Shadows in the woods
Part 8: Putting all in preparations
Morning, next day...
Marty and Claw were up fast preparing fir training today. They were sitting next to Spruceshadow and Ashenpaw, Waspstar trotting up before turning to the clan.
Waspstar: Rushclan, while Thawstar is resting with the rest of his clan today, we shall be training for what is to be a upcoming battle. Claw here shall instruct us today on moves as well as sharing our battle techniques. Do you have any questions?
A Bluish gray tabby she cat raised her paw, her green eyes in worry.
Waspstar: Yes Vinemist.
Vinemist: What about the kits, *bringing hers in* What will they be doing during the battle.
Marty: We will make sure they are safe with the other clan kits, the Elders shall be on watch.
Swiftshape (Thoughts): If we learn anything about yesterday with Tigersnout, never too old to be strong.
A white tom with small gray spots nuzzled Vinemist (Marty, Claw and Swiftshape deducing that he was her mate).
White small gray spot tom: We need to make sure our kits don't have to worry about stepping out my dear.
Vinemist: -relieved sigh- Your right Pebblewater, thank you.
Marty smiled warmly..then his eyes widen when he saw Tigress trotting over. Waspstar smiled with a nod.
Waspstar: Tigress dear, I am glad you are joining us for training today. I hope you have slept well.
Tigress: Oh I have, first time in years! I never felt so relax in my life.
Marty smiled as Swiftshape smiled himself from his view point.
...
Marty thoughts: Okay man, ready to continue this mission.
Swiftshape thoughts: Nervous, but yeah. I'm ready.
...
Claw: ALRIGHT YOU CATS, LET'S GET TRAINING!
The meows and yowls rang quietly as to not awaken their guest.
Meanwhile, HOK...
Claw's body was laying on the examination table, Freefall sighed as he checked the monitors. His eyes were baggy and sunken in when Ash and Spot came in.
Ash: How is he?
Freefall: Same...same with Marty. It doesn't help we;ve been getting strange messages from that lunatic scientist. Saying he got an army, *Irritable* ARMY WHAT ARMY!? MAKE MORE SENSE YOU PSYCHOTIC-
Spot: *nuzzles him;gentle* Freefall, please. Take some breaths.
Freefall nodded as he took some breaths, before sighing.
Ash: Freefall, you need to get some sleep. You've been up for days.
Freefall: I-What about-
Spot: We'll keep an eye on him.
Ash: Rest Freefall.
Freefall yawned, nodding.
Freefall: Keep me posted.
Ash and Spot: Of course.
With that Freefall stumbled out of the room. Spot went over, going on the bed and curling up next to Claw.
Ash: -sighs-...Come on Marty, give us a sign on where you are.
Back at Rushclan...
Claw: *almost falls back a bit;smirks* Excellent tackle Mistypaw!
Mistypaw nodded with a smile as she trotted back in the line. Marty readied himself as a white she-cat prepared herself.
Marty: Alright Hailpaw, tackle me with all your might!
Hailpaw nodded before bolting with a battle cry.
.
Tigress lept in the air avoiding a un-clawed swipe from Bearcloud, landing perfectly.
Bearcloud: Excellent landing Ms. Tigress.
Tigress: Thank you, spend most of my time training myse-
A thud was heard as all turned to see Marty flopped on the ground, Hailpaw giggling with a smile.
Marty: *wincing* Ohohoho, that was good Hailpaw. Think you almost bruised a rib.
Hailpaw: Thank you Swiftshape!
Ashenbird laughed as he went over, nuzzling his apprentice's head.
Ashenbird: Perfect job there Hailpaw.
Hailpaw: Thank you Ashenbird!
Tigress smiled warmly at the scene as Ashenbird helped Marty up.
Ashenbird: Sorry about that-
Marty (Swiftshape): Nonsense, Hailpaw is excellent in strength. Given her strength and amount of energy, she is almost ready to become a Warrior?
Hailpaw nodded enthusiasticly as Ashenpaw beamed in pride.
Ashenbird: She is. I am quite proud of her. She has been an excellent student and it has been an honor to train her.
Marty (Swiftshape): Well, I look forward to your warrior ceremony Hailpaw. I'm sure you will receive a marvelous name.
Hailpaw smiled with tears of joy as Tigress watched one, blushing at Swiftshape's smile. And Marty caught on this, giving her a warm smile.
.
.
Tigress: That was really sweet of you Swiftshape.
Marty (Swiftshape) and Tigress were sitting on the side, watching as the clan cats trained.
Marty (Swiftshape): She has been working very hard on training, she is determined to make her mentor proud and she succeeded.
Tigress: *Smiles* I can see that too...Swiftshape, can i ask a question?
Marty (Swiftshape): Sure thing?
Tigress: You have a warrior name-but you are not from a clan, why is that?
Marty thoughts: Yeah that is a good questions? What happened before we meet you?
Marty (Swiftshape) sighed, nodding as Swiftshape fully took over for this.
Swiftshape: To be honest, I was on my way to a meat farm from across the ocean. Manage to escape and swim all the way here to the states. When I arrived here in Canton, i saw the clan cats. Strong, veristal, united, brave, skilled, I was in awe as I watched from the distance. I decided to give myself a warrior name and work hard to join a clan. I actually saw one of the Guardians in action against the wreacthed foes that attack the Core. His ability inspired my name-SWIFTSHAPE.
...
Marty thoughts: You named yourself after seeing me fight?
Swiftshape: Yep! No idea this was how we would meet but wouldn't change a thing...
Marty thoughts: Then-How did you-
Swiftshape thoughts: How did I die...well I got trapped by that scientist and tried to escape, needless to say that failed terribly. Died the same day you and Claw came and thanks to you, you removed all the damages that could cause my demise if you returned to your body. So, don't need to worry about dying again.
...
Tigress: *awe* Incredible, you manage to see the Guardians fight. And you escaped such a dark fate.
Swiftshape: Yeah, I count the stars in Starclan for making it to this point...*small smile* and I got to meet you too.
Tigress: *blushing* Oh!
Tigress gave a sheepish smile looking away, but her eyes kept on the golden fur cat.
.
Claw smiled seeing Marty helping Swiftshape win the heart of the she-cat...it fell though as his thoughts went all over the place.
Freelake: *Coming over* Are you alright?
Claw turned to see Freelake next to him, sighing.
Claw: Just-missing my friends, I'm worried about that scientist attacking them, and I am livid on the fact there's a evil enemy using my name is VAIN. Just-mix emotions.
Freelake placed a pale grey paw on Claw's feline shoulder, a gentle smile on her face.
Freelake: Understandable; you are in a whole new world and apart from the other Rusherz and Guardians. But I promise you all will be well in the end. And we can help you find your body so you can rejoin the others. We will do all that we can to help you.
Claw gave a smile, reassured by the medicine cats words as her mate trotted over giving her a nuzzle.
Streamshadow: Helping the Shadow my dear. *She nodded; turns to Claw* Rest assure, my mate is true and factual with her words. She has a knack for seeing the emotions and worries of any cat, it actually increased even more after she became a medicine cat.
Freelake: I do believe Starclan had gifted me a more powerful congative view on emotions. *licks Streamshadows cheek* Of course, either way I was already gifted such a loving Mate.
Streamshadow and Freelake giggled as he nuzzled eachother, Claw smiling on at the two.
Claw: You two really are made for eachother...I will take your words you two.
They smiled at him, Claw getting up and stretching before heading back in.
Claw: ALRIGHT RUSHCLAN, LET'S STARTS WITH JUMP ATTACKS NEXT! YOU ALL ARE DOING A GREAT JOB!
Meanwhile...
A silver white tom trotted around the area, looking in awe at the white cloudy scene around him.
Silver white tom: Incredible. I never been in this part before. I hope I find the person Skystar told me about.
He looked around, before he stopped hearing footsteps. He looked up and his awe was increased ten-fold seeing a powerful man walk over, surprise to see a cat here of all places.
Man: Um..hello? How did you get here?
Silver white tom: *awe* A-Are you Sam Mills, friend of the one called Claw the Panther.
Sam Mills internally jumped hearing the cat speak, but nodded.
Sam Mills: Yes, I am him...who are you?
Winterstar: *serious* My name is Winterstar, former leader of Storm Clan. I have crossed to this place of spiritual meetings of two-leg and Rusher to help give a message to the Guardians and the Rushers. One regarding Claw and Marty-as well as a warning to protect the Panther Rusher.
Sam eyes narrow in seriousness and determination, nodding.
Sam Mills: Never a dull moment even when you pass-tell me everything Winterstar.
To Be Continued...
Note;
The area at the end is a special place Rusherz and those who have passed on can meet. Getting there can be in two ways.
Willingly: Rusherz enter by will by having their mind go into a meditative state.
Or
Extremely injured/ill: Rusherz who get injured severely or become too ill go to this place while they recover.
This place has been mentioned in my past stories; but I wanted to give a description here as this will come up again in my later stories, as well as it origins in my series 'Age Before the Guardians'.
