"Featherpelt! Featherpelt!" Featherpelt winced as Smoketail began to call his new name. He narrowed his eyes. I'm nothing special, he thought.
Twigkit had died a moon ago, under a rockfall at the young age of five moons. A moon before that, Smokestar had returned his nine lives to StarClan.
Featherpelt wanted to slash Smoketail's ears off! Yet, he knew better and let out a low, almost inaudible, growl instead.
His sister Stormfall, having got her warrior name just before him, rested her head on him. Get off, Featherpelt thought, pushing her off.
Owlsight ran up to Featherpelt, his paws splashing the New-Leaf puddles. "Congrats!" he mewed sincerely.
Featherpelt shrugged. "It was nothing." Featherpelt turned and padded away, only to be stopped by Willowtuft and Skywillow.
Willowtuft ran up to Featherpelt, butting him with fur muzzle. "You made it!" she exclaimed. Skywillow nodded. "I'm proud of you," he murmured. Featherpelt nodded. "Sure," he simply mewed.
Featherpelt let his parents bug Stormfall, while he padded towards the Nursery to get some shut-eye before his vigil. He ducked into the warriors den and gazed around. Where do I sleep, he wondered.
Finchfeather padded in behind Featherpelt. "You can have Tidalflower's," he mewed, answering his question.
Featherpelt flinched. He remembered how Tidalflower vowed to become an elder after Twigkit's death. "Fine," he grunted, too tired to care.
He curled up into Tidalflower's nest, tucking his feathery tail over his nose. He yawned, tiredly. Then, he settled into sleep.
Mist tickled Featherpelt's nose as he woke up. He blinked a little bit. Did I wake up, he wondered. Featherpelt was gazing into a misty, red-tinged, dark forest.
A small silvery she-cat stalked over to Featherpelt. He edged backwards. "Who are you?" he asked.
The small silvery she-cat's blue eyes twinkled with amusement. "I am Iceflower," she answered, her voice silky and sweet. "You have the right to ask," she mewed. "And I believe you want something as well."
Featherpelt snarled. "What could possibly want?! His pelt spiked up. "I'm completely fine!"
Iceflower grinned. "You want to protect cats like Twigkit," she slyly mewed. "You want to lead FloodClan into a better future."
Featherpelt flattened his ears. "True," he grunted. "I never wanted Twigkit to die under a rockfall."
Iceflower nodded. "I can do that," she replied. "But for a price!"
Featherpelt's eyes narrowed. "For what price?" he asked. "I can't trust that you'll help me."
Iceflower snickered. "It's a helpful price," she soothed. "But it can also be hindering!"
Featherpelt frowned. "And this will help how?" He was getting impatient with this spirit's vagueness.
Iceflower grinned. "Trust me," she replied. "It would have saved Twigkit!"
Featherpelt froze. "I-it would?" he stammered.
Iceflower slid up against him and whispered into his ear. "Yes," she claimed. "But only if you agree."
Featherpelt sighed. "Fine," he grunted. "As long as it can help me."
Iceflower hopped up in delight. "Okay!" she cheered. She darted up to Featherpelt and didn't stop. Rather,she jumped right into Featherpelt!
"Gah!" Featherpelt gasped. His mind fogged for a moment, then he awakened in his nest.
He gazed around for a moment. 'My name is Icepaw, by the way,' Iceflower echoed in his mind. 'I am now part of you!'
Featherpelt frowned. I don't want to be two cats, he thought. 'Too late!' Icepaw crowed before she swept Featherpelt into a vision.
Smoketail was hanging from a ledge. His claws scraped the rocks. "StarClan isn't ready for me yet!" he wailed. 'There's your chance,' Icepaw murmured. An older Maplekit, maybe Maplepaw, was snarling at Featherpelt. "What are you waiting for?" she hissed. "Knock for over!" Featherpelt dropped into a crounch and pounced.
Before he could pounce, everything whited out. 'Your first vision!' Icepaw cheered.
Featherpelt sighed. Now he did it! He was going to have an evil apprentice in his head for the rest of time!
