[ @Larkstripe ]

Ebonypaw was in his nest. His head rested on his too-big paws, and his thick, fluffy pelt kept him warm from the coldness that was the world. His dreams were filled with vengeance, and he loved the feel of the blood of his enemies on his claws. If only that could be his reality...

And then he was awake.

He was now in a dark place, filled with trees. His eyes quickly adjusted to the dark, he was used to sneaking around at night. But the question was, where was he? "Hello?" he called to the darkness, a slight waver in his voice. He could smell trees, soooo many trees, but also.... Something else. The all too familiar scent of blood. "Hello?" he called again, his voice excited. He wasn't sure where he was, but he could tell it was gonna be fun.

Originally Posted by Larkstripe (Post 874309) @Holly Jolly Trouble The shadowy undergrowth rattled faintly, and a pair of lambent green eyes pierced the dark. A large, thick furred dark ginger she-cat stalked out of the bracken, her neck encircled by a vicious scar. She was lean, and her pelt hung over her frame like Spanish moss on skeletal tree branches. She offered Ebonypaw a sly smile, her feature dark and unreadable. “Greetings, young one,” she said, her voice a low rasp, “It seems you are searching for sanctuary...and you have found it.”

Originally Posted by Larkstripe (Post 874967) @Holly Jolly Trouble The big She-cat sat down before the apprentice, wrapping her tail around her paws, fern green eyes bright in the dim light, “Ah, a RiverClan apprentice. Your desire to serve your clan must be very strong—I was once RiverClan’s deputy. My name is Pikefang.” She answered, regarding him with pride. “This place is a sanctuary for deeply loyal warriors. Great cats of the past like myself dwell in these forests, and occasionally, when a living cat is strong willed enough, they find their way here, to learn our wisdom.”

Originally Posted by Larkstripe (Post 875574) Pikefang listened carefully, her haggard features softened in sympathy, “It does not matter where you come from. A loyal warrior is a loyal warrior despite the blood that flows in their veins,” She asserted, “Your clanmates will learn to respect them. You will become so strong that they will have no choice.” She decided, rising and slowly circling the apprentice, long feathered tail stirring the brittle dead leaves as she walked, “This place is a spirit world, similar to StarClan but only accessible to the most powerful cats in the forest. It speaks great volumes of your potential, that you have found your way here.”

Originally Posted by Larkstripe (Post 881638) (Omg I’m so sorry about that!) Pikefang chuckled darkly, her pale green eyes glinting against the eternal dusk, “Yes, of course,” she agreed, regarding the apprentice with subtle pride, “I see great potential in you, Ebonypaw. I should know...I trained many young cats in my life, but to find one with as much drive and determination as you have...your Clan should be honored to have you. How long have you been an apprentice, young one? And what have you learned?”

Ebonypaw smiled. Finally, a cat who thought of him as more than a filthy rogue! "I know," he replied proudly. "I became an apprentice about... 2 moons ago? Maybe three? Lionstupid held me back because I snuck out of camp. Twice. And attacked a Clanmate." He stuck out his tongue. "And I haven't really trained much... But I know the hunters' crouch! I never got to hunting... Or fighting..." He left out the fact the the reason he had never hunted was because he kept either tripping or being too loud. I couldn't even catch a stick. Pathetic.