Legends of the Clans

Legends of the Clans is a fanfiction written by Wavepaw, about the two ThunderClan apprentices Silverpaw and Rainpaw. They are as close as Squirrelflight and Leafpool, but when Silverpaw starts having weird dreams about a gorge and unfamiliar cats, the two sisters face an unforgettable journey. As Silverpaw, along with three other chosen apprentices and one warrior along for the ride, quest to find out what their dreams mean, Rainpaw is forced to learn life without her sister-and fulfill her part in this mysterious prophecy. When two abandoned rogue kits, a strange glowing stone come into play, and a group of Twolegplace rouges that designate themselves as enemies of the Clans come into play, the sisters must learn what they are meant to do. But just when it seems as if everything is clear, a fifth apprentice comes and changes everything.

Prologue
The setting sun cast a glow as if fire was spreading across the sky. Any cat in the forest would say it was beautiful, but in the Twolegplace beyond, it cast an odd light, as if flames were spreading to devour the Twolegplace. It seemed fitting, though, in a small alleyway camp. Boxes were stacked around the alley, and a cat padded out of one. He was a dark gray tabby tom, and he walked with authority, as if he was this group’s leader. But instead, he walked over to a brown tabby tom with amber eyes, who was pacing along some crumbled stones near what seemed to be the main entrance, and crouched.

The brown tabby straightened. “Stone. Any news?” He jerked his head toward the entrance. The gray tabby shook his head. “No, Fang, we have not yet heard from the warrior. It should be soon, though.” Fang unsheathed his claws. “He knows what will happen if he tries to break away from us, to be loyal to his Clan again.” Stone nodded. “We will not let him live as a cat loyal to his Clan. If he does not show up the day after tomorrow, I will lead a patrol myself to find him.” He spoke the words with a menacing growl rumbling in his throat.

“But that is not your decision.” Fang meowed smoothly. “But yes, you are right, we will.” He broke off as a cat padded through the entrance. The newcomer was a powerful-looking dark ginger tabby tom, but a closer glimpse gave away a jagged front claw, as if it had been nearly ripped off. His eyes were alight with tension. “Fang, Stone!” he called. “There is a patrol of Clan cats on our territory! Not the spy’s Clan. Another Clan is finding their way toward the camp!” His words shook the boxes, and a moment later a dusky gray she-cat slid out, her belly heavily swollen. “Brokenclaw, will our camp still be safe?”she mewed worriedly. “Of course, Robin, if we secure it. Nothing will get to our kits!” he promised. Robin shook her head. “I know you will do your best, Brokenclaw, Fang, Stone. But my kits will not be safe. I must leave to have them. When they are old enough to travel I will return.” Her words seemed to shake Brokenclaw, and all three cats stared at her as if she had sprouted an extra paw.

Fang was the first to speak. “Disloyal cat.” he growled. Brokenclaw stiffened, but Fang went on. “You want to leave us when we all our cats? Clan cats are in our territory!” Robin nodded. “Exactly why I need to leave. There will be a battle. Not today. But I need to leave before it happens. My kits will not be safe. I will bring them back so they can train and grow up to become Twolegplace cats. Your cats.” she nodded to Fang. Brokenclaw stared at her. “But I would die to protect you and our kits!” Robin dipped her head to him. “I will be back. I promise.”

Another cat slid out of the boxes, a she-cat with a twisted paw. “Greetings.” she mewed, then blinked at the tension in the air. “What’s going on?” Fang slid out his claws. “Robin wants to leave us to have her kits.” he growled. The she-cat glanced at Robin. “Why?” Robin ducked her head. “Because they will be safe, Blackie.” Blackie stared at her. “A patrol of Clan warriors was found in our territory today. I must leave. Goodbye.” With that, the she-cat padded to the entrance and left with the other four cats staring after her.

Under a starry sky, a young white she-cat sat alone, nudging the water of the circular pool with one starry paw. “I will not give up hope. There will always be something to save the Clans.” she mewed determinedly.

The bushes rustled at the entrance and another starry cat padded down, a light brown tabby with a crooked jaw. “Then you’re wrong, Snowfur. There is no way the Clans can fight this alone. They don’t have the strength. They will have to leave to survive, and many will die before that happens.” Snowfur’s head snapped up and she glared at the tabby. “I can’t believe you, Crookedstar. Where’s the cat who was always loyal to his Clan? StarClan is your Clan as well as RiverClan.” Crookedstar glared at her. “I’m trying to save the Clans!” “And who told you that, Yellowfang? Spottedleaf? Tigerstar?” Snowfur sneered.

Another cat burst in. “Stop fighting! We’ll never get anything done if we fight amongst ourselves!” the yellow she-cat yowled. “There isn’t anything to do, Lionstar.” Crookedstar hissed. “Yes, there is always something that will save the Clans that has never been used before.” Both Crookedstar and Snowfur shot Lionstar confused looks.

“There is nothing, Lionstar!” Another cat’s voice broke in as a black tom hurried down the slope to the pool. “Stop trying to convince us you’ve got an amazing idea while you try and think of one!” the tom meowed crossly. Lionstar glared at him. “I do have an idea, Larkstorm!” she hissed. “Then let’s hear it.” Larkstorm challenged her. Lionstar opened her mouth, but before she could speak, two more cats padded through the bushes. “We could hear you arguing.” The blue-gray she-cat meowed. “It won’t solve anything.” the faded white she-cat added.

“Mothflight!” Lionstar mewed. “Do you know what I’m talking about?” The white she-cat gazed into Lionstar’s amber eyes. “Yes, I believe I do.” she meowed at last.

“Waaaait!” Larkstorm gasped. “I think I know!” Crookedstar and the blue-gray she-cat nodded.

In the Twolegplace, Stone’s patrol slunk through the shadows until they found the Clan cats. Stone flicked his tail, a clear order. Then they leaped.

It had begun.

Chapter 1
“Silverkit! Silverkit, what are you doing?”

Silverkit turned around to see Ripplepaw staring at her. “Why are you sneaking up on Hazelpaw? She’s busy.” the apprentice informed her. “I was not sneaking up on Hazelpaw!” Silverkit exclaimed hotly. “Rainkit and I are looking in the apprentices’ den. We want to have an idea of where to sleep.” Ripplepaw flicked his tail. “Okay, then” he mewed as he padded away.

Silverkit sighed. “Why does he always act like he’s Clan leader?” she complained. “Oh, lighten up, Silverkit! It’s our apprentice ceremony today!” her sister, Rainkit, mewed as she slid out of the den. “I know, Rainkit, but I’m not looking forward to sharing a den with Ripplepaw.”

Silverkit squirmed as Spottedwing gave her another lick. “Sit still, Silverkit!” he mother meowed calmly, though her tail twitched with irritation. “There.” Spottedwing mewed, satisfied. “You two will look nice for your apprentice ceremony.” she sighed. “You’re six moons already!” Rainkit twitched and ear. “Don’t worry. We’ll be apprentices!”

Silverkit padded out of the nursery, her head held high. She emerged into the clearing to see most of the Clan gathered already. Sandstar stood on the Tallstone, green eyes glowing proudly, for she was Spottedwing’s sister. Her father, Wildstorm, was watching her with an expression so proud, Silverkit thought he would burst! The Clan deputy, Willowsong, was sitting beneath the Tallstone with her tail wrapped over her paws. Rosefur, Silverkit’s close friend and Spottedwing’s sister from a younger litter, smiled proudly at her. The apprentices sat in a close bunch. Honeypaw and Hazelpaw exchanged happy glances while Hollypaw, the medicine cat apprentice, was pointing to a leaf on the ground as Duskpaw watched, looking interested. “We’ll have the most apprentices out of any Clan at this rate!” Thrushfeather purred to Stonestripe. The young warrior nodded. “And there’s still Addercloud’s three in the nursery.” He cast a glance at Goldenkit tussling with Hawkkit and Dewkit as they waited. Hailfall sat down near them. “And Willowsong’s expecting.” He cast a proud glance at his mate. “Sparrowfrost and Snowstorm are talking about it.” Thrushfeather added.

Sandstar turned to Spottedwing and her kits. “Today, two kits have reached their sixth moon. Silverkit, Rainkit, come forward.” Silverkit followed her sister into the center of the circle.

“Rainkit.” Sandstar touched the kit with her tail. “From this moment on, you shall be known as Rainpaw.” She turned and beckoned with her tail to an unseen cat in the crowd. “Seedwing, you are ready for your first apprentice. Redflower trained you well, and I expect that you will pass all he taught you on to Rainpaw.”

Silverkit padded forward as Sandstar called her. “Silverkit, from this moment on you shall be known as Silverpaw. Ivypelt, you are also ready for you first apprentice. You will be mentor to Silverpaw, and I know that you will train her as well as Sorrelblaze trained you.” Silverpaw stepped over to her new mentor and touched noses with her. “I’ll make you into the best warrior you can be.” Ivypelt promised quietly.

Aspenflame got to her paws. “Congratulations.” she mewed. “Duskpaw, you ready for battle training?” “Yes!” the orange-brown apprentice mewed excitedly. Silverpaw smiled. That’s me now! She and Ivypelt padded over to Seedwing and Rainpaw. “So, what are we doing first?” the new apprentice mewed.

“This is the border with WindClan. Breathe deeply so you can recognize their scent.” Seedwing mewed to the two apprentices. Like her sister, Silverpaw inhaled the scent of rabbits, wind, and grass, as well as something else that must be WindClan. A small trace of rouge scent reached her nose. Let WindClan deal with it. It wasn’t ThunderClan’s problem. She followed Ivypelt back into the trees.

“How was your first day as an apprentice?” Rosefur asked as Silverpaw padded over to the fresh-kill pile. “Long.” she answered her friend. “But cool! We explored the whole territory. I can’t believe RiverClan actually swims and eats stinky fish!” “Me too!” Rosefur purred. “But at my second Gathering, a RiverClan cat named Wolfpaw-Wolfshade, now-actually caught a fish! It was cool, but he was just showing off. His sister, Daisypelt, says that he’s been a show-off since he was a kit!” Silverpaw purred. “Funny! I wonder who I’ll meet at my first Gathering…” she mewed wistfully. Rosefur smiled. “I won’t be long now. The moon’s nearly full, and most new apprentices and warriors go to hear their names announced by their leaders.” Silverpaw smiled as she took a bite of her mouse.

“Silverpaw!” The apprentice turned to see Rainpaw at the entrance to the apprentices’ den. Our den, now. “Ivypelt said we’re getting up at dawn to train. We’d better go to sleep now!” Rosefur nodded. Saying a quick goodbye to Rosefur, Silverpaw followed Rainpaw into the den. Honeypaw was settling down to sleep. Hazelpaw and Duskpaw were already snoring. Ripplepaw was curled in his nest, eyes open. Silverpaw padded over to a spare spot of moss at one end of the den and curled into it, next to Rainpaw. “Sleep well, Silverpaw.” her sister murmured sleepily. “You too, Rainpaw.” Silverpaw replied.

Silverpaw was padding along a steep gorge Where am I? She’d never seen these hunting grounds before. She was about to give up looking for a way down and go to the forest when she spotted a flash of gray on some rocks. Another cat! She raced down the rocks lightly, as if her paws were made of air. She opened her mouth to call out to the strange cat, but then everything faded to black.

Silverpaw blinked open her eyes. She was lying in her new nest in the apprentices’ den with dawn light seeping through the walls. Around her, the other apprentices were stirring, and sounds of the Clan slipped through the walls. It had been a dream! But Silverpaw was left in her nest with only questions and a new day.