Prologue:
"Get away from these kits!" the fierce kittypet yowled. "They don't deserve to be killed!" The rest of the clan was busy fighting the fox pack. The kittypet grunted and jumped to scratch the fox's side flank. Scarlet droplets of blood flew and the she-cat's claws were red with blood. The fox growled and retreated. Soon she saw all of the foxes leaving the mysterious area. "Excuse me, kittypet?" a voice purred behind Rose.
Chapter 1:
"Yes?" Rose replied to the voice. "You protected kits that were not even yours. That is what makes a loyal warrior." She turned around and found the clan deputy speaking to her. "What do you mean by that?" Rose questioned, confused. "Would you like to join Hawkclan?" The deputy asked Rose. "You showed bravery and fearlessness. One day you could lead a clan." The deputy meowed.
“I accept your invitation. Thank you.” Rose meowed. “You will be apprenticed first to learn how to hunt and fight, and to learn the warrior code that we live by.” The deputy said, “I’m Skyfur, the HawkClan deputy.” “We shall hold a meeting to welcome you to the clan.” She purred. The deputy bounded towards a big orange tom, the leader of HawkClan.
“Brightstar, will we hold a ceremony for the newcomer?” Skyfur asked him. “Yes, we will hold a naming and apprenticing ceremony.” Brightstar replied. “Very well.” Skyfur murmured. “May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather around the highrock for a Clan meeting!”
Cats with tortoiseshell, calico, and every other colored pelt gathered in a clump. “We have decided to recruit a newcomer into our clan. From this moment on, this apprentice will be called Rosepaw until her warrior ceremony. I will apprentice Rosepaw myself, to share my knowledge.”
Chapter 2:
It had been 2 moons since Rose was made a warrior. Her warrior name is Rosepelt. The leader's words rolled over and over in her head like a leaf. 'You show kindness, bravery, and loyalty. You have done well,' Rosepelt woke up, ready for a new day, and a new start. The air was crisp and fresh, the leaves were dark green with warmth.
"Alright! Time for a patrol," She whispered, half to herself. The deputy, Skypelt, was on the highrock. Rosepelt rushed to join her Clanmates. "Alright. Rosepelt, Sparrowpaw, Arrowtail and Grassypool will go on a hunting patrol." Seaeyes meowed.
It had been a successful hunt. Rosepelt had caught a pigeon and two voles. Sparrowpaw caught a plump mouse, and Grassypool got a crow. "You have done well. You may go place your prey in the kill pile." Skypelt mewed proudly. Rosepelt trotted over to the kill pile and placed her catch in the middle. Arrowtail had been a senior warrior since before Rosepelt joined the clan, so he was very experienced.
Arrowtail padded to Rosepelt and congratulated her. “Good catches, Rosepelt. You have shaped up nicely.” He purred. Rosepelt blinked thoughtfully at Arrowtail and flicked her ear. Arrowtail nodded and stalked toward the warriors den. This is more than I ever could have imagined. Every cat here seems to accept me and I finally feel that I have set paw on the path of my destiny, Rosepelt thought, But I haven’t quite gotten there yet.
Chapter 3:
Rosepelt was standing on the highrock. The leader, Brightstar, called a clan meeting. "May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather under the highrock for a clan meeting!" It had been many moons since the exile of the old deputy. It had been 24 moons since Rosepelt joined Hawkclan.
"My time as leader has risen and fallen. I am retiring my role as leader." Brightstar said firmly. And here I am, thinking it was just yesterday when I joined the Clan. Now I am becoming leader, Rosepelt thought. Soon Rosepelt would go to the Moonstone to receive her name and nine lives. "From this moment on, Rosepelt will be the new leader!" Brightstar yowled.
“Before my journey tonight,” Rosepelt murmured to Brightstar, “I need to send out patrols.” Brightstar nodded his approval. Rosepelt bounded off the highrock and Trotted up to Grassypool and Volepaw.
“You two and I will be going on evening patrol before I travel to the Moonstone.” Grassypool blinked and Volepaw had excitement shining in his eyes. “My first patrol!” Volepaw remarked. “We must be quick. Catch some prey and get back before moonhigh.” Rosepelt mewed to the two toms. Grassypool flicked his ear to signal that he understood. They all padded out of camp stealthily and headed to the right.
Chapter 4:
Rosepelt walked carefully among clan borders going to the MoonStone. Tonight, she would become a leader. She was accompanied by Mothtail, the HawkClan medicine cat. It’s clan tradition passed down by generations of kin not to eat anything on the long journey to the MoonStone.
Rosepelt was so hungry, but she had to resist the urge to leap out at a mouse. “I hope we don’t run into a BranchClan patrol,” Rosepelt whispered to Mothtail. “That’s the opposite of what we need right now.” Rosepelt tasted the air and found nothing.
Mothtail replied, “If we do, they will let us pass.” “I hope so.” Rosepelt mumbled. They continued walking, now downwind. A familiar scent blew toward Rosepelt and Mothtail. That’s fresh BranchClan scent! She thought. Rosepelt looked over at Mothtail, she had noticed too.
Chapter 5:
The leader of the BranchClan patrol, Firstar, noticed the two cats and bounded towards them. “What are HawkClan cats doing on our territory?” he spat. “We are on our way to the MoonStone. Rosepelt has to receive her nine lives.” Mothtail answered. “Very well,” Firstar complied. “But don’t take the opportunity to hunt on our territory!” He snarled.
Firstar turned and stalked away. He looked over his shoulder and shouted, “May StarClan light your path!” Mothtail flicked her ears forward, signaling Rosepelt to keep on the trail. Rosepelt had been lagging behind by a few tail lengths. What will happen at Mothermouth, Rosepelt worried, Will something bad happen?
Chapter 6:
Rosepelt hurried to catch up to Mothtail, who seemed to have noticed the worried flicker in Rosepelt’s eyes. “It will be fine.” she remarked. Rosepelt flashed her a grateful look. Maybe it won’t be so bad, after all.
They had to cross several thunderpaths to ge to Mothermouth. This was a thin, empty one. No monsters were roaming on it. Rosepelt mewed, “I think it’s safe to cross.” Mothtail nodded. “Now!” Rosepelt hissed. They dashed across the thunderpath faster than ever.
It was moonhigh by the time the two cats got to mothermouth. Mothtail signalled with her ears toward the mouth of the cave. She walked in and Rosepelt followed. “It’s so dark! I can’t see!” Rosepelt whispered. Mothpelt replied, “It’s alright. Just follow my voice.”
Chapter 7:
Rosepelt was completely shrouded in darkness. “Mothtail! Where are you?” Rosepelt meowed. Mothtail whispered, “It’s alright, I’m right ahead of you.” Rosepelt trotted slowly. A blinding light came into view, turning Mothtail’s pelt silver. Mothtail nudged Rosepelt toward the Moonstone. “Press your nose against the Moonstone and let yourself fall asleep.”
Rosepelt stepped forward and lay down next to the Moonstone. She pressed her nose against it and closed her eyes. Rosepelt slipped into unconsciousness and opened her eyes to see eight StarClan cats standing in front of her. She could only identify Darkclaw, the first deputy of HawkClan that has been talked about for many moons.
Darkclaw had tragically been attacked by a big dog attacking the camp, resulting in his death. Darkclaw had frightened the dog and made it retreat before his death. “Darkclaw! It’s amazing to finally meet the hero of what is now HawkClan.” Rosepelt exclaimed. “Are you ready to gain your nine lives to lead your clan?” Darkclaw questioned. “Yes. I am ready.” Rosepelt replied.
Chapter 8:
"Let's begin." Darkclaw meowed. He continued, "Each of these cats, including me, will be giving you your extra lives." Rosepelt blinked in acknowledgement. Darkclaw stepped one tail-length forward and was nose to nose with Rosepelt. "With this life I give you strength and wisdom." Darkclaw leaned down and touched noses with Rosepelt. A sudden wave of pain shot through her neck and tail and felt like a lightning strike. She collapsed, heaving for air.
She heard barking; low, deep, grizzly barks. The dogs! Rosepelt thought. She struggled up to her paws after it was over. A ginger and white cat with a scar on her left shoulder trotted up to Rosepelt. She leaned and touched noses with Rosepelt. "With this life, I give you passion." a wave of happiness and immense sorrow shrouded her from head to tail-tip. Rosepelt bowed her head in sadness. She restored herself, ready for the next life.
A cat she hadn't seen before stepped forward and Rosepelt recognized him. The tom had ginger and black spots against white fur. "Brother!" she exclaimed. Her brother had moved to the clans before Rosepelt had. She didn't hear from him since. His name was Icywind. Icywind stepped up to her. "With this life, I give you love." Rosepelt braced for another painful life. But what she felt was happiness and content. "Thank you, brother." Rosepelt purred.
The smallest of all the eight cats stepped out, only being Rosepelt's size. She had a tortoiseshell pattern with white paws. Petalfrost was her name. Petalfrost leaned forward and touched noses with Rosepelt. "With this life, I give you power." A wave of overwhelming chanting drew in, getting louder and louder. Rosepelt waved her tail for silence and the chanting stopped. She blinked slowly, letting her ears recover from the loud chants.
Chapter 9:
Another cat walked out from the crowd, nearly twice Rosepelt’s size. The she-cat had long light brown fur, darker stripes, and a fluffy mane around her neck. She went by the name Tigerfluff. Tigerfluff stepped forward. “With this life, I give you agility.” She leaned down and touched noses with Rosepelt. Rosepelt felt the wind weaving through her pelt and smelled prey everywhere. The feeling faded and Rosepelt raised her head.
Tigerfluff stepped back into the group of StarClan cats. The next one stepped out, Rosepelt faintly recognized the she-cat. She had a light ginger pelt with darker spots. Honeydapple, the former medicine cat. “With this life, I give you pride.” She leaned down and touched noses with Rosepelt. She felt a terrible pain in her head and paws. The result of a heavy ego. Rosepelt thought. She regained her attention.
Honeydapple stepped into the group of cats. A black-with-brown-paws tom stepped out from the very back. His name was Sorrelpelt. He was the size of a lion itself. Sorrelpelt leaned down to meet Rosepelt’s gaze. “With this life, I give you quick thinking.” He touched noses with Rosepelt. Her whole body ached, head to tail. A rush of nervousness flooded over her. She stretched and came back to reality. Sorrelpelt turned and stalked away into the crowd.
Chapter 10:
There were two cats left. Larkstar, the second leader of HawkClan, trotted up to Rosepelt. Her fur was white and gray, with an orange tail and blue eyes. Larkstar had retired early from leadership and Brightstar took her place. Wisdom shown in her eyes. “With this life, I give you the ability to name new members of the clan.” She touched noses with Rosepelt. The happiness of a newly named warrior flooded her senses and she felt weightless. Rosepelt collected herself. Larkstar smiled and backed up into the group.
The last remaining cat walked toward Rosepelt. He was the biggest of all the cats, with white fur and a blue-gray muzzle. Scars riddled his pelt all over. Moonstar, the first leader of HawkClan, was standing before her. His voice rang out. “With this life, I give you the ability to lead your clan.” Moonstar touched noses with Rosepelt. “Lead your clan well, Rosestar.” The Starclan cats chanted her new name.
Suddenly, they all faded away and blackness surrounded her everywhere. A red glow was distantly shining in front of her. A deafening, sad cry sounded behind her. Rosestar bounded away, but the red light seemed to get further and further with each stride. “There will eventually be a darkest hour for your clan. There will be no cat to call out for help to, and it’s your decisions that might destroy the clan, or save it.” “Wait! Don’t leave us like this!”
Chapter 11:
Rosestar jolted out of her sleep as her eyelids flew open. “Are you alright?” Mothtail pressed. “I’m fine, just startled.” Rosestar answered. “We can discuss it back at camp if you’d like.” Mothtail added sympathetically. Rosestar nodded.
It was moonhigh by the time they got back to camp. The first cat to welcome Rosestar back was Hollytuft. “Rosestar! I hope your journey was alright. Welcome back.” She mewed. “Thank you, Hollytuft. I need to announce the deputy now.” Rosestar jumped up onto the highrock. “May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather around the highrock for a clan meeting!”
As the clan filed into a ragged, color filled circle, Rosestar started to ponder about her responsibilities. What did Moonstar mean by “Darkest Hour?” She wondered. “Since it is a leader’s duty to appoint a new deputy at moonhigh, I have made my decision.” She meowed. “Hollytuft will be the new deputy of HawkClan.” She beckoned Hollytuft to stand under the highrock. Rosestar leaped down and touched noses with Hollytuft. Hollytuft bowed her head out of respect. “This meeting is hereby dismissed.” Rosestar announced. The clan cats congratulated Hollytuft. “I don’t know if I’m worthy of being deputy. What if I mess up?” She murmured. Grassclaw responded, “You were chosen for a reason. You will be an amazing deputy.” “Thank you, Grassclaw.” Hollytuft purred. Rosestar padded to the fresh kill pile. “Go fetch Robinpaw, please.” She ordered Hollytuft.
Chapter 12:
Hollytuft padded away and a moment later Robinpaw stalked up to Rosestar. “What happened? Am I in trouble?” Robinpaw sounded troubled. He had always been the jittery type. Rosestar looked at Robinpaw with a warm glow in her eyes. “No, I wanted to share prey with you.” She mewed softly. “It would be an honor, Rosestar.”
Rosestar took a plump squirrel from the pile. She nodded to Robinpaw to start eating. “Tomorrow I was thinking of going on a hunting session with you to assess your hunting skills.” Rosestar meowed. Robinpaw’s eyes widened. “I don’t think I’m ready to be assessed! What if I fail?” he meowed. “You have been shaping up well. I doubt you will fail.”
The morning was filled with dew in the air. Robinpaw’s senses were firing. Rosestar saw a vole walk across her vision. “You see that vole? Try to catch it.” she whispered to Robinpaw. Robinpaw dropped into a crouch. He stalked toward the vole, staying downwind. Robinpaw leaped elegantly and bit the vole in the back of the neck, swiftly killing it. “Good job, Robinpaw.”
At that moment, Rosestar smelled another cat, several of them. That is PineClan scent. Rosestar thought. “We need to get back to camp and warn the clan.” She growled hastily. Rosestar ran in the direction of camp while Robinpaw bounded behind her. “HawkClan! We need to-” They were already there. Cats were tussling in camp. Lilystar, PineClan’s leader, was locked onto Grassclaw. Rosestar bounded toward them and hauled Lilystar off aggressively. “Back away from my warrior!” She hissed.
Chapter 13:
“We had an agreement!” Rosestar snarled. “I declared the truce ended a long time ago.” Lilystar spat. “PineClan, retreat!” she yowled. Rosestar spotted Darktail bleeding out from one side. The gash went from his shoulder to his back flank. “Mothtail,” Rosepelt yowled. “Darktail is bleeding out!” His flank was barely moving now. Darktail was slipping away! Mothtail ran out to the clearing where Darktail was. She ordered every cat to go take care of themselves. Rosestar trotted to her den below the highrock.
Lilystar was just using me, she thought, But for what? Rosestar seemed to get lost in her pondering because when she looked up the sun was lower than before and the shadows had shifted. Robinpaw padded into the medicine den, where Mothtail was treating the injured cats. He had a nasty gash on his shoulder. As Robinpaw disappeared into the den, Rosestar recalled who was attacking the apprentice. The PineClan deputy, Fernpool. Robinpaw had bravely fought off the deputy. I think Robinpaw should have his warrior ceremony.
The sun was setting on the horizon. Rosepelt swiftly dashed to the top of the highrock. “May all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather around the highrock for a clan meeting!” She yowled. Pelts of many diverse colors filed into the clearing. Among the furry clump of cats, she spotted Mothtail hurrying out from her den.
“As you all know, Darktail has been fatally injured in a battle with Lilystar, the PineClan leader.” She announced. “But The real worry is that Lilystar fatally wounded Darktail. That is against the warrior code, to kill a cat in a fight.” Uncertain murmurs started to circulate around the camp. “But the other reason you were all called here is for Robinpaw’s warrior ceremony.”
Chapter 14:
“Robinpaw bravely fought off Fernpool, the PineClan deputy,” Rosestar meowed triumphantly. “He fought well and worked hard.” She beckoned Robinpaw with her tail and he stepped forward. “Do you promise to protect your clan at all costs, even at the cost of your own life?” Rosestar asked. Robinpaw replied, “I do.” Rosestar hopped down from the highrock. “From this moment on, Your warrior name will be Robinwing.” She touched noses with him. The clan’s chants rose to the skies. “Robinwing! Robinwing!”
“Serve the clan well, Robinwing.”
A little white kit scrambled out from the nursery and ran to Robinwing. “Yay! A new big kitty!” She mewled. That was Icekit, Grassclaw and Hollytuft’s only kit. Hollytuft stepped in front of Icekit. “You don’t want to anger him now, do you?” Her voice was soft. She nudged Icekit back to the nursery. Robinwing purred. “That Icekit really is something.” He mewed. “He sure is.” Hollytuft replied.
“Besides that,” Hollytuft meowed, “It’s time to send out the evening patrol.” She nodded her head toward Grassclaw and Volepelt. “Go get those two, you will go on the evening patrol.” Robinwing nodded and headed towards the two older warriors. Rosestar trotted up to Hollytuft. “Sent out the patrol?” She asked. “Yes, Rosestar.” Hollytuft replied. “We need as many patrols as possible. PineClan will strike again eventually.” Rosestar mewed urgently.
“I understand.” Hollytuft murmured.
Chapter 15:
Hollytuft walked toward Grassypool and Vinespike. “Grassypool, Vinespike. You will come with me on dawn patrol tomorrow before sunhigh. Bring an apprentice.” She meowed. Vinespike flicked his ear. Mothtail suddenly bounded out of the clearing toward Rosestar, who was a few tail lengths behind Hollytuft. “Darktail is awake, he is going to survive!” She cried triumphantly. Rosestar purred and nodded her thanks.
Hollytuft exchanged a grateful glance with Mothtail. Mothtail trotted back to the medicine den to monitor Darktail. “I will be going in dawn patrol with Grassypool and Vinespike tomorrow.” Hollytuft said to Rosestar calmly with a happy shine in her eyes. “Very well. I would like to join a hunting party tomorrow at sunhigh. I would like you and some others to come along.” Rosestar replied.
Rosestar padded to her den to get some sleep. The clearing was getting emptier and quieter. She lay down for a minute at the mouth of her den to admire the nighttime scenery. The crisp, cool air of a greenleaf night, the warriors of StarClan watching over the Clan.
As Rosestar drifted to sleep, the heard wind blowing, and opened her eyes to see eight starry figures infront of her. Rosestar watched in silence as they came forward. “Rosestar, a bleak time is going to set upon your clan. You have to lead them well. I believe you can. This is your destiny.” Moonstar meowed calmly. His eyes were like yellow ice shining when the sun hits it. The StarClan cats dissolved at once, and Rosestar woke up to the sun rising and the clouds stained pink and orange.
She rose to her paws and pondered for a moment. What did Moonstar mean by ‘A bleak time’? Rosestar thought. She snapped out of it and padded out into the warm, damp morning. The leaves and grass were soaked with dew and the sun has risen in the sky. Another Greenleaf day.
Chapter 16:
Dawn patrol was coming out of the mouth of the leafy entrance tunnel to the Clan’s camp. The three cats had all caught pieces of prey almost enough to feed two hungry warriors. A cool breeze blew through the camp and Rosestar stopped to enjoy it. The scent of all the loyal and noble HawkClan cats wafted in the air. Queens, kits, apprentices, and warriors. All a vital part of the survival of her amazing Clan.
I have found my true home, where I am meant to be. On the path of my destiny. I will protect this clan at the cost of everything I have. Rosestar thought contently. Rosestar padded up to Hollytuft. The sun had risen fully into the sky and the day had grown warmer.
“I suppose it is time to round up a hunting patrol.” She meowed, stretching. Hollytuft nodded and brought back Robinwing, Grassclaw, Darktail, who had healed very well, and Vinespike. As they headed out, Grassypool padded up to Rosestar. “I must speak to you when you get back, it’s important.” She mewed quietly. Rosestar nodded.
The hunting party trotted through the leaf tunnel and out into the shaded, peaceful forest. Birds chirped and the sound of animals rustling in the bushes was all around. A squirrel sprinted down a tree to the side of Vinespike. The other cats on patrol had noticed in a heartbeat and Rosestar dropped into a downwind crouch and stalked toward her prey.
When she got close enough, she pounced and landed above the squirrel. Rosestar gave it a swift, clean bite to the neck, killing it. She flicked her tail as a victory signal.
Chapter 17:
Vinespike caught a pigeon and a fat crow. Rosestar caught that squirrel and a shrew. Hollytuft caught a vole. The hunt had been successful. Rosestar walked up to Grassypool and beckoned her toward the leader’s den. As they walked, Grassypool seemed anxious. Once Rosestar and Grassypool were in the leader’s den, Grassypool told the story of what happened last moonhigh.
“I was walking around to enjoy the nice, cool night,” She said, “But then I ran into a PineClan cat. It smelled like Fernpool. I tried to fight her off and she wounded my shoulder.” Rosestar noticed the cobwebs on her shoulder. “Well? Were there reinforcements?” Rosestar asked. “No, not that I saw.” Grassypool replied. “Alright.” Rosepelt murmured.
The sun was setting on the horizon and the sky was painted blue, purple, pink and orange. The cool winds came from up north as the clearing emptied and Rosestar settled into her nest. She spotted Arrowtail and Hollytuft heading out of camp. She didn’t question it, knowing they needed to watch for other warriors from PineClan.
Rosestar woke up to Hollytuft yowling. “PineClan is invading the camp! Every cat, get into position!” The cats of HawkClan united into rows behind eachother. As the PineClan cats came, the rows and rows of cats leaped out and started attacking. Fernpool immediately yelped for them to retreat.
“Victory!” Arrowtail yowled.