Chapter 11
It had been a week since Ripplepaw's dream. Every passing day felt like torture to him, as he knew sooner or later Nightsky would have to die. The idea of watching his mentor die before his eyes made him sick, but Ripplepaw knew it was the only way to keep RiverClan safe. Nightsky is a danger to the entire forest, he told himself as he padded into the den.
Nightsky was sitting at the back of the den, sorting through some withered leaves. Looking up, she smiled at him. "Good morning! What do you say we head towards Sunningrocks and look for some chickweed?"
Ripplepaw shuffled his paws uncomfortably. "Actually, I was thinking we should head towards the waterfall. I spotted a huge clump of coltsfoot there yesterday."
Nightsky nodded. "That sounds good to me. We're actually low on coltsfoot anyways." Standing up, the black medicine cat followed Ripplepaw out into the camp clearing. As they made their way out of camp, Ripplepaw's heart began to beat wildly. What if Nightsky escaped? She would surely tell Morningstar, and that would be the end of him. He'd be forced to live the rest of his days away from his family.
"Are you all right? You look so nervous," she murmured. "If you're worried about falling into the gorge, don't be."
Ripplepaw's neck fur began to bristle. "I'm fine," he lied as he slowed his pace. "I was just thinking about a bad nightmare I had last night."
Nightsky gave him a sympathetic look. "Nightmares are no fun. Just remember it was all a dream. That's what I do when I have a bad dream."
The silver tom grunted, but didn't say anything. As they approached the waterfall, his heart thumped wildly in his chest. Nightsky was about to die, all because of him.
"I don't see any coltsfoot," Nightsky said as she looked around. "Are you sure it was here?"
Ripplepaw gulped. "Yeah, but can I talk to you about something first?"
She stared at him, clearly confused. "Sure, I guess." Once she took a seat, Ripplepaw unsheathed his claws and began to approach her from behind.
Before Nightsky could react, Ripplepaw leaped onto her back. The black she-cat let out a surprised screech, before rolling out of the way. "What are you doing?" she cried out, her amber eyes wide with fear.
"Something I should have done a long time ago!" Ripplepaw retorted, aiming a blow to her muzzle. As they fought, Ripplepaw realized he had the upper hand. Despite his breathing problems, he was much stronger than his mentor. And since their last scuffle, he had grown much bigger. Suddenly, Ripplepaw lashed out at her throat, tearing the skin. Scarlet blood splattered everywhere, coating his light silver pelt.
Nightsky began to cough violently, before thrashing around underneath him. As Ripplepaw watched, his stomach began to churn nervously. I have to make sure she dies! As Nightsky convulsed under him, Ripplepaw leaned down and gave her another wound to the belly. Immediately, blood poured out of the wound like a waterfall, coating Nightsky's dark pelt. As the blood continued to pool out of the wound like a scarlet wave, it coated his delicate paws turning them bright red.
Nightsky would not survive these wounds.
Gulping, Ripplepaw looked into Nightsky's amber eyes. They were filled with shock, rage and sadness. "Why?" she choked out, blood running down the side of her mouth.
He did not respond. What could he possibly tell her? She was going to die anyways, so nothing he said mattered. Finally, the light in Nightsky's eyes died away, leaving a still, glossy expression.
She was dead.
Stepping back, Ripplepaw stared at her body. He had successfully murdered someone, and he had to admit it felt good. He had saved RiverClan from Nightsky's cruel paws. Now all that was left was to rid the Clan of Morningstar, but that was a task for another day. Glancing around, Ripplepaw picked up Nightsky's scruff and hauled her dead body over towards the edge of the gorge. Glancing down at the foaming waterfall below, he tossed her body down into the violent waves. Within seconds, Nightsky's dead body disappeared under the water, causing the waves to turn red with her blood.
Looking down at himself, Ripplepaw noticed he was covered in blood. Nightsky's blood. He had to wash it off as soon as possible, otherwise he would never get away with the crime he had just committed. Taking a deep breath, Ripplepaw headed upstream, towards a calmer part of the river. He quickly jumped into the water, and began cleansing himself of any evidence. As he climbed out, the silver tom began to head in the direction of camp. As he walked, he began to plan what he would say to Morningstar.
I'll tell her we were attacked by a rogue, when Nightsky accidentally slipped and fell into the gorge, he decided.
As he neared camp, Ripplepaw's heart was beating faster than it had ever in his entire life. What if Morningstar didn't believe him? Slowly, Ripplepaw limped into camp, his eyes watering. "Nightsky is dead!" he yowled sadly.
Morningstar darted out of her den immediately, her amber eyes wide with shock. "What did you just say?" she demanded.
"Nightsky is dead," he repeated, crocodile tears rolling down the side of his face. "We were gathering herbs by the waterfall, when a rogue attacked us. Nightsky tried to fight him off, but she accidentally slipped and fell into the gorge. I tried to go downstream to find her, but it was impossible. I'm so sorry, Morningstar. I tried my best, I really did." At this point, real tears were rolling down his face. He had killed someone!
Morningstar stood there, stunned. Finally she whispered, "It's not your fault."
Ripplepaw sniffled, before limping over in the direction of his den. He was the sole medicine cat of RiverClan now. As he slid down in his nest, Nightsky's scent came washing over him. For the first time in his life, he realized how much the den smelled like her.
Suddenly, Birchtail appeared in the entrance. "Can I ask you a quick question?" the deputy wondered.
He nodded. "Go ahead."
As Birchtail took a seat beside Ripplepaw he asked, "What did the rogue look like?"
"I don't remember. Everything happened so fast that I didn't have time to pay attention," Ripplepaw meowed. Please believe me!
Birchtail frowned. "I understand. If you happen to remember, come let me know. I want to find this rogue, and make him pay for what he's done."
Ripplepaw's throat tightened. What if they really did find a rogue in their territory? Another life would be lost, because of him. Nightsky had to die, he reminded himself. StarClan even gave you permission to kill her! As Ripplepaw sat there, his head began to pound and he felt sick to his stomach. Before he knew it, he was fast asleep.
By the time Ripplepaw woke up, it was evening. Slowly, he walked out into the clearing where several cats were huddled around something. As he approached, Ripplepaw realized it was Nightsky's body. "How did you find it?" he asked the nearest cat.
"Birchtail's patrol found it washed up by the Twoleg bridge," Pebblestripe explained. The gray warrior turned to face the body. "Poor Nightsky," he murmured. "Her body was torn up by the sharp rocks in the gorge." Ripplepaw pushed his way through his Clanmates, before pausing to look down at his dead mentor's body. Pebblestripe was right. Nightsky's body had been cut and damaged by the sharp rocks in the river. Upon seeing this, Ripplepaw let out a sigh. Now now cat would ever suspect him of murder.
"I think we should let Morningstar, Sootpelt and Ripplepaw mourn in peace for the time being," Birchtail commanded and he shooed all the warriors away.
As the crowd thinned, the silver tom began to grow uncomfortable. I don't deserve to mourn for her. I'm not even sad, Ripplepaw thought. As Sootpelt took a seat next to him, Ripplepaw couldn't help but feel empathetic for the old tom.
"I can't believe she's dead," Sootpelt rasped, running a paw over her torn and battered body.
"I know," Morningstar whispered. "I keep thinking this is nothing more than a cruel nightmare that I'm going to wake up from." Morningstar slowly curled up beside her sister, tears forming in her dark eyes. "Perhaps she'll visit me in my dreams?" Looking over at Ripplepaw she requested, "If Nightsky ever visits you, please let me know."
He nodded awkwardly. "I promise I will."
For the first time since her sister's death, Morningstar smiled. It wasn't a very big smile, but it was a smile nonetheless. "Thanks."
As Ripplepaw sat there, the more uncomfortable he felt. Glancing down at his leader he asked, "What am I supposed to do about my training now that Nightsky is dead?"
Morningstar looked up in surprise. "You're our only medicine cat now..." she whispered. Leaping to her paws she said, "You must go to the Moonstone immediately to receive your full medicine cat name! It's important you do so, the sooner the better." Glancing up at the darkening sky, she added, "Tonight. You must go tonight."
Ripplepaw stared at her, before standing to his paws. "All right, then. I shall go to Moonstone immediately." As he limped towards the camp entrance, his stomach began to churn nervously. What if Nightsky came to confront him? No, that was impossible. Nightsky had to be in the Dark Forest. She was evil! Only StarClan cats would be able to visit him and make him a full medicine cat. But what if StarClan ignores me like they did last time? he panicked. With a sigh, he realized he would just have to lie if that happened.
As he crossed the Twoleg bridge, Ripplepaw began the long trek towards Highstones. As he approached the moorland, the soft grass underpaw began to turn spiky and hard.
"Stop!" a loud voice commanded.
Ripplepaw jumped into the air, surprised. Spinning around, he saw a WindClan patrol approaching him.
"What are you doing on WindClan territory?" a dark ginger she-cat demanded.
"I promise I mean no harm. I'm simply passing through on my way to Highstones," Ripplepaw explained, shuffling his paws on the ground.
A cream-brown tom narrowed his eyes at Ripplepaw. "Alone?" he growled.
"Wait, Berryheart," a brown tabby she-cat said. "I think I know who this is. You're Nightsky's apprentice, aren't you?"
Ripplepaw nodded. "I was her apprentice. Now I'm the sole medicine cat for RiverClan."
"What happened to Nightsky?" Berryheart asked, tipping his head to the side. "She didn't die, did she?"
"I'm afraid so," Ripplepaw whispered, glancing down at the ground. "Earlier today she slipped and fell into the gorge. I tried to save her, but there was nothing I could do. Now I'm on my way to the Moonstone so that I may earn my full medicine cat name."
The three WindClan warriors dipped their head in respect. "May StarClan light her path," the dark ginger she-cat meowed. "Well, I wish you the best of luck. WindClan mourns the loss of Nightsky, and our prayers will be with you and your entire Clan." Stepping aside, they allowed Ripplepaw to pass.
Quickening his pace, Ripplepaw made his way across the moorland. As the moon climbed higher into the sky, Ripplepaw couldn't help but grow nervous. He had little to no battle skills, so he would be doomed if he ran into a hungry fox or badger. StarClan will protect me, he told himself as he continued his way towards Highstones. As he approached the Thunderpath, he could see the glimmering eyes of the monsters as they roared down the black path.
Gulping, Ripplepaw paused beside the Thunderpath, heart pounding. Once there was a gap between monsters, Ripplepaw darted out onto the Thunderpath. Ignoring his lungs, he raced as fast as he could before leaping safely onto the other side. As he sat there catching his breath, Ripplepaw looked up at the sky. The moon was almost straight above Highstones, meaning he had to act fast. Gulping for air, the silver tom scrambled up the rocky slope and into Mothermouth. Darkness swallowed him up, causing him to panic. Pushing his fears aside, Ripplepaw ran down the long and winding tunnels, his whiskers brushing the smooth walls. Finally, he emerged into the cavern where the Moonstone lay.
Suddenly, the moon positioned itself right above the hole in the roof, causing dazzling light to illuminate the cave. Squinting, Ripplepaw approached the Moonstone. As he lay down, he quickly pressed his nose to the icy stone. Within seconds, Ripplepaw found himself back in the beautiful clearing he had dreamed of earlier.
The white she-cat from his previous dream was there, along with a few unfamiliar faces. Looking closer, Ripplepaw noticed how scrawny and ragged the new cats appeared to be. Aren't StarClan cats supposed to be beautiful? he wondered. Pushing the thought away, he turned to face the white she-cat.
"Welcome, Ripplepaw," the white she-cat purred. "I am very pleased with you."
Ripplepaw puffed out his chest. "Thank you," he meowed, his eyes shining. Suddenly he asked, "Is Nightsky in the Dark Forest?"
The white she-cat exchanged a glance with a gray tom. "Of course," she finally said, talking a few steps towards Ripplepaw. "It is time to give you your full medicine cat name." Ripplepaw squirmed excitedly. He couldn't believe it! He was about to receive his full name, and early too! "From this moment forward, you shall be known as Ripplesky."
"You're naming me after Nightsky? The very cat I just murdered?" Ripplesky growled, narrowing his eyes.
The white she-cat gave him an annoyed look. "Be patient, young one. If you would have let me finish, you would know I have reason for this. By naming you after Nightsky, your Clanmates will believe she gave you her blessing as the new medicine cat. It will also look like a gesture of honor. You must never let your Clanmates figure out the truth," the white she-cat told him.
Ripplesky nodded in understanding. "I suppose," he said. "Thank you..." Ripplesky trailed off, unsure of the she-cat's name.
"Snowdust," the white she-cat told him. Flicking her tail towards the other cats she meowed, "And these cats are Sparrowfeather, Snowtuft, and Silverhawk."
Ripplesky blinked at the three cats. Turning his attention back towards Snowdust he said, "I promise I won't let you down. I'll keep RiverClan safe, no matter what."
Snowdust purred happily. "Good. Now it is time to return back to your Clan. Travel safely, and remember we will always be watching you."
I had a ton of fun writing this chapter, so I hope everyone will like it. Also, thank you so much for all the reviews last chapter! I love reading what you have to say, and what you think of the story. I will do my best to update again soon. Question: What did you think about Nightsky's death scene?
As always, thanks for reading!
