IMPORTANT INFO, READ!
Ok, I have terrible news. This Friday, June 22nd, I am leaving for a month to go out of town. The bad part is, I will have very minimal access to a computer. I am so, so sorry but I will try to write a new chapter during that month and post it! Please, don't hate me and more importantly don't stop reading this story or lose interest in it. ): ): ): This is why I am trying to cram one or two chapters in now before I leave so that you will not be totally hanging. Well, that is all. ONTO THE COMMENTS! (Thanks to all who reviewed!) Oh, and I'm posting the updated Allegiances at the end of this chapter.
Luckyfur: LOL yeah, Rowanpaw and Echopaw are meant to be. ^-^ And thanks but I figured out Tinypaw's warrior name which you shall find out in this chapter! So read! And which plushie would you like? :3
Silent Steps in Silver Snow: thanks for all the support! And which plushie would you like?
VitaniXKopa: Indeed he does! And yeah, I realized the similarities between Blackpaw and Oakheart….lol so, what plushie are you wishing for right now?
Wolfheart911: *revives you* you can't die now! This chapter is important! XD What plushie do you want?
Justsmile77: Thank you for the support! And I have lots of big cats…let's see: Crowstar, Whitepelt, Swallowstar, Blackpaw, and Hawkstar. Sorry, they're all males….lol
Crystalwillow123: Thank you for the suggestions! Which plushie would you like?
Iceflower of ThunderClan: YAAAY! *jumps up and down for no reason* Lol Which plushie would you like, my friend?
Phew, that's it. Lol ok, onto the story!
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join under the Highledge for a Clan meeting!"
Echopaw pricked her ears and looked up from the thrush she was eating with Forestfur. Hawkstar was standing on top of the Highledge looking down as his cats assembled below. She felt excitement surge through her as she leapt to her paws and spotted her three friends at the front of the crowd. Tinypaw, Rowanpaw, and Tanglepaw were to become warriors today.
"Come on, Forestfur," she called over her shoulder as she rushed to find a spot where she would be able to see the whole thing. She found a spot beside Iceheart who was sitting alone looking out of place. "Do you mind if I sit here?"
Iceheart's eyes glimmered and a purr rose in her throat. "Of course not."
She felt pride well up in her chest when she caught Rowanpaw's eye. Joy sparkled in them and Echopaw blinked happily at him. One moon had passed since Echopaw had accepted her feelings for him. She couldn't deny the thrill that tingled through her paws when they were together.
Her gaze swept over Tinypaw who was fidgeting nonstop with her tail swishing across the ground. After the silver she-cat had talked out her predicament with Forestfur-who had really understood the dilemma, as Echopaw knew her mentor would-Tinypaw had reluctantly promised to try and not see Blackpaw as often. Forestfur had gently but firmly stated that the she-cat shouldn't make it so obvious that she was leaving every other night for her meetings. As far as Echopaw knew, Tinypaw had kept her word and had only snuck out to meet Blackpaw twice in the past moon.
"Today we are here to welcome three apprentices into ThunderClan as warriors," Hawkstar announced, pulling Echopaw from her thoughts. "StarClan, they have trained hard and have sought to learn the ways of your noble code and it is time for them to earn their warrior names."
Echopaw shook the thoughts from her mind and tried to focus.
"Tanglepaw, step forward."
The pale brown tom padded slowly forward but Echopaw was impressed to see that he was not trembling and that he held himself with a new confidence. What had happened to the nervous, fretful kit she had always known? Maybe he has finally calmed down and started to actually enjoy life, she thought affectionately.
Hawkstar stared down at the soon to be warrior and Echopaw could see that his heart was not into the ceremony. She felt a prick of unease and narrowed her eyes at her father. Ceremonies were something he had always loved. So why were his gaze disconnected and his tail to the ground?
"Do you promise to uphold the warrior Code and protect your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Hawkstar asked. Maybe it was her imagination but Echopaw could've sworn she heard a distinct edge in his voice. She looked around to see if anyone else had noticed it and spotted Adderflight looking accusingly up at the leader.
"I do," Tanglepaw answered, his voice unwavering.
"Then by the power of StarClan, I grant you your warrior name. From this day forward you shall be known as Tanglewhisper for you quick thinking and cautious approach to problems."
"Tanglewhisper! Tanglewhisper! Tanglewhisper!" Echopaw shouted along with her Clanmates and Tanglewhisper stepped back into the crowd.
"Tinypaw!" Hawkstar called. The silver she-cat bounced forward, her tail flicking back and forth as she gazed up at her leader.
"Do you promise to uphold the warrior Code and protect your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"
Tinypaw nodded and meowed, "I do."
"Then by the power of StarClan, I bestow upon you your warrior name. From this day forward, you will be known as Tinyfeather for your gentle compassion and empathy."
"Tinyfeather! Tinyfeather! Tinyfeather!" Echopaw screamed her friend's new name and Tinyfeather ducked her head shyly before joining her Clanmates.
"And finally, Rowanpaw come forward." Hawkstar's eyes were clouding again and Echopaw knew it would not be long before he shut everyone out for a while and disappeared into his den alone to grieve. She met Featherpool's gaze and tried to convey her apprehension to the Medicine Cat. The gray she-cat seemed to understand for she nodded once and stared anxiously at Hawkstar.
"Rowanpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior Code and protect your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" This time, there was no mistaking the sharp way he directed this question to the ginger tom.
Rowanpaw seemed to have heard it as well because his blue eyes widened but he didn't hesitate as he firmly answered, "I do."
Hawkstar's eyes narrowed and Echopaw saw a spark of anger in them. Her breath caught. What in StarClan was wrong with her father? He never, ever acted hateful to any of his Clanmates! "Then by the power of StarClan, I grant you your warrior name," he spat.
Gasps of shock swept through the mass of cats. No one could miss the harsh tone he had said the precious words in. Echopaw's ears drew back as she heard whispered murmurs.
"Why is he saying it like that?"
"Who put bile in his prey?"
"What's going on?"
"SILENCE!" Hawkstar shouted, cutting off all conversations. His eyes flashed wildly across the cats. Out of the corner of her eye, Echopaw saw Featherpool rise to her paws and Petalstream leaping up on the Highledge to stand next to her leader. The white she-cat tried to speak hastily with him but the brown tabby pulled away hissing viciously. Dread crept up Echopaw's spine and she knew there was something terribly wrong with her father and leader.
"Rowanpaw, you will be known as Rowanstrike," Hawkstar hissed, scraping his claws against the rock. "May StarClan help you all." And with that he turned and fled to his den, leaving a shocked Petalstream alone.
"How dare he!" Jaypath growled, rushing to her kits and giving them swift licks. "This was supposed to be a blessed day for my kits to become warriors and that cat had no right to disrespect them or us!"
"What's happened to our leader?" Windfur wailed.
"Who does he think he is?" Adderflight spat, leaping to his paws. He swung his head around and glared at Echopaw. "Do you know what's wrong with him?"
Echopaw shook her head, glancing down at her paws. She had a feeling she knew what was happening to her father but there was no way she was going to reveal it without checking with Featherpool and Petalstream to be sure. She spotted Rowanstrike standing with his brother and sister and raced over to him. His blue eyes were blazing and confused.
"Are you okay?" she meowed, skidding to a halt in front of them.
"What's happened to Hawkstar?" Tinyfeather murmured. Her eyes were stretched wide.
Echopaw shook her head. "I don't know, but I'll try to find out. Congratulations, by the way," she added lamely.
Tanglewhisper snorted. "At least one cat makes us feel welcome."
Echopaw narrowed her eyes at the tom but before she could tell him off, Tinyfeather meowed smoothly, "Go and find out what's wrong Echopaw. We'll be fine." At this last part she shot a look at her brothers.
Echopaw didn't feel like it was an argument worth pursuing so she spun around and stalked off. She caught Tinyfeather hissing, "You stupid mouse-brains!" before she was out of hearing distance. She was glad her friend understood where she was coming from but didn't need any defending.
The Clan was separated into loose clusters of cats and Echopaw knew they were discussing what had just happened. Ignoring the stares she felt on her fur, the creamy she-cat leapt up the rocks and slid through the entrance of the leader's den. Even though the light was dim, her nose and ears told her Featherpool and Petalstream were already there.
"Hawkstar would you like to explain what exactly that was?" Petalstream accused, struggling to keep her voice calm. She caught sight of Echopaw but merely nodded before continuing, "What's going on with you?"
Hawkstar was staring at his deputy uncomprehendingly. His amber eyes were hollow and even in the dim lighting Echopaw could tell that his fur was unkempt and matted. Up close, he didn't look like a leader; he looked like a scared, broken Elder.
"Hawkstar," Featherpool meowed gently, taking a different approach. "Please explain what's going on. The whole Clan is worried about you."
Hawkstar whipped his head around and his eyes were full of amber fire. "They are not my Clan anymore," he growled. Echopaw stared at him in horror. "My Clan died along with my son! They do not know what it feels like to lose someone you held dearly. StarClan has taken everything away from me and has left me with a bunch of mouse-brained cats who call themselves warriors!" He unsheathed his claws. "Pinepaw and Brightfeather deserve to be here not those stupid cats! They are not my Clan, Featherpool. They never will be again."
Complete and utter abhorrence and dismay welled up inside of Echopaw. Her thoughts were spinning and her heart ached. "But I'm still here," she mewed weakly, pleading with her eyes.
Hawkstar barely spared her a glance. "You are nothing but another memory and reminder of everything StarClan has taken from me."
"Hawkstar!" Featherpool snapped furiously, leaping to her paws. "You have no idea what you're talking about!"
He scowled at the gray she-cat. "Don't I? You have never known pain until you have been what I have gone through."
Hurt shattered Echopaw's already mangled heart but rage fired up inside of her. She rose slowly to her white paws and glared loathingly at the unknown cat in front of her. "You are not my father," she spat in disgust. "You are a selfish, stupid cat who I don't know. My father would never toss his Clan aside like you're doing, nor would he ever, for one second, act like all hope is lost. My father would learn to deal with the pain of loss. Do you think you're the only one suffering, Hawkstar? Do you think you're the only one who has ever lost someone dear?" A bandage ripped off of her wounded heart. "Pinepaw was my brother, not just your son. He was a friend of everyone in this Clan, and you think you're the only one grieving?"
Hawkstar opened his mouth to retort but Echopaw shouted, "NO! You do not have the right to have the title of a leader! You are an idiot, a fool. If you think for one moment that you are the only one hurting, let me bestow upon you a little bit of information." Her voice got higher in pitch until she was screaming all her feelings at him. "I have tried to understand your situation; we all have tried to help. But you are a shame for ThunderClan to have; you offend us with your selfish, petty acts like this. I lost my mother before I even knew her and my brother was killed right before my eyes and I did nothing to stop it!"
She stepped right up to the brown tabby who was staring at her in shock. Her muzzle was an inch away from his when she hissed, "So don't tell me no one knows your pain. You are a disgrace to this Clan and to the Code and a failure as a leader and a father."
Echopaw stepped back as the fury evaporated, leaving her weary and exhausted. All was silent in the den and outside in the clearing as the cats listened. With one last glance of utter contempt, she spun around and stormed out. The pain and realization at what she'd done hit her and she froze. What did I just do?
She looked up and saw every cat in the clearing staring at her, obviously having heard her shrieking. She saw Ivypetal huddled next to Fishleap with a look of horror on her pretty features while Hollyfrost, Jaypath, and Adderflight were frozen where they were. She glanced around wildly, suddenly feeling defensive at all the accusing looks directed at her.
Echopaw stared hard at Forestfur who blinked slowly to show her understanding. Her desperate gaze traveled across the faces of her Clanmates until they rested on Tinyfeather, Tanglewhisper, and Rowanstrike. The silver she-cat wouldn't meet her eyes and Tanglewhisper looked away. Rowanstrike nodded once at her and Echopaw felt weak with relief. Not everyone hated her.
She stalked past all the cats with her head high and as much dignity she could scrape up. Not glancing back, she stomped into the empty apprentice den and collapsed in her nest. She curled up into a tight ball and wrapped her tail across herself for protection against the stares of her Clanmates. She shut her eyes tightly and willed for the day to just be a nightmare she would wake up from.
Please forgive me, StarClan, Echopaw prayed. She didn't know how much more her bruised, damaged heart could take. Is this the path I must walk forever? Is this part of the prophecy and my destiny? She thought bitterly.
She sighed heavily and slowly fell unconscious to the sorrowful beating of her throbbing heart and with her crushed, broken determination as a reminder that she never had a choice.
Well. That was quite dramatic. :'( Poor, poor Echopaw but poor Hawkstar too. I can understand where he's coming from (and not just because I wrote it) Lol. So…read and review, tell me which plushie you would like, but please don't kill me for this chapter. D: Here are the updated Allegiances as promised. I will try and write another chapter before I leave and that one is going to have actual fighting in it and Crowstar comes back into the story. ^-^
Allegiances
THUNDERCLAN
Leader: Hawkstar-dark brown tabby tom with amber eyes
Deputy: Petalstream- pure white she-cat with blue eyes
Medicine cat: Featherpool- dark gray she-cat with green eyes
Apprentice: Littlewhisker
Warriors (toms and she-cats without kits)
Sandfur-dark ginger tom with amber eyes
Dawnfeather-light brown she-cat with white paws, chest, and belly and blue eyes
Stormstripe-dark gray tabby tom with green eyes
Whitepelt-huge white tom with blue eyes
Sunwhisper-quiet golden she-cat with kind amber eyes
Adderflight-tortoiseshell tom with hard blue eyes
Windfur- silvery she-cat with amber eyes
Furzebelly-long-haired gray tom with green eyes
Shineheart-brown she-cat with amber eyes
Hollyfrost-black she-cat with white paws and green eyes
Dustclaw- gray tom with blue eyes
Fishleap-lithe ginger tom with amber eyes
Jaypath-blue/gray she-cat with blue eyes
Forestfur-black she-cat with amber eyes
Apprentice: Echopaw
Iceheart- (formerly Medicine Cat of RiverClan) white she-cat with pale eyes
Rowanstrike- dark red-ish tom with light blue eyes
Tinyfeather- silver she-cat with blue eyes
Tanglewhisper- light brown tom with darker ears and paws, and amber eyes
Apprentices (cats six moons and older, in training to become warriors)
Littlewhisker-small silver tom with green eyes; Medicine Cat apprentice (kit of Dawnfeather and Stormstripe)
Echopaw- cream colored tabby she-cat with small white paws and ears and pale green eyes and three scars running down the side of her face
Queens (she-cats expecting or nursing kits)
Ivypetal-dark gray she-cat with blue eyes (expecting Fishleap's kits)
Elders (former warriors and queens, now retired)
Mouseclaw- grumpy gray-brown tom with a sharp tongue and amber eyes
Goldenmist- pretty golden she-cat with blind green eyes
WINDCLAN
Leader: Swallowstar-handsome gray tabby tom
Deputy: Breezewater-silver she-cat
Medicine Cat: Bluepool-blue/gray she-cat
Warriors
Pinestripe-ginger tom with darker stripes
Clawfoot- dark tabby tom
Poppyheart-white she cat
Rushfur-bright gray tom
Mudfoot- dark tabby tom
Cloudstorm-white tom
Foxleaf-light orange tabby tom
Queens
Moonsong-midnight black she-cat, mother of Swallowstar's kits: Rockkit (dark gray tabby tom) and Rainkit (silver and black she-cat)
Elders
Ashfall-spotted gray tom
SHADOWCLAN
Leader: Shadestar-dark tom
Deputy: Graystorm-gray tom
Medicine Cat: Mossflame-cream she-cat with a rusty colored nose
Apprentice: Petalpath (rose-colored she-cat)
Warriors
Firespirit-orange she-cat
Brightwing-white and brown she-cat
Bramblefire-brown tabby tom
Tigerfur-pale gray tom with dark brown paws
Starblaze-white she-cat
Honeypoppy-sweet golden she-cat
Snowstorm-white tom with gray ears
Mistypelt-gray she-cat
Apprentice: Talonpaw (dark brown, almost black tom)
Blackpelt-black tom
Snakefang-molted tom with an irregular sized fang
Tallfeather-white she-cat with a long dark stripe running down her back
Blackfrost-black tom with blue eyes
Queens
None
Elders
Longmist-gray she-cat, formerly the deputy
RIVERCLAN
Leader: Crowstar-large compact brown and white tom
Deputy: Willowfeather- tortoiseshell she-cat
Medicine Cat: None
Warriors
Rainpelt- gray tom
Clumpfur-broad white and black tom with lumpy fur
Brindlewhisker- orange and white she-cat
Ashtalon-dark and light gray tom
Sunleaf-bright yellow she-cat with white ears
Raindusk-black and gray tom
Mapleshadow-orange and cream she-cat (formerly a loner)
Clawear-scrawny brown tom with shredded ears (formerly a loner)
Darkblood-scrawny black tom (formerly a loner)
Deadtail-orange she-cat with half a tail (formerly a loner)
Cinderfang-huge gray tom (formerly a loner)
Birchfur-tabby tom
Hailsplash-white she-cat
Queens
Cherrybloom-White and gray she-cat, expecting Cinderfang's kits
Elders
Mousefoot-dusty brown she-cat