The Fox

*Dreamstar sniffed the air. She was hunting with Markpaw and Fleckpaw, and so far it was going well. A few days ago they had found a starling on the border, with CloverClan scent on it. It was left there, and Dreamstar guessed as a peace offering. Dreamstar's ears pricked at the sound of snuffling, then a red, bushy,  tail appeared above the fronds. A hiss rose to Dreamstar's throat, and she signaled for Fleckpaw and Markpaw to get down. She whispered to them.*

Fox... Fleckpaw, run back to camp, silently, and get a patrol of warriors!

*Fleckpaw nodded, and ran off, not even making a sound as he ran on soft paws. Then, shortly after Fleckpaw left, the fox stood rigid, and Dreamstar hissed.*

Get ready to fight Markpaw... it's noticed us...

*Markpaw nodded, and leaned forward, ready to pounce as the very large fox emerged into full view. The fox snarled, and lunged at Dreamstar. She side stepped to the side, making the fox miss. She then leaped onto the foxes back, and was thrown off. She saw Markpaw also get thrown off, then the fox was on her before she could stand up. it's paw pressed down on her chest, making her gasp for air on each breath. She struggled, but it only made it worse. Then, the fox grabbed Dreamstar's neck, and threw her.

*Markpaw scrambled up to see Dreamstar, losing a life on the ground. He snarled, and leaped at the fox. I don't want to lose her again! The tom, gorged his claws through the foxes side. The fox yelped in surprise, and spun on Markpaw, but Markpaw was already behind the fox. he slid under it, and dug his claws in. The fox yowled, and leaped away. Markpaw snarled in anger, and leaped at the fox again, and again. Then finally, when the fox was heavily bleeding, it ran off, limping as it's front paw was torn up. Markpaw stood crouched down, snarling and bristling. At that moment, a patrol erupted from the bushes, Fleckpaw in the lead. They skidded to a halt as they saw the blood, and Markpaw. The apprentice looked at them, before padding to dreamstar, who was struggling up. She looked around. Markpaw's pelt was the only one covered in a few cuts and blood.*

Markpaw... did you?

*Markpaw nodded, and smiled. He helped Dreamstar, and they padded back to camp, with the patrol looking confused.*

::---::

 

*When they got back to camp, Dreamstar immediately leaped onto the LakeRock, and called the clan together.*

Today, a fox came into our territory! Markpaw, Fleckpaw and I were hunting. I told Fleckpaw to run back to camp, and get a patrol. That patrol was not needed. The fox took one of my lives, and Markpaw drove it off, by himself. Markpaw, please step forward.

I, Dreamstar, leader of LakeClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon this apprentice. He has trained hard to learn the ways of you noble code, and I give
him to you as a warrior in turn.

Markpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend your clan even at the cost of your life? [ says I do]

Then by the powers of StarClan I grant you your warrior name!

Markpaw, from this moment you shall be known as Markspirit! StarClan honors your bravery and courage!!!

*Dreamstar smiled, and the clan started to cheer.*

Markspirit! Markspirit! Markspirit!

*Dreamstar leaped off of the LakeRock, and padded to Markspirit.*

Congratulations Markspirit.

*She nodded, and padded away.*

*Markspirit soon slipped away from the clan, and ran into the forest to the familiar tree. He ran in, gasping. The small she-cat leaped up in alarm.*

Wake! I'm a warrior! I chased a fox off the territory, and I'm a warrior! I'm Markspirit now!

*Wake smiled.*

That's great Markspirit!

*They smiled at each other.*

I have to go, I should be sitting a silent vigil now...

*With that, Markspirit left.*

::---::

**Later That Night**

*A yowl ripped through the camp.*

My kit! Where is Newkit!

*Markspirit leaped up from his silent post, and ran to the Nursery where Coastpebble was frantically searching.*

Newkit's missing!?

*Coastpebble nodded.*

There's loner scent where she was!

*Markspirit stiffened. No... Wake would never take a kit! Markspirit ran out of camp, following the scent trail. Then, he found the small kit's body. Newkit, was dead. Markspirit gently picked up her body and brought her back to camp, where Dreamstar announced the grave news.*

:~~Markspirit:

Time of My Life

*Dreamstar sat in the entrance of her den. Rippleblaze was out hunting, so she got some time to think. Tears were brimming on the edge of her eyes. She smiled a tearful grin at the kits playing. No one knew why she was crying, except for Dreamstar herself. Dreamstar just sat, and watched. Her face was contorted in sorrow, and an unknown emotion. Her fur was sleek, and well groomed. her eyes looked bright, but in the back, if you looked closely, they were dull from sorrow and pain. Pain from knowledge. Knowledge of the world. Of beginnings, of endings. Knowledge of secrets, of the truth, of the lies. Knowledge of her loved ones, of her hated ones. She hung her head and muttered.*

I can't go on.
I can't even start.
I've got nothing left.
Just an empty heart.
I'm a fighter.
Wounded so I must give up the fight.
There's nothing more for me.
Lead me away.
Or leave my lying here.
Without a light, I fear that I will stumble in the dark.
Lay right down and decide not to go on.

*Dreamstar smiled weakly, then shook her head.*

If I lose myself...
My courage soon will follow.
So be strong tonight.
And remember who I am.

*No one noticed Dreamstar, for she seemed like a black shadow of sorrow. *

It's the time of my life. I should make the best of it.

*Dreamstar stood up, and padded out of the camp. Again, no one noticed her. She padded into the territory, sniffing the air. She padded to the lake, and saw Markpaw. She crept around, wanting to avoid all cats. She walked around the lake, until she was at the other side. There were a few very small islands in the middle. Dreamstar padded in, and swam to the largest she knew of. She climbed onto the island, and lied down. Sobs wracked her body as she tried to catch her breath.

She lay there or a long time. She partially noticed the sun go down, and the moon rise up in the sky. She didn't care. She stayed where she was. Slowly, her eyes closed, and she fell asleep.*

:~~Dreamstar:

*Icycurrent was getting better day by day. He could see how anxious Rosepaw was. They now knew that their kits were safe, but for how long? But he couldn't go back yet. He needed to train Erol. Erol grew at a rapid rate. he was almost the size of Icycurrent, and that was pretty large. Erol was also learning fast, though Icycurrent could see that Erol kept on remembering Scouting. Remembering the Scouts had made Erol a little depressed, but he kept training, because this was his new destiny. Icycurrent padded up to Rosepaw.*

Rosepaw. We can go back soon. I'm almost better. But when we do go back, I'll come after two sun-rises. It'll give you time to explain, about me also.

*Icycurrent smiled weakly.*

:~~Icycurrent:

(Dawn, they'll go back around the 26th.)

News, and Ceremonies

Lightclaw has had her kits, Mallowkit! And Silentstalker has left the clan for an unknown reason... Now, for our ceremonies!

I, Dreamstar, leader of LakeClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down upon these apprentices. They have trained hard to learn the ways of you noble code, and I give
them to you as warriors in turn.

Clearpaw, Runningpaw, Spiritpaw, Windpaw, Thornpaw, Featherpaw and Spiderpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and protect and defend your clan even at the cost of your life? [ says I do]
Then by the powers of StarClan I grant you your warrior names!

Clearpaw, from this moment you shall be known as Clearbreeze! StarClan honors your stealth!

Runningpaw, from this moment you shall be known as Runningfleet! StarClan honors your speed!

Windpaw, from this moment you shall be known as Windfrost! StarClan honors your techniques!

Thornpaw, from this moment you shall be known as Thornear! StarClan honors your courage!

Featherpaw, from this moment you shall be known as Feathersap! StarClan honors your passion!

Spiderpaw, from this moment you shall be known as Spidernose! StarClan honors your bravery!

Spiritpaw, fromt his moment you will be known as Spiritmoon! StarClan honours your determination!

Windfrost! Runningfleet! Clearbreeze! Thornear! Feathersap! Spidernose! Spiritmoon!

::---::

By naming apprentices we show that LakeClan will survive and remain strong. Flowerkit, Mousekit, Stormkit, Frozenkit, Silentkit, and Flamingkit until you have received you warrior names, you will be known as Flowerpaw, Mousepaw, Stormpaw, Frozenpaw, Silentpaw, and Flamingpaw!

Soul, you have wish to not receive a warrior name, so from now on, you shall be known as Soul!


Foxfang, Grayspeckle, Falcon, Fallenstrike, Moonflower, Adder and Ashfall. Train your apprentices well.

Ashfall you shall mentor Flowerpaw.

Adder you shall mentor Stormpaw.

Foxfang you shall mentor Mousepaw.

Grayspeckle you shall mentor Flamingpaw

Moonflower you shall mentor Frozenpaw.

Fallenstrike you shall mentor Silentpaw.   
  
Falcon, your apprentice, Sorrelpaw has passed, and you did not get to train her, you shall mentor Soul.


Silentpaw! Frozenpaw! Stormpaw! Flowerpaw! Mousepaw! Soul!

Monarch of Glory-Part 9-FINAL

(Wow... I haven't wrote this in a LONG TIME. :P XD )

*Dreamstar sat on the LakeRock. The recent battle with CloverClan had destroyed the apprentices den, and they now had to rebuild it. But now everything was okay. She winced as she switched her bodies weight to a different paw, and watched the clan work together. She saw Rippleblaze, and immediately her heart warmed. Did I make the right choice? By loving Rippleblaze, not Soaringheart? Tears lightly sprung to Dreamstar's eyes at the thought of Soaringheart. I loved him. But as a friend, or a brother... My heart was never truly with Soaringheart. He took advantage of Cloudriver's death to get me to love him. I would have never been happy with him. She watched Rippleblaze. He had saved her many times, risked his own life for her. He had went beyond the duty of risking his life for his clan. Dreamstar rethought the times he had saved her....*

The first time I fell in love with him... was when Hawkclaw was trying to kill me through the Dark Forest... Rippleblaze took me to MarshClan. He helped me. He saved me, and he took my heart. If it wasn't for him, I might have lost all my lives.

*Dreamstar smiled, then thought again.*

When I was having his kits, for the first time... It was a blinding blizzard, and I went out to find him. He kept me warm, and made sure he tried the best for our kits. Rippleblaze, Ripplestar, saved mine and Fellwave's lives that day...

*She then reflected on the Giant Cat Battle at the Gathering.*

The Giant Cat Battle... I was fighting fiercely, then I heard Rippleblaze, Ripplestar then, call my name to warn me. It was too late... The giant cat had brought it's paw down on me. The last thing I remember hearing is Ripplestar yowling in grief, then I went to StarClan. I had lost two lives then. StarClan told me I couldn't go back. My wounds were too horrible. But I was able to watch the battle, and Ripplestar fought like all of StarClan. He was driven by sorrow and fury, but he fought, he fought for me. When I was allowed back, Ripplestar thought I had lost all of my lives, and he swore he would stay with me. I didn't take him seriously, until he announced in front of my clan he would like to join...

*Dreamstar smiled, and purred, before getting lost in another memory. Her mind flew to the BlackClan battle.*

I was fighting against Thornstar. We were losing, badly too. But I couldn't retreat. Thornstar and his clan had killed many LakeClan cats. It was too much. Then, before I knew it, I was lying on the ground, losing a life. I saw Rippleblaze slam into Thornstar, and I heard a yowl, and I knew it was Thornstar's. That's when I blacked out. When I woke up, I was in the make shift Medicine Cat Den near the BlackClan camp. Rippleblaze was lying beside me. He told me Thornstar lost a life, more then one. Rippleblaze had once again, risked his single life for her multiple lives...

*These memories were overwhelming Dreamstar, but she thought of the next one.*

It was after the Gathering... one of the more recent ones. Dewstar was attacking me in her camp. We had attacked right after they had retreated. Dewstar may have killed me, but Rippleblaze pushed her off of me, and fought her. He fought, again, for me.

*Dreamstar then saw Rippleblaze padding over to the LakeRock. He leaped up beside her, and pressed his cheek against hers tenderly. He then sat down beside her, and Dreamstar's mind wandered to her latest memory.*

I remember fighting Dewstar. It was the last battle between our clans. Then, she swiped her claws across my neck. I pushed my hind feet off of her, and fell to the ground, heavily bleeding. I faintly saw Rippleblaze stalk towards Dewstar. His voice was filled with rage as he spoke clouded words to CloverClan's leader. I saw the whole fight as I slipped between unconsciousness and consciousness. Then, I saw Dewstar fall to the ground, and lose a life. I heard Nestflame and what I thought to be was the CloverClan's medicine cat. That's when I blacked out...

*Dreamstar looked at Rippleblaze. He saw staring out over the clan. He was a great leader for MarshClan... and he's also a great mate... I chose the right cat. Rippleblaze loves me more then anyone could. Dreamstar leaned against Rippleblaze, cherishing his warmth. I chose the right cat... I chose the right cat to be my, my Monarch of Glory. Dreamstar purred, and watched her Clan, with the cat she loved, Rippleblaze.*

(Aww. Sappy ending. :P )