Magic Inside

[.:Shadow:.]

This is a story I've been working on. It's not done. No where close, but I want to know what you think? PM me and say if you like it or if there's anything I need to work on.

Powerclan:[/u]
Leader-[/u] Magicstar- Black she-cat; Power- The Elements
Deputy-[/u] Smokeshadow- Gray tabby tom; Power- Darkness and Fire
[Apprentice- Mosspaw]
Medicine cat-[/u] Roseleaf- Ginger she-cat; Power- Healing
[Apprentices- Dreampool & Jaywing]
Warriors:[/u]
Senior Warriors:
Silverwing- Silver she-cat with long, feathery wings; Power- Flight and Lightning
Squirrelpelt- Brown tabby she-cat; Power- Shape-shifting
Shrewclaw- Dark gray tabby tom; Power- Light and Darkness
[Apprentice- Streampaw]
Rainfeather- Tortishell she-cat; Power- Shape-shifting
[Apprentice- Shorepaw]
Ashstorm- Gray tabby tom; Power- Water and Light
Stormwind: Black tom; Power- Weather
[Apprentice: Windpaw]
Junior Warriors:
Mistynight- Black she-cat; Power- Fire
[Apprentice- Silverpaw]
Larkwing- Black she-cat; Blind; Power- Sound
Firebrook- Light ginger she-cat; Power- Fire
Blazingstorm- Ginger tabby tom; Power- Teleporting
Heathercloud- Black she-cat; Power- Earth
Brackenleaf- Golden tabby tom; Power- Speed
Birdsong- Black she-cat; Power- Water
Elmfur- Brown tom; Power- Strength
Apprentices:
Dreampool- Black she-cat with tawny dapples; Power- Healing
Jaywing- Gray tom; Power- Speed and Speaking with Starclan
Streampaw- Silver tabby she-cat; Power- Light (Mentor: Shrewclaw)
Windpaw- Black and tawny spotted white she-cat; Power- Wind (Mentor: Stormwind)
Silverpaw- Silver tabby she-cat; Power- Fire (Mentor: Mistynight)
Mosspaw- Black and white tom; Power- Darkness (Mentor: Smokeshadow)
Shorepaw- Silver tabby she-cat; Power- Shape-shifting (Mentor: Rainfeather)
Queen:[/u]
Waterlily- Gray/blue she-cat with dragon-like wings; Power- Flight
Searose- Brown tabby she-cat; Power- Ice
Fernleaf- Black and white she-cat with long, feathery wings; Power- Flight
Kits:[/u]
Skykit- Brown tabby she-kit; Power- Ice and Water
Frostkit- Dark brown tabby tom; Power- Ice and Fire
Flamekit- Flame colored tom; Power- Strength
Mistkit- Misty gray she-kit; Power- Half ghost
Coalkit- Small black tom; Power- Mind Reading
Snowkit- White she-kit; Power- Weather
Elders:[/u]
Sparktail- Brown tabby she-cat; Gone blind with age; Power- Future sight
Thornpelt- Golden brown tom; Power- the Elements
Shade- Dark gray tom; Power- Teleporting.
Oceanspirit- White she-cat; Power- Strength
Blackember- Black tom; Power- Fire

[.:Shadow:.]

A brief History of Powerclan:[/u]

Powerclan was created by a she-cat named Blackmagic. Blackmagic was gifted with the control over elements. Her clan, Riverclan, banished her out of fear she would use her powers to take over the Clans. Blackmagic journeyed to a far away forest, in search of a new home. Along her way, she met cats with similar skills and abilities. Soon, she had enough cats to make her own clan. Moons past. Blackmagic, then Blackstar, died and her deputy and daughter, Magicheart, became leader.

A few moons past and Magicstar made a good leader. But an evil dwelled in the forest. Queen, sister to Silverwing, Dreampool (Dreampaw at the time) and Sparktail, awaited in the forest for her chance to destroy Powerclan. Queen claimed Powerclan had stole her sister, had taken them away from her. A prophecy came to the Medicine cat at the time, Faintpool.

An evil is coming, like no other.
A cat with an ancient grudge makes plans for destruction
With the help of the devil in angles cloths.
Only the strength of four will stop them.
One who has come back from death,
One who has been rejected,
One with great strength inside her,
And one who is kin to great evil.

The four cats named were none other then Lionheart, a flame-hearted she-cat with control over flames, Shade, an ex-loner quickly skilled with teleportation., Soaringeagle, a young warrior with the heart of a kit and with the help of the elements, and Silverwing, twin sister of Queen and aided by flight. Together, the four cats faced great evil. To find the answers, the four friends had to journey deep into the Maze, a cursed part of the forest where no cats went. It was said that if a cat with pure heart reached the center of the Maze, all questions would be answered and a Gift would be given to whatever cat had made it. They made it to the center, where they met Toric, the keeper of the Gift. The Gift was given to Soaringeagle, but what she did with it is unknown. Toric told them Angelheart and Queen were the evil cats and that soon they would destroy Powerclan.

Angelheart, the devil in Angels cloths, was Queen mate and together the planned to attack Powerclan while Lionheart, Shade, Soaringeagle and Silverwing were in the Maze. Luckily, they made it back in time to make a final stand. Angelheart was destroyed. Queen was weak. Powerclan had won, but Queen made it away pregnant with Angelhearts kits. It was known that with the aid of her kits, Queen could once again attack Powerclan. Soaringeagle, Shade and Silverwing, with the help of a few other cats, stole Queens kit, Moon, and brought her to Powerclan. Lionheart had been nursing her own kits, Larkkit (Later Larkwing), Tigerkit and Sparrowkit at the time and took in Moon. But Queen was not defeated that easily. She broke into the nursery, killed Tigerkit and Sparrowkit and took Moon back. Lionhearts rage was uncontrollable. For two moons, she tracked Queen. With the help of her friend, the other chosen three, she tracked Queen down and in one final battle, killed her. Sadly, by the time this had happened, Moon was old enough to hunt for herself and had been raised to hate Powerclan, not only for the death of her father, but, now, the death of her mother. For moons know, Moon has stayed in the forest. Hiding. Waiting for her chance to destroy Powerclan, once and for all…

[.:Shadow:.]

Chapter One:

“Wake up sleepy head!”
The booming voice interrupted Flamekits sleep. Opening his eyes, he saw he was nose to nose with Mistkit. Jumping up in surprise, Flamekit arched his back and hissed. Mistkit laughed.

“It’s only me scaredy cat!” She teased, flicking her tail back and forth.

“I’m not a scaredy cat!” Flamekit snapped back, a playful grin on his face. He swiped a paw at Mistkit, who ducked out of the way and purred.

“Yeah, yeah. You’re all big and tough. Well come on tough guy! Magicstar’s called a clan meeting!”

“Really?!” Excitement bubbled over him.

“Yep! Coalkit’s already out there, come on!”

With that, Mistkit bounded out of the nursery. Flamekit scampered after her, bursting throw the nursery. The clearing was always crisp and neat. The walls of that camp were grown with thick bushes rap tightly with thorn-spiked vines. The walls were said to be grown by Blackstar herself, but Flamekit doubted it. It was re-grown each year by the cats with the power of earth. Magicstar was standing atop Sparky Boulder, a large boulder in the middle of camp where all the ceremonies were made. Many cats had already gathered around the black boulder, but it was easy to spot Coalkit, who was sitting beside Skykit and Frostkit.

“Hey! Coal!” Flamekit called, bounding over to his brother. Flamekit towered over Coalkit. He had always been bigger. Mistkit settled down beside Skykit and began chatting away.

“Hey Flamey.” Coalkit mewed, smiling up at his brother. “Guess what? Skykit and Frostkit are becoming apprentices! Isn’t it great!”

“Yeah, congratulations Frost!” Flamekit mewed to the tabby tom, who bowed his head in return. ‘How is that great news for us though?’ Flamekit thought, knowing his brother was reading his mind.

‘Because!’ Coalkits voice echoed in his head. ‘They’re only a few days older then us. We’ll be apprentice soon!’ Flamekit tried his hardest not to let his excitement show. Apprentices! They would be apprentice soon! Flamekit couldn’t wait!

“As some of you may know!” Magicstar voice filled the camp and everyone went silent. “Our good friend and beloved deputy Soaringeagle has died in an accident at the abandoned two-leg place along with two of our noble warrior, Ebonystream and Oakheart.”

Flamekit heard someone whimper and looked behind him to see Skykit and Frostkit’s mother, Searose. He remember that Ebonystream had been the last kit left of her first litter and felt a pang of sympathy for the tabby queen. He turned back to Magicstar.

“I have given it a lot of thought and I have decided on a new deputy.” The clan seemed to hold it’s breath. No one dared make a sound. “Smokeshadow is the new deputy of Powerclan!”

The clan broke into yowls of approval, the loudest coming from the two cats at Smokeshadows side. Streampaw and Windpaw’s yowls rose above the rest, cheering for their father. Smokeshadow looked breathless. With a strong nudge of his brother, Ashstorm, Smokeshadow leapt up onto Sparky Boulder.

“T-thank you.” The gray tom stammered. “I never expected… I never though…” He straightened up and glance at the cats below. “I promise, I’ll try to be as good a deputy as Soaringeagle.”

“I know you’ll be a wonderful deputy, Smokeshadow.” Magicstar mewed as her new deputy leaped of the boulder. “Finally, we have two kits that are ready to become apprentices! Skykit. Frostkit.” The two siblings stepped forward and stood beneath Sparky Boulder. Magicstar raised her head and looks at the sky. “I call upon my Warrior Ancestors to look down on these kits. They have reached their sixth moon and are ready to become apprentices. Skykit, from this day forward until you receive your warrior name, you shall be known as Skypaw!” Skypaw held her head high with pride. “Ashstorm, you were a good mentor to Birdsong and I believe you are ready to take on another apprentice. You will be Skypaws mentor.”

“Thank you, Magicstar!” Ashstorm mewed, beaming at his new apprentice. “I’ll teach her all I know!” Skypaw padded over to her mentor and touched noises with him.

Magicstar nodded in approval and looked over at Frostkit. “Frostkit, from this day forward until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Frostpaw! Firebrook, you trained hard and I think it’s time you had your first apprentice. You will mentor Frostpaw!” Firebrook touched noises with Frostpaw and the cats started to leave the meeting. Magicstar hoped down from Sparky Boulder and flanked by Smokeshadow and Roseleaf, she padded to her den. Soon, there was no one left under Sparky Boulder but Flamekit, Mistkit and Coalkit.

“I can’t believe they’re apprentice!” Mistkit mewed, a dreamy look in her eyes.

“I know!” Flamekit mewed in agreement, his tail twitching back and forth. “And we’ll be apprentices soon too!”

“Who do you think our mentors will be?” Coalkit mewed, still sitting. Flamekit knew why Coalkit didn’t want to stand. When he sat, it looked like he was only small because he was sitting. When he stood, everyone knew he was small.

“Who knows?” Flamekit mewed, shrugging.

“Well, Magicstar usually matches apprentices to mentors with the same power.” Mistkit put in.

“But not always.” Coalkit mewed in his know-it-all way. “Look at Jaywing! Roseleaf can’t run like him!”

“True, but he’s not a warrior apprentice. He’s a Medicine cat.” Flamekit pointed out, hating when his brother acted like that. Coalkit either read his mind, or guessed how he felt, and grinned.

“Still, I don’t know anyone else in the clan with me and Mistkit’s powers.”

Mistkit laughed. “Yeah!” She purred, turning into a ghost. “No one else has a power like mine!”

“Oh, turn solid Misty! I hate it when I you do that!” Flamekit snapped. With an inoccent smile, Mistkit turned back into her normal form. Flamekit turned back to Coalkit. “So your mentor could be anyone. My power isn’t special! My mentor’s going to be Elmfur for sure.”

“You don’t know that.” Mistkit mewed kindly. “Besides, what’s wrong with having dad for a mentor?”

“Nothing! It’s just… Nothing.” Flamekit looked at his paws. He hated to feel jealous of his siblings. Coalkit seemed to understand and changed the subject.

“Do you think we’ll ever be told in stories? Like Lionheart and Soaringeagle.” He mewed. Obviously he’d been thinking about this for a while. Flamekit had too. Flamekit, Coalkit and Mistkit were grandkits of Shade and great-grandkits of Lionheart. Being kin of two of the greatest cats in Powerclan history, Flamekit dreamed of being a great warrior to. Live up to the family name.

Mistkits sigh broke Flamekits trail of thought. “I doubt it. We could never be as great as Shade or Silverwing or Lionheart or Soaringeagle. They were heroes. We’re not.”

“Don’t say that!” Flamekit mewed, a little louder then he’d like. A few cats looked over from what they were doing, realized nothing was wrong, and went back to their lives. Flamekit lowered his voice. “We can be heroes too. All we need to do is prove ourselves.”

[.:Shadow:.]

Chapter 2:

Snowkit awoke in the nursery and stretched her legs. She looked over at the nest next to hers hopefully, but found Flamekit was already gone. She loved Flamekit. Ever bit of her did. When she woke up in the morning, he was the cat she wanted to see. When she went to bad at night, she dreamt about him. One day, she was confident they would be together, she would be his mate, and they’d have kits of their own. Her love was not out of place. Snowkits mother died giving birth to her, she had no siblings and her father was killed by a fox before Snowkit was born. She had no one. All the love she would have had and given to her family, was placed onto Flamekit. She needed someone to love.

Looking around the nursery, Snowkit saw the only other cat in bramble den was Waterlily. The pregnant queen was curled up, fast asleep on her nest. Snowkit decided not to disturb the gray cat and padded out of the nursery. She spotted Flamekit beside Sparky Boulder with his brother and sister. With a beaming smile, Snowkit trotted over to them.

“Good morning!” Snowkit chimed, her bright blue eyes focused on Flamekit.

“Good morning.” Mistkit mewed in her airy voice. Coalkit simply dipped his head.

“Hey Snowkit.” Flamekit mewed, smiling at her. “Great news!”

“What is it?” Snowkit mewed with great interest. Everything Flamekit said interested her.

“Frostkit and Skykit are apprentice!” Mistkit mewed, excitement in her voice.

“Frostpaw and Skypaw now!” Coalkit corrected. Snowkit didn’t much like Coalkit. He always read her mind when she was thinking about Flamekit.

Flamekit nodded. “Yeah! And Smokeshadows the new deputy!”

“Goodness, I slept through all that?” Snowkit mewed, batting her eyes at the ginger tom-kit.

“Yeah. Sorry I didn’t think to wake you up. I was so excited…” Flamekits voice trailed off and her gave her an apologetic look.

“Oh, it’s ok!” Snowkit mewed, not wanting Flamekit to feel anything but happiness around her. “Ceremonies are boring anyways! So, who are they’re mentors?”

“Ashstorm’s Skypaws and Firebrook’s Frostpaws.” Coalkit mewed, clearly not taking her shuttle hints she wanted to just speak to Flamekit. Snowkit nodded her head.

“So, who do you think your mentor’s going to be Snowkit?” Mistkit asked, smiling sweetly. Snowkit liked Mistkit. She was bubbly and fun.

“I don’t know.” Snowkit mewed, sitting down beside Flamekit. “And I don’t really care. I just hope they’re good.” Flamekit nodded and Snowkit beamed.

“All mentors are good.”

Snowkit looked up to see Fernleaf, Flamekit, Coalkit and Mistkit’s mother, circling above them. “Hello Fernleaf.” Snowkit mewed, respectfully dipping her head.

“Mommy!” Mistkit purred.

“Hi mom.” Flamekit mewed, smiling at the black and white queen. Again, Coalkit just dipped his head..

“Hello Sweethearts!” Fernleaf purred to all the kits. Though it was Searose who took Snowkit in, Fernleaf had always treated her like her own kit. “Talking about Skypaw and Frostpaw?” Mistkit nodded. “Well, it won’t be long until you’re all apprentices.”

Snowkit held back a sigh. She was one moon younger then the other kits. It would be one whole moon until she was sleeping in the same den as Flamekit again. But instead of sighing, she forced a smile. Then again, just being near Flamekit made smiling a whole lot easier.

[.:Shadow:.]

Chapter 3:

Jaywing hated being a Medicine cat. He had never wanted to be a Medicine cat, no matter what Roseleaf said to try and convince him. Ever since he first told his mother, Cinderleaf, he could speak to a cat named Woftail, who he later found out to be his dead uncle, Roseleaf was convinced he was meant to be a Medicine cat. Jaywing had tried desperately to prove he would be a better warrior, but soon, a run in with a badger crippled him for life, breaking his leg in five places. Roseleaf tried her best to heal it but it he’d crookedly. He’d never be a warrior. So, he changed to meet the life of a Medicine cat.

‘It would be better if Roseleaf didn’t always treat me like a blind kit!’ He thought bitterly as he limp farther into the forest. Dreampool was her favorite apprentice. That was clear. He was sure know Roseleaf regretted ever saying he should be a Medicine cat, but whether he liked it or not, it was the path Starclan layed down for him.

On the most recent order from Roseleaf was to collect herbs. Jaywing had just found a patch of tansy when a familiar sent hit his noise. “Hello Wolftail.” He rasped, turning to see the starry dark gray tom. Wolftail smiled.

“Hello Jaywing.” He mewed in return. Suddenly, a flame colored cat was at his side. “I don’t know if you remember Lionheart?”

“Not by sight, but by stories. I was a kit when she died.” Jaywing dipped his head to the legendary she-cat.

“Hello Jaywing.” Lionheart mewed, dipping her head in return.

“I assume you both have something to tell me?” Jaywing settled himself down, resting his crippled leg.

Wolftail nodded and turned to Lionheart. The ginger she-cat nodded and looked back to Jaywing. “A prophecy has begun Jaywing. It will take the strength of many to defeat the last evil of the forest.” He voice sounded of many. Jaywing knew it was the voice of all Starclan. Lionheart closed her eyes and when she opened them, the three cats were transported to a dark forest. It looked sinister. Evil. Jaywing didn’t like it, but he knew to trust Wolftail.

“An evil thought to lay dormant has found her chance.” Lionheart continued. “She searches for something that will tip the scales in her favor. If she succeeds, Powerclan will fall into darkness and abyss. But, there is still hope.” In front of the three cats, a fire erupted. “Three siblings, eager and new. A young cat who is not of clan birth. And finally, an old cat with dark secrets to guide them. Together, they stand the only cats who stand a threat to the abyss. Five cats hold the fate of Powerclan in their paws.” Lionheart closed her eyes again. The sinister forest melted away and Jaywing was back by the tansy bush. Lionheart had vanished. Wolftail faced Jaywing, looking rather guilty.

“Only talk to me when it’s important now then, huh?”

“I’m sorry Jaywing.” Wolftail’s eyes were guilt ridden. It was as Jaywing had guessed.

“Starclan was behind the badger that attacked me, weren’t they?”

“It’s your destiny to be a Medicine cat Jaywing. Your destiny to receive this prophecy.”

“Dreampool or Roseleaf could have received it!” Jaywing snapped, standing, pelt bristling.

“No! You have to!” Wolftail stood as well, noise to noise with Jaywing.

“And why’s that, Wolftail? Why?!”

“Because Dreampool doesn’t believe in Starclan!” Wolftail fell silent. He looked quickly to his paws. Jaywing couldn’t believe it.

“So you’re telling me, the reason I’m crippled, the reason I can never have a family, the reason I was given this power, was so Starclan could have a Medicine cat who can talk with them.”

“Roseleaf is old! We knew Dreampool would be her apprentice! We hoped she would believe but… Then you were born. The power of speed. Intelligent. Resourceful. You’d be a great Medicine cat. You are a great Medicine cat.”

“Sure. Keep justifying ruining my life.” Jaywing growled, turning. He started to limp back to camp.

“Jaywing!” Wolftail called after him. “Where are you going?”

“I have a prophecy to tell!” He snapped back, not looking over his shoulder. He had never felt more betrayed in his life.

[.:Shadow:.]

Chapter 4:

Flamekit was chasing after Coalkit when he saw Jaywing come in throw the camp entrance. The Medicine cat apprentice looked trouble. Quickly, he limps across the clearing towards Magicstars den. “Hey Jaywing!” Flamekit called, racing over to him. Jaywing looked at Flamekit, annoyance clear on his face.

“What is it Flamekit? I have to talk to Magicstar.”

“I was wondering what’s up? You look like you’ve seen a ghost.”

“I have, now if you’ll get out of my way-” With unnatural speed, Jaywing darted around Flamekit and ran to Magicstars den. For a crippled cat, he was still the fasted.

“What was that all about?” Snowkit mewed, padding to Flamekits side with Mistkit. Coalkit was already standing beside him.

“Something’s up with Jaywing.” Flamekit mewed back, pointing his noise towards Magicstars den.

“What do you think it’s about?” Mistkit asked, eyes fixed on the cave where their leader slept.

“Dunno.” Coalkit murmured. “They’re to far away for me to read their minds. I wish I was older. Power expands with age.”

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

It was nearly four days before the kits found out what was up with Jaywing. During those days, Magicstar, Smokeshadow, and the Medicine cats hardly left Magicstars den. The rest of the camp, however, went on as usual. Skypaw and Frostpaw told the kits all about apprentice life and what they had learned, Shade told the story of the final battle with Queen, to which Flamekit took particular interest. Flamekit always liked stories, especially about the four chosen cats. Coalkit had never thought they were that great. Sure, it was good to know Powerclans history, but hearing it over and over was just boring.

The were in the middle of a story about the original clans, Lionclan, Tigerclan and Leopardclan, when Magicstars yowl sounded from Sparky Boulder. Together, Coalkit, his siblings and Snowkit dashed over to the great boulder and settled themselves beneath it.

‘It can’t be our apprentice ceremonies already!’ Coalkit heard Mistkit think.

‘No, I don’t think so either.’ He mewed in her head. She blinked over at him and smiled. Unlike Flamekit and Snowkit, Mistkit never cared when Coalkit entered her mind. ‘I think we’re about to find out what happened to Jaywing a few days ago. Look.’ Both kits looked back at Sparky Boulder. Beside Magicstar was Jaywing, sitting awkwardly on account of his leg.

“Starclan has sent a prophecy to Jaywing.” Magicstars voiced filled the clearing. Coalkit was always amazed how the old she-cats voice boomed. “I must say, it concerns me… Powerclan has been peaceful for so long. But if this prophecy is right, I’m afraid the peace won’t last.” Murmurs of shock swarmed through the crowd of cats below. Coalkit tried his hardest to shut out all the thoughts that were swirling so close by him. “Jaywing.” Magicstar mewed to the gray tom, giving him the floor. Jaywing cleared his throat.

“While I was collecting tansy, Lionheart herself came to me. She said ‘A prophecy has begun and it will take the strength of many to defeat the last evil.’ I was suddenly cast to a forest I have never seen before. It was dark. Full of shadows and evil.” As Jaywing explained the rest of the prophecy, many cats gave cries of shock and fear. A sense of doom seemed to have settled itself over the camp. Magicstar sighed and bowed her head.

“I believe it was as we feared.” The black leader rasped. “Moon as returned. As Sparktail predicted, she wants revenge for the death of her parents. Hatred lies in her heart. It is important, now more then ever, to have strong and capable warriors. The training of apprentice must come first!” Coalkit felt Flamekit straighten up beside him. “Fernleaf has informed me her kits are ready to become apprentices.”

Yes! It was what they had hoped! Apprentices! “Flamekit, Coalkit, Mistkit, step forward.” The three kits obeyed. Magicstar raised her head and looked at the sky, the way she had when Skypaw and Frostpaw had their ceremony. “I call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these kits. They have reached their sixth moon and are ready to become apprentices. Flamekit, from this day forward until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Flamepaw! Elmfur, you trained hard as Oceanspirits apprentice. You will mentor Flamepaw.”

Coalkit could sense Flamepaw’s disappointment. It wasn’t that he thought Elmfur a poor mentor, but Flamepaw had clearly hoped for another mentor. As Flamepaw touched his mentors noise, Coalkit knew that he wished it had been Silverwing.

“… you shall be known as Mistpaw!” Coalkit looked at his sister. Mistpaw was beaming, looking like she always did. “Squirrelpelt, you will mentor Mistpaw.”

“I’ll do my best.” The tabby she-cat mewed, an air of pride in her voice. She touched noises with Mistpaw and then sat down again.

“Finally, Coalkit.” Magicstar turned to him, her green eyes unblinking. “From this day forward, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Coalpaw! Silverwing, it has been a while since you’ve had an apprentice. You will be Coalpaws mentor.” The silver winged she-cat rose to her paws and padded over to Coalpaw. Coalpaw could feel Flamepaws jealousy burning. He felt sorry for his brother, along with increasing excitement. Silverwing was an excellent warrior, a skilled fighter and said to be the best mentor in all Powerclan. Flamepaw had reason to be jealous. Coalpaw would have been jealous. Silverwing touched her noise to Coalpaws then sat beside him.

“If anyone wishes to speak to me, I shall be in my den.” With that, Magicstar hopped off Sparky Boulder and trotted to her den. Coalpaw saw Fernleaf get up and hurry after her. As she pasted, Coalpaw sense her fear. She was regretting telling Magicstar to make her kits apprentice. She wanted them safe. Coalpaw held back a growl. They weren’t kits anymore! They were apprentices and they would fight for their clan!

[.:Shadow:.]

Chapter 5:

“Coalpaw, would you like to see Powerclan’s territory?”

Silverwings voice brought him out of his mothers thoughts. “Hmm? Oh, yeah. Sure.” Coalpaw turned back to Silverwing and smiled. “Where do we start?”

“Weeping Willows.” Silverwing replied, turning her back to Coalpaw and trotting towards the entrance. “It’s where we’ll be doing all our training. I don’t have the same power as you, so I won’t be able to help you there, but I’ll do my best. I can teach you to hunt, however, and fight.” Coalpaw was at her heels. “But for now, lets just work on showing you your boundaries.”

“Why do we have boundaries?” Coalpaw asked, finding it hard to keep up with his silver mentor. “I mean, in the old forest from the stories, there were other clans to have boundaries with. We are alone in the forest.”

“True.” Silverwing mewed, looking over her shoulder. She looked amused by the question. Coalpaw frowned. “But we live in this forest peacefully, sheltered from the rest of the world. If we over step our boundaries, who knows who will find us.” They headed deeper into the forest with no more discussion. Soon, the reached a small clearing in the middle of which was a tall willow tree.

“This is Weeping Willow.” Silverwing mewed, halting and turning to face Coalpaw, who in turn sat watching her. “As I said before, this is where we will be training. Weeping Willow is great for learning how to climb and fly, the ground is soft and sandy, and it’s close enough to camp that if there are any injuries, Roseleaf will be able to come right away.” Coalpaw could tell the last statement was a joke, but he didn’t find it particularly funny. “Right, if you don’t have any questions, we can head out to the Swaying Swamp then the Misty Mountains!”

“We won’t actually be going into them, will we? Apprentice are forbidden.”

“Well, of coarse not!” Silverwing laughed. “But you still need to know where they are!”

~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~

After seeing the Swaying Swamp and the base of the Misty Mountain, it was getting dark, not to mention Coalpaw was exhausted . “Right, shall we head home now?” Silverwing mewed in a chipper voice. Coalpaw nodded. By the time they reached camp, it was after sun down.

“Ok then, now that you know our territory, we can begin learning knew things. I’ll expect you up bright and early tomorrow at the Weep Willow. Go get some prey then have a good nights sleep.” With that, Silverwing picked up a mouse from the fresh kill pile and headed toward the Elders den. It was curious that she went there and Coalpaw was about to read her mind when he was barreled over onto his side.

“Well?” Came the airy voice of Mistpaw. “How was it? All Squirrelpelt did was lecture me on how important it is not to abuse your power. Like I’d ever do that! But I bet Silverwing had a much more exciting training session!”

“What? Misty get off me!” Coalpaw hissed, squeezing out from under his sister.

“Sorry, I’m just so excited! Silverwing! Your mentor is Silverwing! She hasn’t had an apprentice in moons!”

“It’s not that big a deal.” Flamepaw grumbled, padding over to them. “She’s just a warrior.”

“A warrior that helped defeat Queen!” Mistpaw snapped, narrowing her eyes at Flamepaw. She hadn’t yet gasped that their brother wasn’t saying Silverwing wasn’t a hero, but that he was jealous of Coalpaw.

“Flamepaw’s right. She’s just a warrior.” Coalpaw mewed, sitting down. He gave Flamepaw a half smile, as though saying he was sorry.

‘Oh, it’s not your fault.’ Flamepaw thought, not wanting Mistpaw to hear. ‘Anyone could have got her.’ Coalpaw brightened up.

“I’ll go get us some prey! Silverpaw and Shorepaw caught tones!” Mistpaw mewed and padded to the fresh-kill pile.

“So, how was your training anyways? Elmfur just showed me the territory.”

“Silverwing did the same. I honesty don’t know what Mistpaw thought I’d be doing. It’s not like just because Silverwings my mentor I’m all of a sudden going to fight Queen all day or something.” Coalpaw knew this was what Flamepaw had been hoping to hear and he seemed to be happier.

“That’s what I told her! But you know Misty, always jumping to conclusions.”

“Yeah!” Coalpaw laughed.

“I can hear you, you know!” Mistpaw growled through the prey as she joined them again. She dropped two moles and a mouse in the middle of them. “Alright, who wants what?”

“I want a mole!” Flamepaw yowled, grabbing one before anyone else could take it.

“I’ll take the mouse.” Coalpaw mewed, as it was the closest to him.

“Then I’ll have the other mole.” Mistpaw purred.

They three siblings ate their prey and talked about what they thought they’d learn tomorrow. When they’d finished, Mistpaw got up and trotted towards the apprentice den.

“Well, I’m going to get some sleep so I’ll be ready for training! Nighty night boys!” She mewed over her shoulder and with the flick of her misty tail, she disappeared into the den.

“We should follow her…” Flamepaw mewed with a sigh and Coalpaw agree. Together, they got up and padded to the apprentice den. Two nests lay empty beside Mistpaw’s, looking fresh and unused. Flamepaw settled himself into one, and Coalpaw the other.

‘Good night Coalpaw.’ Flamepaw thought, shutting his eyes.

‘Good night Flamepaw.’ Coalpaw replied in his brother mind and closed his own. Slowly, he drifted off into slowly to sleep.