Post by Novi on Nov 19, 2020 23:07:51 GMT -5
Alrighty. I said I'd participate, and here it is Novi's 100 One Shot Challenge as seen here. This will center around an oooold roleplay I was part of in which I created and mastered one of my favorite characters: Ivypaw. A select few cats will be pulled from the roleplay and so credits for their creation go to their respective owners. The rest, to avoid taking over a cat, will be filled in with my own creations but the main plot is credited to the originals of Twilightclan. In addition, while I am changing things like prey and predators, credit goes to Nido for the territory and originality of the clan. Enjoy! :3
#1 - Injured
#2 - Sinking
#3 - Father
#4 - Exploit
#1 - Injured
"Too slow!" Ivypaw grunted in response to his mentor's words. He knew he was too slow as the blood trickled from his shoulder. He didn't bother responding, it was a waste of time after all, and naturally kept his eyes glued to his opponent. Heronscale's lips drew back into a twisted smile. While he wouldn't expect Darksand to allow the dark forest warrior to actually kill him, leaving a nasty mark was not out of the picture. The two circled each other again before Ivypaw could feel himself start to fade. "When you come back tomorrow, I expect to see speed." Darksand growled and Ivypaw dipped his head to him.
"Jeez, you sleep like a log." Driftpaw's voice came from directly above Ivypaw so he took a swing at the tom, feeling satisfied at a grunt from the other apprentice. "Lucky hit." He growled. "If you keep sleeping in like this, though, I'll become a warrior long before you." With that, the apprentice trotted out of the den.
Ivypaw sat up and rolled his shoulder carefully. It would be sore for a while, that was for sure. He didn't hate that injuries received in the dark forest were real, but he did hate the fact that everybody could see them. If only they were phantom feelings, a reminder of a mistake but no actual blood loss. Alas, it was not to be as his other denmate let out a gasp.
"Did you sleep wrong again, Ivypaw?" Petalpaw's green eyes were wide as she fretted over him. She always fretted over every little thing. He shook his head at her.
"Probably just opened an old wound. It's not a big deal." Before she could question him further, he slipped out of the den and blinked in the morning sun. Camp was already bustling. Driftpaw was bugging his mentor, Solheart, to eat faster so they could get to work.
"Ivypaw." This voice Ivypaw didn't hate. He turned to his mentor expectantly. Badgerheart's sharp eyes took in the wound, but he didn't say anything. Neither of them ever did if they ever came back with a wound from training. Best not to draw attention to it, but it had been a while since Ivypaw bled. "Vixenstreak is off to get her nine lives." Finally. He resisted rolling his eyes. "So we'll be in charge of the kittypet until she gets back." Noting the distaste in his voice, Ivypaw glanced towards where the she-cat was now. Peony chatted happily with Brightpaw.
Honestly, how the apprentice managed to get lost in the swamp was beyond him. But when a patrol found her, she'd been snuggled up with the kittypet. 'For warmth', she claimed. He nodded to his mentor and the two made their way over to the other pair. "Kittypet," Badgerheart interrupted them without much care. "It's time for you to start pulling your weight." His gaze roamed over the she-cat who was neatly groomed and looked well fed. She merely turned away from him and he growled.
"Do you hear something, Brightpaw?" She asked in an airy voice. "Sounds awful rude to me, if they can't even address a cat by name." Ivypaw's whiskers twitched. Cat has guts, he'll give her that much. But attitude didn't fill bellies.
"Sounds like a lot of air for a she-cat who got left behind by twolegs, of all folk." Ivypaw meowed, ears twitching. Peony's nostrils flared. It was a low blow, he admitted, but if a cat wanted to get into a verbal argument then he was going to defend his mentor.
"No need for such hostility," Badgerheart replied smoothly. He brushed his tail across Ivypaw's back to let the apprentice know he was grateful. "We'll teach you how to hunt, Peony. Brightpaw," The apprentice froze and stared up at Badgerheart with wide eyes, "why don't you go find Ferntail?" As the she-cat bounded off, Badgerheart turned and headed out of camp, waving his tail for the other two to follow.
"Why couldn't Brightpaw come with us?" Peony hurried to keep up.
"Brightpaw isn't my apprentice," Badgerheart's response was cool. "And it's rude to take another warrior's apprentice out without permission."
"So he does have common courtesy." Ivypaw exchanged looks with his mentor. Peony's voice had been barely audible, but the two had well trained ears. If she could talk, she could run. They picked up the pace.
By the time Badgerheart slowed down in one of the many forest clearings, Ivypaw's shoulder was feeling better after a nice long stretch. It was a common mistake apprentices made whenever they were wounded. Their first instinct is often to stop moving in order to avoid making it worse. While one shouldn't strain the injury, not moving the muscle area would leave it stiff and sore and make healing much more difficult.
"Right," The warrior padded in front of them. "Ivypaw, hunter's crouch." There was never a wasted word between the two of them. The apprentice obeyed and Badgerheart nodded to Peony. "Mimic him." Peony, who was panting heavily, looked up startled. Badgerheart gave her an expectant look and she hastily moved to copy Ivypaw's stance. "Come look, Ivypaw." The apprentice moved around the kittypet, his gaze flickering over her form. "Well?"
"Too much weight on the front paws, she'll fall flat on her face the moment she tries walking." The apprentice responded after a moment.
"Don't tell me, tell her." His mentor nodded to Peony.
"Shift your weight back." Ivypaw instructed. The she-cat obeyed as best she could. As she did, her butt went down as well. "Still your tail. Prey have good ears, they'll hear the slighted brush against the forest floor if you give them the chance." The tail which had been moving back and forth impatiently stilled, but continued to quiver. Good enough, I s'ppose. He changed positions from the front to the left side of her. "Widen your paws, too. It'll help with bal- too far. Judge by your shoulder blades." Ivypaw couldn't quite tell where the kittypet's shoulders were, she was so fluffy.
Once her couch seemed to be as good as it was going to get for the day, he instructed her to walk to the other end of the clearing. "You're not a snake!" Ivypaw snapped. "Raise your belly off the ground, for Starclan's sake." Peony toppled over at the harsh sound. Badgerheart placed a paw on Ivypaw's shoulder.
"Gentle now," he murmured. Ivypaw blinked up at his mentor and nodded. Both were used to the dark forest's instruction. The warrior took over from there and they practiced more with Ivypaw demonstrating a couple more times.
After Badgerheart was satisfied with Peony's stance, he led the way into the growth. They traveled much slower and for once, Peony was quiet. Ivypaw didn't think she could be. Warrior and apprentice saw the lizard at the same time and stilled, causing the she-cat to knock into them. She let out an 'oomph' and Badgerheart laid his tail over her muzzle and angled his ears at the prey sitting on the branch. Her eyes widened when she saw it and her gaze flickered between the two of them.
Ivypaw looked to Badgerheart for instruction. They didn't normally hunt with other cats so he wasn't sure where the warrior would want her. Badgerheart tilted his head to the left and Ivypaw nodded. The black tom melted into the trees and disappeared. Peony's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. Badgerheart placed a paw on her back and pressed down gently. She gave him a questioning look and he refrained from rolling his eyes. He went halfway to a hunter crouch and it took her a moment to get it. She nodded rapidly before doing her best crouch. He huffed, it would have to do, before turning the opposite direction of Ivypaw and silently disappearing as well.
Ivypaw's sharp eyes could easily track his mentor as he moved through the wood. Once in place, the nod from his mentor sent Ivypaw into action. He and Badgerheart sprang out from either side of the lizard. With no other choice, the prey bolted back towards Peony. Ivypaw nimbly followed it and managed to catch the kittypet grabbing the prey by its tail.
"EEEEK!" Peony's scream echoed through the forest as the lizard dropped its tail. Ivypaw winced at the sound and rolled his eyes as the prey ran passed the she-cat. He took off after it as Badgerheart clamped Peony's muzzle shut. He could hear the crashing sound of the she-cat following after them. This was their only chance now. All the prey within earshot would have gone into hiding by now. Ivypaw caught up to it swiftly and grabbed it by the head, giving it a clean kill. He felt a presence brush past him and a crash followed by another curse. Sitting up, Ivypaw blinked at the sight of the kittypet tangled in the undergrowth. "Ow, ow." Every time she tried to move, thorns prodded into her side. Her fluffy coat only served as so much protection and she eventually started bleeding. Beside him, Badgerheart let out a deep sigh.
"I don't know why we bother," he muttered under his breath. Ivypaw nodded silently. He set the lizard down and the two went to untangle Peony.
Back in camp, Badgerheart nodded towards the medicine cat den. "Go get your injuries checked out by Robinsplash." Ivypaw's ears twitched as he set the lizard down on the fresh kill pile. He didn't think they should waste precious herbs on a kittypet's scratches, but he knew if they got infected then it would be an even bigger issue. He selected a fat blackbird before joining his mentor on the edge of camp for lunch.
WC: 1624
"Jeez, you sleep like a log." Driftpaw's voice came from directly above Ivypaw so he took a swing at the tom, feeling satisfied at a grunt from the other apprentice. "Lucky hit." He growled. "If you keep sleeping in like this, though, I'll become a warrior long before you." With that, the apprentice trotted out of the den.
Ivypaw sat up and rolled his shoulder carefully. It would be sore for a while, that was for sure. He didn't hate that injuries received in the dark forest were real, but he did hate the fact that everybody could see them. If only they were phantom feelings, a reminder of a mistake but no actual blood loss. Alas, it was not to be as his other denmate let out a gasp.
"Did you sleep wrong again, Ivypaw?" Petalpaw's green eyes were wide as she fretted over him. She always fretted over every little thing. He shook his head at her.
"Probably just opened an old wound. It's not a big deal." Before she could question him further, he slipped out of the den and blinked in the morning sun. Camp was already bustling. Driftpaw was bugging his mentor, Solheart, to eat faster so they could get to work.
"Ivypaw." This voice Ivypaw didn't hate. He turned to his mentor expectantly. Badgerheart's sharp eyes took in the wound, but he didn't say anything. Neither of them ever did if they ever came back with a wound from training. Best not to draw attention to it, but it had been a while since Ivypaw bled. "Vixenstreak is off to get her nine lives." Finally. He resisted rolling his eyes. "So we'll be in charge of the kittypet until she gets back." Noting the distaste in his voice, Ivypaw glanced towards where the she-cat was now. Peony chatted happily with Brightpaw.
Honestly, how the apprentice managed to get lost in the swamp was beyond him. But when a patrol found her, she'd been snuggled up with the kittypet. 'For warmth', she claimed. He nodded to his mentor and the two made their way over to the other pair. "Kittypet," Badgerheart interrupted them without much care. "It's time for you to start pulling your weight." His gaze roamed over the she-cat who was neatly groomed and looked well fed. She merely turned away from him and he growled.
"Do you hear something, Brightpaw?" She asked in an airy voice. "Sounds awful rude to me, if they can't even address a cat by name." Ivypaw's whiskers twitched. Cat has guts, he'll give her that much. But attitude didn't fill bellies.
"Sounds like a lot of air for a she-cat who got left behind by twolegs, of all folk." Ivypaw meowed, ears twitching. Peony's nostrils flared. It was a low blow, he admitted, but if a cat wanted to get into a verbal argument then he was going to defend his mentor.
"No need for such hostility," Badgerheart replied smoothly. He brushed his tail across Ivypaw's back to let the apprentice know he was grateful. "We'll teach you how to hunt, Peony. Brightpaw," The apprentice froze and stared up at Badgerheart with wide eyes, "why don't you go find Ferntail?" As the she-cat bounded off, Badgerheart turned and headed out of camp, waving his tail for the other two to follow.
"Why couldn't Brightpaw come with us?" Peony hurried to keep up.
"Brightpaw isn't my apprentice," Badgerheart's response was cool. "And it's rude to take another warrior's apprentice out without permission."
"So he does have common courtesy." Ivypaw exchanged looks with his mentor. Peony's voice had been barely audible, but the two had well trained ears. If she could talk, she could run. They picked up the pace.
By the time Badgerheart slowed down in one of the many forest clearings, Ivypaw's shoulder was feeling better after a nice long stretch. It was a common mistake apprentices made whenever they were wounded. Their first instinct is often to stop moving in order to avoid making it worse. While one shouldn't strain the injury, not moving the muscle area would leave it stiff and sore and make healing much more difficult.
"Right," The warrior padded in front of them. "Ivypaw, hunter's crouch." There was never a wasted word between the two of them. The apprentice obeyed and Badgerheart nodded to Peony. "Mimic him." Peony, who was panting heavily, looked up startled. Badgerheart gave her an expectant look and she hastily moved to copy Ivypaw's stance. "Come look, Ivypaw." The apprentice moved around the kittypet, his gaze flickering over her form. "Well?"
"Too much weight on the front paws, she'll fall flat on her face the moment she tries walking." The apprentice responded after a moment.
"Don't tell me, tell her." His mentor nodded to Peony.
"Shift your weight back." Ivypaw instructed. The she-cat obeyed as best she could. As she did, her butt went down as well. "Still your tail. Prey have good ears, they'll hear the slighted brush against the forest floor if you give them the chance." The tail which had been moving back and forth impatiently stilled, but continued to quiver. Good enough, I s'ppose. He changed positions from the front to the left side of her. "Widen your paws, too. It'll help with bal- too far. Judge by your shoulder blades." Ivypaw couldn't quite tell where the kittypet's shoulders were, she was so fluffy.
Once her couch seemed to be as good as it was going to get for the day, he instructed her to walk to the other end of the clearing. "You're not a snake!" Ivypaw snapped. "Raise your belly off the ground, for Starclan's sake." Peony toppled over at the harsh sound. Badgerheart placed a paw on Ivypaw's shoulder.
"Gentle now," he murmured. Ivypaw blinked up at his mentor and nodded. Both were used to the dark forest's instruction. The warrior took over from there and they practiced more with Ivypaw demonstrating a couple more times.
After Badgerheart was satisfied with Peony's stance, he led the way into the growth. They traveled much slower and for once, Peony was quiet. Ivypaw didn't think she could be. Warrior and apprentice saw the lizard at the same time and stilled, causing the she-cat to knock into them. She let out an 'oomph' and Badgerheart laid his tail over her muzzle and angled his ears at the prey sitting on the branch. Her eyes widened when she saw it and her gaze flickered between the two of them.
Ivypaw looked to Badgerheart for instruction. They didn't normally hunt with other cats so he wasn't sure where the warrior would want her. Badgerheart tilted his head to the left and Ivypaw nodded. The black tom melted into the trees and disappeared. Peony's eyes widened and her jaw dropped. Badgerheart placed a paw on her back and pressed down gently. She gave him a questioning look and he refrained from rolling his eyes. He went halfway to a hunter crouch and it took her a moment to get it. She nodded rapidly before doing her best crouch. He huffed, it would have to do, before turning the opposite direction of Ivypaw and silently disappearing as well.
Ivypaw's sharp eyes could easily track his mentor as he moved through the wood. Once in place, the nod from his mentor sent Ivypaw into action. He and Badgerheart sprang out from either side of the lizard. With no other choice, the prey bolted back towards Peony. Ivypaw nimbly followed it and managed to catch the kittypet grabbing the prey by its tail.
"EEEEK!" Peony's scream echoed through the forest as the lizard dropped its tail. Ivypaw winced at the sound and rolled his eyes as the prey ran passed the she-cat. He took off after it as Badgerheart clamped Peony's muzzle shut. He could hear the crashing sound of the she-cat following after them. This was their only chance now. All the prey within earshot would have gone into hiding by now. Ivypaw caught up to it swiftly and grabbed it by the head, giving it a clean kill. He felt a presence brush past him and a crash followed by another curse. Sitting up, Ivypaw blinked at the sight of the kittypet tangled in the undergrowth. "Ow, ow." Every time she tried to move, thorns prodded into her side. Her fluffy coat only served as so much protection and she eventually started bleeding. Beside him, Badgerheart let out a deep sigh.
"I don't know why we bother," he muttered under his breath. Ivypaw nodded silently. He set the lizard down and the two went to untangle Peony.
Back in camp, Badgerheart nodded towards the medicine cat den. "Go get your injuries checked out by Robinsplash." Ivypaw's ears twitched as he set the lizard down on the fresh kill pile. He didn't think they should waste precious herbs on a kittypet's scratches, but he knew if they got infected then it would be an even bigger issue. He selected a fat blackbird before joining his mentor on the edge of camp for lunch.
WC: 1624
#2 - Sinking
Snowfawn tossed and turned in her nest. She was too warm. Too many bodies. Hearing their deep breathing was like listening to their words whispered in her ear. Toxic, laughing, awful sounds. Gasping, her eyes snapped open and she rolled out of bed. With a deep sigh, she shook out her pelt and slipped from the den. She glanced towards the leader's den where her former mentor slept and then to the crevice below Star Rock. Yellowclaw had moved to his new home the night before and already she was feeling his absence. Coupled with her parents death, it was too much. Quietly, she picked her way out of camp.
Stonewater had always been a source of comfort to her. It was believed to be their old home, but now it was where valuable herbs grew. Before, medicine cats and warriors would have to venture deep into the swamp to retrieve the plants necessary to heal and protect the clan. No more. Or at least, that was the tale. Whether true or not, Stonewater was proof that everything had worth, even if its original design was destroyed. She hopped up on one of the rocks and stretched out. It was far enough away that no one would bother her, but still close enough to where she could get back before anyone woke up. It was perfect for whenever she couldn't stand to be around other cats anymore.
The sky was clear and the breeze gentle. It was as if the universe knew she needed a break after the rainstorm it drove into the heart of the territory. The damage was already done, of course, but it would be so much worse if she couldn't escape. Snowfawn didn't think bad weather would stop her if mental state was truly bad enough, but it was nice that she didn't have to make such a decision. Doubtless it would only cause complications. She could run the risk of sharing the same fate as her parents, not a complete loss in her mind, but there was also the danger of the clan sending out a patrol after her. That alone would be risky, but if they did manage to find her they would likely only talk about how much trouble she was and how she dragged them out of their warm nests. No one would ask why she was out there in the first place.
Nighttime was always when it got to be the worse. With all the silence in the air, her mind was able to run and she couldn't do much to stop it. There were no patrols or chores to do. No cat she could bug and pester to play with her. Just her and her thoughts. Clan gossip was nothing new, but it didn't make it any easier to handle. Folk always wondered how she could be so different from her father. Foxcloud had been a star deputy, according to everyone else. Growing up, he'd always just been her father. He never spoke to her about his image in front of the clan or how so many cats wondered why she wasn't as studious as he was. Her mother never brought up anything about how folk wondered if she was truly Foxcloud's kit. She looked like Doveheart, after all. But she heard the words anyways. Everything said was as loud to her as if they spoke it all to her face. While he'd been alive, everything the clan said made her scoff. It showed just how little they knew of their deputy. How much he hid from them so they could gossip carelessly. Only around her mother did he relax. Only then was he a real cat to Snowfawn.
According to them, she couldn't be much different. Supposedly she was such a great kit sitter because she herself was one of them. Naturally, she knew that wasn't the case. Kits were easy to play with because all they wanted was attention. With kits, it was almost always nap time. Or 'don't get under anyone's paw'. Or 'stop, it's too dangerous'. But she wasn't like the others. They could have fun and stay safe if one only tried. Despite the joy she took when chatting and playing with kits, there was little in it for her now. Upon the deaths of her parents, the clan lost two valuable warriors. Still, they moved on. But Snowfawn lost so much more. Not just her family, but also her best friend.
Now their talk was louder. She was childish and careless. A disgrace to warriors. Why did such an upstanding cat like Yellowclaw insist on being her friend? Logically, she knew they were wrong. She earned her warrior name, Echostar said so himself. Yellowclaw was the same as her father, presenting an an air of confidence and authority to his clanmates. But Snowfawn knew better. Having seen the two sides of Foxcloud, she knew that Yellowclaw, like all cats, needed a break. To relax and make room for fun. No one else seemed to understand that, while he may enjoy his duties and serving the clan, it shouldn't be all that he does.
Folk didn't realize the impact their words had. Or maybe they did and they just didn't care because it took attention away from their own flaws. If she heard them, doubtless Yellowclaw heard it too. About how responsible he was and how he was a model warrior for kits and apprentices, even his elders and peers. About how he was probably the youngest deputy in clan history. They piled their expectations on both of them. And now Snowfawn couldn't bear to be around them anymore.
How could they sleep so soundly after saying such hurtful things about their clanmates? And it wasn't just the gossip about herself. Winterpaw was cursed because she was a white she-cat. Briarrose's kits would never amount to much, not with a rogue father who she didn't even know the name of. Blackclaw was bound to retire any day now, that he'd only stuck around long enough in the hopes that he would be chosen as deputy after Echostar came to his last lives. To think so little of their clanmates, Snowfawn hated it all.
And now she was drowning. Away from such the source of such awful talk, the water wasn't as rough. The words clung to her pelt, but their power was less when she was alone. The cool air did wonders to calm her heart and ease her mind. Still, barely keeping her head above it all she saw them in the distance. Echostar and Yellowclaw. And a third, nameless shadow who would join her best friend when he ascended to clan leader. Bound and connected by a duty and responsibility she'd never know and understand. Would she lose him completely?
"You'll catch a cold, sleeping out here like this." Snowfawn gasped at a voice beside her. She let out a startled cry and flipped over, falling off the rock into the wet grass below. She blinked up at the source. Amber eyes stared down at her with amusement. She scrambled back up the rock and Yellowclaw's feathery tail brushed against her shoulder, knocking some grass off. "Well? What brought you out tonight?" She felt her ears grow warm and smoothed down her ruffled pelt with a few licks.
"Just...too warm inside." He let out a slow 'hm' sound before laying down. She tilted her head to one side. Did he not just say it was a bad idea to be outside now?
"A little nap won't hurt." She blinked at him and he pat the spot beside him with one paw. Purring, she curled up at the spot and lay her head across his side. His fur was always soft and warm, his heartbeat steady. As she closed her eyes, she felt his tail wrap around her gently. Pressure on her head was smooth and even as he groomed her carefully.
In her dreams, a strong jaw took hold of her scruff and hauled her out of the water. Her savior turned and started away. She hesitated and he paused to look back. He cocked his head, gesturing for her to follow. Purring, she obeyed. The two took off running. An unseen wind brushed against their fur. Despite the length of his yellow pelt, it looked light as he ran ahead. Of course, she couldn't see her own fur, but the weight of the water that had clung to it slowly dripped away, carried by the wind. Occasionally, her paws would dip into a deeper hole, but she jumped out easily. Water tried to tug at the fur along her legs, but it was nothing. She was running too fast for it to get a grip.
Snowfawn was sinking, but she wouldn't drown.
WC: 1470
Stonewater had always been a source of comfort to her. It was believed to be their old home, but now it was where valuable herbs grew. Before, medicine cats and warriors would have to venture deep into the swamp to retrieve the plants necessary to heal and protect the clan. No more. Or at least, that was the tale. Whether true or not, Stonewater was proof that everything had worth, even if its original design was destroyed. She hopped up on one of the rocks and stretched out. It was far enough away that no one would bother her, but still close enough to where she could get back before anyone woke up. It was perfect for whenever she couldn't stand to be around other cats anymore.
The sky was clear and the breeze gentle. It was as if the universe knew she needed a break after the rainstorm it drove into the heart of the territory. The damage was already done, of course, but it would be so much worse if she couldn't escape. Snowfawn didn't think bad weather would stop her if mental state was truly bad enough, but it was nice that she didn't have to make such a decision. Doubtless it would only cause complications. She could run the risk of sharing the same fate as her parents, not a complete loss in her mind, but there was also the danger of the clan sending out a patrol after her. That alone would be risky, but if they did manage to find her they would likely only talk about how much trouble she was and how she dragged them out of their warm nests. No one would ask why she was out there in the first place.
Nighttime was always when it got to be the worse. With all the silence in the air, her mind was able to run and she couldn't do much to stop it. There were no patrols or chores to do. No cat she could bug and pester to play with her. Just her and her thoughts. Clan gossip was nothing new, but it didn't make it any easier to handle. Folk always wondered how she could be so different from her father. Foxcloud had been a star deputy, according to everyone else. Growing up, he'd always just been her father. He never spoke to her about his image in front of the clan or how so many cats wondered why she wasn't as studious as he was. Her mother never brought up anything about how folk wondered if she was truly Foxcloud's kit. She looked like Doveheart, after all. But she heard the words anyways. Everything said was as loud to her as if they spoke it all to her face. While he'd been alive, everything the clan said made her scoff. It showed just how little they knew of their deputy. How much he hid from them so they could gossip carelessly. Only around her mother did he relax. Only then was he a real cat to Snowfawn.
According to them, she couldn't be much different. Supposedly she was such a great kit sitter because she herself was one of them. Naturally, she knew that wasn't the case. Kits were easy to play with because all they wanted was attention. With kits, it was almost always nap time. Or 'don't get under anyone's paw'. Or 'stop, it's too dangerous'. But she wasn't like the others. They could have fun and stay safe if one only tried. Despite the joy she took when chatting and playing with kits, there was little in it for her now. Upon the deaths of her parents, the clan lost two valuable warriors. Still, they moved on. But Snowfawn lost so much more. Not just her family, but also her best friend.
Now their talk was louder. She was childish and careless. A disgrace to warriors. Why did such an upstanding cat like Yellowclaw insist on being her friend? Logically, she knew they were wrong. She earned her warrior name, Echostar said so himself. Yellowclaw was the same as her father, presenting an an air of confidence and authority to his clanmates. But Snowfawn knew better. Having seen the two sides of Foxcloud, she knew that Yellowclaw, like all cats, needed a break. To relax and make room for fun. No one else seemed to understand that, while he may enjoy his duties and serving the clan, it shouldn't be all that he does.
Folk didn't realize the impact their words had. Or maybe they did and they just didn't care because it took attention away from their own flaws. If she heard them, doubtless Yellowclaw heard it too. About how responsible he was and how he was a model warrior for kits and apprentices, even his elders and peers. About how he was probably the youngest deputy in clan history. They piled their expectations on both of them. And now Snowfawn couldn't bear to be around them anymore.
How could they sleep so soundly after saying such hurtful things about their clanmates? And it wasn't just the gossip about herself. Winterpaw was cursed because she was a white she-cat. Briarrose's kits would never amount to much, not with a rogue father who she didn't even know the name of. Blackclaw was bound to retire any day now, that he'd only stuck around long enough in the hopes that he would be chosen as deputy after Echostar came to his last lives. To think so little of their clanmates, Snowfawn hated it all.
And now she was drowning. Away from such the source of such awful talk, the water wasn't as rough. The words clung to her pelt, but their power was less when she was alone. The cool air did wonders to calm her heart and ease her mind. Still, barely keeping her head above it all she saw them in the distance. Echostar and Yellowclaw. And a third, nameless shadow who would join her best friend when he ascended to clan leader. Bound and connected by a duty and responsibility she'd never know and understand. Would she lose him completely?
"You'll catch a cold, sleeping out here like this." Snowfawn gasped at a voice beside her. She let out a startled cry and flipped over, falling off the rock into the wet grass below. She blinked up at the source. Amber eyes stared down at her with amusement. She scrambled back up the rock and Yellowclaw's feathery tail brushed against her shoulder, knocking some grass off. "Well? What brought you out tonight?" She felt her ears grow warm and smoothed down her ruffled pelt with a few licks.
"Just...too warm inside." He let out a slow 'hm' sound before laying down. She tilted her head to one side. Did he not just say it was a bad idea to be outside now?
"A little nap won't hurt." She blinked at him and he pat the spot beside him with one paw. Purring, she curled up at the spot and lay her head across his side. His fur was always soft and warm, his heartbeat steady. As she closed her eyes, she felt his tail wrap around her gently. Pressure on her head was smooth and even as he groomed her carefully.
In her dreams, a strong jaw took hold of her scruff and hauled her out of the water. Her savior turned and started away. She hesitated and he paused to look back. He cocked his head, gesturing for her to follow. Purring, she obeyed. The two took off running. An unseen wind brushed against their fur. Despite the length of his yellow pelt, it looked light as he ran ahead. Of course, she couldn't see her own fur, but the weight of the water that had clung to it slowly dripped away, carried by the wind. Occasionally, her paws would dip into a deeper hole, but she jumped out easily. Water tried to tug at the fur along her legs, but it was nothing. She was running too fast for it to get a grip.
Snowfawn was sinking, but she wouldn't drown.
WC: 1470
#3 - Father
Ivypaw's ears twitched. Badgerheart was unusually quiet for the morning. Well, not much was ever really spoken between mentor and apprentice. But this silence felt...different somehow. Normally they started by going over whatever Ivypaw had learned on or worked on in the dark forest the night before, but it didn't look as if they were going to the training grounds. Unless this was some other form of training? Once they were well within the forest, Badgerheart stopped and turned to face Ivypaw. He sat down and his apprentice did the same.
"Right. We'll be going over the warrior code today." Ivypaw's head cocked to one side. The warrior code? What kit didn't know the warrior code? And why go all the way out here just to talk about it? As if reading his mind, Badgerheart continued. "I brought you out here because what I'm going to say might not sit well with the...others, but it must be said." Ivypaw blinked slowly. "Repeat to me what the first rule of the warrior code is."
"Defend the clan." The response was immediate. He'd heard that often enough out of Badgerheart's mouth. The older tom nodded.
"That's right. We defend the clan above all else, even ourselves." Ivypaw's ear twitched. Well, he figured as much. Wasn't that why they trained so hard? "This includes when things become difficult morally." His mentor's tail brushed against the forest floor, agitated. "Before you were born, seasons ago, a group of rogues entered our territory. They were ill with...something. We never found out what it was. But they asked for our assistance. A number of our warriors, my father included, begged Echostar not to take them in. If we didn't know what it was, how could we help them against it?" Ivypaw's whiskers quivered curiously. Badgerheart didn't talk about his family too often. "Still, he let them stay. As a result, nearly half our clan fell ill to that same disease. Of course, some weren't as bad as others. Only mild aches and chills. But the ones who fell gravely ill all died." Badgerheart paused and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "It's true that, as warriors, we should aid those who request our help. But we should never do so at the cost of our own lives. And especially when we have nothing to gain." A low growl entered his voice at the last sentence.
"Those rogues didn't stick around. Once those who survived were strong enough, they continued on their way. Of course, they helped us bury all the dead. But we shouldn't have had to bury any of our own members." His tail lashed in anger at the memory. "No place in the warrior code does it require us to help outsiders, but it does say that we must put the clan first. Above all else. This includes our own morals, for what's the life of one if the rest don't survive? Echostar selfishly allowed them to stay, perhaps because his conscious couldn't take turning them away. As a result, all of our elders were lost to their illness. And a great many of our warriors." He took another deep breath and opened his eyes. "Among those were my mother. The night of her vigil, it rained. No one remained out to sit for her. Not our leader, whose decision was the reason she perished in the first place. Or my father, as if he couldn't bare it. I did, though. So you see, Ivypaw, the clan must come first. Above all else. Do you understand?" Ivypaw nodded slowly. At least, he understood where Badgerheart was coming from. "This reasoning doesn't sit well with everyone all the time. For defending the good of the clan, many warriors have been sentenced to the dark forest after death. Of course, I don't condone those who endangered the clan for selfish reasons. But, it's within our right to remove a weak clan leader." Badgerheart's eyes glowed slightly. "Except, when we exercise this right, we're punished." Ivypaw tilted his head to one side.
"But I thought the clan leader's word was the will of Starclan? How could it be wrong?" Badgerheart shook his head slowly.
"It's when the leader acts against the warrior code that their word is no longer Starclan's. Echostar put rogues ahead of the clan's well being. It doesn't matter what the reason for doing so was, it is against our code. And if we are without our code, what are we?"
"Nothing more than rogues ourselves." Ivypaw knew that answer. Badgerheart nodded.
"And those rogues...how selfish of them was it to ask us to assist them when they could barely help themselves? They didn't stop to think that their illness could kill our own. If they hadn't asked, Echostar would've never brought them into camp. Or if they had turned down the offer because they could feel how deadly it was. Even if they'd stayed outside of camp would have been preferable. The point is, there was much that could've prevented the deaths of our clanmantes. We, as warriors, shouldn't fear death. We all will leave this life at one point. But, if it's avoidable then the deaths are nothing more than a waste. Instead, we used precious herbs and lost valuable time hunting for and taking care of rogues who left us with nothing but empty nests and proof that our leader is weak minded." Ivypaw could see now why Badgerheart had brought them so far out of camp. These were dangerous words indeed.
"Still, there was one good thing that came out of it..." The apprentice looked up. "We believe your father was one of the rogues who came and went." With that, the warrior turned and padded into the underbrush. "Come, show me what Darksand has been teaching you."
WC: 969
"Right. We'll be going over the warrior code today." Ivypaw's head cocked to one side. The warrior code? What kit didn't know the warrior code? And why go all the way out here just to talk about it? As if reading his mind, Badgerheart continued. "I brought you out here because what I'm going to say might not sit well with the...others, but it must be said." Ivypaw blinked slowly. "Repeat to me what the first rule of the warrior code is."
"Defend the clan." The response was immediate. He'd heard that often enough out of Badgerheart's mouth. The older tom nodded.
"That's right. We defend the clan above all else, even ourselves." Ivypaw's ear twitched. Well, he figured as much. Wasn't that why they trained so hard? "This includes when things become difficult morally." His mentor's tail brushed against the forest floor, agitated. "Before you were born, seasons ago, a group of rogues entered our territory. They were ill with...something. We never found out what it was. But they asked for our assistance. A number of our warriors, my father included, begged Echostar not to take them in. If we didn't know what it was, how could we help them against it?" Ivypaw's whiskers quivered curiously. Badgerheart didn't talk about his family too often. "Still, he let them stay. As a result, nearly half our clan fell ill to that same disease. Of course, some weren't as bad as others. Only mild aches and chills. But the ones who fell gravely ill all died." Badgerheart paused and closed his eyes, taking a deep breath. "It's true that, as warriors, we should aid those who request our help. But we should never do so at the cost of our own lives. And especially when we have nothing to gain." A low growl entered his voice at the last sentence.
"Those rogues didn't stick around. Once those who survived were strong enough, they continued on their way. Of course, they helped us bury all the dead. But we shouldn't have had to bury any of our own members." His tail lashed in anger at the memory. "No place in the warrior code does it require us to help outsiders, but it does say that we must put the clan first. Above all else. This includes our own morals, for what's the life of one if the rest don't survive? Echostar selfishly allowed them to stay, perhaps because his conscious couldn't take turning them away. As a result, all of our elders were lost to their illness. And a great many of our warriors." He took another deep breath and opened his eyes. "Among those were my mother. The night of her vigil, it rained. No one remained out to sit for her. Not our leader, whose decision was the reason she perished in the first place. Or my father, as if he couldn't bare it. I did, though. So you see, Ivypaw, the clan must come first. Above all else. Do you understand?" Ivypaw nodded slowly. At least, he understood where Badgerheart was coming from. "This reasoning doesn't sit well with everyone all the time. For defending the good of the clan, many warriors have been sentenced to the dark forest after death. Of course, I don't condone those who endangered the clan for selfish reasons. But, it's within our right to remove a weak clan leader." Badgerheart's eyes glowed slightly. "Except, when we exercise this right, we're punished." Ivypaw tilted his head to one side.
"But I thought the clan leader's word was the will of Starclan? How could it be wrong?" Badgerheart shook his head slowly.
"It's when the leader acts against the warrior code that their word is no longer Starclan's. Echostar put rogues ahead of the clan's well being. It doesn't matter what the reason for doing so was, it is against our code. And if we are without our code, what are we?"
"Nothing more than rogues ourselves." Ivypaw knew that answer. Badgerheart nodded.
"And those rogues...how selfish of them was it to ask us to assist them when they could barely help themselves? They didn't stop to think that their illness could kill our own. If they hadn't asked, Echostar would've never brought them into camp. Or if they had turned down the offer because they could feel how deadly it was. Even if they'd stayed outside of camp would have been preferable. The point is, there was much that could've prevented the deaths of our clanmantes. We, as warriors, shouldn't fear death. We all will leave this life at one point. But, if it's avoidable then the deaths are nothing more than a waste. Instead, we used precious herbs and lost valuable time hunting for and taking care of rogues who left us with nothing but empty nests and proof that our leader is weak minded." Ivypaw could see now why Badgerheart had brought them so far out of camp. These were dangerous words indeed.
"Still, there was one good thing that came out of it..." The apprentice looked up. "We believe your father was one of the rogues who came and went." With that, the warrior turned and padded into the underbrush. "Come, show me what Darksand has been teaching you."
WC: 969
#4 - Exploit
Coming soon