CHAPTER 16-First Flight
My paws itched with worry and anticipation, and butterflies leaped and dazzled in my stomach. My eyes were alert and wide open.
The moment had finally come. Today was the day where I would be tested to see if I was fit to be a warrior. Our mentors hurried the apprentices to the middle of the forest, and we were awaiting their instructions. Dewpaw stood proud and tall, trying not to look anxious; Lilypaw and Seedpaw were whispering something at each other; Amberpaw was busy dabbing her paw at a beetle, oblivious to what was going on; and Snowpaw was quivering with excitement. My gaze saddened when I looked at Snowpaw. He still hadn't talked to me since. Were we still friends?
I snapped to attention when Lionblaze meowed, "Alright then. Today, you will be tested to see if you're ready to be a warrior. You must try to collect as much prey as possible. Remember, your mentors will be watching you, out of sight. Don't talk to anyone once the test starts, and make sure not to cross the borders. Meet back here on sunhigh with all of your prey."
While he was talking, I saw Dewpaw shift closer to me. Without thinking, I meowed, "Good luck." He nodded. He said, "Good luck to you too." He paused, and appeared to be thinking. Then he whispered, "And try your hardest. You could catch that mouse if you tried." I was surprised that he was talking to me, but I forced myself to nod.
Lionblaze stood up and meowed loudly, "Let the test begin!"
My heart began to pound in my chest as I watched the other apprentices quickly dash away. They disappeared into the forest.
Where should I hunt? I looked around wildly, and finally decided to go to the Sky Oak. The squirrels there were exceptionally large.
I bounded away, my paws thudding heavily on the ground. Deep in the woods, I heard something blundering among the bracken. It must be Millie, my mentor. She was watching my progress.
Panting, I skidded to a halt in front of the massive oak, and crouched down low until the grass tickled my belly. My ears were pricked and alert. I forced myself to stop breathing so heavily in case the prey could hear me.
Over there! I could scent a vole. I saw the furry body rummaging among the roots of the Sky Oak.
I shifted closer…closer…
My tail was stiff and low, and I made certain to balance my weight on all four paws. I crept closer still.
And then I pounced. The fallen leaves flew up from under me and the vole began to dart away. I chased after it and finished it off with a swipe from my paw. It was a messy kill. But I still managed to catch it. I gripped the small body in my jaws and buried it to collect later.
I continued on hunting.
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There was a squirrel nearby, but I had missed it. A finch and a thrush had also escaped from my claws, but I managed to capture two mice and a shrew.
I blushed in embarrassment at the meager pile. Surely, the other apprentices would have done better.
Would I even be a warrior? I tried to imagine myself as one, but it was impossible. I could never be strong and loyal, brave and true like a real warrior was.
My heart fell.
It was nearly sunhigh, so I trotted back to the meeting place with my head held low.
Lionblaze was waiting for me there. I dumped the prey at his feet, and he narrowed his eyes. "Is this all?" he asked. I nodded shamefully. He opened his mouth and was going to say something, when suddenly, a bloodcurdling scream filled the air. Lionblaze's eyes grew wide and he dashed into the forest. I followed him. Was someone hurt?
Amberpaw and Lilypaw were crouching on the ground, their eyes huge and their breaths coming in gasps. They were bleeding from several gashes. My fur began to fluff up with fear.
The other mentors sprinted toward us, along with the other apprentices. They must have heard their screams. Millie demanded, "What happened?"
Amberpaw pointed at something deep in the woods, but she wouldn't talk. Brackenfur urged, "Come on. You have to tell us. What happened?"
I gazed around wildly. Something had hurt the apprentices. What if the beast was still there, watching us and preparing to pounce again?
Lilypaw gulped, and stammered, "Th-there were s-some foxes."
My ears pricked up with alarm. The back of my neck prickled when I remembered my encounter, and I shivered in fear.
The she-cat continued, "Th-they a-attacked us, and we tried to f-fight them off. I was sure that we were going to die, and then Amberpaw screamed. They ran away…but….but…"
Amberpaw finished, "They took Snowpaw! We have to save him!"
What? My legs grew weak. It couldn't be!
Toadstep, Dewpaw's mentor, snarled, "Those fleabags! Come on, we have to follow them."
Dewpaw unsheathed his claws and began to bound away, but Lionblaze pinned him down before he could leave. Dewpaw struggled against the tom's grip and yowled, "Let me go! I have to save my brother!"
Lionblaze hissed, "We have to think this through clearly. We have to alert the whole Clan and bring some more warriors with us."
I could barely hear the words. In my mind, I imagined Snowpaw, his white pelt stained in red, being dragged in the jaws of some filthy fox.
Snowpaw. He was the first cat who had ever been nice to me when I first joined ThunderClan. He was the cat who showed me the secret meadow. He trusted me to keep secrets. He had been worried about me when I had ventured into the Boneyard.
Snowpaw was the cat who had said that I was his friend.
My claws dug deep into the earth. I couldn't let him die at the jaws of a heartless fox!
Brackenfur's eyes widened in alarm. "Ashley…?" he murmured.
Seedpaw meowed, "I'll tell the Clan about the foxes and bring some warriors. You guys wait here." We watched as the small she-cat bounded away.
Brackenfur followed her. He gently urged Amberpaw and Lilypaw to follow him to the medicine cat's den.
No! It would take too long! Snowpaw could be dead by the time they came back!
I hissed, "We can't wait. We have to go now!" Lionblaze blinked kindly at me. He mewed, "I know how you feel, but we have to wait for more warriors. That way, we'll have a greater chance of killing the foxes."
Dewpaw suddenly stood up and growled, "No, Lionblaze. Ashley's right. We have to go."
I was startled. The apprentice had been willing to contradict a senior warrior! The golden brown tom blinked in surprise.
Without waiting for a response, Dewpaw turned and sprinted off into the woods, in the direction that the foxes had gone.
Instinctively, I hurried after him.
Behind us, I heard Lionblaze yowl our names, but we didn't slow down.
The smell of fox wafted strongly towards us, along with the slight hint of blood. My hackles bristled, and I prayed that Snowpaw would be alright.
Dewpaw dashed next to me, and he looked as determined as I felt.
And then, something clicked into my mind. The anger that I felt was replaced with fear. We were only two apprentices! How could we beat a whole pack of snarling foxes?
But it was too late to turn back now.
Dewpaw seemed to sense my worry, for he mewed, "It's going to be alright."
Dewpaw had always been rude and unkind to me, but now... But I shrugged the thought away, and continued on running. Right now, we had to save Snowpaw.
Yeee, another chapter.
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