Blossompaw's Escape

Part Five: The Truth

"Blossomfang I'm afraid I haven't been entirely honest with you," Whisperheart began slowly in his raspy voice. Blossomfang was sitting in the den with him to change her dressings. Icy was out with Halle and Charlie, collecting herbs. She wondered if Whisperheart staged it so they'd be alone to talk.

"What do you mean?" she asked with a twitch of her whiskers. There was plenty she didn't know about the older cat. How he knew about the clans when they met, for example. Or how he could see signs that weren't messages from Starclan - they were simply signs. Or anything about his past, really. It was more than just secretive, he was hiding something.

"I can't tell you everything, not yet at least. But Echo is not who she says she is, and I fear this is not over."

"We've doubled the patrols, and in five days time we might become an official clan. Echo can't hurt us now that we know her intentions."

"But do you really know her intentions? More patrols won't be enough to stop her," Whisperheart shook his head sadly. It seemed he had already resigned Ashclan to defeat.

"What can we do then?" She asked, hoping for once Whisperheart would have an actual answer for her.

"We must train. Not to perfect the hunters crouch, or climb a tree. We must train to fight."

"I can't just take aggressive actions unless you tell me what we're up against here. You know something I don't obviously, so tell me!" she said in exasperation and lashed her tail.

"The clan knows Echo is a threat, and they have faith in you. If you tell them we must learn to fight then they will learn."

"We've already spent plenty of time learning maneuvers," Blossomfang pointed out. Whisperheart gave her almost a rueful smile.

"We need to learn to fight," he said again. Before Blossomfang interrupted he finished his statement. "We need to learn to fight like city cats."

...

"Halle, Charlie, Cookie, Astrid, Aspen, Frost and Bugs," Blossomfang summoned the seven cats to her den. They sat in a semi circle around her, wondering what she needed them for.

"Echo's threat is still potent, and the clan's fighting skills need to be sharpened. Since you lived as city cats I was hoping you could demonstrate to the clan some fighting moves the city cats possess?" she asked the group. She was mainly asking Frost, Aspen, Halle, and Charlie - Bugs was too old to fight, and Astrid was fierce but young. Cookie was almost as pampered as a kittypet despite having lived in the city.

Each cat took a turn showing Blossomfang a move they knew particularly well. Most of them were underpaw and dirty fighting styles. Not exactly something a warrior should know. But this wasn't a normal case, and they had to be prepared. Prepared for what, Blossomfang wasn't entirely sure.

Frost turned out to be a better fighter than expected. She worked well with Aspen, but she could hold her own too. They had small sparring matches to show the clan what to do, and then each cat would practice on their own. Frost was fast, her paws moved so quickly they were almost a blur of white. She kept her long tail tucked under her belly to avoid it being used against her, and her eyes never left her target.

It became a sort of game for the clan. Two cats would spar, the winner would take on another challenger. Frost was able to beat even Charlie and Foxtooth, the two biggest toms in the clan. She only lost to Braveheart, who simply put one of his massive paws on her back and held her to the ground until she gave up.

Icy also had a few moves, but she herself wouldn't fight anyone since that was against the code of medicine cats. Her moves were probably the most aggressive of all too. Being a small cat in the city Blossomfang supposed she would've needed to defend herself. Icy would go for their eyes and nose, and knew there was a weak point in between everyone's shoulder blades. After a long day of fake battles and training the clan was wiped out.

They were low on prey since no patrols had gone out to hunt. In fact, int he midst of their fun, no patrols had been sent out at all. Instantly a feeling of unease had crept through Blossomfang's fur. How could she have been so foolish to leave the whole territory unguarded for an entire day? Almost as if on cue, a gray and white figure materialized in the entryway of camp.

"Echo," Blossomfang said coolly. It appeared as if the golden eyed she cat had come alone. Still every warrior and apprentice in the clan was in a fighting stance as they faced the traitor themselves. Blossomfang held up a tail, signalling for her warriors to stand back unless she gave the command.

"You aren't welcome here!" Flintmask spat and took a step forward with claws unsheathed. Blossomfang shot him a warning look and he stepped back. Echo put a mock hurt look on her face, but she was unfazed.

"Why the harsh tone? I've come here to warn you after all," she said sarcastically.

"Warn us of what?" Braveheart barked. He was facing Echo at an angle Blossomfang noticed. His blind eye was turned away so he could see her fully. Did Echo know he was blind on one side? Suddenly every cat and dogs weakness seemed to magnify. Any little thing Echo might be able to use against them, it was a terrifying thought.

"You have half a moon Ashclan. A half a moon to prepare yourselves. The city cats are coming and they want this land for themselves."

"Why are you telling us this?" Blossomfang demanded. Was it a trick warning? But what would she gain from that?

"Because Shane made me. You see after Flintmask ran me off I returned to the city. I was caught in Shane's territory. To avoid being a prisoner I bargained with him - I'd tell him where his nemesis was hiding out and he'd let me go. He offered me a new deal, I would hold a position of power in the city if I told him every little detail about your precious clan. So I did. He, being a mousebrain, wanted to prove he could win in a fight against you without needing the element of surprise. So here I am, the messenger," Echo gave the lengthy explanation with a sadistic smile, her fangs gleaming like she couldn't wait to sink them into someone's scruff.

Before anyone could react she was gone again, off into the night - her warning lingered in the air.

All of Shane's forces will be here in a half moon's time. An entire city of cats, against a group that isn't even a real clan yet. No amount of training would help us win against numbers that massive.

"It's over," Blossomfang whispered. "We can't win."

No one told her otherwise, they were all thinking the same thing too. Finally Fawndapple shocked them from their stupor.

"Well if we want to win we'll just need to prepare. And we'll need to be a real clan to do so. Foxtooth?" she called to her stunned mate.

"Yeah?" he asked warily.

"I think it's time to stop dragging out this deal, we've had our minds made up for awhile now. We want to be apart of Ashclan, and we want Ashclan here in this forest."

A few cats let out cheers, but the relief of Fawndapple's decision was tarnished by the looming threat. There was only one solution - they needed more numbers. Blossomfang's mind was racing. What was protocol for becoming a new clan? They had a medicine cat, warriors, a deputy...but no leader. Blossomfang had stepped up to that position since she was the only one with any real clan experience they could count on, and since it was her mission. But now?

"We need to chose a leader," she decided.

"Well obviously that will be you," Braveheart snorted, like the idea of anyone else was laughable. Foxtooth surprisingly nodded in agreement with the dog, although Blossomfang thought he would want the position for himself.

"I still have a lot to learn about the warrior code, but I remember one thing. For a cat to be leader they must first be deputy. And to be deputy you must have mentored at least one apprentice. You've mentored an entire clan Blossomfang, you've earned the title," he said solemnly. Blossomfang was touched by the praise. She'd never found herself particularly close to Foxtooth, but she realized in that moment how much she cared about her clanmates - and how much they cared about her too.

From the newest to the oldest members they had formed a bond, one that was shaky at times, but the bond still held. Bugs was the eccentric elder who amused the apprentices with fanatic stories. The apprentices carried the dream of becoming a warrior, and the warriors had served Ashclan faithfully. She couldn't be more proud of what they had become in such a short amount of time. Which made the fear of losing everything to Echo and Shane that much more terrifying.

"Tonight I will travel to the Sparkling Stream with Whisperheart and gain my nine lives," she declared. A wave of awe passed over the clans faces. They didn't doubt she would obtain nine lives by the end of the night, but they were still shocked by Starclan's power. But even Starclan had limitations. They could only speak in prophecy, and they couldn't intervene with the living unless it was a last resort. For this fight against the city Starclan could do no more than support.

"You'll need a guard," Charlie offered. Blossomfang shook her head.

"I need all warriors here at camp to watch out for Echo in case she comes back."

"We can't let you go alone. I won't let you," Flintmask objected.

"Fine - but only one guard," she granted to Flintmask. He nodded dutifully.

"Blossomfang there is one other thing," Whisperheart said to the leader. "But it would be best to discuss in private." he murmured much softer to avoid curious ears of the clan.

They went to his den under the premise of getting traveling herbs. Icy was in the den as well, meaning she would be a part of this conversation.

"I won't be around much longer," he said immediately, catching the warrior by surprise. She hadn't expected this conversation at all, and she absolutely was not ready for it. "I am old and only getting older. I am afraid I will not be able to finish mentoring Icy. I know Starclan will continue training her after I pass. But I want to turn her over to them as an equal, not a rogue city cat. I want to give her her medicine cat name."

"It's much too soon, it takes years to become a full medicine cat," she said softly. Icy was strangely quiet for their whole conversation.

"I know - which is why I was thinking we keep her naming a secret until after she's truly ready. But I want to name her before my time, I want to give her this gift."

After a moment of pause she nodded her head.

"Tonight at the sparkling stream," she promised. Whisperheart nodded thankfully, and even Icy looked grateful. At first the young city cat had been hot headed and quick tempered, and although she still had a sharp tongue Blossomfang knew she would be a strong medicine cat for Ashclan.

...

"Ready?" Flintmask asked with the ghost of a smile on his lips.

"As I'll ever be," Blossomfang said with a shrug. Whisperheart and Icy were already waiting for them at the entrance of camp. With the bitter taste of traveling herbs still on her tongue; she left the camp knowing nothing would ever be the same again. They group weaved their way through the forest until they came upon the cavern. Slowly and precariously they jumped down the hole and landed on the hard mud below. The stream guided them to the end of the tunnel where the meeting place with Starclan resided.

As soon as she saw the shimmering dew drops she felt her breath catch in her throat. She was about to become a real leader. But not before Icy got her name. Blossomfang nodded to Whisperheart, signaling he could proceed with the ceremony. Flintmask looked confused about what was going on and Blossomfang simply gave him a look of reassurance.

"I, Whisperheart, medicine cat of Ashclan, call upon my ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help will serve this clan for many moons to come."

It was mesmerizing to watch the sacred ceremony. Normally medicine cat ceremonies would be in absolute privacy, but this wasn't a usual proceeding.

"Icy, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from clan rivalry and protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?"

"I do," Icy said with a fierce determination.

"Then by the powers of Starclan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Icy, from this moment and on you shall be known as Icefire. Starclan honors your compassion as well as your dedication. We welcome you as a full medicine cat of Ashclan."

Whisperheart rested his muzzle on her head and she licked his shoulder to complete the ceremony. Flintmask was the first to call out her name.

"Icefire!" he shouted.

"Icefire!" Blossomfang joined in.

"Icefire," Whisperheart said softly. "Now Blossomfang, it is time to speak with Starclan."

All three cats drank the dew to fall asleep and share dreams with their warrior ancestors. Icefire as a new medicine cat, Whisperheart as an old mentor, and Blossomfang as a hopeful leader. Flintmask stood guard and prepared himself for a long night. His green eyes were unblinking as he servayed the cavern.


So Icy is a (secret) medicine cat, Whisperheart is hiding something juicy, Blossomfang's about to become leader, and grandma got run over by a reindeer! Anyways thoughts? Comments? Please let me know below :D