Mosspelt heard a yowl and walked into the clearing.
"We need warriors more than ever in these dark times," Crookedstar meowed warmly. "I have spoken with their mentors, and they have told me that they are ready. Heavypaw and Shadepaw, step forward please."
Heavypaw and Shadepaw exchanged a glance of excitement and stepped forward.
"I, Crookedstar, leader of RiverClan, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn," Crookedstar yowled.
"Heavypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend you Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Crookedstar asked.
"I do," Heavypaw replied.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Heavypaw, from this moment you will be known as Heavystep. StarClan honors your honesty and intelligence, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan," Crookedstar mewed.
He stepped forward and rested his muzzle on Heavystep's head, and Heavystep licked his shoulder.
"Heavystep!" Heavystep!" Mosspelt yowled with her Clan mates.
Heavystep's eyes glowed.
"Shadepaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan, even at the cost of your life?" Crookedstar asked.
"I do," Shadepaw replied.
"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior name. Shadepaw, from this moment you will be known as Shadepelt. StarClan honors your enthusiasm and bravery, and we welcome you as a full warrior of RiverClan."
Crookedstar rested his muzzle on Shadepelt's head, and she licked his shoulder.
"Shadepelt!" Shadepelt!"the Clan called.
Mosspelt pushed through the cats and nuzzled both of her friends.
"Congratulations," she meowed warmly.
Blackclaw and Stonefur padded up to their apprentices, looking proud.
"You can hold your vigil now, and go to the battle with your Clan tonight," Crookedstar meowed.
The two cats nodded and sat in the clearing. It was still early morning, so they would have time before they had to go to the battle.
Mosspelt followed her Clan mates as they ran toward Fourtrees. They would meet ShadowClan there. She looked up at Silverpelt, and hoped that Lilystem was watching her daughter now. She had been too weak to recover from the poison, and had died. Silverpaw had also died from eating a poisoned fish.
All of her Clan mates had come, except Loudbelly, who had stayed to guard the camp. It was strange to be at Fourtrees without a full moon. It seemed darker. Mosspelt shivered as she looked up at the sliver of a moon. The ShadowClan cats' eyes gleamed in the darkness as they waited for them.
Crookedstar and Nightstar exchanged a few words, and then led the way to WindClan territory. Mosspaw ran side by side with Shadepelt and Heavystep. When they reached the WindClan camp, they slowly crept forward. Then, a yowl was heard. After a few heartbeats, the WindClan cats came streaming out of their camp.
Mosspelt tackled a tabby tom. He hissed angrily, and swiped at Mosspelt. Heavystep appeared at Mosspelt's side, and they took turns clawing at the warrior. He was fast, but not fast enough.
Mosspelt was distracted when she heard yowls. She turned to see ThunderClan racing into the battle. She turned her attention back to the tom. He was faltering now. Mosspelt gave him a last scratch and he turned and fled. Mosspelt and Heavystep exchanged a triumphant look.
A WindClan warrior pushed between them and Mosspelt lost sight of Heavystep. She ran into the battle.
"Silverstream! No!" Mosspelt heard a cat yowl.
She looked over to see Silverstream preparing to swipe at Fireheart. Then, Silverstream stopped and backed away. Mosspelt blinked in shock. Fireheart leaped onto Silverstream and pinned her to the ground. Mosspelt raced toward her, but Fireheart let Silverstream slip away. Mosspelt shook her head. What had just happened?
"Retreat, ShadowClan!" Mosspelt heard Nightstar yowl.
ShadowClan retreated, leaving only RiverClan to fight. Mosspelt was bowled over by a black and grey tabby ThunderClan tom. She yowled furiously and leaped to her paws. The tom stalked toward her, and she fluffed out her fur, trying not to tremble. She had no chance against this huge cat!
Suddenly, Crookedstar yowled and ran away. The rest of RiverClan followed him. Mosspelt ducked around the tom and ran after her Clan mates, feeling the bitterness of defeat. Now what would happen to her Clan?
