Warrior cats: Power of the Phoenix- Book One

Chapter 3 The Dream

   Phoenixheart stared down at the river, watching intently for any signs of a fish. After a few heartbeats of silence a ripple traveled throughout the river like how an echo would ring throughout a cave.

   Without a moments hesitation Phoenixheart leaped into the river, her claws sheathed, she expected to feel the cold scales of a fish, but instead her claws hit rock as she stumbled onto solid ground.

Phoenixheart darted her gaze around the new surrounding, both suspiciously and curiously. She didn't expect to hear a voice, let alone a familiar one behind her.

"Hello, my daughter." A soft voice spoke gently, Phoenixheart turned around to see the fluffy russet red she-cat she had met in the mountains as an apprentice, and the she-cat who she had eventually learned was her birth mother. "Ruby.." Phoenixheart meowed, both confusion and happiness welling in her heart. Ruby smiled warmly, but soon her face darkened.

   "I wish we could've met here only to share tounges my darling, but that is not the case." Phoenixheart tilted her head, concern making her pelt prickle. Ruby sighed, "I have come to ask for OceanClan's help."

   Phoenixheart nodded solemnly, feeling as though she needed to represent her Clan in this moment. "Did something happen in the Tribe of Burning Ashes?"

Ruby closed her eyes, taking a deep breath before explaining. "There's a cat that's killed many of us. Yes, I admit one cat doesn't seem like a challenge but it picks us off from the shadows. Rose believes that we will survive this, but winters are harsh in the mountains and I'm concerned that my Tribe won't survive through the next one."

   Phoenixheart looked down at her paws, scraping a claw across the stone in thought. "I'll speak to Heatherstar, Tribe blood runs through me, and I feel as though it's my duty to be both loyal to my Clan and my birth home." Ruby smiled, though grief dulled her eyes. "You really are just like your father.." She whispered, only then did Phoenixheart realize that her mother has slowly fading. "I must leave now, but remember no matter what you do I'm proud of you my darling. You and your sister."

   Phoenixheart smiled and nodded sadly as her mother fully faded away, she expected to be taken back to the river or even to her nest if this had all bee a dream but then she noticed a pair of deep purple eyes staring at her through the shadows. Phoenixheart pricked her ears, and took a steep back as the figure bathed in darkness growled threateningly. Suddenly she felt claws stab her shoulder as pain pierced her, she spun around to look at her attacker.

    "Ow! Hey, I was just trying to get you to stop wiggling." Phoenixheart opened her eyes to see her sister Maplewish staring at her grumpily, her fluffy fur, similar to their mother's, was knotted and puffed up. "I prodded your shoulder and you came at me like I was going for your throat," she whispered hotly, Pheonixheart sighed. "Sorry, just had a nightmare," she explained, quickly realizing that even the river had been a dream and that is was dusk. Maplewish's gaze quickly went from unamused to concerned.

   "I'm fine, honestly." Phoenixheart lied, she was still a little shaken up from the dream but she hoped it didn't show. Eventually Maplewish gave in and layed down next to Phoenixheart who purred. "I always win our arguments." Maplewhish headbutted her sister playfully, "only because I don't wanna listen to you whine all day." Phoenixheart just snorted quietly in response and nuzzled into her sister's fluffy fur, eventually drifting back to sleep. Thankfully she didn't dream again that night.

"Hey Wavepaw, have you seen Phoenixheart?" Frogpaw asked, arching his back in a stretch. It was almost dawn and he was suppose to be on the dawn patrol with his mentor.

   Wavepaw shook his head, taking another bite of a salmon he was eating. "nope, sowy Fwogpwa," Wavepaw mumbled with his mouth still full of fish. Frogpaw stifled a laugh, "alright then. If Rainpelt comes looking for me and her tell her we'll catch up with them." Frogpaw explained before padding off to look for his mentor.

   Frogpaw was walking past the waterfall that led into his leader's den when suddenly his ears pricked as he heard his mentors voice. "But Heatherstar!" Phoenixheart pleaded, Frogpaw inched closer to the waterfall hoping to hear more without his clanmates finding out about him eavesdropping.

   It was hard for Frogpaw to hear over the rushing water that sounded almost like thunder, he was only able to make out a few words in the conversation. "I can't spare any warriors right now.. It shouldn't matter where you.." Frogpaw whimpered, frustrated yet even more curious. "I said no, Phoenixheart." Heatherstar growled sternly. "As your leader you will respect my wishes." 

   Suddenly Phoenixheart leaped out of the waterfall making Frogpaw jump back in alarm and topple over his own back paws, falling into the sand. Phoenixheat stared at Frogpaw as he got up, embarrassment rushing through him. Phoenixheart just shook her head playfully and flicked her tail, ordering Frogpaw to follow her out of the camp so they could catch up with the rest of the dawn patrol.