Mapleshade adjusted Blossompaw's crouch.
"Hazeltail said I am going to be assessed soon," Blossompaw mewed eagerly.
"That's right," Mapleshade purred. "Any cat like you would become a warrior quickly.
Blossompaw seemed more energetic at the praise.
"Okay, let's have some training," Mapleshade suggested. "Try attacking me. Use the tactics that I taught you."
Blossompaw nodded.
I'll go easy on her, Mapleshade thought.
Blossompaw had dropped into a crouch and leaped at Mapleshade.
She swerved to the side, allowing Blossompaw to lose balance on the ground. But that was only for a second. Blossompaw attacked again, leaping directly at Mapleshade. She swept under Mapleshade's belly and dealt a couple of blows to her hindquarters, then turned and leaped over Mapleshade's head. She flipped Mapleshade onto her back and pinned her down proudly. But Mapleshade escaped easily.
She pinned Blossompaw down without hurting her. Blossompaw struggled.
"Kick me off," Mapleshade suggested.
Blossompaw used her hind legs and pushed Mapleshade off with so much momentum that Mapleshade practically flew through the air before landing with a plop on the ground.
"Are you alright?" Blossompaw stood up quickly.
Mapleshade nodded. "That was excellent. I haven't seen an apprentice fight like that in moons. Hazeltail will be proud of you."
Mapleshade awoke that morning to the sound of cats talking.
She opened her eyes wearily.
Tigerstar was snarling. "Our patrols reported that the boundary with StarClan has suddenly sprouted a long row of deadly thornbushes. We cannot get through. The thornbushes are too tall. We cannot get through to StarClan."
"Fox-dung!" Brokenstar growled. "Those mange-pelts with their stupid powers will be crushed."
"I trained Ivypaw," Hawkfrost mewed. "That ball of fur is so easy to trick.
"I trained Blossompaw," Mapleshade joined in. "She's as naive as a kit."
Brokenstar snorted. "Good. We should recruit even more cats. I'll visit Breezepelt tonight. Tigerstar, you can visit Redwillow. Mapleshade, you can visit Minnowtail. Tigerstar, if you have time, visit Tigerheart as well. Tomorrow, Mapleshade, visit Birchfall. I will visit Antpelt. Tonight, we will show the Clan cats our territory and gather our Dark Forest Clanmates."
Mapleshade padded around the woods. They were full of cats, mainly Dark Forest warriors. Some living cats were there too.
"All cats old enough to kill their own enemies gather here!" Brokenstar's cry echoed through the forest. Every cat settled down and pricked their ears.
"Welcome everyone," Brokenstar began. "Are you all eager to be good warriors and support the warrior code?"
"Yes!" The living cats all chorused.
Brokenstar nodded with satisfaction. "You will make fine warriors. Perhaps even fine leaders one day. We want to help you become the best fighters that you can ever be, so that you can defend your Clan in times of need."
Mapleshade observed the living cats. Ivypaw looked slightly nervous, Minnowtail looked interested, and Breezepelt was definitely excited.
Brokenstar was continuing his speech. "We will assign you talented mentors who will teach you to fight like a warrior. You will learn more than you will learn with your mentors with the Clans. You will learn to serve your Clan well."
Mapleshade shoved back a snort of laughter. He means the Dark Forest, not the stupid Clans.
"Ivypaw and Blossompaw, your mentors will be Mapleshade. Breezepelt and Birchfall, your mentors are Tigerstar and I. Minnowtail and Redwillow, your mentors are Hawkfrost.
Brokenstar completed the announcement and the cats set off to learn battle moves.
This is only the beginning, Mapleshade thought, staring across the woods in the direction of StarClan's territory. We will grow stronger. We have recruits now. And we will dominate you and the Clans, demolishing everything in our paths.