Warriors: A Fan-Based Series Book 1: Snowballing Troubles Prologue: “Argh! Why not me?!” Snowpaw complained. That day was his brother, Acornpaw’s naming ceremony. Snowpaw has been an apprentice for three moons while Acornpaw has been an apprentice for four moons. Snowpaw sighed. Glancing at the very excited Acornpaw a few metres away, he turned and walked away slowly. Snowpaw headed into the apprentice den, curled up into a ball on the moss, and soon fell asleep, drifting into his dreams. Snowpaw woke up to a horrifying scream. “CINDERTAIL HAS GONE MISSING!” a kit’s cries resounded throughout the camp. Snowpaw dashed out of the apprentice den and into the nursery. Stopping at the entrance of the nursery, Snowpaw peered inside. Inside, he saw Rainstar, StormClan’s leader trying to calm Crystalkit, a sky blue she-kit, who had burst into tears. “It’s okay, Crystalkit, we’ll find your mother,” Rainstar reassured the upset kit. “B-b-but she’s gone!” Crystalkit sobbed. Rainstar patted the kit with a paw and walked out of the nursery. Taking one last look at Crystalkit, Snowpaw soon silently followed Rainstar. Rainstar leaped onto the Highledge. Sunlight shone through the canopy on her beautiful blue-white fur. Tapping her paw on the rocky ledge, she announced, “Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a clan meeting!” Different cats from all over the camp walked towards the Highledge. Snowpaw looked around for Acornpaw and found his brother near the front of the crowd with his mentor Sparklefur. The brothers settled right in front of the Highledge and waited patiently for Rainstar to start. “Cats of StormClan! Crystalkit has just alerted me that Cindertail has gone missing,” Rainstar started solemnly. Gasps and murmurs broke out amongst the crowd. “Mudfly, please arrange patrols to find her tomorrow.” Rainstar turned to the warrior, a muddy brown tom, who nodded with a determined face. Rainstar continued, “Now, for better news. Acornpaw, you have been an apprentice for four moons. Sparklefur, are you proud of him?” She turned to Sparklefur. “Yes, Rainstar, very proud,” Sparklefur purred. “I, Rainstar, leader of StormClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. He has trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend him to you as a warrior in his turn.” Rainstar turned to Acornpaw and said, “Acornpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this clan, even at the cost of your life?” “I do!” Acornpaw’s eyes were shining brighter than Snowpaw had ever seen. “Then by the powers of MoonClan I give you your warrior name, Acornpaw, from this moment you will be known as Acorntree. MoonClan honors your bravery and loyalty, and we welcome you as a full warrior of StormClan,” Rainstar finished and beamed. Gratefully, Acorntree gave Rainstar a respectful lick on her shoulder. “Acorntree! Acorntree!” Cheers of his name rang throughout the camp. After a while, when the sounds of the cheers died down, Rainstar said, “In the tradition of our ancestors, Acorntree must sit in silent vigil until dawn, and guard the camp alone while we sleep.” After the clan was dismissed, Snowpaw congratulated his brother on becoming a warrior. Puffing out his chest in pride, Acorntree nodded his head in thanks and silently trotted off towards the entrance of the camp to begin his vigil. Snowpaw looked at Acorntree enviously. How he couldn’t wait to be a warrior. Just then, a midnight black cat with a scar across his face peeped out of a bush and smirked at him, disappearing from sight. Chapter 1 coming soon!
Written by @lostMyBigAcount & @HaizKLyn
