{.:Summary – MarigoldKit is the runt of her family. Almost every kit in EarthClan makes fun of her for her size and strength. But all of them will regret that one day…:.} I know what you're thinking: Why the summary again? Well, I'm gonna put it on all the chapters, mk? So, in the last chapter, we met Marigold's family and learned about them. Here is where the action starts in 3,2,1!
CHAPTER 2 – Growing Up is Hard
"W-Well...u-um…" CoyoteKit stammered, still glaring at her. "Leave him alone." An English-accented voice spoke behind him. CoyoteKit spun around, and standing there was MarigoldKit. "Ah, Marigold, I see you've decided to leave the Nursery as well." ArcticBlizzard just smiled. "Listen, you leave my br-"She broke off. "Wait, what?" "All kits decide to leave the Nursery sometime…plus, you have to learn before you become an apprentice." ArcticBlizzard explained. "But our mother just told us we're not supposed to leave the Nursery until we eat fresh kill." CoyoteKit mewled, looking puzzled.
"And that's where I made my mistake…" AuburnRays stepped out of the Nursery, her face expression with worry. "What do you mean?" MarigoldKit asked, padding up to her mother. "Well, I just don't want you to grow up, you're already 6 moons old!" Auburn stared into her daughter's big amber eyes. "Mother, we'll always be with you…even when we're Warriors." MarigoldKit reassured her, giving AuburnRays a lick on the cheek.
"AuburnRays." TansyStar spoke now, padding up beside the blaze-pelted she. "Yes, TansyStar?" She turned her attention towards the leader, dipping her head in respect. "It seems your kits are ready to be apprentices, I presume?" AuburnRays looked down at her two kits, which were jumping with excitement. "I guess so…" She sighed with sadness. "Cheer up, AuburnRays…maybe you'll mentor one of your kits." TansyStar smiled, tapping her tail against Auburn's shoulder before strutting away to the Highrock.
The leader leaped up onto the giant rock and yowled, "All cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a meeting!" At once, warriors, apprentices, and elders gathered below. AuburnRays was sitting with her kits, licking them furiously. "Mother…do we really need this?!" PhoenixKit exclaimed, getting annoyed. "I don't want my kits to look like mangy loners. Ceremonies are very important to this Clan, Phoenix. It indicates the becoming of new apprentices and warriors." Her mother explained wisely.
"PhoenixKit, MarigoldKit, and CoyoteKit, come up to the Highrock please." The three kits sprinted up to the rock, their hearts bursting with joy, and each one of them lined up on either side of TansyStar. "I call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these three apprentices whom have reached the age of 6 moons and are ready to become full apprentices." The leader's voice echoed through the clan. "PhoenixKit, MarigoldKit, and CoyoteKit, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and defend your clan, even at the cost of your own lives?" "I do!" PhoenixKit yowled. "I do!" MarigoldKit exclaimed. "I do!" CoyoteKit mewled.
TansyStar looked down at them and beamed a little, then turned her attention back to her clan. "Then from this moment on until you are made full warriors your new names will be PhoenixPaw, MarigoldPaw, and CoyotePaw. Phoenix's mentor will be ForgottenPast. Coyote's mentor will be my deputy, CanarySong. MarigoldPaw's mentor…will be me." MarigoldPaw's amber orbs got huge.
{.:Now this is an actual cliffhanger. I was going to make Marigold's mentor her mother when I got an idea of the leader being her mentor! I mean, she is the leader, right? Next chapter's gonna bring some serious action, and maybe a little romance…stay tuned, my amazing readers!:.}
