Chapter 11: Don't play around with snakes

Don't forget to review! Thanks again for reading, I really appreciate it! I hope you guys are enjoying the story so far! If you've already read it on my Wattpad or Quizilla account, you'll notice I changed some things. Well... before when I wrote this I COMPLETELY forgot to put in Honeyfern's death. So I decided I should do that. And yeah. Heartsign and smileyface.

"Echoflight? Echoflight! That's the fourth time I've called your name!"

I blinked, tearing away from my thoughts. Standing in front of me was Mistypaw with an annoyed expression on her face. I sat up. "Sorry," I meowed.

Mistypaw shook her head. "You told me you would take me battle training!" she whined, skipping around me. I sighed. Battle training seems to be all she wants to learn…

"Alright," I meowed, shaking my pelt as I led her out of the hollow and to the clearing. I could barely pay attention to where I was putting my paws, though, as Mistypaw skipped along enjoying the cool air. From the cool winds I could tell it was going to snow soon. I need to teach her how to hunt more… she hardly seems to enjoy it. She's never going to pass her apprentice exam to become a warrior if all she knows is fighting. Firestar trusted me too. I can't let him down, or the rest of the Clan for that matter.

My mind traveled back to the new prophecy Bluestar had given me and my talk with Jayfeather attempting to figure out more about it. Four cats at first now FIVE. You have got to be kidding me! This didn't happen in the books! I nearly wanted to wail out loud.

"Echoflight, are you okay?" Mistypaw asked. I glanced at my apprentice. She was frowning, her blue eyes narrowed as she waited impatiently for me to hurry up our lesson.

"I-I'm fine," I stammered as we neared the clearing. Mistypaw sat down, curling her tabby-striped tail neatly over her paws as she watched me, tilting her head.

"Well?" she meowed. "Are we going to learn something more helpful for me in battle or are you going to explain to me how 'learning grotesque moves is a very very bad thing for an upcoming warrior to learn'."

I narrowed my eyes. "Mistypaw, we don't fight for the fun of it. Before I can teach you some more experienced moves, I need to know that you're capable of understanding that you just can't lash out at any cat that drives you insane. You need to know that we fight for a reason; and that reason is for the better good than just fighting because a cat stole your gummy worms."

Mistypaw narrowed her own eyes. "Cats don't eat gummy worms," she countered. "Just because I was a twoleg like you were doesn't mean we're the same person… or cat."

My ear twitched. She was beginning to get on my nerves. "I'm not telling you this because we were both twolegs," I meowed, "I'm telling you this because I'm your mentor and I'm here to train you. Now listen to whatever I have to tell you or you might get your warrior name after Toadpaw and Rosepaw do."

Mistypaw's eyes widened in horror. "But they're two moons younger than me!" she wailed.

"Then you better pay attention, shouldn't you?"

My apprentice's blue eyes narrowed at me as she muttered something incoherent. That bitch… I thought as I waited for Mistypaw to cool off. "We're going to work on the 'play dead' move," I meowed.

Mistypaw's ears pricked at hearing the word 'move' and 'dead'. Her blue eyes brightened. "What do I have to do?" she demanded, standing up.

"What do you think? 'Play dead'?" I smirked. Mistypaw's gaze fell as she realized it was just an 'apprentice' move. "This will come at an advantage for you, considering your small size." Mistypaw nodded as she crouched low, focusing on me.

I ran at her, my claws sheathed as I cuffed her around the ear lightly. She swiveled, attempting to throw me off balance as she rammed into me. I noticed her move slowly out of the corner of my eye as I turned on her, pinning her to the ground. She struggled before laying limp (in a normal battle it would make the opponent feel as if they had won). I relaxed my grip as she reared upwards suddenly, throwing me off of her. I got up. "Good job," I meowed. "Let's try the Leap-and-Hold."

"Oh, I know this one!" Mistypaw exclaimed suddenly. "It's where I jump up on your and thrash about until I jump off of you."

Sort of. "Well, it's main purpose is sort of like a shield. You hang onto your opponent's back so they can't harm you, but you can harm them. Not saying that you should," I added, just to be safe.

Mistypaw crouched down, showing that she was ready to begin. I crouched down as well as she ran at me. I dodged, but she veered the other way, jumping onto my back, claws sheathed. In a real fight, though, I would hope she'd have her claws unsheathed so she can get a better grip, or else she'd just slip off.

I fell to the ground, trying to roll, but Mistypaw was swifter than I and was able to escape from me squashing her.

"Good job," I mewed. Mistypaw purred.

"Let's head back to camp," I said as we headed back for the hollow. Mistypaw seemed happy that we had gone over at least one advanced move, but I couldn't help but feel worried at the thought of her extreme love for learning battle techniques. It's a good thing she's willing to learn… if she'd be willing to listen to other stuff I have to say without mentioning 'battle training'.

I spotted Jayfeather speaking with Lionblaze before he swiftly headed back to the medicine den. I need to tell him about Dovewing's prophecy… It'll help things move along quicker… But I don't know what I'll do when the Dark Forest starts to attack..

"Jayfeather!" I called, walking into the medicine den. Leafpool was nowhere to be seen. Jayfeather turned around, his blue eyes flashing.

"What's wrong?" he asked, stepping towards me.

I looked at my paws. "I need to tell you something," I meowed.

Jayfeather nodded, sitting down. "Alright," he mewed.

I shook my head. I couldn't chance Leafpool walking in and then listening in on our conversation; then I would have other stuff to explain (such as how I'm a twoleg and know all this stuff). "Not here," I meowed.

Jayfeather stared at me and I assumed he understood what I meant as he got up, padding out of the den. "I know a place."

I followed him. No one seemed to notice us exit the hollow. I continued to follow Jayfeather, not knowing of how I'll start the conversation. "Hey, Jay… Uhm… we have a problem. Dovewing - well, Dovekit now - is going to receive a prophecy; "After the sharp-eyed Jay and the roaring Lion, peace will come, on Dove's gentle wing." So… yeah. Be prepared for that. Oh yeah, she's also the fourth cat, but I have no clue who the fifth one is so yeah."

He's going to think I'm on drugs or something.

"Alright," Jayfeather meowed, sitting by a small river. I frowned, looking around. "I don't know this place," I meowed.

"I go here sometimes…" he murmured. He then turned his gaze onto me. "What was it you needed to tell me in private?"

"Oh… There's going to be another prophecy."

Jayfeather's eyes narrowed. "How do you know this? Did Bluestar or another cat give you one?"

I shook my head. "No, no… it's Dovekit's. Well, when she's an apprentice she receives it. The prophecy goes "After the sharp eyed Jay and the roaring Lion, peace will come on Dove's gentle wing." It's basically Yellowfang telling her that she's one of the Three, but she doesn't know that."

Jayfeather frowned. "I thought you said there were Four."

"You receive that prophecy a little later," I meowed.

Jayfeather nodded, taking all of this into consideration. "And you're telling me this because…?"

I shrugged. "I just thought it'd be easier for you… I mean, Dovekit has no clue what it means and you don't know who the Third cat is yet, so I just thought I'd tell you that."

"And you don't know who the other two are?"

I shook my head. "Originally before I came here… there were only Four. And even then I didn't know who the Fourth cat was." Cause the freaking book hadn't come out yet!

"What's Dovekit's power?" Jayfeather asked.

"The ability to hear and see things from far away… There's going to be a drought soon after she's made an apprentice… and the Clans will have to send two cats from each Clan to travel and find out what it is."

"Do you know what's going to cause it?"

"Beavers."

Jayfeather frowned.

"They make a dam," I continued to explain, "a bunch of sticks blocking rushing water. It's their home… and the patrol is going to fight the beavers… and one of the cats dies fighting. It could go better…" My voice trailed off. God damn beavers.

He sighed, standing up as he led the way back to camp. I followed behind him. God dang it… why can't you just start a conversation with him? So what if you've loved him since the first series he appeared in? He's still… a cat. A normal, blind cat with the powers to read thoughts and travel in dreams. No biggie.

As we made it back to camp, cats were sunning on some of the rocks nearby. Even though it was freezing, the sun was out and the air wasn't as cold as before. It must've been nice to lay there…

My eyes widened in shock at seeing Honeyfern and Berrynose. No no no no no no no no no! I shouldered past Jayfeather, who called after me shocked, but my mind was set on one thing; I was not going to let Honeyfern die. Not only was she one of my favorite characters, I had befriended the sweet, pretty she-cat. Not today, god damn snake! I thought as I reached the rocks. Honeyfern looked up, smiling. "Oh, hello Echoflight!" Berrynose glanced at me, nodding awkwardly.

"Hullo," I meowed rushed as I scooted past them. I spotted Millie's kits; Bumblekit, Briarkit and Blossomkit. Fuck! I thought as I watched Bumblekit dance towards one of the cracks. I glanced at Honeyfern who noticed as well as a dark shadow appeared near the small tom.

"No!" we both yelled in unison as we ran towards the kit. Honeyfern was closer as she knocked poor Bumblekit out of the way. He let out a startled cry, alerting Millie immediately as she made her way over to the poor kit. My eyes widened as I saw the snake rear backwards, his sharp, venomous teeth plain as day. "Honeyfern, look out!" I shrieked, barreling into the she-cat. She let out a startled squeak as I shoved her away. I shut my eyes tight as pain immediately coursed through my body. I fell to the ground, convulsing as the venom raced through my blood vessels. I let out a startled cry. The snake unlatched from me, letting out an angered hiss before slithering back into its home.

Immediately the Clan cats were surrounding me. I heard Honeyfern sobbing near me, but my vision was blurred. I attempted to stand up but my legs flailed underneath me and I collapsed. I felt like I was on fire. The pain was excruciating. I bit my tongue, willing myself not to cry out loud. It doesn't hurt that bad, I tried to tell myself, you'll be okay.-GOD DAMNIT.

I yowled again in pain. It felt like someone was continuously setting my blood on fire. I writhed on the ground. Where the hell is Leafpool? Immediately the brown tabby was by my side.

"Stay still, Echoflight," I heard her say. I shook my head. My hearing was getting as bad as my vision. "Echoflight, I said stay still!" she hissed again. Was I swaying? I couldn't tell. The venom was infecting me more and more. I blinked continuously but it still wouldn't clear up; it was on and off, blurring and clearing up. I staggered, by body numbing up.

"Echoflight," I heard Jayfeather say. He sounded far away. I shook my head. It felt like my ears were full of water. The pain was on and off. I continued to try to stand up, but it wouldn't work. Someone nudged the side of my face, but I didn't stop. I need to help them… I need to go with them during the drought, I need to help them with the beavers. I can't let any other cats die!

I blinked again. There were thousands of blurs surrounding me - was it the entire Clan here to see me die the death Honeyfern was supposed to suffer? I yowled again in pain as the venom spread farther down from my shoulder. StarClan, make it STOP.

"Make it stop!" I screamed, writhing more. I couldn't stand it. Make the pain go away, make it go away!

"Echoflight, you need to stop moving!" I heard Leafpool shout. I'm trying! I shut my eyes tight. My whole body is on fire. I gave up on standing. I attempted to lay limply on the ground, but to no avail. I continuously kept twitching. I felt Leafpool back away from me.

"Please, make it stop!" I shouted. No, Leafpool! Don't be spineless you little bitch!

"I…" Leafpool began to stammer. "I-I don't know what to do…"

Gasps erupted from the Clan. I heard Honeyfern's sobs increase, but were muffled. She's probably being consoled by Berrynose. I writhed more. I blinked some more, my vision still slightly blurry.

"What?" Jayfeather snapped. I felt his paw on my shoulder. "What do you mean? Leafpool!"

"I-I'm sorry…" Leafpool whispered. "The venom's spread too much…"

"Because all you did was stand there!" Jayfeather snarled. "I can't believe you! You just stood by her side not even trying and you just watched her writhe in pain! You're just watching her die, and you didn't even do anything to stop it!"

No, stop - please! I shut my eyes again, the pain unbearable. I'm going to die… That's it… I'm going to die. I'm never going to be able to help the Clans ever again… I won't even be able to see Dovekit and Ivykit grow up… I won't be able to help in the Dark Forest battle against StarClan… I won't even be able to get to know everyone better… Mistypaw is going to become reckless… and it's all my fault.

When I opened my eyes again I was no longer in the hollow. I stood up. The pain was gone completely. I looked at my shoulder. The two snake bites were still there. I sighed. This is it… hello, heaven, it's nice to see you. Even though I'm a freaking cat still.

"Hello, Echoflight," a mew sounded from behind me. I spun around. Yellowfang!

The old ThunderClan medicine cat smirked. "What? You haven't seen such an old cat before?" she joked. I shook my head. "N-no… am I dead?"

Yellowfang stared at me for a moment before letting out croaky mrrows of laughter. "Dead? Mrrow ow ow. Why would you be dead?"

My eyes widened in shock. "I just died from a snake bite! I died the death Honeyfern was supposed to suffer!"

Yellowfang's yellow eyes remained calm. I frowned. "You were brought to these Clans for a reason," mewed Yellowfang, finally. "What do you think that reason is?"

"I… I don't know…"

Yellowfang sighed. "Why do you think you have such a strong will to save all the Clans from the tragedies they suffered? Preventing Squirrelflight from telling Ashfur that Lionblaze, Jayfeather and Hollyleaf aren't her kits? Telling Jayfeather all of the prophecies before we have a chance to? Pushing Honeyfern out of the way so you'll be bitten instead of her? You could have easily let these things happen no matter what. But you didn't." Yellowfang smirked. "I know young warriors, Echoflight; they want to live life to the fullest. If it were honestly up to you, would you have died for these Clans?"

I met her gaze evenly. "Yes."

Yellowfang's smirk remained. "I like your spirit," she rasped, "it's much more lively than the other fleabags down there."

I smiled. A thought suddenly crossed my mind. "So I'm not dead?"

Yellowfang shook her head. "Why do you think you're here, Echoflight? A simple twoleg who got the chance to become a cat? Why do you think that happened?"

I frowned. I honestly didn't know why I was turned into a cat. I'm just a huge fan of the book series… but of course, these cats didn't need to know that. I was living this life almost as if it were a reality. The pain I had suffered back then was just as real as when I had pushed Ashfur and myself into the fire.

"You're here because we want you to prevent these tragedies," Yellowfang answered for me. My eyes widened. "Yes, you heard me right," she meowed, sitting down. "StarClan isn't always cruel and evil, killing cats as we please."

"Then… how am I not dead yet?"

Yellowfang's eyes clouded. "I can't tell you… yet," she added watching my face fall. "But don't worry. Just keep doing what you're doing."

I frowned again. "Am… am I going to feel that pain of death every time I die?"

Yellowfang nodded. "Pretty much." I groaned. "What?" she smirked. "Scared of dying?"

I didn't answer. Um, duh. Who the hell do you think I am?Cassius from Julius Caesar?

Not like cats would know what Shakespeare's plays are, but still.

"Wh-what am I going to tell them?" I stammered before she could disappear and send me back to ThunderClan hollow. Yellowfang frowned. "What do you mean?" she asked.

"I mean, isn't it a little strange that they saw me die, but I suddenly am alive again?"

Yellowfang smiled. "They're going to think you're sent from StarClan. Which, technically, you are," she added before disappearing. I groaned, shutting my eyes. Freaking StarClan warriors… so rude sometimes.

When I opened my eyes again I was in the medicine den. I shook my head, groggy. My shoulder stung like hell, but there was no cat to be seen. It was dark outside. Why haven't they buried me yet?

I tried to stand up. My legs were numb, but I was finally able to make myself explore the medicine den. Where's Jayfeather and Leafpool?

Creeping out of the den, I looked up at the sky. It was a full moon. One of the stars near the moon sparkled brighter than the other, almost as if it were new. Is that… one of my lives? Is this like a 'cat with nine lives' thing? I don't think I could handle that sort of pressure.

Jayfeather and Leafpool must be at the Moonpool, I concluded. I glanced around the camp. If I were still a human, it'd probably be around 2 in the morning. Why didn't they bury me yet? That's odd… Maybe Leafpool and Jayfeather were going to once they returned from the Moonpool… I laughed quietly to myself. That's going to freak them out… a 'zombie' cat.

Padding back to the medicine den, I sat down in my nest. What was I going to tell them? How was I going to explain it to Jayfeather and Leafpool before they would scream in shock and alert the Clan? Then I'd have too many questions to answer.

"They'll think you're sent from StarClan." I scoffed. "Sure they will, Yellowfang… or they'll think it's some freaky shit and not want to deal with it."

I waited for a few more moments, yawning. I didn't understand why I was chosen out of all the warriors fans to explore this amazing world instead of doing my math homework. I'd rather do this than go to school, though, I admitted silently as I layed down, staring at my paws. I took a deep breath. The smell of herbs and remedies filled my nostrils. I exhaled, coughing at the strong smells. I immediately shut up. It sounded as if my cough echoed throughout the hollow. So stupid, I scolded myself, you're going to wake the whole damn Clan if you keep hacking… I blinked, staring blankly ahead of me. And now you're talking to yourself… how insane are you getting?

As I waited longer for the Moonpool's meeting to come to a close, I yawned. Was I really going to stay up all night for Leafpool and Jayfeather to come back? My eyes threatened to close. Probably not… I murmured as I started to close my eyes, letting out another yawn.

Dying really does tire you out.