#topazclan

“Hello Soul, is Sapphireclan doing alright?” Blackpaw mewed pricking his ears.

“Yeah only we’ve found a few odd smells.” Soul hummed out looking over the young apprentice as a few others wandered over.

“Ay Soul.” Adderpaw purred out dipped her head towards the other cat.

“Fright is that you?” Soul murmured and chuckled lightly.

“You’ve gained a few scars!” They mused while their eyes scanned them.

“Oh yeah. Still feel fit as a fox though, but now they call me Adderpaw up here.” The she-cat shrugged and giggled.

“So you want me to quit calling you Fright?” Soul asked tilting their head.

“Nah, either is fine.” Adderpaw replied and flexed her toes.

“Excuse me.” Blackpaw mewed out flicking his ear.

“Hm?” Soul turned back to Blackpaw looking perplexed.

“What did you smell out there?” Blackpaw insisted. Cloudfeather sat to listen, his eyes wide with a nervous fear.

“Rot. We’ve noticed a lot of rotting plants and faintly we smelled dogs.” Soul commented casually. Shadebreeze pricked his ears.

“Anywhere around here?” He questioned, his eyes alight with concern. Dogs where violent and vicious enemies so Shadebreeze wasn’t about to let his guard down.

“It was faint we couldn’t find where it had started from but it was mostly near Sapphireclan grounds.” Soul mentioned.

“Shouldn’t take that to lightly now.” Shadebreeze mewed and shook his head. What if they attacked the camp?

“Should I stalk up on herbs now?” Blackpaw mewed nervously.

“Don’t go overboard but do watch them now.” Soul answered. Blackpaw nodded for a moment as Shadebreeze gathered a few cats.

“Honeythistle. Keep on the lookout for dogs. Form a large patrol full of hunters and fighters.” Shadebreeze told her carefully which made the she-cat dip her head lightly.

“Dewfang, Hailfur, Spiderbite, Adderpaw, and Specklepaw.” Honeythistle called out and waited for the cats to gather around her. A large patrol was hard with such few cats. They needed more.

‘Soul?’ signed Swanstar as she padded over from behind Blackpaw. Soul had learned quite a bit of the silent language while in the clans. They nodded slightly and smiled.

Blackpaw left them be for the moment realizing he’d better prepare for the colder moons to pass. He padded back into the medicine cat den and found Dustfeather clearing away some old herbs. Bits of dead Parsley clung to his paws. Blackpaw dipped his head towards his mentor and checked the Rosemary in the back. It still smelled fresh as ever. He smiled and dipped his head very pleased by this. Hopefully he’d have enough later.

 Blackpaw ducked away from a branch that had officially reached it’s limits and had sent water pouring to the ground. The hills were becoming a swamp. He needed to finish collecting those herbs. Dustfeather was already off trying to collect the last of the Feverfew and Stinging nettle. He needed to find Hawkweed and some Juniper. The rain was only getting heavier now and he knew he didn’t have much time. He found some remains of a Juniper plant and pulled it away from the water. Cloudfeather and Fogpaw went with them to help collect and protect them. Somewhere out there Dewfang and Spiderbite were also on the lookout. Blackpaw turned and met Fogpaw’s hateful gaze, he was against a small tree trying to hide himself from the rain. Too bad they weren’t Emeraldclan cats, otherwise they’d have plenty of shelter from the rain. He knew Fogpaw was probably blaming all of this on him. Great, perfect even! He turned and slushed around in the puddles past the sulking tom.

“Are you done yet?” Fogpaw snapped harshly and flicked his soggy ears.

“Still need Hawkweed.” Blackpaw muttered through the Juniper in his jaws. Fogpaw rolled his eyes and glanced forward.

“Just move it along.” Fogpaw hissed and jumped from patch to patch with surprising grace. That was the last mousetail for Blackpaw.

“What’s your problem?!” He spat the Juniper on a nearby semi dry patch.

“You’re my problem you little rat.” Fogpaw sneered flexing his claws.

“What did I do to you?!” Blackpaw screamed in frustration.

“You’re up to something! I’m gonna expose you whatever it is.” The gray cat growled back and perked his eyes.

“You’re not as good as me and you know it. Oh Blackpaw you think this will make you special? It doesn’t. You’re nothing but a…Blackpaw?” Fogpaw froze up and narrowed his eyes as Blackpaw twitched. He held back any ‘uncool’ noises when he saw Blackpaw’s eyes roll into the back of his head.

Blackpaw felt himself slip into darkness while a voice whispered to him.

“This is the apprentice of Dustfeather?” A gruff voice growled to him.

“What?” Blackpaw mewed spinning around to face a scarred orange cat.

“So disappointing. Swanstar as well? Violetsky should have taken the position for herself. That’s why you’re all so weak.” He snapped in anger.

“Who are you?” Blackpaw demanded but his back arched in fear. He was no warrior, he was a healer.

“You were barely a scrap of fur when I last saw you.” The orange tom reflected idly.

“That didn’t answer my question.” Blackpaw mewed in confusion.

“It’s Flamestar you bumbling mouse-brain!” The cat hissed in anger. Blackpaw reeled back in fear. He barely remembered stories of the leader who was killed by Violetsky for his repulsive ways and his reign of tyranny.

“Foolish kit. You’ll never succeed. You’ll die a nobody.” Flamestar mocked and shook his head.

“Foolish leaders and foolish medicine cats.” He continued and laughed.

“At least I get to watch you die with pleasure.” He cackled and twitched a shredded ear.

“What’s going to happen?” Blackpaw asked in fear.

“Find out yourself!” Flamestar huffed as his body began fading.

   “Blackpaw!” Dustfeather’s voice broke him out of his trance causing the apprentice to flinch.

“He’s awake!” Cloudfeather mewed seeming overjoyed.

“Easy there Blackpaw.” Dustfeather mewed as he pressed his cold nose against his apprentice.

“Dustfeather I…” He started and flicked his ears back in embarrassment as he noticed all the cats looking at him.

“Can you walk?” Dewfang mewed as her tail swished wildly behind her.

“Yes I just…had a small vision.” He admitted as he sat upward. He looked around for his Juniper and saw Fogpaw holding it firmly between his jaws but he wouldn’t look at Blackpaw.

“Would you like to tell me about it back at camp?” Dustfeather offered with concern in his eyes.

“No I just need to talk with someone. I’m fine really.” Blackpaw assured as he rose to his soggy feet.

The trek back was an awkward and long one but upon arriving Blackpaw made a sprint for the Elder’s den yet paused as he reached the entrance. What if Violetsky didn’t want to talk about it? Her mate was the sibling of Blackpaw’s mother. He was even named after them.

“Violetsky? Blackrock? Is now a good time?” He called out worriedly.

“Sure Sure! Come in Blackpaw.” Came Violetsky’s groggy but cheerful mew. He did as told but was still attentive.

“I need to ask you something Violetsky.” Blackpaw spoke calmly but his pelt tingled with nerves.

“Good on.” Violetsky hummed contently from her chin resting place on Blackrock’s back.

“I had a vision. Or was it more like a connection? I’m not sure but I…I spoke with Flamestar.” Blackpaw watched horror spread across the two cat’s faces.

“Have you told anyone else?” Blackrock asked.

“No, I was wondering if you could tell me more about him. So I can keep an eye out.” Blackpaw muttered not daring to meet Violetsky’s expression.

“Flamestar was a cruel leader who desired power. He tried to claim the territory south of us. It was risky and foolish and he sent dozens of cats to their death there. When he ran out of warriors he started to pull elders and queens out then apprentices. He even sacrificed a deputy.” Violetsky voice was filled with disgust.

“Blackpaw he’s ruthless. Never underestimate him.” Violetsky warned fearfully.

“Don’t worry Violetsky I won’t. I’ll talk to Starclan about this next gathering.” He promised and felt the elder press her noise against his shoulder. He could help but lean on her head in comfort.

 Specklepaw dashed through the leaves with his friend beside him. He wanted to take them out to see the sun set. Fernpaw rushed towards him to try and catch up to him. The meadows looked so clear as they ran together. The final large hill approached them and will glee they clawed up it to rest at it’s grassy top. Specklepaw, still panting, sat down and stared outward while Fernpaw flopped over beside him. His smile wouldn’t burn out, it was radiating from him. His paws tingled in worry as he turned to face Fernpaw. Words were struck from his through as they turned to look up at him.

“I can’t believe the sun is doing down right in front of us! It’s neat.” They purred at him. Fernpaw had never basked in a glow so strong before.

“Yeah it’s incredible!” Specklepaw agreed his voice barely a gentle breeze in the air. His claws flexed out in nervousness.

“So when you get to be a warrior what do you want to do? With the loners and everything happening it’ll be dangerous.” Specklepaw commented with a bubbly chuckle.

“I wanna explore and fight the danger!” He stated firmly with pride in his eyes. He’d watched the patrols go out and he longed to be with them.

“I suppose I’ll have to go with you.” Fernpaw chimed and they rolled on their back.

“Really?” Specklepaw chirped excitedly.

“Of course! You’re my best friend.” Fernpaw exclaimed back and flipped over to nudge Specklepaw sweetly.

The sun slowly slipped behind the gaze of the horizon and darkness covered them like a long fluffy tail. It got oddly cold so much so Specklepaw couldn’t help but shiver. Fernpaw tangled their tail with Specklepaw’s and followed them down the dark grassy trail towards the camp but with each pawstep Fernpaw felt something wrong in the air. The air was stiff as stone while they wandered yet somewhere in the night they could see a cat standing by the river near the border. Specklepaw stopped and shivered.

“Who’s that?” He whispered to Fernpaw who only shrugged in response. It didn’t look like Fogpaw or Cloudfeather.

“We should tell Swanstar when we get back.” Fernpaw mewed hurriedly as they tugged to get Specklepaw to move. Specklepaw gave a faint nod and continued. They continued on but no matter how far forward they went it just seemed to them like the figure was getting closer. Eventually to Specklepaw enough was enough.

“Hey!” He yelled breaking away from Fernpaw to rush towards the white and grey form.

“Specklepaw wait!” Fernpaw mewed dashing after him.

They both stopped as the figure turned to face them. Both of them nearly yowled in panic. It looked like a cat but it’s face was garble and leaking like a cut tree. It seemed to be hissing out a few faint wails like it was calling a name. Fernpaw’s pelt stood on end as they backed up. The cat’s paws didn’t even seem to touch the ground. It looked so unhappy and in pain but watching it come forward made Specklepaw jump back wide eyed. He looked at Fernpaw and nodded towards camp and they bolted however they didn’t get far before an unknown young tree had fallen in front of them. Where were they? Specklepaw turned around and screamed in fear. Fernpaw nearly did the same. The figure only stood a few pawsteps away from them. It gapped open it’s mouth in a weird shriek. Specklepaw grabbed Fernpaw by the neck and pulled them over the tree as quickly as he could.

“Fffwwwaaa….aaaarr.” It barely managed to make out any form of words. The apprentices were terrified.

They skidded to a halt once they found camp’s basking glow. Specklepaw looked behind them and saw nothing yet when he heard a voice he cried out like he’d been struck.

“Fernpaw! Specklepaw!” Dustfeather mewed in surprise as he padded over. They both seemed stunned for a moment before speaking.

“Dustfeather! We saw a spirit!” Specklepaw yowled. Fernpaw nodded rapidly in agreement.

“Spirit? I suppose it makes sense, seeing what season it is.” Dustfeather mewed and shook his head slowly. He lead the two apprentices back in and glanced over his shoulder. He couldn’t see anything but his spine tingled.

 The earth was cold as Soul lead them to the edge of a dried field where the forms of cats huddled together for warmth. Silverstar could smell fear prickling off the pelts of the loners even as Soul appeared. This was no clan but Silverstar couldn’t let such a thing continue. A small alarmed mew squeaked out nearby making Silverstar turn is head.

“You…You’re blind.” A voice came in shock.

“Certainly am but that’s not my name.” Silverstar hummed with a chuckle a softness running in his voice.

“W-What is your name then?” The other asked shyly watching the other cats walk over to his ‘friends’ and start talking.

“Silverstar. I am leader of Emeraldclan.” He stated proudly sniffing what seemed to be a young tom.

“Leader?....” The young cat asked seemingly blown away by the claim.

“Mhm. What’s your name?” Silverstar asked back with a kind smile.

“I-I don’t have one.” The tom squeaked.

“Well then. You could come with us and get an apprentice name.” Silverstar offered his whiskers twitching but before the young tom could say a thing a she-cat that was conversing with Greywater padded over with a twisted expression.

“What’s going on here?” She asked bitterly.

“C-Carrie. I was just uh…Silverstar was offering me somewhere to go.” The tom mewed sounding a bit worried.

“Hm. Well I suppose that’s fine but I better go with you to make sure you don’t die.” Carrie huffed and padded forward. Silverstar only nodded and sniffed in the air of other loners slowly rising to join a new group however some stayed. Some didn’t rise.