Super Edition - Fernstar's Betrayal

Chapter 7

Almost five moons have passed. Fernpath had attempted to train Hazelpaw as quickly as possible. Hazelpaw shared dreams with StarClan at her second half-moon gathering and was basically treated like a full medicine cat. Now they were in the nursery, assisting Goosetail's kitting. Yarrowfall paced anxiously outside, clawing at the earth. "Congratulations." Hazelpaw purred. "Two toms and a she-kit." Hazelpaw then nodded towards Yarrowfall, who came rushing in.

   "Could we name the red tom Rowankit, and the brown tom Copperkit?" The queen mewed.

"Of course. How about Amberkit for the she-kit?" Yarrowfall added. The two mates then nuzzled, as Fernpath led her apprentice outside.

"That was excellent work," Fernpath mewed. "I think you're ready to become a full medicine cat."

Hazelpaw gasped. "Already?" A purr rose in her throat. Fernpath nodded and gave a warm smile.

* * * * *

It wasn't too long until the first half-moon meeting of leafbare came by. The two SwampClan cats trekked through the snow until they reached the Moon Hollow. After tey all greeted each other, Fernpath started. "Tonight, I wish to give Hazelpaw her full medicine cat name," She mewed. "Hazelpaw, from this day forward, I name you Hazelleap, for your kindness and dedication." 

"Hazelleap! Hazelleap!" The medicine cats cheered. They soon touched their noses to the Moon Stream. With a smile on her muzzle, Fernpath slipped out while the other medicine cats were sleeping.

Marshpelt was on guard duty inside camp. The two dipped their heads toward each other before Fernpath continued to pad toward Mudstar. He was sitting in the clearing, staring at the starry sky. "Mudstar!" Fernpath quietly mewed, as she dashed up to the leader. "I gave Hazelleap her full medicine cat name. I want to be a warrior again!"

   "Oh?" Mudstar was obviously taken aback. His head snapped toward the black she-cat. "But, you've been a medicine cat for a while, wouldn't you like to stay like that?"

"We have another medicine cat now," Fernpath started. "And for moons, I've trained as a warrior. More than I trained as a medicine cat."

"Well, I'll have to discuss it with my senior warriors in the morning." Mudstar mewed, stifling a yawn.

It wasn't long before dawn arrived. Mudstar called his senior warriors into his den. Marshpelt decided to slip into the den, seemingly to join the discussion.  After what felt like moons, Mudstar and his warriors emerged from his den. The brown leader climbed up on the Damp Rock and called for a clan meeting.

"Cats of SwampClan," He started. "Fernpath has requested to become a warrior." The clan rippled with shocked murmurs. "My senior warriors and I discussed it, and we think it would be fair to give her an assessment." Mudstar's paused for a moment. "But I shall assess her, to make sure she's retained her skills."

Mudstar then leaped off the Damp Rock, and the two cats trotted out of camp. Fernpath felt overflowed with joy. She was finally going to be a warrior. The two cats halted in the middle of the swamps. "Now, Fernpath," Mudstar pricked up his ears. "Do you hear that frog? I want you to catch it."

Fernpath eagerly nodded. She parted her jaws to taste the air. The scent of frog filled her jaws, and she crouched low, keeping her ears perked. She heard the frog's croaks getting louder and louder, until she swiped her claw out, hooking the frog. She scooped it up in her jaws and trotted back towards Mudstar.

"Great job." Mudstar purred. "We'll collect the frog later. For now, we spar." The leader mewed. Fernpath scraped earth over her frog and followed Mudstar's scent deeper into the swamps.
"Ready?" Mudstar asked. Fernpath nodded and sprang out towards her leader. She pawed at his ear before Mudstar kicked her chest. Fernpath stumbled, then gently bit his shoulder.

The sparing seemed to stretch on for moons until both cats were panting with exhaustion.
"I think you've proven yourself worthy of being a warrior." Mudstar mewed. Fernpath felt as if she would explode with excitement. Her burst of energy allowed her to dash back to camp, where Mudstar leaped onto the Damp Rock, and howled for the clan to gather.

"Fernpath showed me that she is worthy of the title of a warrior." Mudstar started. "Fernpath, from this day forward, you shall be known as Fernwish, for working so hard to achieve your wish to become a warrior. I expect her to be treated no differently."

"Fernwish! Fernwish!" The clan cheered. Fernwish was filled with indescribable joy.

"Marshpelt requested to go on Fernwish's warrior hunt. Due to the circumstances, I agreed." The brown leader added, eyeing his daughter. After a heartbeat, both cats trotted towards the reed tunnel.

Once the two cats were in the forest, Fernwish turned towards Marshpelt. "So," she started. "Why did you want to come with me?"

"Fernwish, there's something I need to tell you." Marshpelt's ears grew hot. "I talked Mudstar into making you a warrior. He really didn't want to assess you, but I managed to convince him.

"But, why?" Fernwish tilted her head.

All of the golden warrior's pelt was now heated as she answered. "Well, you know how medicine cats can't have mates," She paused for a brief moment. "Fernwish, I really care about you."

"Marshpelt," Fernwish's heart fluttered. "I care about you too."

"So... would you, maybe, want to be mates?" Marshpelt shyly asked.

"Of course! I'd love to be mates!" Fernwish purred.