Waterclans Prophecy - Book 1: The Dream

Chapter 13 Brightstar

Brightstar sat in the sandy clearing watching her apprentice. Bramblepaw and Mousepaw were both facing Leopardpaw. "Again." Brightstar mewed. Bramblepaw charged at Leopardpaw while Mousepaw crept around him. Leopardpaw rolled away from Bramblepaw and on top of Mousepaw, pinning the small apprentice to the ground. Bramblepaw ran up to help her sister but Leopardpaw lashed out at her, claws carefully sheathed. Mousepaw wriggled in the larger apprentices grip but couldn't break free.

"Pretend your a fish trying to escape a cats claws!" Icewing yowled to his apprentice.

"More power, Leopardpaw." Brambleberry growled.

"Find an opening!" Brightstar instructed Bramblepaw. "Outsmart him!"

Mousepaw wriggled faster and Bramblepaw started circling Leopardpaw. The young tom struggled to keep track of both she-cats at once and lost his grip on Mousepaw as Bramblepaw lunged at him from behind.

"Leopardpaw!" Brambleberry growled. "You had her! Why'd you let her go?"

"I tried." Leopardpaw mumbled. "She just slipped."

"These apprentices are younger than you and half your size. In battle against warriors you would have been shredded."

Leopardpaw bowed his head sadly. "Sorry Brambleberry." He mewed.

"What's wrong with Mousepaw being half his size?" Icewing challenged Brambleberry. "I'm half your size and I could beat you in battle."

"Since when?" Brambleberry sneered. "I've always been a better warrior than you and I always will be. I bet all the fish in the lake that if we ever were brought into battle against each other, I'd win."

"Luckily we're in the same clan so we won't have to find out." Brightstar cut in warningly.

"Why don't we find out?" Icewing questioned. "It would be good for our apprentices to observe the moves we use." Icewing continued when Brightstar started to object.

"Pay close attention, Leopardpaw. This is how a true warrior fights." Brambleberry mewed to his apprentice.

"Just keep your claws sheathed." Brightstar cautioned as the two toms padded to the center of the sandy clearing.

Icewing crouched still, sizing up his opponent while Brambleberry loomed over him. Brambleberry made the first move, leaping at the smaller cat. Icewing reacted quickly, dodging to one side before jumping onto the dark tabby's back. Brambleberry reared up onto his hind legs trying to throw Icewing off but Icewing waited for Brambleberry to lower down before jumping off, catapulting Brambleberry forward, face first into the sand. Icewing ran to him and swiped at the larger tom's now exposed belly before darting away as Brambleberry started to stand.

Brambleberry was now on the defensive as Icewing continuously ran in, swiped, then ran out. Every time Brambleberry tried to swipe back or catch him he missed. Brambleberry may be bigger and stronger. Brightstar realized. But his bulk also makes him slower.

"I will not loose to a cat the size of an apprentice!" Brambleberry bellowed in rage as Icewing escaped his grip once more. Brightstar realized that if this didn't end soon, the fight would get out of control.

"That's enough." She called to the fluffed up toms. "Icewing, your point has been made. Now let's focus on training our apprentices, not ourselves."

"Yes Brightstar." Icewing mewed as his fur began to flatten out.

"You try against Mousepaw." Brambleberry mewed to Leopardpaw. "Just Mousepaw this time though."

Bramblepaw looked up at Brightstar. "It's fine." Brightstar mewed. "You can go after your sister."

Leopardpaw loomed over the small brown apprentice. Flicking his long fluffy orange and black striped tail he lunged at her. Mousepaw looked completely unprepared for this attack and let out a squeak of terror as the spotted tom landed squarely on top of her. Pinning Mousepaw easily, Leopardpaw stood over her and growled menacingly. Mousepaw lay flat on her back and flailed her white paws at his face randomly.

"That's enough." Icewing called and Leopardpaw hopped off the terrified apprentice. Brightstar watched surprised as Leopardpaw helped Mousepaw up.

"Leopardpaw stop fooling around." Brambleberry called across the clearing.

"I'm just trying to be nice." Leopardpaw hissed back before turning to Mousepaw. "I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"N-no, I-I'm fine." Mousepaw stood up shakily. "You were really great though. If I were Sandclan then I'd be shredded by now!"

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Brightstar stood on highbranch and gazed down at her clan mates. She had just called a clan meeting and cats were emerging from dens to sit around the clearing and watch their leader with interest. Brighstar lifted her muzzle to the cloudless sky and saw it was just past sunhigh. Taking a deep breath Brightstar began the ceremony.

"I, Brightstar, leader of Waterclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn. Leopardpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Leopardpaw padded forward, surprise and excitement sparkling in his amber gaze. "I do."

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Leopardpaw, from this moment you will be known as Leopardclaw. StarClan honors your strength and courage, and we welcome you as a full warrior of Waterclan." Brightstar leaped down besides Leopardclaw and rested her muzzle on his head. Leopardclaw gave her a respectful lick on the shoulder and turned to the clan.

"Leopardclaw! Leopardclaw!" The clan cheered for the new warrior. Cats started moving up to individually congratulate the young tom. Glancing around the clearing Brightstar realized something. She couldn't see Blazecloud or Birdsong anywhere.