Darkness Rising

Prologue:



Firestar was stretched out on a warm flat rock in Starclan, letting the sun’s rays wash his pelt. He was just about to close his eyes when he heard a soft mew ring in his ear. “Firestar!” Ferncloud mewed urgently. “Yes” he replied back instantly awake. “You need to warn our clan that trouble is coming and there is only one cat that can save us….” She said. “What trouble?” Firestar said anxiously. “A clan no cat has thought could ever rise again has risen. “Yellowfang told me to repeat this prophecy: The kin closest to the third cat will rise to defeat this ominous cloud that covers our future once and for all…” she finished. “ What does this mean and why didn’t Yellowfang tell me this herself?” he said. “I’m afraid this evil clan has already captured some of Starclan members and this time the clans might not survive…….”





Chapter 1:



Frostkit twisted out of her mother's reach before she could groom her fluffy white with dark gray stripes fur anymore." I look fine!" she mewed to her mother. Dovewing purred and stared into her daughter's ice blue eyes. "You have to look perfect for your warrior ceremony, look at you littermates, don't they look perfect? Frostkit glanced at Ripplekit and Sandykit. She had to admit, Ripplekit and Sandykit looked perfect. Sandykit's sleek ginger pelt shone in the sun and her white paws looked like untouched snow. Her green eyes gleamed mischievously as she mewed," Yes, what if we looked better than you?" "Yeah, look at my pelt, all my kitten fluff has grown out. Unlike you!" Ripplekit said. He was a thick furred black with white stripes tom with dark blue eyes. His neck fur looked like a lion's mane. Why did her pelt have to be so fluffy she thought to herself? "Look your father has come to get you!" Dovewing mewed. Frostkit looked up to see her father, Bumblestripe, walking towards them. "Come on, let’s go!" He said in his deep voice. When they got to Highrock all the cats of Thunderclan were waiting for them including Bramblestar. "You'll do great!" Bumblestripe mewed into his kits' ears. "Thunderclan, today we gather to celebrate Dovewing and Bumblestripe's kits' apprentice ceremonies!" Bramblestar said in his booming voice. Frostkit was shaking with excitement. "Sandykit, come forward. Until you become a warrior you will be known as Sandypaw. Ambermoon, you have shown intelligence and courage, you will mentor this apprentice." Sandypaw dashed up to touch noses with Ambermoon. "Ripplekit you will be known as Ripplepaw, Lionblaze will be your mentor." Ripplepaw's eyes were huge as he trotted to the massive golden tom to touch noses. It was her turn! "Frostkit, you will be known as Frostpaw and Sorrelstripe will be your mentor. Frostpaw padded up to Sorrelstripe and touched noses. Suddenly five dark shadows slid into the camp. Frostpaw turned to look. A black tom with a tooth-ridden collar was in front followed by a group of savage looking rogues. "I am Scourge The Second and I have come for revenge over my father's death." The black tom mewed. "I have reunited Bloodclan and we are stronger than ever, we followed you all the way here and now I am ready to take over the clans. Something my father failed to do." He snarled. Frostpaw turn to look at all the horrified faces, numb with shock.

"Bloodclan, Attack!"



Chapter 2:

At their leader’s command the band of rouges sprang at them snarling and spitting. ”Hide!”  Dovewing hissed to her kits. Frostpaw fled to behind the nursery, with Sandypaw and Ripplepaw at her heels. There they crouched watching the battle with horrified expressions. Frostpaw watched, terrified, as a matted orange she-cat pounced on her mother. The she-cat raked her claws down Dovewing’s side then quickly swiped her paws under Dovewing’s paws, knocking her down. Then the she-cat pinned Dovewing down. “Please don’t kill me, I have kits to look after!” she pleaded to the she-cat. “ I had a kit once and he was perfect, but your old leader killed his father, and now he has turned into the terrible monster he is now. I don’t have a care in the world if your kits are motherless.” The orange she-cat snarled. As she bent to make the killing bite, Lionblaze’s son, Fernong knocked the she-cat off Frostpaw’s mother, and together they drove the orange she-cat into the woods raking their claws in her side and forcing her back. Frostpaw shuddered with relief, but her blood instantly went cold, where was her father? She looked desperately through the battling cats but couldn’t find the pale gray tabby pelt of Bumblestipe. ”Where is Bumblestripe?” she asked her littermates who were crouched beside her. ”I don’t know should we look for him?” Ripplepaw asked anxiously, his pelt standing on end. “But Dovewing said to stay here….” Sandypaw mewed. “No Sandypaw, we will look for him, he’s our father!” Frostpaw replied. “We’ll have to be careful, follow me!” Frostpaw mewed. Slowly, Frostpaw lead the way around the camp looking through the next section of battling cats. “There he is! He’s fighting Scourge The Second!” Sandypaw hissed in her ears. Frostpaw looked in horror, Scourge was slaughtering him, and in a little more time their father would be dead! “We have to help him!” Ripplepaw said in a quiet wail. “I know! Sandypaw, you claw his legs and try to knock his paws from underneath him. Ripplepaw, pretend his tail is rabbit, kill it! I’ll jump on his back and see what I can do… Then Bumblestripe can deal with him from there.” Frostpaw mewed confidently though her gaze showed how scared she was. “Ready?” she asked. “We got your back Frostpaw!” Sandypaw said and Ripplepaw nodded. Frostpaw raced towards Scourge The Second and leaped onto his back, from there she clawed her heart out. She could hear her littermates attacking him from their assigned spots. Even though they had never fought before they fought with the courage of Lionclan. Scourge The Second let out a grunt of surprise and toppled to the ground. Bumblestripe stood there numb with shock as his kits battled Scourge. Finally he came to his senses and drove Scourge The Second back into the woods. “Bloodclan! Retreat!” Scourge The Second yowled. His rouges aimed lasted bites and blows at Thunderclan before trotting obediently back to their leader. “Don’t think this is the last time you’ll see us Kittyclan, we’re only getting started! We are recruiting more Bloodclan warriors!” And then he fled, his rouges at his heels. Dovewing and Bumblestripe raced over to them! “Are you okay?” Dovewing asked, sniffing their pelts anxiously. “Why didn’t you stay where you were told?” Dovewing asked her eyes troubled. “We’re fine and we couldn’t find Bumblestripe so we went to look for him. We saw Scourge slaughtering him so we fought him off.” Ripplepaw said puffing out his chest proudly. “You all were almost slaughtered by Scourge The Second?!!!!”Dovewing exclaimed in a hoarse voice. While they told their story to Dovewing, Frostpaw saw Alderpaw scurry over to them. “Are you hurt?” he asked. “We’re fine but I think Dovewing and Bumblestripe are.” Frostpaw told the medicine cat apprentice. While Alderpaw treated her parents’ wounds, Frostpaw glance around the clearing. None of the cats seamed to badly injured. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join me under Highrocks for a clan meeting!” Bramblestar yowled into the night sky. This time all cats from the smallest kit to the oldest elder came out to see what their leader had to say. “We thought that we had driven out Bloodclan but apparently we were wrong! Scourge The Second has been keeping Bloodclan alive and now has come to take over the clans. From now on no apprentice is allowed out of camp without a warrior escort and kits are strictly forbidden out of the nursery clearing. We will have bigger hunting and border patrols to insure that every cat is safe for now. We will prepare to battle like rogues and this time we will drive Bloodclan out for good. Make sure your wounds are healed. No exceptions. Training and patrols will carry on as normal but each patrol will be assigned a look out cat and a formidable fighter to lead the patrol. Mentors, train your apprentices to fight like rogues. Understood?!” He mewed. “Yes!” the cats yowled. Sorrelstripe padded over to her.” It’s been a long day, why don’t you get some rest. Training can wait until tomorrow.” She mewed. Frostpaw nodded gratefully to her mentor before wearily padding to the apprentice’s den.



Chapter 3:



“Hey! Wake up Frostpaw! It’s our first day if training!” Sandypaw mewed in her ear. “Whaa?”  Frostpaw replied groggily. “Yes! Lionblaze, Ambermoon, and Sorrelstripe are taking us for a tour around the territory!” Sandypaw mewed. “Kay,  I’m coming.” Frostpaw mumbled. She quickly groomed herself and then padded out of the den to where their mentors and her littermates were waiting. “Hello, Frostpaw!” Sorrelstripe said cheerfully. “Hi!” she replied. “Let’s go tour the territory and then us mentors will choose a second task for you to do separately.” Lionblaze mewed. “Okay.” Ripplepaw replied. As they set off through the woods Frostpaw enjoyed the feel of the luscious green grass under her paws and the sun’s rays warming her fur. A gentle breeze flowed through the magnificent oaks creating a soft whistling sound. “This is Thunderclan’s main hunting area, and soon we will arrive at the Shadowclan border.” Ambermoon told them. “ Isn’t this gorgeous?” Frostpaw asked Sandypaw. “It is nice!” Sandypaw replied. A while later Sorrelstripe mewed, “This is the Shadowclan border. Make sure to take a good whiff, and never cross their border.” Frostpaw could smell them, that’s for sure. “Yuck, they smell like crow-food!” Ripplepaw mewed scrunching up his nose. “Hush, we probably smell bad to them!” Lionblaze told his apprentice. “Let’s take a look at Windclan territory now.” Ambermoon said. As they padded towards the Winclan border Frostpaw thought she heard a voice saying, “The only way to find them is to join them…”, but the voice was so faint. “Did you hear that?” she hissed in Sandypaw’s ear. “Hear what? Are you feeling okay?” Sandypaw asked, her pale green eyes looking worried. “ Oh, yes I’m fine, I must have imagined it…” Frostpaw replied though she was certain she had heard it. Awhile later they arrived at the Windclan border. “ It’s really empty, how do they hunt?” Ripplepaw asked eying the land through narrowed eyes. “They chase rabbits across the moor, that’s why they have long legs and light bodies.” Ambermoon replied. “Anyway breathe the fresh air and then from here we will split up.”  Sorrelstripe mewed briskly. “ I will be taking Frostpaw to for a hunting lesson.” Sorrelstripe mewed. Awesome! Frostpaw thought. “I’ll take Sandypaw to the lake to collect moss.” Ambermoon said. Lionblaze hesitated for a moment then said, “ Ripplepaw will learn some basic fighting moves today.” “What?! No fair!! Why do I have to do the boring chores?”  “ They’ll have to do them eventually. Now, let’s be on our way Sandypaw.” Ambermoon mewed.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">Frostpaw dragged her raven through the barrier with Sorrelstripe closely following behind her carrying a vole. It was her sixth day as an apprentice and she was loving it! “Wow! How are you such a good hunter?” Larkpaw asked as she dropped it on the pile. “Hunter’s luck, I guess!” She replied. “ I am so tired I’m going to my nest now, see you later!” Larkpaw said with a massive yawn. Frostpaw was really worried. She had been hearing the mysterious voice everyday and at night her dreams were very disturbing. “I’m going to talk to Jayfeather about this.” She decided quietly to herself. She walked into the medicine cat den cautiously, trying not to disturb any patients. She spotted the blind medicine cat sorting through herbs. “Hey, Jayfeather, I need to talk to you in private!” She hissed in his ear. “What?” he growled.” “I have been hearing a strange voice recently… “She told him everything including her disturbing dreams. “Well, we’ll have to wait and see but for now tell me if you have any other disturbing dreams.” He mewed. “Yes Jayfeather.” Frostpaw replied. She then realized how tired she was how tired she was and settled down into her nest in the Apprentice’s den. “Tomorrow Dewnose said that all of us are going to learn to fight like rogues. “ Larkpaw mewed to his sister, Honeypaw. Slowly, the chatter died and Frostpaw let the big black wave of sleep wash over her.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">She awoke to sharp teeth nipping her tail. “Wake up, Bloodclan is attacking!” Leafpaw mewed. Frostpaw jumped to her paws. “What!!! Are we going to fight?” She asked nervously. “Of course! Be careful! This time Scourge II has brought twice as many rogues! Both she-cats raced out of the den and threw themselves into battle. Frrostpaw found herself facing a black tom with a stump for a tail. He was massive. “W-who are y-you?” she stammered, desperately trying to get out of the potential fight. “I’m Blackheart, and I’ll slaughter you, kit. “Oh, I’m sorry did you just call me a KIT?” she said frustration of her fluffy pelt bubbling out of her. Before she could control herself she was fighting him like a Dark Forest warrior. She slashed his eyes causing him to whimper with pain then she raked her claws down his legs with the force of a lion. Next, she lunged for his ears making him focus on protecting his ears instead of his neck. She took that brief second to slash her claws through his neck. Then, he fell, limp, onto the hard stone floor. She stared in horror at Blackheart, he was dead, and she, a loyal apprentice had killed him. That was breaking the code, she was a monster! Frostpaw backed away slowly shaking her head, what had she done? There was no time to think about that now. She had to help her clanmates. Once more she threw herself in battle, raking her claws down any Bloodclan warrior she could. Suddenly she heard the voice of Scourge II saying “Bloodclan, retreat!” Slowly all the Bloodclan warriors went to their leader. “You may have won again Kittyclan but once we outnumber you, they’ll be nothing to stop me!!!” Scourge II  said his eyes glazed with madness. “You won’t be able to stop us because you don’t know how to control us! But soon, you will know what control is like, beacause you all will be under MY control. Farewell my kitty friends!” he snarled before padding out of the camp. “I know how we can control them.” Frostpaw said loudly. Slowly all Thunderclan cats turned their heads towards her. “We have to find out where their camp is so that we can ambush them while they are sleeping. It’s our only chance. You heard Scourge II, he’s only getting stronger and soon, we won’t be able to live here. But if we find their camp there is a chance of survival…”  Murmurs of approval swept through the clan. “How do you suggest that we do that?” Bramblestar asked. “To find them, we must join them…”

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">Chapter 4:

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">“What do you mean Frostpaw?” Bramblestar asked. “Well, I have been trying to figure this out. I think the next time there is an attack, one of us cats should pretend to betray our clan to live with Bloodclan. This way we know where they live and how they train.” Frostpaw mewed. Several cat murmured their agreement. “But that’s so dangerous!” She heard Cherryfall cry. “Maybe, but it’s the only way!” Thornclaw growled at her. “Yeah, should we just wait to be ripped to shreds?” Fernsong growled. “Enough! We will carry on with Frostpaw’s plan. She is right, it is our only hope.” Bramblestar mewed. “Everyone go back to sleep, we will carry on as normal tomorrow.” Squirrelflight mewed. Everyone headed back to their dens, grumbling as they went. ”What’s this?!?!” Cinderheart asked, her expression horrified. “What’s what?” Dewnose asked. “There’s a dead cat here!” Cinderheart exclaimed backing away from the sight. Dewnose and Bumblestripe padded over to where Cinderheart had been. “This cat was killed by a cat.” Bumblestripe said. Dewnose sniffed Blackheart, his nose touching the black tom’s fur. Frostpaw crouched down, her heart beating rapidly in her chest. “He was killed by Frostpaw!” Dewnose exclaimed. “It was an accident! I didn’t mean to kill him, trust me!” she mewed desperately. “Do not fear, Bloodclan cats deserve to die… but that was very irresponsible of you, what if that happened to a real clan cat?” Bramblestar replied, his eyes glinting with disapproval. “I am aware of this, Bramblestar, I am very sorry,” Frostpaw mewed and bowed her head in gratitude. “I trust you Frostpaw, you may go to your den.” He mewed flatly. “Thank you.” She replied and hurried to the apprentice’s den. She lay down in her nest ignoring the other apprentices’ questions. Soon she fell into a deep, dreamless sleep.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">Frostpaw woke to soft pawsteps. It had been several moons since the last attack and it was the dead of night. Who’s coming? She thought to herself before padding quietly out of the den. She only had to worry about waking up Sandypaw and Ripplepaw because Larkfeather, Honeybreeze, and Leafsong had become warriors. She sniffed the crisp night and let the breeze ruffle her fur. What was that familiar scent? She couldn’t name it but she definitely recognized it… Bloodclan! She raced to Bramblestar’s den and woke him up. “This is urgent Bramblestar, I can smell Bloodclan, I think they are watching us right now!” she whispered urgently to him. Instantly he was awake, “Do you remember the plan?” he asked. “Yes, Larkfeather and I will pretend to join them before the attack. “Good, go collect Larkfeather and go on a mini night patrol so you can join them and prevent the attack. “Ok! Wish me luck!” Frostpaw mewed. Bramblestar rested his muzzle on her head for a moment, “You will be fine, you have Larkfeather with you, he is a very strong warrior.” He mewed.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">Frostpaw padded out of the chilly camp with Larkfeather, “I really hope this works. Otherwise we have no other option!” she mewed to Larfeather whose black fur was fluffed up from the cold. He let out a long sigh and his sharp blue eyes looked dull, “I hope so to, we can’t afford to lose any more cats than we already did…” he mewed. Frostpaw grabbed Larkfeather by the scruff and dragged him into a bush, “Shhh, I can hear them coming this way!!” she whispered to Larkfeather, who was looking baffled. His icy blue gaze locked with hers and she could see the look of terror in his eyes. “Don’t worry too much, we’re in this together.” She whispered to him and touched his cheek with her nose, “It’ll be okay…” she mewed softly before crouching down on the cold ground. She could feel gnarly branches poking her soft white fur as she awaited the arrival of Bloodclan.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">“This is going to be so easy! We’ll crush those little kitties!” A dark brown tom mewed, his malicious gray eyes full of scorn. “Yeah Redtooth, it’ll be like taking mice from a kit!” An orange tom mewed slinking around Redtooth, his teeth bared. “Let’s just go crush those mouslings so we can move on to defeat the next clan Scorchclaw, Redtooth.” A gray tom snapped, his eyes full of hatred and disapproval. “Of course Jaggedtooth…” Redtooth and Scorchclaw mewed in unison and dipped their heads in respect. “He must be the deputy…” Larkfeather whispered very softly. “Yes, should we make our move?” she asked the black tom. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath, “Yes, follow me.” He mewed. He slinked around the bush until he stood in front of them. “Hello, we are rogues and we would like to join your group…” Larkfeather mewed boldly. “Huh, why would we let you and your little sidekick join our well-trained fighters?” Jaggedtooth hissed. “Yeah, you are just little kitties that don’t know how to fight!” Redtooth mewed. “Well, we have been spying on the clans and we have learned their routine and fighting techniques.”  Frostpaw mewed quickly. Larkfeather looked at her in surprise before opening his mouth to speak. Frostpaw shoved him and mouthed to him, “We won’t tell them anything important and we can make things up to give us an advantage.” He nodded and shut his mouth. “You know their secrets…” Jaggedtooth murmured and closed his eyes. “Don’t let them join! They are just filthy rogues!” An old she-cat exclaimed. “Hush Raggedflower! I will give them just one day to prove they are worthy assets of our clan.” He snapped finally. “You won’t regret this decision…” Larkfeather mewed as they padded to the Bloodclan camp.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">Chapter 5:

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">Frostpaw padded alongside Larkfeather as they followed Bloodclan to their camp. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, it was the first warm summer night and a breeze ruffled her pelt. She prayed to Starclan their plan would work so no more clan cats would be lost to this malicious clan. She felt a hard nudge on her shoulder and opened her eyes quickly. “You two, you can sleep out here tonight.” Raggedflower told them. They nodded and looked around; the entrance to the camp was a few feet away covered by thick, prickly bushes and they were supposed to sleep on hard brown dirt. Frostpaw settled down on a softer patch and curled her white striped tail over her nose; she closed her eyes and heard Larkfeather curl up a few feet away. She let a small sigh escape her, as she thought about her clan, sick with worry for them. She felt a soft tail brush over her flank, “Don’t worry, we will defeat Bloodclan.” Larkfeather whispered, his blue eyes shinning with sympathy.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">“I hope so.” she mewed.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">A gentle nudge on her shoulder woke her up the next morning and she snapped open her eyes. “Come on Frostpaw, we should hunt for them.” Larkfeather mewed quietly. “But it’s the crack of dawn…” She grumbled but got up and trudged along. The sun was rising, creating a pink-orange sky over the moor, it was beautiful, the warm grass under her paws, the gentle breeze, and the sun warming her back. Everything could have been perfect. If it hadn’t been for Bloodclan, Purdy would still be alive. The old tom had died in one of the Bloodclan attacks; he was just too old to be fighting Bloodclan.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">She padded back to their makeshift sleeping areas and dropped her catch, two plump rabbits. Larkfeather wasn’t back yet so she settled down and waited for his return. Moments later, her returned carrying a squirrel and a mouse. “Good hunting.” He mewed. “Yes, should we bring this into their camp?” she asked. “Sure, we have to be careful though…” he replied. Quietly, they padded through the prickly bushes into a large sandy area. There was a large pile of rocks and bones in the center of the camp, with a small den behind it. “That must be like Highrocks, and Scourge II must sleep there.” Larkfeather hissed in her ear. “What are you doing here?” A young, skinny white she-cat with no ears snarled. “We just brought some prey for your clan, we don’t mean to cause trouble. I’m Larkfeather and this is Frostpaw.” Larkfeather mewed boldly. The she-cat’s yellow eyes looked greedily at the plump prey and she leaned forward and grabbed the mouse. “I’m No-ears, as you can see.” She mewed suddenly, her voice growing soft. “I hate it here but it is where I was born. They don’t treat me well, Scourge II and Jaggedtooth take all the prey and leave us nothing.” She whispered. “I hate killing innocent cats and I want to leave this place, but unfortunately, once you are a part of this awful clan you can’t get out.” She remarked sadly. “We can help you. Bloodclan is terrorizing the clans around the lake so we are pretending to join you, but really we want to launch an attack at night while your clanmates are sleeping.” Frostpaw told her. “Good plan, maybe I could help you. Drop your prey here and follow me.” She mewed.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">They padded out of the camp and followed her to a small den by a gently sloping stream. “So Bloodclan has been secretly recruiting cats, but some new recruits, don’t want anything to do with the clan. We have created a little camp here away from all the vicious cats, to plan our escape. You may want to think twice about attacking them, with all the vicious new recruits, your clan would be outnumbered.” She explained to them as the entered the den. They were amazed at all the cats in the den, some looked like they were apprentices and some were as old as Purdy used to be. A pretty gray and black she-cat with green eyes padded over, narrowing her eyes at them, “Who’s this, No-ears?” She asked in a silky voice. “Emeraldfire, these are clan cats that wish to help us and get rid of Bloodclan.” No-ears replied. Emeraldfire’ eyes softened and she nodded, “Welcome!” She mewed warmly. “Let’s talk about your plan.” She mewed.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">“So in a half-moon you, Larkfeather, and some fighters from the clans will met us here at midnight and we will attack them while they are sleeping. Agreed?” Emeraldfire asked after they had sorted everything out. “We should get to know some of the cats here that are fighting so we can work together.” Larkfeather remarked. “Yes, I will call them over now.” She replied. “Spottedstream, Silverfeather, Pigeonflight, Hawklight, Hazelfoot, and Blackwing, come here!” She mewed. A delicate spotted brown she-cat with white paws and light green eyes padded over followed by a pretty silver she-cat with a white spot on her chest with dark blue eyes, a large gray and white tom with amber eyes, a muscular orange tom with black stripes and green eyes, a small hazel and black she-cat with blue eyes, and a jet black tom with icy blue eyes. “These are our best fighters, there are also some younger cats that are willing to fight as well.” Emeraldfire mewed. “There is a quiet place where we can learn each other’s moves a little while away from here. Let’s practice there tonight.” Hazelfoot mewed.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">Once they had set up a time, No-ears led them back to the Bloodclan camp so they could be there before the real Bloodclan cats woke up. Frostpaw groomed her pelt and gathered the prey they had caught earlier. She and Larkfeather went up to Scourge II’s den to give him the prey. “Are you ready to start all this Larkfeather?” she asked him. He looked at her touched his nose to her ear, “Definitely.”

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">Chapter 6:

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">“Scourge II, we have prey for you.” Frostpaw mewed and dipped her head. He got up from his nest and circled her, his teeth bared. Frostpaw stood still and looked straight ahead. “Good, very good…” he hissed in her ear. She almost jumped at the sound of his voice but told herself to stay still. Tell me about the clans’ routine…” he hissed. “Well, it seems odd but they sleep during the day and hunt at night so if you were to attack it would be best to do it in the morning when they are tired from hunting.” Larkfeather lied. “Interesting, what about you, do you have any “tips”? He growled to Frostpaw. Frostpaw gulped, “Um, well, I uh, they don’t practice fighting at all really.” She squeaked out eventually. “Yes I could tell that when they were fighting.” He sneered. “Well then, off you go, don’t disturb me.” He snarled at them. “Of course Scourge II.” Larkfeather mewed respectfully and dipped his head. As they padded out of the den Scourge II called, “Oh and what are your names?” Frostpaw froze and turned around, they couldn’t tell him their warrior names! “Lark and Frost.” Larkfeather replied. Scourge II looked at them for a moment and then vanished inside his den.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">“No-ears! No-ears!” Frostpaw hissed to the sleeping young she-cat. “Wha-what?” she replied groggily. “We have to go meet Emeraldfire tonight for practice remember?” Frostpaw mewed. No-ears shook out her pelt. “Oh yeah, c’mon let’s go!” No-ears exclaimed softly, trying not to wake any other real Bloodclan cat up. She, Larkfeather, and Frostpaw padded softly out of he den and into the dark and quiet camp. Larkfeather nudged her and No-ears, “You’re going to have to hide those white pelts unless you want to be seen…” he mewed. They nodded and padded to a small pool of dark mud. No-ears whispered, “You go first, Frostpaw!” Frostpaw gave her a rueful glance and stepped into the cold, wet mud. “This is disgusting.” She mewed with an annoyed glance at Larkfeather as she rolled in the mud. Larkfeather’s whiskers twitched with amusement as he groomed his clean, jet-black pelt. As soon as both Frostpaw and No-ears were brown with mud they padded along the rocky trail to the small brook where they were meeting.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">“What was that?” No-ears hissed in Frostpaw’s ear when she heard a twig snap behind them. “Probably just a rabbit.” Frostpaw replied though she looked behind them to make sure there was nothing there. “You are probably right…” No-ears mewed, shaking her earless head. “We’re here!” Larkfeather mewed. No-ears broke into a run and vanished into the small den by the rushing brook. Larkfeather and Frostpaw followed her at a fast trot. As they passed by the small stream Frostpaw stopped and crouched down to drink, “I’ll be right there Larkfeather!” she called. As she lapped at the ice-cold water it felt like a stream of freezing cold water was coursing through her veins. She stood up and shivered, her pelt fluffed up against the cool breeze and padded into the den.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;">“Frostpaw!” A young spotted brown she-cat with white paws and green eyes called happily. “Hi Spottedstream!” She mewed back to the friend she had made that morning. Frostpaw padded to Spottedstream and settled down a few fox-lengths away. “Are we going out now?” Frostpaw asked. “Yes, Silverfeather is going to take us to the clearing where we will practice when she gets back from hunting.” Spottedstream replied. “Do you hunt all the time?” Frostpaw asked surprised. “We have to.” A new voice mewed.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;text-indent:0.5in;">“Silverfeather!” Spottedstream exclaimed and rushed over to her litter-sister. “Did you find any prey?” Spottedsteam asked. It was new-leaf, wasn’t there plenty of prey? She thought puzzled. Silverfeather sighed, “Only a scrawny vole and a mouse.” “Well that’s better than yesterday’s catch.” Spottenstream replied her pale green eyes dull. “Let’s go practice.” Silverfeather mewed. Frostpaw got to her paws and padded over to Larkfeather with Spottedstream and Silverfeather. They gathered up the cats they had met yesterday along with a few apprentice-aged cats. A large orange-and-black apprentice padded over to Frostpaw, he looked at her and mewed, “I’m Copperpaw, Emeraldfire told us you were from Thunderclan, what’s it like to live in a real clan?” He asked, his dark green eyes bright. “It’s harmonious and we all help each other.” She started and told him all about life in Thunderclan. By the time she finished telling him about clan life they had at a slightly rocky clearing with big golden-brown oaks. A small pool was tucked away into one corner. The clear, blue water shone under the stars. “I didn’t know this place existed by the lake…” she breathed. “Yes it’s our little secret, now c’mon let’s go ask Silverfeather what she wants us to practice!” he mewed and trotted over to Silverfeather.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;text-indent:0.5in;">Frostpaw circled Copperpaw, her teeth bared. His tail lashed and he eyed her suspiciously. As he was turning around to look at her, Frostpaw lunged at his paws and knocked him over. He jumped to his paws and shook out his pelt, “Hey, no fair! I didn’t see you coming!” he exclaimed. “Do you think Scourge II is going to wait to see if you’re looking?” Frostpaw replied. “Let me try.” Copperpaw mewed. Frostpaw nodded and prepared for his attack. He lunged at her stomach when she wasn’t looking and bawled her over. As he leaned in to pretend to give the killing-bite, Frostpaw shoved her sheathed claws into his stomach and he stumbled backwards. She took that moment of unbalance to rake her paws over his eyes. He was now crouched down; Frostpaw leaped on top of him and pinned him down. He looked up at her and mewed, “Get off! You win!” Frostpaw let him get to his paws and mewed, “Let’s go watch Silverfeather and Larkfeather practice.”

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;text-indent:0.5in;">As Frostpaw settled down beside Copperpaw to watch Larkfeather practice with Silverfeather she felt like someone was watching them… “Are you okay?” Copperpaw asked, his dark green eyes round with concern. Frostpaw shook out her white tabby pelt, “Yeah, I’m fine.” She mewed and told herself to calm down, it was probably just her imagination.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;text-indent:0.5in;">But someone was watching, a pair of cold gray eyes stared out from under a bush. Watching their every move…

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;text-indent:0.5in;">Chapter 7:

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">Frostpaw woke with an annoyed mew. She nosed the back tom who was snoring loudly in his nest. “Larkfeather, you are so loud!” she complained softly. Larkfeather grunted and fixed his ice-blue eyes on her and growled mockingly before batting her ears with soft paws. “We better get some sleep though, we don’t know what tomorrow holds…” he mewed. “Easy for you to say… you don’t have a badger snoring in your ear!” she muttered crossly. He curled back into his nest and twitched his ears in acknowledgement. Soon enough he was back at it, snoring as loud as a badger. Frostpaw sighed and climbed into her nest, she didn’t know how the warriors back home could listen to him every night.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">Their attack was scheduled to be in two nights. They had practiced vigorously every night and it was time for them to recruit clan cats.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">Frostpaw inhaled deeply, the familiar scents of the oak trees and Thunderclan wreathed around her, “I’m so happy to be home!” she mewed to Larkfeather. The black tom brushed against her, “Me too, race you to camp!” he exclaimed and dashed off into the night. Frostpaw raced after him enjoying the feel of earth under her paws. She could see a jet-black tail whisking throught the trees and she leaped, catching it in her paws. She rolled Larkfeather around, her claws sheathed. “Get off!” he grunted happily. She snarled mockingly at him before prancing ahead.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">She slowed to a stop and looked over her shoulder, “We’re here!” she exclaimed happily to Larkfeather. He bounded to her side and licked her ear, “It’s good to be back.” He murmured. She padded through the thick bramble entrance and padded softly to the apprentice’s den, she was eager to see Ripplepaw and Sandypaw.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">She tilted her head in confusion when she saw an empty den. ‘It’s the middle of the night! Where could they be?’ She thought to herself. As if reading her mind a ginger she-cat raced over to her, “Frostpaw! You’re back!” she exclaimed. “Sandypaw! It’s so good to see you again!” she replied and touched noses with her sister. “It’s Sandymoon now! Ripplestorm and I became warriors a quarter-moon ago!” she exclaimed. “I wish you could have been with us…” she trailed off quietly. “I do too… Larkfeather and I have to share our news with Bramblestar… I want to see Ripplestorm, Dovewing, and Bumblestripe first though.” Frostpaw mewed.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">She felt a pang of envy and sadness as she padded into the warrior’s den, she had always dreamed of getting her warrior name among her siblings. “Ripplestorm! Is that you?” She gasped. The small black tom had grown into a large, muscular tom and the white stripes on his pelt shimmered in the moonlight. He had broad shoulders and long powerful claws, “Frostpaw!” he mewed and rushed over to her, pressing his muzzle to hers. “You’ve grown a lot as well, your kitten fur finally grew out.” He mewed cheekily.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">Frostpaw nudged him affectionately, “Annoying furball!” she purred. The rest of the clan had awoken and come to see why everyone was up. “Larkfeather! Frostpaw!” Honeybreeze and Leafsong exclaimed in unison and ran over to greet them. She touched noses with her friends and let Larkfeather talk to his litter-mates. She sighed with happiness when she saw Dovewing and Bumblestripe bound towards her, “We’ve been so worried about you!” Dovewing mewed and liked the fur around Frostpaw’s ears. “Me too! It’s been so scary, this past moon and a half.” She confessed to her parents. Bumblestripe licked the top of her head, “You’re safe now.” He murmured. “I need to go report to Bramblestar, we have things to do tonight…” she mewed and started padding to the leader’s den.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">“You can tell me in a moment but I think you have earned you warrior name, Frostpaw.” A deep mew sounded behind her. She spun around to see Bramblestar seated behind her. “Really?!” she squealed. “Of course! Come along now.” He replied and bounded up Highrocks. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath me for a clan meeting!” He called to Thunderclan. “We have a special apprentice worthy of her warrior name.” The clan gathered beneath Highrocks murmuring with excitement. She saw her parents and siblings standing with Ivypool, whose belly was round with Molewhisker’s kits. Their eyes were shining with pride and joy.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">“Do you promise to uphold the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?” Bramblestar asked. “I do!” Frostpaw replied confidently. Then with the power of Starclan, I hereby name you Frostsong. Starclan honors you for your skills and bravery. He pressed his muzzle to the top of her head and Frostsong licked his shoulder in response. “Frostsong! Frostsong! Frostsong!” the clan cheered “Thank you.” She murmured to Bramblestar.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">“Congratulations!” Larkfeather murmured softly after everyone had congratulated her. “You deserve it! I’m very proud of you.” He mewed and licked her cheek. She touched her muzzle gently to his, and purred, “Thank you.” “Let’s go tell Bramblestar our plan. We have to get back to Bloodclan.” He mewed. They padded to over to Bramblestar, their pelts brushing occasionally.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">‘’We’ll see you then!” Squirrelflight mewed to them as they padded into the dark trees. “Definitely.” Frostsong mewed over her white tabby shoulder. As they padded back to the Bloodclan camp Frostsong asked Larkfeather, “Do you think we’ll beat Bloodclan?” she asked. He halted and lay his tail over her shoulders, “No. I know we’ll win.” He replied confidently. “I sure hope you’re right…” Frostsong told him.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">* * *

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">A nose nudged her shoulder gently. Frostsong woke up to see Blossomfall and Poppyfrost sitting around her nest. ‘What were they doing near the Bloodclan camp?’ she wondered groggily. “Get up, we’re launching the attack tonight. Remember?” Poppyfrost told her gently. Frostsong shook out her pelt and looked around. She saw Spottedstream, No-ears, Silverfeather, Copperpaw, and lots of the “nice rogues” from the den beside the stream, talking to Lionblaze, Cinderheart, Dovewing, Squirrelflight, and many others.

<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">She padded up to Larkfeather and called to the large group of fighters from Thunderclan and the nice rogues, “Let’s go! It’s time for war!” She called to the group. Everyone sped into sped softly into the camp. She looked up at the dark sky and prayed to Starclan. It was time for war. She was ready.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">Chapter 8:

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;"><span style="font-size:14pt;font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">             <span style="font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">Frostsong glanced back at the patrol, “Hide in the bushes!” she hissed to the battle patrol. The cats nodded and backed into the thick, gnarly holly bushes. She signaled with her tail for the first wave of cats to follow her out into the clearing of the Bloodclan camp.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;text-indent:0.5in;"><span style="font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">She crouched down and slowly crept closer to the dens. She bunched her haunches and with the command to attack leaped into one of the dens and started attacking a black and ginger tom who was beginning to stir in his nest. She could vaguely see her clanmates attacking cats in their nests’ but Frostsong was focused on the tom.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;text-indent:0.5in;"><span style="font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">She darted in and scored her claws down his flank. He yelped in pain and swung a paw clumsily in her sirection, still groggy from sleep. She took his tail in her teeth and pulled, causing him to spin around and swipe a paw at her chest. She could see blood welling from the scratch her had given her but she ignored it and leaped onto his back, clawing her heart out. He tried to shake her off but she leaped off gracefully and clamped his shoulder in her unsheathed claws. He was so surprised, that he just stared at her, dumbfounded. She used that moment to pin him down and place a paw on his neck. “Leave now and never come back, or I will kill you.” She hissed to the tom panicking under her paw. He nodded as she released her grip, allowing him to flee into the night.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;text-indent:0.5in;"><span style="font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">Frostsong battled many cats that night, each one tougher than the next, she would do anything to save her clan. She heard pawsteps approach from behind her. Scourge II was approaching her. She didn’t turn around, pretending to not notice him. As soon as he lunged for her she spun around and rolled him onto the ground. He grunted and shoved her off easily. She snarled at him as he circled him but he just snickered. “Did you think you were going to beat me that easily? I was watching you, that first night that you practiced and I know all of your moves.” He mewed softly and curled his lip. He slowly backed her up into a corner and mewed, “You’re going to die slowly and in agony. Traitor. “ he mewed and unsheathed his claws. “Not if we can help it!” Ripplestorm growled, Larkfeather and Sandymoon at his side. Frostdong let out a sigh of relief and jumped to her friend’s sides’. “Power is no  match for friendship and loyalty!” Sandymoon mewed and leaped at Scourge II. Slowly, with all her friends’ help she drove Scourge II back and pinned him down. “Let me kill him!” Larkfeather growled and approached him from the side, “This is for all the cats you’ve killed!” he mewed and slashed open Scourge II’s throat. Just as he was about to die, Scourge II kicked out forcefully with his hindleg and smashed it into Sqirrelflight’s throat, who was watching nearby.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;text-indent:0.5in;"><span style="font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">Squirrelflight screamed in agony and collapsed in a pool of crimson blood. Frostsong raced over to the ginger deputy and nudged her gently, “Squirrelflight, Squirrelfight? Are you okay?” she asked the she-cat anxiously. Squirrelflight twitched her head and slowly stretched a paw out to Frostsong, “Thank you for saving my clan. I will always be grateful… “ she rasped ever so quietly. And with the she took a last, shuddering breath and lay still. “NO!!!! You can’t be dead!!!” Frostsong wailed and buried her nose in her kin’s fur. “Who’s dead?!” Leafpool asked and stared at Frostsong, her eyes full of dread. “Squirrelflight…” she mewed and the collapsed her mind going black.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="font-size:14px;text-indent:0.5in;"><span style="font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);">Frostsong woke to see her family and Larkfeather standing over her in the Thunderclan medicine cat den. “You fainted when Squirrelfight died.” Larkfeather explained sadly. Frostsong jumped to her paws and trotted unsteadily out of the den. “Where is she?” she asked, her voice hoarse with grief. Larkfeather pointed to a blood pile of ginger fur with his tail drooping sadly. We tried to save her, but she was dead.” Dovewing mewed and rested her tail on her daughter’s shoulders. Frostsong nodded and stared blankly at Bramblestar, Sparkstorm, and Alderpaw grieving over Squirrelfight’s cold body.

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<p class="MsoNormal" style="border:0px;font-weight:normal;margin:1em0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;color:rgb(58,58,58);font-family:Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;font-size:14px;font-variant-caps:normal;letter-spacing:normal;orphans:auto;text-align:start;text-transform:none;white-space:normal;widows:auto;word-spacing:0px;-webkit-text-stroke-width:0px;text-indent:0.5in;"><span style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;font-family:OpenSans;color:rgb(90,90,90);"><span style="border:0px;font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;margin:0px;padding:0px;vertical-align:baseline;">  “I could have saved her!” she murmured to herself. Larkfeather steered her gently away from the scene and licked her ear, “It wasn’t your fault, Scourge II killed her unexpectedly.” He murmured. “D-did you kill h-him?” she asked Larkfeather. “Yes, the clans are safe now, thanks to you.” He replied. She nodded and looked at her paws, “I suppose we did save the clans after all.” She mewed. “There will be good times and rough times in our future, loved ones will die and new ones will be born but as long as we stay together and believe in ourselves and our ancestors we will never be defeated.” Larkfeather mewed softly and licked her head. Frostsong leaned into his warm pelt and looked at the starry sky, he was right, together, they could achieve anything.