an apprentice, who chattered about their training. He let out a breath, joining his friend in the clustered circle of cats, where he genuinely felt misplaced. Lakeheart greeted him kindly, her tail lashing behind her like a vine.

"Hey Heronwing!" she meowed, "Are you excited for the Gathering?"

He nodded, "Very much. I can't wait to show off my hunting techniques to the ShadowClan apprentices!" He batted his paw into the air like a kit, earning a purr from Lakeheart.

"Yeah, they'll be so impressed!" she teased.

He laughed, nudging her to the side gently. She swiped at his head fur and they both ended up hysterical. Many of the felines in RiverClan made fun of him for liking her, which was only partially true. Lakeheart was nice enough, and he wasn't afraid to admit that she was a beautiful she-cat. He could fall for her, but he hadn't. Heronwing only thought of her as a good friend, and always felt guilty when rumors that she had feelings for him passed on to him. She had always denied it immediately, but somehow he knew she was lying to him. It didn't faze him, he would've done the same.

The journey to the island was short. To Heronwing, it felt like they had passed only a few trees before they reached the fallen tree that acted as a walkway to the floating land. Most of his Clan swam across to let the other cats enter using it, and he followed them through the cold water. It felt good underneath his fur, but he dreaded the moments when he paced up the grass of the isle. He was soaked, shivering, and dripping water onto his paws.

He spotted an empty space by the tree where the leaders discussed matters. He carried himself over to the unoccupied ground, shaking his pelt free from heavy drops of lake. He continued until a pale brown elder behind him swiped at him to stop making her fur wet, which left him with a thin feeling of confusion. The quick shake left him with matted clumps of fur here and there, which he desperately tried to straighten. He couldn't be seen like this when Mistystar called his name!

"Great StarClan, you look like a clump of moss! Do you ever groom your fur?"

He turned his gaze to a pale ginger she-cat who raised her eyes at his strange appearance. He had seen her once at a previous meeting when he was an apprentice...what was her name? Fluffing out his gray and black fur, he snapped, slightly annoyed, "What, you've never seen a cat with water in his fur?" The small feline shuffled her paws uncomfortably, a bright red glow appearing on her cheeks from embarrassment.

"I-I just meant that..."

The elder behind them scolded Heronwing again for talking. He bitterly turned away, just as Mistystar began to speak. The blue-gray she-cat whisked her tail over the tree branch she was on, her gaze sweeping over the crowd of clanmates.

"RiverClan has had a full supply of prey and healthy warriors. Three of our kits have become apprentices; Lizardpaw, Havenpaw, and Perchpaw. And one has become a warrior, Heronwing. Petalfur has also given birth to two kits; Ripplekit and Hopekit. We are strong."

Multiple cats cheered for the four names, hooting and congratulating their new rank. Most attention was focused on the new trainees, but some acknowledged Heronwing. He wasn't fazed by the lack; he wasn't the most striking or important and he knew it. Flicking his ears, he listened to the other leaders' comments, which were all the same ideas. When Onestar dismissed the reports, the felines scattered about to speak to one another.

The sun was now invisible in the dark sky and the moon had replaced it in the highest perch of the air. The island was illuminated in its glow, making the trees and bushes look ghostly. Heronwing stood alone by the tree, not wanting to partake in any conversations.

"Hey," a voice suddenly made him jump.

He straightened his fur, ready to snap at the cat who had startled him. He lashed around, but he was genuinely surprised to see the ginger apprentice standing calmly next to him. Her amber eyes glittered with amusement, but instantly changed to a partially serious expression.

"Can you just not sneak up on-"

She stepped backward, "I wanted to say sorry. Well, my mentor said I have to but yeah."

Heronwing relaxed, waving a paw in the air. "Okay then. I accept your apology...?"

"Seedpaw."

He agreed, "Seedpaw."


Okay, so I hope you enjoyed this first little chapter!

It's not the best but I thought it was cute :3 and short so yeah sorry

Anyway, I'll try and update it soon, but I have school so ugh.

Kay bye