Contests – May 2020

I REVISED MY WRITING PIECE AND NOW STUFF ACTUALLY MAKES SENSE
HERE YA GUYS GO XD

Writing Entry

Prologue

Night lay upon the forest. The stars glittered against the darkness of the sky, the half moon lighting up the trees. A slight breeze carried the earthly scents of the forest.

A cat raced through the pines, swift and silent on his paws like a shadow. He carried himself over fallen logs and dodged low-hanging branches. Finally, panting heavily, the cat crashed through a tangle of overlapping leaves, arriving at a lonely clearing where the moon lit up the pool of clear water. A number of other cats surrounded the water, some glaring at one another and others muttering ominously in low voices.

At the disturbed silence, several heads snapped up to meet the new arrival. The new cat met their fierce gazes, sweeping his view across the clearing boldly, but he felt as nervous as he would jumping off a cliff. Recognizing that he was no foe, the cats ignored him and turned back to their own conversations.

That is, all except one cat.

“You’re late.”

The cat whipped around and noticed the battle-scarred leader hiding in the shadows for the first time. His night colored pelt hid him well while his amber eyes scorched the other cat’s own dark bracken fur.

The new cat bowed his head in acknowledgement. “Darkshadow. I’m terribly sorry. Please forgive me.” His paws shifted nervously beneath him.

“Brackenclaw.” Darkshadow’s contemptuous tone sent shivers down his spine. “What’s your excuse this time? Nevermind,” he rasped as Brackenclaw opened his mouth to speak. “This is your fourth strike. Next time this happens . . . you know what’s waiting for you.” The leader flicked his ears to dismiss him.

I better not lose track of time when the next meeting comes around. I need to stay alive for . . . for them. Brackenclaw cleared his head and ducked his head, making his way to his own position around the lake, beside Slatefang and Shadestrike. They hissed and nipped at his fur. The tom fought back the urge to cry out in pain, gritting his teeth.

Nobody in VoidClan really welcomed Brackenclaw. Well, nobody was open to anybody. But he felt like they all especially hated him, him of all the many hundreds of cats. The dark names each individual member was given as a warrior did nothing to help to mask the fear the aura of the Clan gave him. Brackenclaw shuddered inwardly, wishing he was back at the warm camp of EmberClan beside – Stop thinking about her! he scolded himself, and turned his attention to the VoidCats.

The cats around the lake were sitting orderly spaced apart. Most bore scars as marks from previous fighting sessions. A whoosh of wind swept through the clearing, giving Brackenclaw the feeling that he was truly alone.

I’m not alone! Think about the one cat you’re closest to, he urged himself. Images flashed through his mind, each a memory of his . . . friends. Brackenclaw curled his tail across his front paws. From his time as a dark cat, friends were a label he wasn’t entirely used to yet.

Darkshadow leapt onto a tall branch which was his position of where he addressed his warriors. He surveyed his cats one last time before yowling, “Let the Void Meeting begin!” Cats abruptly stopped conversations and looked up to the leader expectantly.

“As you all know, I’ve been working on a plan for the last few moons. Now, I’m ready to present it.” Darkshadow lifted his chin proudly and announced, “We will attack the five Clans!”

The sounds of cats yowling their agreement and their say in act of rebellion filled his ears. Immediately, Brackenclaw felt a jolt of fear. Attack the Clans? He could never do that when he was hardly a loyal cat, with a paw in each world!

Brackenclaw shifted in sitting position, calculating quickly. At first, Five Clans seemed like the VoidCats would be hopelessly outnumbered by the thousands, but the dark Clan had hundreds of members, all adding up to even numbers in comparison. His heart lurched. Extra battle training meant it would be very challenging to slip away and report back to EmberClan.

Darkshadow flicked his tail to silence the crowd. When the last murmurs died away, he continued, “The time has finally come to take over the land for ourselves. Those ignorant cats know nothing about the sixth Clan who lived silently right under their noses for years. But,” he declared, pausing dramatically, “we shall give them a chance to move. A warning to leave the territory. That also means that we will have to show ourselves which I’ll take care of. There is no need to get our claws dirty if they’re willing to leave.”

“And if they don’t?” a clear voice demanded from the opposite side of the pool.

“If they don’t . . .” Darkshadow scanned the cats below him. Brackenclaw felt his despiteful eyes rest on him for a long moment.

He already knew the answer. It was simple and the skill that all VoidClan members were trained for in life. He dug his claws into the soil.

“We’ll kill them.” At Darkshadow’s finishing words, cries of excitement and revolt filled the air.
* * * * *

Brackenclaw sprinted to the EmberClan camp. The wind whistled as he sliced through the trees. I have to warn them! he thought desperately. He put on a new burst of speed and he felt like they were in flames. He could not let cats die because of Darkshadow’s ambitions.

After tonight, Brackenclaw would be too busy and kept with battle training to report often to the Clans. Lightpaw, Riverfrost, Swiftwind, Willowpaw, and Cloudmist, his best friends and allies from the five Clans, were cats he could never imagine to fail. They were the only cats that accepted him. He could already envision the other Clan cats staring at him suspiciously, wondering if he could be trustworthy.

A crackling of a branch brought Brackenclaw back to the present. He skidded to a halt, pricking his ears and eyes wide, searching for signs of movement. He heard nothing. Brackenclaw continued on, toward the meeting place of his friends.

The brown-furred warrior was almost there when something collided painfully against his side, knocking him to the ground. He cried out in agony as claws raked his ears. He felt another set of paws holding him down while the other cat repeatedly batted his pelt. He tried to wriggle free, but it was no use. Then, something jagged hit the back of his head. Stars sprang in Brackenclaw’s vision while he struggled to escape. All his hope for warning the Clans faded away from his grasp as Brackenclaw’s world grew dark and he knew no more.
* * * * *

The sun’s warm rays filtered through the ferns of the apprentice’s den. Lightpaw and Flamepaw were the only ones in their nests. The rustling of brambles woke up Lightpaw. She yawned and stretched before making her way out. She was so tired after waiting until near dawn.

Some of the Clan warriors had just come back from the sunrise patrol. The other two apprentices were spending the morning with their mentors. Blazestar was still in his den. Half the warriors were sharing tongues and basking in the morning sun.

Lightpaw scanned her eyes across the clearing. Nobody seemed to notice her. That’s a first, she thought with a purr. Being popular was exhausting with a cat near you every second. It wasn’t helping that she was up all night. Casually, she padded over to the weak spot in the bramble wall surrounding the camp and slipped through the gap behind the apprentice’s den.

As soon as she was out of EmberClan camp, Lightpaw sniffed the air for scents of her Clanmates. No other patrols were sent out yet. She sprinted towards the morning sun where the Oak Clearing lay, passing early birds and prey burrows along the way. As soon as she got there, Lightpaw crouched at her spot near the brown rock and waited. The trees swayed in the wind welcomingly and the sounds of birds tweeting came from nearby.

Don’t get distracted, she urged. Lightpaw focused on the center of the clearing where a single jade leaf lay undisturbed on a large stone rock. Just a few moments later, the sunlight hit the rock at the tip of the leaf, blinding Lightpaw. She blinked rapidly and, without thinking, leaped into the clearing.

At the same time, four other cats landed on the ground. Four cats Lightpaw knew very well.

“Willowpaw! Riverfrost! Cloudmist! Swiftwind!” she mewed, trying to keep upright. I’m so . . . tired. . . .

“Glad to see us, are you?” Willowpaw teased. He flicked his ears in welcome, his warm eyes glowing. He had a dark gray pelt and willow green eyes. Riverfrost’s striped light gray tabby fur shone in the sunlight, blue eyes flashing with amusement. Cloudmist stretched his back, showing off his own white coat. Swiftwind’s sleek obsidian pelt made her one white paw stand out like a full moon at darkest night.

“Well, we can’t exactly avoid each other, right?” Riverfrost murmured, nuzzling Swiftwind and turning back to the others.

Cloudmist tipped his head, amber eyes blinking. “Of course.” Swiftwind rumbled affectionately.

“So,” Willowpaw said, rubbing his flank against Lightpaw, “how did the meeting with Brackenclaw go last night?”

Lightpaw bowed her head and sighed. “H-he didn’t come.” She couldn’t stop herself from already missing his gentle voice, his brave demeanor, the twinkle of affection in his eyes.

The clearing went silent. The background noises of the forest seemed so far away to Lightpaw’s ears.

Riverfrost was the first to find his voice. “What did you say?” he whispered.

“He didn’t come to the meeting,” Lightpaw repeated, her tone stronger this time. “I was waiting here until the sun started coming up again.” Suddenly, her weariness seemed to have amplified. The EmberClan apprentice swayed and tried to regain her balance, but her legs gave away beneath her.

Lightpaw saw a flash of gray fur and felt Willowpaw’s warm pelt supporting her weight. “Maybe you shouldn’t have stayed up so late,” he said, half-jokingly. Lightpaw smiled back weakly.

“What are we going to do?” Swiftwind cried. “He’s our only source to find out what’s happening in VoidClan.” Her purple-tinted dark eyes flashed wildly, head whipping around as if a vicious VoidCat were about to spring at any moment.

Riverfrost took charge. “We’ll come back every night,” he informed calmly. “And, we’ll investigate around here.”

Lightpaw groaned in dismay. “We can’t. The next patrol will be out soon and somebody will notice me gone.”

Cloudmist glanced around. “Alright. We’ll meet again tomorrow before dawn. That should give us enough time.” The other cats nodded in agreement, then dipped their heads in farewell and sped away towards the direction of their Clans.
Lightpaw’s mind swam as she tried to get her head around what might happen tomorrow. Dawn . . . that should give us enough time . . . to find what? Whatever’s left of Brackenclaw? He obviously couldn’t have just left. She shook her head in attempt to clear her mind as she slipped through the hole in the bramble wall.

“Lightpaw!” came a voice from inside the apprentice’s den, then murmured, “She’s not in her nest again.”

“Uh, I’m here, Embersight,” Lightpaw said, hurrying to the entrance of the den. Her mentor popped out to face her.

“There you are!” Embersight said brightly. “Let’s start your training session now. Blazestar says we can hunt.” Her eyes narrowed curiously. “You look tired. Have you been meeting with your friends again?”

“Yes,” Lightpaw muttered, casting her eyes down. Everybody knew about her friends as they were the friendly way of connecting with the other Clans. The leaders took their meetings more seriously when they discovered the existence of a sixth rogue Clan. Some cats were still debating about trusting Brackenclaw, but most accepted it for they knew it was essential for their survival, and Embersight was one who supported the friends. She hesitated then added, “Brackenclaw didn’t come last night.”

“What?!” Embersight yelped. “Something must have happened to him!”

Lightpaw was grateful that her mentor didn’t immediately accuse him of betrayal. “I know.” She sighed.

“Well, it’s no use complaining.” Embersight beckoned to her apprentice with her tail. “Nevermind with the hunting. Every creature in the forest will hear you lumbering about while you’re half-awake. We’re going to do some tracking to test your senses.”

Lightpaw followed Embersight through the bramble tunnel entrance and headed toward the rising sun. The branches towered over their heads, carried by a light breeze. Shafts of the morning sunlight peeked between the leaves, setting a beautiful scene. The two arrived in a maze of oak trees.

“You know what to do,” Embersight said, her eyes twinkling. Lightpaw felt herself relax as she breathed in the familiar scent of oak and sap. She was known as the best tracker in the Clans, although she herself didn’t understand why. I mean, all I do is breathe and use my NOSE. What’s so SIGNIFICANT about THAT?

Embersight lifted her head gracefully in a small patch of sunlight. “Anything new?”

“I don’t think so,” Lightpaw said, still scenting the air. “Just the usual oak trees and sap – and -”

Hold on.

It can’t be.

“And the coral bell flowers,” Lightpaw finished smoothly, covering up her mistake, but she was almost sure that her mentor noticed the gap between her words. Embersight glanced at her with narrowed eyes.

“Okay,” her mentor said slowly. “That’s all I can scent, too. There’s not much today. Let’s just get back to camp.” Embersight flicked her golden tail towards the direction they’d come from.

Lightpaw tried to keep calm. “I think I’ll hunt around here first. By myself,” she added.

Embersight hesitated. “Alright. I’ll meet you back at sunhigh.” Her golden pelt flashed in the sunlight, then disappeared as she leapt between the trees, padding away silently.

Turning back to where she was standing before, the EmberClan apprentice narrowed her eyes toward the land ahead. She lifted her chin sharply. This was the shared border between EmberClan and EvergreenClan, but beyond both was the end of their territory where no Clan lived. But a few moons in the past, Brackenclaw had come to bring news about the existence of VoidClan who lived in an isolated area (to avoid being discovered) in the distant land ahead.

Now, Lightpaw was sure of her findings. There was the unmistakable but very faint scent of VoidClan cats. Usually, they never strode this far into Clan territory in fear of being caught, but today, it seemed they’d changed their mind. Suddenly, she became aware of her surroundings and peered back slightly left of the direction of the Clan camp.

And just ahead was the Oak Clearing, the location of the meeting.

Why hadn’t she noticed this before? Had she really been so exhausted that she’d hardly been conscious of the fact that she’d nearly retraced her steps from this morning? Sighing, Lightpaw dipped her head back towards the end of the territory.

There.

Adrenaline rushed through Lightpaw’s flame-colored pelt. She was so familiar with this scent. Excitement and anxiety engulfed her.

Brackenclaw was here.

Time to investigate.

* * * * *

Riverfrost flicked his tail lazily over the pile of fish he’d caught by the river. The river glittered with reflecting sunlight. Reeds lay in clumps, scattered along the edge of the rushing water.

Riverfrost lay down and gazed into the clear water, deep in his thoughts. He longed to be back with his friends where he felt most at ease. For once, he wanted to get away from SplashClan, and instead, meet the cats again to look for adventure.

He sighed. Sometimes, I wish there was no VoidClan to trouble us, and Brackenclaw didn’t disappear, so that we could all be friends without danger on the line.

“Riverfrost!” came a voice behind him. He leapt to his paws as a brown tabby cat came into view. “Lakestar wants me to come and help you carry your fish.” She sniffed at the fish-pile. “Always the best hunter, aren’t you?” the cat purred.

“Streamsplash,” Riverfrost said, affectionately. “Thanks.” Streamsplash nodded kindly in response and the two cats gathered the fish and set off towards the camp. Riverfrost tried to clear his mind and enjoy his life at the moment, but he couldn’t shake the thought that something had felt so wrong by the stream.

“Wait!” He stopped in his tracks abruptly. Streamsplash who was ahead of him, stopped, too, and looked over her shoulder, tipping her head questioningly at him.

“I’ll go back and, um,” Riverfrost racked his mind for an excuse, “get the other fish. I forgot I had another small pile.”

Streamsplash gave him a strange look, but nodded. “Sure. Leave your fish here. I’ll take two quick trips to retrieve them.”

Riverfrost flicked his tail and sprang back to the riverside. Streamsplash was out of eyeshot. He crept through the reeds sniffing thoroughly at each clump.

Then, unexpectedly, the answer hit him.

Fresh VoidClan cat scent was near.

* * * * *

Willowpaw was flanked by his Clanmates as they trudged on through the evergreen trees. The hunting patrol was nearing the border between EvergreenClan and CloudClan.

The scent of the trees brought Willowpaw a wave of a strange, calming aura. He always believed that EvergreenClan territory held the most beautiful scenery. The trees seemed magical and seemed to emit power as an emotion: calm, like guardians of the territory.

Before long, the border patrol reached the edge of their territory. The strong scent of CloudCats came from the land beyond. The other cats, Cedarbranch, Leafsong, and Pineblossom, scattered along the border to leave their scent among the bushes and tree trunks. Willowpaw followed his mentor, Cedarbranch, and followed suit. He expected to get a full whiff of CloudCat scent as he walked along the border, rubbing his flank on branches as he went, but the scent was mingled with something else.

It was a scent only Willowpaw and his friends would know.

Brackenclaw carries this scent.

He bristled as he recognized the smell, building up anger for Brackenclaw for why he’d avoided them this morning, but was immediately struck by another thought.

The scent did not belong to Brackenclaw. It was a plain VoidClan scent.

They’d passed this way.

* * * * *

The moorland stretched as far as Swiftwind’s eyes could see where she stood at the heart of BreezeClan territory. The empty territory felt bare and vulnerable, but that was only a weakness added to other Clans. BreezeClan cats like Swiftwind were terribly familiar with their territory and could move unseen by enemies.

Enemies like VoidClan, Swiftwind thought bitterly, thinking of her select group of friends and evidently comparing them with the vicious, bloodthirsty rogue cats.

A gust of strong wind swept through the gorge. Swiftwind staggered to keep her balance as it passed by. Us WindWatchers need a more sheltered headquarters to keep watch.

Swiftwind regained her balance and gazed over at the other WindWatchers. They all bore the same expression: concern and confusion. Then, with impeccable comical timing, the cats shook their heads as if they were shaking off a thought like they’d imagined it.

Swiftwind narrowed her eyes and sniffed the air again. Then she realized why the other cats seemed confused.

And there was the unmistakable scent of VoidClan.

* * * * *

Cloudmist was on a hunting patrol. He crouched close to the ground for cover, fixed his gaze on the mouse ahead of him, and pounced, landing precisely on his prey. He gave it a quick killing bite and purred.

“Nice catch,” Peregrineflight said, padding over to congratulate him.

“Thanks,” said Cloudmist, nodding politely. Then he buried his prey and stalked over to the Circle of the Sun.

The clearing was where the sun gathered with strong rays of light. Because of it, the CloudCats had named it, the Circle of the Sun. Cloudmist padded over, expecting the warmth to soak into his fur with satisfaction.

But what was expected did not come.

Instead was a mess of torn branches, leaves, and prey in the clearing.

And all bore the scent of VoidClan.

* * * * *

“Brackenclaw!”

Lightpaw whimpered and sprang towards Brackenclaw’s body. His fur was tangled and matted with blood where scars were scattered all across his pelt.

“Oh, Brackenclaw, please wake up, the Clans need you.” Lightpaw whined and tried to lift his body, but he was too heavy.

“Flamepaw! Flamepaw!” Lightpaw shouted as soon as she scented her denmate. Flamepaw’s pawsteps pounded through the trees as he burst through the bush. His eyes widened as his gaze landed on Brackenclaw.

“Flamepaw, you have to help me,” Lightpaw said through gritted teeth as she tried to lift her battle-scarred friend.

* * * * *

Lightpaw was in the medicine cat den. Brackenclaw lay in a clean nest, breathing calmly.

It was two moons since Lightpaw had discovered her friend’s body on the forest floor. Now, Brackenclaw was almost fully recovered, but the terrible scars would remain. The EmberClan medicine cat, Ashfeather, was out collecting herbs to restock her supply.

Over the course of the two moons, Lightpaw visited Brackenclaw often, encouraging him to exercise and walk. Day by day, he grew stronger and well. Willowpaw, Cloudmist, Swiftwind, and Riverfrost came by as often as they could to look over him as well.

Whenever Brackenclaw was awake, he’d inform Lightpaw urgently about Darkshadow and VoidClan’s plans for battle to take over the Clan territories. Lightpaw, alarmed, but solemn, had informed Blazestar, who urgently passed on the message to the other leaders. Now, all the Clans trained and got ready for battle every day.

Brackenclaw stirred from his nest and Lightpaw looked up sharply. “Lightpaw,” he murmured. Lighpaw hurried over to help him sit up. “Lightpaw, the day has come.”

Lightpaw frowned. “What do you mean?”

Brackenclaw looked alarmed. “Haven’t you been counting the days? Tonight . . . VoidClan will strike.”

* * * * *

Lightpaw walked through the mass of fighting cats, Brackenclaw and Blazestar flanking her. Cats of all clans were deep in their training.

Just after Brackenclaw had informed her that tonight was the day of the battle, Lightpaw had rushed straight into Blazestar’s den, knocking over about six cats on her way. Huffing, she burst into Blazestar’s den, nearly running straight into him, and told him the news immediately. Blazestar, alarmed but in control, called an emergency Clans Meeting to warn the other leaders. And now, all cats were training in the EvergreenClan forest, as EvergreenCat territory had the largest training grounds.

The trio passed more groups of cats practicing with their claws sheathed.

“Everyone is ready,” Brackenclaw said, after he swept his gaze over all the cats. Blazestar nodded in agreement and yowled to call attention.

The fighting stopped and the clearing dropped silent.

Blazestar lifted his head and spoke, “Leaders, I believe we are all ready for the battle.” Yowls greeted his words as the cats caterwauled in contribution. The leaders nodded from the posts where they were to be to survey their cats’ training.

Lightpaw shivered but felt confident surging around her as she glanced at the cats’ faces. At last, she turned to Brackenclaw, who wore a solemn expression. They were ready to meet the vicious cats.

* * * * *

It was night. The stars shone overhead as all five Clans brought their cats for the battle.

This is it. The battle of our lives.

Lightpaw stalked forward, flanked by Brackenclaw, Willowpaw, Cloudmist, Riverfrost, and Swiftwind. A look of fear and determination was etched on each of their faces. Brackenclaw limped, but kept his pace.

Hemlockstar flicked her tail to signal the cats to halt.

They waited.

And the first battle cry filled the air.

Without a warning, cats sprang from all around them. Lightpaw was caught between cats she could not identify with all the commotion. She was separated from all her friends.

The battle raged full on. Lightpaw immediately leapt onto a calico VoidCat and attacked with all her strength.

The battle wore on for what seemed like moons. Exhausted but still determined, all Clan cats continued to fight for their lives.

At one point, Lightpaw realized that Willowpaw was near her, outmatched by a full grown gray tabby VoidCat. Lightpaw abandoned her fight and sprang to help her friend.

The brown cat Lightpaw was fighting noticed Willowpaw and the gray tabby, and her eyes glinted. Before a fraction of a second had passed, the two VoidClan cats were attacking Willowpaw on, full force. Within seconds, Lightpaw’s faithful friend was lying dead on the forest floor. She’d never experienced such pain in her life. Lightpaw howled her misery and buried her nose in Willowpaw’s dark gray fur. She took one look at the glossed-over willow-green eyes and let her rage carry her into the rest of the battle.

For a very long while, nothing else changed.

And the battle stopped abruptly.

The cats looked up in confusion, but the answer lay in the middle of the clearing.

Darkshadow and Brackenclaw were circling each other on the huge platform of stone. They stalked each other until Darkshadow leaped, claws outstretched. Brackenclaw turned to avoid it, but the rogue cat’s claws caught his tail. Brackenclaw howled in agony and batted the Void Leader’s face with the claws on his back paws.

It was a back and forth match. Both cats seemed evenly matched. Their movements slowed down as the night wore on. The other cats seemed to be petrified and couldn’t move.

At last, when the two cats seemed exhausted enough to fall asleep on their paws, Brackenclaw shot one last blow to Darkshadow’s eyes. “For the Clans!”

Crack.

Darkshadow’s lifeless body lay under Brackenclaw’s bloody claws. Brackenclaw’s heavy breathing was the only sound among the cats. And then he, too, fell.

After that was all a blur. The surviving VoidCats retreated and sprang away from Clan territory. Cats caterwauled in grief for their dead Clanmates and for their victory.

* * * * *

Lightpaw could only feel grief for Brackenclaw and Willowpaw. Nothing seemed to matter in the world anymore.

“Lightpaw?” She looked up. Blazestar was trotting toward her. “You fought bravely and the battle is won.” Lightpaw met her leader’s eyes with sorrow. “We will all grieve for our losses but we must continue with our lives.” The clearing was still silent. All cats’ eyes were on Blazestar and Lightpaw.

Blazestar spoke the words of the ritual. “May the Clans honor your intelligence and courage of the battle. Embersight has trained you well. To this day, Lightpaw, you remain as a faithful cat of EmberClan.” Blazestar dipped his head and touched noses with Lightpaw. “Welcome to the light of the warriors of EmberClan, Lightspark.”

———–

Woahh! I’m done! Well, if you didn’t get the ending, basically Lightpaw became a warrior. There are many obstacles in life, many too hard to encounter, but life must go on.

Ok, I’m out. I’m exhausted from writing, haha. What do you think? 😀