Robinpaw sat in the center of camp, next to his best friend, Silverpaw. He yawned. The MarshClan leader, Brindlestar, had called the cats to the High Hill, where all clan meetings and ceremonies were held. Today was Jaykit and Ravenkit's Apprentice Ceremony. Robinpaw yawned again. He desperately wanted to go and train. Silverpaw nudged him. "Shh. It's your brothers' special day." The silver she cat whispered to him. "Sorry, it's just that these meetings are kinda boring." He replied quietly.
"Lionclaw, you have proven yourself as a strong and loyal warrior." Robinpaw heard Brindlestar saying. "And I now ask you to pass down all you know to Jaypaw."
The big, golden tom nodded and walked over to Jaypaw. Jaypaw looked small compared to the big warrior. The two touched noses and Robinpaw could hear Lionclaw say, "I look forward to training you. I know you'll make a great warrior." Robinpaw's brother looked excited. He had been talking about it for the past few days. It was driving Robinpaw insane. Robinpaw couldn't help but smile when he saw his brother so happy.
"Ravenkit, from this day forward until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Ravenpaw." The little black tom sat, shifting his paws.
"Aw, the poor fur ball is nervous." Robinpaw could hear Hawkpaw laugh loudly. He and Silverpaw rolled their eyes. Hawkpaw's mentor, Troutjaw shushed the young cat and Hawkpaw sulked, annoyed he had been scolded.
Robinpaw was so busy glaring at Hawkpaw he was missing the ceremony. "Heathercloud, I now ask you to pass down all that you know to this apprentice." A she cat with long white and gray fur stood up and walked over to Ravenpaw and they touched noses. Ravenpaw seemed to calm down a little bit. The clan began to cheer their names. "Jaypaw! Ravenpaw! Jaypaw! Ravenpaw!"
Some of the cats began walking over to the new apprentices to congratulate them. When the crowd began to disperse, Robinpaw and Silverpaw made their way over to them. "Congrats!" Silverpaw said cheerfully. "Thanks Silverpaw." Ravenpaw replied. "Congratulations you guys. I'm happy that we can train together now." Robinpaw told his brothers. Jaypaw nodded. "You won't be so happy when I start learning how to battle and I kick your butt." He taunted his older brother playfully. "Smart move. Taunt an apprentice who actually knows how to fight." Robinpaw said sarcastically. "Maybe not today, but one day I will beat you." Jaypaw laughed. Before Robinpaw could reply, their mother, Nightpool, padded over. "I'm so proud of you boys. You'll make great apprentices." She purred.
It made Robinpaw happy to see his mother like this. He knew she was still hurt about Owlfeather's death. Even Robinpaw was still upset about it. Owlfeather had never gotten to meet Jaypaw and Ravenpaw. "Can we explore the territory?" Ravenpaw asked Heathercloud. "Of course." She told her apprentice. "So will we." Lionclaw told Jaypaw. "Not together though. I want to show you the BreezeClan border first." Jaypaw and Ravenpaw looked disappointed, but shrugged it off. "Let's go!" Jaypaw dashed for the entrance.
"Wait up!" Lionclaw yelled, running after him. "No way! This is the best day of my life!" Robinpaw could faintly hear Jaypaw yell in the distance. Heathercloud laughed. "Don't run off like your brother." The new apprentice nodded and the two started to walk out of the camp.
Robinpaw watched them go. "How about we go fish?" Silverpaw suggested. Robinpaw nodded. They set off for Minnow Creek. It was a small river that separated MarshClan territory from BreezeClan's. The two apprentices sat down next to each other, their eyes on the rushing water. MarshClan's main source of food came from Minnow Creek and Marsh River. Robinpaw quickly caught a small fish. He set the fish down and thanked StarClan for the fresh fish. Silverpaw dropped her fish onto Robinpaw's. Pretty soon they had caught five fish between the two. Robinpaw grabbed his three fish while Silverpaw hesitated to grab her fish."I have to get a third one!" She exclaimed. "I'm not gonna let you have all the glory." She winked at the dark brown tom. Within seconds she scooped a small fish out of the river. "All done!" She said happily. Robinpaw chuckled as Silverpaw grabbed her three fish. The two headed for camp.
Robinpaw felt at home when he entered the camp. He saw Emberkit and Foxkit play fighting while their mother watched carefully, elders telling stories to Bouncekit and Ivykit, Frogleap sharing a fish with his mate, Blueflower, and the MarshClan medicine cat, Hollyshine, sorting her herbs. As the apprentices dropped their food off, Robinpaw's mentor approached. "Hey, Runningfire." Robinpaw greeted the MarshClan deputy. "I'm glad I found you, Robinpaw. I wanted to evaluate your combat skills." He smiled. Robinpaw's face lit up. This was his first evaluation! Maybe this meant he would become a warrior soon. He had been training for moons now, and he was more than ready to become a warrior. "Great!" Robinpaw replied, happily. "Silverpaw, I believe your mentor wanted to take you on the evening patrol. Why don't you grab a piece of fresh kill and rest up for it?" The deputy suggested to the silver apprentice. Silverpaw nodded respectfully. "Thank you, Runningfire." She turned to Robinpaw and wished him good luck before running off to eat with Pouncepaw.
Robinpaw followed his mentor out of camp to the Sandgrounds. It was a nice, sandy hollow that was perfect for combat practice. As they walked to the Sandgrounds, they talked. "Your brothers are apprentices now." He began. "We can practice with them one day." Robinpaw looked at his mentor and nodded. "I'm sure it would be fun." "I know you haven't really been able to hang out much since they've been stuck in camp and you've been busy with your apprentice duties, so I thought it would be a nice thing for you three." Runningfire explained. "Family is important, Robinpaw. You'll be there for them when they need it and they'll be there for you when you need help. I want you to have what I used to have when I was your age."
Robinpaw saw sadness and pain flash through his mentor's eyes. "Did you have a brother before?" Robinpaw asked, cautiously. He didn't want to upset Runningfire and bring up sad memories. But Runningfire did not seem upset at this question. He just nodded his head. "I had a brother once. We were very close to each other. When we became apprentices, we wanted to do everything together." Robinpaw watched his mentor flinch. "He died before he became a warrior. I was devastated. I had never felt so alone. So lost." Guilt flowed through every bone is Robinpaw's body. Why did he have to bring up his mentor's brother?
Runningfire took a breath and straightened up. "But I know he hunts with StarClan now. Death isn't the end, Robinpaw. It is a beginning." "Do you think about him?" Robinpaw asked. "Every day. When I wake up, I think about how he should be here with me, fighting and providing for the clan with me. But I know he watches over me and the rest of MarshClan." Runningfire meowed calmly. Robinpaw was impressed by the MarshClan deputy. Not alone had he opened up to him about his brother, but he looked even stronger to Robinpaw now. "I kinda know how you feel. I miss my father every day..." Robinpaw told him. Runningfire licked Robinpaw's ear. They had just arrived at the Sandgrounds. Both cats sat down. "Just like my brother watches over me, I know your father is watching over you now. He would be proud of you."
"Does it get easier?"
"What?"
"You know, accepting the death of a loved one?"
Runningfire shrugged. "As time goes on, we do come to accept our loved ones are gone. But remember, Robinpaw, they are never truly gone." Robinpaw nodded slowly. "Alright, it's time for you first evaluation. Let's begin." Runningfire announced, standing up. "Great!" Robinpaw jumped to his feet. Sand kicked up as he leapt to his feet. "Alright, run over there and then charge at me. I will be judging your posture and technique." Robinpaw ran to the other side of the hollow and prepared to charge. He scraped the ground with his paws. "Ready, go!" Runningfire yelled. Robinpaw charged at the reddish brown tom, claws sheathed. He leapt at Runningfire. The deputy dodged, but Robinpaw was prepared. He used his tail to adjust his direction and managed to pin down Runningfire. "Great job." Runningfire said as he got to his feet. "Again."
"Very good." Runningfire purred after hours of combat practice. Robinpaw took a deep breath. "Thanks. It's only because I have the best mentor training me." Robinpaw replied. "Trust me, I can only do so much. It comes down to what you put into it." Runningfire told his apprentice. "Ok, I'll admit it. I'm pretty good." Robinpaw said, shuffling his paws. "I wouldn't be surprised if you became one of the greatest warriors in MarshClan. Of course, you have far to go to achieve that goal, but one day, with enough passion and hard work, you could be." Robinpaw nodded. "So, will you work hard to get there?" Runningfire asked, staring hard at his apprentice. "I will give it my all to become the best warrior I can be." "Great! Let's head back to camp. You've done well today."
The two began to walk back to camp. Robinpaw sighed. Could he really become one of the greatest MarshClan warriors? It takes more than strength. I need to be wise, patient, and brave. Robinpaw thought to himself.
"What's eating you, kid?" Runningfire asked all of a sudden. "Huh?" "You've been acting weird since I gave you that pep talk." Robinpaw shrugged and stared down at his white paws. "It's just that, I'm great at fighting. But that's it. I'm not all that intelligent, I'm as brave as every other clan cat, and I'm not poetic like you!" Robinpaw exclaimed. His head hung low and his tail dropped as they walked. Runningfire licked Robinpaw's ear.
"You are smarter than you think. Remember that battle with SnowClan? Instead of charging head first at that big warrior, you faked him out and came from behind. He had no idea what hit him!" Runningfire told him. Yeah, that is true. Robinpaw thought. "And that also shows how brave you are. Any other apprentice would have ran right back to their mothers." Robinpaw shrugged. I don't know about that last part, but I guess that does show my bravery. Robinpaw admitted. "But I'm not poetic! I don't sound wise or anything!" Robinpaw blurted out. "I don't get it, Runningfire! You're young, but you always sound so calm. I thought old cats were supposed to be wise while younger ones were still getting there."
Runningfire started laughing. "It's not funny! I'm serious! How do you do it?" Robinpaw demanded. "I'm not poetic, Robinpaw. That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard. I'm far from it, actually. I act like that because I don't want to make a fool out of myself in front of you. Ask any of the other warriors. They'll agree with me." "Huh, I guess that makes sense." Robinpaw muttered.
Suddenly, Runningfire stopped dead in his tracks. "What is it?" Robinpaw whispered, also stopping. "Use you nose." Runningfire whispered back. Robinpaw started trying to find a scent. His nose wrinkled when he smelled the disgusting scent of SnowClan. "SnowClan. And it's a new scent." Robinpaw told his mentor. "They're close." Runningfire said. "Robinpaw, run back to camp for reinforcements. Go, quickly!" Robinpaw nodded and darted towards the MarshClan camp. In no time, he had arrived at the entrance. He stood trying to catch his breath.
"Robinpaw? What's going on?" Frogleap demanded. Taking a deep breath, he finally found the words to say. "Runningfire and I scented SnowClan in our territory. He sent me for backup." "I'll go." Reedstrike suggested, already heading out of the camp. He was a new warrior, but he was always ready to help his clan out.
"No!" Brindlestar called, making Reedstrike stop. "What? Runningfire needs help!" Robinpaw exclaimed. How could his leader stop cats from going to help the deputy? "SnowClan is not on territory. At least, we don't know for sure." The leader replied, emotionless. "But they could be! How could you not send help?!" Robinpaw spat, his fur bristling."Watch your mouth, apprentice. I'm in charge." Brindlestar snapped, heading for her den. "Even if there's a slight chance of invaders, we should take that seriously!" Robinpaw growled.
Robinpaw turned to see the MarshClan deputy running back to camp. Robinpaw gasped when he saw his mentor with several claw marks. Runningfire's leg was incredibly injured and he was out of breath. "SnowClan, attacked." He breathes heavily. Several cats gasped. "Are they still there?" Pouncepaw asked. Runningfire shook his head. "I chased the three of them off. They were stealing prey." The deputy's legs started shaking, as if he was going to collapse. "Somebody fetch Hollyshine!" A cat yelled. "Already here!" The medicine cat replied, with herbs and cobwebs in her mouth. "You took on three cats?" Emberkit asked the deputy, eyes wide. Runningfire nodded. "It was difficult with no one with me, but I managed." He flinched as Hollyshine tended to his wounds. "Frogleap, Lionclaw, come with me. Let's make sure those fleabags are gone." Reedstrike said, already running out of camp. "Young cats. They think they're the leaders of StarClan!" Loud slip, an elder, said.
"I'm so sorry, Runningfire! I came back here, but Brindlestar wouldn't let cats go and help you and I..." Robinpaw said quickly. "It's... Not your... Fault, Robinpaw..." Runningfire's voice started growing weaker. "Don't talk. You need your strength." Hollyshine told the deputy quietly. But it didn't work. The deputy's eyes started to close. Robinpaw watched in horror as his mentor passed out. StarClan, don't let him join you yet! He thought.
Sorry if the first few chapters are a little boring. I am trying to set up the story and several characters, so it can be kinda boring. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoyed it. If you have questions or want me to explain something, don't be afraid to ask. Thanks for reading! Next chapter will be out soon!