Disclaimer: I don't own Warriors. I do own the characters that were created for this story. Please don't steal my characters intentionally.
Chapter 6
"I think that is a brilliant idea, Rowanwind," Clawstar meowed when Rowanwind suggested that they hold Stormkit's ceremony soon. "I had completely forgotten that Stormkit was old enough. I'm surprised that Oakpelt and Snowcloud haven't said anything to us."
Rowanwind touched Clawstar's shoulder with his tail-tip. "You've been injured for some time, Clawstar. Most likely they didn't want to bother you during your time of healing."
Clawstar blinked. "Yes, that is true. But they still could have spoken to you about it. I'm sure they are very anxious to finally see their kit become an apprentice."
"Oakpelt is my half-brother," Rowanwind said. "He must have thought that I was under too much pressure already."
"Then you may tell them that we will hold Stormkit's apprentice ceremony tomorrow morning," Clawstar said. "Now, who should we choose as his mentor? Did you have anyone in mind?"
"Actually, yes," Rowanwind replied with a purr. "I was thinking Thornfur would be a perfect mentor for Stormkit. Thornfur didn't have much time with Gingerheart because she got kidnapped before he could finish her training, and you made her a warrior so soon after she came back."
Clawstar nodded his agreement. "Then Thornfur it is. You may want to mention it to him before you speak to Snowcloud and Stormkit."
Rowanwind nodded. "I will go and speak to them all right away."
"See you tomorrow morning," Clawstar said before Rowanwind slipped back out of Frostflower's den.
Rowanwind looked around the camp, trying to find Thornfur. He found the black and white tom sharing tongues with Blackcloud, his brother, near the fresh-kill pile.
"Hello," Blackcloud meowed to Rowanwind as he approached.
Rowanwind gave the older warrior a respectful nod before turning to Thornfur. "Thornfur, I need to speak to you."
Thornfur stood up and stretched. "Excuse us, Blackcloud."
The two of them walked a little ways from Blackcloud to a spot where none of the other ThunderClan cats were sitting at the moment.
"Clawstar and I decided it was time that Stormkit was made an apprentice," Rowanwind said. "Are you interested in mentoring him?"
Thornfur's yellow eyes lit up. "Of course, Rowanwind! It would be my pleasure."
"Good," Rowanwind meowed. "The ceremony is tomorrow morning."
"Great! Thanks, Rowanwind!" Thornfur meowed. The sleek tom walked away, his face lit with excitement.
Rowanwind walked over to Reedclaw, who was talking with Wetpelt and Granitetail. The three of them turned to look at him as he walked over.
"Would you three mind doing the dawn patrol tomorrow morning?" Rowanwind asked. "Granitetail, you can bring Sootpaw with you as well."
Wetpelt looked uncomfortable at the thought that Sootpaw was going to be going with them. "Actually, Rowanwind, I was already planning on going on a hunting patrol tomorrow morning with Lightdew. If that's okay?"
"Of course," Rowanwind said with a nod. "Meadowlark can go instead."
He walked away from the three elder warriors, his suspicions about Sootpaw aroused again. Why was Wetpelt so against going on a patrol with the young tom? Could she have been the one to have seen him do something disloyal to the Clan? Had Sootpaw even done anything disloyal at all to be treated in such a way?
Snowcloud and Stormkit were just finishing eating when Rowanwind walked over. Snowcloud looked at him with her soft blue eyes curious.
"Hello, Rowanwind," Snowcloud meowed.
"Rowanwind!" Stormkit mewed, looking up from his meal and waving his tail in hello.
"Hello," Rowanwind said. "I've come with some good news. Clawstar is holding your apprentice ceremony tomorrow morning, Stormkit."
Stormykit leapt to his paws. "Really? Who's going to be my mentor?"
Rowanwind laughed at his nephew's excitement. "I can't tell you. It's a secret. You'll find out soon enough, though."
Snowcloud's blue eyes were full of happiness now. "Thank you for telling us, Rowanwind. Have you told Oakpelt yet? He's been very anxious for Stormkit's ceremony, but he didn't want to pester you."
"No, I haven't seen him since the meeting," Rowanwind replied. "Do you know where he went?"
"I think he's in the warriors' den," Snowcloud meowed. "Don't worry about waking him up. He'll want to know about this."
"Of course," Rowanwind said. "I'd better go tell him."
Rowanwind padded over to the warriors' den and headed inside. He found Oakpelt curled up in his usual spot in the den.
"Oakpelt, are you awake?" Rowanwind called softly.
Oakpelt lifted his head. His yellow eyes glowed in the last rays of the sunlight that streamed in behind Rowanwind. "Rowanwind? Is something wrong?"
"No. I've come with good news," Rowanwind replied. "Stormkit's apprentice ceremony is tomorrow morning."
Oakpelt sat up. "That's not good news, that's wonderful news! Thank you for coming and telling me, Rowanwind!"
"You're welcome," Rowanwind said. Rowanwind glanced over his shoulder to make sure no one was heading for the den. "Oakpelt, I'm very glad that you've finally put Maplerose behind you."
Oakpelt's head lowered. "Yes. But that doesn't mean I can stop missing her."
Rowanwind sighed. "Oakpelt, you know it's for the best. Just be glad that Clawstar accepted Coldkit into ThunderClan without too many questions. You're very lucky that Softcreek still has enough milk to feed Coldkit until he can be weaned."
Oakpelt nodded. "I'm very happy for Stormkit, Rowanwind, but I can't help feeling attached to Coldkit. I visit him every chance I get. Snowcloud and Softcreek were curious as to why I was visiting the kit so often, and I had to tell them I'd taken an interest in him after I saw his mother stumble away to die."
"I understand," Rowanwind whispered. "Get some sleep, Oakpelt. Remember, you're coming with me tomorrow to the meeting with the rogue."
"Good night," Oakpelt meowed.
"Good night, brother," Rowanwind whispered before slipping outside of the den once more.
Rowanwind woke up the next morning to the sounds of birds chirping. He stood and shook the moss from his pelt before slipping outside. Reedclaw, Meadowlark, Granitetail, and Sootpaw came walking in through the entrance, having finished the dawn patrol. Sootpaw headed over to the fresh-kill pile.
"Bring something to the elders first," Granitetail told his apprentice.
"But there isn't enough," Sootpaw said, gesturing at the two mice and the thrush that were lying in the pile.
"There is enough for the elders," Granitetail replied. "Don't worry, Sootpaw. Remember, we passed Wetpelt and Lightdew on the way back in. They were going out to hunt. Now, go bring these to the elders. You have the strength to wait a little while before Wetpelt and Lightdew come back."
Grumbling, Sootpaw grabbed the three pieces of fresh-kill and stalked off to the elders' den.
"A bit grouchy this morning, isn't he?" Meadowlark said as Rowanwind passed by the three warriors from the dawn patrol to get to Frostflower's den.
He heard Granitetail sigh. "Yes. I'm afraid he's turning out to be like his father."
"Is that such a bad thing?" Reedclaw wondered. "Icefur was a strong, skillful warrior."
Rowanwind glanced over his shoulder to see Meadowlark and Granitetail glance at each other. He was too far away by now to hear their response, so he slipped into Frostflower's den.
Frostflower was replacing the cobwebs on some of Clawstar's still-healing injuries. The Clan leader lay obediently still as Frostflower worked. When Rowanwind entered, Clawstar's eyes opened and he sat up.
"Good morning," Clawstar said. "How are things in the camp this morning?"
"The dawn patrol just got back. Nothing must have happened because they didn't come and speak to me," Rowanwind said. "Wetpelt and Lightdew are out hunting. Sootpaw brought the elders the last pieces of fresh-kill. Other than that, it's quiet."
"A good morning for an apprentice ceremony," Clawstar commented.
Rowanwind nodded.
When Frostflower had finished replacing the cobwebs, Clawstar stretched and gave a large yawn.
"You will have to call for the meeting to begin," Clawstar said. "Since Frostflower is not allowing me to climb onto the Highledge."
"For good reason!" Frostflower called as Clawstar led the way out of her den.
Clawstar chuckled. He looked up at the sky showing through the trees at the top of the hollow and took a deep breath. "Ah. I can see the sky again."
Rowanwind laughed. "I imagine it was difficult being stuck in Frostflower's den for so long."
Clawstar and Rowanwind walked toward the Highledge. "It was much harder than I could ever have imagined, especially knowing that all of my duties had been dumped onto you," Clawstar meowed.
"It's okay, Clawstar," Rowanwind said. "I was only doing my duty to the Clan."
"Of course," Clawstar said. "Now, are you ready to call the meeting?"
Rowanwind nodded and clambered up to sit on the Highledge. "All cats old enough to hunt their own prey, gather here beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!"
The den entrances began to move as cats began to pull themselves out of their warm nests to gather beneath Rowanwind. He watched Oakpelt and Snowcloud bring Stormkit over. The kit was groomed so neatly that he reminded Rowanwind of the day that his cousins, Cottonbrave and Silvermoon, has been made apprentices. Cottonkit had been groomed so nicely that Rowanwind had called him a kittypet. Oh, how he missed Cottonbrave...
As more and more of the cats gathered, Rowanwind slipped down from the Highledge. He found Clawstar seated on a rock that was barely a rabbit's hop tall. The ThunderClan warriors all saw their leader seated before them and began to shout with joy.
"Cats of ThunderClan!" Clawstar called, his voice brimming with happiness. The shouts died down into respectful silence. "I am glad to finally sit before you once more. However, as directed to me by Frostflower, I am not allowed into my den or onto the Highledge, for now. But, I do not need to be seated on the Highledge to do Stormkit's apprentice ceremony! Stormkit, please come forward."
The dark gray kit came forward, his chest and paws glowing pearly white in the morning sunlight that shown down on him. He stopped in front of Clawstar and Rowanwind, his light yellow eyes wide with exhilaration.
"Stormkit, from this day until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Stormpaw." Clawstar brought his chin up a little higher as he said, "Thornfur, you are a wise, kind, and greatly loved cat in this Clan. I wish for you to pass on all of your wisdom and kindness to Stormpaw."
Thornfur came forward, his own yellow eyes glowing. "I will, Clawstar." He stopped in front of Stormpaw, and the two touched noses.
"Stormpaw! Stormpaw!" the Clan shouted as Thornfur and Stormpaw walked over to sit beside Thunderstripe and Palepaw.
"Good luck to you, Stormpaw," Clawstar meowed. "That is all."
Later that day, Rowanwind had Purepaw tell all of the cats he'd chosen to come with him to the meeting with the rogue that they needed to meet him at the entrance of the camp. It wasn't long before Oakpelt, Stormypelt, Crookedfern, Blackcloud, and Cedarspirit were all sitting around him.
"Okay, listen up. We are heading to this meeting in the mindset that the rogue is friendly and is not allied with DarkClan. If it does turn out that the rogue is allied with DarkClan, and this is an ambush, then I want Stormypelt to rush back to our territory. Stormypelt, you will find a patrol waiting on the edge of our territory with WindClan. If it turns to a fight, bring them to help us," Rowanwind said.
"Why can't I stay and fight?" Stormypelt demanded.
"You're the fastest of us," Rowanwind tried to explain. "Besides, we're hoping it doesn't turn into a fight, right? That plan is only in case we must fight."
He didn't mention one of the real reasons he wanted Stormypelt to be the one to fetch the patrol he'd told to stay near the WindClan border. Rowanwind did not want Stormypelt to get hurt, and if sending her off to fetch other warriors was the best way to keep her safe, then that was what he would order her to do.
"Is everyone ready?" Rowanwind asked. "Remember, we want to make it look like we're there to talk in peace. Try not to look too hostile."
The others all nodded quietly.
"Then let's go," Rowanwind meowed.
He led the others out of the camp and through the forest to the lake edge. In single file, with Rowanwind in the lead and Blackcloud at the rear, they followed the lakeshore around to the island. Rowanwind could smell fresh WindClan and RiverClan scent on the log bridge that connected the island to the mainland. There was no scent of ShadowClan.
"I guess Crimsonstar decided not to come," Stormypelt said. "I guess I can see why. She and the other ShadowClan cats must be terrified of going out into their forest, after what happened to..."
"Are you saying ShadowClan is full of cowards?" a voice hissed.
The six of them spun around to see Crimsonstar stalking toward them. The white and red she-cat was flanked by four warriors, all whom Rowanwind recognized. Brambletongue, one of the cats who had been on the ShadowClan patrol from yesterday, waved his tail in hello.
Stormypelt ducked her head and laid her ears flat against her head.
"That's what I thought," Crimsonstar sneered. Her dark blue eyes switched to Rowanwind. "Once a kittypet, always a kittypet."
Stormypelt raised her head and hissed. "I'm more of a Clan cat than you'll ever acknowledge, Crimsonstar!"
Rowanwind touched the she-cat's shoulder with his tail-tip. "Calm down, Stormypelt. We aren't here to fight each other. We are here to speak to a possible ally against DarkClan."
Crimsonstar snorted and stalked over to the log bridge. She clawed her way up and began to cross. Her four warriors crossed quickly after her.
"Well, here we go," Rowanwind said before dragging himself up onto the log bridge. He weaved through jutting up branches, worn smooth from all the generations of cats passing over the tree. Once he reached the other end, he jumped down to the rocky shore of the island. Crimsonstar and her warriors had already headed to the clearing in the middle of the island.
Rowanwind waited for his warriors before leading the way to the clearing. He saw Angelstar, Featherstar, and Crimsonstar all sitting beneath the tree that they usually stood in during Gatherings. He gestured at his warriors to mingle before walking over to sit with the leaders.
"Well? Where is this rogue?" Crimsonstar demanded as Rowanwind sat down.
"It's not quite sunhigh yet, Crimsonstar," Featherstar pointed out.
The four of them fell silent, waiting and watching as their warriors whispered to each other. Rowanwind hoped that none of his warriors were giving away too much information about what ThunderClan was up to these days.
Then, suddenly, there was a gasp from over near where the cats entered the clearing from the log bridge. The gathered warriors split apart, leaving a wide space that led right up to the leaders and Rowanwind.
A large, silver tom with a gray face, ears, and paws and silver eyes walked at the forefront of the small group of cats. Just behind the silver tom was a broad-shouldered, white and black tom who had light yellow eyes. Rowanwind carefully assessed the other cats in the group. There was a black and brown tom who had light yellow-gray eyes; he looked serenly around at the Clan cats. Beside the black and brown tom was a brown and black tabby tom who had a ginger and white muzzle. This tom was looking around with scrutiny in his green eyes. Walking behind these two toms were two much smaller cats who looked barely over six moons. One was an orange and white tom with amber eyes, and the other was a creamy white she-cat with yellow eyes. The way they kept close made Rowanwind think they were brother and sister. Behind these two small cats were two she-cats; one a gray with black stripes and a white nose, muzzle, and paws and one who had long, ginger fur and silver eyes. The striped she-cat was keeping her eyes pinned on Rowanwind and the leaders, while the ginger she-cat was all eyes for the two youngsters in front of her.
The group stopped a few fox-lengths from Rowanwind and the Clan leaders. The silver tom lowered his head in a respectful nod.
"Hello. My name is Gloom, and I am the temporary leader of RogueClan. We may be small in numbers, but what we lack in fighting force, we make up for with knowledge of DarkClan," the silver tom meowed.
Rowanwind stepped forward. "If you are against DarkClan, then you are certainly welcome here. However, if you are with DarkClan, know that we will treat you the same as we do them. We will not tolerate allies of DarkClan on our territories!"
The three leaders meowed their agreement.
Gloom nodded. "We understand completely. We've been in your situation before, but we did not have allies to help us. Each of us has a story to tell, but I will give the shorter versions. Smutty, Coal, and I were once part of a Clan called MoonClan." He gestured with his tail at the black and white tom and the black and brown tom. "We had no rivals, and the only thing we ever had to fight were the occasional badgers and foxes. Then, one day, DarkClan came. We had no warning from our fighter ancestors in NightClan. They told us that they would give us a chance to surrender peacefully, but when our leader, Turtlestar, refused, we found ourselves in a long war.
"DarkClan weakened us over time. They would choose the times to fight because we had no idea where they had their camp. Over many moons, and many seasons, DarkClan picked our Clan off one by one. Some were killed, others kidnapped and never seen again. Smutty, Coal, and I were some of the last survivors. Turtlestar, despite having five lives left at the beginning of the war, lost his lives fighting against DarkClan's leader, Sly. Our deputy, Marshstone, ordered us to take Sparrowheart, the last remaining queen, away. We did as he ordered, knowing that we would never see Marshstone, or the last two fighters we left behind, again.
"Unfortunately, Sparrowheart died from an illness she contracted when we were traveling. She wasn't strong enough to fight off the sickness, and none of us were herb healers, so we had no idea what to give her. We buried her beneath the first tree we saw a sparrow sitting in.
"The three of us decided we would follow DarkClan and try to guess where they would head next, to try and warn future wars against DarkClan. We were able to warn one Clan, and numerous loners and rogues. The Clan, who called themselves BirdClan, would not take our advice to leave. We do not know if they survived their war against DarkClan, but I am sure they did not.
"We later met Tiger and Pidgeon, once rogues, who were forced from their homes by DarkClan." He gestured at the brown and black tabby tom and the striped she-cat. "Beauty and her kits, Flicker and Flower, came to us after her family, who lived in a Twoleg barn, was attacked by DarkClan and her mate was kidnapped by them." He motioned at the ginger she-cat and the two young cats seated on eather side of her.
"Ever since then, we have been following DarkClan and trying desperately to warn cats against their evil ways. None of us want what happened to us to happen to other cats, no matter if they be of a Clan, or are a loner or rogue."
"We understand your pain," Featherstar meowed. "We have already lost warriors in our fight against DarkClan."
"We are very sorry that we did not get here in time to warn you all about them," Gloom said with a heavy sigh. "We could have prevented the loss of your fighters."
"What would you have had us do? Leave?" Crimsonstar scoffed. "Our ancestors once had to move all four Clans. We live around this lake because of them. We would have refused to leave if you had suggested that! We are four Clans against one. We have kittypets fighting alongside us. DarkClan have no chance of defeating us!"
Gloom's silver eyes burned with a strange intensity. "You are quite lucky to have so many allies, when MoonClan had none. I have seen many deaths in my lifetime...too many. Have DarkClan not used their magick against you yet? Are you blind to the fact that they can become badgers and crows?"
"No, we are not blind to that fact," Rowanwind said, standing. "Actually, I am quite knowledgeable about that. You see, one of DarkClan's members betrayed them. He was nearly forced to kill a RiverClan kit, but instead he saved her and returned her home. When RiverClan refused to let the DarkClan traitor into their Clan, ThunderClan accepted him. For some time now, I have been able to use the same magick that the DarkClan cats use. Duskpaw is helping me learn more about the magick. Just ask Oakpelt here. He can vouch that I became a fox during an attack by DarkClan on our camp."
Oakpelt nodded. "It's true. I saw him myself."
Gloom's silver eyes were wide. His few Clanmates were looking at Rowanwind with astonishment on their faces. Rowanwind heard the other warriors from the other Clans whispering to each other.
"How is that possible? How can you, what DarkClan call a light demon, how can you use their magick?" Gloom whispered.
"Duskpaw says that the language is used to make things happen," Rowanwind replied. "He says that the words react more strongly for some cats."
"Prove it!" the brown and black tabby tom snapped. "Prove to us all that you can become a fox!"
"If you really want me to," Rowanwind said. "A em e fux!"
Rowanwind felt the changes happening. His muzzle grew longer, his teeth growing larger and more jagged. His tail became bushy and turned white at the tip. The fur on his paws turned back.
There were gasps from all around him. Crimsonstar hissed and back away from him. Featherstar was looking at Rowanwind with amazement in her amber eyes. Angelstar looked horrified.
Rowanwind let himself become a cat again. "Was that proof enough?"
"Yes," Gloom meowed. "You are a unique cat. What is your name?"
"Rowanwind," he replied. "I am ThunderClan's deputy."
"Ah. Yes, Oakpelt told me that your leader was attacked by DarkClan and was not in any shape to travel," Gloom said with a nod. "This is quite interesting. We thought that only DarkClan cats could use the magick."
Rowanwind shook his head. "They learned the language from a Clan that they destroyed generations ago."
"How do you know that?" Gloom wondered in awe.
"I've been visited by one of DarkClan's ancestors. His name is Deathmask, and he created DarkClan when he was alive and young. Now, after being dead for so long, he has realized that he made a terrible mistake when he created DarkClan. He greatly wishes to make amends by helping destroy DarkClan, but his own kits, who also walk in the heavens, are stopping him."
"You have been...visited by a spirit?" Gloom shook his head. "Oh, my."
"You aren't telling him everything, Rowanwind," Crimsonstar hissed softly. "Why don't you tell him about the prophecy you play such a large role in?"
"Prophecy?" Gloom's ears pricked with interest. "What's this about a prophecy?"
"Our medicine cat, what you call a herb healer, was visited by our warrior ancestors, cats of StarClan, as we call them. She was given a prophecy that went, "Only the ghost of starlight can heed his cause, when teeth meet teeth and claws meet claws. Nine lines he'll have, but no leader's name. The descendant of Fire, two of the same. A ginger tom will rise to conquer the dark, his friend be the apprentice of a lark. Without love, without faith, he will fall, lest the wall of hatred cover you all," Rowanwind said. "I am visited often by our warrior ancestors. It was revealed to me that I am the ginger tom in the prophecy. It is my destiny to destroy the dark...DarkClan."
Gloom bowed his head low to Rowanwind. "It is a pleasure to meet such a cat as you. I did not know that cats other than leaders and herb healers could be met by ancestors that walk in the heavens. You are truly a blessed cat."
"There's no need for that," Rowanwind replied. "I am no different than the rest of you. It doesn't matter that I can use magick, or I am visited by our ancestors. I am loyal Clan cat who wants to do nothing more than serve his Clan."
Gloom purred. "Humble, as well. I, and the other members of RogueClan, will follow you into battle against DarkClan, young Rowanwind. We want to see them stopped as much as the rest of you. It is time that their long reign of terror ends."
"I couldn't agree more, Gloom," Rowanwind said. He repeated it in a whisper, "I couldn't agree more."
End of Chapter Six