[mewmew.]

Welcome to Rise!
Rise is an adoptable based on Warrior Cats and focused around world building and character development.
Please make sure that you read the main thread so that you understand limits and levels!

To claim you must be at least level 1 or not have a founder in progress or a founder at all. Please be sure you have room in your clan before applying for this cat.

This cat may not be traded until: August 17th
There is a 2 month cooldown after each ownership change.
For a transfer to be official, both parties must post on this cat's page. The original owner must post in the archive.

How did this cat become best friends with his/her best friend? Write a short story of a max of 600 words


End Date: Friday May 24th

Username: Knickknacks
Cat Name: Cloudgaze
Clan: Northclan
Rank: warrior

Gender: tom
Age: 34 moons
Description: seal lynx point

Other Features: None
Siblings: None Living

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Father: Foundation
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Dam: Foundation
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[Ladyskittels]

Username;; Ladyskittels
Cat Name;; Kastrelpaw (Kestrelsong)
Gender;; trans molly (dmab)
Age;; 10 moons
Clan;; Glacial Blizzard Clan
Rank;; Apprentice -> Scout

Prompt;;
"I'm gonna be the best! There ever waaaas…" The young apprentice sang to herself as she worked away gathering flowers in her mouth for the coming festival. As her mouth grew more full, she hummed the tune and began to bob her head along to the beat, absorbed in her little world.

"What are you doing?" A voice asked shyly from behind a patch of tall grass.

The young apprentice jumped in surprise and whirled around to find a large animal that she'd never seen before; it was large and furry with a long face and soft brown eyes and stood upon four legs that more closely resembled baby trees than actual legs. She felt her mouth open widely and the flowers fell to the ground below her as she tried to find the words she wanted. "Uh.... w-what do you mean?" She asked dumbly, her mind still reeling from the shock of the surprise.

"What was it you were doing with your voice?" The voice of the stranger asked, tilting her head slightly. "I'm gonna be the best!" She mimicked the song from before, although it sounded more like a screech than a song.

Kestrelpaw covered her ears with her paws as the unpleasant noise struck her eardrums unpleasantly. When the stranger had stopped, she lowered her paws and explained, "I was singing. It's kinda like a story you tell someone but you get to make up the words."

"I love it!" The stranger said enthusiastically, a broad smile spreading on her long face. "Where did you learn it? I'd love for you to teach me!"

The apprentice laughed nervously but eventually agreed. "Alright, but you're gonna need a lot of lessons!" The two laughed together before Kestrelpaw continued. "I learned how to do it from the birds. Oh, I'm Kestrelpaw by the way. Who are you?"

"Oops, how rude of me," the large female said with a small sigh out of annoyance with herself. "My name's Athena- I'm a caribou from the human farm up over the mountains. What are you? I've never even seen something as small as you before."

"I am a kitten," Kestrelpaw said proudly, puffing out her chest slightly. "Actually, an APPRENTICE. I'm not a baby anymore!"

"I see," Athena said, still not quite understanding. "Do you live with the humans too?"

"I'm not sure, to be honest," Kestrelpaw said in confusion. "What's a human?"

"Theyre these weird beings with no fur who walk on two legs," Athena said. "Maybe I can show you sometime. It really isn't far of a walk. Well..... at least for me it isn't far."

"Maybe," Kestrel replied as she gauged the size of her new friend. "Say, Athena? Do you think we could be friends?"

"The best of friends!"

From that day on the apprentice and the caribou were the best- and most unlikely- of friends, spending nearly every day together. They loved spending their time singing and exploring together- Athena letting Kestrelpaw ride on top of her back as they talked about everything they would do together. Soon, it became quite rare to see one without the other.

[521 / 600 words]

[Ravendarus]

Username;; Ravendarus
Cat Name;; Oaktangle
Gender;; Tom
Age;; 40 moons
Clan;; Echoclan
Rank;; Warrior

Prompt;;
"Okay she is the most beautiful she-cat in the world, I laid eyes on her and I was head over paws, now I would make her mine but that would break all the lovely she-cat hearts... and toms if they are interested I mean I can't deny how good I look. So I was determined she would be my best friend."

"Don't talk to me."

"She had such a way with words that I couldn't describe the feeling it gave me, she had a way of saying words and sounding like she is saying drop dead, but I mean we all know she loves me. She is totally into the tangle, I can't deny and I know she cares for me otherwise she wouldn't be so rough! How did I meet her you ask? Well I am so happy you asked! Now pull up a spot because it's a great story, oh and try not fall for me while I tell it okay? Alright let's see, I was minding my own business hunting for a mouse or something because I was starving and then she appeared, emerging from the bush like a delicate swan. Next thing I know she has me pinned and I knew she was on the one."

"Who are you and why are you on our territory, if you are an enemy I will kill you without hesitation if you are a wanderer I will fetch the leader to deal with you."

"I couldn't have been more thrilled to have been personally invited by this dazzling she-cat, she called herself Shadowstep and I had to admit it was a weird name but I came to this clan and I've been learning their ways, meeting beautiful she-cat and this one tom who really doesn't seem to like me at first. We've become friends and I would call him my best friend except I have deemed that role to the most beautiful she-cat in the world. I know she is dying to say how much she loves me."

"I hate you"

"Totally digs me, like I said. That's how we met, she brought me home and became my mentor, we often spar and fight, lovers quarrel if you will. We got so close and spent many days and moons together, I wouldn't be surprised if she popped the question any day now! I'm afraid I'll just have to turn her down, what will she say? How will her heart break knowing the only tom she's ever loved only sees her as his best friend. Will she remain my best friend? I hope so, I would terribly hate to lose her over this ridiculous nonsense..."

"I would honestly rather jump of the Whisper Cliffs..."

"See what I mean? She is a total romantic. That's Shadowstep for you, she is my best friend and she knows it."

[huskypawz]

Username;; Thunder.Collects
Cat Name;; Softskip
Gender;; Female
Age;; 42 Moons
Clan;; CreekClan
Rank;; Warrior

Prompt;; (411 Words)
A pale she-cat padded from the apprentice's den, tail waving behind her. It had been a few moons since she broke her leg and it was finally healed enough for her to return to her duties and Softpaw couldn't wait to go hunting again. It was so draining, being in Snowheart's den the entire time, but she was finally released from that. She couldn't wait to see her denmates either.

Softpaw paused, seeing a few familiar faces. It was Coyotepaw, Adderpaw, and Leafpaw. With an excited purr, she bounded towards her denmates, purposefully putting wait on her recovered leg to show she was alright now. They turned towards her as she approached but the expressions on their faces were a surprise. They didn't seem happy to see her. Ears flattening, Softpaw slowed down, approaching with her ears flattened, feeling sad and scared.

"Look, it's Brokenpaw." Adderpaw joked, tail waving as he looked back and forth between Leafpaw and Coyotepaw. "While you spent moons in the medicine cat's den whining about your leg, we were working hard and training to become warriors!" Softpaw sighed, ears flattening. "It's not my fault I had to be in the medicine cat's den. Trust me, I wanted to be hunting and training."

Coyotepaw scoffed, tail bristling as he and Adderpaw pressed forward, making Softpaw back away from them. With a sudden change of opinion, Leafpaw dashed in front of his brothers, growling. "Knock it off guys, it wasn't her fault she got injured. This isn't cool."

"Oh look, Leafpaw decided to side with Brokenpaw." Coyotepaw sneered, glaring at his brother. "Have you fallen in love with the weak apprentice?"

Leafpaw shook his head, standing his ground against his larger brother. "No, I just know how to be a decent cat. Get out of her Coyotepaw. Take Adderpaw with you." With a grunt, the two apprentices turned and padded away, casting angry looks over their shoulders and calling rude names from across the camp. Leafpaw turned to face Softpaw, eyes softening. "Hey, you okay? I'm sorry about them, sometimes they don't understand how to be friendly. I'll protect you though."

Softpaw laughed, shaking her head. "Once I get back into training I can defend myself, but I appreciate the offer. How about we be friends though? We can watch each other's backs?" She looked eager, eyes wide and ears pricked. With a smile, Leafpaw nodded in agreement.

That's when Softskip and Leafwhisker started to became best friends.

[Knickknacks]

Username;; Knickknacks
Cat Name;; Cloudgaze
Gender;; Male
Age;; 34 moons
Clan;; NorthClan
Rank;;Warrior (will become medicine cat in the future)

Prompt;;

“The stars are so bright tonight.”

Cloud gave a small hum of agreement, swishing his tail across the grass. He felt like if he talked, some sort of spell would be broken and the cat beside him would lapse back into the standoffish personality she’d presented when he first met her.

Pine wasn’t easy to get to know- she was secretive, and somewhat suspicious. Cloud supposed that was because she was surviving on her own, with no parents to watch out for her. He sometimes felt especially naïve compared to the world-wary she-cat. He’d tried to convince her to stay with his family on multiple occasions, only to be met with a yellow glare and flat denial.

But here they were, now, looking at the stars. Cloud risked a glance at Pine, noticing that she looked more relaxed than he’d seen her before. Her eyes were almost glowing in the reflected moonlight.

“My parents,” he ventured, hesitant to break the peaceful silence, “tell me stories about the ancient Clan that lived on the tundra.” He paused to allow time for Pine’s customary snort that she let out whenever he mentioned his parents’ stories.

“The cats of the Clan believed that when you die, you become one of the stars- a part of StarClan. That way you can hunt with your ancestors and watch over those you loved in life.”

Pine snorted again, more softly this time. There was an almost wistful shine to her eyes that prompted him to continue.
“Your parents are up there, too, I’d guess,” he said softly. “I’m sure you’ll see them again.”

Pine turned to look at him, her fur prickling.

“You think so?” she asked hesitantly. Cloud nodded tersely.

“Hm,” she said, turning back to look at the stars, the rumble of a purr in her throat.

“Aha!” Cloud exclaimed, causing Pine to startle. “You’re purring! You are capable of expressing happiness after all!” He twitched his whiskers as Pine whirled to face him with a mock-outraged look. “Maybe you don’t mind my company so much after all!”

Pine narrowed her eyes and, without warning, leapt at Cloud, bowling him over.

“Here’s what I think of your company,” she said, cuffing him around the ears. The quiet of mere moments before faded away as the two cats scuffled in the grass, laughing.

After they had tired themselves out, the two young cats separated, breathing heavily but still laughing. Cloud began to wash himself, smoothing his rumpled fur. Over the rasp of his tongue, he almost missed Pine’s quiet words:

“Thank you, Cloud. For the story.”

That was when he knew that, despite their differences, he was going to be friends with Pine.

**this prompt includes a (currently NPC) character concept of mine- Pineshadow, who is currently a NPC. I'm trying for her in this comp, but if I don't win that one I'll recycle the concept in a future cat ^^"

[persona]

Username;; persona
Cat Name;; Viktoria
Gender;; Female
Age;; 19 moons
Clan;; SkyClan
Rank;; Warrior

Prompt;;Two shining eyes peered from the bushes, watching the orange tabby drop a large bird in front of them. Her muscles ached, tense from keeping her body small and ready to jump at a moment's notice. Viktoria was a rather hostile stray and didn't appreciate others company, but this cat was persistent in getting into her good graces.

"You must be hungry. Here." The orange cat said as they motioned to the bird.

Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither was this trust. Viktoria waited until they left to crawl out and snatch the bird up to eat it.

It happened over and over again: like clockwork, the orange cat showed up at sunset to drop off some sort of food for Viktoria for absolutely no reason. It was a comforting thought that maybe someone did care for her. Viktoria was only slightly more trusting of this stranger. Being buddy-buddy with others only led to pain and Viktoria didn't want to go through it again.

------

"So..." The orange cat shuffled closer to the bush that was Viktoria's home, watched closely under her scrutinizing eye. They were on some sort of speaking terms now; not quite acquaintances but not hostile with each other.

"I was thinking. We don't know each other's names, so I'll go first! I'm Stormheart." The orange cat - Stormheart - stared at Viktoria with perked ears and wide eyes, as if actually expecting a response. And yeah, maybe Viktoria was going a bit soft but she's being treated with decent respect now and she doesn't want to lose it.

"... Vikkie."

"Sounds like a nickname?"

"It is."

------

Viktoria slunk forward, half-hidden by Stormheart's body. She felt exposed and uncomfortable, open on all sides to an attack. She knew Stormheart wouldn't let her be attacked but the fear was still there. Stormheart had pleaded with Viktoria to bring her to the camp and be even more protected, surrounded by trained warriors. Viktoria didn't want to but the thought of protection and warmth was the deal-maker. Being on your own got lonely, and Stormheart clearly cared for her wellbeing; the thought sent a burst of giddiness through Viktoria - she never would've dreamed of this.

------

Viktoria lied on the grass, covered and held down by Stormheart and her brother who were grooming her pelt. She was completely relaxed, body enjoying such a break. Soft purrs were coming out of Viktoria, and she let the two do whatever they wanted. Stormheart nudged Viktoria's cheek with her muzzle when she reached Vikkie's face with a trill. The atmosphere of the scene was peaceful and a butterfly floated by.

("Bonding experiences, Vik! They're important to get to know your friend."
"But why am I being subjected to this, not you?")

They had grown exceptionally close over a couple moons, and Viktoria personally saw Stormheart as her best friend. Why wouldn't she? Storm had helped her gain a sense of self and freedom that didn't exist before merging with this SkyClan business, and had most likely saved her from starving to death. Viktoria rarely encountered selflessness (or a selfish kindness) like that before, where it was all man for himself. Nicknames nor partnership weren't her thing but she could make an exception for her best friend.

[ARKYQ]

Username talonpawthewarrior
Name tuftling
Gender Tom
Age 10 moons
Clan the kindlers (Forum/viewtopic.php?f=103&t=4086853)
Rank sprinter solider

Prompt
When I met graystar I felt an instinct to stick by her. She was serious, but talkative and I enjoyed listening to her crazy tales of mischief and honour and adventure and peril. I could not leave her side, as she searched for the perfect camp for her clan. I had never heard of a 'clan' so I followed, curious, her for a day or two until we stumbled across a copse of trees. It was perfect. We slept there together, in wait for more cats to recruit. It was tedious work to clear out the copse and boring to dig and scrape out dens, but nevertheless I could not bring myself tocomplain as it was the best we had. It was a while until we finished but I was so proud of how far we had come. It was beautiful. We spent the mournings hunting, the afternoons resting and discussing the structure of our clan. It was going to be beautiful. We soon discovered our neighbours, cliffside and woodchip. They were just clumps of rouges and loners at the time so graystar and the leaders of the other clans all gathered beneath a huge willow on the night where the moon hid behind the cover of darkness, to discuss a truce. Then the gatherings were born.

[Goner.]

Username;; Goner.
Cat Name;; Leopardmist
Gender;; Female
Age;; 26 Moons
Clan;; Autumnclan
Rank;; Warrior

Prompt;;

Unlike the other cats who live with Autumnclan, Leopardmist finds it difficult for her to get along with other cats. Her best friend isn't the strongest warrior. It's not the nicest queen. It's not the cutest kit. It is someone who guided her to Autumnclan when she was starving and close to death. Her best friend isn't even a cat at all. It's an owl. The kindest owl she has ever laid eyes on.

Not that long ago, Leopardmist was alone in the forest with no food or water. Each day was getting harder and harder for her to continue going. She had come to terms with the fact that this day could be her last. She rested by a tree and softly closed her eyes, waiting for nature to take its course. She rested there for a while. The only noise she was able to hear was her stomach yowling for food. That is until her stomach was interrupted by a soft "hoo" coming from the tree up above. The she-cat opened her eyes and peered up, meeting the gaze of an old owl. It tilted its head and blinked heavily before flying off into the night sky. Leopardmist once again rested her eyes.

Only a few minutes passed until she heard a soft THUD near her head. She weakly opened her eyes. What she saw was a sign of hope. In front of her sat a motionless, plump squirrel. She sheepishly put a paw out to grab it, looking around for whoever had left it there. When glancing at the branch above her, she once again met the gaze of the old owl. It let out a happy "hoo" to the she-cat, telling her it was okay to eat up. She happily did, quieting down the screams of her stomach.

This owl refused to leave Leopardmist's side. She didn't know why, though. She had never met this creature before, but she was glad it was here to help her. The owl guided her through the forest, helping her collect food and find shelter. Soon enough, the owl lead her to Autumnclan, where she was happily taken in. Without this owl, Leopardmist wouldn't be here right now. It saved her life. Now that it is too old to hunt for itself, every night, the warrior goes out and brings it a few mice to eat. They will always support each other, until the bitter end.
[407/600]

[FallingCelestial]

Username;; FallingCelestial
Cat Name;; Willow That Sways in Breeze
Gender;; She-cat
Age;; 47 Moons
Clan;; Tribe of Sunny Hollows
Rank;; Hunter

Prompt;; [600 Words Exactly cx]
Everyone knows how cruel young cats can be at times, especially to others who don't fit into the standard of "normal". Willow witnessed this cruelty nearly every day between her fellow apprentices. She, herself, had never experienced this torture but everyday she would be sitting in the camp and hear the brutal words thrown at a grey and white tom named Wolf. Everyday the other apprentices would mock him for his size and yet everyday Wolf would just take the words and never speak up for himself. Willow, just like most of the other cats in the Tribe, felt the fear of standing up to them and saying that it was wrong what they were doing to another member of the tribe. She was afraid that they would turn on her and she would become just like Wolf, being beaten down by every word or phrase thrown at her.

One day however, Willow witness Wolf being knocked to the ground by two apprentices and could hear what they called him, "Fox-dung...Flea-brain...Mouse-heart..." She could see the fear and sadness in the toms green eyes as he accepted each word as if it were a fact. Willow couldn't stand to see this go on any longer. She pushed her fear aside and moved swiftly towards them.

"Hey, leave him alone!" She called out to them as she made her way to stand in front of them. Both were a bit larger than herself, being a new apprentice and them being Senior Apprentices. Despite the butterflies in her belly, she looked them both in the eye, "Just leave him alone already. You two should be ashamed of yourselves. How would Sun Reader like to know that two Senior Apprentices were acting like kits in the nursery by picking on your own Tribe-mate." She growled and glared at them as she made her way over to Wolf, the two apprentices just standing there with their jaws agape as if they couldn't believe someone was actually standing up to them.

Willow helped Wolf to his paws and turned back to them, "What are you two standing there for. Why don't you run off and pick the ticks off the Sky-Watchers, it sure seems like you guys need some wisdom." With one last glare at the two, she turned to Wolf, hearing the apprentices run off, grumbling to themselves. "Are you okay?" She asked Wolf as he shook himself off.

"Yeah, I'm fine." He grumbled, "You didn't have to do that. I deserve everything they do to me." WIllow's jaw dropped, "What makes you think you deserve that kind of treatment?" Wolf shrugged, "Because I am not good at anything. I am so mouse-brained that I can't even catch a mouse." Willow narrowed her eyes, "So what if you are not good at hunting, maybe you are meant to do something more."

Wolf shook his head, "I am too small to be a guard and I am no good at remembering herbs, they all look the same to me." She watched as his head drooped. Willow nudged him with her shoulder, "You just need to practice and you will get it someday. Sometimes the best hunters, guards, and herbalists are those who struggled the most as apprentices. What made them so good is that they never gave up, even when others doubted them, they always kept going in order to prove them wrong." Wolf looked up at Willow, "D-do you think you could help me practice?" She smiled, "Of course. Let's prove those two wrong."

Willow and Wolf spent everyday practicing, and are still best-friends today.

[SpaghettiOhs]

Username;; SpaghettiOhs
Cat Name;; Cougarstrike
Gender;; male
Age;; 31 moons
Clan;; JuniperClan (link in sig)
Rank;; Deputy

Prompt;;
Cougarstrike looked around the clearing where the few cats he'd managed to rescue were gathered. The roar of the Ancestor Falls thundered behind him. It had been the first place he'd thought of to go after the fire. It just seemed like a safe place, for some reason.

They had been here for two days, now. Two days since the fire destroyed their camp, and he had fled with a few others. So few. There had been no sign of any other members of the clan. Even Eaglestar was missing. Is this all that's left of my clan?

"Robinfrost!" An overjoyed cry came from the far side of the clearing.

A silky white-and-fawn she-cat stepped out of the forest and was greeted by her mate. He had been even more quiet than usual, Cougarstrike had noticed. But now, the huge dark tom was purring so loudly that Cougarstrike could hear him from where he sat.

The rest of his band of refugees gathered around Robinfrost, peppering her with questions.

"How did you escape the fire?"

"Where have you been?"

"Are you all alone?"

"Have you seen Eaglestar?"

Cougarstrike approached. "Who are they?" he asked, indicating two figures, still hiding on the outskirts of the clearing. He had seen them follow her there.

"I'll tell you all everything, I promise." Robinfrost said wearily. "First, I want to introduce my new friends. Everyone, this is Sage and Willow. They helped me find you."

Two she-cats tentatively stepped forward, seemingly uncomfortable under the gaze of so many strangers. Both were small and soft-looking, a fluffy gray tortoiseshell and a sleek spotted tabby.

"They're... or, they were barn cats," explained Robinfrost. "But their home was destroyed in the fire, just like ours."

Barn cats? Practically kittypets! thought Cougarstrike.

The fluffy one, Sage, met his eye. She must have sensed his disdain, because her amber eyes were hard, defiant.

***

"I still can't believe StarClan chose you to be the new leader," Cougarstrike growled. "You can barely defend yourself!"

Sagestar got back to her paws, breathing heavily. That same defiant look was in her eyes again. "I do just fine," she spat. "As long as you don't resort to dirty tricks."

"Enemies won't fight fair, Sagestar," he replied. "You should get used to that."

"Fine," she huffed. "Let's go again."

Without warning, she sprang at him, but he easily sidestepped her.

"Slow. Just what I'd expect from a kittypet."

***

Cougarstrike landed hard on his back, his breath knocked from his lungs. Fluffy gray paws pinned down his shoulders.

He pulled his hind legs towards his chest and with a mighty heave managed to shove his opponent off of him. She landed awkwardly and stumbled, falling to the ground.

"You're slow today, Sagestar. What's wrong?"

Sagestar got to her feet. "I guess I'm just distracted," she said.

"Something on your mind?"

"It's nothing... I just heard some of the elders talking earlier today. About Eaglestar. I'm... I'm nothing like him, am I?"

"No, Eaglestar was a very different cat than you are. You probably wouldn't have gotten along very well," he added with a chuckle.

Sagestar frowned. "What am I doing, Cougarstrike? I'm no leader. I'm no better than a kittypet."

"Don't be ridiculous, Sagestar. StarClan chose you."

Sagestar sighed. "I think they made a mistake."

"I thought so too, at first," he said, giving her a playful nudge. "But you're exactly what JuniperClan needs. You're a great leader."

"Thanks, Cougarstrike. You're a great deputy." She nudged him back. "Not a bad friend, either."

"Shut up, kittypet," he said with a smile.

[598/600]