via ShadowFlower

are we dead? are we alive?

The Darkest Nights - Part 2

Whispervoice had been walking for moons now, surviving off whatever she could find. She traveled from forest to forest, hoping for shelter, but each time, the clans there drove her out of their territory.
If only they had listened to my words.


She was close to starving if she didn't find something, and parted her jaws slightly for the scent of prey to flow in.  She found a mouse after only a few moments of searching and dropped into a hunter's crouch she'd picked up from other clans. Whispervoice pounced, killing the prey swiftly.
Before she had a chance to take a bite, however, she was bowled over by a dark ginger tabby tom, smaller than she was.
"Who are you?" The growl was only slightly threatening, but she could feel her spine fur stand on end.
Whispervoice stood, shaking her surprise off. The tom that had attacked her was only an apprentice; she'd seen too many apprentices during her travels to know. A black she-cat stood a little ways behind him, watching with bright yellow eyes of interest.
"Whispervoice. If you want me to leave, I understand." Her tail flicked to the side, but she hadn't gone for the flickering bit of hope that had been bothering her.
The apprentice's mentor shook her head, stepping forward. "Wait. Did you want to, um, join SunClan?" Her eyes shifted to Whispervoice's belly. "I think you'd like the help. I'm Duskpelt, and this is Rowanpaw." Her ear flicked towards Rowanpaw, who had lost the threatening look in his eyes.
"Nice to meet you two." She smiled at them, immensely grateful. "And yes, I'd like to join."

-------

Thistlefang nodded toward the new members of MistClan, tail flicking to the side as she watched the clan grow, little by little. Featherstar had been acting odd lately, and she'd seemed much more distracted than usual. And so, she'd taken the role of leader until the she-cat had regained her normal self.

The dark tabby leaped off Mistfalls, landing neatly on the camp grounds. She turned toward the vacant den, eyes immediately growing cold. 

"What do you want?" A growl met her before she'd even made eye contact with the ginger tom.

"Just checking up on our little prisoner here." She grinned menacingly, holding her blood-thirsty gaze on the warrior. Lionstrike had tried escaping, only to be hurt more by the deputy's paw. He'd attempted more escapes after the first one, each ending with bloodshed. The warrior had obviously lost his loyalty with MistClan, seeking his home where the sun would shine.

"I'm not planning anything." Lionstrike's eyes were narrowed, but Thistlefang could practically see his mind working up another plan. He had been badly hurt, but didn't seem fazed in the slightest by the wounds. Every time he had tried escaping, he found other ways he could somehow get into SunClan territory without them knowing. It was as if he spent his free time before he was held captive finding out every little fault in MistClan's camp.

The deputy noticed his scar running through his left eye, but the feeling of guilt escaped her. It had already healed by the work of Stormclaw, but it would be a permanent reminder of how he'd betrayed SunClan and joined MistClan, no matter how much he tried putting the thought out of his mind.

Thistlefang ignored his earlier comment and snarled out words that Featherstar would have mentioned to him. "You realize we're not letting you go, so stop fighting it. You're not getting back to SunClan; not before the battle."

Lionstrike's eyes were shadowed as he spoke out his reply, scar making it much more real. "I may still be on your side during the battle, but however much you hurt me, I'm not fighting."

Chosen

Foxstar blinked at the midday sun right over their camp. It made his ginger pelt seem aflame, spreading warmth throughout his body, regardless of the fact that it was leafbare. Cats noticed his poise atop the Sunrock and had already gathered below without his having to call.
"Cats of SunClan," His ear twitched subconsciously as he spoke. "Ever since Scarlettepaw had...moved on to StarClan, we have not had a medicine cat apprentice."
The clan shifted awkwardly, wondering what the leader was heading towards.
"Ravenswoop and I have been discussing, and some cats have notified us that they would like to become a medicine cat apprentice. Now, Dreamfeather, I know you're ready for an apprentice, for you mentored Scarlettepaw. You have also helped us in making the choice of who will be our medicine cat apprentice."
The cats that had come to them blinked up at him, waiting for the moment that he would finally announce who could take the spot.
Dreamfeather, who had been standing behind him silently, took Foxstar's place on the Sunrock. "Cats of SunClan, as you know, I will not be around forever. So it's time I took on an apprentice. I have chosen a cat who has shown experience, no matter how young she is. Your next medicine cat will be Olivepaw."
The young apprentice steps up, eyes shining with pride.
Foxstar nods to the she-cat, continuing the ceremony. "Olivepaw, do you accept the post of apprentice to Dreamfeather?"
Olivepaw nods, confident in her words. "I do."
Dreamfeather smiles at the apprentice, knowing she chose correctly. "Warriors of StarClan, I present you with this apprentice. She has chosen the path of a medicine cat. Grant her your wisdom and insight so that she may understand your ways and heal her clan in accordance with your will."
As the clan's welcoming died down, Foxstar spoke the last words of the ceremony. "Meeting dismissed."

(Congratulations to Akire for winning the contest, and thank you to Sunsplash for entering!)

Medicine Cat Apprentice Contest

I'm sure all of you know that the medicine cat apprentice spot has been open for quite a while now, even if most of you guys want to join as the cat. ^-^
This is because I was planning this contest. And what better day than five days before Christmas?

Anyway, I don't have many good ideas for contest, so I'll have the 'what are they thinking' picture contest. One, because it's fun reading the comments, and two, you guys probably don't know about it anyway. I used this contest before the blog makeover. :P

Let's get started!
1. Don't copy someone else's quote off the Internet. I probably won't know if you copied it or not, but it's more fair if you come up with it yourself.

One more thing: The winner gets the position and can either use one of the cats they have already or create a new one.

Have fun and good luck~! :D

Ceremonial Morning

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, join here beneath the Sunrock for a clan meeting."
Foxstar's call echoed throughout camp, sharp in the light morning air. The skies were a pale gray, the sun rising in the distant horizon.
Cats padded carefully out of their dens, jaws stretched in a yawn. Their eyes were still clouded, obviously not hit by the impact of reality yet. The dark ginger tom smiled, half amusement and half sorrow. He couldn't help but remember the days before MistClan took a worthy warrior from them.
"Cats of SunClan," His voice was confident, the complete opposite of what he had been feeling inside. "We have some unfinished business to do here. One of which is delayed ceremonies. First of all, however, we have three cats joining us this morning."
Foxstar dipped his head to the first cat: a ginger and white she-cat with amber eyes. "Flicker, do you promise to follow the Warrior Code and to keep your loyalty to SunClan even to the death?"
The newcomer smiled, nodding confidently. "I do."
"Then from now on, you will be known as Flickerpaw. May StarClan honor your commitment to this clan."
Flickerpaw nodded, eyes shining.
The ceremony continued with the two of her siblings, soon named Olivepaw and Rowanpaw. They dipped their heads politely and looked as proud as their sister.
"Ravenswoop, as my loyal deputy, I trust you to mentor Flickerpaw. May you pass on what you know to this apprentice. Olivepaw, as for you, your mentor will be one of our senior warriors. Nightbreeze, pass on your knowledge to her. And finally, Rowanpaw, you will be mentored by Duskpelt, who is ready for an apprentice. Make this apprentice a worthy warrior to look up to."
The camp was soon filled with the chants of the new cats' names. Foxstar looked down at his clan, smiling slightly.
"Meeting dismissed."

The Darkest Nights - Part 1

"What did you just say?"
Lionstrike was holding a fierce gaze with the deputy of MistClan, both of their claws already out. He had just spat out a sharp insult at Thistlefang, but cats hadn't gathered as SunClan cats would have. The former SunClan warrior already learned that bloodshed in camp wasn't uncommon. The warning gazes thrown at him were completely different; no one ever stood up to Thistlefang.
"You heard me," Lionstrike growled. Thistlefang was left in charge after Featherstar had left for TangleClan to confront Shadestar. The leader had hinted to him that MistClan was joining up with TangleClan, but the dangerous glint in her eyes gave it away: MistClan would reign the forest after Featherstar slayed Shadestar after the 'alliance'.
Thistlefang took a step toward the ginger warrior, baring her teeth. The dark fur along her spine was bristling, warning Lionstrike subconsciously. He lashed his tail, daring the deputy to make a move.
The last thing he remembered was severe pain along his flank.
And then he blacked out.

-------

"You'll see soon enough, Shadestar. MistClan will reign forever."
Featherstar was muttering to herself as she left TangleClan's territory and into the familiar thick fog that was her own. The encounter with Shadestar hadn't shaken her confidence; in fact, it had only made it stronger. Her only goal was to take her clan and rise to the top, starting with eliminating SunClan.
"You heard me." Her ears pricked at Lionstrike's snarling voice. She narrowed her ice blue eyes, sliding to the shadowed part next to the entrance: the one place she could watch without being spotted.
There was intense silence, but she recognized it clearly. They were about to fight.
Featherstar grinned menacingly, watching as Thistlefang raked her claws along Lionstrike's flank and practically shredding him.
It took her too long to figure out what was happening. Lionstrike was the only entrance to SunClan and her secret weapon. He couldn't die before the plan unfolds; it'd ruin everything.
"Stop!" She yowled, leaping out of the shadows and managing to pin Thistlefang down before she got to far. Lionstrike was already lying in a pool of scarlet liquid, motionless. The wounds were fresh, but the worst was the former SunClan warrior's eye. Thistlefang had clawed across it, already forming a permanent scar to remember her by.
"Featherstar?" The deputy's red eyes widened, too much in shock to push the leader off. "You're back. Why'd...why'd you stop me?"
The leader shook her head, turning to drag Lionstrike's limp body to a vacant den. "We need him for MistClan. Can't kill him yet," her words were muffled, but the ferocity sparked though her gaze.
"We need a medicine cat," Featherstar snarled. "Whoever knows how to work with herbs, go."
The cats stared at her, bewildered.
"Now!"
They blinked at her, then raced to the den, tripping over each other in the process.
She sighed, heading in the direction toward her den.
"Wait, Featherstar."
"What do you want, Thistlefang?" The tabby turned, annoyed.
"There has to be a better reason than for him to live. He could be used as a spy, but MistClan scent has already replaced SunClan's. If he appeared at their camp, they'd shred him immediately. He isn't trusted there anymore. So why did you let him live?"
Featherstar's gaze immediately shifted to the ground, ears burning hot. "No more questions, Thistlefang." She blinked, eyes still on the ground, and left, only one thought on her mind.
Lionstrike.


(Turn of events!!!! :D)

New Cats or Spies?

Shadowflower was on guard duty the day after they found out about the multiple deaths among SunClan. Her tail flicked to the side nonchalantly, as she breathed out a sigh.
Guard duty was never the most exciting job in camp.
Just when she was about to head back and ask to go on a hunting patrol, the slightest rustle in the bushes caught her eye. She parted her jaws, and picked up the scent of cats. Unrecognizable cats.
Before she could stop herself, her claws were unsheathed and she bared her teeth, snarling. This could be the unrecognizable scent Foxstar had mentioned along with the murdered cats. The deaths had put her on edge, much more than usual.
The shrub rustled again, but this time, two cats stepped out, blinking at the warrior.
"Where are we?" The cats were both she-cats, not much older than an apprentice. The one that had spoken was staring at her with sea blue eyes, clearly confused. A black and white one stood a step behind, but watched Shadowflower with the same expression.
"SunClan. Who are you two?" She replied the cats, still utterly suspicious.
The she-cats shared a glance, and continued to speak. "Glarepaw. This is Spiritpaw."
"You two are from a clan?" The warrior narrowed her eyes at the two.
Glarepaw nodded. "But it...burned down. There was a fire, but we managed to escape."
Shadowflower sighed, nodding. "Alright. Welcome to SunClan."

-------

Not long after Foxstar had given the announcement of Glarepaw and Spiritpaw, a yowl pierced through the camp, cutting through the stillness.

Dreamfeather came rushing out of the nursery, eyes completely determined. "Ravenswoop! Make sure no one comes in here. Emberflair's giving birth."

The deputy nodded, making his way to the door of the nursery, wincing as another yowl resonated from within the den.

During the rest of Emberflair's yowls, the cats of SunClan tried ignoring what was happening and carried on with their jobs, however much they could. Some had headed out into the forest, promising to bring back a piece of prey.

After time, however, Dreamfeather padded back into the clearing, nodding. "Emberflair has given birth to three healthy kits. Welcome to SunClan, Dawnkit, Galekit, and Silverkit."

(So there's going to be a contest. What kind do you guys prefer...?)