SOUR! SOUR BLACKBERRIES! XP
So you know how I said Shadestripe and Lightningstreak were more important in this fanfic? Well, they're about to get even more important-in upcoming chapters. Oh, um, is slitted a word? The third sentence in the first paragraph has it in there. I would love to know if it's supposed to be something else, thanks!
At the Dusk Cavern
Blazeclaw looked around the cavern. Cats from all the Clans were training with their mentors. Volcanostripe was standing in a corner, watching through slitted eyes. "Volcanostripe," Blazeclaw growled, padding over to him. Volcanostripe turned to him, his gaze questioning. "Tomorrow is Amberkit's sixth moon. He will be coming that night. I want you to train him. Like you did with Sparkflame." Volcanostripe looked taken aback at first, then nodded.
"Yes, Blazeclaw." the tiger growled softly. "Good," Blazeclaw swung his head and looked up at the small circle of light at the top of the cavern that lit it up, faint stars showing through. Soon the Clans won't know what hit them.
"Amberkit, you will be known as Amberpaw. Sunfern will be your mentor." Dashstar named the last apprentice. "Specklepaw, Orangepaw, Amberpaw! Specklepaw, Orangepaw, Amberpaw!" the Clan cheered. Sparkflame was happy for them. Goldheart was able to go back to warrior duties and the Dusk Cavern will get a new apprentice. After Amberpaw was done with training, they would get to planning and the battle would come.
Sunfern padded over to Sparkflame. "Sparkflame, can you show Amberpaw around today?" The cheetah shifted uncomfortably. "I know I should, since it's his first day, but I'm really busy today. Though he does know the border we share with HailClan" she smiled a bit. The Clan found out which got the kits in trouble. They had to clean the elder's den until they reached six moons since they were five moons then. Whitepaw and Breezepaw had their first assessment yesterday so they had the day off.
"Uh, sure." Sparkflame replied. Maybe I can tell him where he's going tonight. "Actually, if you don't mind, then maybe you can join me to collect herbs. Leafspot's sorting some out and then Sunfern can do whatever she wants to do with Amberpaw tomorrow." "That'd be great!" Sunfern meowed. "Okay." Sparkflame meowed. Now how am I supposed to tell him? "Amberpaw!" Sunfern beckoned her apprentice over. "You and Sparkflame are going to go along with Petalfrost to collect herbs." she told him once he came over.
"What about you?" he gazed at his mentor. "I have to do some other things but only today. I'll show you all around tomorrow." Sunfern promised. "Okay." Amberpaw nodded. Then he turned to Sparkflame and Petalfrost. "Let's go."
Petalfrost led the way to where she got her herbs. They had gotten cobwebs already and were on their way to where marigold and coltsfoot grew. Petalfrost stopped suddenly. "You two can get the marigold while I'll collect the coltsfoot." Petalfrost meowed. "It's right over there." She pointed her tail to an area about 10 moose-lengths away. Petalfrost padded away. The two cats got to digging.
They had dug up all they could find and Petalfrost was still not back yet. I can tell him now! "Amberpaw." Sparkflame meowed slowly. "I need to tell you something." Amberpaw tilted his head on one side. "Okay." he meowed.
Where do I start? Should I just begin from when he was a kit? "When you were a kit, you were always the adventurous one." Sparkflame began. "You have a lot of potential and I think you'll make a great warrior." Amberpaw still looked at her with confusion. "Thanks, but-" Sparkflame cut him off. "I'm not done yet." she meowed gently. "You see, there's another cat who thinks you're great too." Amberpaw brightened up at this. "Really, who?" he asked excitedly. "Not in this Clan-or in any other Clan. But there's a group of cats in a place called the Dusk Cavern who will teach you as well as Sunfern."
"So I'll have two mentors?" Amberpaw mewed. "Basically, yes." Sparkflame replied. "Will they teach me battle training?" he asked, almost bubbling with excitement. "Yes." Sparkflame meowed again. Blazeclaw was right! He really does have potential to train in the Dusk Cavern! "Yes! So I'll have a head start over my littermates!" Sparkflame purred, then became serious again. "You can't tell anyone about this." Amberpaw looked confused again. "Okay." he promised.
Petalfrost padded to the two cats a few moments later. "Alright, let's go back." She seemed a little hurried. I wonder why… The three cats padded back to camp with Petalfrost a little bit ahead. Sparkflame was behind them, letting thoughts flow through her mind. What's she so worried about? It's not like a Clan's about to attack us. Sparkflame let out a little sigh and ran up to catch up with Amberpaw.
Sparkflame stood outside the cavern as usual. The only thing different, was that Amberpaw was with her. Amberpaw looked around, then saw Sparkflame. "You were telling the truth!" he exclaimed. Sparkflame purred. "Why wouldn't I be?" Amberpaw looked down at the ground. "I don't know I-I just wasn't really sure." "Well, follow me; we're going inside the cave. Welcome to the Dusk Cavern."
They padded through the entrance, Amberpaw looking all around. "Why is it called the Dusk Cavern?" he asked. "You'll see." Sparkflame replied. They watched as it opened up to the cavern. Amberpaw let out a gasp of surprise.
"There's a whole bunch of cats here!" he whispered excitedly. Before Sparkflame could reply, Blazeclaw stepped out from the shadows. "Welcome Amberpaw." He dipped his head. Amberpaw looked at Sparkflame. "How does he know my name?" Blazeclaw purred slightly. "I know everyone who comes here. Come with me and I'll explain." He led Amberpaw in the shadows. "You too Sparkflame." Blazeclaw added.
Volcanostripe was already there waiting. Blazeclaw started to speak once they were all ready. "You have been chosen to train with us. We will teach you great battle skills that you can use in fights. Sparkflame has trained with us and I trust you will follow in her pawsteps." Amberpaw nodded. "Good. Volcanostripe will be training with you."
Volcanostripe padded up to Amberpaw. "We'll be starting training now. I want Sparkflame to watch." Amberpaw turned to Sparkflame with worry in his eyes. "I don't know if I can do this." he whispered. "Don't worry, you'll be fine. Volcanostripe trained with me and he'll do a great job with you." she meowed encouragingly. "Okay." Amberpaw meowed.
They padded over by where Sparkflame used to train. "Alright, I'll start off by attacking you and you dodge." Volcanostripe announced. Amberpaw gaped at him. "But I don't know anything about battle training! It was just my first day!" he protested. "Exactly, I need to know your instinct." He started charging at Amberpaw. Amberpaw jumped out of the way, fear in his eyes.
"Don't be afraid! Enemies can smell your fear!" Volcanostripe growled, charging at him again. As Amberpaw jumped out of the way again, Volcanostripe shot out a paw, claws unsheathed, and raked them down Amberpaw's flank. Amberpaw rolled over and lay motionless on the ground, blood gushing out of his wound.
So, what did you think? Review!
~"It's a jungle out there."~