The days before half-moon had flown by. Ashpelt was officially out of the medicine den, and with her night training with Brightheart mostly over, she had become a valuable addition to the warriors' den and had taken the apprentices out to train in the moves Brightheart had taught her, should they ever lose an eye in combat. That number of apprentices included a patched-up Fernpaw, who had taken to training especially hard in fighting after the battle with Claw.
But for now, it was time for the medicine cats to make their ways to the Moonpool, and receive their names. Led by StarClan's medicine cats, they ascended the stony slope by the starlit stream. They squeezed through the tunnel of brambles, approaching the ethereal pool.
They sat down.
Littlecloud spoke.
"Before we share with StarClan, we have one thing to do."
We, Yellowfang, Willowshine, Kestrelflight, Freckewish and Littlecloud, former medicine cats of the Clans, call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices. They have trained hard to understand the ways of a medicine cat, and with your help they will serve their Clans for many moons.
Mintpaw, Pebblepaw, Pinepaw, Thrushpaw and Ravenpaw, do you promise to uphold the ways of a medicine cat, to stand apart from rivalry between Clan and Clan and to protect all cats equally, even at the cost of your life?
They chorused, in unison, "We do."
Then by the powers of StarClan I give you your true names as medicine cats.
"Mintpaw, from this moment you will be known as Mintleaf. StarClan honours your thoughtfulness and spirit, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of ThunderClan." Yellowfang told her. She stepped back, and Willowshine took her place.
"Pebblepaw, from this moment on, you will be known as Pebblespots. StarClan honours your courage and attentiveness, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat of RiverClan."
Then came Littlecloud. "Pinepaw, from this moment on you will be known as Pinetail. StarClan honours your determination and your openness, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat to ShadowClan."
Next, Frecklewish sat next to her apprentice. "Thrushpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Thrushfeather. StarClan honours your trust and your curiosity, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat to SkyClan."
Finally, Kestrelflight came up. "Ravenpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Ravenheart. StarClan honours your determination and wit, and we welcome you as a full medicine cat to WindClan."
"Brackenpaw, don't look so disheartened. You are too young yet to become a full medicine cat, and you still have a lot to learn."
"It's okay. I'll just have to work twice as hard!"
On that note, the medicine cats touched their noses to the water and felt the chill dragging them steadily to share with StarClan.
They awoke in Fourtrees, with StarClan cats chanting, "Mintleaf! Thrushfeather! Ravenheart! Pebblespots! Pinetail!"
The medicine cats took some time to make various embarrassed gestures, then settled down.
"It is time you each brought your future leaders to receive their nine lives and they should also announce their deputies. Finally, at the last gathering, the Clans should split up again and it will be time to reclaim our members who are currently helping you. We're all proud of you."
A bracken-colored tom weaved through the crowd. "Whatever happens, the Clans must not forget their friendships in other Clans. I did, and I lived to regret it."
"We will pass the message on- what's your name?"
"I am Onestar."
"Okay. We'll pass the message on."
With a jolt, they woke up by the Moonpool.
"Let's go home."
Tails high, they travelled the path that was now getting familiar, back to camp.
Firestar remembered something as they told him.
"All the other camps were wrecked by Twolegs. I propose that we send patrols out to re-build those camps and have the leaders work out when they will each travel to get their nine lives, so that they can help rebuild their camps.
"We should do that. If you don't mind, we'd also like to stock up on herbs in that territory, so that we are truly prepared."
"It would be no problem."
Stepping outside of the den, he called the familiar summons.
"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather here beneath the Highledge for a Clan meeting!"
It was still hard to move in the crowded camp, so Firestar spoke quickly to prevent everyone being more cramped than they had to be.
"The medicine cats have spoken to StarClan, and they are ready to give the future leaders their nine lives. However, the leaders cannot lead in a wrecked camp. So, before moonhigh, each leader will pick and approach their deputy, their second-in-command. Then, all that wish to will go to the other camps to help rebuild, and we will also need volunteers to take Claw's old camp down, as I am sure it is in a prey-rich area which is too valuable to waste. The leaders will work out which of them will go when, then they will help with the re-building of their camps. Every night, a leader and a medicine cat will go to receive their lives and name. When the camps are built, the following Gathering will be the one we split up at. When this happens, everyone has a choice. Understand?"
There were mews of assent. But one voice stood out.
"Darkdapple, you had a question?"
"Actually, I wanted to know why a cat so unnatural is going to lead ShadowClan!"
"StarClan's eldest and wisest know best. We have looked into the future to find the best leader to lead each Clan, with the most peace and prosperity brought into the Clan. Duskheart is the best leader for ShadowClan, so he will lead ShadowClan. If you don't like the fact he loves a cat of the same gender, you are welcome to join another Clan."
Darkdapple muttered about how the Clans she thought she'd joined were rapidly going downhill, then quieted. Duskheart, with Mousenose trying to calm him down, sheathed his claws again.
"Now that we've got that out of the way, who's going to go to each territory?"
About five cats from the camp volunteered, and the soon-to-be leaders went away to choose deputies.
Blazeberry was torn. Would she choose Eaglebranch because they were mates? Firestar had told her after the meeting to use her head as well as her heart. Sure, he was committed, but he shied away from what would benefit him- and when making decisions, would he go away from what the Clan needed because it may bring rejection? No. There must be a better choice. She'd need a loyal cat, who was cautious but not too cautious. Who would fight by her side and take measured risks. The dark tabby pelt of her sister came into mind. But would the others accuse her of playing favourites? She mulled over her options for a bit, but none seemed to come close to what her sister offered. It was decided, then. Barkclaw would be the ideal first deputy for ThunderClan's second incarnation.
Splashfur was looking at the crowds of cats milling about, searching for a familiar pelt. There! Mistfur was talking with her grandfather, Graystripe. When they ended their conversation, Splashfur padded over.
"Mistfur,I've been thinking about my deputy choices, and if you're planning on going to RiverClan, I'd like to have you as a deputy."
"I'd be honoured, Splashfur."
Graystripe came over and nuzzled her. "I'm so proud of you. You take after me!" And with that, Graystripe launched into a memory of being ThunderClan deputy in the old forest.
Robinflight knew exactly who was going to be her deputy. Cloudear was busy talking to another cat now. And- this was her- no. He was talking to another.
Why does he have to pick today to talk to every cat in camp? Next time. She came up to him as he finished.
"If you're not… too busy or anything… I'd like to talk to you for a second."
"Sure."
"If you want to come to SkyClan- not that I'm forcing you or anything- then do you want to be my deputy?"
"Of course!"
"Thank you, Cloudear." She had become friends with the white tom and trusted his judgement.
"Now what have I told you about not needing to apologize for every word out of your mouth?"
Duskheart was sitting with Mousenose, having asked him to be deputy a few heartbeats before. Their tails intertwined, they faced the sunset like they faced the sunrise when they got there.
Yewleaf had also asked Runningfoot to be his deputy, as the two got on well, and complemented each other's styles of leadership: Runningfoot was more moderate, whereas he was passionate.
After meeting with the others, each worked out an order: First, Yewleaf, then Robinflight. Next came Splashfur, and then Duskheart. Finally, Blazeberry would go.
At a signal from Firestar, they announced their deputies to the starry sky.
There were a few protests, but nevertheless, at dawn they would head out to rebuild the camps.