The Forest Games

Chapter 4

Only two more days until the games. The training had ended and fear hung in the air. Dawnpelt stood up and yawned, awaiting to be tested. Everyone would individually show the Darkforest their skill and then they would be rated on a scale from 1-12. If you told anyone what you did, then you would be punished. It was Riverclan's turn and Shadowclan would be next. Ferretclaw sat down, away from the rest of the Shadowclan cats. None of them had seen him train. "Ferretclaw, want to join our team?" Applefur asked. "No." Ferretclaw replied. I understand he is mad about being in the game, but he doesn't have to ruin his chance of winning. Dawnpelt thought, feeling a little concerned for the tom. He had just become a warrior and had little chance of staying alive alone. Suddenly, the rock blocking the entrance to Shadowclan's den opened. "Dawnpelt is next." called a cat from outside. She stepped outside cautiously and saw Tigerstar, Mapleshade, Breezepelt, Brokenstar, and Thistleclaw sitting down, ready to watch judge how good she is in the training arena. Dawnpelt took a deep breath then walked over to the fighting station. She carefully put on the bone claws. Ok this better work. She thought nervously. First she torn her claws down a dummy. She turned around and clawed one behind her. So far the Darkforest warriors looked unimpressed. She thought of something that would surely get their attention. Dawnpelt flicked her paw, sending one of the bone claws into one of the dummy's necks. She did that again to two other dummies. She looked over to see surprise in Tigerstar's eyes, but it only lasted for a moment, until he meowed, "Ok your time is up, return to your den." Dawnpelt took off the remaining claws and padded back into the den to see Starlingwing padding out to test. "Good luck." Dawnpelt whispered.

Finally, everyone had tested. Now the results would be given to them in a puddle of water in the den. The cats peered into the water to see that there was a picture of Sunstrike with a 7 next to her. The picture faded and then they saw Nightcloud with a 10. Owlwhisker got an 8 and Emberfoot got a 6. For Riverclan Icewing got a 5, Graymist got a 9, Pebblefoot got an 8, and Grasspelt got a 7. For Shadowclan Applefur got an 8 and Ferretclaw got an 11. Everyone glanced over at him with surprise. Maybe he does stand a chance. Dawnpelt thought. Starlingwing got a 7 and Dawnpelt got a 12. She jumped back in surprise. I got a twelve! She thought excitedly. I might actually win this. Next up came Thunderclan. Dovewing got a 7, Ivypool got a 9, Spiderleg got an 8, and Thornclaw got a 10. After Thornclaw faded, Tigerstar appeared in the puddle. "Tonight is your last night outside of the games. Tomorrow you will be put on sixteen tree stumps surrounding a cornucopia. Inside there  is weapons, food, herbs, and water. If you go for it you will run into others, but have a chance to get game winning items. If you choose to run away from the cornucopia, you will live for the first part of the games, but may not have weapons or food. Somewhere in the games we will hold a feast at the cornucopia. There will be things that each of you need, and will fight for to get. May the odds be ever in your favor." Tigerstar meowed before fading from the puddle. Dawnpelt looked up at the others. "What should we do?" Applefur asked. "Go to the cornucopia. That is our only chance." Dawnpelt replied. The tributes settled down in their nests and fell into an uncomfortable sleep.