AN. Hey everyone! Enjoy Chapter Two of Seeking Dawn!
Chapter Two
Shadowlight slowly began to flick open her eyes slowly, immediately noticing something was different. She gently swished her tail back and forth, she knew something was different. She felt soft, long grass surrounding her and rustle smoothly against her raven pelt that bristled slightly. Her vision felt slightly blurry as she squinted; it was so bright and it almost hurt her sleepy eyes. However her eyes then widened up as she realized that she as alone. Sunshaft's comforting fur was absent as well as the rest of HopeClan. Where the mountains were when she fell asleep was now a flatter, grassy meadow with a beautiful clear lake that subsided not far. The scent of the air collided with her nostrils, the air smelled so clean and pure, like a glorious safe haven. Shadowlight felt so…at peace in the meadow. But, HopeClan needed her. Her Clan needed her to find help. She couldn't stay. Then her mind became clearer as her vision did; why was she here? How did she get here?
She was about to heave herself to her paws when she then saw a figure in the distance. A silhouette of a cat could be seen padding gracefully toward her. The stranger cat seemed to be close, getting greatly closer; however the cat's face still was hidden from Shadowlight. Part of Shadowlight's mind told her to run and get away from the mystery cat, but, a stronger sense in her mind and soul told her to remain where she was and to not be afraid. So she stayed, waiting for the mystery cat to reach her. As the cat stepped only a few tail lengths away, Shadowlight was able to glance up and see the face.
Shadowlight's eyes widened, "S-Shadestar?" she stammered in surprise and, in strange relief.
Shadestar looked brilliant, his pelt shinned beautifully in the bright sunlight, his eyes gleamed peacefully and he looked stronger than ever before. Far from the cat she had seen dying at the paws of his brothers in an unfair and unjust battle to the death.
Shadowlight scrambled to an upright position and lowered her head respectfully towards her dead leader, not knowing exactly what to say at the time.
Shadestar chuckled, "No, no Shadowlight, no bowing, not to me. Raise your head, if there's anyone who should be bowed to it would be you," Shadestar's voice sounded deep and strong, and confident for that matter.
Shadowlight lifted her head slowly to meet Shadestar's gaze, then Shadestar gave Shadowlight a bow of his own, "You are the one traveling through lands unknown to us to save what was once HiddenClan and WhisperClan," he began as her raised he head, "You were the one who gave the rest of HopeClan support to join and venture on your quest to seek help and swallow your pride."
Shadowlight blinked, she was on StarClan territory.
"Shadestar, I was only doing what I vowed to do when Dawnstar gave me my warrior ceremony," she said modestly.
"Ah, but you gave inspiration to HopeClan and agreed to do whatever it takes to help the Clans before your warrior ceremony," Shadestar pointed out.
Shadowlight didn't say anything for a moment. Then she asked, "Shadestar, what am I doing here anyhow? Why was I called upon StarClan territory?"
Shadestar frowned slightly, "I'm sorry we made you wait three moons, but you are here because it is time for a HopeClan leader to rise,"
Shadowlight quickly raise her head high, "Who? Who's the leader?"
Shadestar gave Shadowlight a slight grin, "Now, Shadowlight, I would expect you'd know that by now. It's only the obvious choice,"
Shadowlight only tilted her head a bit but made no reply.
Shadestar chucked again softly, "Let me put it this way: Whisperstar and Hiddenstar had founded WhisperClan and HiddenClan. They encouraged and supported other cats to join them for the well being of us all. To help save another kit from dying or starvation or a beloved mate to be taken out by a mountain lion. And they formed two Clans to live and thrive in a beautiful and living forest,"
Shadowlight perked her ears, "Well, really Leer founded HopeClan, it was his idea,"
Shadestar shook his head, "But, he only gave you the idea, he allowed you to make the decision, and he ended up staying behind. Who was it that first agreed to take the quest without hesitation or indecision? Who supported other cats to join when they hesitated to follow the example? Who was it that truly wanted to help the Clans?"
Shadowlight's eyes widened, "Oh, no, Shadestar! I can't lead a Clan! I've only been warrior for three moons! I'm too young to have such a high status on an important mission!"
"You speak of wisdom beyond your age, you act with wisdom as though you know what you're doing. You show qualities of a leader," spoke Shadestar.
"But, who would want me for leader? I'm blind in one eye and I was the one who was quiet and non talkative!"
"They look up to you more than you know Shadowlight. Do you want to help the Clans or not?" questioned Shadestar.
"Of course I do!"
"Nobody else is eligible for leadership. You must become leader, appoint a deputy, turn HopeClan into a functioning Clan. HopeClan needs that," said Shadestar.
This time, Shadowlight made to protest. He made good points. She nodded, "Alright. I'll lead them,"
"But," said Shadestar, "You first need nine lives and your name,"
Shadowlight stared at Shadestar with confusion, "Nine lives? Name? But, HopeClan isn't going to exist for long will it? Just until we retrieve cats. I can't become a full fledged leader like that,"
Shadestar glared at Shadowlight, "It's for the best in the end. Don't ask questions now, they'll be answered in time. Now, you must find a place to receive them,"
Shadowlight's ears flattened, "Where?"
Shadestar grinned, "Go to the pool that pours into the lake of Thunder, Wind, River and Shadow,"
Shadowlight stared in confusion, "A lake of Thunder, Wind, River and Shadow? That…doesn't make sense! Wait, is it one of those confusing prophecies that nobody ever understands?"
Shadestar laughed, "More like a metaphor really than a prophecy. But that is where you must go,"
Shadowlight grumbled, "Great, a metaphor that nobody still ever understands,"
Shadestar just chuckled, "I will say this; the lake of Thunder, Wind, River and Shadow settles in the east, but beware of danger lurking in the north," he sounded more serious as he added the last part.
"But if we head east, why would we worry about was settles in the north?" Shadowlight asked.
"Again, Shadowlight that will be answered in time. You cannot seek all the answers from StarClan," he paused briefly, and then said, "It is time for you now to awake in the living world. Remember, go to the pool that pours into the lake of Thunder, Wind, River and Shadow,"
Then, everything Shadowlight saw, went black as Shadestar faded slowly from view.
Go to the pool that pours into the lake of Thunder, Wind, River and Shadow
Go to the pool that pours into the lake of Thunder, Wind, River and Shadow
Go to the pool that pours into the lake of Thunder, Wind, River and Shadow
The words Shadestar spoke lingered in Shadowlight's head as she felt a paw nudge her sides, "Shadowlight, wake up! Stoneclaw's patrol has prey. Eat quickly. We scent rouges. Very unfriendly rouges by what it seems, we must move quickly to avoid them. I doubt they'll help us,"
Shadowlight lifted her head, it took her a moment to process Sunshaft's words through her mind, then snapped herself awake, nodding. She got up to see HopeClan gobbling down their prey quickly; Shadowlight suddenly lost her need for food. She tuned to Sunshaft, "Shadestar visited me in my dream," she whispered to him, "He says we must go to the pool that pours into the lake of Thunder, Wind, River and Shadow,"
Sunshaft's eyes widened, "He visited you? Did he tell you who our leader should be?"
"Yes," she answered in a monotone voice.
"Who?" Sunshaft asked anxiously.
Shadowlight stiffened a bit, but knew it was fact, "He, he said I should," she answered him in a quiet tone.
Sunshaft nodded, smiling, "He made a good choice. The best! We must tell the rest!"
Shadowlight nodded, "If they believe me. But first, we need to go to the pool that pours into the lake of Thunder, Wind, River and Shadow. That is where I am supposed to receive my nine lives and name."
Sunshaft nodded again, "Right, let's round up the Clan. We need to leave now before the rouges get too close for comfort,"
Everyone finished their prey and stared at one another, waiting for someone to speak.
Shadowlight raised her head, "Cats of HopeClan!"
Everyone turned to stare at her.
"StarClan still watches over us! Shadestar has visited me in my dreams!" Shadowlight announced.
Dawnrise looked suspicious, "Really? Do you expect us to find that believable?"
Shadowlight ignored Dawnrise and continued, "He told me that the leader of Hope should be…" she paused, not sure how the Clan was going to take it.
They all stared up at her with anxiety in their gleaming curious eyes.
Taking a deep breath, Shadowlight made the answer quick, "Me,"
She stood tall, waiting for the Clan to respond.
Dawnrise snarled, "You've got to be kidding me! You? Our leader? Why would Shadestar visit you? The way I see it, you're still a measly apprentice!"
But, then Sightless stood up, "I believe her," she announced, stepping forward, "And I believe she really is the rightful one to lead us all."
Shadowlight flashed Sightless a thankful expression.
Firefang called out, "Me too! I know Shadowlight well enough to know she's no liar!"
"Shadowlight's my friend! Of course I believer her!" stated Dovetalon.
"Shadowlight supported me becoming a warrior, I support her!" declared Eagleheart.
"In my eyes, Shadowlight seems to be the only one among us who could possibly be chosed for leader," supported Screech.
"She's got wisdom of a StarClan cat, she's my leader," added in Dreamwhisper.
Greyheart nodded, "If not for Shadowlight, we wouldn't be seeking help now,"
"Yes! Shadowlight should be leader!" chimed in Pinepaw.
"I agree!" shouted Yarrowpaw.
Bloodstripe scowled, "I think we're mad having an inexperienced cat as leader!" he paused, "But, you all….have a point I suppose," he grunted but didn't say anything more. Stoneclaw grinned at his brother; he knew that Bloodstripe really supported Shadowlight.
"Yes! Shadowlight!" Rosethorn added in.
Sunshaft glanced around, "So it's decided?"
Everyone, apart from Dawnrise, nodded.
Shadowlight purred, "Then that's settled,"
She turned and began to climb the eastern mountain, "Let's go! To the pool that pours into the lake of Thunder, Wind, River and Shadow!"
HopeClan yowled in agreement and followed Shadowlight as the dawn approached with the sun appearing out of the shadows of the mountain.
Taking a whiff of air, Shadowlight scented rouge heavily in the air, they were close, they were a danger. But that wouldn't stop them; they must press on and face threats. Those rouges were approaching, there was no avoiding them. All that echoed within Shadowlight's mind was;
The lake of Thunder, Wind, River and Shadow
AN. There we go! Much longer, much longer! Please tell me what you think! I won't write the next chapter until I get at least three reviews! Please Reivew!
