Author's Note: Thanks for those of you who reviewed! I hope you enjoy this chapter as much as you did the last! And once again, I do not own "Warriors" by Erin Hunter. I am simply writing a fanfiction that DOES belong to me, as well as the characters and the Clans.

Enjoy your read, and please R&R! Oh, and parts of the story may switch between the plot kits, so I hope you don't get confused! ;3 Though, if you do, here's a key to help:

:3: - Means the story is focusing on Spiritpaw

:2: - Means the story is focusing on Gracepaw

:1: - Means the story is focusing on Pantherpaw

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Chapter One: Apprenticeship

:3:

(Spiritpaw)

The pale, silvery moon shone overhead, silhouetting the many cats that had gathered in the clearing. Among them sat a she-cat, white and silver in color with black paws and stunning sapphire blue eyes. The she-cat looked about herself, trying to understand why it appeared that she wasn't visible to those around her. Suddenly, the attention was drawn to a mysterious queen, soon to kit, that had interrupted this peaceful Gathering. Curious on lookers turned their unblinking eyes upon the queen, many staring straight through the she-cat. The she-cat's blue eyes flickered to the black, white, and silver intruder as she collapsed her kits ready to be born.

The first two kits were born and as the third one was being born, a blinding light appeared and the white and silver she-cat with black paws was sent spiraling into a different time. Blinking in surprise, the she-cat looked about herself and noticed that she was in the same place, this time; it was only her and the queen, now dead. A rustling in the bushes caught the she-cat's attention as she lifted her gaze away from the saddening sight; suddenly, a massive and powerful black tom strode into the clearing, his fiery amber eyes piercing the night. Behind him followed five other massive and muscular toms, each one smaller than the first.

"So, Starlight, you have escaped me for good." He mewed, his voice seething with disgust and hatred. Turning to a large red tom on his left, he motioned with his tail to the queen known as Starlight. "Dispose of her."

The white and silver she-cat watched as the tom began dragging the queen's body from view when the large black tom threw his head to the sky and let a chilling and rage-filled yowl escaped his massive jaws. The line of toms behind him remained expressionless, even though deep down, they all feared him. The yowl continued for a few more minutes and finally it ended.

"You cannot escape me my kits…No, you will all return to me…You cannot escape the wrath of the Leader of the Hell-cats! You cannot escape Deathclaw, son of Deathwing!" The words rang throughout the haunting silence as the sky grew darker, the moon and its silver rays, as well as the stars, disappearing from view, enveloping ForestPoint in complete and total darkness…

Sapphire blue eyes shot open in fright as a small, white and silver she-cat lay trembling next to her snow white mother, well adoptive mother. The she-kit quivered as she remembered the horrid dream and those awful eyes, the eyes that burned like an amber fire raging through a forest; the kit pressed herself against her mother to reassure herself that it was just a dream and nothing more. The kit stopped breathing heavily and now looked about her excitedly. Spotting her brother, Snakekit, the she-kit padded softly over to him and prodded the tom in his side. "Wake up sleepy cat! Today's the day we become apprentices!" she mewed, prodding the tom again.

By now the snow white queen, Winterfrost was awake and watching through half opened eyes as the white and silver she-kit, Spiritkit, stood over her black brother; Snakekit opened one of his black eyes and stared icily up at her. "Go back to sleep, Spiritkit! I'm tired!" Spiritkit frowned and looked up at Winterfrost. The queen just shook her head in amusement and rose to her paws, leaving Spiritkit to deal with Snakekit herself. Winterfrost padded out into the sunlight and sniffed, breathing in the fresh air. Behind her, the queen could hear Spiritkit, once again, trying to prod Snakekit awake without luck. Sighing, the queen padded over to the fresh-kill pile and selected a plump vole; taking it to the entrance of the Nursery, she settled herself on the ground and began eating.

Soon, Spiritkit appeared with a look a pleasure spread across her face. Finally, she had awoken Snakekit. The large black he-kit scrowled as he followed Spiritkit to the fresh-kill pile; he selected a mouse and padded over into the shade, his black eyes staring about him. Spiritkit soon appeared with a mouse dangling from her mouth. "I can't wait to become an apprentice! I wonder who our mentors will be…" she mewed, looking to Snakekit. The tom sighed and gave his sister a crooked smile.

"We'll probably end up with some older, tougher warrior." He mewed in reply, a snort of distaste escaping his throat. He finished his mouse and began grooming himself, running his tongue about his lips before grooming his chest fur. Spiritkit rolled her sapphire blue eyes and sniffed; the kit finished off her mouse and began grooming herself as well. As the two kits sat grooming, a bluish-grey she-cat emerged from her den and cast her jade green eyes about herself. A soft purr rumbled within her throat as she spotted Spiritkit. Her paws carried her softly towards the two kits.

"So, are you ready for your ceremony?" Oceansky mewed as she reached them; the kits looked up and nodded eagerly, each rising to their paws. "Very well then, I shall call the cats." Spiritkit watched her leader go before bounding over to Winterfrost; Snakekit followed at a slower pace, his black pelt gleaming in the sun, the only path of white showing on him was the white patch on his back.

Oceansky bunched her muscles and sprang onto CloudRock; the smooth, cool stone felt good under her paws while the cool breeze played with her fur. Sighing at the happiness that was expressed around camp, Oceansky opened her mouth and yowled, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gathering here beneath CloudRock for a Clan meeting!" The cats who had not already gathered slid from their dens and merged with the others. The last cats to appear were Winterfrost and her kits, Spiritkit and Snakekit, along with the other queen, a brownish-red cat, Ambersoul, and her kit, a large, sandy colored tom with a single white left-hind paw, Thistlekit.

Oceansky smiled as the crowd parted, allowing the two queens and their kits to come and seat themselves before CloudRock. "Cats of CloudClan, as you all know, we have three kits that are ready to become apprentices. Will Spiritkit, Snakekit, and Thistlekit please step forward?" In an excited scramble, the three kits rose and moved to stand before their Leader. "Thistlekit, you are of age to become an apprentice of CloudClan. From this day forth you shall be known as Thistlepaw; may SkyClan light your path. Berryheart, it is by time you are to be given your first apprentice. You will mentor Thistlepaw; may you teach him all the skill your own mentor has taught you." A pale ginger she-cat padded forward on white paws, her gentle brown eyes shining. The two cats touched noses and withdrew into the crowd.

Motioning for Snakekit to pad forward, Oceansky looked down at the tom and smiled. "Snakekit, you are of age to become an apprentice of CloudClan. From this day forth you shall be known as Snakepaw; may SkyClan light your path. Duskfur, seeing that your previous apprentice, Seastorm, has been made into a warrior, it is time again for you to train an apprentice. You will mentor Snakepaw; may you teach him all the skill your own mentor bestowed upon you." The two toms touched noses and dissolved into the crowd.

Now, only Spiritkit was left. Silence hung over the crowd as Oceansky stared down at Spiritkit with green eyes, her bluish-grey tail twitching every now and then. The young she-cat shifted eagerly from black paw, to black paw and her sapphire blue eyes sparkled in excitement. Finally, Oceansky's mouth parted and she spoke in a soft tone, "Spiritkit, you are of age to become an apprentice of CloudClan. From this day forth you shall be known as Spiritpaw; may SkyClan light your way." The leader paused and let her gaze drift around the crowd till her gaze returned to Spiritpaw. "I shall be your mentor." Amid the shocked silence, Oceansky leapt gracefully onto the dirt floor, her paws lightly treading on the earth; the she-cat stood before Spiritpaw, whose eyes were wide in surprise. Leaning till her bluish-grey head was level with the white and silver she-cat's own head, Oceansky gently touched her nose to Spiritpaw's. The ceremony had been completed.

A single voice rose from the crowd and soon the other cats picked up the words. "Thistlepaw! Snakepaw! Spiritpaw!" Spiritpaw beamed and kneaded her black paws on the ground. Oceansky smiled and dismissed the cats with a flick of her tail, allowing them to go back to their daily routines. As the cats gradually moved away from CloudRock, Snakepaw could barely be seen within the shadows; his black pelt hid him beautifully and yet, his eyes, those menacing black eyes, flashed angrily and he unsheathed his claws, burying them into the ground.

:1:

(Pantherpaw)

Pantherkit's sapphire blue eyes opened as thin strands of sunlight poked through the thicket of bracken, awaking the young tom to another day. His tail lashed to one side in annoyance as he got to his paws and padded to the entrance of the Nursery. "Today I will get my mentor." He mewed curtly, changing his gaze between the queens that lay asleep in the Nursery. Six sleeping forms of she-cats, either laden with kits or curled protectively around their kits, met his eyes and he spat. Hm…GhostClan must need more apprentices to have mated with all the she-cats except two, thought Pantherkit as he licked his chest, scrowling as the wind picked up and ruffled his black fur, dotted with white and silver, every which way.

Sighing, the black tom padded over to the fresh-kill pile and selected a large, plump mouse. As he settled himself in a sunny patch of earth and began eating, a mocking voice rang out. "Aw, is likkle Panther-wantherkit hungwy?" Pantherkit averted his gaze from his meal to the owner of the voice. Before him stood a large tom, only an apprentice, with dark brown, almost black fur and a smirk on his lips. The apprentice, Coldpaw's, intense yellow eyes glittered dangerously as he waited for Pantherkit to retort. Of course…Who else would come up with such a kit sized comment? A faint smile played upon Pantherkit's mouth before he turned back to his mouse, ignoring Coldpaw…That is, until Coldpaw swiped one of his large paws at Pantherkit's mouse, sending it a few tail-lengths away.

The black tom leapt to his paws with his fur bristling and blue eyes flaring angrily. The older cat just laughed. "What did you do that for, you worthless piece of fox-dung!" hissed Pantherkit as he drew his lips back in a snarl, revealing sharp white teeth. Coldpaw stared icily at Pantherkit and bristled as well, dropping into a crouch; imitating his opponent, Pantherkit also dropped into a crouch. By now, a small crowd had gathered. The brown tom launched himself at Pantherkit, bowling the kit over; the younger tom squeaked but fought back, lashing out at Coldpaw's face with unsheathed claws. Coldpaw yowled angrily and threw himself at Pantherkit. The cats around the apprentice and the kit were mainly the warrior toms, watching in silence, their eyes fixed unblinkingly on Pantherkit. Pantherkit dodged, but Coldpaw wanted him to do this. Lashing out a paw, Coldpaw managed to trip Pantherkit; the black he-kit stumbled, but that was all Coldpaw needed. The brown apprentice was on Pantherkit in a flash, pinning him to the ground and pressing his paw to Pantherkit's throat.

"Enough." A large, pale silver tom mewed, his voice cold and emotionless as he appeared within the circle of cats. The newcomer's chilling grey eyes pierced Coldpaw with silent anger and the apprentice scrambled off of Pantherkit, dipping his head respectfully. Ghostsky knocked Coldpaw off of his paws with a swipe of his paw before turning to face Pantherkit. The he-kit was rising to his paws, slowly, and taking in large breaths. "You did well for only a kit." Shocked looks were passed among the toms standing behind Ghostsky; this was the first time a comment had ever left their leader's mouth.

Pantherkit stared defiantly at Ghostsky. "I could've taken him." He mewed angrily, lashing his tail furiously from side to side. Ghostsky continued to stare at Pantherkit, watching his every move. He will become a leader someday. This…Pantherkit has courage, real courage, not any of this fake courage that is shown in my warriors, thought the silver tom to himself before motioning to the rest of the cats to leave.

"Come Pantherkit. It is time for your apprentice ceremony." Was all that Ghostsky said as he moved stealthily towards GhostRock. Bunching his muscles, the tom leapt onto the large boulder that served as GhostRock; a haunting and chilling yowl sounded as Ghostsky called the cats of GhostClan to him. Silently, cats slid from the shadows and emerged from their dens, forming a crowd in a fluid motion. Out of the Nursery strode two queens and a single kit. The first queen, Aquastream, was a tortoiseshell with stunning blue eyes and Pantherkit's adoptive mother. The second queen was Gemstone, a scrawny and ragged grey cat and green eyes; the kit was known to the Clan as Silverkit, daughter of Gemstone and the tom known as Sineye. As they seated themselves at the front of the crowd, Ghostsky cleared his throat and beckoned Pantherkit and Silverkit forward.

"Silverkit, you are of age to become an apprentice of GhostClan. From this day forth you shall be known as Silverpaw; may SkyClan light your path. Tigertail, you have trained many apprentices in your time as a warrior and now it is time that you take on another. You will mentor Silverpaw; may you teach her all the skill your own mentor bestowed upon you." The small, silver furred she-cat looked up at the massive red tabby with wide green eyes as he touched his nose to hers. Silverpaw's fur bristled at the sudden touch, but she calmed herself and fell into place among the crowd. Now, only Pantherkit remained.

With a flick of his tail, Ghostsky summoned Pantherkit to GhostRock; the black tom strode boldly to the front of the boulder and stood, awaiting his mentor. "Pantherkit, you are of age to become an apprentice of GhostClan. From this day forth you shall be known as Pantherpaw; may SkyClan light your way." Mewed Ghostsky as he peered among the crowd, each of the remaining toms' eyes flashing with greed; No, they shall not mentor him…I shall…, thought the silver tom, a sly smile playing upon his lips. "Pantherpaw, I will mentor you." Leaping down from GhostRock, the large silver tom padded to Pantherpaw till he stood over the young cat. Amongst the cheers of 'Silverpaw! Pantherpaw!', Ghostsky bent down and mentor and apprentice touched noses, sealing the young tom's fate.

:2:

(Gracepaw)

"Awaken young one, for it is the time for you to be appointed a mentor." Mewed a tan she-cat with icy blue eyes. Maplesoul prodded the sleeping kit gently with her paw once again before sighing in frustration. "I swear, Gracekit! You could sleep all day if I let you!" Shaking her head, the queen continued to prod the white she-cat with silver tabby stripes; still, the kit did not stir. What is she dreaming about that causes her to sleep so late, Maplesoul thought to herself as she watched Gracekit's blue paws twitch every now and then.

The pale moonlight filtered down through the leafy canopy, casting its light into an empty clearing. Black paws padded softly on the forest floor whilst sapphire blue eyes peered about; the cat's nose quivered as it caught the scent of a mouse. Dropping into a crouch, the cat, a white she-cat, sprang forward, catching the rodent by its tail. The mouse let out an angered squeak and struggled against the cat's grasp. "Do not harm that mouse, young one. It is not important at the moment, Gracekit." Whispered a voice in the she-cat's ear as tall grasses surrounding the clearing parted to reveal an elegant black, white, and silver she-cat. The white she-cat, Gracekit, blinked in surprise and let the mouse slip from her clutches.

"How do you know my name?" Gracekit mewed, crouching cautiously in the shadows. The other she-cat merely chuckled.

"I know many things, young one, but that is not important. What is important, though, is that I give you this message." The mysterious cat mewed, touching her nose lovingly to Gracekit's muzzle. The kit bristled, but remained still as the black, silver, and white cat spoke again. "A Panther and Spirit accompanied by Grace will bring forth a victory and defeat the Claw of Death."

"Claw of Death? A Panther and Spirit accompanied by Grace will bring forth a victory? What is that supposed to mean!" Gracekit mewed in confusion as the strange cat began to face.

"Remember, Gracekit; a Panther and Spirit accompanied by Grace will bring forth a victory and defeat the Claw of Death…"

"Don't go! What do you mean! I don't understand!"

"Remember!"

"I don't understand!"

"Gracekit…"

"Please, tell me what you mean!"

"Gracekit, it's time for your apprentice ceremony."

"Wait!"

A sharp nudge in the side and the stern voice of Maplesoul finally brought Gracekit back into reality. "Hurry up, Gracekit! Forestsky has called a Clan meeting for your apprentice ceremony. Let's get going!" The white she-kit blinked her sapphire blue eyes and looked at Maplesoul. The words of the mysterious cat still rang in her head and the feeling of the she-cat's touch still lingered on her muzzle. Shaking her head, the she-kit rose to her black paws and licked her ruffled chest fur before emerging from the Nursery with Maplesoul at her side.

Most of the Clan had gathered beneath TreeRock, though, the occasional cat slid from the shadows or dens that lay scattered around the forested clearing. Heads turned and a small path formed as the cats moved out of the way, allowing the kit and her adoptive mother to seat themselves in front on TreeRock. Atop of the rock stood a large brown tabby tom, his blue eyes looking down kindly at the young soon-to-be-apprentice. "Cats of TreeClan, as you all know, Maplesoul's kit, Gracekit, is of age to become an apprentice. Gracekit, please step forward."

Taking a reassuring glance back at Maplesoul, the white she-cat with silver tabby stripes padded up till she was beneath the large, moss covered rock; black paws kneaded the ground in excitement as her sapphire blue gaze remained upon Forestsky. "Gracekit, you are of age to become an apprentice for TreeClan. From this day forth you will be known as Gracepaw; may SkyClan light your path." Gracekit, now Gracepaw, beamed and looked excitedly back at Maplesoul who in turn gave her an encouraging smile, "And now for your mentor."

Forestsky let his gaze sweep along the crowd of cats till they rested on Maplesoul. A small nod was given before he opened his mouth to mew out, "Gracepaw, I will be your mentor." The apprentice's jaw dropped in astonishment as the brown tom leaped lightly onto the ground and touched noses with her; blinking, Gracepaw managed a weak smile while Forestsky merely let out a soft mrrow of laughter.

:D:

(Unknown…)

Three pairs of eyes stared unblinkingly out as the three kits were made into apprentices. Their scent, masked by something unknown, wasn't noticed by any of the cats; in fact, there was no scent to smell. Three pairs of mouths twisted into sinister smiles as these creatures slipped from the campsites. Their movements were swift and silent with powerful muscles carrying these massive creatures from their duty. In a small clearing hidden away from any of the Clans' territories, a lone black tom sat, his muscular form silhouetted by the soft sunlight. His fiery amber eyes watched as the three creatures appeared. "Well?" he sneered, his voice like ice: cold and unforgiving.

The smallest of the three, a golden tom with one yellow eye, stepped forward, lowering his torso and extending one paw mewed, "Lord Deathclaw, I bring news of the youngest kit. It is a she-cat with white and silver fur, deep blue eyes and black paws; she is known as Spiritkit, er…Spiritpaw and her mentor is the one called Oceansky who is apparently the Leader of these 'Clans.'" The black tom, Deathclaw, nodded solemnly and dismissed the golden tom with a flick of his tail.

"You did well, Goldeye. See that Twilight pleases you." Deathclaw mewed darkly; Goldeye purred and dipped another bow. Next was a large red tom with eyes of ice.

Like Goldeye, the burly red tom lowered his torso and extended one paw. "Lord Deathclaw, brother. I bring news of the first born, a tom. He is like you in every way: size, shape, and attitude of power…He is black with white and silver dots and deep blue eyes as well. His mentor is also like Spiritpaw's, for his mentor is the Leader, Ghostsky." The tom's brother, Deathclaw, nodded and dismissed his brother with another flick of his tail.

"Like Goldeye, you did well, Bloodclaw. Choose a mate from the she-cats that please you, but only one. Twilight, as you have heard, has already been claimed." Answered Deathclaw; Bloodclaw dipped another bow and backed away as the last of the three cats padded forward.

Dipping a bow, the mottled brown tom stepped forward, his blind green eyes staring ahead as he spoke. "Lord Deathclaw, of your last daughter news is here. Like Spiritpaw she does look: fur of white and tabby stripes of silver; paws of black and eyes of blue. Her name Gracepaw is. Mentor of Gracepaw Forestsky is. This she-cat different is; received message from Starlight she did, warning. My eyes me tell."

"A warning message!" yowled Deathclaw as he leapt to his massive paws, long claws unsheathing and burying themselves into the ground, "Are you sure, Strangespeak?"

Dipping a bow, Strangespeak nodded. "Of message I am sure. Blind I may be, but dream senses strong are." Deathclaw spat in anger and began pacing up and down in front of the cats.

"You did well. Please yourself with a mate, but then take three cats from the Chosen Hell-Shard of the Hell-cats and find out more."

"Yes Lord, do this I shall." Replied Strangespeak, his tail twitching in anticipation; Deathclaw surveyed his three most trusted toms before flicking his tail twice and disappearing amongst the foliage. Goldeye, Bloodclaw and Strangespeak darted after him and the clearing was silent. No cat knew of this meeting and of these horrid cats known as the Chosen Hell-Shard of the Hell-cats, who the Hell-cats were exactly or of what lay in store for the young apprentices, no one knew. Only the trees who are to remain forever silent…Forever knowing this horrible fate…

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Hope you all like Chapter One: Apprenticeship! This chapter took me 8, I repeat, 8 pages! That's like the longest chapter I've EVER written! Hehe…Anyway, please R&R! I think I'll put up a Cat List for the Hell-Cats next… :3 What do you think? Tell me if I should in your reviews!