"Applekit, Birdkit, step forward."

Flashstar was still a bit battered, but he insisted on completing the apprentice ceremony. Just a moon ago, ShadowClan and RiverClan had competed over the territory near the river.

Every cat had fought and every cat was bruised.

Well, every cat except the two kits that were now rushing up to the High Boulder.

Mistpoppy and Rainfur watched proudly while Mothleaf's kits, Rockkit, Blazekit, and Berrykit raced around their mother's paws.

"When will we become 'paws too, Redstripe?"

The tabby tom didn't look at them. "Hush," he snapped. "Be quiet and watch the ceremony."

The kits shrunk and padded back to their mother.

Flashstar continued the ceremony. "Applekit, until you receive your warrior name, you will be known as Applepaw. Your mentor will be Frondwillow. Frondwillow, please pass down your skill and speed to Applepaw."

The new ginger apprentice excitedly bounced up and down as Frondwillow approached him.

The two touched noses, and Applepaw squeaked, "I'm glad it's you! I've always admired you so much."

The cats watching purred, and Frondwillow looked at her apprentice fondly. "You'll be a great warrior. The new kits will admire you one day."

Flashstar also purred.

Then he turned to Birdkit. The gray tabby she-kit seemed nervous. "Birdkit, until you receive your warrior name, you'll be known as Birdpaw."

The RiverClan leader was interrupted when Birdpaw randomly meowed, "I do."

Then she took a step back, her eyes widening in embarrassment. "I'm so sorry! I thought I was becoming a warrior, and you had just asked me if I'm ready to protect the Clan with my life. I'm sorry!"

The cats in the crowd purred again, and Mistpoppy watched her kit with proudness in her gaze.

Flashstar shook his head. "No need to apologize. RiverClan needs strong and eager warriors. As I was saying, Birdpaw, your mentor will be Thistlestripe. Thistlestripe, I trust you'll pass down your hunting skills and bravery down to Birdpaw."

The fawn colored tom padded up to his apprentice and touched her nose with his.

The cats of RiverClan cheered for the two new apprentices. "Applepaw! Birdpaw!"

Flashstar looked around. "We have one more ceremony. Spotpaw, Brightpaw, step forward."

Spotpaw glanced at her sister in excitement.

On the ground, Mothleaf's kits bounced even more.

"Spotpaw, step forward." The tortoiseshell and white she-cat moved closer to her father. "As you know, we are currently fighting ShadowClan for our rightful territory. So even though you are a bit younger than most warriors are, Stormclaw has told me that you are ready. And Ivynose, too."

Spotpaw flashed her mentor a grateful glance, which he returned with a nod.

"I, Flashstar of RiverClan, call upon StarClan to look after this apprentice. She has trained hard, and is ready to be a warrior of RiverClan. Do you, Spotpaw, promise to uphold the warrior code, and protect your Clan even at the cost of your life?"

Spotpaw trembled. "I do."

Flashstar's eyes glowed with pride. "Then from this moment on, your name will be Spotfeather. StarClan honors your loyalty and kindness, and we welcome you as a true warrior of RiverClan."

Spotfeather stepped back.

I can't believe it. I'm a warrior!

"Brightpaw, step forward."

Spotfeather watched as her sister shakily padded to their father.

"Brightpaw has also trained hard, and is ready to become a warrior. Do you, Brightpaw, promise to uphold the warrior code and protect your Clan, even at the cost of your life?"

Brightpaw didn't hesitate. "I do!"

Flashstar placed his chin on his daughter's head briefly. "Then your name will be Brightpool. StarClan honors your eager spirit and your sharp eyes, and we welcome you as a warrior of RiverClan."

Brightpool's eyes were wide as she padded besides her sister.

The Clan cheered again. "Spotfeather! Brightpool!" Sunpetal's voice was the loudest, her gaze shimmering with happiness.

Flashstar spoke again after the cheering died down. "The Gathering is today. The warriors coming are Stormclaw, Dewfern, Mosscloud, Featherberry, Ivynose, Rainfur, Thistlestripe, Sunpetal, Spotfeather, Brightpool, Applepaw and Birdpaw. Stormclaw, please send out some hunting patrols."

The deputy nodded.

"Featherberry, take a patrol to hunt near the creek. Bring Creamflower and Redstripe. Frondwillow, Thistlestripe, it's up to you, but maybe go explore the territory with the new apprentices."

The two new mentors nodded and headed out, Applepaw and Birdpaw following in excitement.

Stormclaw looked at the remaining cats. "Rainfur, bring Brightpool and Pebblepelt hunting near the WindClan border. And we also need a border patrol. Ivynose, take Spotfeather to mark the ShadowClan border."

Spotfeather hurried to catch up to Brightpool's former mentor.

The ginger and white she-cat purred as Spotfeather approached. "A warrior now, hmm? How are you feeling?"

Spotfeather flicked her tail. "Awesome!"

Ivynose smiled and led the tortoiseshell and white she-cat out of camp.

Walking in comfortable silence, they were almost nearing the ShadowClan border when pawsteps alerted a patrol.

Spotfeather saw a mass of cats, smelled ShadowClan, and felt paws land on her pelt.

It was too sudden, and she and Ivynose were sorely outnumbered. Before she could think a battle plan through, a ShadowClan tom she recognized as Pinepelt placed a well aimed strike at the side of Spotfeather's head, causing her vision to blur.

Before she gave way to sleep completely, she felt a burning sensation on her belly. Something wet poured down her flank.

The last thing she saw before she fell unconscious was Ivynose's horrified face.

Author's Note: I think I rushed this whole attack thing, too -_-. Hope you enjoyed the chapter anyway! Please, please, please follow, favorite, and review. Constructive criticism helps me more than you can imagine :)

Have a good rest of your day/night!

Thanks for reading my story ❤️

~Paige