The Clan Renaissance

An Alternate Universe Warriors Roleplay

Canarypaw was curled in her nest, breath rising and falling rhythmically as her paws and whiskers twitched. Inside her head was a world of dreams, swirling around and making nonsensical playgrounds for the young cat. Until it melded together to look similar to the real world, and she looked around curiously at everything. It seemed to be swathed in a silver glow brighter than it should have been, each plant and fern washed out by the light of the moon.

The tabby she-cat rose from her nest in the dream and wandered the camp, gazing around at all the things the moon’s light touched. It reminded her of her dreams when the strange starry cat had once spoken to her, when they were training her on how to hunt so that she could survive out in the woods. She wondered if this was the same, and opened her mouth to draw in the scents around her. Cool, fresh air danced across her tongue, but she did not catch the familiar scent of the starry ancestor that she had spent so much time with. Instead there was a new scent, one she had never smelled before. Her fur stood on end as she glanced around the clearing, looking for the source, until she found it: a silver tom, his body sleek with long, thick fur. His green eyes pierced into hers and left her motionless.

She realized he was like the cat she had seen before, with little stars shimmering in his fur. Something within her told her to dip her head to him, so she did. He returned the gesture before slowly moving towards her, eventually sitting in front of her. Canarypaw stared up at him with wide eyes. Who was this? Why was he showing himself to her? Questions buzzed in her head as they stared at each other, before he cleared his throat and began speaking, “Greetings, Canarypaw. My name is Riverstar, the original founder of RiverClan. You have come far in your training, but now you must take a different path, one separate from your peers. Are you ready?”

For a moment she only opened and closed her mouth with no words coming out, stunned. The original founder of RiverClan! And he was talking to her! But this sounded serious. Drawing in a breath, she steadied herself. “What do you mean by a separate path?” she asked at last, curiosity digging into her very being. She had always imagined she would be a warrior alongside the other apprentices, but it seemed she might be something altogether different.

“You will become a medicine cat,” Riverstar said, and swept his tail behind him to show her rows of cats that smelled of herbs. Each of them looked at her with a smile on their face, even the more grumpy looking ones, as if they already accepted her in the position. A shiver raced through her spine. There were few positions with such respect, and they wanted her, of all cats, to be one. This was possibly the greatest honor of her young life. Her eyes scanned the medicine cats lined behind RiverStar, searching their faces for any trace of doubt in her abilities, but she found none. Did all of these cats truly trust her that much?

“Are you sure?” Canarypaw whispered. All of them, even Riverstar, nodded. “Oh, StarClan, this is so much! I will do my very best to make you proud of me! I’ll be the best medicine cat that I can be. But… but I don’t have Miku to train me anymore. She’s disappeared. How will I ever learn to tell what herbs do what if I have no cat to teach me?” Fear gripped her at the thought of having to trial and error different medicines, possibly killing cats in the process. She had no desire to be the reason someone died by accident.

A slender tortoiseshell she-cat stepped forward, her golden eyes warm. “I will teach you in your dreams, little one,” she said, laying her chin comfortingly on Canarypaw’s head. Despite the cold silver gleam to her fur, she felt as warm as a living cat. “Do not fear. We will not abandon you.” The words soothed Canarypaw’s anxiety, and she felt more prepared for her new position. For her new role in life. She gazed up at the tortoiseshell she-cat and gave her a firm nod to show that she would do her absolute best. She would not let StarClan down, no matter what. It was a tall order, but with the starry cats to help her, she believed she could do it.

“Now then,” meowed Riverstar. “With Dappled Pelt teaching you, you have nothing to fear. It is time you received your first prophecy from StarClan.” His eyes bore into hers as he said, “Find the stone that gleams and shines, the one that sits beneath the mines. Stars that die and stars that fall, they gather here and sing their call. Find the cats who number four and from the ashes Clans arise once more.” The silence that followed rang throughout the camp, to the point that she could hear herself breathing. She wasn’t sure she understood.

“What do you mean?” she asked, but the cats were beginning to fade. “Wait! What is a mine? What other cats? Don’t leave me!” Panic flared in her stomach and she reached out with a paw to touch Rivestar, but it went right through him.

“I cannot tell you more,” he said as he faded. “You will have to interpret this prophecy for yourself.” And with that, he was gone, along with all the other cats that had filled the moonlit camp only moments ago. There were so many more questions she wanted to ask, but it was too late. Even in her dream, she could see that the dawn sun was beginning to rise. She’d have to get up soon for her apprentice duties. Still confused, she returned to her nest and curled up, waiting to wake from her dreams.

Canarypaw thought it would take her ages to struggle awake, but as soon as the morning light hit the entrance to the den her eyes flew open. She wondered if she should tell Shellspots about her dream, and decided she would since the older she-cat might have some ideas as to what in StarClan’s name Riverstar was talking about. Whatever happened from here on out, though, she trusted that her warrior ancestors were watching over her.