An Isolated Clan: Starless Lies (Book One) - Updated 9/27
Sept 27, 2024 21:24:22 GMT -5
valleylight likes this
Post by 🎄ᦓρ꠸ᥴꫀᠻꪖꪀᧁ🎅 on Sept 27, 2024 21:24:22 GMT -5
September update!
Chapter Twenty-One:
Chapter Twenty-One:
Fogpaw waited for Melodypaw to come back from the gathering. Nightgaze was busy, and it was getting late. Soon he wanted to be heading to sleep, but the mysterious brown tom from earlier kept his senses wide awake. Who was the cat? Why could only Fogpaw see him? Questions, so many questions. Fogpaw’s life was full of unanswered questions at the moment. He wished he didn’t have to play a stupid guessing game in his head for the answers.
Melodypaw trotted back into camp with their fellow clanmates. She dashed towards Fogpaw, looking a bit disappointed. “Hey, Fogpaw. How was sitting around at camp?”
“Boring— well actually, a bit eventful. I’m pretty sure Hollywish is having her kits now. Oh, and Duststar’s awoken.” Fogpaw said. The word about their leader had gotten around camp fast.
“Well, Thornbranch will be pleased that his kits are here. The whole gathering he was boasting about them. Maybe he’ll be a good father to his kits.”
Fogpaw cringed at his sister’s shot at Branchswirl and their unknown FrostClan father. What was Melodypaw’s problem? Branchswirl was a good father and mentor, biologically or not. He had proven it when he took Fogpaw out to do battle training, he cared about him.
“You know what, you are so salty about this!” Fogpaw hissed, “Can’t you get over it?”
“Huh, what? You mean about our father? I have a right to be angry, and so do you! We’ve been—“ But before Melodypaw could finish, Fogpaw butted in.
“—lied to our whole lives! I get it, Melodypaw. We’ve been lied to, no need to rub it in every time I want to talk to you. Branchswirl took me out training early and acted like a great father. You used to be obsessed with him, how can you let that all go just because you found out that some FrostClan tom was Graywillow’s real mate at the time we were born? Leave him alone!” Fogpaw didn’t look at Melodypaw after that. He turned around and ran for the apprentice’s den. He didn’t care what his sister thought, or what her opinion was on their heritage.
Fogpaw curled up in his nest, his fur spiked up with anger and exhaustion. I’m going to sleep early, even if the strange ton is keeping me up, he thought. And with that, the light gray tom soon dozed off.
* * * * * *
Fogpaw found himself lying in a shady forest. He stood up, only to feel a shot of pain in his paw. “Ow!” He yelped. He glanced at his injured paw, only to see it had a small pebble jabbed in it. Quickly, Fogpaw pulled the stone out. It started to bleed. He groaned in annoyance, but then became more aware of his surroundings. Tall cedar trees were scattered all around him, and the territory around was rough and rocky. Where am I? he thought.
Fogpaw started to walk, this time carefully avoiding the small rocks. “Is this StoneClan territory?” He mumbled aloud. It looked like StoneClan, but it certainly didn’t smell like it. StoneClan cats had a dusty, muddy smell to them. This place smelt even more rancid than that. It reeked of crow-food and blood, although the setting showed no signings of either things.
“It is somewhat a copy of StoneClan territory,” A familiar voice said. The words echoed in the emptiness, ringing in Fogpaw’s ears.
The strange tom from earlier! What does he want? Fogpaw thought. Unsheathing his claws in case of a threat, he trotted closer to the voice. “Who are you? Where are you!?” He yelled. His words echoed too.
“I’m right here.” The tom replied. He approached from behind the cedar trees, revealing his ghostly body. His brown fur almost camouflaged with the tree trunks. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Fogpaw, I’ve been looking forward to it.”
Fogpaw didn’t reply. He didn’t want to say anything until he knew further context.
The brown tabby sighed. “You know, my little friend over there, they wanted me to bring your sister instead of you, I thought that was idiotic. Ah… what’s her name again? Oh yes, Melodypaw. I didn’t think she was as important as you so I didn’t bring her, but they think we should have brought her instead. Anything to say to that?”
A fluffy smoke colored cat emerged from further behind the cedar trees, hissing. They were just as ghostly as the brown tom, and they also had the red coloring. “That’s not what I meant, don’t lie to him saying I’ve been trash talking him, the poor kits hardly even met me.” They stopped for a moment, eyeing Fogpaw. Nervously, Fogpaw broke eye contact, not having thought through what to do next. “And don’t call me your little friend ever again.” The gray cat added.
These cats mean business, I have to stick with whatever they say. Fogpaw thought. “Well that’s stupid of them. Melodypaw is not even that smart, she’s way too pushy.”
“Agreed! I told you we chose the right one,” The brown tom said to the gray cat. The cat rolled their eyes, clearly annoyed with their friend. “Anyways, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Acorntooth. This is Hazefur. We are here to make you one of the strongest cats in all the clans.”
It got silent for a moment. “…May I ask why?” Fogpaw asked. He couldn’t resist the urge of saying such a thing, he had to find out. I mean, he wasn’t against becoming strong, but where were these cats from? Why him?
“Are you not honoring our offer to train you? Disrespectful!” Hazefur yowled.
“No, I would never—“
“Relax! Hazefur, keep your muzzle shut!” Acorntooth hissed, “You, Fogpaw, have been underestimated by your peers. What went down not long ago with Sweetfang was unacceptable behavior from Swamptail and Silentstep towards you. You have every right to be upset with them. You need to show them how strong you really are.”
“That’s true…” Fogpaw mumbled, staring at his white paws. At this point, he wasn’t masking his emotions from Acorntooth now. Maybe he really did just want to help Fogpaw.
“Your mother lied to you about your father, and Melodypaw keeps bringing it up! Nobody is listening to you in your clan, are they? Everything is just one big mess.”
As much as Fogpaw wanted to, he couldn’t deny what Acorntooth was saying. PetalClan was a mess at the moment. They had an injured leader and a strong rivalry with FrostClan, who knows what would happen next?
It did bother Fogpaw with how rude Acorntooth was being to Melodypaw though. Sure, Fogpaw disliked her attitude currently, but nobody should be picking on Nightgaze or Melodypaw. But apparently Hazefur did show interested in Melodypaw according to Acornfur, and Fogpaw wasn’t going to let the mysterious cats know his opinions on their statements just yet. He wanted to hear more of what he was in for with this “training”.
“Would you like to know where you are?” Hazefur said, butting in.
“Of course, I’m very curious,” Fogpaw replied confidently.
“This is just our temporary spot, we have a whole forest to show you another time. But this is, like I said earlier, is a similar place to StoneClan territory. I grew up there, if you wanted to know.” Acornfur mewed.
What was a StoneClan spirit doing training Fogpaw? Why would Acorntooth ever share his origins with Fogpaw? It was weird how open the tom was being to him.
“Interesting.” Fogpaw said, attempting to show the two cats he was engaged in the conversation.
“We should get on with the training then, well, if you’re strong enough for it at least. More questions can wait until after.” Acorntooth added. He came closer up to Fogpaw, making steady eye contact. “You are strong enough, aren’t you?” Acorntooth said with a smirk. The words sent shivers down Fogpaw’s fur.
Trying his best not to show how intimidated he was getting, Fogpaw just nodded. “Of course I am.” He sheathed his claws, no longer in defense mode. Instead, he would learn some new battle techniques with these cats. Perhaps this would go well.
“Let’s get started then.” Hazefur said. Without warning, the gray cat went straight under Fogpaw and at his paws, tripping him into the hard, stoney ground. Her claws dug into his belly, catching Fogpaw by surprise.
Their claws aren’t sheathed! Fogpaw thought in a panic. Quickly, with his furry legs flailing in the air, he unsheathed his own claws and tried to scratch their face. His paw still ached from the pebble and his stomach seemed to scream with pain as Hazefur dug their claws deeper and deeper into Fogpaw’s flesh. Make it stop! he thought.
Suddenly, Fogpaw was released from Hazefur’s grasp. He panted, still in shock from the situation. Carefully, he got himself up. The torture was over.
“We have a lot of work to do,” Hazefur groaned.
“Why were your claws sheathed? Who trains in such a pathetic way?” Acorntooth added harshly.
That’s how all the clans do battle training, with their claws sheathed! Fogpaw thought bitterly. How was he supposed to know any better? Catching his breath, he shook the rocks out of his fur. “I was just caught off guard, that’s all. You didn’t warn me we were jumping straight into training right then.”
“Does an enemy clan warn you before they sneak attack your camp?” Hazefur asked.
“…I guess not.”
“Then why would I warn you before I attack you? This is the affective way to train.”
“Whatever, you’re still learning after all, so we’ll let it go. But be ready next time,” Acorntooth said.
Fogpaw just nodded. What would Hazefur have done to him if it wasn’t his first time? Would he have been handed off as fresh-kill? No, these cats aren’t that evil. They’re just trying to help, Fogpaw thought, shaking his second guesses away.
“That move I used to knock you over will be taught to you tomorrow,” Hazefur informed him.
“He has to leave already?” Acorntooth asked.
“Our first session can’t be long. After all, Fogpaw can’t stay asleep forever.”
Huh? What do they mean by ‘Fogpaw can’t stay asleep forever?’
* * * * * *
Just then, Fogpaw awoke.
He stared down at his paws, curled up in his nest. Was that really just a dream? Fogpaw thought. He scanned the apprentice den. His den mates were all still sound asleep. Fogpaw went to get to his paws, but then felt a sting in his belly. He glanced down at his bedding, only to see it stained with red. My wounds! They’re still here!
In a panic, Fogpaw grabbed a piece of moss from his nest that wasn’t wet with blood already. He rolled onto his stomach and dabbed it along his underbelly, trying to stop the bleeding. It wasn’t a bad wound, just claw markings, but it was still bleeding heavily. How did my wound from my dream transfer into reality!? He couldn’t see a medicine cat about this, they would wonder how he got such wounds. Plus, Nightgaze had to much to worry about already. I have to do something about this though.
Fogpaw left the apprentice den, careful not to wake anyone. He sucked his belly in, trying not to reveal his bloody fur to the few cats who were awake. Swamptail was giving orders to Forestsnap and Fogpaw could hear cries from the nursery. Must be the new kits. Then, someone else caught his eye. Vineshade was walking right towards him.
Oh no, he’s totally going to see my wound! In a panic, Fogpaw laid down, acting like he was sunbathing in the early dawn light to cover his stomach.
“Oh Fogpaw, it’s a good thing you’re up. Swamptail wants you on the dawn patrol—“ Vineshade paused. “What’s up with the blood?” He asked.
Mouse-dung! “I- uh- walked into the bramble bush that makes the walls of the apprentice den. Silly me, wasn’t thinking straight! I was tired, wasn’t thinking straight this morning.” Fogpaw stuttered as he uttered the sentence. It was an unnatural way for him to speak to his clanmates, so nervous.
Vineshade glared at him suspiciously. “Show me your wound.”
Fogpaw panicked. “I don’t think that’s necessary—“
“Show me it! I’m a senior warrior, it’s an order.” Vineshade hissed.
Defeated, Fogpaw revealed his underbelly to the black and white tom. Vineshade didn’t take his eyes off the wound. “That doesn’t look like a scrape from a bramble bush,” he huffed.
“I—“
“Don’t make up another excuse now, let’s just get this patched up. You need marigold and cobweb, that’s it. I’ll snatch it from the herb storage real quick, Cardinalflight and Nightgaze won’t even notice.”
“How’d you know what I needed to be treated?” Fogpaw asked, switching the subject off of how he got the wound.
“Trained as a medicine cat once,” Vineshade muttered, not making eye contact. He dashed off towards the medicine den to grab herbs before Fogpaw could ask any follow up questions about what he just said.
Fogpaw remembered when Vineshade mentioned his medicine cat career to Daisyfoot at the battle with FrostClan near the juniper bushes. I had forgotten about that. Vineshade as a medicine cat… he doesn’t seem like the type.
Vineshade came back, chewing up what Fogpaw assumed to be marigold into a poultice.
“Thanks, I guess.” Fogpaw mumbled.
“Thank me later when I get you out of a lot more trouble. After we go on the dawn patrol, stop and eat some fresh kill with me when you get the time. We need to talk,” Vineshade instructed.
And as Fogpaw looked into the tom’s green eyes, he was certain Vineshade knew about his mysterious dream.
Ping List: 𝕊’𝕞𝕠𝕣𝕖, valleylight, beefur 👻🦇🎃, MistShadow, ✦⚝Stormscar⚝✦Melodypaw trotted back into camp with their fellow clanmates. She dashed towards Fogpaw, looking a bit disappointed. “Hey, Fogpaw. How was sitting around at camp?”
“Boring— well actually, a bit eventful. I’m pretty sure Hollywish is having her kits now. Oh, and Duststar’s awoken.” Fogpaw said. The word about their leader had gotten around camp fast.
“Well, Thornbranch will be pleased that his kits are here. The whole gathering he was boasting about them. Maybe he’ll be a good father to his kits.”
Fogpaw cringed at his sister’s shot at Branchswirl and their unknown FrostClan father. What was Melodypaw’s problem? Branchswirl was a good father and mentor, biologically or not. He had proven it when he took Fogpaw out to do battle training, he cared about him.
“You know what, you are so salty about this!” Fogpaw hissed, “Can’t you get over it?”
“Huh, what? You mean about our father? I have a right to be angry, and so do you! We’ve been—“ But before Melodypaw could finish, Fogpaw butted in.
“—lied to our whole lives! I get it, Melodypaw. We’ve been lied to, no need to rub it in every time I want to talk to you. Branchswirl took me out training early and acted like a great father. You used to be obsessed with him, how can you let that all go just because you found out that some FrostClan tom was Graywillow’s real mate at the time we were born? Leave him alone!” Fogpaw didn’t look at Melodypaw after that. He turned around and ran for the apprentice’s den. He didn’t care what his sister thought, or what her opinion was on their heritage.
Fogpaw curled up in his nest, his fur spiked up with anger and exhaustion. I’m going to sleep early, even if the strange ton is keeping me up, he thought. And with that, the light gray tom soon dozed off.
* * * * * *
Fogpaw found himself lying in a shady forest. He stood up, only to feel a shot of pain in his paw. “Ow!” He yelped. He glanced at his injured paw, only to see it had a small pebble jabbed in it. Quickly, Fogpaw pulled the stone out. It started to bleed. He groaned in annoyance, but then became more aware of his surroundings. Tall cedar trees were scattered all around him, and the territory around was rough and rocky. Where am I? he thought.
Fogpaw started to walk, this time carefully avoiding the small rocks. “Is this StoneClan territory?” He mumbled aloud. It looked like StoneClan, but it certainly didn’t smell like it. StoneClan cats had a dusty, muddy smell to them. This place smelt even more rancid than that. It reeked of crow-food and blood, although the setting showed no signings of either things.
“It is somewhat a copy of StoneClan territory,” A familiar voice said. The words echoed in the emptiness, ringing in Fogpaw’s ears.
The strange tom from earlier! What does he want? Fogpaw thought. Unsheathing his claws in case of a threat, he trotted closer to the voice. “Who are you? Where are you!?” He yelled. His words echoed too.
“I’m right here.” The tom replied. He approached from behind the cedar trees, revealing his ghostly body. His brown fur almost camouflaged with the tree trunks. “It’s a pleasure to meet you Fogpaw, I’ve been looking forward to it.”
Fogpaw didn’t reply. He didn’t want to say anything until he knew further context.
The brown tabby sighed. “You know, my little friend over there, they wanted me to bring your sister instead of you, I thought that was idiotic. Ah… what’s her name again? Oh yes, Melodypaw. I didn’t think she was as important as you so I didn’t bring her, but they think we should have brought her instead. Anything to say to that?”
A fluffy smoke colored cat emerged from further behind the cedar trees, hissing. They were just as ghostly as the brown tom, and they also had the red coloring. “That’s not what I meant, don’t lie to him saying I’ve been trash talking him, the poor kits hardly even met me.” They stopped for a moment, eyeing Fogpaw. Nervously, Fogpaw broke eye contact, not having thought through what to do next. “And don’t call me your little friend ever again.” The gray cat added.
These cats mean business, I have to stick with whatever they say. Fogpaw thought. “Well that’s stupid of them. Melodypaw is not even that smart, she’s way too pushy.”
“Agreed! I told you we chose the right one,” The brown tom said to the gray cat. The cat rolled their eyes, clearly annoyed with their friend. “Anyways, allow me to introduce myself. I’m Acorntooth. This is Hazefur. We are here to make you one of the strongest cats in all the clans.”
It got silent for a moment. “…May I ask why?” Fogpaw asked. He couldn’t resist the urge of saying such a thing, he had to find out. I mean, he wasn’t against becoming strong, but where were these cats from? Why him?
“Are you not honoring our offer to train you? Disrespectful!” Hazefur yowled.
“No, I would never—“
“Relax! Hazefur, keep your muzzle shut!” Acorntooth hissed, “You, Fogpaw, have been underestimated by your peers. What went down not long ago with Sweetfang was unacceptable behavior from Swamptail and Silentstep towards you. You have every right to be upset with them. You need to show them how strong you really are.”
“That’s true…” Fogpaw mumbled, staring at his white paws. At this point, he wasn’t masking his emotions from Acorntooth now. Maybe he really did just want to help Fogpaw.
“Your mother lied to you about your father, and Melodypaw keeps bringing it up! Nobody is listening to you in your clan, are they? Everything is just one big mess.”
As much as Fogpaw wanted to, he couldn’t deny what Acorntooth was saying. PetalClan was a mess at the moment. They had an injured leader and a strong rivalry with FrostClan, who knows what would happen next?
It did bother Fogpaw with how rude Acorntooth was being to Melodypaw though. Sure, Fogpaw disliked her attitude currently, but nobody should be picking on Nightgaze or Melodypaw. But apparently Hazefur did show interested in Melodypaw according to Acornfur, and Fogpaw wasn’t going to let the mysterious cats know his opinions on their statements just yet. He wanted to hear more of what he was in for with this “training”.
“Would you like to know where you are?” Hazefur said, butting in.
“Of course, I’m very curious,” Fogpaw replied confidently.
“This is just our temporary spot, we have a whole forest to show you another time. But this is, like I said earlier, is a similar place to StoneClan territory. I grew up there, if you wanted to know.” Acornfur mewed.
What was a StoneClan spirit doing training Fogpaw? Why would Acorntooth ever share his origins with Fogpaw? It was weird how open the tom was being to him.
“Interesting.” Fogpaw said, attempting to show the two cats he was engaged in the conversation.
“We should get on with the training then, well, if you’re strong enough for it at least. More questions can wait until after.” Acorntooth added. He came closer up to Fogpaw, making steady eye contact. “You are strong enough, aren’t you?” Acorntooth said with a smirk. The words sent shivers down Fogpaw’s fur.
Trying his best not to show how intimidated he was getting, Fogpaw just nodded. “Of course I am.” He sheathed his claws, no longer in defense mode. Instead, he would learn some new battle techniques with these cats. Perhaps this would go well.
“Let’s get started then.” Hazefur said. Without warning, the gray cat went straight under Fogpaw and at his paws, tripping him into the hard, stoney ground. Her claws dug into his belly, catching Fogpaw by surprise.
Their claws aren’t sheathed! Fogpaw thought in a panic. Quickly, with his furry legs flailing in the air, he unsheathed his own claws and tried to scratch their face. His paw still ached from the pebble and his stomach seemed to scream with pain as Hazefur dug their claws deeper and deeper into Fogpaw’s flesh. Make it stop! he thought.
Suddenly, Fogpaw was released from Hazefur’s grasp. He panted, still in shock from the situation. Carefully, he got himself up. The torture was over.
“We have a lot of work to do,” Hazefur groaned.
“Why were your claws sheathed? Who trains in such a pathetic way?” Acorntooth added harshly.
That’s how all the clans do battle training, with their claws sheathed! Fogpaw thought bitterly. How was he supposed to know any better? Catching his breath, he shook the rocks out of his fur. “I was just caught off guard, that’s all. You didn’t warn me we were jumping straight into training right then.”
“Does an enemy clan warn you before they sneak attack your camp?” Hazefur asked.
“…I guess not.”
“Then why would I warn you before I attack you? This is the affective way to train.”
“Whatever, you’re still learning after all, so we’ll let it go. But be ready next time,” Acorntooth said.
Fogpaw just nodded. What would Hazefur have done to him if it wasn’t his first time? Would he have been handed off as fresh-kill? No, these cats aren’t that evil. They’re just trying to help, Fogpaw thought, shaking his second guesses away.
“That move I used to knock you over will be taught to you tomorrow,” Hazefur informed him.
“He has to leave already?” Acorntooth asked.
“Our first session can’t be long. After all, Fogpaw can’t stay asleep forever.”
Huh? What do they mean by ‘Fogpaw can’t stay asleep forever?’
* * * * * *
Just then, Fogpaw awoke.
He stared down at his paws, curled up in his nest. Was that really just a dream? Fogpaw thought. He scanned the apprentice den. His den mates were all still sound asleep. Fogpaw went to get to his paws, but then felt a sting in his belly. He glanced down at his bedding, only to see it stained with red. My wounds! They’re still here!
In a panic, Fogpaw grabbed a piece of moss from his nest that wasn’t wet with blood already. He rolled onto his stomach and dabbed it along his underbelly, trying to stop the bleeding. It wasn’t a bad wound, just claw markings, but it was still bleeding heavily. How did my wound from my dream transfer into reality!? He couldn’t see a medicine cat about this, they would wonder how he got such wounds. Plus, Nightgaze had to much to worry about already. I have to do something about this though.
Fogpaw left the apprentice den, careful not to wake anyone. He sucked his belly in, trying not to reveal his bloody fur to the few cats who were awake. Swamptail was giving orders to Forestsnap and Fogpaw could hear cries from the nursery. Must be the new kits. Then, someone else caught his eye. Vineshade was walking right towards him.
Oh no, he’s totally going to see my wound! In a panic, Fogpaw laid down, acting like he was sunbathing in the early dawn light to cover his stomach.
“Oh Fogpaw, it’s a good thing you’re up. Swamptail wants you on the dawn patrol—“ Vineshade paused. “What’s up with the blood?” He asked.
Mouse-dung! “I- uh- walked into the bramble bush that makes the walls of the apprentice den. Silly me, wasn’t thinking straight! I was tired, wasn’t thinking straight this morning.” Fogpaw stuttered as he uttered the sentence. It was an unnatural way for him to speak to his clanmates, so nervous.
Vineshade glared at him suspiciously. “Show me your wound.”
Fogpaw panicked. “I don’t think that’s necessary—“
“Show me it! I’m a senior warrior, it’s an order.” Vineshade hissed.
Defeated, Fogpaw revealed his underbelly to the black and white tom. Vineshade didn’t take his eyes off the wound. “That doesn’t look like a scrape from a bramble bush,” he huffed.
“I—“
“Don’t make up another excuse now, let’s just get this patched up. You need marigold and cobweb, that’s it. I’ll snatch it from the herb storage real quick, Cardinalflight and Nightgaze won’t even notice.”
“How’d you know what I needed to be treated?” Fogpaw asked, switching the subject off of how he got the wound.
“Trained as a medicine cat once,” Vineshade muttered, not making eye contact. He dashed off towards the medicine den to grab herbs before Fogpaw could ask any follow up questions about what he just said.
Fogpaw remembered when Vineshade mentioned his medicine cat career to Daisyfoot at the battle with FrostClan near the juniper bushes. I had forgotten about that. Vineshade as a medicine cat… he doesn’t seem like the type.
Vineshade came back, chewing up what Fogpaw assumed to be marigold into a poultice.
“Thanks, I guess.” Fogpaw mumbled.
“Thank me later when I get you out of a lot more trouble. After we go on the dawn patrol, stop and eat some fresh kill with me when you get the time. We need to talk,” Vineshade instructed.
And as Fogpaw looked into the tom’s green eyes, he was certain Vineshade knew about his mysterious dream.
