Warriors: A Prophecy Reborn

~~Chapter 4~~

   A loud yowl jolted Firepaw awake, "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highrock for a clan meeting."

   "Looks like Bluestar is appointing Lionheart deputy," Firepaw mewed wearily. He slowly got up and looked across to the other apprentices who were getting up much faster than him. Wow, fighting with advanced moves as a new apprentice really took a lot out of me. . . "Let's go."

    As they walked past the tree stump at the entrance to the apprentice den many other cats were stalking out and into the clearing. Bluestar was seated neatly on top of the Highrock, fur almost glowing from the moon and Silverpelt creeping into the sky. "A new deputy must be appointed," she began. "But first, let's give thanks to StarClan for the life of Redtail. Tonight he sits with his fellow warriors among the stars."

   All the cats in the clearing were silent, most dipping their heads in respect. Firepaw noticed Sandpaw move slightly closer to him, likely for comfort. He knew Redtail was her father, he felt sorry for her. He didn't try to stop her since nobody would notice them at the moment, but he knew she couldn't forever. She apparently did as well since she moved away when Bluestar started to speak again.

    "Now I shall name the new deputy." A few cats looked up at Bluestar, then Tigerclaw, some just at Bluestar. "I say these words before the body of Redtail, so that his spirit may hear and approve of my choice."

   Silence filled the air for what seemed like 9 lifetimes. Firepaw looked at Tigerclaw, who looked hungry for power. He understood what it meant now. Not like the first time, no. This time, he knew what Tigerclaw wanted. But this time, there was also more he wanted, too. He wanted to become leader of ThunderClan, but more importantly, revenge.

   "Lionheart will be the new deputy of ThunderClan," Bluestar meowed.

   Tigerclaw went up to Lionheart to congratulate him with a powerful nudge. Firepaw could see through his bluff.

   Before the rest of the cats could disperse to congratulate Lionheart, Bluestar continued speaking. "Redtail was also mentor to young Dustpaw. Since there must be no delay in the training of our apprentices, I shall appoint him a new mentor at once. Darkstripe, you are ready for your first apprentice. You recieved a fine mentor in Tigerclaw, and I expect you to pass on all you know to Dustpaw."

   Darkstripe looked very pleased, puffing out his chest. Firepaw didn't think anybody else saw, but Tigerclaw gave a small huff. Darkstipe padded up to Dustpaw with a grin on his face. Dustpaw touched noses with him and flicked his tail respectively, though his eyes shown with twice as much grief for his old mentor as the first time.

   "I shall keep vigil with Redtail tonight before we bury his body at sunrise," Bluestar meowed before she leaped down from high rock to lay next to Redtail's limp body.

   Firepaw watched as Dustpaw and Sandpaw walked over to join her, tails down. Him and Graypaw turned tail and walked back toward the apprentices' den.

   When they got inside Firepaw curled up in his nest and muttered, "I hate seeing Sandpaw upset.. She got to finally live again with her father as well, but it didn't last long."

   "She'll recover, you know she will. Besides, she has you," Graypaw mewed back.

   Firepaw didn't respond, instead simply putting his head down to sleep.

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   Firepaw woke up naturally, but still not before Graypaw. He looked over, Graypaw was watching him expectantly.

   Lionheart peaked in.

   "Firepaw, you can join me and Graypaw for training until you're assigned a mentor. Tigerclaw will be helping as well."

   "Alright, thank you." Firepaw dipped his head in respect.

   He watched as Lionheart left, then growled. Graypaw looked over, but seemed to understand what he was annoyed about. He hated Tigerclaw, they all did.

   They got up and padded out of the den to join Tigerclaw and Lionheart. Firepaw was extremely tired, more so than the first time he came to ThunderClan. He may be more used to waking up early now, but with his old body back and using advanced battle moves against Longtail instead, it was too much.

   Lionheart meowed, "Come on, you two. Today, we're going to show you the territory."

   The cats padded onward. Graypaw and Firepaw were catching up quietly, while Tigerclaw and Lionheart remained silent almost the entire way.

   Lionheart's voice suddenly interrupted their chat, "We're approaching the Sunningrocks. Firepaw, scent the air. What can you smell?"

   "I smell.. fish. And.. scent markings up ahead. It's two different scent markings though, and I hear rushing water." Firepaw paused briefly before continuing, "Let me guess, the RiverClan border?"

   Lionheart looked slightly taken aback whilst Tigerclaw merely watched them. "Correct. You know about RiverClan?"

   Firepaw tiredly shrugged as he responded, "Graypaw and the others told me the basics about the clans last night.

   "Well then, do you know the first rule of the warrior code?" Lionheart challenged.

   "Defend your clan, even if it comes to losing your own life," Firepaw stated firmly.

   Tigerclaw chipped in, "Impressive. Most impressive."

   "Tigerclaw, I don't understand why you underestimate Firepaw. He seems very bright and willing to learn." Lionheart glared at Tigerclaw, daring him to continue. Tigerclaw simply grumbled, and they all continued walking down to Sunningrocks.

    Tigerclaw spoke once they got to the border, "Right, let's mark the border. Firepaw, you won't since you only just came to the clans. Your kittypet smell hasn't gone yet." He said the word 'kittypet' smugly and with the hint of a snarl.

   Firepaw had to stop himself from growling and launching himself at Tigerclaw. He already hated him, but Tigerclaw certainly knew how to push his buttons. He seemed to be trying to get Firepaw to lunge at him. He wants to banish me.

   The cats marked the borders and continued their patrol. All far too soon, Firepaw could smell the revolting stench of the thunderpath. He snorted in disgust before speaking, "Eugh.. What's that smell?"

   "That is the thunderpath. It is the border between ThunderClan and ShadowClan," Lionheart replied.

   Graypaw murmured to Firepaw just loud enough for the others to hear, "Thunderpaths are dangerous because Twoleg monsters run on them. You need to be careful around them." Firepaw nodded in acknowledgement as they approached the border.

   "You may have guessed by now but this is the thunderpath," meowed Lionheart, gesturing towards it. "As Graypaw said, it is very dangerous. Just one Twoleg monster's paw is bigger than a fully grown cat. They also run incredibly fast, you need to be very careful near thunderpaths.

   "Understood," Firepaw meowed, hiding his excitement. He was remembering all those good times he had as an apprentice. Sharing fresh kill for the first times of his life, talking with his clanmates, training with his friends... Suddenly he remembered it would never be the same. So much changed, and he held a new responsibility he didn't see the first time. I'll never relive those memories.

(AN) Hello readers! Hope you guys have been doing good. Leave a comment if you enjoyed this chapter!

   I hid a Star Wars reference somewhere in this chapter.

   Thank you to anybody who made it this far!