Chapter Two

Badgerstar sighed. They had only rounded up five cats that were eager to join, and it had been eight days since they began. At least it was a start...

"Moon, Stripes, Penny, Fall, and Starry come here!" he called, noticing that they had started to wander around. The other four leaders sat beside him on a large rock. It wasn't like the old Gathering spot, but it would do.

"It is time for you to choose your clans," Breezestar meowed. The other leaders nodded in agreement. Penny nervously pressed against her mother, Stripes, while the others anxiously sat down.

"We have told you what clan life is like, and the Warrior Code. Now we will tell you, in as few words as possible, what each clan is like," Badgerstar mewed.

"Sly and shadowy," announced Frozenstar, smirking slightly. Badgerstar signaled his tail towards Firestar, and she looked out at the five cats. "Brave and strong," she meowed.

Next was Breezestar. "Swift and loyal."

Blizzardstar gulped nervously. "Sleek and just."

Then it was finally Badgerstar's turn. "Wary and protective," he meowed. Now it was time to hear their choices. "Starry?" Badgerstar nodded at her and waited for her pick. "Uhhh.." she meowed, glancing at the leaders. "BlizzardClan," she mewed finally. Blizzardstar gleamed, and Badgerstar flicked his tail to the next cat. Penny. The kitten whimpered and hid behind her mother. Stripes blushed and answered for the both of them. "FireClan."

Then the only ones left were Moon and Fall, both dark tabby toms. An image flashed in Badgerstar's mind of Bramblestar and Fallstar, but he shook it away and focused on the newcomers.

"StoneClan," Moon meowed. His gaze flicked to his obvious brother, Fall, urgently, as if he was silently pleading him to follow his lead. Fall shot Moon an apologetic glance as he meowed, "FrozenClan."

Breezestar grunted, his eyes flashing doubtfully. Badgerstar nudged him and leaned closer. "I'm sure you'll have tons of new members soon," he murmured into the slightly old tom's ear. Breezestar nodded, but even Badgerstar was unsure of his own words.

"Moon, I call upon..." Badgerstar trailed off then started over. "Moon, your new name will be Moonpaw. Your mentor will be myself for the time being."

Breezestar stayed silent, so it was Frozenstar's turn. "Fall, you are now Fallpaw, and I'll mentor you for now.." she meowed, her eyes lingering on the dark tabby.

"Stripes, you will be known as Stripetail, and you can name your kit." Firestar waited for Stripetail's reply. "Her name is Sorrelkit," she responded finally.

Blizzardstar then spoke up. "Starry, your new name shall be Riverpaw, and I'll mentor you."

The leaders argued for a while before they settled on boundaries. They agreed that when each clan had at least five members, the boundaries would start to be marked and patrolled.

"Blizzardstar, Breezestar, can you take Riverpaw and head to Two-leg Place to check for any cats that are interested in joining?" Badgerstar asked, looking at them. They nodded then turned to tell Riverpaw. "Firestar, you and your clan can stay here and hunt," Badgerstar meowed. The ginger she-cat headed towards Stripetail and Sorrelkit, flicking her tail.

"Frozenstar, we will take our clans and look around the forest for any wandering rogues." The black leader nodded silently, already turning to round up their apprentices.

Later that night, all of the clans gathered again to report their findings. Only three cats had been willing to join. They were all warrior-aged except for the third one, who looked like she should be an apprentice.

The cats; Ice, Night, and Sky all chose their clans and were named. Icefoot joined FrozenClan, while Nightfur and Skypaw picked BreezeClan. Breezestar was quite happy with the choices, as was Frozenstar.

After a few moons, they had normal-sized clans and were starting to patrol more often. Only one border skirmish went on, because Frozenstar's deputy, Shadowheart, had stolen a mouse from BreezeClan's territory.

Badgerstar had been hoping that maybe the rest of the old StoneClan would find him, but it never happened.

"Moonpaw!" Badgerstar exclaimed, his expression stern. "I told you that you have to keep your tail a bit higher!" The apprentice groaned and raised his tail. The leader looked up as Rosepetal silently brushed beside him. "StarClan..." she whispered. "They spoke to me last night."

Badgerstar stared at his medicine cat, eyes widening. Moonpaw was desperately trying to hold his position. "What did they say?" he inquired curiously. "They gave me a message, or prophecy of some sort," she replied.

"Boulders will fall with a shadowy clash, but a pebble's throw will bring them to victory. Only the thoughtful night's gleam can touch the tiny stone."

Badgerstar sighed, glancing at her with a confused look. "Thoughtful night's gleam?" he questioned. "Pebble's throw?"

His face lit up. "Pebble... Pebblestar?" he stammered. Rosepetal shrugged, obvious confusion clouding her face. "We'll see in time," she meowed. "Maybe StarClan will show us the answer," Badgerstar suggested. Again, Rosepetal shrugged. "We'll see in time," she repeated.