Even though Nightpaw was only eight moons old, his training profile was not like another apprentice in TreeClan before. He was already one of the best hunters in the Clan, almost better than his own father. However, his tendency to get distracted or angry hindered him, particularly in fighting. This happened most of the time. Not only that, his defense in fighting was terrible. Now his offense, was a completely different story.
Of course, Fawnfang was pleased over her son's success, despite the numerous amounts of complaints.
The Clans' Assembly was going to be happening tonight, and Nightpaw desperately wanted to attend it. He'd heard much about it, but he mostly wanted to see what the big deal was.
"Owltalon", do you think I'm going to the Clans' Assembly?"
"Maybe. That depends on Icestar."
"Oh."
"Now come on. You need to work on ducking and twisting."
Nightpaw let out a loud groan. "But we've already done that!"
"Yes, but you need to continue working on your defense skills! Featherwing's new litter has better defense skills than you, and they're only two moons old."
"But they don't even move!"
Owltalon rolled her eyes. "I was being ridiculous to make a point!"
"Oh."
Shaking her head, his mentor muttered, "Oh, Nightpaw, when will you ever learn?"
Nightpaw bounded into the TreeClan camp, grateful to be free from his training session.
Turning to look at the sky for a moment, he admired the yellows, oranges, and reds that it had been painted.
"We're going to the Clans' Assembly soon," Boulderpaw said to Nightpaw as he padded up to him.
"Already?!" But I just go here!"
"We know that. We're waiting for everyone else."
As soon as Boulderpaw mentioned that, Icestar yowled, "Let all cats old enough to catch prey join beneath the Big Boulder for a Clan Meeting."
"Or not… C'mon, he's going to list who will be going to the Clans' Assembly!" Boulderpaw hissed into Nightpaw's ear, before running to sit with the now gathered Clan.
Slowly, Nightpaw went over to join the crowd.
"As you know, the Clans' Assembly is tonight," Icestar announced, his voice ringing in the clearing, "So before we can leave, I shall announce who will come with me."
Icestar coughed loudly, possibly for dramatic effect, but Nightpaw swore he had heard the faint sound of a hairball splattering onto the rock.
"The cats will be: Owltalon, Pinecloud, Beetlepelt, Tigerpaw, Tawnybrook, Darknose, Gingerleaf, Cherryfur, Nightpaw, and Birdsplash."
The black tom felt faint. He was actually going to attend the Clans' Assembly!
He felt someone nudge him. It was Owltalon.
"Nightpaw, we're leaving."
Excited, the apprentice followed the chosen cats out of the camp.
Countless stars twinkled in the dark blue sky; the moon was a full, bright circle of pale silver, looming over the horizon.
The group of cats reached the edge of the river, where there was a fallen tree that stretched across the river to the Clans' Assembly location, which was on an island.
One by one, the cats hopped onto the log and used it to cross the river. When it was Nightpaw's turn to cross, he leaped onto the log and slowly crossed the river, frightened silly of falling into the dark, swirling torrent of the water.
"Come on! Hurry up or we're going to be late!"
"Patience, Birdsplash. It's his first time crossing the river."
"Well, it didn't take me that long when I first did it!"
"Yes, but you nearly fell in."
Reaching the island, he let out a sigh of relief as he landed on the ground. Birdsplash darted around Nightpaw, his white tipped tail lashing in impatience.
The apprentice reached the area where the Assembly was to be held. There was a pile of rocks in the center of the clearing, three of them being of predominant size. A brown tabby was sitting on one of them. More cats were surrounding the rocks, mostly milling around.
"Huh, looks like MoorClan's here already."
They're always here first. Most of the time, that is."
Nightpaw glanced at his brother Tigerpaw. "What are we supposed to do?"
"Just talk to other cats until the Assembly starts."
Tigerpaw trotted off with Goosefrost, presumably to go chat with the MoorClan medicine cat.
Nightpaw heard some cats around his age on the far edges of the clearing, prattling like newly born chicks.
He approached them, hearing on of the apprentices mention something about a skirmish.
"What did you say about a skirmish?" Nightpaw asked.
The chowder of young cats looked at him.
Oh, it's really none of your concern," the youngest apprentice said.
Nightpaw could feel his temper rising. "Well, why is that?"
"Because it didn't involve TreeClan."
"Well, I'd still like to hear about it. I mean, it's the Assembly after all―isn't it?"
"And?"
"Isn't that the point of this mess? To share news?""
The oldest apprentice gave him a blank stare. "I guess."
The other younger apprentice said, "You're Nightpaw, right?"
Her fur was of a deep black, darker than Nightpaw's fur. She had a flash of white on her nose bridge, and her eyes were of such a strange dark blue, they seemed to verge into being violet.
"Um…yes…"
"Then can I talk to you for a second? In private?" she said, before sending a glare to the youngest apprentice.
"Yes."
How had this cat figured it out so quickly? For that matter, why was her voice so familiar?
All of these thoughts ran through Nightpaw's head as the black she-cat led him away from the group of apprentices, who were now staring after them in interest and confusion. She nudged Nightpaw behind a thick bush.
"You recognize my voice?" she asked.
"I-I sort of do."
"Remember when I told you I'd see you soon?"
It only took Nightpaw a moment to figure out what she meant.
"You were that voice in my head!"
The she-cat nodded her head in approval.
"H-how?!"
"Oh, it was rather hard actually. My other-worldly powers just aren't as good as they used to be."
"Other-worldly?"
"Take a look at me, Nightpaw. Surely my design will reflect on what I once was."
She was rather tall, and slender, too.
"Black―slender―blue eyes that nearly look violet―tall?" Nightpaw thought.
He searched his mind for any creatures that had such characteristics.
It clicked for Nightpaw.
She had been an Enderman.