High Rank Announcement [#hrannouncement]

**Pancake** · #21 June 18th, 2020, 08:07 AM

Strikepaw listened as Beastspark explained what this was. It sounded... okay.

**nocturnal** · #22 June 18th, 2020, 08:09 AM

The white tom's pelt was almost completely shrouded in darkness, still visible but barely. Frostpaw padded along with the other apprentices in silence. Being in the shadows was his element. It was much more fitting than the brashness of thunder. Even so, his eyes weren't completely attuned to the lack of light. He wasn't bumping into objects or anything like that; it was the fallen twigs that bothered him. They were too loud when they cracked. Smirk filtering onto the tom's maw, he thought of Doepaw. The grey-brown molly would be perfect working in an environment like this. She didn't need light to function in the first place.

**Cobra** · #23 June 18th, 2020, 09:19 AM

Icestar and Beastspark? Wow. Sounded like fun. And if he got hurt perhpas Echopaw would heal him...and get close.

DEWPAW IS HERE!
Hawkpaw bounced up. Wow, training! Wow, Icestar! Wow, Beastspark! Wow, they were both adopted into the family! Wow!
HAWKPAW IS HERE!

**cmdR_Paige** · #24 June 18th, 2020, 02:10 PM

Ashpaw's green eyes finally adjusted to the low light.

"Think it's gonna be even remotely interesting?" He whispered to the nearest apprentice.

@Mentallyunstable ?

**Exis** · #25 June 18th, 2020, 03:33 PM

Blackpaw nodded hungrily, “If we learn this we can attack from the shadows. Maybe even takedowns whole clan by morning.” He said. He was so excited to learn how to effectively do his job.
@Skye

**CheetahPelt** · #26 June 18th, 2020, 04:12 PM

Mirepaw pursed his lips, head sticking up above most of the other apprentices. His hulking frame allowing him to see the pile up of his peers infront of him. He stopped walking before he bumped into the cat in front of him, and picked through the crowd to come closer to the front. He hadn't had training like this before, but he would succeed. He would make his aunt proud of him.

**pidgeon** · #27 June 18th, 2020, 08:52 PM

High Rank Announcement [#hrannouncement]

Icestar was pleased to see the grand turnout of the event. Many of the apprentices had shown up, and seemed eager to participate. The leader let Beastspark speak first, since it was his idea. She listened to every reaction, and every clumsy kit who stumbled around in the dark.

"Lurking in the shadows is in our nature. In our blood," Icestar spoke up, her voice a quiet rasp in the night. "All this...tripping and tumbling will have to stop. But that is precisely what we're here to do today. Traditionally, in times long past, ShadowClan cats only had pelts of black, brown, and mottled dark colors. This is because for generations, keeping hidden in the shadows of the forest has been our main strategy, and dark fur gives us an advantage. Now, some of you may have lightly colored pelts, which means you have to be even more cautious and quiet. When the moon shines on a white or ginger pelt, you practically glow." She took note that both Ebonypaw and Mirepaw were here--good. She expected nothing less from her kin. She gave them both a meaningful glance before continuing.

"By the end of the night, you will all be skilled at knowing your surroundings in the dark, and you will know how to use these skills to your advantage against opponents." The leader turned to Beastspark, letting him take over to get things rolling. And perhaps wait for any stragglers.

@Undertaker

***Undertaker*** · #28 June 18th, 2020, 09:40 PM

Beastspark counted all the apprentices, the numbers were pretty even. If he took Doepaw as a helper instead of a trainee that would be even better. As he thought of her, the blind she-cat steps forward to volunteer.

"You can help me teach the furballs that bumped into me." He meowed, tone teasingly as he spots a few of the less experienced apprentices that had run into him. His ears picked up a few chatting, but most of them were silent and waiting for direction. He turned to Icestar as she takes a moment to address the apprentices before turning it over to him.

"I'll be splitting you all up into groups, one with me and one with Icestar." The numbers would be a little uneven, but he doubted it would matter.

"Croakingpaw, Ebonypaw, Stagpaw, Blackpaw, Ribbitpaw, Swiftpaw, Dewpaw, Frostpaw, Ashpaw and Mirepaw, you'll all be training with Icestar." He had picked them based on their darker pelt colors. Most of the apprentices with Icestar would have an easier time blending in like the leader. Beastspark had some tricks for the lighter apprentices who had a natural disadvantage that would hopefully help them make up for it.

"Doepaw, Smallpaw, Whitepaw, Frigidpaw, Thornpaw, Dreampaw, Littlepaw, Maplepaw, Cherrypaw, Shrewpaw, Jaypaw, and Strikepaw you're all with me." He waits for them to break up into their groups and then begins leading his a bit further into the forest.

"This way, if you're having trouble seeing follow the sound of my voice. " He had made sure that there were no old fox holes around the area earlier. Beyond possibly some running into trees, he was hoping there was a lack of injuries tonight.

"Stop here." Beastspark winced feeling someone's paw step on his tail as he sat down. Some of them were certainly going to need extra work. "Shut your eyes for me, using your other senses, I want you to tell me what you smell, test, hear, what you feel against your fur or underneath your paw pads." He waits for them to answer him.

**Cobra** · #29 June 18th, 2020, 09:42 PM

Dewpaw padded over to Icetstar. "Um. Hi?"
[Dew is the apprentice who..."chatted" with Echo. You get what I mean?]
@Casper

**dino.** · #30 June 18th, 2020, 09:49 PM

[ @Undertaker ]

Frigidpaw
-----------------

As soon as they got where they were going, Frigidpaw sat down, shut his eyes, and emptied his mind of everything in it, so that it was just himself and Hickorypaw left over. Open your senses, the voice instructed him. Take note of everything around you. Memorize every detail you find.
The sensation of pine needles and the grass beneath his pads. A light breeze ruffling his fur. The hoot of an owl, somewhere far off in the trees. Branches rustling against branches. Somewhere close by, a mouse scuttled over a tree root, its claws scraping quietly over the bark.
"Nature," he murmured quietly. "Everywhere."