Post by xSourGrapesx on Sept 30, 2018 10:43:06 GMT -5
Bravestar's Tyranny
A four part story by: xSourGrapesx
Lightningclan Allegiances:
Leader: Hawkstar - Massive dark brown tom with dark blue eyes.
Deputy: Thunderheart: Broad shouldered dark brown tabby tom with green eyes.
Medicine Cat: Blossomfall - Small calico she-cat with pale green eyes.
Queens:
Bluestream - Beautiful long-haired slender dark blue-gray she-cat with golden yellow eyes.
Spiritflame - Jet black she-cat with dark green eyes.
Kits:
Bravekit - Dark blue-gray she-kit with blue eyes.
Warriors:
Lightfur - Muscular silver tom with hooded yellow eyes.
Stormfur - Dark gray long-furred tom with a yellow chest and paws with yellow-green eyes.
Redheart - Massive dark ginger broad shouldered tom with pale yellow eyes.
Shasta - Small lithe gray and white tabby she-cat with yellow eyes.
Nightfall - Large black and white tom with golden colored eyes, and a scar on his haunches.
Eaglefeather - Black and white tom with yellow eyes.
Cherrytail - Light brown tabby she-cat with a bobbed tail and pale yellow eyes.
Appletail - Reddish-brown tom with white paws and large green eyes.
Windflight - Muscular light gray tom with black paws and amber colored eyes.
Apprentices:
Jaypaw - Light gray tabby tom with tuft of white fur on his chest, and sky blue eyes.
Ashpaw - Wiry light gray she-cat with darker gray flecks and black ear tips and tail tip, pale yellow eyes.
Dovepaw - Lilac spotted tabby she-cat with light green eyes.
Elders:
Lionjump - large orange tabby tom with white paws and hooded green eyes.
Snakepelt - Skinny black tom with several scars criss-crossing his pelt and nicks in his ears, pale blue eyes.
Deputy: Thunderheart: Broad shouldered dark brown tabby tom with green eyes.
Medicine Cat: Blossomfall - Small calico she-cat with pale green eyes.
Queens:
Bluestream - Beautiful long-haired slender dark blue-gray she-cat with golden yellow eyes.
Spiritflame - Jet black she-cat with dark green eyes.
Kits:
Bravekit - Dark blue-gray she-kit with blue eyes.
Warriors:
Lightfur - Muscular silver tom with hooded yellow eyes.
Stormfur - Dark gray long-furred tom with a yellow chest and paws with yellow-green eyes.
Redheart - Massive dark ginger broad shouldered tom with pale yellow eyes.
Shasta - Small lithe gray and white tabby she-cat with yellow eyes.
Nightfall - Large black and white tom with golden colored eyes, and a scar on his haunches.
Eaglefeather - Black and white tom with yellow eyes.
Cherrytail - Light brown tabby she-cat with a bobbed tail and pale yellow eyes.
Appletail - Reddish-brown tom with white paws and large green eyes.
Windflight - Muscular light gray tom with black paws and amber colored eyes.
Apprentices:
Jaypaw - Light gray tabby tom with tuft of white fur on his chest, and sky blue eyes.
Ashpaw - Wiry light gray she-cat with darker gray flecks and black ear tips and tail tip, pale yellow eyes.
Dovepaw - Lilac spotted tabby she-cat with light green eyes.
Elders:
Lionjump - large orange tabby tom with white paws and hooded green eyes.
Snakepelt - Skinny black tom with several scars criss-crossing his pelt and nicks in his ears, pale blue eyes.
Prologue
A ragged-furred blue-gray she-cat trudged through a sluggish stream, the dark and dirty water sucking at her fur as she waded through, seemingly oblivious to the slop. A heavy fog hung in the air, wrapping around tall gray lifeless trees that seemed to stretch up to the sky endlessly, blotting out the sky. The she-cat pressed on, her shoulders drooping, tail dragging across the muddy and sticky forest floor. Despite her appearance, lean muscles rippled underneath her unkempt pelt, a reminder that this cat had once been a very powerful foe-and perhaps still could be.
Snap! The she-cat’s golden gaze snapped towards the sound, “Get away from me, Redheart!” she wailed, her eyes betraying desperation and fear as if she were a cornered piece of prey. Out of the shadows appeared a massive dark brown tom with broad shoulders and hooded dark blue eyes, stars silhouetted against his fur.
His voice was a deep growl as he spoke, “Bravestar, you don’t belong here.” The she-cat, Bravestar, gaped at him, frozen in her tracks as she stared at the tom, yellow eyes full of pain and remorse.
“Father, how can I not?” her gaze fell, searching for words, “I have killed so many cats! Oh, father, I have been so terrible!” She did not look up, only stared at the bare ground, digging her long curved claws into the dirt.
The star-flecked tom’s gaze hardened with fury, and he shook his head aggressively, “Redheart forced you down this path! Drove you to insanity! You were destined for greatness…” he took a step towards the she-cat, his blue eyes pleading, “You have been punished enough, come home.”
Bravestar simply shook her head, and glanced up, gaze dark, “I can’t. He would never let me.” Her eyes flickered over to a spot somewhere behind the Starclan cat.
A moment later, a muscular dark ginger tom stepped out behind the brown tom, grinning, revealing sharp pointed teeth.
“Hello, Hawkstar,” he sneered with a curt nod, flicking his long tail. Two more cats appeared, coming around to either side of Bravestar. One was a massive dark brown tabby with scars criss-crossing his body, his eyes sharp slits of malice, the other dark in color, hardly more than a shadow, with glowering emerald green eyes. “I’m afraid, your daughter isn’t going anywhere,” he sneered.
Recognizing he was outnumbered, his ears flattened against his head. Hawkstar’s eyes were fiery balls of seething hatred as he eyed the three cats, “Mark my words, Redheart, for I will be back! You cannot keep her here for much longer, she is still alive and should return to where she rightfully belongs.” With that, the dark brown tom lashed his tail, and slipped into the shadows.
Snap! The she-cat’s golden gaze snapped towards the sound, “Get away from me, Redheart!” she wailed, her eyes betraying desperation and fear as if she were a cornered piece of prey. Out of the shadows appeared a massive dark brown tom with broad shoulders and hooded dark blue eyes, stars silhouetted against his fur.
His voice was a deep growl as he spoke, “Bravestar, you don’t belong here.” The she-cat, Bravestar, gaped at him, frozen in her tracks as she stared at the tom, yellow eyes full of pain and remorse.
“Father, how can I not?” her gaze fell, searching for words, “I have killed so many cats! Oh, father, I have been so terrible!” She did not look up, only stared at the bare ground, digging her long curved claws into the dirt.
The star-flecked tom’s gaze hardened with fury, and he shook his head aggressively, “Redheart forced you down this path! Drove you to insanity! You were destined for greatness…” he took a step towards the she-cat, his blue eyes pleading, “You have been punished enough, come home.”
Bravestar simply shook her head, and glanced up, gaze dark, “I can’t. He would never let me.” Her eyes flickered over to a spot somewhere behind the Starclan cat.
A moment later, a muscular dark ginger tom stepped out behind the brown tom, grinning, revealing sharp pointed teeth.
“Hello, Hawkstar,” he sneered with a curt nod, flicking his long tail. Two more cats appeared, coming around to either side of Bravestar. One was a massive dark brown tabby with scars criss-crossing his body, his eyes sharp slits of malice, the other dark in color, hardly more than a shadow, with glowering emerald green eyes. “I’m afraid, your daughter isn’t going anywhere,” he sneered.
Recognizing he was outnumbered, his ears flattened against his head. Hawkstar’s eyes were fiery balls of seething hatred as he eyed the three cats, “Mark my words, Redheart, for I will be back! You cannot keep her here for much longer, she is still alive and should return to where she rightfully belongs.” With that, the dark brown tom lashed his tail, and slipped into the shadows.
Part 1: Chapter 1
A dark brown well muscled tom paced outside of a medium sized cove restlessly, his ears flattening against his head as a loud wail echoed through the camp, blue eyes dark with worry. Cats out in the clearing held the same look of concern on their face, milling around. The sky was dark, a shaft of light beaming down into the clearing from the crescent moon that sat in the sky.
The clearing had soft plushy moss covering it, and surrounding the clearing were tightly woven pale tall and twisting trees with outstretching roots, creating dips beneath them for sheltering cats. In exposed spots, brambled were thickly woven to shelter the camp, stacked high. In the center of the clearing was a nearly empty pile of fresh-kill, except for two mice and a messily killed frog.
A stocky black and white tom with pale green eyes leaned towards a tom very similar looking to him, except the larger tom, Nightfall, had long scar that stretched across his haunches, and Eaglefeather, the younger of the brothers, had a leaner build and bore no scars, “Poor Hawkstar, I hope Bluestream and the kits make it,” Nightfall had whispered into his younger brother’s ear. It had only just turned new-leaf, with leaf-bare having claimed countless lives. It had been an unusually cold leaf-bare, taking the lives from Stonepaw, Petalpaw, Oceanheart, Rainfall, and all but two of the elders. He could only hope that Bluestream’s kits and she, herself, would survive, as the leaf-bare had taken all of their kits from the leader and his mate.
Eaglefeather had a grim look on his features, green eyes dark, “She never did have a chance to fully recover from her green-cough.”
In the cove, a pretty slender calico she-cat stood above a lithe dark gray she-cat with dull yellow eyes, her muzzle flecked with gray, panting and pushing, blood pooling beneath her. The she-cat’s face was contorted into a frown, “Bluestream! You’ve got to keep pushing!” The aged she-cat pushed weakly, spasms gripping her body as she let out a low moan.
Moments later, a bundle of brown appeared, and the calico she-cat nipped the sack, lapping at it quickly only to stiffen in dismay. The kit was stillborn. Though, she forced a smile on her face, not wanting the queen to be aware of her stillborn, not yet.. There was still another one, and the calico didn’t want her to give up seeing the lifeless body of the tom kit, which was a tiny copy of her father. Bluestream gasped weakly, letting out a thin wail as she bit down on a stick, her teeth breaking it as another kit slid out, a blue-gray she-kit. The medicine cat sighed in relief this time, as this kit’s chest rose and fell faintly, letting out a quiet mewl. The kit wasn’t very strong, though there was hope for this one as long as Bluestream could survive kitting. She had stopped bleeding now, which Blossomfall, the calico she-cat, realized was a good sign.
“She’s beautiful,” she meowed gently, pushing the kit towards her stomach, her gold colored eyes edged with grief as she cast a glance at her lifeless son.
Bluestream spotted her other kit, and suppressed a wail, her yellow eyes dark with grief as she curled herself tighter around the blue-gray kit, licking it’s forehead. In a raspy tone, the queen murmured, “I will name you Bravekit,” to the tiny kit, love for her tiny bundle brightening her golden eyes. Bravekit, in hope that you will survive to your first moon, and for how brave I must be in these moons to deal with the grief of my daughters.
Blossomfall smiled warmly, padding over to the entrance of the cove, glancing at the brown tom, “Hawkstar, come on in.”
The clearing had soft plushy moss covering it, and surrounding the clearing were tightly woven pale tall and twisting trees with outstretching roots, creating dips beneath them for sheltering cats. In exposed spots, brambled were thickly woven to shelter the camp, stacked high. In the center of the clearing was a nearly empty pile of fresh-kill, except for two mice and a messily killed frog.
A stocky black and white tom with pale green eyes leaned towards a tom very similar looking to him, except the larger tom, Nightfall, had long scar that stretched across his haunches, and Eaglefeather, the younger of the brothers, had a leaner build and bore no scars, “Poor Hawkstar, I hope Bluestream and the kits make it,” Nightfall had whispered into his younger brother’s ear. It had only just turned new-leaf, with leaf-bare having claimed countless lives. It had been an unusually cold leaf-bare, taking the lives from Stonepaw, Petalpaw, Oceanheart, Rainfall, and all but two of the elders. He could only hope that Bluestream’s kits and she, herself, would survive, as the leaf-bare had taken all of their kits from the leader and his mate.
Eaglefeather had a grim look on his features, green eyes dark, “She never did have a chance to fully recover from her green-cough.”
In the cove, a pretty slender calico she-cat stood above a lithe dark gray she-cat with dull yellow eyes, her muzzle flecked with gray, panting and pushing, blood pooling beneath her. The she-cat’s face was contorted into a frown, “Bluestream! You’ve got to keep pushing!” The aged she-cat pushed weakly, spasms gripping her body as she let out a low moan.
Moments later, a bundle of brown appeared, and the calico she-cat nipped the sack, lapping at it quickly only to stiffen in dismay. The kit was stillborn. Though, she forced a smile on her face, not wanting the queen to be aware of her stillborn, not yet.. There was still another one, and the calico didn’t want her to give up seeing the lifeless body of the tom kit, which was a tiny copy of her father. Bluestream gasped weakly, letting out a thin wail as she bit down on a stick, her teeth breaking it as another kit slid out, a blue-gray she-kit. The medicine cat sighed in relief this time, as this kit’s chest rose and fell faintly, letting out a quiet mewl. The kit wasn’t very strong, though there was hope for this one as long as Bluestream could survive kitting. She had stopped bleeding now, which Blossomfall, the calico she-cat, realized was a good sign.
“She’s beautiful,” she meowed gently, pushing the kit towards her stomach, her gold colored eyes edged with grief as she cast a glance at her lifeless son.
Bluestream spotted her other kit, and suppressed a wail, her yellow eyes dark with grief as she curled herself tighter around the blue-gray kit, licking it’s forehead. In a raspy tone, the queen murmured, “I will name you Bravekit,” to the tiny kit, love for her tiny bundle brightening her golden eyes. Bravekit, in hope that you will survive to your first moon, and for how brave I must be in these moons to deal with the grief of my daughters.
Blossomfall smiled warmly, padding over to the entrance of the cove, glancing at the brown tom, “Hawkstar, come on in.”
Part 1: Chapter 2
Soft sunlight streamed in through the opening of the nursery, prompting the small form of Bravekit awake as she stirred besides her mother, Bluestream. She blinked open her eyes, squinting against the light before burrowing her muzzle into her mother’s soft blue fur with a groan. Bluestream moved besides her, rasping her tongue over the top of her head, blinking sleepily at her only kit, warmth radiating from her golden colored eyes.
Bravekit turned to face her mother, her face brightening at her mother’s pretty features, admiring how her face tapered down gently and how she had glowing almond shaped yellow eyes. Do I look like her? The kit cocked her head to the side, “Do I look like you?” she chirped, pushing to her paws.
It was a random question, though the she-kit couldn’t help but wonder how her mother could be so beautiful, and wished that she too would be so pretty. She was the prettiest cat in the Clan! Bluestream cuffed her lightly over the ear, “Of course, you’re my daughter.”
A shadow fell over the den, and the she-kit whirled around, a handsome dark ginger tom poked his head in, mouth full of bright red feathers, “Present for Bravekit,” he meowed, muffled by a mouthful of feathers. The blue-gray she-kit jumped up and down excitedly, rushing over to the tom, gazing up at him with wide eyes. Redheart! Redheart was her father’s best friend, and often stopped by when Hawkstar was busy. He would bring her feathers or play games with her since she was the only kit in the nursery.
Though, that was bound to change, Spiritflame, Nightfall’s mate had moved in the nursery just a quarter moon ago, her belly already round with kits. The jet black she-cat was near the back of the cove in a bed of feathers, snoring softly.
Redheart dropped the feathers down besides Bravekit, flashing her a toothy grin, “I thought I’d catch a cardinal so I could bring you some red feathers this time,” he meowed, nuzzling her gently.
The she-kit purred in response, flashing a wide smile at her mother before glancing back at the warrior, “Thank you so much, Redheart! You’re so nice!” she squeaked, grabbing a couple feathers in her jaw before prancing back over to her moss bed, which had become laced with feathers in the past moon since she’d been born. Bluestream murmured a thanks to him before he turned to leave, saying his goodbyes to the two.
Blue eyes shining, the young kit finished weaving the feathers in the moss before gazing up at her mother with pleading eyes, “Can I please go outside and play?”
The slender queen nodded, stretching out her hindlegs and her fluffy tail, flicking it against Bravekit, “Don’t get into any trouble, I don’t want you trespassing in Blossomfall’s den again,” she warned, giving the kit a stern look.
Bravekit’s fur grew hot at the mention of her first time out of the nursery. She had snuck into the medicine cat den while Blossomfall had gone out and eaten some of the catmint on “accident”. Well, that’s what she told Bluestream. Truthfully, the aroma was so irresistible that she just had to have a bite. Turns out that catmint was actually incredibly useful for fighting certain illnesses! Bravekit had never seen her father so angry before, and hoped she wouldn’t make him that mad ever again. I’ll be the best warrior ever and never ever disappoint him!
As the she-kit exited the cove that was the nursery, Jaypaw, a light gray tabby tom with a white tuft of fur on his chest and bright sky blue eyes hopped over to her, eyes lighting up at her appearance, “Bravekit! I was just going to bring you a big fat rabbit I caught!” he waved with his tail towards the fresh-kill pile where a rabbit lay on the top of the pile, a rare find in the swamp that the Clan inhabited. Near the fresh kill pile, Bravekit recognized the broad-shouldered dark brown tabby pelt of Thunderheart, the deputy, and a wiry light gray senior warrior with a torn ear and hooded pale yellow eyes talking amongst each other that she did not know the name of. However, as she scanned the camp, she realized it was mostly empty.
Turning her attention back to Jaypaw, she skipped over, “I think I can get it myself!” she chirped, smiling at the two warriors before she sank her teeth into the hindquarters of the rabbit and tried to pull it off the pile. To her dismay, the rabbit didn’t budge. She pulled again, this time the rabbit moved, and landed right on top of her. “Oof!”
The rabbit sure was heavy, and she struggled beneath its weight, the rabbit twice her size as she managed to push her muzzle out from beneath the heap of fur with a sigh. A chuckle erupted from the two warriors, the one she didn’t know the name to meowing, “I can’t say I’ve ever seen a rabbit attack a kit before.”
Bravekit let out a muffled giggle, she liked the light gray tom! Moments later, the weight was lifted off of her, and she gazed up at the unknown tom, “Thanks! What’s your name?”
“I’m Lightfur.” He dipped his head in greeting, tail twitching as the pawsteps of another cat approached. Bravekit recognized the scent immediately, forgetting about the rabbit and sprinting towards her father eagerly, pushing her muzzle into his dark brown fur.
Hawkstar purred softly, licking her ear, “Your mother tells me it’s only your second time out of the nursery,” his voice was deep and full of affection for his kit.
The she-kit gazed up into his dark blue eyes, standing up as tall as she could without her toes aching, “Yes, I’m big enough now!” she exclaimed proudly.
Just as she had finished speaking, the thorn barrier rustled, and an unknown scent bathed the roof of her mouth. “Yuck!” the scent was revolting unlike anything she had ever smelled before. Her father hushed her and turned his attention towards the two newcomers, a small skinny white tom with somber amber eyes and a large black tom with massive white paws.
Bravekit could sense some sort of sadness from the two unknown cats as Hawkstar padded forward to greet them, “Minnowpool, Crowclaw, what brings you two here?” His dark blue eyes were brimming with concern. Who were these cats?
A silence had fallen over the camp as the black tom spoke, “Rainstar has passed away, I will be travelling to the Cave of New Beginnings to receive my nine lives,” he explained, voice heavy with grief.
The Lightningclan leader took a step back, eyes wide with grief and shock. He appeared to take the news especially badly, body drooping visibly, “I’m sorry to hear about that,” his voice cracked with raw emotion. Out of the corner of her eye, Bravekit spotted Bluestream padding towards the grief-stricken leader, wrapping her tail around him in an attempt to comfort him.
The she-kit tilted her head slightly, why was her father so affected by the loss of the leader? As if Starclan had heard her question, she made out the words spoken in a quiet voice to Hawkstar, “I know she was your mother, Hawkstar, you are welcome to share tongues with her for the last time if you wish.”
Bravekit gasped, I’m half Clan? She glanced around, half expecting an uproar from the other cats that stood in the clearing. However, there was nothing. Had they already known? Wasn’t half-Clan a bad thing? She missed whatever else was exchanged between the three cats before they left, Hawkstar motioning with his tail towards Thunderheart.
She watched as Thunderheart nodded, and Hawkstar trotted towards Bravekit, rasping his tongue across her cheek, sadness glinting in his normally bright gaze. She frowned, “Am I really half-Clan?”
The dark brown tom nodded, “Earthstar was my father, and Rainstar was my mother. I’m going to visit her one last time before she is buried,” he explained, sitting down, gaze flitting at the camp entrance as the two slipped through the thorn barrier. “It’s not a bad thing to be half-Clan, my dear, pure or impure blood makes no difference in how great or loyal of a warrior you can be.” He wrapped his tail around Bravekit for a couple moments, gazing into her eyes, “What matters is not in your blood, but in who you are.” With that, he flicked his tail against her chest, and padded off towards the exit.
Bravekit turned to face her mother, her face brightening at her mother’s pretty features, admiring how her face tapered down gently and how she had glowing almond shaped yellow eyes. Do I look like her? The kit cocked her head to the side, “Do I look like you?” she chirped, pushing to her paws.
It was a random question, though the she-kit couldn’t help but wonder how her mother could be so beautiful, and wished that she too would be so pretty. She was the prettiest cat in the Clan! Bluestream cuffed her lightly over the ear, “Of course, you’re my daughter.”
A shadow fell over the den, and the she-kit whirled around, a handsome dark ginger tom poked his head in, mouth full of bright red feathers, “Present for Bravekit,” he meowed, muffled by a mouthful of feathers. The blue-gray she-kit jumped up and down excitedly, rushing over to the tom, gazing up at him with wide eyes. Redheart! Redheart was her father’s best friend, and often stopped by when Hawkstar was busy. He would bring her feathers or play games with her since she was the only kit in the nursery.
Though, that was bound to change, Spiritflame, Nightfall’s mate had moved in the nursery just a quarter moon ago, her belly already round with kits. The jet black she-cat was near the back of the cove in a bed of feathers, snoring softly.
Redheart dropped the feathers down besides Bravekit, flashing her a toothy grin, “I thought I’d catch a cardinal so I could bring you some red feathers this time,” he meowed, nuzzling her gently.
The she-kit purred in response, flashing a wide smile at her mother before glancing back at the warrior, “Thank you so much, Redheart! You’re so nice!” she squeaked, grabbing a couple feathers in her jaw before prancing back over to her moss bed, which had become laced with feathers in the past moon since she’d been born. Bluestream murmured a thanks to him before he turned to leave, saying his goodbyes to the two.
Blue eyes shining, the young kit finished weaving the feathers in the moss before gazing up at her mother with pleading eyes, “Can I please go outside and play?”
The slender queen nodded, stretching out her hindlegs and her fluffy tail, flicking it against Bravekit, “Don’t get into any trouble, I don’t want you trespassing in Blossomfall’s den again,” she warned, giving the kit a stern look.
Bravekit’s fur grew hot at the mention of her first time out of the nursery. She had snuck into the medicine cat den while Blossomfall had gone out and eaten some of the catmint on “accident”. Well, that’s what she told Bluestream. Truthfully, the aroma was so irresistible that she just had to have a bite. Turns out that catmint was actually incredibly useful for fighting certain illnesses! Bravekit had never seen her father so angry before, and hoped she wouldn’t make him that mad ever again. I’ll be the best warrior ever and never ever disappoint him!
As the she-kit exited the cove that was the nursery, Jaypaw, a light gray tabby tom with a white tuft of fur on his chest and bright sky blue eyes hopped over to her, eyes lighting up at her appearance, “Bravekit! I was just going to bring you a big fat rabbit I caught!” he waved with his tail towards the fresh-kill pile where a rabbit lay on the top of the pile, a rare find in the swamp that the Clan inhabited. Near the fresh kill pile, Bravekit recognized the broad-shouldered dark brown tabby pelt of Thunderheart, the deputy, and a wiry light gray senior warrior with a torn ear and hooded pale yellow eyes talking amongst each other that she did not know the name of. However, as she scanned the camp, she realized it was mostly empty.
Turning her attention back to Jaypaw, she skipped over, “I think I can get it myself!” she chirped, smiling at the two warriors before she sank her teeth into the hindquarters of the rabbit and tried to pull it off the pile. To her dismay, the rabbit didn’t budge. She pulled again, this time the rabbit moved, and landed right on top of her. “Oof!”
The rabbit sure was heavy, and she struggled beneath its weight, the rabbit twice her size as she managed to push her muzzle out from beneath the heap of fur with a sigh. A chuckle erupted from the two warriors, the one she didn’t know the name to meowing, “I can’t say I’ve ever seen a rabbit attack a kit before.”
Bravekit let out a muffled giggle, she liked the light gray tom! Moments later, the weight was lifted off of her, and she gazed up at the unknown tom, “Thanks! What’s your name?”
“I’m Lightfur.” He dipped his head in greeting, tail twitching as the pawsteps of another cat approached. Bravekit recognized the scent immediately, forgetting about the rabbit and sprinting towards her father eagerly, pushing her muzzle into his dark brown fur.
Hawkstar purred softly, licking her ear, “Your mother tells me it’s only your second time out of the nursery,” his voice was deep and full of affection for his kit.
The she-kit gazed up into his dark blue eyes, standing up as tall as she could without her toes aching, “Yes, I’m big enough now!” she exclaimed proudly.
Just as she had finished speaking, the thorn barrier rustled, and an unknown scent bathed the roof of her mouth. “Yuck!” the scent was revolting unlike anything she had ever smelled before. Her father hushed her and turned his attention towards the two newcomers, a small skinny white tom with somber amber eyes and a large black tom with massive white paws.
Bravekit could sense some sort of sadness from the two unknown cats as Hawkstar padded forward to greet them, “Minnowpool, Crowclaw, what brings you two here?” His dark blue eyes were brimming with concern. Who were these cats?
A silence had fallen over the camp as the black tom spoke, “Rainstar has passed away, I will be travelling to the Cave of New Beginnings to receive my nine lives,” he explained, voice heavy with grief.
The Lightningclan leader took a step back, eyes wide with grief and shock. He appeared to take the news especially badly, body drooping visibly, “I’m sorry to hear about that,” his voice cracked with raw emotion. Out of the corner of her eye, Bravekit spotted Bluestream padding towards the grief-stricken leader, wrapping her tail around him in an attempt to comfort him.
The she-kit tilted her head slightly, why was her father so affected by the loss of the leader? As if Starclan had heard her question, she made out the words spoken in a quiet voice to Hawkstar, “I know she was your mother, Hawkstar, you are welcome to share tongues with her for the last time if you wish.”
Bravekit gasped, I’m half Clan? She glanced around, half expecting an uproar from the other cats that stood in the clearing. However, there was nothing. Had they already known? Wasn’t half-Clan a bad thing? She missed whatever else was exchanged between the three cats before they left, Hawkstar motioning with his tail towards Thunderheart.
She watched as Thunderheart nodded, and Hawkstar trotted towards Bravekit, rasping his tongue across her cheek, sadness glinting in his normally bright gaze. She frowned, “Am I really half-Clan?”
The dark brown tom nodded, “Earthstar was my father, and Rainstar was my mother. I’m going to visit her one last time before she is buried,” he explained, sitting down, gaze flitting at the camp entrance as the two slipped through the thorn barrier. “It’s not a bad thing to be half-Clan, my dear, pure or impure blood makes no difference in how great or loyal of a warrior you can be.” He wrapped his tail around Bravekit for a couple moments, gazing into her eyes, “What matters is not in your blood, but in who you are.” With that, he flicked his tail against her chest, and padded off towards the exit.
Part 1: Chapter 3
Two moons had passed since the death of Rainstar, and green-leaf was just beyond the horizon, the Lightningclan cats sleek and never without full bellies. Better yet, Spiritflame had given birth to Darkkit and Thistlekit. Darkkit was a miniature copy of his mother, Spiritflame, and Thistlekit was dark gray with spiky fur and white mittens with a splash of jet black under his chin. Unfortunately, they were still too young to play with, and Bravekit found herself spending most of her time listening to elder tales or with Redheart. Redheart had begun to teach her basic crouching techniques and defense tactics with permission from Hawkstar, of course, he never pushed the she-kit and was always gentle. Hawkstar had even promised that Redheart could mentor her when she reached six moons! The blue-gray she-kit couldn’t think of a better mentor, and constantly bragged to any other cat when she got the chance that Redheart would be mentoring her.
She would be his first apprentice, as he was just a young warrior himself, having only received his warrior name less than two seasons ago. Today, he promised to go over the hunting crouch, and she eagerly awaiting outside in the clearing for him. In the meantime, Bravekit was basking in a spot of sun besides the retired deputy, Lionjump, as he droned on about a story from his days as deputy. Bravekit was only half listening though, focused on Jaypaw and Ashpaw as they practiced battle moves further towards the edge of the camp clearing.
“Then, Hawkstar-Hawknose then, struck down Earthstar with a mighty blow hard enough to knock a badger back!” he swiped an unsheathed paw through the air, “You shoulda’ seen the look on Earthstar’s face!” The she-kit’s ears perked up, Earthstar? Wasn’t that father’s father? “He was so surprised his own son turned on him! There was no denying Hawkstar was loyal to Lightningclan then-”
“Why was he fighting Earthstar?” she interrupted, narrowing her eyes half in confusion, half in wonder.
The ginger elder’s dark green eyes widened in shock, “Oh! Why, my dear child, Earthstar was a tyrant! He tried to rule the forest,” he began to explain, rasping his tongue over his chin, “You see, Earthstar always tried to get Hawkstar to side with him, so that they could rule the forest together. Promised him an important position.”
Bravekit was really interested now, “And Hawkstar denied it?”
The elder nodded vigorously, “So many cats doubted his loyalty for the longest time..Hawkstar was an ambitious cat, that’s for sure. Just like his father. Though, the biggest difference between the two is Earthstar wanted to rule with bloodshed and tyranny, and Hawkstar wanted to lead with peace between the Clans.”
The kit tilted her head sideways slightly, “So then what happened..after my father struck him down?” She gazed at Lionjump with round golden colored eyes.
Lionjump let out a long sigh, “He killed him. Now, normally a leader would just lose one life. But..” There was a distant look in the ginger tom’s eyes, as if he was reliving the scene, horror darkening his eyes, “Hawkstar had caused such a terrible wound not even Starclan could heal it.” Bravekit’s mouth dropped open.
“Starclan can’t heal all wounds?” she had asked.
Lionjump shook his head aggressively, as if he were responding to her question in addition to trying to shake the morbid memory away.
The she-kit bit her lip, trying to imagine her father ripping away all of a leader’s lives with one single blow. She blinked slowly, surely it was the right thing to do. My father is a hero to all cats! Someday, I will be just like him! With that thought, her lip curled into a smile.
She would be his first apprentice, as he was just a young warrior himself, having only received his warrior name less than two seasons ago. Today, he promised to go over the hunting crouch, and she eagerly awaiting outside in the clearing for him. In the meantime, Bravekit was basking in a spot of sun besides the retired deputy, Lionjump, as he droned on about a story from his days as deputy. Bravekit was only half listening though, focused on Jaypaw and Ashpaw as they practiced battle moves further towards the edge of the camp clearing.
“Then, Hawkstar-Hawknose then, struck down Earthstar with a mighty blow hard enough to knock a badger back!” he swiped an unsheathed paw through the air, “You shoulda’ seen the look on Earthstar’s face!” The she-kit’s ears perked up, Earthstar? Wasn’t that father’s father? “He was so surprised his own son turned on him! There was no denying Hawkstar was loyal to Lightningclan then-”
“Why was he fighting Earthstar?” she interrupted, narrowing her eyes half in confusion, half in wonder.
The ginger elder’s dark green eyes widened in shock, “Oh! Why, my dear child, Earthstar was a tyrant! He tried to rule the forest,” he began to explain, rasping his tongue over his chin, “You see, Earthstar always tried to get Hawkstar to side with him, so that they could rule the forest together. Promised him an important position.”
Bravekit was really interested now, “And Hawkstar denied it?”
The elder nodded vigorously, “So many cats doubted his loyalty for the longest time..Hawkstar was an ambitious cat, that’s for sure. Just like his father. Though, the biggest difference between the two is Earthstar wanted to rule with bloodshed and tyranny, and Hawkstar wanted to lead with peace between the Clans.”
The kit tilted her head sideways slightly, “So then what happened..after my father struck him down?” She gazed at Lionjump with round golden colored eyes.
Lionjump let out a long sigh, “He killed him. Now, normally a leader would just lose one life. But..” There was a distant look in the ginger tom’s eyes, as if he was reliving the scene, horror darkening his eyes, “Hawkstar had caused such a terrible wound not even Starclan could heal it.” Bravekit’s mouth dropped open.
“Starclan can’t heal all wounds?” she had asked.
Lionjump shook his head aggressively, as if he were responding to her question in addition to trying to shake the morbid memory away.
The she-kit bit her lip, trying to imagine her father ripping away all of a leader’s lives with one single blow. She blinked slowly, surely it was the right thing to do. My father is a hero to all cats! Someday, I will be just like him! With that thought, her lip curled into a smile.
Part 1: Chapter 4
Dark fur flashed at the edge of Bravekit’s vision, and she lashed out with a paw instinctively, a muffled squeak sounding from besides her as the kit was tripped. “What was that for?” muttered the other kit crossly, his mouth full of dirt.
The blue-gray she-kit turned her attention towards the sleek jet black form of Darkkit, his green eyes narrowed in a glare.The she-kit flicked her tail, “You were trying to sneak up and tackle me,” she responded simply, smoothing down her chest fur. “It’s my big day today, I don’t need some kit messing up my fur.”
Darkkit let out an annoyed huff, settling down besides her with a flick of his long tail and a roll of his dark green eyes, “I’m only two moons younger than you, and you’re smaller than me.” The tom kit pointed out, and pushed himself to his paws to stand straight up, a whole half a tail length taller than her. The jet black tom kit was slender, and tall, with an angular face and large ears, his almond shaped green eyes narrowed as he stared down at her.
Bravekit tossed her head, “Yeah, well Nightfall is the biggest cat in the Clan, and Spiritflame is not small by any means,” she spat, turning around and padding out of the den. Who cared if Darkkit was bigger than her? She was Hawkstar’s daughter, and would easily surpass the black tom in skill. No response. She glanced back, to see that Darkkit had slipped back over to his mother, Spiritflame, curling up besides her and Thistlekit.
She lifted her chin a little bit higher, and turned her attention towards the bustling camp, the sun crawling it’s way up in the sky. She squinted, spotting Stormfur and Shasta returning with Ashpaw and Dovepaw. A smile brightened her features. Surely the ceremonies would be performed shortly! Ashpaw and Dovepaw had just returned from their warrior assessments, and based on the pride streaming from the two, they had certainly seemed to pass. She would be getting made an apprentice as well today, and as she gazed around camp, she spotted Redheart sharing some fresh-kill with Hawkstar near the leader’s den.
Warmth enveloped her fur, Redheart will be training me! The dark ginger tom turned his head towards her, and the she-cat felt hot beneath her fur as his brilliant gaze bore into hers. Bravekit looked away, heart pounding rapidly in her chest. Glancing back daringly, she saw the young tom trotting towards her, fur rising along her spine slightly. Bravekit forced her fur to lie flat, scolding herself silently. Relax! This is what I’ve been waiting for..for moons! Though, the excitement quite honestly made her feel nauseous.
The blue-gray she-cat smiled as the warrior approached, raising her chin up in an attempt to appear taller. She didn’t want the Clan or Redheart to think she was too small to start her training. Redheart was smiling from ear to ear, “Today is your big day!” He thrust his muzzle against her cheek, his breath warm on her ear, “I promise I will try my best in training you.” Worry flashed in his pale yellow eyes momentarily.
Words caught in her throat, heart skipping in her chest. Was he really worried about messing up in training her? “You’re such a great warrior! I know you’ll train me well,” she purred. The dark tom broke away from her, ear twitching as a call sounded from behind them.
“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Spiral Tree for a Clan meeting!” came the call of her father. She the turned to spot her father perched upon a high branch on the Spiral tree, a tall and twisting pale white tree with uprooted roots that not only served as where the leader would make announcements, but also as the leader’s den.
Redheart flicked his tail against her flank before padding towards where cats had begun to gather, the she-cat following closely behind, forcing nausea down, her body trembling slightly. She cast a nervous glance around, most of the Clan was out in the clearing for the ceremonies except for a few members which she assumed were out hunting.
Her gaze flickered up to Hawkstar as she sat down near Appletail and Cherrytail, Redheart settling down besides her, Bluestream trotting over to sit on the other side of her, catching her eye with a warm smile.
“On this sunrise, I gather you all here for two very important and essential ceremonies to a Clan, the naming of new warriors, and the naming of a new apprentice,” he began, pride ringing clearly out in his deep voice. “Ashpaw, Dovepaw, please step forward” The two gray she-cats, eyes brimming with happiness, strode forward until they were both a couple tail-lengths away from the Spiral Tree.
Hawkstar’s sharp blue gaze fell on the two apprentices, “I, Hawkstar, leader of Lightningclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these two 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 continued, hesitating for a moment before asking, “Ashpaw, Dovepaw, do you two promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even if at the cost of your life?”
There was no uncertainty in the two young cats’ voices as they both shouted, “I do!”
“Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior names. Ashpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Ashfrost, Starclan honors your courage and determination. Dovepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Dovefeather, Starclan honors your courage and intelligence, and we welcome you both as full warriors of Lightningclan.” The dark brown tom hopped down gracefully, resting his muzzle first on Ashfrost’s head, and then on Dovefeather’s as the ceremony was performed. Ashfrost’s eyes were brimming with pride and determination, and Dovefeather was blinking back joyous tears as they stepped back, the Clan yowling their warrior names to the sky.
As the cries died down, Hawkstar then leaped back onto the Spiral Tree, his gaze catching his daughter’s, full of affection and excitement. Bravekit gulped nervously as all eyes fell on her. They all knew she was next.
Hawkstar took a deep breath, “Bravekit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Bravepaw. Your mentor will be Redheart, and I hope he passes on all he knows on to you.” He paused for a moment, nodding at Redheart, “Redheart, you are ready to take an apprentice. You have received excellent training from Thunderheart, and have shown yourself to be ambitious and loyal. You will be the mentor of Bravepaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to her,” he finally finished.
Bravepaw could hardly contain her glee as she nearly shoved her nose into Redheart’s, forcing herself not to skip up in excitement as they touched noses, gazes locking as the Clan called out her name. “I promise I’ll do my best,” she promised in a whisper. His pale yellow eyes were radiating warmth as they stared at each other, a strong bond already clear between the two of them. He had been their every day of her short life, and would be during her apprenticeship as well. She breathed in his sweet scent, basking in his warmth as she closed her eyes. How could anything be better than spending every day training with him?
The blue-gray she-kit turned her attention towards the sleek jet black form of Darkkit, his green eyes narrowed in a glare.The she-kit flicked her tail, “You were trying to sneak up and tackle me,” she responded simply, smoothing down her chest fur. “It’s my big day today, I don’t need some kit messing up my fur.”
Darkkit let out an annoyed huff, settling down besides her with a flick of his long tail and a roll of his dark green eyes, “I’m only two moons younger than you, and you’re smaller than me.” The tom kit pointed out, and pushed himself to his paws to stand straight up, a whole half a tail length taller than her. The jet black tom kit was slender, and tall, with an angular face and large ears, his almond shaped green eyes narrowed as he stared down at her.
Bravekit tossed her head, “Yeah, well Nightfall is the biggest cat in the Clan, and Spiritflame is not small by any means,” she spat, turning around and padding out of the den. Who cared if Darkkit was bigger than her? She was Hawkstar’s daughter, and would easily surpass the black tom in skill. No response. She glanced back, to see that Darkkit had slipped back over to his mother, Spiritflame, curling up besides her and Thistlekit.
She lifted her chin a little bit higher, and turned her attention towards the bustling camp, the sun crawling it’s way up in the sky. She squinted, spotting Stormfur and Shasta returning with Ashpaw and Dovepaw. A smile brightened her features. Surely the ceremonies would be performed shortly! Ashpaw and Dovepaw had just returned from their warrior assessments, and based on the pride streaming from the two, they had certainly seemed to pass. She would be getting made an apprentice as well today, and as she gazed around camp, she spotted Redheart sharing some fresh-kill with Hawkstar near the leader’s den.
Warmth enveloped her fur, Redheart will be training me! The dark ginger tom turned his head towards her, and the she-cat felt hot beneath her fur as his brilliant gaze bore into hers. Bravekit looked away, heart pounding rapidly in her chest. Glancing back daringly, she saw the young tom trotting towards her, fur rising along her spine slightly. Bravekit forced her fur to lie flat, scolding herself silently. Relax! This is what I’ve been waiting for..for moons! Though, the excitement quite honestly made her feel nauseous.
The blue-gray she-cat smiled as the warrior approached, raising her chin up in an attempt to appear taller. She didn’t want the Clan or Redheart to think she was too small to start her training. Redheart was smiling from ear to ear, “Today is your big day!” He thrust his muzzle against her cheek, his breath warm on her ear, “I promise I will try my best in training you.” Worry flashed in his pale yellow eyes momentarily.
Words caught in her throat, heart skipping in her chest. Was he really worried about messing up in training her? “You’re such a great warrior! I know you’ll train me well,” she purred. The dark tom broke away from her, ear twitching as a call sounded from behind them.
“Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Spiral Tree for a Clan meeting!” came the call of her father. She the turned to spot her father perched upon a high branch on the Spiral tree, a tall and twisting pale white tree with uprooted roots that not only served as where the leader would make announcements, but also as the leader’s den.
Redheart flicked his tail against her flank before padding towards where cats had begun to gather, the she-cat following closely behind, forcing nausea down, her body trembling slightly. She cast a nervous glance around, most of the Clan was out in the clearing for the ceremonies except for a few members which she assumed were out hunting.
Her gaze flickered up to Hawkstar as she sat down near Appletail and Cherrytail, Redheart settling down besides her, Bluestream trotting over to sit on the other side of her, catching her eye with a warm smile.
“On this sunrise, I gather you all here for two very important and essential ceremonies to a Clan, the naming of new warriors, and the naming of a new apprentice,” he began, pride ringing clearly out in his deep voice. “Ashpaw, Dovepaw, please step forward” The two gray she-cats, eyes brimming with happiness, strode forward until they were both a couple tail-lengths away from the Spiral Tree.
Hawkstar’s sharp blue gaze fell on the two apprentices, “I, Hawkstar, leader of Lightningclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these two 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 continued, hesitating for a moment before asking, “Ashpaw, Dovepaw, do you two promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even if at the cost of your life?”
There was no uncertainty in the two young cats’ voices as they both shouted, “I do!”
“Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior names. Ashpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Ashfrost, Starclan honors your courage and determination. Dovepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Dovefeather, Starclan honors your courage and intelligence, and we welcome you both as full warriors of Lightningclan.” The dark brown tom hopped down gracefully, resting his muzzle first on Ashfrost’s head, and then on Dovefeather’s as the ceremony was performed. Ashfrost’s eyes were brimming with pride and determination, and Dovefeather was blinking back joyous tears as they stepped back, the Clan yowling their warrior names to the sky.
As the cries died down, Hawkstar then leaped back onto the Spiral Tree, his gaze catching his daughter’s, full of affection and excitement. Bravekit gulped nervously as all eyes fell on her. They all knew she was next.
Hawkstar took a deep breath, “Bravekit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Bravepaw. Your mentor will be Redheart, and I hope he passes on all he knows on to you.” He paused for a moment, nodding at Redheart, “Redheart, you are ready to take an apprentice. You have received excellent training from Thunderheart, and have shown yourself to be ambitious and loyal. You will be the mentor of Bravepaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to her,” he finally finished.
Bravepaw could hardly contain her glee as she nearly shoved her nose into Redheart’s, forcing herself not to skip up in excitement as they touched noses, gazes locking as the Clan called out her name. “I promise I’ll do my best,” she promised in a whisper. His pale yellow eyes were radiating warmth as they stared at each other, a strong bond already clear between the two of them. He had been their every day of her short life, and would be during her apprenticeship as well. She breathed in his sweet scent, basking in his warmth as she closed her eyes. How could anything be better than spending every day training with him?
credit to Nidoking for the code