Well, this is it. The big finale! I hope you guys will like the ending :P
Wow... well, what can I say? I'm very happy and proud of TDA's success. Yes, it might've been more popular had I updated more often, but I consider 50+ reviews and over 20 faves and follows to be quite significant.
Story-wise, I say it only gets better from here. More Minnowcloud, more HarexBroken, and Brownpaw's apprentice troubles. Keep an eye out for the sequel, Dusk! I won't even have to abbreviate this one, it's one word XD
Please, feel free to check out my other stories too! Now, after I respond to some reviews for the last time on here, we'll get started...
Robinfeather of Stormclan: Thank you!
Lolkat123: Thanks, thanks thanks :'D
OshawottStream: Hehe thank you.
Foreststar of WindClan: I understand. Thanks!
xXFeatherflightXx: Lol thanks! -noms cookie- (::)
IAmANuttyGuest: Thank you!
Okayyy, here goes nothing!
This was it. Brownkit knew it just from the feeling in his bones, the uplifted tone in Brokenstar's voice.
Every cat seemed to sense it, too. Most of the warriors were glancing at Frostkit and Brownkit with warm smiles, but the look in their eyes betrayed the happiness settled upon their lips.
"Is it just me, or do everyone's eyes seem to look unsure?" Brownkit mumbled into his brother's ear.
Frostkit just blinked at him, meeting a couple cats in the eye. Then, apparently too proud of the moment, Frostkit inflated his chest and purred, "I don't know what you're talking about." Brownkit could hear the worried edge in his words.
After reciting the age-old words to begin a meeting, Brokenstar ducked her head and murmured, "ThunderClan, today is a very special ceremony, one that will most certainly make history."
Again gazes alighted on him, and Brownkit tried not to show how conspicuous he felt. He knew he was about to become the first dog apprentice.
"Streamkit, please step forward," Brokenstar mewed, ignoring the uncertainty in the air. It was so thick, you could slice through it with your claws.
Frostkit frowned, watching stonily as his smug-faced brother padded up to under the long-broken Highledge. "Pity he goes first," the white tom mumbled.
Yes, a shame, Brownkit thought to himself, not daring to reply aloud when they received a hard look from Skyclaw. He knew she must be feeling a stab of sadness every mother feels when their kits are named 'paws, and Brownkit was far from intending to ruin this for her, dog or not.
"Streamkit, you have reached the age of six moons, and it is time for you to be apprenticed. From this day on, until your receive your warrior name, you will be known as Streampaw." Streamkit, now Streampaw, smirked. For a heartbeat Brownkit expected the pale gray tom to scowl back at him and Frostkit, but for once Streampaw didn't.
Brokenstar continued to hesitate, running her lightning-yellow gaze over her warriors. Then she meowed, "Your mentor will be Rainsnow. I hope she will pass down all she knows to you." The brown female grinned at the gray-and-white she-cat, who looked a bit nervous as she padded up: Streampaw was her first apprentice, Brownkit realized. "Rainsnow, you are ready to take on an apprentice. You received excellent training from my wise aunt, Honeypelt, and you have shown yourself to be quick-witted and protective of those you care about. I expect you to be the finest mentor to Streampaw."
Rainsnow nodded vigorously, unable to keep the excitement from her voice as she assured her leader, "Of course."
Streampaw and Rainsnow touched noses; the cheers of Streampaw's name (Minnowcloud loudest of all), even a couple "Rainsnow"s bounced through the misty air. Gradually the Clan grew silent as everyone awaited the next naming.
Brokenstar took a deep breath. She was staring at someone particular in the group of warriors; then she said a bit more warmly this time, "Frostkit, step forward please."
Frostkit obeyed, purposely brushing against Brownkit soothingly. He didn't turn back, but Brownkit could easily imagine the toothy smile on the white kit's face.
Then again, "white-furred kit" didn't really describe Frostkit anymore. He had grown into a handsome young cat, seeming to outgrow his fluffy, duck-down-like kit fur, beady eyes, and too-big-for-his-body paws. Now, his fur was very sleek, and the wide, cute, kit optics were replaced by narrowed, determined sky-blue eyes. His paws seemed to fit the rest of him now. He looked amazing, and Brownkit had no doubt he would only get better from here.
"Frostkit, you've reached six moons of age. It's about time you get apprenticed. From this moment on, you shall be known as Frostpaw. Your mentor will be Berryfang. I'm sure he will pass along all he knows to you," Brokenstar announced. Frostpaw beamed, observing the shaky ginger-and-white warrior pad up, chartreuse green eyes huge. "Berryfang, you are also ready to take on an apprentice. You had extraordinary training from our very own deputy, Harescar, and I have no doubt your swiftness and kindness will pay off with Frostpaw."
Brownkit felt pride make his heart swell until it filled his entire chest as Frostpaw reached up to tap noses with Berryfang. When the two parted to walk side by side back to the rest of the crowd, Brownkit noticed Harescar's deep amber eyes watering. It must be interesting and heartrending to see your own apprentice, all grown up, taking on their own trainee as a mentor themselves.
Brokenstar didn't even bother to wait around between Frostpaw and Brownkit. "Brownkit, please step forward," she said, looking confident as Brownkit trotted forward. She didn't even look over her warriors. He forced his tail to keep still; in normal, casual circumstances, he would wag it, being instinct. But right now, he didn't want to destroy anything. He was a cat. But then Carly popped into his mind.
The ThunderClan leader pursued with the ceremony. "Brownkit, you are six moons of age; it is most certainly time for you to be apprenticed. From now on, until you get your warrior name, you will be known as Brownpaw."
Brownkit- Brownpaw- noticed a rush of emotions speed through his body. Ecstasy, as expected… but also a bit of remorse and bad anxiety. Suppressing a gulp, Brownpaw waited patiently as Brokenstar went on.
"Your mentor will-"
"This can't be happening."
Brownpaw winced visibly. No! We were so close! Brownpaw spun around, already knowing too well who it was.
Minnowcloud was standing near the front of the gathered cats, gaping in disbelief, and nose wrinkled in disgust. "This can't be real."
Brokenstar looked perturbed as she rested her gaze on Minnowcloud. Several other cats turned on him accusingly. "Is there a problem, Minnowcloud?"
"This is unacceptable!" Minnowcloud proclaimed, stamping his front paw. "I allowed my bad son to be apprenticed, and still you proceed with this dog's ceremony? What has ThunderClan come to these days?"
"ThunderClan has come to a time where being different is alright," hissed Brokenstar. "Besides, you're half-RiverClan. Squirrelstar accepted you, and I know full well she would've taken in Brownpaw too, as weak as he was."
Minnowcloud bared his teeth. "Yes, and shelter him for a moon or two, not keep him as if he's an actual member of the Clan! Come on, now! It just keeps going downhill."
Brokenstar snarled, "ThunderClan started going downhill when you joined it!"
Minnowcloud was hardly fazed, though looked a bit startled, especially when Skyclaw spat, "What did you call Frostpaw?"
The gray tabby swerved around to face his former mate. "I called him my bad son. He betrayed his father and brother, not to mention the warrior code."
Skyclaw hared across the clearing to face him. "You have no right," she growled, fury making her voice level spike dramatically. "No right at all. Things never had to come to this! Because of you, our family is torn to shreds! Is that what you wanted? Shreds?"
Minnowcloud stuck out his chin. "You've got this all wrong. It's not my fault. It's that creature's claws that ripped our family to 'shreds', if we must use that term. If you would just understand my point-"
"You've made your point clear to everyone, Minnowcloud," Skyclaw cried, a pleading expression in her glowing golden orbs. "And I just don't agree with it. If you weren't so aggressive and nasty about it…" She stopped to take a breath, then yelled, "… and kept your mouth shut just once, maybe I could've accepted it!"
With that, Skyclaw whirled, whipping her lashing tail in Minnowcloud's face and stalking back to her original place.
Minnowcloud was speechless. Finally it was Brokenstar who spoke up. "Minnowcloud, I suggest you sit back down and be silent. We will have a chat later." She returned her attention to Brownpaw. "Brownpaw, do you wish to proceed with the ceremony? The popular opinion is you, you know. You are fully welcome in ThunderClan, but this is a large step forward. If you are willing to continue on your path with us, say so now."
Brownkit filled his legs, holding his breath as he thought back to his early days. Yes, Minnowcloud's words had gotten to him a bit, but at this point there was a shield from the pain that surrounded his heart; most of the time it was Minnowcloud-proof. He recalled when he thought he might not be wanted.
A lengthy silence followed Brownkit's retort. Finally Brokenstar cleared her throat and whispered, "You have Frostkit."
Brownkit growled. "He won't be enough. He's no older than me."
"And me." A new voice cut into the pain-inflicting conversation. Harescar fixed his warm amber gaze on the dog. "I brought you into this camp, and I'm not going to be one to chase you out of it."
"Same here," Flashnight agreed, swiftly flicking his tongue against Brownkit's floppy ears. "I'll always be on your side Brownkit, even if you maul my son in slobber." His light joke soothed Brownkit's damaging rage.
For a while no one said anything, until Brokenstar added, "And me. I let you join ThunderClan in the first place. You wouldn't be here if it weren't for me." A yellow glint showed as the brown she-cat opened her mouth in a smile. "And Cherryfur loves you as though you're one of her own. Don't forget Ratpelt and Willowberry. Have they said anything against you?"
"Beechflight. Birdspring," Harescar mewed.
"Hopepuddle and Rainsnow like you, and I'm sure of it," Flashnight piped up. "I have no doubt Berryfang doesn't mind you. All the apprentices, and my two newest kits have even said they enjoy playing with you. Blackstorm has never been mean to you."
Brownkit's jaw dropped as he realized how many cats had been named. That was almost the whole Clan.
Brokenstar sat up and drew a moistened paw over her whiskers. "You see, Brownkit? Besides a few names, the Clan likes your presence."
The dog straightened a bit, his soul thawed from the ice of uncertainty that had surrounded it for so long.
"Thank you. Thank you for making me feel wanted."
Brownpaw knew right then what his choice was going to be. There would be obstacles in his journey to success within ThunderClan's guarded borders, but he was ready and prepared to take on the challenge.
"I am," he barked.
Brokenstar dipped her head. "Then it is so. Brownpaw, you are now an apprentice of ThunderClan; and I will be your mentor."
That's all this time, folks! I hope you liked it- I planned it ending with Brokenstar saying "I will be your mentor" for a long time, so I'm glad I managed to get that in ^^"
See you at Dusk, please keep a lookout for it. And thanks times infinity to everyone who has supported this story, whether since its beginning or since yesterday. It was you guys who made me keep going. After all, what's the point of writing if you have 1 fave and 2 follows? :)
Cya for now. -Mossy