Warriors: Powers of The Clans ~ Paws of Life (Book 2/6)

Chapter Twenty-Four

Many moons had passed since the death of Spottedstar. Emberpaw had earned his full medicine cat name, and was now known as Emberstorm. Mintpaw, Mousepaw, Hawkpaw, Daisypaw, Spottedpaw and Icepaw had also become full warriors, and were now called Mintspring, Mousetail, Hawkscreech, Daisywing, Spottedfeather and Icetalon. Honeypaw, Maplepaw, Rosepaw and Berrypaw had become Honeydrop, Maplestripe, Rosefur and Berryfoot. Dockfoot was beginning to feel as though she was getting old, now that her best friend's kits were full apprentices, almost nine moons old now, but she knew she had many seasons to come, as she was not even a senior warrior's age yet.

"Curledpaw, Thornpaw." Dockfoot warned, her growl mostly playful. Curledpaw and Thornpaw had become best friends, and Dockfoot finally figured out that Curledpaw had been reincarnated. She finally got to live her life, and she had grown close to Mintspring, a possible relationship in the midst. It made sense to Dockfoot, as Mintspring seemed to be heartsturkc when Curledpaw died, and they are the same cat. Marblefeather had given birth to Thornpaw only a few days after Spottedstars death, and she was fitting in well with the other apprentices.

"Thornpaw!" Sootstar called. "We are going to train!" Sootstar had become Thornpaws apprentice, and she was learning quickly.

"Curledpaw, that means you as well." Wintermoon called as well, his voice brisk as usual.

"Coming!" Curledpaw called as she stepped closer to Dockfoot. "Thank you." She whispered.

"For...what?" Dockfoot asked, her head tilting, and her heart speeding up.

"I have all my memories." Curledpaw beamed. "I know who I am, Dockfoot. I'm Curledpaw!" Dockfoot blinked.

"Well...that's...wow." Dockfoot gaped at the she-cat, her heart twisting with pain for the young apprentice that had to go through so much. Curledpaw was soon to become a warrior now, and Dockfoot was more and more anxious the poor apprentice would have another accident before then.

"I miss being Goldenfeathers daughter, and Icetalon and Spottedfeathers sister, but...there must be a reason that StarClan put me with my new mother." Curledpaw blinked at her paws. "I've always liked Mintspring...and I still do. When I died, I heard him tell me he had always loved me too...and now that I'm almost a warrior, I think we can finally be mates. He knows about me being Curledpaw, the first one and second one." Dockfoot finally understood, understanding why Mintpaw had been so upset. She was shocked that she was finding out officially of the apprentice being reincarnated after her nephew, but she shrugged it off.

"Well, I am very happy for you, Curledpaw. I'm glad you're living a good life." Dockfoot smiled. Dockfoot glanced outside to see it was darkening, and the rain was beginning to pound. No! "Oh, StarClan, it's storming. I was going to collect herbs. I suppose I still can."

Curledpaw had exited now, and Dockfoot came to realize she was speaking to herself. Emberstorm was out playing with some kits in the nursery while they were rained in, and Dockfoot would have to go alone. Dockfoot leaped out of the medicine den, and sighed at the wet rain. Not many cats were in the clearing, so it was easy for Dockfoot to get through quickly to the shelter of the tunnel leading out of camp.

"Dockfoot!" Sootstars mew rang through the loud rain. "Where are you going?" Dockfoot spun around.

"I need to collect herbs. Some rain won't stop me." Dockfoot said simply.

"Bring someone with you, it's dark, and dangerous." Sootstar argued. "Mossflame! Go with Dockfoot to collect herbs, it's a bit dangerous." Mossflame looked at Dockfoot, and awkward tension between the two as they padded out of camp and scanned the clearing for dock leaves. Dockfoot groaned inwardly as Mossflame just stood awkwardly, looking around as well. The rain has passed now, and heading away from all Clan territory. Dockfoot finally found the dock, and plucked a few leaves, stacking them and grasping them in her jaws.

"I don't need help." Dockfoot clarified, as she began to walk. Suddenly, she feels her paw hit a root, as she stumbled onto the tom. Dockfoot grew red, and got up, turning away, embarrassed.

"Don't need help, huh?" Mossflame joked. Dockfoot groaned to herself. Why are you making it so hard to not love you?

Dockfoot walked slowly next to the tom, and stopped short as clouds swiftly covered the sky. Suddenly, she saw a flash of claws, ripping through blood, and screaming, terror in the air. Dockfoot gasped, falling to the floor, as more visions of a battle flew before her eyes, a vision sent. "Its-its coming! We need to get back! The great battle is coming!" Dockfoot, listen carefully. You have one week to prepare for this battle. Call an emergency gathering between the Clans to prepare. The other prophesied cats don't know that you have a week to prepare. You must tell them.

Dockfoot raced as fast as she could back to camp, bursting into the clearing, and immediately looking for Sootstar.

"Sootstar!" Sootstar came into view, and rushed over to his sister, Mossflame close behind her. "The great battle is coming! The danger to the Clans is getting closer!" She had told Sootstar about the prophecy when he became leader, as Spottedstar had died.

"We need to prepare. Gather the Clan from their dens, I will call a Clan meeting." Sootstars gaze hardened as he leaped onto the high-rock.

"I was told by a StarClan cat we need to call an emergency gathering, as we have one week to prepare." Dockfoot informed, rushing up beside her brother. She had never been at the top of the high-rock, but this was important.

"ForestClan! A great danger is coming!" Sootstar called.

"We must prepare now." Dockfoot hissed down to the gathering cats. "And it begins with calling an emergency gathering." StarClan save us!