The quarter moon peeked through the tall oak and birch trees, silently illuminating the abandoned quarry below. In the dead of night, the forest rustled and within the rocky walls of the quarry now lay a new kind of life. Cats of varying sizes and pelts made their way to foliage, shrubs and bushes laying along the stone floor. Covered in silver light a small black-caped tom made his way across to another den, following close behind his elderly clanmate
"Oh my dear, you didn't have to come with" mewed Fernblossom, her torbie coat brushing mine softly. "I won't hear of it!" I purred with softly giggling as I nuzzled the elder's cheek.
"I am a medicine cat- erm.. well, I will be after my apprenticeship!" I chirped. Fernblossom smiled, licking my forehead gently. "I'm sure you'll be a wonderful medicine cat, Oakpaw" Fernblossom mewed reassuringly.
Outside the elder's den, we stood. Dark shadows blanketed us as Silverpelt slowly started gathering in the sky. From the darkness of the elder's den peered a small calico tom with warm blue eyes. New-leaf was closing in, the piles and piles of snow now reduced to nothing more than icy cold puddles and small streams throughout our territory and camp. "Oakpaw!" A familiar voice called, his tone echoed throughout the camp. Looking over to him, his grey tabby pelt and silver jaw shone in Starclan's pale light. "Coming Stormjaw!" I called back, turning to Fernblossom. Softback had crept from the den now. His small frame was cloaked in a mixture of pale light and darkness, the white patches of fur turning to silver snowy peaks along his body. "Softback, please make sure Fernblossom gets a good sleep tonight, please," I asked, giving the small tom a gentle smile. He nodded "Alright, come on Fern, let's get some sleep. Wouldn't want your grandkittens to worry" he mewed tiredly looking to his peachy-brown patched companion. She nodded "Goodnight Oakpaw, tell your brother I said to have a good rest" she purred, following Softback into the darkened elder's den. I stood just outside, watching the pair leave before turning away and hopping back to my mentor, his yellow eyes lit up when he noticed my arrival. "Thought you'd never make it for Half-moon" he joked nudging my shoulder. "Yeah Oakpaw! What took you so long?" Crookedpaw poked his head into view, his amber eyes shined brightly tonight, excitement and joy sparking in his gaze "Crookedpaw!? What are you doing here? You should be asleep!" I gasped softly, batting his reddish-brown ear "Hay!" He pulled back, shaking his head
"Well I thought it would be nice to see you off on your second moonpool gathering" he mews flicking my ear playfully. "Oh Yeah!" My body shot up with joy as excitement spread throughout my chest, my tail weaving behind me. Stormjaw looked from me to Crookedpaw with a warm smileo before looking up to the navy sea of stars above us, "It's time, we should go." He meows, nodding to me as he stands and begans to pad away and towards the uphill entrance. I looked at Crookedpaw with a sheepish smile, he nuzzled my cheek affectionately "You'll be alright, Starclan will protect you! Er- As long as you stay within their territories?.." Crookedpaw gave an awkward grin, quickly changing it to one of reassurance "Now go on! You wouldn't wanna be late on your second meeting, would you!" He gave me a rough push towards Stormjaw, the older tom letting out a soft purr, resting his tail on my shoulder and leading the way through the dim light that silver pelt gave us.
"Oakpaw!" I turned around at the sound of my mother's voice, her paw steps growing louder as she sprinted towards us. I looked back ahead to see that Stormjaw wasn't waiting tonight and kept on with his trail towards the camp entrance. A thick coat entangled me as Robinbranch's paws swung around my body, her chin resting upon my head and I could tell that a smile curled her lips "Oakpaw, Look at me" She mewed. I did, turning around to look up at Robinbranch, her eyes were overflowing with pride, joy and love. She kneeled to eye level "Oakpaw, I want you to know this; No matter what happens, whether you choose this path or another. Whether you stay with the clan or leave- I will always. Always. Support you and be by your side no matter the outcome it leads me to. You and Crookedpaw are my sons, and I will give everything and anything to see that you both are happy. Truly Happy. If becoming a medicine cat is what makes you the happiest cat around the lake Oakpaw, then do your best and know that whatever the stars tell you, I'll always be here to listen, worries or no worries"
My lips curled into a large smile as tears pricked my eyes, she bent down touching her nose to my forehead "Thank you, Ma" I purred, butting my head against her's softly. "I love you Oakpaw, with all my heart. From Starclan and back, I love you. Now it's about time you be on your way with Stormjaw before that grump leaves you here!" Gently she pushed me up the base of the hill and towards my waiting mentor.
Meeting back up with Stromjaw he continued leading the way.
I ran up the rocky slope catching up to my mentor as his pace curved uphill towards the entrance, past paw prints patted down the sand and loose dirt, making it easier to climb. At the top of the camp a series of large buches stood between us and the rest of the territory, upon sliding through, sharp thorns and brambles hungrily grabbed my flesh and fur as we padded through the entrance being met with warm green, soft blue and two shades of Amber eyes that now circled us from both sides. Their familiar scent's washing over me. Stormjaw's silhouette nodded to the short one. Her white clouds of fur turning silver, her green eyes met ours as she nodded a wordless greeting -Her companions nodding in turn. "Four newly named warriors, Mossycoat, Ivorywish, Palesong and Rosesun. May Starclan light your paths" He mewed. The four she-cats quietly stomped their paws, letting out soft purrs as we both padded past them.
Our clanmates purring settled down as we padded almost sightlessly through the forest, my paws occasionally scraping against small rocks and roots making me stumble every few steps. Above us was darkness as the treetops sealed us away from the dim lights that Starclan gave, forcing me to walk to the lake barely able to see my own paws in front of me. The forest was silent, the wind gently swayed the branches overhead and made the overgrown undergrowth dance under splotches of moonlight. Songs of crickets began to echo around us and small sparks of flickering flames danced and swirled in the wind.
A glitter of vibrant light shone through the trees, I bolted past Stormjaw. His lengthy tail no longer guiding me as my paws tread towards the shoreline, the glittering light growing stronger as I grew closer until the trees and bushes gave way to soft sand and pebbles under toe. A small shape, silhouetted, sat by the lapping shore. Their messy fur spiked all over making it hard to tell if they were friend or foe, yet strong, warm emotions filled my chest. I knew this cat wasn't a foe, but a dear friend instead. Stormjaw and I shared a glance before walking down the sandy slope to the unknown feline, soft whimpering carried by a gentle breeze reached my ear tips and I froze. "Kinkpaw... Is that you?" I asked, stepping aside to sit beside the sitting cat. He looked up to me with tear-stained cheeks and puffy amber eyes. His black and white ears pulled back in confusion as sadness and grief clouded his eyes. Sniffling, the apprentice nodded "Yes.. it's me.." he mewed, his voice cracked. Stormjaw padded over sitting next to him "Kinkpaw, Where is Streamfish? Nevermind that- What is wrong to make you so upset little one?" Stormjaw asked.
Kinkpaw looked up "S-Streamfish didn't wake up today.." Kinkpaw sniffled "She said she wasn't feeling well and went for a nap, but then Sunset came, so I went to wake her" He stopped, fresh tears now streamed down his cheeks as he leaned into himself "But- But she wouldn't wake up, and- and I got Jaggedscar and Kestralstar but they told me that Streamfish was at the moonpool now.." Kinkpaw stopped and heel over, falling into the water with a small splash.
My heart sank, it cracked and nearly broke. I looked over to Stormjaw, curious about what he'd do and with a heavy heart I watched but he simply grabbed the apprentice's scruff. Pulling him out of the lapping current and propping him on the sandy, pebbly shore. "Come, we must go to the Moonpool. There you may find answers" he mewed softly resting his tail on the mourning apprentice's shoulder, his dark grey pelt now shone silver as we padded along the lake's lapping shore.
The more ground we trotted past the closer to Windclan's border we got until finally stopping at the ever rushing river which bordered Thunderclan and Windclan. Across the river was Harefluff, Blizzardface and another she-cat with a snowy calico coat, the trio patiently waiting atop a tall ledge dancing with tall grass and bushes, the scent of the moorland filled my nostrils, my neck fur arose from the strange smells, the urge to reel away was faint but it was still there. I wrinkled my nose as Thunderclan and Windclan's scent collided, mixing with the stronger scent of heather and mist. Stormjaw looked back to both of us with a stern expression "Be Careful. Keep ahead of me and make sure to keep near to crossing boulders. If you need help or you think you can't make it, call for Blizzardface or Snowleaf. They'll help you" He explained softly, looking over to Kinkpaw.
"Kinkpaw, since you're more experienced you'll swim first; Oakpaw watch Kinkpaw carefully and keep your head high above the current." he mewed quickly nudging the brown and black apprentice in the water, followed up with me and then himself.
My heart raced at the feeling of my shoulders being submerged, the cold water splashing in my face, my thick fur flowing with the current and the thought of possibly drowning made my heart sink to depths that even the lake couldn't possibly reach. Yet I stared wide-eyed at the older apprentice as he effortlessly swam from one boulder to the other until being pulled out by Blizzardface on the other side. My chest hurt and my paws grasped at the loose rocks and pebbles along the river bed. My thoughts spun as the rushing water forced my body to sway toward the lake and pointed stones along the way. I backed away in fear, my ears held firmly to my head as my paws pushed away any rocks or pebbles they could before backing into Stormjaw. Looking up briefly, a soft shove pressed against my shoulder as the older feline pushed me forwards but kept his body firmly close to mine, in a way that kept me from being swept downstream. Halfway across I struggled to keep my head above the water, my paws barely touching the riverbed stones. The cold liquid threatened to engulf me. Dark shadows crossing my vision as cold lapping water splashed my face soaking the fur around my right eye.
Small pebbles shuffled under my cold pads, my forepaw slipped, the strong current pushed my leg sideways. Losing my balance I swiftly fell with a meek splash in the coursing current, "Oakpaw-!!"
Was all I heard as darkness covered my already spotty vision. My fur was soaked as the weightlessness of the rushing current swept past me. My chest hurt and my lungs burned and ached with the need for air, the need to breathe as a few air bubbles escaped my lips floating away with the current. Firm jaws grabbed my scruff, I gasped for air, my lungs greedily expanding for more. "Take him!"
Soft grumbling, then another set of jaws grabbed my scruff, hot breathing quickly drying my neck fur. My body was like stone, my thick fur clung to the cold water desperately before dripping back down. My fur was fattened along my body as the warm air mixed with the cold water, creating freezing temperatures as if I was swimming during a snowstorm without any fur. I was placed upon a patch of soft grass, reopening my eyes I gasped as warmth quickly re-entered my cold, shivering, wet body. In front of me was Stormjaw, concern clouding his usually clear eyes as he gazed at me "Oakpaw, Are you alright?" he asked, shuffling closer sniffing my foreleg, behind him was Blizzardface, Harefluff and Kinkpaw all looking over the grey tabby tom as he gave me a few more quick sniffs pulling away. Staring at me his ears twitched and his tail moved from side to side. "I- I'm fine" I reassured, forcing myself to stand, Stormjaw nodded hesitantly and stood up after me, looking at both Windclan and Riverclans medicine cats. The two older medicine cats, a large thick furred silver and white tabby tom known as Blizzardface and a short but curly furred brown and white tom named Harefluff both looked me over
"Shall we continue?" Blizzardface mewed gesturing upwind towards the moonpool.
Nodding Stormjaw curled his lanky tail over my back and we continued our journey to the sacred pool. Soft grass brushed against my pads with every step, the river below grew further away as we tread upwind with the rocky terrain. The quarter-moon shone ever brightly as if it were a full moon, the stars gathered near and far as the moon climbed to its highest peak in the dark endless lake of starry warriors.
We crossed rocky stones and steep drops that lead into the coursing waters, the closer we got, paw prints from medicine cats and leaders long before us appeared guiding our way until an ever steep, smooth path emerged from the foliage. Large stones clawed their way up to the sky, crookedly entangled with vines of thorns and rose's, blooming buds partly closed in slumber.
'Last time I was so focused on myself, I didn't bother to see the way here...' I thought feeling slightly disappointed in myself.
I arched my back rubbing it against the tallest stone as the ground dipped into a small hollow clawed into the earth. I felt pride spark inside my chest and a smug smirk crossing my lips 'It was Thunderclan that found the Moonpool!'
With a swift glance back Stormjaw flicked his tail across my face, I stumbled at the sudden motion reeling back, confused and annoyed- mildly shocked even. "Oakpaw, These grounds belong to Starclan. Very few have the spirit to enter here because these grounds don't belong to any of us until after we die." His tone was smooth, haunting even, but his gaze glittered with shallow disappointment 'What did I do to earn that look?' I questioned myself looking elsewhere.
As we continued, paw prints began to clustered close, my pads easily slipping into each and every step that was carved into the stone floor, the air around me was freezing cold as puffs of warm air escaped my nose and mouth and yet even with my soaking pelt and chilling air, a warm sensation engulfed me as if I was back in camp. It was as if clanmates were gathered around me warming my body, keeping me from the chill of the air, of the waters, of the seasons. I took a deep breath, blinking my eyes as they fell upon the open pool. The soft rippling of a series of tiny waterfalls echoed from within the enclosed space, around fireflies danced across moonshining water with depths clearer than the lake itself. Standing at its shoreline I gasped as tall white crystals clawed their way out of the pond, sheltered in reeds and moss. Moonlight bounced off, one by one making the pond itself shine in beauty alone. 'No wonder this belongs to Starclan... It shines almost brighter than they do' I thought in awe.
A soft coat brushed past mine, "You're the new apprentice... Yeah?"
I tore my eyes away from the scenery, my glance falling upon a Riverclan she-cat, her milky amber eyes grew wide. I nodded quickly humming in tune. She tilted her head "Hello?"
I twitched my ear in confusion, feeling another body press itself against my side "you know young one, it's rude to stay silent when you're speaking to the sightless"
"You're blind!?" I squeaked jumping in surprise, I stared at the snowy calico. "Umm..."
"I'm Snowleaf, one of Riverclan's medicine cats. I wasn't here last time to meet you" She purred stepping closer sniffing me, her muzzle less than a nose away from mine. My heart skipped a beat, flinching away. "Rude." The silver and white tabby mewed.
'I'm not!' My thoughts snapped "I'm Oakpaw. I'm Stormjaw's apprentice"
Her round ears perked up "Stormjaw got an apprentice?.. Wonder when Harefuff's gonna get one" She thought aloud, I don't think it was directed at me tho.
"It's time" Mewed a rough voice. Blizzardface and Snowleaf pushed past me lining up to the pool's clear sandy edge. My tail swayed back and forth on the sand, I began padding over to Stormjaw standing beside him as he lay down. I followed his lead and soon Windclan's pale brown and white speckled tom came and laid down beside me. He gave me an old happy grin nodding his head and touching his nose to the pool's lapping edge.
"Quit staring and do the same" Stormjaw insisted, touching the crystal pool with his nose. I did, leaning down and touching the pool's frosty surface with my nose, a cool shiver ran through my body and down my spine and tail making my fur stand on end.
Around me the darkness surrounds me as the nothingness of sleep comforts me. My heart pounding heavy in my chest as my legs ached to run, to dash, to sprint, to jump, to leap, to do anything more than just float in the darkness of nothing...
Suddenly, soft blades of tall grass and ferns brushed against my body swaying gently in the wind… in the wind?
Flicking my ears, a soft gulp echoed from my throat as I slowly opened my eyes. A blinding light bathed me without warning. I blinked rapidly to adjust to the new lighting of the starry clearing I now laid in. Standing across from me was a star-dusted she-cat with blank white eyes, she was black and brown with speckles dotting her face and back with silver paws and ears. She stood tall in the grassy meadow before pulling her head back in a friendly gesture, bounding away to its grassy edge. She met with another Warrior. A large ginger tabby tom with white forepaws and those same blank bright eyes.
With a sideways glance, I saw no-one else near; with an awkward stumble, I sat up quickly chasing after them. They both turned and began padding into the undergrowth and slowly out of sight, I traced after the odd burdock root and herbal scent which followed, lazily hanging undergrowth and low hung branches brushed against my body, the soft leaves reminded me of Thunderclan and the tall ever-looming oaks and birches which protected us; Closer I got the stronger their scent became until finally stepping through the last of the small forest and into the edge of a larger clearing. My mentor, Stormjaw sat together with the other medicine cats sitting below a medium-sized boulder with the starclan she-cat standing above them. A soft purr quickly rose in my throat; making a dashing leap forward and landing softly between the clustered medicine cats plopping myself next to the grey and white jawed tabby.
She stood up, her chest puffed out, her head and tail held high; and a proud smile softened her features, clearing her throat "Kinkpaw, will you please stand before me" She announced, the older apprentice stepped forwards, his amber eyes were wide and a single tear dripped down his face, his mouth was agape in a mixture of strong hurtful emotions. It clicked.. 'This she-cat, was Streamfish... Shadowclans previous medicine cat, and..-' His thoughts were cut off as the starclan she-cat began. "Kinkpaw, before tonight I watched for moons as you grew and learned everything I could teach you about becoming a medicine cat. I've seen as you struggled with the loss of fellow clanmates, I've witnessed you rejoice in silent success once an injured clanmate awoke. I've taught you more than a lifetime of lessons within our short time together and tonight I am proud to announce you a full medicine cat. we will guide your path from here on, but remain faithful in your own abilities as well. From now until you join starclan, you will be known as Kinkleap. May you run swift as any mouse and have a keen sense in herbs and finding them-"
As she spoke, Streamfish's body began to fade slowly with each passing moment. her voice started fading; Kinkpaw- Kinkleap stood up swiftly and reached a paw out to her, but she stayed still as the ground around the boulder she stood upon started cracking and crumbling apart; with large taller boulders and stones breaking through the dirt and climbing to their rightful place within the clearing. Four of these boulders stood above us, Streamfish's words became soundless, drowned out by the surprised gasps and crumbling rocks. The air became thick with fog as a strong wind blew around us. Blizzardface reached out yanking Kinkleap backwards into the newly forming circle, the older cats surrounding me and him. I crouched with my tail tightly wound around my paws, tucking into myself wide eyed as I glanced between the legs of the circling medicine cats.
Ears pulled back and my head tucked behind my tail, Everything stopped. Without warning everything just stopped. The boulders stopped and the thick fog stopped rolling; By the time it all stopped, Sreamfish vanished..
Above us now stood four cats, their eyes shone within the darkness and their voices spoke strongly. Their voices rang apart, steady, strong, and powerful. Above these four cats stood tall loaming creatures. Standing atop the furthest stone the large ginger and white pawed tabby tom he had seen before, who now stood above him; with a huge rolling thunder cloud, lightning striking every which way and two piercingly bright yellow eyes shone startlingly from inside the mass of thunderclouds. Beside him was a tall black she-cat who sat still above them all; Her shadow loamed ever tall above her with a large grin across its blank shadowy face, an upsidedown crescent moon with an unblinking scarlet eye and rolling purple clouds loomed over us in the clearing. I gasped in awe and fright, trying to crouch even lower with my belly pressed onto the ground beneath me.
Her next companion who sat upon its united stone was a short, lean warrior. She had pale brown fur with tabby limbs and face; Standing above her was a large- odd serpent made of foliage with golden wings that shielded both she-cats, its face was covered in flowers and six independent wings. Its golden legs disappearing behind the fog. Lastly was a silver tom with a sleek but thick looking coat; his shadow produced a large lake blue fish with a curling smile and starry scales.
With every heartbeat of silence I spent gaping up at these four mystical cats I noticed that none of them were opening their eyes as they now spoke. One by one in the order once described they spoke, their eyes opening to a void.
"After the berries are poisoned and the first Snow falls, the Winds and Shadows shall rage against Storms and the Rivers will battle-"
"It is when all hope is forgotten that four of your own young must fight back to bring the little peace that remains…"
"But be wary on this Journey, for after the Jaggedstag runs swift, the Storms will encourage flooding of the Stream."
"Only then when the battle is done… that the clans can truly be at peace; but first acceptance must be won"
The fog began rolling, swirling, spiralling around us like a gust of wind that trapped us. I stepped back into Stormjaw, feeling his tail curve over my back but that feeling of safety soon vanished as he and the others soon started fading, leaving me in the ever strong eye of this storm. I panicked. Stepping back further and further until finally stopping at the sense of another cat. I shot back with a smile that would soon fade; Behind me stood no feline, instead, it was a tall Star-shaped creature with an icy blue eye at its core. It stood upon two long-legged bird feet with wings folded to its side. From behind him, the swirling fog emitted endlessly, circling them together. "You can not escape." It spoke, stepping forward.
"When the time comes, the clans must face what they have created" Its voice rang throughout the tunnelling fog, I took another step back, feeling the damp fog brush past my tail "Fight for Peace! Else Die for war!!" It screamed, the ground beneath my paws crumbled into itself. I fell into the darkness.
My heart raced pumping blood to my paws and ears rushing and pounding against my bones; I shot awake panting heavily, body trembling. Kinkpaw- leap. Kinkleap was across from me sobbing and leaning against Snowleaf's white calico pelt, her blind eyes meeting mine 'Is she really blind?' I wondered if she could see me somehow.
Taking a deep breath I stood up and shakily padded over to my mentor and the Windclan medicine cat, worry and concerned pooling deep in their eyes "What can we do? This has to be a prophecy! But-" Stormjaw started "What can we do? We have no clue as to what our ancestors are trying to tell us." Blizzardface argued joining in "The most we can do is wait for the signs" Harefluff meowed tiredly, still visibly shaken from tonight's event.
"What if it's too late by then and this prophecy sets into motion before we even see it coming?" Snowleaf argued "The least we can do is prepare! Let's warn our leaders and begin gathering herbs, this prophecy could mean anything! What's worse is that it's the first leaders which gave us this telling" her voice stung with determination, her ears pulled back defensively. "Snowleaf you have no evidence to say thse cats are our founders!" Stormjaw excliamed to her. "Yes I do. Couldn't you smell it!? That fog that began to entrap us all, it smelt of nothing more then pure clan scent!"
"Enough." Blizzardface's tone shut both medicine cats down instantly. His old blue eyes staring her down "Let's not panic our clanmates until we know for sure that this Prophecy means danger for all the clans" He stated to his peers. Stormjaw and Harefluff nodded in agreement, while Snowleaf hissed back at them turning her attention back to weeping Kinkleap.
"Where do we go from here?" I asked Stormjaw, my chest was heavy with uncertainty, his eyes met mine, their yellow pools filled with the same emotion, clearing his throat "For now we wait. We'll wait until this prophecy is put into motion before telling our leaders" He explained softly. Everyone except a few including myself nodded in agreement. "Okay" He sighed "Oakpaw, let's go back to camp we got a long day tomorrow" His tone quivered as we began our journey back to the safety of Thunderclan, I began remembering what that Star-like bird had said ' "You cannot escape" " When the time comes, the clans must face what they have created" "Fight for Peace. Else Die for War!" 'What did it mean by all that? That the clans won't escape from this, danger?' I thought following Stormjaw and the others back down to the river. I began to ponder and soon wondered if I should tell Stormjaw about this encounter...
Soon I decided agaisnt it, thinking back to Robinbranchs words '"Oakpaw, I want you to know this; No matter what happens, whether you choose this path or another, whether you stay with the clan or leave- I will always. Always. Support you and be by your side no matter the outcome it leads me. You and Crookedpaw are my sons, and I will give everything and anything to see that you both are happy. Truly Happy. If becoming a medicine cat is what makes you the happiest cat around the lake Oakpaw, then do your best and know that whatever the stars tell you, I'll always be here to listen, worries or no worries" A smile crept onto my lips. I decided then that mother was the best cat I can tell this night to. Some cat needs to know before it to late..
'If stormjaw won't tell Dovestar then maybe me and Robinbranch will get through that she-cats thick head!'