"Word of God speak Would You pour down like rain, Washing my eyes to see Your majesty, To be still and know That You're in this place, Please let me stay and rest In Your holiness Word of God speak..." Word of God Speak, MercyMe


Chapter Twenty Eight

"Today is their final assessment," Darkpelt stated proudly. He was sitting between Leopardfang and Stonepelt, both of which had been in deep conversation. Leopardfang narrowed her eyes once she was finished whispering. Emberheart couldn't help but flinch when she glared at Darkpelt.

"I feel sorry for those apprentices," Stonepelt sneered. "They both have terrible mentors." Almost at once Darkpelt was on his paws, pelt bristling with fury. If Emberheart had learned anything these past few moons, it was not to make Darkpelt angry. Stonepelt should have learned that by now.

"Say that again to my face, foxheart!" he snarled. Stonepelt's ears flattened with unease. Amusement flashed in Leopardfang's eyes before she got up and stretched. Darkpelt had already pinned Stonepelt to the ground as the bold warrior said something else under his breath. "Just because we're related doesn't mean I won't flay you," Darkpelt snapped. "Say that again and you won't have any ears left."

The dark gray tom's eyes widened with fear as Darkpelt let him up. It was true that they were kin. Darkpelt looked almost exactly like Stonepelt, almost his fur was almost black, not gray. The only difference between them was that Emberheart could tolerate Darkpelt.

Emberheart looked back to the Highrock, where Brightstar had only just returned a few heartbeats ago. He wasn't sure what she had done while returning Whitekit to the kittypets. Maybe she took the time to catch with them. Or something else had happened. He wasn't sure.

"Come on, we should take them out before it starts to rain," Emberheart meowed. The cold weather was getting worse. And every other day it seemed to rain all the time. By now Emberheart had gotten used to the cold, but he hated getting wet. Water for him was like living in the forest for WindClan.

Darkpelt nodded in agreement and gathered the two apprentices. Blackpaw and Lilypaw were eagerly chatting about what they would do. Blackpaw had already passed his fighting assessment. Now it was time to see if he was just as good at hunting.

Once the two apprentices were ready they set off. Darkpelt led Lilypaw to a separate part of the forest, while Emberheart took Blackpaw to the Owl Tree. Here he had found lots of prey when he was an apprentice. Right now with the colder weather that might be more difficult.

"I want you to catch me three mice and a blackbird," Emberheart explained. "If you can do that than you've passed." Blackpaw's tail shot up with pride. Emberheart resisted the urge to roll his eyes as the apprentice puffed out his chest.

"I can do that and more!" he announced. Emberheart flicked his tail for the apprentice to start. As soon as Blackpaw had dashed off Emberheart skirted around the area to watch him.

Blackpaw was getting better, Emberheart had to admit that. But he was impatient and refused to follow orders at times. Emberheart could remember a time when the apprentice was constantly teasing him. That was before Blackpaw had stuck up for him against Leopardfang. Even Leopardfang had been shocked when that happened.

Yet there were still times when Blackpaw liked to act up. Emberheart had gotten past that faze though. At least he hoped he did. He bounded after where the apprentice had disappeared to. Sure enough Blackpaw was already stalking a mouse hiding in a hollow log.

Emberheart watched curiously as the apprentice took careful steps towards the log. Heartbeats seemed to pass before Blackpaw made his move. The mouse let out a squeal as Blackpaw caught it between his paws, giving it a quick nip on the neck. He didn't need to keep watching to know that Blackpaw would succeed.

The apprentice was getting better, and he knew that Blackpaw was ready to become a warrior. Emberheart waited in the clearing as patiently as he could. It was already close to sunhigh, and still his apprentice had not returned.

After what felt like moons, the apprentice finally returned. Emberheart's ears pricked forward when he saw that Blackpaw had caught the prey he had listed. Pride gleamed in Blackpaw's eyes as he sauntered forward, dropping the prey at his mentor's paws.

"So, am I a warrior yet?" he asked. Emberheart couldn't hide his amusement, not this time.

"You'll have to wait and see," he replied. He helped Blackpaw grab the blackbird and led the apprentice back into camp.

By the time they got back Darkpelt was already there with Lilypaw. The other apprentice's eyes shown with excitement when they got back. Blackpaw immediately rushed over to her and told her how well his assessment went. Emberheart rolled his eyes as he dropped the mouse on the fresh-kill pile.

Truth be told Blackpaw did have a right to brag about his achievement, though Emberheart would never admit that out loud.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey gather beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting!" Brightstar's yowl carried off into the forest.

Emberheart stayed in the back of the crowd while keeping an eye on the two apprentices. Today was an important day for them both. He hoped that no one would decide to suddenly ruin their ceremonies.

"There are two apprentices here today who have shown both skill and courage during their time of training," Brightstar began. "Darkpelt, Emberheart, do you believe your apprentices are ready to become warriors?" Emberheart flinched as all eyes turned to him and Darkpelt.

I hate being under the spotlight, he thought. "I do," he meowed as confidently as he could.

"I do," Darkpelt meowed, his voice a bit louder.

"Then I, Brightstar, leader of ThunderClan, call upon my warrior ancestors so that they may look down upon 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. Blackpaw, Lilypaw, do you promise to uphold the warrior code, and defend this Clan, even at the cost of your lives?"

"I do," Blackpaw meowed. His chest was puffed out with pride, until Lilypaw flicked her tail across his shoulder.

"I do," Lilypaw replied. She sounded just as proud as her brother, but she didn't show it as much.

"Then by the powers of StarClan, I give you your warrior names. Blackpaw, from this moment on you will be known as Blacksplash. StarClan honors you for your courage and spirit, and we welcome you as a full member of ThunderClan.

Brightstar jumped down to put her muzzle on Blacksplash's forehead. Out of respect he gave her shoulder a lick. Emberheart had never seen the new warrior act like that. He almost wished there was a way to remember this moment forever.

"Lilypaw, from this moment on you will be known as Lilyflower. StarClan honors your kind and caring nature, and we welcome you as a full member of ThunderClan." Lilyflower's eyes widened as Brightstar did the same with her.

"Blacksplash! Lilyflower!" The Clan cheered their names, and Emberheart couldn't help but raise his voice above the others. The Clan needed new warriors, especially now more than ever. But it also meant there would be no apprentices for a while.

Emberheart held back a groan of frustration when he realized what that meant. He'd be the one cleaning out the elder's den for the next few moons. It's not like the other younger warriors would show such respect. Orangestripe and Lilyflower maybe would, but Blacksplash and Leopardfang would take advantage of their status.

"Congratulations you two," he purred when the ceremony drew to an end. Lilyflower ducked her head in embarrassment while Blacksplash simply puffed out his chest once again.

"Thank you," Lilyflower mewed.

"Now you should sit vigil before you break the ancient traditions," Darkpelt growled.

Both young cats turned towards the gorse tunnel as they were told. Emberheart almost wished he could get Blacksplash to listen to him like that. Than again Blacksplash had listened to him more than he expected. In fact he'd grown rather fond of the young warrior.

He padded back to his nest when he realized how late it was. Tomorrow would be another day, another chance to help the Clan. Emberheart had already decided that that was what he would do. If anyone needed help he would offer his assistance.

Of course the moment his eyes closed he had to find himself back in the clearing where he first met Brookstorm. These dreams were getting old. He was tired of getting cryptic messages from StarClan knows where. What bothered him more than anything was that StarClan wouldn't leave him alone.

His thoughts were interrupted by a loud screech. Emberheart's fur stood on end when he recognized the screech. He bolted forward, paws barely skimming the ground as he reached the source of the noise. Shock and confusion coursed through Emberheart when he saw what had happened.

Brightstar's body lay on the grass, blood coating her pale tabby fur. Panic gripped at his heart when he realized that someone had murdered her in cold blood. Back in Twolegplace she had warned him that she was on her last life. The panic was quickly replaced with horror.

"Brightstar, you're going to be okay!" he hissed, trying to hide the fear that was overwhelming him.

"Of course she'll be fine." Emberheart nearly leaped out of his fur when the image suddenly spoke. Brightstar's broken body was replaced with the spirit of Brookstorm. The horror Emberheart felt earlier was quickly replaced with annoyance and anger. "StarClan thought it would be wise to send you that warning," she scoffed with a roll of her eyes. "Bunch of careless fools."

"Wait a heartbeat... that was a dream?" He held back a gasp of surprise when Brookstorm's eyes narrowed to tiny slits.

"What do you think furball?" she spat. "Those mindless mousebrains believe you're ready to lead the Clan. Have they already forgotten what Brightstar went through when she became leader?"

"What are you talking about?" Emberheart demanded. By now his fur was standing on end with frustration. Brookstorm looked taken aback by his sudden change in mood.

"Brightstar's life is in danger," she rasped. "You must protect your leader from the threat that lies within. Do everything you can to prove that you are ready to lead."

By now Emberheart was too confused to speak. Brookstorm's image was already fading, along with the forest. By the time he understood the message, it was too late. He would have to lead the Clan. Otherwise Leopardfang or Falconwing would turn the forest into chaos.


AN: Shorter chapter this time, but what can you do? The plot is finally moving on, and a few more chapters are left before this is over :P But nonetheless, thank you everyone for all the marvelous reviews you've sent! I never expected this story to get so popular. Unfortunately I don't have time to do review replies, so you'll have to wait until next chapter for those ;)