The Last Hope | Warriors Fan-Fic | OPEN~Comments & Critique

[Fichester]

Thank you! I hope you guys like Ozzy, Cleo, and Oliver, cause they'll be sticking around. Chapter 3's rather short, idn't it? Hopefully 4 will be longer. Oh, added a table of contents and on The Cast, if the name is struck out, it means there dead. Wolfcall and Snowpatch won't disappear forever, so don't worry!

[Fichester]

Northstar was jolted awake by a blast of thunder. Rain had been pelting down for two nights. Northstar got up carefully and looked around at the cats asleep around her. She nudged Ozzy awake, who had been close at hand. He always seemed to either be with Cleo, Oliver, or Northstar. He wasn't openning up with the rest of the Clan.
Northstar flicked her tail to ledges that led up to the higher level of the twoleg nest. He nodded and started to weave his way through the sleeping balls of fur. Northstar also awoke Birdsong and Snaketalon before she went up.
"So, we're here to discuss what we're going to do." Northstar meowed once everyone was settled. Birdsong and Snaketalon were sitting in a circle with Northstar, though Ozzy was up on the ledge looking through the "glass".
"I say we leave," Ozzy said flatly. All eyes turned on him, but he was looking out at the rain. "This looks like the best it's going to get. We have to get somewhere."
"I don't think that's the best idea," Birdsong said, which drew Ozzy's attention to the group. "All the cats are weak. We can't risk dragging them all out into the pelting rain."
"But we can't risk staying here! The rain always drives the food away! The rain isnt going to change, and if it does, for the worse." Ozzy hissed. "We'll starve."
"That's not necissarily true." Northstar said. "Some animals may have the sense we have, and stay." A flash of rage flared in Ozzy's eyes.
"I've lived in this nest my entire life. I've been feeding myself since twolegs went extinct. I would know how things work around here." Ozzy meowed, all hostility directed at Northstar.
"I agree with Ozzy." The arguement that had been raging like the storm silenced, all eyes turning to Snaketalon. "This is a disaster brewing," she hissed almost defensivly. "The longer we wait, the better the chance of a flood."
"I think we over stayed our time." In the entrance to the small den in the nest stood their soaked Clan, with Icecloud standing in lead. "I got them out just as it came."
"What came?" Northstar asked.
"The flood," It was Ozzy who anwsered. Northstar, Birdsong, and Snaketalon joined him on the ledge and looked down at the swirling brown water. "To the roof," Ozzy ordered.
"The what?" Norhtstar asked, looking at him.
"It's-just-ug! Follow Cleo and Oliver!" The Clan turned and followed them, who must have been in the back. Snaketalon, Birdsong, and Ozzy charge ahead of Northstar unwittingly.
"Ozzy!" Ozzy turned and ran back to Northstar. He matched pace with her as the followed the rest of the Clan. "Has this ever happened before?"
"Yes, but the three of us figured out how to survive, and how to get out of here alive."
"How? How'd you figure it out."
"Angel," Ozzy whispered, almost inaudible. "The last time there was a flood, Angel wanted to leave. She made it out of the flood, and we went looking for her. We found her, but she had been recently killed by a fox." Northstar didn't want to prod him any about Angel, but did ask on thing.
"How'd she escape?"
"She lept off the roof onto the debris below."

Most of the Clan had disappeared by now. Only Northstar, Owleye, and Ozzy. Northstar watched the swirling current for a landing point, but her eyes kept fluttering back to where her Clan was. "Look! There's part of a twoleg half-bridge! We can get on! Just be ready!" Owleye called.
Northstar got into a springing position. Owleye leaped down as it came by, and Northstar was going to join him, when she realized Ozzy was holding back, and looked over at him. He stood frozen in fear staring at the water.
"Ozzy!" Northstar yowled over the rain. Ozzy snapped back to reality.
"I can't do it!"
"You can!" Northstar encouraged.
"Leave my home to die?" There was now hostility forming in his voice. "I've always believed Angel was weakened by the flood then was swept up to the foxes paws! There was no evidence something different happened! I'm not going to get torn to shreds!"
"Fine then," Northstar growled. "You can drown instead." Ozzy already admitted that the water level was higher than normal, and it was rising. Ozzy kept looking from her to the half-bridge. Fianlly Northstar knew they could wait any longer.
Northstar lunged at Ozzy, pinning him to the roof. "Let's go!" she hissed. The sudden impact must have knocked the wind out of him, because he seemed shaky. I watched him with hostility as he jumped. Then, without hesitation, she went down after him. Anxiety and fear flushed through her chest when she felt open air, but her paaws soon met with the wood.
"Thank you," She did't know what she was expecting, Owleye being sarcastic maybe, but she was taken by surprise when it's Ozzy who says it. Memories from when she found Wolfcall dieing flushed through her head, and she had to force her voice to stay steady.
"I will keep my promise, I won't let you die," Northstar told him.
"But you can't promise that you won't give me a headache in the process." Ozzy joked. Northstar smiled.
"Not if you won't let me protect you."
"Northstar, do you actually have a plan after we get out of here?" Owleye asked.
"No, because I have no idea where we'll be and what'll be left." she pointed out.
The three huddled down together, trying to protect one another from the biting wind and stay warm. Ozzy was right, the rain wasn't calming down. After a long while, Northstar convinced herself she had to try to sleep. There was no moon or stars to illuminate the night sky. In the pitch black, exhausted, she was able to find sleep.

"Northstar, Northstar!" The silver queen jolted awake, startling the black tom nudging her. "What Ozzy?"
"What do you mean "What Ozzy"? Look around!" She struggled sleepily to her paws, then realized, a nest had been made around her. The half-bridge was damp, but not was on water-logged ground.
"The flood's gone!" Ozzy nodded and led her into the trees, where the rest of the Clan was. They had found a safe, temporary, camp. Everyone was fine, though not everyone was there. Leopardpaw had drowned after falling off some twoleg debris she had been on with Cactuspaw.
"I hope we can get out of here soon." Northstar meowed at a meeting with Ozzy, Birdsong, Snaketalon, and Owleye. They nodded.
"This isn't where Clan cats live," Snaketalon added. "Oakstar was planning on moving somewhere else before... and I know where he was taking us. It's safe. We can head there."

[Fichester]

"Hey, Northstar?" Birdsong's gentle mew awoke the silver tabby. "I did't wake you did I?"
"I was awake," Northstar lied, not wanting to make her friend feel bad.
"I, kind of wanted to see, how you and the three kits were doing." Birdsong mewed tentively.
"Two kits," Northstar corrected. "The other was still-born." She saw that she must have come off mad, so she tried to pretend she hadn't meant it. "The she-kit is Larkkit and the tom is Cinderkit." Birdsong sat beside her and smiled.
"Gorgeous," Birdsong meowed. After sitting in silence a few moments, she added "This is a twist in the plan." Northstar nodded, and let out an exasperated sigh.
"I was hoping we could get out here by the full moon," Northstar mewed. "But I don't want to even try moving them until there two moons old." Birdsong nodded. "We'll have to keep an eye on them too, the whole way. The next youngest cat in the Clan is Cactuspaw, and he's nine moons."
"Agreed. But the Clan doesn't look to eager to leave though." Northstar agreed this seemed like the safest place they'd been in since the tsunami. "I'm sure they'll be fine."

"Larkkit! Larkkit!" Northstar heard her kit's name being called from the forest.
"What's going on?" she asked Ozzy as she leaped down. He shrugged.
"Last I saw, Cactuspaw took Larkkit and Cinderkit out." He explained. He bounded out of the clearing, and Northstar followed. "Cactuspaw!" he called. The spotted tom soon appeared, with Cinderkit by his side.
"Cinderkit!" Northstar meowed, padding over to the grey tabby. "Where's Larkkit?"
"I don't know!" Cinderkit mewled. "She just disappeared!"
"Cactuspaw," Northstar snarled. He started backing away, calling on Ozzy for help. The black tom stepped infront of Northstar. "The only thing that'll save him is Larkkit herself." Then they all turned their heads to the bushes when they heard a rustling, along with a small snicker.
Ozzy shot a look at Northstar then padded towards the noise, then lowered his head. "Larkkit?" A white head with cream tabby lines on her face popped out, a huge smiled on her face. "Come on out."
Larkkit padded the rest of the way out. "Larkkit, you know better than to wander off alone! You could easily be picked off by a predator or some disaster!"
"Thoose are just kit-tales." Larkkit scoffed.
Northstar lowered her head so she was nose-to-nose with her kit. "The only reason we're here is because a flood higher than these trees brought us here." Larkkit backed away, bumping into Ozzy's paws.
"You don't have to scare her," he meowed, gently scooping her up by the scruff and heading back towards camp. Northstar sighed, knowing he was right, then picked up Cinderkit and beckoned for Cactuspaw to follow.
Once they reached camp, Northstar confined them to the nursery. Owleye volunteered to watch them, since Northstar was too busy. The Clan was preparing to head off on the next leg of the journey through the Valley of the Kings. Stocking the fresh-kill pile, but mostly battle training. No cat knew what they might encounter, and the Clan had to be as strong as it could get.
"Birdsong," The white-and-black tabby looked up and followed her into what was made as the leader's den. "Where do we stand?"
"All of them are getting along fine. The only straglers are Cactuspaw, Longfang, and Oliver, but Cactuspaw being young, and Longfang being older, that's to be expected. Plus, Cactuspaw is always out with Cinderkit and Larkkit. I don't know about Oliver. Owleye, Ozzy, Runningleap, Snaketalon, and Talonclaw seem to be doing the best." Birdsong meowed. "The fresh-kill pile is completely full. We may even be leaving some behind when we head off."
Northstar nodded. "How are the kits doing?"
"Cactuspaw says there doing great. Larkkit is excelling beyond expectstions at everything. Even hiding, as long as she doesn't burst out laughing."
"Cinderkit?"
"He's good...good. Pretty good climber," Birdsong offered.
Northstar sighed. "I think we'll leave, tomorrow."
"Better warn Snaketalon. She's gonna need time to get a pint on where we are compared with their old camp." Northstar nodded and dismissed her clanmate with a flick of her tail. When she padded out, she quickly spotted Snaketalon. She soon caught the calico's attention and padded over.
"We're leaving tomorrow. Birdsong suggested I give you a heads-up." Snaketalon nodded. "You're relieved from your duties, too. As long as it involves you figuring out where we are and where to go." Northstar added before she disappeared out of the camp.
Northstar let out a sigh. It felt as if the whole world was on her shoulders. Overseeing the entire plan to just get moving was tough. Plus, she had to deal with training all the cats to be strong enough, and between Longfang, Cactuspaw, Oliver, Larkkit, and Cinderkit to deal with it was too much. Then there was Wolfcall's mission for her, which always loomed in the back of her mind like a shadow.
"Difficult, hmm?"
Northstar had been so wrapped up in her own thoughts she hadn't heard the white she-cat approach from behind her. "Hey Icecloud."
Icecloud puzzled her with an all-knowing smile. "Well, it's about to get a lot worse. Be on gaurd."
Northstar was going to say something, but the young warrior dipped her head and padded off before she had the chance. She shook her head to clear it. Icecloud had been acting strangly since the flood, but that wasn't important. Night had fallen, and the cats were coming back into camp.
The silver tabby padded over to the makeshift nursery. "Let 'em out Owleye." she meowed. The rust colored tabby side-stepped and Northstar was immediatly taken down by two bundles of fur. Northstar let out a mrrow of laughter as she pushed her kits off. "Come on, it's time for bed."
Cinderkit nodded and padded after his mother, but Larkkit let out a sigh and reluctantly followed them into Northstar's den. "Tigersnap and Talonclaw, you two keep watch at the entrance. Darkmask and Bluelight, you guys take gaurd from the post." she called over her shoulder.
"The post" was a large rock outside the clearing, oppisite the entrance. Two cats always sat on it to keep watch, while two would gaurd the entrance. Northstar felt safer in this valley of horrors with two sets of gaurds. But if she could, she's have cat's ringing the entire camp to be on the watch, plus a pair on the post. She knew that wasn't possible. There weren't enough cats and everyone needed their strength, so she always had to try and trust her clanmates.

[Fichester]

Chap. 5 up and finished! I'll start on 6 soon. Comments? I don't mind feedback!

[Fichester]

"I'll get you!" A white tom yowled, chasing after Northstar. She was panting with the effort, and was slowing down. The tom took his chance and leaped, pinning her to the ground. Stars glittered in his pelt, and Northstar had to close her eyes a moment not to get blinded.
"Fine," she sighed happily. "You win Wolfcall." The former warrior suddenly looked up, and Northstar noticed it. The shrieking of cats. She realized she was coughing, not from running, and her fur started heating up. Wolfcall started nudging her yelling, "Wake up! Wake up Northstar, come on!"
The beach where they played disappeared into dark bramble walls. Wolfcall then faded into a small grey tabby tomkit. "Cinderkit!" the words came out hoarse and it her throat stung.
"Get out, now!" Northtstar looked up and saw Ozzy standing in the entrance. "You got bees in your brain! Get out!" The black tom scooped up Larkkit. Northstar fought to her paws, grabbed Cinderkit, then threw herself after Ozzy.
The world seemed to be falling down around her. Flames licked the black-ashen sky, though her fur was soaked through from the rain. The camp was pretty much empty, though Owleye was waiting for them at the entrance.
"Birdsong and Snaketalon are leading the Clan towards that one canyon spot." He informed them before turning and leading the way out. Northstar scrambled to match his pace as he explained what had happened, while Ozzy held up the rear, trying to keep Larkkit from breathing in the smoke. "At moonhigh, Darkmask reported seeing clouds forming over head, while both he and Talonclaw reported a strange scent. The rain and fire started at the exact same time. Ravencall was caught hunting when it started."
Northstar found this odd. "The fire started on the post side of camp. It quickly ripped through the camp and forest, the rain only soaking us while the fire cooked us. Darkmask and Bluelight were killed. Talonclaw wanted to leave, but Birdsong did everything to stay behind. We quickly agreed that Birdsong, with the directions of Snaketalon, would lead while we stay behind."
Fury flared up inside Northstar hotter than the fire surrounding her. "Try not to kill Talonclaw," Ozzy mumbled in her ear, as if reading her mind. She glared at him, and he returned to his place behind her and Owleye. Northstar was getting worried once she heard Cinderkit start to cough. She tucked in her chin, doing what she could to shield him from the rain and smoke.
"Let's head out of the trees!" Northstar mumbled through Cinderkit's scruff.
"But that's not the way the rest went!" Owleye yowled over the roaring fire.
"She's right, the fire won't have anything left to burn. If the Clan was smart, they headed that way." Ozzy added.
Since Owleye still wasn't going to do it, Northstar took the lead, charging for the edge of the treeline. She burst out into the meadow; Owleye and Ozzy, Larkkit with him, right behind. Northstar slowed, panting with effort. Ozzy nudged Owleye, and they turned to wait for her.
"I could take him," Owleye offered. Northstar unquestioningly gave Cinderkit to him, and Owleye suddenly leaped away. Before Northstar could ask, she felt flames licking her heels, and she turned to see it shooting across the grass.
"Go!" she hissed when they waited for her. Northstar could barely keep up, though she made sure they didn't break stride. The fire continued to follow them, burning the grass and flowers away.
Suddenly Ozzy stopped. He whirled around, forced Northstar to take Larkkit, then went behind her and shoved her forward. She didn't stop to realize what happend, but she stumbled to keep pawstep as she caught up to Owleye. "Keep going, there's a river up ahead." The rust-colored tabby warned her.
Northstar looked up and saw the light of the flames glittering on the surface. By the time she reached the edge, she realized how deep it was. Larkkit would be underwater if she tried to walk in. She tried to leap forward, but her hind legs fell in the water. Northstar scrambled up on to the bank, craning her neck up to not hurt her kit.
"Northstar!" The silver queen looked up and saw a white feline figure. It took a second to recognize Birdsong. "This way!" Owleye and Ozzy were padding slowly towards Birdsong. Northstar got to her paws slowly and used all her strength that was left to gallop after them.
Birdsong led them away from the open meadow up into the wooded hills. She was nervous about the fire burning through the trees, but reminded that it could shoot across the meadow's grasses as well. Eventually they ended up in a deep canyon. Most of the light was shielded by the ledges above her head, but as the clouds disappeared, the moon let in a soft light. The sand was soft underpaw, though her pads stung.
The arrived at a wide area in the canyon, almost like a tunnel or cavern, where the singed, soaked, worn-out Clan was. Northstar dropped Larkkit, and felt like she was going to collapse.
Owleye set Cinderkit down beside her. "You ok?" he asked, crouching down and pressing against her to keep her steady. She nodded silently as her kits came over and curled up on the other side of her. Larkkit's white fur looked especially singed, the cream tabby markings on her face stood out against the white-and-black fur.
Northstar looked up at Ozzy when he padded over. "You saved me from burning," she meowed. He nodded silently. "Thank you."
"You'd still have had 8 lives left." Ozzy meowed, dismissing any praise towards him.
"But you still saved me," she meowed.
"Come on, the stronger cats have already set up nests. You are defintely the one who most needs it." Owleye meowed before he could respond. Northstar stood up shakily and padded after him, the kits bounding ahead. She looked back at Ozzy, grateful that he saved her, no matter how many times she could die.
Northstar layed down in the nest made of moss and feathers. Larkkit and Cinderkit immediately fell asleep as she rasped her tounge of their burnt pelts. She looked up and saw there was someone who wants to talk to her. "Snaketalon, is this the canyon?"
The calico dipped her head. "Birdsong and I are already planning the next place to stop, though we both agreed we'd wait atleast a couple days before we even try to get there."
"Agreed. Tell me once you've decided where to head." Snaketalon nodded and padded back over to where Birdsong was waiting. Northstar yawned and layed her head on her paws.
"Northstar?" She looked up and saw Larkkit was awake. "Are there going to be anymore fires?"
Northstar wanted more than anything to say "Don't worry. There will never be another fire," but this was the Valley of the Kings. Nothing was ever to be expected.
"We'll be fine," Northstar said eventually. "The more we move, the lesser the chance we'll run into danger." Larkkit nodded, to tired to realize this shouldn't have comforted her.
The white kit soon fell asleep, and once Northstar layed her head on her paws, she heard a cat meow, "But we can't move forever. We'll be meeting fear soon." Northstar looked up and saw Icecloud.
"What?"
Icecloud padded forward and whispered so quietly it was clear not even her kits could hear it. "It'll test everything you believe in."

[Fichester]

"So, Birdsong, where did you and Snaketalon decide to go?" It had been a few sunrises since the fire, and the Clan was ready to move on.
"There's an island in a river, about as deep as the last one we crossed, that's big enough for us. There are stepping rocks that can gets us on and off the island. We'll head there." Clearly they were going to try to avoid any firey disasters.
"Some of my clanmates were supposed to be there when the rest of the Clan was killed. They might still be there. We went to the mountain straight off instead of checking because-"
"Cause they were obviously dead too!" Longfang interupted.
"Because back then we didn't know the disasters only happen in certain areas." Snaketalon corrected with a growl. The elder snorted, but didn't argue.
"Then it's settled. We head to the island," Northstar meowed.

After two sunrises, they Clan had found the island. Snaketalon had been off on how far away it was from the canyon, and how close it was to their new home. She said they'd be there within a day of leaving the island.
Northstar led the Clan across the rocks, Larkkit swinging from her jaws. She dropped her kit onto the stand, but blocked the way with her tail once she reached the main part of the island. "Snaketalon, will you come here please?"
The calico padded forward. "Yes Northstar?" But there was no need to anwser. There, before them, was a recently inhabitted camp. Snaketalon charged forward, and Northstar was behind.
As the Clan spread out, Northstar called over her shoulder, "Cactuspaw! Take Larkkit and Cinderkit to explore the rest of the island!" The spotted tom nodded and herded the kits out of the clearing.
"Northstar!" Birdsong called. "You might want to take a look at this." She bounded over to the tabby she-cat, Snaketalon and Owleye following close behind. The sight stopped them dead in their tracks, and Snaketalon let out a strangled gasp. There, before them, were the bodies of three cats.
Snaketalon shoved past them to get to them. "These were my clanmates. Thrushfeather . . . Meadowflower. . . Cloudshadow . . .and, wait!"
"What?" Owleye asked.
"Heatherfur's not here. She was our medicine cat."
Birdsong spoke up, "Wait, does that mean-"
"Heatherfur's still alive, and she's heading to where we are."
"But, whatever happened, she probably won't last long," Ozzy meowed as he padded over.
"We can't just leave her there! We must be close too, if she thought she could make it there." Snaketalon added.
"Alright! Alright!" Northtstar yowled, silencing them all. "We'll hold vigil for Thrushfeather, Meadowflower, and Cloudshadow tonight, and have Longfang, with help, bury them off the island. Then we'll head off tomorrow." The cats looked at one another, and they eventually all agreed. "Right then, I'll tell the Clan."

Northstar led the Clan across the rocks. She waited for everyone to get across before she moved on. Larkkit and Cinderkit were bouncing around her paws, Larkkit always lunging at him to play fight, Cinderkit stumbling and flailing, trying to push her off.
"Come on, you're going to waste all your energy." Owleye meowed. "Do you want me and Northstar to carry you two?" That made the two of them stop immediately.
Northstar turned and mouthed a thank you to Owleye. Eventually, Larkkit did get bored and bounded back to Cactuspaw, while Cinderkit stayed up with Northstar. Snaketalon and Birdsong were at her side, helping to navigate her towards their new home.
"So, where exactly is this place?" Northstar asked.
"Yeah, you haven't given me any details either." Birdsong meowed, which took Northstar by surprise.
"We were going to tell you," Snaketalon meowed, a smile crossing her face.
"But, we thought you, along with the ArcticClan cats, would prefer a surprise." Owleye put in. Now Northstar was more confused then ever. But before she could ask, she heard something from behind them.
"What is it?" Owleye asked.
"Nothing I just heard a b-there it is again!" Northstar hissed, speeding up.
"Barking! Their dogs!" Northstar hissed.
Owleye shook his head. "I don't see anything. Maybe . . . maybe your just hearing the coyotes back near the canyon."
Northstar was going to argue, but she was cut off by Ozzy, "You're both wrong. Wolves."
They all turned, and saw the huge creatures thundering towards them. "Run!" Northstar screeched. She turned to grab Cinderkit, but Owleye had already grabbed him and was racing ahead. Northstar charged after him, looking over her shoulder to see Cactuspaw had grabbed Larkkit. Behind her the wolves were gaining ground, coming closer and closer to the two cats who were lagging behind, which were Longfang, Cleo, and Oliver.
"Run!" she shouted a warning, but it was to late. A big black brute had snatched her up by the tail. He fell behind the others, along with a lithe grey wolf, but they were soon replaced by two more. Talonclaw gave her a shove from behind.
Northstar wanted to argue, but she kept running ahead. The shrieks of more cats enimated through the air, over the barking and howling of the dogs. 3 more cries . . . 4 cats dead . . . 1 is Longfang. Who are the others?
"I know these wolves!" Snaketalon hissed once Northstar caught up with her. "They roam over a large territory, which includes the island. Our territory will start where there's stop. For some reason, they don't leave their territory-ever. If we can get out of their territory, they'll leave us alone!"
"Why would they?" Northstar panted.
Snaketalon shrugged. "One theory Oakstar came up with was there's to much competition. The wolves here respect borders, as long as there are too many wolves for them to handle. We've found borders are a big thing for them. If too many leave, the others will launch and attack to gain more ground!"
"How far is the edge!"
Snaketalon nodded ahead. See how the hills turn to mountains and seem to enclose the Valley? See the pass? Beyond there is a piece of territory that isn't enclosed by mountains, but is still part of the Valley!"
Northstar charged on, not daring to look back. The pass came closer and closer, and soon the cats rushed in. Once through, Northstar wanted to keep going, but Owleye stopped her.
"What are you doing!" she snarled.
"It's ok," he replied calmly. "Look,"
Northstar turned, and saw the wolves had stopped. They swarmed over the entrance to the pass, but didn't enter. "Wolves are wierd," Ozzy snorted.
"Look," Snaketalon meowed. "Our new home."
Northstar turned, and stopped dead in her tracks.
"Northstar," Owleye said softly.
But Northstar didn't care to listen to any one else. She turned and charged off, away from her clanmates, away from the wolves-and away from the beach.

[Fichester]

Comments?

[redkuchen]

I love it, your great!

[Dessy]

very good! you are a great writer!

[Fichester]

Thanks guys! Chap. 7 should be finished soon.

p.s. I've never had a story on CS last this long.