Cinderpaw sprinted through the trees, her paws flying over the ground. She was excited and scared, free and rebellious. She was overjoyed that she got to deliver such an important message. And to Bluestar herself! Cinderpaw grinned, thinking she was the luckiest apprentice in the world.

"Cinderpaw! Cinderpaw stop!" She could hear her mentor, Fireheart, who was shouting for her to stop, but she didn't stop. She needed to give Tigerclaw the message about Bluestar, she new that Fireheart would be mad, but she wanted to help. She stopped at the edge of the black path, the reek of it's smell was unforgettable. She shook her head, trying to clear it.

Suddenly the ground started shaking and a rumbling filled the air. Cinderpaw screeched to a halt as the sound of loud roaring grew closer and closer. Her eyes popped wide open in shock as a shiny, red Monster zoomed past, blowing Cinderpaw's fluffy gray fur. The sharp smell of the Thunderpath burned her nose and made her eyes water, but she didn't let that stop her.

Her paws slowed, her head whipped to the side. Then she froze completely, joints locking into place. Horrified, she could only stare as a second monster screamed around the curve in the road and barreled straight at her.

Cinderpaw's mind disconnected from her body. Her legs went limp and her belly hit the ground. Shutting her eyes, she could only register the deafening sound and the blast of air that flattened her fur to her sides.

And in a split second, it was gone. The monster was already out of sight, having driven straight over the gray cat. She stood up on shaky legs, expecting to see StarClan warriors welcoming her.

"Cinderpaw!" Fireheart's terrified screech brought tears of joy to Cinderpaw's eyes. Shock, and joy. If Fireheart was calling her name, that meant she was still alive.

She fled to the safety of the forest, running until she crashed into Fireheart's orange fur. She stood there for a minute, gasping as the adrenaline wore off, crying from leftover fear. "Fireheart!" She whimpered, now just a scared apprentice.

Fireheart pressed against her soothingly. "Shh. Your not hurt, are you? I was sure you were dead."

Cinderpaw closed her eyes as the tears slowed. Fireheart, on the other hand, peered across the Thunderpath. Cinderpaw looked to see what he was staring at. On the other side, she could see Tigerclaw watching her with the strangest look in his eyes. Almost like... Disappointed? How strange...

Fireheart was still glaring at Tigerclaw. After a moment he seemed to remember Cinderpaw was there. Shifting his gaze back to her, he gave a strained smile. "Let's get you to Yellowfang, she can give you herbs for shock. I'm sure you must be traumatized." Laying his tail across her shoulders he lead her back to camp.

*A few moons later*

"All cats old enough to catch their own prey, gather here beneath the Highrock for a Clan meeting" Bluestar yowled, making her glance over to see Bluestar standing on top of the Highrock. 'I wonder what this meeting is about?' She thought, going to sit under the Highrock beside her brother.

"I would like to welcome two new warriors to the clan, Cinderpaw, Brackenpaw, please step forward" Bluestar meowed, and Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw stepped forward as Bluestar had instructed.

"I, Bluestar, leader of ThunderClan call upon my warrior ancestors to look down on these apprentices, they have worked hard to learn your noble code, and I commend them to you as warriors in their turn" Bluestar meowed, pausing for a minute.

"Cinderpaw, Brackenpaw do you promise to uphold the warrior code and to protect and defend your Clan even at the cost of your life?" Bluestar says, staring down at both Cinderpaw and Brackenpaw.

"I do" Cinderpaw meowed, hearing her brother echo her.

"Then from this day forward you will be known as Cinderpelt, StarClan honors your bravery, and loyalty and welcomes you as a full warrior of ThunderClan" Bluestar meowed, turning to Brackenpaw.

"From this day forward you will be known as Brackenfur, StarClan honors your bravery and strength and welcomes you as a full warrior of ThunderClan" Bluestar meowed.

"Cinderpelt, Brackenfur, Cinderpelt, Brackenfur" Warriors started to yowl.