Warriors AU (Shrewpaw x Squrrielflight)

Chapter 2

Shrewpaw padded silently through the forest, his paws brushing against the dew-laden grass. The moon hung high in the sky, casting an eerie glow over the landscape. The young apprentice felt a strange pull in his heart, guiding him towards a part of the forest he had never ventured into before.

As he pushed through a thick wall of ferns, he found himself in a clearing bathed in silver light. Shadows danced at the edge of his vision, and felt a chill run down his spine. Before he could react, the shadows coalesced into the shapes of cats, their forms barely discernible but their eyes glowing with an unearthly shade of blue.

"You." He replied coldly. "You're the one that said something of me... about a test?" Shrewpaw skeptically demanded, trying to sound braver than he felt.

"Remember your showmanship, kit. Just because we brought you back to the land of the living does not make you authoritarian." one of the shadowy figures replied, its voice echoing like a vacant cavern. "We have come to show you answers."

Shrewpaw's heart pounded in his chest as the shadows swirled around him. He tried to move, but his paws felt rooted to the ground. The air grew colder, and he saw a vision materialize before him. It was himself, older and stronger, racing across a standoffish meadow with cats of the many by his side, the closest to him being an older looking Squirrelpaw.

"What is this?" Shrewpaw inquired, but the vision continued. He saw himself taking on a big cat, the scene shifted, both falling into a deep and dark pit, both their bodies lying lifeless on the hard ground, his Clanmates wailing in grief.

"This is what awaits you," The shadowy figure said, its voice heavy with sorrow. "A future, of sorts. In the end it would be you to choose a life for a life, or a tranquil life."

Shrewpaw's eyes filled with tears. "But... why? Why are you showing me this? Who am I?"

The shadows began to swirl faster, and Shrewpaw felt himself lifted off the ground...

-

The sun began its descent, casting long shadows across the camp, Shrewpaw stirred from his slumber. He blinked sleepily, stretching his aching limbs as he glanced around the den. Cinderpelt was still up and about, rearranging herbs 'til she glanced at his direction.

"Oh good, you're awake. I want you to move so your legs won't shrivel under you." She insisted.

He looked up, perplexed. "What do ya mean?"

"Just try your best to walk, to get your legs working or they won't work anymore." She mewed pointing her tail at his legs.

Shrewpaw sighed. 'Why is she being so petty about this.'  "Alright." He mewed and dipped his head to her as he padded out of her den.

Outside, the afternoon light bathed the clearing in a warm glow, signaling his bones to shake off the last trace of his injury. As he watched Squirrelpaw's graceful stride across the clearing, his heart swelled with pride and a hint of longing. Memories of his first days as an apprentice flooded his mind, Firestar's cogent but soft tone when he called in his name as 'paw'. His parents' proud faces, Dustpelt's stern but approving gaze, and Ferncloud's gentle and loving smile.

He remembered the camaraderie with his brother, Spiderpaw. he was always serious and straight-forward, but there were times when he had his moments. Some moons ago he and Spiderpaw put a sharp thorn in their uncle's nest, Ashfur, and when he laid his haunches on it he screeched so loud even cats at twolegplace could hear. He blamed everyone and even vowed he will punish the one that did it. Until he found out it was his nephew's.

Immediately he looked at both the apprentices and was about to shout until one scowl from Dustpelt was all it took for Ashfur to hold it in. He reluctantly forgave the two and stalked off.