The stories of legends || Rise. Warrior stories

[Chimericect]

“Crowpaw, who were you talking to?”

Crowpaw’s eyes shot open in alarm, the sudden familiar voice shaking him awake. He found himself gazing at Brokenpaw, a fellow apprentice and a... friend. A close friend at one point, although he could feel the two beginning to slip away. He didn’t want to bother with her; he didn’t feel like she deserved it, the cruel things he knew he was to do. “Nobody of your concern,” he murmured coldly. He curled his tail, hiding the bottom portion of his face. Brokenpaw narrowed her eyes, glaring at the tom.
“It is my concern if it is an enemy,” she growled. Something in her voice told Crowpaw she wasn’t joking. He rolled his eyes.
“As if I would do such a thing, who do you think that I am?” He spat, baring his teeth at his friend. Friend? Could he even call her that anymore? Even he couldn’t know. “I was talking to the spirits.” He growled. “Just trying to contact my sister, I haven’t seen her. I was hoping the mistress would at least tell me that she is okay.” He sighed.

“Liar.” Brokenpaw growled. “If you were so concerned for her you would go to their clan. I’m not a fool, Crowpaw. I know you more than you know yourself sometimes.

“I never lie.” Crowpaw hissed coldly. Brokenpaw sighed, giving up the tough cat act that she had been putting on.

“Just come back to the camp. You realize tomorrow is the day, right?”

“Yes,” he sighed. “I’ll join you, just give me a few moments more alone out here. I miss the cold air, it’s too stuffy in the den. Too many of us.”
[ 283 words ]

[Chimericect]

The morning silence was broken by a yowl, the familiar screech of an excited leader cutting through camp. It had been 6 moons since she had taken the role as leader, and now here she was, starting off yet another ceremony. She was thrilled. In the last moon, they had been joined by two young cats; rescued from a rivalling tribe. Today was the ceremony where two others would come of age to rank up, one to warrior and one to apprentice. It was all very thrilling for the young she-cat. She sat atop the highest rock that overlooked the entire clan, purring madly as she spoke the same words once used by those that once thrived here. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here for a Clan meeting.” She called out.

Four cats sat beneath the large boulder, facing an ever-growing crowd. The four watched as more and more gathered around them, their eyes gazing upon them with excitement. Once she was satisfied, Thunderstar once again began to speak. “As you know, we have been facing a foe in which acts of cruelty are common. Unruly acts towards kits and fully-grown warriors alike, their treatment has not gone unnoticed. We are joined here by two survivors who will be accepted as part of our own. I fully expect you all to treat them as you have other outsiders in the past, as all of us here were outsiders at one point or another.”
Thunderstar hopped down from high rock, the clan gazing at her as she picked up a small blue tabby kitten and held him between her jaws. She carefully hopped back up and placed the small kit in between her paws for safety. “This kit has been cast away from his former clan, left among the tall ferns that border out territory. Half dead, we did not believe he would survive, but the ancestors have given him a new life. Small, weak, and with seemingly no hope, he has been given a second chance. May the council of ancestors hear my voice: From now on until he gains his apprentice name, he will be called Brackenkit to serve as a testament to where he was found.” She allowed a moment of silence before motioning for the clan to cheer. Brackenkits name echoed throughout the camp. From the nursery, the only queen sat with excitement.

“Briarleap, I trust that you will take Brackenkit under your care, you will love him as you have loved your own kit. “She murmured, once again grasping the young kit in her jaws. He said nothing, but his eyes beamed with excitement. He would be loved here. Thunderstar gently placed him into the den herself. Briarleap nuzzled the tired kit and curled her tail around him. “I will do my best, Thunderstar.” She whispered, dipping her head before returning her attention to the kit.

It was an unusual circumstance, kits were rarely inducted into the clan, and if they were, it was not usually this big of a circumstance. As Thunderstar made her way back up the rock once again, she remembered Tinykit and Squirrelkit, two kits she adopted as her own, and how they were simply accepted without say. This kit, however, had never known love. She wanted to show him he was safe, that he would be protected. He deserved that much, didn’t he?
[ 568 words ]

[Chimericect]

“We have two new apprentices to induct, as well.” Thunderstar motioned to two apprentices, both of which were glaring at one another. “Molly,” Thunderstar began, claiming the attention of a cinnamon silver marbled and white tabby. She wore a smug smile on her face as she joined the spot right next to Thunderstar. “You have been with us less than a half-moon, coming to us as an escapee from the other tribe. You have strength and have been through more than you may ever understand. As a clan, we are honored to have you in our home, and we are honored to call you our family. It is through careful observation that I and the ancestors have come upon your new name, your tribe name. You are of age to train, to learn your place and do your part in the clan, correct?”

“Yes, yes I am, Thunderstar.” She responded confidently. Beneath the rock, the other apprentice-aged cat rolled her eyes.
“Then it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you receive your tribal name, you will be known as Quickpaw, in response to your ability to think quickly and clearly under pressure, and your incredible speed in patrolling the border. Your mentor will be Adderbite. I understand that your apprentice is of age and has completed his training, leaving you able to train yet another. You have received excellent training from your clan prior to coming to this one, and you have taught myself and others much. I trust you to pass on your bravery and leadership ability to Quickpaw, I know you will not let the clan down.”
“I will make the clan proud.” Quickpaw exclaimed, turning to face her new family. She trotted over to greet Adderbite, the clan deputy and now her mentor. Pride welled up inside of the small cat’s chest, she was chosen to be mentored by the deputy himself! What an honor, she always knew she was important. She was pleased to know the leader thought so too. Her name now echoed throughout the camp, going on for a moment before Thunderstar hushed them once again.

“We have yet another apprentice,” She murmured, glancing now to the blue mink furred cat. “Wolfkit, please join me.” She murmured. Wolfkit took her place now next to Thunderstar, her white chest puffing out with a false appearance of pride. Her expression was almost emotionless, a small twinge of bitterness was visible in her dull blue eyes. She glared at Quickpaw, and the rest of the clan. She knew what would happen, she knew what was awaiting them. A small smile edged her mouth, she would be a hero. Both she and Crowpaw would be heroes, they knew. “It is also time for you to be apprenticed. You came to us in desperate need, you and your mother both joined us many moons ago. Now you are of age, and it is your time to be apprenticed. From this day on, until you have received your tribal name, you will be known as Wolfpaw. You will be joining Pantherpaw in training, your mentor will be Spiderweb.” Thunderstar murmured. She gazed across her sea of warriors, realizing that there were more apprentices that were coming in than they could handle. Thankfully, the apprentices were making progress quickly, and they would soon be able to train the next litters that would come

[Chimericect]

”I think... I’m going to lead a patrol today Adderbite.” Thunderstar purred. She lovingly bumped heads with his, avoiding his slightly worried gaze. “Relax, Adderbite. It will be okay I promise.” She added. “I’m taking a small patrol, we’re just going to go up to the border and right back, it won’t be long I promise.”

“Alright, just... be careful okay? You don’t always go on patrols.” he sighed.