"Stonepaw! Get over here! You're patrolling, not sleeping!"

I looked to where the voice came from to see my mentor, Poppyfern. I could already tell that things weren't going to be great in my apprenticeship. Poppyfern was a nice cat, but she had a hard time dealing with me.

Kind of a specialty of mine, not gonna lie.

She was kind in trying to keep Dusk and myself in the same patrols. I wonder why Dusk was paired with me, anyway. She isn't big, and as far as I know, she wasn't all that strong either.

I got up and padded over to where Poppyfern was standing, by herself this time. "Stygiastar said she just wanted the two of us to patrol. It'll be quick, we're just heading towards the Riverclan border. We'll see if we can catch anything along the route as well."

I nodded in response, and followed her out of the camp. Once we were a good distance from camp, Poppyfern turned to me, still walking. "Stonepaw, I'm sorry if I come off as rude, but is there a reason you're always so difficult?"

I tilted my head in thought, not looking towards Poppyfern. "I don't know if there's an exact reason, but I've never really been social. I guess it's just hard for me to trust people."

She nodded. "Do you trust me?"

"Well, I trust you more than I trust a lot of others, but I can't put all of my trust on you. I've seen you've tried to put Duskpaw and myself on the same patrols, and that really helps."

"Do you want me to continue putting you two on the same patrols?"

I shook my head slowly, "While I really appreciate the effort, try not to. The reason is personal, but we honestly have a long-standing rivalry."

"How long-standing could it be? You're barely 8 moons old!"

"You'd be surprised."

By this time, we had reached the border with Riverclan. The overwhelming scent of fish filled my nostrils, making me gag. I feel bad for Heron. He's probably gotten used to it by now, but Starclan, that stuff stinks.

We trekked along the border, occasionally stopping every time we scented a mouse or vole. Near the end of the patrol, Poppyfern suddenly stopped. "Riverclan patrol coming. Act normal, and don't screw anything up. We don't want to get into a fight."

I turned back to look at the border, and saw three cats coming our way. A blue-grey cat, and two white cats. That small one looks a lot like Heron.

"Mistheart, Snowface, how are you?" Poppyfern Said

"We're doing well Poppyfern, thanks for asking." Snowface responded. "Who's the apprentice?"

"This is my apprentice Stonepaw. He's a little over 8 moons, and progressing very nicely through his training. He shows great potential."

Mistheart responded this time, "I would expect nothing less. This here is my apprentice Heronpaw. He's also a little over 8 moons, and is doing well."

Heronpaw and myself locked eyes, and continue the stare for awhile, until he smiled. "Good to see you, Stone." He whispered.

"Same to you. Have you seen any of the others?"

"No, but Lion is my brother. He's already tried to kill me once. I wouldn't put it past him to do it again soon. What about you?"

"I got Dusk as my sister. I don't know why she was born with me, we don't have much in common."

Heron's eyes showed confusion. "Well, you have similar minds, right? And you're both intimidating, so there's that."

While he was right, there wasn't that much of a similarity in appearance. I had deep brown fur, while Dusk had creamy golden fur. She was a lot smaller than me as well, and it showed even now. Our only physical similarity was our eyes, which could kill a hawk with a single glance. Her's were emerald green, unlike mine, but they were still very piercing.

"Stonepaw! We've got to leave, it's almost sun-high!" Poppyfern was still standing by the others, but they looked as if they wanted to leave as well. Heron and myself exchanged one last nod, and padded back to our mentors. Poppyfern turned to leave, and I followed.

"You seemed especially friendly with Heronpaw." Poppyfern told me, not looking back.

I needed to come up with a believable excuse. While the truth would surely be out eventually, I didn't want it to be now.

"He was friendly, so we talked for awhile."

"Oh, really? What about?"

She's sounds like my mother. "I don't see why you could care, but really just about our training, and finding each other next Gathering."

"Right, I almost forgot they had to cancel the gathering because of the lightning. This one coming up will be you first!" I nodded.

I was undoubtedly excited for my first Gathering. "I hope the others will be there", I whispered under my breath.

"Who? And how do you know others?" Poppyfern was still walking next to me.

Fox-dung.

"What? I didn't say anything."

"Stop." I stopped moving. "Tell me. Now."

Aside from Stygiastar and Jackalfur, she's the cat I trust the most. And I assume having someone know could be a good thing.

But how would I show her?

Wait, that may work...

I sighed, and started padding towards Thunderclan territory. "Follow me."

The Moonpool. If I get to Starclan, I can show her.

"Where are we going, Stonepaw?" Poppyfern questioned.

"You'll see."

We had just crossed into Thunderclan territory. "We need to stay close to the shore." I told Poppyfern. "If we come across a patrol, say that we were going to ask Windclan about something."

I really hope we don't come across anyone.

Once we were about halfway across Thunderclan territory, I heard paw-steps. "Quick!" I whispered to Poppyfern. "Get behind that rock." We sneaked towards the rock, making sure to keep our steps light. I poked my head out and around the rock.

The bushes by the lakeshore rustled, and out stepped a Tortoiseshell cat.

Hmm, looks a lot like Maple.

The cat picked his head up and looked around. "Who's there?"

The cat couldn't've picked up our sent, we were downwind. And there were no bushes to rustle. That meant that the only way the cat heard us...

Are you telepathic?

"Yes", the cat said. "Now come out so I can see you! I won't harm you, I'm only an apprentice."

"Why did the cat say yes?" Poppyfern whispered.

"Because I asked if they were telepathic. C'mon, don't keep him waiting."

We went around the stone and into the cat's view. The cat opened up their mouth to taste the air. "Shadowclan? What are you doing on- wait, Stone?"

The cat must have seen my surprised look, because they followed up with, "It's me, Maple!"

Ah, so I was right.

That's not common. Telepathy. Myself and Moon can both do it.

"It's great to see that you two know each other, but how do you know each other?" Poppyfern was standing a little farther away, and clearly was confused.

Maple, I'm going to show her. You're coming with us. It'll be easier that way.

Sounds good, my mentor let me have the day off. I'll say I was just exploring.

"Doesn't matter, Poppyfern. Just follow us."

We continued along the lakeshore, Maple telling me all about his life in Thunderclan. "My mentor is Night, by the way."

I froze. "The Night from back then?" Maple nodded.

"He also told me that each clan has three cats from the past. Sometimes two are on our side, like Thunderclan, but sometimes two are on the other side, like Riverclan."

"I met Heron today. Looks like he's going to have his paws full." I continued walking, aware of the dumbfounded Poppyfern behind us. "Anyways, what about Shadowclan?"

"He just said Ice. I don't know the rest of his name."

"Icetooth."

"Oh. He's a good warrior."

By this time, we had arrived the Moonpool clearing.

"The Moonpool? Stone, why here- oh."

"Looks like your wits have kept up with you." I smirked at him.

"Shut up. C'mon, let's go." He turned to Poppyfern. "What we're about to show you is to be shown to no cat. Except for Icetooth. You can tell him. But he'll already know."

"Oh, that's easy. He's my mate."

"Well, seeing as we're basically twins in appearance, that doesn't surprise me. Looks like we both have a thing for white cats."

I was already halfway down into the clearing by the time they started descending. I waited patiently for them to catch up to me, and then we continued to the Moonpool. "Just lay down and touch your nose to the water." Maple said.

I laid down, and touched my nose to the cool water surface, where a feeling of drowsiness suddenly overcame me.

I awoke to a grassy plain with a river not too far away. I turned to see Maple standing near me, and Poppyfern just awaking.

We have to cross that river to show her, right Maple?

Yeah, that sounds right.

"C'mon Poppyfern. We'll show you now."

Maple and I both walked over to the river, waiting for the Poppyfern to catch up. When she did, I took a leap across, and Maple followed. Poppyfern was bunching her hind legs, but I stopped her. "Don't. Just us."

When I finished those words, I started to feel my body shift. I felt muscles ripple beneath my pelt, and my senses sharpened. My fur flattened out from my kit fluff. I looked over to Maple to see that he had gone through the same changes, but he wasn't nearly as large as me.

I turned my head to look at Poppyfern. Her mouth was agape, and her eyes were gleaming with wonder.

"Man, I hate being short." Maple continued, "In case it isn't obvious, this isn't our first life. Stone and myself are both what you would call 'Ancients'. There are others from the other clans as well. For example, your mate, Icetooth. Back then, he was just called Ice." Maple's memories must have fully returned. My memories were also returning, just a bit more slowly. "He was my brother's mentor. I'd like to see him again. Perhaps at the gathering."

Poppyfern's mouth had closed, and her eyes looked understanding. Which was weird, as you'd think that any cat would be confused out of their minds.

"I guess I'll meet the others in time, then."

Now it was my turn. "Yes, if we meet another cat from the past, I'll tell you. That other apprentice I was talking to was Maple's brother, Heron."

Poppyfern nodded. "Okay, I get it. But we better head home now, Stygiastar will kill us."

'~******~'

"So, you two finally decided to come back. And you reek of Thunderclan." Stygiastar, as intimidating as ever, was standing over us.

"Yeah, sorry about that. Stonepaw chased a squirrel over the Thunderclan border, and a patrol showed up. Luckily, they were understanding, and let us keep the squirrel." She pointed to the squirrel dangling from my jaws.

"And who was on this patrol?"

"Greytail, his apprentice, Reedfeather, and his apprentice."

"Remind me to thank them. I expect better from you, Stonepaw." I bowed my head in shame. "Take that squirrel to Moosewhisker and Fernstorm. I don't think they've eaten yet."

I bowed my head once again in agreement, and padded over to the elder's den, the squirrel bumping against my legs. It felt great to be big again. I hope I'm that big this time around as well.

"Oh, hello there Stonepaw! Is that squirrel for us?" Fernstorm was awake, and looking at me, his pleasant amber eyes clashing with my intimidating icy blues. I nodded in response. "Good, I haven't eaten all day. Leave it right there, I'll wake up Moosewhisker and tell her that you brought it."

I dropped the squirrel near Fernstorm, and headed out of the den.

When I poked my head out, I saw Cloudpool heading over to me. When she saw me, she stopped, turned around, and made a beckoning motion with her tail. I saw her disappear back into the Medicine Den, and quickly followed.

When I entered, Cloudpool was standing near the back of the den. "Remind me quickly Stonepaw, tomorrow night is the Gathering, right?" I nodded in confusion. "Okay, Stonecreek, one of Skyclan's Medicine cats, came to me while you were gone and told me to have you sit next to me. I don't know why, but do it, alright?"

So Stonecreek probably knows then... I assume Cloudpool will know in time.

"Yeah, I can do that."

2044 words.

Just let that sink in.

That's the most I've ever written in a chapter. And for my brother's OC.

What have I become?

Anyways, hope you enjoyed! Now Poppyfern knows, the Crew has found a way to show people, and there's gonna be a Gathering! Next up is Flame and Skyclan, and his fire-breathing! Maybe we'll see a bit more out of Sparrow...

Let's see if I can come up with a question... Oh, I know!

My little brother is going to get Wattpad soon, and being the great person I am, I want him to have an Orientation. So, for the One-shot book I'm going to post soon, should I let him write the second chapter?

Yes or No?

Anyways, there's no set date for the next chapter, so until then...

-Maple