A/N: Hello everyone. Welcome back to another chapter of Embers and Ashes. Happy Labor Day? I don't know, all I know is that I didn't have school today so hooray! Back to the ever-so-lovable Sootpaw.
Thanks to SuperBailey, Five Dollar Mixtape, and BrightMind for following this story!
Reviews
ColouredKittens (Guest)- Friendship-ship… is that a thing? Lol. In simpler words, you have a love-hate relationship with Wildfire.
Thanks to everyone who followed and reviewed!
Let's get started!
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In all his life as a Commoner, the apprentice had never seen Wildfire obey anybody but the Grand Royal of Blazeclan. But here was Flarepaw, forced into the leader position in this predicament, telling him to back down from an unnecessary fight. To his surprise, the aggressive Royal actually listened to his daughter. The Stormclan warriors- including the Grand Royal- looked on with open amusement at the quick-tempered tom.
"Did I say something wrong?"
Stormclan's Grand Royal's expression was so open and guileless, it reminded Sootpaw of a young kit's innocence. Sootpaw looked up without moving his head, his gaze flickering over to his side of the river once more as Flarepaw turned back around to face the Stormclan patrol. Even from where he was crouching, he could clearly see the indecisiveness and tension in her body causing her shoulders to bristle and tail to lash in agitation. The apprentice felt a flicker of sympathy for her. She breathed out an audible sigh before focusing her attention back on the Grand Royal.
"Not at all. So, can you explain what you meant?"
As much as he hated to admit it, he was impressed on how she was handling this situation. If she wasn't here, Sootpaw was sure that the two patrols would've already started fighting a long time ago. In admiration, he saw how she was positioned. Her body was straight, her head and shoulder raised, and her tail staying still after it finished lashing. Her tone was strictly professional, nothing more, nothing less. The Grand Royal of Stormclan matched her perfectly- just that he was sitting while she was standing. Looking back across the river, Sootpaw could see the Grand Royal's once innocent face disappear- replaced with a troubling frown.
"About a half-moon ago, one of my Commoners- Shadeleaf- went missing by this very border. We have reason to believe that she was taken by one of your patrols and is now being held captive in your camp."
Sootpaw blinked, more out of shock than anything. He never heard about his clan retrieving another prisoner for some time now, let alone a half-moon ago. And from the shocked expression entering Flarepaw's silver blue eyes, this was the first time she heard of this too.
"I never knew about this. Normally when prisoners are taken to camp, the protocol is that every member of the clan is notified. Our Grand Royal would've told us."
"And yet, he didn't. Why is that? I wonder."
The rest of the patrol glanced at each other, almost uneasily. Flarepaw glanced behind her shoulder, looking only at Wildfire and nobody else. Sootpaw looked over at the two, watching as Flarepaw spoke in a pitch just higher than a whisper. She was too far away for him to hear her correctly. Whatever it was, Wildfire's response to it was to simply look away.
"Interesting. I wonder how Redstar has managed to hold together a clan built on a structure of lies and secrets for this long."
"Talking behind my back again, Cloudstar? That's very unbecoming of a Grand Royal."
Sootpaw's body froze as his fur stood on end, his shoulder whipping to the side just enough to see the red brown figure of his leader. For a split second, he met the Grand Royal's golden yellow eyes- a chill finding its way up and down his spine. It seemed as though the Grand Royal also paused, a faint spark appearing in those normally dull eyes.
And then- like it never happened- he kept walking.
Much like with Stormclan's Grand Royal, the Blazeclan patrol parted to make a way for their leader. Sootpaw stumbled over his paws as Thornblaze gentle nudged him more to the side. The Commoner could see Flarepaw's shoulders relax as a breath of relief passed through her lips. She bowed her head to the Grand Royal, who returned it briefly before taking her place by the side of the river. Russetclaw stood in the back of the patrol- panting audibly- before walking over to Wildfire, joining his side.
"I apologize for my belated arrival. The journey to here is quite time-consuming."
"It is good to see you again, Redstar. I just wish we could've met on more jovial matters."
"To what do I owe this meeting to."
"I think you know."
"I must apologize, I am clueless."
The Grand Royal of Stormclan let out an exasperated sigh, his tail tip flicking against the ground to show off his aggravation. Sootpaw looked between the two, out of words in wonderment and in awe. Never before had he seen the Grand Royal of another clan, nor does he see his own Grand Royal that often. Blazeclan's Grand Royal spends most of his time hidden away in his den or out by himself in the forest.
"This is rather vexing, but if you wish to take the oblivious path, then I shall explain myself once more. A half-moon ago, one of my Commoners went missing by this border. I have every reason to believe it was your clan's doing."
"What, may I ask, is the name of this Commoner?"
"Shadeleaf. Do you recall, Redstar?"
The red brown leader let out a heavy sigh, his head lowering and shaking in disappointment before turning to his patrol. His eyes wandered- jumping from one warrior to the next before landing on one Royal in specific.
"Wildfire. It was you who asked me if we should imprison such a warrior, was it not? And what was my response to your question?"
Wildfire let out a low growl as he turned his head away. Sootpaw let out an inaudible gasp, an angry hiss threatening to escape through his throat. So, a Royal can directly disobey the Grand Royal and go unpunished?
"You told me to leave her alone."
"And because we're in this situation at this current moment… I can safely assume that you didn't. Am I wrong?"
Wildfire quickly stood up and growled lowly, taking a step closer in Redstar's direction. Almost as if he were threatening him.
"I had every right to do what I did. She was trespassing on our territory and attempting to steal our prey. You're telling me I was supposed to let that slide?"
"Wildfire," the Grand Royal spoke in a disappointed, but soft tone, "you are a valiant warrior and one of my greatest. But like most others, you have your flaws. This is one of them. I am ordering you to stand down, as I will not tolerate this behavior any longer."
The Royal opened his mouth to snap back, but he quickly shut it and bowed his head, grumbling under his breath almost begrudgingly.
"I apologize."
"Good. Ashtail, will you take the time to retrieve the Commoner from our prison. Take Shadepaw with you, if you must. Return as quickly as you can."
The grey furred Noble bowed his head before standing up. Shadepaw nodded as well, quickly taking the lead and sprinting back in the direction of camp. Sootpaw shuffled the weight on his paws, his gaze returning to the patrol across the river. Most of the mud-cladded warriors were snickering- no doubt with taunting words dancing on the tips of their tongues at the direct disobedience of the Blazeclan Royal. They remained silent though, respectfully staying quiet for their Grand Royal.
"I apologize for the misunderstanding. If you had allowed for your warriors to take her, then I would've ordered them to attack."
"Now, there's no need for that."
Cloudstar let out a chuckle that took on an almost disappointed tone. It was like he wanted to fight. Sootpaw was just grateful this matter could resolve so easily.
"You know; my Royals have been itching for a battle Redstar. I have a proposition to make."
Ok, maybe not so easily.
"I have no interest in starting a battle with your clan, Cloudstar. Your reason for being here is already resolved, you no longer have any problems with Blazeclan."
"Ah, but you see, I still do. We are rival clans Redstar, always have been, always will be. It is in our blood to fight each other. Every generation before us has. I simply want to appease our ancestors."
"I understand that Stormclan and Blazeclan have always been at each other's throats… this is the only reason why Forestclan was created. A peacemaker. A middle-ground. Cloudstar, do you not think that our ancestors opposed fighting? Why else would they create such a clan?"
"I don't mean a fight to the death or the start of a war, Redstar. Must you be so dramatic? I just want a simple sparring match."
"Between you and I?"
Sootpaw couldn't hide his excitement at those words. To see two Grand Royals going at it… in the ultimate test of skills and strength! Ok, maybe a fight isn't so bad after all. However, his enthusiasm was short-lived when Cloudstar simply shook his head with a chuckle.
"Not us… I plan to not fight today and I believe that we are both out of practice. No, not a fight between us, Redstar, but a fight between the apprentices who are following in our pawsteps. The ones who are walking the same path as us."
"The Grand Royal apprentices?"
Blazeclan's Grand Royal glanced behind his shoulder briefly at Flarepaw. Her eyes were widened at the opposing clan's leader's proposal. Since she was the only one here, Sootpaw could automatically assume that she would be the one to have to fight. She would be representing Blazeclan's strength now more than ever. But who would be Stormclan's representative?
He had pieced together stories from the loud conversations the high ranks had about the Gatherings. Being a Commoner, he wasn't allowed to go to them, unless it was on special occasions. Never had he seen so many cats of another clan, the most being five or so on a patrol. The Grand Royal apprentices of Stormclan and Forestclan were a mystery, with him only knowing their names. Bluepaw, Windpaw, and Rainpaw were from Stormclan- and Bramblepaw, Cherrypaw, and Berrypaw were from Forestclan.
"But, I do not see any of Stormclan's Grand Royal apprentices here."
"Fascinating... you are out of practice Redstar. Maybe you should look into that. A Grand Royal should have been able to sense another cat moments ago when he arrived. Pity. Bluepaw, come forth."
At the call of the apprentice's name, Sootpaw eagerly lifted his head higher when he saw the bushes- the same bushes Cloudstar walked through- rustling as another cat padded through them. His breath caught in his throat at the intimidating sight of another Grand Royal apprentice.
Bluepaw- as his name entailed- had dark blue-grey fur that was as neatly groomed down as Cloudstar's was. His back and chest were marred with black stripes, and his ear tips and toes held specks of white on them. His dark green eyes were free of emotion and slightly lidded, almost as if he didn't get enough sleep the night before or he was incredibly bored out of his mind. Now that the apprentice was standing beside the Grand Royal, Sootpaw could feel his heart beating faster in nervousness.
"Hmm… Wildfire," the Grand Royal turned towards the Royal, surprising the ferocious tom, "I will leave this decision to you. It is your daughter who would have to fight after all."
Cloudstar leaned towards Bluepaw, whispering something in his ear and flicking his tail forward. At this signal, the Grand Royal apprentice nodded before padding forward and stepping into the river. The tom seemed undisturbed by the water rushing around him, trying to take him victim in their depths. His expression was passive as he stood at the middle of the river, patiently waiting for his opponent to join him.
"A fight in the river… Stormclan already has the advantage."
Thornblaze whispered to his apprentice, his eyes glued on the Stormclan apprentice as well. Sootpaw took notice how the tom stood close by him, with their flanks nearly touching. He stood protectively, like at any moment, the Grand Royal apprentice of the opposing clan could choose the Commoner's as his target instead.
"Why?"
"Because… Stormclan warriors are trained to fight in the water, especially in rushing water like the river. Whereas, our warriors are trained to fight specifically on land. With battles in the past, none of our warriors could defeat a patrol of Stormclan warriors if it was in the river. Flarepaw doesn't stand a chance."
Sootpaw glanced at his mentor's face before looking past him and at the three high ranks gathered in a small circle. The Grand Royal's red brown fur remained flat against his body, but his ears also flattened against his head. Wildfire's fur was bristling, his lips pulled back in an agitated snarl. Flarepaw remained quiet, her gaze shifting over to Bluepaw- most likely assessing her opponent.
"Come on Redstar, make your decision. I must also add that if you don't agree to this, I will allow my warriors to feed their fighting spirits in any way they want. If that includes attacking your patrol right now, then so be it."
"Is this really necessary Cloudstar?"
The Stormclan Grand Royal wore a thin-lipped smile on his face, his shoulders rising and falling in a shrug of nonchalance. Sootpaw glanced between the two before looking over to Flarepaw again. Currently, Wildfire seemed to be growling in her ear and scolding her, but she seemed to be ignoring him. She shuffled her paws, almost absentmindedly, before standing up.
"I'll do it."
"Flarepaw, you have no idea what you're getting yourself into. I'm ordering you, as your father, to stand down."
"You have no belief that your daughter can win? What a shame Wildfire, truly a shame."
Cloudstar seemed to enjoy amusing himself with agitating the Blazeclan Royal. Wildfire simply let out a growl in response, but kept his eyes on his daughter. Sootpaw was half-convinced that she would listen to him and back down, but she surprised him when she turned and walked into the river.
Almost immediately, Sootpaw could see her instantly trying to catch herself before she fell, being careful as to where she stepped. Out of the corner of his eye, he could see Wildfire make a move to follow her, but was cut off by Sagepaw. The Noble apprentice murmured something to him, standing his ground until Wildfire decided to back down first. When the tom turned back around, his expression was one of worry, but full of faith.
If anything, Sagepaw knew Flarepaw wouldn't go down without a fight.
"Claws stay sheathed, this is a simple sparring match after all."
"Yes, Grand Royal."
The two apprentices in the middle of the lake spoke in unison, their eyes trailing the other's body. Bluepaw bowed his head respectfully before he crouched down in a fighting stance, closing his eyes briefly. Sootpaw watched in wonderment and curiosity when Flarepaw tilted her head back to look towards the sky. She closed her eyes, her lips moving as she spoke silently. What is she doing? Bluepaw's already on the move!
He could see the Stormclan apprentice darting through the water, reminding him of a fish in it's natural habitat. Flarepaw lowered her head and remained still as he got closer, a frown on her face. Sootpaw let out a gasp when- in one fluid motion- she narrowed her eyes and leapt straight over the tom's head.
Bluepaw managed to slow himself to a stop and swiftly turned around, his own eyes narrowing in heated determination. Flarepaw, now standing where he previously was, blew out a short breath- one that sounded relieved. Sootpaw felt his heart beating quickly, quicker than it ever has before. Each of their movements were precise, each of their movements showed their unimaginable strength and impressive skills in battle. They didn't make mistakes. Then again, there was no room to make mistakes.
They were both fighting to appease their clan, to prove that their own was stronger than the other. Sootpaw felt his body itching to jump up and down in excitement, the feeling bringing his mind back to his times as a kit. The two apprentices circled each other, sharing a knowing smile before Bluepaw lunged forward first.
Flarepaw's movements were quick, they had to be to match the speed of the Stormclan apprentice in the water. She met his outstretched paw with her own, the two of them matching blow-for-blow. Only when the she-cat lost her footing in the water did Bluepaw managed to hit her. Sootpaw let out a gasp at the same time she did, watching as the amber furred she-cat recoiled back in both shock and pain. The Commoner gritted his teeth in anger as he saw drops of blood rolling down the now visible cut that stretched across the base of her muzzle, just below her eyes. Flarepaw pushed herself back enough to create distance between the two. Her head tilted downward as her lips pulled back in a ferocious snarl, her blood dripping into the river and staining it red before it was swept away downstream.
"Hey! You said claws sheathed Grand Royal!"
Wildfire stood closer to the edge of the river, his eyes flashing in masked vexation and visible rage. Never before has he been so angry! He must really care about her then. The Royals actions of hitting his daughter before the patrol set out flashed in the Commoner's head, making him think otherwise. Cloudstar simply shook his head in insincere disappointment.
"Bluepaw, you know the rules."
"I apologize Grand Royal. I must have gotten too excited."
"Or too frustrated at the fact that you haven't beat me yet."
Flarepaw spat out her words before she was the one to charge forward, taking Bluepaw by surprise. She didn't seem at all concerned with the small wound, more annoyed than anything. Sootpaw blinked before he glanced over at something that caught the corner of his vision. The red brown fur of his leader seemed to glisten in the sunlight, his eyes flashing in concern but his face otherwise expressionless.
Does he think she can't win?
Does he really not believe in her?
Whatever the case, Sootpaw couldn't dwell on it for much longer. A pain-filled growl echoed around the border, louder than the sound of the running water. His head snapped in the direction of the two apprentice's, a gasp escaping his lips at what he saw.
Flarepaw and Bluepaw were standing about a fox-length apart, one of the she-cat's paws were out of the water. Her claws are unsheathed! Moving his gaze over to Bluepaw, his eyes widened at the wounds on him.
A long slash stretched from the middle of his flank upwards towards his shoulder, the blue-grey fur around it staining in red and droplets of blood dripping into the water directly below him. On his face, a clean and thin cut stretched from between his eyes down his muzzle and ending at the tip of his nose. It was red and looked rather angry, but other than that, it wasn't bleeding.
Sootpaw expected to see the dark green eyes of the tom turn a shade lower in rage, but was baffled to see it glimmer in amusement. His lips curled up in an almost delighted smile instead of in a rigid frown. Flarepaw sheathed her claws, placing her paw back down and submerging it in the water, returning the smile of amusement.
"There," her breathing was slightly heavier as she spoke, "now we're even."
A light and genuinely entertained chuckle tore through the air, the sound coming from Bluepaw himself. Both clans looked at him in bewilderment. Even Cloudstar seemed astonished by his change of behavior, from serious to almost completely carefree. The Grand Royal apprentice shook his head in amusement before his tail lashed. He spoke soon after, his tone almost breathless and similar to Flarepaw's.
"Fair enough. Let's continue, shall we?"
"Just don't claw me again, or I'll have to return the favor."
Flarepaw's smirk was visible even from a distance as the two charged at each other again. The wound on Bluepaw's side didn't seem to slow him down at all, even as droplets of blood flew from it as he spinned and jumped to avoid Flarepaw's attacks. Sootpaw could see the water staining more and more in red, but all of it was swiftly swept away by the river.
She can do it.
Flarepaw can win.
And when she does, she'll prove the others wrong.
Sootpaw didn't know why he was cheering her on mentally, but his eyes remained wide as he watched the fight.
She has to win.
She has to!
…
A/N: And done! Might be a teensy bit shorter than others, or maybe not. I don't know. Anyways, hope you guys enjoy!
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Question of the Day
Now that we're a couple of chapters in, I think it's ok for me to ask this.
Who is your favorite character so far?
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Please review, favorite, and/or follow! Let me know what you think of this story so far and please give constructive criticism to where you see fit.
And if you have time, please check out my other stories; Nothing but a Beast.
Thank you and peace out!
~Wolfcreations17
