Hello guys! This is Flower1815 here, bringing you a new one-shot, if you can even call it that at this point. This fic was just supposed to be a series of one-shots playing around the idea of mixing both concepts of Eddsworld and warriors, something small. But it grew into something more and I can't stop writing more and more of this. I have so many ideas for this. And when I have to juggle my schedule between school, this fic, and MLTS it is very hard to restrain myself.
I am still writing MLTS, the process is just going a little slower than I would like because I want it to be not just good, not great, but perfect. The story itself means a lot to me and I don't want to do a half-ass chapter just to get it done and over with. Even if it means the chapter itself could take months to write and perfect, I will still do it.
But anyways, I have a lot in store for Eddswarriors. In this one-shot, our favourite group of cats come face to face with their greatest rivals. If you watch Eddsworld, then you should know who they are by now.
Thank you guys so much for all of the support, I really appreciate it! I sincerely hope you enjoy this chapter and I'll see ya all later! ;)
Cloverpaw trotted behind Lavenderstripe, following her as she led them through the forest. They weren't alone though. Stonewing and Hollowpaw raced beside them as well. Hollowpaw and him were being shown around the territory for the very first time, leaving the confinements of the camp. Cloverpaw looked around the huge, luscious forest surrounding them in awe, barely containing his urge to take off and explore on his own.
But he doesn't want to cause trouble on his first day out as an apprentice, so he obediently followed his mentor. Stonewing, despite being the deputy and the most experienced one in the group, he let Lavenderstripe to take the lead so that she may get the handle on being a proper mentor for the first time. Once in a while he would add a comment as she showed them around the place, or advise her on certain actions.
"We're approaching RiverClan territory now." Stonewing warns, looking back at them over his shoulder. "The Sunningrocks are just over that ravine." He pointed with his muzzle to a treeless mound of boulders.
Cloverpaw felt his fur stand on end at the notion of being so close to enemy territory.
The undergrowth began to thin out, and the sound of splashing water drifted through the trees. Cloverpaw pricked his ears. Their patrol came to a halt as they stood at the edge of a large river, flowing past swift and smooth.
Cloverpaw stared at the sight in wonder, and couldn't help his squeak of surprise. "Look how much water there is!"
"This is the boundary between ThunderClan and RiverClan." Lavenderstripe explained. "RiverClan rules over the hunting grounds over the other side of this river."
Hollowpaw sniffed the air before recoiling in disgust. "They smell like fish!" He spat.
Lavenderstripe purred in amusement. "Yeah, other Clans tend to smell rather foul." She meowed. "We'll follow up the river and head over to the Fourtrees, then carry on the tour from there."
Cloverpaw perked up enthusiastically. "The Fourtrees?" He echoed. "That's where the gatherings are held, right?"
Stonewing nodded. "That's right." He says. "Every full moon all four Clans gather together at Fourtrees under StarClan's truce beneath the full moon. As long as the moon is still visible, the gathering will go on."
Cloverpaw nodded in understanding before looking out across the other side of the river. Were there any RiverClan warriors observing them right now?
"Anyway, we should move on." Lavenderstripe suggested, but then Stonewing halted her with his tail, his head raised and ears pricked. She looked at him in confusion. "What is it?"
Stonewing narrowed his eyes. "I heard something rustling somewhere ahead of us." He stated. Cloverpaw felt his paws tingle in apprehension, thinking he might have to defend his territory from intruders already so early in his training. But Stonewing looked down at him and Hollowpaw with a stern gaze. "Stay here. We will check it out but we'll come right back. Don't wander anywhere, and definitely don't try to cross the river."
Cloverpaw and Hollowpaw both nodded. Stonewing and Lavenderstripe bounded through the undergrowth before disappearing completely from sight. Cloverpaw and Hollowpaw remained behind, shuffling their paws and looking around the area in silence.
Cloverpaw took a deep breath, breaking the silence. "Ah. Apprentices at last. Isn't it great, Hollowpaw?" He meowed wistfully. "We are finally going to begin our training, and so far the tour of the territory is amazing! It's a shame Redpaw couldn't come along with us."
"Yeah, he had to stay behind on camp and clear out the elders' den." Hollowpaw said, barely suppressing his joy at the thought. Originally, Hollowpaw was the one who was supposed to stay behind and clear away the elders' bedding. But they refused to let him come anywhere near them, afraid he would taint them somehow, so Redpaw was put on task instead. Being a freak of nature sure does have its advantages!
"I wonder when we will get to learn some battle moves." Cloverpaw meowed, crouching with his tail sticking out. "Do you think we'll get to fight in an actual battle soon? Who do you think we could go up against?"
"Woah, slow down. We barely started our training and already you want to pick a fight?" Hollowpaw pointed out. "Why do you want to fight so badly anyway?"
Cloverpaw stood up. "It's not that I want to fight. I just want to be a warrior soon!" He defended. "I want to hunt! To follow the warrior code! And do the other great things that warriors are meant to do!"
Hollowpaw frowned. He knew just how much of a dreamer Cloverpaw could be, but now he thinks he is getting ahead of himself. "Why the hurry? The time will come for all that." He mewed, touching his friend's flank with his tail.
"Sorry. I just can't help but imagine what the future will be like for us." Cloverpaw murmured. He could already imagine: Hollowpaw and Redpaw running alongside him through the forest, hunting and fighting beside each other. Gingerpaw always there to care and heal them from their wounds. Maybe one of them could even become Clan leader someday!
Cloverpaw was snapped out of his thoughts when he heard rustling coming from somewhere behind him. They whirled around, startled. Immediately the two of them crouched and braced themselves for a predator to leap out and attack them. Instead, it was their ginger and golden friend who had stumbled out rather clumsily. Cloverpaw immediately relaxed.
"Gingerpaw? What are you doing here?" Hollowpaw questioned in surprise.
"Hey guys!" Gingerpaw mewed, staggering to his paws and shaking the clumps of leaves clinging to his fur. "Acornshell was showing me the best places to find herbs. She went to collect junipers and yarrow and told me to go find celandine." He explained.
"So why are you here then?" Cloverpaw asks.
"She said celandine is best found near the river, so I followed the sound of rushing water all the way here." Gingerpaw stated, licking one of his paws and swiping over his ears to wash. "I had no idea you chaps would be out here."
"Well, since we are here maybe we can help then." Hollowpaw suggested. "What does it look like?"
"She said it is supposed to be a patch of small yellow flowers with four petals." Gingerpaw explained, walking past them and looking around for any signs that might fit his description. His blue eyes widened. "Like those over there!" He pointed with his muzzle towards a patch of yellow flowers.
"Is that it?" Hollowpaw asks.
"It fits the description." Cloverpaw tilted his head.
"Yeah but, there is just one problem." Hollowpaw muttered as he looked at the patch of flowers on the other side of the river. "It's on RiverClan territory. We are not supposed to cross the border, and I really don't feel like plunging myself in water just for some flowers."
Gingerpaw looked at him in dismay. "But this is my very first apprentice task!" He whined. "If don't bring back the celandine, Acornshell is going to get upset that I failed her!"
Before Hollowpaw could argue, he heard a splash beside him and he noted the lack of presence of his denmate. He glanced down and saw Cloverpaw, swimming rather clumsily to the other side. His head bobbed above the surface, once in a while he would drift with the current but he kept himself stirred in the right direction; aiming for the flowers.
"What are you doing?!" Hollowpaw yowled in distress. "Cloverpaw, turn back! Turn back now before Stonewing comes back!" He urged. "What if a patrol were to see you in their territory? You will be turned to shreds!"
Cloverpaw managed to reach the other side, heaving himself over the riverbed. His pelt drenched and soaking wet. He inwardly cheered for succeeding the task of swimming across the rushing river. He smiled back at his friends on the other side.
"See Hollowpaw? There is no danger!" Cloverpaw meowed, moving to nip out the roots of the flowers, taking a whole bundle with him. "Besides, what's wrong with a little risk once in a while? Warriors have to be brave for the sake of their Clan!"
"One thing is to be brave, another thing is to be mouse-brained." Hollowpaw retorted. "And crossing into another Clan's territory for some plants is mouse-brained category."
Cloverpaw rolled his eyes at his friend's antics before plunging back into the river. Gripping the flowers tightly in between his teeth, he tried to make the journey back to his own territory.
Tired from the patrol, he was having trouble staying above the surface. He waded into the river, making sure to keep his paws still touching the pebbles of the river floor. He kept his eyes fixed on his friends, watching him on the other side of the river.
But suddenly, the rocks rolled from beneath his paws, making him lose his footing and get taken under by the current.
"Cloverpaw!" He heard his friends yell before the water took him down.
Cloverpaw thrashed his legs instinctively, desperately trying to keep himself above the surface. The current swirled; his paws worked furiously, and the river tossed him around. Cloverpaw wasn't sure which way was up or down anymore, and water flooded his senses.
This is it. I am going to drown on my first day out as an apprentice. Here, by the border separating ThunderClan and RiverClan.
"Oy loser! What do you think you are doing on our side of the border?"
Somehow, above the loud splashes, Cloverpaw managed to hear a gruff voice speak out. Struggling to keep his head above the water, he tried to keep swimming. He had lost sight of his friends, unsure which way to go until he saw the familiar form of Hollowpaw's eyeless form standing at the edge of the riverbed.
Cloverpaw kicked out strongly, fearing for one panic-stricken heartbeat he would be swept right past them. Fortunately, he managed to throw himself towards the riverbed, and Hollowpaw gripped his scruff, helping him haul out of the water.
"Are you okay?" Hollowpaw prompted, helping him onto land.
Cloverpaw collapsed, his chest heaving from taking large gulps of air into his lungs. He was soaking wet and tired from all the struggle, and yet despite all that, he still held the yellow flowers in his teeth.
"I got it." He choked out jokingly, dropping the flowers at his paws.
"Cloverpaw! I am so sorry!" Gingerpaw appeared from behind Hollowpaw, his blue eyes wide with worry and sympathy. "I shouldn't have made you cross the river just for some flowers! You could've drowned!"
"Hey losers! If you are done crying can you answer us?" The same gruff voice snapped again.
Cloverpaw looked up but there were no other cats round. At least, no on their side of the border. He looked back at the river, spotting three shapes standing on the other side. Squinting his eyes to get a better view of the strangers, Cloverpaw managed to make out the appearance of each individual.
To the left was a white and brown tom with dark blue eyes, smaller in comparison to his Clanmates. To the right was a pale cream-ginger tabby tom with white stripes, and blue eyes so pale they mimicked the colour of heather. And standing tall between the two cats was a large dark brown tabby tom with black paws and stripes, and dark green eyes glaring back at them.
Cloverpaw knew right away these cats were RiverClan, but rather than be intimidated or scared at the fact he was caught on their territory, he felt more annoyed than anything else. These cats looked to be just as old as they are and yet, even separated by the river between them, Cloverpaw could feel the air of superiority they were emitting with their glares and smug faces.
"So, now that we got your attention ThunderClan scums, mind answering why you were in OUR side of the river?" The dark tabby challenged, right away Cloverpaw could recognise him as the owner of the gruff voice from earlier.
Despite their attitude, the last thing he wants is to provoke a battle between them, so Cloverpaw swallowed his pride to explain himself. "I was just taking some celandine! No reason to freak out about!" He answered, showing them the herbs he carried with him.
The pale tabby to the right narrowed his eyes, his fur bristling. "Celandine that rightfully belongs to RiverClan, you little thieves!" He hissed.
"What? It was just some herbs!" Cloverpaw exclaimed in indignation. "Are you guys that mouse-brained to the point of fighting for some dumb flowers?"
"If it was on our side of the border, then it is RiverClan's flowers that you have stolen." The dark tabby snarled, his tail flicking behind him. "We should claw your furs off for stealing from us!" He threatened, before composing himself with a smirk. "But since you three are just a couple of dumb kits, we'll let you go. But you have to pay us back with prey in return!"
"What?! No way!" Hollowpaw growled. "We aren't going to give you our prey for some stupid flowers. You may as well take it back instead!"
The cats' gazes shifted to Hollowpaw and they reared back in shock, blinking a couple of times to make sure they were seeing correctly. "By StarClan what's wrong with you?" The pale tabby screeched in alarm at the sight. "Can you even see?"
Hollowpaw turned deadpanned. "Yes. Despite being born with no eyes I still have the misfortune of looking at your stupid faces, real shame." He muttered, smiling slightly near the end. Cloverpaw tried to hold in his giggles, one paw over his mouth to muffle his snorts.
The dark tabby sneered at them. "Mind repeating that directly to our faces?" His fur bristled.
Hollowpaw sniffed. "Don't wanna waste my breath with you."
"Then give back the flowers!" The tabby hissed.
"Even if we wanted to, how are we supposed to get there without drowning?" Cloverpaw snapped, shivering with cold due to his wet fur. He doesn't want a repeat of this experience anytime soon. No way is he going to swim there and go back again in one piece.
"Why didn't you use the stepping stones then, stupid?" The pale tabby flicked his tail, gesturing down with one paw towards a line of stones, barely covered by the river leading directly towards both sides. Cloverpaw felt a sudden sense of stupidity wash over him. Why didn't he notice it before?
"Like I said, we would give it back if we wanted to, but we need these flowers." Cloverpaw retorted angrily. "So unless you want to come over here and take them back yourself, you won't be getting anything from us!"
Cloverpaw was so sure he got the last laugh, but he was dead wrong. Before he could realize it, the dark tabby plunged into the river, wading through the stream so swiftly he seemed more like an otter rather than a cat, until he was standing right in front of them.
Oh right, they are RiverClan. They can swim. Cloverpaw remembered with dread.
"Lame." He heard Hollowpaw mutter next to him, as the dark tabby, dripping wet, rose from the river and came face to face with him. Dark green eyes glaring down at him.
"Dare say that to my face, loser?" The tabby snarled, making Cloverpaw flinch away from the close proximity between them. The tabby smirked in satisfaction and unsheathed his claws. "Tell you what, if you defeat me in a battle I'll let you keep the flowers free of charge. But if I win we get the flowers AND your prey!"
Cloverpaw gulped in apprehension. He was barely an apprentice and doesn't know any fighting moves, there is no way he can win this. But if he backs down, he'll let his Clan down too.
Shakily and rather hesitantly, Cloverpaw unsheathed his own claws, bracing himself for a fight he knows he cannot win. Fortunately, StarClan must've heard his silent pleas because the conflict was interrupted before the fight could take place.
"Pinepaw! What do you think you are doing on ThunderClan's side of the border?!"
The dark tabby, Pinepaw, whirled around in alarm. Standing by the edge of the river on the other side was a tall brown tabby cat with green eyes, narrowed in Pinepaw's direction. Two other warriors stood by the cat, a gray tabby and a dark ginger she-cat. They were standing with their tails raised next to the two apprentices.
"Come back right this instant, and stop picking fights!" The Brown warrior scolded.
"But I-!" Pinepaw tried to argue, ready to defend himself.
"I could care less for you excuse this time, Pinepaw." The cat, presumably Pinepaw's mentor, snapped. "Just swim your way back here and leave these apprentices alone! Your father will be thrilled to learn about the trouble you conjured up this time."
Pinepaw growled, baring his teeth in anger and irritation. He whirled back to Cloverpaw, who was frozen, wide-eyed and silent but was relieved at the fact he didn't have to fight anymore. He reared his head in, so that they were eye to eye with each other.
"This isn't over, runt." Pinepaw spat. "Next time I see you, I will shred you into tiny scraps of fur!" He threatened, making Cloverpaw gulp in fear.
Cloverpaw, Hollowpaw and Gingerpaw stood frozen; watching as Pinepaw swam back to his side of the border where his patrol was waiting for him. They exchanged a few words, too low for them to hear due to the sound of the running river, before the warriors leapt through the bushes and left out of sight.
Pinepaw turned to glare at them. "And next time, go drown in your own territory!" He yowled.
The white and brown cat standing next to him, turned; tilting his head in confusion. "But they don't have any rivers in ThunderClan." He pointed out innocently, oblivious to the glare Pinepaw was giving him. "At least, I don't think they do- OW!" He cried out in pain when Pinepaw swiped down hard and hit him over the head.
"What was that for?" The cat whined.
"Shut up, Bumblepaw." Pinepaw growled, racing into the undergrowth after his Clanmates with the bicolour apprentice following after him.
The trio of friends remained in stunned silent, hardly believing they just had an encounter with a patrol from a rival clan, and barely managed to leave without getting a scratch on their pelts.
"Well, that happened." Hollowpaw broke the silence. "At least we got the celandine though."
"Gingerpaw!"
The trio turned around to see Acornshell appear from a patch of nettle bushes. She looks at them worryingly, her pale green eyes wide.
"What is going on here? I thought I heard voices coming from this direction?" She looked around curiously, observing her surroundings for any signs of intruders.
Gingerpaw grabbed the flowers Cloverpaw collected, hurrying over to her. "Acornshell look! We found celandine!" He meowed eagerly, completely changing the topic away from their recent encounter with RiverClan.
Acornshell looked down at him then shifted her gaze to the yellow flowers he dropped by her paws. She smiled, her whiskers twitching in amusement and a purr rumbling through her throat.
"No silly, this isn't celandine it's marigold." She corrected gently.
Unknown to her, the three apprentices just died a little on the inside. After all their work, and it was the wrong herb.
So yeah, Eduardo and his gang are in this too. How do you like them? I know I already posted the allegiances before, but just to remind you who is who in this world:
Eduardo: Pinepaw- Dark brown tabby tom with black paws, stripes and dark green eyes.
Mark: Thistlepaw- Pale cream-ginger tabby tom with white stripes and pale blue eyes.
Jon: Bumblepaw- White and brown tom with dark blue eyes.
Hope you guys enjoyed it!