Cloverpaw's Shadow

Chapter 14

Three moons later

"I, Needlenose, medicine cat of Thunderclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help she will serve her Clan for many moons. Poolpaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?"

Poolpaw quivered with barely contained excitement. "I do."

Needlenose smiled. "Then by the powers of Starclan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Poolpaw, from this moment you will be known as Poolfrost. Starclan honors your courage and determination, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of Thunderclan.

Poolfrost had come to the Moonpool like always, not expecting what plans Needlenose had for that night. What a surprise, she thought.

She lay down with her mentor on her right and Vineheart, medicine cat of Riverclan, on her left.

Fire will rise.

Poolfrost blinked open her eyes. She was standing in a clearing. A white cat was lying in an awkward position a few tail lengths away. She stifled her gasp of horror and tried to move towards the cat. But she was stuck.

Yowling, she struggled under her invisible restraint. The cat stumbled up and looked right at Poolfrost. She knew those glimmering green eyes.

Beware, a voice whispered. Poolfrost's head shot up. The cat was gone.

Troubled times are ahead, the voice continued. Clover will meet a fate unlike no other, with choices no other cat has had to face. This will be her decision, and no one can help stop the fire from raging. Beware, Poolfrost.

Poolfrost shivered. A paw prodded her and she woke to the concerned face of Needlenose. "Are you okay?" He asked. She nodded and followed him out of the Moonpool clearing.

They had been walking for a while, when Poolfrost heard a voice.
"Oh good!" A snow-white she-cat rushed up to their group. "Needlenose, I need your help!"

***

Poolfrost raced after her white-pelted friend. She skidded to a stop in a clearing.

"Cloverpaw! What happened?" she gasped. Needlenose and the other medicine cats ran up behind her, panting.

Cloverpaw shook her head and backed away. "I didn't have a choice," She whispered. She slipped into the trees.

Poolfrost had more important things to do than worry about her friend. She advanced cautiously towards one of the bodies strewn about the clearing. It was Ravenwhisper.

"She attacked the dawn patrol," Needlenose whispered.

Poolfrost gazed around the clearing. Along with Ravenwhisper there was Fawncloud, Ambersplash, and Foxpaw.

Great Starclan! Poolfrost thought. She attacked her own brother!

"Poolfrost, go tell Finchstar." Needlenose directed. Poolfrost gave a despairing look at the others and sprinted away into the trees.

***

"Finchstar!" Poolfrost yowled. She sprinted into the camp. Cats were staring at her with their tails bushed out and their fur bristling. Finchstar emerged from his den.

"Poolpaw?" He asked, bounding towards her. "What's wrong?"

Poolfrost was too appalled to correct him. "Cloverpaw attacked the dawn patrol. None of the cats are conscious."

Finchstar closed his eyes. "Great Starclan," he murmured.

Needlenose burst through the thorn entrance, dragging Foxpaw with him. Vineheart and Hawkblaze had Ambersplash and Ravenwhisper.

"Where's Fawncloud?" Poolfrost whispered.

Needlenose gave her a look. "Her wounds were too deep," He said. "She was already dead."

Poolfrost was outraged. This has to stop, She thought.

"Do you need me?" Poolfrost asked Needlenose. He shook his head and she slipped out of camp.

She wasn't searching long when she found Cloverpaw. Or rather, Cloverpaw found her.

She yowled as her friend's weight pinned her to the ground. Cloverpaw was so strong! Her training must have paid off.

"Cloverpaw!" Poolfrost demanded. "Why did you attack the dawn patrol?"

She dug her claws in harder. "I didn't. They attacked me. I was only defending myself."

"By killing one of our warriors?" Poolfrost asked, raising her voice.

Cloverpaw faltered. "Who?" She whispered.

Poolfrost glared at her. "Fawncloud. Did she deserve to die?"

Cloverpaw let out a breath of relief. "Oh good," she murmured.

Poolfrost gaped at her. "What do you mean, oh good?" She asked. "Fawncloud is dead! Ravenwhisper has sprained shoulder and Foxpaw torn several of his muscles!" She blew out a shaky breath. "I thought you would at least leave your brother alone!"

Cloverpaw tensed.

"What?" Poolfrost asked.

"Poolpaw-" She started.

Poolfrost cleared her throat. "That's not my name. Its Poolfrost."

She scowled. "Fine. Poolfrost." She dipped her head. "He... He's not my brother."

Poolfrost was silent.

Cloverpaw continued. "Birdflower is not my mother and Tallsky is not my father."

"Well then who-" Poolfrost questioned.

Cloverpaw sighed. "Finchstar. And Junipercloud."

Poolfrost gasped. 

"What?" Cloverpaw demanded.

"Cloverpaw..." She said slowly. "Junipercloud was a medicine cat."