The Lesson

The large tom was like a phantom, his long dark fur swishing through the murk and musk of the wicked forest. Smokestorm was still. He had his assignment and his targets, and now that he had entered into their dreams, he would have both of the young cats quickly and neatly converted to his side. These two would be far stronger than any of the other cats in the living forest. He waited, somewhat impatiently, for the two of them to appear so that he could begin their training.

Frostpaw looked around the dark murky forest. This wasn't her home.. This wasn't the bright water filled area that her clan called home. The white tabby basically stuck out against the dull colors of the land. She didn't know how to feel about any of this. She was scared.. but.. if she admitted it then her siblings would probably make fun of her for it. She wanted to be stronger than them didn't she? She wanted to be the strongest in all of the clans! But how was she supposed to do that if she was small?

She continued to creep forward until she stumbled across the dark cat. Was he hear to kill her? "Who.. Who are you?" She asked, keeping some distance from the tom.

Webpaw walked through the thick fog, trying not to make a sound. What happened to me? Where am I? He found Frostpaw's paw prints and tried to follow them through the fog. He looked up at the sky, no stars greeted him, the smell of fungus and the slimy mud wasn't the same as the ones in ShadowClan. He quickened his pace as he started to feel puny among the towering trees, he felt helpless like a kit in a badger den. The silver tabby seemed to blend in with the fog here as he moved, only his mud caked paws gave away his movements. When he found the to other cats he narrowed his eyes. "What am I doing here?"

The large, imposing tom analyzed the two apprentices with gold eyes that almost seemed to glow. "You are Frostpaw, yes? And Webpaw? I have been watching the both of you closely." He meowed, his voice harsh and deep. He flicked his thick tail, beckoning them closer. "You are in the Dark Forest. It is where only the strongest, bravest cats go when they die. Your elders have filled your minds with tales of the greatness of StarClan, but they are lies. I sense in you both a power that would fill even the leaders of your forest with envy." Standing to his full height, with his long dark fur sweeping the ground, the tom's figure was ghostly and ominous. "I wish to teach you how to use it for the benefit of your Clans... and for your own benefit as well."

His words didn't exactly answer her question but they did catch her interest. He could make her stronger? She wouldn't have to feel weak anymore because of her small size? "How would you make one as small as me, stronger?" She asked. She needed to know. She liked what he was saying, but she didn't know if there was a truth behind it. She needed to know if it was true.

Webpaw looked at the ghostly cat, his gaze filled with curiosity now, he liked the way the conversation was going. "You can really make us that strong?" He thought for a moment, there must be a catch. "What's the other side to this, surely this is a trade of some sort.." He looked at Smokestorm expectantly.

"Size means nothing compared to wit and will." He chuckled, but it was not a warm or friendly chuckle. "Even so, you will surely grow. I will teach you the secrets of the Dark Forest, and it will cost you nothing but your loyalty. There are no sacrifices other than hard work." He liked the tom's attitude. "You've already had a good start. Trust no one in the waking world, young ones. It's filled with those who would use your power for their own gain. Only promise to be loyal to me and I will show you how to win fights and recognize your enemies."

Frostpaw considered his words, and then the options she had. She could try to become strong with a regular old mentor, and possibly fail, or she could train with this warrior, who says he can make them strong, and succeed. "I'll do it." She looked up at him with determination in her eyes.

Webpaw thought for a moment before nodding, his clan needed this, he needed this. After a moment he followed suit with Frostpaw. "I'll do it as well." He straightened, looking at Smokestrorm with a gaze that didn't waver. "I will train under you as my true mentor."

"Good. I haven't introduced myself yet, have I? I am Smokestorm, and I am your new mentor. You should still listen to your living mentors when they teach you practical things, such as hunting and fighting, but if they follow StarClan then you should ignore the rest of what they have to tell you. StarClan is the reason why your clans have become weak and broken, and  anyone who follows them is clearly a fool." He meowed with finality. His voice was filled with venom and contempt at the very thought of those who wandered the Starlit Plains, judgement on their faces. They had no right to cast him away when he was doing what was best for his clan... "Let us begin. Face each other and prepare to show me how quickly you learn." Smokestorm instructed, implying that he was about to teach them how to fight.

She was going to have to fight the other apprentice? She really didn't have that much training. He was surely going to beat her. "A-alright.." She said. The white tabby stood up, and turned to face Webpaw. Hopefully Smokestorm wasn't too rough on them.

Webpaw nodded, he already felt as if StarClan was an excuse for tragedy. He turn to face Frostpaw, looking over her before swaying his tail. What would he teach them? Smokestorm seemed clever, it had to be good.

OOC: Don't bother with stats yet, you can spar at the end if you'd like

"The first move I will teach you is a personal favorite of mine." He said, a small smile twitching at the tips of his mouth. "Some may call it unfair, but it is necessary to be as strong as possible. You must take full advantage of your enemy; reach out and strike them in the eyes, and they will not be able to see you. Do it and show me you understand."