Chapter seven
Finchpaw woke up with a start. The fresh blue skies above the camp were refreshing. But a sour tang in the air made Finchpaw feel uneasy. Something isn't right… Finchpaw noticed Goldenwing wasn't back at camp yet. Her stomach dropped.
Where could she be? Staying hopeful, Finchpaw explored the clearing in the camp. Her Clanmates were all busy, performing their daily duties. She spotted Lightpaw across the camp, sitting with Leafpaw and Echopaw. Finchpaw turned away. She didn't want to spend time with the bratty apprentices.
Suddenly, pawsteps bombarded the camp. Yowls of panic broke out as the dawn border patrol burst into camp. Multiple cats rushed through the bramble entrance, panting and glancing around the camp. They scrambled to Blizzardstar's den, clearly ready to deliver some urgent news. A spark of panic flared in Finchpaw's heart. The anxious apprentice stepped in closer to overhear what they would say.
Her father rushed to the front of the group. His paws slammed the ground with every step taken.
"Blizzardstar!" Stonetail shouted. "Goldenwing is dead!"
Shock surged through Finchpaw. Her heart thumped as everything fell silent. The world seemed to crumble at her paws. The beginnings of tears started to flow at the corner of Finchpaw's eyes. She blinked, hoping it was just a bad dream. Hoping StarClan wouldn't punish her for being injured.
It can't be! She can't be dead!
Blizzardstar rushed out of her den, towards Stonetail and a ginger she-cat, who she recognised as Flamefur. Flamefur dipped her head as Blizzardstar approached her.
"We found Goldenwing's body on the ThornClan border. I scented ThornClan scent on her." Finchpaw tried to hold back tears as she spiralled into the Medicine den. She was BlizzardClan's only medicine cat now.
But I have not even received my full name yet! Finchpaw realised. Almost on cue, Lightpaw padded into the den, and curled up next to Finchpaw. She pressed her muzzle into her brother's soft white fur.
"I know you're sad," Lightpaw whispered. "But Clan life must go on." Finchpaw nodded in understanding. She knew her next task would be to go to the Moonstone and receive her name.
The moonlight was shining right down on the Moonstone as Finchpaw noticed Leaftail standing at the stony entrance to Mothermouth. Leaftail had a new brown tabby tom next to her. He looked small, but powerful. His fur was spiraled with darker tabby patterns.
"Where's Goldenwing?" Leaftail prompted. Finchpaw growled. Of course, Leaftail would know where Goldenwing was.
"She's dead. She was killed by a ThornClan cat." Finchpaw pouted, as she knew her mentor would not guide her anymore. Leaftail blinked in surprise. Finchpaw realised she probably did not know about the Medicine cat's death.
"I'm truly sorry for BlizzardClan's loss. I didn't know this had happened." Leaftail said. The young apprentice next to her flinched. Did he know about it?
The three Clan cats had entered Mothermouth, where the Moonstone stood as shiny as ever. Finchpaw sat down next to it, her silver fur brushing the freezing stone. Leaftail guided her apprentice to the powerful stone, which gave the Clan cats contact with StarClan. She waited for Leaftail to perform the ceremony for her apprentice. Bluepaw. Finchpaw pondered his parent's choice of name. There was nothing blue about the tom's appearance. Maybe it's his personality, Finchpaw laughed.
At last, Finchpaw, Leaftail, and Bluepaw touched their noses to the Moonstone. Finchpaw felt her surroundings turn into mist as they disappeared from reality. She fell into a dream.
A starry forest had appeared in front of Finchpaw's eyes. She was pleased to see Goldenwing come out of the darkness before her. Finchpaw leaped towards the sparkling StarClan cat, wrapping her tail around her.
"Finchpaw, I'm sorry that I was never there to watch you become a full Medicine cat. But now I can, and I will grant you your full Medicine cat name."
Finchpaw's face was overcome with emotions. Am I ready to take on the full role of Medicine cat? She barely knew anything about herbs, the medicine cat code, or the way she could help the Clan! A flutter of anxiety welled at Finchpaw's paws. However, she knew she had to be strong. Finchpaw puffed her chest out, ready to become a full medicine cat.
"Don't worry, young one. You know enough to help your Clan for many seasons to come." Finchpaw looked up and smiled to Goldenwing, who was sitting on the star-coated grass.
"I, Goldenwing, former medicine cat of BlizzardClan call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on this apprentice. She has trained hard to understand the way of a medicine cat, and with your help, she will serve her Clan for many moons. Finchpaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, stand apart from Clan rivalry, and protect all cats equally at the cost of your life?" Finchpaw's eyes glimmered as she licked her fur embarrassingly.
"I do." Finchpaw stuttered. She was overwhelmed with happiness, as the moment had finally come. She hoped all of StarClan was watching this moment, even if the apprentice couldn't see them.
"Then, by the power of StarClan I grant you your full name as a medicine cat. From now on, you shall be known as Finchheart. StarClan honours your caring nature and determination."
Finchheart broke out a smile. She finally understood that she was ready to be a Medicine cat. The newly named she-cat licked Goldenwing's shoulder in response to her resting her golden muzzle on Finchheart's head. Goldenwing's eyes focused on Finchheart's silver fur.
"I'm proud of you, Finchheart. I know you will serve your Clan well."
The doubts that clouded Finchheart's passion were finally gone. Although Finchheart knew she wasn't perfect, she was the best she could be.
Goldenwing's fur was barely visible against the mist as she said goodbye. Finchheart was plunged back into darkness once again.
