Darkened Skies }{ (UF Adventure/Action) }{ (UF...

[Reedwhisker]

/Thanks, glad to see another friendly face who's reading my fanfic. I know I'm incredibly slow to update, things are a little wild around here. I'm trying my best to update regularly, just be patient please. ^^


Chapter 7

The next day seemed normal, for the most part. Brackenpaw, Hawkpaw, and Blackpaw had gone out with Lionpelt and Smokefur for the dawn patrol, since Hawkpaw's mentor was the deputy herself she couldn't afford to leave camp just yet. The five cats had a normal day of patrolling through the Clan territory, especially the area where the rogue group and their leader, Talon, had situated themselves. Smokefur had repeatedly told Lionpelt there would be no trouble but the golden warrior refused to believe that these cats who murdered one of his clanmates would leave without a word.
Brackenpaw walked beside her friend as he went on and on about how he had nearly beaten Wavepelt in a match at the training hollow, but Brackenpaw was barely listening as her thoughts went towards her dream once more.

There was a glorious and bright glowing moon, despite the fact it was only 1/4 full that night. The stars seemed to luminate the surrounding area as Brackenpaw walked forward hesitantly. The light was magnificent and mesmorizing, but she couldn't afford to lose track of her thoughts in this unknown area.
She stopped as she observed a large hill that seemed to reach higher into the heavens than anything she had seen before. Almost instantly Brackenpaw turned into a kit again and bounded forward with a light in her eyes as she ran up the hill at full speed. She stopped at the top as she saw a small tree, much smaller than any tree she had seen before, but still it was a tree and one that looked to glow brighter and brighter as she approached it.
Brackenpaw halted as she heard something and glanced up to see the a cat padding calmly up the hill, the stars in his gray and white fur as he approached the golden she-cat with a warm expression. "Glad to see your journey here was safe, I see you've noticed our MoonTree," he added with a small smile.
Brackenpaw backed away at first, neck fur starting to rise before she scented that oh so familiar scent of her own Clan. "Who...who are you?" She finally asked, though apprehensively.
The tom chuckled as he saw down and continued to stare at the plant, as if lost in his own thoughts. "I am Cloudstar," he meowed suddenly, startling Brackenpaw from her own thoughts, "the first leader and founder of CloudClan, as you might have guessed."
The she-cat was utterly stunned, she must be having a dream from StarClan! She thought excitedly at first, only to feel suspicious, "But don't only leaders and medicine cats have visions from StarClan?" She questioned.
Cloudstar looked up and nodded, "But there is a prophecy," he said, voice barely shaking as he recalled the night that StarClan had seen and been told the prophecy. "This prophecy is why I am meeting with you now despite your rank as warrior apprentice."
"Dark smoke shall decend upon the Clan from the fire of battle, only the golden fern can save the clouds." The gray and white cat finished as he shut his eyes, waiting patiently for the apprentice to absorb what he had just said.
Brackenpaw's eyes widened suddenly, "Wait a minute, golden fern? Smoke? Saving the clouds?!" She hissed instantly grasping the fact why she was called there, "Don't tell me StarClan expect me to save CloudClan?!"
Cloudstar's eyes snapped open and he stood up angrily, "Of course we do, the prophecy is about you, only you can save CloudClan from it's impending doom," he snarled angrily as he whipped around, ready to leave the she-cat to her own thoughts.
"But what is the Dark Smoke that was spoken, tell me," she snarled after him, shutting her eyes in frustration for what had been decided and expected of her. "Only you can save your Clan, you will figure out that way and who the enemy is, don't confuse your feelings Brackenpaw, only you can do this for CloudClan."

Brackenpaw's thoughts turned back to the patrol as they neared the camp, Lionpelt and Smokefur talking about their plans for the rest of the day as Hawkpaw began to tease Blackpaw for walking into a thorn bush. She smiled a weak smile, tail tip twitching in nervousness. "But what can one apprentice do to help save a whole Clan," she asked herself quietly as the patrol returned to camp a little after the sun had risen.
Brackenpaw was tired and wanted to catch up on her rest when she felt her fur growing hot under the stare of one of her clanmates. Glancing around quickly she caught Thornstar staring at her with a worried look, and there was something else, something she didn't expect...fear? Shaking her head to rid herself of these thoughts, Brackenpaw padded to her nest inside the apprentices den and curled up into a ball. What am I to become? Why have StarClan placed all of their trust and hope into me?! I'm just one apprentice!

[Reedwhisker]

Chapter 8

Later on in the day Lionpelt had invited her to go with him, Eaglefeather, and Thistlepaw for a little hunting patrol and to do a slight assessment on how they were doing. Brackenpaw was excited, all of her worries over this prophecy seemed to vanish and she quickly followed him out of camp where Eaglefeather and her apprentice were waiting calmly.
The sun shown brightly on their territory, Brackenpelt could feel her fur grow hotter by each passing step but it didn't bother her much, she just wanted to hunt and show off her skills to not only Lionpelt, but Eaglefeather and Thistlepaw as well. Suddenly a light breeze came and Brackenpaw took in the scents it held, watching Lionpelt nod approvingly out of the corner of her eye.
There it was! The slightest hint of mouse that nearly made Brackenpaw's mouth water in anticipation, she glanced sideways to see Thistlepaw nod; this one was her's. Slowly dropping into a near perfect hunter's couch, taking a short time to adjust her errors before stalking along the forest floor slowly. The mouse was very unaware, and as her scenses picked up the rest of the patrol padding off to hunt more prey she slightly frowned inwardly.
Dragging her attention back to her waiting prey, she realized she was too close and the mouse was about to smell her, growling at her own stupidity, Brackenpaw launched her self after the mouse which just barely got a head start on her. She tried to avoid crashing through the undergrowth, but it was near impossible as she chased after the tiny creature. Soon they broke into a clearing and Brackenpaw grinned, it was her chance! Leaping gracefully, she landed heavily on the small creature and gave it a swift bite to the neck, dispatching it easily.
She stared down at her kill, whisker's twitching proudly when suddenly something heavy bowled into her, knocking the air out of her lungs. Brackenpaw stiffled a yowl of surprise as she was pinned easily, way too easily for her liking. Only then did the golden she-cat notice that the weight on top of her was tom, and that it had white and black fur, but before she could take in any other details the tom lunged at her exposed throat. No StarClan, it can't end here! Brackenpaw thought as she tried to avoid the attack, but suddenly the tom stopped, staring at surprise at Brackenpaw.
The white and black tomcat's teeth were so close to Brackenpaw's neck that she could feel his hot breath on her fur, and suddenly it was gone as Brackenpaw noticed that he had jumped back and sat down, looking at her.
Wait...that fur, that slim figure that made him almost seem like a she-cat, and that calm and ensaring aura that seemed to surround his very being. Talon! At once the golden apprentice knew who it was, the very rogue leader who seemed to be her Clan leader's brother, she stared at him in wonder and then took up a defensive pose as she waited for his next attack.
"I hope you know by now that I won't attack you like that again," Talon seemed to meow calmly as he continued to watch her, "It was a mistake, sorry, you just looked like one of my...what was it my brother called them, warriors? Yes, you looked like one of them and it seems I'm not on good terms with them, sorry, I overreacted."
Brackenpaw stared at the black and white leader in shock, he had admitted his fault and given her information over his little group of rogues. "Well what are you doing in our territory?" She mewed defensively, the only thing that could pop up into her head at the moment instead of questioning his first statement.
The tom glanced up at the apprentice and his eyes softened thoughtfully, "Well, I am on bad terms with my own cats, so I thought some prey would be able to persuade them to listen to me again instead of that cat." He mused quietly, watching Brackenpaw closely, watching for...a reaction?
The golden she-cat merely sniffed at his comment, sure he had said 'that cat' but she assumed it was someone within his own ranks who wanted power and the role of leader for himself, nothing that she should be concerned about. "So what? You feel threatened because someone can do a better job than you, that doesn't excuse your prey stealing," she meowed, stalking forward, ready for a fight.
Talon mearly smirked at her reaction, "I see the 'Golden fern' isn't as such a powerful cat as I thought, quite a naiive one as well," he hissed, this time he knew he had hit the right spot.
Brackenpaw faultered in her step and stared at Talon wide-eyed, how could a rogue know of a StarClan prophecy? And more importantly how could he know it was her?! "How can you communicate with StarClan and know about that prophecy? Only I know about it!" She snapped angrily, her eyes narrowing viciously.
Talon stood up, whiskers twtiching, but merely turned his back in the opposite direction of the territory, "I also know who the enemy you're suppose to fight is, the dark smoke..." He let his words trail off, giving the she-cat time for the words to sink in fully. "Meet me here in a moons time if you wish to know who it is, but be warned, I do have my own requests that need to be granted before I tell you such serious things," he meowed.
The black and white tom was about to walk off when a cat rammed into him, knocking him off of his paws and into a bush where he simply stood, growled and ran off towards the edge of the territory. The figure stood silently, looking at the spot where Talon had vanished before turned and padding over to Brackenpaw's quiet and crouching form, waiting.
"He...he knows, he knows about the prophecy," was all the she-cat muttered at first before reality sunk in. Her amber eyes turned up and she then noticed Thistlepaw continueing to stare at her, and only then did she feel his tail on her shoulder, as though trying to comfort her. "Did y-you hear all of that?" She asked quietly.
The blue-gray tomcat said nothing at first, then nodded and averted his eye's from her questioning ones. "You know you can't trust him, I don't know the full prophecy," he added, returning his gaze to her, "but if there is one thing I do know it's that Talon cannot be trusted."
"And how could you know that?!" Brackenpaw snapped angrily, lunging at him and pinning him against the forest floor with incredible ease, "How am I suppose know what this dark smoke and everything is? Only he knows...he can help, I'm sure of it!" She said slightly to herself, shutting her eyes tightly.
Thistlepaw didn't fight back, he just continued watching her, trying to figure out how this she-cat, an apprentice who was on the verge of becoming an incredible warrior, could be so easily fooled, so gullible. "If you do choose to meet him," he began, his eyes changing from their once bored look to one that was fierce and determined, like there was a new fire in his eyes. "I will stop you, it is for your own good...don't leave us, don't leave m-" he paused and corrected himself, "Hawkpaw."
Brackenpaw got off and backed away, uncertainty in her eyes as she saw how fierce the lazy apprentice was, and as he stood up and walked past her she knew that if she chose to meet Talon, it might be the end to her life as a Clan cat, and as a future warrior.

[Icestorm]

Awesome!!!!!!

[Reedwhisker]

/Thanks. ;D

Chapter 9

Sunlight filtered into the CloudClan camp, casting long shadows across the nearly empty clearing. It was past dawn, Brackenpaw knew, but she didn't want to get up, not yet...not while Thistlepaw was still in the den, at least till he left and that would be fine. I can't believe he knows, and he doesn't want me to see Talon, but Talon could help us! Thought the golden she-cat frantically as she shifted in her nest, struggling with her thoughts of the previous day's happenings.
Suddenly a paw prodded her side and Brackenpaw groaned inwardly, "What?" She hissed, surprised at her own ferocity that she put into the single word, but didn't take it back nonetheless.
"Aww, that's so cold Brackenpaw, I just wanted you to come eat some mouse with me!" Said Hawkpaw as he stooped down and nudged Brackenpaw, trying to get her up.
"Be quiet mousebrain, I was trying to sleep," she mewed sleepily, stiffling a yawn as she sat up and glared at the grinning Hawkpaw.
The dark tabby tomcat flicked his tail towards Thistlepaw's lazy form and nodded towards the exit. As the two left the den he finally raised his head and walked as though he were leader of CloudClan towards the fresh-kill pile. "So Brackenpaw," he meowed as he grabbed a mouse from the pile, flinging it at the drowsy she-cat, "anything interesting going to happen today?" He asked as he watched her frown, puzzled.
As the tomcat chuckled, Brackenpaw ravenously bit into the mouse, "What? Why should I know if anything is going to happen?" She asked a tad nervously, looking at the ground while she ate, trying to avoid eye contact if possible.
Hawkpaw's expression changed from light-hearted to smug as he watched Thistlepaw stumble out of the apprentices den, his fur sticking out in all directions as he made his way to the fresh-kill pile, nearly tripping over his own paws. "Well, I heard Blackpaw and Rowanpaw will be made warriors today," he said loudly enough for Thistlepaw to hear, happy that he had been the first to tell Brackenpaw instead of the lazy apprentice.
Brackenpaw let out a small sigh of relief and looked up at Hawkpaw, confused, "So?" She asked, nearly letting out a laugh as she watched his eyes widen and saw him faultering a bit.
"W-well," he began shakily before he saw Thistlepaw watching him curiously, "I don't see what Thornstar see's in them, I mean, they are rude, annoying, arrogant-"
Thistlepaw cut him off, though the look in his eyes didn't show any amusement, his comment was funny, "So, you?" He said casually.
Brackenpaw let out a small laugh and Hawkpaw felt hot under his fur, he quickly glared at Thistlepaw, standing up and taking a step forward, "Say that again you lazy furball!" He spat angrily, trying to show his tough side to Brackenpaw, but he only saw worry in her eyes, making him more aggrivated.
Thistlepaw shrugged, "I can say it as many times as I want, it doesn't matter though, you should just really be happy for them, after all, you wouldn't like Sootkit, or any warrior saying that about you when it's time for your warrior ceremony," Thistlepaw said, reason clearly on his side.
Hawkpaw snarled angrily before he heard a yowl of joy from the entrance to their camp. All three apprentices turned to see Blackpaw, Rowanpaw, Grayfoot, and last Smokefur all enter the camp. Blackpaw and Rowanpaw were looking excitedly at one another while Smokefur whispered something to Grayfoot before heading off towards Thornstar's den.
Suddenly, the two cheering apprentices paused and looked over to the trio of clanmates, grinning at each other as they padded over, tails and heads high. "Oh hello there apprentices," Blackpaw sneered as she sat down and began to run a paw over her ears.
Hawkpaw bristled, "You say that as if you aren't one," he snapped back at her, forgetting to check his temper since his earlier conflict with Thistlepaw.
Rowanpaw took up the talk now, smirking at Hawkpaw, "That's because we are going to be warriors, Hawkpaw," he said as he too sat down, licking his chest fur.
Brackenpaw was a bit defensive now, just because they had been told they were going to be warriors didn't mean they were ones yet, "But you guys are still Blackpaw and Rowanpaw, right?" She asked, intentionally stressing the 'paw' in their names.
The two apprentices glared at her, but Hawkpaw opened his mouth to say something more when suddenly a cry was heard from the entrance of the camp.
All five apprentices glanced in the direction curiously, when suddenly Oakclaw, Hawkpaw's father, rushed into the clearing, his ear shredded and a gash in his shoulder. "Thornstar!" He called, clenching his teeth in agonizing pain.
Soon Thornstar was outside his den, Smokefur to his right and Wavepelt to his left, all three had curious and worried expressions on, "What is it Oakclaw? What happened to you?" The leader called as he looked up, watching the sun as it reached it's peak in the sky. What could be going on so early in the day, it was on everyone's mind.
"It's the rogues...their coming to attack the camp!"

[Wildstar]

Yay you came back!!!

[Reedwhisker]

Ya, after this long break I finally got the time to continue writing. I'm trying to update regularly, and hopefully I'll post another chapter today too, but I have some stuff I have to do, so mabye I'll post again tomarrow if not today.

[Icestorm]

Oh noz! Wow Rowanpaw and Blackpaw are jerks. XP

Can't wait to see what happens next!

[Wildstar]

I love your story by the way!

[Reedwhisker]

/Thank you again! *Feels honored* Extremely long chapter coming up, be ready.

Chapter 10

Brackenpaw's ears were laid back against her head, her eyes wide with shock from what Oakclaw had just said. "No way..." She whispered as she watched one of their most powerful warriors, Oakclaw, stagger towards Redfur's den. Brackenpaw glanced sideways, afraid of seeing panic, but only seeing that half the Clan knew this was bound to happen. She saw how Thistlepaw, although he looked bored, his fur was slightly starting to stand up. Blackpaw and her brother Rowanpaw were both unsheathing their claws and tearing the ground, anticipation and joy in their eyes. Did they not care that they were about to be attacked? What was so joyous about being attacked by rogues!?
"Cats of CloudClan!" Thornstar's yowl rang clear through the clearing, and all cats turned their heads, staring at their leader with respect and admiration, all that is except Scorchfur and Grayfoot, they were staring at Thornstar with no admiration...but something darker that Brackenpaw couldn't make out.
"The time has finally come, Talon and his band of rogues have made it clear that peace is unachievable!" Thornstar continued, his gaze halting over Smokefur for a minute, watching as the dark gray warrior just stared up at him. "Oakclaw is being taken care of by Redfur so I assure you that he will join the battle as soon as he is fit," he glanced around for a yowl of protest. None.
"CloudClan!" Wavepelt's turn now. She stood proudly beside Thornstar, her head high and dignified as always, her eyes alight with fury and hatred for the rogues. "Now is the time to prepare, now is the time to be ready to fight for our territory, obviously these rogues will have nothing to do with us staying here, they will try to drive us out, will we let that happen?!" She called, looking around.
"No!" The cry was taken up by nearly all of the warriors and apprentices, you could tell the atmosphere was one of anxiety and anger, each warrior looked like they were tearing the ground as though it were a rogue beneath them.
Thornstar nudged Wavepelt aside, narrowing his eyes with annoyance, "Warriors, I want Scorchfur, Smokefur, Flametail, Tigerstep and Wavepelt at the entrance to meet them," he called, ignoring the indigiant mews of Blackpaw and Rowanpaw. "Next, I would like myself, Eaglefeather, Rainfur, Berryfur and Lionpelt inside the camp near the center. All apprentices will be inside as well, I want Hawkpaw and Blackpaw guarding the nursery while we have Thistlepaw, Brackenpaw and Rowanpaw with the warriors, but keep watch of all the dens," he warned.
The cats nodded, although Hawkpaw and Blackpaw did so reluctantly.

***

Brackenpaw was standing in the center of the clearing, glancing around as though every shrub or shadow held a waiting rogue. The air crackled like lightning at the tension and only the calm touch of her mentor's tail cooled her nervous and racing mind. "Don't worry, if they do manage to get past those waiting warriors, we can take 'em," Lionpelt said with a small smile.
Brackenpaw merely nodded meekly, her eyes diverting to the ground. Her ears pricked at ever sound, and her tail was nearly fluffed out. Suddenly embarrassed she sat down, pretending to tear the ground beneath her paws.
Suddenly, thoughts of the prophecy came back to her, but she couldn't make out what they meant, especially in the situation they were in now. No. She couldn't afford to think of it...but she couldn't help it. In her jumbled mess of thoughts was that of the prophecy and of the empending doom of their Clan. "But who is the dark smoke?" She asked herself aloud, whispering.
"Maybe he's one of us," commented a cat who was behind her, making Brackenpaw jump at the sudden fright.
She whipped around to see Thistlepaw staring at her questioningly, "Don't do that," she snapped suddenly, looking at the ground to avoid his gaze. She didn't mean to snap, but she didn't understand the prophecy and didn't need Thistlepaw to comment on it. "And if you want to say 'I told you so' then just do it..." She said, letting the words trail off.
"Say that to what?" He asked, sitting down and wrapping his tail around his paws, "Why would I do something like that? It's not always that great to be right," he shrugged at his last comment.
Brackenpaw shook her head, wondering how Thistlepaw, a cat of her age, could be so wise like an elder, yet keep the cool and level-head of a leader. She opened her mouth to speak, when she heard a rustling from the camp entrance. Suddenly every cat was alert, claws unsheathed and teeth beared in a snarl, these were some unlucky cats if they wanted to get into their camp.
But when they realized who it was the group faultered a bit. "What's the meaning of this Wavepelt?" Brackenpaw shoved her way to the front along with Thistlepaw, wanting to know what their leader was so angry about.
Then they realized that not only Wavepelt, but the whole defense that Thornstar had set up outside of the clearing was there as well. And they weren't alone. Next to Wavepelt was Talon, and next to him was Smokefur who was staring at his leader intently.
"Well..." Wavepelt began, eyes flickering to Thornstar and back to Talon, "Th-This rogue, the leader Talon I mean, he says that...that-" This was the first time Brackenpaw had seen Wavepelt waver in her words and look not so strong and commanding.
"Spit it out! What have you brought this piece of foxdung here for?!" Snapped Thornstar, taking a step forward as though ready to lash out at Talon who stood smirking at his brother.
"He says you're his brother." The sentence was said so simply, at least by Smokefur, who had taken a step forward, challenging Thornstar who looked like he had gone to StarClan and back.
"Wh-what?!" Thornstar snarled angrily, "And you all believed him? Since when do you take the word of a filthy rogue over your leader?" He asked, whipping around and staring at them all.
"So hateful towards what you once were..." Talon said in a calm voice, pacing foward to stand by Smokefur, "But it's the truth," he raised his voice to let all of the Clan hear, "I am his brother and he was once a rogue, a rogue named Thorn!"

[Reedwhisker]

/Wow, I have a lot of free time now since school will be out in a week for me.

Chapter 11

The Clan cats all stared at the bold rogue leader in shock, they could hardly believe their ears at these words he was spouting. "Prove it!" One of them called while most of the queens wrapped their tails around their kits protectively.
Brackenpaw had never seen a sight like this, most of CloudClan were staring at their leader as though seeing him with new eyes, seeing him as a rogue, seeing him like Talon.
Even though there were some harsh comments thrown at the rogue, he just stood there, watching for what Thornstar would do next. Even though he looked calm and collective on the outside, Brackenpaw could feel the surge of excitement, the thrill he got from making his own brother feel untrusted by his Clanmates.
Suddenly Thornstar whipped around and launched himself at Talon, but was easily bowled over by Wavepelt of all cats. The whole Clan watched in shock, and even the face of Thornstar could be seen with the wary and surprise at who his attacker was. "Wavepelt..." He whispered.
The black she-cat turned her head away, her own green eyes avoiding contact with his amber ones, "I'm sorry Thornstar, but the way you attacked him like that...it only makes the suspicion all the more true, doesn't it?" She asked with a shaky laugh.
The Clan watched, frozen at the sight, until Eaglefeather walked forward, her own pelt standing on end from what had just occurred. "Thornstar, it's a simple yes or no question, are you related to this rogue and were you one?" She asked, staring at him for a long time before he found the time to answer.
"Yes."
The Clan errupted into chaos, Gorseclaw and Pebblefur ushered their kits towards the nursery while Silverfur, who couldn't leave the den, listened to the news and wailed aloud. Hawkpaw was bristling along with Blackpaw as they stared at their leader accusingly, guarding the nursery as though Thornstar were the enemy. Suddenly though, Smokefur stood over his leader, head bowed in disappointment. "You questioned my loyalty to my Clan once, you remember?" The dark gray warrior said, looking up at the Clan as he waited for an answer. All he got was a nod. "Do you doubt us all that much, to an extent to where you don't want to show us your past? What are you afraid of Thornstar? Rejection? Being hated by your own Clan?" Smokefur snarled at him.
The tabby looking at the ground. Brackenpaw had never seen him look so weak, so vulnerable...so hurt. There were a few shocked gasps when Smokefur pressed his leader to the ground as he tried to get up, but none stopped him, not even Wavepelt, who just sat and watched, looking terribly tired. "Answer the questions." Smokefur was commanding now, his amber eyes glistening and hardening as he spoke.
"No...I was, I-I was afraid that you all wouldn't respect me as your leader...as a fellow warri-"
Smokefur cut him off with a strike of his tail on the leader's muzzle, not shocking everyone, for they had heard his answer. "So you're selfish? Is that right for a leader to be so concerned with himself?" He asked the Clan, glancing up at them expenctantly. When all nodded, save for Thistlepaw, Brackenpaw, and Eaglefeather, Smokefur glared down at the tom, then back at his brother. "You two are rogues, Thornstar doesn't even deserve to be here anymore does he? Why don't you take him back with you?!" The warrior asked Talon who had watched the events with a smile.
The black and white tom cleared his throat before speaking, "I would..." He paused and looked around, daring anyone to challenge him, "but, as you can see, even I, his brother, don't want anything to do with a traitor like him. He betrayed me and my family once to live with you all, why would I want him back? After all, you all see he can't be trusted," grunted Talon who stared at Thornstar, his eyes smiling.
Half the Clan were yowling now, begging for StarClan to send them a sign, something that told them this was all a bad dream. But no sign came, and Brackenpaw shuddered violently as a gust of wind barrelled into the camp. Her eyes widened as she saw Smokefur raise his paw and strike down at Thornstar, but his paw hit solid earth. He had missed on purpose. "Get out." He said quietly, but loud enough for the Clan to hear. "Get out you mangepelt! You don't deserve the rank of leader, nor the right to live with us anymore, go live the life of a rogue or a loner, whatever you want to be, just don't come near our territory again!" Spat Smokefur angrily, turning and walking away from the crouchin leader.
Scorchfur and Grayfoot were beside Smokefur in an instant and were all busy discussing something urgently. The rest of the Clan were glaring at Thornstar, it hurt them that their own leader didn't trust them, and no matter what they wanted to do, Smokefur's strangely correct words were ringing in their ears.
Talon slipped into the shadows, leaving the camp before heading to his own with a grin.
Brackenpaw would have fallen to the ground, had Thistlepaw not been beside her, giving his shoulder for support.
Wavepelt was like a ghost of her former self, sitting and staring her her leader with blank and empty green eyes.
And Thornstar himself...he was in the middle of the clearing, glaring at the ground for his stupid selfishness and rogue background. "Fine," he called out suddenly after some of the Clan had stopped yowling at him to leave, "Fine!" He snapped again, glaring at them all, "But remember...when the Clan is destroyed without me, remember...remember that the golden fern will be here, and you must look to her for support," he said, the weight of the prophecy being dropped down on most of the Clan before he glanced at Brackenpaw once, then left to who knew where.
Brackenpaw's eyes widened at his words, and she felt Thistlepaw stiffen, but when she looked up he looked completely calm. She was about to speak before she heard a yowl of summons, and the Clan turned to see Smokefur, flanked by Scorchfur and Grayfoot, standing in the leaders position, "The time of Thornstar the Deciever is over!" He called, and some cats cheered at this. But his next words nearly made Brackenpaw go to StarClan and back.
"The time has come for a new leader, a more capable, trusting, and caring leader...one with a clear head and motives," he saw most of the cats stare at Wavepelt, but then looked back nervously at him. Brackenpaw could have sworn she saw the faintest hint of a smile touch his mouth.
"But...Wavepelt, she isn't stable right now, she's more shooken than the rest of us, how can she be leader?" A couple cats called.
"She won't," Scorchfur called, glancing around them, then to Smokefur who nodded once before he yowled out again.
Smokefur's powerful and commanding appearance made him seem like the perfect cat for the job at the moment, but Brackenpaw couldn't help this nagging in the back of her mind, it was like this wasn't suppose to happen, this wasn't meant to happen. "I, Smokefur, will become the next leader of this Clan. I have shown my resolve, I have shown how I can handle the situation with the rogues and our untrustworthy leader...and my first act as leader will be to appoint a new and more capable deputy. Scorchfur shall be the new deputy, and I, till I go and retrieve my nine lives, will be leader of CloudClan!"

[Reedwhisker]

Chapter 12

A few moons later…

The sun was already high in the sky, the wind whipping against the few trees that dotted the CloudClan territory. It was nearing leaf-fall, a time where the Clan would need to prepare for a harsh leaf-bare, but that was the furthest thing from their minds at the moment, now they were all busy enjoying life as CloudClan cats.
After the announcement that Smokefur would take the role of leader, most of the Clan had agreed it was the right thing to do, after all, they had just went through the banishment of their former leader by a mere warrior, so they weren’t in the mood to argue or disagree about matters like this. Plus, to most of them Smokefur seemed a capable leader, and they all knew Scorchfur was a strong warrior, so no doubt he would make a great deputy.
All these thoughts seemed to come rushing back as Brackenpaw glanced around the trees, checking the scents in the air, trying to see if she would be able to scent any prey, or her other denmates. The time had come for her final assessment; she was out with her own mentor along with Thistlepaw and Hawkpaw and their mentors as well. After Smokefur had become leader, he had made Blackpaw and Rowanpaw warriors, they were now Blacktail and Rowanfang, and made it clear to Brackenpaw and the others of their superior status as warriors. Hawkpaw had fought with them, but soon though the matter was forgotten and now was the time for them to become warriors.
Although Brackenpaw didn’t agree of how Thornstar had left, of how Smokefur became Smokestar and how the Clan had followed him like a lost kitten, she couldn’t help but feel that things were finally going alright with their Clan. They hadn’t scented the rogues after that either, it looked like Talon had moved out after his brother was banished and the Clan had thrived for three moons, nothing could be better.
Suddenly, Brackenpaw scented a mouse; she immediately went into a perfect hunter’s crouch, whiskers slightly twitching in joy from the fact that she could do this by pure instinct alone. Stalking forward a couple of paw steps, careful to avoid any stray twigs or sticks in the area, and made sure to ignore the fact that her mentor was out there watching her the whole time. She could see it now, the mouse, its brown head lifted up and scenting the air, but Brackenpaw knew it was useless, she was downwind of the tiny creature and far enough away to make sure it didn’t feel her moving.
Brackenpaw lowered herself to where her belly fur was lightly brushing the ground, shook her haunches a bit, and then leapt through the air all in one fluid movement. The mouse quickly got up to flee, but it was useless as Brackenpaw’s body landed hard right behind it, instantly placing a paw on the mouse’s body and giving it a sharp and quick bite to the neck, killing it instantly. The golden tabby purred in triumph as she bent down to pick up her kill, but then she heard a figure approaching from behind and turned to see her mentor, Lionpelt, bounding towards her with a grin.
“Well done!” He said with a flick of his ear, staring at her prize with a smile.
“Aren’t you supposed to be watching me?” Brackenpaw asked suddenly, her words slightly muffled by the mouse’s body in her jaws.
The golden tom shook his head, “I’ve watched enough, you have gathered more prey than Hawkpaw, that’s for sure, and nearly are on par with Thistlepaw, so I think you’ve done enough. It’s not official or anything yet, but I’m sure Smokestar will make you a warrior today,” Lionpelt meowed as he motioned towards the pile of fresh-kill she had collected, brought here by him.
Brackenpaw resisted the urge to flinch at the mention of Smokestar. Although he was a good leader, Brackenpaw couldn’t help but feel this nagging at the back of her mind ever time she heard his name or saw him. He looked happy and courageous, not to mention a typical leader on the outside, but Brackenpaw could sense something black in his heart, something that terrified her for some reason.
Shaking the thought off, Brackenpaw simply nodded and the two collected her pile and headed back to camp, talking about how the moons had simply gone by with Brackenpaw’s training and soon they reached the camp. The warriors were busy sharing fresh-kill and talking, Smokestar was outside of his den watching contently with Scorchfur to his right, motioning ever so often to mention something to the dark gray tomcat.
Brackenpaw dropped her prey into the pile and was turning to go to the apprentices den for the last time before she was stop by three bundles of fur. The first was the dark gray, nearly black, form of Sootpaw, followed by his sister’s Maplepaw and Mothpaw. The two she-cats were turning out to be quite beautiful, Mothpaw with her golden coat and Maplepaw with her brown fur, while their brother was growing bigger and stronger each day.
“Is it true you, Hawkpaw, and Thistlepaw are going to be warriors?!” Sootpaw asked a slightly annoyed look in his eyes as he watched Brackenpaw. The almost black tomcat had always wanted to be a warrior after he was apprenticed, wanting to be the strongest so he could succeed Smokestar or Scorchfur whenever he became leader.
“Yes,” Brackenpaw said, watching Sootpaw bristle a bit, “but I’m sure you guys will be warriors in no time, but you’ll have to watch out for Hollykit and Sandkit for when they become apprentices to, and who knows, maybe you’ll get to mentor Bramblekit for whenever he becomes an apprentice?” Brackenpaw mewed thoughtfully.
Bramblekit was from the newest litter of kits in CloudClan, his mom was Silverfur, and it wasn’t too hard to see who his father was. The day Bramblekit and his sibling Stormkit had been born, Oakclaw had been so ecstatic, never leaving their side till ordered to by Smokestar.
“Maybe, but…” Sootpaw was saying before a yowl was ringing through the clearing and only then did Brackenpaw notice that Thistlepaw and a very annoyed Hawkpaw were in the camp as well.
Hawkpaw had grown bigger, his shoulders were broad and his muscles lean, and he would be a formidable opponent for any cat. And then there was Thistlepaw, he had grown bigger as well, not as big as Hawkpaw, but he was slightly above average for a tom his age. His medium length blue-gray fur was gleaming in the sunlight and his eyes, although still had their bored look, were now slightly glowing with the prospect of becoming a warrior.
Smokestar was standing before the Clan, tall and proud as ever as he motioned for Brackenpaw, Hawkpaw, and Thistlepaw to start moving forward. “Warriors of CloudClan, now is a joyous time. I, Smokestar your leader, will name three more warriors today, warriors for our beloved CloudClan,” he called loudly and immediately the Clan let out yowls of approval.
Lashing his tail for silence, Smokestar continued, “I, Smokestar, leader of CloudClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these three apprentices, they have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn.” He paused briefly, glancing at the three apprentices before continuing, “Hawkpaw, Brackenpaw, Thistlepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend the Clan, even at the cost of your lives?”
“I do.” All three answered in semi-unison, Thistlepaw’s response was a bit late but he had said it without hesitation, he was just slow like that.
“Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your warrior names. Hawkpaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Hawkclaw; StarClan honors your bravery and courage and welcome you as a full warrior of CloudClan.” Smokestar rested his muzzle on Hawkclaw’s head and the new warrior licked his leader’s shoulder respectfully.
“Brackenpaw, from this moment on you shall be known as Brackenpelt, StarClan honor your knowledge and thoughtfulness and welcome you as a full warrior of CloudClan.” The step was repeated and Brackenpelt thought she couldn’t help herself from shaking, wondering how her reply earlier had come out clear and strong.
“Thistlepaw, from this moment forth you shall be known as Thistlefrost, StarClan honor your wisdom and quick-thinking and welcome you as a full warrior of CloudClan.” Smokestar did the step again, placing his muzzle on Thistlefrost’s head and waiting as Thistlefrost proceeded to lick his shoulder.
As soon as this was completed the Clan, especially the former mentors, began to chant out the names of the three cats. “Hawkclaw! Brackenpelt! Thistlefrost!” The cry was taken up by most of the Clan; even the annoyed Sootpaw joined in as he realized it might be him up there in a few more moons.
Brackenpelt smiled as she listened to the Clan chant her name, feeling herself glow with pride at finally being a warrior. But in the back of her mind, once again, the thoughts came up, the thoughts of the prophecy, of the time when she would be needed most. “The golden fern…you must vanquish this dark smoke, but be warned…the path of victory comes in more ways than one.” Brackenpaw froze, those words, they weren’t her thoughts, but as she looked at the glowing Hawkclaw and the bored Thistlefrost she realized that she was the only one who heard. Her head spun as she tried to make out the words, “But how can there be more than one path to victory?”

[Reedwhisker]

If anyone is reading this please comment. I'd like to see what I need to improve on or what you like about my story. Afterall, a writer who doesn't get comments tends to get lonely and starts to worry.

[Reedwhisker]

Chapter 13

The life as a warrior wasn’t that much different from that of an apprentice, save the cleaning of the elders den, training, and checking the elder’s pelts for ticks. Other than those things, Brackenpelt felt that being a warrior was just like any other thing and eventually got over the thrill of her new name.
Today the air was much cooler than usual, the small gusts of wind were more frequent now as leaf-fall was approaching and the Clan was preparing, especially Redfur and Shrewpaw, who still hadn’t earned her medicine cat name. Brackenpelt and Hawkclaw were sharing a vole near the edge of camp, talking about the happenings in the Clan and Smokestar’s rise to power. Brackenpelt shifted uneasily as Hawkclaw talked as though Smokestar was completely caring and trusting, and she knew that the dark gray tom had come to power through no accident. Thornstar’s dismissal from the Clan…it was planned, but by who? Talon? Smokestar…? Brackenpelt thought as she watched Hawkclaw go on and on about how great Smokestar was.
“Listen Hawkclaw,” Brackenpelt nearly snarled, her tail tip twitching with annoyance, “I’d love to listen to you continue, but I have something else to do,” she muttered before heading towards the camp entrance, leaving a slightly shocked Hawkclaw staring after her.
Thinking that getting out into the forest would do her some good, Brackenpelt took a walk, unconsciously heading towards the spot that where the rogues had first been scented and the where the warrior Bluepelt had been slain. Brackenpelt let out a sigh as she stared up through a gap in the trees towards the sky, amber eyes blinking from the glare of the sun. She was about to breath in again when a tail was laid on her shoulder and she turned to see Thistlefrost staring at her questioningly, though his eyelids were half closed as if he’d just woken from a nap. “Going to be a storm soon, we might want to get back to camp,” he mewed to her, turning and then looking over his shoulder, “or do you prefer half soaked fur in leaf-fall?”
Brackenpelt rolled her eyes and smiled as she stood up, looking to see if what he said was true, and sure enough, in the opposite direction, storm clouds were coming up fast towards the camp. “Fine, you win,” she mewed grinning as the two walked back to camp.
Suddenly, as thunder rumbled in the distance, Thistlefrost and Brackenpelt halted; both had their whiskers twitching, their noses scenting the air and fur standing on end. “What’s going on?” Brackenpelt wondered, her eyes narrowing as she and Thistlefrost followed the scent towards its main source. Soon the two had arrived in a thickly wooded area of the territory, a small clearing in the middle housed cats both Thistlefrost and Brackenpelt hadn’t seen before, and some they had. Immediately Brackenpelt beared her teeth as she saw Talon standing near the center of the throng, smirking proudly as the rogues around him tore the ground with their claws. “Please calm down my brothers and sisters,” the black and white tom called, still smirking, “I have gathered us here once again by the CloudClan territory for a special reason.”
A she-cat, who had smooth and short golden fur that glowed as what little sunlight remained struck it, called out to Talon rather rudely. “We were here last time ‘for a special reason’ and all we did was stay here, steal some food, and then leave for a while!” She hissed angrily.
Talon, who Brackenpelt had expected to snap at the cat, merely shrugged off the harsh but true comment. “Well, now that our friend in the Clan has secured a place of power, and has gained their trust, we can now invade and take part of the territory and join up with this Clan.”
A few outraged cries were called and some cats stood up and shouldered their way forward, glaring at the confident tomcat. “Why would we want to join those who would hurt us and mock us and most importantly not accept us?” Someone called.
Talon once again shrugged the comment aside, “Because the cat who has reached power will ensure they don’t, we already discussed this when he came to tell us of his plan, and then we can eat, even through leaf-bare, without dying.”
Some of the cats nodded at this, while others shook their heads still, “But what will those Clan cat’s leader think? Surely he would oppose this…” A small brown tomcat cried.
“Well, I didn’t want to announce this yet, but it seems that our cunning Clan kitty is here to lead us to our new destiny. You ask what the leader thinks and I answer you with this: the cat who will lead us to a better life alongside me is the leader!”
And with that the last cat any of the Clan, save for Thistlefrost and Brackenpelt, would have thought appeared from the shadows like the dark storm clouds that had fully blotted out the sun. Flanking him was a dark ginger tabby tomcat and a light gray she-cat, both smirking while the dark gray tom grinned. “Hello future Clanmates, I am Smokestar, leader of CloudClan! Today we strike, you shall all attack those other Clan fools, fake attacking us, and we shall take the Clan permanently!” Called Smokestar boldly.
Brackenpelt and Thistlefrost stiffed and took a glance at each other, seeing the fear in each other’s eyes, listening while he continued. “Today those Clan cats will never defy me, or they will meet your claws, now we go to attack their camp and put them in permanent fear, we will rule CloudClan side by side forever!”

[Icestorm]

Srry I haven't commented.

O.O O...M....G.... I KNEW IT!!! I KNEW SMOKESTAR WOULD BE EVIL!!!!! GRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!!

heehee awesome awesome work! Love it!!!!!!!

[Icestorm]

you know I sent you the cover. If i didn't im Icestorm456 on DeviantArt. ^^