> My Warrior Ponies > by Winter Solstice > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- > Chapter 1: The Spell > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 1 This is where princess celestia sends Twilight a mysterious spell Celestia woke up this morning, she felt this weighing feeling in her stomach but she did not know what to do. She sleepily trotted to the bathroom and wiped the sleep from her eyes. There was a knock at the door. "Come in!" Celestia called, and used her magic to open the door. There outside was one of her maids, she was a unicorn of a light purple-pink coat and had neatly brushed mane of different shades of blue, her cutie mark was of two dolphins. The maid silently walked to Celestia's bed, quickly did the cover and made the bed, she was about to leave but. "Stop, maid" Celestia said, the maid hesitated but obediently stopped, faced the princess and bowed. "What would her highness want me to do?" She muttered plainly,she stooped so low that her mane covered her face. "What is your name?" The Princess inquired, she did not want to scare her and wanted her subjects to know her rather than just her crown. She even took pride into knowing each of her maids names, but this unicorn was new and she did not know. "Sea Swirl" the unicorn answered, she did not move from her place, her ruby eyes did not and stared coldly at the floor. "I have a special assignment for you, I need you to give this scroll and letter to my student Twilight Sparkle. Give it to her directly and no one else" Celestia used her magic to pass the scroll of old, crumpled parchment to the unicorn, who transported it out of the room with her magic. As the unicorn walked out the door, Celestia pondered and suddenly felt quite guilty, she had sent her an unfinished spell, one that could be dangerous. Twilight would know not to take silly risks, and she wrote in her letter that if it was too difficult, she had her friends to support her. What could go wrong? Sea Swirl walked out the room and breathed a sigh of relief, when the princess stopped her she had wondered what she had done wrong, this was only her second day at the castle, what a magnificent castle it was. She felt so proud that she lived in upper class society. But sometimes these ponies were such snobs. Sometimes, she wished she was back in Ponyville. Getting a chance to go home filled her with joy. She walked outside, the Sun was high in the sky, she breathed in the crisp clean air. The scroll she had to deliver was safely in her saddle bag, but it looked so fragile that she put some of her scarves around it. She walked to canterlot station, the place was extremely crowded, ponies with their noses pointed to the sky. "Snobs" she muttered under her breath, she brought her ticket and found a seat on the train. She watched the world go by. She wondered is Equestria so tiny, are there different worlds other than ours? Is our life an illusion? Is it all a dream? Do we even matter to this world? Birth, love, life, death? What are we? The train started to slow down. The steam filled the air, and clogged her throat, She coughed there was nobody looking at her , if she had done that in Canterlot they would start spraying perfume everywhere and look at her like a pile of filth. But here, it's okay. She walked from ponyville station and passed sugarcube corner, She wonder what the Cakes are doing and where is Pinkie Pie? That crazy, party pony was surely throwing a party for some unsuspecting newcomers. Around the corner just how she remembered it, she looked up to see The Library. The magnificent tree looked so big its branches thick with leaves. She knocked on the door. She got scroll out, and thought about what was so important that she could not just send it through spike the dragon. She knew that Twilight was Celestia's prize pupil and was always sending her messages. So why send her here? Was it that important? Finally Twilight opened the door, her mane a tangled mess, she looked at her in surprise. "Sea Swirl, what are you doing here? Is the job at Canterlot Castle good?" Twilight questioned, she saw me looking at her usually neat mane which looked like a herd of buffalo charged through it. "Long story" Twilight said, "Come in you look exhausted, Spike could you make a two daffodil sandwiches, please" "Yeah sure thing Twi!" Spike replied, he suddenly popped out with two fresh sandwiches. He handed one to Sea Swirl and Twilight. "Thanks, Spike!" Sea Swirl called to the little dragon but he was already in the kitchen. She slowly ate her sandwich and savoured the fresh taste. "Twilight, I just remembered I need to give you this, it's from princess Celestia" Sea Swirl told Twilight, she handed her the scroll. Twilight unrolled the scroll. Twilight carefully unrolled the old parchment, why did Celestia have to get somepony to deliver it to her when she had spike? She read the letter first: Twilight my most faithful student, I enclose with me a spell of star swirl the bearded, it may be dangerous so I want you to wear the elements of harmony to protect you, I need you and your friends to discover why he created this spell, I want you to know that if this is too hard you should just leave the spell, Do not take any dangerous risks, I hope you and your friends discover what this spell means, Sincerely Princess Celestia P.S. I want you to tell Sea Swirl to go out for a few days in Ponyville, I have noticed that she may be homesick so that is why I wanted her to deliver this message. "Celestia thought of everything" Twilight muttered, "Sea Swirl, Celestia thought you needed the day off! So you are allowed to stay in Ponyville for a couple of days." "Really?" Sea Swirl replied eagerly, she sat up her ears perked and her eyes gleamed. "Yep!" Twilight answered, Sea Swirl got to her feet, thanked Twilight for the sandwich and left. I must find my friends, Twilight thought, she went to sugarcube corner to find Pinkie Pie. She walked in and found that Pound and Pumpkin Cake were crying. Mr and Mrs Cake were trying to entertain the twins but they kept on crying. "Where Pinkie?" Pumpkin wailed, her eyes were wet with tears. "I don't know dear, she just left" Mrs Cake answered. She grabbed a tissue and wiped Pumpkin's tears. Where was Pinkie Pie? > Chapter 2: The Brew > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 2 Where Pinkie visit s Zecora for some tea Pinkie walked through the dark, spooky Everfree Forest. The brightly coloured mare stood out like a red juice stain on a new white carpet. She skipped into the dense forest, the gloomy trees looked as though their branches were trying to claw the dark sky. She pranced around the poison joke and started to giggle, her eyes lit up as she noticed the beautiful yet dangerous plants surrounding a clearing. She hopped all the way to Zecora's door. She knocked three times on the oak door. The door opened. "It is you Pinkie Pie, oh what a surprise" Zecora said, "With your eyes as blue as the skies". "Okie, dokie, lockie!" Pinkie Pie replied , she trotted in, "Zecora, why did you want to see me?". "A lock of a unique pony will help my potion," Zecora answered, she snipped the tip of the pink party pony's bouncy mane, "This will help my brew into motion!" "Yay!" Pinkie exclaimed, she started bouncing up and down with excitement, "I helped someone!" "For the greater good of all and with harm to none, This spell is bound, and will not to be undone. By the power of three times three, As I will, so mote it be." Zecora chanted. Her potion started to bubble the green liquid turned into a fiery red. It rippled like a rainbow, the colours crashing into each other. The brew started to bubble, the bubbles floated upwards, their light shining a deep mixture of colours, like a never ending rainbow. "Oh, pretty bubbles!" leaning forward on the cauldron , Pinkie reached to touch the bubbles. "Pinkie Pie no!" But it was to late the cauldron spilt its magical brew, the potion cascaded upon them, they were like miniature waves coming to drown them. There was a knock at the door, "Sorry to disturb you Zecora but I need your help...."Twilight looked at the scene, as a wave of liquid tumbled out, she was soaked with a foul smelling potion. "What happened?" Twilight gasped, she rushed over to help Zecora and Pinkie, with her magic she put the cauldron the right way up. Zecora staggered and stood up "Remind me never to let you, near my precious brew" She stared at the remains of her house. Her traditional masks were washed away in the Everfree Forest. "Zecora, what were you brewing?" Twilight asked her. "It is of no importance", Zecora replied, "though I need to abandon it with great reluctance" Twilight got the hint, she decided not to question her further. She urged Pinkie Pie out of the house. "I need you and the others now" Twilight told Pinkie Pie, she and Pinkie gathered their friends: Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy. "I need you to wear the elements because I need to cast a dangerous spell for Celestia," Twilight explained as she past out the elements. "Are you sure Twi', if it's dangerous an' all" Applejack said. "It's fine AJ, Celestia would not have sent me the spell if she didn't think I was capable!" Twilight reasoned. She put on her element, she felt the power of the elements flowing through her veins. She felt reassured that it was close to her. But oblivious to Twilight, she still had some of Zecora's potion on her horn. The liquid was dried and invisible to the naked eye but it was still there. What was Zecora brewing? > Chapter 3: The Portal > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 3 Where the mane 6 are transported into another world, they must adapt to their new bodies and different world. Twilight lifted the old parchment , the words were slightly faded from age: "Mother Goddess, jewel of night, lady moon, arise tonight. Protect me in this sacred rite, perform to honor your glorious light. Your silvery light graces the land shining fair on sea and sand, light amongst the heavens grand, is ever changing in your hand. Fair be the light on forest and fields fair be the light upon the hills, fair be the light that over me spills for fair are the deeds thy light reveals. Blessed maiden, mother, crone, I honor your earth I walk upon. Ever mindful of ones before me gone I know I never walk alone. Mother of guidance, bringer of light, protect me in this sacred rite, I call thee now attend to me this is my will so mote it be!" As soon as the lasts words left her mouth, a golden light surrounded her horn. Her friends were lifted to the sky, their element faintly glowing. In front of her, a gate of light slowly opened. "It worked!" Twilight muttered, and everything went black. She opened her eyes and and blinked she saw sunlight creeping through the branches of giant trees a few fallen leaves, the wind blowed lightly scattering . She jumped up, onto her paws, wait what? "Girls I think we may have a problem" She said. She shook her friends, they started to wake up. Then they started to look at themselves, she looked closely they all looked like opalescence. Applejack was a light ginger cat with blonde fur on her head, Rarity was a white cat, Pinkie Pie had pink fur with darker pink markings, Fluttershy had a yellow pelt with light tufts of pink and Rainbow Dash had a light blue pelt with multi-coloured marking on her paws and tail. They all wore that resembled the elements the shapes of their cutie marks were hard to out line but they were still there. They all started to scream, at each other and at themselves. Fluttershy started to cry, and Applejack was trying to calm her down. Rarity tried to keep her posture straight but failed she was left speechless at the thought of being a cat. Pinkie seemed to be the only one unnerved by what was happening , she happily bobbed up and down to an imaginary beat. "Twilight, what happened?" Rainbow Dash exclaimed. She walked up and down the forest floor, whispering , 'this is not cool, not cool at all.' Twilight wanted to scream, what had happened, she did not plan for this. But she held her tongue, her friends needed her, she was the one with all the answers, she just needed a little time. But she did not know where to begin, where to start. She needed to be strong for her friends, she was the one who dragged them all into this. She started to pace around a tree, this helped her to think properly and to concentrate. Her friends watched her pace, they began to calm down. "What should we do y'all?" Applejack asked. "Should we hide?" Fluttershy replied. "Where are we?" Rainbow Dash questioned. "Are we going to die?" Rarity exclaimed. "I'm a cat hooray, now I can wear boots, I shall be known as Puss in Boots!" Pinkie Pie said. The others all turned to look at Pinkie Pie, they each had a look of amazement on their faces. How could she think up that crazy idea. Then they realised that this was Pinkie Pie talking and and dismissed the comment. They all looked at Twilight expecting the answers to their questions. Their hopeful looks added to the guilt that Twilight felt. "I just need some time to think" She told them. They let out relieved sighs as they thought Twilight knew what she was doing and would get them out of here. What would she do? She needed Princess Celestia, but she was in Canterlot, and she doubted that they were anywhere near Equestria. "Well we could explore where we are maybe find some clues!" Pinkie Pie suggested, she started to hop away. Through the trees like she had lived here her whole life. She and her friends ran to catch up, they walked through the mysterious woods. The trees looked even bigger since they were in a smaller form. "I want to go home!" Fluttershy whimpered, she crouched down into a ball. She started to cry, fat wet tears rolled down her cheeks, her eyes were closed as if she was forcefully trying to erase the memory of the forest. "It's all right sugarcube, Twilight 'ere 'as a plan!" Applejack whispered, Fluttershy nodded and continued walking. Twilight sniffed the air, her feline senses were telling her that she was not alone. She looked up and saw four cats walk out of the shadows. Two were big toms and the other two were about the size. "Kittypets, get of our territory, run back to your twolegs!" the grey tom about their size ordered. He bared his teeth, and the orange tom stepped to his side he unsheathed his claws, they both started growling, their fur bristling. The two older cats stood back watching them closely. "Who's going to make us!" Rainbow Dash answered, she unsheathed her claws as well. Her friends all stood up ready for a fight, they started to growl. Twilight eyed the older toms warily if they joined the fight, they wouldn't stand a chance, she could see their strong muscles underneath their coats. Rainbow Dash sprang at the grey tom, they clawed each other, as they twisted and yowled. Applejack sprang at the ginger tom who was caught unaware, he fell to his side but then jumped right up, but Applejack was already on his back, he rolled over, Applejack was underneath him, she struggled to get up. Pinkie Pie started to growl and jumped at the ginger tom, Applejack took that moment of distraction and jumped up. Fluttershy body slammed the grey tom and Rainbow landed a scratch on his ear. Rarity growled at the both the grey and ginger toms, she scratched them with her claws here and there. Twilight looked and saw her friends fighting, she could see they were tired. She had to do something. Rainbow dash tackled the grey tom, she scratched his pelt with her claws, he bit her tail, she screeched in defiance and turned to bite his paw. Then Fluttershy body-slammed the tom, he was dazed and released his grip on her tail. She fought with all her might, she slammed, slashed and bit till she knew she was growing tired. Her paws moved slower, the tom soon overpowered her and slashed her muzzle. Where did Fluttershy go? She saw at the corner of her eye Fluttershy growling at the grey tom. She kept well away, she looked to see Applejack against the ginger cat, the were a ball of fury. She bit the tom's ear, and was about to claw his muzzle when she heard Twilight. "STOP!" Twilight ordered, she felt the tom stop, hesitating she stopped as well she looked up and saw Applejack with some wounds including some blood on her cheek. She stopped and looked at her opponent, he had some bloody wounds and a torn ear. She felt exhausted and it took a lot of effort to keep standing, she just wanted some sleep, but she knew that she shouldn't show the enemy that you are weak, she forced herself to stand tall. She turned to Twilight. Twilight was amazed that they all stopped, She was aware that the older cats were staring at her. "We have to stop fighting, we are sorry that we crossed into your territory but we need to know, where are we?" Twilight asked the two older toms, politely. They walked out of the shadows, the golden tabby tom had thick fur like a lion's mane. The other tom had a white pelt with eyes the colour of sand. "Our territory covers only part the forest, we live near the tree cut place," The golden tabby mewed. "You are crossing on our territory, kittypets so I have to ask you to leave." "Oh, and may I ask you what is a kittypet and a twoleg?" Twilight questioned. "A twoleg is a creature that stand on their back hind legs and a kittypet is someone who depends on twolegs to survive" the ginger tom answered. "But we are not kittypet and we have never seen a twoleg before" Rarity reasoned. "So what is that thing around your neck?" the grey tom asked as he began to lick his wounds. "That is a name symbol" Twilight lied, she knew that these cats would not know anything about magic. So why confuse them, she nodded at her friends and they all got the hint. "We need your help to get back to our home!" Twilight said, "can we just stay until we know what to do." The older cats talked in quiet whispers, soon they came to agreement. "You are allowed to stay, only if Bluestar allows it" The white tom mewed. "Follow us back to camp!", the ginger tom said cheerfully, "oh, and by the way my name is Firepaw, the gray tom is Graypaw and the white cat is Whitestorm and the golden tabby is Lionheart!" They followed them through the forest, the wild cats were faster as they were used to the terrain but Twilight and her friends had trouble catching up. The forest cats slowed down, and Twilight was thankful. "We're here, welcome to our home" > Chapter 4: The Camp > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 4 Where the mane 6 meet the clan! "This is our clan!" Firepaw told them proudly, he puffed out his chest,"It's the best clan ever!" The forest cats lead them nimbly down the rocks to the bottom of the ravine, they pushed their way through a thick patch of gorse, their sides scraped against the prickly gorse, Rainbow Dash looked down to see the ground at the centre was bare, hard earth, probably shaped from generations of paws and cats. She saw that eventually the tunnel opened up. She felt impatient, she was squashed in the gorse tunnel and wanted to stretch her legs. She looked at the clearing, there were cats everywhere, and they were grooming each other! She watched silently; the only good use for a tongue was for eating, not this. She felt her tummy rumble slightly, she was starving! What do these cats eat she wondered. She knew that Opalescence had cat food, and sometimes waffles as a treat. But there was no cat food, and no ponies to look after them. She knew that they were attracting attention, she saw as the cats turned with curious faces at the newcomers. At the head of the clearing was a large boulder, a large grey she-cat padded, silently toward them, white hairs streaked her muzzle and she bore a scar that parted the fur across her shoulders. "Why are these kittypets here" She questioned , she looked at each of her friends in turn, her piercing blue eyes showed her rank, she was the top cat, the she-cats gaze lingered mostly on Twilight. What did she want with Twilight? "They claim to not be kittypets, they also want to seek shelter," Whitestorm answered "We came to you immediately, to ask permission, Bluestar" "I want you, Lionheart and Spottedleaf in my den" Bluestar ordered, she gestured to Whitestorm, Lionheart and a dark tortoiseshell she-cat with a dappled coat. All four cats walked into a cave in the rock, it had lichen growing at the entrance. "What do we do now , y'all?" Applejack said as soon as Firepaw and Graypaw left, "I know that Twilight, here can help us get back, but I am just slightly worried. I mean what about Apple Bloom and Big Mac, they don't know where I am. Everyone in Ponyville doesn't know where we are! At least Twilight can get us back, right?" Twilight looked uncomfortable, she turned around, her tail drooping. She gave a slight nod then slowly padded away. "I just need some more time!" Twilight said, she continued walking, the rest of her friends were now more relieved. They started talking amongst themselves. They talked about how funny this will sound once they get back to Ponyville. Imagine turning into cats! "Hey, I think Bluestar is going to tell us what they decided!" Greypaw said. They looked to the big boulder, all four cats were coming out of the cave. Bluestar climbed on top of the rock and yowled "Let all those cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting" All cats were all out of their dens so the just had to look. "We have reached an agreement, we shall allow the newcomers to stay," Bluestar said, there were some yowls of disagreement. "We already have a kittypet why do we need some loners as well" "But they need a place to stay!" "We barely have any clanborn cats now!" Bluestar's yowl silenced the clan, "we shall have a naming ceremony at moonhigh!" Then with a flick of her tail she closed the meeting. Twilight's all turned towards her, "I just need some air," She muttered, she walked across the clearing, out of the gorse tunnel. She thought about Spike, what would happen to that little baby dragon. She climbed onto a rock and she breathed in the scents of the forest , it was autumn and the leaves were coloured with reds and browns. She sniffed the air and looked around, she could feel some other cats presence. "Hi!" Firepaw called, the ginger tom walked up to Twilight, "I saw you leaving and didn't want you to get lost, we do have a big territory!" "Thank you for the offer but I can manage fine on my own," She replied, the last thing she needed was him boasting about his clan. She leapt neatly off the rock and walked away. "You know, it's okay to admit that you're a kittypet, I was but now I am a loyal apprentice to thunderclan" He said as he padded after her. So he thinks I am lying Twilight thought furiously. She turned around. "Firepaw, I swear I have never seen a twoleg before" She growled, Firepaw looked at her. "So you really are not kittypets" He muttered, he had a look of disappointment on his face. Maybe it was hard on him that he had kittypet origins. She decided to forgive him. She stopped and thought, she wondered why StarSwirl the Bearded would create such a spell, that transports ponies to a land of cats. She wanted to know more about this world. "Look I am sorry that I snapped at you Firepaw" Twilight murmured. Firepaw nodded, "Sorry for saying you were lying" "Hey do you want to head back to camp!" Twilight exclaimed, "Race you back!" "You're on" The raced back through the gorse tunnel, Firepaw had a last burst of adrenaline which sent Twilight in the dust. They both started to pant, as they reached the clearing. "There you are sugarcube!" Applejack called, "We have been looking all other for you!" Her friends all rushed over, to greet her. "It's almost moonhigh!" Fluttershy said, they all watched as Bluestar as she climbed onto Highrock, she began the ceremony. "This moonhigh, we gather here to name six new apprentices, come forward, what are your names" Bluestar said, they each said their names. "From this day forth, Rainbow Dash until you have earned you warrior name, you shall be known as Swiftpaw, your mentor shall be Runningwind" Bluestar called each of them in turn. Rarity became Snowpaw, her mentor was Willowpelt. Applejack became Amberpaw, her mentor Longtail. Pinkie Pie became Brightpaw, her mentor Mousefur. Fluttershy became a medicine cat apprentice and became Petalpaw. Twilight became Lightpaw, her mentor Bluestar. They each touched noses with their mentor. Once they completed the ceremony most cats went to their dens. Lightpaw and her friends started to look around, confused. Where were they supposed to go? "You are supposed to go to sleep here!" Firepaw said, they walked they saw a large tree stump, and a large patch of ferns. Spottedleaf walked up to Petalpaw, "You are going to sleep in the medicine cats den." He walked inside to a small clearing. "You need to scrunch the moss like this to make a nest!" Graypaw and Firepaw helped to scrunch the moss and helped them in making each nest. "Goodnight!" Twilight said, they all stretched and started to curl up in their nests. "Goodnight" "Goodnight" "Goodnight" "Goodnight" They all started to fall asleep, Twilight had some trouble going to sleep, she tossed and turned but it was not to be. She walked out of the den silently, trying not to wake any cat. She looked up at the moon, she turned to see a shadow disappear through the gorse tunnel. She wondered who that was? She slowly crept back into her nest and fell asleep > Chapter 5: The Training > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 5 Where the mane 6 discover the magic in training Lightpaw groaned at the persistent poking that awoke her, "Rise and shine sleepy head, we need to start training!" Brightpaw exclaimed. She bounced all the way to the clearing, humming a joyful tune. Lightpaw looked around to see all the mossy nests were empty, she stretched and walked out of the clearing. Her friends were already waiting for her. "Where is she if I have to wait any longer my hoov.. I mean paws will go to sleep!" Swiftpaw muttered angrily. "I 'm here!" She called, she padded towards them. They looked up to greet her. "Did you know that I need to learn the names of many herbs and what they are used for" Petalpaw said in a whisper. "Good for you sugarcube!" Amberpaw replied warmly, "I wonder what type of training we're all doin'" "I just want it to start!" Swiftpaw moaned impatiently. "There you are, your mentors are looking for you!"Lionpaw said as the golden cat padded towards them. "We better go to our mentors" Lightpaw agreed "where is Bluestar?" "She is in her den" he answered, he turned his head and gestured to the small cave beneath Highrock. "Swiftpaw, there you are, we are going to patrol around the territory, Amberpaw, Snowpaw and Brightpaw you are coming with your mentors as well" Longtail meowed, her friends raced towards the Gorse Tunnel. Lightpaw sat next to Petalpaw. "So, you need to learn the names of herbs!"Lightpaw asked, "tell me the names of some!" "Well, there is marigold which helps to treat wounds and stop infections, yarrow to expel poison. Oh no, I forgot what herb to treat a tummy ache with!" Petalpaw glanced around, worriedly. "Juniper berries or chervil roots" Spottedleaf answered as she appeared behind them, "It's okay to forget sometimes, you know that you did well remembering the herbs" "Thank you, Spottedleaf" Petalpaw replied, she dipped her head. "Petalpaw, why don't I teach you a few more herb names" Spottedleaf said, she turned away and walked towards her den, Petalpaw sprang up and followed her. Lightpaw couldn't help feeling a little jealous of her friends, she was excited about meeting Bluestar in person. She looked so formal, but by her scars she was a formidable opponent. She could hardly wait! Lightpaw looked up as she felt two amber eyes looking at her, she knew that it wasn't friendly. A massive, dark brown tabby walked across the clearing. She stared defiantly back, she saw him narrow his eyes. She knew that she had made an enemy. Firepaw appeared beside her, "That is Tigerclaw, you shouldn't trust him" he whispered, but she already knew that, she remembered the shadow in the night, she had no doubt that was him. What would he be doing in the middle of the night? she wondered. "Wow, this territory is utterly huge!" Snowpaw said as she walked with her friends, they had just seen sunning rocks and were walking towards a extremely tall tree. "That tree is called the Owl Tree," Mousefur said "Why's it called that" Amberpaw asked "Because there are owls living in the tree!" Longtail answered, they all looked up at the towering branches. "It looks a bit like Twilight's library, you won't find a bigger tree in Ponyville, I wonder if ponies can live in this tree as well!" Brightpaw said, the thunderclan warriors were looking at her in amazement, as they had no idea what she was saying. "Ponies living in trees?" Willowpelt echoed, "Where did you get such a mouse-brain idea?" "In Equestria!" Brightpaw replied, and bounded away in a cheerful hop, skip and a jump. They looked at the apprentices. "You get used to it" Swiftpaw shrugged, and they carried on. "What is Starclan?" Petalpaw asked her mentor as they bundled herbs together. "Starclan is where your warrior ancestors go when they are dead" Spottedleaf answered. Petalpaw gazed at her,"So, you are celebrating the dead?" "No, it is more as though they have travelled away but they have not gone" The medicine cat replied, gently "they send omens for us to interpret and warn us if there are dangers."Spottedleaf turned and looked at Petalpaw, "There was a prophecy about you and you friends" "Really! Could I know I mean if you don't mind, you don't need to sa-" Petalpaw mumbled "I shall tell you, There is a great danger coming, Six will come to aid, They shall be taught in your ways, One will tip the scale, Good and bad are not equal, Remember that all shall come at a great price." "What does it mean that it will come at a great price?" Petalpaw questioned, her eyes were big with worry. "I don't know" > Chapter 6: More Training > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Chapter 6 Where the mane 6, train some more, and Fluttershy finds out what cats eat Petalpaw looked around, the forest was so dark, the towering trees looked even bigger than normal. Then out of thin air a pale silver tom with bright amber eyes, long, feathery whiskers, and a sweeping, plumy tail, walked out of the trees, he looked like he was made of stars. He turned and gazed at her, Petalpaw shrank back in fear. "You have nothing to fear little one" He said,"My name is Featherwhisker, I was Spottedleaf's mentor." "Really?" "Yes, you are a long way from home, I apologize for that but the prophecy, it states the need of you and your friends." "What is the threat?" she asked, softly, she gazed at him more comfortably, now that she knew he wasn't an enemy. "Even Starclan's sights are clouded, but we still care about the ones that we have left behind" His eyes glazed over with worry. "I promise, that me and my friends will try to help" Petalpaw replied determinedly. "We know, and we are thankful" Petalpaw looked around as the forest started to disappear, She blinked and saw that she was in the medicine cat's den. Spottedleaf was up and was grabbing a dried poppy head to shake out the little poppy seeds. "You're up, did you rest enough" Spottedleaf said, she turned towards Petalpaw. " I had a dream...about Featherwhisker" Petalpaw said, she saw that her mentor was staring at her curiously. "What did he say?" "He said that that Starclan did not know what the threat to the clans was" Petalpaw answered. "If they knew the answers they still wouldn't tell us" Spottedleaf muttered. "Why?" "Because, even though they know they give us our own choices, giving us our own destiny" Spottedleaf meowed, "Could you give these poppy seeds to Dappletail, she says that she has trouble sleeping" "Okay" Swiftpaw woke up and started to nudge Amberpaw, "Wake up already, Applej- I mean Amberpaw!" "Alright Rainbow, I'm up" Amberpaw grunted. "Don't you mean Swiftpaw?" Graypaw mewed. "Swiftpaw" Amberpaw echoed, she got to her paws and shook her pelt. "Snowpaw, Lightpaw, wake up!" Swiftpaw yowled, impatiently. "Wait y'all where is Brightpaw?" Amberpaw asked, they all looked around to try and find the bubbly, pink she-cat. But she was no where to be found. "Hi, you guys, are you looking for me?" Brightpaw said behind them, she bounced up and down with excitement. "Where were you?" Snowpaw questioned. " I was listening to the elder's stories, did you know that they don't know what a cupcake is, I mean really, wh-" Brightpaw looked at Lightpaw's stern glare, "Um, nothing" "I wonder when we get to eat, I am starving!" Swiftpaw exclaimed, what do these cats eat? she wondered. "The fresh-kill pile is over there" Graypaw pointed with a flick of his tail. "Fresh-kill?" Snowpaw said, they all walked to the direction he had pointed, and there were, what the buck! "There you are I need to tel-" Petalpaw looked down at the dead mice and voles, she looked up and let out an almighty scream, Swiftpaw looked and saw all the cats rushing out looking around at some invisible enemy. "What happened?" Bluestar demanded, she looked around, expecting something to jump out and attack. "Bluestar, I..um..Petalpaw" Lightpaw stammered,"Well, this is not what we usually eat, see we are vegetarians" "Vegetarians?" Bluestar asked. "We only eat plants" Snowpaw said "Cats that only eat plant! Oh, and hedgehogs can fly!" Darkstripe exclaimed. "I am so sorry!" Petalpaw mewed quietly. "What are you a rabbit in disguise!"Darkstripe hissed. "Say one more word and I will rip your mangy pelt off!" Swiftpaw retorted, she arched her back her fur bristling. "Oh, really!" Darkstripe said "I am a strong warrior and you are a pile of fox dung, how could you defeat me!" Snowpaw took a step forward "If you mess with one of us you mess with all of us!" she snarled. Fortunately, he did not reply. "If there is nothing to worry about then we should get going, Tigerclaw, can you show these apprentices some battle moves" Bluestar ordered. Tigerstar nodded his dark tabby head and flicked his tail to beckon them to follow him. Finally some battle moves! "Petapaw, it is time you went to The Moonstone," Spottedleaf old her. "What's The Moonstone?" she replied. "The moonstone is where all medicine cats go to share tongues with our ancestors" her mentor explained," we meet every half moon, this is very important because this wil make you an official medicine cat apprentice in the eyes of Starclan." "I cannot wait" Petalpaw replied, softly, in her head she felt so nervous, meeting more strange cats in dreams! She felt like she could faint, she was scared that they wouldn't like her, what was she to say? Was normal greetings not enough for Starclan? "You will do just fine" Spottedleaf replied, she licked her ear comfortingly, "we better get going we are wasting moonlight!" They walked out of the den and Spottedleaf greeted Mousefur who was on guard. They silently walked through the trees and met up with a small grey and white tom, he had a different scent from Shadowclan. "Runningnose, is your clan well?" Spottedleaf called, they walked up to him at a strong smelling place where to types of scents could be found. "Spottedleaf, Brokenstar he's done something," he whispered, he looked around as if something was going to leap out and attack, "my mentor Yellowfang, he banished her!" Spottedleaf looked shocked, "what had she done?" "You will hear it at the gathering" "Have you seen Mudfur of Riverclan? Or Barkface of Windclan?" Spottedleaf asked as she changed the subject. "I have not seen Barkface or Mudfur, but they are late! and we are wasting moonlight!" Runningnose replied, he looked down and noticed Petalpaw,"I see you have found yourself an apprentice, but you are a little young Spottedleaf" "Two is better than one" Spottedleaf answered, "Do you think we should start without them?" "Wait I see Mudfur!" They turned to the direction Runningnose was looking and saw a long haired light brown tom. "I am sorry I am late" Mudfur panted. "I don't think Barkface is coming" Runningnose observed "We better get going, with or without him" They all walked towards a giant cave, she tried to look in to see what was inside but all she could see was darkness, it made her shiver anxiously. Runningnose went into the hole, then Mudfur they were both swallowed by darkness, Spottedleaf turned around to face Petalfur . "You just need to follow my scent down the hole, okay" Spottedleaf told her, Petalpaw nodded and followed her. The hole was frightfully tight in some spaces and the darkness did not help at all. Petalpaw smelt her mentor's nearby scent, she followed her down the passages as quickly as she could. Then finally it opened up, Petalpaw breathed out a sigh of relief. Then she looked up, before her stood a mountainous stone of crystal towered over her, Spottedleaf turned towards her. "Petalpaw, is it your wish to enter the mysteries of StarClan as a medicine cat?" "It is," Petalpaw replied Spottedleaf mewed "Then come forward." "Warriors of StarClan, I present you with this apprentice. She has chosen the path of a medicine cat. Grant her your wisdom and insight so that she may understand your ways and heal her Clan in accordance with your will." Spottedleaf said, "Touch the moonstone" she added. Petalpaw touched the moonstone with her nose, instantly a wave of coldness swepped over her, she blinked her eyes and knew she was dreaming, she walked forward and saw Featherwhisker padding towards her. "Hello, Featherwhisker" she mewed in greeting. Featherwhisker nodded in acknowledgement and gestured with his tail. "You need to meet the rest of Starclan" Petalpaw felt a heavyweight land on top of her, she didn't know any of those cats, they were not even her ancestors, they were someone else's! She belonged back in Ponyville! Equestria! In the whole equestrian universe! She stopped and looked down, she wasn't ready for this. She looked up to see Featherwhisker touch her shoulder comfortingly. "It's okay to be scared, but you don't need to be," They walked on, Featherwhisker walked confidently through the towering trees, it was like he was following an invisible path. He stopped, Petalpaw just managed to stop herself bumping into him. "We're here!" Petalpaw looked up to see hundreds of cats, looking curiously at her, she started to hyperventilate. Every cats eyes were on her, she couldn't do it, she remembered eyes glued on her when all the pegasi had to make a hurricane to get the water up to Cloudsdale. Every Ponies eyes on her! She started to back away, there were too many! Featherwhisker, noticed her backing away. "I will stay with you, if you like?" He whispered into her ear, she looked at him and nodded appreciatively. They walked through rows, and rows of cats. Featherwhisker kept his tail tip on her shoulder, they stopped at a bright ginger tom with yellow eyes. "Sunstar, wants to speak with you" Featherwhisker told her, she gently nudged her forward. She felt his gaze burn through her pelt, she wrapped her tail around her paws. "Petalpaw, where are you from?" Sunstar asked her, as she looked up. "I come from Equestria" She replied. "Do you know of the prophecy?" She nodded, "Spottedleaf told me" "Do you want to save the Clans?" She hesitated, "Me and my friends will try!" "Thank you, and may hope light our way" He muttered, and looked down at his paws. Petalpaw saw the trees and cats blurred, she realized that she was waking up. She blinked her eyes to see the other medicine cats waking up as well. Spottedleaf turned to face her. "Are you okay Petalpaw?" Spottedleaf asked. "Yes, I'm fine" > Chapter 7: The Patrol > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Patrol Where they go on a patrol Snowpaw blinked awake as she heard someone call out her name. “Snowpaw, wake up” Lightpaw called, “Your mentor Willowpelt is calling you” Snowpaw let out a long sigh, “Can’t a lady get her beauty sleep around here!” But she still climbed out of her mossy bed, she headed towards the clearing and saw that the rest of her friends were awake. She saw her mentor, Willowpelt, sitting there as well, but she did not look happy. “Snowpaw! Finally, we can go on patrol” Willowpelt said, “Snowpaw, me, you, Lightpaw and Darkstripe are going on patrol” Snowpaw walked up to her mentor and said “Do we have to?” “Yes, we need to check the Riverclan border, there has been some of their scents on our territory” Willowpelt explained. “Come on Rarity!” Lightpaw said, and then she shook her head at her mistake “I mean Snowpaw!” “I’m coming, darling!” Snowpaw replied, she gave herself a quick groom, she found out that she could actually use tongues like that! Who knew! She wanted to look her best if they were going out to visit Riverclan. The patrol walked through the trees skirting the edges of their territory, but Snowpaw’s legs started to shake and she felt exhausted. “Can’t we rest, my legs are killing me!”Snowpaw moaned, the rest of the cats looked at each other. “Well we could practice your hunting skills, and get something to eat,” Lightpaw added, Willowpelt nodded. “Just for a short while” Her mentor answered. Lightpaw stopped and took a deep sniff, Snowpaw did the same, she could smell a vole. She looked at Lightpaw and she nodded, Snowpaw crept silently to the other side, she heard Lightpaw give a loud yowl, the frightened vole ran straight into Snowpaw’s claws. Snowpaw threw it against the rock, it let out a squeal and died. “Great job, but Snowpaw you should kill it with your teeth, that squeal scared most of the prey” Willowpelt remarked. Darkstripe looked at Lightpaw and Snowpaw and said “That was terrible, now all the prey will be hiding all the way to the fourtrees! Well that’s what I expect with a couple of non clanborn apprentices!” Willowpelt stared at him, Lightpaw and Snowpaw turned to walk back, “We better get to the border!” Lightpaw told Willowpelt. They padded forward a few steps, Snowpaw heard Darkstripe hiss “I wonder why Bluestar took in these kittypets, they know they don’t belong here” Willowpelt said nothing but followed Snowpaw and Lightpaw. Snowpaw pretended they had not heard what he said, but she felt her spirit sink like a stone when she realised Willowpelt had not defended them. Did this mean that she thought that way too? They reached Sunningrocks, it was well past midday, and all was quiet. “What can you smell Snowpaw?” Willowpelt asked. Snowpelt sniffed the air deeply, “I smell Thunderclan and also some disgusting fishy smell!” She recoiled at the scent. “That is Riverclan border” Willowpelt explained, “They eat lots of fish from the river” “Then, why is it on our side?” Snowpaw questioned, she heard the ferns rustle they were not alone. Four cats from Riverclan padded out. “What are you doing on Thunderclan territory!” Darkstripe demanded, he took a step forward. “Actually Sunning-Rocks belong to Riverclan!” the she-cat with leopard like markings snarled. “No they don't!” Lightpaw said, Snowpaw looked at her friend she was brave, she stepped forward and snarled. “If you are doing it than I am doing it too,” Snowpaw whispered to Lightpaw “Even if it is highly uncouth” she added to herself silently, she unsheathed her claws and dug them in the earth. A Black riverclan tom sprang at Lightpaw, she tried to dodge but he was too fast, the Leopard cat sprang at Darkstripe and another grey tabby at Willowpelt. A large weight landed on top of her, she tried to shake the riverclan cat off but he dug his claws into her pelt a hung tight. She bit down on his tail and he let out a squeal of pain, his grip on her slackened and she pushed him off her. The brown cat was about the same size as her so she judged that he must be an apprentice as well. She saw Lightpaw locked in battle with her opponent, she felt claws slashing her, and she launched herself onto him and he turned to intercept. He was so fast, he raced around her, scratching her fur, and she barely had time to dodge as he leapt at her. Then she saw Amberpaw leap at her attacker, where did she come from? She turned to see Amberpaw’s mentor Longtail and Swiftpaw. They launched into battle. Thank Celestia, they were here! Amberpaw jumped on to the brown tom, she slashed her claws across his muzzle, she lunged for his throught, her cat instincts were kicking in, she could smell that her opponent was trying to creep behind her but she turned to face him. She could see his eyes were nervous, he knew she was winning. She jumped onto his back and reached for his throat, the cat suddenly fell down limply, Amberpaw was so surprised that she hesitated and jumped off him. Was he dead? Then she saw that his tail was twitching, she had been tricked, he got up and slashed at her muzzle, she felt her own hot red blood streak down her face. "You're not that bad" He said, as he stalked around her, she kept her eyes glued on him, she was not going to be surprised again. "You're good yourself" She replied, she dodged just in time as he launched at her. "What's your name?" He asked, as he tried to pounce on her. "Amberpaw" She answered, she heard a yowl from the leopard-spotted she cat, the Riverclan cats started to race back to their territory. "I'll remember that," he mumbled and ran to get to his territory. Amberpaw felt something when he talked to the brown tom, it made her feel giddy inside. What was she feeling? She decided to push the feeling down, her clanmates need her. She saw that Lightpaw and Snowpaw were bleeding the most, they need to go to a medicine cat quickly. She saw Snowpaw's usually neat fur in ruins, several pawfuls of fur were torn out. They soon reached camp, Petalpaw was holding some strong smelling herbs in her jaws, when she saw them she rushed over. "Are you okay, wait here while I fetch Spottedleaf", Petalpaw ran into the medicine cat's den and was soon followed by her mentor. "Petalpaw, get me some cobwebs and some marigold," Spottedleaf told her apprentice. Once she had some mashed up herbs on her wounds, it felt more better. "How did you know we were in trouble?" Snowpaw asked her, as they settled down in the apprentices den. "We could hear your screeches all the way from the Fourtrees!" Swiftpaw said, as she climbed into her mossy nest. She thought about that feeling she felt talking to that tom, it was weird she had never felt it back in Ponyville. She longed to see his brown fur and golden eyes. She noted to herself that maybe it was just a cat thing she was feeling, maybe all her friends were feeling it. She blinked her green eyes and went to sleep. > Chapter 8: The Gathering > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Gathering Where the mane 6 go to their first gathering Brightpaw stretched her furry limbs and bounced up and down in excitement, she gave herself a quick groom with her tongue. She looked around to see her friends were still sleepy, those silly fillies. They needed to get up, she wanted to learn everything. She padded to Lightpaw and gently prodded her lavender coat. “You need to wake up, the sun’s already up and you are still sleeping,” She said. She saw Lightpaw’s tail twitch as she sleepily got out of her mossy bed, and stretched her paws. “Pink- I mean Brightpaw,” Lightpaw corrected herself, “I'm still worried about Spike and Alawishus in the library.” “It’s okay, we just need to find some way to get home, and we know you've got a plan!” “But, that’s just it… I don't know how to get back!” Lightpaw wailed, she looked close to tears. “It’s okay Twi, we didn't mean to put so much pressure,” Brightpaw replied, “Now let’s turn that frown upside down!” “Well, we better wake up the others” Lightpaw pointed out, they both woke up the rest of their friends. Just then Lionheart appeared at the apprentice’s den entrance. “Lightpaw, Bluestar wants to meet you to start your training” He called, Lightpaw nodded and followed the warrior out she muttered a quick good bye to her friends and left. “I wonder what we’re going to learn today!” Brightpaw exclaimed, as she dashed out to the clearing, her friend soon followed her out. “Brightpaw! You and me are going to train together today!” Graypaw bounded up towards her, he flicked his tail to follow him and they walked towards the sandy clearing. Once they had got there, she saw their mentors waiting patiently for them. “We’re going to do some battle training” Mousefur said. “First let’s see what you know, Graypaw attack Brightpaw, claws sheathed” Lionheart ordered. Graypaw launched himself onto her back, but she was too quick, using her Pinkie sense she knew where he was aiming and easily sidestepped. She kept doing this while slashing her paws, Graypaw slowed down. Suddenly he gave a frustrated growl and lunged for Brightpaw, but she dodged with ease and he landed on bare earth. “How did you learn to fight like that, it’s like you know what I'm thinking!” Graypaw commented, she saw he was staring at her paws like he was aiming there, but her pinkie sense was telling her he was aiming at her head. He threw himself at his head and jumped out of the way, Graypaw gave another annoyed growl and stalked her, she kept turning around to face him as he tried to circle her looking for a blind spot. “Enough!” Lionheart said, they both stopped and sat down obediently, “Brightpaw that was some excellent work, you too Graypaw” “Brightpaw that was great, you have to teach me some of your moves!” Graypaw asked. “Sometimes a Pinkie needs some secrets” She replied, she tapped the side of her nose with her paw, “But I will show you a few moves! It will be great training together” They kept battle training until sun-high, Brightpaw kept on winning much to Graypaw's annoyance. “That’s enough training for one day, why don’t you each get a piece of fresh-kill you deserve it” He dismissed them and they walked back to camp. “Let’s get something to eat, I’m starving!” Graypaw announced, together they walked towards the fresh-kill pile. Graypaw took a plump mouse while Brightpaw ate a vole. After they had eaten Brightpaw looked for her friends, she looked at the empty clearing, she realised they must all be with their mentors. She felt a little disappointed but pushed it down, as long as they were having fun! That’s all that matters. Graypaw saw that she looked disappointed and asked “Why don’t we visit the elders den!” Brightpaw nodded and followed him. When they arrived Smallear and Halftail were in a heated argument. “Of course Tigerclaw had a right to kill Oakheart!” Smallear spat “The warrior code says to not kill any other cats!” Halftail retorted, when they saw the apprentices come in they stopped but they kept on glaring at each other. “Welcome, young ones” Dappletail greeted, “Do you want to listen to those two babble” She looked at both toms “or do you want to hear a story” “I want to hear about Lionclan!” Brightpaw exclaimed excitedly. “Well, in the old days there were huge cats, Lionclan had golden pelt and a mane of fur that looked like the sun!” Willowpelt explained, Just then Petalpaw walked in, she was carrying a leaf bundle which held a vile smell. “What is that?” Brightpaw asked, as she shifted away. “its mouse bile, I need to get rid of the ticks,” Petalpaw explained. “I’ll come back when you've finished” Graypaw said as he leapt to his paws. “Brightpaw are you coming?” “Yep!” As they walked out they watched the sun set in the horizon, “Today is the Gathering!” Graypaw announced excitedly. “What’s a Gathering?” Brightpaw inquired “It’s where all four clans meet at the fourtrees!” Graypaw replied, “I better ask Lionheart who’s going, bye Brightpaw!” “See you later, alligator!” As she turned around she saw a pale ginger she-cat and a dark brown tabby tom walking together. She mewed a greeting, but they ignored her. “Hi, how was your day?” She called as she padded up towards them. “Oh, it’s you, I wonder why Bluestar let a couple of rogues in, Sandpaw!” the tom asked Sandpaw. “I know Dustpaw, first they let in a kittypet and a bunch of rogues, next will it be a couple of mice!” Sandstorm replied, ignoring her “Maybe you should ask Bluestar, do you think a mouse would be able to hunt! No, that would be just silly!” Brightpaw giggled, Sandpaw and Dustpaw silently stalked back to their den. Lightpaw walked back to camp, she was exhausted. Bluestar made her do battle training all day. She was wearied down to the bone, she knew a couple of battle moves, but Bluestar was so fast! Lightpaw barely made a scratch. She saw Graypaw walking towards Lionheart and followed him. “Who’s going to the Gathering?” Graypaw asked his mentor. “You'll find out with all the others” Lionheart told him with a playful cuff around the ear, as he walked away. “What’s a Gathering?” She questioned Firepaw, as he appeared out of the apprentice den. “A Gathering is where all four clans meet under a full moon truce, which means they cannot fight each other, at the fourtrees” Firepaw explained. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Highrock” Bluestar yowled from Highrock. All her clanmates started to gather beneath for a clan meeting. “The cats going to the Gathering are Amberpaw, Brightpaw, Lightpaw, Firepaw, Graypaw, Whitestorm and Lionheart!” “How come we're not going?” Dustpaw murmured angrily to Sandpaw, “Are we letting kittypets and rouges stand in for our clan” “We leave at sunset!” Lionheart called, the rest of the cats started to go back to what they were doing, this symbolised the end of the meeting. “Wow, so this will be your first Gathering, are you excited?” Firepaw asked as he walked up to her. Brightpaw who was in earshot bounced up to them, “I am so nerver-cited!” she exclaimed. She soon bounced away; Lightpaw saw that Firepaw was looking at Spottedleaf, a look of longing swept over his face. A pang of jealously struck her, did he love her, she decided to push it down and concentrate on what other cats were doing. She realised how deeply she felt for him. She wasn't going to stay forever; soon she would be back in Equestria. When sunset approached the leaves of the oaks shone with fiery colours the fierce red, pale pink and gentle gold swirled together in a glorious view. She saw a shadow sweep past the sun; the stars were twinkling, while the moon shone mysteriously in the cold night sky. Figures of starlight crept towards her, their heads up high; they stood with some unmistakable aura of nobility. They left no marks on the moonlit earth, their paws barely touching the ground as they came forward. “Lightpaw a great terror is coming, you must prepare your friends and protect the clans” A starry warrior told her, she felt a cold wind, enough to chill her to the bone. “What is the threat? How do I stop it?” Lightpaw wailed into the relentless breeze. “You will know in time” Came the soft spoken answer, she could barely hear it. “Lightpaw” Came a voice in the distance, “Lightpaw!” it was growing louder “Twilight!” Lightpaw blinked her eyes, all her friends were staring at her with worried expressions. “You're okay!” Snowpaw let out a sigh of relief. “Don't scare us like that sugar cube!” Amberpaw said, “You were wailing your head off when you fell asleep” “Really?” “Yep,youwereyouwerealllikeWHATDOIDO! Thentherewasthisbigwhooshandyoustartedtocry” Brightpaw exclaimed, she said all this in one breathe, Lightpaw looked a Brightpaw in amazement. How does she do it? "Come on! Bluestar is leaving for the Gathering!" Swiftpaw told them with an impatient flick of her tail. They all crawled out of the den, sur enough Bluestar walked out of her den and joined Lionheart at the other side of the clearing. "There you are! Lionheart told us to find you," Firepaw said, Graypaw walked up to Firepaw's side. "We're about to leave, come on" Graypaw added, Lightpaw and her friends raced after the grey apprentice. Once they were all there, Bluestar set off, they followed her at her brisk place, they walked through the trees and to a steep-sided clearing and in the center was a large rock with jagged edges. Lightpaw lifted her nose and smelt Riverclan and Shadowclan. "Aren't there supposed to be four clans?" Lightpaw asked Lionheart. "Yes there should be" he answered, she saw that he was a surprised as she was. When she looked around she saw loads of cats, they were a blur of different shades of their pelts mingled together as they talked among each other. She saw Bluestar leap on to the large rock, which two other cats were already on. her friends went off in different directions, Petalpaw followed Spottedleaf to a small group of medicine cats she presumed. Brightpaw walked straight into a group of other apprentices closely followed by Swiftpaw and Snowpaw. Amberpaw was the only one who hung back but she was staring at the crowd in hard concentration as if she was searching for something. Her eyes stopped as she saw the Riverclan apprentice the one who had attacked them on the border patrol. She couldn't possibly like him, right? Amberpaw slid through the crowd and saw the brown tom, he had seen her as well, he flicked his tail for her to come forward. "Hi" Amberpaw said, as she sat down beside him. "Was your patrol hurt, my clan can battle quite well," he replied, smugly. "Well we did win the battle, don't forget!" Amberpaw pointed out, "I still don't know your name" "It's Hawkpaw" "Well are you sure you're not a bird" Amberpaw teased, she flicked her tail on his muzzle. "I'm sure, I am a cat" Hawkpaw replied, he gently bumped his head onto her pelt. "Look the Gathering is starting!" A dappled she-cat said, she gave Amberpaw a look of resentment and sat close to Hawkpaw. "That's just Puddlepaw, she's not usually this grumpy!" Hawkpaw explained, Amberpaw just nodded, burt she still felt Puddlepaw's glare through her pelt. "Cat's of all clans, we start the gathering underneath the full moon" Shadowclan's leader yowled "We need to wait for Windclan" A Riverclan cat pointed out "Windclan isn't coming" Shadowclan's leader replied, calmly "Why?" Another cat called. "Because they have left the territory" Shadowclan's leader hissed Shocked mumers went throughout the clan, Windclan left? > Chapter 9: The Fox > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lightpaw stiffened as she heard the leader of Shadow Clan as shadow clan announce his news, Windclan left? Firepaw, who was beside her, looked expectantly at Bluestar. Bluestar would know what to do. She felt relief fill her, at least she hadn't caused this problem. and Someone else was in charge and the three remaining leaders would bring back Windclan. “That’s Brokenstar, the Shadowclan leader and that’s Crookedstar the Riverclan leader” Firepaw said pointing towards them in turn, “I don't think he’s too that sad that Windclan left, maybe he had something to do with it!” Lightpaw nodded in agreement and was about to say something when a Riverclan cat shushed her. “Shadowclan has had plenty of kits this moon, which is why we need more space to hunt.” Brokenstar continued calmly, “Windclan did not want to cooperate so we had to drive them off. Riverclan has cooperated and we thank them for that” He nodded at the Riverclan leader with a crooked jaw. “Shadowclan is allowed to hunt in Riverclan territory.” Riverclan’s leader said, yowls of disagreement rose between Thunderclan and Riverclan. Bluestar flicked her tail to silence them, it slowly quieted down. “Thunderclan does not agree to those terms, we want the borders to stay where they are!” Bluestar meowed, yowls of agreement from Thunderclan echoed around the clearing, “We are lucky enough to have six new apprentices this leaf fall” Lightpaw’s pelt burned as she felt their gazes. “We still need territory Bluestar! If you don’t give it to us than we shall take it from you, just like we did with Windclan. Is it right to let kits starve!” Brokenstar yowled in challenge, “I shall give you till the next Gathering . I hope it is a good one for your clan.” With a flick of his tail he summoned his cats and the left. Crookedstar got down and left with his clan, soon there was only Thunderclan left. Bluestar jumped lightly off the mountainous stone and walked back to Thunderclan. She held a troubled look in her eyes, she was deep in thought. Lionheart summoned Thunderclan and they rushed after Bluestar. “I wonder what Brokenstar will do?” Graypaw asked his eyes held fear. Once they had arrived in Thunderclan territory, Bluestar lept onto Highrock. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Highrock” She yowled, all the cats were already out, “Brokenstar has challenged the Clans, he has driven out Windclan and wants to claim more territory. He has Riverclan on his side, but we will not give him an inch of our territory!” The cats in Thunderclan all yowled in agreement, but some of them cast nervous glances at each other. They knew that if they defied Brokenstar there would be a battle, they would have to fight not one but possibly two clans. Even though she and her friends had just arrived from Equestria she would do anything to save the clan who had looked after them. Bluestar jumped off and walked towards her, her gazed softened “Lightpaw do you know of the Prophecy?” she whispered, Lightpaw shook her head, “Come to my den” Lightpaw quietly padded after Bluestar, once they were inside, Lightpaw wondered what Bluestar was talking about. “What are you talking about, what Prophecy?”Lightpaw asked. “There was a prophecy given by Starclan, passed on by leader to leader from the dawn of Thunderclan” Bluestar explained, “"I shall tell you, There is a great danger coming, Six will come to aid, They shall be taught in your ways, One will tip the scale, Good and bad are not equal, Remember that all shall come at a great price.” “I don’t understand, I thought it was just by accident that we landed here!” Lightpaw muttered, she pawed the ground anxiously, “Should I tell the others?” “No, it is best that you keep it a secret” “But they have a right to know!” Lightpaw pointed out. "What good would it do that they shall become worried” Bluestar retorted, “Do not tell anyone, okay?” “Of course” “Bluestar, I need to tell you something our patrol found” Tigerclaw said, as he padded inside the den, he looked at Lightpaw, his amber eyes showed no feeling, but she let out a tiny hiss and walked out. “Twi- I mean Lightpaw what did she say?” Snowpaw asked she saw her glum expression, “What happened darling?” “It’s nothing Snowpaw, she just wanted to hear my opinion on what happened at the Gathering.” Lightpaw lied, Snowpaw didn't look convinced but decided not to question her further. “See you later! I need to feed the elders” She called as she ran across the clearing, she took a rabbit from the fresh-kill pile and dragged it to the elders den. “Hello young one,” Halftail greeted, “Is that rabbit for us?” Lightpaw nodded as the elder cats began to devour the rabbit. “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath Highrock!” Bluestar’s call echoed throughout the camp. “Tigerclaw has scented Fox near the Shadowclan border. Tigerclaw lead a patrol out to where you scented them, until the fox has been driven away I want all apprentices to not go out without warrior supervision, do I make myself clear?” The cats looked around uneasily at the thought of a vicious fox on Thunderclan territory. “I will lead a patrol at once Bluestar” Tigerclaw said, he nodded his head, “Whitestorm, Brightpaw and Mousefur, come to the gorse tunnel” Lightpaw looked to Brightpaw but she was jumping up and down with excitement and too hyper to notice Lightpaw. “I hope Brightpaw will be okay” She muttered, she felt a light tail tip touch her shoulder, she turned to see Firepaw standing next to her. “She'll be fine!” Brightpaw ran towards the tunnel as she followed her clanmates, Mousefur hung back and whispered into her ear, “You should calm down, this is serious problem!” Brightpaw looked at her mentor and saluted with one paw. “Ay, ay, mentor, you can count on me!” She exclaimed enthusiastically , Tigerclaw let out a furious hiss and the rest of the patrol looked at her. “What are you doing! You probably let everyone hear from the fourtrees and beyond!”Tigerclaw snarled, “We need to drive this fox out, or do you want it feasting on the kits and elders!” Brightpaw shook her head quickly and muttered an apology. “It’s okay, but you should be more quiet” Whitestorm murmured, the patrol silently stalked through the forest, Brightpaw could smell the distinct odour of a foul smelling creature. “That’s a fox” Mousefur explained as the patrol neared the smell, Tigerclaw flicked his tail as a signal and the patrol spread out, Brightpaw followed her mentor while Whitestorm was with Tigerclaw. Brightpaw gasped as she saw the owner of the scent, it looked similar to Winona but had red fur and a wilder gleam in its eyes. She peered through the bracken and watched Tigerclaw give the signal. Mousefur jumped out of hiding and let out a screech of fury. Whitestorm and Tigerclaw jumped out from across the clearing. Brightpaw jumped out her hiding space and bounced up and down with excitement. The corned fox bared its sharp teeth and pounced on the nearest cat, Mousefur. The brown she-cat was taken by surprise and didn’t have time to dodge as the furious fox sank its teeth into her pelt. She let out an outraged snarl and clawed at the fox, it still held a firm grip and Mousefur struggled in vain at her escape. Brightpaw bit down sharply on the fox’s hind paw and it let out a yelp, which gave Mousefur enough time to scramble free. Whitestorm and Tigerclaw each pounced on the fox either side, clawing pawfuls of orange fur. The fox growled and bared its teeth but it soon realised that it was outnumbered and let out a frustrated growl and ran through the trees. “And stay out, you flea-bitten piece of mouse dung!” Mousefur yowled after it. “Are you okay Mousefur?” Whitestorm asked as they all helped the she-cat to her paws, her coat was covered with dried blood, Brightpaw didn’t know if it was her mentor’s or the fox’s. “You need to go to Spottedleaf!” Brightpaw told her gently; when she saw all that blood she felt slightly nauseas. All three of them helped Mousefur back to the camp; once they got there they were surrounded by curious faces that wanted to know what had happened. Whitestorm nudged the brown she-cat towards the Medicine cat den, she saw Spottedleaf hurrying over to check on her wounds then telling Petalpaw to fetch some herbs. “What happened?” Snowpaw questioned “Did you drive the fox out?” Graypaw asked “Was it awesome fighting a fox!” Swiftpaw exclaimed “Swiftpaw quit it, her mentor was hurt!” Amberpaw retorted “Sorry! As I was saying was it awesome!” Swiftpaw said, Amberpaw gave a sigh and turned to walk away. Soon Petalpaw appeared, to check Brightpaw’s wounds, she felt fine, she felt like jumping up and down but Petalpaw ordered that she should get some sleep. Brightpaw was curled up in her nice soft mossy nest. The last thing she thought were cupcakes, then a blanket of sleep fell over her. > Chapter 10: The Dream > -------------------------------------------------------------------------- Amberpaw woke at a distant voice calling her name, it was Longtail her mentor. “Wake up Amberpaw, we're going on dawn patrol!” Longtail called, his face poked through the apprentice den. She shrugged off her sleep, stretched and had a quick groom; she had finally learnt how to do it! And padded out. “We’re going along the Riverclan border, there has been some unusual activity near Sunning Rocks” Longtail explained “Really?” Amberpaw replied, her heart skipped a beat, what if Hawkpaw was there! She wanted to see his brown fur and amber eyes. She jumped up with some new energy and followed her mentor to the dawn patrol. The patrol consisted of her, Whitestorm, Sandpaw and Longtail. “What do you scent, Amberpaw?” Whitestorm asked as they went closer to the border. Amberpaw lifted her head and sniffed in deeply, “I smell Riverclan” “That’s because we're near the border mouse-brain” Sandpaw commented, Amberpaw ignored her and carried on. “I smell mouse!” “You can’t hunt, since we're on border patrol” Longtail said, Amberpaw looked longingly in direction of the scent and followed the patrol, they paused at Sunning Rocks. Whitestorm scanned the border for any Riverclan cats a patrol appeared, Amberpaw searched for Hawkpaw and saw him next to an older cat, most probably his mentor. Amberpaw wanted to talk to him, but her clan mates would never allow it. She looked regretfully at him and followed the patrol closer. “Ripplefur, how’s your clan?” Whitestorm greeted, as they drew closer to the border. “Our clan is fine with plenty of fish” Ripplefur answered coolly, Amberpaw saw Hawkpaw take a hesitated step towards her but drew back. Both patrols withdrew to their territories. “Psst!” Amberpaw’s ears twitched as she heard that sound, she took a small step and called to her mentor “I’ll catch up, I think I smelt somethin’!” She looked back to find the source of the sound. She looked at a bush that was rustling, “Hawkpaw, what ya doin’ here” Amberpaw hissed. “I can’t wait once a moon for Gatherings to talk to you, we barely get a chance to talk! We should meet up tomorrow night” Hawkpaw whispered, as he climbed out from behind the bush. “When?” “Let’s meetup here, we can both access it, and it will be fun!” “Isn't it against the clan rules, to meet up with other clan cats?” Amberpaw asked. “We're just meeting up, we're not doing anything bad!” Hawkpaw answered, he looked at her expectantly. “Okay” Amberpaw agreed “I'll meet you tonight near Sunning Rocks!” “I’ll be there!” She called other her shoulder as she raced to catch up with her clan mates. Amberpaw reached the patrol and Sandpaw gave a snort, “You took your time” She commented, and raced back to camp. Once they entered the camp Amberpaw spotted her friends across the clearing. “Hi y’all!” She called to her friends; they started to cross over to her. “Did you get to fight a Riverclan patrol!” Swiftpaw asked “Really Swiftpaw!” Snowpaw sighed “It’s okay to ask, alright!” Swiftpaw retorted, she angrily pawed the earth. “So,” Lightpaw looked sternly at Swiftpaw, “Did you find anything?” “What- I didn't find anything, it was fine, nothing was there, let’s drop it!” Amberpaw stammered, she turned and walked to the apprentice den, “I need to sleep” She could see her friends’ shocked expressions. She climbed into her nest, she didn't want to think about them. But she felt guilty, they didn't know what was happening she just couldn’t explain it. She closed her eyes and saw a pair of liquid sunlight eyes stare back his brown fur close to her and breathed in that wonderful scent. They weren't doing any harm, were they? Swiftpaw let out frustrated hiss of shock, what happened to Applejack? Where was the element of honesty? What had happened to her friends? “I’m going to talk to here!” She announced, she raced to the apprentice den. “Amberpaw, what happened back there?” Amber flicked her tail, “Go away Swiftpaw” she grumbled, and laid her head down on her mossy nest. “Not until you tell me what happened!” “I don’t need to tell you every little thing!” Amberpaw snapped. “Well you are the one pon- I mean cat that was supposed to be truthful!” “Who says I’m lying!” “You are such a bad liar!” Swiftpaw growled “Takes one to know one!” “I am way better than you” “It always was about you, you had to be the best at everything, well now I am better at something that you're not!” She growled as she ran away from the apprentice den, Swiftpaw raced to catch up but she was gone, she must have run to the woods, she thought. Well I don't care, she’s just jealous that I'm better than her. It’s not my fault, right? I need to clear my head; she raced out of the gorse tunnel, her paws felt lighter than air. She missed flying, her hooves stroking fluffy clouds, that easy mobility in the air. She sighed and at the sky, her eyes reflected the blue shades of the sky. Her eyes started to water, she checked no one was there; she couldn't let anyone see her like this. It would ruin her image. She closed her eyes, and let the tears flow. She let out a light sigh and curled up close to an oak, spent a long time just sitting there recounting memories of Equestria. She felt the earth beneath her paws; no one knew the sky better than her. She missed home, where everything made sense, she whimpered slightly. She wanted to be back in Equestria,where all her friends were normal, where Applejack didn't lie. Where Princess Celestia and Luna looked over them. Where they had the elements, she knew here they were drifting apart. “I want to go home,” she sobbed, and dropped her head on the ground. Her parched throat needed water she found a close stream and lapped up some water. She needed to get back it was getting dark, she followed her scent trail back to camp. Her friends were waiting at the entrance, she must have spent longer out there then she realised. “Where’s Amberpaw?” Lightpaw asked “Have you seen her?” Snowpaw questioned “No, why?” Swiftpaw replied. “She’s gone missing, no one has seen her!” Petalpaw explained. “I’ll find her!” “No, you must stay in your den” Lionheart ordered from behind her, “Let the warriors look for her” “But we're the ones who know her the best!” Swiftpaw countered, Swiftpaw knew that even though they had a fight. She was their friend. Amberpaw ran towards the woods, Swiftpaw’s words still scorched her pelt, the weight of the guilt still heavy in her fur. She stopped at an apple tree. The branches becoming bare as the golden leaves gently floated towards the frosty earth. “That tree must be a green gala apple tree!” She recalled Granny Smith’s words, she remembered Granny’s old raspy voice, she had years of experience. She thought of her siblings, Applebloom and Big Mac, she so very wanted to go home. Yet she yearned to stay, she didn’t know why, both ways were pulling her like a magnet. She felt too tangled up to ever find a way out. She curled up under the roots of the apple tree, “You aren't gonna bloom now, but when you do, you’re gonna have the yummiest apples, you hear” She snuggled up and went to sleep. She opened her eyes and heard a sobbing sound nearby, she pricked her ears and carefully crept to the source of the noise. It was a small kitten; her eyes were wet from tears. She was bright yellow with red markings and a large bow on her head. “What happened to y’a, sugarcube?” Amberpaw asked gently. She gasped as she saw the kit’s face. “Applebloom?” “You have to help me find ma sister!” Applebloom wailed. “No, no this can't be happening!” Amberpaw exclaimed , “What’s happening to me!” Her mind swirled with images of her family crying, some ponies, others catified ponies. “Princess Luna, wake me up, please wake me up!” She screamed. Then it stopped, a majestic, dark brown tabby with green eyes appeared. “Greeting young one, I am sorry that you could not meet this Princess, but I am here to tell you something important” “Who are you?” Amberpaw inquired “I am Sunstar, leader of Thunderclan before Bluestar” “Why are you coming to me?” “There is an important role you and your friends must play in the clans” “Shouldn't you go to Lightpaw or Petalpaw or..” Sunstar gestured for silence. “I have decided to come to you” “What for?” “An old foe has returned, the clans have never faced it before but you have,you and your friends must save the clans from…..” “Amberpaw! Wake up Amberpaw!” Longtail said urgently. “What?” Amberpaw groaned, she opened her eyes to see that she was in the Medicine Cat’s den. “Good, she’s awake” Spottedleaf murmured, she nosed her body checking for wounds, “Are you hurt?” “No I’m fine, really!” Amberpaw answered. “Don’t go off like that we were so worried!” Petalpaw whispered, “The whole clan were looking for you!” “They were?” “Yes, I think Bluestar is really angry though, you made every cat frantic just looking for you!” Petalpaw explained. From outside the den Amberpaw heard Swiftpaw’s impatient mew “Can we come in?” “Yes you can, she’s finally awake!” Spottedleaf replied, her friends came rushing in. “We were so scared!” Lightpaw exclaimed. “Why did you go?” Snowpaw asked. “What happened?” Brightpaw questioned. “I’m sorry! But I need to tell you something” Amberpaw meowed, “Privately.” “Can we go outside Spottedleaf?” Petalpaw asked her mentor. “Alright but if Amberpaw has any headaches come straight back here” Spottedleaf agreed, the six apprentices walked out of the medicine cat den. “Let’s go out to the forest where it more quiet!” Brightpaw suggested. "No, when Amberpaw went missing the camp was worried, they wouldn't just let us out” Lightpaw explained. "Let’s go out by the dirt place!” Swiftpaw muttered, her friends silently stalked their way out into the forest. “Okay I think no one can hear us” Lightpaw mewed, as they passed a sycamore, the mane six paused and stared at Amberpaw. Amberpaw flinched at their gaze. “What did you need to talk about, that was so super-duper secret!” Brightpaw asked. “Sunstar visited me in a dream; he told me that we had roles that had to help the clans.” Amberpaw said, “There a dark force coming something we've tangled with before” “What is it?” Swiftpaw inquired “It’s….