Here ya go! Next chapter! Hope you enjoy, sorry if it's a bit rushed. No time for an interesting fact, gotta go to bed straight after this!
Anyway, I do not own Warriors, otherwise, why on earth would I be on Fanfiction?!
Onto review replies! :3
Orange - xD Thanks!
WyldClaw - Yup, and Cinderpelt! Don't forget Cinderpelt! ^^ Thanks!
icefire - xD Thanks so much! It took a lot of thinking. I knew someone would ask about that. Snowpaw can be fast, really fast, but only if he has a reason, for example, the dogs, then Seedflight.
Raggedstar 3 - xD Thanks!
Anyway, read and review! :3
Dewpaw
It was a great relief to escape the mess that was Twolegplace. Waking up to see the clump of twoleg nests and tangle of thunderpaths behind them and ahead of them, rolling hills, gave Dewpaw great pleasure.
They had travelled so far already, the dark grey tom was still in shock that they had actually made it. Slowly rising to his paws, his dark amber eyes trailed to the sky above.
Today, instead of yesterday's murky grey, it was a pale blue colour and several dawn clouds drifted by lazily. It didn't hide the fact, however, that leaf-bare was now in full swing. The trees were bare, skeletons of their former selves and the prey was thin and far between.
They had found that last part out when attempting to hunt the previous night. They had found a small oak copse, in the hope that there would be a fair amount of prey there, but in the end, they only brought down two skinny mice and an underfed sparrow.
Shaking the weariness from his bones, Dewpaw cautiously clambered over his sleeping brother and cast a brief glance over at Amberpaw. In their exhaustion, they had settled for the roots of an ancient oak that bordered the nearby thunderpath for shelter for the night.
Snowpaw was pressed against Amberpaw, his snowy white fur standing out against Amberpaw's dull, pale grey pelt. Deciding against waking them, the dark grey apprentice decided to try his paw at a little bit of dawn hunting.
With the weather being a little better today, hopefully there would be more prey out and about. Yawning, the dark grey tom stretched briefly before padding in the direction of a clump of trees. There's bound to be some prey out, making the most of the weather, he glanced up at the sky, It won't last much longer.
Scenting the air, Dewpaw found his assumptions to be correct. The scent of mice ran strong, but that didn't mean that catching one would be easy. He could also taste several birds, a chaffinch and a robin, or so he guessed.
Letting the breeze softly ruffle his dark grey pelt he smiled to himself. Switching into stealth mode upon entering the copse, he slunk through the shadows, all senses alert to any signs of life, or more importantly, prey.
Sliding through the undergrowth, he let his eyes wander free. So far, no sign of any prey.
Dewpaw lifted his head to the sky and scented the air. There was definitely a mouse nearby, but where?
Shaking some dew from his paw, he dropped into a hunter's crouch and stalked forward, belly almost pressed against the bare forest floor.
Amber gaze alert, he quickly picked up movement in the canopy. His ears snapped forward as he homed in on his prey, quickly spotting a small brown sparrow. The small bird's feathers were fluffed up against the chilling breeze and it appeared to be calling to another of its kind, its sweet song ringing out clear.
Smiling to himself triumphantly, he slunk forward, to the roots of the tree that the small sparrow was perched in. Swiping his tongue around his jaws, Dewpaw bunched his muscles, taking a few steps back, before nimbly leaping up into one of the lower branches.
The branch swayed a little, but held. With luck, the small sparrow hadn't yet noticed its follower. It certainly didn't show any signs of being aware of Dewpaw's presence as it continued to chirp away, swaying from side to side a little.
The dark grey apprentice hopped onto the next branch up, landing softly and only disturbing a few stray leaves that hadn't yet fallen to the forest floor. It was risky, climbing a tree to catch prey, especially when there was no cover of leaves. The bird could easily spot him, if it wasn't so absorbed in its song, and he'd be left in a tree with no prey, no nothing.
Slinking forwards, Dewpaw advanced on his prey, easily climbing a few branches higher. The sparrow was just above him, but the question was, did he leap from his current position or risk it and climb higher, attempting the kill from there.
The dark grey tom contemplated the thought for a moment. He was a fighter at heart, not a hunter, if he climbed a few branches higher, the catch would be easier. But then again…
He eyed the branch above, then the sparrow. He quickly made up his mind, he didn't want his breakfast flying away. I'm going to do it.
Dewpaw took a deep breath, slithering backwards as far as he could on the small branch. The sparrow stopped singing and appeared to have noticed something was up. Thankfully, Dewpaw was directly below his prey and so the sparrow didn't spot him. Or at least, it hadn't yet.
Whoosh! Dewpaw flew through the air, a blur of dark grey, paws outstretched and claws unsheathed. By the time the sparrow saw its attacker it was too late.
Dewpaw landed, a little unsteadily, and killed the bird swiftly with a clean bite to the head. Thank you, StarClan. The dark grey tom silently gave thanks to StarClan for the sparrow's life before even thinking about getting down again. Wobbling a little, he almost fell off the branch altogether when a voice yowled from below.
"You alright up there, Dewpaw?"
The dark grey ThunderClan tom glanced down, prey swaying from his jaws, to see a mass of white fur sitting at the bottom of the tree, head inclined. It was Snowpaw. Dewpaw gave a relieved sigh and meowed back, "Y-yeah! I'm fine!"
Snowpaw gave him a knowing look, eyes dancing with amusement, before taking a step back and replying, "Ok, whatever you say!"
Dewpaw hissed under his breath, Snowpaw knew him too well. Dewpaw was a perfectly capable climber, but when he actually got up higher than a certain height, he started to get a bit freaked out. He hated heights. Until then, the dark grey tom hadn't been looking down and had almost forgotten he was actually up in a tree, but his brother's call had made him look down and all of a sudden he was reminded of one of his deepest fears.
Summoning a steady breath, the apprentice thought to himself determinedly, It's ok, not too high. Just put one paw in front of the other and it'll be fine.
Ignoring his brother's amused gaze, Dewpaw began to edge closer to the trunk of the tree. One step at a time, one step at a time. The ThunderClan tom took another deep breath and bracing himself, sprung down onto the next branch. At first the branch shook and Dewpaw was worried it wouldn't hold out, but yet again, he was proven wrong.
The limp sparrow swaying in his jaws, Dewpaw balanced himself before taking another leap and landing on the next branch down. Don't look down, don't look down.
One branch at a time, Dewpaw began to descend towards the forest floor. It was only when he reached the final branch and leapt, landing next to Snowpaw with such grace, that the white tom managed to wipe the amused grin off his face. Dewpaw smiled at his brother victoriously and although he uttered no words, nothing needn't be said, his face said it all.
Snowpaw didn't tease his brother about being scared of heights ever again.
Snowpaw
"We need to leave," Dewpaw announced, tossing the remains of his sparrow aside, "If we're to make it to Highstones by sunset, we have to leave, now."
Snowpaw nodded, glancing over at Amberpaw. The grey-and-white she-cat was unusually quiet and had been ever since waking up this morning. The snowy-furred tom had been woken by her restless fidgeting in her sleep and wondered whether she'd been having nightmares.
"N-now?" Amberpaw stammered, restless amber gaze unsure. She looked absolutely exhausted, eyes clouded, pelt ruffled and her movements stiff.
Snowpaw blinked sympathetically, "Are you ok, Amberpaw?" he asked, genuine concern tinging his mew. He tilted his head, studying his sister.
Amberpaw shied away a little, not meeting the white tom's gaze, "I'm fine," she answered quickly, turning away and rising to her paws, "Come on, what are you waiting for? Let's go?"
Snowpaw frowned, but followed, Dewpaw just ahead of him. This wasn't at all like Amberpaw, what on earth had gotten into her? Sighing, the white tom fell in behind his brother.
Dewpaw's natural leadership skills were starting to shine through since they'd set off on the journey. Snowpaw had originally been the, unelected, leader of group, but Dewpaw had slowly edged forward and taken over. Not that the white tom was that bothered, he was no leader. His brother however… he smiled, glancing over at Dewpaw.
The dark grey tom noticed Snowpaw's random smiling, "Snowpaw, tell me you're ok? I don't think I'll be able to cope if both of you go crazy," he meowed, eyeing Amberpaw. Snowpaw laughed and rolled his eyes, glancing over at his sister. Amberpaw's not gone crazy, he thought privately, his thoughts returning to his earlier suspicions of her having a nightmare.
His gaze settled on his sister, who appeared to be muttering something to herself about an ancient quest? Snowpaw tried to ignore her, it must've just been a bad dream.
Amberpaw
The three prophesised cats had been walking for several hours or so when an excited mew arose from Snowpaw, "I can see mountains! I think it's Highrocks!"
Dewpaw squinted, "It's Highstones," he corrected, "And I think you're right, that's what Honeyfern said Highstones looked like."
Snowpaw frowned, "She never went to the old forest, how would she know?" He questioned, confusion growing in his amber gaze.
Dewpaw stared at him, "How am I supposed to know? She's a StarClan cat, she probably just knows these things," he meowed as if it was obvious.
Amberpaw, however, was less interested. So many questions swum around her mind, confusing her vision and thoughts. Who am I? Really, who am I? I don't feel like Amberpaw anymore. I'm not Amberpaw, I never was. It was all since her dream; that dream…
FLASHBACK
When Amberpaw opened her eyes, she found herself to no longer to be snuggled amongst the roots of the great oak that bordered the Thunderpath. She frowned, but after noticing the starlit look of the forest she found herself stood in, she relaxed, realising it must just be a dream from Briarlight.
But the cat that emerged from the mist was definitely not Briarlight, in no way or form. But this cat… This cat was strikingly familiar.
With a thick covering of golden fur and amber eyes, the brightest amber eyes Amberpaw had ever seen, this was the cat she'd seen in her vision, after being hit by the monster… But it wasn't just then she'd seen him. The grey-and-white apprentice recognised him from somewhere else, somewhere much further back…
"Amber," he began, his voice thick with wisdom, "Ambersong, Amberstar," his amber eyes swum with emotion. He'd called her Amberstar in her last vision too… She swallowed nervously. Wait… That was when the memories came flooding back.
A tiny kit in a storm, separated from her mother and littermates after a flood. Finding a gorge, a desolate sandstone gorge with caves dotted around it. A new home.
Long nights, spent in the caves, watching the rain fall. And then, learning to hunt. Frustration at first, unable to get the hang of it, but then victory.
And then… another cat. A handsome golden furred tom with bright amber eyes. Tales of ancient group of cats, driven away from the gorge a few generations ago. Determination.
Starry-eyed cats in dreams, telling confusing riddles. Receiving nine lives, building camp. Lots of cats, Strange names. Owlsplash, Nettleclaw and Tinyspots.
Kits. So much work! Three little lives in my paws!
Battles, lots of battles and oh, the pain, unbearable! Amberstar! Amberstar! One life left.
The golden furred tom, bright amber eyes, filled with grief. Falling, falling. Can't breathe, can't breathe! The world fading to black.
And then, a light in the dark. Opening tiny eyes, a cat with only one eye, peering down. Brightheart her name is. Reborn.
Adventures, attacking elders' tails. Getting told off. Oops! Sorry Purdy!
Apprentices! So exciting! I wonder who my mentor will be? Sorreltail!
The gathering, almost falling into the lake! A brown-and-cream tom.
A strange prophecy, grumpy old Dewpaw, reluctant to believe such a thing. Can't stop thinking of Molespots.
Then, leaving. A journey, a quest, must finish it this time, can't be beaten again.
The memories faded and Amberpaw found herself face to face with the golden tom again. She stepped forward, eyes swimming with emotion, "Goldenstorm," she whispered softly, gazing up at the tom with new found awe. This was Goldenstorm. Her love, from… from before.
"Amberstar," he mewed, his wistful amber eyes running over her, "We decided it was time you found out your past," he told her, touching noses to her.
The grey-and-white apprentice was a little overwhelmed. Taking a deep breath, she managed to smile. It was the queerest feeling; she felt happy, so happy, yet confused. Somehow reunited, but a little lost.
"You are Amberstar," Goldenstorm meowed, reading her confusion, "At least, you are Amberstar reincarnated," his amber eyes glowed with memories, "After SkyClan were forced to disband, several generations later, after stumbling upon SkyClan's old camp as a lost kit, you attempted to reform SkyClan after receiving dreams from SkyClan's Ancestors," he explained.
Amberpaw nodded, slowly trying to take everything in.
The golden furred warrior continued, "But a vicious group of rogues wanted SkyClan's old territory. Many battles were fought. After your… After your death SkyClan scattered again," he met Amberpaw's gaze, "But I never gave up on you, or SkyClan."
Amberpaw gave another slow nod. Yes, she remembered everything now. She smiled nervously, still a little unsure how to feel about this whole situation. She felt a rush of love for this cat, Goldenstorm, yet half of her didn't.
"I have some cats who you may like to meet," Goldenstorm meowed, flicking his tail behind him. Amberpaw squinted, peering over the broad-shouldered tom to see about six cats emerging from the mist, ranging in sizes. The smallest appeared to be a kit, a very young kit, and the oldest had a kittypet look to him.
"Nettleclaw, Tinyspots, Owlsplash," Goldenstorm nodded to the older cats, then his gaze fell to the remaining three cats. Emotion clouded his amber gaze, "And these are," he swallowed, "Our kits," he seemed a little nervous, as if he was worried his former mate wouldn't recognise them.
Amberpaw had to study them for a second before recognition hit her. The smallest, still a kit, was pale grey tom with one white paw and green eyes. The other two were full grown, a golden tabby tom with white patches and a silver tabby she-cat.
"Stormkit," she whispered, her voice barely audible, "Sunstripe… And Brooksong." These were her kits. Well, Amberstar's kits, which meant they were sort of her own.
"Mother," the golden tabby tom, Sunstripe meowed, his tone urgent, "You must finish your quest this time, you must succeed, for us, for SkyClan."
Amberpaw nodded slowly, still trying to take everything in. These were the kits of Amberstar and Goldenstorm, she was the reincarnation of Amberstar. Amberstar had tried to reform SkyClan, but failed. Goldenstorm, her mate, Amberstat's mate.
"Amberstar," it was Brooksong's time to speak, "I've missed you, so much. I thought you might've forgotten about us," she appeared to be on the verge of begging, "Please, don't forget about us. We've never forgotten about you, finish what you started. Return SkyClan to the lake, bring it to it's rightful place."
Amberpaw smiled, "I'll do my best," she vowed, bowing her head.
Then came the last kit, the small pale grey tom, Stormkit. He stepped forward and mewed loud and clear, his message simple, "I'm proud of you mother. I believe in you, you and Snowpaw and Dewpaw, you can do this."
Amberpaw felt the need to nuzzle her son, her sort of son, and did so. Stormkit seemed a little taken back, but let her do so.
After a few words with Owlsplash, Nettleclaw and Tinyspots, former SkyClan warriors, Goldenstorm alerted her of the approaching dawn.
"Dawn grows close," he meowed, gaze filled with raw emotion, "You have been given a second chance, make the most of it. Don't let us hold you back," he glanced over at his companions, "Although we are your past, the future is your own. You are Amberpaw, not Amberstar, forge your own path," they shared a final glance, "But I will always love you, and when it's your time, and you come to join StarClan, know I will be waiting for you. I will always wait for you."
And then she awoke.
END OF FLASHBACK
Am I Amberpaw or Amberstar? It was several hours since she had awoken from her dream, but she was still no closer to answering that question. She was the reincarnation of Amberstar, but she wasn't actually Amberstar, was she? The grey-and-white she-cat sighed, feeling completely lost.
"Come on Amberpaw! If we pick up the pace we might reach Highstones by sunset!" Snowpaw meowed excitedly from ahead. Amberpaw blinked, she hadn't quite realised how far behind her littermates she'd fallen.
She sighed, "I'm coming," she replied. I'm coming, but who is I? Am I Amberpaw or am I Amberstar?
Read and review please! Reviews make me happy and encourage me to write! 3
Leafsplash, over and out!
-poofs-