I head to the nursery and then I hear a voice behind me "Where you going, silly?" I could hear they were a she-cat, then I turn around. It was Blizzardpaw. Blizzardpaw was my best friend when she was a kit. I suddenly feel joy and excitement, forgetting about my old life already. "You're an apprentice now!" she mewed. Blizzardpaw!, I yell, "I haven't spent time with you for so long!" "Race you to the den!" I hear Turtlepaw say. He always competed with me, basically any time we went back to the nursery he said "Race you!" He always won since he got a head start. "Get back here!" I hiss playfully. Blizzardpaw slinks up to Turtlepaw and I overhear her say "It's so nice to see youngsters like you and Lightningpaw play." Lightningpaw... it seeped through my thoughts. I felt accepted and admired. I wasn't used to being called that. I paused halfway between the Highrock and the apprentices' stump. I realized it looked strange that I was just standing there, so I quickly raced to the stump. "So, how's it like being an apprentice?" I said, trying to spark up conversation. "Oh, it's way different than the life of a kit. You might think it could be an inbetween of a kit and a warrior, but it leans much more to the warrior side. You have to deal with training, hunting, and border patrol all at the same time. You never get notice for your task, you are expected to do it on the spot." My emotions flooded my thoughts, I couldn't say anything. It was harder as an apprentice than I thought. "Don't worry though, it doesn't start immediately, you are gradually introduced to tactics and you slowly get used to your responsibilities. I manage to utter out an "ok..." I then see the other apprentices. One was much older than the others. I assumed that was Ravenpaw, I had heard stories of Ravenpaw, he had escaped the clan because a warrior called Tigerclaw was blaming him for betraying the clan. Due to that he missed lots of training, which he is now making up. "Let me introduce you and Turtlepaw to each of the other apprentices", mewed Blizzardpaw. She names each apprentice and points toward them "This is Ravenpaw, This is Cinderpaw, This is Brackenpa- she's stopped mid-sentence. "No need to introduce us" mewed a white Tom. "These newbies will recognize us soon enough." I can tell by the smirks on their faces that not all the apprentices will be as welcoming as Blizzardpaw.

I rest like Whitestar told me. I am awoken by the yowl of Darkstripe, and I recognize the yowl. It's the same alarmed yowl as the RiverClan attack that took down Mousefur. I knew the clan was in danger. I look outside and see a spotted tabby and a black Tom fighting Sandclaw and Darkstripe. I see a grey tom racing towards the apprentice den, and Blizzardpaw confronted and fought them. I grab onto the grey tom and bite his tail. I haven't learned tactics but I know numbers can win. I hear a painful yelp from a warrior I can't identify, I also hear yowls of triumph and victory. The grey tom tries to shake me off his tail, but Cinderpaw runs and attacks the tom, aiming for the belly. The Tom yowls in pain and falls to the ground. I hear a Riverclan cat call "retreat!" and enemy cats quickly run out of the camp. Whitestar steps up to the Highrock, getting the entire clans' attention. "Fellow Thunderclan cats, I have some grave news. Sandclaw has fallen, and our deputy Darkstripe is in critical condition. With these losses also come victories, The RiverClan deputy, Leopardfur has fallen this sunrise due to our brave warriors. A RiverClan warrior, Heavyheart has also fallen to us, due to the effort of our apprentices, Blizzardpaw, Lightningpaw, and Cinderpaw." Whitestar announced. Whispers of uncertainty were spreading. Blizzardpaw whispers in my ear "Do you think Darkstripe will be okay?" I truthfully answer "I don't know" I know it would be no use hiding my fear when Blizzardpaw could smell it. "May he fare well in StarClan, and may Starclan bless us in these hard times, you all may now go along with your day." I saw a warrior slink up to me, it was Swiftstripe, the new warrior. "Hi, Lightningpaw. I'm your new mentor!" he mewed. "I was told today was your first day of training. Let's head to the forest for our training." I go into the forest for the first time. I just follow Swiftstripe since I've never been here before. "Just start with an attack. I'll tell you how good you did and how to improve." I leap for his shoulder and he swats me out of the air. "Here's your first lesson: know your opponents. If your opponent is quick like I am, stay close to the ground and be snappy and quick with your attacks." I look at his left paw but lunge for his right and he loses balance. "That's better, if you can outsmart your opponent then you have an advantage." We continue training, specifically focusing on attack. When we are done it is sunfall and the warriors are taking shares of the food that was caught. I take 5 mice for us apprentices to share, to discover that Snowpaw and Stripepaw are already eating. "You late little guy?" Stripepaw hissed. "Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw are play-fighting and your little bestie Blizzardpaw is hanging out with the warriors. I don't blame her, they're way stronger than you anyway. I put 3 mice back, keeping two of them, one for me and one for Turtlepaw. Whitestar steps on the Highrock along with Yellowfang as Whitestar announces "According to Yellowfang, Darkstripe will not be able to serve as Deputy in his condition. He will be an assistant medicine cat until he recovers fully. Our replacement deputy will be Longtail. We hope Darkstripe will make a swift recovery, but there is no way to be sure." I turn to the other apprentices, and I can detect a fear smell. Surprisingly, it wasn't Ravenpaw, Darkstripe's apprentice, it was coming from Snowpaw.

The next day, I am told to go on border patrol, specifically on the ShadowClan border. I slink along the border and can smell the stench of ShadowClan, except it seems more muddy and musty. As I keep walking the mustiness gradually gets stronger away. I then see a black tom and I manage to sneak away. I hope my scent didn't lead him towards me. The few next weeks are spent hunting for the clan. It's most of what In do at this point. I have mixed feelings about my fellow apprentices, Ravenpaw is welcoming but he seems to keep to himself. I haven't interacted much with Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw. Blizzardpaw is my only hope. The only one willing to give me advice about apprenticeship. Then we have Snowpaw. He is disrespectful, doubtful, and just plain rude. He even gave me false tips about catching prey. Stripepaw isn't any better. He's given me the name "Lightkit" Before I know it it's been a moon since I was apprentice. As Sunset turns to Climbing-Moon Whitestar steps up to Tallrock. "Our new apprentices shall go to the gathering, along with Ravenpaw. Yellowfang will stay behind to care for Darkstripe. Runningwind and Willowpelt will stay behind to protect the camp, along with our apprentices, Blizzardpaw, Snowpaw, Stripepaw, Cinderpaw, and Brackenpaw." We were dismissed. I try to rest but my excitement gets the better of me. As Whitestar calls for all cats going to the gathering. I hear Stripepaw sneer "Don't get scared by the big scary RiverClan warriors, Lightkit." It affects me little, my excitement about the gathering overwhelms me. Whitepaw and Longtail lead and us new apprentices are told to follow behind them. As we approach the location for the gathering I see an opening into an area devoid of trees. Whitestar stopped and we followed suit. "WindClan and RiverClan" are yet to appear meowed Fireheart. "Yes, we are usually the last to arrive, but I'm sure they will arrive in due time." mewed Graystripe. A couple minutes pass and then the scent of WindClan and RiverClan become more apparent. I see movement and then RiverClan and WindClan slink in, but strangely they are both coming in from RiverClan territory.

Conversation erupted between the clan cats, both our clan, and ShadowClan. Neither clan knew why these two clans entered together. Conversation even started between Nightstar and Whitestar. Me and Turtlepaw were quickly lectured by Swiftstripe. "Remember what the first lesson of your training was, Lightingpaw?" I respond with "Know your opponents." "Right" Swiftstripe mewed "this is your chance to meet cats of other clans, who you may have to fight someday." I walk over to Ravenpaw, hanging out with the RiverClan apprentices. A silver tabby says "Oh, it's you, the one who took our warriors' life." "You were attacking us! It was our right to defend ourselves!" I hissed. "Oh yeah? We were nice enough to spare your deputy" he says. I was about to clash back but then I realize a Slightly Green-tinted she-cat is whimpering. "Oh" snickered the silver tabby "Don't be scared of the big scary ThunderClan warriors!" That was the same thing Snowpaw said to me! I thought. I hissed at the silver tabby and he tried to claw at me. I hear a Riverclan warrior call "Silverpaw! This is supposed to be a night of peace!" "Ugh, sorry Loudbelly" Silverpaw meows in a sarcastic tone. I muster up the courage to ask the Green-tinted cat what was wrong. She responds with "I- I just can't stand fighting." "Then how come you're training to be a warrior?" I ask curiously. "You could always be a medicine cat apprentice." "Well... I did want to be a warrior but ever since my mom died I felt a feeling of regret going down this path. I hope my clan understands, if they don't they'll deem me as weak and I'll remain Cloverpaw forever." I felt bad. I had no idea how serious the circumstance was. As I was about to apologize Swiftstripe called for me. He whispered "If you want this gathering to make sense, you have to know the leaders and deputies of each clan. ShadowClan's leader is Nightstar, and their deputy is Cinderfur. Windclan's leader is Tallstar and their deputy is Mudclaw. And finally, RiverClan's leader is Crookedstar, we do not know who they have decided to appoint as their new deputy. Now we need to be quiet, the gathering is about to start. Whitestar steps up and announces "After the last gathering, we appointed two new apprentices, Turtlepaw and Lightningpaw. Today, we have decided to announce our changes here. Ravenpaw, I believe you are ready to become a warrior. You shall earn the name Ravenpelt." As he finishes his speech he is rudely pushed aside by Crookedstar as he announces "Due to Leopardfur falling in battle, our new deputy shall be Blackclaw. More importantly, WindClan and us have agreed to a territory agreement. WindClan will be allowed to hunt in RiverClan territory during Greenleaf, and RiverClan will be allowed to hunt in WindClan territory during Bareleaf." Strange, I thought, I remember WindClan having a scarcity of food. Nightstar exclaims "But that breaches warrior code!" "No it doesn't" mewed Tallstar "There is no mentioning of alliances between clans in the warrior code." Nightstar's claws come out and glint in the moonlight. Blackclaw quickly replied "Says the one defending warrior code, if you were to attack Crookedstar or Tallstar would breach your precious warrior code. Even if ThunderClan were to disagree with us, they are still obligated to defend us." Nightstar retracts his claws and announces "Wetfoot is missing from our clan. If you could, please search for them in your territory. We do not know if they are still loyal to our clan or not, but we want to know where he is and what he's doing." Whispers of uncertainty erupt through all clans. Whitestar then yowls "I believe that is all our news for this gathering. Let this moon pass in peace." As the cats start leaving Fourtrees I can smell fear-scent. From both Shadowclan and Thunderclan cats. I was particularly worried about ShadowClan. Even though they are strong, they are still recovering from losing several of their most powerful warriors, due to them being loyal to Brokenstar. In no circumstance could they face Riverclan, let alone with the help of Windclan. Even worse, if they were defeated, there would only be one target left for Riverclan.

When we arrive back at camp I race towards the apprentice den, I see Blizzardpaw, Cinderpaw, and Stripepaw asleep, while Snowpaw and Brackenpaw are guarding the camp. Turtlepaw pads behind me and also steps into the den. I close my eyes but do not drift to sleep. Instead I stay awake all night feeling bad about Cloverpaw. I finally give up on sleep and open my eyes. I see that Turtlepaw has the same tired and worried look on his face. "But Turtlepaw didn't see Cloverpaw" I thought. Then he whispered "Are you worried about the Windclan-Riverclan alliance too?" I was about to tell him the truth, but I realized I couldn't let Turtlepaw know how I felt bad about a Riverclan cat! He'll think I'm betraying the clan! "Yeah" I manage to utter out. "Ok, I think it's nearly sunrise, Duststripe said that I would go on my first patrol by myself today!" I respond with "I've gone on lots of patrols on my own, but only on the Shadowclan border. We trust them more and we know they have no intents of being aggressive towards us." We sit there until dawn where we step out into the clearing. I hear Runningwind purr "Swiftstripe told me that you're going on Shadowclan border patrol today. He has told us that your developing your patrolling skills well. Remember, if you are attacked by another cat, make noise to alert the clan. Chances are a Thunderclan warrior is nearby hunting" I nod and then head into the forest. When I arrived on the border I immediately detected the scents of two cats, however the must of the Thunderpath made it hard to concentrate. I then saw a cat on the other side of the Thunderpath. It was a brown tom with a short tail. He stared at me intently, but clearly with no intent to attack, but then I hear a voice behind me. "Would sure be a shame if I broke up your little staring contest? I was trying to figure out who it was through scent. But before I could concentrate on that the brown tom came running across the Thunderpath, then I feel a stabbing pain on my tail. I turn around and claw his face to get free. I'm out of his grip for long enough to recall his appearance. A cat with scars across his face and long, dark brown hair. It matched exactly descriptions of a cat from one of Cinderpaw's stories that she told me. It was Brokenstar. I knew that I had to fight back. This cat had broken warrior code countless times, it was my right to protect the forest. The Shadowclan cat had already crossed the Thunderpath, and was fighting Brokenstar. The Shadowclan cat had Brokenstar pinned. I sprang towards his front paws, holding them down as hard as I could. The Shadowclan cat went for an attack, which badly hurt Brokenstar but allowed him to escape the pin. "Go on then" meowed the Shadowclan cat. "But isn't it wrong to kill another clan cat?" I ask. "It is, unless it is nessecary for survival. If we show mercy we might not make it back to camp alive." I nod and leap at the weakened Brokenstar. I dig my claws into his back. "Your group of loners shall not be seen in Thunderclan territory again! We will do the same with them as we did with you." "Loner" he manages to cough out "We take pride in that name." before his body goes limp. "You have fought well, you are one of the new Thunderclan apprentices, right?" the Shadowclan cat meows. "Yes, I am Lightningpaw." He responds with "Good job in your first battle, I am Stumpytail, I respect your courage. May you and your clan fare well."

I pad back to camp, wanting to tell the clan what happened. I pace through the ferns leading to the camp. I step into the clearing and hear a yell coming from Blizzardpaw. "Lightningpaw! Are you okay?" "Yeah" I reply trying to ignore the deep cut into my tail. "Where's Whitestar? I need to see him." "I think he's in his den." I quickly pad towards the den. As I enter Whitestorm exclaims "What have you been doing to get into this mess? Did you try to fight a Shadowclan border patrol? Oh, that reminds me. You are only going on patrols on your own to get you used to doing them. Soon you will be accompanied by your mentor and most likely others if you are going anywhere near the Riverclan border." I am startled by his discipline rather than care, but nonetheless I respond. "It wasn't a fight with a Shadowclan cat, but it was a fight with a rogue. I was battling Brokenstar. Stumpytail helped me defeat him." "Good. I am glad to see that Shadowclan has common interest with us. Was Brokenstar on his last life?" "Yes, I believe so. He didn't appear to come back to life." I feel regret in saying that I did that to him. "I see. You seem to have fought well. As a reward you and Stripepaw will go to the Moonstone tonight. It's required for you to go there before becoming a warrior" That's not a reward, I thought. Of course the cat I have to go to the Moonstone with is Stripepaw. Whitestar suddenly meows "What? Are you unhappy with this?" "No, no it's nothing. I'll see Yellowfang now." I then walk over and step into her den. "My, you have a massive slice across your tail. Where did this come from?" "Brokenstar, Stumpytail and I managed to defeat him though." Yellowfang went deeper into her den and came out with some cobwebs and herbs. "Here, these webs will prevent infection and the herbs will help with the pain. I heard you will be heading to the moonstone. You will need some rest. Wait here for a while until the pain starts to fade, and then head to the apprentice den." I rest there and try to digest the awful taste of herbs. "These herbs taste terrible!" Yellowfang then meows "You'll have to get used to the taste of it. A similar taste will be in the herb you will take this evening for the journey to the Moonstone." I feel anger. I had to taste awful herbs and had to go with Stripepaw. I lay for an hour and then go back to the apprentice den. "Hey, aren't you going to the moonstone a bit early? I didn't think kits were allowed." Stripepaw sneered. I ignored him and laid there until falling-sun. Then Yellowfang called me over to her den. "Here, this will give you enough energy to get to the Moonstone and back." I manage to swallow it. "Well then" Whitestar meowed behind me. "Let's make the journey."

Whitestar, Longtail, Stripepaw, and I stepped into the thick layer of ferns surrounding the camp. Stripepaw suddenly blurted out "Does Longtail really have to come with us?" Whitestar seemed confused and replied "Do you have an issue with it?" I was confused too. Out of the cats coming on the journey I was the one he had the sourest of relations with. "No... it's just... leaving the camp with it's two strongest warriors seems unsafe." Stripepaw replied with a nervous, almost insincere tone. "Runningwind, Fireheart, Graystripe, and Willowpelt should be enough." We sprinted towards Fourtrees, and arrived there in what felt like just a couple minutes. "Aren't we entering Windclan territory?" I ask concerningly. "Well, yes. But we are allowed a safe passage. Starclan will protect us." As the trek extends further and further I notice the effect of the herbs. They certainly taste bad but they work. The path winds towards a Thunderpath. "Now it's time to cross. I'll go first, and you follow." There was a large opening and Whitestar leaped across. Stripepaw and I quickly followed. Longtail was left at the other side of the Thunderpath. A huge wave of monsters came across the road. Then Longtail leaped across in a flash and made it to the other side. What followed was what seemed as an endless amount of climbing rocks. When we finally reached the top we encountered another cat. Whitestar noticed their scent and questioned who they were. They had the scent of Shadowclan, but resembled neither Cinderfur nor Nightstar, but was instead a brown tom. "Reveal yourself! Whitestar shouted. "I am Stumpytail. Nightstar fell to a terrible sickness and Cinderfur got attacked by rats." "Strange" Whitestar replied, with clear suspicion in his eyes. All four of us, along with Stumpytail stepped into the cavern. The moon had nearly fully risen and the light trinkled in the cavern, just barely making it visible. Then suddenly a blinding light covered the cave. It was so powerful, it was almost terrifying. Longtail told us to follow him out of the cave, it was Whitestar's time alone with Starclan. After a long while Whitestar came out of the cave. We leapt down from boulder to boulder, through Windclan territory and back to where Fourtress was visible. The final stretch to Thunderclan territory was interrupted by a rustling in the bushes.

"Dodge!" Whitestar yowled. A band of Riverclan cats leaped out of the bushes bordering Riverclan and Windclan. I instinctively moved out of the way. "What are you doing here? This is Windclan territory!" meowed Whitestar. "I'll ask you the same." A jet black tom mewed. "We're returning from a journey to the moonstone. Starclan granted us a safe passage. You have no right to interrupt us." I took a second to look at the band of cats. I recognized Cloverpaw, Silverpaw, and Blackclaw from the gathering. A silver she-cat and a black tom with a white paw were also among them. Blackclaw then exclaimed "Silverstream! What are you doing here? You're supposed to be watching for sickness at camp.!" "Well, it's easy for you to say, being the new deputy and all. But I? I was forced to become a medicine cat! I am clearly as strong as the rest of you!" meowed the silver she-cat. "We'll see about that. Then with a flick of Blackclaws tail the patrol leaped at us. I chose to fight Silverpaw. I charged at his tail, which he wasn't quick enough to dodge. Then I clawed at his hind legs, taking advantage of his clumsiness, a common trait for Riverclan cats. Out of the corner of my eye, I could see the white-pawed black tom encouraging Cloverpaw to fight. She then reluctantly charged towards Stripepaw. I felt bad for her. I knew that Stripepaw was one of the stronger apprentices, even if he was one of the younger ones. I couldn't focus on that now, Silverpaw had gotten up. I tried to pin him but he quickly pushed me off. Then I heard a yowl in the distance, coming from Thunderclan territory. I had also noticed that Longtail had disappeared. Whitestar quickly yowled "Thunderclan! This battle is no use! Retreat!" I quickly replied "I heard a yowl coming from our territory, we must go there immediately." Whitestar and I sped towards our territory, while Stripepaw was noticeably far behind. We were now in Thunderclan territory and were safe. Whitestorm then mewed "I'll stay here with Stripepaw, you go towards the sound of the yowl, you were the only one who heard it." I quickly ran through the trees. And then found Longtail sitting next to Darkstripe, who was on the ground. "He was attacked by badgers." Longtail said woefully. "He will be missed." I quickly sprang up and said "Why is he this far out of the camp?" Longtail replied, "He was gathering herbs for Yellowfang. I believe there is a great patch of herbs very close to here, but he stepped on a cete of badgers." "Well, can you go tell Whitestar the news? He's near fourtrees. He's staying there until further notice and you can run faster than me." "I will, but remember, you are an apprentice. You're not the one supposed to be giving orders." After that he sped of into the trees and I padded towards camp.

The wall of ferns surrounding the camp grew into sight and the scent of Thunderclan grew stronger too. I travel through the ferns and then the familiar cats are visible. Runningwind ran up and mewed "Where's Whitestar, Stripepaw, and Longtail?" I, slightly startled meow back "They're still returning, I believe Stripepaw got injured and they're keeping watch of him." I tread to the apprentice den and lay in my bedding. Ruffling came from the ferns and once they stepped into the clearing, I could recognize it as Longtail, Whitestar, and Stripepaw. Stripepaw looked surprisingly wounded, especially for facing a reluctant attacker. "My! You must immediately visit Yellowfang's den! exclaimed Runningwind. He obeyed and padded towards the medicine den. Then Whitestar gave a yowl to signal a clan meeting. Everyone gathered around the Highrock and Whitestar announced "As you know, Fall-leaf is coming to an end. We all know the harshness of Leaf-bare. We have several harsh moons ahead of us. Be prepared." With a jolt I realized I never faced the struggles of Leaf-Bare, as I was born in Newleaf.
Norwegian FOREST Cat Horrorlandian State