Chapter 3! This story is going much faster than I thought lol. Hopefully it continues to be good. We'll see!

Shimmerkit sat in the nursery while Specklewish groomed her. Ravenkit wasn't far off, being groomed by his own mother. It had been about a moon since Shimmerkit had decided to become a Jedi, and they were finally becoming apprentices today. Shimmerkit was excited, but she knew that taking these steps today would finalize her destiny. It scared her a little but either her parents and Ravenkit encouraging her, she knew she could do this. For LightClan. For my family.

"Let all cats old enough to catch their own prey join here beneath the Talltree for a Clan meeting," Shinestar's call rang out around the camp.

Specklewish nudged her. "It's time. Are you ready?"

Shimmerkit took a deep breath before nodding. "As I'll ever be."

Specklewish nuzzled her. "Be strong, my brave little Jedi. I know you'll do great."

Specklewish and Specklespirit led the way out of the den with Shimmerkit and Ravenkit following. The went and sat at the front of the crowd, staring up at their leader. Rippleheart and Sageheart sat at the base of the tree. Nightcloud and Spiderwatcher, Ravenkit's father, came and sat beside their mates, all looking very proud of their kits.

"Cats of LightClan," Shinestar began once the Clan had gathered. "Today is a momentous occasion in two kits lives. They now continue their journey to become apprentices. Both are valued members of our Clan. With guidance, they will serve their Clan well." She looked down at Ravenkit. "Ravenkit, Sageheart has requested you be her apprentice. You've shown that you have the skills required to become a medicine cat. Until you have received your full medicine cat name, you shall be known as Ravenpaw." Ravenpaw dipped his head to Shinestar before Sageheart came over and touched noses with him. They then steppe back into the crowd, leaving Shimmerkit alone in the front.

"Shimmerkit," Shinestar continued. "From this moment, until you've received your warrior name, you shall be known as Shimmerpaw. Your mentor will be Rippleheart." Shimmerpaw blinked with surprise as the deputy came to her side. Thistlepaw had been gone for only a moon, and even though they had found no trace of him, she expected the deputy to wait it out a little longer. "Rippleheart, you are an amazing warrior and wonderful Jedi. Shimmerpaw has shown that she has the gift of the force. I trust you to pass on all you know to her."

Rippleheart dipped his head to Shinestar before turning and touching noses with Shimmerpaw. They then stepped back beside Ravenpaw and Sageheart.

"Ravenpaw! Shimmerpaw!" the Clan cheered. Ravenpaw stuck his chest out, a look of pride on his face. Shimmerpaw glanced up at Rippleheart, who smiled down at her. She smiled back. I still don't know if this was the right choice, but at least I've got a really good mentor.

The Clan began to disperse, some coming up to congratulate Shimmerpaw and Ravenpaw. Specklewish and Nightcloud both nuzzled Shimmerpaw quickly before padding away. Shimmerpaw stared after them for a moment before someone nudged her. She looked to see Ravenpaw staring at her with concern. She gave him a grateful smile.

"Come," Rippleheart got to his paws, padding towards the camp entrance. Shimmerpaw quickly followed him out of camp. They emerged into the thick forest. Shimmerpaw felt the new-leaf breeze blow through her fur. She figured it would be stronger if they weren't in the trees.

Rippleheart set out, setting an easy trot. Shimmerpaw found it easy to keep up with him and was glad he wasn't going too quickly. They made quick progress through the trees, coming to an open stretch of land that seemed to have barely any trees at all. "This is the first border. It's fairly easy to remember, being at the edge of the forest."

Shimmerpaw gazed out at the open grass, taking a good sniff before following Rippleheart along the border. They came to a large clearing with a tall rock in the center. "This is the area where LightClan and DarkClan meet every full moon for the Gathering. There is a truce then. That means that neither Clan can fight the other. The Gathering is meant to be peaceful. If it's not, StarClan will be angry," Rippleheart explained.

Shimmerpaw nodded and they continued on, following a border. Shimmerpaw noticed that past the border, the trees seemed to change into pine trees and that side of the forest seemed a little darker and colder.

"That over there is DarkClan territory. Memorize it well, Shimmerpaw," Rippleheart meowed, not having to say much more. Shimmerpaw took a deep breath, inhaling the other Clan's scent. They continued on, coming to another border at the edge of the trees. They then ventured into the center of the territory. Rippleheart showed her a sandy clearing, which was the training clearing where they would work on battle moves and hunting techniques. He then took her to the river that went through their territory.

Once there, Rippleheart sat down, wrapping his tail over his paws. "I know it's never easy when starting your training. If you have any questions, you're welcome to ask."

Shimmerpaw thought for a moment, sitting down beside him. "What made you take on me as your apprentice? I would've figured that you wouldn't want to so soon after what happened to Thistlepaw disappeared."

"It wasn't an easy decision. But you learn to trust your instincts. I can't explain it, but I feel as if I were meant to train you," Rippleheart explained. "And if that weren't enough, Shinestar and Sageheart both agree that you have a great destiny ahead of you."

Shimmerpaw's eyes widened. "A great destiny?"

Rippleheart nodded. "Dark times are ahead, Shimmerpaw. Something is coming. Something that could destroy both Clans."

Shimmerpaw looked down into the water. Suddenly her body felt a lot heavier. Is he saying that the fate of both Clans rests with me? But I'm just an apprentice! I'm nothing special! "What do I do?" she asked, just loud enough for Rippleheart to hear.

Rippleheart leaned down and nuzzled Shimmerpaw, comfortingly. "I know it's daunting, but you have no idea how much potential you have. Your connection to the force is stronger than any I have seen before. And you don't have to face it alone. I am going to make sure of that."

Shimmerpaw smiled at him, gratefully. "Thank you, Rippleheart. I've honestly been wondering if this is the right path for me, but with you guiding me, I feel a lot better about this. I promise I will not fail."

Rippleheart smiled warmly at her. "We may be Jedi, but I'm still your mentor. I will always be here for you if you need me."

"And I will always be there for you too, Rippleheart," Shimmerpaw promised.

"Now come on. We should get back," Rippleheart began leading the way back to camp. Shimmerpaw padded at his side. She still wasn't completely sure this was the right path for her, but with Rippleheart to guide her, she hoped she would figure it all out in the end.

Well, Shimmerpaw is finally an apprentice! We're getting close to the point I started the story at originally. I'm still going to have to add a few chapters to explain some background events, though. Anyway, hope you enjoyed! Please R&R :)