Mystic Stream; A Warriors Cats Fanfiction

Prologue (Goldenfern)

"Draw back!" Gorseclaw yowled above the screeches of battle as he turned to pelt away from the clearing. Goldenfern had cornered a furious, snarling ShadowClan warrior in the mouth a rabbit hole who was holding her ground despite being weakened from the fight. Goldenfern raked her claws across the silver tabby's ears before sliding back slightly so the she-cat, who she recalled as Hollycloud, could slip through and dart away into the heather. The rest of the ShadowClan cats followed, trailed by a few less battered WindClan warriors who were hissing and spitting at them ferociously in pursuit. The WindClan cats' yowls of triumph erupted like thunder on the otherwise silent moor. A few new warriors had appeared on the crest of the hill and were haring down through the tall, golden grass to help their injured clanmates. Kinktail, the WindClan medicine cat, was among them with his apprentice, Ashpaw, at his side. Satisfaction warmed Goldenfern's chest as she drew in shaking breaths. You'll think twice before attacking us again you snakehearts! The WindClan deputy thought, her paws itching to bolt after the ShadowClan cats and chase them off. She kneaded the grassy, blood stained floor with her claws. We'll be ready now- But her thoughts of bloodlust were interrupted by a tiny, weak gasp behind her. She whipped around and the brief, heightened feeling of merriment evaporated like clouds on a sunny day.

"Oh Ravenstar-" she whispered, her heart sinking in her stomach.

The dead leader laid before her, his head lolled at an awkward angle and his eyes glossy and unfocused. She groped for the words to a question she already knew the answer to.

"Was it..."

"His last life." Kicktail mewed, his voice thick with grief.

Goldenfern's paws quivered as she kneeled by Ravenstar's body. Pain deeper than any of the burning cuts on her pelt stabbed her heart when she pictured her former mentor earlier that day; strong, brilliant, and spirited, his glossy black fur gleaming in the sun as he gave orders from the center of the camp. She pressed her nose into his fur and closed her eyes, trying to breath in his scent one more time beneath the reek of blood and death. The cat at her paws was only a shell of the leader she knew; his fur was matted and bloodstained, his eyes were hollow and dark. He existed only in her and her memory now.

She watched as Kinktail wove in between the battered cats, dressing the worst wounds calmly and efficiently, the only sign he had lost the leader who had supported him his whole life was a slight tremor in his legs.

Exhaustion suddenly weighed at Goldenfern's paws. She had wanted to be leader ever since she could remember, but not like this. It all seemed like too much. All the long years, all the countless battles, all the loss, and for what? Maybe she was the wrong choice? All she wanted to do was go home and curl up in her nest beside Harespots in the warriors den but she knew she couldn't do that. She had a new den now. A new life. There was no going back, her clan needed her. The earth-shattering weight of her new responsibilities struck her like a claw to the nose. Everything seemed so hard now. It all seemed seemed distant and unreachable, impossible even. She would never be half the leader Ravenstar was. To think the proud she-cat had looked forward to this day.

Goldenfern met Harespot's mournful eyes across the clearing. She wanted more than anything to run up to him and explain everything but she knew he could never understand. He was a gentle warrior. He was docile, he was domestic and kind. He never understood Goldenfern's ambition to be leader. If she told him he would only tell her she would do great and encourage her. Follow her blindly. Ravenstar would've had some advice. She thought He could've helped me. But now he's gone. She had no one to confide in.

Panic gripped Goldernfern's heart so tightly that she had to take a deep breath to steady herself. She pressed her paws to the moor and imagining roots sprouting from them; holding her firm. This was her clan now. These were her warriors and they would stand by her no matter what. She would do this, not for her, but for them. She turned her head to the sky where it seemed a new star was already blinking in the twilight and the cold bleakness she had felt just moments ago melted away into a deep fiery determination, burning in her chest like a wildfire, warming her from ears to tail tip. Ravenstar, she called out silently to the night. If you can hear me, I promise that I will try harder than anyone to lead these cats and be the best leader I ever could be. I will never forget what you have done for me; what you have taught me, and I solemnly swear that I will avenge your death. She thought, anger rising in her chest ShadowClan will not get away with this. ShadowClan will not get away with this. ShadowClan will not get away with this. Over and over like an anthem, maybe even a prayer, as they stumbled back to camp under the darkening sky. Silently preaching to herself; signing her own personal oath as she repeated it every step of the way.

ShadowClan will not get away with this.

ShadowClan will not get away with this.

ShadowClan will not get away with this.