Warriors: Darkness In The Clans 3: Melt

Chapter Two

Berryfrost padded towards the moon-crystal, Mushroompaw at his side. He was finally getting his full medicine cat name. Berryfrost puffed his chest out with pride. Finally, something good was happening! They neared Seaclan territory. Snowytail followed Slugfur and Daffodilpetal out of the territory. "You need to head back." Daffodilpetal told him.

"What if something happens?" Snowytail asked nervously.

"I'll be fine. Honestly, since the battle, you've been as jumpy as a mouse!" She teased, eyes sparkling. Berryfrost watched, jealousy and rage stabbing his heart like claws. He didn't have someone to joke around with like that. Not anymore. He turned away, hiding the hatred blazing in his eyes like fire. He could almost feel Batwing's fur brushing against him, in an attempt to calm him down. He trailed at the back of the group silently, his paws drumming and flattening the grass underneath. Berryfrost entered the cave, the moonlight glistening above as though it were teasing him.

"Are you ready?" He turned his attention to Mushroompaw, who was meowing excitedly with Dogpaw.

"Yes!" Mushroompaw did a little bounce.

Berryfrost raised his tail for silence before beginning. "I, Berryfrost, medicine cat of Gloomclan," the words sounded beautiful, like a bird's song, "Call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help he will serve his clan for many moons. Mushroompaw, 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?"

"Yes. I do." Mushroompaw breathed.

"Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true name as a medicine cat. Mushroompaw, from this moment you will be known as Mushroomsprout. StarClan honors your patience and kindness, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of Gloomclan." Berryfrost rested his muzzle on Mushroomsprout's head, who licked his shoulder in return. The other medicine cats chanted his name, and Mushroomsprout's fur fluffed up in excitement.

The cats started to curl up beside the moon-crystal, and Berryfrost was the last to join them, far at the edge. He drifted off to sleep, his anger being replaced by excitement. He would see Batwing again!

Berryfrost padded towards Batwing's familiar outline, eager to reach over and share tongues with him again. He pressed his muzzle against his flank, breathing in his familiar scent. "Hi." He looked up at him, drawing his muzzle closer to his chin.

"Hi!" Batwing responded, resting his muzzle on his head. Berryfrost purred happily.

Batwing pulled away, and Berryfrost stared at him. "Something wrong?" He asked worriedly.

"Yeah... unfortunately, I'm not here to cuddle with you. I'm here to show you something." Batwing mewed regretfully. With a wave of his tail, the setting changed, and they were in a clearing surrounded by a ring of fire. Cats battled in it, blood tainting the ground and dead bodies piled and scattered across the clearing. Berryfrost recognized his clanmates, and his eyes widened in terror.

"Tell me what happened!" He demanded.

"Snaketooth."

Batwing pointed at Snaketooth with a paw, who was watching the battle gleefully. Berryfrost noticed he was staring directly at... him? Vision Berryfrost was fighting a larger cat, gashes streaked along his pelt, dripping blood onto the ground. One of his eyes was closed as well, covered by a scratch. He fell to the ground with a thud as Snaketooth leapt onto him, killing him with his claws. Berryfrost stepped back, his pelt bristling with fear. "Why are you showing me this?" His legs trembled underneath him.

Batwing gazed at Berryfrost. "To show what will happen if you give up or fail." He murmured. "You must know what is at stake here. Cats' lives are on the line." His gaze was full of sorrow, as though he regretted sharing this information with him. Berryfrost wailed, pressing against his shoulder, breathing in his familiar flower scent. The scene disappeared, the familiar starry field replacing it. Berryfrost's breathing slowed, his heartbeat falling into a nice rhythm. "I'm sorry." Batwing whispered into his ear, his voice like a low but soft melody. Berryfrost whimpered softly.

Batwing comfortingly rested his head on his shoulder. Berryfrost gazed into his eyes. They were like pools of sunshine reflecting on the sea. He calmed down, and mewed, "Will this really happen if I don't get rid of him?"

"Unfortunately, yes. I didn't want to show this to you, but the others made me." Batwing murmured regretfully.

Berryfrost nuzzled his neck. "It's alright. I'm glad you showed me this. Now I know I have to get him out."

"Have you figured out what you're going to do?"

Berryfrost thought, before nodding. "I'll get him exiled." He decided.

Batwing's eyes lit up. "Yes! You should totally do that." He mewed, genuinely excited. He circled around Berryfrost, "You're so smart." He said adoringly.

"I know." Berryfrost licked a paw, raising his muzzle in the air. Batwing laughed. He began to fade, and he frowned.

"Aww man. Bye, Berryfrost. I'll visit you again later to help you." He promised.

"Bye, mouse-brain."

"See you, herb-nose!" Batwing purred with amusement. Berryfrost slowly rose to his paws, the familiar scenery of the moon-crystal's cave returning. He wobbled backwards, exchanging a worried glance with Mushroomsprout, who must have had a similar dream.

Snaketooth had to be stopped. He would make sure of that.