Warriors A New Destination

Original 6/10- by Erin Hunter

A New Destination (starting after book 6)- by Fernpaw

Chapter 1

Firestar and his warriors lugged on. The fight against BloodClan for the forest territory was fierce, even though WindClan, ShadowClan, and RiverClan had teamed up with them. Firestar was determined to get back to camp. His whiskers twitched at the thought of what they might find, and his heart ached with a terrible feeling, but he kept going.

"We must hurry," Firestar called over his shoulders. "Come, Graystripe. I wish to talk on our way to the camp."

"Okay, Firestar," Graystripe yowled his reply from the back of the group.

Ever since Whitestorm, Firestar's former deputy, had died against Bone, BloodClans' warrior-like-deputy, Firestar had appointed Graystripe as deputy of ThunderClan. But Firestar had to admit, even though his best friend was his deputy now, he still missed Whitestorm deeply.

"Graystripe…" Firestar began, but Graystripe had interrupted him already.

"Firestar, I know. We may find our camp destroyed. Then what will we do!" Graystripe began to wail.

"I really don't know Graystripe," Firestar mewed at last. "But whatever we do find, we must be ready. I want you to go warn the others."

"All right Firestar!" Garystripe dashed away into the mob of other warriors.

"Firestar," Longtail called as he approached. "Graystripe has just told me. Shall I keep the rest of the Clan at a slower pace, so you can have a look alone first?"

"Um… okay Longtail," Firestar meowed to him in reply. "Just be careful, and try to keep them calm!" Firestar finished over his shoulder, as he dashed away.

He ran through the tall trees. It was still leafbare now, so his fur ruffed from coldness as he raced. He began to think if he had really done the right thing by leaving Longtail in charge, instead of his deputy, or a warrior that he trusted more. Then his thoughts drifted back to the time when Longtail himself, had saved ThunderClan. Longtail had come back to camp, fear clouding his eyes, to tell Firestar what he had found at Snakerocks. Longtail had explained the rabbit, the dogs, and the scent of ShadowClan he had found there. But it wasn't just any ShadowClan cat; it was Tigerstar, the leader of ShadowClan at that time. Before Longtail had done this, he thought he would follow Tigerstar, and kill for power. Then he realized otherwise. Now his thoughts were locked on Tigerstar, and why he had felt pity for his old rival. At the sight of him loosing his nine lives, and at the sight of him lying there, on the cold, bare Earth at Fourtrees, his eyes glazed with pain and furry, right after his death.

Firestar's thoughts were broken as he found himself at the top of the ravine, staring down at ThunderClan's home. A rush of happiness brushed through him as he realized that it was safe.

He raced though the gorse tunnel at the entrance of the camp, and went to find Speckletail, and make sure that everything was okay, and that no BloodClan cats had fled from the battle, and had come to attack the camp as revenge for winning the raid on the forest territory, which they had believed to be theirs.

"Firestar, you're back! We've been lucky. There was no sign of BloodClan here." Speckletail seemed relieved to have her leader back.

"Hi Speckletail: that's great! I thought you guys were crowfood! The rest of ThunderClan are on their way. Longtail wanted to keep them at a slower pace so I could check on you first," Firestar explained. "Oh, and Speckletail, could you go and tell the others something?" Firestar decided to tell her about Whitestorm, before the rest of the clan.

"Oh, sure Firestar," Speckletail mewed in an uneasy voice, worrying about what he might say next.

"Okay. Whitestorm died in the battle, and so did many others. Many were lost among the deadly battlefield. I just wanted to make sure you and the others knew before the rest of the Clan, and before I make the announcement. After all, you were the one in charge while we were gone, and since you weren't there, you aught to know first." Firestar shivered at the memory of Whitestorm dying. Then he repeated his last words in his mind: 'Trust your heart, Firestar. You have always known that Graystripe is the cat StarClan destined to be your deputy.' And then Firestar pictured the white cat let out his long sigh, and gently close his eyes.

Firestar then remembered about Garystripe becoming his deputy. But he decided to wait until the Clan meeting for that.

A rustling from the gorse tunnel told him that Longtail had arrived with the others.

"Everything went well?" Firestar asked Graystripe as he came into the camp.

"Yeah, it was fine," Graystripe sighed. "I could use about two moons of sleep though," Graystripe decided to add.

"Don't worry. You can sleep for as long as you want!" Firestar promised him as he jumped onto the Highrock. "Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!" He yowled from the top.

When most of the cats had gathered, he began.

"You all know that the battle with BloodClan was fierce and destructive. Now, I have good, and bad news," Firestar paused as he remembered Whitestorm again. "Whitestorm had died in the battle, and his body was lost. I have chosen a new deputy," He sighed for a moment and then went on. "Graystripe shall be the new deputy of ThunderClan!"

Yowls of agreement rose from the cats below. Then Firestar went on.

"Whitestorm's dying words were: 'Trust your heart, Firestar. You have always know that Graystripe is the cat StarClan destined to be your deputy.' And even though we do not have Whitestorm's body, I know he has approved of my choice by these words. And the good news is, Scrouge and his Clan have left the forest for good! We should not have another threat until all four Clans have been cured and repaired. Also, Tawnypaw has come back to join ThunderClan after Tigerstar's dreadful death, that no cat would want. And lastly, I have not spoken to her mentor yet, but I'm sure that he will approve of my choice, as I already have. Bramblepaw, Tawnypaw, and other apprentices from the other Clans had fought in the battle, and had defeated many of BloodClan's strongest warriors. I think it is time they have been made warriors." Firestar called down to his assembled warriors.

Then he looked down at Brakenfur, Tawnypaw's former mentor, and received a small nod of approval.

Then he spoke up again. "I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, call on my warrior ancestors to look down on these two apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn," He paused, and remembered the first time he had done this, when he made Thornclaw a warrior. Before that, as an apprentice, he had been called Thornpaw. "Bramblepaw, Tawnypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?"

Bramblepaw and Tawnypaw exchanged a worried glance, but as they looked toward each other, it began to fade, and turn into an excited look. "We do," they finally decided.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names," Firestar studied Bramblepaw for a long moment before deciding on his new name. "Bramblepaw, from this moment, you will be known as Brambleclaw. StarClan honors your bravery and your strength, and we welcome you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." Firestar walked slowly toward Brambleclaw, and placed his muzzle on the new warrior's dipped head. Brambleclaw gave Firestar's shoulder a respectful lick, and stepped away into the mob of other warriors.

Then he began again, "Tawnypaw," But then he paused to think about her name. "From this moment, you will be known as Tawnypelt. StarClan honors your bravery and your strength, and welcomes you as a full warrior of ThunderClan." Firestar did the same to Tawnypelt as he did to Brambleclaw. When he received a lick on the shoulder, he backed away and watched Tawnypelt go to join her brother. Then he remembered to remind them about their vigil. "Tawnypelt, Brambleclaw, remember, you have to sit vigil over night," he called over his shoulder as he made his way to his den for a rest.

He listened to the rest of ThunderClan congratulate Brambleclaw and Tawnypelt. He felt proud of them, and realized that he did not find any trace of Tigerstar in Brambleclaw when he looked at him anymore. Then, he closed his eyes, and listened to the chants outside: "Brambleclaw, Tawnypelt! Brambleclaw, Tawnypelt!" He couldn't help thinking of his warrior ceremony, and how he had felt, and he couldn't help wondering if Brambleclaw and Tawnypelt were feeling the same now. But then, the chants grew fainter, and he felt himself being pulled into deep sleep.

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