|
Post by flamexcat on Sept 6, 2009 22:44:44 GMT -5
Watching in eerie silence as one by one the cats around him laid down and pressed there noses to the stone, the young apprentice took a few steps forward, white fur glimmering a brilliant silver in the light. Its not like he didn't know what to expect, after all Cloverleaf had vaguely explained what would happen earlier, but now seeing the cats lay still as stone made him shiver. Waiting as the green eyed she-cat settled down beside the Moonrock, Falconpaw attempted to appear calm and collected, though inside he was jumping with wonder. "Don't worry. They will accept you, I am certain of that." Not sure how to reply, he just nodded and listened to Cloverleafs last few words before she touched the strange rock and went still. Taking a deep breath, Falconpaw laid down, paws tucked under his chest. "Okay, just do as Cloverleaf said," He told himself mentally, eyes narrowing in determination. Than ever so slowly he reached forward and pressed his pink feline nose to the surface. Like a rod of lightening shooting up his spine, an icy cold grip washed over the tom and before he could utter a word his world was plunged into darkness...
To afraid to open his eyes, Falconpaw kept them squeezed shut, his shoulders tense afraid that if he opened them he would see nothing. Only when he thought he felt solid ground beneath his paws did he dare to crack open one eye lid. For a moment he thought he was in Windclan territory and in confusion both of his golden orbs snapped open to see moorland grass swaying before him. Large white ears pricking, he shook himself and sat up, all senses alert. For a moment he thought he was alone, and he was about to call out when suddenly he thought he heard the grass rustle behind him. Startled, he spun around, breath coming fast, but what he saw awed him. There, only a few tail-lengths away from his face, stood a cat, his face the picture of pride. Alarmed, Falconpaw studied the figure before him. It was a tall handsome tom cat, his fur bright white and sparkling, tail held high behind him with dignity. "Greetings young one," came a voice, smooth as water. Realizing it was the cat whom had spoken, the Windclan apprentice let his gaze wonder up to the tom's face. Instantly he found himself staring into twin orbs, blue as the brightest sky. "Are you a...Starclan cat?" Falconpaw muttered, voice hardly louder than the breezes surrounding them. Giving him a warm smile, the older tom nodded, "Yes, I am Whiteweed, warrior of Starclan, former deputy of Windclan and father of Heatherheart." Staring in disbelief, Falconpaw peered closer at the warrior, "your my....my grandfather?" Still smiling, Whiteweed nodded and took a few paces forward until he was placing his tail tip on the smaller cats shoulder. "Of course Falconpaw," he replied, pride glowing in his features. Than in a softer tone he added, "your mother would be proud." Sitting up at the mention of Heatherheart Falconpaw looked at the Starclan cat hopefully, "mother...is she here?" Letting out a purr of amusement, Whiteweed stood and padded a few paces, tail beckoning Falconpaw to follow. Suddenly more eager than ever, Falconpaw sprang to his paws and bounded after him. As soon as he had caught up, Whiteweed turned and together the two white cats began to trek down a thin trail. As they walked, the medicine cat apprentice couldn't help but notice Whiteweed left a trail of starry prints behind him. Curious, though not wanting to ask, Falconpaw focused on the footing ahead and padded alongside his grandfather. It didn't take long before they came to a hillside and upon descending it, Falconpaw's eyes widened to moons as he witnessed the crowed of Starclan cats gathered below. Like Whiteweeds, there pelt's glittered with stars, together forming what he guessed would have been a glittering beacon in the beautiful night. But before he could ask, Whiteweed was already leading him among them, Falconpaw watching in amazement as the parted to let him pass. Naturally he searched for a familiar white pelt, but to his dismay, he did not spot the cat he was looking for. Sighing, he turned his attention back to the way ahead and was surprised to see that Cloverleaf was sitting at the end of the pathway, two unfamiliar cats beside her. And, if he wasn't mistaken, he could see another cat coming to sit with them as well, a small tabby pelted cat, though he couldn't be sure.
|
|
Barketh
Queen
Ahehe... I just like the dog =)
Posts: 359
|
Post by Barketh on Sept 6, 2009 23:15:19 GMT -5
The she-cat was swept into shadows as her body numbed, and she felt a soft breeze rustling her fur. Shifting slightly, she opened her eyes, lifting her head as she looked up at the starry sky, mixed into a milky navy as she stood up slowly. Lush green grass swayed underpaw, and torquoise eyes looked around in search of a familiar ancestor's face, but she saw noone. Slightly confused, she shook herself, taking several steps forward until a voice caused her to turn. "Greetings, Whisperrain. It has been a long time." The voice was soft and comforting, and she turned, feeling warmth overcome her as she recognized Driftclaw, a former friend of hers whom had died in battle. She smiled at the tom, stepping forward to touch noses with him before sitting back down. "Is it just you tonight?" She asked politely, eyes shining happily despite her apparent calm. The tom shrugged and smiled at her. "Yes. Hawkflash wanted to come, but he had other business." For a brief moment, the she-cat thought she saw a shadow pass over the tom's gaze, but it was gone before she could be sure. However, the tom's gaze darkened slightly, and she wondered if there was something he wasn't telling her yet. Before she could ask though, he answered her question. "Whisperrain, even you know well enough that I didn't come here for no reason. A great darkness is coming to the clans. A secret that will tear the clans and split loyalties from the inside. Be prepared, Whisperrain; for not even the strongest of herbs can heal the poison that is to come." The she-cat stiffened, but she didn't quite understand what the tom meant. Yet, she knew better than to ask him. Starclan had a way of always averting a direct answer, and she just nodded solemnly in turn. "Then I will be ready for it. Thank you, Driftclaw." The tom smiled sadly at her before standing up and backing away until his pelt was consumed in the shadows. As he left, she felt a silence hang heavily in the air, and she sighed, turning back around to look at the stars. Wondering why it was she had not yet woken up if Starclan's message had already been delivered, she felt a shudder run up her spine and she spun around, eyes widening as she was sucked into a darkness she had not expected. Suddenly she was falling, shadows flitting across her vision, and then her eyes flickered open. Expecting to see herself in Mother-Mouth with the other Medicine Cats around her, the silver cat was unsettled as she found herself in a forest of shadows, surrounded by dark looming pines, the moon and stars nowhere in sight. In fact, she couldn't even see the sky, which would've at least provided her some form of comfort. As she rose, she heard the fronds on her left rustle, and she turned, body going rigid as her eyes widened in a mixture of disbelief and shock. Standing before her was a small sandy she-cat with green eyes that seemed anguished, as though she was suffering. "Lightshed!" She hissed, claws flashing out instinctively despite her calm character. Fur bristling, a threatening growl erupted from her chest, and before she could control herself, she'd lunged at the she-cat, jaws opening to bite through flesh. However, as she landed on empty air, she spun in time to see the she-cat aiming a blow at her shoulder. Yet she couldn't dodge in time, and she was thrown across the clearing, slamming hard into the ground and staggering upright once more. "You traitor! What do you think you're doing here?" She snarled, fangs gleaming as her eyes took on an uncharacteristic hostility. However, Lightshed's face remained calm, much to Whisperrain's agitation. "What am I doing here? Why, what are you doing here, Whisperrain? After all, you did come here because you wanted to see me; did you not?" She smiled softly, and it only lit the medicine cat's fury on fire. Tail lashing back and forth, she hissed, "Why would anyone want to see you? You betrayed us, you betrayed me!" Snarling, she leaped forward, this time aiming to hit the she-cat head-on. However, she missed again as the cat jumped nimbly out of the way, tail swishing in amusement. "Calm yourself, Whisperrain. Is that any way to treat your mentor?" "I'm not an apprentice anymore. I'll make you feel all the pain you put me through!" Attacking once more, this time the silver she-cat was taken aback as her mentor suddenly slammed into her side, knocking her to the ground, talons sinking into her skin. Strangely, she felt a rush of satisfaction at the idea that she could now fight her mentor and make her pay for her lies. However, despite her size advantage, she couldn't manage to land a blow on Lightshed, and she was hurled backwards, struggling upright, panting as blood dripped from multiple scratches on her pelt, ear bleeding from a bite-mark. Still, she was persistent and refused to give up. With a furious snarl, she threw herself at her mentor, only to be tossed to the side, this time by a tom who had arrived unexpectedly. Her strength gone, she trembled, forcing herself to stand. Yet her limbs no longer were capable of moving, and she collapsed once more, breathless as she glared furiously at the two. Tom and she-cat stood side by side, staring down at the medicine cat. "Swiftfall, leave this to me. She was my student, after all." Lightshed meowed calmly, flicking her tail at the tom as he nodded silently and backed up. Stepping lightly, she approached Whisperrain, crouching down in front of the she-cat, an emotionless look in her eyes. "Let me tell you this, Whisperrain. I didn't go to Starclan when I died. I went here, to the Dark Forest, because I broke the Warrior Code. Yet I do not regret it for one moment, because I lived a happy life with Swiftfall. If you really cared about me, you would've overlooked your own selfish, feelings of betrayal and would've been happy for me. Now go, awaken, and keep this in mind. My one true regret was that I did not tell you, the one cat I never wanted to hurt, that I was never meant to follow the path of a Medicine Cat. Go on, Whisperrain. Make Shadowclan proud of a cat they can trust, but do not forget. I never meant to hurt you, and though I doubt you can ever come to forgive me... I'm sorry." Standing up, the she-cat turned and walked away side-by-side with the tom until they had vanished into the bushes. Pain erupted in the she-cat's body, and she cursed, feeling waves of frustration and sorrow wash over her until she lay still, only able to sob angrily at the enemy she was unable to fight. Darkness poked at her eyes, until she fell into a dark sleep, only to awaken with a jolt as a bright fire exploded in her mind, and she opened her eyes, staring at the Moonstone. Carefully rising her throbbing head, she looked around her, feeling relieved to see herself surrounded by her fellow Medicine Cats. Cloverleaf and Falconpaw both appeared to still be deep in sleep, and she glanced over at where Honeypaw and Creamtail were dreaming. [/center]
|
|
|
Post by lilybolt on Sept 7, 2009 11:13:32 GMT -5
Cloverleaf looked over her shoulder, and saw that her apprentice was padding up a bright path to meet them. He must have had other cats he needed to see first, of coarse. Thought the medicine cat. She flicked her tail, beckoning her apprentice. "Thistlefur, this is my new apprentice, Falconpaw. He is a noble and good hearted young cat. I present him to you, as well as the other cats of Starclan gathered with us, so that you may judge him and deem him worthy of these responsibilities." Cloverleaf finished her ceremonious words with her head held firmly and proud. Her light green eyes flashed with the obvious certainty that her apprentice would be accepted. She glanced at her mother, and felt slightly abashed to see the she-cat was giggling at her daughter. Cloverleaf let her proud glow dull a bit. Thistlefur nodded and walked over to Falconpaw. "Falconpaw. You seek the job of medicine cat one day. Why is this your choice? Why have you chosen not to become a warrior, as most young clan toms do?" The Starclan tom asked these questions in a calm voice, his meow was steady and even. His eyes were bright and friendly. Thistlefur never had been good at concealing his good natured attitude. Even when he was supposed to hide it for a judgment of a young cat...
|
|
|
Post by flamexcat on Sept 7, 2009 12:04:59 GMT -5
Coming to a halt in front of the three cats, Falconpaw gazed at them, tail flickering anxiously. Realizing he could no longer feel the presence of Whiteweed beside him, he shifted nervously trying to keep his features calm. There was something about the strong tom cat that made him feel safe, and he had so many questions for him! Trying to concentrate on Cloverleafs words, he glanced at Thistlefur when his mentor spoke and dipped his head in respect before continuing to wait. Than suddenly before he knew it, Thistlefur was stepping forward and he had to hold back the urge to shrink away from the stranger. "Falconpaw. You seek the job of medicine cat one day. Why is this your choice? Why have you chosen not to become a warrior, as most young clan toms do?" Falconpaw blinked and opened his mouth a few times as if rolling the words around in his mouth. It was than that he thought of his mother, and eager to look as important as the cats around him, held his chin higher. "I want to become a medicine cat someday because I believe it is right for me to try my hardest to save the lives of my clan-mates. I want to be useful in a way that won't shed there blood, and I want to be wise in there times of need," He meowed boldly, his anxiety draining as he thought of his aspiration. From the corner of his eye his glimpsed a pair of sky blue eyes staring proudly and he instantly knew that Whiteweed was watching him.
|
|
|
Post by Yachiru <3 on Sept 7, 2009 13:31:46 GMT -5
Creamtail stoof there in a field filled of blood and dead cats. She chocked back a yowl and closed her eyes. When she opened them she was in the same place, yet a silvery shape loomed far away. She tried to walk toward it, yet she couldn't move. she called to the shape. What is this place? the shape was suddenly at her face, an ugly, deformed face. She didn't even flinch at the cat but started crying as she reconized him. Venomtail! she choked out. She remembered all the memories of them together when she was an apprentice. They loved each other and she grieved more than she should have when he died. She remembered seeing his cold, mutilated body and his cold scratched out eyes as they brought his body back from the battle with ShadowClan. "I have to tell you something. That is why I have brought you here." Where am I? Creamtail whispered hoarsly. "You are at the battle field where I died. All this blood is mine. Because of my affair with you, I am forced to relive this moment forever. You will have the same fate unless you work harder than ever before!" He started to fade. Venomtail no! she cried as she watched him disappear before her eyes. When she woke she was at the stone again. She started crying, something she had never done in front of anyone before. she just layed there and cried.
|
|
|
Post by lilybolt on Sept 7, 2009 17:24:36 GMT -5
Cloverleaf smiled. Her apprentice's words were bold, honest, and well selected. She watched as Thistlefur thought for a moment. "You are an honest cat. You speak from your heart. I trust you will not regret the choice you have made. Further more, I believe you will make a great apprentice to Cloverleaf." he smiled at Falconpaw. "What say the other Starclan witnesses?" he asked, turning his gaze upon the others gathered together to watch. There was a resounding cheer of approval. "Falconpaw, you are officially the Medicine cat Apprentice of Windclan." Thistlefur meowed, and he dipped his head so his nose touched Falconpaw's shoulder. "May you serve Windclan well." he then turned to Cloverleaf. "And may you teach him everything you can, as I did for you." He smiled and gave cloverleaf one last affectionate nuzzle. Betty stepped forward and nuzzled her daughter. "See you at the next Half Moon!" she purred. Cloverleaf smiled and waved her tail goodbye to them all.
Cloverleaf awoke in the middle of the cavern, to find that Whisperrain was already awake. Cloverleaf gave the Shadowclan medicine cat a friendly smile. She then looked back to her apprentice. Her now, official, apprentice.
|
|
Barketh
Queen
Ahehe... I just like the dog =)
Posts: 359
|
Post by Barketh on Sept 7, 2009 17:57:32 GMT -5
Swallowing her lingering fear from the dream, the she-cat looked up as Cloverleaf stirred and awoke. When the she-cat smiled at her, she forced herself to smile back, and she hoped she didn't look as uneasy as she felt. Whisperrain never lost her calm; what would someone think if they saw her in a worried state? "Creamtail and Honeypaw are still asleep, I believe." She meowed softly so as not wake the two. Looking up, she erased her own doubts and smiled genuinely at mentor and apprentice. "I'm sure Falconpaw will make Starclan proud." She purred, voice a whisper in the cave. [/center]
|
|
|
Post by lilybolt on Sept 9, 2009 10:33:40 GMT -5
Cloverleaf smiled at Whisperrain kindly. "Thanks. I know he will." she couldn't help but purr these words, though softly, so her apprentice could not later complain that she mushed over him. The gray and white she-cat, unsure of what else to do, sat down and stared at the great stone. She realized only then that she had not asked about Thornstrike, and if he was to become a problem for her clan. However, Cloverleaf pushed those worries from her mind. If he were going to become a real threat, she was certain that Thistlefur would have given her some form of a warning. Cloverleaf took a calming breath, and continued her wait for the others to rise.
|
|
|
Post by flamexcat on Sept 9, 2009 17:09:22 GMT -5
Trying to appear patient in the silence that followed his answer, Falconpaw stared up at Thistlefur hopefully. "You are an honest cat. You speak from your heart. I trust you will not regret the choice you have made. Further more, I believe you will make a great apprentice to Cloverleaf." Smiling lightly at the former medicine cats answer, Falconpaw gazed up at the smiling tom, listening as he continued to speak. When he heard the Starclan cats cheer his approval, the young white tom dipped his head in deep respect as Thistlefurs nose touched his shoulder, struggling to hold back his happiness. "Thank you, I will do everything I can to make you proud," He meowed, loud enough for the cats around him to hear. Than, stepping back, he watched as Thistlefur and the second cat, whom he didn't recognize bid there farewells to Cloverleaf. Sighing, his golden orbs widened in surprise to find that the cats and landscape around him where dissolving into mist. Gaping fearfully, he jumped to his paws, there voices growing farther and farther away until suddenly all but him had gone. Now the only sounds being that of the breeze and rustling stocks of grass, Falcon paw looked around nervously. "Thistlefur...Cloverleaf?" He murmured out loud, heart thumping against his chest. "Peace Falconpaw." Twisting his head, Falconpaw relaxed when he found that Whiteweed was sitting only a few paces behind him. Letting out a long breath of air, the white apprentice stared at Whiteweed, "where did everyone go-" he stopped abruptly when he noticed two cats sitting next to his grandfather. One of them was the small gray tabby he had seen before, and the other a beautiful white she-cat. "...Mother?" Falconpaw whispered hopefully, eyes locked on the she-cat. Smiling warmly, Heatherheart gazed lovingly at her only son, "oh how I have missed you Falconpaw," she replied, voice like birdsong. Unable to hold back his emotions, Falconpaw let a loud purr erupt from his throat before both parent and offspring embraced each other, the white queen covering him with tender licks. "I...I never thought I'd see you again!" He sputtered, breathing in her flowery scent as he nuzzled the thick white fur. Running her long tail across his side, Heatherheart seemed to glow with joy, "I have always been with you...and I will never leave you my son," she whispered. To happy to express in words, Falconpaw kept his head laying on her shoulder, memories of his kit hood coming back to him. Finely the two pulled apart and the former Windclan queen spoke, "I am so proud of you...we all are," Heatherheart murmured, stepping back so he could see the two toms beside her. Whiteheart closed his eyes and purred while the small tabby stepped forward. "Greetings, I am Thrushfoot, once medicine cat of Windclan" He said politely, deep blue eyes gazing curiously at Falconpaw. Wondering what he had to say, Falconpaw nodded, "hello," he replied. But before he could say anything else, Whiteweed meowed, "Thrushfoot is Heatherhearts brother, your uncle, he will be there to guide you in times of need when Cloverleaf is unable." Whiskers twitching, Falconpaw glanced at Whiteweed, and than at Thrushfoot. The small cat looked wise beyond his years, and his blue dyed gaze held a friendly sparkle that made him trust the Starclan tom. Looking back at his white furred grandfather, the medicine cat apprentice nodded once to approve. Smiling Whiteweed laid his tail on Falconpaws shoulder, "good, now this is where we must leave you young apprentice." Suddenly feeling depressed at the thought of leaving them, Falconpaw frowned, " But I..." "There is no need to fret, we will always be watching over you, and we will be awaiting your next visit," The warrior meowed, and before Falconpaw could even protest, the tom cat began to grow fainter and fainter until he was barely visible. "No don't...don't go!" He yowled, spinning around to see that Thrushfoot and Heatherheart had gone as well. Now standing alone, Falconpaw blinked and before he knew it, everything was going black...
Golden eyes flickering open, he instantly knew he was back in the small cavern. Slowly sitting up, Falconpaw sighed and looked up to see Whisperrain and Cloverleaf had already awoken. His muscles stiff, the apprentice shivered, every inch of him feeling as though he had been drenched in Ice water. Yet at the same time he was overjoyed, and couldn't help but wonder if they where looking down at him right now.
|
|
|
Post by lilybolt on Sept 10, 2009 18:47:19 GMT -5
Cloverleaf heard the sounds of movement near her, and looked over to see that her newly accepted apprentice was waking from his visit with the cats of Starclan. She gave him a proud smile, and couldn't help but see that his eyes seemed full of emotion. She couldn't place any of it though, and she guessed he must still be in awe of the cats he had met or something....She blinked at Falconpaw, and flicked her tail at the still slumbering cats around them. Her eyes indicated that they would wait for the others to wake up.
OOC: Sorry. Very short...
|
|
|
Post by honeypaw on Sept 10, 2009 19:30:17 GMT -5
Honeypaws eyes shot open with a sharp flash of fear before they narrowed slightly and her fur began to stiffen which she forced to relax as the emotion of fear in her eyes faded to a blank stare. Her paws scrapped softly against the stone as she sat up with glances at the other medicine cats and dipped her head slightly waiting for one to lead the way out and quickly follow.
|
|
Barketh
Queen
Ahehe... I just like the dog =)
Posts: 359
|
Post by Barketh on Sept 10, 2009 19:52:59 GMT -5
Smiling in satisfaction as she noted that every cat had awoken, she rose, stretching silver limbs before rising and glancing over at her fellow medicine cats. Dipping her head to each of them, she glanced towards the darker splotch along the cave wall that signified where the exit/entrance was. "Has everyone awoken?" She meowed softly despite the fact that no cat was asleep any longer. The cave still had an ancient feel to it, and it just seemed wrong to shatter the historical silence by shouting or talking loudly. As she recalled the dream she had had, she wondered how it was she'd gotten sucked into the Dark Forest. She'd only been questioning mentally where Lightshed was, seing as she's never spotted her mentor anywhere among Starclan's ranks. Yet she had never imagined that just thinking of the treacherous cat would result in her getting pulled into the shadowy dimension. Shuddering, she tried to shake off the cold, numb feeling of being forever lost in the depths of darkness. She would never go there again; even if it meant leaving behind all memories and thoughts of Lightshed. [/center]
|
|
|
Post by lilybolt on Sept 11, 2009 13:06:50 GMT -5
Cloverleaf smiled. It looked like every cat was finally awake. "I think so." she meowed to Whisperrain. she looked around, counting heads. "Yup!" she said when she had made certain of the matter. Cloverleaf flicked her tail to Falconpaw. "Are we all ready to get moving again?" she asked, her question addressed to all the cats in the cavern. Her eyes were two shining specks in the half dark as she glanced around at all of the medicine cats. The sparkling light of the Moonstone had turned their many different shaded pelts to a general silver-like color. It was a beautiful sight, and though cloverleaf wasn't sure she wanted to leave such a mystical place, she knew that she had duties waiting to be fulfilled back at the windclan camp. It would not due for her to tarry about enjoying the sights...
|
|