Sunpaw was pacing up and down in the clearing, waiting for Silverstar to come out of her den. Her ginger tail was flicking back and forth expectantly, and her heart was beating wildly. Today was the day when she and her littermate would become warriors, earning their full place in ThunderClan.
Just then, her sister, Echopaw, padded out, her sleek gray pelt adding to her neat appearance. As usual, she was calm as she padded over to Sunpaw.
"I just wish Silverstar would hurry up!" Sunpaw exclaimed, her claws sinking into the dirt beneath her.
"Don't worry." Echopaw rolled her eyes. "She'll come." Sunpaw shrugged, laying her tail over her sister's back. The two of them were extremely close.
"I just can't wait," Sunpaw sighed.
Echopaw pressed against her. "Neither can I." Then, she stiffened. "I hope that... that-"
Sunpaw sighed. "You're thinking about the Star Games, aren't you?" Ever since the Dark Forest invaded the clans without warning and took over, the Star Games, more commonly called just the Games, were held every six moons. The Dark Forest would choose five cats from each clan to be thrown into a vast area to fight to the death. And the choosing would be in the day after tomorrow.
The thought of her, a young about-to-be-warrior, or her sister, being chosen for the Games, plagued her. Echopaw nodded, trembling for a heartbeat. "I can't help but be worried."
"Don't worry; I'll see to it that you're not chosen," Sunpaw mewed.
"And how do you plan on doing that?"
"I'll offer to take your place." Sunpaw couldn't believe what she was saying.
"No!" Echopaw turned to face her, blue eyes glowing urgently. "You can't!" Sunpaw shrugged, then turned back to face the Highledge, for now, Silverstar was emerging from her den.
Before Sunpaw could respond, Silverstar yowled a call to the clan. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!"
Sunpaw puffed out her chest. I can be a warrior at last! She watched proudly as many warriors padded out of the warriors' den, and she caught her mentor, Dawnbreeze's, eye.
Silverstar continued, "Today, we gather for one of the most important parts of a cat's life: becoming a warrior. Sunpaw and Echopaw seem to be ready. Dawnbreeze, is that right?"
Sunpaw held her breath as her mentor nodded. "She will be a warrior the clan will be proud of."
"Good. Daisypetal?" Silverstar addressed Echopaw's mentor.
The cream-furred she-cat nodded. "She has learned all she can from me." Beside Sunpaw, Echopaw relaxed.
The silver she-cat on the Highledge dipped her head. "Very well. Sunpaw, Echopaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, even at the cost of your life?"
Sunpaw nodded. "I do."
"I do." Echopaw's mew was quieter.
"By the power of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Sunpaw, from this moment onward, you will be known as Sunstream. StarClan honors your loyalty and determination, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."
The newly-named ginger she-cat nodded proudly and licked Silverstar's shoulder with respect. The leader continued, "Echopaw, you will be known as Echolight. StarClan honors your courage and kindness, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan."
Sunstream watched as Echolight licked Silverstar's shoulder, as she had done. The clan broke into loud cheers, making Sunstream puff out her chest even more. "Sunstream! Echolight!"
Silverstar waved her tail for silence. "As you know, the Dark Forest will be here in two days." Her voice sounded defeated, weak. The clan groaned, including Sunstream. "I cannot choose the cats, and I wish you all well."