Ashwings legacy

Chapter 1

Ashpaw looked up at the sky, his fur rustling in the wind. He took a deep breath and smiled to himself, thinking about how he was blessed with the ability to live in Starclan among the warrior ancestors of the clans by the lake.
He hears a cat approaching behind him and his peaceful thoughts are shattered by the annoyance emanating from them. He sensed the cats bad attitude and instantly knew who it was. "Ashpaw, quit staring into the sky, it's time to train."
Ashpaw sighed, dropping his head in irritation in. "Skystar please..." Ashpaw cringed at the thought of more training.
He's been an apprentice for almost six moons, training under the very first leaders of the clans, and Skystar was the worst one of them all. Always working him until he dropped. "we trained earlier. Besides, this sky is way more pleasant to look at."
Skystar huffed but held his tongue as Thunderstar and Shadowstar walked up behind him. "Skystar, let him be. He's young." Thunderstar said, looking amused at Ashpaws witty comment.
Thunderstar was much nicer than his father, but still gave the same intense training.
Shadowstar walked up to Ashpaw and gave him a friendly nudge on his shoulder. "Don't worry about him, but there is one more thing we want to do for today, I think you'll be pleased." She looked at him with warmth and understanding in her gaze.
Ashpaws pelt burned hot at her gaze and he smiled back. "Sure Shadowstar, let's go then."
Skystar rolled his eyes and Thunderstar chuckled in amusement at his father's annoyance.
Ashpaw always listened to Shadowstar, she was his favorite out of his mentors. She understood him and his feelings. He felt at ease around her, different than any other of his mentors or other Starclan cats in general. He considered her his best friend, and even though she is countless seasons older than him, he relates to her a lot. They talked all the time, and every day he finds another new reason to admire her.
Shadowstar led the group to an open clearing and walked to the center, her tail swishing back and forth as she faced him. "Ashpaw, this will be your final test with us."
Ashpaw stared at her, but wasn't paying attention to what she was saying, he only watched her beautiful jet black pelt flowing in the wind, her emerald green eyes gazing at him entranced Ashpaw. He couldn't deny his feelings for her, but he was too afraid to tell her, because of how much older she was. She hadn't taken a mate while she lived but he doubted she would ever take a mate in Starclan if she hadn't already.
"Ashpaw? Did you hear me?" Her deep but silky voice snapped him out of his thoughts and he realized he hadn't heard a word she said.
He looked away and felt his fur burn with embarrassment as Thunderstar snickered at him and Skystar gave a disappointed sigh.
"S-sorry Shadowstar, could you repeat that?" He stammered nervously.
Shadowstar shook her head but smiled teasingly at him. "Of course, but please try to pay attention this time. For some reason you're only distracted when training with me, I wonder why that is."
She gave him a playful flick of her tail, indicating that she likely knew the reason Ashpaw was distracted around her a lot. His pelt burned even hotter as he realized this. "Now that you're listening, Ashpaw, I was saying that this is your final test. If you pass, you'll be made a full warrior."
Excitement quickly replaced his embarrassment as he listened to her words, his training would finally be over, and he would get his warrior name. He stood up straiter and looked up at Shadowstar with determination. "yes Shadowstar, I'm ready for anything!" He says with confidence.
Shadowstar nodded and gave him instructions on his final assessment. "This assessment is not to test your combat skill alone, but every mental skill we've taught you thus far as well."
Ashpaw listened intently as she spoke, anticipation building rapidly within him. "Somewhere in this forest, Riverstar and Windstar have taken some cats hostage, your task is to locate and free them without getting caught."
Ashpaws eyes widened and he began to look nervous. "Without getting caught by who?" He asked, but he felt he already knew, and the answer intimidated him.
Shadowstar smiled and gave him a challenging look. "By us of course,"
she gestured towards Skystar and Thunderstar. I knew it. I have to face off against the greatest warriors in history, alone! He thought to himself.
He knew it would be a hard challenge, but this was borderline impossible, even for him. "Don't worry Ashpaw, I have faith that you will do well." Thunderstar spoke, his voice gentle with encouragement.
Ashpaw took a breath and shook out his fur, steeling himself for the difficult test ahead. "Alright, I'm ready. When do we start?" He looked at Shadowstar and she narrowed her eyes in a sadistic smirk.
Ashpaw took a step back as he watched the three leaders ready themselves for battle, his hackles lifting as he sensed their impending attack. "Right now."