A New Era

To those who actually reviewed: Thank you so much!

Natureboy3: I updated! (smiles)

FireWerewolf: Hmmm… Mysterious review… I like it!

Anonymous Person: Well hi to you too! And yes, I AM happy! SkyClan will appear soon! Don't worry!

Gabo1602: Yes! You're right! I'm so glad you PMed me! It was getting lonely here. Is this long enough?

But…I'm a little disappointed. The number of reviews are dropping so quickly (not that I got much in the first place). Is my writing quality going down or something? Am I getting worse, better, or staying the same? Why aren't you guys reviewing as much? Was it something I wrote? I'm taking hours to write! Why aren't you taking 30 seconds to review? It hurts, you know.

Anyway, on a happier note, we are on chappie 13! Woot! Lucky 13! Anyway, last chappie, Runningnose and Hazeltail became friends… but where are they going to go? How are they going to survive? Well… Sorry but, you won't know that until the next chappie! This time, we will be focusing on Cloudtail's journey to ShadowClan. Yes, we will! And, I'm sorry about the story. I understand that it's a bit hard to follow, since I write a chappie about one thing, and the next chappie is on the exact same day, exact same time, but at a different place. Personally, I don't like writing this way because the story goes too slowly, but if I don't, it will make no sense at all. I mean, talk about long! I only covered 2 days in 12 chapters! Ok. Sorry again. I'll stop my babbling right here.

Oh, and don't forget to review!

~Crystal Cavern

Chapter 13: Catastrophe

Cloudtail rushed out of camp and onto Hazeltail's familiar scent trail as the late evening melted into dusk. He loved the thought of a journey. He wanted to go and track down Hazeltail, and then bring her back. Then, all of ThunderClan would thank him and congratulate him. It would make him proud of himself, because, after all, he was the best tracker in ThunderClan. Maybe even the whole forest!

He found himself running with a warm feeling inside. Yes, he would bring back Hazeltail. That's what he was going to do. He imagined the whole scene again; him standing there with the whole clan clustered around him. He thought of a good quote to say when he got back. It would be about his success, of course. 'Tracking is my passion, I will do it anytime, for everyone!' That was a good one. It just might work. Brightheart would have beamed at him with pride. Whitewing would have smiled at him. Everybody else would thank him. He would have gained a great reputation. Then when the time came for choosing the deputy, it would probably be him.

Which reminded him… The leader… The meeting, which he didn't attend, was, or so he heard, a waste of time. It was supposed to settle who the new leader would be, but unfortunately, it was a tie between three cats: Lionblaze, Sandstorm, and Greystripe.

Lionblaze was chosen because he was a strong warrior and fighter, Cloudtail thought. At a time like this, Lionblaze would have helped the clan a lot. A strong leader would have led to a confident clan. Although RiverClan is less likely to attack us at this time since they are further away, WindClan and ShadowClan put up a threat.

Cloudtail dodged a fallen tree.

ShadowClan would do anything to gain more territory. Personally, I don't like ShadowClan very much. In my opinion, ShadowClan warriors break the warrior code the most. Back in the forest, they drove out WindClan just to gain more territory! They also have no respect for StarClan! The mere thought made Cloudtail want to throw up. That, of course, wasn't right. There's also the time when ShadowClan started to steal ThunderClan's prey. That was back in the old forest too, but I'll never forget it. What about ShadowClan's long list of evil leaders? Brokenstar and Tigerstar were the most famous cats. Both of them lived in ShadowClan at one point of their lives. If there was only Brokenstar, then I wouldn't have used this as proof, but Tigerstar too? One evil cat was enough, but to invite another evil cat right into your home? If you were that desperate, you were either mousebrained, or evil. Two evil leaders, one after the other! Coincidence? Cloudtail didn't think so. If that's not proof enough for you, then just think about the time when a ThunderClan kit was trapped in one of those two-leg fox traps. ShadowClan were there, but they didn't save the kit. They complained that it was on ThunderClan territory, and that they didn't want to trespass. But that was only an excuse. If they really didn't want to trespass, then why did they hide in bushes and watch the kit suffer? What use would it have been to just stay at the border? They could have saved the kit, and earned themselves some much needed credit. But, no! Instead, they just had to watch a kit suffer. That proves that they were, and still are, heartless and cruel.

Cloudtail rounded a rock jutting out of the ground, and not a second too late. He was so intent on his thoughts, that he hadn't really noticed where he was going. He was following Hazeltail's scent trail, yes, but where he was specifically, he didn't really know. It's like multitasking, but unconsciously.

WindClan aren't much better. Use your brain! If they were good and noble, would they have allied with RiverClan to fight ThunderClan? No! They would not have spilled blood. Cloudtail sighed as the memory came back tumbling into his head. He pushed it away. ThunderClan would have agreed to talk if it would stop unnecessary blood spill. Great StarClan, Squirrelflight almost died! WindClan are so mousebrained! Because of that one mistake, their perfectly good record was stained, and many warriors were injured. How many generations would it take before this 'incident' would be covered up? Cloudtail answered his own question. It's so long, only StarClan knows.

Cloudtail arrived at the owl's nest. He sniffed at a few leaves and the grass. The unmistakable scent of Hazeltail was on it. There was also Sandstorm's scent and his own, a little fresher than Hazeltail's scent. At first he thought that it was strange, but then he remembered that he and Sandstorm had tracked Hazeltail a while before. Hazeltail's scent was stale after the night, but it was still there. Taking a deep breath, Cloudtail continued tracking.

Cloudtail's mind wandered off again. This time it was about Sandstorm.

That's right… Cloudtail thought. Sandstorm wasn't at the meeting. She doesn't know that she was elected as a possible leader. Cloudtail sniffed at a leaf.

The fact was, he himself wasn't at the meeting either. He was with Sandstorm at that time, tracking Hazeltail. It was Whitewing who informed him right after he got back, but nobody told Sandstorm.

Sandstorm… He thought. A wise choice… Sandstorm is an experienced senior warrior. Everyone respects her so she would lead without any problems. Sandstorm is widely known and she is very smart. No… not smart… Intelligent would be the word. A clever and knowledgeable leader right now might be the best. She has mentored so many apprentices, and she knows a bit of everything. She knows the basic herbs, and she can hunt and fight with ease. There would be no objections if Sandstorm was chosen.

Cloudtail jumped over a low shrub.

But… What about Greystripe? Cloudtail thought about it. Greystripe has been deputy before. He knows what to do. He know how to do it… He could be the one to lead us. Greystripe has been Firestar's best friend for such a long time. He's equally smart, and he's just a good leader as Firestar. In fact, he would have been leader anyway, if he weren't caught. Besides, Greystripe's also widely known, and almost as strong as Lionblaze. He did so many deeds for the other clans too. He would most likely be respected.

Cloudtail's thoughts were scrambled. Now that I think about it, I'm actually glad that I wasn't at the meeting, he thought. It would have been a hard choice. Lionblaze would be power. With him we would not seem weak. Sandstorm is wise. She would never let us down. Greystripe would seem to be the best choice with the least amount of risk since he knows what to do… but then… Lionblaze, Sandstorm, and Greystripe all have their strong points.

Cloudtail tried to think negative to take out one of the contestants.

Lionblaze doesn't have experience. He might do something foolish. Plus… He never mentored an apprentice! The leader must be a cat that had mentored at least one apprentice. Greystripe is too worried about Millie right now. Any love-struck cat that makes lovey-dovey eyes might think of their mate first. He's the one with the least risk… Yet the most too… Sandstorm, although wise, might make us seem weak. She will put on an odd impression at the gathering. I don't know why… Just a feeling.

Cloudtail sat down as he neared the ShadowClan border. He was uncertain of two things.

1. Who the leader should be. Cloudtail pondered on the thought. I just wish StarClan would hurry up and choose! But if they didn't tell Leafpool… then they probably won't tell us… After all, Leafpool's the medicine cat!

2. If he should cross over or not. Hazeltail was important, but he would be trespassing. If ShadowClan caught him, then it would be the end. Fine. Then just don't let them catch you, he thought. He sniffed. No fresh ShadowClan scents. Satisfied, he stepped over the boarder.

Cloudtail followed Hazeltail's scent for a while. Hazeltail! Please be close by! He thought. It would have been dreadful if Hazeltail were near ShadowClan warriors.

Cloudtail followed Hazeltail's scent and then… He saw… pawprints! (background music) (sorry 'bout that, I just had to put that in XD) Cloudtail sniffed the pawprints. They were Hazeltail's for sure. He looked at his own feet. They were making prints too. He noticed that the ground started to get wetter and squishier. Cloudtail made a mental note. He was getting closer to the edge of the lake.

That's not good… Cloudtail thought. Any cat that comes here will be able to identify me. Please StarClan, if you are still up there and looking over us, please make it rain!

Abandoning his earlier thought, he continued to work. It was much easier to track now that there were pawprints. Cloudtail quickened into a run.

He followed the pawprints and noticed that they were spaced closer together than his. She must have been getting tired.

Then Cloudtail stopped and stiffened. He sniffed the ground. He looked up. In front of him was a really tall pine tree. It was as thick as three full-grown warriors standing nose to tail tip. He sniffed the tree. There was the unmistakable scent of Hazeltail on it. Right below the tree, there was an odd shape. To the side, there was a very steep slope.

The first thing Cloudtail thought was, I'm so happy that she didn't fall over the cliff! Then he looked at the odd shape and sniffed the air above it. I think she bumped into that tree and fell backwards, creating that odd shape... But then… There is also the smell of… Cloudtail tried to identify the ShadowClan scent. He knew it was a single cat, and a pretty old one too. The pawprints of the second cat were more wobbly and uneven than Hazeltail's. He must have been old to be that reckless.

He studied the scene before him. It seemed as if the elder… Cloudtail was determined not to give up. He sniffed the ShadowClan cat's pawprint one more time. Then he remembered. It was Runningnose.

But what's Runningnose doing out here? Isn't he supposed to be back at his own camp? He could have come to get a drink… but then it looks like they met up and… Cloudtail's eyes followed the trail.

It looks like they were heading off to ThunderClan… with Runningnose in the lead. Cloudtail was pleased with himself for solving the riddle of blurred scents and prints.

So… All there is now is to follow them and see where they were heading.

Just as Cloudtail started to follow the newer set of prints… a raindrop fell... And more followed…

Cloudtail looked up and made a face to the dark cloudy sky. I know I wanted rain… but this will wash away the tracks! Do you want me to succeed or not?!?! If all you cats up there think I'm going to say 'thank StarCl –ow! Cloudtail blinked. A raindrop fell in his eye. He hissed at the sky. Now… if you really think I'm going to say, 'Thank StarClan' right now, then you must be mousebrained! Now is not exactly the best time to send rain!

Cloudtail took a deep breath and focused at his task. Just as he started sprinting, Littlecloud emerged right in front of him. They crashed together and the impact sent them both sideways… right to the edge of the slope.

"What in the name of StarClan?" Littlecloud asked. "What are you doing here, Cloudtail? You're lucky it was me who found you and not anybody else! If ShadowClan knew–"

"Foxdung!" Cloudtail spat. Then he realized whom he was talking to. "Stupid rain!" Cloudtail said quickly. "There's no time to explain. I have to go!"

Cloudtail's plan was to leap over Littlecloud, but Littlecloud, at that moment, sat up completely, and Cloudtail landed right on top of Littlecloud.

"Get off me!" Littlecloud spat.

Cloudtail quickly apologized and got off. He took a step to the right, but he misjudged how close he was to the slope, and his paw grabbed thin air. With that, the law of physics took over and the rest of Cloudtail's body followed his paw. Littlecloud tried to grab him but missed, and Cloudtail fell off the slope.

Littlecloud watched in horror as Cloudtail fell off the slope. He tumbled over rocks, sticks, and tree roots. There was nothing Littlecloud could do, and he felt horrible just watching his fellow friend fall to his death.

Littlecloud called to Cloudtail, even though he knew it was useless. Even from afar it was easy to tell that Cloudtail had snapped his neck during the fall.

"Oh StarClan!" Littlecloud cried. "Why now? Why? Was it you? Or was it-" Littlecloud stopped mid-sentence.