Okay, so I'm going to place all of my challenges for Warriors in here because it's far more easier for me to do. Hope that doesn't annoy anyone in general, really.
Fernmist looked over to her mate, Sagestep. They had two healthy kits. After two moons of waiting, they'd finally come. Fernmist still didn't know what to name them, though. One was a pale brown tabby tom like Fernmist, and the other was a mottled cream and gray she-cat. What should I name them though? The thought kept playing over and over in her head.
"They're beautiful, Fernmist. I'm so proud." Sagestep cooed, licking her forehead. Fernmist had to agree with him- their kits were beautiful. But what to name them?
Fernmist knew that they needed to decide soon. It would be shameful for these kits not to have a name, especially since they are now officially part of this world.
Sagestep looked at the pale brown tabby tom. "What about Doekit for him?" He suggested in his usual soft voice. Fernmist nodded.
"That's a wonderful name," Fernmist whispered, smiling at her kits. "But what about that one? What shall we name her?"
Sagestep was silent. He didn't know what to call the other kit, either. Fernmist was bamboozled. How could naming a kit be so hard? She thought of cats that she could name her after: Fawnfoot, Adderchaser or Wingstar? The name Wingstar caught her attention.
Wingstar was the previous leader of their Clan, TornadoClan. She was a mottled cream and gray she-cat that was a strong leader and had saved her Clan many times over. During the Great Famine, she led TornadoClan to safety by traveling to a new home. Fernmist's only other daughter. How could've Fernmist be so blind? Obviously her kit would have to be named after her leader and daughter.
"I think the name Wingkit would suit her." Fernmist meowed softly. "Her pelt is exactly like Wingstar's." Sagestep purred in agreement. Fernmist's kits names were then decided as Doekit and Wingkit. But little did they know, those names would decide the fate of TornadoClan.
Wingkit looked over at her brother, Doekit. He was twitching nervously under the gaze of his Clanmates. Wingkit couldn't blame him. They were becoming apprentices today! But unease pricked her belly as she stood in the clearing, waiting for Dapplestar to announce their apprenticeship. Many of her Clanmates expected her to grow up to be just like her older sister, Wingstar. They wanted her to. But she didn't want the path of a previous warrior- she wanted to be herself.
"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather in the Small Hollow for a Clan meeting!" Dapplestar yowled. All the cats in camp quickly clustered into the groove, curious what this was about. "Today two young kits are becoming apprentices! Doekit and Wingkit, please step forward!" Wingkit's whiskers quivered in excitement. She was becoming an apprentice!
Wingkit looked back at her mother, Fernmist, who was gazing at them with proud shining in her eyes. Sagestep was next to her, smiling at their kits. She and Doekit stepped forwards, ready to receive their new names.
"Doekit and Wingkit, you both have reached the age of six moons. From this day forward, you both shall be known as Doepaw and Wingpaw." Dapplestar meowed.
The cats in the clearing grew even more excited at the sound of their names. They anticipated the announcement of the two new apprentices mentors, their tails twitching.
Dapplestar was still collected. "Doepaw, your mentor shall be Burnwhisker. Burnwhisker, we ask that you pass on your courage and intelligence to Doepaw." She turned to the newly named Wingpaw. "Wingpaw has decided to tread the path of a medicine cat. Her mentor will be Stagwatcher." Her Clanmates looked uncomfortable with the decision.
"But Stagwatcher was just a 'paw a moon ago! How can we trust her to be a good medicine cat?" An elder named Fallowclaw yowled. Wingpaw saw Stagwatcher shifting his paws uncomfortably. I don't blame him.
Stagwatcher had become a full medicine cat a moon ago. His mentor, Nightbreeze named him before her death. Nightbreeze was a well respected cat, but she died too quickly to properly teach Stagwatcher. Stagwatcher was only nine moons old, and he was already a full medicine cat. Many cats in camp didn't trust him with their battle wounds or plain injuries.
"So you don't trust your medicine cat, Fallowclaw?" Sagestep hissed from across the clearing. "The one who helps you stay alive to this day?"
Fallowclaw growled at Sagestep, but he backed down. Everyone's gaze was now rested on Stagwatcher, who was looking down at his paws. He then noticed everyone staring at him, awaiting his confirmation. Stagwatcher nodded.
"I will be taking Wingpaw as my apprentice." He meowed firmly. Many of the cats still looked somewhat uncomfortable with the answer, but they were happy that they would be getting a new medicine cat.
"Wingpaw! Doepaw!" The cats cheered. Wingpaw's paws tingled with excitement. She was an official member of TornadoClan! The Clan dispersed and soon it was only Wingpaw, Doepaw and a few others who were still in the Small Hollow. Soft pawsteps could be heard from behind her. She turned to see Burnwhisker and her sister Blistersong.
"Congrats, you two." Blistersong meowed evenly. Her slow and whisper-like voice unnerved Wingpaw. "It's good for TornadoClan to have more apprentices, right Burnwhisker?"
Burnwhisker nodded. "Yes, it's wonderful. You both will be great members of TornadoClan, I just know it." She turned to Doepaw. "Come on, Doepaw. I'll show you around the territory." Doepaw flicked his tail goodbye to Wingpaw and followed Burnwhisker out of camp. Wingpaw was left behind, still with Blistersong.
"You were named after Wingstar, correct? TornadoClan expects great things from you, Wingpaw." Blistersong spoke softly. "You will be one of the most important and special cats to follow in Wingstar's pawsteps." She then walked away over to the fresh-kill pile, sharing a mouse with her sister Blazestream.
Wingpaw looked down at her paws. "But I don't want to be special or important…" She whispered to herself.
Wingpaw padded alongside her brother, Doepaw. It had been two moons since they'd been made apprentices. All Wingpaw had heard from her Clanmates was "She's just like Wingstar!" or "Wingpaw will be just as great as Wingstar!" She didn't want to be like Wingstar. By now she'd grown sick and tired of it. Why couldn't she just be Wingpaw?
"I can't believe we've been apprentices for two moons, Wingpaw!" Doepaw whispered incredulously. "Isn't it great?" No.
Wingpaw weakly nodded her head. "Yep, it's amazing!" She lied, trying to put as much fake joy in her voice as possible.
He smiled. "You're doing so good, too, Wingpaw! You might not be leader one day, but I'm sure you'll be an awesome medicine cat! Surely cats will respect you like Wingstar!" Wingpaw felt like she wanted to throw up. I will never be like her! Doepaw tilted his head. "What's wrong?"
"Will you excuse me for a moment?" Wingpaw innocently asked. He nodded. Grateful he didn't think to much about it, Wingpaw padded over behind a nearby bush, taking cover from Doepaw's line of sight.
Even my own brother connected me to Wingstar! She wailed internally. Wingpaw didn't want to be like Wingstar. Everyone else wanted her to be exactly like her- leader or not. They don't stop to think about just Wingpaw! When they look at me, she's all they see…
She unsheathed her claws, digging them in the dirt. Sometimes her own Clanmates would mistake her for Wingstar. Sometimes it was her own mother. In their eyes, Wingpaw was just a replacement Wingstar, but medicine cat version. Well, I'm not. But how can they see when all they see is Wingstar? Wingpaw looked up at the sky. Isn't Wingstar up there? Then why do they act like I'm her all the time? We just share a pelt color, name and parents. We are nothing alike. And I'll prove it.
"With blood." Wingpaw muttered. "If it's the only way to make them see, then I'll make them see through their own blood." She quickly sheathed her claws and padded slowly towards Doepaw, who was talking to himself.
Doepaw sighed. "Why is Wingpaw so upset when Wingstar gets mentioned?" Because, Wingpaw growled in her head. Me and her are one, according to our Clanmates! "She should be honored to be named after a great warrior and leader. I sure wasn't."
Do I really want to do this? She questioned herself. Of course I do. It's to make a difference around here. Wingpaw pricked her ears forward.
"Most of the Clan mistook me for a she-cat because of my name. They would always say stuff like, "Oh, Doekit's such a cute name for a lovely she-kit!" or they'd say "She's sure to be popular when she gets older." Wingpaw should be proud, being named after a leader!" Doepaw spat, now baring his teeth. "Instead, she acts like it's the worst thing in the world that could happen to her! She doesn't get mistaken for being a different gender! She doesn't get judged by her name like I do!" His fur was bristling.
"Thank you, Doepaw. For those lovely compliments." She half-growled half-purred. "If you wouldn't mind, I'd like to say my own piece." Wingpaw unsheathed her claws, now ready to strike him down. Doepaw snarled at her and then lunged towards her as well.
Wingpaw was able to dodge his attack just in time, but Doepaw quickly stopped and turned to slash at Wingpaw again. His claws raked her muzzle, spilling blood across her face. I will not lose.Wingpaw hissed at him and clawed at his eyes. He tried to jump out of the way, but he didn't make it out in time. Doepaw's shoulder was scratched at, now leaving a gash there.
"You have it easy!" Doepaw hissed. "You were named after a great cat, but you clearly don't deserve it! Wingstar wouldn't attack a Clanmate!"
The medicine cat's fur fluffed up. "Don't you say that name to my face!" She tackled Doepaw, making sure he couldn't escape from her hold on him. Wingpaw brought a claw up, ready to end this once and for all. "You will be the first, Doepaw. My own brother, sadly has a price to pay as well."
"You're madder than a fox in a fit!" Doepaw choked. The desperate gleam in his eyes almost made her want to spare him. Almost. Wingpaw brought her claw down and sliced Doepaw's throat. Blood stained her claws. Finally, Wingpaw laughed internally. One of them has paid.
"If you hated your old name so much, then I'll give you a new name." Wingpaw sneered. "How about Redthroat? After all, it describes you perfectly now." She licked the blood from her claws. "I'll be leaving now. I must go and wash my paws after the mess you made."
"Doepaw's dead!" screamed Parsleypaw, a newer apprentice. "Me and Mintypaw found him by the border with claw marks on his neck!" Wingpaw resisted the urge to grin smugly at the mention of his death. She knew it was twisted, yes, but he wouldn't've provided for TornadoClan all that much anyways. Isn't that what his precious Wingstar wanted?
Parsleypaw and Mintypaw were only apprentices for a half-moon, and both of them got on Wingpaw's nerves. Parsleypaw was loud and obnoxious and her sister was just as annoying. Wingpaw hated Parsleypaw more, though. Mainly because she was padding after Doepaw and kept asking her about him. This will be amusing.
All the cats in camp scrambled to them with questions. Wingpaw knew that she should be all worried about Doepaw's death, but she didn't care that much. He was going to die sooner or later. Wingpaw was in the medicine den now in her nest, pretending to sleep. Hopefully they don't get suspicious. Burnwhisker, Parsleypaw and Mintypaw came in the den. Wingpaw stretched and walked over to them.
"Can you give these two some thyme to calm them down?" Burnwhisker asked calmly, her voice filled with stiffness. Burnwhisker's yellow eyes were dark and angry, as if Wingpaw had done something to upset her. Wingpaw nodded carefully. "Come see me when you're done, Wingpaw." Burnwhisker left the den, leaving Parsleypaw and Mintypaw alone with her.
"Sit down in those nests over there." Wingpaw ordered them. They immediately obeyed and laid in the nests. The medicine cat apprentice looked in Stagwatcher's stores for some thyme. But...why leave it at one when I could do three…? Wingpaw grabbed some thyme. She then lifted a rock up from the ground right below her paws, revealing her collection of poisons and deadly herbs. These were just for show, but now it's time to put them to good use.
Smiling to herself, she gingerly grabbed some deadly nightshade. She already had the thyme, now she needed to add the thing to help them "sleep" to calm their nerves. Wingpaw swiftly picked one berry off of the deadly nightshade and squished it into a gooey paste. She smeared it onto the thyme enough so they wouldn't notice it at all.
The green leaves of the thyme were covered in deadly nightshade, but Wingpaw managed to hide it. She put the rock back down and looked back her patients. Parsleypaw and Mintypaw were talking about Doepaw, not remembering he's her brother. Not like it matters, though. I killed him.
Wingpaw padded over to them, pushing the herbs over to them both. "Here, eat the thyme. I put some poppy seeds in there to help you sleep since you're so shaken up."
Parsleypaw beamed. "Thank you, Wingpaw!" She meowed cheerily while gulping up the thyme. I didn't expect that they'd eat it up like that.
"Now just close your eyes, and you'll be fast asleep. May StarClan give you good dreams, Parsleypaw and Mintypaw." Wingpaw whispered gently, as if she was soothing a young kit. Both of them closed their eyes, not knowing what Wingpaw had done. The apprentices were to hunt with StarClan now. The scent of death reeked the medicine den.
"Time for the rosemary…" Wingpaw mumbled so no one could hear her. She quickly grabbed the herb and rubbed it onto both of their pelts. Soon the scent of death left the aroma, making the den smell clean and fresh again. "Much better." She padded out of the den, trying her best to look sad at Doepaw's death.
"Wingpaw. I said I wanted to talk to you." Burnwhisker's firm growl took Wingpaw by surprise. What could she possibly want?
They walked over into the main area that TornadoClan uses to catch prey. Why are we here? And just what do you want from me? Wingpaw stopped suddenly.
"Why are you taking me here? I should be serving my Clan!" Wingpaw hissed at her. "Are you making sure I miss Doepaw's burial?!"
Burnwhisker softly growled. "And why would you care, Wingpaw?" She circled Wingpaw, her fur standing on end. "You've never been close with Doepaw since you were kits."
"That doesn't mean anything." Wingpaw narrowed her green eyes. "He is my brother. My kin. Shouldn't I be at his vigil?"
"You won't need to be," Burnwhisker chuckled, her laugh full of pain. "Because a murderer has no place among TornadoClan!" Burnwhisker swiped her forepaw at Wingpaw's eyes, attempting to blind her. Wingpaw narrowly dodged. Cowardly move, Burnwhisker!
"I'll be back!" Wingpaw snarled at Burnwhisker before scampering away to TornadoClan's border. And you can count on it. She looked back at Burnwhisker, who gave her a warning glare and headed back to TornadoClan, "Oh, like I care about your threats. Because you were going to be next anyways." Wingpaw stalked off of TornadoClan's territory, never to return. Or so they thought...
It had been three moons since Wingpaw's "exile" from TornadoClan. She didn't mind not having any Clanmates around anymore. In fact, she enjoyed it. But it's hard hunting now, and I could really go for some food right now...
Wingpaw was roaming a city nearby the forest where TornadoClan resides. I still must plan how I will get my revenge… Suddenly something stopped her in her tracks.
"Hey, watch it!" A somewhat large yellow tabby tom snapped at her. His fur was bristling wildly, as bumping into someone could provoke a fight.
Wingpaw grumbled. "Well, sorry." Her tail was lashing, and her green eyes were glittering with anger. The tom barely stirred. Wingpaw noticed that he looked about eleven to twelve moons old. Huh. I guess not all city cats are old.
"What are you doing here, anyways?" He asked, sounding a little nicer than before. "Shouldn't you be with your parents or housefolk?"
"How dare you accuse me of stooping to such things!" Wingpaw growled. "I was former medicine cat of TornadoClan, a savage group of murderers. I left as I could. They were monsters." She pretended to shiver at that last part.
His hazel eyes gleamed with sorrow. "I'm sorry to hear that. I know a place where you can stay safe so you can recover." He pulled Wingpaw closer to him. "My name's Kyle, by the way. Your's?"
"W-Wingpaw." Wingpaw muttered. But can I trust you? She wanted to ask. But she kept her mouth shut out of fear of what he could do to her.
Kyle blinked slowly. "Don't worry. We'll make sure you recover from a horrible experience like that." He mewed. And maybe you might be able to help me with my plan for revenge.
Wingkit was named after her older sister Wingstar, previous leader of TornadoClan. She's sick of being confused for Wingstar. And now it's high time she take this matter into her OWN paws... (Challenge for TorrentClan)
