Challenge: All that Glitters is not Gold
Word Count (min. 400): 726
Rating: K, suitable for all ages
Darkstar's Regret
"Darkflame!"
The dark brown tabby tom quickly turned around, noticing a pale grey tom running towards him panting. "What is it Smokewing?" he asked gruffly.
"There are RiverClan warriors inside the border!" he panted. "Ambercloud, Hawktalon and Sootclaw are there, but I think we need some reinforcements! Call for Flowerstep or Shadepaw or even Duskstar! We need help!"
"Go!" Darkflame snarled. "I'll call for reinforcements!"
Smokewing nodded and bolted out of the camp. Darkflame followed him at a quick pace. He didn't need reinforcements!
He came to the ShadowClan border were he saw three fish-breaths arguing with his warriors.
He let out a low growl and everyone stopped to turn to him.
"I thought you were getting some more cats," Smokewing whispered.
"I don't need more cats," he growled. He dismissed his warriors with the swish of his tail and he faced the RiverClan cats. "Why were you on our side of the border?" he growled.
Smokewing turned around, watching his deputy with the three RiverClan cats.
"I can't believe he thinks that he can take on three warriors!"
He turned to his left where Ambercloud had a disgusted scowl on her face.
"Arrogant tom," he hissed under his breath.
.
Darkflame padded smugly into camp. "I sure showed the RiverClan cats who was boss!" he bragged, hiding the several scratches on his stomach. He was lucky that the RiverClan leader Shellstar had come at the perfect time before they tore each other to shreds.
As he walked towards the centre of the camp, he noticed everyone sitting quietly, with their heads down. He closed his mouth and took a better look at the cat in the centre of the circle.
It was Duskstar.
"What happened?" he asked the cat next to him— the medicine cat, Dawnleaf.
"H-he died after I walked into his den," she sobbed. "I tried to help him, but he told me that StarClan was calling him and that now he would feel no more pain. He told me to be happy for he was now healed. Then he closed his eyes and he stopped breathing."
She put her head in her paws and continued to wail for the lost leader.
Darkflame's eyes widened. Now that Duskstar was gone, he could finally be leader!
He brushed past the cats and stood in front of Duskstar. "I know that you're all sad that he's gone, but now it is time for a new leader to take his place! Dawnleaf! We must go to the Moonpool at once! I require my nine lives!"
Ignoring the glares cats sent him, he padded out of the ShadowClan camp.
It was time for the greatest leader in the ShadowClan history to finally reign!
Him.
.
Darkstar padded out of his den. His deputy, Hawktalon, had reminded him that it was finally time for Snowflower's kits to have their apprentice ceremony.
Darkstar thought hard. He hadn't heard a ceremony in a while, so he had to try to remember the last time he'd heard one.
He called for his cats and sat proudly in front of two snowy white kits.
"Cloudkit and Whitekit," he meowed. "You have both reached the age of 6 moons and are now ready to become true ShadowClan apprentices. Do you both promise to protect the Clan even if it means death?"
The two kits exchanged a glance but nodded slowly telling him they would.
"Then from this day forth, you will both be known as Cloudpaw and Whitepaw. StarClan honours your enthusiasm and energy and we welcome you as full... warriors... of... ShadowClan..."
He trailed off, realising that he had started reciting a warrior ceremony.
Purrs of laughter rippled around the camp. Darkstar's pelt prickled with embarrassment and wished for the ground to swallow him up right then.
"Snowflower!" Cloudpaw purred. "I'm a warrior already!"
Whitepaw padded up to him. "I'd rather have a different warrior name to my brother," he meowed, "How about Whitepelt or even Whitecloud."
Unable to speak, the new leader bolted into his den and put his head in his paws.
He was an awful leader!
He closed his eyes and drifted off into a troubled sleep.
If he couldn't even name apprentices properly, how would he lead a Clan? He thought that being a leader was going to be simple, but he was wrong.
He was so wrong.