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Post by Waspwing on Mar 21, 2014 15:47:11 GMT -6
Waspwing trudged through the melting snow up the path to the Shimmering Rocks. Exactly eight seasons ago he had been making this same journey for his first time, with Fernpelt hot on his trail. But now the roles were reversed. Behind him was his new apprentice, his replacement, Littlefox. He hadn't spoken to her throughout the entire journey, but with the Shimmering Rocks up ahead, he turned to face her. "When we get there, do not tell them that I am to retire. I wish to tell them myself, at the end. Do no share your dreams from Cloudclan. Today you will take the most important oath of your life." He was completely serious, but for a second he softened again. "I hope I did good in choosing you specifically." He said quietly, then turned back to the Rocks and begin marching for them again.
Waspwing had gone through so much in his life. He had trained as a youngster to be a warrior, only to have that stolen from him by a fox. He then trained under Fernpelt's watch to be a Medicine Cat, which he had excelled at. But that life, as it proved over time, was not what he had desired. So, within the past moon, he had done two things. He helped fellow warriors chase out a badger from Treeclan's land, which he had decided to be his first and final act of heroism as a true Warrior, and as a Medicine Cat. He took Littlefox under his wing, trained her in the art of healing, and now he was making her an official Medicine Cat, as well as his replacement.
He stepped up the rocky steps to the stones and looked around. 'When I first saw these stones I was mesmerized. And now here I am for the last time, and all I feel is sadness.' He leaned against one of the random stones at the edge of the clearing, letting his bad leg rest a bit. All he could think about was how the others would react. 'I hope I see them again, and I hope they like Littlefox.' He thought as he waited for some other Medicine Cats to arrive.
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Post by Littlefox on Mar 21, 2014 16:05:48 GMT -6
Littlefox followed her mentor slowly, trying to hide the tremble in her paws and the quiver in her sharp gaze. She was nervous-- no, she was extremely nervous. Waspwing hadn't been an easy mentor to please, but he clearly had faith in her if he had chosen her of all cats to be his successor. Worry pricked in her chest and she waved her tail in effort to hide its uneasy twitching. Am I really cut out to be TreeClan's next medicine cat?
"Of course," she murmured in reply to Waspwing's words. Looking ahead of him, she finally saw the dazzling site before her. Surrounded by stones and rocks and pebbles, each one of them glistened in the starlight, giving off a cool but almost magical glow. Blue eyes widened in awe; how could a simple sight be so... enchanting?
Littlefox glanced at the light golden tabby once more. She noticed him leaning against the rocks to ease the weight off his crippled leg. Thank CloudClan he's retiring. He needs a real rest. Concern just barely flickered in her cobalt eyes and she shifted her gaze back to her paws. She had chosen the path of a medicine cat and learned the ways of CloudClan's healers, but is this the path she really wanted? Her life wouldn't be solely devoted to TreeClan, but CloudClan and every other cat it watches over. Being a warrior wasn't right for Littlefox; it failed to fulfill what she wanted to do with her life. But maybe being a medicine cat could make her feel more at ease with herself; if she doesn't fail, that is.
"I hope that I won't disappoint you, sir."
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Post by Forestbreak on Mar 21, 2014 16:08:49 GMT -6
Forestbreak sighed, shaking a bit of melted snow off of her nose. The medicine cat had gotten older since being hired: it had been nearly eight seasons. She'd grown used to cats coming in and out of her den like clockwork, and healing had become second nature. Her gray pelt was now flecked with white, as a result of age and stress (she was still far too young to die, though). Despite that, she still remembered being a fresh young face in the medicine den, training eagerly alongside Clovepetal, determined to be of worth to the Clan despite her broken jaw.
The tabby flicked her tail and squinted as she caught sight of Waspwing in the distance. An unfamiliar cat trailed behind him. Huh, she thought, but dismissed her curiosity for a moment to yell "Hello, Waspwing!" The tom was a friend of hers, most definitely, despite their petty arguments during meetings, and their lighthearted teasing. He'd only been a medicine cat for a few moons longer than her.
"Who's your friend?" she mewed.
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Post by Waspwing on Mar 21, 2014 16:17:33 GMT -6
Waspwing opened his eyes as Forestbreak's voice pierced his eardrums. He stood up straight, becoming rather tense, and faked a smile. "Good to see you, Forestbreak." He purred at her, watching as she eyed Littlefox and asked about her. He decided to wait to reveal his retirement for after the dreaming, so that they could all have a pleasant time welcoming in Littlefox. He purred and gave Littlefox an encouraging nod.
"Forestbreak, please welcome Treeclan's newest Medicine Cat apprentice, Littlefox." He said cheerfully, but he quickly gave Littlefox a 'Don't screw this up' look before turning to face his old friend again. "Feels like just yesterday we were the newest Medicine Cats, doesn't it?"
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Post by Littlefox on Mar 21, 2014 16:31:42 GMT -6
Littlefox dipped her head and smiled politely to Forestbreak. The FireClan medicine cat.
Hesitating at first, she moved her paws forward and closer to the center of the shimmering terrain while attempting to avoid Waspwing's sharp glance. "Hello," she said quietly, her voice barely a mumble. Stupid. I should speak up when talking to a superior. They'd think of me as a mouse if I keep mumbling.
Cold wind buffeted her ginger and white pelt. Littlefox broke eye contact with Forestbreak as Waspwing began some small-talk, while the stones beyond the FireClan medicine cat continued to beckon her forward.
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Post by Forestbreak on Mar 21, 2014 18:15:18 GMT -6
"Good to see you too," she mewed, dipping her head and grinning at the TreeClan medicine cat. "How have you been? The prey's running well in TreeClan, I hope." The medicine cat sat down and curled her tail over her paws. Waspwing looked slightly tense. The poor cat; maybe he'd been overloaded with cats to heal, or something similar.
"Really? How wonderful! It's lovely to see a fresh new face around. Welcome to the life of a medicine cat, young Littlefox," she purred, flicking her tail in greeting at the ginger cat. "It certainly does. Don't be nervous, dear. We won't bite," the tabby chuckled. "Now, shall we get started?"
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Post by Waspwing on Mar 21, 2014 18:28:23 GMT -6
Waspwing managed to relax himself and nodded, purring as Forestbreak introduced herself to his apprentice. He stepped over to the stones and cleared his throat. "Alright, Littlefox, Forestbreak, let us fulfill the ceremony." He said quietly, turning to face Littlefox, raising his chin high.
"I, Waspwing, medicine cat of TreeClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help she will serve her Clan for many moons." He paused for just a second to remember the next part, considering he had literally had to relearn the ancient ceremony overnight. "Littlefox, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?"
[Wait for the response of "I do"]
Waspwing smiled and stepped forward. "Then by the powers of CloudClan I confirm you your true name as a medicine cat. Littlefox, from this moment you will continue to be known as Littlefox. CloudClan honors your kindness and passion, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of TreeClan." He then rested his muzzle on Littlefox's head, and waited for her to lick his shoulder while Forestbreak accepted her as a full Medicine Cat by cheering her name.
He turned back to the Shimmering Rocks and smiled truly for the first time that day. "Let us dream with Cloudclan, and let Littlefox be welcomed into the world of Omens and Spirits." He declared right before settling down and pressing his nose to the stone in front of him. This would be his last time doing so, and he treasured the cold sensation that crept through him for the first time. Time for his last dream with Cloudclan.
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Post by Littlefox on Mar 21, 2014 18:42:17 GMT -6
"Littlefox, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?"
"I do."
His words sent a flutter through her for a moment longer. That was all she ever wanted; to protect all as equal. The world they lived in was merciless. If the clans didn't come together when the time was appropriate, they would all perish in this beautiful, cruel world. One day, there would be an enemy that no cat could face alone. All I can do is ask why, no, if we'd still be alive. Oh, with our strength--and our weaknesses--what are we going to protect if there's no sense to anything anymore?
Snapping out of her trance, the lithe she-cat stepped forward, her eyes reflecting the lights that illuminated the large stone before her. Crouching to her paws, she closed her eyes, and touched her nose to the large rock. What felt like a cold lightning bolt coursed through her veins, and Littlefox soon found herself engulfed in darkness.
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Post by Forestbreak on Mar 21, 2014 19:22:00 GMT -6
"Littlefox! Littlefox!" chanted Forestbreak, her normally dull eyes bright with excitement for the first time in moons. "Congratulations," she purred to the ginger she-cat, more quietly, and then watched as the young cat pressed her nose to the rocks.
The gray tabby flicked her tail and settled down by the rocks, then drew in a long breath before pressing her nose to the stone. There was a sensation of cold on her muzzle for a moment, and then she felt the familiar darkness slowly enveloping her. It wasn't long before the darkness swallowed everything in her vision, and her eyes fluttered closed as she moved into the realm of the spirits.
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Post by Tuftfeather on Mar 21, 2014 20:36:53 GMT -6
Tuftfeather sighed slightly, her shimmering body floating up from the rocks before the medicine cats. Tonight, Waspwing would dream here, unseen and hidden away from the other medicine cats. The she-cat wasn't exactly sure what weighed the older tom, but it was serious enough to prick her concern.
"Waspwing..."
Her whisper came softly, gently echoing about the stones. Paws shifting uneasily above the ground, she waited for the tom to stir.
The tom's visit to the Shimmering Rocks reminded the young cat of her time in Treeclan. He himself was a symbol of the home it had been for her, in the way that on her last night he had sheltered her in his den and kept her from those terribly upset eyes. She was, in short, eternally grateful to him for that, making his distress all the more troubling.
A soft hum emanated from her as the thought. "I suppose I'll just have to find out..."
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Post by Waspwing on Mar 21, 2014 20:53:42 GMT -6
Waspwing's eyes opened, and for once he was actually surprised, and happy, or what he woke to. Ahead oh him was Tuftfeather, one of two cats in the entire world that he admired beyond comprehension, aside from Cherryleaf. He got to his paws, as usual his bad leg was fine, and he padded a little closer to her. Although he had gotten over her death, and knew she was at least safe in Cloudclan, he couldn't help but look down at his paws as he began to speak to the young she-cat.
"Tuftfeather...It's time." He muttered, looking around the mesmerizing dream world. He hadn't talked to a spirit in ages, and his dreams at the Medicine Meetings were usually just simple dreams. But he had known that someone would talk to him, as the bringing up of one medicine cat, and the retirement of another, was a fairly big deal in the spiritual world.
He finally looked up and into her eyes, hoping to find some comfort in them. "Do you think I'm making the right choice? Retiring? Making Littlefox Treeclan's apprentice?"
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Post by Ibiswing on Mar 21, 2014 20:53:55 GMT -6
Strangely enough, Ibiswing had felt that it was her duty to welcome the new medicine cat.
She had no relation to the young one (at least not one that she knew of), but still, it was an odd, almost instinctive obligation. The patched she-cat sighed, rising above the she-cat who still had her nose against the stones, and she gently alighted behind her. "Hello, dear," she purred. Their dream-version of the Shimmering Rocks was now empty of every cat except them.
The spirit had grown accustomed to the idea of being dead, at this point. It had been this way for moons. Now, at least, she could do something useful. She felt a sense of purpose that had been lacking for a long time.
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Post by Tuftfeather on Mar 21, 2014 22:13:20 GMT -6
The she-cat blinked, not quite registering what he had said right away. Then, it suddenly clicked in her mind. Immediately, she was brimming with knowing and sympathy. It was strange to give up your whole life, strange to have to start anew. She knew that very well. As he looked up at her, her perpetually young eyes shone with a bit of softness.
"Yes. Yes, I believe so. You're tired, and you're leaving Treeclan in capable paws. I'm sure, Waspwing, that this must be what's right."
She nodded after she spoke, solidifying her worlds before she continued, "Still, I will not pretend that I won't miss speaking with you. I think that many of us will. Perhaps, though, we may visit you from time to time. After all, you've been a wonderful medicine cat, and a good friend to all of the new Cloudclan."
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Post by Cloudbreeze on Mar 22, 2014 10:55:15 GMT -6
Cloudbreeze watched as the medicine cats gathered. There seemed to be a new apprentice joining the medical ranks. A small smile came onto the spirit's face at the ceremony. Of course, Waspwing would be missed as a medicine cat. But, it was time, obviously. She noticed the Ibiswing was going to speak to the apprentice, Tuftfeather to her former clan mate. Cloudbreeze stared down at the FireClan medicine cat, Forestbreak. She gave a small shrug.
I will talk to Forestbreak. Doesn't seem like too much of a problem there.
As the cats begun to dream, Cloudbreeze waited for the FireClan she-cat to come to CloudClan in her dream. When Forestbreak had successfully dreamt, Cloudbreeze stood, giving a smile as she walked over to the FireClanner.
"Greetings, Forestbreak."
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Post by Forestbreak on Mar 22, 2014 14:43:33 GMT -6
Forestbreak's eyes flitted open to a familiar starry landscape. Feeling slightly dizzy, the medicine cat stood up slowly, swaying a bit on her feet. A voice prodded at her consciousness: "Greetings, Forestbreak. She turned around to see a spirit standing there; one she didn't know. She looked younger than some of the spirits, but then again, it was always difficult to tell with them.
"Hello," she mewed, dipping her head in greeting to the CloudClanner. It had been a while since she'd talked to a spirit. Nothing significant had really happened in FireClan since she was made a medicine cat, and so they never really had anything to tell her.
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