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Post by -- .WillowStar *x on Jul 16, 2007 23:46:17 GMT -5
Patchpelt obediently followed his leader into the dark carvern of Mother Mouth. The blackness enveloped him almost instantly and he found himself blind to all movement and sense of direction. All he could do was follow the scent of the others and use his whiskers to keep from slamming into the rock walls. Somewhere infront of him, the old warrior could hear the hushed voices of Rowanstar and Lightstar. Curiosity pricked at his mangy pelt. What could the two leaders have to share with each other? Although the trip to the Moonstone was always a peaceful time, it did not change the fact that ThunderClan and ShadowCLan were rivals. Still curious, but unwilling to pry, Patchpelt shook himself roughly and focused once more on navigating through the dark, narrow passageway. ~~ Willowstar shuddered as she watched the other three leaders and their companions vanish one by one into the dark tunnel. Before following, the RiverClan leader gave the surrounding area a quick glance. Everything seemed fine- for the moment- but she still felt uneasy. It was unlike her, or any of the leaders for that matter, to feel unsure about visitng their ancestors. It seemed as though a dark storm cloud were hovering just short of them, waiting for the opportune moment to unleash its thunder and send rain crashing down upon them. But waiting for it to hit was worse than the danger itself. Unsatisfied and still unnerved, Willowstar nodded to Crowfur and Fallenleaf and slipped into the darkness. Inside it was completely black- she couldn't see past the tips of her own whiskers- and there was a damp chill in the confined air that sent shivers along her spine. She found herself relieing on her senses alone, keeping track of the rest of the party with nothing but her nose and her ears. Every now and then she would bump into a wall or crash into the warrior infront of her; there was so little space in the passageway that it was hard to react in time. They seemed to walk for hours and the air was getting colder with each step they took. We must be close to the Moonstone by now, Willowstar concludedanxiously. Had moonhigh already passed? Had they missed their chance to speak with StarClan?
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Post by †.Gryphonstar.† on Jul 17, 2007 19:21:35 GMT -5
"Patience, Cassiel" Bane answered, voice barely a hiss. He studied the leftover small cats, eyes darting to the enterance of the cavern once and a while. If they attacked soon; the others would come out. If they waited until the others went deep into the cave...it would take longer for them to come back out...
"Besides...what is the rush? They are, after all, just puny creatures. No harm." he added, narrowing his gaze dangerously for Cassiel to shut up.
---
Gryphonstar headed deeper into Mothermouth, stopping after a short distance. He hadn't been here since his naming ceremony with StarClan...that brought back memories. It was a surprise that he remembered the way.
Sensing the others behind him, he looking back over his shoulder, then his gaze found the Moonstone infront of him...
The WindClan leader heaved a sigh.
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Post by Rowanstar on Jul 19, 2007 21:05:21 GMT -5
Cassiel surpressed a snarl at his leader. He had a point, of course, but Cassiel was getting anxious. Though they were just tiny little creatures, the fact that they were intruding still rubbed his fur the wrong way. He was just about to voice his thoughts when he saw the look he was getting from Bane. Cassiel withdrew his head, his top lip curling. Fine, he thought arrogantly. Impatient, the young mountain lion kneaded the ground with his long, black claws. ~ Rowanstar was so absorbed in his thoughts about the danger he knew they all were in that he nearly crashed into Gryphonstar. Grumbling, he looked past the WindClan leader's shoulders to see a large, grey stone glimmering slightly in the dim light that was filtering into the cavern. There wasn't much light, but Rowanstar knew that the crescent moon would be overhead within minutes. They had arrived just in time. Flicking his tail for the rest of the party to stop, the ShadowClan leader began to pad into the wide cave. However, it was only seconds after he had moved a paw that he realised the other cats were still in complete darkness and wouldn't have been able to see his signal. Rowanstar let out a grunt as a solid object crashed into him. He heard a mumbled apology from the fiery pelted ThunderClan warrior called Flameheart. Snarling, Rowanstar turned on the young warrior. "Didn't your leader just tell to use your night senses?" he hissed in Flameheart's face. Sniffing with distain, the dark tabby tom continued on until he could breathe easily. Though the air in the Moonstone Cavern was still stiff and confined, it was much better than being in the cramped tunnel. Rowanstar sighed with relief, then moved out of the way of the tunnel exit.
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Post by Lightstar on Jul 20, 2007 14:48:56 GMT -5
Lightstar herd the swish of Rowanstar's tail to stop, so she did. she also herd Flameheart crash into Rowanstar. She found her way to her warrior and whispered, "Don't worry, you'll be able to see in a minute. be silent when we enter." she added. She left the entrance after Rowanstar, and could barely make out the moonstone. The moon should come out soon. _______________________________________________________________ Rain stalked up to Casseil and bane, her yellow eyes glinting maliciously. "Clan cats ey?" She hissed. She lied down, and waited for an order to attack.
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Post by †.Gryphonstar.† on Jul 31, 2007 19:57:24 GMT -5
"Don't give me that, Cassiel, or I shall claw you raw" Bane snarled silently, whipping his head around to face the other lion. He noticed the look on the other's face; and didn't like it when people questioned his orders. Especially since Bane was going to entrust Cassiel with something important.
He didn't even look in the direction of Rain, ignoring her completely. He waited until the voices inside the cave were gone, as were the scents of the cats growing faint.
Turning to Cassiel, he growled; "You are to attack those cats. Kill them. When the others come out; kill them too. It's so simple even you can get it right. Do not fail." without another word he slipped away.
If these cats are here...then others are near as well... he thought, narrowing his eyes. Checking the other territories seemed like the best bet.
---
Lynxclaw yawned softly, stretching her front paws in boredom. The leaders and medicine cats had been in there for awhile...and there was nothing to do out here.
Suddenly; something caught her eye. A flash of light brown against the frolic. Turning to the group, the only one to notice besides her was the RiverClan warrior, Fallenleaf. He nodded briefly to her, rose to all fours and silently made after the unknown creature, Lynxclaw keeping a brisk pace behind him.
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Gryphonstar frowned; knowing there wasn't much time left. They had to do this quickly. He padded to the Moonstone and lay down, flicking his tail to the others. The ground was cold and bare, and what little light didn't help either.
"Only medicine cats and leaders" he added, resting his gaze on the warriors "the rest keep watch."
He turned his eyes back to the stone, and pressed his nose to it...
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Post by Lightstar on Aug 1, 2007 14:39:45 GMT -5
Lightstar stepped quiety over to the stone and lied down. She looked at Rowanstar, only seeing his eyes in the darkness. She touched her nose to the stone, feeling its icyness. She waited for the other leaders and medicine cats to join her, and waited for the moonstone to light. _________________________________________________________ Ravenstreak was walking back from taking Winterflight to camp, when he saw Lynxclaw and Fallenleaf run by, "Lynxclaw?" he called. he followed the she-cat till he was beside her.
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Post by Rowanstar on Aug 3, 2007 17:18:50 GMT -5
Cassiel was taken aback by Bane's words. He frowned and inclined his head, hesitating for a moment. Was he really bloodthirsty enough to kill innocent creatures who clearly had no chance of defeating him? However, this momentary stall was over-come by his ego, and he decided to take up Bane's order. After all, Cassiel wasn't about to back down in front of members of his Pride. Just as he was about to slink down the shallow hillside, he saw one of the guard-cats nuts position and look directly at where he and the other lions were hiding. She sat still for a while and Cassiel figured that she didn't suspect anything; until one of her comrades nodded to her and the two of them flitted up toward their hiding place. Then, from the brambles came another small cat, who seemed surprised to see the two others leaving their posts. Cassiel growled in a low rumble and eyed the two cats as they crept up the hill. It was now or never. With a tremendous roar and claws flashing in the moonlight, Cassiel lept from his hiding place and hurled himself at the two small cats, inch-long fangs glinting and dripping. ~ Dawncloud looked around as she heard a rustle. Lynxclaw of ThunderClan had gotten to her paws, and not far ahead, Fallenleaf was padding up the small hillside to the forest beyond. They passed Ravenstreak, who was obviously returning from escorting Winterflight. The light brown ShadowClan warrior frowned. Why were Fallenleaf and Lynxclaw leaving their posts? It was nearly moon-high and the leaders wouldn't be much longer. . . Then she noticed something. There was a flicker of light brown behind a large bush. Was it the fur of an animal? Dawncloud couldn't be sure. But before she had time to mull over what could be out there, a huge, monstrous creature lept from behind the bush she had just been looking at. It looked like an enormous cat, with long fangs and glittering black claws. Then she realized what it was and her heart skipped a beat. It was a mane-less lion, just like their ancestors of LionClan. The thing that had been threatening the Clans, the reason Dawncloud and the others were here. That thing. . . that huge cat, was what they were all up against. She lept to her paws when she realized where the lion was headed; its sharp, curved claws were aimed at Fallenleaf and Lynxclaw. She raced forward, heart beating in her throat and blood pumping. "LYNXCLAW! FALLENLEAF!" she cried, her voice desperate and terrified, "LOOK OUT!" ~ Rowanstar frowned again and looked up at the hole in the ceiling of the cave. The moon wasn't at its highest point yet, and they were running out of time. He shook his fur quickly, preparing for the lengthy time of lying next to the cold stone. He noticed Lightstar look back at him, and grinned grimly at her, though he knew she couldn't see him. Cursing his own weakness, Rowanstar padded up to the Moonstone. He chose the spot beside Gryphonstar, hoping that if he put distance between himself and Lightstar, he might be able to distract his thoughts from her. He crouched down, gasping at the feeling of the cold rock on his stomach. He closed his olive-green eyes and pressed his nose to the icy rock. ~ Littlewing stood silently beside Crowfur. The other medicine cats was completely invisible in the cave, despite the dim light of the moon, his black fur melting into the darkness. She took a deep breath and jerked her chin in the direction of the Moonstone. Obviously Crowfur picked up her subtle movement and followed her to the white, ice-like rock. The two medicine cats, WindClan and RiverClan, lay down beside each other and touched their noses to the Moonstone. Thought she was expecting it, Littlewing couldn't stifle the gasp as the cold from the stone spread through her small body and made her whiskers tremble. She heard Crowfur shift beside her. The leaders and medicine cats lay in darkness and silence, waiting for the moon to rise in the sky and let its light spill into the small cavern and send them all into dreams from StarClan. But how long would they have to wait? Littlewing was getting more anxious by the second. Her heart beat a little faster as she heard odd sound issuing through the tunnel from the outside world. Was that a roar she had just heard? Whatever it was, she had forgotten it in a second, because a new, louder sound reached her ears. It was the unmistakable sound of a frantic yowl. She recognized the cry as that of Dawncloud, Rowanstar's younger sister. What was going on? ~ Flameheart crept forward, nodding to Lightstar reassuring. He still couldn't ignore the irritated look on Rowanstar's face, but followed the rugged dark tabby into the cave nonetheless. The moonstone before him looked almost nothing like a stone at all; rather like a large chunk of ice, glittering in the dim light. He watched in awe as the four leaders and the medicine cats approached the rock, lie on the ground and touch their noses to the rock. Flameheart had been expecting something fantastic to happen; perhaps the ghosts of their ancestors would fill the cave, or the voices of so many warrior before them would reverberate of the walls. But nothing happened. The leader lay quite still and the cave still remained utterly pitch black. Flameheart sighed in disappointment. He noticed Littlewing's ears flick toward him, and he wondered nervously if he had interrupted something. Then he realized that it wasn't him she was listening to. Like smoke rolling over open land, the sound echoed through the long, dark tunnel and filled the cave. It was the one sound Flameheart had hoped they wouldn't hear on this journey. It was the terrified, panicked shriek of a cat.
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Post by Lightstar on Aug 3, 2007 17:31:17 GMT -5
Ravenstreak let out a panisked yowel as the large monster lept at the other clan cats. As quick as he could, he knocked the two out of they way before the lion got them. His grayish black pelt standing on end. Lightstar waited, then there was a flash as the moon appered over the cave, making the stone glow brightly, the cave filled with light. The she-cat waited, and then she was sitting in a alrge clearing. she saw herself asleep, and the other leaders and medicine cats below her. She looked around, and saw a redish figure coming towards her. She stared in awe, as the figure of the greatest leader ever appered. Firestar of Thunderclan.
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Post by †.Gryphonstar.† on Aug 3, 2007 21:50:38 GMT -5
((ooc: Gaah! I ment to attack the other ones, Rowan! >> -was going to be gone for two days- You is lucky I am back early!))
Lynxclaw took in a sharp breath as a large cougar appeared. She had seen these things before...they appeared near the mountains. Twolegs feared them; these creatures attacked even them...and this one was coming straight for her and Fallenleaf.
She spat, cursing her own stupidity, and with a snarl; she leapt at Cassiel. Show no fear. The cougars got startled when one jumped back at them. It would hopefully confuse the beast long enough for the others to catch up.
Unsheathing her claws, the bengal she-cat took a vicious swipe at the cougar's eyes...which very well could have been aimed at his cheek, her paw small compared to his head.
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No! What are you doing?! Fallenleaf thought, watching Lynxclaw fight back in desperation. He hesitated to join in, but did so reluctantly. The RiverClan warrior rushed around behind the mountain lion and jumped, aiming to cling to Cassiel's back.
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Something was wrong.
At once; everything was silent. Pitch blackness covered his vision. He couldn't see his warrior ancestors...he couldn't see anything; not even the paws infront of him.
Gryphonstar began to panic, but found himself unable to move. His body was weak...so very weak. He couldn't even struggle.
StarClan...what's...going on? he thought, trying to seek reassurance.
((ooc: Something gone wrong with Gryphonstar's speech with StarClan, as you can see. He'll be like this for awhile.))
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Post by Rowanstar on Aug 4, 2007 13:19:06 GMT -5
((OOC: OOPS! Sorry, Gryph! Okay, lemme see if I can fix this. . .))
Cassiel paused for a fleeting moment as the female cat flung herself at him. He snarled as he claws raked just below his right eye, then turned on her, growling with intense fury. He was about to leap at her, claw at her face and flanks, when sharp claws dug into his back. He smelled the fear scent of another small cat; the one that had accompanied the female. He spun around, trying to shake off the other cat. He rolled over on to his back, attempting to crush the male with his weight. Cassiel then rose to his paws, swiped at the she-cat, then raced down the hill for the other cats. A light brown one, slightly smaller than the female whom had just attacked him, was staring in utter terror. Baring his fangs, he raced at the small cat and aimed a blow at the side of her head. He felt his huge paw collide with her head and watched as she fell to the ground. Then, he turned and charged at the remaining cats. ~ Dawncloud watched in horror as Lynxclaw leaped at the giant lion. She gasped when Fallenleaf jumped on to its back, and cried out when the lion rolled over. She was so stunned that she barely had time to move once she realized that the lion was racing toward her. Before she could do anything, she felt its huge paw hit the side of her head. Dawncloud fell to the ground, dust rising up around her. Blackness danced at the edges of her vision, and stars flashed in front of her eyes. Desperately trying to stay conscious, she heaved herself to her paws, then nearly fell over again as she watched the lion race at the others. What were they going to do? ~ Rowanstar continued to lie in utter darkness, waiting for the light to wash over the stone. He shivered, and his muscles were already beginning to ache from lieing in the same position. Just when he was about to raise his head and shift his legs, he was pulled suddenly into more darkness. He couldn't see a thing, and the silence was pressing against his ears. There was barely any air and he only managed strangled gasps. This was not normal when visiting StarClan. Rowanstar thought that he might suffocate from the pressure on his chest, then he was thrown brutally upon a rock face. He groaned and lay still for a moment, feeling the pain spread over his body. Even before opening his eyes, he knew that something was different. The air was freezing cold; even colder than the cave and the Moonstone. There was a vicious wind that whipped his fur and stung his lungs when he breathed in. Finally, Rowanstar opened his eyes. He gasped at what he saw. He was lieing on a ridge on a tall mountain, his paws inches from the edge. He peered nervously over the cliff, and saw nothing but darkness below him. The horizon ahead of him was red as blood, the orange orb of the sun hidden behind black trees. Suddenly, a horrid sound reached his ears. A roar and the shriek of a cat in agonizing pain. He looked around for the source of the sound, but saw nothing. What was going on? Where was StarClan? Was he even in a place where StarClan watched over him? Rowanstar felt utterly lost and desperately wanted to go home. He wanted to leave this land and curl up in his nest. Normally, he would have cursed himself for feeling so weak, but he was so terrified. He suddenly found himself thinking of Lightstar. Where was she? Had she entered the same dream as he had? It all seemed to vivid, Rowanstar could hardly believe that his body was lieing in the Cave of the Moonstone, in an uncomfortable position with his nose pressed against the stone. Suddenly, the shriek sounded sounded again. But this time, he saw where it was coming from. Looking out to the bloody horizon, Rowanstar saw a fuzzy image of a huge lion, its inch-long fangs dripping with blood. But what scared the ShadowClan leader the mot was what was hanging limply from its jaws; the body of a slim silver she-cat. Lightstar! Rowanstar cried out in horror and pain, and closed his eyes to the sight. Another shriek. He recognized it this time. It was his sister, Dawncloud. Where was she? Was she being hurt too? Tears stung at the edges of his eyes, and he shook his head. Wake up, Rowanstar, wake up! He tried desperately to wake from his horrible vision, but he could still hear the howling wind and the scream echoed in his ears. "StarClan!" he cried, "StarClan, where are you? Please help me! Help me!" As if answering his strangled cries for help, the wind stopped abruptly. Rowanstar was warm immediately and the ground under his paws was changing. The cold, hard rock was morphing into soft, swaying grass. Though he should have been comforted by this sudden change, Rowanstar was shaking. His breath came in short gasps and a single tear rolled down his tabby-marked cheek. Then, he felt a soft touch on the top of his head and he opened his eyes. He was in the Four-Trees clearing, and he heard the soft chirps of birds. No screaming, no roars, no wind. All around him, the glittering shapes of the warriors of StarClan stood and watched him with star filled eyes. Rowanstar saw some he recognized: Tawnypelt, the pretty tortoiseshell she-cat and daughter of the cruel Tigerstar; Runningnose, the former ShadowClan medicine cat; Nightstar, an old grizzled black tom who once lead ShadowClan; Littlecloud, another past ShadowClan medicine cat; and Tallpoppy, a beautiful queen. But the two warriors that caught his eye were the two standing before him. Mothdust and Thornfang, his mother and father. Mothdust, her beautiful light brown fur glistening and stunning green eyes gazing lovingly down at her son, had been the one who touched Rowanstar's head after he arrived in the clearing. Thornfang stood, his broad shoulders higher than those of any cat Rowanstar had every met. His father's light tabby pelt shone and his olive-green eyes danced happily. His broad chin was raised as he stood beside his mate, watching Rowanstar with pride. The ShadowClan leader stared up at his parents, his mouth hanging slightly open in astonishment. Mothdust laughed, her voice ringing around the clearing. Thornfang bowed his head to his son, and meowed in his deep voice, "Welcome, Rowanclaw. We have been waiting for you." Rowanstar got shakily to his paws, still staring at the two warriors. It had been so long since he had seen his parents, he had almost forgotten how much he looked like his father, or how beautiful his mother was. Mothdust took a graceful step forward and licked her son's ear. "Rowanclaw. You have grown so much." Rowanstar was still so shocked that he could only manage to say one thing: "It's Rowanstar now." Thornfang chuckled. "Of course," he meowed, "I knew one day you would become leader of ShadowClan." The large tabby tom gazed at his son for a few moments more, his expression happy and proud. Then, his smile fell and Mothdust mewed in a gravely urgent voice, "My son. You have just seen something horrid. It is of great importance." She took another step closer to him and said, "Something terrible is about to happen in the Land of the Clans."
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Post by Lightstar on Aug 4, 2007 13:27:33 GMT -5
Lightstar watched with intrest, her eyes wide as the handsome tom came towards her, following behind him were Sandstorm, his mate, and Spottedleaf, a past Thunderclan medicine cat. Lightstar's paws began to quiver with exitment. "Hello Lightstar," Mewed Sandstorm, smiling at the young she-cat. Lightstar felt their warmth on her lseek fur and she purred, but then remmebered why she was hear, "great ancestors of Starclan, a great threat is terrorixing the clans, lions I think." She mewed. "We know," Said Firestar, his paws taking a step toward her. "The shadowclan leader Rowanstar knows it to, for he saw a vision right now." He closed his bright green eyes, and the scene changed. They were in a clearing, the fourtrees clearing. Everything looked so clam and peacful. Lightstar looked at the stary cats, her brown eyes troubled. "There is a great danger coming to the land of the clans." She herd a voice say. Lightstar turned around to see former shadowclan warriors, stars in their pelts. Talking to them, was Rowanstar. The young leader didn't know if he saw her, but he looked scared. She took a breath, she had never before seen Rowanstar looking so frightened.
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Post by -- .WillowStar *x on Aug 4, 2007 18:57:01 GMT -5
Patchpelt padded solemnly to the shadows of the large cavern, his black, molting pelt blending in with the darkness and the rock walls. He sat down with a heavy sigh- not of tiredness, but of anticipation and worry. What would the four leaders learn from their ancestors? Were the Clans destined for death, or unable able to protect themselves against the evil that slunk so ominously through the deepest shadows of their territories? These questions burned in Patchpelt's old mind. Questions that could not be answered until they left this dark cave. Frowning slightly to help his gaze penetrate the utter darkness, he saw the shapes of the leaders walking up to the Moonstone and lying down before its smooth, crystal-like surface. The tension in the tight cave seemed to mount as all the cats inside it waited for the moon to shine down upon them. Then a bright light flashed through a hole in the ceiling, bathing everything in a slivery glow. Patchpelt was momentarily blinded by its brightness and had to shake his head many times until he could see clearly. When his eyes adjusted, he saw the four leaders with their noses pressed to the Stone, their bodies dark silhouettes against its brightness. A shiver coursed through his old limbs as he gazed at their motionless forms which could easily have been mistaken for dead bodies: only the twitch of an ear or a shift of position betrayed their life. He flicked his eyes to the glowing Stone, unable to look at his leader any longer, and was slowly hypnotized by the sparkling that came from deep within it. It was as thought StarClan themselves were hidden in its crystal depths. Patchpelt was brutally shaken from his reverie at the sound of a spine tingling shriek. He recognized the voice, but could not place it. For a moment he thought that it had come from one of the leaders, so wrapped up in their dreams that their reactions were played in real life, but he quickly changed his theory when he remembered who the shriek had come from. Dawncloud! Leaping to his feet, the old black tom scampered around the Stone to Rowanstar, who was twitching madly in his sleep. Patchpelt didn't know what to do. How could he tell his leader that his sister and the others were in trouble? Could he wake a leader during a meeting with StarClan? Just as he was about to abandon the Clan leaders and charge out to help the others himself, a quivering but confident voice sounded behind him. "Leave them lie. They will join us any moment." Patchpelt spun around to see Willowstar already padding toward the tunnel through which they had entered. The light tabby's fur was fluffed out and her pale-green eyes were wide and frantic. But she managed to control herself, and flicked her tail to him as a summons to follow. Utterly confused by what was going on, Patchpelt followed the RiverClan leader into the dark passage.
**** Willowstar padded up to the large Stone in the center of the cave in step with the other leaders. She gazed up at its jagged edges and shuddered as she thought about what she and the others would find out. But, in spite of her misgivings, the tabby RiverClan leader lay down silently directly in front of the Moonstone. Cold seemed to radiate off of it's surface, sending shivers up her spine and stinging her throat as she took deep, shallow breaths. Then, bracing herself and shutting her eyes tight, Willowstar pressed her nose to the freezing, shimmering Stone. Although she was prepared for it, the shock of how extremely cold the Stone was always seemed to surprise her. She shivered for a while, then sleep took her and she forgot about her surroundings, about feeling and about life itself until she landed hard in the center of a dark clearing. All around her she could hear the whispering of a breeze as it blew through dead branches and over the parched terrain that crunched underfoot. Although he could not see, Willowstar knew that the trees and the earth around her was scorched. The smell of wood that had been burned and ash from a fire long ago crept slowly into her nose, making her screw up her face at the tangy scent. At first it looked like she was alone in this dead clearing, but she could hear the sounds of fur brushing up against the scorched undergrowth and felt suddenly drawn to it, her curiosity more powerful than her sense of anxiety. The RiverClan leader crept silently over the charred earth and out of the clearing into the forest surrounding it. She looked all around her, searching desperately for the cats she knew were there, but she could still see nothing but black tree trunks and shriveled ferns all around her. Suddenly a dark shape appeared on the path before her. It looked like a Clan cat, but she could not see its face. "Hello?" She called out. To her surprise, her voice sounded strangely rough and dry, as though she had not had water in weeks. More for the sake of hearing her strange voice again, Willowstar repeated her call. But the figure did not respond. Instead it turned and began to race along the path in the direction that Willowstar was headed. Curious and confused, she pelted after the strange cat, calling out to it every now and then, but it remained and silent and passive as before. Finally, after what seemed like hours, it stopped dead. Willowstar nearly crashed into it as she skidded to a halt, her chest heaving as she tried to catch her breath. But her breath seemed to catch in her throat as the cat turned to face her. It was the ShadowClan she-cat, and Rowanstar's sister, Dawncloud. Her pretty face was distorted in a silent wail and her body bore many deep cuts: the dark, crimson blood that continued to ooze from the scratches matted her light brown pelt. Willowstar looked at her in shock and disgust. The latter looked as though she had been brutally attacked by something with huge, merciless claws. Spinning around in fear, the RiverClan leader was stopped dead by more cats appearing from the shadows of the trees, all of them bearing the same bloody cuts, unkempt fur and silently shrieking faces as Dawncloud. Willowstar screamed as her heart pounded hard against her ribs. Blinded by fear, she charged through the growing throng of cats, oblivious to the bloody bodies as she crashed into them. But she had hardly cleared the crowd of either dying cats when something appeared before her that almost stopped her heart. A great, grey shape was looming up into the darkness, out of the ground itself it seemed to rise. This creature was massive and had four huge paws, each with its own set of long, curved claws that glistened with a sickening crimson glow. It opened its jaws wide and let out a blood-curdling roar that seemed to vibrate the dead trees and even the ground she stood on. The Mountain Lion's terribly long, sharp teeth were reflected in Willowstar's wide, pale-green eyes as she stared, horrorstruck at its massive head. Then a voice spoke quietly in her ear. "Hear this prophecy, Willowstar, and heed its warning:" The ominous voice was cracked and dry with age and it was barely more than a whisper, but at the same time it seemed loud enough to reverberate off the surrounding forest. And it was strangely familiar. "Four must become one ... Two will be bound as one ... When blood spills over the earth ... and Monsters break through from" When it finished speaking, the voice echoed around the forest and the world around Willowstar began to fade away, along with the dying cats and the terrible Mountain Lion. Just as the last dead tree was swallowed by darkness, the RiverClan leader recognized the voice. It was Silverstream, the beautiful RiverClan she-cat who had died during her kitting so long ago, many, many moons before Willowstar herself was born. And then she woke up. She was lying in front of the Moonstone - which was still glowing but not as intensely as before- and her body felt hot despite the cold air surrounding her.Shaken and afraid of what the Prophecy had meant, she got to her feet and paced up and down for a few seconds before she realized that a cat was moving on the other side of the shimmering Stone. For a moment the tabby she-cat thought it was another leader, roused from their deep sleep as well, but as she crept around the Moonstone she recognized Patchpelt, the old black ShadowClan tom, who was crouched over Rowanstar's body. Hastily telling him to leave the other leaders, Willowstar led him back to the tunnel that lead out into the cool, fresh air. Patchpelt followed without question, but it was clear that the old tom was curious and wanted to know what had roused the RiverClan leader so early. Willowstar herself began to wonder why her dream had been so quick, blunt and terrible. She could not answer herself yet, but she would try to as soon as possible.
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Post by Rowanstar on Aug 4, 2007 20:11:55 GMT -5
Flameheart shivered as another desperate cry echoed through the tunnel behind him. He turned his eyes to the enterance to the cavern. All was darkness. The fiery warrior sighed and lay on the cold ground, gasping at its frigid temperature. Why was it so cold in here when there was a tunnel to outer warm air and a large whole in the ceiling? Flameheart was so caught up in his thoughts that he nearly jumped out of his fur as another, louder shriek split the air. He looked around again, even though he knew he would see nothing. But he was wrong. A dark shape had shifted and was walking towards the leaders. Flameheart's heart skipped a beat. Was this one of those creatures that had been terrorizing the Clans, now coming to kill the four leaders? Before he could decide what to do, he recognised the limping gate and hunched shoulders. It was just Patchpelt padding to lie beside his leader. Calming down slightly, Flameheart rested his head on his paws. But before he could relax, a voice broke the intense silence. The ThunderClan warrior stared in horror at the shape moving closer to Patchpelt. It was Willowstar, her voice dry with worry. What had roused the RiverClan leader so early? Had something gone wrong? Flameheart watched as Willowstar lead Patchpelt back into the tunnel. Where were they going? Not wanting to go up just yet due to fear of what he might see, Flameheart curled up against the cave wall, feeling much smaller and more alone than before. He saw Rowanstar flinch and gasp in his sleep. Lightstar still lay quite still, but her ears flicked back and forth. Gryphonstar, however, looked. . .dead. Flameheart could barely even make out the sound of his short breathing. Had something gone wrong in his dream? ~ Rowanstar's heart sank. He knew it as coming, but he did not want to hear what terrible things were going to happen to the Clans. Much as he hated to say it, he meowed firmly to his mother and father, "Tell me." Mothdust nodded and stepped back for Thornfang to speak. The large tabby squared his shoulders, then locked his green eyes on to his son's identical ones. "The vision you saw," he began, "before coming here was something of a sight into the future. IF something isn't done before it is too late, the forest will fall into dark claws and be threatened by death forever more." Rowanstar crouched down slightly, fear spreading through him. "There is a fierce and vicious enemy waiting for you when you return home. You already know of the evil that lurks in the Land of the Clans. There is a prophecy, and you and the other leaders must see that it is changed. The fate of the Clans depends on the outcome of the prophecy." Thornfang took a few steps back and closed his eyes. Rowanstar watched apprehensively as his father raised his head to the blank sky above. When he opened his eyes again, they were a pure glimmering white. When he spoke, his voice seemd to be made up of the voices of every cat in StarClan. "Four must become one. Two will be bound together as one. When blood spills over the earth and monsters break through." Rowanstar shivered as the loud, ominous voice filled him with a strange feeling. The voice echoed off the dark trees and seemed to make the shimmering outlines of the starry cats vibrate. Thornfang closed his eyes, then opened them. They were once again the cool olive-green. "My son," he meowed in his normal voice, "You are not alone in this. You have friends, in more places than you think. And in more ways than you think." He turned his large head to the right. Rowanstar followed his father's soft gaze. There for a single moment, he could have sworn that he saw the dim shapes of a handsome ginger tom and a small, pretty, grey she-cat watching Rowanstar and the surrounding cats. Could that have been. . . but no, that was impossible. Mothdust's gentle voice made Rowanstar tear his gaze away from the spot where the dim silhouettes had just stood. "Rowanstar, you must go back." she mewed, "You clan needs you right now, and something is happening that you did not expect. The others should be joinig you soon. Good bye, my son." Mothdust licked the top of his head then touched her nose to his. She backed away, and Thornfang rested his chin on top of Rowanstar's head. "I believe in you, son. You will be great, but don't shut out those around you. You will need them when the time comes." With that, Thornfang and his mate turned away and their outlines began to shimmer with stars. Rowanstar found himself getting desperate. "Wait. . . wait!" His parents didn't turn to face him. "Monsters? Four into one? It doesn't make sense! What do you mean 'when the time comes'? What's happening with my Clan?! Help me! I can't do this alone! Don't leave me again!" Rowanstar closed his eyes against the tears that were about to fall. He couldn't stand to lose his parents again. Then, the voices of both Thornfang and Mothdust echoed around the clearing, though they had already melted into the crowd of starry cats. Their warm, loving voices filled him with such hope and determination, that he wanted to remember what they said forever: "But you are not alone. You are never alone." And before Rowanstar had any time to speak to the other StarClan cats, he was swept away from the clearing and awoke with a start, back in his own body. He looked around, the dimming light of the Moonstone casting an eerily cold light on the sleeping faces of the other leaders. Rowanstar let out a sigh of relief when he saw Lightstar lieing peacfully on the other side of Gryphonstar. Her ears twitched now and then, but she did not look like anything thuroughly interesting was happening in her dreams. Gryphonstar was oddly still, and his sides barely moved as he breathed. Frowning, Rowanstar wondered what could be going on. Then he noticed, his heart racing with panic, that Willowstar was missing. He looked around, his vision distorted by the light of the Stone, and saw that Patchpelt was gone too. He noticed that Flameheart, the ThunderClan tom, was sitting quite still. Rowanstar could smell his fear scent. The ShadowClan leader padded over to Flameheart and whispered, "Where have Willowstar and Patchpelt gone? Is something wrong?" ~ Flameheart jumped as he saw Rowanstar raise his head. The ShadowClan leader quietly got to his paws and padded over to where Flameheart lay. Flameheart got to his paws as well, and met the leader's anxious gaze. At his questions, he froze for a moment. "They've gone back," Flameheart began nervously, "I think. . . I think the others are in trouble." As if on cue, another distant yowl filled the cave. Flameheart watched as Rowanstar's eyes grew wide and his hackles rose. He could barely hear the tabby tom mutter, "Dawncloud" before he raced out into the tunnel. Flameheart stood in shock, and almost missed what Rowanstar yelled back at him: "Wait for the others to wake up, then come out!" Flameheart nodded to himself, his anxiety rising. How the ShadowClan leader known that it was Dawncloud who had shrieked? Flameheart certainly hadn't recognized the yowl. Sighing, he lay back down and gave his chest fur a few nervous licks before resting his head once more on his paws. ~ Rowanstar burst out of the tunnel, his fur on end and paws quivering. The sight before him was worse than he had expected. He had thought that a group of mere rogues had attakced the few cats still outside, but he was gravely wrong. A huge, grey-brown lion was charging down the hill, straight at the group of guarding cats. It was the same lion that had appeared in Rowanstar's dream and the same that had clutched a limp Lightstar in his jaws.
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Post by Lightstar on Aug 4, 2007 20:19:19 GMT -5
Lightstar shivered as Rowanstar vanished. "Lightstar...Four must become one, two will be bound togather as one, and throught eh blood, the monsters will break through..." The figures vanished, and the young she-cat jolted awake. She looked around. Rowanstar and Willowstar were gone, but Gryphonstar was still asleep, thogh he looked dead. She looked around and spotted Flameheart. "Flmaeheart! What is going on?" Without waiting for an answer, she darted out of the cave, and almost collided with Rowanstar. she gasped in horror, seeing a cat as largeas twenty of them. A mountain lion! And there was Dawncloud, Rowanstar's sister, badly injured. Lightstar took a few steps back, then let out a yowel as something punded behind her. A large female mountain lion gorwled at the she-cat, her eyes full of bloodlust. Lightstar unsheathed her claws and bared her fangs, ready to fight.
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Post by Rowanstar on Aug 4, 2007 22:56:21 GMT -5
Used to the sudden rousing of the leaders, Flameheart barely flinched as Lightstar jolted awake. He got to his paws respectfully as she rose to hers, then felt exhasperation rush through him at her anxious question. He had heard it already, and was getting tired of explaining that he had no idea what was going on. However, he was saved the time, as Ligtstar had vanished back into the tunnel without waiting for his answer. Rolling his eyes, Flameheart sat down. He was now thuroughly anxious. All three leaders who had awoken seemed to have known of the danger before Flameheart explained what he could to them. Suddenly, Littlewing and Crowfur stirred at the same time. Both medicine cats quickly got to their feet, and padded over to where Flameheart sat. Crowfur looked around, then asked, "Where's everyone gone? Is there trouble outside?" Littlewing flicked her ears and tasted the air. Instinctively, Flameheart did the same. Blood. Blood and fear-scent and an odd, musty scent he had never smelled before. Fear lanced through him as he saw Littlewing's eyes widen. "I must go," she mewed urgently. Crowfur stepped forward and muttered in a gravely determined voice, "I will stay here. Gryphonstar hasn't woken yet, and I wish to speak with him when he does." Littlewing nodded, as did Flameheart, and the tortoiseshell made to leave the cave, but Crowfur touched his tail tip to her flank. "Be careful." he meowed. Littlewing nodded again, then dashed up the tunnel, leaving Flameheart and Crowfur alone in the darkness. ~ Rowanstar whipped around as he heard something coming behind him. He was about to claw the face of whatever had just arrived, when he realised it was Lightstar. She looked utterly terrified, and something tugged painfully at Rowanstar's heart to see her like that. Shaking his head, he was about to tell her get back inside when a slightly smaller, more lithe lion bounded out from behind one of the rocks. Yowling in shock, Rowanstar recoiled slightly, his face twisted into a vicious, defensive snarl. "Lightstar, get back h-" But he was cut off as the young silver she-cat rounded on the female lion and bared her fangs. "No! Lightstar, don't!" Rowanstar was frozen in terror for a moment, then sprung suddenly into action. He leaped past Lightstar, teeth gnashing and claws extended. He hurled himself at the lion, aiming for her face. He would not let this beast attack Lightstar. ~ Dawncloud staggered on the spot then fell to the ground, her head pouding. She felt a trickle of blood run down from her temple and down onto her cheek. The world before her spun and blurred in and out of focus. She could just barely make out the shape of her brother and Lightstar standing before another mountain lion. "Rowanstar . . ." she muttered, but no one could hear her. Suddenly, without warning, strong teeth latched onto her scruff and pulled her up onto her paws. Dawncloud expected to see the lion, its fangs bared and aiming for her throat. But she was wrong. When she looked blearily around, she saw Littlewing leaning against her shoulder, supporting her. The small she-cat had her teeth bared and was obviously furious. "Dawncloud," she mewed, "Stay with me. Come this way. . . it's not far, come on." Still dizzy, Dawncloud let the WindClan medicine cat lead her over to a large boulder. As soon as Littlewing removed herself from under Dawncloud's shoulder, she toppled over and instantly fell unconscious, the pain in her head too much to bear. ~ Cassiel snarled at the small light brown she-cat as she rose again to her paws. Frustrated with her, he turned away and raced to the tunnel entrance. Without warning, three cats shot out of the small hole. One, smaller than the rest, raced over to the she-cat Cassiel had just struck. The other two, a large tom and a sleek silver she-cat, were facing one of Cassiel's comrades. These were the cats he was supposed to kill. Roaring with determination, he flung himself at the two cats, his huge paws aiming at the silver she-cat while the other faught one of his Pride-mates. The she-cats blood would be sweet, and he would kill her quickly.
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