Chapter 1 : New Cats

Firestar leaped onto the Highledge and yowled the familiar summons, 'All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather beneath the Highledge!'

He spotted his mate Sandstorm sit near a tree, almost concealed. She gazed at him with love and respect and Firestar smiled back. When the Clan had all seated, Firestar spoke.

'There are three new warriors and two new apprentices in our midst today. Squeakkit, Moonkit, Lovepaw, Sandpaw, Featherpaw, come here.'

The five excited cats bounded to the bottom of the Highledge and Firestar jumped down to join them. He meowed, 'Moonkit and Squeakkit, you are now Moonpaw and Squeakpaw. Sorreltail, I trust you to pass down your fighting skills and good qualities to Moonpaw. Birchfall, you are Squeakpaw's mentor. I trust you to teach him well.'

Moonpaw padded up to Sorreltail, her chest puffed up with pride and touched noses with her mentor. Squeakpaw did the same to Birchfall.

Then Firestar announced, 'Lovepaw, Sandpaw and Featherpaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend this Clan even at the cost of your life?'

'I do,' Lovepaw meowed, her voice full of pride.

'I do,' Sandpaw and Featherpaw chorused.

'Then, by the power of StarClan, I, Firestar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to learn the ways of your noble code, and I present them to you as warriors in their turn.'

Firestar turned to Lovepaw. 'Lovepaw, you are no longer known as Lovepaw, but as Loveflight. StarClan honors you for your courage and endurance and ThunderClan welcomes you.' He rested his muzzle on Loveflight's head and Loveflight liked his shoulder.

Next, Firestar looked at Sandpaw. 'You have trained hard and Whitewing has taught you well. You'll now be known as Sandstone. StarClan honors your bravery in battle and skillfulness and we welcome you as a full member of ThunderClan.'

Lastly, he addressed Featherpaw. 'You have learned the noble code and fighting skills and are ready to become a warrior. From now onwards, you'll be known as Feathercloud. StarClan honors your intelligence and quick thinking and we welcome you as a full member of ThunderClan.' He put hi muzzle on Feathercloud's head and she licked his shoulder in respect.

The Clan welcomed them by calling their names. Their parents, Maplespirit and Runningleaf, were the loudest. 'Loveflight! Sandstone! Feathercloud! Loveflight! Sandstone! Feathercloud!'

The three new warriors touched noses with Maplespirit and Runningleaf and went to sit their vigil. Firestar padded up to Sandstorm and he and his mate went into his den. He curled up inn his nest, leaving half the space for Sandstorm, and went to sleep with Sandstorm licking his ear.