ShadowClan Camp

Sleetpup was woken up by Tremblepaw moving him out of the way and evicting him from the Medicine Den. He heard the others cheering new apprentice names and he whimpered sadly. His name wasn't one of them. He was the only pup now in ShadowClan. He lowered his ears and walked towards the nursery, anger and a little bit sadness twinkling in his brown eyes. He was about the size of an apprentice now and yet he had no mentor and he doubted he'd be welcome in the nursery after this. He sat down in the middle of camp and just sniffled a little. He didn't cry, he just sniffled.

Why wasn't I made an apprentice? he asked himself in thought though he probably new. After his crying tantrum for being charged with cleaning the dens out he didn't look very mature enough to start training. So Dragonstar wants me to mature up more? But how? I'll never have Tremblepaw as my own, she's now a Medicine Wolf apprentice! he added in thought. Feeling as if he would be forever alone he padded towards the nursery with his tail tucked between his legs in shame.

Minkfur sat up upon seeing Dragonsteel- no, Dragonstar- return to the camp. She dipped her head towards him respectfully after he nodded to her, before sighing and getting to her paws after he called a clan meeting. She then sat among the gathering wolves, perking her ears and glancing up at the new leader. She figured he'd be naming the pups as apprentices, they were definitely old enough and Nightstar had seemed to either forget about them or simply ignored them in the last clan meeting. Her eyes flicked towards the nursery, wondering if she was going to mentor any of the pups. She figured she did a good enough job with Forsakensoul, as he turned out to be quite a good hunter. Minkfur then returned her gaze to Dragonstar as he began to speak.
'So Tremblepaw will try to become a medicine wolf...? Figures...' The pup didn't strike her as the type to become a warrior. She was much too anxious. Beginning to clean her chest fur off, the young warrior listened as the leader went on. It was then that she had been named the new deputy of ShadowClan. The she-wolf froze and glanced up at the male with surprise. 'Wait? Me?!' she thought, meeting his glance. However, Minkfur gave him a slight nod in response, accepting her new role. She... definitely wasn't too confident about it, for sure, but she wouldn't object. If Dragonstar trusted her, she'd prove herself to be a good choice. She continued to listen keenly as the male began the apprentice ceremonies, starting off with Silverpup, now named Silverpaw, who was to be mentored by Thrushheart. Next came Jesterpup, and Minkfur's began to pray to StarClan that she wouldn't be given him- and that said prayer was answered by Dragonstar declaring that she would mentor the undoubtedly evil young male. Flashing Dragonstar a flustered glare, as if to silently ask him 'Why?!', she sucked up her momentary irritation and padded up to her new apprentice, gently touching his nose as per tradition. She then sat down next to the male, awaiting the end of the gathering. After calling out the names of the newly promoted wolves as the leader ended the meeting, Minkfur got to her paws and was about to have a chat with Jesterpaw before being approached by Dragonstar. "Of course," she then glanced towards her apprentice and the other two wolves to join her. "Come on, you all. You heard him. Let's go..." As she got up to head out of the camp, the she-wolf flicked her tail, glancing towards the rest of the patrol. "Keep an eye out for... whatever those shadowy things were... There better not be any more of them..." she grunted before heading out of the camp and making her way to the border.
~ThunderClan and ShadowClan border~

Marauderpup didn't remember seeing Dragonsteel leaving the camp, only shaking himself free of his initial shock as Ivyshade came to collect Tremblepup for a trip to the Moon Cave. Before he knew it, he was left alone in the medicine den with Sleetpup cowering in the back.
Everything was a muddle in his mind. He'd never shied away from a challenge before, but the reality of what had just happened had fully solidified in his mind now with Dragonsteel gone from the camp. There was something infinitely evil at work here. Ivyshade had said it herself. There was a dark presence - or even multiple - circling the territory and they were malicious, hungry, and baying for blood. But the thought that preceded this realisation was scarier yet - they seemed to be powerless to defend themselves against them. Nightstar had been taken down in minutes, drained of all nine of his lives, and the greatest help that his Clan had to offer him was to put him out of his misery themselves. What kind of foe were they facing?
Dragonsteel's - well, he supposed Dragonstar's - summons brought him padding from the Medicine den, his posture slumped, and into the open space of the clearing. He could only hope that he'd bring good news as a result of his engagement with StarClan. Maybe they had even bestowed some information about the shadows upon him during his visit.
He was unspeakably excited as Deagonstar called his name, signalling him to step forward to begin his apprentice ceremony. This is it! He screamed internally, his chest puffing out with pride as he stepped forward, shooting a proud glance at Silverpaw and Tricksterpaw as he went. Finally I can begin my training! He held Dragonstar's gaze as he announced who his mentor would be, almost leaping with joy as Direheart was appointed the position. The apprentice held his composure well as he touched noses with his new mentor, not wanting to make a fool of himself in front of the Clan by acting like an excited pup. From this moment forth he was a pup no longer, and he was eager to pour his all into his training. He could think of no wolf he'd rather oversee his training. He respected Direheart immensely, admiring his 'to the point' attitude and cunningness. He was sure that Direheart wouldn't coddle him, and that he had the skills to shape him into the warrior he deserved to be. He sat close to his siblings after his part of the ceremony and listened to the other announcements, his back straight as a rod and his head held high. The other announcements harboured no surprises and no further information on the shadows, much to Marauderpaw's disappointment. Perhaps StarClan had had no words of enlightenment to bestow upon their new leader. Either that or Dragonstar wasn't feeling up to sharing. He joined in with the ceremonial chanting of the new names, shouting those of his brother and sister loudest of all, but noticeably quieting down when it came to Jesterpaw's name.
The instant that the meeting had been disbanded, he had began to open his mouth to speak to Silverpaw when he heard his name along with Jesterpaw's in Dragonstar's mouth. A frown creased his forehead as he wondered what could warrant him being in a discussion associated with that, but he perked up immediately when he realised that they were being sent on a patrol. Yes! My first ever assignment! He bounded over to Minkfur's side, shooting a confident look at Direheart as he was ordered to join them as well. He would do his best not to fall for Jesterpaw's bait on this patrol. As much as he loathed his half-brother, he didn't want to make a bad impression on the new deputy and his new mentor on his first ever patrol. Minkfur's mention of the shadows no longer had as quite a severe influence on Marauderpaw now. His new rank had given him a powerful boost of confidence that already gone straight to his head.

~ThunderClan and ShadowClan border~

After all the commotion with Nightstar, Silverpup watched as Dragon, Ivy, and Tremble left the camp. She wondered partly of what would happen when they returned, and a part of her was jealous of Tremble for getting to leave camp even when she was only a pup. Though she definitely wasn't in any way envious for jobs she would have to preform as a Medicine Wolf Apprentice. Though it hadn't been formally announced that Tremblepup would take that role, there was no other reason in Silver's mind that the other fay would be allowed to travel with the leader and the Medicine Wolf over such a long distance.
Silverpup had found that there was not much to do in camp after the trio had left. During their time away she had eaten a rabbit from off the fresh-kill pile, and had spent some time grooming her fur with her tongue. Even after all that had happened, she really wasn't tired, but just hung around the camp lazily. Eventually, the new leader returned along with Ivyshade and Tremblepup. When a clan meeting was called, Silverpup trotted over and listened to the announcements rather absent-mindedly, hearing that Tremble had been made a Medicine Wolf Apprentice and that Minkfur would be the new deputy. When hearing her name being called, the fay was jolted to alertness, a bit of surprise crossing her features when Dragonstar asked her forward. "My apprentice ceremony already?" Sure she was six moons old, but with all that had been happening lately she had forgotten that it would happen so soon.
Quite glad that she had groomed her fur earlier, Silverpup stepped forward as Dragonstar gave her a new name- Silverpaw. Her mentor was Thrushheart, and while she didn't really know the reddish male that well, he seemed like a pretty well respected wolf within the clan. Silverpaw padded forward to touch noses with her mentor before stepping to the side for her other brothers to come up. Tricksterpup, Marauderpup, and Jesterpup all had their apprentice ceremonies. After all of the announcements were over the clan cheered out their names. Silver cheered along too and once they were done turned to Thrushheart. "I'm so happy that you're my mentor," she said softly, her eyes showing admiration. "I promise I'll train very hard." The words were more meant to be flattery then anything else, but her expression and tone conveyed that she was honest about how she felt.

The growls and snarls had woken Direheart from his nap in a corner of the camp, and he watched distantly as the fight played out. He wasn’t particularly upset that Nightstar had been killed. He hadn’t been that good of a leader anyway, in the young warrior’s opinion. Yawning, he went back to his dozing when Dragonsteel left the camp. It was clear that the grey male would be going to the Moon Cave, and without a leader telling him what to do, then he was free to doze the day away. When the wolves finally came back, he padded over at the call, listening to the announcements. It was high time that the pups became apprentices, he couldn’t understand why Nightstar hadn’t done it before. Blinking in surprise when he was made the black and gold pup’s mentor, he got to his feet and touched the youngster’s nose as per tradition before sitting down again. Listening closely, he found himself approving of the rest of the announcements, flicking his gaze over to Bramblerose for a split second. She seemed quite cut up about something, but it wasn’t any of his business right now. Only if it got in the way of her duties, he supposed. Cheering the names, he padded over to Minkfur to congratulate her in time to hear that he was going on a patrol with his new apprentice. Sending a cold look towards the black and red apprentice, he didn’t pity Minkfur one bit for having to deal with him. Flicking his thin nose slightly at Marauderpaw in a signal to follow, the lean Ethiopian wolf padded after Minkfur to wherever they were going to patrol, glad to be getting out of camp for a while.

The Medicine Wolf trotted back into camp, following Tremblepaw into the Medicine Den. She was surprised about Sleetpup still being in the den, but she said nothing to him even when her new apprentice proceeded to kick him out. Shortly after, Dragonstar called a clan meeting. Ivyshade was tired from the journey to the Mooncave and back, but she still exited the den and sat along with the crowd as her new leader made his announcements. "Minkfur is a very good choice for a deputy." This was definitely something that Ivy could approve of. Even though the fay could be rather strict, her loyalty to Shadowclan was unquestionable and the Medicine Wolf was sure she would be a good choice. After that, Dragonstar conducted the well needed apprentice ceremonies, and soon it was back to normal life for Shadowclan.
Ivyshade padded back to her den as soon as the announcements were over. Poking her nose into her stores, she could scent that they were low on several herbs. "Hmm, we'll have to go out and fetch those..." She considered taking Tremblepaw out right away to find them, but then decided against it. Her new apprentice should probably rest for now, as it was quite a long journey they had just experienced.

When they were almost to the camp entrance Blackwidow told Minkfur that she could walk on her own. She didnt want the clan to view her as even more weak by arriving back to camp with assistance. Stubborn as she was when Minkfur protested she just detached herself from the female and limped through the camp entrance. Not really bothering to say anything to anyone as she started to make her way into the medicine den. She knew that either Minkfur would tell Dragonsteel what happen or he saw her come into camp and would talk with her himself. Laying down in one of the nest that Ivyshade had in her den, she then called out to the healer. "Hey Ivyshade think you can fix this up for me, I tried stopping the bleeding." She told the female but seeing as the journey from the border to here had reopened the wound she didnt really do that good of a job. But she hoped that the reserved medicine wolf would be able to fix her so that she wasnt limping anymore. Nightstar really did a number on her shoulder.

Minkfur guided the she-wolf towards the camp, occasionally checking over her shoulder to make sure the rest of the patrol was behind her... though mostly just Jesterpaw. Especially him. Flicking her ear as Blackwidow informed her that she could walk on her own, the brown fay tilted her head. "But your wound-" However, the older wolf dismissed her, heading straight towards the medicine den. Saying nothing as she neglected to approach Dragonstar, Minkfur huffed and turned to Jesterpaw, dipping her head. "I wish we could have patrolled more, but we had to cut it short. I'll take you hunting later to make it up, alright?" After his response, the deputy looked around the camp, trying to find Bramblerose. She could tell her friend would probably either need comfort, or to be left alone. She didn't know which. Besides, how could she be comforted? She witnessed the death of her lover! The event caused Minkfur's brown coat to prickle, and she lowered her head with a soft sigh. Though she didn't have a mate, she could tell the pain of losing a loved one was downright horrible. Her mind trailed to her family, her mother who died after birthing Mink and her siblings, then to Breezepup, who died soon after, to the disappearance of her father.
Thankfully, the thoughts were interrupted by the voice of Dragonstar. Flinching, Minkfur glanced up at him before looking towards the fresh-kill pile. He was right; they ought to do some hunting. "Okay, then. Let's be off," she woofed, closely following him, though not before shooting her apprentice a stern glance, very clearly yet non-verbally telling him to avoid trouble.
~Silver Forest~

Blackwidow listened to Dragonsteel talk well Dragonstar now since it seemed that he may have gottwn his nine lives in the time that she was gone. Her head was down and her ears back. She really wasnt trying to be rude, its jist the wound on her shoulder really hurt. She didnt realize until he said something that her actions may have come across as something else. She would apologize to the male as soon as he came back. She was just sitting there licking her wound before Tigerstorm entered the den. Blackwidow rolled her eyes at the female seeing as she was sure she would have something to say. Though her face remained emotionless inside the words of the dark fae really affected her. When the female left she simply laid her head down and curled her tail around her paws. Silently wonderering if coming back to the clan was a good idea. Maybe the clan was better off without her holding them back.

Ivyshade caught the scent of the red-and-black she-wolf, and turned to face her once she arrived in her den. While she had not witnessed Nightstar attacking the fay firsthand, the scent of the wound alerted her to the possible problems. The Medicine Wolf raised a brow as Blackwidow sauntered into the den, and listened to the She-wolf's question. "I'll do my best. Welcome back Blackwidow." Ivy's voice had some kindness in it, and she was honestly pleased to see that the fay had returned. Not that she was ever going to admit it, but truthfully she was rather happy that Nightstar was now gone. Though it was cruel to wish death upon someone, the she-wolf had never liked the old leader's ways and antics, and his merciless attacking of another warrior in the clan was just way too far. At least with Blackwidow back Shadowclan would have another strong warrior.
Only a few moments had passed before Dragonstar came in, giving the newly returning wolf some strict council. While Ivyshade thought it unwise on Blackwidow's part to have gone straight to the Medicine Den without seeking permission from the leader, she did not say anything to her nor to Dragonstar. Once the male had left, Ivy turned to her stores and nosed out two yellow calendula flowers and a small bundle of yarrow stems with white flowers. She glanced over at Tremblepaw who was asleep, and momentarily wondered whether she should wake her apprentice up. "No, she's traveled far today, I'll take her out on the territory later." Making up her mind, Ivyshade gathered the herb bundle together and stepped back towards Blackwidow. She then began to chew the herbs into a pulp, not even wincing against the bitter taste. The she-wolf frowned and flicked her ears when she heard the voice of Tigerstorm, the heavy-set female making jarring remarks at the returning warrior. After finishing the poultice, Ivy spat the wad on a beech leaf and made her way back towards the fay. Tigerstorm quickly left, and the Medicine Wolf was grateful that Blackwidow had enough sense not to engage the fiery she-wolf in her mocking ridicule. The Medicine Wolf nosed her patient back onto her paws, as the other wolf had laid down. "Hold still a moment," she told her, picking up the leaf bundle she had sat on the ground. She then pressed the wad up against Blackwidow's wound, using her snout to push against the back side of the leaf. Using a bit of honey from her stores, the leaf with the healing poultice inside stuck to the wound, and the Medicine Wolf stepped back. "Make sure you rest that, I don't have enough supplies to keep reapplying if it opens again." Her tone wasn't unfriendly, though a bit curt. Pausing a moment, Ivy scanned the other wolf, her green eyes evenly looking over the fay's dark form. "I would stay on Dragonstar's good side if I were you." Her voice sounded more guarded, and was a hidden warning to the fay not to get in trouble with a leader again. While Dragonstar seemed less confrontational than Nightstar, it would still be for the she-wolf's best interest if she avoided getting into any more trouble.

Blackwidow winced and held back a yelp when Ivyshade applied the medicine to her shoulder. When she gave her the warning of getting some rest she just nodded her head. Blackwidow has learned to never go against a medicine wolfs order, or you could make the injury worst. When Ivyshade told her that it would be best if she stayed on Dragonstar's good side she agreed. "Thank you Ivyshade and i will make a better effort to do so." She liked the brute but the difference between Dragonstar and Nightstar is that Dragonstar has more training than the previos cruel leader and he isnt somebody she wants to piss off. "Ivyshade what happen after i left?" She just wanted to know how did he end up loosing nine lives at once when Blackwidow stepped down as leader she had to have all her other lives retracted so she knew how painful that was. She didnt like Nightstar but she wouldnt wish that really on anybody.

(Crappy post on my phone)

The she-wolf had began to turn away from the other fay, but glanced back at her when the question arose. Frowning, Ivyshade sighed and spoke with a low voice. "Nightstar got into a tussle with Dragonsteel over him sparing you I believe." She started, though admittedly she had missed the beginning of the conflict and had only come back in time for Nightstar's demise. "He then had all his lives taken from him by a shadow that had entered the camp, likely a wolf from the dark forest." Her tone went into a quiet murmur, though there was no point in really hiding anything since most of the clan had seen the whole event with their eyes. Still, the old leader's ominous passing was both a somber and terrifying event. Ivy could hardly imagine the pain that it felt when a wolf lost a life, and losing all nine at once was even more of a gruesome matter.

As Blackwidow listened she felt guilty that those two had gotten in a fight because of her. But when she said that a dark shadow probably from the dark forest took all nine lives at once, she wouldnt have believed it had Ivyshade not looked so serious. She could only imagine how much pain he might have been in. She had somewhat thought the dark forest was a myth when she heard it from an elder when she first joined. But looks like they are real, but she wondered why just him. Maybe his cruel nature caused this. "Thanks Ivyshade." She thanked the fae then left the medicine den in case someone really got sick. Her shoulder would heal soon enough if she didnt mess with it. Blackwidow then found a spot away from the den more in the secluded part of camp, seeing as she really wasnt ready to face the clan and she currently wasnt allowed in the warriors den.

Blackwidow inhaled deeply, lately she has been causing all this trouble and she wondered if she was doing it to get attention or if she was just starting to waver in her beliefs and values. She thought that she just wanted a nice clan to live in, but it felt like there was something missing from the faes life. Like she hadnt quiet found her purpose. Blackwidow remembered that as a puppy all she wanted and was encouraged to do was find a stong mate that would be able to provide for her and have lots of pups. Seeing as the she wolves in the area she lived were almost nonexistent. Blackwidow couldnt help but think what that life would have been like. What it would be like to have a good mate who loves you and pups to raise. Maybe apart of her still wants that, more so then she wants to admit. But with the way things were now and her relationship with males in general its seems so unlikely. Which is why she would never understand why Chesiregrin would harm her pups and then leave. If she had a family she would make certain that she did everything in her power to keep them. She then just started to lick the dried blood off her fur, all the while wishing for something that may never happen.

Val had continued to clean her glossy coat, still mildly concerned for her fate. Would this gray male have her fight, still? She knew that she wasn't strong, nor was she all too big. In fact, the she-wolf was pretty small. Sure, she was as swift as a rabbit, but she wasn't muscular or bulky at all. That wouldn't that attractive on a dainty she-wolf like herself, anyways, at least in her opinion. She wanted to charm males, not intimidate them. Doing that would just cause more fights, anyways. Val hated fighting, anyways, as it just seemed rather brutish and unnecessary if she could just talk her way out of them. It didn't help that she had been partially traumatized back in her old pack by the amount of fighting she witnessed and the punishments she'd receive for disobedience- not to mention, she recalled when her mother was forced to fight against the alpha after refusing to mate with him, and was swiftly killed by the male. It was greatly upsetting to the raven-furred fay, and she wished such a fate would never happen to her.
She shook her head and glanced up towards the gray brute as he called for a meeting. Lifting her head, she perked her ears and listened as he spoke onward. So she was to be an apprentice? The fay wouldn't complain- though she trained with her previous mate, it hadn't been all too extensive, and he wasn't that great of a teacher, being the same age as she was. She was also satisfied with her new mentor, as she had taken a liking to the male, not to mention he was also rather small, and could teach her how to fight without relying on brute strength. As the ceremonies went on, Val took note of the names of all the wolves, finding them quite odd. It seemed that the pups' suffixes were just 'pup', while the apprentices' was 'paw', and adults were whatever. Val momentarily pondered what name she'd have- Blackpaw? Ravenpaw? It didn't matter, anyways, though. She was content with her current name, at least for then. She'd stick with it. Besides, she still didn't have a good enough understanding of the way names worked, there. Instead, she turned her icy gaze towards the white canine, dipping her head with a soft smile. "I look forward to training with you, mon ami," she purred, flicking an ear.

Marauderpaw entered after Minkfur and Blackwidow, reluctant to return to the relative mundaneness of the ShadowClan camp. He wanted adventure, glory, to feel the thrill of the chase burning in his blood as his paws pounded the earth and the wind raked through his fur. He could do none of that in camp, and he gazed wistfully back at the trees behind him as he followed the patrol back inside. He knew the camp like the back of his paw, having spent so much time already with his siblings inspecting every nook and cranny in an attempt to find a new hiding place to exploit. There was nothing new or exciting for him in here anymore. The adventure lay out there, in the trees and the swamps that were now so tantalisingly almost within his grasp. Sure, he was free to roam the territory himself now and uncover all of its secrets, but with the shadow of a mentor looming over your shoulder the element of mystery was somewhat tainted. Maybe he could find his siblings later and persuade them to go on a jaunt with him. He reckoned that Silverpaw would be more than willing to partake in a little adventure.
He watched the altercation between Blackwidow and Tigerstorm with a steely glare. He knew the female was prickly by nature, but he thought that her words were particularly harsh on the beaten black and red female. Dragonstar had made himself more than clear and the message had surely gotten across to Blackwidow without Tigerstorm's taunts. Nevertheless, he had no desire to tangle with the bulky female and so opted to hold his tongue, instead searching the camp for the familiar silvery pelt of one of his partners in crime. Hopefully Silverpaw could provide some excitement in lieu of his disappointing first patrol.

Blackwidow stopped her grooming of herself, fairly certain that all the blood was off her fur. She looked around camp and saw that the white demon, Dragonstar's friend, was still here and the dark slick and pretty looking female was as well. She wondered if Dragonstar had allowed them to join the clan. She had to admit to have the white demon in the clan was a very good thing for Shadowclan even if he was a dog. Considering that shadowclan was really about the only clan that has never let a dog join she was glad that for the first dog to join it was the white demon. At lease he isnt like the dogs that were in riverclan. Blackwidow knew that he may be a dog but he was strong and would make a great addition to the clan. She sighed, she remembered her harsh words to him before and she regret it now. She wondered if he would even accept her apology. She wasnt really trying to be mean to him per say its just her experiences with dogs have been anything but good, or nice. She actually had hated them for their cruelty. Blackwidow felt like dogs were cable of things that she felt like she would never consider.

Blackwidow had started to get up and then thought better of it as she remembered Ivyshade telling her not to reopen the wound. So she called out to the little white dog, by the only name that she knew him by. "White Demon can you come here please so that I can speak with you." Her voice wasnt commanding as it was the first time that they met, it was just her normal voice but maybe with a more softer tone to it. Tired, you could hear the exhaustion in her voice but she didnt dare sleep until she had a talk with Dragonstar. If Tigerstorm was any indication then she was thought of as weak.  And she hated being seen that way.