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Description
TFA Warriors
Chapter 4

Optimus didn’t look back as he reached the top of the slope even though he was aware of Ultra Magnus following him. Optimus’ fur still prickled with anger at what his leader had told him at the bottom of the slope.  Ultra Magnus’s words of advice felt more like an insult. For the first time since the Gathering, Optimus was anticipated to start the quest, but not for the thrill of adventure. He just wanted to get as far away from Ultra Magnus and Sentinel as possible.

Ultra Magnus had caught up with Optimus at the top of the slope. He fixed his stormy gaze on Optimus, but didn’t say a word as he led the warrior downward to the clearing. For once, Optimus welcomed the silence.

Ratchet and Sentinel were waiting for them at the bottom. The deputy had been pacing back and forth in an impatient manner with his head low to the ground. When Ultra Magnus and Optimus approached, his head shot up revealing the scowl on his face.

“What took you two so long?” He hissed at Optimus. Ultra Magnus was having a quick word with Ratchet a couple of pawsteps away.

Optimus met Sentinel’s challenging glare and answered, “Nothing important. Ultra Magnus was just offering advice.”

“What kind of advice?” The deputy pressed on, staring at Optimus through slit-like eyes.

“Something you probably already know.” Optimus retorted. He was almost positive that Sentinel would be more than happy to sacrifice a group of other clan cats just to save his own pelt.

Sentinel gave an irritated snort, annoyed at the vague answer. However, the deputy didn’t question him further.

Suddenly a waft of RiverClan scent filled his nostrils; Optimus turned his head just in time to see the large figure of Bulkhead stomp through a clump of ferns.

“Hi, Optimus! You made it!” The giant, green-furred warrior meowed in delight at the sight of the ThunderClan warrior. “You too, Ratchet.” He added, dipping his head respectfully at the old medicine cat. The RiverClan warrior’s eyes widened slightly at the sight of the ThunderClan leader and deputy; it was obvious he hadn’t been expecting more cats.

Bulkhead bowed his head in respectful greeting at the high-ranked ThunderClan cats. “Er…greetings. How’s the prey running?”

Sentinel openly sneered up at the RiverClan warrior and remained silent. Optimus could see why- even when bent over, Bulkhead still towered over the ThunderClan deputy. Sentinel never liked to look up to anyone.

Ultra Magnus meowed a polite greeting back, but remained aloof.  It was clear that he didn’t want to remain here long.

“I thought that only the chosen cats were supposed to meet here.” Came a hiss from above. A lean, black cat with flecks of gold gracefully leapt down from the tree above them and stared at the cats with blue eyes as cold as ice. It was Prowl, the chosen cat from ShadowClan.

Before Optimus could reply, Sentinel snarled at the dark cat. “I thought I smelled the stench of ShadowClan. Hiding in the shadows like cowards, I see.”

Prowl’s eyes narrowed into slits of ice. “Oh, I’m sorry, did I scare you? I forget that ThunderClan cats are so easily spooked.”

Sentinel leapt to his paws, fur bristling with rage. “Why you lousy, piece of…” Ultra Magnu’s sharp voice cut him off.

“Enough. Sentinel, it is time for us to depart back to camp.” Ultra Magnus commanded flicking his tail in the direction of ThunderClan territory. Sentinel averted his glaring eyes away from Prowl and stared at his leader in disbelief.

“But- ”

“Now, Sentinel!”

Sentinel’s blue ears flattened against his skull at the thorn-like edge in his leader’s growl. The deputy flashed the ShadowClan warrior a last scorching glare and quickly slid to Ultra Magnus’ side. The ThunderClan leader turned to Ratchet.

“Good-bye, my friend.” Ultra Magnus meow was soft as he addressed the elder medicine cat. “May StarClan watch over you and Optimus.”

Ratchet let out a rusty purr. “Don’t worry bout’ me, sir. I’d be more worried about my apprentice. Make sure young Wheeljack doesn’t destroy the forest, will you?”

Ultra Magnus nodded to Ratchet before slowly turning his head towards Optimus. For the longest time, father and son just stared at each other, identical blue eyes fixed on one another’s face.

“Do not forget what I told you, Optimus.” Ultra Magnus slowly meowed, his voice low and grave. “ThunderClan can not afford to lose you.”

Optimus didn’t say anything; what could he say? It was not as if he could actually agree to what Ultra Magnus, especially with Bulkhead and Prowl present. Ratchet was staring at Optimus with an intense, searching expression upon his ancient face as if he were reading his thoughts. Did the medicine cat know what Ultra Magnus had asked him to do? Before he could be certain, Ratchet turned away.

When it was clear that Optimus was not going to answer him, the ThunderClan leader turned his back to his warrior and medicine cat and pushed through the bushes. Sentinel Prime was not far behind.

“Just try not to get yourself killed.” Meowed Sentinel to Optimus before following his leader through the bushes.

Optimus couldn’t help but twitch the gold-furred tip of his tail in mild annoyance at Sentinel’s goodbye. “Well, better than nothing.” He hadn’t expected Sentinel to say anything at all. They weren’t actually the closest of denmates.

“Good-bye.” Optimus whispered, staring after them until the tips of their tails were lost front sight. After their departure, the clearing fell into an uneasy silence between the gathered cats. Ratchet was sprawl in a patch of sunlight, resting his shaggy red and white head in his paws. Prowl had climb back up the tree and was sitting on one of the lowest branches, staring down at the others in cold silence. Bulkhead was just sitting on his haunches, taking gazes at each cat as if waiting for someone to give an order. Optimus turned to the fish-scented warrior.

“Has Bumblebee arrived yet?” Optimus asked. Perhaps the young WindClanner had came earlier with Bulkhead and Prowl and had gone off hunting.

Bulkhead opened his mouth to answer but was beat by Prowl. “No, the apprentice hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Bumblebee is not an apprentice! He’s a warrior like the rest of us.” The green warrior yowled upward in defense of his friend.

The ShadowClan warrior gave a wide yawn, showing off his sharp teeth. “Could have fooled me. ShadowClan prefers their warriors to actually act like warriors.”

“You don’t know even know him.” Bulkhead’s meow was a quiet one and half to himself.  Optimus only faintly caught it and was, once again, found himself curious to the history behind Bulkhead’s strange friendship with the WindClan cat. Perhaps, during the journey, he might be able to get the story out of the two.

The sun had begun to dip between the tallest of the treetops and now everyone was beginning to get antsy and impatience. Prowl leapt down from his tree and faced the group.

“Sunhigh has past already. I suggest we get going before it gets dark.”

“Not without Bumblebee!” Bulkhead abruptly meowed rising to his large paws. His whiskers quivered as he spoke. “I’m not leaving without him.”

“Bulkhead’s right, Prowl.” Optimus stepped in between the two cats; he didn’t want them to start bickering when the journey hadn’t even begun yet. “StarClan wouldn’t be happy if we left without WindClan’s chosen cat. He’s part of the team. We’re have to wait for him.”

Prowl’s icy eyes narrowed and shimmered in cold anger at Optimus. “Do not assume that you are leader of this team, ThunderClanner. Prima is my only leader.”

“Hate to break it to ya, but Prima isn’t here right now, so you better keep your jaws shut and listen.” Ratchet stretched his long-furred body out, his claws momentarily extending and then yawned. He lifted one of his back legs and began to scratch behind his torn ear. “We’re waiting for Bumblebee and that’s that.”

“Did someone say my name?” A small yellow and black furred cat padded up with blue eyes gleaming with anticipation.

“You made it!” Bulkhead leaned down at touched noses with his friend in greeting. Optimus saw Prowl get to his paws and coldly turn his back to the tiny warrior as if he didn’t exist.

“Finally!” Ratchet grouchily rasped, glaring at the young warrior. “I thought WindClan cats were supposed to be fast.”

Ratchet’s harsh scolding and Prowl’s coldness did nothing to waver Bumblebee’s apparent excitement. The young warrior ignored the jibes and bounded over to Optimus. He lifted his head up to the older warrior and began to address him as if Optimus were leader.

“Sorry for being late, but I have an excuse and it’s really important!” Bumblebee hastily meowed up to Optimus. His bright blue eyes gleamed. “I think it might help us!”

Optimus had blinked his blue eyes in surprise when Bumblebee had so readily seemed to accept Optimus as leader of the group. He really didn’t want to cause any tension between the rest of the clan cats by trying to gain authority. However, it looked as if Prowl was the only one that had any problem with it. Both Bulkhead and Bumblebee were barely out of apprenticeship and Ratchet seemed to trust him with decisions. Prowl was the only one that had any other warrior experience.

He took a sideways glance over at the dark warrior and caught the glare that the ShadowClan cat was shooting him.

“Great, I just got rid of Sentinel and now this.” The last thing Optimus wanted was ruffle the ShadowClan warrior’s fur.

“What is it, Bumblebee?” Optimus asked, focusing his attention back on Bumblebee, He would find a way to deal with Prowl’s moodiness later.

Bumblebee looked ready to burst with excitement as he cried out loud, “I know where the star is!”

Every eye, wide with shock and surprise, was fixed upon the WindClan warrior.

“Impossible!” Ratchet meowed, staring at the little warrior in disbelief. Bulkhead and even Prowl had Bumblebee’s full attention.

“Where is it?” Optimus demanded. He had sprung to his paws in surprise at Bumblebee’s unexpected announcement. How could the WindClan warrior have found the location of the star so quickly? There was no way it could have fallen so close to the forest without them noticing!

It was evident that Bumblebee was readily enjoying being the center of attention. He sat down upon the ground and held his golden head high with lofty smugness as he launched into his explanation.

“It landed near Highstones, at the Twoleg barn!” Bumblebee pointed his chin in the direction and waved his tail. “Perceptor had a vision of it this morning!”

“Did he really?” Ratchet growled. He leaned down close to Bumblebee’s face and glared at him with a look of suspicion on his face. “Did Perceptor tell you this himself?”

Instantly, the look of confidence melted from Bumblebee’s face. He scuffed the grass beneath his face and looked at the ground.

“Uhhh…well, no. Not really. Perceptor was out gathering herbs.” The WindClan warrior looked back up and gave Ratchet and Optimus a reassuring look. “But Perceptor told Longarm Prime before he left! Longarm Prime told me himself!”

“Longarm Prime isn’t a medicine cat.” Ratchet harshly meowed. Optimus wondered why Ratchet was acting to suspicious of Bumblebee’s news. Surely, they could believe the word of another medicine cat?

“Ratchet, Longarm Prime is the leader of WindClan.” Optimus calmly pointed out, trying to reason with the medicine cat. “I’m sure we can trust his word.”

“And it came from a medicine cat, too.” Bulkhead added. He glanced uneasily from Optimus to Ratchet. “Uh, that should count.”

“Are you saying that you don’t believe the word of another medicine cat?” Prowl meowed though it seemed more of a question than an accusation.
Bumblebee’s fur bristled. “Perceptor would never lie! Neither would Longarm Prime!”

“I’m not saying anything!” Ratchet hissed, glaring at all of them. His claws scraped the grass as his tail lashed out in anger. “It’s just it seems strange that the star would land so close.”

Even though Optimus secretly shared the same opinion, how could he doubt the words of a medicine cat, even one from a different clan? Unlike warriors, medicine cats took no part in clan rivalries.

Bumblebee only let out a snort at Ratchet’s answer. “Well, if you ask me, this whole prophecy thing seems strange! If we shouldn’t believe Perceptor, why should we believe you?”

Optimus knew that the arrogant young warrior had gone too far. Ratchet’s shaggy red fur began to bristle with rage and his lips curled into a snarl. He saw Bumblebee stiffen with fear while Bulkhead and Prowl’s expressions grew uneasy. Would the medicine cat really attack the young warrior?

Optimus wouldn’t wait to see. “No one doubts the word of neither Perceptor nor you, Ratchet.” The ThunderClan warrior placed his tail on Ratchet’s shoulder in a reassuring manner.  The elder medicine seemed ready to shoot out a sharp reply, but grouchily remained silent, allowing his neck fur to lie flat again. Bumblebee looked relieved.

“I don’t think it will hurt to try checking out the barn.” Optimus continued, “We have to start somewhere.”

In the end, even Prowl and Ratchet agreed and followed Optimus as he lead the team through the leafy foliage and disappeared into the forest.

Description
TFA Warriors
Chapter 4

Optimus didn’t look back as he reached the top of the slope even though he was aware of Ultra Magnus following him. Optimus’ fur still prickled with anger at what his leader had told him at the bottom of the slope.  Ultra Magnus’s words of advice felt more like an insult. For the first time since the Gathering, Optimus was anticipated to start the quest, but not for the thrill of adventure. He just wanted to get as far away from Ultra Magnus and Sentinel as possible.

Ultra Magnus had caught up with Optimus at the top of the slope. He fixed his stormy gaze on Optimus, but didn’t say a word as he led the warrior downward to the clearing. For once, Optimus welcomed the silence.

Ratchet and Sentinel were waiting for them at the bottom. The deputy had been pacing back and forth in an impatient manner with his head low to the ground. When Ultra Magnus and Optimus approached, his head shot up revealing the scowl on his face.

“What took you two so long?” He hissed at Optimus. Ultra Magnus was having a quick word with Ratchet a couple of pawsteps away.

Optimus met Sentinel’s challenging glare and answered, “Nothing important. Ultra Magnus was just offering advice.”

“What kind of advice?” The deputy pressed on, staring at Optimus through slit-like eyes.

“Something you probably already know.” Optimus retorted. He was almost positive that Sentinel would be more than happy to sacrifice a group of other clan cats just to save his own pelt.

Sentinel gave an irritated snort, annoyed at the vague answer. However, the deputy didn’t question him further.

Suddenly a waft of RiverClan scent filled his nostrils; Optimus turned his head just in time to see the large figure of Bulkhead stomp through a clump of ferns.

“Hi, Optimus! You made it!” The giant, green-furred warrior meowed in delight at the sight of the ThunderClan warrior. “You too, Ratchet.” He added, dipping his head respectfully at the old medicine cat. The RiverClan warrior’s eyes widened slightly at the sight of the ThunderClan leader and deputy; it was obvious he hadn’t been expecting more cats.

Bulkhead bowed his head in respectful greeting at the high-ranked ThunderClan cats. “Er…greetings. How’s the prey running?”

Sentinel openly sneered up at the RiverClan warrior and remained silent. Optimus could see why- even when bent over, Bulkhead still towered over the ThunderClan deputy. Sentinel never liked to look up to anyone.

Ultra Magnus meowed a polite greeting back, but remained aloof.  It was clear that he didn’t want to remain here long.

“I thought that only the chosen cats were supposed to meet here.” Came a hiss from above. A lean, black cat with flecks of gold gracefully leapt down from the tree above them and stared at the cats with blue eyes as cold as ice. It was Prowl, the chosen cat from ShadowClan.

Before Optimus could reply, Sentinel snarled at the dark cat. “I thought I smelled the stench of ShadowClan. Hiding in the shadows like cowards, I see.”

Prowl’s eyes narrowed into slits of ice. “Oh, I’m sorry, did I scare you? I forget that ThunderClan cats are so easily spooked.”

Sentinel leapt to his paws, fur bristling with rage. “Why you lousy, piece of…” Ultra Magnu’s sharp voice cut him off.

“Enough. Sentinel, it is time for us to depart back to camp.” Ultra Magnus commanded flicking his tail in the direction of ThunderClan territory. Sentinel averted his glaring eyes away from Prowl and stared at his leader in disbelief.

“But- ”

“Now, Sentinel!”

Sentinel’s blue ears flattened against his skull at the thorn-like edge in his leader’s growl. The deputy flashed the ShadowClan warrior a last scorching glare and quickly slid to Ultra Magnus’ side. The ThunderClan leader turned to Ratchet.

“Good-bye, my friend.” Ultra Magnus meow was soft as he addressed the elder medicine cat. “May StarClan watch over you and Optimus.”

Ratchet let out a rusty purr. “Don’t worry bout’ me, sir. I’d be more worried about my apprentice. Make sure young Wheeljack doesn’t destroy the forest, will you?”

Ultra Magnus nodded to Ratchet before slowly turning his head towards Optimus. For the longest time, father and son just stared at each other, identical blue eyes fixed on one another’s face.

“Do not forget what I told you, Optimus.” Ultra Magnus slowly meowed, his voice low and grave. “ThunderClan can not afford to lose you.”

Optimus didn’t say anything; what could he say? It was not as if he could actually agree to what Ultra Magnus, especially with Bulkhead and Prowl present. Ratchet was staring at Optimus with an intense, searching expression upon his ancient face as if he were reading his thoughts. Did the medicine cat know what Ultra Magnus had asked him to do? Before he could be certain, Ratchet turned away.

When it was clear that Optimus was not going to answer him, the ThunderClan leader turned his back to his warrior and medicine cat and pushed through the bushes. Sentinel Prime was not far behind.

“Just try not to get yourself killed.” Meowed Sentinel to Optimus before following his leader through the bushes.

Optimus couldn’t help but twitch the gold-furred tip of his tail in mild annoyance at Sentinel’s goodbye. “Well, better than nothing.” He hadn’t expected Sentinel to say anything at all. They weren’t actually the closest of denmates.

“Good-bye.” Optimus whispered, staring after them until the tips of their tails were lost front sight. After their departure, the clearing fell into an uneasy silence between the gathered cats. Ratchet was sprawl in a patch of sunlight, resting his shaggy red and white head in his paws. Prowl had climb back up the tree and was sitting on one of the lowest branches, staring down at the others in cold silence. Bulkhead was just sitting on his haunches, taking gazes at each cat as if waiting for someone to give an order. Optimus turned to the fish-scented warrior.

“Has Bumblebee arrived yet?” Optimus asked. Perhaps the young WindClanner had came earlier with Bulkhead and Prowl and had gone off hunting.

Bulkhead opened his mouth to answer but was beat by Prowl. “No, the apprentice hasn’t arrived yet.”

“Bumblebee is not an apprentice! He’s a warrior like the rest of us.” The green warrior yowled upward in defense of his friend.

The ShadowClan warrior gave a wide yawn, showing off his sharp teeth. “Could have fooled me. ShadowClan prefers their warriors to actually act like warriors.”

“You don’t know even know him.” Bulkhead’s meow was a quiet one and half to himself.  Optimus only faintly caught it and was, once again, found himself curious to the history behind Bulkhead’s strange friendship with the WindClan cat. Perhaps, during the journey, he might be able to get the story out of the two.

The sun had begun to dip between the tallest of the treetops and now everyone was beginning to get antsy and impatience. Prowl leapt down from his tree and faced the group.

“Sunhigh has past already. I suggest we get going before it gets dark.”

“Not without Bumblebee!” Bulkhead abruptly meowed rising to his large paws. His whiskers quivered as he spoke. “I’m not leaving without him.”

“Bulkhead’s right, Prowl.” Optimus stepped in between the two cats; he didn’t want them to start bickering when the journey hadn’t even begun yet. “StarClan wouldn’t be happy if we left without WindClan’s chosen cat. He’s part of the team. We’re have to wait for him.”

Prowl’s icy eyes narrowed and shimmered in cold anger at Optimus. “Do not assume that you are leader of this team, ThunderClanner. Prima is my only leader.”

“Hate to break it to ya, but Prima isn’t here right now, so you better keep your jaws shut and listen.” Ratchet stretched his long-furred body out, his claws momentarily extending and then yawned. He lifted one of his back legs and began to scratch behind his torn ear. “We’re waiting for Bumblebee and that’s that.”

“Did someone say my name?” A small yellow and black furred cat padded up with blue eyes gleaming with anticipation.

“You made it!” Bulkhead leaned down at touched noses with his friend in greeting. Optimus saw Prowl get to his paws and coldly turn his back to the tiny warrior as if he didn’t exist.

“Finally!” Ratchet grouchily rasped, glaring at the young warrior. “I thought WindClan cats were supposed to be fast.”

Ratchet’s harsh scolding and Prowl’s coldness did nothing to waver Bumblebee’s apparent excitement. The young warrior ignored the jibes and bounded over to Optimus. He lifted his head up to the older warrior and began to address him as if Optimus were leader.

“Sorry for being late, but I have an excuse and it’s really important!” Bumblebee hastily meowed up to Optimus. His bright blue eyes gleamed. “I think it might help us!”

Optimus had blinked his blue eyes in surprise when Bumblebee had so readily seemed to accept Optimus as leader of the group. He really didn’t want to cause any tension between the rest of the clan cats by trying to gain authority. However, it looked as if Prowl was the only one that had any problem with it. Both Bulkhead and Bumblebee were barely out of apprenticeship and Ratchet seemed to trust him with decisions. Prowl was the only one that had any other warrior experience.

He took a sideways glance over at the dark warrior and caught the glare that the ShadowClan cat was shooting him.

“Great, I just got rid of Sentinel and now this.” The last thing Optimus wanted was ruffle the ShadowClan warrior’s fur.

“What is it, Bumblebee?” Optimus asked, focusing his attention back on Bumblebee, He would find a way to deal with Prowl’s moodiness later.

Bumblebee looked ready to burst with excitement as he cried out loud, “I know where the star is!”

Every eye, wide with shock and surprise, was fixed upon the WindClan warrior.

“Impossible!” Ratchet meowed, staring at the little warrior in disbelief. Bulkhead and even Prowl had Bumblebee’s full attention.

“Where is it?” Optimus demanded. He had sprung to his paws in surprise at Bumblebee’s unexpected announcement. How could the WindClan warrior have found the location of the star so quickly? There was no way it could have fallen so close to the forest without them noticing!

It was evident that Bumblebee was readily enjoying being the center of attention. He sat down upon the ground and held his golden head high with lofty smugness as he launched into his explanation.

“It landed near Highstones, at the Twoleg barn!” Bumblebee pointed his chin in the direction and waved his tail. “Perceptor had a vision of it this morning!”

“Did he really?” Ratchet growled. He leaned down close to Bumblebee’s face and glared at him with a look of suspicion on his face. “Did Perceptor tell you this himself?”

Instantly, the look of confidence melted from Bumblebee’s face. He scuffed the grass beneath his face and looked at the ground.

“Uhhh…well, no. Not really. Perceptor was out gathering herbs.” The WindClan warrior looked back up and gave Ratchet and Optimus a reassuring look. “But Perceptor told Longarm Prime before he left! Longarm Prime told me himself!”

“Longarm Prime isn’t a medicine cat.” Ratchet harshly meowed. Optimus wondered why Ratchet was acting to suspicious of Bumblebee’s news. Surely, they could believe the word of another medicine cat?

“Ratchet, Longarm Prime is the leader of WindClan.” Optimus calmly pointed out, trying to reason with the medicine cat. “I’m sure we can trust his word.”

“And it came from a medicine cat, too.” Bulkhead added. He glanced uneasily from Optimus to Ratchet. “Uh, that should count.”

“Are you saying that you don’t believe the word of another medicine cat?” Prowl meowed though it seemed more of a question than an accusation.
Bumblebee’s fur bristled. “Perceptor would never lie! Neither would Longarm Prime!”

“I’m not saying anything!” Ratchet hissed, glaring at all of them. His claws scraped the grass as his tail lashed out in anger. “It’s just it seems strange that the star would land so close.”

Even though Optimus secretly shared the same opinion, how could he doubt the words of a medicine cat, even one from a different clan? Unlike warriors, medicine cats took no part in clan rivalries.

Bumblebee only let out a snort at Ratchet’s answer. “Well, if you ask me, this whole prophecy thing seems strange! If we shouldn’t believe Perceptor, why should we believe you?”

Optimus knew that the arrogant young warrior had gone too far. Ratchet’s shaggy red fur began to bristle with rage and his lips curled into a snarl. He saw Bumblebee stiffen with fear while Bulkhead and Prowl’s expressions grew uneasy. Would the medicine cat really attack the young warrior?

Optimus wouldn’t wait to see. “No one doubts the word of neither Perceptor nor you, Ratchet.” The ThunderClan warrior placed his tail on Ratchet’s shoulder in a reassuring manner.  The elder medicine seemed ready to shoot out a sharp reply, but grouchily remained silent, allowing his neck fur to lie flat again. Bumblebee looked relieved.

“I don’t think it will hurt to try checking out the barn.” Optimus continued, “We have to start somewhere.”

In the end, even Prowl and Ratchet agreed and followed Optimus as he lead the team through the leafy foliage and disappeared into the forest.