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MoonClan's Prophecy- Chapter 10

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The grass swayed and moved as the breeze blew through the forest. The trees swished and rustled. Flamepool slid forward, her bright green eyes staring straight ahead. Her ears were swerving each and every way, listening to the sounds of the forest.
Flamepool heard the rustle of prey, and turned to see a mouse scuttling through the roots of an old gnarled oak tree. She crouched, sliding forward, her paws making no sound on the ground.
"Flamepool!" a voice boomed by her ear. The mouse, startled, turned and ran away.
Flamepool's eyes opened and darkness surrounded her. At first, she panicked, wondering if her vision had somehow left her, until she realized that she was in the warriors den. It was much darker than the apprentice den, which provided shelter but also let in light.
"Flamepool! Wake up!" the voice that had startled her mouse and woken her up from her dream spoke again.
Flamepool lifted her head and looked into the eyes of her old mentor, Fleetwind. She could see the outline of the she-cat against the den entrance. "What?" she asked sleepily.
"Scorchfur wants us on dawn patrol," Fleetwind meowed.
Flamepool yawned, her jaws stretching wide and her ears lying back. "Okay I'm coming," she said.
"Good. You know how Scorchfur is about patrols," Fleetwind said, a hint of amusement to her voice, before turning and pushing out of the den.
Flamepool stood up and stretched, her claws brushing the fur of her sister in the next nest. Snowdawn was curled up fast asleep, her back pressing against Sootlife's, who had created Snowdawn's nest next to his.
Flamepool remembered feeling a twinge of jealousy when Sootlife announced after their warrior ceremony that he would make Snowdawn a nest right next to his, completely ignoring the fact that Flamepool had been standing right there. But after he had left, Snowdawn had promised she would help Flamepool make a nest next to hers for her sleep in, and she kept her promise.
Flamepool let out a small purr at the thought of her sister helping her make her nest. It was very comfortable and soft. She licked her sister's ear real quick before making her way through the throng of sleeping cats to the den entrance.
"Ow!" a yelp came from below Flamepool, and she stopped, cringing at the feeling of a tail under her paw.
"Shh!" a hiss sounded across the den, then some grumbling and shuffling.
"I'm sorry!" Flamepool whispered to the cat whose tail she had stepped on as she picked up her paw.
"It's okay," Cinderblossom's voice whispered back. "It'll be fine. Now hurry, I heard you had dawn patrol and you don't want Scorchfur to get mad at you for taking to long to get up."
Flamepool felt gratitude towards the she-cat as she pushed out of the den. Cinderblossom never had a bad attitude, no matter what somebody did. She always knew how to keep calm and cool in a fight or argument or anything, really.
Flamepool padded towards the camp entrance, where Scorchfur stood, talking with Shimmermist and Thrushpelt, the moon-high to dawn guards last night. As well as stepping up patrols, Moonstar had also required two guards at night instead of one. Shimmermist and Thrushpelt looked tired, their tails dropped, their heads low, their eyes barely opened. As Flamepool approached, they nodded and padded towards the warriors den, both meowing a quiet greeting to Flamepool as they passed. She meowed back and continued to Scorchfur.
She sat down next to him and began to groom her ruffled fur. Scorchfur shuffled on his feet, obviously anxious to get started on patrolling. Finally, Fleetwind pushed out of the apprentice den, followed by a stumbling, sleepy-looking Hawkpaw. Flamepool glanced at Scorchfur, who had an annoyed look on his face at his apprentice.
"He's not fit to be a warrior. Why did Moonstar let him join the clan?" Scorchfur mumbled.
"The clan is quickly losing warriors, what with the murder of Whitefoot and Coldheart, and then Mapleheart's death, and who knows if Maplekit will make it. She's still weak. MoonClan needs more warriors," Flamepool said.
"MoonClan is strong and still has plenty of warriors," Scorchfur grumbled.
"If it is the rogues that Moonstar believes it is, then we will need as many cats as we can get to fight them," Flamepool shot back. "From what I heard, they had a lot of cats and were pretty vicious fighters!"
Scorchfur opened his mouth to say something else, an angry look spread across his face, but was cut off by Fleetwind.
"We're ready," she said as Hawkpaw and her approached.
Scorchfur closed his jaws, casting an angry glare at Flamepool. He turned and stalked out of camp, the tip of his tail twitching in agitation.
Flamepool could see a look of shock and curiosity on Fleetwind's face as she glanced at Flamepool. Flamepool just shook her head slightly and padded out behind him. It would be only a matter of time before Fleetwind would question her further.
It didn't take her long. As they padded along to the border, Flamepool at the rear, Fleetwind fell back to walk beside her.
"What did you say to Scorchfur to get him so mad?" she asked quietly.
"We were just arguing about Hawkpaw joining the clan," Flamepool answered, "Scorchfur is still against the idea, but I don't see why. With all the attacks, the clan needs more warriors."
Fleetwind shrugged, not continuing on the subject. They quietly continued on until Scorchfur suddenly stopped. He squinted, taking a step forward and staring at the bushes.
"What is it?" Fleetwind asked.
"Come with me. I think I see something," he said. "Flamepool, you and Hawkpaw continue on."
Flamepool was shocked. What about the attacks? Wouldn't it be a bad idea to split up? "But-"
"Don't argue with me," Scorchfur growled. "Believe it or not, you're a full warrior now. You are perfectly capable to take care of yourself. Just go."
"Well being a full grown warrior didn't help Whitefoot and Coldheart much, did it?" Flamepool mumbled. Scorchfur whipped around, baring his teeth in a snarl. Flamepool glared defiantly back at him, holding her ground.
"Come on Hawkpaw," Flamepool growled, padding away. She heard his paw steps following her, and Scorchfur and Fleetwind padding away.
"What was that about?" Hawkpaw asked as they were out of earshot.
"Nothing of your concern," Flamepool growled.
"He is my mentor. Why can't I know?"
"Because," Flamepool stopped and looked back. "I don't feel like explaining." She turned and continued on.
As they walked along the border, Flamepool could feel eyes on her back the entire time. She halted suddenly and whirled on him. "Stop staring at me!"
Hawkpaw stopped, looking taken aback. "I-I'm not!" he exclaimed.
Flamepool rolled her eyes, turning and walking away.
The quick pattering of paws told her that he was trotting to catch up. Sure enough, he came up to walk next to her. She sighed.
"What?" Hawkpaw asked.
"Nothing," Flamepool answered.
"What is your problem?" Hawkpaw spat.
Flamepool cast a glare at him. "What do you mean?" she hissed.
"You fight with Scorchfur and you won't tell me why. You growl at me for walking behind you and now I come up to walk next to you and you sigh! What is wrong? Do you want me to fly above you or something?"
"No!" Flamepool snapped. "It's just..."
"Just what?" Hawkpaw growled.
Flamepool glared ahead. "I have a lot on my mind. You wouldn't understand."
"Try me."
Flamepool remained silent. If she was to tell anybody about everything on her mind, it would be her sister. Snowdawn would understand more than any cat about Flamepool fearing she would never have a mate, and Snowdawn was part of the prophecy, so it would be just right to tell her before any cat.
"Fine. Don't tell me. I don't care," Hawkpaw said.
"Good," Flamepool snorted.
They continued the patrol in silence, the only sound being their paw steps on the ground and the trees rustling as a breeze blew through.
Suddenly, a smell reached Flamepool on the wind. She halted, the fur rising up along her spine.
Hawkpaw, noticing she had stopped walking, stopped too and turned back to look at her.
Flamepool opened her mouth a bit and drank in the smell, confirming her growing fear. "Hawkpaw, do you smell that?" she asked slowly.
Hawkpaw raised his head and closed his eyes, his jaws parting slightly to breath in the air around him. Suddenly, his eyes flew open, shock flickering across them.
"Blood," he whispered quietly.
Flamepool turned and rocketed through the forest towards the smell. She heard Hawkpaw's paw steps right behind her the whole time, never faltering, never falling back despite the fact that Flamepool was one of the fastest cats in the clan.
He's fast, she thought. Her mind switched quickly back to the smell as she leaped over a fallen tree. They were going towards camp, the reek of blood getting stronger. How could nobody smell it? Flamepool exclaimed in her head.
She pushed through the bushes and let out a shocked yowl. "Morningfur!"
The brown tabby she-cat lay sprawled out across the forest floor, her eyes open and filled with fear. Her jaws were opened wide in what looked to be an attempted cry of help that never escaped pasts her lips. Dried blood soaked her throat, and her fur was covered in dirt.
"She was dragged," Flamepool meowed, choking back a sob. "From the dried blood, it had to have been last night."
Hawkpaw slowly came up and stood next to her, a horrified look on his face.
Scorchfur and Fleetwind flew out of the bushes across from them, their fur fluffed up.
"What happened? We heard a yowl and smelled blood and-" Fleetwind was cut off by the sight in front of her. Her jaw hung open, many different emotions flickering across her face.
"She was dragged," Flamepool repeated, her voice cracking from grief. "A trail of blood leads towards camp, towards..." she glanced up, following the trail with her eyes. "Towards the dirt-place."
"We're not even safe in our own camp," Scorchfur whispered.
"We need to take her back to camp," Fleetwind said. Flamepool could see pain showering her face. This was the second cat her and Flamepool had found dead in their territory.
"Flamepool, Hawkpaw, go-" Fleetwind began.
"I know," Flamepool said quickly, stepping over the body and walking back towards camp, desperate to get away. "Come on, Hawkpaw," she called when he didn't follow.
"Wha-what?" he said, finally looking up from the body. "Oh," he ran forward, walking next to Flamepool.
They walked in silence for a little bit before Hawkpaw finally spoke.
"Who did this?"
"We don't know, although the clan suspects a large band of rogues that attacked the camp moons before I was born," Flamepool said. "They were looking for territory, and in order to beat them, Moonstar was forced to kill their leader, Oak. Midnight, his mate, was furious, and vowed that Moonstar would one day regret what she had done."
"Wow..." was all Hawkpaw said.
"Now do you understand how dangerous it is? Do you wish you had not joined?" Flamepool asked.
"No," Hawkpaw replied, much to Flamepool's surprise. "I'm happy with my choice. It is much better then being a loner. Even with all these dangers, it's safer and I can learn how to protect myself and those around me."
Flamepool stayed silent, slightly taken aback by his answer. She saw the camp entrance looming up ahead, and felt a sickening feeling deep inside her. "This wasn't fun the first time, and it won't be any more fun the second."
"Second time? What do you mean?" Hawkpaw asked.
"The first day I was an apprentice, Sunheart, Fleetwind, Snowdawn and I found the first murdered cat, Whitefoot, in the forest. Sunheart and Fleetwind sent Snowdawn and I ahead to tell Moonstar and Scorchfur," Flamepool answered.
"Oh..." Hawkpaw said.
They entered camp and headed straight for Moonstar who sat outside of her den with Dayflight. They were talking and both looked happy.
"This won't be fun at all," Hawkpaw said, seeing the two.
Flamepool nodded in agreement. She padded up to her mother, who looked over. "Flamepool! You're back early. Where's Scorchfur and Fleetwind?" Moonstar looked around the clearing, then back at Flamepool and Hawkpaw. Flamepool just stared back. Understanding flickered across Moonstar's face, as well as Dayflight's, and their happiness was quickly replaced with horror.
"Who?" Moonstar choked out.
"Morningfur," Flamepool responded.
"Oh no..." Moonstar said, looking up at the medicine den. "Oh Sparrowfeather..." she stood and walked away towards it. Flamepool followed, casting a glance back at Hawkpaw, telling him to stay there. He nodded, understanding, before turning to Dayflight.
Flamepool followed Moonstar into the medicine den. It was still early, but Sparrowfeather was awake, sorting some herbs.
"Sparrowfeather...we need to talk," Moonstar announced.
Sparrowfeather looked over. "Oh, hello Moonstar! What is it you want?"
Moonstar took a deep breath. "It's about Morningfur..."

"No!" Sparrowfeather collapsed in the dirt next to the body of her sister. Her face was buried deep into Morningfur's fur. Sobs racked her body. Cats were slowly creeping out of the dens, shocked gasps and horrified wails escaping from their throats. Moonstar beckoned Flamepool over.
"Explain it to her," she whispered in her ear. "She has a right to know."
Flamepool nodded, gulping. She padded forward, sitting next to the distraught medicine cat.
"Sparrowfeather?" Flamepool said. Sparrowfeather didn't move or answer. Flamepool continued. "She was found in the forest. It was obvious she had been dragged from the dirtplace." Flamepool stopped. This was really hard to say. Sighing, she continued.
"It had to have been in the middle of the night. I believe she died quickly, not feeling any pain, because we found her with her jaws spread wide in a yowl of shock, but nothing was heard last night, so she probably...died...before she could make a noise, which means it was pretty...quick..."
Sparrowfeather didn't answer. Flamepool continued to sit there, not really knowing what to say or do. She just laid her tail comfortingly over her back.
Moonstar padded over, saving her. "Thank you," she whispered in Flamepool's ear. Flamepool nodded, padding away. Moonstar took her place, laying down next to her friend, licking Sparrowfeather's ear. Mallowpaw came up and laid down on the other side of her mentor, laying her head down on her paws.
Flamepool padded towards Snowdawn, who had a solemn look on her face. She sat next to her sister, her fur brushing Snowdawn's.
"What are you thinking about?" Flamepool asked.
"N-nothing," Snowdawn said. Flamepool followed her gaze to find she was looking at Lilacslash who sat at the edge of the clearing. Was it just coincidence, or was Lilacslash glaring back at her?
"Snowdawn?"
"Yeah?" Snowdawn turned to look at her. Her face was full with many different emotions, like she was thinking something through, turning it over in her head. She looked terrified and scared. She looked like she was about to explode if she didn't say what was on her mind.
"I think we need to talk," Flamepool said. It was time. Time for her to tell Snowdawn about the prophecy. She had to know now, or else it might be too late. Too many cats were dieing, and it needed to stop.
Snowdawn nodded. "Yes. Yes, I think we do."
Flamepool nodded, standing up and walking away. Snowdawn stood and followed, her face still holding many emotions.
Flamepool led the way to the warriors den. She pushed behind it, glancing back at the clearing. She saw Sootlife, his gaze following them. The fur stood up along her spine. How many cats were watching them? What was Snowdawn thinking about? What did they all know that Flamepool didn't?
Flamepool sat down outside of camp behind the warriors den. She felt unsafe here, but it was private. Snowdawn came out behind her and sat down across from her, and for a few moments they just stared at each other. Finally, Flamepool broke the silence.
"I think we're part of a huge prophecy," she blurted. Snowdawn's eyes grew wide, shock filling them. "I overheard Sparrowfeather and Moonstar talking about it a few moons ago," she continued. "Sparrowfeather told Moonstar that she thinks we're supposed to save the clan from the 'darkness' that threatens us."
Snowdawn's eyes grew ever wider, and she looked around wildly. Finally she looked back and Flamepool. "What was the prophecy?" she asked, leaning closer.
"Uh..." Flamepool thought back to when she had heard Sparrowfeather recite it. "Um...it was...the blazing snow and flickering flame will come together to melt the darkness that threatens MoonClan."
"I...I believe I know what the darkness is," Snowdawn said quietly, looking at the ground.
Flamepool pricked her ears. "What? You do?"
Snowdawn nodded. She scooted closer. "Do you remember when Sootlife was attacked?"
"Of course," Flamepool said.
"Well...he always claimed that he never got a good look at his attackers but..." she sighed. "He made me promise never to tell anybody else in fear that they would kill me but, Flamepool, it was Lilacslash and Lilyfur who attacked him."
Flamepool's eyes grew wide as she heard her sister's words. Somehow, though, deep inside her, she wasn't shocked at all that it was those two.
"He said Lilacslash was the leader, despite the fact that Lilyfur was older and her mentor at that time," Snowdawn continued.
"So Lilacslash and Lilyfur have been murdering all those cats? Why?" Flamepool asked.
"Sootlife said they never told why. They just laughed, told him they had killed all those cats, then attacked him. It's not like I have gone up to Lilacslash and asked, 'Hey! Why have you been randomly killing cats in your own clan?' That would be suicide!"
"I didn't expect you to have," Flamepool said. "I was just...a little surprised."
"Were you?" Snowdawn asked. "Were you really?"
"Honestly, no," Flamepool answered truthfully, a hint if amusement in her voice.
"Good," Snowdawn purred.
"We should go back. The clan might wonder where we are," Flamepool said.
Snowdawn nodded. "Let's not tell anybody about this. Agreed?"
"Agreed," Flamepool answered.
"Good. Come on," Snowdawn pushed into the clearing.
Flamepool followed, her mind reeling about what she had learned. It was a big responsibility, handling all of this. Somehow she felt like she was forgetting something, but what?
Oh well, she thought as they entered the clearing. It probably wasn't very important.
Cover- viszla7.deviantart.com/art/Moo…
Chapter 9- fav.me/d5acagy
Chapter 11- fav.me/d5g7b3l

Another extra long chapter :D

WOOOO!! WE'VE REACHED CHAPTER 10 :dummy::party:!! 15 more to go!! :dummy:

ENJOY!! And can anybody remember what Flamepool forgot? :D Cause she DID forget something.

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Characters (c) ~MoonTheGreat
MoonClan's Prophecy (c) ~MoonTheGreat
Warriors concept (c) Erin Hunter
© 2012 - 2024 MoonTheGreat
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MysteryDrawn's avatar
I dunno what she forgot!!!! *sobsob*