Shadow Ascension
By Catgirl the Crazy
Chapter 1: Coming Darkness
"Brambleclaw…" a familiar voice called. Brambleclaw looked around wildly. He was in a clearing near the Thunderpath. It was not long after sunhigh, in the middle of greenleaf. The scents of plentiful prey wafted into his nose, but right now he was trying to pinpoint the voice.
"Brambleclaw…" the voice called again. Now he knew who that voice belonged to. Perhaps he was dreaming of being on a patrol with her? He couldn't remember ever going on a patrol with her here before, but it would have been a long time ago, so he could have forgotten.
"Bluestar?" he called back. "Where are you?"
"A terrible darkness is coming. Do not underestimate it…" Her voice faded into nothing. Before he could respond, shadows seemed to creep towards him across the Thunderpath. He tried to run, but they overtook him, engulfing him in darkness, filling him with a terror colder than ice…
"Brambleclaw!" a louder, sharper voice called. He felt a paw prodding him in the side.
"Wake up you lazy furball!" the voice of Graystripe said again.
"Wha-?" Brambleclaw muttered sleepily. "Wha's happening?"
"You were yowling in your sleep," Graystripe said. "Nightmare?"
"Er, yeah," Brambleclaw yawned, getting up and stretching.
"Oh well," Graystripe mewed. "Anyway, I want you on the dawn patrol with Dustpelt and Squirrelpaw." Brambleclaw groaned inwardly. He just couldn't stand Squirrelpaw. She might be Firestar's daughter, but she was still the most annoying apprentice in ThunderClan.
As if he could read his mind, Graystripe added, "And you're going to behave yourself, alright?"
"I will if Squirrelpaw does," Brambleclaw mewed stubbornly.
"I mean it Brambleclaw," growled Graystripe.
Brambleclaw sighed. "Very well," he mewed resignedly. "I'll go."
"Good," the deputy grunted, and padded out of the warriors den. Brambleclaw sighed again and went after him. He immediately spotted Squirrelpaw pacing next to her mentor, Dustpelt. She stopped pacing when she saw Brambleclaw.
"Finally!" she mewed exasperatedly. "He decides to wake up!"
"It's not that late!" Brambleclaw retorted.
"Be quiet, both of you!" Dustpelt snapped. He looked at Squirrelpaw. "Squirrelpaw," he mewed sternly. "You need to learn to keep some things to yourself." The dark brown tabby turned to face Brambleclaw. "Brambleclaw, you're a warrior. You should know better." Brambleclaw bowed his head in shame. "Now we're going to patrol on the RiverClan border," Dustpelt continued, "and we'll do it quietly." Brambleclaw nodded and followed him towards the river. He had a feeling that it would be a long day.
A/N: Chappie two is done! I know it's short, but live with it.