Chapter 1: New Dawn
As the faint light of a new dawn began rising on the horizon, small movement came from within the BirchClan camp as an ash-colored cat, their eyes the color of freshly grown moss crept out from a gloomy den and gave its left ear a scratch. They comforted their back with 3 gentle licks before ruffling their fur, the grass soggy beneath their paws from last night's storm. Glancing around the clearing, their haunches quivered with unease and they gave their back a few more licks before stalking towards a hollowed out boulder where the Clan Leader slept just beyond its entrance. A thick curtain of moss lay shielding the den inside from the harmful rays of the sun and keeping the interior relatively cool. Its tips flowing in and out of the entrance as if the den was somehow a creature breathing in and out. Slowly, the tom with the ashen pelt slipped into the darkness and let their eyes adjust as they padded further into the den.A white and silver she-cat laid in the nest littered with bird feathers, whose sides slowly rose and fell with each coming breath as they slumbered peacefully. The ashen tom cleared their throat in respect, their green eyes glowing in the milky darkness that surrounded their figures. "Pearlstar, dawn is slowly approaching and I have a question to ask you." the tom mewed, flicking his ears backwards with worry. Normally he wouldn't disturb his leader in her sleep, but he needed to know of something. The rise of the she-cat's head told him she was awake as she rolled over onto her stomach and faced the younger tom. Stifling out a wide fanged yawn, the leader rose to a sitting position and curled her tail around her paws. "I'm listening Sootstep. What is it?" she asked.
"Plumscar informed me last night that you wanted to speak with Snailspots, Moosefoot, and Emberstrike - is that correct?" came his gentle mew, his one ear twitching in irritation. The white she-cat with her silver tabby splotched pelt gave a curt nod and stood, stretching out widely with her fore-paws clawing the stone floor below her. She then gave a relieved sigh and would sit back down upon her soft nest. "That is correct, Sootstep, but I asked her to cater to them for me." Pearlstar meowed, her icy-blue eyes flickering like fire. "Well, she told me I should do it instead. She was busy taking care of the elders. Their den was wet from the rain last night and she was worried about them getting aches. If you want, I could gather them before I organize patrols for today." the deputy suggested respectfully to his wise leader.
"Very well, but please refrain from sending Appleflank on patrols today. His mate just delivered his kits last night and I think the rain yesterday ruined his usual cheerful mood. If he wants to, he can go help other warriors train their apprentices." her mew was barely beyond a whisper, but Sootstep heard every word that came from her maw. "I'll try to remember that, Pearlstar." he spoke, his tail flicking a little. "While we're on the context of apprentices, it's about time Seedfrost's kits leave the nursery. Who do you think should be their mentors? Do you know of any cat good enough for such an honor?" she asked, trying to test her deputy. After all, he was to be her successor when the time occurred for her to run among their warrior ancestors of SoulClan.
Sootstep's green eyes darkened a bit and his posture stiffened. She's testing me, isn't she? came his silent thoughts. "Well, since Maplekit is the more adventurous and impatient one, she should be in the care of a patient warrior who knows how to get another cat's attention - perhaps Spiderleaf or Cherrynose would suit her. Tawnykit is obedient and clever, so an experienced warrior should suit her nicely - like Swanleg, Snailspots, or Brokenwing. Brindlekit is impatient like Maplekit, but a bit more reliable, so maybe Thawheart?" he said, thinking about this. I wonder how my apprentice is fairing in her training. I haven't taken her training in days, he thought about his apprentice, Rosepaw. "And Shrewkit?" came his leader's sudden mew. Sootstep gasped in a bit of surprise, but recollected his composure and would think. "Shrewkit is shy and not very out-spoken, so maybe a warrior who could help lift his spirits up and gain his attention. Like Speckledbriar, Acornsong, or Alderthorn." he yowled gently, his ears lowering a bit.
Pearlstar thought of his words and then gave him a quick purr. "You're learning quickly how to choose warriors for the tasks at hand. I see you'll have no trouble taking over leadership when I'm gone. You've done excellent as my deputy despite the hardships and being young, so I expect you to work just as outstandingly as leader of BirchClan in the future." came her calm compliments. Sootstep's fur heated up with embarrassment. Despite his leader praising his expertise, he only had been deputy for a few moons under her and Pearlstar was supposed to be nearly twice his age. She has a lot more confidence and expertise than he did, and it bothered him whenever he was expected to be as great as she. Even at Gatherings, he was constantly rumored about being the youngest deputy of BirchClan ever, and in a way - he believed them. Whether or not the rumor was true or not, he didn't know - for he was too afraid to ask. "Pearlstar, I respect your leadership skills, but I'm not worthy of your praise. I'm hardly even a warrior, much less a deputy." Sootstep mewed sadly.
"You have self-doubt - a lot of deputies do. I did a lot when I became Robinstar's deputy." Pearlstar mewed, mentioning the leader who had come before her. Robinstar had been a russet tabby tom, according to the stories from Halfbird and Mothbelly, whose parents served under the courageous leader. "Sometimes I wonder if Coalflight had been a better deputy than I." Sootstep muttered, his ears lowering. "Your father may not be here anymore, Sootstep. But, he still watches over you from SoulClan. As does your litter-mates who have passed on. Your whole family is proud of you - you know that." Pearlstar told him. "I don't blame anyone but FloodClan for Coalflight's death - but that doesn't mean the son of a mighty deputy won't be as great as he was." she continued, flicking her tail. "I miss them so much." Sootstep yowled softly, his ears and head lowered. His green eyes were dark with his sorrow. Coalflight had been Pearlstar's deputy before him, and even though the tom was old, he never let his age overcome his spirit. His brave father had died in a battle over Snakestones, a small outcrop of stones rounded by the river's current which stood at the border between BirchClan and FloodClan. He had died as he lived, bravely.
He had received the news from Threefoot as he and other warriors came back with wounds on them. Coalflight had been killed while protecting a fellow warrior. Nightbreeze from FloodClan had his father's blood on their paws, and Sootstep is reminded of it every Gathering he attended since his father's passing. His father died long before the banishment of Weaseltail, and his mother - Dawnmist never took her warrior duties again, and retired the following day. After his mother's retirement, she contracted greencough and passed away. Sootstep missed both his parents, but he didn't miss them nearly as much as he missed his brother, Cloudrush. "I will never forgive Nightbreeze for what he did." Sootstep yowled and hissed. It was all the tom's fault. "I know, Sootstep. All Clan cats as old at 6 moons old risk their lives for their Clan, and it is an honor serving under your leader as deputy. One honor I hope you'll eventually be proud of achieving. Now, please bring Snailspots, Moosefoot, and Emberstrike to my den at once. You may have to wake them." Pearlstar mewed.
Sootstep nodded and immediately did as his leader asked, but her words haunted him the rest of the morning. He padded over to the warriors' den and flicked his hind paws a bit from the moisture of the grass. He peeked in the gloomy den, it was dark, but he could make the faint outline of a few warriors slumbering in their dens. He spotted Emberstrike right away - the dark red tom's pelt was always noticeable. "Emberstrike...psst." Sootstep mewed. The tom in question flicked their ear and then raised their head and glanced towards the entrance, their green eyes darkened with sleep still. "Sootstep? What is it?" came the experienced tom's shaky mew. "Pearlstar wants you, Moosefoot, and Snailspots to meet in her den right away. Can you wake the other two for me? You might want to wake everyone else up as well." the deputy muttered, flicking an ear as water from the den ceiling dripped onto his head.
"I'll do that then." Emberstrike said, standing up and stretching his legs out. Beside him laid Snailspots, an old mottle gray tom who was close to retiring. Sootstep was convinced once Pearlstar shared the news of his apprentice's warrior ceremony, the tom would ask for retirement to the Elder's den. Emberstrike then nudged the older tom gently with his nose. "Snailspots, wake up. Pearlstar wishes to see us." came the red tom's respectful voice. The green eyes of the mottled tom opened and he looked up at Sootstep and Emberstrike. "Can't it wait 10 more minutes?" came the older tom's mew. "I'm afraid not, she wants you to meet her immediately." Sootstep mewed back, flicking his tail behind him. Moosefoot heard the commotion and woke up, his amber eyes gleaming in the darkness. Moosefoot walked out of the warrior's den and passed his deputy, giving a wide yawn. "Thanks for the wake up call, Sootstep - I need to wake up Lostpaw anyways." Moosefoot said sleepily.
"About that. Pearlstar needs to speak with you." Sootstep yowled gently. "Why?" Moosefoot blinked. "Just do as she says." Sootstep hissed slightly before he walked off. He walked past the apprentice's den and managed to spot Mudpaw and Rosepaw walking out at the same time. Rosepaw spotted her mentor, but said nothing as she was currently talking to Mudpaw. Mudpaw was a lot older than her - having been made an apprentice around the same time Coalflight had died. Sootstep considered talking to Pearlstar about Mudpaw's warrior ceremony, as the tom was clearly old enough to be a warrior now. He wondered what Mudpaw's mentor, Chestnutwind, had to say about his slacking as a mentor. The last border fight that Mudpaw was apart of, Mudpaw was pinned easily by a FloodClan apprentice and Brokenwing, one of BirchClan's finest warriors had to jump in to free him.
Spotting movement behind him, he turned to see Snailspots, Moosefoot, and Emberstrike pad together towards Pearlstar's den. He hoped Snailspots retired, for his older sister Mothbelly was already in the Elder's den. He was certain Cottonpaw would be Snailspots' last apprentice. Moosefoot entered Pearlstar's den first and then greeted his leader with a sleepy purr. "Greetings Pearlstar, you asked for us?" he mewed with a respectful tone. Snailspots and Emberstrike followed him inside, but remained silent. "Yes, indeed I did. It is about time Cottonpaw, Lostpaw, and Mistypaw became warriors." came her gentle yowl. Emberstrike gave a concerned glance. "Shouldn't Mudpaw become a warrior too? He was an apprentice even back when Coalflight was alive." the red warrior muttered, curling his tail around his fore-paws.
Pearlstar's ears twitched and she glanced outside in thought. "Mudpaw's training isn't complete yet. I shall have a word with his mentor once the ceremony's finished." she chirped after thinking about it for several seconds. "Pearlstar, is it alright if I ask for retirement to the Elder's den?" Snailspots asked his leader. Pearlstar beamed happily. "I thought you'd never ask, Snailspots." she purred teasingly. "Your sister Mothbelly had been wondering when you'd ask for a while now, I'm sure she's bugged you about it as well." the leader then paused. "Once your apprentice is named a warrior, then I shall ask you. Would you like your name be changed?" Pearlstar asked. "No, my name is perfect for me." the old warrior mewed. "Then it is settled." Pearlstar chimed cheerfully and stood up. "Once the whole Clan is awakened, I shall announce a Clan meeting." she mewed.
"Is that it? None of us are getting another apprentice after this?" Moosefoot asked in a slight hiss. "Be respectful." Emberstrike reminded Moosefoot. "I don't have to be respectful. She's the reason my sister's no longer here!" Moosefoot hissed angrily, his back arched upwards and his tail whipping back and forth. At this, Pearlstar's icy-blue eyes widened and she flicked her tail to silence them. "Moosefoot, you have no right to take your anger of that event on your Clan-mates, especially me." she said, raising her head and staring the brown warrior down. "Let me remind you that it wasn't Weaseltail's fault she fell expecting. She was a victim of a lustful rogue!" Moosefoot said, his eyes dilated and his mouth drooling with anger. He bared his fangs in a silent snarl. Emberstrike and Snailspots ruffled their fur in hatred towards their Clan-mate. "You chose this time to bring that up? You should be honored Lostpaw is finally being made a warrior." Emberstrike reminded his fellow warrior, trying to defuse the toxic situation.
"Says the one whose sister is still in the Clan!" Moosefoot shouted at the dark red tom. "THAT IS ENOUGH!" yowled Pearlstar as she raised her voice over Moosefoot's. "You are to stop speaking of this right now or I shall banish you from the next Gathering." Pearlstar threatened her Clan-mate. She wasn't about to put up with disrespect and in-fighting. Moosefoot relaxed, if a little, and settled his pelt back down. He glanced towards the hateful glances of Snailspots, who was his uncle, and lowered his tail. Moosefoot then padded out of the den without another word. He stopped outside the den and then watched as more warriors had come out from their slumber and were all looking at him. Some of them looked mad at him, others were shocked, and some were just straight scared. His ears went back when he heard a voice inside of Pearlstar's den - it was Emberstrike. "If you ask me, Pearlstar, your actions weren't at all worthy of that reaction. However, to be fair, it wasn't Weaseltail's fault as she had been the victim." Moosefoot agreed partially with the strong warrior, but Pearlstar banishing his expecting sister had been very unappropriate.
Weaseltail had been the victim, and yet she was banished as though it was her fault. With kits in her belly no less! His amber eyes twinkled with sorrow as he remember his sister's last conversation with him - the last time he had seen her was with fear in her gaze and a quickened heartbeat. Mothbelly, their mother, now hates Pearlstar - and he doesn't blame her. For some reason, he didn't know why Snailspots - his own uncle would let Pearlstar get away with banishing his expecting niece. Foxcatcher, the russet tabby she-cat was not far from where Moosefoot stood - looking very angrily at him. She had good reason, for he had yelled at her only litter-mate Emberstrike and probably hated his guts by now. "Moosefoot, you had no excuse for saying that." came a quiet mew from Thawheart. Thawheart had been Moosefoot's friend ever since he could remember - the two toms had each found a mate, each have had kits of their own, and each have lost that mate one way or another.
For Moosefoot, it had been Cedarmist who had admitted to no longer loving him, and she had chosen Appleflank over him. For Thawheart, his mate had died while kitting, leaving him with 3 motherless kits to be raised by another queen. Thawheart's old mate Mistpounce had Mistypaw named after her due to how similar in appearance the two she-cats were to each other. Thawheart's ears lowered as he saw the pain in Moosefoot's eyes. "We've all lost something, Moosefoot. A lot of cats miss Weaseltail as much as you do." the silver tabby warrior mewed gently. "It's so unfair, Thawheart. It wasn't at all her fault." Moosefoot hissed painfully. "We all know that, but Snowberry said that it was an omen and that she had to leave." Thawheart yowled.
"The omen's wrong." Moosefoot said and then walked off towards the Elder's den to see if his mother Mothbelly was awake yet. He entered the gloomy den and waited for his eyes to adjust. He soon saw a small figure snoozing in the back of the den. It was Mothbelly, his mother. He sighed deeply as he saw her sleeping and decided not to wake her up. Outside, he heard the leader Pearlstar call the clan meeting to order. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather below Highrock for a Clan meeting!" Pearlstar's majestic voice rose among the calm air of the misty morning. Moosefoot sighed and headed out of the den to await his leader's next words.
Several pelts of many shades gathered below Highrock as Pearlstar leaped upon a stone so she would be high above them. Moosefoot recognized several cat among them, one being his apprentice Lostpaw. It was finally her warrior ceremony and he was deeply proud of her. Her light grey tabby pelt stuck out against the pale grey pelt of her sister Mistypaw, who sat beside her. "We have three apprentices who need to be mentioned. Mistypaw, Lostpaw, and Cottonpaw. Do you solemnly swear to protect the Clan and all its virtues, even at the cost of your very lives?" Pearlstar asked, her ears twisted back slightly. The three apprentices in question all said "I do" in unison and Pearlstar smiled. "Then it is with great honor that I appoint you your new names. Cottonpaw, from now on, you name will be Cottonfeather. We honor your intelligence and courage. Mistypaw, from now on, your name will be Mistypounce, in memory of your dearly departed mother. We honor your honesty and vigilance. And finally Lostpaw, from now on your new name shall be Lostwing. We honor your bravery and honesty. We welcome you three as new warriors of BirchClan." the leader mewed with finality.
"Now, we have 4 kits who have reached their 6th moon and are now ready to become apprentices under BirchClan. Come forward Tawnykit, Maplekit, Shrewkit, and Brindlekit." Pearlstar mewed and waited for the kits to come forward before continuing. "Maplekit, you have reached your 6th moon. From now on, until you have reached your warrior name, you shall be known at Maplepaw." the silver tabby splotched leader said before glancing over the gathered cat. "Spiderleaf, you have only been a warrior for a few moons, but I expect you to show Maplepaw you honesty and bravery. Spiderleaf will mentor young Maplepaw." Pearlstar said happily.
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