Chapter 2 - Into the Forest - HC x WC

Instructions

“Oh! I’m sorry. I got lost and started wandering around. I’m Amara.” I said. “Are you a loner or something?” One of the other cats said. “I’m a loner. Could I possibly join your Clan? I’m good at fighting. I also don’t think I have anywhere to go.” “Sure. I’m Silverfeather.” The sleek gray cat said. “I’m Brackentail.” The striped brown cat responded. “I’m Moonflame.” The calico cat said. “And I’m Sandstripe!” The light brown cat cheerfully added. Brackentail spotted the ear cuff I was wearing. “What’s that?” He asked, raising a paw to point at the ear cuff. “Yeah. What is that?” Silverfeather questioned as well. “This?” I tapped the ear cuff. “It’s a gift I got from my mother before she died.” “Oh. How did your mother die if I may ask?” Sandstripe softly said. Amara couldn’t say that her mother died from Listeners. They didn’t even know what Listeners and Watchers were. “She died from natural causes.” I lied. “That’s better than an attack or from a Clan war.” Moonflame responded. They started walking to their Clan, FlameClan, while continuing to talk. “Yeah. Better than an attack.” I said. Only if they knew what actually happened. I froze. “Not now.” I muttered. *Flashback* Blood. My mother’s blood. It was everywhere. I started running. Something hit my head. I woke up. Pain shot through my limbs. A Listener stood before me. I couldn’t move. I was paralyzed. Pain started in my head and back. Wings grew. My back shattered in pain as bones rearranged and grew. The world faded to black. “AMARA!” I heard shouting. My eyes slowly opened. “What…?” I groggily asked. “Oh thank StarClan you’re awake. Do you know what happened? You just blacked out after we asked about your mother.” Silverfeather said. “I’m fine.” I said as I got up and stretched out my limbs. The group of five continued walking toward FlameClan. They soon walked through the entrance of FlameClan. Every set of eyes fixed on the newcomer as they walked to talk to Cometstar, their leader. Moonflame, Cometstar’s deputy, brought Amara to speak to Cometstar about joining FlameClan while the Brackentail, Sandstripe, and SIlverfeather dispersed within the Clan to provide information. “Cometstar, this is Moonflame. May I speak with you.” “Yes. Come in Moonflame.” Cometstar responded. Moonflame and I walked into Cometstar’s den. Comestar was standing with his attention directed at me. Cometstar asked, “Who is this, Moonflame?” “Cometstar, this is Amara. Amara, this is Cometstar, FlameClan’s leader.” “Well, Amara. What are you doing here?” Cometstar questioned. “I was wondering if I could join your Clan. I’m a loner, and I don’t have anywhere to go.” I said. “You can join, but first, how good are you at fighting?” Cometstar asked. “I’m very good at fighting. Do you want me to spar with someone to prove it?” I responded. “You can spar with someone afterwards to show your strength. Moonflame, call a Clan meeting. We need to inform the others.” Cometstar ordered. Moonflame dipped her head and left to call for a Clan meeting. By the time Cometstar and I were walking out of his den, the Clan was gathered around a large rock in the center of the Clan with whispers audible throughout the gathering. Me and Cometstar climbed to the top of the large rock. Cometstar called for silence, and the whispers stopped. “This is Amara. She is a loner. She will be joining FlameClan as she has nowhere else to go.” Cometstar said. Groans were audible from the gathering. Someone yelled, “Are you really going to accept a loner into the Clan?” Cometstar responded, “Sleekbristle, you are going to spar with Amara. Amara, this will test your strength and agility.” “Yes! I get to see how weak you are loner!” Sleekbristle shouted. “We’ll see about that.” I muttered with a smile on my face. I leapt down from the rock. The gathering of cats parted to form a very large circle for the two of us to fight. Cometstar joined the circle and watched. Sleekbristle and I circled each other. I leapt at Sleekbristle. He dodged. Barely. Sleekbristle launched himself at me. I ducked, turned, and grabbed his hind-leg. I bit. Hard. Bone cracked. Sleekbristle hissed in pain. His hind-leg was broken. He still fought. Sleekbristle leapt yet again. I jumped up and raked my claws along his back. Blood dripped from his pelt. With a final leap, Sleekbristle charged at me. I smiled and countered. Dust was everywhere. Nobody could see what happened. The dust settled as two figures were revealed. I was on top of Sleekbristle, pinning him to the ground. Blood dripped from him while I had no injuries. The gathered group of cats roared. Apparently, Sleekbristle was one of the stronger warriors. The medicine cat helped Sleekbristle up and led him toward their den. “That was amazing!” Brackentail said as he walked towards me. The meeting dispersed as cats went to their dens to sleep. When all of the other cats were asleep, I slowly stood.