Spiderberry walked into the apprentice den to meet his apprentice, Smogpaw. “Hey, mousebrain! Get up! We’re going to train.” He yawned and got up. It’s been four moons of training, and it’s always been about fighting. Smogpaw got out of his den and went to grab some freshkill. Horsepaw approached him. “Hey, you’re always coming to the medicine den after training with lots of wounds. Are you okay?” She seemed pretty worried on what happens during training. He gulped. Smogpaw could sense Spiderberry listening in, as he was acting affectionately to Lavenderfoot. “I…I…” it took some courage, but before he could say anything, Spiderberry touched him with his tail. “Come on. It’s time to train.” Smogpaw followed the two warriors, and left Horsepaw confused. The three cats went into PineClan territory to train. “Alright. Let’s see what you got.” Spiderberry hissed and Smogpaw’s fur spiked up, and he tried to slash at him, but he missed and Spiderberry tossed him aside with his teeth. “You’re too weak! You’ll never become a warrior you mouse brain!” But Smogpaw had enough, all this unfair training… he pinned Spiderberry as he was distracted by mocking his apprentice. He chuckled “Well, you-“ and Smogpaw slashed his face. And continued ripping off tufts of his fur off, with his skin, too. “I HATE YOU I HATE YOU I HATE YOU!” Smogpaw was saying repeatedly, and slashed until Spiderberry’s eyes fell out. Then Smogpaw slashed him open from head to tail. Lavenderfoot looked in distress “NO! NO! SPIDERBERRY!” Tears were rushing down fast his cheeks. Smogpaw realized that he was in power now. He killed his mentor, his cruel mentor. “You tell Ashstar it’s a dog attack. Otherwise I’ll claw your face off.” Lavenderfoot nodded “Y-Yes…” he dragged the body back into camp, and the cats of PineClan gathered around “SPIDERBERRY IS DEAD!” Lavenderfoot wailed, not being able to control his tears. The cats gathered around and Ashstar put his paw on Spiderberry’s scruff. “We have lost Spiderberry, a great warrior who defended our clan at the hardest times. He showed strength and determination. Tonight we sit vigil. We have enough prey to last for leaf-bare, so as long as the moon is shining, we will sit for this fallen warrior.” PineClan sat for Spiderberry. *** PineClan dragged the body to be taken in the territory, and bury it. Lavenderfoot and Sootnose were most upset about this. Lavenderfoot went away to go hunting, and Ashstar went over to Smogpaw. “Smogpaw… due to Spiderberry’s death, you shall receive a new mentor. You will now be taught by Copperberry. I hope she teaches you well.” He walked away to camp, and she looked at Smogpaw. “Okay, Smogpaw. Let’s hunt, shall we?” The she-cat crouched down “First, you have to smell out your prey.” Copperberry sniffed out a shrew. “Then, you have to stalk it. Stay as silent as you can.” She got close to it “Then… pounce!” Copperberry pounced on the shrew, and caught it. Smogpaw only knew how to fight due to Spiderberry’s ruthless training, so it was good for him to know. *** Nightnose approached Ashstar “Excuse me, Ashstar. I don’t mean to disturb you. But Lavenderfoot has been missing for two days.” The leader turned around in concern “Missing? He’s been really upset after Spiderberry died, but are you sure he’s not in camp?” Nightnose shook his head. “Nope. None of the cats have seen him.” Ashstar sighed in distress “I’ll call a meeting.” He got out of his den, and onto the high rock. “All cats old enough to jump across the pine trees come under the high rock for a clan meeting!” He yowled gloomily. The dull, cold weather only made it worse. Ashstar took a deep breath “It’s been two days since Spiderberry died, and Lavenderfoot has been missing since. If you have seen him, please step up.” The PineClan cats murmured among the crowd, and Ashstar was only more concerned. “Today, we will have a Search Patrol, and try to find Lavenderfoot and return him to PineClan, once and for all.” Ashstar got off and PineClan was ready to follow him. “Cootstone and Chrevilnose, guard the camp.” The rest of the cats followed Ashstar to wander around PineClan, and hopefully find Lavenderfoot. There was no sign of anything yet. Sootnose saw green glowing eyes in a fox den… she got closer and sniffed. Lavenderfoot?! She got in and he got startled “Sootnose?!” He whispered and she approached him calmly. “Ashstar is worried about you! We all are!” Lavenderfoot got more scared and ran away. “Wait!” Sootnose yelled out, and Ashstar noticed them and tried to chase them down. “I deserve to die! I’ve been a horrible mate and mentor!” Lavenderfoot yowled and Ashstar was more concerned “What?! N-No your not!” They continued running then they eventually reached the thunderpath. “Wait! Lavenderfoot!” Sootnose yowled, and he was ran over by a monster. Rain was then falling and PineClan was more concerned. They had lost two cats now, and it feels like the clan is falling apart.
Song - The Blue Umbrella by Pixar (2013)
