This is a long chapter, not even kidding. But, it is so awesome! And before I say anymore, I have to thank Wolfgaze, GinnyStar and Angelfang. The cats they suggested are in here, and may come again in another chapter. Otherwise, I'd like to thank Starpaw, Wolfgaze, and GinnyStar for reviewing. Thanks you so much! And also, this is different, yet also has some of the same aspects as Firepaw's first gathering. There's also a thing StarClan does that I think is so cool! I hope you all like this chapter!
Chapter 9: Starlight Warnings
As her training progressed, Mosspaw felt happier and happier. Her friends were always there for her, as well as her parents, she was having fun while being taught by Mousefur, and never disobeyed her, but there was something…. that bothered her. When she was with Ravenpaw, her paws felt lighter, her heart always thundered, and she felt as if nothing would bring her down. Firepaw and Graypaw saw that they spent time together and soon became inseparable, but they could still spend time together. Yet… there was a weird mist, a shroud that hung around them. It almost guaranteed death, but it was finally revealed when the ancestors took over.
-*-
The full moon shone in the sky, sending rays down to earth. Frost barely coated the grass as the cats headed to Fourtrees. Mosspaw stayed close to her friends, particularly to Ravenpaw who jumped when he heard a leaf crunch.
"Its okay." she reassured him, pressing her cheek against his. He smiled at her before continuing. When they reached the barrier that signaled the end of their territory, Mosspaw felt a shiver run through her veins. This is the first time leaving ThunderClan grounds, well except for falling into the river, but that doesn't count. I wonder if that cat is here. What's his name? Smokepelt? No that's not it… maybe I'll remember it later, or maybe he'll be here tonight. I want to thank him again for saving my life. Mosspaw drifted into her thoughts and came close to crashing into a shrub. But Firepaw swerved her out of the way. She gave him a sheepish look as they walked.
When they finally reached Fourtrees, the four apprentices couldn't believe their eyes. Graypaw had his mouth open as he stared at the swarm of cats, Mosspaw was staring at the giant rock that stood in the center, while Ravenpaw and Firepaw gazes were skittering as they took in everything. As they headed down the slope, the warriors dispersed and headed towards the other cats. Bluestar paused and gave the four a little advice.
"Have fun tonight. Talk with the other apprentices, but remember, when the moon is no longer full, these cats will be your enemies." she instructed.
"So say nothing that will be used against you." Tigerclaw hissed as he passed them and headed straight for a giant white tom with black paws. Bluestar sighed before padding over to a lean tom. He was black and white with a tail twice as long as Bluestar's.
"Who's that?" Firepaw asked.
"Tallstar." Graypaw answered.
"He's the leader of WindClan." Mosspaw added.
"And there's Crookedstar, the leader of RiverClan." Ravenpaw meowed.
"I don't see Brokenstar though." Graypaw muttered, searching the crowd of cats.
"So what do you guys want to do?" Mosspaw sighed.
"I'm going to see where Tigerclaw went to." Firepaw answered, padding away from them.
"I want to hear what the elders are talking about." Graypaw meowed, walking in the opposite direction of Firepaw.
"I'll stay with you." Ravenpaw purred. Mosspaw gave a small smile.
"You're so sweet. Now come on; help me find that RiverClan warrior. I want to thank him." she breathed, searching the clearing.
"Oh, I think I saw him talking to some apprentices. Uh, over there." he replied, pointing to a group of five cats. Excitedly, she raced over while he followed more soundly.
"Hi! I'm Mosspaw." she exclaimed when she reached the cats. They looked at her before returning back to their conversation. There were two she-cats, both apprentices and they both had gray fur and blue eyes. They must be related. Mosspaw thought. One had darker stripes along her flank, the other pale. The two toms were nothing alike. One was a small, light brown tabby with light blue eyes. He seemed like a kit standing compared to the other apprentices. The other tom was pure black except for one white foot, his eyes were green.
"And I'm Ravenpaw." he introduced, sitting next to Mosspaw. The two she-cats looked at him, and mischief glowed in their eyes.
"Welcome, I'm Smoketail." the smoke colored tom meowed softly, giving her a warm smile. Otherwise, only the small tabby smiled at Mosspaw.
"You two from ThunderClan?" the black tom asked with a slightly bored tone.
"Yeah, this is our first gathering." Mosspaw responded, joy in her mew.
"So, who exactly is who?" Ravenpaw asked.
"I'm Littlepaw, from ShadowClan." the fluffy tabby whispered.
"You can call me Lakepaw. And this is Fallingpaw." the dark gray she-cat meowed.
"We're both RiverClan." the other she-cat added.
"And I'm Galepaw. WindClan." he murmured, looking as if he was about to fall asleep.
"Nice to meet you." Mosspaw smiled, although she was thinking other thoughts. Are all WindClan cats lazy, or just him? And what about those two she-cats? They look like they're up to something. Littlepaw seems okay, but he still has his kit fur. Just how old is he?
"Smoketail, how long have you been a warrior?" Ravenpaw questioned, looking him straight in the eyes.
"Four moons. In fact, Fallingpaw is my apprentice." he answered, pride barely touching his eyes. But when he looked at Lakepaw, his face seemed a little colder. Doesn't mind Fallingpaw on her own, but with Lakepaw, she's a bossy furball I take it. Mosspaw thought, amusement causing her tail to curl.
"Interesting." was all Ravenpaw meowed.
"Mosspaw," Littlepaw breathed, "how do you like your training?" She looked at him and gave a small smile. He seems like a sweet little cat.
"The beginning was horrible. I got attack by a fox my first time out of camp and had to spend days cooped up in the medicine cat den. But afterwards, it was fun, especially since I have my friends. They make everything better." she replied, happiness in her eyes.
"Wow, attacked by a fox. We don't get many of them on the moors. Good thing too." Galepaw chirped, looking at the snow white she-cat.
"Yeah, they're so ugly and I wouldn't be here now if it wasn't for Firepaw. He saved my life and stopped the fox from killing me. Graypaw helped him, they're such good friends." she added.
"Badgers like it in ShadowClan territory. We have more of them showing up than foxes." Littlepaw mewed.
"I still haven't seen a badger, nor do I think I want to." Mosspaw rambled.
"In WindClan, not many lumbering creatures like it out on the fields. But neither do prey, well… except rabbits." Galepaw stated, drawing his tail over his paws.
"RiverClan never has to worry about those annoyances. They could never cross the river without warning us." Lakepaw spoke up, her voice smug.
"That's not true. When I was a kit, a badger blindly walked into our camp. It was a young cub and had no idea what we were." Smoketail retorted. Lakepaw gave him a glare.
"Are badgers more trouble than foxes, or are they equal?" Ravenpaw asked. The warrior paused to think about this.
"Both will kill if they're hungry, or if a cat is alone. But if there's a patrol, they won't be likely to attack unless provoked. However, badgers can crush you with their paws, while foxes can suffocate you. Based on that, I'd say their about equal." he responded.
"Well that fox tried to strangle me." Mosspaw whispered. She could still feel the teeth marks. Ravenpaw pressed his nose against hers, making her forget about that hideous day where she got attacked.
"At least you survived." Littlepaw encouraged.
"So, Ravenpaw, how long have you been an apprentice?" Lakepaw smiled as she meowed that. Mosspaw felt her fur ruffle, but she didn't understand why.
"Three moons. Mosspaw's been an apprentice for a moon and a half though." he answered.
"Really? I've only been an apprentice for a moon." Littlepaw sighed, giving a small frown. Mosspaw gave him a sympathetic look.
"Don't worry, soon you'll be a warrior." she purred. The fluffy tabby smiled.
"Ha. I've been an apprentice for four moons! I'm going to have my warrior naming ceremony soon." Lakepaw rubbed in.
"Not if you slack off and act like you're queen of the world." Smoketail warned. Fallingpaw looked at her and smiled.
"Tomorrow can you teach me that new move that Blackclaw was talking about?" the pale she-cat begged. The striped warrior seemed surprised, but then looked as if StarClan had come down and presented him a fox-sized mouse.
"Sure. And then we can go hunting." he promised.
"Littlepaw!" a voice called. Mosspaw turned around and saw a very fluffy white cat weaving through the cats as she tried to reach the small group. She raced on black paws as she tried not to get crushed by the larger warriors.
"Lilacpaw, what is it?" the tabby responded. She bumped him with her dark gray muzzle, before giving him a quick lick on the ear.
"Clawface wants me to tell you that-" she whispered the rest in his ear. From the look on his face, it wasn't good.
"Alright. Did Nightpelt tell you the same?" he retorted. She nodded, her light blue eyes troubled as her gaze swept the cats in front of her. Giving a small growl, she took a step closer and glared at us, her fluffy kit fur puffing out. What's up with the ShadowClan cats? Are they young apprentices, or just very fluffy to keep out the cold? Mosspaw asked herself.
"If you don't mind, Littlepaw needs to come back to his Clan." she said in a demanding tone. The light brown tabby sighed.
"It was nice meeting you Mosspaw, Ravenpaw, and Galepaw. Happy hunting!" he shouted as he left them with Lilacpaw in tow.
"Cat's of all Clan's!" a voice yowled, silencing the crowd. Mosspaw looked up and saw Crookedstar, or at least the cats she thought would be Crookedstar, as well as the other leaders. Next to Bluestar and Tallstar, a dark tabby stood on the Great Rock, his eyes cold. That must be Brokenstar. Nasty looking cat, isn't he? Mosspaw thought as he glared at every cat below him.
"Welcome." Bluestar began, "To begin, I would like to notify every cat of the birth of two kits in our Clan. The proud mother, Speckletail, gave birth a few sunrises ago. She has named them Cloverkit and Maplekit. Otherwise, nothing negative to report. ThunderClan is doing well." she meowed. She then stepped back and let Tallstar move forward.
"WindClan has no problems except for a few twolegs walking through our territory." he stated.
"All is well in RiverClan. No twolegs have come by so far, and we don't think they will until next Green-leaf." Crookedstar meowed calmly, but his whiskers were twitching, as if something was bothered him. He then stepped back.
"Leaf-bare is a terrible time." Brokenstar started, "Kits are lost and cats go hungry. But while you're kits perish, ours survive. They're stronger than yours the moment they take their first breath. Now, they're growing, and our land can't feed all of us. So I demand that you give us part of your land, so that our kits can continue to survive." the dark tabby hissed. Yowls of protest and rage rang through the crowd.
"He's mad. As if we would give up our land." Mosspaw whispered to Ravenpaw. He nodded in agreement.
"Silence!" Brokenstar yowled. The cats dropped their voices to murmurs as the leader looked down at them.
"Bluestar! Please tell us you're not giving into those dark-hearted creatures!" a voice demanded. It sounded like Smallear's.
"As long as I'm leader, I'll never give into your orders." she vowed. A ripple of agreement passed through the ThunderClan cats.
"But Bluestar, would you give your warriors lives to save the pitiful land you have?" Brokenstar mocked.
"If it's pitiful in your eyes, why would you want it?" she retorted. The tabby snarled before turning to the other leaders.
"What about you two?" he ordered.
"If it means no bloodshed, I'll let you have some of our land." Crookedstar muttered. His Clan looked at him with shameful eyes.
"I'll never let you put one paw on our land!" Tallstar growled, unsheathing his claws. Cheers came from his cats, while hisses and snarls came from the ShadowClan cats.
"At least we can count on WindClan for not giving in." Ravenpaw meowed in a low voice.
"If only RiverClan weren't so mouse-hearted." she replied.
"But what about Smoketail? He risked his life to save you, an enemy cat." he reminded her. She shuffled her paws and looked away, as if embarrassed.
"I give you a choice. Give in, or prepare to fight for your land." Brokenstar warned. Then in a split second, he jumped into the crowd. He landed near Tigerclaw, who flicked his ears. As a secret message passed through them, Blackfoot jumped on Tigerclaw, as Brokenstar clawed at the nearest cat, Runningwind.
Then all StarClan was let loose.
Claws sliced through fur, teeth glinted in the moonlight as blood was spilled. Apprentices locked in battle with one another, warriors who were just talking and laughing, were now trying to kill each other, and the elders… they were faced against warriors half their age, and twice their skill.
Mosspaw froze to the ground when she heard cry after cry. She shut her eyes and tried to imagine she was somewhere else, somewhere safe. But no matter how hard she tried, images of dying cats kept returning to her over, and over again. Why is this happening? Why isn't StarClan stopping this?!
"StarClan can't stop this. It's your job, along with one other. You will stop this fighting, even if you don't know how." a voice hissed in her ear.
"Who are you? Why are you telling me this?!" she demanded. A snow white cat appeared in front of her, with stars glowing throughout their fur. The stranger's eyes were eerily familiar… a blue that seemed still and peaceful, like the water…
"I'm Snowfur-" the cat began.
"You're Bluestar's sister!" Mosspaw exclaimed, cutting her off. Snowfur looked at her with confused eyes.
"How do you know that?" she asked.
"Whitestorm told me that Bluestar's his aunt. So she must've had a sister or a brother that had a mate to have given birth to Whitestorm."
"But I could've been the mate of Bluestar's brother. Why did you say sister?"
"You both have the same eyes. That means you're related by blood." Mosspaw replied. Snowfur looked surprise, but then smiled.
"You're very interesting. StarClan chose well. I hope Bluestar names you correctly."
"Pardon?"
"Oh nothing that concerns you yet."
"Yeah, yet being the key word. Can you please just tell me why I'm here and not fighting with my Clan?"
Snowfur paused. Sighing, she then turned around and flicked her ears. Mosspaw followed for she didn't want to be alone in this strange place. As they walked through the starry sky, other cats joined. A sandy-gray tom with a white spot on his chest and green eyes stood next to Mosspaw on her right, while a bright ginger tom with yellow stripes and green eyes stayed at her left. The last cat was a silvery-gray, long furred tom with long whiskers and amber eyes; he stood behind her.
Are these cat's protecting me or something? Because they're a little too close. And they all have stars around them. I guess they're all StarClan cats. And judging by their features, I guess they're all ThunderClan as well.
"Snowfur, will the other join us?" the ginger tom asked. She turned to face him.
"Not today. He's fighting and will prove himself to his leader." she replied. Mosspaw just stared at the cats.
"But he will find out soon?" the sandy-gray cat meowed.
"Yes. I think a certain cat will tell him of Mosspaw tonight. I am uncertain though." Snowfur responded. Soon Mosspaw couldn't take it anymore.
"Who are you cats? What's so special about me? Why are the Clans fighting? And who is the 'other one' that you're talking about?" she demanded, her voice quick and edgy.
"We're cats that have both impacted and have lived by Bluestar." the sandy-gray tom answered.
"But you may know us from the elders' tales. I'm Featherwhisker; the medicine cat that taught Spottedleaf." the silvery-gray cat meowed.
"I'm Sunstar; the leader before Bluestar. And I am also Featherwhisker's brother." the ginger tom spoke, making Mosspaw a little more nervous. They were two of the greatest cats of ThunderClan. I should watch my mouth. Mosspaw warned herself.
"And I am Thrushpelt. I was a warrior along with Bluestar." the sandy-gray tom muttered, his eyes filled with sorrow. Was he friends with the blue-furred she-cat? Or is it something else?
"So there's a medicine cat, a leader, a warrior and a queen. Now all we're missing is a kit. Then this would be a full Clan." Mosspaw whispered, seeing that she was an apprentice.
"Actually, we do have one more cat, but she's just trying to get away from her grandmother." Snowfur paused, "Moonflower, let her go! She needs to be here!" she called into the starry sky around them. No figure appeared, but a hiss sliced through the air. A yowl then sounded as a cat fell from above them. They landed on apparently nothing, but still stopped declining. The small bundle of fur looked up and shook their white and gray fur. The kit looked at Mosspaw and gave a small smile.
"Are you okay?!" a she-cat asked, her voice full of worry.
"Yes Moonflower. I'm fine!" the little kit answered. She then turned to the white apprentice. "I'm Mosskit. Nice to finally meet you." Her green eyes were sparkling as the stars glowed in her fur.
"Y-you're Mosskit? Bluestar's daughter?" Mosspaw stuttered.
"Yes. I was nervous about coming to StarClan, but Snowfur helped me. I still wish I was with my mother. I miss her deeply." the young cat sighed, her head low.
"I can tell your mother that. If you want." the apprentice promised. Mosskit raised her head and stared at Mosspaw with surprise, but happiness was painted on her face.
"Really? Oh thank you!" the kit exclaimed.
"It's no problem, and she misses you. She told me that you leaving was the hardest thing she ever went through."
"She still keeps that secret and many more intertwined. Don't tell any cat or you'll regret it." Thrushpelt warned.
"I know the stakes that are being given. But I trust and respect Bluestar enough to never, and I mean never tell any soul. Now, please, can you tell me what I'm doing here?" Mosspaw promised. Featherwhisker nodded his head and moved closer to the apprentice.
"You, and three others, will be the saviors of ThunderClan. However, two are alive now, while the final two will be born along with a new leader. Understand so far?" the silver tom asked. She nodded.
"Claws will slice along with the broken darkness. Along with a stalking figure that has a secret powerful enough to cause a tear in ThunderClan. Try to avoid them." Sunstar added.
"Alright. But why are the Clans fighting?"
"Because the Clans will soon decide who will lead them all and end war forever." Snowfur whispered.
"And now, you need to go back. We will lead you through this battle and show you how to stop it, but you will not always have us. Now go." Thrushpelt purred. The cats faded into nonexistence and the stars vanished.
Mosspaw opened her eyes to see a ginger warrior heading her way. She hesitated before jumping into the air as the warrior tried to claw her. She landed on his back and began to claw at his fur before a cry sounded in her ears. Only she could hear it, and it was distracting her.
Faint words could be heard. They sounded like "rock", "blood", "death", "shadow", and "blaze". She had no idea what they could mean. She shook her head, trying to get rid of the terrible screams. They only got worse.
It was then that she started shrieking, but no cat paid attention. No cat… but one. With fury racing through his veins, Ravenpaw glided over the grass, racing to his friend's help. He tackled the ginger warrior to the ground, slicing at his throat and chest. In a few short moments, the warrior turned around and retreated.
"Ravenpaw, make it stop. Silence them, they hurt." Mosspaw gasped. He stood over and saw her fur twitching with fear.
"What do you want me to do?" he purred. She looked at him and her eyes were glazed with panic.
"I need to stop this; I need to stop it all. I need a place where I can talk and all will hear." she whispered.
"The Great Rock. I'll help you up there." he offered. She nodded and placed out a trembling paw. Please, stop putting me through this torture! I'm trying to stop the fighting, but you're hurting me! She pleaded in her mind, although she wondered who would listen.
The dark apprentice led the shaken she-cat through to turmoil. He saw Bluestar and Tallstar in combat against Brokenstar. Lionheart was fighting off a battle scared brown tom with Leopardstripe's help. Even the elders were fighting, even if it was only with each other now. Mosspaw shut her eyes so she wouldn't see it. The voices were already enough.
When the two got to the rock jutting out of the ground, Ravenpaw had to basically carry Mosspaw up it. But when she was finally atop, her quivering ceased, and her eyes cleared. While standing beside her, Ravenpaw noticed that different scents including ones he's never smelled, yet still felt familiar, shrouded around the she-cat. Opening her mouth, a yowl sounded through the clearing, echoing as if in a cave. Mist and fog gathered around Fourtrees, creating a barrier.
"Sheathe your claws and stop your meaningless fighting!" it wasn't Mosspaw's voice. Instead it was several voices, all speaking at once. The Clan cats stilled, not because of the command, but because the scene in front of them was eerily hypnotizing. An apprentice on Great Rock?! Sounding like a patrol of cats with only one voice! It was impossible!
"Why should we listen to you?!" a voice protested.
"You're only an apprentice!" another cat hissed.
"Silence!" the voices snapped. Mosspaw's body and mind seemed to be taken over by their ancestors. Why, was any cat's guess.
"We are the voices of those that have fallen. We are the ones that you pray to; we are the ones that decide your future! But we can't appear in front of this many cats, so taking over a cat is the only way to tell you all that you're new-born kits! We did not create the Clans for war; we created them to stop war! Mosspaw understands, that's why we're talking through her. Now listen!"
Sunstar's voice now rang above the rest.
"If you don't stop these pointless battles, we will have no choice but to end the Clans. Forever."
What's going to happen now? Sorry, I just had to make the ending of this chapter pop out. And I didn't know where else to end it. This was a long chapter, I think the longest one I'm going to write, no promises though. The next chapter will be shorter, and it's actually really important. However, I don't know when I'll update, because the chapters not done yet. And um… again thanks to Wolfgaze who suggested Fallingpaw, Galepaw, and Lakepaw. Thanks to Angelfang who suggested Lilacpaw. And thanks to GinnyStar who suggested Smoketail. Thanks to all of you! Also thanks to everyone that reviewed!
Firepaw: I'm so glad we went to the Gathering!
Graypaw: I know. Poor Mosspaw though, she's still possessed.
Ravenpaw: Will you two stop talking about that! I was there, I know what happened!
Mosspaw: *voice is Snowfur's* You toms are so annoying.
*changes to Thrushpelt* What I never understood was how you could chose Thistleclaw. He's such a hothead. And don't get me started with his ego.
*Sunstar* Didn't you know anything about what StarClan prophesied? If I let him become deputy, he would've killed us all.
*Snowfur* All you toms just hate other toms. He loved me and that's all I cared about.
*Mosskit* But, how could you see past the killer? He scared me when I was a kit. And look what he did to Tigerclaw!
*Featherwhisker* You know, Goosefeather actually said that Tigerclaw was supposed to die as a kit. It would've saved a pawful of lives. Turns out he was right. Who would've thought?
*Snowfur* The thought of that senile dung-bag being right is worse than saying that Tigerclaw is a considerate, sympathetic queen.
Ravenpaw: Will you stop it? If you're going to argue, argue in StarClan!
*Mosskit* Come on Snowfur. I think you've bothered these apprentices enough.
*Sunstar* I agree.
*Thrushpelt* Me too.
*Featherwhisker whispers* Still think that Thistleclaw is a mouse-brained tabby.
*Snowfur* Oh that is it!
*The StarClan cat's voices disappear, but Mosspaw is still possessed*
Graypaw: Okay… that was weird.
Firepaw: You're telling me. Snowfur seems rather… touchy.
Ravenpaw: Well, what do you guys want to do to pass the time until the next chapter?
Graypaw: Eating Contest!
Firepaw: Hunting Contest!
Ravenpaw: First we do the hunting contest, then the eating contest.
Firepaw and Graypaw: Sounds good to me.
You toms are so annoying. I wish Mosspaw could talk to me, then I wouldn't be stuck listening to your useless babbling.
Graypaw: That's cold Kawakage.
I know. Anyway… You three have fun.
The three toms: Alright! *dash off into the forest*
Finally! They're gone! Now I can read my manga. Oh, before I go…
Review and you get your choice of either a Graypaw plushie or a Sunstar plushie. Or both if you want.
And I hope you got what you wanted this year. And I hope you had a great Christmas or Hanukah or Ramadan or whatever holiday you celebrate!
Sayonara!