Chapter 2
Author's Note: Welcome to Forestclan, for all those who are willing to dare these twisted paths. Pray that Alderstar chooses to spare you and you never cross his golden gaze again. His deputy Sandviper is his deadly enforcer. If your life is worthless to Forestclan's dominating cause, do not seek out Fernshade's help for she will do nothing but end your existence. Strength and skill flow in the veins of these cats. One day they will rule over all Five Clans or they will drown everything in blood.
As a red dawn's light spilled into the muddy entrance, green eyes peered into the deeper shadows with narrowed pupils. A sharp yowl echoed off the rocky walls, bouncing through the twisting and winding pathways. Eyes opened instantly. Cats began to rise and move. The sun's light first spread over red-russet fur. Golden eyes remained cold, refusing to sparkle and shine. His white forepaw slammed into the rock outcrop as a new presence appeared beneath him. Small but heavyset with pure muscle, the sandy tabby tom stalked into the thorn-encircled hollow. Sandviper, the deputy of Forestclan, looked upward to his leader. Alderstar gave him a toothy smile. Green eyes sparkling with pride, Sandviper raised his head and yowled loudly. Birds shot into the air with raucous cries. It warned the awakening forest that the worst predator was about to stalk amongst the trunks and thick underbrush. Three cats slid down the hollow's sides from their hidden posts. All three gave their reports to Sandviper. The deputy noted the night's events, deciding that the Rockclan border would need checking. With that, he dismissed the nighttime spies. The three turned, bowed low to their powerful leader, then headed for bed.
Sandviper sat in the center of the hollow and waited patiently. The senior warriors exited the cave system first. Each nodded a greeting to Alderstar as the leader watched from above. These were the Clan's powerful warriors and the best hunters. Scars marred their coats, attesting to the many battles they had survived. They divided in half to join Sandviper's side in a semicircle. It was very cat's goal to one day take a seat here. Only the leader and deputy sat above these powerful cats. Ferns rustled directly beneath the rock outcrop. The Forestclan Medicine Cat slunk from the dark interior. The black and dark russet patched she-cat had more than earned her name of Fernshade. Emerald green eyes glowed with calculating madness. A cold smirk spread up her face before she chirped to the semi-circle of cats. They alone were her equals in this Clan. Three easy bounds saw her reach the rock outcrop. Alderstar purred darkly as he Medicine Cat rubbed against his coat. Only against his red-russet shade could one see the dark, deadly shade in her russet patches. Both were descents of Crescenttail through Yarrowspring. While Alderstar was descended from Amberstar, Fernshade carried Forestclan blood through her father. Thus, the half-siblings ensured that Forestclan remained under their control.
The camp was soon alive as the many warriors of Forestclan came the cave system. Apprentices exited through their entrance. Each one joined their mentor, waiting the orders for the day. As each cat exited, they bowed low to the leader who sat above them then sat before the semi-circle of senior warriors. From a carefully woven fern and bracken den came the Clan's four elders. They could no longer serve their Clan with tooth and claw. Instead, they assisted by passing on wisdom and advising the Clan leader. They would watch over their younger Clanmates, informing Alderstar and Sandviper if any cat was slipping on their duties. Eyes briefly flashed at the entrance to the cave system. It was the head nursery cat. She was awaiting for the Clan assignments to complete before allowing the queens and kits entrance to the hollow.
Sandviper rose to his feet, his stubby tail raised. He growled, "Senior Timberfang will take Nettlepelt, Eagletalon, Quailwing, and Moonscar to the Rockclan border. Adderstalk reported suspicious activity near the Rockfall."
"Move!" barked Timberfang. Immediately the named warriors rose and followed him to the camp entrance.
All eyes remained locked on Sandviper despite the movement. They knew their place. Sandviper continued without stopping, "Two hunting patrols. Senior Ryesight heads to Marshclan territory with Bearfoot, Willowleaf, and Ashfeather. Kill any cat who attempts to stop you, as is the Battle Code." The hunting patrol moved off without a word. "Senior Darkpatch will hunt near the Gathering Boulders and the Gorgeclan border. Take Cougarclaw, Larkwhisker, and Petalslash." The patrol headed out along with Petalslash's apprentice, Wildpaw.
"Flowertail, report," Alderstar suddenly spoke up.
A beautiful, dark gray spotted she-cat rolled her head to look up at her leader. Annoyance flashed in her striking green eyes. With a huff, she rose and padded towards the outcrop path. There she sat to await her leader's word, which would come once Sandviper finished the assignments. Her apprentice, Grasspaw, remained sitting and listening. Whatever Alderstar wanted with her mentor, it had nothing to do with her yet. As warriors were called, they moved out to complete the assigned task. Those who were not assigned direct tasks would guard the camp, clean up dens, or assist the elders. The only one to remain sitting was Grasspaw. He would not move until her mentor fetched her.
Striking green eyes met emerald-green as Fernshade padded down the path before Alderstar. Fernshade sneered angrily, "Gorgeclan scum."
"Enough of that, Fernshade," Alderstar meowed calmly. He stopped before Flowertail but gazed after his sister, "Flowertail and her little sister have sworn themselves to Forestclan. They are one of us now."
The Medicine Cat looked back at her leader and brother, "Then she better start pulling weight."
"She will. I have a task in mind for her," the tom purred darkly. Golden eyes turned to Flowertail, "Send Grasspaw to Sandviper."
Flowertail's fur started to rise. She knew of the deputy's harsh reputation and wanted her sister nowhere near the small tom. However, the deadly gleam in her leader's eye warned the warrior to obey. She shut her eyes tight then turned to look at her apprentice, "Grasspaw, obey Sandviper until I'm done talking to Alderstar."
Grasspaw's green eyes turned to her mentor, terror clearly evident. She swallowed then meowed hesitantly, "Yes, mentor!"
"Walk with me," Alderstar growled, stepping past Flowertail, as the young apprentice scampered reluctantly over to annoyed deputy.
Together the pair wandered into the dark forest. The thick, towering oaks were ancient and strong. Many branches shrouded the ground in darkness with only patches of sunlight. Within these patches did many shrubs climbed atop each other in the battle for nutrients. Flowertail noted how it matched the deadly Clan's own outlook on life. Forestclan was so different from Gorgeclan. However, after a certain threat, the young warrior had to flee with her little sister. A few moons alone with a tiny kit taught the warrior that she needed a Clan. Forestclan was willing to welcome them both. Her striking green eyes turned to Alderstar's back. The tom stood a good head taller than her, despite similar blood flowing through their veins. She knew the debt she owed Forestclan was about to haunt her.
Reaching the border with Rockclan, Alderstar stopped and studied the rocky slope which climbed to the tower mountains that brought rain to Forestclan and Marshclan territories. Flowertail stopped and sat beside him. Her gaze never the tom. She had seen him in battle before and knew the skill he possessed. Her skill meant nothing in comparison to him. However, his tail entwining with hers caught the she-cat by surprise. Suddenly the tom twisted and lunged. Flowertail cried out with pain as the tom slammed her into the hardened soil and thorn tendrils. His white forepaw stepped onto her throat with claws unsheathed. Golden stared down at her with contempt.
"Tell me, Flowertail, what makes Forestclan different from the other Clans?" he asked softly, tone dripping with a sinister note.
Green eyes rose to study his face as she hissed, "Power, strength. Forestclan has a drive none of the other Clans do and the healthy warriors to make it happen."
"Correct. Now, do you know what our greatest enemy is?" came the question with a slight tilt of the head.
Grunting, the warrior tried to loosen the tom's grip on her throat. He had pinned her perfectly where her forepaws couldn't reach any vulnerable areas. With a gasp, she meowed, "You have no enemies strong enough to defeat you."
"Wrong. That is only foolish thought," Alderstar spat, pressing down harder on her throat. He growled darkly, "One must never think they are the best. One must never underestimate their enemies. Forestclan is strong but we have a deadly enemy: the other Clans. If they increase their spying capabilities or have a better hunting season or have rogues join their ranks or even develop a more deadly mindset then Forestclan could be forced back!"
The red-russet tom released the she-cat, causing her to gasp for air. He stalked in circle around her, tail twitching as thoughts raced through his mind.
"I am Forestclan's leader. I am destined to bring us the power we have always sought, the destiny that has been in Forestclan's veins from the very beginning. I will not fail at that task. I will unleash the darkness within and allow chaos to take root." He stopped suddenly. His fur laid flat and the tom calmed. Flowertail's fur rose at the calm, dark smile he gave her. "I will not fail and neither will you."
Flowertail felt his tail run under her jaw, lifting her head. She meowed softly, "What do you want?"
"Victory," Alderstar replied. He leaned down and whispered into her ear, "You are the perfect huntress. The prey you have hunted have been the deadliest the Five Clans have ever seen. I have watched as you stalk and lure, waiting for the that perfect moment. I have enjoyed watching your work." His tongue ran over her left ear before he meowed, "Now I need that skill to benefit Forestclan. You see, Rockclan has been growing in strength lately and I need it to end. Their leader, Quartzstar, is weak and feeble. They recently lost their Medicine Cat. Now is the time to strike. I need you to bring them down from the inside."
A cold smile touched Flowertail's lips as he walked away, "The first cat on your list is the only one who ever escaped your gasp. So do me this favor and bring me Stormcloud's head before he can become Rockclan's next deputy."
Then her blood ran cold, "Or Grasspaw won't survive her ten moon assessment."
Cactopus: I hope I got Flowertail right. I messed her background because it made the most sense her make a deal with Alderstar – she would join and aid Forestclan in exchange for her sister's safety and her sister being her own apprentice. However, Alderstar never lets a cat get one over on him for too long. It also made sense for her to come from Gorgeclan based on the skill set you listed and the hierarchy that they have – which I will explain in another chapter as I'm going to briefly introduce all Five Clans before the story really begins.
Second Author's Note: the cat in the prophecy will appear. He is the "main character". However, this story is not written from his perspective, but rather from those who surround and influence him.