Death is But Only A Gate to the Living
Long ago, the first Clan of the Gods emerged. These were beasts with powers to control individual elements. Now, the Clans are becoming stronger. A new threat is eminate. Can the Clans join together to fight this threat? Or will they fall like their ancestors? Clans: Water Clan Fire Clan Dark Clan Thunder Clan Sky Clan Earth Clan Softpaw awoke in the apprentice's den to the sun shining brightly in her eyes. She stretched and yawned loudly. She prodded her brother, Stonepaw, waking him. "C'mon, Stonepaw! Today we is our warrior ceremony! We can't be late!" She said, padding eargerly out of the den, nearly running into her mentor, Russetfoot. "Whoah, there, Softpaw! I know your excited for your ceremony today, but you and your brother are going on patrol with me, MarrowClaw, Kestrelwing, and ShiningStar first." Russetfoot said, nudging Softpaw back to her paws. Softpaw ducked her head low in shame. "Sorry, Russetfoot." She said. Russet foot smirked in amusement, wagging his tail. "No harm done, little one. Now come on." He said, turning toward the cave entrance to wait with the others. Stonepaw stumbled out of the den, looking around drowzily. "Why do we have to go on patrol? I thought we were gonna be made warriors." Softpaw shrugged. "I guess Shiningstar wants to make absolute sure we're ready to become warriors." She said, sighing and padding over to the warriors. Its only because he still doesn't trust us because of our father, Jayfang. She thought bitterly. A few moons before Softpaw and Stonepaw were apprentices and still tiny pups, their father, Jayfang, had gone against the Clan and had tried to murder Shiningstar, knowing the leader was on his last life given to him by the Gods.He had failed miserably and was sentenced to banishment. Now, Jayfang wanders the mountians of EarthClan territory. Softpaw shook off the painful memories and smiled at the warriors. Shiningstar smiled at the two apprentices. "Ok, now lets go." Stonepaw and Softpaw nodded and followed them out of the cave. Softpaw stayed clsoe to Russetfoot and Stonepaw stayed close to his mentor, Marrowclaw. She stopped, scenting the air. She had picked up a very unfamiliar scent. The rest of the patrol stopped and looked at her. "What do you smell, Softpaw?" Shiningstar asked, looking at the apprentice curiously. "I smell something yucky and very strong." She said, lifting her head. Russetfoot looked at Shiningstar, alarm in his amber eyes. "Its wolverine, sir." He said. A shiver ran down Softpaw's spine. Wolverines were very dangerous. If one was determined enough, it could kill a whole patrol easily. Shiningstar's neck fur rose. "Come. We must follow the scent trail and hopefully chase it off before it settles here." They all nodded and followed Shiningstar. Softpaw felt a little pride at being the one to find the scent. The patrol stopped in front of a large overhang of rocks, named by the Clan as Falling Boulders. The reek of wolverine was coming from the small cave beneath the overhang, but wasn't very fresh. "It must be nearby." Kestrelwing said. Shiningstar nodded. "Yes. Fan out and look for a fresh scent." He siad, going off in a different direction. Softpaw picked up a faint trail and followed it. She lost the trail and called out,"Russetfoot!Shiningstar! I lost the tr-" She was abruptly cut off by a large, blunt-clawed paw slamming into her side, sending her flying. She yelped in pain, but struggled back to her paws, launching herself at the wolverine and biting into its neck fur. She saw a flash of shining white fur and Shiningstar was on top of the wolverine as well in moments. Together, the two bit the wolverine until it ran off. Shiningstar looked proudly at Softpaw. "Good job, Softpaw! You handled that wolverine like a true warrior of EarthClan." Softpaw beamed proudly. Russetfoot, Marrowclaw, Kestrelwing and Stonepaw rushed toward the two, looking ready to fight. "What happened?" Kestrelwing asked, looking at the two. "The wolverine attacked Softpaw, but she gave him a lesson he won't soon forget. Come, we must get back to the cave and hold these two's warrior ceremony." Shiningstar, taking the lead of the patrol. Russetfoot licked the top of Softpaw's head, smiling proudly. "Good job,little one." Softpaw smiled. They reached the cave and Shinigstar leaped up onto the large boulders called teh High Boulders. "All woves old enough to catch their own prey gatehr beneath the High Boulders for a Clan meeting!" He waited until almost all the Clan had gatehred beneath the High Boulders and then started the meeting. "Wolves of EarthClan, today we shall make two worthy apprentices into full warriors of EarthClan!" Barks of joy and agreement erupted from the Clan. Shiningstar waited until the noise died down before continuing. He hopped down from the High Boulders and stepped in front of Stonepaw. "Do you Stonepaw vow to uphold the Godscode and protect this Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Stone nodded. "Yes,I do." Shiningstar smiled. "Then by the powers of the Gods of Olympus, I give you your warrior name. From this moment on, you'll be known as Stonefur. EarthClan honors your bravery and strength." Shiningstar licked the top of Stonefur's head and Stonefur licked Shiningstar's shoulder in respect. As the Clan began chanting the new warrior's name, Shiningstar stepped in front of Softpaw. He waited until the Clan was silent before continuing. "Do you Softpaw vow to uphold the Godscode and portect this Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Soft nodded without hesitation. "Yes, I do." Shiningstar smiled. "Then by the powers of the Gods of Olympus, I give you your warrior name. From this moment on, you'll be known as Softsoul. EarthClan honors your loyalty and loving heart." He then licked the top of her head and Softsoul licked his shoulder in respect. As the Clan erupted again, chanting both the new warrior's names, Shiningstar smiled at them both. "You have earned this Clan's respect. I'm proud to be your leader." Stonefur and Softsoul smiled and nodded their thanks. "Tonight, Softsoul and Stonefur will sit vigil, as is tradition.' Shiningstar said, addressing the Clan. "This Clan meeting is over." He said, walking to his den. Russetfoot walked up to his former apprentice. "Congratulations, Softsoul." Softsoul smiled and walked over ot the entrnce of the cave, as did her brother. They did not speak to each other, although they were both happy. It was tradition that new warriors had to sit a silent vigil. They watched as the first HeavenClan warriors twinkled into existence in the night sky. Warriors who have died and gone ot HeavenCLan became stars in the night sky. All night, Softsoul and Stonefur watched over the clan and the cave. As the first rays of dawn cut across the sky, Shiningstar padded over to Softfur and Stonefur. "Your vigil is over. You may go to the warrior's den and get some sleep." Softfur smiled and headed to the warrior's den, picking a spot beside her brother. The warrior on the other side of her, Swiftfoot, shifted a little to give her more room. As Softfur curled up, she fell fast asleep. She awoke in a very different place in her dream. She was standing on the bluffs outside WindClan territory. "Why am I here?" She said aloud, but, as she spoke, her words seem to float in front of her, written in silvery writing. Then, a pinkish writing seemed to mingle among her words an d soft, kind voice said,"All is well, young warrior. Be calm." Instantly, Softfur felt calm and serene. A beautiful white furred wolf appeared before her, her pinkish white eyes smiling. "Who are you?" Softfur asked. "I go by many names young one. But, mostly I am called Aphrodite." Softfur's eyes widened. "But, Lady Aphrodite, you are supposed to be in the form of a human!" Softfur siad. Aphrodite laughed softly. "I have many forms, young wolf. I chose this form because I am speaking to a wolf. I have come to ask a favor of you." "W-what kind of favor is it, Lady Aphrodite?" Softfur asked. "To the west of the clans' territory, a great evil is growing. An evil the gods on Olympus have not seen for many thousands of years. I am to gather a warrior from each Clan to go on a journey to defeat the evil. I have chosen you, Softsoul, to represent EarthClan on the journey. You are strong, yet brave and kind. You and the other warriors from the other clans will meet on the night of the crescent moon and from there begin your journey. Remember this, young one. Apart, you shall fall like trees in a storm, but together the elements shall satnd strong and tall like a mighty oak..." Aprodite began to disappear. "Wait! Lady Aphrodite, please tell me what you mean!" Softsoul said. But her words were wasted. Aphrodite had already left, leaving a silvery imprint in the ground where she had sat.
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