Warrior Cats: Darkness Rising. (2/3)

Chapter 18

"Cloverpool? Cloverpool, wake up!"

Cloverpool groggily opened her eyes as Twigkit, Petalkit and Ripplekit pummeled her with their soft paws. "What is it?" Cloverpool mumbled, closing her eyes again. "Hazelpaw, Icepaw and Foxpaw are receiving their warrior names!" Ripplekit mewed, delighted. Cloverpool sighed and heaved herself to her paws. "Have you been awake for long?" She yawned. She couldn't take her eyes off her kits. If she looked away for a heartbeat, they would be gone to visit Shadowclan only because of their curiosity. "What time is it?" Cloverpool asked. Rainsong stretched in her nest. "It's approaching sunhigh. Swiftstrike, Pigeonwing and Willowfern took their apprenticed out on their last assessment at predawn." She mewed as she padded to the entrance. Adderkit and Dewkit climbed out of the nest and scampered after their mother. Cloverpool pricked her ears when Bramblestar yowled the clan summons. "You have to wait here." Cloverpool mewed to her kits. Twigkit groaned and Petalkit glared up at her mother. "We never get to go anywhere." Ripplekit grumbled as he stomped towards their nest. Daisy padded towards them. "One day, you'll be warriors, and you can go wherever you like." She purred, nudging Twigkit. Cloverpool flicked her tail. "Thanks, Daisy." She mewed, giving the cream queen a quick lick on the cheek before hurrying out of the nursery. The whole clan was gathered. She trotted towards where Oakshade sat beside Swiftstrike. Swiftstrike gave her a lick between the ears. "Good morning, hedgehog." He mewed. Cloverpool nudged him affectionately. "Good morning, successful mentor." She replied, and purrs rose in both their throats. "Cats of Thunderclan, we have gathered here today to welcome three new warriors." Bramblestar began. "Pigeonwing, Swiftstrike and Willowfern have told me that their apprentices are ready to become warriors, and I agree with them." He mewed before beckoning the three young cats forward. Foxpaw led his sisters to their clan leader, their pelts spiked with excitement. "I, Bramblestar, leader of Thunderclan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code and I condemn them to you as warriors in their turn. Hazelpaw, Foxpaw and Icepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and to defend and protect this clan, even at the cost of your own lives?" He mewed. "I do!" The three cats mewed in a loud, clear chorus. "Then by the powers of Starclan, I give you your warrior names. Foxpaw, from this moment on, you'll be known as Foxtail. Starclan honors you for your independence and spirit." He rested his chin on Foxtail's forehead and the russet tom gave him a lick on the shoulder in return. "Hazelpaw, from this moment on, you'll be known as Hazelwhisker. Starclan honors you for your wisdom and loyalty." He mewed and rested his chin on her forehead and in return, she gave him a lick on the shoulder. "Icepaw, from this moment on, you'll be known as Iceflower. Starclan honors you for your energy and enthusiasm." Bramblestar mewed and performed the same move once again. "Foxtail! Hazelwhisker! Iceflower! Foxtail! Hazelwhisker! Iceflower!" The clan yowled, and the three new warriors raised their chins, chests puffed out. Swiftstrike's eyes shone with pride as he yowled his former apprentice's name. When the clatter had died away, Bramblestar continued. "Tomorrow night the moon will be full. Sparktail, Pigeonwing, Mousewhisker, Badgerblaze, Redfang, Cloverpool, Swiftstrike, Fernleaf, Iceflower, Foxtail, Hazel-whisker, Hailpaw, Squirrelpaw and Littlepaw will go to the gathering."

Badgerblaze, Mousewhisker and Pigeonwing padded ahead, Iceflower, Hazel-whisker, and Foxtail beside them, while Redfang kept pace with Sparktail, brushing close against her as though shielding her from the wind. Littlepaw, Squirrelpaw and Hailpaw were mewling excitedly to each other. Bramblestar and Icefeather headed the party while Cloverpool, Fernleaf and Swiftstrike trailed behind with Featherpaw and Alderleaf. As they followed the edge of the lake, small waves slapped the shore and farther out, foamy crests glowed in the moonlight. Bramblestar halted among the snaking roots of the fallen tree that crossed the water between the shore and the island. The scents of Windclan and Riverclan were fresh on the bark; they must be here already. Cloverpool pricked his ears. Faint mews drifted from the island. Icefeather jumped up nimbly and wove her way between the stumps and knots until she reached the other side. One by one, the others followed. Swiftstrike stood back as Cloverpool leaped after Redfang. In a distance, she could see Shadowclan padding along the shore, tails high. Finally, Bramblestar wove his way through the branches, and then they headed into the forest. Cloverpool pressed up to Swiftstrike, missing Twigkit, Petalkit and Ripplekit. Her heart ached as she remembered their wails when she left the Thunderclan camp with the other cats. "Do you think Bramblestar will tell the others about Renegades now?" Swiftstrike whispered in her ear. Cloverpool nodded. "Yes, otherwise, he hadn't taken Fernleaf with us." She mewed, remembering how furious Ivypool had been with Timberheart and Fernleaf after the two had fought. They emerged into the clearing. Tortoiseshell, brown, silver, black and white pelts shone in the moonlight as the cats wove themselves among each other, talking and sharing gossip. Cloverpool sighed when she saw that they wouldn't have any time to talk to cats from other clans. Bramblestar, Larkstar and Reedstar were all heading straight towards the Great Oak. Cloverpool sat down when Larkstar yowled. "Let's gather together under silverpelt!" She looked back as the trees behind them rustled, and a moment later, Shadowclan swarmed into the clearing like a large, dark cloud. Rowanstar shouldered his way through the cats and hurried towards the Great Oak. All the leaders looked very uneasy, and Cloverpool could tell that the cats in the clearing had noticed, judging by the anxious murmuring that rippled among the clans. "Larkstar, will you begin?" Bramblestar asked. Larkstar dipped her head. "Gingerspeck has moved to the nursery, carrying Newtscale's kits. Ferntail has kitted Pebbletail's kit, Violetkit." She mewed. "Nightcloud and Crowfeather have moved to the elders' den." She added before dipping her head. Cloverpool knew she didn't want to tell them about Harespring or Oatclaw. Reedstar stepped forward. "Brightsky has kitted Reedkit and Bubblekit and Crystalwhisker has kitted Pearkit and Nutkit." He mewed before stepping back again. "Crowflight and Pinenose have moved to the nursery. Ashleaf and Darkheart have earned their warrior names." He finished. Cloverpool flicked an ear. They were talking so fast! They must be hurrying to get back home as soon as possible. She guessed. Then Bramblestar stepped forward. "Rainsong has kitted Adderkit and Dewkit. We have three new warriors, Hazelwhisker, Iceflower and Foxtail." He began. "Hazelwhisker! Iceflower! Foxtail!" Mainly Thunderclan yowled their names, but Cloverpool could also hear a few yowls from the other clans. "Junipercloud has also moved to the nursery." He mewed. "Have you finished?" Reedstar asked the other leaders. "No." Bramblestar mewed. "I have more and shocking news for you, but they are not mine to tell." He mewed before nodding to Fernleaf. Cloverpool stiffened as Fernleaf slowly got to her paws. Surprised murmurs rippled through the clans as Fernleaf padded to the Great Oak. She nimbly clawed her way up and settled on one of the branches. It's like she belongs there! Cloverpool thought, pride swelling up inside her for her sister. "You must be wondering why we have invited so many rogues into Thunderclan lately." Fernleaf began. Some cats in the clearing nodded, and Cloverpool could feel tension in the air.

"There are two groups in twoleg place, and they call themselves the Renegades and the Strikes. When I was Ambermoon's apprentice, she took me to visit the Renegades many, many times." But before she could continue, yowls started to break out.

"Traitor!"

"Why?"

"Who are the Renegades?"

"Who are the Strikes?"

"How does this concern us?"

"Silence!" Larkstar's booming yowl echoed through the trees. "Thank you." Fernleaf murmured before continuing. "If you listen then all will be made clear for you." She mewed.

"Until I was almost a warrior, Ambermoon and I visited the Renegades at least 10 times per moon. I made wonderful friends, and I even fought when the Strikes and the Renegades clashed." She mewed. "Is that how you got blinded?" Waterpaw of Shadowclan asked. Fernleaf stiffened. "No." She mewed, looking down at her paws while Swanwing shushed at her apprentice. "But one day, the Renegades turned against us. They wouldn't let us leave. Ambermoon and I fought our way through, with help from Goldenclaw, Redfang, Nightstorm, Flailpaw, Flashheart, Firetail, Coalfrost, Sootfall and Junipercloud. And in return, I persuaded Bramblestar to let them join us. Coalfrost is now my mate, and Sootfall and Junipercloud are having kits together. Firetail died to save me, Junipercloud and Silverpaw when a few Renegades attacked my apprentice, Silverpaw, and me." She mewed. "But they have sworn that they will pick us off one by one, and I'm sure you have been wondering who killed Oatclaw, Harespring, Flamepaw, Beeflight and Sneezecloud. They also killed Boulderfur, Blossomfall, Birchleaf and Hareflight. But I can tell you now. The Renegades killed your cats!" Horrified yowls met her words. Fernleaf gazed over the cats, her face grim. "But why are they doing this?" Lakeheart yowled. Fernleaf met her eyes. "Because they want me." She mewed. Silence gripped the clearing. "What are we waiting for? Hand her over to the Renegades!" Breezepelt of Windclan yowled. Cloverpool gave a yowl of pure fury and she sprang to her paws. "Over my dead body!" She spat, and Breezepelt hissed back, eyes blazing. "Why do they want you?" Reedstar asked, his eyes thoughtful. Fernleaf looked at Bramblestar, and he slowly nodded once. "Because I am their way to defeat you all." She explained. "Why? Why do they want to defeat us all?" Foxflight asked. "They want the territories around the lake." She mewed. "Why don't we just find new territories, then?" Skyheart asked. Now Featherpaw rose to his paws. "I've received a message from Starclan." He mewed. Cloverpool pricked her ears. Featherpaw hadn't told anyone before. "You?" Goldengrass asked. "Yes. Starclan say that if we leave, or if the Renegades chase us out, we'll scatter, and the clans will break." He mewed. Uneasy and scared yowls broke out, and Cloverpool could feel her heart thumping. "But why is this all happening?" Rowanstar asked. Fernleaf glanced at him. "You must all know about Jayfeather, Dovewing and Lionblaze. They had powers. And just like them, I also have powers. I cannot be defeated in battle." She mewed. "No, you just kill your opponents." Rowanstar muttered. Fernleaf's eyes blazed, but with massive, visual effort, she flattened her fur and continued. "If the clans are to survive, we must defeat the Renegades and the Strikes when they attack." She mewed. "Will this be like the battle against the Dark Forest?" Icewing asked. Fernleaf flicked her tail as silence followed Icewing's voice. "I cannot say, as I wasn't a part of the Great Battle. But the twoleg place cats fight very viciously, they are trained to kill." She mewed. Cloverpool closed her eyes and pressed up to Swiftstrike. "How can we defeat them?" Swanfeather asked. Fernleaf lifted her chin. "We must fight terror with terror! We mustn't give them mercy, we must challenge the warrior code." She mewed. "But won't it be easy to defeat them? You say that the Renegades and the Strikes are sworn enemies. If we only have to fight one of them, won't it make it easier for us to chase them away?" Ravenwing asked. Fernleaf shook her head. "Renegade is the most manipulative cat I've ever known, and right now, I bet she is looking for cats to join her in forces. And the Renegades and the Strikes are rivals, just like Thunderclan, Shadowclan, Windclan and Riverclan." She explained. "Now, we must start training harder than ever, because the Renegades and the Strikes are preparing for war." Fernleaf mewed. She took a deep breath. "Look, Starclan chose me for something. And I will stand and fight till every last drop from my body has been spilled! But I cannot fight them on my own. Join me, and we'll meet them with teeth bared, our sharp claws outstretched and with such force that we'll send them squealing back to their twolegs and they won't dare put a paw near our borders!" She yowled. The clans exploded into yowls and shrieks, and Fernleaf lifted her chin and gazed at the cats beneath her with pride.