Warriors: The Prophecy of Frost - Apprentice's Journey

Chapter 18- Combination

"This move is hard to master," Goldenstar began to explain, "for it needs great speed and agility."

Frostpaw tilted her head curiously. "Can you show me how to do?"

"Watch carefully," he mewed. "Let's say that your opponent is this bush here."

Frostpaw watched Goldenstar leaping and swiping at the bush. After he had attacked the bush a few times, he turned and ran towards a tree. He climbed the tree so fast that he was practically a golden burr.

Before Frostpaw could even blink, Goldenstar had landed on the bush. "That was so fast!" she mewed in surprise.

"It is difficult to learn," he mewed. "First, you have to injure your opponent using the Leap-and-Hold move. If your opponent is still not beaten after you use that move, you have to quickly run to a nearby tree, and climb up as fast as you can. You must also be careful of where your shadow is, because if your opponent sees it, your chance to surprise your opponent is gone."

"I can't climb trees that fast," Frostpaw mewed worriedly.

"There's plenty of time to work on it," Goldenstar mewed. "Now, we are going to work on your climbing."

Frostpaw nodded reluctantly.

"Climb that tree," he told her, gesturing to the tree he had just climbed.

Bracing herself, she leaped and sank her claws on the tree trunk. Grunting with the effort, Frostpaw managed to heave herself on the lowest branch.

"Climb higher!" the golden furred tom called.

Frostpaw sighed and continued climbing. "Is this high enough?" she asked, raising her voice.

"Yes!" Goldenstar yowled. "Try dropping on me!"

"Drop on you?" Frostpaw echoed in shock. "Wouldn't I injure you - and myself?"

"Don't worry!" he mewed confidently. "I will be fine and you will not get injured!"

Frostpaw closed her eyes and dropped off the branch. Wind rushed into her ears and she fell onto Goldenstar a few heartbeats later.

"Are you okay?" he asked, shaking his pelt when Frostpaw got off.

"Yes," she replied. "I'm a bit winded though."

"Good," Goldenstar mewed in relief. "Are you ready to work on dropping off the branch and attacking? Or do you want to rest?"

"I'm ready," Frostpaw mewed in reply.

"Pay attention," he mewed. "After you have dropped down from the branch, you unsheathe your claws and aim for your opponent's pelt. Injure your opponent as much as you can before you are shaken off. You can repeat the move but not too much. However for practicing, do not unsheathe your claws. Understood?"

"I understand," she replied.

"Let's work on it then," Goldenstar mewed.

~~~~

After they practiced, Goldenstar told her to get back to the DragonClan camp. Frostpaw padded to the freshkill pile and took a vole for herself.

Most of the DragonClan cats have returned from their patrols and taking their share of the prey.

To her surprise, she spotted Rushingstorm taking a large piece of prey. The other cats didn't notice as they were engrossed in their own conversations.

Is he going to share with any cat, or is he taking it for himself?

Rushingstorm set the prey down and was about to eat it, but he noticed Frostpaw's wondering look. He quickly picked it up and padded to the nursery.

"Hi," Russetpaw mewed, sitting next to Frostpaw. "How's your day?"

"Fine," Frostpaw shrugged, unable to find a better word to describe her day.

"If Rushingstorm had insulted you or something, don't be so offended," she mewed. "He's been a huge pain since he became a warrior."

"Reminds me of one of my former denmates," Frostpaw commented. "He is still an apprentice though."

"Why exactly did you leave your Clan?" Russetpaw asked curiously. "Is it only because StarClan sent you?"

Frostpaw frowned. "I suppose."

"Okay..." Russetpaw mewed. "I'm going off now."

"Bye," Frostpaw mewed.

"See you tomorrow morning," Russetpaw mewed before walking off.

~~~~

When Frostpaw woke up, it was still nighttime. Careful not to wake Russetpaw or Creampaw, she padded out of the apprentice den.

Relaxed, she stared at the shining stars above her, silently wondering if StarClan was watching her now.

Suddenly, stormy looking clouds covered the stars - all the stars - in the sky.

"Wha-" Frostpaw mewed in surprise but a low growl made her shut her mouth.

A shadowy tom with gleaming reddish amber eyes appeared in front of her, unsheathing his claws and baring his fangs.

Instinctively, she swiped, but her paw went through the tom's body. He let out an evil chuckle.

"You are gone," he spat, confusing and frightening Frostpaw.

He loomed closer to her. She tried to run but an unknown force was preventing her from running.

The tom laughed. "Don't run off, little warrior."

"StarClan help me!" Frostpaw yowled desperately.

"StarClan is gone!" he snarled. "The only thing left is death and chaos!"

The tom then struck her at her neck.