When her mentor, Mintleaf, organized a river race, it should've been understood that Flickerpaw would abso
lutely be there. The little black kiddo lived for any opportunity to impress their mentor--even when Mintleaf didn't ask her to, or explicitly told her to leave them alone. Any attempt to dissuade Flicker from participating would be met with a bright, manic grin; clearly the apprentice planned to fling herself into the water! This was a test of her abilities! They would show off their amazing mastery of the current under Mintleaf's approving gaze, and become renowned in RiverClan for her sheer awesomeness!
"Hey, Mintleaf! I made it!" Flickerpaw came running over the INSTANT they noticed their esteemed teacher standing on the riverbank. Excited, she tried to bump her head against the underside of Mintleaf's chin in greeting, purring like a motorboat with her feathery tail lashing back and forth.
"I won't let you down--you'll see how fast I am! I'm a SHARK compared to these guppies!"
She cast a sharp grin to her competitors… only to witness Codwhisper and Asterhawk diving into the water before her.
"H-Hey! Here I come!"
Flickerpaw splashed into the water, black pelt instantly plastering sleek and oil-slick to her minute frame. They whirred their legs like eggbeaters, furiously kicking to stay afloat; Flicker didn't have
much practice swimming, but she was RiverClan for stars' sake--this was in her
blood. Spitting water out that kept trying to flood her mouth and nose, the shadowy apprentice gasped for air and tried to peer over her shoulder at Mintleaf waiting on the river's edge.
"This--ack, ugh--this is easy! I'm not even--"
The current abruptly yanked Flickerpaw off course, dragging them briefly under the clear crystalline surface. Because she was so small, Flicker hardly noticed the change in the river's depth--but she DID feel the harsh tug-and-pull of stronger forces attempting to push her into failing. Flickerpaw simply kicked harder: ears pinned back and eyes flashing with stubborn anger.