A New Era
Anyway! I'm finally onto Chapter 4! It wasn't that long of a wait, right? Thx to all you faithful peeps who are still reading! Please review! It will motivate me! Complements, complaints, questions, and comments accepted.
I'm still not certain, but after three days of wondering, I'm willing to let my readers decide if SkyClan should make an appearance. (I've always liked interactive books) Please review and tell me if:
Should SkyClan make an appearance? Why or why not.
If so, should I kill Leafstar? Why or why not.
If so, in a gentle way, a tragic way, or a sad way. Why.
I'm also accepting ideas of death (if you have one that you would like to share (I will change it a bit so I don't steal your idea completely (cause I'm nice))) Btw, you don't have to specify why, but if you do, each reason will count as another tally.
If SkyClan really is making an appearance, then, it won't be here until another few chapters.
Now… onto Chapter 4!
~Crystal Cavern
Chapter 4: Fate Untangled
The body, thankfully, was breathing. Leafpool was glad of that.
"Leafpool! Look! It's Mothwing!" Littlecloud cried.
I'm looking! I also know it's Wothwing! Sheesh! Tomcats… Leafpool thought, but she didn't want to offend Littlecloud in any possible way, so she simply said in that gentle tone of hers, " You're right, it is Mothwing. What is she doing here?"
"I don't know, but it feels like the half moon all over again!" Littlecloud explained. "Except this time, without Barkface."
Leafpool nodded, but inside she was worried. What was Mothwing doing here? She didn't even believe in StarClan! Then a thought hit her… Maybe there was something wrong with RiverClan… was it the fish? It must be the fish! The fish weren't coming! That's it!
What am I getting so worked up about? I came here for ThunderClan.
Littlecloud turned around and faced the enterance, his whiskers quivering. He opened his mouth to be sure, and his eyes lit up when the scent washed over the roof of his mouth. "Speak of the devil! It's Barkface!" he piped up.
Leafpool turned around and opened her mouth too. Although the wind was soft, it was starting to pick up and she quickly distinguished that they were unmistakably upwind. Barkface's scent came in. "It's Barkface." She mewed.
Barkface sighed as he climbed up the rocks. The sky was getting cloudy. It was going to rain. Not a light shower, but a heavy thunderstorm.
What about WindClan? It was going to be hard to convince them that it wasn't him who'd killed Onestar and Ashfoot, because the (false) evidence was right there. Those two corpses.
Barkface was not mad ay his clanmates though. He was a very intelligent and understanding cat. Onestar and Ashfoot had died of greencough. That was that. The only problem was that it was a mild new-leaf, and nobody has gotten greencough yet. For it to strike so quickly at the two most important cats was a horrible coincidence. Barkface continued to climb up the rocks. He thought that if he went to the Moonpool, StarClan would give him some answers and send some sort of obvious sign that he did not murder Onestar and Ashfoot, and that it was the illness.
"StarClan," he muttered, under his breath. "Please let my clan believe me."
In fact, the reason he came to the Moonpool was to persuade StarClan that he was not guilty. Yes, that was his top priority.
Clouds rolled over the sky, like they were doing somersaults. They covered the sun, hiding its rays from view. The sky grumbled and shot down streaks of light that were illuminated on the lake. StarClan were probably mad, but why?
Just was it started to drizzle, Barkface reached the entrance of the Moonpool. He heard voices.
Littlecloud looked at her and cocked his head slightly to his left. "What's wrong Leafpool? Why are you repeating everything I say? Is there a problem in ThunderClan?"
Strike one. Leafpool tried not to let her expression show, but it must have, because Littlecloud's face went all gentle. He hit the soft spot…hard.
Littlecloud continued. "Did something happen? Is someone sick? Did someone die?"
Strike two. Now Leafpool had one more worry to add to the growing pile of burdens on her shoulders. Her troubles were mounting up. First, Firestar and Brambleclaw, then, her new responsibility to take care of ThunderClan, and now, she was going to blow their secret. How was she going to forgive herself?
"No, no. Of course not. Everything is fine with ThunderClan. I'm here because of…" she searched for a word by looking around. Water… Wind… Their Shadows…
She heard a thunderclap, and winced.
"Is it Brambleclaw? He was always getting himself into trouble, just like the journey to the sun-down-place."
Strike two and a half.
Leafpool sighed. She was never going to be able to explain what really happened, but Littlecloud spoke first, and surprised her.
"I can't believe I'm telling you this, but…" He hesitated for a second. "I'm here because ShadowClan has just lost their leader and deputy."
Leafpool's mouth almost dropped open and hit the ground. Was Littlecloud serious? She shook her head to clear it up. Of course he was. What would he gain by lying?
"You see, Leafpool," Littlecloud explained, "Russetfur and Blackstar died on the same day. Russetfur died first, and when we went to tell Blackstar, we discovered he was dead too." Littlecloud hung his head, like he was tormented by the thought. "That's the real reason I'm here. I need to ask StarClan who the new leader will be for ShadowClan." Littlecloud looked at Leafpool. "Is that what's wrong with ThunderClan too? Has Firestar and Brambleclaw died on the same day too?"
Leafpool was speechless. The only words… no. They weren't even words. More like mumbles. "Uh… I… That's… Mmmm…"
Suddenly Barkface showed up, his pelt slightly damp.
Leafpool was glad that Barkface showed up. He had helped her do a big favor –changing the subject. I will have to repay him later.She told herself
"Leafpool? Littlecloud? What are you two doing here?" Barkface asked. Just as Littlecloud was going to answer, Barkface shook himself, and all the raindrops splattered on Leafpool.
"Watch where you're aiming!" Leafpool hissed.
Barkface apologized with a soft, "Sorry," and put on a genuine apologetic look. He walked closer and sniffed. "Why is Mothwing here too?"
Leafpool said, "It's a long story."
"I've got time."
"Well, I don't. I need to meet with StarClan now." She slid down until her belly fur got all wet, partially from Barkface, and partially from the cave ground. "There have been enough disturbances." Leafpool sighed. Life was becoming so complicated.
With a deep breath, she put her nose to edge of the water and tried to sleep.
Barkface and Littlecloud did the same.
I'm really sorry but, if you've reviewed for The SkyClan appearance, please stop, and revote on my profile. I've just noticed that this was against the rules. Oopsie. All votes on reviews WILL NOT be counted.
~Crystal Cavern (sorry)