"Leo!" A deep voice boomed from ahead. Said tom pricked his ears, straining his neck to see the massive black commander, Braiser, walking from the dock they called home. There were many rats scuffling about providing prey, as well as numerous boxes and bags stacked up to create sheltered dens from weather. The group had learned how to hide and make dens out of the half-bridge that ended in the water, as well as the alley just beside it.
The tom glanced to the side, setting his icy gaze on Quill. "Well?" Quill dipped his head respectfully before speaking, lowering his head just slightly in a submissive posture. "Leo successful knocked Goldensky from the cliff. We are closer to ridding the forest of the Tainted Ones." His eyes gleamed at the thought. Soon there would be a world where there group could rest easy for once, without the threat of their kits being harmed.
The Tainted Ones were far too dangerous to simply allow them roam the forests. Their ancestors were the ones responsible for multitudes of deaths in their group. Though no one was alive from such horrid times, the stories had been passed on, along with the hate, the resentment, toward the Tainted Ones. Only the Pure Ones could rule the forest and ocean. They were the rightful owners of the territory!
"Leo will become a Fighter tonight, then." Braiser gave a brief nod. For a moment, a flicker of pride flashed in his eyes. Leo puffed out his chest proudly. The comparison between father and son was startling; while their fur color was different, albeit slightly, both had the same build- broad shoulders, strong muscles, large ears.
Leo turned to Quill, dipping his head. "I couldn't have asked for a better mentor. Really! You've been a great teacher, Quill, and I'll always respect you for that." The young tom dipped his head and bounded over to a dark gray tabby.
"Declan! I did it! I'm going to be a fighter!" Leo purred, tail curling. His fellow Trainee sighed, jealousy flashing in his eyes. "Good for you, Leo. I wish I was going to be a fighter. Now I'll be the only Trainee!" The younger tom let out another sigh, sending a glare to Leo.
Not one to be brought down on such a joyous day, Leo flicked his tail over Declan's ear. "Ah, c'mon! You're not much younger than me- you'll be a Fighter within the next moon I bet! Plus, Quail is almost four moons old."
"But Quail is almost six moons younger than me!" Declan complained, rolling his eyes at the mere thought of befriending the kit who still played with moss balls. "I'll just have to work extra hard and-" He was cut off as his own mentor, Brass, bounded over. His amber eyes raked over the two toms scornfully. "If you're done with your little talk, I was thinking we could go practice hunting, Declan. But seeing as you're too busy..." Despite it being night, it wasn't uncommon for The Pure Ones to practice their training during after dark. After all, that's when they carried out most of their attacks.
"No! No! I want to! Really! Please, Brass? Please?" Declan begged, eyes widening at his words. Though Brass had a tough exterior, it was well-known that he tolerated Declan more than he let on. If anyone ever said such a thing, they'd lose part of their ear.
As mentor and trainee padded away, Leo glanced around with a sigh. Ceremonies weren't held until moonhigh, so he still had a short while to meander about. Just as he was about to move, a soft mew sounded behind him. "Hey Leo." The tom spun around to see who was speaking to him. To his displeasure, it was Rose. The she cat was just barely a moon older than him and was the most recent one to become a Fighter.
"Hi Rose." Leo forced himself not to groan or mutter. Rose was nice enough, she was just... bossy, a know-it-all, and evidently in love with him, much to his annoyance. "I heard you were becoming a Fighter tonight. Congratulations." Her eyes seemed to shine in the dim light of the moon and her normally white pelt seemed to glow. She was a truly beautiful she cat- any tom would be lucky to have her. Except Leo.
"I could help you make your nest later. It could be by mine. After all, Flash just left so there's room by me." Rose invited with a slight purr to her voice. Flash was a well-respected tom. Great fighter, great hunter, but he was old. As custom dictates, when a tom or she cat can no longer fight or provide for the group, they must leave. Most turned into kitty-pets or wasted their last days as loners. Elders were strictly prohibited, lest you were once a Commander.
"Oh, uh, that's alright Rose. Wolf already offered to help me." Leo ducked his head in embarrassment, hoping she didn't catch on to his white lie. A glimmer of jealousy appeared in her eyes and her fur bristled just slightly. "Fine. I'll see you later." The white she cat stalked off, muttering under her breath. Something about 'stupid wolves!'
Leo spun around and darted over to Wolf, poking her with a paw. She looked up, eyes narrowed. "What?" She was actually younger than Rose, but had been made a Fighter earlier due to her mastery of skills. "I, uh, told Rose you were helping me make a nest and she may or may not be watching me to know if I lied. Help me?" He pricked his ears hopefully, staring at her intently.
Wolf rolled on her back, paws curled by her chest. "Rose goin' at you again? Quite the she cat magnet, Leo!" Her voice held no hint of teasing, but such was how Wolf talked. Leo could tell her words were not true, though he wished they were.
"Are you going to help me or not?"
-
"As decreed by our ancestors, each and every Tainted cat is to be put down!" Braiser's voice rang around the alley as he was perched upon a particularly high stack of rubbish. "Once a Trainee has successfully completed the task of taking one down, they earn the right to be a Fighter. Leo, come forward." Leo rose to his paws from his spot between Declan and Wolf and padded forward, head and tail high in confidence.
"Your mission was to take down the Tainted Goldensky. Quill has reported such a task was completed. With the powers bestowed upon me by our ancestors, I give you the rank of Fighter!" Braiser's eyes shone as he touched his nose to Leo's, then stepped back as the Pure Ones cheered. His mate, Leo's mother, was seated just below him, equally as happy.
Of course Rose had to be the first one to congratulate him as the meeting dispersed. "I knew you'd make a wonderful Fighter!" She purred, flicking her tail on his shoulder.
"Uh, yeah. Me too. Sorry, I've got to go." Leo dipped his head and hurried off to Declan and Wolf, eyes wide. "First of all, what in the name of the stars does that she cat see in me? What is there to see in me?"
Wolf and Declan shared an amused glance then looked back to him. "Oh, you're a very handsome tom, Leo!" Wolf purred, rubbing against him. "Just not to me." She jumped back, letting out a soft laugh. "Trust me, Leo. I've no clue what she sees in you! Welcome to the life of a Fighter, though. I'm sure you'll come to regret it."