SHOCKCLAN CAMP - 10 MONTHS LATER

It was one of those rare days in ShockClan, one of those days where the sun shone bright. "I bet I'll be a better apprentice than you're gonna be!" Two fully grown kits were out enjoying the sunshine, play-fighting in preparation to be made apprentice. As a matter of fact, that day was today. "Says the cat who fell into the brook while we were playing find the moss ball!" Yelled the dark brown tabby. "Stuff a mouse in it, Oakkit! You pushed me into it!" The tuxedo tom hissed back. "Did not!" Oakkit yowled. "Calm down, Oakkit." A large tuxedo she-cat mewed in a calm voice. "Don't be teasing your brother like that, Blackkit."

"We were just playing, mom!" Blackkit whined. "It's okay!" Shadepool purred with laughter. "Come, you two. Ashstar is about to call the meeting to make you and your friends apprentices." "Really?" Blackkit mewed. "Why didn't you tell us before, mom? Let's go, Oakkit!" The two brothers bolted into the cave that ShockClan lived in, just as Ashstar came up onto the Highledge.

"All cats of ShockClan old enough to catch their own prey, gather in front of the Highledge for a clan meeting!" Ashstar yowled. Cats slowly began to funnel into the cool cave air to sit in front of the Highledge. Ashstar looked upon them, smiling. Mountainpelt, the deputy, soon took his place beside Ashstar.

Blackkit looked around apprehensively for any other cats he knew. There was Maplekit, Hazelkit, Gingerkit...everyone was here.

A translucent creamy yellow she-cat (whos fur reminded Blackkit of lightning) materialized beside Ashstar, casting an uneasy, yet hopeful gaze across the cave. The spectral she-cat set her gaze on Blackkit, stared for a short bit, and then turned back to Ashstar. That's odd. Blackkit thought to himself. What's wrong with her? I've never been looked at like that.

"Mom? Who's that clearish cat beside Ashstar?" Shadepool looked towards the Highledge, looking the spirit up and down for a few beats before turning back to Blackkit. "That's Shockstar. She's the founder of our clan. I do hope you decide to either possess another living thing or to consult with BreezeClan about entering their...StarClan, whatever they called it, instead of remaining with us, like she did. She has been here for hundreds of moons upon moons." Shadepool sighed. "She watches over her clan like a restless mother. I don't quite blame her, but...her mate and sons are long gone by now. They stayed back whenever the seven founders had the Great Migration." "What's that, mom?" Blackkit mewed. "You'll find out in time." Shadepool replied.

Ashstar lifted her head and yowled, clearing the din. She scanned the cave, making sure noone else would speak. She nodded to herself and began the meeting. "Welcome, ShockClan. I have called you here today for a tradition that has been going on for thousands of moons. Today we will be continuing that cycle. I would like for Oakkit, Blackkit, Maplekit, and Hazelkit to come up to the Highledge." Blackkit nervously skittered up to the Highledge, followed by the rest of his friends.

"These four kits have spent the past four moons learning about how their clan works. They are now finally ready to begin the true path towards becoming a warrior. I trust that you will take good care of them if you are to be their mentor?" "Yes, Ashstar!" The clan yowled.

"Good. Maplekit?" Maplekit looked up, her amber eyes aglow. "You have picked up the workings of your clan quickly. You are ready to become an apprentice. Shockstar?" Shockstar glided over, a slight smile on her face. "Maplekit, as the founder of this clan, I see you as worthy to become a warrior. From now on, you shall be known as Maplepaw until your training is complete."

"Maplepaw! Maplepaw! Maplepaw!" The clan shouted. Maplepaw reveled in the moment before the clan's voice died down once again.

"Thank you. Maplepaw, your mentor shall be Stormfeather. He is an excellent fighter for such a young warrior. You will train her well, Stormfeather." The young silver tom sauntered up towards the Highledge and took his place beside Maplepaw. "I will, Ashstar. Thank you for trusting me with her." He purred.

"Now, Hazelkit. You have been very interested in herbs and pursuing the role of Medicine Cat. Mintstream has displayed his interest and we have spoken. Shockstar?" "Of course, Ashstar." She floated over to Hazelkit. "Hazelkit." She began. "All of the cats in ShockClan rely on the medicine cat to make sense of warnings that BreezeClan may give us, to commune with us Echoes, to heal...this is a very complicated profession. Are you absolutely sure that you would like to begin your training under Mintstream?" "Yes, Shockstar. I'm very ready!" She mewed. Shockstar smiled. "This is always my favorite thing to do when it comes to apprenticing cats. You will begin your training under Mintstream and beside Ivypaw as Hazelpaw. I know you will be a great medicine cat."

"Hazelpaw! Hazelpaw! Hazelpaw!"

"Thank you, everyone. Now, Oakkit. You're a very energetic warrior, and you're always ready to take on new challenges, no matter what kind of problem it might pose. And as such, you are ready to begin your training." Shockstar didn't need to be told. She moved towards Oakkit. "Oakkit, as founder of this clan, I see you as worthy to begin your training. From now on, until your training is complete, you shall be known as Oakpaw."

"Oakpaw! Oakpaw! Oakpaw!"

"You will begin your training under Ravenstone. He knows the seven clans better than anyone here. Ra-Oh, you're already here." "Thank you, Shockstar. I will serve you well." The blueish-black tom mewed.

"Now, finally. Blackkit." Blackkit jolted to attention, and looked at Ashstar expectantly. "Blackkit. I have seen many cats throughout my 80 moons of life in this clan. From leaders to warriors to medicine cats, never have I been around a cat that seems to radiate such an energy as you. You display the potential to be a great warrior and so much more, more so than any of the other cats up on this Highledge. Your training shall start today under me, Blackpaw."The jaws of the other apprentices dropped, and the clan began shouting Blackpaw's name louder than ever before. "BLACKPAW! BLACKPAW! BLACKPAW! BLACKPAW!"

"Thank you, ShockClan! You may now go about your day!"

Oakpaw and the other apprentices surrounded Blackpaw quickly and began chattering."How'd you get Ashstar to be your mentor?""The clan leader never mentors apprentices! The last time that happened was a really long time ago!""Good job, Blackki-I mean Blackpaw!" Blackpaw's head was spinning. This was such a huge responsibility to take on, for both him and Ashstar. He would make her proud.

He knew it.

A/N: i swear that the chapters will begin getting longer soon! these are also on scratch, so i gotta try and keep it short. i might begin merging multiple scratch chapters in order to make these longer.