Chapter 3

This chapter written by: PKLuggy

Icekit's heart pounded faster than ever, filled from bottom to top with excitement and joy. Today she would become an apprentice. She would be the best apprentice (and eventually warrior) all four clans had ever seen. In a few moments she would be called up on the TallRock in front of the whole Clan, for her ceremony.

She fluffed up her white fur excitedly.

Her icey-blue gaze turned to look for Dewstar in among all the cats who were sharing tongues in the clearing. Dewstar was the leader of the her Clan.

A good leader. she decided. "One day I will become deputy and then leader of my Clan." she murmured softly to herself.

Icekit was about to give up looking for Dewstar when she saw him climb the TallRock. The ceremony was about to begin.

She breathed in a deep breath to calm herself and her pounding heartbeats. Her mother, Nightfeather, gave her some encouraging words just before Dewstar called out in his loud, clear voice-

"May all cats old enough to swim in the lake gather below the TallRock."

Icekit walked up to the front, trying (and probably failing) not to look too excited.

Dewstar began to speak once all the cats had quieted down. "This Greenleaf has been good for us. All hunting is well and our territory is full of lush prey. We have no sickness and every cat has a full belly. It is a particularly good day for one more reason." He looked down upon Icekit. "Today we are having a new apprentice!

"Icekit, please come forward."

With one last look at her parents, who were smiling proudly at her, Icekit climbed onto the TallRock.

"Icekit, do you promise to follow the warrior code and protect your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Icekit felt her throat and voice go dry but she forced her words and looked at Dewstar as boldly as she could. In a voice as strong and clear as she felt nervous she said:

"I do."

"Then from this moment on until you earn your warrior name you shall be known as Icepaw, and your mentor shall be-"

This is it! thought Icepaw. Who will it be? She hoped it was one of the senior warriors. They would've had apprentices before and a lot more experience. Not that she thought the other warriors weren't experienced! Just...She would prefer one of the senior warriors.

"-Goldenfrost."

Icepaw's mind was frozen with surprise and delight. She actually had a senior warrior for a mentor! It was actually happening! It was almost too good to be true, but all the same it was real.

The golden furred warrior made an easy leap onto the TallRock.

Trying to keep her excitement contained she looked up at him and they touched noses.

Now the whole of the Clan, especially her parents, enthusiastically called out her new name-

"Icepaw! Icepaw! Icepaw!"

Icepaw was filled with joy and pride. She was now an apprentice, and she was going to be the best she could be.

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"Icepaw!"

Icepaw froze and glanced back at her mentor sheepishly. He looked at her sternly.

"Come back here! You shouldn't be rushing off like that, especially not now, because you have never been out before!"

Icepaw slipped quickly back to Goldenfrost.

"But it's so exciting!" She complained. "I want to go everywhere, and do everything, right now, but you keep on calling me back!"

Goldenfrost smiled down at her. "Don't worry." He purred. "You will get to try everything, but only once you learn to obey your mentor!"

"Sorry" Icepaw muttered, embarrassed. Crystalpaw was watching her, despite her mentor (Foxblaze) snapping at her to concentrate.

"Come on now. I'll take you to the lake, and you can see if you can swim in the water." Goldenfrost whisked his tail over her ears. "This way." He nodded in the opposite direction to where Icepaw had gone.

"Swim?!" Icepaw perked up instantly, and took off. She sprinted away as fast as she could, but Goldenfrost stayed by her side easily the whole way. Occasionally he would use his tail tip to change her path, but he stayed silent the whole time. Surprisingly, Icepaw found this more helpful than annoying. She used the silence to allow herself to get her bearings in this strange new world. Later, she knew, he would explain everything she saw. But for now she enjoyed finding her own way.

Soon the sound of the wind in the trees gave way to a different sound.

"Is that…"Icepaw gasped.

"The Lake." Goldenfrost nodded.

They emerged from the trees, and out to where the lake was lapping softly against the sand. Bright, shining sunlight pushed down from the now-cloudless sky, and reflected off the blue surface. White clouds were visible in the distance, but the rain from earlier had long gone.

"Woah…" Icepaw breathed. "This is amazing."

"Go on then." Goldenfrost smiled.

"What do you mean?" Icepaw looked at her mentor, but quickly realised. "Now?"

"Why not?" shrugged Goldenfrost. "Don't worry, I'll go in with you."

Goldenfrost leapt down the beach, and splashed into the lake.

Do I really have to? Icepaw wondered. It would be really cold. She looked at Goldenfrost, who was waiting patiently out in the water for her. Just do it, Icepaw. she told herself, and ran down the soft sand, into the water.

I really want to thank all of you for the support on this series. It means a lot to us, that you are supportive of us trying this new collaboration. Thank you for coming to read our story, and don't worry, there is more to come.

-PKLuggy