Echosong's Journey

Prologue

          Her ears opened for the first time, the chirps of meadowlarks and the small-talk of wolves echoed though the den. Mingled scents of herbs, wolves, and moss filled her nostrils. Looking up, she saw her mother Brambleclaw and squeaked a happy little mew.. Her mother nudged her gently, guiding her towards her belly. She began to nurse from her mother as darkness fell throughout the camp, not knowing the tragedy to come...

Chapter 1: Sunrise

          I watched my mother intently, mimicking her every move. Brambleclaw was a smart warrior, kind-hearted and noble. I perked my ears and watched her walk out of the camp; it must’ve been ages since she left. I bounced around the kit den, impatient for momma to return. She never told me where she went, or what she was doing, but it didn’t matter to me. Finally, Bramble poked her head through the camp entrance and was greeted by Whitestar, our leader. I darted outside, tail sticking up, and happily chirped a hello to them both. I wrestled with Whitestar’s tail, batting my paws at it and biting it. I loved Whitestar, was like a second-mother to me, she was wise and gentle. Momma gently picked me up by the scruff and carried me into the kit den, she plopped me on the floor and licked my forehead. “I have a surprise for you sweetie.” I jumped around excitedly, expecting a moss ball or a mouse. “What is it momma! What is it!” She chuckled and patted my forehead, “You need a name little one,” she continued “I shall name you Echokit, my pride and joy Echokit.”

Chapter 2: Routines

                I flicked my ear and stared endlessly at the camp entrance, I was in a rut..Not a bad one however. Momma always woke up before I did, she left camp early in the morning and didn’t return till the sun peaked above the trees. Shadowblaze was my father; he often played with me while Momma was away. I bounded outside the kit den and met him in the center of camp. I happily chirped, “Hi Daddy!” We would wrestle and pull each others’ tails, there was never a dull moment between us. I pounced on his paw, bit it, and kicked it with my hind legs. He would laugh and shake me off, but I was so determined I’d jump right back on.

Momma limped in a short while later, she only had 3 legs. I didn’t know why, they said I was too young to know. She greeted Shadow and pressed her head into his fur. I snuck up from behind and pounced on her un-suspecting tail. She laughed gently, “Echo, you nearly gave me a heart attack..silly little furball.” I darted around to the other side of her and started assaulting Daddy’s paw again. “You two are great together, Shadow makes a better Daddy then I do a Momma” she said. I perked my ears and replied back, “Nuh-uh Momma! Daddy could never replace you!” They both laughed, Shadow returned to the warrior den and Momma carried me to the kit den. She set me on a soft bed of moss and told stories of great battles and hardships she had endured. I never knew how she got through it all, it seemed so hard. I wondered if someday I would know as much as she did, and how to be strong in the toughest of times. I hardly noticed her finish the story when she gently whispered in my ear, “Goodnight Echokit, sweet dreams little one..” I watched her limp out of the den as my eyes got foggy and I drifted off to sleep.

As they days flew by, the rut grew deeper and stronger and I’m glad it did. Momma greeted me and Daddy at the camp entrance every day. She would lick my forehead and tell us how much we meant to her. At night she would tell stories of her travels, the glorious tales filling my mind. I loved Momma; her warm tawny fur kept me warm at night, her tender voice was always comforting me. I fell asleep that night curled up next to her, not knowing this would be the last time I ever saw her again…

Chapter 3: Not Coming Home

          I blinked my eyes awake and yawned, sprawling out across the kit den stretching. I perked my ears out of the kit den; Whitestar was bounding out of the camp with Shadowblaze and a few other warriors. I quickly got up and darted outside to see what was happening..the camp was empty. I mewed worriedly and perked my ears in each direction, trying to listen for any signs of somebody. I slowly padded back to the kit den; my fur was shaken up just as I was. I laid on a soft bed of moss and stared at the camp entrance; waiting, watching, wondering. I don’t know why I wasn’t concerned Momma was gone; I thought she was elsewhere then where Whitestar and the others were headed.

          I must’ve fallen asleep, Whitestar was pacing outside the med den and there was a crowd of wolves behind her. I perked my ears and stared at them, I didn’t want to know what had happened or who the unlucky fellow was. The sun was beginning to set near the trees above the med den; I could no longer look so I rested my head on my paws and sighed. I heard them talking about a battle, their words were mumbled but I made out a few words: battle, hurt, won’t make it. I was alarmed by the words, my fur ruffled and I became uneasy.

          Then sun crept below the trees and I waited. Momma didn’t come in yet to say goodnight to me. I waited and waited but she never came, I shivered and stared at the camp entrance the entire night till the sun rose slightly above the trees.

          That morning I padded to the warrior den and poked my head inside, “Momma? Momma..Momma!” I mewed frantically, waking everybody up. They all stared at me with this worried look; Daddy was in the corner with his paws covering his face. I turned around and trotted around the whole camp searching for Brambleclaw. Then it occurred to me that she might’ve left to go on her walk, I padded up to Whitestar then hesitated to ask her if she had seen her leave. I stepped back and tucked my tail in, padded towards the kit den and lay on a bed of moss. I waited, my eyes burned from not getting any sleep. I dozed off again, lying in the far end of the kit den where there was no light.

          The sun was at its highest when I woke up, Momma had to have come back by now. I padded around the camp mewing, “Momma! Momma! Momma!” there was no reply and everyone was watching me with a worried look on their face. Jaguargaze whispered something to Whitestar, “She’s looking for her mother Whitestar, poor thing.” I caught the words and padded up to them. “Is Momma not back yet?” I chirped. Whitestar gently picked me up by the scruff and carried me to a mound of dirt, then set me before it. She looked down at me and slowly said, “Your Momma’s not with us anymore Echo, she’s with Starclan now..”

I tilted my head and replied, “Momma switched clans? Can I still see her?”

Whitestar shook her head, “No Echo, you won’t be able to see her anymore…Brambleclaw is dead”

          The words hit me like a thousand claws to the neck. I stepped back with tears streaming from my eyes, my tail drooped and my head hung low. I slowly walked onto the grave and lay on it, being as close to Momma as I could. The clan had followed us outside, they too were sobbing, and watching me lose my mother had pulled at their heart strings. A jay had flown from the tree and fluttered onto the grave, he stared at me with understanding eyes. I watched the jay, tears dripping from my face. He hopped up close to me and sang a wondrous song, echoing through the forest, filling my heart with hope. I laid my head sideways and let the song fill my ears, it brought me peace for a second, calming me as Momma’s voice once did. A cold bitter wind rushed through the forest interrupting his song, it blew the jay away and I leaped up watching him being thrown by the piercing gale. This jay brought me peace like Momma did; he was taken away from me just as Momma was. My heart once again filled with emptiness as I padded back through the crowd into the camp, the warriors each looking at me with the same emptiness in their eyes.

Chapter 4: An Unfillable Emptiness

          I sat in the kit den, alone. Nobody came to comfort me, I was isolated, I lost everything. Daddy stayed in the warrior den, neither of us wanted to see anyone ever again. I watched the clouds float by effortlessly, without a care in the world. I laid my head down and watched the clan pad around the camp, talking about the day’s news..and about Momma. They would stare at me, feeling sorry for this lonely kit.

          Everyone started talking about who would replace Momma. I grew angry at the words, nobody could replace my Momma, not even Daddy, she can’t be replaced. The days dragged on, I never left the kit den, I waited..I’m not sure what for, but I waited. Perhaps for inner peace, something that would fill the hole in my heart, it seemed hopeless, this hole was unfillable.

          Bluestreak watched me; she took care of me for the days I was suffering. She could’ve never replaced Momma, but she did her best and it made me happy. Blue brought me mice, I would wait until she left to take them though, I would eat them in the corner far from the others.

          The days started picking up as Blue cared for me, I was nearing my 2^nd moon, it’d been a half moon since Momma passed. Swiftclaw poked her head inside the kit den that morning and smiled, “How ya doin Echo? Want to be with me for a little while?” I looked over my shoulder and stared at her; I nodded and padded towards her happily. She gently picked me up by the scruff and carried me out into the sunlight; she cleaned my fur, fed me, and made me feel comfortable. I had been getting so much attention after Momma died, it was nice..but it didn’t bring me peace. Swiftclaw watched me that day while Blue was elsewhere, making sure I was cared for.

Chapter 5: The Fight for Echo

          As Swiftclaw was cleaning my head, Bluestreak padded in from the camp entrance, I perked my ears and mewed happily,” Hi Blue!” She looked in me and Swift and her eyes filled with anger. She walked towards us and she gave Swift a dark look and her voice was filled with rage, “I’m taking care of her Swiftclaw not YOU” She stood up and nudged me under her, I took a few steps back and lowered my ears. “I was only taking care of her while you were..” Blue snapped at her, “I don’t care! I’m responsible for Echokit..not you..” I stood behind Swift with my tail between my legs and my ears dropped. Blue slightly shoved Swiftclaw out of the way and grabbed me by the scruff, her teeth stung when she carried me to the kit den. She plopped me on the ground and walked away, I poked my head out and watched her walk away, tail lashing.

          I became afraid of Bluestreak, her anger worried me..she treated me nothing like Momma did. I stayed alone in the kit den once more, she stopped bringing me mice and never came to see me.

          I started following Whitestar around, she was more like Momma than anyone else was. Whitestar was wise, sweet, and gentle..I stayed with her every second I could, she was someone I looked up to.

          That night Whitestar padded by the kit den, my eyes were closed but I was awake. She stopped and whispered, “Sleep well little one..” A smile ran across my face and I saw her padding to her den, those were the words Momma used to say to me each night.

Chapter 6: Daddy’s Banishment

                The sun crept above the tree-line, I stared at the camp entrance..this is when Momma would usually return. I flicked my ear and got up from my mossy bed, I poked my head from the kit den and saw Whitestar and Daddy arguing. I perked my ears and watched but I could not make out anything, Whitestar seemed furious however. Her last words boomed throughout the camp, “Shadowblaze you are banished from Dawnclan! I jumped out from the den and cried, “No Whitestar! Daddy can’t go!” She looked at me and said sternly yet softly, “Shadow must leave Echokit, he has proven to me that I cannot trust him..” I looked at my paws and sighed. When I lifted my head, Daddy was walking out the camp entrance..never to return.

Chapter 7: No One Left

  

I looked back up at Whitestar, then back at the camp entrance. My Momma and Daddy..both gone. I wasn’t sure if I’d ever see Daddy again, or if I was even allowed to see him. Whitestar padded back to her den, I sat in the center of camp..alone, with no family to comfort me.

          I had reached my 5^th moon; I was only a few days from being an apprentice. I still missed Momma, once again it was a mystery who was caring for me. Whitestar had a lot on her paws these days, Bluestreak still avoided me, and Swiftclaw didn’t dare come near me after Blue’s tantrum. It seemed I was alone again, but this time I had nobody to turn to..not even Daddy.

Chapter 8: From Kit to Apprentice

               

                I slowly padded through camp, closing my eyes every now and then taking a breath. I slowed my pace as I neared the kit den when a familiar voice caught my attention, “You won’t need to sleep there anymore Echo..” I turned and saw Whitestar. I looked up at her and perked my ears, “Why not Whitestar? Am I in trouble?” She chuckled and responded softly, “No Echo, it’s time for you to become an apprentice.” I dropped my jaw in awe, I was being asked to be an apprentice. Whitestar told me the meeting will be held when the sun was at its highest, I could not wait to find out who would have to deal with me for another 6 moons.

          The sun slowly crept to its spot highest in the sky, I lie in the kit den, nearly asleep from waiting. “Let all wolves old enough to catch their own prey gather for a meeting!” Whitestar said. I bounced outside the kit den excitedly..I couldn’t wait!  She called me before her, I gazed up at Whitestar…the closest family I had left, the one who adopted me, who cared for me, was now making me an apprentice. “I Whitestar, leader of Dawnclan, call upon my warrior ancestors, to look down on this kit who has been with us for 6 moons. Echokit? Do you promise to train hard to become a warrior of Dawnclan?” I nodded vigorously as she continued, “Then from now on, you shall be known as Echopaw, your mentor will be Hawkflight.” I turned around to face Hawkflight; I bounced up her and happily and giggled, “Hi Hawkflight.” She laughed and sat me next to her. I was now an apprentice, training to be a full warrior of Dawnclan.

Chapter 9: Training Begins

                My training with Hawkflight started, she taught me the noble ways of the warrior code and how to defend and protect yourself in battle. I learned many things, yet they were pushed to the back of my mind..I thought of how Momma could’ve been there, how she could’ve been my mentor, and how proud she would’ve been had that wolf not crossed her path and killed her. I was never fully focused on what Hawk had to say, I constantly felt like I had to prove myself to my mother and make her proud.

          My real training began with Hawk on a calm, warm night. The air was still and the moon shone among us. Shadowblaze and Speedyclaws joined us, both watching closely. I stared at Hawk, she eagerly spoke, “Okay Echopaw, attack me.” I didn’t know how to respond, my legs locked up and I didn’t move, they all looked at me very confused. How could this apprentice, who’s descended from two of the greatest fighters the clans have ever known, not be able to attack her mentor. I looked at the ground and sighed, “I can’t do it, I don’t wanna hurt my Auntie.” They all watched me, disappointment filled their eyes, I didn’t want Momma to be angry at me for hurting someone that did nothing to hurt me. This obviously wasn’t going to fly with them, they all were determined to show me how to kill…and if I didn’t I was going to walk down the path of a medicine wolf, which they made it sound impossible! My training ended that night, with everyone disappointed in me.

          That morning I was dragged out of the apprentice den to re-attempt fighting, I was not happy at all. Once again I was faced with attacking my family, Hawk was sleeping in for the morning..So now I was against Speedy and my Daddy. I tried many many times, fighting just didn’t feel right to me, I didn’t like hurting things that had never done anything to anger me in the first place. Then, Daddy thought of a tactic that even I couldn’t be angry at, he pretended to be the wolf who killed Momma. I grew furious, my fur bristled, and a deep growl emitted from my throat, without thought I launched myself at Shadow and bit as deep as I could into his neck. He quickly threw me off, as I landed on my paws I had realized what I had done…I had attacked him! After that moment I had been improving my fighting skills, I got faster, stronger..and better. Hawkflight trained with me every day, I was small and agile, I dodged her attacks and basically ran circles around her. I enjoyed training, even though I was still as small as a kit.

Chapter 10: Bluestreak

                It’d been 4 moons since I last saw Bluestreak, she quit, but I didn’t know why. I missed Bluestreak, even though I was still scared of her, something inside me longed to see her face again. My family was gone, all banished or dead except for Auntie Hawk and Whitestar. I sighed and looked at my paws, nobody could’ve been more alone than me.

          I’d gone hunting alone that day, well that’s what I told everyone at least. I really just wanted to escape camp and find a little peace in the warm spring wind. I perched on the edge of a small cliff overhanging a pond, I stared down watching my reflection endlessly. Something rustled in the bushes; I was on the far end of my territory, far from any Dawnclanners. I immediately perked my ears, I leaped up and spun around quickly. My fur bristled and I watched the bushes rustle once more, my paws pricked with anxiety. Bluestreak jumped out of the bushes, smiling and exclaiming, “Echokit! What are you doing so far from camp!!” My heart lurched and I slid down the bank falling into the river, my eyes widened…I clenched my paw on my chest and panted, “You gave me a heart attack..” She peered over the bank and giggled, “Sorry!” She helped me back up the bank and I shook my pelt dry. Me and Blue padded down a path that marked the end of Dawnclan territory,we spoke softly, not wanting to be heard. This was what we were both waiting for, to see each other again and not let anyone know about it. Bluestreak showed me a few fighting moves, although I hoped not to use them against her. It was hard to have somebody you care about that’s gone. “Oh and Bluestreak, it’s Echopaw now, Hawkflight’s my mentor.” She opened her mouth and chirped excitedly, “Oh congratulations Echoki- err Echopaw!”

          As the sun started plummeting into the strokes of purple, gray, and blue that littered the sky, swift breezes carried scents of rabbits and voles. I was at a steady trot, heading towards camp, the smell of prey filled my nostrils and my stomach growled impatiently. I skidded to a halt and tilted my nose in the air, I smelled a shrew under a nearby hazel. I crouched low and heard the shrew scuttling under leaves, scavenging for the hazel’s nuts. I scooted closer, my paws moving silently over the moss and earth. The sound of a twig snapping under my paw alerted the shrew of my presence, but before he could react, he was squarely between my paws. I picked up the shrew and perked my ears backwards, “Nice catch!” I turned to see Redleaf, Bearpaw, and Swiftclaw; I dipped my head and mumbled, “Thanks.” They’d been on a hunting patrol, each carried a squirrel and Swiftclaw had a vole.

We returned to camp as the moon was beginning to rise. I padded into camp, my tail twitched with amusement as I set down my catch. I took a breath and looked to the sky, the moonlit night echoing with the wispy sounds of distant ancestors whispering to the attentive ears. If only I could hear them.

Chapter 11: Sylverhawk

                Morning breezes swept through the apprentice den, my spine tingled and I awoke rather annoyed, Leafbare had been coming to an end, but I felt so cold. I slowly got up, shaking my pelt and yawning briefly, I perked my ears.. someone had whispered my name. I looked around but the camp was all asleep, the whisper came again shortly after, pointing me towards the edge of camp near the forest that lined the edges of the canyons. Whatever had been calling me led me to a dark, cold part of the forest.. there was no light. The darkness held me like a sheer, shadowy, blanket hanging onto my fur and sinking its piercing icy sting into me, I shivered and my paws ached. Something was terribly wrong. Mist covered the forest floor, the echoing hoot of an owl rang through my ear and darkness began to shroud my mind. I turned and saw Shadow, he looked different then when I has last saw him, he seemed taller and well.. scarier. I stood there breathless, I looked around cautiously, my eyes kept darting on Shadow, it seemed like a lifetime before he spoke. “Hello Echopaw, I see you’ve found your way here.”

My heart raced and I softly replied, “Where is here?”

His reply was stern, “The Dark Forest, I’ve waited long to bring you here, theres someone I’d like you to meet.”

Puffs of white fog came from my mouth, the air became stiffer and colder, I sensed someone else coming. I turned my head towards the sound of rattling branches, the crunching of dead leaves, and the low growl that was as fierce as it was terrifying.

“Echopaw, I’d like you to meet Sylverhawk, your grandfather.” Shadow’s voice rasped with each word, he smiled as Sylver padded into the clearing. I turned my head, Sylver was tall, muscular, gray wolf with white under fur, he was riddled with scars and his eyes glowed with fiery red fury. Sylver gave Shadow a threatening look and Shadow’s stare quickly darted to me. My father was scared of this wolf, he was scared to the bone, as was I. Sylver looked at me, chills ran through my spine, this ghostly figure stared into me.. he stared into my heart, my soul, his whispers clouded my mind and I fell into emptiness.

“Hello Echopaw” Curling his lips in a slight snarl. “I’ve been watching you for moons now, yet my foolish excuse for a son has failed to bring you to me earlier. I’m here to train you, to make you the most powerful warrior in that wretched clan of yours. I will visit you every night in your dreams, you will listen to me..”

I shuddered, with my eyes darting from Sylver back down to my trembling paws I replied, “O-okay.. but would Momma like that?”

His pupil shrunk to a narrow slit and his eyes blazed with fury, his thundering growl echoed through the silent forest and shook the ground, “Do NOT speak of Starclan here! I knew you were going to have your fathers stupidity but must you show me. So help me if I hear you speak of that mousebrained flea-infested mother of yours I will claw out your heart faster than a rabbits heartbeat, do you understand me!”

“Yes sir.” I shook with terror and avoided his menacing stare.

“Erm father..” Shadow sighed, “I think Echopaw should return to Dawnclan, Hawkflight will be there to train her any moment.”

Sylver growled impatiently, “Then why did you bring her to me now if she’s going to be trained by that kittypet? Honestly Shadowstar how do you expect to lead a clan? You’re going to have to be smarter than that to be a leader.” He paused for a moment, then he continued on grunting again, “Echopaw, I will visit you tonight, do not disappoint me.”

Sylverhawk’s deathly shadow faded away, me and Daddy were left in the clearing, I still shook from Sylver’s threat. “D-daddy? You’re a leader now?”

He looked down at me, his eyes were blank, he showed no emotion when he sighed, “Yes Echopaw, I am leader of Duskclan, Bluestr-err.. Silverfang has joined me along with some other wolves.”

Silverfang? Who is Silverfang, I thought. “Uhh Dad, who’s Silverfang?” I asked.

“You remember Bluestreak don’t you? Well she changed her name to Silverfang not too long ago. You’d better be getting back Echopaw, I’ll see you tonight.”

Shadow also faded away and I was left alone, these dark woods still scared me as a padded back to camp, I wondered what I was going to do..

Chapter 12: Walking Dreams with a Murderer

                I let out a long sigh, Hawkflight and I trained hard today, we went hunting at Sunhigh then came back and battle trained till dusk. I settled uneasily in the apprentice den, facing the corner of the den I stared at the wall. My eyes burned, all I wanted to do was sleep, but Sylverhawk’s threat rang in my mind.

I awoke in the same dark forest, the trees looming over me like sinister claws just waiting for me to turn my back. I slowly padded through the forest, trying to remember the way back to the clearing, Sylver’s piercing gaze clawed at my mind. As I was padding up the hill leading to the clearing, I heard Sylver and Shadow speaking, silently gasping I leapt behind a bramble bush, the thorns matted my fur.

          “I knew she wouldn’t come, your daughter’s as useless as you are. You’d better bring her to me before I get impatient and drag her lifeless body here myself.” Sylverhawk growled angrily.

          I coughed up the courage to step out of the brambles, I slowly slid down the hill into the clearing, I stared at Sylverhawk with ears drawn back.

          “Finally you came, I can’t believe you’re my kin.” He gave me and Shadow a stern look, then focused his eyes on me, “I won’t let you turn out as big a failure as your father, you’re going to be the best fighter in Dawnclan, I’ll teach you everything I know.” Sylver’s growl held a hint of pride within it.

          “Don’t forget the favor you owe to me for bringing Echopaw here father, I kept my word now you keep yours.” Shadow’s eyes glistened with an inner rage, I saw his dark thoughts, my father had changed. Without warning Sylver leaped at Shadow and sank his teeth deep into his throat, Shadow’s eyes widened with fear as Sylver threw him to the ground.

“Do not test me Shadow! Although you are my son you are a fool. I will do your favor in time, but Echopaw plays a big part in that. I can’t have her acting as useless as you when the time comes.” Sylver snarled.

          What favor? What does Sylver mean I play a big part in something I don’t know about? The thought rang through my mind. “What favor..” My voice was fierce, almost a growl. I want to know what your involving me in!

          “Your father has asked me to kill Whitestar, to rip each pathetic life she has out of her soon-to-be red stained pelt. She took you from him, robbed you of your kithood, Whitestar deserves to die. You’re going to learn everything I know, you Echopaw are going to have Whitestar die at your claws.” Sylvers eyes glistened with pride and his teeth, stained with the blood of my father, were bared in a vicious snarl.

          “No! I will never hurt Whitestar you heartless monster! She’s like my mother, I love her like she’s my own! Don’t you dare touch her! I will never listen to you, your nothing to me. I will never share dreams with you again you coward!” Tears streamed down my face as I growled these words, my claws dug into and out of the earth and my fur bristled with protective rage.

          Sylver hurled himself at me, I had no time to react as he slammed his claws down across my face, flinging me into a rock. I slowly blinked my eyes open only to see Sylvers gaping jaws clamp down onto my body and attempt to crush my ribs. I slashed my claws across his eye and he dropped me on the floor, I quickly darted to the far end of the clearing.

          Sylver limped back holding his paw over his eye, his snarl ripped at my mind, tearing it to shreds, “You shouldn’t have said that you little mousebrain! I’m going to kill you Echopaw..” Uncovering his eye he revealed a horrifying claws marks running from his forehead across his eye down to his cheek, “I’m going to kill you, just like I killed your mother. Not only that Echo, I’m going to kill everyone you love, starting with Whitestar, all your friends will die because of your mistake.”

      “Y-you, you killed Brambleclaw!” I cried backing into a tree, “I’ll never fight again, all it does is hurt others! You’re so heartless! Both of you!”

          I suddenly woke, my pelt still bristled and blood trickled from my side where Sylver had bitten me, I looked at my paws as a devilish whisper flew past my ear, everyone you love, will die along with you. I killed Brambleclaw, now you’re next...

Chapter 13: Who Are You Brambleclaw…

                I couldn’t stop thinking about Sylver, his threats snarled in my mind, the grizzled feelings of rage and bloodlust. It got into my training, it annoyed me constantly, sinking its feeling deeper and deeper into my brain, wrenching my mind and stealing every memory of my mother that still survived. He kept doing this till I hardly remember who Bramble was, what she looked like, and how she was my true mother. I didn’t feel any emotions toward her anymore, Bramble wasn’t my mom to me, she was just another stupid pride-filled wolf to mousebrained to back down from a fight she couldn’t win.

          The day passed slowly, dragging on, I watched the sun rise and fall. It’d been a quiet day, Hawk gave me a break from training since we trained hard yesterday. I think she got suspicious of the tooth marks that covered my side from Sylverhawk’s outburst.

          That night I left the apprentice den, the moon was looming over the med den and dark purple wisps littered the sky. The croaks of frogs drowned out the sound of snoring wolves throughout the camp, I didn’t want to go back to sleep, I became intrigued about my mother, How did she think a warrior with only three legs could take down someone like Sylver? Was she that mousebrained? Simply shrugging I sat outside camp, watching the moon sink into the horizon. Early streaks of dawn covered the sky in pinks, oranges, purples, and blues. Some wolves had already awoke, they must’ve been getting ready to go on the dawn patrol.

          Hawkflight sat beside me, it was almost sunhigh, the patrol had returned hours ago. “Is something troubling you Echo?” she said softly.

          “Ya, it’s about my mother, she was mousebrained wasn’t she?” I stared down at my paws, tail flicking back and forth.

          “No, Brambleclaw wasn’t stupid, she was very smart… like you. Why would you think that Echopaw?”

          “Well it’s just that, why would Brambleclaw fight Sylverhawk if she knew she couldn’t beat him? She must’ve been a horrible warrior since her back leg was missing.” I sighed, How come I was the only one who felt this way?

          “Your mother was one of the greatest fighters in the forest, at first her leg bothered her, but she had faith and kept practicing. She learned how to fight on her three legs, she was very talented Echo. You probably have some of her instinct and skill inside of you. Why don’t we visit the Moonstone and try to communicate with her tomorrow, I’m sure she’d like to see you again. Don’t you want to see her to?” She seemed somewhat concerned, I ignored it.

          “I guess, it’s not like I have anything else to do around here.” I grunted. I lay alone in the apprentice den, thinking of what it must’ve been like trying to function on three legs. I let out a sigh, shortly followed by a yawn, the cold breezes of night flicking its icy sting at my fur as I slowly drifted to sleep.

          The sun rose gently above the mountains, the smell of morning filled my nostrils as I awoke, stretching out my paws. Hawkflight was awake, she was in the clearing talking to Mightyheart, he seemed like he was barely awake. We looked at each other for a moment, then she padded over to me, her voice chirping excitedly, “Ready to go Echo?”

I yawned, then softly replied, “I guess Hawk, why are you so excited to go?” I tilted my head slightly and flicked my tail curiously.

“Well your mother is my sister Echopaw, Brambleclaw was a good friend of mine till she passed, I miss her… I want to see her to ya know, when we get to the Moonstone we can.” She sighed quietly.

We left camp right away, padding up the narrow slopes that swirled and twisted throughout the canyons, until arriving at the thundering waterfall that hid the entrance of the cave from those who were unworthy. This cave held one of the clans deepest secrets, the Moonstone. It allowed us who were living to communicate with Starclan, all of our ancestors were still there to offer us guidance and wisdom.

We tucked our heads into our chests as we powered through the waterfall, the power of it pushing us slightly underwater. We step foot into the cave, the ground was cold to the paw, and the surrounding air stung our soaking pelts. We had a ways to travel till we got to the Moonstone, even though the cave was pitch black we felt our way along the narrow path between the cave walls to the moonlit cavern of the Moonstone. The cave walls glistened with from the reflection of the moon onto the stone, sending wondrous streaks of colors along the cavern’s walls.

Hawk flicked her tail motioning me towards the glowing stone, she lay beside me and pressed her nose against the pulsating rock, drifting into a deep sleep. I did the same, and the coolness of the stone rushed through me as I slipped away into my dream.

I opened my eyes, I stood on the narrow rock bridge that stretched across part of the canyons, pines gripped their roots deep into the sides of the walls and the screech of a hawk echoed through the sky. The sun shone brightly and clouds floated through the sky effortlessly, fresh breezes swept through my lungs as I took a breath. I slowly look around and padded across the bridge shouting, “Mother! Mom! Brambleclaw! Where are you?!” I traveled all the way to the edge of canyons that brushed the ends of the forest. Padding along the tree line I kept a steady pace, perking ears and looking around for any signs of my mother. A growl suddenly stopped me dead in my tracks as I skidded to a halt.

“You won’t find your pitiful mother here Echopaw; it’s just you… and me.” The threatening growl sounded from behind a tree. Sylverhawk stepped out, his massive body casting a shadow over me, he flicked his tail and waited. The trees’ roots twisted, their branches snapping and falling around us, the earth churned and replaced the canyon rock with a hard dry soil. Leaves rotted away in a matter of seconds and the clouds shrank into nothing, a ghostly fog began to roll in, its fingers clawing at my paws.

I stared at Sylver in horror, how did he get into my dream! I thought only Starclan could walk here!  His red eyes stared into me, I couldn’t look away. I thought I was going to feel the pelt of Brambleclaw, but I couldn’t have been more wrong.

“Glad to see me you little runt? I bet you can’t remember your mother can you? You see Echopaw, there’s a lot of things a wolf like me can do.” Sylver growled, “for example…” I stared at him for a moment, then I collapsed at his paws yelping in agony, it felt like my heart was being crushed, I lost feeling in my legs and my eyes winced with every breath I struggled to take. Pain surged through my body and tears of blood trickled from my eyes.

Screaming in horror I yelped, “Sylver stop! Please! You’re killing me!” Rolling on my side brought another wave of pain and I choked on my own blood that was beginning to pour out of my throat.

Sylver stared at me in pride and watched as I slowly died before him, then he flicked his tail once more and the pain left my body as quickly as it had came.

I weakly stumbled to my paws, red lines stained my fur where the tears of blood had rolled down my face, I coughed up blood and hung my head low to the ground, trying to recover. Lifting my head I stared at him in hatred, struggling to catch my breath once more.

“I can do that whenever I want Echopaw, don’t forget that… be glad that was an example. I’ll never let you see your pathetic mother again because you betrayed me, I’ll strip every last memory you have of her till you don’t even know her name! You can see your mother again if you do as I say.” Sylverhawk snarled grimly.

“What do you want Sylverhawk,” I choked, “Let me see Brambleclaw.”

Sylverhawk chuckled as he growled again, “You know what I want Echo, I want Whitestar dead.”

“I’ll never do it Sylverhawk! Get it through your thick skull you foxhearted mousebrain! Get away from me!”

I yanked my head back and thrust my body up stumbling on my paws pulling myself from my dream, Hawkflight was sitting in the corner, her worried yelp sounded as I fell back onto my side.

“Echopaw what happened!” Her words full of worry. She helped me up and I looked at the ground for a moment.

“I… I don’t know.” I gasped, then a familiar growl sounded beside my ear again, in time you will listen to me runt, whether you want to or not. I’ll force you to do anything and everything I want you to do, I’m waiting Echopaw.

Chapter 14: Sylverhawk’s Wrath

                It’d been a day since my dream with Sylverhawk, my paws still trembled at night and I would awaken at any growl that someone might’ve let slipped while chasing rabbits in their dreams. Hawkflight noticed I became uneasy, she slowed training a little but that only made it worse, the more time I was alone the more chance I had of seeing Sylver. I still thought of his previous statement, I’ll force you to do anything and everything I want you to do, I’m waiting Echopaw. If you don’t everyone you love, will die along with you. I killed Brambleclaw, now you’re next.

          I had asked Whitestar if I could leave camp for the day to go see my father whose territory rested in the jungle across the shore from our canyons. She allowed me leave, yet something in her eyes told me this wasn’t what she really wanted. Whitestar was my mother now, she’d taken me in fully now and Redleaf treated me like his sister. I felt safe when I was around Whitestar, her soft white fur always made me think of her as an angel, she protected me, cared for me, and most importantly was there for me.

          I trotted along the shoreline, the waves lapping at my paws as I dodged rocks and seaweed mounds. The morning sky was a thick gray, clouds were hanging onto the horizon fading out the sun’s early rays. I reached the end of the shore before the sun had completely risen from the cloud cover, some of the tallest peaks in the canyons were still visible, I knew someone up there was watching me, making sure my journey had gone safely.

          I poked my head through the thick ferns and slowly pushed my way through the thicket of vines and bamboo. Stepping through the final fern, I stood out in the clearing of his territory, it was dark and shielded from the sun, yet it was beautiful at the same time, large flowers full of vibrant colors hung from trees, grew from ferns, and coated the rocks in a colorful blanket.

          It took me a while, but I finally saw my father a few fox-lengths in front of me, I hid behind a thicket of ferns and crouched over a rock. Shadow was covered in deep cuts to the shoulder and throat, blood dripped from his fur and he was looking around wildly. Sylverhawk stood in front of him snarling angrily, drool dripped from his jaws as he threatened Shadow with a cold glare. Sylverhawk lunged at Shadowstar and slashed his claws across the top of his neck down to his chest, throwing him to the ground writhing in pain. Sylver looked at his son, then shot a glance at me, he disappeared and my father lay on the jungle floor showing no signs of movement. My eyes became foggy and tears streamed down my cheeks as I ran up to my father. He was completely still, his heart barely even making a faint beat, pressing my head into his fur I sobbed, staining my fur with his blood.

          I stayed with him for minutes, his heart beat one last time and his body became cold. I stared endlessly at the opposite side of Zios, my heart throbbing in pain, thoughts rushed through my mind, this is my fault.

          Shadow slowly began to open his eyes, a faint heartbeat returned and he lifted his head staring at me. “E-Echopaw?” He murmured. “What are you doing here?”

          “I came to see you Daddy, but then I saw Sylverhawk attack you, this is my fault, I’m so sorry!” I cried pressing my head into his fur again.

          He sighed looking into my eyes and softly replied, “It’s okay, I have more lives to spare, even though I just lost one…”

          We traveled back to his camp, both of us struggling to forget what had happened. Stepping foot in Duskclan camp was awkward for me, lots of the wolves already knew me but some of them stared like I was a new kit or something. A large black wolf came up to us and whispered something to Shadow, they both left immediately and I was left alone in Duskclan camp… great.

          They returned a short while later, dragging a wolf’s body. I quickly got up and dashed up to my father, “Daddy what happened!” I asked. He set the wolf in the middle of camp and called his clan over to the clearing.

          “Wolves of Duskclan,” He announced, “We have lost a great member of our clan, Ravensoul, our deputy, has died. She was attacked by my fa-err… a loner that must’ve been out for blood, we will have a replacement deputy before moonhigh tonight.”

          I remember Ravensoul, she was there when Brambleclaw was in the med den, she was a good friend of my mother’s and mine when I was very young. Daddy had stuttered when he spoke, he was about to say father… Sylverhawk did this!

          Shadowstar offered me to stay the night since the moon was already beginning to rise, although an unwise decision I left his camp to return to my own. I made my way through the ferns, over logs, twisting through vines, and avoiding rocks. I finally arrived on the shoreline, the moon lit the waves a glistening silver, lapping at the earth, staining it with its pureness. I ran across the shore, the water splashing me beneath my paws, leaping over waves and rocks till my pelt was soaked with the smell of salt.

          I headed up the path that connected the canyons to the shore, the sand cushioned my paws and the moon shone directly overhead. My fur was still wet, but it was beginning to dry. I decided to take a quick rest, I was exhausted and still a good ways from camp. I leaped up on a small plateau that was sheltered with ferns and trees, the warm rock comforted my aching paws as I watched the stars. I rested my head on the rock and lay on my side, taking deep breaths, listening to the silence that surrounded me. I forgot the entire world, here I was, alone… with not a worry in the world, my mind was at peace as I fell into unconsciousness.

          The early hoot of an owl woke me, I must’ve fell asleep… it was still dark but dawn was quickly approaching. I didn’t know what had happened last night, why I felt so peaceful… almost like an angel was with me. I shook off the thought as I yawned, briefly stretching my paws, and shaking my pelt. I hopped off the plateau and landed softly on the sand, my heart that was once free that night now shriveled up in horror as Sylverhawk’s figure stood before me.




Chapter 15: Run!

          My paws locked up and I stared up at him, his shadow coating me in an icy darkness. He took a step forward and I bolted. I darted through the pathways as quick as I could, the chill of the cold ground made my paws ache and a tripped and stumbled after every pawstep. I ran full speed at a hard turn, suddenly tripping and skidding across the sand, the little crystals cutting into my fur. I struggled up and ran again, fear swelled inside of me and pushed my legs as fast as they could go. Sylverhawk leaped out from behind a rock and slammed his paw across my back legs, I fell face first into the ground, crushing my muzzle and sending sand straight into my eyes, rolling over my paws until finally getting a grip on the sand, dragging myself to a halt. My eyes were searing in pain as they turned a blood red, struggling to pull myself up I tripped again and landed on my side exhausted.

          Sylverhawk looked at me in utter disappointment, “Is this how all your battles are fought? Running like a scared little rabbit till your tripped and caught like one! If you’re going to act like prey, I’ll treat you as such.”

          There was nothing I could do, I was so exhausted I couldn’t react or feel his jaws clamp down into my ribs. He violently shook me and threw my motionless body into a rock, still struggling to catch my breath I lay still, only to see Sylver’s claws repeatedly striking at my body. I shut my eyes, accepting that this was the end; I would never make it to become a warrior…

          A flash of brown hurled Sylverhawk off my body and into the ground, snarling in fury he got up and held his ground. I opened my eyes and saw Hawkflight worriedly murmuring to me, Mightyheart was keeping Sylverhawk from me, sending hard blows to Sylver’s solid form and throwing him to the stone walls of the canyons. Hawkflight picked me up in her jaws and ran, my vision blurred and the last thing I heard was Mightyheart’s frantic yelp, “Run Hawkflight, run!”

          I woke up in the med den, Hawkflight sat in front of me while Mightyheart sat just outside the den. She pressed her head into my fur and gently whispered, “Its okay Echo, your safe here. We told Whitestar about the loner that attacked you; she’s back in her den. She’s worried sick about you.” Mightyheart looked at Hawkflight then glanced over at me; she nodded and left the den. Mighty sat beside me and spoke, “I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you sooner Echopaw, I am so sorry. If I had been there, I could’ve kept him from hurting you.”

          I let out a sigh and softly replied, “I’m just glad you did come at all, you saved my life Mightyheart, that’s plenty enough.” I rested my head on some moss and shut my eyes, drifting to sleep.