Ghosts of the Clans

Chapter 8

"Greetings, Antpaw. I see that you've resolved your differences with Heathertail," Thistleclaw greeted him once he'd opened his eyes to the Dark Forest. "Yeah. But anyway, what are we doing today?" Antpaw questioned, nervous energy fizzing in his paws. Thistleclaw cuffed him over the ear. "Stop being so impatient. Now follow me."

The spiky-furred dark gray-and-white tabby tom led Antpaw to a clearing where a massive odd-shaped rock stood in the middle. Cats crowded underneath the rock, all battle-scarred. Ratscar, Redwillow, Icewing and Beetlewhisker were among them. And there was a familiar brown-and-white tom...

"Harespring! You train here?" Antpaw exclaimed in astonishment. He was about to rush up and touch noses with his mentor, but Thistleclaw used his tail to block Antpaw's way. "Be quiet. Brokenstar is explaining the rules." he hissed before slinking away to the other Dark Forest cats.

"Cats of all Clans! Well, except ThunderClan anyways- Thornclaw isn't ready yet. Today, you Clan recruits are going to train with us Dark Forest cats! Too bad we have so little- all of us Dark Forest cats are longing to train with you!" a matted dark brown tabby tom was announcing. He waited while the murmurs quieted, then continued, "So, here is how it'll play out. Each Clan cat will have three Dark Forest competitors, your job is to win them all. I mean, it's practically impossible, but if you can, well, take my spot here! How to win- hold them down and bite their throat, gently if you please. We are training with unsheathed claws, but don't kill...yet. Begin!"

Thistleclaw led Antpaw to another smaller clearing. A light brown tom and a long-haired small gray tabby tom were already there, clearly impatient to start. "Smallpaw is your first competitor. Start now." Thistleclaw ordered, then retreated into the bushes with the light brown tom.

The small gray tabby tom faced him, dark green eyes glittering. Nervous suddenly, Antpaw swallowed. "How did you end up here?" A growl rumbled in Smallpaw's chest, but he replied, "I killed my Clan leader because it was a leaf-bare and I never caught any prey for my final assessment. So, when he delayed it, I killed him. Anyway, Tumblestar was a weak leader. I would have led ShadowClan better!" With that, he leaped.

Caught off balance, Smallpaw sank thorn-sharp claws into Antpaw's shoulders. Recovering, Antpaw tucked his hind legs in and pushed against his black-furred belly, throwing himself into a defensive roll. When the long-haired tom leaped again, Antpaw dodged to one side and hooked his hind paws from underneath him, unbalancing the gray tabby tom. Then, Antpaw batted at Smallpaw's ears, tearing their tips.

Growling, the small apprentice hurled himself at Antpaw, clawing at his chest. He retaliated by sinking his teeth into Smallpaw's foreleg, the gush of blood filling his mouth. Howling in pain, Smallpaw eyed Antpaw warily. Now, it was time to attack. Antpaw shot forward like lightning and pushed Smallpaw flat against the peaty soil, raking his spine. Then Antpaw sank his teeth -not too deep, as Brokenstat instructed- into his neck.

The long-haired gray tabby tom went limp. "Alright, Antpaw. That's enough." Thistleclaw nudged him sharply off the apprentice. Smallpaw heaved himself to his paws and limped away into the forest, holding his injured paw up. "Next, Rushtooth, it's your turn. And before you waste time again, he was deputy of RiverClan until another she-cat named Snowfern decided to take over and persuade his leader to let her be deputy. She was actually his mate, you know. Then well, Rushtooth killed her." he shrugged as if it wasn't important.

Facing Rushtooth, the light brown tom snarled, "She wasn't worthy of my love at all. As soon as our kits, Minnowpaw and Goldenpaw became apprentices, she took over my role. Oh, the satisfaction of killing her -then my kits as well." Then he pounced, slashing Antpaw's shoulders viciously. His bright green eyes glittered with menace.

Staggering under the weight, Antpaw regained his balance and clawed Rushtooth's cheek, feeling skin tear beneath his claws. Hissing, he then swiped at the RiverClan tom's eyes, but he dodged so that Antpaw's claws only skimmed the fur. Rushtooth proceeded to wrap his paws around his neck and shove him down. Antpaw scrabbled at his belly, but the light brown tom didn't budge.

Thistleclaw looked disappointed, but gave Rushtooth a curt nod. The glossy furred warrior let Antpaw scramble to his paws, then left. Thistleclaw cuffed Antpaw's black ear, letting warm blood flow out, then vanished into the forest.