Chapter twelve
The wind had picked up into a violent whip. The three she-cats stood at the opening of a small cave that sat in the center of a very small island.
"Are you ready to go inside?" Deerleap asked. Looking at Ripplepaw, Fawnpaw curves her lips into a small smile. She had grown increasingly excited for her friend and could barely hold it in. Her paws tingled with anticipation.
"Yes. I'm ready." Ripplepaw squeaked. Deerleap took a deep breath and turned to Fawnpaw.
"Would you like to join your friend? To keep her company?" Her heart skipped and she mewed happily.
"Yes of course! I'd love to be there for her special moment." The brown warrior then pointed with her tail, telling them to go in. With a glance at each other, the two apprentices slowly entered the cave.
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Inside the cave was cold. With each pawstep a chill was sent up Fawnpaw's spine. Only darkness encased the cave so they traveled using their whiskers.
"I think I see something." Ripplepaw whispered. Looking ahead, Fawnpaw spotted something. It was a large hunk of glowing rock. It was beautiful. They reached the rock and stood in awe. This was the Starstone. StarClan used this stone to communicate with the living Clans.
"Alright. I'm going to do it." Ripplepaw breathed. She watched as the gray she-cat crouched down and lightly touched her nose to the stone. After a moment...she lied still. Only the soothing sound of soft breathing filled the cave. Moments passed and it was still silent. As she sat, a strange urge arose in her. What would happen if I touched the stone? No. She couldn't. Only medicine cats and leaders were to touch it. Gazing at the stone with curious eyes, she finally gave in.
The instant her nose made contact with the Starstone, an icy cold wind gripped her and spun her violently. Thud! She hit something hard. Where am I? Opening her eyes and looking around...her heart stopped. About three fox-lengths in front of her was a heart wrenching scene. Blood covered the forest floor. Everywhere, cats fought viciously. Yowls of anger and fear filled her ears. The longer she watched...the more cats she recognized.
Stormflash,bloody and battered, was entangled in the claws of two cats whom she had never seen. Behind him, was Hawkstar. Her face was cold and enraged. Suddenly, the forest was swept from under her paws and a new scene unfolded in front of her. There was a tall rock. On top of that rock was a powerful gray cat.
"Beware of what the flames birth for he can not easily be quenched." Then...darkness. Her eyes flew open. Ripplepaw was beside her, staring her down with wide eyes.
"Are you alright? You were thrashing like a fish out of water." Hardly hearing the question, Fawnpaw's thoughts overwhelmed her. She knew one thing for sure...that was a sign from StarClan. Something terrible was soon to unfold.