Warrior Cats: Sky of Storms

Chapter 6

Echopaw slipped through the trees, keeping her mouth open to smell any prey. The forest was quiet at night, and it seemed like every animal had gone into their burrow to sleep. She had trouble smelling anything, and the silence made her fur bristle.

Echopaw growled softly, thinking of her argument with Reedwhisker. She wondered if he was only acting like that because he was worried about Swallowtail, or from being in the medicine den all day, and not hunting or patrolling. 

That still doesn't give him an excuse to be rude! Echopaw thought. What's the point of having a mentor if he doesn't teach you?

She sighed. Echopaw realized that her paws were taking her toward the battle scene from earlier today, and she winced when she saw that the blood and torn fur had not been washed away. She could still see the badger's large pawprints and all the greenery the battle had torn up.

Echopaw walked toward the spot where Volepaw had been hurt, and she stopped at the edge of the black puddle. The starlight dazzled in it, while the moonlight reflected off it. She looked up at the stars, which seemed to shine brighter than before.

Echopaw stared at it thoughtfully. She wasn't scared of it until she remembered her earlier dream. Volepaw had been captured by the black water so quickly, how could the other cats survive? How could RiverClan survive? 

Echopaw lay down, sheltered by the overhanging bushes, and stared into the depths of the black water. She began to feel drowsy and eventually fell asleep, but when she opened her eyes again she was surrounded by darkness. 

Echopaw turned in a circle, looking around nervously. She sat on her hunches and rubbed her paws together worriedly. Where was she? Was this a dream?

Did I fall into the black water? She thought, her neck fur was bristling. 

She turned around again and saw a dark brown cat standing there, and suddenly all the greenery and the black puddle rose from the ground, and she was back in RiverClan territory. The stars seemed to burn through her, casting rays of starlight on her, and it made the moon look like a Twoleg light.

The cat in front of her mewed to get attention, and Echopaw yowled in surprise when she realized it was Mudfur. She could see silver outlines of stars in his pelt, and Echopaw mewed in astonishment.

"Welcome," The old Medicine cat said, stepping forward to smile at her.

Echopaw took a step forward, and the memory of when Mudfur died flooded back to her, and the prophecy Mudfur had whispered.

Listen for the signs of new, Echopaw recalled in her mind. Listen to the cat of sun and moon, or you may all perish, and StarClan cannot save you.

Echopaw looked up at the Medicine cat. Why was he even visiting her? She wasn't a leader, and she wasn't any more special than say, Waterpaw.

"You are my important than you think," Mudfur said to her, walking over to the apprentice and sitting in front of her. "StarClan has great plans for you."

"What does that mean?" Echopaw asked, standing up suddenly and looking Mudfur in the eye. "What plans?" She suddenly stopped, and her breath caught in her throat. "Was that prophecy about me?"

Mudfur considered that for a long moment. "That has not been revealed to me, and when it does I will decide when you are ready to know the truth." He paused, thinking thoughtfully. "The whole truth." 

"Why are you visiting me, then?" Echopaw asked, clawing at the ground and flicking her tail agitatedly. 

Mudfur flicked his tail and turned away, sitting down in front of a water puddle. Echopaw followed him and realized that Wavepaw was in it, her picture reflecting off the puddle.