#pine oak cedar and chervil [second]

[eeveekitti]

fictional siblings save me........ save me............. save me fictional siblings............

[doritopaw101]

Arc1, book 1: Chapter 8

White struck Brown hard. Smacking the brown tom hard into the dirt. "Well done White" Brokenmoon purred. It was night when Shadow Colony was usually active and so Brokenmoon's training started once again. Ever since Brokenmoon became leader things have changed, it's been a new experience for everyone.

Brokenmoon invited more rouges into the colony, at least they pulled their weight enough. Hunting didn't really occur to much, Brokenmoon advised the colony to eat the leftover food around the territory.

This didn't seem to bad until the exiling the elders and the exile of Yellowfang for apparently attacking Dawncloud and Gravelheart's kits. He missed his grandparent, he always got along with them better than Raggedmoon who favored Badgerfang more.

Icepaw had a point when he said Jaggedtooth was a piece of shit, he was. Muddywater was alright. The other rouges he wasn't too sure.

Dappleclaw, Smokestrike, Creamfang, Mudspots, and Claypelt were friends of Jaggedtooth and Brokenmoon, so he let them in.

A cat closer to his age, Wild also appeared overnight and was apprenticed to Marshshadow.

On a low hunt in twolegplace, Brokenmoon met another queen and brought her back to camp. Her name was Nutmeg but was named Dewflare, she was soon fat with Brokenmoon's kits.

Marshshadow didn't like this, especially Dewflare joining the clan and told him about the tale of her as the "Tratior". Brokenmoon only waved her off at her words.

Brokenmoon has kits to be apprentices early, It first started with Moss and Vole, Brokenmoon convinced Raggedmoon to allow them to become apprentices early. Then Wet, Brown, and Little followed. Gravelheart's kits were almost ready for apprenticeship at 3 moons for Rubble and Turtle since they were bigger but Quiet would have to wait. He made Bog and Elm apprentices so soon after they began to walk, given to Frogtail and Scorchfang. Sage, Lizard, and Cedar were also apprenticed to Mudspots, Jaggedtooth, and Wolfstep.

And lastly, Brokenmoon had encouraged all mollies to help expand the colony. Newtspeck had gotten pregnant real quick once again. Tangleburr was also with Brokenmoon's kits, it was obvious she wasn't happy in the nursery. Fernshade was also expecting another litter, Badger looked eager for new siblings.

"Brown, I didn't train you to lose" Nutwhisker hissed

White sighed with pity for this young cat. Brown slowly got up, trying to get his senses back in order.

"Again!" Brokenmoon ordered

White dashed forward and went for a fake killing bite. He held Brown tightly where blood was pouring but not hard enough to snap his neck. Brown hissed with pain and tried to kick him between his legs but White turned him over sliced into his back sharply drawing more blood.

Brown tried to get up but White held him firmly placing both his front paws on Brown's bleeding back making the younger tom whimper in pain.

"Such disappointment" Nutwhisker growled

"White stop, Brown step back and let another apprentice show you how it's done" White stepped back about to walk over to Badger when Brokenmoon barked "White, I didn't tell you to go"

White turned back, staring back at his mentor and uncle.

"To show Brown how to fight, you and Badger will be fighting against each other"

White rolled his eyes and flicked his tail at Badger. They were good sparing partners and Brokenmoon knew this very well.

Badger and White were on opposite sides circling each other waiting for Brokenmoon's words. "Fight"

White lunged forward and Badger met him head on. They were standing on their hind legs, biting into each others neck fur and digging their claw into shoulders. Badger pushed his weight and White fell but he was quick to slice through Badger's cheek as a distraction. Badger had winced in pain and White used that to to rush forward.

Badger tried pushing him off by digging his claws into his chest but White held on strong. He sliced Badger across the face, aiming for his muzzle and not his eyes.

Brokenmoon raised his kinked tail "Stop!"

White and Badger broke apart, panting. White turned his head slightly to see Nutwhisker grabbing Brown by the scruff and dashed him onto the ground next to Badger, the apprentice hit the ground head first and blood came from his nose.

"That Brown," Nutwhisker hissed "That is how you fight"

White felt another stab of pity for Brown. He shook it off, Brown was weak and he would pay for it. Weakness was not tolerated in Shadow Colony or the colonies as a whole, it never was.

"As a result of your low skill you will fight against two cats" Brokenmoon stated, a smirk on his face "White, Badger sit next to me, Wet Vole battle with Brown"

As soon as he and Badger got off the spot, Brown, Wet, and Vole went crazy. Wet went for Brown's back and Vole went for Brown's face, slicing into his nose.

"Show no mercy" Stonesnap hissed

"Break his jaw Vole" Mudfoot snarled

"Brown, stop dodging and fight" Nutwhisker growled

Vole went for Brown's eyes but Brown had been ready for that, well as ready as he could be when he had a cat clawing his lower back. Brown went for the opening when Volepaw raised his paw, he bit into Vole's neck. Vole tried clawing into Brown's shoulders but he was knocked off by Wet.

"Wet, your supposed to fight Brown" Boulderpelt hissed

White gazed at Brokenmoon. The leader didn't say anything only watching with that sickening smirk he had.

It only widen when he saw Brown rip open Vole's throat with Wet's help, blood sprayed on them. Vole was dead in seconds. White didn't shiver when he saw the lights go out of Vole's eyes.

White took a bored glance at Moss who only stared at his brother's body. He didn't cry out or move just stared and was still as stone.

Brokenmoon padded over to Vole's body. He spat on it. "Pathetic" he said "Wasteful"

The dark tabby leader turned to pad back to camp "Take it away, the rats and crows will make better use of it"

"Shouldn't Dawncloud and Moss have a chance to mourn?" Flintfang asked nervously

"That's her problem" Nutwhisker mewed plainly "You don't see Moss upset"

'The strong survive and the weak die' Whitepaw thought, only to realized he said it out loud

Brokenmoon laughed "Well said White" he turned "Toadpelt, take it to the graveyard" Brokenstar ordered, he then turned and walked away.

/

The trip back to camp was silent. Seeing death like that would haunt any other clan apprentice but in Shadow Colony death is a different concept. Death wasn't seen as a bad thing but another stage in the cycle, in normal circumstances like old age or dying in honor, not like this.

White heard the sounds of pain as he earned camp, not a strange sound nowadays. He padded into the healer's den to see Fernshade and Tangleburr on their sides, Palecloud tending to Tangleburr while Marshshadow was helping Fernshade. They at least had some soft pelts to birth on. Brokenmoon had been restricted Wolfstep and Cinderfur's work as much as possible and only had them make pelts for his elite.

"Have they popped any out yet?" he asked bluntly

"Fernshade's had two so far, I think one or two more are coming" His mother mewed, licking the tortie's head "One's a stillborn while other is fighting like Tiger Colony"

Tangleburr let out a yowl and her side heaved. "She's had two stillborns" Palecloud sniffed "This is the last one" he nipped the kits sack and started licking, it twitched and mewled "Alive" the gray and white tom moved the kitten to Tangleburr belly.

"I thought they weren't due for another half-moon"

"They weren't" Marshshadow hissed "It was stress, the little things are so small" she started licking another kitten "Dawncloud had her litter"

"How many lived?"

"Two, she named them Feather and Finch"

Dawncloud was overworked so much it was shocking she was still functioning at all. Shadow Colony wasn't known for their kitting rates or fertility and for good reason. Miscarriages and stillborns were very common and that's if there was more than on kit. The smell of the blood was common to have in the camp.

"What do you need?" Palecloud mewed softly

"Treat my scratches"

The seer nodded and began wrapping the cobwebs and marigold.

"What happened?" Palecloud asked gazing at Brown and Wet as they entered the den with Badger close behind.

"They killed Vole" Badger said bluntly "Most of the blood is from Volepaw"

From where White could see from Marshshadow's fluffy fur, Brown and Wet looked like they regretted it and didn't at the same time. Badger padded over to his mother, licking her softly.

Palecloud treated the wounds Brown and Wet had and sent them to wash off Vole's blood. "This is our lives now?" Poppytail asked as she came in the den with marigold and chervil in her jaws, Blossom followed her with comfrey. The scent of milk came strong the moment Poppytail stepped in. She had been paired with Frogtail and had Foggykit.

Palecloud only sniffed and nodded "You know where to put them, Poppytail, Blossom take the kits to be nursed, we all know Dawncloud needs a break"

"What are their names?" Poppytail asked

"Oak" Tangleburr groaned "Damn brat"

"Pine and Shade" Fernshade mewed weakly

"Give Dawncloud some of this borage Blossom" Palecloud mewed

It was only a few moments later when Brokenmoon called a clan meeting.

"Cats of Shadow Colony, I have an announcement to make but first a ceremony needs to be had" he began "Rubble and Turtle, step forward"

The kits were placed forward by Gravelheart and Cindefur, looking excited to be apprentices while their parents wore tired and resigned expressions.

"Rubble and Turtle you have reached the point where training shall begin for you. Rubble, your mentor shall be Barkfoot and Turtle, your mentor shall be Russetfur" Brokenmoon stood up, his gaze hardening "Now onto our main issue: Wind Colony"

"What about Vole?" Dawncloud asked, tears in her eyes

Brokenmoon waved her off "Who cares? It's Star Colony's sign that he wasn't worthy of Shadow Colony's new era"

Dawncloud lowered her head in defeat. Her only comfort was from Poppytail and Darkflower and not from her own brother who looked emotionless.

"Of death" White heard Fernshade whisper to Flintfang who nodded in agreement.

"Wind Colony thinks they can kill our cats and get away with it, I will correct this" Brokenmoon mewed "They killed Cloudpelt, Raggedmoon, and now Finchflight."

"What?" Dawncloud screeched "When did this happen?"

"Blackfoot, Claypelt" Brokenmoon motioned

The two large cats dragged Finchflight's body closer to the moonlight, covered in wounds.

Dawncloud rushed to her mate's body, tears running down her cheeks.

Brokenmoon ignored her "We will not let this go on"

"And how do you plan to do that Brokenmoon?" it was Scorchfang who said that, he looked tired but he knew he couldn't retire unless he wanted to be exiled.

"A nice attack, a deadly one we'll show them the same mercy they showed Cloudpelt, Raggedmoon, and Finchflight"

"Why would we kill?, that would bring us to the same level as them" Wolfstep called

"Exactly, we must show them Shadow Colony won't back down" Brokenmoon replied "I don't want just injured, I want bodies"

The whole camp was silent, Dawncloud broke it.

"I want justice for my mate but death isn't needed for it" she whimpered, gripping Finchflight's body in useless comfort.

"If we don't, Wind Colony we'll think we're weak" Clawface snarled

"Who's going on this attack?" Toadpelt asked

Brokenmoon smirked "Two patrols, Dewflare if you will"

Dewflare padded forward, head and tail held high. "The first patrol will be led by Brokenmoon the cats coming are: Appletooth, Muddywater, Smokestrike, Russetfur, Turtle, Badger, Flintfang and White. The second will be lead by me and will contain: Mudspots, Wolfstep, Marshshadow, Blazefang, Cinderfur, Elm, Bog, Mudfoot, Jaggedtooth, Swamp and Toadpelt"

"What, Swamp?!" Dawncloud screeched "He's only a kit not an apprentice"

"Swamp shows greatness, he'll prove it with this battle" Brokenmoon drawled "Everyone else stay here and guard the camp. Darkflower, you will mate with Scorchfang, I want results also Boulderpelt and Clawface go find Nightpelt, I want entertainment" He leaped from the branch "Wolfstep, bring me the battle pelt" he declared

Wolfstep said nothing but bring a large pelt over to Brokenmoon. It was a deer skin that had been traded from Thunder Colony during the creation of the colonies and it was the battle pelt that Shadow colony leaders wore when they lead certain battles. It had the deer's horns and skull still attached which made it even better to use.

"Brokenmoon, will we all use our bone armor?" Mudfoot asked "It sends a more powerful force"

"Great idea Mudfoot" Brokenmoon purred

White felt Blazefang place armor on his back "Do you want one or not? I'd advise for it"

White never got armor since most went to the elite "Who's-"

"This was your father's, Wolfstep wanted you to have it" Blazefang mewed briskly "Now hold still and let me put the bands on"

The cats called began piling out of the camp, Whitepaw was following Appletooth and Flintfang when he saw Marshshadow hiss at Brokenmoon, Blazefang was watching like him.

"How will this prove anything?" he heard his mother hiss "We don't have evidence, what will this prove?"

"That Shadow Colony is strong and won't deal with deaths" Brokenmoon replied, he unsheathed a claw and held it under Marshshadow's chin. White saw his mother bring her paw on her brother's arm, slicing through the leader's flesh.

"That's fox-shit and you know it" she spat

Blazefang licked her sister's shoulder fur "Don't bite more than you can chew"

Marshshadow glared at Blazefang then back at Brokenmoon "I hope you rot for this Adder, there will be a reckoning for this you can be sure of that"

Brokenmoon laughed "A reckoning is coming for Wind Colony dear sister"

White followed close by Badger and Appletooth, ducking under the twoleg tunnel. He caught the scent of the moors, lavender filled his nose. It was perfect time to strike. It was night and Wind Colony would be napping in their dens.

"Guards!" Turtle hissed

"Appletooth, Badger deal with it"

They rushed like lightning, pinning Woolcloud and Marigoldwing down and covering their mouths.

"Go!" Brokenmoon growled, leading his patrol forward.

They burst into the Wind Colony camp, their eyes filled with bloodlust.

White saw Dark, Thrush, Stone, and Wren sleeping in the center, dandelions around them or some reason. 'They must've had their warrior ceremony' he thought 'shame it had to be ruined'.

It had been Stone to sound the alarm which had the Wind Colony cats rushing out of their dens and straight into battle.

He ignored the feelings of guilt and feed into the lust for battle and bloodshed. Battle was the key of Colony life, of Shadow Colony and he wouldn't fail his clan.

He rushed into the first cat he saw, Dark.

"Scared Dark?" Whitepaw sneered

"It's Darkfoot and you wish Shadow scum, attacking us at night like the cowards you are" the other black tom hissed launching at him

White slid under him, and bit into his chest fur. Brokenmoon's training was ruthless and that's what he gave to his enemies. Darkfoot tried to rip into his back but the armor stopped the full blow but he caught his shoulder sharply and White could feel the blood dripping.

He shoved his body upward making Darkfoot hit the ground gaining White the chance to pin him. He went for the Darkfoot's muzzle gaining a hit on his nose.

"Wind Colony, see your leader" Brokenmoon yowled, his skull helmet at his paws

The battle seemed to pause as the Wind Colony cats turned to see their leader. White got off of Darkfoot and rushed over to Russetfur and Turtle.

He saw Duskstar laying motionless in the center, Brokenmoon standing over him. The black and white tom's throat had been slashed out and Brokenmoon seemed to strike deeper to his chest as well.

"Wind Colony you have wronged Shadow Colony for the last time" Brokenmoon declared "You have killed Cloudpelt, Raggedmoon, and Finchflight. You have broken the warrior code and I punish you all with exile from the forest"

White of Wind Colony leaped forward, a pink necklace tossed around her fluffy neck "You have no right!" she snarled

Thrush padded to her side "We didn't kill Raggedmoon or Finchflight" she snapped "Clawface killed Stoneclaw, my brother, and Mudfoot killed Larkfoot, my mother"

"Thrushwing Whitetail, get back" Deadfoot growled "Duskstar can tell you that Shadow Colony started the fight that killed Cloudpelt. We had nothing to do with Raggedmoon or Finchflight's deaths"

"Lies!" Mudfoot retorted "The Wind deserved it"

Duskstar came to shortly, he coughed violently trying to stand but Brokenmoon slammed him into the ground.

"You will leave" Brokenmoon growled

"Leave?" Duskstar gasped "Leave to where?"

Brokenmoon got off the Wind Colony leader "Beats me, I don't care but you will not be welcomed here again"

"We will-" Deadfoot was cut off by Duskstar

"Stop" he said weakly "We will go" he slowly got up "Wind Colony, to me"

He saw a white tom that looked just like Icepaw rushed to Duskstar's side, keeping him from falling.

The Wind Colony cats started heading for the camp entrance, limping as they moved and a blood trail was being left by some of them.

Whitetail watched Ryestalk drag Doespring's body, Thrushwing carried Stoneclaw's while Darkfoot dragged Plumclaw's. Wind Colony left one by one, glaring at the Shadow Colony cats as they left their home.

White took the chance to look at the damage to his colonymates, Appletooth had a sharp cut in her ear and one of her canines were missing, he saw Flintfang hunched over trying to stop bleeding from Badger's throat with Wolfstep rushing over to help. What made his heart ache was the motionless bodies of Elm and Bog, he didn't want to know Swamp's fate yet.

"We won" Wet mewed weakly, favoring one paw.

'Did we?' White thought sadly, he shared a glance with Russetfur who looked just as grim as she picked up a knocked out Turtle 'We didn't win anything but needless death'