Chapter 16
"The Final Push."
3/25/17
The full moon illuminates the pitch black sky. Nightpaw watches the chosen cats stand near Darkstar. Lionfang, Foxflame, Driftcloud, Gingershine, Timberclaw, Windstorm, Oakstorm, Rosefoot, Graystream, Finchblaze, Maplecloud and Daisyleaf.
The chosen apprentices were Mistpaw, Pinepaw, Featherpaw, Snowpaw, Raccoonpaw, Acornpaw and Petalpaw.
Except for me.
Acornpaw looks at her sister with a condescending expression and looks away. Nightpaw scoffs.
I apologize and she still insists on acting like she's better than me. What a joke.
Nightpaw knows Snowpaw will keep her updated with the other four, but she wishes she could go and just be there.
Beechpaw pads across the tree bridge and onto the island where WindClan is waiting. He searches the knot of WindClan cats until a pale blue tom hisses at him.
"What are you bothering us for, RiverClan cat?"
Beechpaw snorts and moves away. He hears his name being called, and sees Spiderpaw pad to him with his Clanmates glaring at his backside.
Beechpaw nods to Spiderpaw's Clanmates. "What got under their fur?"
Spiderpaw shrugs. "I shredded Cheetahpaw a few days ago."
"Is she okay?" Beechpaw never liked Cheetahpaw, but her absence in the Gathering makes it seem like her injuries were worse than Spiderpaw lets on to be.
"She's fine. Hollyclaw convinced Creekstar to not let her come 'until she shows proper WindClan behavior and respect'."
Beechpaw sighs. "What made you attack her? I mean, I get it - she's a mess. But…"
Spiderpaw looks around and looks back at Beechpaw. "Cheetahpaw turned into a wolf."
Beechpaw's blood turns cold.
"I know it sounds insane, but Cheetahpaw looked every bit of wolf and I attacked her. I didn't even know how bad it was until Brackenfall pulled me off of her."
Beechpaw flexes his tail. "I believe you." Spiderpaw blinks in surprise.
"You do?... Wait. Did it happen to you, too?"
"Yeah, and Owlpaw, too." Beechpaw raises his paw when Spiderpaw opens his mouth. "Don't… ask me. It's not a pretty thing to mention, and I tried…"
Spiderpaw realizes what he meant. "You showed your medicine cat the claws, right?"
"Yes. She saw the fur and promised to tell Olivestar, but we still fought with ShadowClan and Owlpaw…"
"He thought you were a wolf, you did too."
Beechpaw shifts his paws uncomfortably. "I would feel much better discussing this with Owlpaw, Snowpaw and Nightpaw when they get here."
"Talking to Owlpaw won't be easy after you attacked his Clan. I'll bring him to us."
Owlpaw tries not to drag his paws as he keeps up with Patchflower and his Clanmates. He sees the tree bridge and crosses it in hopes of seeing his fellow prophecy cats.
Owlpaw's nose immediately picks up the RiverClan's fish smelling scent.
"ShadowClan is here!"
"This is a time of peace!"
Owlpaw immediately falls back as Rabbitstep leads his cats onto the island. He looks around while trying to avoid RiverClan cats - which is ridiculous if he wants to find Beechpaw. Owlpaw accidentally comes across his mother with a dark grey tom…
He sees Splashpelt briefly touch muzzles with him, and Owlpaw knew who it was.
Probably Grassclaw.
Owlpaw remembers Grassclaw watching him and his littermates when they were first at the Gathering as apprentices. It was such a small detail, Owlpaw completely overlooked it.
Once upon a time he was adamant about finding his father, getting to know him and bond with him. Now Owlpaw doesn't want anything to do with him if it meant being bullied into preserving Splashpelt's reputation.
Splashpelt looks over to him. "Owlpaw, come here." Owlpaw's feet leads him to Splashpelt and his supposed father before he could turn and run. Grassclaw stares at him with amber eyes, Owlpaw feels uncomfortable beneath his stare.
"Grassclaw, this is our son. He's been asking about you and is very curious."
"Really?" Grassclaw sounds amused. "Owlpaw, is it?"
"Y-Yes, sir."
"How is your warrior training coming along? Is it good? Are you getting your warrior name early?"
"Uh… I'm not entirely sure."
Grassclaw's stare begins to feel like a bad burn. Splashpelt looks at her WindClan mate. "His training isn't going so well. He seems to prefer spending his time helping Kestrelwing rather than train with Patchflower."
Why are you making it sound like that?! Patchflower is the one who puts me down so much!
Owlpaw's father twitches his tail, and he sees the dark disappointment in his eyes.
"I see…" Grassclaw adjusts his tone. "I've made slip ups when I was an apprentice, Owlpaw, I'm sure you'll make a fine warrior that ShadowClan will be proud of."
Splashpelt's green eyes became fixed on Owlpaw. The light brown tom couldn't understand why she was doing this now if she wanted to keep the identity of her kits' father a secret.
Nobody is paying attention to the three cats, not even Swiftpaw and Mosspaw, who were practicing their fighting moves to keep themselves from being bored.
Grassclaw licks Splashpelt's ear. "I have to go before Creekstar misses me. Take care, Owlpaw."
The dark grey WindClan tom pads away from them. Owlpaw glares at Splashpelt.
"What in the name of StarClan are you trying to prove?"
"You and I both saw his reaction to your training. I'm showing you that he's not going to be interested in you, ever."
"That is downright cruel and manipulative!" Owlpaw hissed. "How dare you make me look bad in front of Grassclaw like that?! I wasn't going to tell them-!"
"And make sure it stays that way."
Owlpaw bristles his fur. "You're so full of yourself! How can you mentally abuse your kit like this and only think of your position in the Clan?!"
Splashpelt thrusts her muzzle toward Owlpaw's. "I don't like your tone, Owlpaw. I suggest you keep it down…"
"Right. Because that's the only way to make you proud is to be as pretentious as you!"
Owlpaw feels a swift, sharp claws hit his face. He looks at his mother in horror. Splashpelt stares at him with shock of what she did, but she raises her head and looks down on him. "Go." She ordered him.
Owlpaw growls and runs away into the crowd, ignoring the hisses from the RiverClan cats.
"Owlpaw - whoa, you look terrible."
The ShadowClan apprentice sees Spiderpaw. The black tom coughs.
"Come on. Beechpaw is waiting for us."
Snowpaw and her Clan were the last to arrive on the island. RiverClan and ShadowClan were sitting farthest from each other. WindClan were a little bit in the middle of the two, feuding factions.
"This doesn't feel right…" Raccoonpaw whispers to Gingershine.
Snowpaw feels fur brushing her pelt, and glances over to Thistlefang. The dark brown tabby tom sticks close to her as he eyes ShadowClan and RiverClan, daring them to move.
She halts and sees Spiderpaw, Beechpaw and Owlpaw near the medicine cats, behind the RiverClan warriors.
"Uh, I should go and say hi." She says to Thistlefang.
"I don't know. RiverClan looks testy…"
"The Gathering is about to begin! Let all cats gather as Creekstar starts with his report!"
Snowpaw inwardly growls as she settles next to Thistlefang. The three toms stick close to the medicine cats, and Snowpaw is almost tempted to go over to them.
But I can't do that without drawing suspicion from Thistlefang.
Creekstar waits as everyone gathers around the tree.
"WindClan is growing in size. We have invited five loners into our Clan, Cloversong, Molefur, Rowanfoot, Lilypool and Goldentail, who is expecting kits. Violetbloom is also expecting kits and Hawkflight is the father!"
Snowpaw sees Hawkflight wince when Violetbloom's pregnancy is announced. He looks almost ashamed.
What did he expect when he decides to mate with a she-cat in Greenleaf? Sometimes I question the rationality of toms…
"You allowed loners into your Clan?" Darkstar asks Creekstar. The WindClan leader nods, narrowing his eyes on Darkstar.
"Yes. Is that an issue?"
"Not really. I was wondering why you give us grief over how many kittypet and loner descendants ThunderClan has while you have five loners… No biggie. Carry on ~."
Creekstar flattens his ears. "WindClan has nothing left to report."
Olivestar tries to go first, but Rabbitstep intercepted her and glares at the RiverClan leader. He takes his place on the tree and is met with an uproar.
"Why is the deputy up there?!"
"That is for leaders only!"
"Where's Heatherstar?"
"Silence!" Kestrelwing, medicine cat of ShadowClan, cries out. "Let him explain."
Rabbitstep nods to Kestrelwing with gratitude and looks at the cats below.
"ShadowClan has been attacked by RiverClan a few days ago due to an accident. RiverClan will say that we killed a cat, but they are wrong. It was an error by an apprentice who defended themselves from being killed and went too far.
"After the death of the warrior, Olivestar launched an attack on us at sunset when we were preparing to rest."
Excluding RiverClan's objections, WindClan and ThunderClan voice their outrage. Daisyleaf exclaims, "Where's Heatherstar, though?"
"Heatherstar is reinforcing the defense of our camp as we speak, so that nothing like this will happen again. That is all ShadowClan has to report."
Rabbitstep flicks his tail as he steps down. Darkstar looks at the two and shrugs.
"One of our warriors, Sweetflower, is expecting her second litter of kits with Ashcloud. That is all we have to report."
Olivestar took his place as Darkstar steps down.
"We lost Heavystorm too soon." She glares at the ShadowClan cats. "RiverClan continues to grief for him. And his mate, Applefoot, waits in the nursery expecting his kits. That is all RiverClan has to report."
"Don't hide the truth, Olivestar! Tell them that Owlpaw killed Heavystorm!"
Snowpaw sees the ShadowClan cats leap up and growl as the RiverClan cats also become defensive. Owlpaw tries not to tremble but he looks like he wants to faint from the tension.
Darkstar glares at the RiverClan leader and ShadowClan deputy.
"Control your cats! We have a truce in case you have forgotten!"
Snowpaw looks at the sky and the full moon begins to be covered by a clouds, and a growl ripples in the sky.
"ShadowClan! Stop it, before StarClan grows angry!" Rabbitstep yowls.
"What do you expect when you align yourself with rogues?" Olivestar sneers.
Rabbitstep whipped around and glares at her. "Shut up! Nobody asked for your opinion!"
Snowpaw sees a flicker of light inside the clouds. A white claw shoots from the clouds and hits the center of the island. The four Clans cry with shock, Thistlefang immediately wraps his tail around her and pulls her back.
Snowpaw sees four cats in the illuminated light, even if it was brief, and the winds picked up, and sing in her ears.
"Go, go. Go to the mountains now!"
"StarClan is angry!" Hazelheart shouts. "We must end this Gathering - now!"
The four Clans quickly leave the island in a desperate attempt to escape. Snowpaw could see her fellow prophesied leave with their Clan, but they share a look with her that she knows what meant: Meet me here tonight.
Nightpaw snores in her sleep. Snowpaw proves her paw on her flank, making the small black she-cat wake up from her slumber.
"Wha-?" Snowpaw covers her mouth with her paw. "Follow me…" she says.
Nightpaw nods and follows Snowpaw out of the gorge and across the moorlands in the dead of night. The two cousins make it to the island and see Beechpaw, Spiderpaw and Owlpaw.
"I heard a voice." Spiderpaw says first.
"Me too." Snowpaw said. "So did I." Owlpaw put in.
Nightpaw blinks. "You mean… it wasn't sleep deprivation? The voice was real?"
Beechpaw nods. "And we saw four cats. The voice told us to go to the mountains, like now."
"Now as in immediately?" Owlpaw asks.
"Pretty much." Spiderpaw sniffs.
Nightpaw frowns. Snowpaw looks at her. "What? We both knew this would come to it."
"I know it's just… Do we know how long it'll take for us to reach the Tribe and come back? We'll be away from our parents, our littermates and friends, for such a long time."
Nightpaw added in a chilling tone of fear. "Cats died from the Great Journey, guys. Remember this one ShadowClan apprentice, Smokepaw? One of us might die and never see our families again!"
Nightpaw couldn't imagine leaving now and never seeing Littlefalcon and Ivyheart again. Morningpaw, Fishpaw, and even Acornpaw.
Beechpaw nods slowly. "She's right." The apprentices look at the RiverClan tom.
"We should leave tomorrow night, while we still have a chance to say goodbye to our families and friends."
"I agree." Spiderpaw said, thinking about Softpaw.
Owlpaw nods. He might not care much for Splashpelt, but he wouldn't leave his brother or sister without seeing them one more time.
"It's going to be hard…" Nightpaw whispers. Snowpaw nuzzles her cousin with comfort.
"We have to be strong." Spiderpaw said. "If we want our Clan to survive, we have to be and take down those wolves."
The early morning brought no comfort to Nightpaw. She lost focus in hunting and came back with a squirrel.
"Nightpaw, wait." She looks back to Thrushwing. "I know you're upset about missing the Gathering, but that's no excuse to slack off."
"S-Sorry."
Thrushwing notices the distant stare in Nightpaw's eyes.
"Is there something bothering you? You can always tell me about it."
Nightpaw looks at the creamy brown she-cat.
I don't know if she'll believe me, but…
Against her judgement, Nightpaw tells Thrushwing everything that's happened. The prophecy, the journey approaching for her and Snowpaw. Thrushwing's green eyes became hardened, and Nightpaw fears that she made a mistake telling her.
She wouldn't tell Darkstar, would she? I can't believe how mouse brained I-!
"Nightpaw… I'm sorry you had to go through this alone."
Nightpaw blinks. "I wasn't. Snowpaw…"
"Even so. I'm your mentor, I should have been more aware of what was going on."
Thrushwing chuckles ruefully. "I suppose I still have some naïvity left from Lionstar…"
Nightpaw also knows that Thrushwing was born in WindClan and was Lionstar's mate until he threw her out to spy on ThunderClan, while she was heavily pregnant with his kits.
Wait. Tigerflame is my grandfather, and Lionstar and Thrushwing are my great-grandparents… How on earth did I miss that detail?! She's my own kin!
Thrushwing sighs. "I understand, Nightpaw. StarClan has been planning this probably before you were born. I will tell Darkstar and convince him not to tell the Clan about this, it might start an uproar even if we do tell them about the prophecy."
Thrushwing briefly touches Nightpaw's forehead. "Just make sure you say goodbye to your father and mother before you go."
"... I was already planning on it. Thank you, Thrushwing."
Snowpaw sees Nightpaw talking to Ivyheart and Littlefalcon, obviously happy to have a chance to talk to one of their kits.
Speaking of which…
Snowpaw makes her way to Rosefoot basking in the sun near the warriors den. She hesitates.
"Snowpaw, what did I tell you about sneaking up on me?"
"I wasn't trying to."
Rosefoot snorts. "Good, because you suck at it." The pinkish she-cat gets up and directs her attention to Snowpaw.
"What is it?"
Snowpaw never saw her mother as affectionate, but it didn't meant she wasn't protective. Snowpaw witnessed it first-paw when WindClan raided the camp for Daisyleaf's kits.
"Would it be weird if I told you I love you?"
Rosefoot frowns. "It would be if you were heartless."
Snowpaw nuzzles Rosefoot's cheek. "Then I love you."
"Same here, Snowball." She chuckles, returning to her sunning. Snowpaw pads away from her and sees Windstorm picking a sparrow from the pile. Snowpaw rushes toward him and catches his attention.
"D-Dad. I just wanted to say I love you. You're the best."
Windstorm blinks in surprise and nods, his eyes brimming with happiness as he pads to Rosefoot and sits next to her.
"Hi, Snowpelt!"
Snowpaw jumps and sees Petalpaw grinning ear to ear. "What'cha doin'?"
Snowpaw nuzzles Petalpaw who backs up. "Calm down, tigress. I don't swing that way." She jokes. "Oh! Wait just a minute!"
Petalpaw rushes inside the apprentices den and returns with the same leaf bundle in her mouth and drops it near Snowpaw's paws.
"... What is this?" Snowpaw asks her sister.
Petalpaw puffs her chest with pride.
"I made it myself. Whitefur told me about stuff he saw in the Twoleg city, and he said that these things are called 'backpacks'. Twoleg kits use this to carry stuff around."
So that's what this is! Snowpaw never knew why Petalpaw always carried this around with her, and why Whitefur is so calm about his apprentice carrying around a strange object.
"Why are you showing me this?"
"You never know when you're going to need this. So put as much as you can inside, but not too much or it might break."
Snowpaw looks into Petalpaw's dark emerald eyes. There was something in her eyes that told Snowpaw that she knew what was happening. Petalpaw is smart, she knew more than she let on.
Snowpaw smiles softly. "Thank you. I promise to take care of it."
"You better. I worked, like, half of my hunting assignment away trying to put this together."
Nightpaw stands in front of her two brothers as they eat, Fishpaw notices her first.
"Nightpaw? Are you doing okay?"
Morningpaw looks at Nightpaw. "You look sick."
"No I'm fine… I just want to say how much you mean to me."
Fishpaw blinks. "Uh, okay…?"
"Are you sure you're doing okay?" Morningpaw asks her. " I can get Hailstone…"
"I said I'm good! Can't a sister tell her brothers she loves them?" She said jokingly.
Morningpaw and Fishpaw decides not to push it and nod, Nightpaw turns around and comes face to face with Acornpaw. The light brown she-cat snorts and stalks past her.
"I'm sorry. I mean it, I didn't mean to hurt you."
Acornpaw doesn't give Nightpaw any acknowledgement as she sits with their brothers. Nightpaw tries not to feel frustrated with the results.
At least I said it. Now all we have to do is wait.
Beechpaw pulls himself out of the stream in the afternoon and shakes the water away with a salmon in his jaws. He follows Birchfang back to camp.
"Beechpaw. Olivestar and I are discussing your warrior name, and we decided that you deserve it."
"R-Really?"
"Yes. We decided to hold it tomorrow evening, if you pass your assessment."
Beechpaw's heat plummeted as he realizes that he won't be here when Birchfang comes to look for him. He nods and drops the salmon in the pile. Beechpaw grabs a nice, big tuna and pads inside the elder's den.
Mudfoot and Nightfang left, and Daisypelt is now facing the entrance when she looks at him. Beechpaw drops the tuna in her nest.
"And here I thought you would never come back." She said. Daisypelt wolfs down the tuna and licks her lips. "Ready for the big day?"
Beechpaw stiffens. "Big...day?"
"Your warrior ceremony, fish brain!" Daisypelt chuckles.
"... Oh." Beechpaw relaxes himself.
"What's with that? What did you think I meant?"
"Nothing." Beechpaw turns around and prepares to leave.
"Wait right there."
Beechpaw stops and looks over his shoulder to look at Daisypelt.
"I don't believe I had the pleasure of knowing your name. If you did tell me I forgot."
"... It's Beechpaw."
"Beechpaw." Daisypelt purrs. "When you're confined to the nest like me, you miss out on a lot of things."
Daisypelt closes one eye. "Watch yourself out there, Beechpaw."
Beechpaw leaves the den and sees Darkwater waiting for him.
"Birchfang told me you were in here. I heard Daisypelt talking. Did she say anything to offend you?"
"No."
Darkwater nods. "Good. I don't believe she's capable of doing that anymore without the strength to back it up, but I think she's glad to have you look after her."
Beechpaw looks at Darkwater. "Why would she?"
"I think she's looking for forgiveness." His father replies. "And when you've done so much pain and anguish, it's not as easy as a fairy tale. I know Daisypelt is a good cat inside, she's just wrapped herself in so much hate and vindication that she's cursed by cats to go to the Dark Forest."
Darkwater winks at his son. "Don't take it the wrong way. I love your mother every second of the day. But I've grown up together with Daisypelt, and I understand the pain she went through."
Beechpaw, for some reason, drifts to Snowpaw within the depths of his mind.
"How did you know that Mom was...the one?"
Darkwater looks genuinely embarrassed. "I thought I wouldn't be talking about this with you until you and Bearpaw were warriors…"
The handsome black tom shakes his thick fur and looks at Beechpaw.
"My reputation precedes me as a… she-cat chaser. I even flirted with she-cats from other Clans, including Stealthfire of ThunderClan, even though she was already Stoatfrost's mate. But Silversnow literally padded into my life as a starving kittypet."
"Mom was a kittypet?!"
Darkwater nods. "Her Twolegs abandoned her when they got a dog. Cloudstar offered her a place in RiverClan after the Soulless Battle. When she gained the strength to leave, she decided to stay. She worked harder than any RiverClan warrior, she even endured her first swimming lesson to fish.
"Most importantly, though, she ignored my existence as she became a warrior. I always liked a challenge, but it turned into something I wasn't familiar with. I knew what it was, and I asked her to be my mate after her warrior ceremony."
Beechpaw flicks his ear. "That's all touching, but how did you know?"
"... Love is a strong and strange emotion. It's not something that can be easily explained, but you'll know it when you meet that special she-cat."
Beechpaw nods and watches Darkwater pad to Silversnow and nuzzle her. Beechpaw sees Bearpaw sprawled out and pads to him.
"I...can't...live…"
Beechpaw rolls his eyes. "Yes you can." Beechpaw makes Bearpaw stand on his paws.
"Did I ever tell you that I love you, bro?"
Bearpaw raises an invisible eyebrow. "No… Is that going to be a habit?"
"Possibly."
"... Very well. Bring the love."
Beechpaw rests his chin on Bearpaw's shoulder, Bearpaw pats his back in response.
Spiderpaw watches the sun starting to set in the horizon. Somewhere, across the Twoleg town, mountain peaks were in the distance. His tail quivers with fear and excitement.
Spiderpaw turns and heads back to camp, everyone was staring at him again, but he hardly cared. Spiderpaw squeezes himself into the rock crevice of the medicine cat den.
Softpaw blinks in the darkness and sees her brother approaching her.
"Spiderpaw, what is it?"
"... I love you, sis."
Softpaw blinks again. "Excuse me? What did you say?"
Spiderpaw's ears heat up with embarrassment and looks away. "You heard what I said."
Softpaw smiles and nods. "I love you, too."
Spiderpaw quickly leaves the den, and sees Duskcloud passing him. The black she-cat slows her pace and stops near him, her green eyes became bright with hope.
Spiderpaw swallows. "I know what you're thinking, but I can't forgive you for lying yet… But I forgive you because you love me and Softpaw."
Duskcloud blinks and nods before padding away. Spiderpaw wishes he could lie and say he forgives her, but it wouldn't feel right after the lingering resentment he feels towards her.
One day, I will be willing to say it. Just not now.
Owlpaw looks at the red, orange sky. His muscles ache from the intense training regimen, courtesy of Patchflower for missing out so much. Owlpaw rests near Kestrelwing's den when Mosspaw pads to him.
"Hey. How are you doing?"
"Fine."
Mosspaw shakes her head. "Don't lie to me, Owlpaw. Me and Swiftpaw can tell you're upset about something. You and Splashpelt don't even look at each other. You also haven't told us where you got that scar."
Owlpaw covers the scar on his cheek with his tail. It still stings from last night.
"Splashpelt…" he growls. Mosspaw's amber eyes widen.
"Splashpelt did this?" She exclaims, becoming angry with their mother. "She can't hit you! That's abuse! Wait till I-."
"It's not worth it. Don't be mad with Mom."
"No!" Mosspaw hisses. "Owlpaw - you are worth it! Toad brains like Dewpaw and Poolpaw are just too ignorant to stay out of cat's business!"
Owlpaw sighs. "Mosspaw… I love you, and Swiftpaw."
Mosspaw blinks in surprise, and smiles. "Me too. Swiftpaw does too, but you know he's too 'tough' to say it."
"... Mosspaw. No matter what happens, whether Mom decides to say anything, don't be like her. Don't give up on family too quickly."
Mosspaw is puzzled by his words, but Owlpaw gets up and pads to the apprentices den for the first time in weeks. From the corner of his eye, Splashpelt pads by him, brushing him and not breaking her stride.
Owlpaw feels a chill run up his spine.
I pray to StarClan that you understand how much you hurt me. Toms can cry, too.
The five apprentices leave the island after grouping up. Snowpaw stood out when she wears a strange leaf bundle called a "backpack", filled with herbs she learned from her grandfather Cloudwind.
They pass the Horseplace and look at the empty Thunderpath.
Seeing as he had the most sense, Beechpaw became the leader as he looks at the others. "Ready?"
They all nod. Beechpaw outstretched his paw-
"Wait! Don't move another step!"
The Prophesied Five freeze and look at the group of approaching cats; Duskshade, Sootdust, Kestrelwing and Softpaw pad toward them with bundles of traveling herbs in their jaws wrapped in leaves.
Spiderpaw is the first to speak. "Softpaw, you knew! You told me StarClan hasn't said anything to you!"
Spiderpaw's sister gazes at him calmly. "I had to let you figure it out on your own."
Nightpaw looks at the four medicine cats warily. "What's going on?"
"We know about the prophecy." Sootdust said. "We stepped aside and said nothing but allow you to come to terms with your destiny."
Snowpaw blinks. "So you're not here to stop us?"
"On the contrary, we're here to help." Duskshade drops herbs by Nightpaw and Snowpaw. Sootdust did the same for Beechpaw as did Softpaw for Spiderpaw and Kestrelwing and Owlpaw.
"These traveling herbs should help you along the way until you reach the mountains." Kestrelwing said.
The four apprentices eat the respective herbs from their medicine cats. Snowpaw coughs. "No need. I already ate the herbs before I woke up Nightpaw."
"We trust you five to complete the prophecy. May StarClan light your paths." Duskshade said.
"And be safe." Softpaw whispers. Spiderpaw tries not to cry as he nods.
Beechpaw licks his lips. "Are we ready?"
"Ready as I'll ever be." Nightpaw replies. Owlpaw feels his heart break seeing the understanding in Kestrelwing's eyes.
"Look after our families for us." He said.
"We will." Sootdust promised.
Without another word, Beechpaw steps onto Thunderpath with Spiderpaw and Nightpaw following him. Snowpaw and Owlpaw take up the rear and pad out into the darkness as the medicine cats watched in solemn silence.
The first half of the prophecy was playing out before them. Now all they can do is wait.
ThunderClan 2nd Allegiance,
Leader - Darkstar - jet black tom with one blue eye and one amber eye
Deputy - Littlefalcon - small, black tom with a white chest, chin, underbelly, front paws and legs, with pale amber eyes.
Medicine Cat - Hailstone - light grey tom with darker grey splotches
Apprentice: Duskshade
Warriors
Windstorm - light grey tom with cream brown ears and amber eyes
Goldflame - bright gold she cat with white toes and tail tip, and dark amber eyes
Apprentice: Acornpaw
Oakstorm - large, reddish brown, muscular tom with blue eyes
Apprentice: Berrypaw
Cloudwind - fluffy white tom with sapphire blue eyes, and very pale grey ears, former medicine cat
Lightstripe - bright ginger, almost golden tom, with white stripes along his back and down his tail, and yellow eyes with a golden tint.
Apprentice: Fishpaw
Spottedberry - golden brown she cat with black splotches
Gingershine - ginger she cat
Apprentice: Raccoonpaw
Driftcloud - light brown tom with ice blue eyes
Apprentice: Snowpaw
Finchblaze - dark ginger tom with darker brown tabby striped and green eyes
Stormwhisker - dark blue tom with green eyes
Apprentice: Pinepaw
Lionfang - ginger tom with brown paws and amber eyes
Volefang - dark brown tabby tom
Apprentice: Morningpaw
Rainstorm - dark grey tom with blue grey splotches and blue eyes
Squirreltail - brown tom with a bushy tail
Hawkfeather - dark brown tabby tom with a white underbelly, white paws and muzzle, ear tips and tail tip with darker brown almost black stripes, and icy blue eyes
Maplecloud - tortoiseshell she cat with fluffy fur, bright ginger and pitch black splotches, with black paws and golden eyes and a long scar on her right shoulder
Thistlefang - dark brown tabby tom with a white underbelly, neck, and paws and dark golden eyes
Ivyheart - brown she cat with silver paws and amber eyes
Graystream - grey tabby she cat with distinctive white stripes on her back and down her tail, and clear blue eyes.
Rosefoot - small, pinkish she cat with white, petal shaped patches and pale green eyes, blind.
Ashcloud - grey tom with a long tail
Foxflame - bright ginger tom with a white chest, paws and amber eyes
Thrushwing - cream brown she cat with green eyes.
Apprentice: Nightpaw
Blazefrost - ginger tom with ice blue eyes
Sneezeclaw - dark brown tom
Dawnleaf - pale grey she cat
Timberclaw - blue grey and brown tom
Apprentice: Mistpaw
Pricklefrost - grey and white tom
Mousepatch - dark grey tom with black patches down his spine
Daisyleaf - cream colored tabby she cat with dark blue eyes, formerly ShadowClan
Apprentice: Featherpaw
Whitefur - white tom with black ear tips and tail tip and blue eyes
Apprentice: Petalpaw
Apprentices:
Duskshade - pale brown tabby tom with faint, darker tabby stripes and pale amber eyes, one white front paw and tail tip, medicine cat apprentice.
Pinepaw - red brown she cat with light brown paws and green eyes
Mistpaw - very pale grey she cat with white stripes and blue eyes
Berrypaw - cream colored tom with white toes and amber eyes
Featherpaw - long haired, light grey she cat with slightly darker tabby stripes and light blue eyes
Snowpaw - pure white she cat with pale, silver flecks, and deep blue eyes
Petalpaw - pale tortoiseshell she cat with black, dark ginger and brown patches and dark green eyes
Raccoonpaw - grey tom with a black ringed tail and amber eyes
Morningpaw - silver tabby tom with white front paws and grey eyes
Fishpaw - deep, dark blue tom with clear blue eyes
Acornpaw - brown she cat with light brown ears, paws, muzzle and blaze up her nose, with dark amber eyes
Nightpaw - small black she cat with a white stripe down her back and a short tail, with green eyes
Queens (she cats expecting or nursing kits)
Sweetflower - long haired tortoiseshell and white she cat with green eyes. Expecting Ashcloud's kits.
Elders
Gorseheart - grey tabby with pale blue eyes
Flameclaw - huge, dark ginger tom
RiverClan 2nd Allegiance
Leader - Olivestar - brown tabby she cat
Deputy - Silversnow - a silver she cat with white stripes
Medicine cat - Sootdust - mottled grey she cat
Warriors:
Fawnstep - sandy brown she cat
Dewcloud - pale grey tom
Applefoot - yellow she cat with bright ginger stripes
Apprentice: Bearpaw - dark brown tom
Larkflight - grey tom with a white sock
Willowfall - white she cat
Darkwater - handsome, black tom
Ferretleap - brown tom with white paws
Birchfang - mottled brown tom
Apprentice: Beechpaw- black tom with dark brown patches
Bouldertooth - large, pale grey tom
Queens
Berrystripe - creamy brown she cat with slightly darker stripes on her forelegs. Mother of Birchfang's kits, Minnowkit (sand brown she cat) and Carpkit (grey she cat with light grey stripes) four moons old
Elders:
Mudfoot - dark brown tom
Nightfang - black tom
Daisypelt - light grey tabby she cat with green eyes, unable to move
ShadowClan 2nd Allegiance
Leader - Heatherstar - light brown tabby she cat
Deputy - Rabbitstep - pale grey tom with grey paws
Apprentice: Swiftpaw (long haired black tom)
Medicine cat - Kestrelwing
Warriors:
Marshfoot - brown and black tom
Longfoot - tall, grey tom
Ploverfoot - pale grey and white she cat
Apprentice: Mosspaw (brown and white she cat)
Flowerpetal - light grey she cat with darker stripes
Apprentice: Dewpaw (dark grey tom)
Quailheart - very light brown she cat
Frostpool - pure white she cat
Lichenfall - brown tabby tom
Apprentice: Poolpaw (brown she cat with white paws)
Patchflower - dark, tortoiseshell she cat with black spots
Apprentice: Owlpaw (light brown tom with green eyes)
Splashpelt - brown and white dappled she cat
Elders
Waspsting - yellow tom with black stripes
Harewhisker - small, light brown she cat
WindClan 2nd Allegiance
Leader - Creekstar - mottled grey tabby tom
Deputy - Brackenfall - white and brown striped tom
Apprentice: Spiderpaw (black tom with broad shoulders and green eyes)
Medicine cat - Hazelheart - dark yellow she cat with white paws and chest
Apprentice: Softpaw (pale grey and white she-cat with fluffy fur, green eyes and white tail tip)
Warriors
Grassclaw - dark grey tom
Sleetfrost - very, very light blue tom
Frogskip - dark brown tom, skinny
Hollyclaw - dark grey she cat
Apprentice: Cheetahpaw (light brown she-cat with dark brown and black patches)
Talonfang - lanky, brown tom
Twistedfoot - black and white tom with a bent front paw
Lizardtail - mottled brown tom
Duskcloud - black she cat
Hawkflight - dark ginger tom with light brown paws and muzzle
Larchleap - ginger tom
Falconwing - pretty light brown she cat
Cloversong - tan she cat with dark brown legs, face and ears with very pale blue eyes
Molefur - small dark brown tom
Rowanfoot - ginger tom with darker stripes and white underbelly and paws
Lilypool - white she cat with green eyes
Queens
Goldentail - very pale ginger she cat with amber eyes
Violetbloom - pretty, silver she cat with darker stripes and dark blue eyes. Expecting Hawkflight's kits.
Tribe of Rushing Water 2nd Allegiance
Leader - Stoneteller - shaggy, brown she cat
Prey-Hunters
Hail Falling from Clouds (Hail) - pale grey she cat
Heather Growing on Trees (Heather) - small, white she cat
Owl That Flies at Sunset (Owl) sandy brown tom
Lark that Sings at Dusk (Lark) russet brown tabby she cat
Water Lapping on the Shore (Water) blue grey tom
Blaze Scorching the Forest Path (Blaze) - orange tom
Daisy Growing in the Sunlight (Daisy) - bright yellow she cat
Frog Swimming through the Pond (Frog) - white tom with brown paws
Cave-Guards
Eagle that Swoops Overhead (Eagle) - dark brown tom
Moss Growing on a Boulder (Moss) - tortoiseshell and white she cat
Quail Calling in the Morning (Quail) - mottled brown she cat
Weasel Sneaking at Night (Weasel) - ginger tom with white chest and paws
Frost Creeping on Whiskers (Frost) - white tom with light grey paws
Wolf that Howls at Night (Wolf) solid grey tom with broad shoulders
Wind that Blows through Mountain (Wind) large, muscular white tom with silver stripes
Leaping Hare in the Meadow (Leap) big, ginger she cat
Sunrise in the Morning Sky (Sunrise) thick set, long furred she cat
Kit-Mothers
Pheasant with Strong Wings (Pheasant, Cave Guard) - brown tabby she cat with white paws. Mother of Eagle's kits, Leaf Sprouting in the Meadow (Leaf, brown she cat) and Rain that Floods the Lake (Rain, dark grey tom)
Bird that Flies in the Sky (Bird, Cave Guard) - white she cat with black ear tips, blue eyes and a scar on her right shoulder. Mother of Dove that Sings at Dawn (Dove),
Kit
Dove - small cream brown she cat with white underbelly, white paws and amber eyes, six moons old
Leaf - brown she cat, two moons old
Rain - dark grey tom, two moons old
Oh. My. God. 4,538 words written in one day… That felt like 9,000 words! Actually, scratch that. Make that 6,100 something words.
(I had the Allegiance on a different document. I just copy and paste it. My brain would break trying to remember all these names!)
But now has begun. The Prophesied Five are off to the mountains! Everyone has said their subtle goodbyes and are off. My heart broke a little when I wrote this down, especially when Splashpelt scratched Owlpaw! Poor Owl! :(
Also, remember when Petalpaw attacked the others with stinky berries from her leaf bundle? That was a backpack she made (as she mentioned before, Kyubi!) she's pretty smart to make a cat version of a backpack.
As for guest reviewers. Fawnwhisker, Cheetahpaw's father is Sleetfrost, a WindClan cat. Sorry if I hadn't made it clear.
iDragonSpyro: …. Moonilbi…? Oh, oh! Ship names! I've been out the loop for pairings in so long. I support WinterxMoonwatcher! :) Don't know why, it just clicks for me.
The next chapter… oh boy. My geography sucks, I'm warning you now. Half the time when I read a very detailed chapter, I miss some stuff that are very important and I'm thinking "Wait. How'd he end up over there?!" and flip back the pages to find out how it happened.
But I'll do my best with descriptions of the five's journey into the mountains, probably make some up if I need to.
Autism, you're a part of me, but you're also my greatest enemy lol.
Thank you for reading this and I hope you have a great evening.
Edit: 3/27/17 Dapplecloud, thanks for pointing out that the tribe names are the same. I totally overlooked that. ~ Kyubi