Hawk's Reign

My name, as you may have figured, is Silentbark. And I am going to guide you through this depressing story. It was a stormy night--(SILENTBARK) What Pinefur? (Brighten your mood) No I will not brighten my mood, it's too depressing. (But-)WHY SHOULD I SOUND HAPPY IN THE MIDDLE OF A GREAT DEPRESSION? (Oh.) Yeah. I got this. (I thought you hated this.) I DO HATE--No wait, I don't hate this. I DESPISE IT! Go Pinefur! Ahem...it was a stormy night...because I wanted revenge. (SILENTBARK) WHAT? (FOCUS) OKAY! OKAY!

And it was another night for Fernpaw and her mentor Lilywillow to treat the many wolves with Thirsting Sickness. You see, Fernpaw is a medic in training. It's so great to see her doing so well. I saw Fernpaw perk her ears. Snakepup was coughing. 'Poor pup', Fernpaw thought, 'he's been sick for ages!' Fernpaw grabbed a few Basil leaves and gave them to Snakepup to ease his coughing fit. Suddenly Snakepup let out a howl of pain and fell still. I walked closer to the poor pup. It's so horrible when the Thirsting Sickness takes away the lives of pups. Fernpaw realized that the pup had died. This was the second pup that had passed. Fernpaw padded over to Opalclaw, the mother of Snakepup, Icepup, and Marshpup. Marshpup died--wait how did you get here? Go back to Moon Pack! Marshpup died at only two moons. And now Icepup is alone. "Opalclaw," Fernpaw stammered, "Snakepup has died of the sickness." Opalclaw stared in grief at our last and now only pup, Icepup. What? I'm her father I have my rights! (You're dead though...) I DON'T CARE TINYCREEK! (Aren't you supposed to be doing something?) Yes. Go. I watch as she played with Beeflower's pups Owlpup and Viperpup who were a few moons older than her. Fernpaw, also filled with grief, went back into the medical cave, and picked up Snakepup's limp body to bring it out into the middle of the camp for vigil, then checking in on her siblings Cedarpaw and Deerpaw. They were still recovering from a battle with Fire Pack. Bearpaw grumbled as Crow entered the Elder's cave. Bearpaw loved going in there because it was quiet. And he loved listening to Thornfur's stories of when he was a warrior and how he fought bravely. "Go away," Bearpaw grumbled. "Oh well," said Crow, "I guess I won't tell you that you passed your assessment!" All wolves looked up to high stone. Beeflower was either looking upon her pack, or she was--

HOWL

Going to call a pack meeting. Why does everyone keep interrupting me? "I have good news and sad news! The good news is that we have apprentices finally receiving their name! And the sad news is...our beloved Snakepup has died of the sickness. But we should still be grateful. For he has now joined the ancestors in Moon Pack!" All the wolves raised their howls to the sky above, giving off their 'farewells' to Snakepup. "And now," said Beeflower, "I call these apprentices to come before me so they can receive their name. Fernpaw! Deerpaw! Cedarpaw! And Bearpaw!" The four apprentices stepped up slowly to high stone and sat. Receiving a name is the most exciting. "Bearpaw," Beeflower began, "You will now be known to the pack as Bearclaw! Deerpaw, you will now be known to the pack as Deerhunter! Cedarpaw, you will now be known to the pack as--" Why did she pause? Beeflower's eyes were lifeless, and she tumbled off the rock. I leaped onto high stone. It was a rogue wolf. He had killed her. "FROM NOW ON, I RULE YOUR PUNY PACK," he spat, "Now that I am in charge, there will be changes. First off, any heirs of the former alpha will DIE!" All remained silent. Then he said, "Medics, see me in my cave. Now." Fernpaw gulped and followed Lilywillow into the alpha's cave. "I need to know the heirs of the former alpha," Hawk said calmly, "I know she had pups." Don't tell him Lilywillow! "Why would we tell you," Lilywillow growled. Hawk barked and pinned Lilywillow to the ground. "FERNPAW! GET AWAY!" As Fernpaw ran she found Cedarpaw's limp body lying on the ground and she stopped to look at her brother one last time. Cedarpaw was rebellious. And never went down without a fight. Now was not the time for him to be a rebel. "Cedarpaw..." Fernpaw's ears pecked as she heard loud barking and yelping. Fernpaw ran to the medical cave in tears as she was very upset. Tonight had gone horribly wrong, and all Fernpaw could think of doing is laying down in her moss bed and wait until all of this was over...Cedarpaw? Cedarpaw nodded a greeting towards me, and I nodded back. "Fernpaw," said Cedarpaw quietly. Fernpaw looked up. There was Cedarpaw. "Moon Pack names you Fernspice. Be strong, my sister. And help your pack endure this." Fernpaw gasped as Cedarpaw disappeared into the air. Fernpaw woke up early the next morning before the others woke. I can do this, she thought, 'Lilywillow has taught you many times. Bowl. Moss. A few drops of dew. And mix.' Fernpaw dipped her paw in the paint, then broke out into tears. She couldn't do this without Lilywillow. But she must go on. Lilywillow was gone. And she would have to do everything without her from now on. "Fernpaw," Fernspice stammered, "from this...from this day forward, I shall be known to the pack as..." Fernpaw paused to gulp before saying the rest of her sentence. "Fernspice. And you are now welcomed as a full member of the pack." Fernspice lowered her head. Her heart, burning with sadness. Her eyes, filled with tears, stung. Fernspice was a mess. Icepup, being awake earlier than usual, walked in holding a bundle of berries in her mouth. Noting that Fernspice was sad, Icepup sat next to Fernspice, and put down her berries. "I have some berries if that will make you feel better," she yipped. "Thank you, Icepup," said Fernspice, "But I'm not hungry." Icepup herself, then lowered her head. "At least Snakepup will be able to meet the great ancestors, right," she asked. Fernspice looked at Icepup and gave a small smile. "Yes. he will." Yes, definitely. He's leaping back and forth right here in front of me when HE SHOULD BE IN MOON PACK! (But I want to stay) No, Snakepup, you can't stay. (Why?) You-you were not chosen to go on a 'mission'. Now go. (Moon Pack?) Yes. To Moon Pack. (I'm going to Fire Pack!) THE FIRE PACK IS NOT--  

[Ten minutes of arguing with Snakepup later...]

(I don't like today!)

I don't like today either! Now go!

(FINE!)

Fine!

(I'm leaving you!)

Good!