Chapter 8
Thank you all for your OC submissions! I'll be using all of them! ~Maj
As the half-moon shone brightly overheard, Reaper waited by the RiverClan border for Clovernose and Ottersplash so that they would take him to the Moonpool. His nose crinkled as the scent of marshes and fishes drew closer to him. He was first greeted by Clovernose's kind yellow eyes before the tom picked up his pace and butted heads with the ShadowClan cat's head affectionately.
"Are you ready for your life to change?" he asked excitedly, making Reaper's fur fluff out self-consciously. Ottersplash snorted as she began to lead both toms to the Moonpool.
"He's a fluff-brain, Reaper. The Moonpool is magnificent, but it won't impact you as heavily as Clovernose says." A long and quiet walk later, Ottersplash stopped in front of a path with paw prints embedded into the path from years of use. Mudsplash, Crowfang, Rainstep, and Cloudpaw sat waiting for them in the chilly moonlight.
"Finally," Mudsplash huffed, standing up and following the ancient path. Shivering with cold and sleepy, the other medicine cats followed Mudsplash silently. Reaper's heart started to pound as a faint glow illuminated an open clearing.
He shouldered his way to the front of the group and stared in amazement at the beauty in front of him. The pool glittered like thousands of starts had liquefied and danced in the water. His eyes widened as the starlight reflected in his deep blue gaze.
Clovernose purred and wrapped his tail around Reaper. "Are you ready for your true name?"
"How do I do it?" Reaper asked awkwardly, shuffling his different colored paws. The RiverClan tom smiled softly and beckoned Reaper towards the edge of the pool.
"I, Clovernose of RiverClan, ask of my warrior ancestors to recognize this medicine cat. He was thrust into this position, though he has rightfully found his place. Reaper do you promise to uphold the medicine cat code and protect your Clan above all else?"
Reaper gulped, swallowing his pride and letting the lie roll off his tongue. "I do."
Clovernose purred. "Then from this day forward till the day you walk with our starry warriors, you shall be known as Spottedfoot."
"Spottedfoot! Spottedfoot!" the medicine cats cried excitedly. Clovernose nuzzled Spottedfoot's fluffy neck, his eyes shining happily.
"Congratulations, Spottedfoot. Now, touch your muzzle to the water and walk with StarClan," he whispered. The newly named ShadowClan cat nodded nervously and hunched over the pool, touching his nose to the water.
An icy chill shot through his body as darkness engulfed Spottedfoot. He opened his eyes slowly to see a beautiful, vast forest of shining cats all sharing tongues delightfully. He searched around the beautiful StarClan hunting grounds hungrily, trying to take in every beautiful aspect.
"Hello," a familiar voice purred silkily. Spottedfoot snapped his head back to see Twistednose standing behind him. Her pale orange eyes shined happily as Spottedfoot's pelt bushed up.
"Twistednose! I-I… it's incredible to see you!" he purred, nuzzling the old medicine cat. "I'm so sorry that you died. I could have saved you…"
She flicked her tail nonchalantly. "It was my time, though I would have preferred to mentor you and watch my Clan prosper under your authority. You will make a wonderful medicine cat, Spottedfoot. But… you have and will tread a dark path. Tell me honestly that you will defend and protect my Clan. Promise me."
Twistednose's eyes darker and seemed to tower over Spottedfoot. He unsheathed his claws in fear, bile rising in his throat. His mother's dying wish rang in his ears and he let out a feeble promise to her. "I… promise, Twistednose. Your Clan will safe in my paws," he whispered, his voice threatening to crack.
The dappled she-cat sat back on her haunches to stare at Spottedfoot. She started to fade away, but a deep voice echoed around the two cats. "The curses are gone when you look away. Prepare: they lie in wait..."
Spottedfoot's dark blue eyes cracked open. He scurried to his feet, breathing heavily, taking in his surroundings. The other medicine cats were arousing from their deep sleep, staring at him in confusion.
"What's wrong with you? Bad dream?" Rainstep asked, his voice teasing. Spottedfoot shook off the tom's teasing mew and raced out of the Moonpool, shouting over his shoulder as he ran.
"I'll catch up with you all later- I need to get to my Clan!" Twistednose's ominous words rang through Spottedfoot's head as he ran, his multi-colored paws barely touching the earth.
After what felt like moons, the medicine cat burst into camp, a yowl stuck in his throat. Poolstar flinched from the mouth of her den. "What in the name of StarClan has you racing in here like a badger breathing on your heels?" she snapped, stomping over to him.
Spottedfoot ignored her growl and stared around camp desperately. He couldn't shake off Twistednose's omen, the same omen Poolstar had told him before. What is happening…?