Super Edition - Fernstar's Betrayal

Chapter 4

Fernpaw leaped onto Ospreytail's back and gently shook his tuft. The tom stumbled back, as Fernpaw turned to the warrior's side, and slid her paws down his stomach. Ospreytail leaped away, and jumped backward, kicking off from a tree, and landing on Fernpaw, pinning her down. Ospreytail gently nipped at his apprentice's neck, mimicking a killing bite. "Nice try. Next time, try to be a bit swifter." Ospreytail spoke.

"What was that move you use?" The orange-splotched apprentice mewed in response.

"That was the Jump and Pin. I'll teach you that when you're older." The tom said. "For now, why don't you practice with Stonepaw?"

Fernpaw trotted over near Stonepaw and Leopardheart. They were also practicing battle moves. Fernpaw sat down nearby and listened. Stonepaw used a front paw blow on her mentor, then slid under her, raking her belly. The deputy then lightly bit down on her apprentice's ear, and swiped her paws at her face. The silver apprentice paused, then nipped at Leopardheart's spotted paw. Leopardheart let go of her apprentice, as her apprentice knocked her sideways with a back kick.

"Good job, now how about you spar with your sister?" The deputy suggested. Fernpaw and Stonepaw circled each other, until Fernpaw finally leaped forward, pinning down her littermate. Stonepaw then jabbed her paws into Fernpaw's chest. The black apprentice yowled and staggered off of her sister. Stonepaw then tried to back-kick her littermate, but Fernpaw leaped out of the way and nipped at Stonepaw's lashing tail. Fernpaw then swiped roughly at Stonepaw's flank, knocking her over.

"Good sparing." Stonepaw purred.

"Good sparing indeed. I might as well teach you the Jump and Pin now." Ospreytail passed over. Ospreytail and Fernpaw soon trotted deeper into the forest. They soon found a marshy-open field, with tall, sturdy trees. "Now, what you do is leap backwards, and push off a tree. Then you aim for your opponent, with your claws stretched out." The SwampClan warrior leaped back, and bounced off the tree, keeping his claws stretched in front of him. He landed on a large rock, scraping it. Fernpaw tried to mimic her mentor's move, yet she missed the rock and tumbled onto the wet grass.

"It can be difficult to master. It takes lots of practice. Why don't we practice a bit more?" Ospreytail recommended. Fernpaw kept trying, but missing. She took a short breather, before trying again. She leaped backward and bounced right off the tree. Something then suddenly stood in front of her, and she smashed head-first into it.

"Woah!" The cat mewed. That cat was none other than Marshpelt. "Watch where you're practicing!" The she-cat growled. "You made me drop my frog!"

"Sorry Marshpelt, I was just practicing the Jump and Pin." Fernpaw awkwardly chuckled.

"The Jump and Pin? I didn't learn that until it was almost time for my final assessment!" The golden warrior stated. Fernpaw's dark ears perked up, a gasp escaping her muzzle.

"You are almost twelve moons old." Ospreytail chuckled.

"I'm going to be a warrior soon?" Fernpaw gasped.

"Yep. So keep practicing those moves." The tom purred proudly.

"But you didn't eat all day!" Marshpelt exclaimed. "Here, take the frog. I have two voles waiting for me on the way back." The she-cat tossed the frog towards the apprentice, before trotting back towards camp.

"Maybe we should stop for the day. You could help Yarrowfall clean out the elder's den. Once you finish that frog, you can come back to camp. I'll meet you there." Ospreytail trotted off.

Fernpaw was munching down on her frog when she suddenly felt a small jaw chomp in her tail. She'd yowl, and snap around, to scent four marsh raccoons surrounding her. One raccoon snatched up the half-eaten frog, the second one claws at her chest, and the third one but her sides. The fourth one held on to her tail. Fernpaw screeched, clawing at one of the raccoons.

Shrubs ruffled up ahead. Two new scents jump out. Jaysong and Marshpelt! Fernpaw recognizes their scents. The two warriors bit down on the raccoons and threw them off the blind apprentice. The raccoons regrouped and charged again, but Fernpaw managed to claw a raccoon's back, wounding it. The raccoons finally decided to scram. "Thanks for the help, you two." Fernpaw turned towards the two warriors.

 "Don't count on me to save you every time," Marshpelt started, "But you're welcome."  The three SwampClan cats started padding back to camp. "Hey, Fernpaw," Marshpelt sighed. "I'm sorry for being so nasty and mean to you. I was wrong. You will make a great warrior. I was just jealous that you were better at hunting than me." The golden warrior looked away, then trotted ahead. Fernpaw felt her heart flutter.

"I forgive you, Marshpelt," Fernpaw whispered under her breath.