Flock of Sparrows

Flock of Sparrows is a book written by 25NOVA, the first book in the CrimsonClan Series.

DO NOT EDIT.

### Hunting

As the wind made its way through the CrimsonClan Camp, Pandafeather padded along the trail of leaves. It was the season of *Leaf-fall*, and as the name suggested, leaves were falling. All the cats were in a big rush to gather as much fresh-kill as possible to be able to survive through *Longnight*, when there would be almost no food.

On this particular day, Pandafeather was tasked with delivering herbs such as chrysanthemum and marigold to Goldenbreeze, who was their medicine cat. She desperately needed them to prepare for the fever rush during *Longnight*. The clan had lost 3 kits and 1 elder to it last year. When Pandafeather was done, he was approached by Nutleaf, the deputy of the clan. As expected, Nutleaf requested that he join Snowfur and her apprentice, Sparrowpaw on a hunting mission.

“Another long day of hunting and gathering,” muttered Sparrowpaw as Pandafeather approached.

“Sparrowpaw, I know it may not seem like much to you, but it is vital for the clan!” replied Snowfur.

Sparrowpaw considered this, then said, “Well, I know, but it would be so much better to be out fighting and battling the other clans instead of this lame hunting.”

Pandafeather could see Sparrowpaw’s point. Almost everyday they were out hunting in the Crimson Hills, and came back with very little. However, he was a pacifist, and did not agree with the concept of fighting.

MountainClan cats, though with very little food, were well trained for battles, and pretty much unstoppable. ForestClan had plenty of food, which meant plenty of cats. CrimsonClan was somewhere in the middle, just enough food to raise just enough cats, with some battle training.

However, he noticed that even though Sparrowpaw had become an apprentice nearly one moon ago, he had not experienced any battle training. Snowfur had consulted with Jaystar and Nutleaf, but they simply would not say yes to training.

Pandafeather replied to Sparrowpaw with, “I see your point, Sparrowpaw, however, you have had no training, and therefore would not be a great fighter.” Pandafeather immediately noticed his mistake when Snowfur shot him a look of fury and warning. “Uh, I mean, well, I-, ah, well, you would make a great warrior, but, uh, I uh…”, stammered Pandafeather. Sparrowpaw looked at Pandafeather with pure puzzlement. Pandafeather continued, “well, I mean, I guess you would be a great fighter if you had training.” Snowfur seemed satisfied, and started grooming herself. “Well, if I could be such a great warrior with training, how come I don’t have any?”

Snowfur immediately stopped grooming and interrupted with: “Now, now, we weren’t ordered to come to the Crimson Hills to chitchat, we are here to hunt.” Pandfeather muttered, “Says the cat who sat down to groom herself on a hunting mission.” Snowfur pretended not to hear, and they moved on.

### Paws of Sand

Upon arriving back at the camp, they were greeted by Hollykit and Forestkit, who were both 3 moons old. They were halfway to apprenticeship, and were very energetic. Haileymist chased after them, trying to stop them from running into the fresh-kill pile, which was of utmost importance at this time. Sparrowpaw, Snowfur, and Pandafeather dropped off their measly catch of the day, one mouse.

Sandpaw approached them and scoffed, “Hmph! Three cats bring back one mouse. What a waste of energy, what a waste of space.”

Pandafeather fluffed up his pelt, prepared to teach this insolent apprentice a lesson, when Briardust, Sandpaw’s mentor approached. “I apologize for the behavior of my apprentice. Sandpaw, you know better than to say this. You for one, have refused to attend any hunting parties over the last moon, and all you do is consume fresh-kill. What right do you have to say this to three cats who are actually trying?”

Sandpaw spit at Briardust and retorted with, “You dare speak to me like that? I am the son of Hollowstar, the leader of MountainClan, home of the fiercest and most dangerous cats in the world!”

“Yes, yes, we are all aware of the fact that you are a half-blood, and will never be loyal to this clan. However, Nutleaf is showing you mercy, and you better be grateful.” replied Sparrowpaw.

“Grateful? Grateful, you say? Of what? This puny clan that can’t even properly hunt properly in the *Longnight*? What is there to be grateful for? I’d much rather return to MountainClan.” said Sandpaw. Pandafeather intervened with:

“Yes, you can go back to MountainClan and then get torn up by ForestClan. MountainClan may be fiercer, but ForestClan has a lot of cats. I am to remain unbiased, but war is war and there will be many casualties. Your father sent you here so you would remain protected and unharmed. **Be grateful.**”

“Whatever,” muttered Sandpaw. Briardust took Sandpaw away, and Pandafeather returned to the Warrior’s Den while Sparrowpaw and Snowfur reported to Nutleaf.

### Revolt

   About a half-moon later, Pandafeather was woken by cries from the apprentice den. He immediately recognized that the cries came from Sparrowpaw. He rushed over, and saw Sandpaw tearing Sparrowpaw apart.

“Stop! Now!” cried Pandafeather. He pounced on Sandpaw, who would not stop trying to scratch Sparrowpaw. Briardust, Monermist, and Nutleaf rushed to the scene. Sparrowpaw was severely hurt and rushed over to Goldenbreeze’s den. Pandafeather and Briardust held Sandpaw down, while Monermist and Nutleaf rushed to Jaystar’s den. Immediately a meeting was called, which was not normal since it was the middle of the night. Jaystar looked down on the furious and scrambling Sandpaw.

“You insolent and ungrateful jerk! What right do you have to harm the cats of the clan who are giving you shelter!?” hissed Jaystar.

“Giving me shelter? From what? From glory? I’d much rather die as a warrior in MountainClan!” retorted Sandpaw. All the cats gasped, including Jaystar.

Nutleaf then said, “Die for what? You are too young to be any use at all to your clan. Your attitude too. You think you are the almighty Brightstar, leader of StarClan. And why? Because your father is the leader of MountainClan? Don’t get me wrong, he is a good cat, however, you are not immortal and all-powerful just because you are the son of a leader. Take Starrypaw, your sister-” “DO NOT TALK ABOUT MY SISTER! SHE IS A COWARD AND UNWORTHY OF MOUNTAINCLAN,” shouted Sandpaw.

A great \*le gasp\* came from all the cats. “You dare say such a thing about your own kin?” inquired Pandafeather. “In case you forgot, she is your own flesh and blood,” replied Mousefoot, an elder. “Be quiet, old, feeble, useless cat!” said Sandpaw. Another great \*le gasp\* rose in the crowd.

“Enough,” interrupted Jaystar, “you will be exiled from this clan, never to be seen again. Return to MountainClan if you wish, but if you are seen here again, we will show you no mercy.” Pandafeather and Briardust released Sandpaw, and he rushed off with a hiss. Snowfur just woke up, and immediately rushed to the medicine den after hearing what happened.

“Tomorrow, the meeting of the Starlake will take place. We will not speak about this so as to not embarrass MountainClan.” All the cats nodded in agreement, although some did so reluctantly.

### Meeting

The next day, the routine procedures continued. Though this time, Snowfur was excused from all assignments to stay with Sparrowpaw. There was much chatter between the apprentices, of which there were two, aside from Sparrowpaw. Berrypaw and Citruspaw were two kits that were found in the forest, seemingly left to die by heartless Twolegs. However, they were showing that they were fit to be wild cats. Their mentors, Crystalpelt and Amethystfur were both very proud of them.

However, on Pandafeather’s mind that day was Sparrowpaw. Nutleaf had said Snowfur could no longer be Sparrowpaw’s mentor, however she could still be his guardian. Snowfur agreed, but wondered, along with Pandafeather, who would be Sparrowpaw’s new mentor. Sparrowpaw had lost a leg and his eyesight, and not much could be done.

A group of cats was sent to MountainClan to deliver the news. Sandpaw did not arrive at MountainClan, which left Hollowstar considerably worried. However, there was nothing to be done, and Pandafeather assumed that Sandpaw was smart enough to leave the territory of CrimsonClan.

At sunfall, half the cats made their way to the Starlake, which was in neutral territory. All clans had a way to get there without crossing the territories of other clans, which was nice. The cats went past Crimson Cave, then started going north until they reached the Great River. Then they followed it until they could smell the markings of MountainClan. Finally, they followed the border until they reached the neutral territory, which none of the clans could mark as territory.

Since ForestClan’s camp was closer to the Starlake, they got there first. Jaystar had warned them that there would be some arguing, but since Starlake was a sacred place, no fighting was to be tolerated. Pinestar, leader of ForestClan was first to make his move.

“The insolence and wrath of MountainClan will not be tolerated! They have the most territory, what right do they have to fight against us for it?” The cats of CrimsonClan whispered and murmured.

Hollowstar, leader of MountainClan, approached Pinestar with claws unsheathed, and said, “Fight you? You are making it sound like we are the attackers! You are the one who trespassed and marked our precious Mount Jagger! If we have more territory, then that is because it is of StarClan’s will!” Pinestar showed his teeth and replied with, “StarClan’s will? And how do you know that?”

Hollowstar calmed down and said, “Well, if it is not StarClan’s will, they can go ahead and cover the moon as a sign! Oh, cats of StarClan! If we, the mighty cats of MountainClan, do not deserve our territory, cover the moon here and now!” The sky remained clear, and the moon shined as brightly as ever.

Pinestar replied with, “Well, you have so much territory, and all your prey is adjusted to cold temperatures, so you don’t have any shortage of food during *Longnight*, however, we must suffer! What right do you have to take this food away from us?”

“Take away this food from ***you***? It is our territory, and therefore our food! It never belonged to you, and it never will! And plus, you are right. Our food is adjusted to cold temperatures, but there is also very little food at all times, which is why we have no shortages of food. We pay a price, which is to have less food in *Newleaf* and *Sunhigh*, when you have lots of food,” hissed Hollowstar.

Then, Jaystar interrupted with, “All right, we get it, but shouldn’t you two let us talk too?” Hollowstar and Pinestar backed off, acknowledging Jaystar. However, their looks of fury did not die down.

“Being honest, not much has happened at this time. However, even though I instructed the clan not to say this, it is important because it did not go the way it was supposed to,” Jaystar said.

He paused and looked around at all the cats. He then looked at Hollowstar for his confirmation, to which he nodded. Jaystar continued, “One sunrise ago, Hollowstar’s son, Sandpaw, or Sandkit as he was called before he left MountainClan, attacked Sparrowpaw, one of our apprentices.

A huge \*le gasp\*, 3 times larger than the one at the CrimsonClan Camp, arose. “Sparrowpaw has suffered severe losses, losing one of his hind legs, but much worse, his eyesight.”

A gigantamax \*le gasp\* rose in the air. “We exiled Sandpaw and forbid him to come back to our territory, promising to show no mercy if he returned. However, Hollowstar says that he has not returned, and none of his patrols have noticed him anywhere in their territory. We suspect he has stayed in our territory, however, we cannot spare any warriors to check. I would just like to quickly remind you, if you see Sandpaw, turn him in to Hollowstar immediately.” Most of the cats nodded, and some in ForestClan did so extremely reluctantly.

As the sun began to rise, the meeting came to an end.

### Preview

As Pandapelt woke up from his deep sleep, he sort of rolled to the fresh-kill pile, a common tactic used to preserve energy if alone and stranded. He was quite a sight to see. As he munched on his breakfast, a patrol of cats rushed into the camp. They were out-of-breath, and quickly whispered, “MountainClan..” before they collapsed from what seemed to be poisoning….

BOOK TWO COMING SOON!