With vengeance running in the eyes of an evil spirit, Mushroom'paw knew that something was wrong, but it wasn't just because of Stone'star, no. The leader had blood on his paws in the fault of one cat who had spiraled out of control.
He was believed to leave and never come back after what had happened with his mother. Mushroom'paw felt queasy enough that he could barely sleep in the medicine den at night. What he didn't notice was River'lily's open eyes, sleeping on her side to keep her face hidden from her apprentice. She could tell he was still awake. Her eyes narrow at his limbs dragging along the floor as he picks himself up and walk right out of the den to catch some fresh air.
The skies were dark, but the moon was stuck behind the heavy clouds that can at least give the territories light to fend off the dark. He sees that a few warriors were out on dusk patrol, but many chose to stay and sleep in camp. There hasn't been any growth since moons ago, and some of the warriors and elders were still in the medicine den, leaving the clan to be vulnerable. It led to the tom thinking that Stone'star either wanted to help them or listening to River'lily's tangents that he was the reincarnation of the slain tiger back in the forest territories. He became conflicted with himself if he should believe the first option to be true. After all, MurkClan is dying from the inside, and out.
He leaves camp, dragging his paws along the murky waters that came with a stench that was worse than BeachClan's camp. He never thought he was a true cat to the marshlands when he hated neglecting his paws to whatever was lurking below him. His arms were now stained and even a few flecks of mud sprinkled onto his eyes which he would close them and try to work with nature for once. He could see a remote hill where the old tree took place. It had become a habit that he always clears his mind there to reflect off of the life he lives now. StarClan's lack of interference, made him feel loss of hope.
He collapses on the long grass as he makes his way up the hill, now staring into the void above him. A sinking feeling rain over his body, he would usually think about the stars a lot. With eyes of the ancestors that always stare back at him. He was told to never regret about his role, he was an advisor for his ancestors, and for StarClan. Mushroom'paw had the power in his hands, yet he felt driven by fear and unworthiness. Every little step he takes, whether is something approved or disapproved, those eyes in the sky were always watching. It was weighing him down to feel completely useless when StarClan doesn't respond back to their situation with the destruction of the moon cave.
But he could still feel those eyes behind the heavy cloud, as long as the spirit of StarClan remains, he will forever be watched with nothing that he could do other than to obey.
Or so he thought that StarClan was only watching.
His sharp ears began to move, his pupils dilated when hearing a noise of many shadows lurking in the territory. He body began to stir and move close to the tree when feeling a cold wind that causes his body to shiver. He faces to skies, pleading the eyes to do something to whoever may be prowling in the darkness. His silent prayer hoped the just will protect his body and spirit. But as he opens his eyes, there he is met with the rebellious of CavernClan. His claws unsheathed, and his bloody, mangy face appears from the waters where his blue eyes could pierce an innocent soul.
Like a white tiger pouncing from the darkness, Mushroom'paw yelps as he quickly dodges the rogue's attack. The others began to pursuit him as their long legs ran across the marsh going after his tail. The splashes were intense, with paws running forward out of desperation. The water drenches his fur which made it harder to escape, some parts were deep to reach to his lower jaw, but his long legs had given him the advantage despite the blatant hatred of getting his paws dirty. His heart races as the rogues began to run on the sidelines where the grass is moist, but dry from water. Their raspy voices taunt the apprentice.
"We'll put your head on a steak before you even know it!" Cut's voice shouts across the stagnant, murky, small ravine. The others began to laugh and mock the young tom's cries as he tries to make it towards the shore. "Leave me alone!" Cried Mushroom'paw, his anger being more evident in his expression. "River'lily's going to tear your throats out before you even know it!"
The other two rogues, Panther and Mamba began to track him down as their paws began to wrap around Mushroom'paw's hind legs. The apprentice's claws sheathes as he turns around to scratch Panther's face causing him to stumble and nearly drown. Mamba attempts to drown the apprentice, but he would wrestle with the tom. His strong legs kick his belly as his arm reaches for the shore. His sharp claws gave him to advantage to leap from the water and onto the ground. He could see Mamba and Panther swimming to the other side of the marsh, leaving Mushroom'paw with relief that he had got away from those rogues.
However, something went across his mind as he stares at the rogues disappearing. His heart was still pounding nonstop, and his body never stopped trembling.
He hears a low growl behind him, the white tiger returning with anger in his eyes when he hears a familiar name.
"River'lily.." He murmurs, before lowering his stance until he was close enough for Mushroom'paw to not notice him. He could remember it all, from when he first met her and another tom, to being exiled for good. He laughs to himself, feeling the power, he has on his paws. He wasn't going to let her live in peace, not after what they had done to him. "Consider this my retribution!" The rogue yells, now jumping at Mushroom'paw and scarring his chest, attempting to knead him down and kill him instantly. The apprentice was prey to him, and he had grown into claiming the title as the white tiger.
"Get off of me!" Mushroom'paw uses his legs in attempt to kick the white tiger away, but he was small and weak for the eyes of unbreakable ice. His claws graze deeply onto the apprentice's chest, creating an unforgettable scar. He remained silent while doing this, relishing the desperate cries before Mushroom'paw could become his next victim. But what he didn't notice was a shadow jumping from the sky, a scarred, tuxedo tom scarring both of Ice'watcher's shoulders and causing him to hiss and fall over.
"LEAVE HIM BE, FOX-HEART!"
The rogues notice their leader's failure as they see a similar tom who they tormented long ago. They began to run at the shocked apprentice and the tom who remained as hard as a statue. He never wanted to turn away; the fear had left his face the moment he had seen the monster that had broken a family. Quickly, he would take hold of the apprentice's scruff with his jaw and took off running with Mushroom'paw. Leaving the white tiger to watch his two preys, running away into the night from his claws.
This won't be the last he'll see them.
YOU ARE READING
𝘞𝘢𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘰𝘳𝘴: 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘉𝘳𝘰𝘬𝘦𝘯 𝘛𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘺 (BOOK 1) (ROS)
Fanfiction(This book is currently being rewritten, so I apologize for the confusion.) After the dreadful incident is what led to connections of StarClan to be destroyed. A warrior was unfortunate to be a part of that, leading to a self-exile from his home an...
