Note From CrazyCross213: Hello everyone!!!! Here is the long-awaited third chapter of Warriors: Origins (jk, nobody's looking forward to it, so far as I can tell...)!!! The cats are going to be changing rapidly from here on out, so don't get annoyed with me if you don't like how the cats are posted before the chapter starts! Just skip it, and if you're wondering, "Who is so-and-so, and what do they look like?!" then just scroll back up to the top and look their name up. And please don't be too mad if I make a mistake, or you don't like how the story's format looks! It's really not my fault!! I'm still figuring out how things work on here.... (I'm a noob, so sue me!)....(wait, please don't sue me... completely ignore that remark)

So without further ado, HERE IT BE!!!

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Cats of StoneClan (chapter 3)

Leader: Sharpstar--a slender gray tom with gray-green eyes and unusually sharp claws (Apprentice-Badgerpaw)

Deputy: Spiketail--a small, spiky-furred tom with black and white fur and brown eyes

Medicine Cat: Dreamwhisker--a long-furred white she-cat with pale gray eyes (Apprentice-Rosepaw)

Hunters and Huntresses: Snowfall--pure white she-cat with tufts of silver-blue fur in her ears (Apprentice-Amberpaw)

Skyfeather--cloudy gray tom with long, soft fur and blue eyes

Brownleaf--white tom with a brown, leaf-shaped mark on his chest (Apprentice-Tinderpaw)

Darkfur--black tom (Apprentice-Foxpaw)

Stormcloud--dark gray tom with dark blue eyes (Apprentice-Fogpaw)

Eagleclaw--yellow-orange tom with a scar across his back from an eagle's talons

Dawneyes--tortoiseshell she-cat with eyes the color of the sunrise

Hawkwing--red-brown tom (Apprentice-Dustpaw)

Liontail--dark gold tom with an odd tuft of fur on the end of his tail

Longpounce--gray tabby tom

Ashface--white she-cat with a splash of gray over her muzzle and eyes

Nightshine--black she-cat with a frosting of silver fur on her back (Apprentice-Heatherpaw)

Whitefrost--white she-cat with foggy blue eyes

Bramblethorn--dark brown tabby tom with sharp claws and fangs

Mapleflower--mahogany colored she-cat with gold eyes

Rabbitleap--black she-cat with white feet

Sleetshower--gray and white she-cat with dark green eyes

Mousewhisker--small brown she-cat

Blackpelt--black tom with a white tipped tail and white ears

Spottedcloud--pretty white she-cat with small splotches of black on her back and chest

Rockfall--light gray tom with amber eyes

Frostfoot--pure white tom with a bluish tint at his paws

Wolf-fang--black she-cat with pale blue eyes and silver paws

Leafsong--blue-gray tom with bright green eyes

Apprentices: Rosepaw--white she-cat with a splash of bright ginger on her back

Heatherpaw--light gray she-cat with one black paw

Badgerpaw--black and white tom

Fogpaw--white tom with pale gray paws and hazel eyes

Foxpaw--orange she-cat with black on her paws and a white tail tip and brown eyes, looks just like a fox

Dustpaw--sand colored tom with gold eyes

Amberpaw--light orange-red she-cat with gold eyes

Tinderpaw-- blood-colored she-cat with white on the bottom half of her muzzle and cheeks, and a white throat, underbelly, paws, and tail tip and bright, sky blue eyes

Queen Mothers: Pebblefoot--mottled gray-brown she-cat (Kits-Patchkit, Wildkit, Sorrelkit, and Hollowkit)

Graydapple--gray she-cat with lighter gray dapples over her back (Kits-Wishkit, Birdkit, and Thrushkit)

Elders: Mistheart--pale gray she-cat with still-sharp blue eyes, the oldest cat in StoneClan

Tornpelt--a battle-scarred old tom

Cloudeyes--white she-cat with opaque blue eyes, blind

Mudears--white tom with brown patches on his ears and back

Pinetail--bristle-furred brown tom

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Chapter Three

It was less than half a moon after that when Sharpstar held the ceremony for Wolfpaw and her littermates. Wolfpaw's black fur was gleaming darkly, and her silver paws shone like stars. Her brothers Frostpaw and Leafpaw had also groomed their fur until it gleamed, and their eyes glittered with suppressed excitement. They had one more sibling, but Rosepaw was in training to be a medicine cat, so she would not receive her Huntress name like a normal cat. She watched her brothers and sister with pride in her eyes.

Sharpstar stood atop the ShiningStone, waiting for the clan to gather. He started with Frostpaw. Frostpaw looked very similar to Snowfall, his fur white shading to silver blue. He was a strong cat, vicious in a fight. He gazed up at his leader with calm, serious eyes as he began the ceremony, "This cat has completed the tasks given him by StarClan, and has proven himself worthy of the title 'Hunter.' Now, in the sight of StarClan, I give him his Hunter name." He did not look up from Frostpaw as he finished, "From this day on, unless it no longer stands for what he is, this Hunter shall be known as Frostfoot. May you serve your clan bravely."

"Frostfoot! Frostfoot!" the clan called, cheering him on. He stood proudly before stepping back and letting his sister take his place.

Sharpstar focused on Wolfpaw, "This cat has completed the tasks given her by StarClan, and has proven herself worthy of the title 'Huntress.' Now, in the sight of StarClan, I give her her Huntress name. From this day on, unless it no longer stands for what she is, this Huntress shall be known as Wolf-fang. May you serve your clan with honor."

"Wolf-fang! Wolf-fang!!" the clan yowled, though not as loud as for Frostfoot. It was mostly Foxpaw.

Sharpstar turned to the last cat, a blue-gray tom with the brightest green eyes. Sharpstar's eyes were soft as he looked at Leafpaw, "This cat has completed the tasks given him by StarClan, and has proven himself worthy of the title 'Hunter.' Now, in the sight of StarClan, I give him his Hunter name. From this day on, unless it no longer stands for what he is, this Hunter shall be known as Leafsong. May you serve your clan compassionately."

"Leafsong! Leafsong!!" this was the loudest yet, for Leafsong was almost as well-liked as Tinderpaw. He flicked his ears in embarrassment, stepping back to stand with his siblings.

Sharpstar leaped down, signaling the end of the ceremony. All the cats gathered around the newest Hunters and Huntress, congratulating them and giving them friendly nudges. Leafsong beamed at Tinderpaw as she butted her head against his shoulder, purring her congratulations.

"Hey, Tinderpaw!" he mewed, "I don't have to deal with your snoring anymore!!!" this earned him a nip from Tinderpaw, "Yow! Same old Tinderpaw! Cute and fuzzy on the outside, evil and violent on the inside..."

Tinderpaw snorted, "Have fun patrolling out in this blizzard," she mewed, turning and going to find some food for the elders. Leafsong, to her surprise, broke away from the group of cats to pad along beside her. He grinned at her.

"We don't have to go until the other patrol gets back, so I'll help you take fresh-kill to the elders," he told her. She stopped in her tracks, gaping at him. He looked back at her, starting to look embarrassed, "That is where you were going, wasn't it?" he asked, ducking his head.

She purred, "Yes, but I was shocked you wanted to go see the elders! Most of the others don't even remember they're there half the time." She bolted into a run, "Race you to the fresh-kill pile!!!"

"You're on!" he yowled, running after her.

Several sunrises later, Tinderpaw was out hunting alone. She had one eye trained on an eagle that had been circling for a while. Her other eye was focused on a fat snow hare that was sniffing around the roots of a bush. She stayed some distance back, but that would not hinder her. StoneClan cats had powerful back legs, and could leap further than the length of the trees that grew at the base of the mountain. Tinderpaw was just hoping that the eagle would swoop soon. She had been waiting there since dawn, and it was nearing the sun's highest point.

Finally, the eagle tucked in its wings and dove, stretching out its claws to grasp the snow hare. Tinderpaw leaped, landing on the eagle's back. It shrieked, twisting its head to try and spear her with its fearsome beak. Tinderpaw buried her teeth in the back of its head and yanked back, snapping the neck. The bird dropped to the ground, its talons still locked in the dying snow hare. Tinderpaw released her prey to kill the hare and save it the pain of bleeding out. She tilted her head back and let out a screech. The two cats who had been waiting since dawn to hear such a cry leaped down from their perches to help her drag her eagle back to the camp.

Liontail was one of the cats. His eyes widened at the size of the eagle, "It's huge! Leafsong, look at this thing!" he meowed to the other cat.

Leafsong nodded, "She got a pretty big snow hare, too." He purred at Tinderpaw, "This is your fifth apprentice task, right?" he asked. When she nodded, he sighed, "Time flies so fast.... You'll only have four more after this."

Liontail's eyes were soft as he looked at her, "You'll be the very best Huntress," he told her. Leafsong cast a quick glance at him before mewing his agreement. Tinderpaw shuffled her paws in embarrassment. She could almost feel her ears burning. She helped them carry the fresh-kill back to camp, and was greeted warmly by everyone. Brownleaf padded over from where he had been sharing tongues with Ashface. He greeted his apprentice with a lick between her ears.

"A wonderful catch!" he praised her, his deep purr rumbling in his chest. As the three returning cats dragged the catch to the fresh-kill pile, Mapleflower bounded over from the Hunters' and Huntresses' den, Skyfeather just behind her. Mapleflower couldn't talk for all her purring as she pushed her muzzle into Tinderpaw's fur. Skyfeather blinked warmly down at his smallest daughter.

"Well done, Tinderpaw," he purred, licking her cheek. Tinderpaw felt like she was floating on a cloud, at least until she looked over her father's shoulder and saw Dustpaw and Amberpaw glaring at her, jealousy sparking in their eyes. Tinderpaw ducked her head, all her joy dissipating. She wished, not for the first time, that she and her siblings could be as close as Fogpaw and Heatherpaw.

Mapleflower finally spoke, "The elders have been waiting for you to come back. Why don't you go tell them about your catch?"

When Tinderpaw hesitated, Skyfeather gave her a nudge with his head, "Go on, dear one. Don't make Mistheart come and get you herself," his blue eyes sparkled with mirth, "You know as well as I do that a pack of wolves couldn't keep her from you."

Tinderpaw's whiskers twitched with amusement, "I'll go see her now," she mewed before scampering off in the direction of the elders' den. She tried to ignore the fact that she could still feel her siblings' glares boring into her fur.

Several more sunrises later, Ashface moved into the nursery. Her belly was getting too round for her to keep up on patrols. Brownleaf visited her constantly, but still managed to keep up on training with Tinderpaw. She had completed another task, and now it was time for Brownleaf to take her down into the Flatlands. Snowfall, Hawkwing, Amberpaw, and Dustpaw would be joining them. This was training for their next apprentice task: helping Dreamwhisker and Rosepaw gather herbs in the Flatlands. They would be escorting the Medicine Cat and Medicine Cat apprentice, guarding them from all the strange dangers of the Flatlands--without their mentors to help. There were only two tasks after that, one of which was going on a wolf hunt, and the other the final task. Tinderpaw was looking forward to both, as were her siblings.

They all had some strengthening herbs before setting out. The entire clan, save the sun's rising patrol, turned out to see them off. Tinderpaw had a bounce in her step as she followed behind Brownleaf. Soon the caves were long behind them. They passed trees and bushes that grew larger and more lush the further down they went. Tinderpaw's eyes were wide as she took in everything around her. Her claws stretched at the thought of climbing the trees. Her second apprentice task had been to climb a tree to the very tip and come back down all on her own. It had been so much fun, and she had even caught a squirrel. She hadn't ever seen a squirrel before that, but it had been a little tricky to climb back down with the small rodent clamped in her jaws, it's bushy tail tickling her nose.

She was brought from her thoughts as the ground evened out, becoming less rocky and more grassy. She relished the feel of the soft grass on her paws, soothing her calloused pads. The stone ground turned to gravel, and then to dirt. She felt odd, as if she were still on the steep mountain. It made it hard to walk; her balance felt off. Dustpaw and Amberpaw obviously felt the same. Amberpaw even fell over, squeaking when she hit the ground. Brownleaf picked her up and set her on her paws, his whiskers quivering with suppressed amusement. Not long after that, the trees started thickening. Soon, they couldn't see anything around them for all the trees. They traveled like that until the sun was low in the sky. Just when Tinderpaw was beginning to think that the entire world, besides their mountain, was covered in trees, the trees started to thin. They came to the edge of what Brownleaf had called "the forest." Beyond the forest was grassy land as far as the eyes could see. To their right, a river flowed down from the mountain and thinned as it cut through the Flatlands, becoming nothing more than a stream. If Tinderpaw squinted, she could make out a strange, odd-shaped brown rock in the distance beyond the stream. Brownleaf interrupted her thoughts, sweeping his tail to indicate the land around them.

"Welcome to the Flatlands, apprentices," he meowed, watching their awe with amusement, "In the next three days, you will learn how to survive here, what creatures inhabit these lands, and how to hunt in these strange surroundings. When we return, you will be ready to take on your seventh task."

Dustpaw's tail lashed in excitement, "What are we going to do first?" he asked.

Snowfall purred, "Sleep," she answered. She purred louder as Amberpaw's and Dustpaw's tails drooped, "We start training tomorrow."

Hawkwing beckoned for them to follow, "Tonight, we rest and get prepared for the trials awaiting us tomorrow." He led them back into the trees, "Here in the Flatlands, there are no caves, so we sleep in between the roots of the largest trees. Sleep near us at first, since you're not used to it yet, but tomorrow you can sleep on your own."

As they settled into the soft moss amongst the trees, Tinderpaw commented, "It's a lot hotter down here than in the mountains."

Brownleaf nodded, "Soon you will notice that your fur starts to shed as if it were Melting Season. When we return to the mountain, it will take a few days for your fur to thicken again. You'll have to deal with it, for there's no herb to thicken fur faster," he purred at the horrified looks Amberpaw and Dustpaw were exchanging. Their expressions seemed to say, We'll have to freeze our whiskers off for days?!

Snowfall opened one blue eye, "Don't worry, little ones. You'll get used to it."

Hawkwing glanced over at the smallest apprentice, "Tinderpaw seems to be taking it well," he commented warmly. Sure enough, Tinderpaw had curled up next to Brownleaf and had fallen asleep immediately. The older cats purred with amusement, and only Brownleaf noticed the hostile looks that Dustpaw and Amberpaw were sending their littlest sister. His ears flicked back worriedly. He worried for his apprentice. He knew that Foxpaw disliked Tinderpaw as well. That made three of her denmates who hated her. He hoped she had enough friends to protect her should those jealous apprentices decide to get revenge on the sweet little she-cat. Those were his thoughts as he curled up with everyone else and joined Tinderpaw in sleep.

The next morning, Brownleaf was the first one awake. He sat watch until the sun rose higher in the sky. Soon, the other cats started to stir. Surprisingly--or not, depending on how well you knew her--Tinderpaw was the first to wake, even before Snowfall and Hawkwing. She stretched, and Brownleaf marveled that such a small cat could have such well-defined muscles rippling under her pelt. Tinderpaw padded over to him, her jaws stretched wide in a yawn.

"What are we going to do first, Brownleaf?" she asked, her ears pricked. She studied the new world around her, her big blue eyes soaking in everything.

Brownleaf blinked warmly at her, "Well, we're going to go off on our own, as I suspect the others will. It's up to the mentor to teach their own apprentice, so I believe we will first practice hunting on this unfamiliar territory. Then, if we have time, we can go see how the strange creatures live down here."

Tinderpaw nodded, "I'm ready when you are," she mewed determinedly. Brownleaf nodded, proud of his apprentice.

"I'll just wait for Snowfall and Hawkwing to wake up so I can tell them that we're going," he was interrupted by a sleepy mew.

"No need," Snowfall said, pausing to yawn. She blinked at him with her beautiful blue eyes, "I'll tell Hawkwing. You can go on."

Brownleaf meowed his thanks before he and his apprentice turned as one and leaped into the underbrush. They pounded along, weaving through the trees. Tinderpaw found that her balance had adjusted on its own, and she had no trouble keeping up with her mentor. Despite the fact that she was the smallest of the apprentices, Tinderpaw had always been the fastest. Mistheart had told her that Bright-thunder had been the swiftest cat in clan history. Tinderpaw had inherited it from her ancestor. She was grateful for it now, as she leaped across this ridiculously flat ground.

Brownleaf signaled with his tail for her to stop. They skidded in the leaves that littered the ground as they halted. Brownleaf lifted his muzzle to scent the air. He nodded, seemingly pleased with something, "Just as I thought. Tinderpaw, what do you smell?" he asked.

Tinderpaw obediently lifted her muzzle to scent the breeze, much softer than the wind on the mountain, "I smell...something kind of like a wolf? It's a lot darker.... Wait! I think I've smelled it before!" she looked at Brownleaf, "Is it a fox?"

Brownleaf nodded, pleased with her, "Where is it coming from?" he asked, sitting and curling his tail around his paws.

She sniffed again, "From those tangled roots over there. Is that its den? It's awfully small..."

Brownleaf twitched his ears, "I want you to catch the fox. It's the largest thing around here, and most likely the only thing that can fill our bellies. If you catch it, it will prove that you can hunt here."

Tinderpaw narrowed her eyes at the entrance to the den. Without replying, she stalked towards the fox's den, all her senses straining towards the black hole. Before she reached it, a orange and white muzzle popped out, sniffing the air. The fox emerged, and Tinderpaw had to stifle her laughter. It looked just like Foxpaw!!!

The fox noticed her in the same instant, bristling. It barked, its language very similar to a wolf's, "Get away! This my turf!!" She could tell now that it was a male fox, scarred with many battles. It was smaller than her.

"Tough luck, fox!" she hissed, "I'm hungry," her claws dug into the ground. She bared her teeth in a fierce grin, her tail lashing.

The fox backed up a step, then started to slide to the side. He was trying to come at her from the side with her bad eye, "You one big cat," he growled, "How you get so big?" he seemed genuinely puzzled by her supposedly "large" size.

"Big?" she scoffed, "I'm the smallest in our clan."

"Don't talk to him, Tinderpaw," Brownleaf scolded gently, "Just kill him quickly."

Tinderpaw nodded, and leaped. She landed squarely on the fox's back. The impact snapped his spine, killing him instantly. She turned to Brownleaf, "That was easier than I thought it would be," she mewed.

He flicked his ears in amusement, "You are a very skilled huntress."

She licked her chest fur to hide her joy at his praise. Besides, there was something that the fox had said that still confused her, "What did he mean by what he said? You know, about how I was a 'big' cat?"

Brownleaf shrugged, picking up the kitten-sized fox in his jaws, "I don't know," he mumbled, "But foxes are worse than wolves when it comes to trickery. Reminds me of a certain apprentice we all know..." he trailed off, his whiskers twitching. "Let's go ahead and take this back to the others."

They left the Flatlands seven days later, instead of the original three. On the third day Tinderpaw had somehow tripped while she and her siblings were climbing a huge tree. The normally sure-footed apprentice had fallen from the top of the tree, landing with a sickening thud on the ground. The older cats had immediately rushed over to find Tinderpaw unconscious and her front paw twisted at an awkward angle. Snowfall told the others that it was most likely broken. When Tinderpaw had woken up, she was in terrible pain, and couldn't move the twisted paw without howling in agony. They had to wait several days before she could even be moved. When they could finally leave, Brownleaf had to carry her back up the mountain. It was slow going, and Amberpaw and Dustpaw complained the entire way. Brownleaf, normally so gentle, glared at the two apprentices, fury in his eyes. He had an idea who had caused his nimble apprentice to fall.

They reached StoneClan's caves as the sun was setting. Nobody greeted them when they came in, and they soon found out why. They were having a naming ceremony for Heatherpaw, Badgerpaw, Fogpaw, and Foxpaw. The mountain lions they had hunted lay in the center of the main cave. They arrived just in time to hear Sharpstar give Foxpaw her Huntress name. Apparently they had missed the others.

"...until it no longer stands for what she is, this Huntress shall be known as Foxheart. Serve the clan with...um....honesty?" Sharpstar cleared his throat as Wolf-fang yowled out Foxheart's new name. There was a weak cheering from a few of the cats. Her siblings did not participate. Fogpaw and Heatherpaw rushed over when they saw Brownleaf carrying Tinderpaw.

"Brownleaf, what happened?!" Fogpaw asked worriedly.

Brownleaf didn't set down his burden, but flicked his tail for Snowfall to explain. She did so as Brownleaf continued on to the Medicine Cat's den. Dreamwhisker looked up from where she was sorting her herbs. She gasped when she saw Tinderpaw's swollen and twisted paw.

"Rosepaw!!!" she yowled, "Get out here!" She led Brownleaf to a nest where he could lay Tinderpaw, "What happened?" she asked in a hushed voice. Before she could answer, a loud mewl of horror came from behind her. They turned to see Rosepaw staring with horrified eyes at Tinderpaw.

"Tinderpaw!! Oh no!" she rushed forward, but froze when she was by Tinderpaw's side. She stared at Tinderpaw's twisted forepaw with suddenly blank eyes. Brownleaf looked to Dreamwhisker for an explanation. Dreamwhisker's eyes were wide with worry as she answered Brownleaf.

"She's receiving a prophecy from StarClan," she mewed quietly.

Just then, Rosepaw began to mutter, "The claws are red, the moon is high, old ones die, older ones return from the dead. The spark falls, igniting the trees with light. Why does she cry? The mountains are angry..." she continued muttering for a few moments, then broke off with a cry. Her eyes rolled back in her head, and she collapsed. Dreamwhisker nudged her with her nose, and then sighed with relief.

"She's all right," she mewed. "I wonder what all that was about?"

Rosepaw whispered softly, "They come."

Dreamwhisker frowned, "What?" she jerked with surprise as there was the sound of someone entering the den. She relaxed when she saw that it was just Leafsong. He rushed over to Tinderpaw, his fur fluffed up with worry.

"Is she all right?" he demanded, but before anyone could answer, a roar shook the cave. Cats cried out in terror. There was a scream of agony, and a broken chorus of snarls.

Rosepaw screeched, "THEY'RE HERE!!!!"

Brownleaf and Leafsong turned as one to confront the creature that was stalking into the Medicine Cat's den. It was a mountain lion, and it sounded like there were a lot more out in the main cave. Above the screeching and the snarling, a mournful voice cried out its sorrow. Tinderpaw struggled to her paws as she recognized the voice.

It was Mistheart.

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CrazyCross213: Were you expecting that?! What do you think happened? (Do I even know???) Sorry to leave you with a cliff-hanger, but I'm typing furiously on the fourth chapter! Did you get that bit about, "...old ones die, older ones return from the dead..." ??? If you didn't, don't feel bad!! You'll understand in the next chapter! (I think!)

Until then, Au revoir!!! CRAZYCROSS OUT!!!