Apprentice and Pregnant 2

Chapter 25: The Assessment, Part 3

A Poem by Cracklepaw

Snakes, snakes

In the rocks

Just like you, they cannot talk

Snakes, snakes

Beady eyes

Just like you

They'll watch me die

Swallow Star watched as the apprentices ran into the forest, splitting off into three areas. He couldn't help noticing how Firepaw and Laurelpaw differed from the rest, splitting apart from each other. The other pairs ran side by side. Weird…

As if an invisible alarm called out, Tigerstripe and Dark Lake stepped out where they were hiding in the bushes. They padded over quickly, looking over at the running apprentices as well.

"Who's going where?" Tigerstripe demanded at once, bouncing on his paws as if he was itching to get going. "There's no time to waste."

"You follow Ivypaw and Cracklepaw," Swallow Star replied at once, his choice already pre decided. "Dark Lake, you get Pinepaw and Silverpaw."

"Got it," Dark Lake said before bolting away in the direction of the pair. Swallow Star thought to himself once again how clever he was. He felt slightly bad about not telling the apprentices about the extra eyes, but he pushed it away. I told them I'll be everywhere, I told them I'd be watching at all times, he thought. I just need a little help, that's all. He was confident Tigerstripe would do just as good of a job as he would watching and analyzing the young cats, but he felt slightly skeptical about Dark Lake. She wasn't my first choice, but it's not like I could have used Hollyshine. It would be too biased… Grayclaw would be too. And Leaftails in the nursery with her kits, so that option is out as well.

"That leaves you with the dream team," Tigerstripe said sarcastically and gave a wary look at the leader. "Good luck with them."

"Firepaw and Laurelpaw will do fine together," Swallow Star fixed Tigerstripe with a nervous stare. "I hope."

Dark Lake raced through the trees, paws barely making a sound as they lightly touched the forest floor. She had given herself a good distance from Pinepaw and Silverpaw, making sure she was well hidden in the trees and undergrowth. They were running side by side, and Dark Lake strained her ears to make sure there were no spoken words between the two. Given the trail they were taking, Dark Lake assumed they had planned on hunting in the heart of the territory, closer to the border by Riverclan. She watched as the pair slowed down, analyzing their surroundings. Dark Lake took this opportunity to sneak in a little closer, ears pricked. By now Pinepaw had lowered herself down into the hunters crouch, looking forward at mouse that was scuffling among some leaves a little ways away. Dark Lake watched in confusion as Silverpaw just stood by her, not moving.

How is this going to work? How are you going to hunt together standing beside each other like that?

Pinepaw suddenly pounced, and landed on the unsuspecting mouse. She killed it quickly and ran back to Silverpaw.

Well, she caught it I guess. But what about working together?

They started walking again, and Dark Lake slithered out of her hiding spot. She slunk behind the trees, not moving her eyes once away from the young cats.

Then to her surprise, they both stopped at once.

Dark Lake watched as they looked around, as if they were looking for someone.

Hmm

It looks like they're looking for a cat, not prey

"He's not here," Silverpaw whispered very softly. "I think we're okay to talk."

Dark Lake inwardly groaned. You fool!

"How do you know he's not here?" Pinepaw whispered back, looking scared. "What if he's in the trees, watching us?"

"He's not here, because I can see him," Silverpaw said, speaking a little louder. He craned his neck, peering over some bushes. "He's way over there; I can see his white ears."

"That's a relief," Pinepaw sighed and relaxed a little. "Not talking was stressing me out."

"Me too," Silverpaw replied. "He's probably watching Firepaw and Laurelpaw right now, so we're safe for a bit. So here's the plan. You hunt as much prey as you can. I'll stand guard."

"Got it," Pinepaw nodded and turned her attention back to hunting. "Cough if you see him coming over."

Dark Lake had seen enough. She turned around and padded back the way she came, feeling weird inside.

Out of all the groups, they were the last one I expected to cheat

Swallow Star will be so disappointed

Shoulda kept your mouths shut.

Tigerstripe was having a hard time keeping his cover. Ivypaw and Cracklepaw were venturing out into open ground, making it difficult for him to sustain a hiding place.

They're making their way over to Snakerocks, he concluded after realizing that they were on the straight path to the giant rock infested with snakes. They get the choice of where they can hunt… and they choose SNAKEROCKS. Probably trying to impress Swallow Star, go figure.

By now they were almost completely in the open, the only possibly shelter consisted of three trees on the stretch from where Tigerstripe was standing and the Snakerock. Tigerstripe slithered out into the open, realizing he needed to get a move on before he lost sight of the apprentices. He slunk low to the ground, quickly making his way to the first tree in sight.

Don't turn around, don't turn around

He breathed a sigh of relief as he made cover, relieved they didn't turn around for whatever reason. That was too close. Dammit, this means to watch them I have to be around a bunch of creepy snakes!

He quickly bolted to the second tree, deciding to just get it over with rather than procrastinate it for a few minutes. I need to be closer anyway, to make sure they don't talk to each other.

By now Ivypaw and Cracklepaw had reached the Snakerocks, and had split up. Concern suddenly struck Tigerstripe as he realized they were putting themselves in danger of getting bit.

For Starclans sake, don't do anything stupid

It's my ass on the line here

He made his way over to the third tree, feeling slightly more confident since Ivypaw and Cracklepaw were distracted by the mission. He was just about there when his paws stepped on something sharp.

SNAP!

A stick broke under his paws, making him charge the rest of the way in fear of getting seen. SHIT.

He waited a few moments before he dared peek around the tree, holding his breath. I hope they didn't hear that!

To his relief, they hadn't noticed at all. Tigerstripe noticed with a jolt that in the few seconds he wasn't watching, Ivypaw had climbed to the top of the rock.

Below, Cracklepaw waited, watching her. Tigerstripe was just starting to get confused when he realized what they were doing.

She's going to scare the snakes, then they're going to slither out of the bottom where Cracklepaws waiting. Good idea, but could they have picked a more dangerous one? What's Cracklepaw gonna do if ten of the slimy things come shooting out of the cracks?

All he could do was watch as Ivypaw started jumping up and down, meowing loudly. Cracklepaw wondered to himself if meowing counted as talking.

Nah, it's not like she's using any words.

I'll let it slide.

The results were almost instant, Tigerstripe nearly shrieked out loud as a giant blue and yellow snake came slithering out a big crack in the side. Cracklepaw looked spooked as well, not moving for a second.

Too late to reconsider!

Ugh, creepy nasty things.

Cracklepaw suddenly regained his ability to move and bolted forward, his fear obvious in the way his fur bushed up. He leaped on the snake and bit it a few times, howling as it started moving around with him on top of it. Tigerstripes blood ran cold as he saw a flash of the snake's teeth, snapping dangerously close to the apprentice.

It was becoming more apparent by the second that Cracklepaw didn't know where to bite the snake to kill it.

He thrashed along with it, biting viciously on its long body. But each bite only seemed to make it stronger, rather than weaker. All Tigerstripes instincts told him to jump in and help, but he knew that would wreck the whole assessment.

His eyes widened as more snakes started to slither out, some red and yellow and some blue. Tigerstripe stared helplessly at Ivypaw, who stood rigid at the top of the rock.

Get down here you idiot and help him before he kills himself!

Finally Cracklepaws teeth met with the right spot, and the snake went limp in Cracklepaws jaws. He let it drop on the ground, backing up as another snake started to hiss at him.

"Ivypaw!" Cracklepaw cried out, looking very scared. "Help me!"

Ivypaw didn't move.

Cracklepaw shrieked as the snake snapped forward, rolling away just in time. The snake's teeth snapped the air, and it hissed again.

"IVYPAW!" Cracklepaw screamed as the snake lunged again, along with another. He tried to back up and tripped, falling hard on a rock.

By now Tigerstripe didn't care whatsoever that Cracklepaw was talking, all he cared about was his safety. He stared, revolted as Ivypaw continued to sit and watch.

"Laurelpaw took away the only cat I ever cared about," Ivypaw said suddenly, voice quiet and sad. "So now it's her turn to lose somebody!"

She started jumping again, meowing loudly. Cracklepaw screamed as more snakes flew out of the rock.

"THEY'RE GOING TO KILL ME!" Cracklepaw screamed, shoving himself away. Tigerstripe could tell he had injured himself when he fell by the way he cringed when he moved his legs.

"I'm dead inside without Firepaw," Ivypaw whispered, staring off into nothing as her clan mate struggled below. "I just want her to lose someone so she knows how I feel! I'm sorry it has to be this way."

"Swallow Star will know," Cracklepaw hissed as he dodged yet another snake attack. "He's watching us!"

"No he's not," Ivypaw smiled at her cleverness. "I saw him making his way over to the Shadowclan border! He has no idea!"

"Swallow Star doesn't," Tigerstripe called out as he ran to help Cracklepaw. "BUT I DO!"

Swallow Star had no clue what Firepaw and Laurelpaw were doing. He watched, terribly confused as the cats broke up and went in different directions.

How are they expecting to hunt together when they don't even know where each other is?

And how the hell do I watch them both at once now?

He groaned inwardly and followed Firepaw, deciding it was better to follow one rather than none. I'll go find Laurelpaw later.

Firepaw was making his way dangerously close to the Shadowclan border, stopping just before Swallow Star could get too worried about it. He peered over into their shadowy territory, making sure there wasn't a patrol around to get in the way.

He turned his attention back to Firepaw, who had gotten himself into the hunters crouch. Swallow Star watched, jumping in alarm as Firepaw started to crash towards the prey.

Great, just great

All his training, gone straight out the window

Swallow Star ran forward, trying to keep Firepaw in sight. Suddenly out of nowhere, Laurelpaw burst through the trees, pouncing on the unsuspecting prey. She killed it quickly, and Swallow Star realized at once what their strategy was.

It made a lot of noise as an alarm, but not to alarm the prey!

It was an alarm for Laurelpaw…

Impressive

Swallow Star watched, smiling as Firepaw nodded at Laurelpaw before running back into his position. Swallow Star scrunched down so he didn't see him, marveling at how good they could communicate without speaking.

They're doing great; I shouldn't have been so worried that they would talk to each other.

Swallow Star watched as they caught a few more pieces of prey the same way, Firepaws crashing around was the perfect tactic to send the prey right into Laurelpaws outstretched claws. It was almost alarming at how good Firepaw and Laurelpaw were at keeping track of each other, almost as if they always knew where the other one was.

Swallow Star decided he had seen enough of Firepaw, realizing he needed to go and check out what Laurelpaw was doing before it got too late.

It's getting dark; the assessment will be drawing to a close soon

He stood up and silently padded through the trees, picking up Laurelpaws scent heading in the opposite direction. He found her close by, hiding in the trees as she waited for Firepaw to make noise so she could make her move. It looked like she could see him now; his orange ears were poking out of the undergrowth a little ways away.

A tension then laced the air, and Laurelpaws ears flattened against her head.

Swallow Star was confused for a second before he made the dreadful realization.

They were standing in the same area where Laurelpaw had been attacked by old Gray.

Swallow Star felt bad for her, it was clear she didn't realize it until now. He could only imagine the terrible memories that were running through her head.

You're strong, Laurelpaw! Don't let this make you give up now!

His thoughts were broken as Firepaw suddenly started to crash forward, making a squirrel dart out into the area where Laurelpaw would attack. She hesitated for a second before charging forward, killing it quickly. Firepaw padded out of the trees, Swallow Star assumed it was to give Laurelpaw the nod that he always gave her like before. He walked towards her, but this time he looked spooked and slightly scared. Swallow Star watched as Laurelpaw stared at him, her eyes shiny as if she was going to cry.

Don't talk, Swallow Star gritted his teeth as he realized they might blow it. You guys are doing so well!

He watched in a pained silence as the two apprentices stared at each other. There was so much emotion in the air Swallow Star himself was feeling sad.

Wait

Wait a second

Firepaw doesn't remember what happened here

So why does he-

"I remember everything," Firepaw whispered, voice cracking twice. "I'm so sorry."

At this, Laurelpaw broke. She started to cry, body shaking as she stared at the ground.

"Laurelpaw, we need to get through this assessment," Firepaw said sadly. "Swallow Stars probably sitting there right now giving us a failing grade."

"Okay," Laurelpaw whispered. Firepaw then nodded at her, signaling to get back into position to make another catch. Swallow Star had seen enough. He turned and made his way back through the trees to the camp, knowing that he would forever keep a secret on what he had just seen.

I'm not going to count that as cheating, Swallow Star decided after thinking it over. It was sad enough to watch, let alone to actually be in the situation.

The assessment is over, Firepaw and Laurelpaw passed.

I wonder how the others did