Rising Greatness

Chapter 16

“We will leave for the gathering now!” Dawnstar’s voice pierced out. We started trailing through the woods with Drakenfur, Oceanheart, Shadowstorm, Dappletail, Ivyleaf, Flowerpaw, Rockpaw, Shadowtail, Nightgloom, Barkstripe, Ivyleaf,  and Daisypaw. She padded down through a narrow trail towards the island. As we walked along Drakenfur kept giving me devious looks. “I sure think he’s planning something.” I said. “Don’t worry. We’ve been trying to keep track of him.” Shadostorm said, flicking his tail on my shoulder. “I really don’t see how Dawnstar sees him for good.” I said. “She wants to be a good strong leader, and doesn't want to follow in the path Bluestar was on. She wants to see good in every cat, and deep down she knows that there’s a chance they aren't what they seem.” Daisypaw said. “Moonscar told me. She said that a medicine cat must always be there and be another voice for her leader to listen to. The deputy doesn't have Starclan's will in their dreams. She thinks very little of Drakenfur.” “Not yet. Daisypaw, why was I chosen to be the next deputy?” I questioned. “Well, it did say the rest was direct to you but this the clan must know. I figured you were told.” she said. “I think I understand now.” I said.
              “Cats of the Clans! We have urgent news!” Honeystar’s voice broke out the silence. Her fur was very thin and looked draped onto the small frame of hers. “Windclan is suffering a very hard food loss in our territory. Our queens and kits barely have enough to eat and our elders get what they can.” Most of the time Windclan was never open but she looked distressed. Her deputy was standing right beside her comforting her. “I’m afraid Riverclan has literally nothing to eat. The fish have gone and we collect very few Shrews. But our alliance with Thunderclan is protecting us.” Leapordstar said. Honeystar looked stern. “We don’t go begging. We will manage.” “Thunderclan has been hit badly this leafbare. I’m afraid we all have.” Dawnstar said. Ashstar stood up. “We have had little prey but.. We will make it.” He sounded worried and unsure, as if he feared talking about it. They looked hungry then the rest of all the clans. More talk went on but my attention shifted. Drakenfur was slipping away and out of the gathering place. He disappeared into the dark just like that. I wanted to know what he was slinking off to do but then I heard Daisypaw’s voice break out from the clearing. “Cats of the clans! I have urgent news on Thunderclan's behalf but it is for the sake of  all the clans!” The other cats turned their attention towards her standing below the high branches. “There is no way a medicine cat apprentice could have important news for all the clans!” Splashsong hissed. “Are we really going to listen to her, Leapordstar?” Another voice, which was Cloudystorm. “Let her talk!” Honeystar hissed. Everyone could tell she wanted news if it could help the clans. “Thank you. Now a few days ago our dear apprentice Lightpaw died. Although he didn’t die in vain, he died carrying an omen with him.” She started. “The warrior code must break in order for the Greatness to pass through and save us all. She must not have an apprentice and must become  deputy.” “Now who is this cat, must I ask?” Littleleaf questioned. Daisypaw looked up to Dawnstar, as if asking for permission. Dawnstar nodded her head to tell her it was okay. “Willowheart.” She said. All the clans got quiet and a hush came over every one, until a voice broke out. “She’s barely a warrior! Let alone an apprentice! She got her name early!” A Shadowclan warrior spat. It was the voice of Smokefall. He ran into the clearing and up to my face. Oceanheart ran over to meet him and they were face to face snarling, while I stepped forward to protest. “Enough! If these are Starclans words then we should listen.” Honeystar commanded. “Maybe there was a misunderstanding.” Ashstar said, looking down at his paws and worried. “Is there something wrong?” Leopardstar questioned. He was becoming the leader Riverclan needed, but a very stern and somewhat harsh leader who questioned any one's wrong doing. “Nothing. I can have my own opinion.” He said sternly. “Don’t question me.” “Typical Shadowclan.. Always going against what everyone has to say.” Leapordstar taunted.  The shadowclan leader snarled but it was Dawnstar who stepped in. “If we fight now our ancestors will give us no direct sign. If she saves our clan we must accept we need saving and must follow.” She said. I was overwhelmed. Now the whole forest knew this. “But what will Starclan think about breaking the warrior code?” Snowsplash asked. “Well they did give us the sign. We must do what they told us.” Daisypaw said. “I can tell you no more. At the end it said the rest lies with….” Dawnstar shot her a stern look. “The rest lies with starclan.” She said relentlessly. “So are we to wait around until this cat does something?” a Shadowclan tom questioned.  “Enough! Starclan has spoken, now there's nothing more we can do.” Dawnstar said. The leaders were finishing their conversations when a very odd but familiar smell filled the air. I saw some dark shapes slinking back into the dark braken. “What is that?” I mumbled to myself. “Don’t worry. No creature would fight this many cats.” Shadowstorm said, flicking his tail on my shoulder. “No somethings wrong. Terribly wrong.” I said. As soon as I jumped back around, Drakenfur was on the edge of the forest  with a bunch of other strong, well and healthy cats at his sides. There was no telling how many, but it seemed like three clans put together worth. “So you want to get rid of me?” He chuckled. The clan leaders tried to look fierce but their bones showed too much for them  look everything but fierce and mighty. “Who are these cats?!” Dawnstar called out. “Well some friends, you know Bone and Darktail still have kin that live right?” He hissed. Just then the black and white older tom padded up. He looked huge and healthy, his claws as big as a badger's it seemed and his muscles rippled under his pelt. Although a few gray hairs showed, he looked forever undefeatable. “I’m Russle, Bone’s son, new leader of the rogues. As I grew up I realized that I was never going to be treated with such disrespect as we were. We followed your “clans” into the mountains, and looked at what we found. Good food, good shelter. I promised my clan, BONE clan, we would never go hungry and be feared forever.” He huffed. “So let me guess.” I hissed. “You were so tired of being second in charge and knew you couldn’t force your way to be leader, so you decided you were going to dig up another group of cats and build a strong force so you could just ultimately be number one!?” “Well, looks like someone's dip in the river never taught her to keep her mouth shut!” Just then Lunafang stepped us hissing out those evil words. She looked like a warrior who had  two moons werth of scars on her. “Yes, smart pest. You’ve learned.” Drakenfur growled. “But I now think we should let you know everything we did, I mean ya’ll are all going to die anyway so better tell you.” He huffed, signaling his clan to sit but be ready to fight at a heartbeat. “So, we took over  Skyclan and have them prisoners giving them small little catches of food. Then we decided we would cover in the clan's scent and stir up some conflict there. Lunafang is a devious one for sure. Next we went after that kit, to scare the clans and blame Shadowclan. Next with all you guys fighting.” He laughed. “We stole the storage and supply of food. Windclan just was too ashamed to admit it, weren't you?” He teased. “I keep my clan strong. We will not be known as the cowardly clan even if we might be weak. We don’t crawl for help.” Honeystar hissed. “Once we made you weak and helpless.” He flicked his tail and all his warriors stood up. “We attack.” With that they all jumped down into the clearing and started fighting. I came face to face with Drakenfur, I knew he wanted me gone and rid of.  I jumped up as he dived and slid down his back as I dug my claws into it. He twisted around though, throwing me to the ground , giving me a gash underneath my shoulder. I rolled over and bit his leg before he had time to throw me. He leaped back and ran off, going to find the leaders. Coward! I thought. I jumped up limping around trying to find Lunafang. I knew she would kill even her old clanmates. I assumed she just wanted to prove herself brave and strong, because no one admired her for much. I realized how she could feel, but going out and joining rouges?! She must have felt REALLY bad. I whipped around seeing Daisypaw trying to battle a white brown and white tom. I leaped into action sending him tumbling away. Just then mighty claws raked my flank and twisted me to the ground. It was Lunafang! She had blood all over her ears and some on one side of her neck, a small gash in the back leg, but nothing much more. She looked so big and strong like their leader Russell, if not bigger. “I will finish you, and you can take your congratulations and bragging down with you!” She hissed, lashing out for my ear. Luckily, her belly was exposed. I twisted around and kicked her backwards. She still managed to claw my leg though leaving me in agony. When I sat up, she was racing at me about to leap on my neck when Shadowstorm leaped on her, knocking her to the ground. I laid there with blood wailing from my cuts. I laid there and closed my eyes. I wasn’t going to die, but I just needed to let my clan handle this one. I couldn’t move.
           “Shh, that's it, no don’t move.” I opened my eyes and realized I was lying in the medicine cat den, with the smell of herbs filling my nose. My body ached all over, and my cuts were numb. “What happened? Where's the rogues? Is the clan okay? What happened Daisypaw!” I asked. “Well for one they ran off after a while, but  Shadowclan left cowardly after they were given a stare by Drakenfur. Second the clan is all right, only a few others were injured but not like you. You took on two of the biggest cats in that battle.” She said calmly. “Am I well to go hunt and patrol?” I asked. “Calm down! You have only been resting for a night and a few hours,”She said. “If you can stand up though, maybe you can help organize the patrols. Drakenfur is gone.” She sighed. “Gone?” I said. Just then a gruff voice with a softer voice came into the den. “He left with the rouges.” the softer voice blurted. It was Oceanstorm and Shadowstorm. “The battle was tough and the clans had a hard time fighting all together, but we managed and pulled our weight. When the rouges left, Drakenfur hissed to Dawnstar ‘ I will forever haunt this forest with my life, and I will kill and over power us all.’” Shadowstorm said. “Fox Dung!” I hissed. “You know what this means?” I said. “You HAVE to become deputy.” Daisypaw said gravely. I gathered what strength I had and tried to rise to my paws. I was supported by Daisypaw and Oceanstorm. Once we walked to the entrance I could easily walk by myself and walked out into the clearing. If I had to give every breath I had to save this clan, this forest from any harm so be it. I was done without a peaceful life. I walked up below the high rock where Dawnstar was standing, and Planted my four legs firmly into the ground. “I will fight for this forest with every breath I breathe. Make me deputy, I’m ready.” I said. Cats poked their head out of the dens and some wandered out slightly. “Cats of Thunderclan, gather below the high ledge for a clan meeting.” She announced. I clambered up into the tree. “Tonight we will welcome our new deputy. Starclan spoke and she mustn't have an apprentice. This is Starclan's will and so it must be done as so.” She said, “I call upon our warrior ancestors to look down on this warrior. She has proven herself a worthy cat for this position, and, Starclan's will has led her here. By the powers of Starclan I hereby declare Willowheart, our new deputy.” I looked down at my friends, my family, my clan. I had to do this no matter what. It was for the sake of the forest that I carry on with my path. My life was what could finish this, and if that is what it took…. So be it. I was ready.