Splashflight's Mistake (book one)

Chapter 7

Splashkit smiled with pride as he was the first called up. Take that Morningkit! He thought with triumph and trotted up to the top, resisting the urge to run so Morningkit couldn't call him an over-excited badger when he toppled over on the way, which he surely would do if he was running. He turned to look out over the rest of the clan and puff his chest out with pride. "Splashkit," his mother began and he whipped around.

"Splashkit, from this day, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Splashpaw." She rested her muzzle on his, in a sign of respect. Then she paused what seemed like a lifetime before continuing. Splashpaw gazed out over the crowd. I hope I get a great mentor! His fur suddenly rose in anxiety. Oh no, what if I get someone mean? Will Morningkit make fun of me if I get the clan deputy?

"Your mentor will be Redstrike." She finished, and Splashpaw looked for his mentor. Part of him felt scared that Morningkit might sneer at him, but his fears were quickly overcome when he saw the clan deputy, standing regally in the crowd. Splashpaw watched him pad closer in excitement. Wow! He's a great mentor! I'm so lucky!

Redstrike padded forward and thrust his small nose gently towards Splashpaw and he smiled back. Touching his nose to his mentor's, he watched the rest of the ceremony, but it was all a blur. All he could think was, I'm finally an apprentice!!!

Soon his siblings stood next to him beside their new mentors, and they puffed out their chests proudly beside Splashpaw as the clan called out their brand new names.

"Splashpaw! Morningpaw! Dawnpaw!" They cried. Then their mother raised her tail for silence and called Camelpaw and Venompaw forward. The clan fell into a hush.

"And now, these apprentices have passed their warrior assessments with flying colors, and their mentors have informed me that they are ready to become warriors." Aquastar purred, flicking her tail. She paused to rest her chin on her forehead before continuing. "Venompaw, your name will be Venomrain. And Camelpaw is now Cameltail." Splashpaw was barely listening as the new warriors stepped back proudly, trying to think of what he was most excited for. Was it battle training? Hunting practice? Finally getting the chance to show Morningki- Morningpaw that he was strong enough to fend for himself? His mind whirled.

When the meeting finally ended, Venomrain ran over to Redstrike, a look of pride and joy on her face. They exchanged purrs quickly, and then she went back to her former mentor, leaving Redstrike to smile at Splashpaw while Splashpaw smiled back.

"Well, little guy, what first? Tour, or training?" He offered. His steel figure was surprisingly gentle once he broke his ruthless outer shell of solitaire. Splashpaw purred.

"Whatever Morningpaw and Dawnpaw aren't doing! I want to be first at something!" He declared, and Redstrike chuckled.

"I like your way of thinking, Splashpaw!" He purred, tail waving in amusement. "Tour it is then!" Morningpaw's mentor, Snowtip, and Dawnpaw's mentor, Treevice, were chatting together about training schedules, while Splashpaw scampered after his mentor, following him through the woods. They padded around, heading west first, Splashpaw asking millions of questions all the time.

"Whats this?" He asked as they passed a thornbush. "What's that?" He inquired as they trotted towards a little brook. "Oooh!" Something shiny caught Splashpaws eye. Too eager to train, Splashpaw ran up to a big bush, and then he pushed through it, into a large clearing. Redstrike ran towards him, fur puffed in alarm.

"Splashpaw, no!" He cried behind him as Splashpaw ran ahead towards a big, straight blue den. Then a growl sounded from a flap in the side and a big animal rushed out on two legs. It's massive hind paws thumped the ground and it swung a large object behind its hairy head, letting out an angered yell. Splashpaw scrambled backwards and yelped as a metal jaw closed around his hind paw.

"Ow! Redstrike, help!" He screamed, but Redstrike didn't appear. Instead the large animal swung its pink paws down next to Splashpaw's head, and he yelped, trying to move out of the way. Then the twoleg gave a grumble and dropped his weapon, tearing the metal jaw out of the ground and picking Splashpaw up. Splashpaw screamed. "Help me!" He cried, kicking furiously with his remaining legs. Then suddenly a fierce battle cry sang in the air and a cloud of cats hurtled themselves at the twoleg.

<terms>

Metal jaw= bear trap

Weapon= broom xD

Landmark in territory= hostile twoleg den

I will make a map and put it in the next chapter ^•^